Making his way carefully down the rocks through which the water trickled into the stream, Erestor looked cautiously behind him even though he knew no one had followed. Every few months he went through this ritual- sneaking from the comfort and warmth of the Last Homely House to the cold, rushing waters just a mile away. In the most secluded spot he had found since coming into the service of Lord Elrond, Erestor shed his clothing quickly and slid one foot into the water.
A shiver went down his spine, but he took a deep breath and set his foot down into the sand beneath the water. Slowly he moved his other foot forward and put it into the water as well, just a bit further out. Erestor gritted his teeth as the water came now up to his knee, and the first foot hesitated before moving along through the sand, first the right, and now the left, and the right again, until he stood with the water to his waist, the very ends of his jet black hair skimming the smooth surface.
Another deep breath was taken, but this time he placed his hand over his mouth and pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Squeezing his eyes closed, he dropped to his knees and ducked his head down, staying under a few seconds after the water rushed to cover over him. He emerged suddenly, arching his back and tossing his head so that the water whipped from his hair before the silken strands slapped against and clung to his skin. Bending his knees again, he came to a stop when the water was up to his shoulders and sighed despite the chill that bit his flesh.
The sun was just beginning to rise, and Erestor stretched his arms out behind him before lazily standing up to wring the water from his hair. He shook his mane as he approached the shore, sending droplets to hit the petals and leaves of the nearby plants. As he came to a large gingko tree, he brought his arms up to cushion his head as he rested it against the bark, bracing himself against the trunk. His legs were spread slightly as water dripped from him to the ground.
Not too far away, a figure stood and silently watched the one by the tree. The second elf was in the water - he had been there long before Erestor had arrived. Glorfindel dared not step closer to the shore for fear he would be discovered. Up until the point Erestor had come to the water, Glorfindel had been sitting on a ledge with his legs dangling in the water and was easily able to hide himself in the shadows when the dark haired elf came to the bank.
Glorfindel continued to watch now as the light of the day broke through the clouds and shined upon everything on the eastern shore, including Erestor. Holding his breath, Glorfindel watched and listened as Erestor tensed and whimpered slightly. The skin along his back seemed to stretch, and after a short time spread out slowly to either side as wings pierced through and slowly reached out in either direction.
Wanting to go to the other elf to comfort him, to stop of the soft sobs as they came from the trembling figure now clinging the tree, Glorfindel stayed still, not wanting to frighten Erestor. At last, the wings, hanging limp, twitched and were tested, moving back and forth a few times. Erestor gave a sigh and began to relax, turning to go back into the water. He was startled to see the pair of questioning aquamarine eyes staring at him.
"Glorfindel." Unsuccessfully, Erestor tried to lower his wings, cover them somehow, but he was still tired and unable to do so. Instead, he moved swiftly into the water, forgetting the cold, in an attempt to cover his erect member. His arousal was actually a side effect that happened every time his wings unfurled, but he would have a hard time explaining that to the elf that looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Glorfindel, it's not what it seems to be."
"Erestor, you have wings."
"I-" Erestor bowed his head. "Yes."
Glorfindel's look changed to one of puzzlement. "Is there something else I'm missing? Are you embarrassed by them?"
"Well, no, not really," replied Erestor before he laughed. "I can't believe I'm telling you this. You must think me truly strange."
"Actually, not really," Glorfindel said carefully. "I suppose... you always did seem different. I tended to wonder a bit about you before, and now, it's all so clear to me."
"Clear? That I have wings, that I've said nothing of it, it's all clear to you?" exclaimed Erestor.
"Yes," Glorfindel said simply. "You're a fairie. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"No, I suppose not. But it's not something I want everyone to know." Erestor stepped closer to the golden haired elf, standing straighter now. He glanced down to note he was still unfortunately erect, but held his ground. "Promise me you'll not tell a soul."
"I promise," said Glorfindel. "Not a soul."
Erestor nodded. "Thank you," he said. He bent down; sliding his hands into the golden tresses and drawing Glorfindel's head closer, he kissed him above his brow. "Thank you," he repeated.
"Now you shall make a promise to me," said Glorfindel quietly.
Erestor took a step backwards and gave Glorfindel a warning look. "What is that?"
"The same as I have promised you," he answered.
Tilting his head, Erestor asked, "The same?"
Chuckling, Glorfindel leaned backwards, dipping under the water. He came back up for air and gasped before wading to the shore. Instead of walking across the grass, Glorfindel merely crawled to a large rock that was just at the edge. Grasping his arms around it, he let out a grunt as he, just as Erestor before him, endured the pain as his own wings emerged and unfolded. Collapsing against the rock, Glorfindel turned his head sharply as he felt a hand upon his shoulder.
"I promise," whispered Erestor, kissing Glorfindel's jaw as he gently caressed one of the blonde's golden wings. "Not a soul."