Title: Golden Vanity

Series: none

Type: FPS

Chapter: 7/?

Author: LadyJanelly

Email:

Rating: R

Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel

Warnings: Slash, violence

Disclaimer: No elves are my property. Writing not done for profit.

Beta: Nienna

Feedback: Gives me a reason to write and post instead of just playing with scenes in my head.

Archive: Please ask

Summary: Glorfindel, reborn, finds himself changed, and unwilling to risk another fall for the sake of his vanity.

The setting was perfect, Herenecco thought; a small candle-lit table on one of the terraces near where Erestor took his evening walks. It was close enough to that route to let Erestor see the "bait" and come investigate, yet close enough to his own rooms that it made sense for him to be dining here. If things progressed as he wished, he could take Erestor back to those rooms later. The only uncertain factor was the weather. The air had cooled that day and the clouds were falling, threatening to become fog.

"More wine?" His companion nodded and smiled, even though he had already drunk enough to bring a delightful blush to his cheeks. Perhaps if he had never met Erestor, this seduction would have been more than a ruse. He was not blind to the attractiveness of the elf across from him. Given a few more years he would be a striking specimen, with his father's grey eyes and dark hair. And yet no matter how generous his mature looks were to him, Elladan would never be Erestor with his flashing eyes and sweet-looking lips.

Like an actor on his mark, Erestor appeared. He was still dressed in his formal robes as he took the long route from the large dining hall to his offices. It was his habit, the guard captain knew, to get a few hours worth of work done in the evenings to give himself more time during the day to spend on the twins' education.

Herenecco saw Erestor pause, and he refilled Elladan's wine glass. Over the dark-haired youngster's shoulder he met the secretary's eyes, and gave him a small smirk before turning back to his tablemate.

The effect was like dangling a feather before a kitten. Erestor did not seem to resist as he stepped over, and Herenecco fancied that he saw jealousy in those dark eyes. "Elladan?" Authority filled Erestor's voice. Despite the fact that less than two centuries separated their ages, guilt flickered across the youngster's face when he looked up. They were very much teacher and pupil at that moment.

"Sir?" Elladan fumbled to his feet, embarrassed and awkward.

"Do you and I not have sword lessons tomorrow at dawn?" It was all Herenecco could do to not lick his lips. Erestor's pride was beautiful. It would make his victory all the more sweet when love softened the stern lines of the young elf's face and Erestor became his.

Elladan nodded and Erestor narrowed his eyes. "Should you not be getting a good night's rest then?"

The young elf coughed. "Of course, sir." He bowed a quick sketch of a bow to Herenecco, and one to Erestor, and then he hurried off to his rooms.

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Glorfindel braided back his hair, his hands sure despite the lack of a mirror. When he was done he tied the end with a small strip of leather. With practiced motions he pulled the guard's cloak over his shoulders and adjusted the hood to hide his face. The weather promised to be foggy this evening, a condition that allowed him more freedom to move among the residents of Imladris. No one would wonder why he wore a hood on a night like this. Fog, rain, gentle snow; all of these were like a holiday for him, a time when he could go out into the world of elves, safe in his disguise.

He had practiced a few short lines until he felt sure his accent was gone from them, but he still could not hold a conversation for fear of discovery. He could manage "yes sir, no sir, right away, sir," in case the cloaked guardsman he was impersonating needed to speak, but he had little confidence in a longer discussion.

He considered his options as he moved through the narrow tunnels that led from the cave he had claimed as his own to the hidden passage in an alcove near the gardens. A trip to the kitchens was mandatory; his small larder was almost empty, and his bread more moldy than not. And after that, perhaps a stroll near the Hall of Fire, just close enough to hear the music or story-telling? The idea of the rare indulgence brought a smile to his lips.

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Erestor watched Elladan head towards the family wing of the house. The young elf swayed as he walked, and his steps were uncertain. It was obvious the heir to Imladris had overindulged this evening. A voice in the back of Erestor's head suggested that he had arrived just in time. What sort of misfortune could have befallen the young one if his arrival had not been so well-timed?

Herenecco chuckled after the young elf had left. "Not only do you deny me your company, but now you patrol the gardens, insuring that I dine alone?" Erestor wanted to turn away and leave, but propriety made him pause. Had he misjudged the situation? He disliked being rude to anyone without adequate cause.

The smile faded from Herenecco's voice, leaving nothing but gentle entreaty. "Will you join me? One glass of wine is all that I ask to share with you; a glass of wine and nothing more." The guard captain poured Erestor a glass while he waited for an answer. It was so much easier to agree than to find a reason to argue.

Erestor settled onto the stone bench Elladan had so recently vacated. One glass of wine, what harm could it do? He took the glass that Herenecco passed to him, grateful that the guardsman did not try to brush his fingers when they were close. He marveled at the intensity in the spruce-green eyes. He sipped from the glass, and it took all of his skills in diplomacy not to grimace at the bitterness of the aftertaste. That Elladan could have endured enough of the stuff to get drunk off of it was beyond his comprehension.

Herenecco cocked his head at Erestor's lack of reaction. "It's a human vintage. Some consider it an acquired taste." He smiled, and there was a light in his eyes that Erestor could not place. "There is a richness to the flavor, though it's hard to name. Try another sip..."