The 'Life in Imladris' Arc – stories focused on the inhabitants of Rivendell.
Dandelion

Disclaimer: This fictional story is completely made up for fun and no profit is made from it. Any similarities to real events or other writings is purely coincidental. The relationship between Lindir and Glorfindel is not an original idea but I took great pains to portray it in an original way.

Please leave me a review or constructive criticism. I want to be a better writer. Thank yous are at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Ten

"Ada tried to kill you?" Elladan asked in amazement. His father and the golden haired lord were very close friends now and he could not imagine his father acting threateningly towards almost anyone.

"He probably would have if Ereinion hadn't returned after hearing the commotion and ordered Elrond to stand down," Erestor answered.

"He would not have killed me," Glorfindel scowled.

"Then why were you backed up against a wall, clearly on the defensive without any hope of reversing the roles?" Erestor questioned.

"He took me by surprise, that is all," Glorfindel insisted. "He is the only one to have issued me a serious challenge since I returned to Arda, and he was only half of a millennium old."

"Of course," Erestor shook his head, and looked down to make sure the blankets were wrapped tightly around Elrohir.

Glorfindel glared at his fellow advisor. "Stop filling their heads with rubbish."

"How did you and Ada become friends, then?" Elladan questioned, leaning towards the blond warrior. "Did he try to kill you again?"

"No, Gil-Galad ordered him to tolerate my presence. It took many years, but eventually he learned to trust me, and then love me."

"Of course, I had nothing to do with that," Erestor smirked. "It was not anything to do with your apparent lack of charm, but without my careful prodding, Elrond never would have given you a chance."

"You are in quite the mood today," Glorfindel frowned.

"I am simply supplying the truth," Erestor replied with a smirk. "Something you seem quite incapable of doing."

"We shall just have to ask Lord Elrond upon our return," Lindir interrupted, hoping to avoid an argument. "I believe sufficient time has passed. Is it not time to rotate the diggers?"

"I think you are right, Lindir. Thank you for volunteering," Glorfindel snapped. Lindir shot him an unimpressed look before standing and stalking off towards the blocked entrance to the cave to relieve one of the current workers. Erestor sighed with reprimand, which Glorfindel studiously ignored as he stood himself. He brushed a hand over Elrohir's forehead, his brow wrinkling with concern when he noted how hot the young elf still was. "Rest, young one," he said, and then made his way over to the diggers as well.

A few hours later Glorfindel took a break from helping to dig them out of the cave. He told the others to stop as well, allowing the resting men and elves to take over. Glorfindel walked deeper into the cave, where he had last seen Erestor with the sons of Elrond. The two youngsters were curled up together, fast asleep. Erestor paced a few yards away, looking rather flustered.

"Erestor?"

"I do not know what to do," Erestor admitted, wringing his hands together. "It seems that no matter what I try, his fever only grows worse. I do not know what to do. This illness is so unnatural."

"First, you must calm down," Glorfindel urged, grasping Erestor by the elbows and stopping his pacing.

"I am calm," Erestor insisted, but he couldn't help glancing nervously at the sleeping half-elves.

"Look at me," Glorfindel ordered and eventually Erestor did, holding the intense blue gaze with his own dark eyes. "Deep breath."

"I do not need your-"

"Deep breath," Glorfindel interrupted, making sure to keep Erestor's gaze. Erestor relented and breathed in deeply, and to his surprise, felt marginally better. The cave was not quite so claustrophobic anymore.

"I am calm," he repeated and this time Glorfindel believed him. "We must not become anxious, else we scare Elladan."

"I am not the anxious one, my friend," Glorfindel smirked, releasing the younger elf's arms.

"You hide it well," Erestor bantered, a knowing look in his eyes. Glorfindel was just as worried as he was.

"My lords," Adkar spoke from behind Glorfindel. The two elves turned towards him. "I could not help overhearing. Perhaps a man could finally be of service to an elf. I am quite versed in the ways of breaking fevers and since Elrohir is half-man, I am sure my methods will work on him." His offer was accompanied by an impish smile and Glorfindel had to chuckle.

"Aye, my friend. It is about time you were of some use." Erestor went with Adkar to help him tend to Elrohir while Glorfindel made his way slowly over to where Lindir was lying, eyes open but unseeing as he slept.

"Do they always sleep as such?" Adkar questioned, observing how the twins were tangled together.

"Yes," Erestor replied with a fond smile. "They are like oversized leeches with arms and legs. Once they become attached, they are quite difficult to dislodge. It is best to let them stick to each other." Gently Erestor pried Elladan away, waking both of the younger elves in the process.

"It is not morning yet, Ada," Elladan complained sleepily as Erestor sat him upright. He blinked once and then looked up at the dark-haired elf leaning over him. "Oh, 'Restor," he corrected himself.

"Adkar is going to try to lower your brother's fever," Erestor explained. Elladan watched closely as Adkar tended to his twin, blinking tiredly ever so often. Erestor stroked his thick dark hair, thinking back to a time when he had done the same to Elrond, when Elros, hair silvered and skin wrinkled, had lain upon his deathbed and Elrond had kept vigil over him for nearly a week. That was not long before Glorfindel had been returned to them.

Watching Adkar and Erestor with the twins reminded Glorfindel just how precious the children were. He was extremely grateful that Lindir was not prone to unnatural illnesses. He did not think his nerves could handle watching Lindir go through what Elrohir was.

He turned back to look at the younger blond. He reached over to move a few pieces of hair away from Lindir's face, being careful not to wake him. Suddenly feeling tired himself, Glorfindel laid down, draping one arm over his unofficially adopted son. He tried not to think about that night during the Last Alliance.

tbc…

please review.

Thank you:

Seeing-spots – You should have seen my silly smile when I read your review. Thank you very much for the positive feedback. It's good to know I'm not the only one who struggled with The Silm, and we're probably not alone, either. I'll have to give it another try soon, and I'm definitely going to check out Last Hero Standing when I get the opportunity.

Lilandra – Thank you for your glowing compliments and I hope you didn't think the wait was too long for this next chapter.

Andromedia – I'm glad you liked Elrond and by now you know that he didn't hurt Glorfindel. :) Not too much more suffering… at least physically.