Title: LotR Advent
Challenge: Mistletoe Touch Pt. 5/24
Author: Deathangelgw
Disclaimer: They aren't
mine, but damned if I didn't wish that they were.
Warnings: AU, sap, fluff,
hinted slash, angst
Pairings: Gildor+everyone,
hinted Elrond/Glorfindel/Erestor/Lindir
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Day Five of the
Advent Challenge-> Gildor wishes to share mistletoe, but not in the usual way…
Beta: none since I want to
get this posted right away, so any mistakes are all MINE!
A/N: This is for an Advent
Challenge that I had posted/taken up. Each day will be a different
person/pairing from LotR. I'd like to thank Iniquity for keeping this up and
wish everyone a blessed Christmas! Enjoy! Please review!
‘thoughts’
“Gildor! You are here!”
Lindir’s voice floated from the main household as he ran from it, greeting the
Elf Lord that had just ridden up in the courtyard of Imladris. Gildor laughed as
he dismounted and clasped arms with the ecstatic minstrel in greeting. Lindir
laughed as well, eyes shining and cheeks flushing from the brisk wind. “We had
lost hope that you would make it!”
“I would not miss such a
time of joy and togetherness for all the Silmarils from Aman!” Gildor proclaimed
before he hugged his dear friend tightly, laughing once more with Lindir as they
held each other. They leaned back, smiling joyfully at each other. “Come now…how
is everyone? Your letter was…sparse, even if informative. I sensed…something
underneath what was said. Care to inform me?” he asked with a smile as they
headed into the house after he had put his saddlebags over his shoulder.
Flushing softly, Lindir
smiled softly as he looked down at the snow covered tiles before they turned
into dry tiling. “Aye…things have occurred while you were gone,” he murmured
after a bit, earning a beaming smile from Gildor as the traveler walked
alongside the bard.
“Truly? I am very curious
now! You must regale me, old friend!” Gildor declared as they went into the
study where Lord Elrond sat behind his desk, writing along with Erestor.
“Regale you with what,
meldiren?” Erestor asked warmly as he stood and came over to hug the wandering
Lord warmly. (my dear friend)
“The reason for the strange
sense of contentment that laced through my letter,” Gildor explained with a
smile as he returned the hug to the Chief Advisor.
“Ah yes…that…” Erestor
flushed slightly, amusing Gildor even more as he saw a similar flush on Lindir
and Elrond’s pale cheeks. “Well, it is…rather complicated…” he trailed off,
waving his hand vaguely.
“With Imladris and her
Lords, it always is so,” Gildor replied with a laugh as he waved his hand. “No
need for details. I see what has happened. Now, if you do not mind, I shall
retire to my rooms and restore myself to a seemly state,” he said before bowing
and leaving the room at a fast clip.
The three lovers looked at
each other in bemusement and some sadness. It was no secret that Gildor was
plagued with loneliness and hid it through his traveling. But they all knew he
longed to belong somewhere. All hoped he would find it soon.
*~~**~~*
Gildor sighed as he sank
into his bathing tub, letting the hot water soothe away his sorrows and aches
from his traveling. He was indeed happy for his friends, somehow knowing that
Glorfindel was also involved, knowing his dear friend as he did. He didn’t
begrudge them the happiness one bit, knowing that, after all that had happened
to their ‘family’, it had only been natural for it to expand into more.
Sighing again, Gildor
chuckled. Still, the peoples of Imladris needed a bit of spicing up. And, with
what he had learned from the Elves of Greenwood, he had a way of introducing a
new tradition into their celebration…and earn a bit of fun. Who was to say he
was a boring Elf?
*~~**~~*
The Winter Solstice
festival whirled around the Elves of Imladris merrily as they danced and sang in
celebration of the New Year. Laughter flowed as easily as the wine, mead, and
miruvor amidst the food. Gildor watched everything with a warm smile as he
sipped his wine, his eyes trailing over to the four leaders of Imladris as they
sat near the hearth, laughing and chattering like young lovers. The way that the
inhabitants of Imladris easily accepted the loving display of affection, it was
obvious that it had been established for a long while. Shaking his head at how
he had missed it, Gildor sighed fondly and sauntered over to the quad of Elven
Lords.
They looked up and smiled
welcomingly as he came over. “Gildor, meldiren! I had heard you were here, but I
dared not hope!” Glorfindel exclaimed as he stood and wrapped his strong arms
around the other Elf, laughing in joy as the hug was returned.
“Aye, forgive me, but I was
admiring all of the beautiful Elves here. I was drawn to the glorious gems
taking sanctuary by the fire here, so please do not mind me,” Gildor said
quietly, smiling warmly. “But I also wanted to show you a new tradition I
learned from my time amidst Thranduil’s people.”
“Oh? And what tradition is
that, meldiren?” Elrond asked softly, his smile warm and gentle, albeit sad at
the quiet manner their friend was around them.
“A simple one, oh Lord of
Imladris. It requires a mere sprig of mistletoe and a special ritual that must
be performed when under it,” Gildor explained teasingly as he brought out the
dark leaved sprig he had snitched from the gardens.
“And what is this ritual,
meldiren?” Erestor questioned in amusement as he twirled his wine glass between
his fingers.
“A very simple and
enjoyable one, Master Erestor. Glorfindel…will you let me demonstrate with you?”
Gildor queried his friend as he slowly spun the sprig, a challenging smirk on
his full lips.
“Of course, meldiren. What
must we do?” Glorfindel asked, curious as he stood next to his friend. He
watched as Gildor lifted the spray of mistletoe above them, and then blinked in
shock as Gildor’s warm lips met his in a gentle kiss. It didn’t deepen, but
neither did it stop until Gildor stepped back, smiling softly at Glorfindel’s
confused expression.
“In Greenwood, mistletoe is
hung all around the halls and talans, guarding against evil. But one time,
Oropher had kissed his beloved wife, then a crush, under a sprig. A month later,
they married. It was declared then that, whenever two people were under a spray
of mistletoe, they should kiss. I felt that sharing this tradition with your
land was…a welcome addition,” Gildor explained with a smile before he handed the
stem over to the stunned Glorfindel. He bowed to them before waving as he walked
away. “Have a wonderful Winter Solstice, mellynen,” he said warmly before
leaving the halls. He went to his rooms and grabbed his sack, feeling the
overwhelming need to leave the warmth of Imladris. (my friends)
Walking out silently, he
looked back at the glowing Halls of Imladris, smiling sadly as he heard the
laughter and singing floating from their warm walls. Without another glance
back, he went to his steed and mounted up after preparing the saddle and bags.
He galloped off into the winter’s night; taking solace that he had gifted his
friends with a parting donation towards their happiness. Some traditions were
worth their weight in mithril.
~Fin
