Chapter 17

"Why do I always get stuck with you?" Erestor groaned as he shoved a curtain of dense vines aside, following Glorfindel as they tromped through dense underbrush. The air was colder, and the vegetation was far greener; they must be getting close to the Bruinen.

"Just lucky I guess," the golden Elf responded, scratching his temple. "Where do you suppose they are?"

"I showed you which way they went, but then you said you had a gut feeling and started walking off in this direction," Erestor said, smacking away a wayward vine that sought to tangle itself in his hair. "Now here we are in this Eru-forsaken place probably the farthest away from anything and everyone―"

Erestor stopped and glowered at Glorfindel.

"This is why I don't like going off with you," he said, folding his arms tightly across his chest.

"Hmn?" Glorfindel turned, his eyes wide and genuinely perplexed by Erestor's statement.

"Why didn't you just say we should search the place where they're most likely to run? The river is just a few paces from here and down the ravine. If they find it, it will lead them out of the valley."

"I was certain you would have figured it out before now," Glorfindel said with a shrug.

Erestor gritted his teeth. Glorfindel may have acted like a love-sick dolt in front of everyone, but behind that façade was a tactical genius, one which often astounded Erestor. His strategies enabled Imladris to fend of Sauron's army, and he no doubt was the reason why many people escaped the fall of Gondolin. Not to mention he was able to kill a Balrog, a feat which required more than skill with a blade.

It was an ability that made Erestor green with envy. Not that he would mention it of course.

"The patrols will find them if they do not come this way," Glorfindel said as he walked towards the edge of the ravine and peered down at the rocky bank and rushing waters. "They'll be dead by morning, especially since Ereiniel is out looking for them as well."

"And you figured we'll come and guard their only route of escape," Erestor said. "Not bad, if you don't consider there could be an infinite number of hidden passages that we don't know about."

"Indeed, there is the chance they could slip back through whatever hole they crawled out of, but if they were going to do so they would have done it after we started searching for them," he said. "I think they don't have the slightest clue where they are or where they're going, and I'm confident that our patrols will catch up to them."

"So we're just going to wait?" Erestor growled. "Til when?"

"Til dawn," Glorfindel replied, finding a low-lying branch to sit down upon. "Like I said, they will either come this way, or they'll be killed."

Erestor rubbed his temple, not convinced this was the right plan due to too many variables and unknowns. However, Glorfindel was rarely wrong, and he had far more experience. Erestor hated to admit that he was simply going to have to trust the golden dolt.

"I don't like this," Erestor said.

"Neither do I, especially considering I wanted this to be over with quickly. My night has been thoroughly ruined."

"I'm not apologizing for following you again, if that's what you're after," Erestor stated.

"Quite the contrary, this time I was glad for your intrusion," Glorfindel said. "But only because the circumstances are what they are."

"She would have been fine without me there," Erestor replied. "Princess Ereiniel is quite powerful."

"Not my point," he retorted. "Regardless of your intention you were there to defend her if needed, that's all that matters. And I thank you for it."

"General service does not usually require thanks, but, circumstances what they are, you're welcome," Erestor said, inclining his head.

"But she is extraordinary, isn't she?" Glorfindel asked, his face lighting up.

Erestor couldn't help but roll his eyes. Just because Glorfindel was in love with Ereiniel didn't mean everyone else was. No, Erestor could only love one person and she was far away in Lindon.

"To each his own," Erestor muttered.

"That reminds me!" Glorfindel suddenly jumped up from his seat and leapt over to him. "I promised Lord Elrond that we would help him woo the Lady Celebrían."

Erestor narrowed his gaze, wondering why on Arda he kept getting dragged into situations like this. Did Glorfindel have no one else to pester? But Elrond's constant pining was getting to be downright pitiful. Even he was willing to admit something needed to be done.

"And how are we to accomplish that?" he asked, folding his arms. "I doubt she even knows he's in love with her."

"That is why he needs our help," Glorfindel replied. "If he says nothing, then what stops her from running off and finding some other Ellon in the backwoods somewhere? It'll break his heart. You and I do not want to see our friend wallowing in unrequited love, do you?"

Erestor's brow rose. Glorfindel clearly did not want to admit he was speaking from experience, but he was never the type to talk about his past, nor his troubles. Regardless, Erestor could gather that the heartbreak Glorfindel experienced over Aredhel was great enough to try to prevent the same from befalling Elrond.

"What do you have in mind?" Erestor sighed.

"Nothing as of yet," he shrugged. "I know he wrote dozens of letters to her during our besiegement years ago, but never sent them. I thought we might write her a letter on his behalf."

"But you cannot just send a letter confessing your undying love out of the blue," Erestor said. "She might get the impression that he's mad, especially when you consider the fact they have only met a handful of times."

"Well, I told Ereiniel I thought I was in love with her about a fortnight after meeting her," Glorfindel said with a careless shrug. "And we're going to marry before I return to Aman."

"Yes, but how did she react when you told her?" Erestor asked. Glorfindel didn't hesitate.

"She laughed and didn't think I was seriou―oh, I see your point."

Erestor pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily.

"Well, what do we do? Lady Celebrían resides in Lothlórien, how does one court someone from such distance?" Glorfindel asked, folding his arms.

"One cannot," Erestor stated, staring at something intently on the ground as he pondered the predicament. "We'll simply have to find a way to make Lady Celebrían come to us."

"It would be easier to go to her," Glorfindel said. "We could come up with a diplomatic reason."

"Yes, but Lord Elrond's presence in King Amroth's court, instead of a diplomat such as myself, would raise suspicions. And Lord Celeborn is just as protective of his daughter as King Gil-galad is his," Erestor retorted. "Besides, we need everything to be in our advantage. We can better control the variables that might arise if we are in familiar territory."

"And Elrond would be required to play generous host to his guest," Glorfindel said, his eyes glittering as he considered the prospect. "Yes! It is a most excellent plan!" He smiled gleefully. "How do we get her here though?"

"That is our greatest dilemma," Erestor replied. "How do we get Lady Celebrían to visit Imladris without Lord Celeborn or Lady Galadriel? And no, we can't just invite her and not her parents."

Glorfindel snapped his mouth shut.

Unable to come up with another solution, Glorfindel placed his hands on his hips and started to pace, looking off to the mountains in the east. The sky was beginning to lighten, the mists surrounding the summit were beginning to turn pale gold.

"Let us ask Lindir, he's clever about invitations," Glorfindel said.

"Yes, no doubt we'll need to include him," Erestor said, beginning to draw up a strategic plan in his head. "He'll be the one to see to the details of her stay. Everything will have to be perfect."

"Do we inform Elrond about our plan or no?" he asked.

"It will depend on his mood I believe," Erestor replied. "I feel if we tell him at the wrong moment he may forbid us to act. However, he might be more inclined if he is in a particularly good mood."

"I could pop open a particularly good vintage from Evendim I have been saving, that may help," Glorfindel offered.

"That may be a definite possibility," Erestor said. "Perhaps after a day spent by the riverside, he is always in a good mood after he's been fishing."

"Wonderful!" Glorfindel smiled. "With any luck we will be toasting Elrond's engagement by this time next year!"

"We'll need an incredible amount of luck in order to accomplish that," Erestor stated.

"Since we're on the subject of Lord Elrond, do not let me forget to let him out of the wine cellar," Glorfindel said with a wary grin.

"Why would I need to remind you to let him out of the cellar?" Erestor's brow rose high on his forehead. "What did you do?"

"I merely locked him in there after he tried to get me to tell him where I took Ereiniel," Glorfindel said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I needed to make sure that he didn't follow us. Could you imagine if he saw us in the same situation you did that night behind the waterfall? No doubt he would chuck me off the highest cliff in the valley."

Erestor's eye twitched.

A lengthy silence fell between them.

Glorfindel started fidgeting when he felt the air starting to electrify.

"Are, uh?" Glorfindel cleared his throat. "Is everything alri―?"

Erestor raised his hand for silence. He took a steadying breath.

"I'm not helping you out of it," he said with alarming calm. "I am not going to speak one word on your behalf. Whatever punishment Elrond has in store for you, you are going to have to face it alone."

"But―" Glorfindel stopped short due to the thunderous stare he received from Erestor. He fell quiet and shifted anxiously while the dark Elf sighed.

"This is why I hate getting stuck with you."

Glorfindel knew it was in his best interest not to say anything else.