Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
Erestor was walking to Lord Elrond's office with the day's paper work when he heard two elf maidens talking about him.
"I bumped into Lord Erestor yesterday" one said
"Really what happened?" the other asked
"Well, I bumped into him on purpose so I could get his attention"
"Really? I didn't know you liked him"
"I did like him until he spoke to me. I apologised to him saying it was my fault and he said 'Don't be so clumsy I almost thought you were drunk' and walked past me like I was nothing"
"How sad. But what else do you expect from a elf made from ice"
"Yeah I guess you're right. I'm glad he didn't notice me, I may have been stuck with an ice cube for the rest of my life" she laughed
Erestor had heard enough and continued his journey. Such things didn't bother him anymore. He had heard them all before. Thousands of years ago they did hurt his feelings, he would cry himself to sleep most nights and would fall in and out of depression. As the years went by he learned how to hide his emotions behind a stony mask and icy exterior. He learned how to hold back his tears and eventually stopped crying all together.
He remembered the maiden that had bumped into him and he knew that she was trying to get his attention. Her body language and facial expression gave her away. He didn't have any interests in her and said what he had to, to keep her away. There was one rule that Erestor forced himself to live by 'Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind' it was harsh but necessary at times. When he reached his Lord's study he knocked and waited for his Lord to reply.
"Enter" Lord Elrond said
Upon hearing his Lord he entered and bowed respectfully "I have brought today's reports my Lord"
"How are things looking?" Lord Elrond asked
"Everything is positive. Shipments are on schedule. Food and wine are well stocked. The clothing material we ordered has arrived three days early and we are over stocked on medicine" Erestor replied
Lord Elrond smiled brightly and said "Well this is fantastic news. But how is everything on time? As I recall things should not have gone so smoothly" Lord Elrond pointed out
"Yes I remember councillor Sellion saying that certain things would be delayed or cancelled. However I changed a few things and found away to get everything done on time"
"You're as brilliant as ever Erestor. What would Rivendell do without you?" Lord Elrond said
"Crumble into oblivion, would be my first guess" Erestor joked
Lord Elrond laughed and said "Most likely. But still all joking aside your effort is most appreciated, thank you Erestor"
"No thanks are necessary my Lord, I am just doing my duty"
"Well I will still say it necessary or not" Lord Elrond smiled "You can put the reports on the table over there" he said and pointed to a small table that had other reports on it.
Erestor placed the reports on the desk and bid his Lord fair well.
"Will you be joining us in the hall of fire tonight? Lindir is going to play one of his news songs" Elrond asked
"Of course. I look forward to hearing him play" Erestor bowed to his Lord once again and left.
Erestor had a lot of work to do today like he did every day. He worked hard to keep himself busy, he spent most days in his room filling out form and orders. He preferred solitude over the company of others. If he had to work with others he made sure he did it first thing in the morning and worked as quickly as possible, so he had the rest of the day to himself.
After giving Lord Elrond his reports he went to the kitchens to speak with the head cook "Miss Mirima?"
"My Lord Erestor" she said and bowed
"I'm here to check on the food and drink that will be served for tonight in the hall of fire"
"Of course my Lord" she handed him a scroll and said "This is what we will be serving. I hope it is appropriate"
Erestor read through the list and said "Yes, however there is one problem. There a two guests that have an allergy to the nut syrup used on the fruit salad. Make a few bowls that are nut syrup free and label them"
"Yes, My Lord. Would four bowls be plenty?" she asked
"That would be sufficient, thank you" Erestor said giving back the scroll and leaving.
Next he headed to the stables and called for the stable elf "Maeron?"
The stable elf showed himself and bowed "My Lord Erestor, how can I help you?"
"The twins and the patrol will be returning at noon, see that their horses are taken care of. In their last letter they said they had taken their horses through a swamp. They will need to be washed and checked for any infections, understood?" Erestor said
"I'll have my helpers and the vet ready, my Lord" Maeron replied
"Good, thank you" he said and left
Next was the seamstresses "Miss Sanya? Miss Melda?"
Both elves stopped working and bowed to Erestor "How may we help you my Lord?" Sanya asked
"The clothing material we ordered has come three days early. It is waiting to be picked up from the storage room"
"But my Lord we haven't finished the design" Melda said
"I am aware. Consider the extra three days more time to finish the design and when you are done you have the supplies ready and waiting for you. If you finish the design with days to spare then consider them extra days to finish the final piece. Do you think you can do that?" Erestor explained
"Yes, my Lord. We can try" Melda said
"Then I shall leave you to your work, thank you"
Next Erestor went to the food and wine storage accompanied by Daeron the head of stock control "We are over stocked of certain foods that will go off and be wasted if not taken care of. I want you to turn them into rations for the patrols. With the extra portions you make we will be able to send out more soldiers to protect the valley"
"I will see to it my Lord. What about the wine?" Daeron asked
"The wine won't go off like the food. Make sure it is keep in a cool environment, we could use it when we have visiting diplomats or during any celebrations" Erestor answered
"Yes, my Lord"
"I will leave you to it, thank you"
Finally Erestor made his way to the healing wing and called for Antien Lord Elrond's right hand healer.
Antien stopped what he was doing and bowed to Erestor "My Lord I have been expecting you" he said
Erestor raised an eyebrow at him and asked "You have?"
"Yes, you're here to talk about the extra medicine we have in stock"
"Correct. I want you and your staff to place most of the salves into travelling jars for the patrols"
"But the patrols have enough medicine, if we give them more it may be wasted" Antien argued
"Not anymore it won't. We are over stocked on certain food that would spoil soon so I had Daeron turn them into rations for the patrols, which means we are able to send out more soldiers to protect the valley, which means they will be needing the supply of medicine" Erestor explained
"More patrols? Isn't that a bit much, my Lord?" Antien argued again
Erestor resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Antien's stubbornness, he always had to argue with him "When it comes to the safety of the valley and its inhabitants it can never be enough. Now we will not discuss this any further, I hope you understand?" he said sternly
Antien hesitated for a moment before replying "Yes, my Lord"
Having won the argument Erestor left. He was done interacting with people outside his office and went back to his room. He had no doubt that people would come to him with their problems. He sighed and sat at his desk. He began his paper work and reports, he would do this for the rest of the day until it was time to go to the hall of fire.
Throughout the day many people came to him with various problems and arguments. Some were serious and some were downright stupid. Why can't people take care of their own problems? When Erestor finished his paper work there was still two hours before he needed to go to the hall of fire, so he used this free time to read. He loved the rare moments he got to himself where he could just forget the world and his problems.
When the time came for him to leave his room he made sure he looked presentable and left for the hall. He arrived at the hall and noticed Lindir and other musicians setting up their instruments.
"Ah Erestor there you are"
Erestor saw Lord Elrond coming towards him. He bowed and greeted his Lord "Lord Elrond I trust you have had a pleasant day"
"Indeed I have, it has been very quiet day" Lord Elrond smiled
"Even though your sons returned this afternoon?" Erestor joked
Lord Elrond chuckled and said "Yes. They were tired after their patrol and went to take a nap they should be joining us shortly"
"A nap? Did anything happen on their patrol?" he asked
"No, nothing. Why?"
"I only ask because it is unusual for them to be tired after a patrol" Erestor said. It was a bit of a concern.
"I was surprised to, but they told me the reason they were tired was they hadn't slept at all the night before"
"Why was that?"
"Apparently they thought it was a good idea to drink enough caffeine to keep a horse awake, so they could get extra sword training in"
"I wasn't aware of that" Erestor knew how dumb the twins could be at times but that was just stupid.
"I wasn't either until they told me when they returned. But still lets enjoy the music shall we it looks like Lindir is ready" Elrond said
Everyone took their seats and Lindir began to play. It wasn't his new song he would play that when all the guests had arrived, but it was beautiful none the less. A round of applause rang out when Lindir had finished. Lindir took a bow and stepped off stage.
He approached Lord Elrond and Erestor and asked "How are you my Lords?" Both replied that they were well and had enjoyed his performance.
Lindir was one of the few elves Erestor could tolerate being around. He was sweet, shy and had a better personality than some of the more snobbish elves he knew "I cannot wait to hear your new piece Lindir, I know you have worked hard on it" Erestor said
"I just hope my hard work shows"
"Doesn't it always" Erestor said. Lindir worked hard on every piece he did but he always seemed to doubt it later. Thankfully it always works out.
"Thank you Erestor. I appreciate your compliment" Lindir blushed
Erestor, Lord Elrond and Lindir talked for a good half an hour before the twins arrived "Evening Ada" they both said in unison.
"Good evening boys. I trust you slept well?" Elrond replied
"Yeah drinking that caffeine wasn't the best idea" Elladan said rubbing the back of his head shyly
Almost everyone at the table chuckled. The twins sat next the their father and sister and told them about the patrol. Eventually all the guests had arrived to hear Lindir's new song. Lindir began his piece and entranced everyone in the room. Applause and cheers rang out when he had finished and he took a quick bow. Elves complimented Lindir as he made his way back to Lord Elrond.
"How was it my Lord?" Lindir asked
"It was a most wonderful piece Lindir" Lord Elrond complimented
"Thank you my Lord" Lindir said with a small bow
As the night went on Glorfindel entered the room "My Lord Elrond, how goes the party?" he asked
"Ah Glorfindel you are here. The party is going well although you missed Lindir's new song" Lord Elrond replied
"Did I? Oh dear. Maybe I could get him to play for me later in private" he said with a wink
Erestor rolled his eyes and said "Lindir will play his new again there is no need to subject him to being stuck alone with you"
Glorfindel scoffed and replied "Come now Erestor no need to be such a downer"
"Lindir is a good friend I will not see him hurt" Erestor said
"Are you suggesting that I Glorfindel would do something unjust to poor sweet Lindir?" Glorfindel said playfully
"I have heard rumours about your prowess when it comes to Lindir's type" Erestor replied
"You wound me Erestor " he said while clutching his chest "I would never do anything like that"
Erestor hummed unimpressed and said "I sure you wouldn't"
As the night continued Erestor said good night to Lord Elrond and Lindir he decided he had been there long enough. He didn't hate parties and he didn't hate staying up so late, he just knew that when elves got to drunk their tongues would waggle. Jokes, puns, sexual advances and uncalled comments usually aimed in his direction. He knew as soon as he left they would talk about him behind his back, which was fine by him. Let them say what they want so long as he wasn't there to hear it.
Back at the party drunk elves began to talk with an equally drunk Glorfindel about a certain raven haired elf.
"He is so uptight and snobbish. It's no wonder he's still single" one said
"I bet he's untouched" another said
"Oh yeah. How old is he? Two or three thousand years? Imagine how tight he must be" another agreed
Glorfindel didn't contribute to the conversation he was more interested in listening and drinking.
"What do you think he would do if someone sent him a love letter?" one elf asked
Glorfindel's head jerk towards the elf who had asked the question and asked "What did you say?"
"I said what would Erestor do if someone sent him a love letter" the elf repeated
"He'd probably throw it in the fire" another elf sneered
Glorfindel excused himself saying he was getting dizzy and needed some fresh air. It was a lie of course. He was running to his room because what that elf had said had given him the best idea ever. He was going to write a love letter to Erestor and see what happens.
He locked his door behind him and sat at his desk. He got his ink and a piece of parchment and started to write. Not many elves knew that Glorfindel was a fantastic poet. When he finished the letter he simply signed it from your admirer. He would wait until Erestor was out making his morning routines and then slip it under his door.
He laughed to himself. He was a genius. All he had to do was write a new letter everyday and Erestor was sure to notice. He wondered how it would change Erestor. Maybe he would loosen up a little. Or maybe he would start making little mistakes in his work. Or maybe he would stop acting like there was a rod up his arse. Glorfindel tried to go to sleep but he was too excited. He couldn't wait to begin his plan.
Erestor woke up early the next morning and began his duties. He went to see the elves he spoke to yesterday to see how they were handling the tasks he had given them. Things were going well as he predicted and when he had finished his tasks, he went back to his room.
When he opened his door he noticed a small letter on his floor. It was no letter he had seen before but it was addressed to him. Someone must have slipped it under his door. He picked it up and studied it. He knew Glorfindel had wrote it, he recognised his handwriting.
He sat at his desk and grabbed his letter opener. He carefully opened the letter and read it. He felt his heart skip a beat, it was a poem describing him.
'Your hair is as dark as raven feathers and looks as soft as silk. I could lose myself in your eyes as sharp as swords. Your pale skin is like freshly fallen snow like my favourite season. Yours truly your secret admirer'
Erestor was slightly impressed he no idea Glorfindel could write so vividly. It was a good effort but a joke in poor taste. He would not throw it though. Joke or not he had always admired Glorfindel, he would save the poem in his safety box to read whenever he felt like it. As he put the letter in his box he wished that Glorfindel would speak those words to him, but it would never happen and Erestor had to accept that. He sat back at his desk and continued his work with a rare smile on his face.
Glorfindel was smiling throughout practice and training. He was wondering if Erestor had read his letter yet and what his reaction was. He would not ask about the letter, that would be suspicious. Instead he would watch how Erestor acted during the day. After practice he went to the dinner hall to have dinner with Lord Elrond and his family.
He sat down next to Elladan and said "Hello, how is everyone this fine day?"
Everyone said they were well and began to eat. It didn't take long for Glorfindel to look at Erestor to see if he was any different. He didn't seem any different his face was as cold and stony as ever...maybe he didn't read the letter yet.
"Is there a problem Glorfindel?" Erestor said
"W-What?" Glorfindel asked shaken from his thoughts
"You keep looking at me, is there something wrong?" Erestor coldly
"No, nothing. I just thought you had something on your face. I think it was just a trick of the light" Glorfindel lied
"I see" was all Erestor said and went back to eating.
Glorfindel didn't press any further and went back to his meal.
Erestor knew what Glorfindel was after. He was looking for any reaction to the poem he had left and Erestor was not going to going to give it to him. It was just a joke, even if it did flatter him he was not going to give Glorfindel the satisfaction of his emotions.
After dinner everyone went about their day as normal. Meanwhile Glorfindel went to his room to write another poem for Erestor. He knew Erestor was in his office so he would have to wait until morning to put it on his desk. He finished the poem and put it in an envelope.
Later that night after finishing all his work Erestor laid down in bed with a book. He read page after page but he wasn't really focusing on the story. The urge to read that poem again was making him twitch. After a few more minutes he couldn't resist, he dove out of bed and got the poem. He must had read it a dozen or more times before falling asleep with it in his hands. In the morning Erestor put the letter back in the box and got on with his daily routine.
When Glorfindel saw Erestor go into the kitchens for a snack he knew that now was his chance. He went into Erestor's office and left the poem on his desk in plain view. He left almost laughing and went to the training grounds.
When Erestor had finished his rounds for the day he made his way back to his office. He walked in a saw another letter on his desk and knew what it was. Glorfindel was set on pranking him it seemed. Never the less he opened it and read it. It was just as the previous one, saying how smart he was and how he would like to caress his skin. The whole thing made him blush. He would put it with the other one and read it again later.
That night Erestor did read the letter again and after the fourth time he read it he found himself in a state of undress. He had slipped his hand down his leggings and started to stroke himself. He imagined Glorfindel was whispering those words to him and spent himself in no time. Shuddering he put the letter away and cleaned up. He lay in bed with flushed cheeks and wondered why he had done that. If anyone ever found out he would never be able to live to down.
Three weeks later and Erestor was still receiving letters and poems from Glorfindel. He started to wonder if it really was a prank. If it was then Glorfindel was highly determined to keep playing. But he was starting to doubt it, the poems seemed so sincere and honest. What if...he really...did...what if he really did mean all those things? What should he do? Should he confront him? No he wouldn't, he shouldn't, he would make Glorfindel make the first move since he seemed so serious in his letters.
Glorfindel was more than a little annoyed. It had been three weeks since he had started to give Erestor his letters, but nothing had seemed to have changed. Erestor was still as cold as ever and hadn't changed in anyway. After a week Glorfindel had decided to write more erotic letters to Erestor in hopes that maybe he would start to act more flustered or confused but nothing happened. He wondered if Erestor even cared about the letters. He wasn't sure why but that thought made him slightly sad.
Another week went by and Erestor kept letter after letter in a storage box. He wished Glorfindel would just come and talk to him or invite him out for a drink. He had no idea that Glorfindel would be so shy about his feelings. He had seen the way Glorfindel had flirted with others and thought that was a highly confident elf but maybe he was wrong. Could it be that Glorfindel was actually really shy?
Today Glorfindel was going to start to up his game. This time he was going to leave some roses with the letter and tomorrow he would leave Erestor's favourite sweets and the day after that he would leave his favourite fruit. Yes it would be perfect, now Erestor would have to notice his affections.
Erestor was shocked when he entered his office and found a bushel of roses on his desk along with the another poem. The roses were fresh and beautiful. He picked them up and smelled them they were perfect. He put them in a vase of water and put them on his desk so he could look at them. The letter he read was as erotic as the last one. His favourite part was 'I would love to cover a bed in rose petals and throw you onto them. As they scattered I would ravish you as you deserved to be' it made him get hot under the collar. He went to his bed and touched himself to Glorfindel's words.
Over the next few days Erestor found more gifts with the letters. His favourite sweets and fresh strawberries. He didn't think Glorfindel even knew these things. Maybe he had taken the time to notice. It made Erestor blush and he thought about how sweet it was. Erestor sighed and decided enough was enough. No more beating around the bush. He and Glorfindel were going to talk about this once and for all. He grabbed a pen and paper and began to write.
Glorfindel didn't know what to do any more Erestor still didn't seem to be any different, even after all the gifts. He thought about giving up but he was not quitter. This morning he entered Erestor's office knowing it was empty and found something surprising. On the space where he put his letters there was a letter that said 'To my admirer' it was for him, Erestor was writing a letter for him. He picked it up and left his letter in its place and went back to his room. He quickly opened the letter, almost tearing it and read it with enthusiasm.
'To my admirer, I have read your letters and received you gifts these many weeks and have taken interest in them. I would like to meet you if you have time. If you want to then tell my where and when we should meet in your next letter, however if you do not wish to meet yet then that it fine. Whatever you choice I will accept it Yours sincerely Erestor'
Glorfindel read the twice before celebrating to himself. He had done it! He had gained a response! What should he do now? He should reply but not send the letter for about three days to keep him waiting for a bit, yes it was perfect.
Erestor waited anxiously for three days before he received another letter. He started at the envelope wondering if he should open it. Since he had sent his request to meet with Glorfindel the letters from him had stopped and he had been silently panicking. He had been thinking that had ruined the whole thing or maybe Glorfindel was joking and was now mocking him behind his back but when he saw the letter this morning he sighed in relief. So, why was he hesitating to open it? He was afraid about what it said. After who knows how long he finally opened the letter.
'My dearest Erestor, I would love to meet you. How about we meet at the old gazebo at 8:00 tomorrow night. It's not the most romantic place I know but it is very private, no one would disturb us there. It does not matter what you wear and I will bring us something nice to eat and drink so please do not worry about such small things. I look forward to meeting you dearest one, until then your admirer'
Erestor felt his heart flip and his nerves burn he couldn't wait. But hold a minuet Glorfindel wanted to meet him tomorrow night. He only a day to get ready but he also had work to do. He wouldn't leave work just for a date. He made the decision to stay up all night and do tomorrows work. In the morning he would work fast to gather all the reports he needed and give them to lord Elrond. Then he if he could he would get a few hours of sleep before getting ready for his date. He sat at his desk and began to work faster than normal. He smiled as he worked because tomorrow he was finally going to make his dreams come true.
Glorfindel smiled in victory as he practiced throughout the day. If anyone asked why he was happy he would just say that today was a good day. He knew Erestor would accept his invitation to meet and couldn't wait much longer. Of course he wasn't going to show up and he had picked the most secluded spot in Rivendell, so no one would know.
Erestor checked himself in the mirror again and again making sure he looked perfect. He had run around Rivendell all day trying to get his work done as quickly as possible. He had delivered his reports to Lord Elrond and politely refused his offer for tea and cake. He had not gotten any sleep like he wanted to and he was exhausted. But that was not going to stop him from meeting Glorfindel. He still had an hour before they had to meet but he wanted to leave early, in case he kept Glorfindel waiting. He picked up a rose with a pink ribbon tied around it a common gift to give on a first date. He checked himself once more and left.
Erestor arrived at the old gazebo forty minutes early. He dusted off a seat sat down. The old gazebo was an abandoned gazebo that was not maintained anymore. It quite a walk away from any other part of Rivendell. It was a place most people visited. But as the years went on the elves built better gazebo's closer to Rivendell and this one was forgotten. Erestor had been one of the few elves that had still visited this place, he found it peaceful and was never disturbed. He thought the place was charmingly rustic, he could see why Glorfindel would choose such a place. With the rose in hand he sat and waited for Glorfindel to show up.
Glorfindel snuck through the bushes and flowers as he made his way to the old gazebo. When he got close he move away a few branches and saw Erestor sat there. He covered his mouth to stop himself from snorting in laugher. His plan had worked Erestor was waiting for him, thinking that he actually wanted to meet him. He took a longer look and saw Erestor was dressed very nicely. He didn't wear his black robes like always instead he was wearing a red velvet robe. He had braided his hair and was wearing a golden clip to keep it in place. Glorfindel had to admit he did look quite fetching. Well no matter it was time to leave. When he saw Erestor tomorrow he would doubt be upset and Glorfindel would drop small hints about his date until that stone mask of his crumbled.