Authors Note: This was deleted but now it's back, the sequel to Tricomania and it is probably best to read that first.
disclaimer: None of this is mine.
As always: contains mild references to infered M/M slash. Nothing physical. Don't read if you don't like it.
" …..and so the rainwater collection system will ….the toilet's waste disposal…."
Glorfindel felt his head droop as he struggled to concentrate on Elrond's lengthy explanation of Rivendell plumbing. Had he really just said the toilets connected to their drinking water? Surely not. He found he simply did not care. Why was he having to listen to this interminable sermon on water recycling. He felt his concentration, what was left of it, slipping away. Sleep crept up on him like a stealthy hunter. He was so tired. So bone shakingly tired. Why could he not just sleep.
" GLORFINDEL!"
Glorfindel woke with a start. Had he really fallen asleep in the middle of the meeting? How embarrassing.
" Glorfindel, are you paying attention? I asked you a question." Elrond glared sternly at him.
Glorfindel struggled to regain his composure. How long had he been asleep for? What on earth had Elrond asked him? He had no idea. He glanced across the table to where Elladan sat across from him. A look of concern creased his beautiful face. Glorfindel began to panic. He could not let Elladan know about his tiredness, his inability to sleep properly. They had only just got over the "hair" issue. He did not want to be known as the one who was always having problems. He did not want Elladan to be worrying about him all over again. He opened his mouth and in his panic the words came tumbling out.
" I am most sorry Elrond. I must confess I was…."
" Were you sleeping?! During a council meeting?" Elrond's displeasure was obvious.
" No, no," Glorfindel spluttered, " Not sleeping…..it was just…..flashbacks….they happen occasionally, most sorry…. Won't happen again….you were asking…?"
"Flashbacks? You have never mentioned these before. How often do they happen? Perhaps I need to see you later in the healing rooms"
Glorfindel glanced anxiously at Elladan who was looking even more concerned if that was possible. He had to do a better job of covering this up.
"Ah….no, no, it is nothing unusual, only happens every couple of hundred years…..not unpleasant flashbacks…quite the opposite…..nothing to worry about.." Glorfindel stuttered his way through his appallingly lacklustre explanation.
" Right well then, perhaps you can concentrate on the matter at hand instead of re-living your past love life during a council meeting." Elrond snapped, and Glorfindel watched as Elladan's look of concern changed in to one of disquiet.
" I was asking you for information on Gondolins sewage system. Try to put your flashbacks to a more appropriate use."
" Um, Turgon saw to all of that Elrond. I really didn't get involved….too busy being a warrior you see." Glorfindel wanted this council meeting over and done with as soon as possible. Then maybe he could go to bed.
Erestor came to his rescue.
" Perhaps that is enough for today Elrond. I will see what I can find in the library on Gondolin."
" Very well." And to Glorfindel's relief Elrond finally dismissed them. He staggered to his feet and headed to the door. Now he was definitely going to find somewhere quiet to sleep, and avoid any questions about love life flashbacks from Elladan. He strode with purpose away from the meeting.
" Glorfindel wait!"
Glorfindel sighed to himself, why would people not just leave him alone. It was Erestor running after him. He slowed so he could catch up. No point running, that would just draw more attention to himself.
"Tell me, what are these flashbacks? You have never spoken of them, should I be worried?" Erestor peered at him intensely measuring him up with his eyes. Glorfindel could rarely get anything past Erestor.
" Don't worry, they are nothing…as I said not unpleasant…."
Erestor raised an eyebrow.
" Honestly," Glorfindel continued, " I can see what you are thinking, they are not about my death or anything like that." He did get those, often, but there was no way he was ever admitting to that!
Erestor continued to pin him under a long intense look. Eventually he smiled broadly.
" You really were asleep! Glorfindel, what were you thinking!"
Glorfindel let out the breath he didn't even know he had been holding.
" Do you blame me?, A three hour meeting about the toilets?, More surprising is how YOU managed to stay awake! I don't know what has happened to Elrond lately….he has become so ….boring."
Erestor grinned, " That's true enough, be more careful next time! Anyway, I know something to excite you, the wood-elves are all down on the training grounds. They say they are truly amazing to watch, shall we go and see for ourselves. Perhaps they even match the great Glorfindel!"
Glorfindel sighed….there was no point arguing…. And he turned to follow Erestor.
Would he ever get any sleep?
…..
Elladan meandered away from the council meeting. Seriously that had to be the most tedious meeting he had ever attended in his life. He had wanted to speak to Glorfindel afterward but he had taken off like he was being chased by a pack of wargs. What was wrong with him, Elladan was sure he had actually been asleep during the meeting which made no sense at all. Perhaps he HAD just been day dreaming of past lovers…..but why? Elladan felt a twist of anxiety deep in his belly.
His thoughts drifted off to the conversation his father had forced him to have with Glorfindel those few weeks ago. The one he had dreaded, having to apologise for his ridiculous behaviour…
…. He stood in the corridor for sometime before he knocked on Glorfindel's door, gathering his strength for the apology he was there to deliver. How disappointed Glorfindel would be in him. Still he had to go through with this, how much worse would it be if his father had to march him in to do it publicly.
He knocked.
Glorfindel swung the door open and greeted him with a bright, beautiful smile.
" Elladan, come in!"
Elladan reluctantly inched his way into the room. It was not possible for him to feel more miserable. Glorfindel looked worried.
"Is something wrong Elladan?"
Elladan hung his head, trying to avoid eye contact. He just had to get this over and done with as fast as he could.
" I bought you this" he said holding out the bottle his father had given him. "It is a cure…for the hair….from Father, I am sorry. I had to tell him."
" A cure?" Glorfindel's face lit up as he clasped the bottle to him.
" I am so sorry Glorfindel…" Elladan muttered, "I betrayed your confidence…"
" No, no, I should never have placed that burden on you. I see that now, it was all my pride. Do not feel bad about this Elladan."
Elladan cringed. Glorfindel was making this worse. Did he have to be so nice? Could he not just rant and scream. It would be so much easier. However did Elrohir manage to do this apologising thing all the time. It truly was hideous. His words came out in a rush. He had to just say his piece and leave. Glorfindel would have nothing more to do with him probably but it was no more than he deserved.
" I have to apologise Glorfindel, I am so sorry. I lied, pretended I was drinking… I allowed you to waste your time with me-"
"- it was no waste of time Elladan." Glorfindel interrupted.
Elladan twisted his hands together nervously.
" Please let me finish. I feel bad enough, I am no good at this…at lying….I don't know what to say, I cannot make it better….Elrohir is so much better than I at this…..as he is better than me at most things really…."
Elladan's voice faded off into nothing.
Glorfindel had stepped up to him, he reached out and gently raised his chin so their eyes met. His hand brushed across Elladan's cheek.
" Do not say that."his voice became little more than a whisper. "Never say that again. You are worth so much more than Elrohir to me." And then he lent forward and he …
" Elladan! What are you dreaming of?"
The sound of Elrohir's voice shattered the memory into pieces and dragged Elladan back to reality of the present time.
" Nothing, nothing." Elladan tried to regain his equilibrium. Whatever was he thinking, daydreaming in public? He must keep this hidden. His Father would be deeply displeased with Glorfindel if he knew. They had decided to keep things quiet…..for now….
" I don't believe you," smiled Elrohir. "But I will not press for details this time. There is time enough for that! I have been looking for you, Those wood-elves are training, come and let's see them. I am sure they are no match for you and I."
Elladan returned his smile. That would be fun. He had not had much contact with the wood-elves since their arrival apart from the staid ceremonial welcome party. It would take his mind off Glorfindel and the strange Gondolin flashbacks that he was sure he could never compete with.
As Elladan and Elrohir turned the corner towards the training fields they could see a crowd of wood-elves in the middle. At the centre of them, standing tall and magnificent, his golden hair streaming around his face in the breeze was Glorfindel. Elladan's heart leapt at the sight of him. How could it not.
Next to him, face upturned, eyes shining with excitement was the wood elf prince. He and Glorfindel were engaged in deep discussion. The prince waved his hands around, excitedly gesturing in the air, as if they were doing his talking for him and Glorfindel graced him with his glorious smile.
Elladan's stomach clenched.
As he and Elrohir approached, Glorfindel disengaged himself and came towards them, smiling all the way.
" Elladan, Elrohir, so good to see you. Have you come to try your skills against those of the Wood? I suggest you start with Legolas. He will put you to the test indeed."
Elladan scowled.
As Glorfindel drew abreast of them he whispered to Elladan as he passed,
" I will wait for you later, in your rooms" his warm breath rushed past Elladan's ear and brushed his hair against his neck. It warmed Elladan to his toes.
" Legolas," he turned and called to the prince. " You could not beat me, but see if you have more luck with the Sons of Elrond!" And he strode away. Elladan watched him leave. Unable to draw his eyes away, Who was he kidding? It could not be possible he would be able to hold the attention of someone so marvellous for long.
" Is he not wonderful!" Elladan turned to see Legolas standing beside him gazing after Glorfindel with awe. "I do not even mind that he beat me."
"Ah, so you have yet to have a conversation with him," replied Elrohir beside him. " He talks of himself and Gondolin and nothing else. Believe me, watch him all you like but do not dare to ask him any questions, he will send you to sleep." and he laughed.
Elladan looked the wood-elf up and down. He was a beautiful creature. An unexpected surge of jealously overcame him.
"I am not surprised that he beat you." He sneered and turned on his heels and stalked away.
He did not look back.
He did not see the look of hurt confusion on Legolas's face.
Or the one of surprise and shock on his Brother's.