this was requested by my Guest whose name escapes me, but here you go! Any other requests?
Chapter 3 Erestor
The library was quiet, and you sat there in one corner, reading a large tome you had been trying to finish wishing a week. You were a fast reader, and you tended to read books fast.
A shadow suddenly fell over the book and you looked up to see Elladan and Elrohir grinning at you. They were your brothers, and you grinned back.
"'Dan! 'Ro! What are you doing here?" You asked happily, motioning next to you. They sat and scooted closer, smashing you between them.
"Watching you, of course, sis." Elladan replied evasively. You frowned.
"Why? Don't you have some kind of pranking schedule planned?" You asked innocently. They rolled their eyes at your teasing.
"No! We're following you to see who asks you to the Yuletide ball first!" Elrohir said as though it was obvious. You stared, mouth open.
"What?" You spluttered. They snickered. "What makes you so concerned about my love life all of a sudden?" You asked, glaring.
"We just realized how many elves stare at you in the hallways." Elladan replied darkly, glaring randomly at the door. You rolled your eyes with a sigh.
"Then you pay way too much attention. I'm your sister, of course they stare." You said wearily. Please don't let this be another stage of theirs!
"Nonetheless, we want to know." He said, waving a hand dismissively. I sighed.
"Well then be discreet if you must. I'll accept or refuse as I see fit." You tried to placate them. They shrugged. "And who exactly are you going to ask anyway?" You asked them suspiciously. They shrugged.
"Then go find an elleth to invite." You waved them off and turned back to your book. They pouted.
"Fine. Come on, 'Dan." Elrohir pouted. They skulked off while your lips twitched and you smiled at their backs fondly. They were your older brothers, and they doted on their little sister very much. Arwen was away at Lothlòrien, and you were the only sister still at home. Oh well. It had its pros and cons, no?
...
You were passing the library again when you decided to stop by and ask for some paper from whoever was on duty at the moment.
Shuffling through some random papers of yours, you stepped in and looked up when you stood in front of the desk.
"Oh! Erestor!" You said happily, smiling at the elf engrossed in his book. He started and looked up.
"Princess!" He stuttered, standing up awkwardly. You laughed at the flustered elf, dissolving into giggles at his red cheeks.
"It's fine, Erestor! Can I please have some paper? I'm afraid I've run out." You requested with a smile. He nodded and found you some.
"Hannon lle!" You thanked him and turned to leave.
"Happy reading, princess." He replied. You sent him a quick smile and disappeared, unaware of his deep breath that he took as he stared after you going down the halls.
...
It was almost the day of the Yuletide ball, and you still hadn't been asked out by anyone yet. You weren't really worried, knowing that Lord. Elrond, your Ada, would escort you if anything.
You were walking along the halls again, trying to get to the tailors to make your dress for the event when someone stopped you in the halls. You looked up to see an elf you recognized from the music guild standing there awkwardly.
You smiled. "May I help you?" You asked cheerily. He shuffled and looked down.
"Princess, I was wondering if you could suggest for me an elleth for the Yuletide ball?" He asked. You laughed. You knew he wasn't asking you, he would have said so if he had meant it that way.
"I would suggest Erillin." You replied. He nodded.
"My thanks, my lady." He said, and rushed off down the hall. You shook your head with another gaily laugh and waltzed down the hall again.
"Princess y/n." A familiar voice asked softly. You looked up to see Erestor standing in an adjacent hallway, hands behind his back. You slipped into the hall and smiled at him.
"Yes?" You asked with a smile. He held out his hands. There was a blood red rose stripped of thorns in them, and he offered it to you awkwardly.
"May I ask you to the Yuletide ball?" He asked you shyly and nervously. Your heart leaped into your throat. You had always liked him for his quiet demeanor and your shared love of books. You blushed and accepted the rose.
"Hannon lle, Erestor. I will." You replied shyly. Then you tucked the rose into your hair. He smiled brightly, and you rushed away to the seamstresses, arriving there flushed and panting, leaving him behind, a giddy smile on his face.
...
The day had come. You were dressed in a frosty blue and white gown, and was waiting for Erestor to pick you up. You were just settling a thin coronet on your head when there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" You called lightly, turning back to the door just as it opened. Erestor was there, and he stopped as he entered the doorway, looking at you with wide eyes. You blushed.
"Is it- good?" You asked hesitantly, looking down at the dress.
"It's- you look- amazing." He stuttered. You giggled slightly. He was handsome too, with his dark hair braided neatly, and dust colored eyes, set off by his deep purple, blue, and white robes that matched yours as well.
You looped your arm through his and headed down the hallway together. He had given you another flower, this time a white winter flower. You took it with a smile and tucked it into your hair again.
You both entered the Hall of Fire together, and you looked around for your brothers, to see them each with an elleth, smiling. They looked to you and their mouths popped open. You frowned at them.
"What?" You mouthed. They shook their heads and looked dazed. You sighed silently as Erestor led you to the refreshments table. He handed you a glass of rose water and a honey cake, which you accepted with a smile.
"Hannon lle, Erestor!" You exclaimed happily, taking a tiny bite of the cake. He smiled and took one for himself, and you began to converse. Soon both of you were talking animatedly about your favorite books.
"But the 'Tales of the East' is so interesting!" You protested as he brushed them off as fairy tales. Elladan and Elrohir came up with grins.
"Arguing about books, as usual?" Elladan teased. You sent a conspiratorial grin Erestor's way.
"Well, we were actually talking about the differences in Alwin and Eldathar's versions of war strategy-" you started. They hurried away with groans, while you laughed after them. Erestor was chuckling.
"I assume you do that often, don't you, 'Restor?" You asked with a giggle. He smiled.
"Not too often, but some times..." He admitted. Music started up. You paused to look at the different elves sashaying on the floor and smiled winsomely.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" Erestor asked you gently, holding out a hand. You smiled brightly and took his hand.
Both of you whirled on the dance floor, weaving in and out of the other elves gracefully. He was smiling at you, and your heart was pounding slightly, cheeks flushed from the look that was in his eyes. Like you were the only girl in the room.
Suddenly, both of you were pushed by another couple, right by the large fireplace, underneath the mantle. Immediately, all of the elves looked at you both, laughing and whistling.
You looked up and saw a branch of mistletoe, red berries and glossy green leaves seeming to smirk at you both. Erestor noticed it too, and both of you looked around helplessly.
"Come on!" Catcalls and wolf whistles sounded from the twins, and you bit your lip. Each second was more awkward then the last. You finally decided to do something.
"Well, if you won't-" you muttered, but the other elves heard you. You swiftly stepped forwards and stood on your tiptoes, leaning up.
Your eyes squeezed shut and you brushed your lips briefly against Erestor's, making him yelp in shock. But the sound was lost, drowned in the cheers of the other elves.
You fled away, cheeks burning, and made your way to a pillar in the corner of the halls. Thankfully, another couple has been shoved underneath the mistletoe instead, diverting attention from you.
Erestor appeared next to you a moment later, face crimson as well. "I'm sorry." He muttered, looking down at the floor and scuffing his feet slightly against the polished tile.
"For what?" You asked lightly in reply, trying to get rid of the tingling sensation that was running through your lips without success.
"For having to-" he stammered to a halt. You smiled up at him.
"Well, I couldn't not do it, or else my brothers would never let me live it down- not that they will now anyway." You scoffed, rolling your eyes. The corner you were in was secluded and quiet, dark, and you were alone.
"I- I have to admit something, princess." Erestor suddenly said, face still aimed at the floor. You looked up at him questioningly.
"I-" he looked up and suddenly took a nervous step forwards, reaching out and grabbing your hand lightly. "I-" he bit his lip.
"I've been wanting to do that for a long time." He mumbled embarrassedly. You stood still for a moment, mouth opening slightly. He- he had?
"You- you- have?" You asked weakly, biting your own lip.
He looked at you, and hope lit in his eyes. "Yes." He replied. You unconsciously reached up and brushed your lips, eyes darting down to the floor.
You were suddenly drawn into Erestor's arms, and you looked up at him, eyes wide. "I-I love you, y/n." He blurted. "I love you, and I want you to be my bondmate." He stopped and looked at you hopefully.
You squeaked in surprise. "You-" you didn't say anything more, you couldn't. Then you blushed and clutched the front of his tunic, biting your lip.
"Yes." You whispered, happiness swelling in your heart. He froze.
"Yes?" He asked, as though he couldn't believe it.
You choked in a half-laugh, half-sob of happiness. "Yes!" You said again, smiling up at him, tears sparkling in your eyes.
His face suddenly broke into a bright smile and he bent down, lowering his lips on top of yours. Your eyes fluttered closed, and his lips moved over yours softly. He pulled away, and your cheeks were dusted with rose petals.
"I love you, Erestor."
His lips landed on yours again, and you forgot about the embarrassment of the mistletoe. After all, it was because of it that you were now in his arms.