Disclaimer: May Tolkien live forever in the heart of his work, and may I never own it.
Warnings: Slash, yaoi, whathave you. The main pairing is Erestor/Lindir. Also, this will probably be an odd ride, so hold tight. ;)
Description: Lindir has a secret, Erestor is in love, and Glorfindel is too interested in the whole thing.
Notes: This is a short kind of intro into the characters, without revealing the full plot yet. More to follow, depending upon how this is recieved.
Harp Strings
It was a nice day, almost a pleasant day, certainly one that shouldn't be spent indoors doing paper work when one could be enjoying the outdoors over a glass of wine. Or so Glorfindel had decided when he had dragged Erestor from his office and down into the courtyard, where he had managed, without too much hassle to get the often overworked Councilor to sit with him and enjoy the day for once. There were few others in the main courtyard, merely themselves, the Lady Celebrian playing with her young daughter off to the side, and a few musicians that had sought to practice in the open air, instead of in the Hall of Fire. It was to them that Erestor's attention constantly wondered when he was listening to Glorfindel talk, his gaze seemingly drawn to a particular pale beauty among them.
Glorfindel smiled, this was far too amusing. Erestor acted as if his blood were made of ice most of the time, except when that certain silver haired charmer was about.
"Erestor, if you intend to keep your interest in him a secret, I would suggest not staring at him so much," Glorfindel commented lightly, glancing up at his long time friend briefly from across the table.
Erestor turned his gaze slightly to look at the golden haired Elf, "I am not staring at him. I am merely listening to his music. And I am not interested in him, merely an appreciator of his art."
"So you say, yet your eyes speak else wise, dear friend," Glorfindel stated.
"Glorfindel, you more then anyone else should know that even if I was interested in him, he is clearly not 'up for the taking', as the young ones tend to say these days," Erestor said, not denying his attraction any more, but not confirming it either.
He knew Glorfindel could find the truth if he wanted, he had known him long enough to know the Elf could see into things that even he himself could not. It was an interesting trait in his dear friend, one he both admired, and hated at times.
"Really? Last I heard, Lindir was not involved with someone. And I didn't know you listened to Elladan and Elrohir so much," Glorfindel smiled in a vaguely teasing manner, to keep the conversation light.
"It is hard not to," Erestor retorted, before a soft sigh escaped him, "He hasn't been with anyone since…."
"That has been nearly fifty years now, and they were loose lovers to begin with. Lindir doesn't look like he's grieving now, and it might do him some good if someone loved him and took care of him," Glorfindel advised.
He was right. It had been quite a while since Lindir's lover had died in that attack on the borders of Imladris. The young minstrel had grieved for a few weeks, and then seemingly moved on, smiling and laughing as he had always done. To Erestor, that had always seemed strange, yet he had never been close enough to Lindir to question him on that.
At best, they could be called vague friends. Lindir knew him to be the one that almost always came to listen to him play, even when the hall was long vacated, and the minstrel was merely practicing. Yet, Erestor usually came when he heard the faintest stirrings of song, and he could always tell when it was Lindir playing.
The younger Elf had a way of caressing the strings of his harp, like if it were a lover, making the instrument sing such songs that the very soul echoed with it. Always, he had left Erestor enchanted, even with just a few short notes.
But if Erestor were ever true to himself, he would admit that it was not just Lindir's songs that enchanted him, and in some ways, seduced him. It was the very way the minstrel moved, with such grace that he seemed even beyond Elven standards. It was how he spoke, warmly and with such life that it was hard not to focus on every word. It was how he merely smiled, not with his lips, though they looked sweet and tempting on their own, but with his eyes, eyes that glimmered like sunlit fields in spring when he was happy.
Lindir was, in all essence, perfect, yet, Erestor knew he only saw the younger as that, because he had never been close enough to see the imperfections. It troubled him, yet it only drew him ever closer…
"Erestor, I think he's beginning to notice…" Glorfindel noted mildly, obviously amused that his friend had been lost in thought, all the while staring at the object of their conversation.
The silver haired beauty had indeed noticed, and was now smiling in their direction. Erestor suppressed the near adolescent urge to blush, and instead nodded in greeting, a slight smile on his own lips in return. Lindir rose at that, and approached.
"I take it that my lords are enjoying the day?" he asked pleasantly, looking from Glorfindel to Erestor. His gaze only lingered a little longer on Erestor then it had on Glorfindel, and flickered with something that was too fleeting for the Councilor to catch.
"That we are, Lindir, care to join us?" Glorfindel said, gesturing to the empty seat by Erestor. He shot his friend a near wicked glance, while Erestor tried hard not to flush in near mortification.
"I would love to, but I'm afraid I have duties I must attend to soon," the tone was apologetic, though the smile never wavered.
"Ah, I believe I heard you were singing tonight," Glorfindel mentioned in understanding.
"I am, my lord, so you can see why I cannot. I hope you will both be attending," his gaze turned curious.
"Of course we will, won't we, Erestor?" the golden warrior looked towards the now once again composed councilor.
"Yes, we shall both be attending. Your songs are not to be missed," Erestor answered truthfully, as was his way, though he kept any other meaning far from it.
The smile that erupted at his words nearly made him wonder if Lindir had caught something else from them anyways, "You flatter me, dear Councilor. I shall do well to live up to your expectations," he bowed, "Now, if you will excuse me. I shall hopefully see you both tonight."
He was gone before they could respond. Glorfindel sat back, gazing thoughtfully at where the younger Elf had just been standing, "He is certainly devoted…"
"That he is," Erestor agreed, though he couldn't help the smile that formed.
"All the more reason why he needs a lover to make sure he doesn't lose himself completely to his art," a sly glance in his direction.
Erestor frowned, "Enough. Even if I am, or if I was, attracted to him, I would not just go about and declare that to him. He obviously has no interest in me, and only sees me as one who appreciates his art. That is well enough."
Glorfindel knew when to stop prodding before Erestor got really upset, "Very well. I merely suggest you keep an open mind."
Erestor didn't bother to respond.
owowowowowowowowowowowowow
The Hall of Fire was crowded, too crowded for Erestor's tastes. The huge hall was packed with Elves and visitors, all seeking a night of entertainment. If it had been any other night, and any other person, Erestor would have left, and gone back to his own rooms, where he could still hear the music faintly without having to fight with the crowd, or deal with pleasantries.
Yet, he had told Lindir that he would be there, and he always kept his word. Even if the minstrel didn't note his presence tonight, he would still be there, just to watch him as he sang.
Watching Lindir perform had become a near hobby to Erestor, one that fascinated him and captured his attention like nothing else could. The minstrel seemed to become 'alive' the very moment his lips opened to release the music that made up his intricate soul. It was almost as if a light consumed him, yet the light was apart of him. In all of Erestor's years, he had never seen anything quite like it, though he had heard talents that surpassed the young minstrel. But Lindir alone had a true, unblemished 'gift'. Or else Erestor was more love struck then he thought himself to be.
Just then, the object of his affections stepped lightly on to the makeshift stage at the head of the hall, and bowed low to the audience. He then knelt, picked up the harp that had been placed there for him, before rising, his bright eyes scanning the crowd.
"Welcome, to all those that have come tonight. Some of you know me, some of you do not. I am Head Minstrel Lindir, but please, no title. The last thing I need is another person yelling 'Head Minstrel!' as if it were my name," his smile held no malice, merely innocent teasing.
A few bits of laughter from the crowd, then he went on, "Ah, you did not come here to listen to my sorry sense of humor, but for my better talents, I suppose. Hopefully I shall not disappoint. Though, if I should, there are better musicians here that can easily entertain you. Let us , however, see what I can do first," those slender hands caressed the strings, bringing forth a sweet, clear sound.
It echoed in Erestor's soul, and he was immediately enraptured, though he did his best to look only mildly interested. No need to give the game away, after all.
The Hall went silent as more notes followed, flowing into a river of song. In the midst of it, Lindir's voice could be heard, winding in and out of the music, never being fully apart, yet never being swallowed either. The song spoke of joy, and pain, a normal for Lindir's songs, the two elements being vividly detailed by the bright and near wild notes symbolizing joy, and the deeper, near soul wrenching notes showing pain.
Erestor watched his every movement, while his mind struggled to imprint the very sound and words that poured from Lindir into it, only for both to slip away, and bury themselves in his soul. Lindir was reacting to his own music, his face changing ever so slightly between the contrasts, one moment seemingly full of light, the next, dim as if he would fade….
"The young one certainly has a skill beyond his years," Glorfindel's voice was suddenly at his ear.
Erestor nearly jumped from his seat, having not heard nor noticed his friend's approach. In fact, he had been so absorbed, he hadn't even noticed that the song was over, and Lindir was leaving the stage after having introduced the next act.
"Day dreaming?" Glorfindel asked as he sat down beside him, smirking ever so slightly.
Erestor couldn't help but blush a little, though he scowled, "No, I was merely focused on the music. After all, you yourself said he has talent."
"So I did, and so he does. Speaking of which, your little obsession is coming this way," Glorfindel remarked.
Erestor didn't have time to rebuke him, for Lindir had indeed made his way through the crowd to stand before them. His ever-friendly smile was back in place, as if nothing had occurred, "I am glad to see that you two have made it, my lords."
"I am glad that we did. Your performance was splendid as always, Lindir," Glorfindel said, making up for Erestor's sudden silence.
"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel. What of you, Lord Councilor, did it please you as well?" there were no hidden clues as to Lindir's real mood, merely open curiosity of a musician.
"Yes, it did. You are certainly a master of your art, as you have always been," Erestor said.
A mysterious smile tugged at Lindir's lips, "Not always, my lord. No one is born with mastery, it must be earned."
Erestor wasn't sure on how to respond, "Of course. Though you make it as if you have always had such talent."
"Thank you, I am glad to know I make it seem so easy," Lindir looked up, as someone called his name, then he looked back down, an apologetic look on his features, "Excuse me, my lords, there are matters I need to attend to. I hope you enjoy the rest of the night…" He was then gone, off on silent, quick feet, until the crowd swallowed him.