The Horse Trainer by Erulisse (one L)

[engarian.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: 2013 D - Discovery, Day 4
Format: Triple Drabble
Genre: Narrative Drama
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Characters: Glorfindel, Erestor
Pairings: None (yet)
Creators' Notes (optional): None
Summary: Sent to the refugee camp of Imladris by Ereinion, Glorfindel arrives and starts to settle in.





Glorfindel fell silent. He appeared to be seeing far beyond the walls of Erestor's room. Perhaps another elf would have quickly rushed in with platitudes, queries or simple touches to pull the Twice-born from his reflections, but Erestor sat immobile, unwilling to disturb his companion's thoughts.

"I loved the horses," Glorfindel said softly, "the young foals played as they chased each other around the paddocks, while their mothers looked on. The stallions, how I loved their power, the way they fought for prominence in the herd, teeth biting and hoofs flying. We bred the strongest; and gelded the others to become the troops' horses. I even loved their training. They were trained for battle or the race track." His voice trailed off again.

Erestor reached out and grabbed a bottle of wine. Pulling the cork he offered the bottle to Glorfindel. Glasses were across the room, not too far, but far enough that Erestor couldn't reach them without rising. Glorfindel took the bottle, drank several swallows and handed it back. His eyes remained focused on a different time and place.

"Helyanwë, my wife, was a smith. Having our children underfoot was dangerous when her forge was operating, but it was rare for the fires not to be roaring; she was highly skilled. So I took the children with me. They would play with the offspring of the stable hands and trainers. I was titled a Lord, but such titles only counted in the presence of the King or when meeting in Council."

Suddenly Glorfindel focused on Erestor, "Am I boring you?"

"No!" Erestor assured him. "Not at all." He passed the bottle back to the warrior.

"I think leaving the title behind me was one of the better results of my death," his companion murmured as he grasped the bottle.

Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Ah, Helyanwë is it? Now I can't help thinking of the fair Helena, though I know they're not one and the same, clearly. *rueful grin* But your Helyanwë sounds like quite the amazing elleth! And Glorfindel as a horse breeder and trainer is certainly a clever idea, definitely not one I've seen before!

I am definitely looking forward to more!

Kaylee

[mysterious-jedi.livejournal.com]

That's a sad story. I like how Erestor is a good listener instead of having to always say something.

[shirebound]

His eyes remained focused on a different time and place.

I suspect that would happen quite often in his new life.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Poor Helyanwë - I've always liked her in your writing. Now I wonder if she is stuck in the West, having been widowed and sailed, whilst her husband is back in Middle Earth, or did she, and their children, die too? In which case, of course, she might still be in Mandos - but could, again, be stuck in the west whilst her husband gads around in Middle Earth.

[dreamflower]

What a sad backstory. I'd never thought of Glorfindel as having been married with children--it makes his tale that much more tragic and interesting.

I love it when people take (to me at least) a direction I haven't seen before with a canon character. I remember the pleasant shock of once reading a story in which Legolas was actually married, but his wife had sailed. Of course the default assumption has always been that he was not, but that's what makes a different interpretation so much fun.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like this idea. And his Helanye sounds amazing.

[nialoke]

I am glad Erestor is willing to listen - both for Glorfindel's sake and for the sake of my curiosity ;)
I am enjoying following your series about Glorfindel here!