Turambar lamented, but carried on and with all his will climbed up the narrow to the dragon's position. Then he took his sword Gurthang and stabbed Glaurung's belly to the hilt. Crying in pain, the dragon crossed to the other cliff with the sword still embedded. He twisted in agony, falling in the ground. Turambar almost fainted, but with great strength he left the ravine and approached the dragon. Mocking the dragon, Turambar took back his sword, but a blood stream sprayed his hand, and he fell unconscious.
The lifeless body of Túrin was later found by his wife. “For at the cry of Níniel Glaurung stirred for the last time, and a quiver ran through all his body; and he opened his baleful eyes a silt, and the moon gleamed in them, as gasping he spoke: ‘Hail, Niënor, daughter of Húrin. We meet again ere we end. I give you joy that you have found your brother at last. And now you shall know him: a stabber in the dark, treacherous to foes, faithless to friends, and a curse unto his kin, Túrin son of Húrin! But the worst of all his deeds you shall feel in yourself.’
–J.R.R. Tolkien, The Children of Húrin.
“The Death of Glaurung”. The scene were Túrin have just brought an end to the evil of Glaurung, the father of dragons. Although, Glaurung had one last revelation..
Rog makes a pretty interesting assumption about the Readers love life. Ecthelion springs into action to make sure his opportunity to be with Reader isn’t missed.
* * *
"Ecthelion!" Rog called out as the elf-lord walked towards the pavilion that both Ecthelion and Glorfindel were standing under. The two turning their gaze from each other and to their friend with a smile,
"Rog how nice of you to finally join us." Ecthelion teased out sarcastically, making him look at him in return with a glint in his eyes. Glorfindel roughly patted him on the back, though it did not phase him, as Rog took his place to lean up against the railing.
"Do not tell me that the Lady's distracted you again?" Glorfindel teased, as Rog was always found himself inclined to stop the maids who couldn't reach higher shelves. Unashamed in admitting he definitely did enjoy their fawning and attention, but Rog smirked as his eyes landed on Ecthelion.
There was mischief there and this only made Ecthelion sigh out at the sight, knowing whatever he was going to say would be something no doubt to stir up some discomfort if he could. Rog finally bobbed his head a little at Glorfindel's words, folding his strong arms over his chest.
"Yes, but it would be our dear friend's Lady that has captured my attention this time." Glorfindel laughed out at this mirroring Rog's stance, while Ecthelion only shook his head like a disgruntled parent. Once again here Rog was trying to complicate between you and Ecthelion,
"Do explain what captured your attention, Rog?" Ecthelion said picking up a glass of wine from the table to sip out of. He wasn't complaining too much, if anything curious to hear what Rog would have to say about you.
He always did have the most curious bits of information, even if half of it was true. Rog's smile only grew as he didn't break eye contact with Ecthelion who was trying to brush him off,
"Your dear Y/N was with your guard, Lindaleon," Rog began, only making Ecthelion roll his eyes, it was no secret you were friends with him. Close friends it seemed but for no reason to have Ecthelion all discontented over this news.
"With his hand on their lower back, a gentle embrace... And she was certainly not rejecting the affections." Rog concluded, though his tone had grown a little more serious, which caught Ecthelion's attention. Both curiously and with worry, not even Ecthelion had embraced you yet. Rog was never serious when jesting, and he quickly took this information to heart.
He had been keeping things as steady as they came; he was not ready to confess just yet, though it was in the near future... Had you figured out that he liked you? If so had you gotten bored waiting around for him and moved on? Had you not liked him to begin with?
For once Ecthelion wore his look of panic on the outside, making the two elf lords around him snicker at the sight. Bringing Ecthelion back down to earth before he waved the laughter away, setting the glass down.
"Are you alright dear Ecthelion?" Glorfindel asked with a bright smile, enjoying the sight of his friend floundering in love for once. Ecthelion thought he was clever, but with Rog and Glorfindel together, their friend underestimated them. The pair exchanging a glance as Ecthelion didn't even register Glorfindel's words.
"I must go." He grumbled out, thoughts tumbling over one another in an effort to come up with something to say to you. If you liked and loved Lindaleon, he would be... okay with that if that's what made you happy, but he had to get it off of his chest that he was in love with you first. Without another thought he was hurrying off the pavilion while Rog and Glorfindel called out to the "lover boy" with laughter and some encouragement.
Everyone that saw Ecthelion coming was quick to move out of his way, the ellon deep in his thoughts hardly noticing the others around him before he finally made it back to his House. Being greeted with many nodding their heads and "my lord" but he hardly paid them any attention, too focused on the current agenda.
Without any hesitation he began to search for you, knowing there were only two places Rog would have seen you. In the gardens or in the courtyard near his workshop, and he was confident Rog had seen you once he left the workshop after dropping a few things off.
As he came to workshop immediately his suspicions were confirmed as there you stood in the evening sunlight with Lindaleon. You had yet to spot Ecthelion, Lindaleon blocking your view with his back to him. Quietly he assessed every single aspect of the both of you, taking a moment to admire how lovely you looked.
He was assessing the body language, looking to try and see if you looked at the guard with adoring eyes. But he could not tell and Ecthelion didn’t know if this soothed his panic or made it worse. That was until Lindaleon leaned down to kiss the top of your head, making him suck in a breath harshly at the sight.
Sorrow filled him at the sight, struggling to believe that he had misjudged how you felt for him. Nonetheless as Lindaleon walked away, he begin to approach you, looking at you in a cool and relaxed manner that you were used to seeing. Completely hiding the heartbreak he was feeling,
“Oh! Ecthelion! It’s a pleasure to see you!” Your voice was full of mirth, and he could not help the soft smile wanting to pull at his lips. Despite that sight, your bright eyes were focused solely on him and he felt his breath leave him. By the stars he needed to get a hold of himself.
“My dear, Y/N.” He began bowing his head respectfully to you, before giving you a charming smile. Bright blue eyes looking down at you, making a soft blush rise to your face.
“May we speak privately?” Ecthelion asked you before you could even get a moment to respond to his greeting. You nodded at his words, noticing how Ecthelion seemed conflicted on whether to touch you or to offer his arm to you. It was not often that you were so easily able to read him, his demeanor much more guarded and collected than it was now.
You couldn't help but feel the concern bubble up inside of you. Was something wrong? You wondered, following after him as he opened the door to his workshop. Ever the gentleman making sure to allow you to enter first before following close behind you and shutting the door.
"What is the matter, Thel? Is everything alright?" You asked him with concern using your nickname for him, Ecthelion stood in silence in thought. Hands clasped in front of his cerulean and silver robes in a stoic manner, his face had grown rather serious making you hold your own breath as you waited impatiently for him to begin.
"Y/N, there is something that I must tell you. Though I hope you know I mean no disrespect." Ecthelion's voice was even, eyes flitting up to you almost apologetically and you nodded as if urging him to continue.
"I doubt you'd ever cause much or any disrespect at all Ecthelion." You assured him as you folded your arms across your chest, plainly wearing your confusion. Ecthelion sighed for a moment shaking his head some, knowing that he should just leave your relationship alone.
That he shouldn't confess how he was feeling, and make you feel worse for wear about this. You were a wonderful soul, and Stars forbid if this made you feel conflicted on such a happy time. Even if he felt saddened, he didn't want to make you feel the same.
"I have been feeling this way for quite some time, Y/N. I in no way wish to cause any conflict between us as I value our friendship deeply." Ecthelion continued making your brows draw together as you frowned with worry at where this was going. Had he found his one?
Did he know you liked him and was calling you out on it now when he already found his? Eru was he breaking up your friendship? You wanted desperately to interrupt him, but decided to let him speak his peace.
If your love for Ecthelion wasn't returned that was okay by you as long as he was happy, you most certainly didn't want to lose your closest friend you had. You just wanted him to be happy,
"I have greatly enjoyed our time spent together, you have been wonderful company. I look forward to our daily walks, our long evenings reading and drinking, and the conversations that we share together. It is time never wasted, and I always wish to spend more of my alone time with you." You could hardly believe your ears that he was even saying this! Was he saying what you thought you were? Had you actually heard this correctly?
"I have undoubtedly fallen in love with you, and I know this could not come at a worse time-"
"Worse time? Thel, how is this the worst time?" You interrupted him breathlessly, softly stepping forward towards him, your heart pounding wildly in your chest. Ecthelion furrowed his brows at you, confused how you couldn't see that this was a horrible time!
"Why would it not be? You are with Lindaleon, I cannot see how this comes at a good time." At this you gave Ecthelion an incredulous look, trying to piece together where he ever got the idea that you and Lindaleon were in love? Ecthelion quietly watched you, seeing you fumble in confusion at his words.
"In.. love with Lindaleon? Ecthelion what ever gave you that idea?" You asked him with a halfhearted laugh, though this time it was Ecthelion's turn to laugh some in exasperation. His cheeks beginning to bloom some with color, but then quickly the expression was washed away with seriousness looking back to you.
"Then what was that kiss Lindaleon gave to you?" His voice firm catching you off guard some, but you only smiled at him. You couldn't help but snicker at this whole mess, he had gotten things so very wrong.
"Lindaleon has explained to me that I remind him of his younger sibling that still resides in Valinor." You began folding your arms over your chest raising a brow at him,
"And I think of him like my older brother. It was strictly done in a familial manner and nothing more, I assure you." You continued before you began to approach him again, this time standing much closer to Ecthelion. His composure clearly rattled some by this new information, your hand came to brush against his fingers that rested at his side now.
"Though... in case you were wondering," You began in a soft voice pulling Ecthelion from his thoughts, eyes fixated on you and goosebumps rising on his skin at the brush of your skin.
"I am very much in love with you too..." At this Ecthelion smiled, very much relieved and thrilled to hear that he had been right, and that you did love him too. He brought a hand up to your cheek, thumb gently stroking it before he leaned down, lips pressing against yours gently. You received him eagerly, lips melding against his with care.
Interlacing his fingers with yours, he pulled you closer, kissing you with more passion that he had been desperate to show you. Finally he no longer had to hide his feelings nor his affections for you any longer, or worry about you being with anyone else.
“Would you do me the honor of courting me?” He whispered out to you, soft and warm lips brushing against your own. A wide smile pulled at your lips as you began to nod,
“Yes Ecthelion, a thousand times yes.” You answered quickly, before finally kissing him again.
