Gilded Rose of the House of Gondolin
By Canon Killer Ellie
For disclaimer and other information (Genre, Rating, Summary, Advisories) see first chapter.
Chapter five: Orcs and Overkill.
"Erestor, I mean it! Keep this up and we'll be able to use the hides of the deer you shoot as sieves!" Glorfindel squawked, looking at the deer Erestor had just brought down. "Ever try downing it with one arrow and being sure it's dead then? Honestly, Erestor, there is no reason to fill it full of arrows just because it's still twitching!"
"I just want to be sure it's really dead!" Erestor protested.
"Ai Valar! I certainly hope Melannen is not nearly so paranoid as you!" Glorfindel said.
He shuddered, thinking of what Erestor's children could be like if they were paranoid as well.
The scarey thing was that Glorfindel was not very imaginative, and yet he could picture that quite vividly. He swallowed raggedly, chilled by his own imagination. He looked down at Erestor, who was quietly pulling arrows out of a sincerely dead deer. There were seven in this one, a startling contrast to the trophy buck he'd downed with one shot. Erestor's hair was back in one lazy braid, they were on vacation and there was no need to look lordly. Glorfindel's expression softened as he listened to Erestor's muttering. Erestor was a dear friend, one he'd be quite lost without, but sometimes he acted so juvenile, it made Glorfindel feel old. Glorfindel smiled at this thought. He was old! Erestor was only a child in comparison really, but they both seemed older than their years.
Glorfindel knelt beside Erestor and started helping with the arrows.
"I'm sorry Erestor. I shouldn't have said that. I talk faster than I think." he said. "Forgive me?"
"I talk faster than I think, I write faster than I talk, I'm in a sorry position too, Glor." Erestor said. "But of course I forgive you."
Erestor smiled thinly.
"I also shoot faster than my brain processes the fact that I hit the target." he said.
Glorfindel laughed out loud.
"Did you know I have a psycotic aversion to Orcs? If I see them I just have to kill them!" Glorfindel said. "Don't feel bad, we all have little quirks, it's what makes us unique. Look at the bright side, you can exagerate when you tell Lindir, and he'll make you into some sort of hero in one of those silly ballads of his!"
Erestor laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
"Yes, that Lindir, such an exagerating, annoying creature! I half think he would write a ballad about Estel falling off a horse if it sounded good!"
Glorfindel laughed and nodded.
"You know, we really need to get away from Imladris more often, you're a lot less crabby away from your duties." he teased Erestor. "It's nice to be able to act like an Elfling for the fun of it."
Erestor smiled and nodded.
"I kind of wish we'd let the twins and Legolas join us." he said. "Legolas isn't so bad now, what a difference a week can make, huh?"
Glorfindel agreed.
"We've only got three more days left in our vacation, then we have to head back. I guess we should see to provisions, right?" Glorfindel said, finally looking to the serious side of their hunt.
"We can make jerky from this one. As for water, there's a lake nearby, the horses have been pulling for it all day." Erestor said, in command of the situation as always.
"I take it you have everything figured out as usual." Glorfindel teased.
Erestor assumed a kingly air.
"Of course! What kind of fool do you dare think I am?!" Erestor kidded.
A smile turned up the corners of Glorfindel's mouth, and a muscle in his cheek twitched as he tried to hold back his laughter.
"That would depend, oh great king Erestor, on how many kinds of fool there are."
Erestor mock backhanded Glrofindel, knocking the surprised Elf-Lord into the leaf litter.
"You said it was nice to act like an Elfling again, so..."
Erestor wrestled with the more powerful warrior Elf, for once regretting that he hadn't sparred with the twins more often. Glorfindel was stronger than he was, and soon Erestor had been thrown down in the dirt and Glorfindel had him in a headlock and was noogieing him mercilessly.
"I yield! I yield!" Erestor cackled, trying to wriggle free.
Glorfindel released Erestor, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
Elrohir tried hard not to laugh as he looked at his twin.
"You know Ressi and Glor would kill us if they knew we were spying on them." he breathed in Elladan's ear.
"I know that, but they're so funny! I wish I'd known Erestor was that much fun before, I wouldn't have tormented him so much!" Elladan laughed softly, watching the two advisors below him.
The twins were perched in a tree, originally they'd been hunting, but a chance to eavesdrop on the two counselors and watch them while they thought they were alone was just too good to pass up.
"They should have been brothers." Elrohir said quietly. "Except Glor is ancient."
"Ressi's no spring chicken either, Roh." Elladan giggled.
"I'm telling him you said that." Elrohir threatened, trying not to laugh.
They watched as the two counselors, different as night and day, scuffled again, this time with Glorfindel voicing the finer points of self- defense.
"Think maybe we should take some pity on Glor's old bones?" joked Elrohir.
"Now I'm telling! That was just cruel!" Elladan fired back.
An unexpected gust of wind knocked the arguing twins from the tree and they landed at the feet of "Ressi". He sighed.
"You two couldn't stalk a deaf deer." Erestor said. "Why are you here?"
Elrohir grinned sheepishly.
"We just wanted to make sure you two ancients were well." he said.
Erestor smacked the younger Elf.
"We're quite well, Elrohir. Go home now, youngling." Erestor replied.
"Did you two see Erestor's prize deer?" asked a voice from the tree above.
Faelon hopped lightly down from the branches, handing a pack to Erestor.
"Your trophies are on the way to Rivendell, with notes as to who shot what. Innas mounted the heads and made the hides into pelts, I hope that's what you wanted." Faelon said. "In the pack is some deer jerky and a small flask of wine. I hope you have a safe trip home."
Erestor resisted the urge to throw his arms around the young lord. Somehow Faelon reminded him of a little child that needed to be hugged. A sparkle of laughter in Faelon's eyes told him that the young half-Elf had a fair idea of what Erestor was thinking.
"Oh, and Erestor, I know this is a little early, but happy birthday. I hope this one will be better than some past." Faelon said, giving the twins a meaningful look.
They smiled sheepishly, remembering that Faelon had been in Rivendell last year on Erestor's birthday. He'd evidently seen them tormenting their favorite counselor.
"I have to be getting back to the manor, so I wish you all well. Rilaisseth seldom lets me out." Faelon joked. "I half think she's worried I'll run away and she won't get to cook for my wedding!"
Faelon started back then stopped and looked at the twins.
"Elladan, Elrohir, if you want to continue to hunt in these woods you had better go back to hunting deer or fowl." he said. "Stalking advisors is against the rules."
Elrohir cracked up, getting to his feet and following Faelon.
"Oh well. They're kind of stringy anyway." Elrohir said, falling into step beside the green cloaked lord.
A rock hit Elrohir's back, provoking a cry of surprise from the Elf. He turned to see Erestor wielding another one as Elladan came hurtling at him. The twins got the message and ran. Faelon laughed as the sons of Elrond took off through the woods like frightened deer.
"Stoning the sons of an Elven Lord is also off limits, Erestor." Faelon said. "It is not good for diplomatic relations."
Glorfindel smothered a laugh at the sight of Erestor's crazed grin. Erestor was just having too much fun.Glorfindel really prefered this side of his friend to the grumpy pessemistic persona he usually presented to the world. There was something rather endearing about it.
"To Mordor with diplomacy!" Erestor muttered, then started rummaging throught the pack Faelon had dropped off.
In the bottom, carefully wrapped in soft cloths to protect it, was a cameo of Melannen. The blue layer of the stone that served as the background contrasted beautifully with the ivory layer in which her face was relief-carved. A small note in with it explained it.
"Well, Erestor, here is your birthday present from Calad, Legolas, Melannen, and I. I meant to give it to you before you left, but it was astonishingly hard to get Melannen to sit still long enough for Legolas to finish it. Yes, believe it or not Legolas does have the patience to fashion jewelry, he just hasn't quite figured out how to make the settings for it. This is set in mithril, there is a chain for it wrapped in the cloth, I hope you didn't lose it!"
Glorfindel, reading over Erestor's shoulder, shook out the cloth and caught the chain when it fell out. He put the tiny cameo on the chain and handed it to dumbstruck Erestor.
"Well, are you going to wear it or stare at it?" Glorfindel asked. "I admit I've never seen a male Elf wearing a cameo though, but Faelon did at least choose a masculine looking chain for it, and the settings are nice."
Erestor blushed slightly and pulled open the collar of his tunic to reveal another cameo, in rose pink and white.
"Well, now you've heard of it, Glorfindel, I wear my mother's cameo all the time."
Glorfindel looked surprised.
"I always knew you had more secrets than I could fathom. How about we hit that lake, the day is warming up and I'll bet the horses are thirsty."
"Glorfindel, I will not race you across the lake! We don't know what's in it!"
"You worry too much, Erestor! I dare you to race me, since you couldn't wrestle me."
"Last time you told me not to worry you almost broke your neck."
"Last time you balked about crossing a body of water you nearly drowned in a flash flood."
Erestor fumed at having that brought up again. He pulled off his tunic and undershirt, set aside his boots, and took a flying leap at Glorfindel.
Erestor's shoulder hit Glorfindel's chest, driving the golden Elf backwards and under the water. Erestor pushed off the shallow bottom and set out for the opposite shore, his leaner, lighter body traveling through the water a little faster than Glorfindel's. Erestor did in fact beat the other Elf to the other side, and was sitting on the bank to greet him. Glofindel flicked water up into Erestor's face, prompting the other Elf to jump over him and head back. When Glorfindel finished exploring the lake he found Erestor fully dressed and filling up containers with water. He smiled and shook his head. Erestor was so organized!
The two ate their noon meal at the side of the lake, letting the horses drink their fill and graze. Glorfindel leaned back against a tree, rolled up the bottom of his leggings, and let his feet hang in the water. He sighed.
"I think I'll almost be sorry to return to Imladris."
Erestor was braiding his hair tightly to keep it out of his face. He smiled softly.
"I'll be sorry to leave Mirkwood, although I'm sure you already knew that."
Glorfindel chuckled.
"You know, Erestor, I've always wanted you to get married, that way you'd stay out of my hair."
Erestor mock shoved the gilded Elf's shoulder and tied his hair off with a dark blue ribbon.
"Wait a minute, that's Melannen's!" Glorfindel exclaimed. "Have you been going around thieving women's hair ribbons??"
The moon's silver-blue light filtered down through the leaves onto Erestor and Glorfindel, who passed like shadows through the forest. The time had come to leave Mirkwood and head home. Their horses seemed eager to be headed homeward at last. Erestor's thoughts were elsewhere, and he felt an odd closeness to Melannen, though he had no way of knowing that she was making a similar journey. He smiled faintly, thinking of Elrond's insistance upon celebrating his birthday this year. Usually Elladan and Elrohir, who knew when Erestor's birthday was, would pick that day to pull the worst prank of the year on him. Otherwise it held no signifcance. But Elrond was making a big deal about this one, maybe it was a milestone or something. Erestor really had no idea of how old he was.
The night was bright, the moon full and the stars shining. The kind of night Orcs liked least. Still, Erestor hoped not to see any. He was getting the unpleasant feeling that he was being watched, and began looking around to see if he could spot what was watching him. As the two Elves rode out into the plain, a party of Orcs broke cover and came after them. They laid their heels to their horses, although Erestor could see that Glorfindel wanted to fight a whole lot more than he wanted to flee.
He was not surprised, therefore, when Glorfindel wheeled his horse and drew his sword to attack. Erestor joined him, figuring they were better off fighting together. They smote Orc-heads from Orc-shoulders, killing all the foul beasts in their paths. Glorfindel finally dismounted to fight those who fled. He just had to kill them all! The Orcs attacked the dismounted Elf with renewed vigor. Erestor got a sick feeling, realizing Glorfindel had been baited into a fight he could not win.
It played out in slow motion in front of him; Glorfindel went ridgid as an Orc-sword made contact with his side, biting deep into his flesh. Erestor urged his horse to leap forward, and decapitated Orcs as he passed, while Earen trampled them. Glorfindel was fighting like a wounded grizzly bear, like a crazy person. Erestor screamed at him to just get out of there, but it seemed like his voice got lost in a vacuum, Glorfindel heard nothing. Erestor was getting more worried and more impatient by the second, he was hacking Orcs to pieces, but if Glorfindel fell, it would be worth nothing. Earen rocked back on his haunches, striking out at an Orc with a steel shod forefoot. The Orc's skull crumpled under the blow, and the foul beast fell to the ground.
Glorfindel was in a killing zone, he'd take all these Orcs out if it cost him his life. In his mind he was more or less back in Gondolin, fending off the invaders. His sword moved almost too fast for the eye to follow. He was an Elf, after all, and in spite of his wound, he reacted to his foes' movements quicker than thought. Soon the bodies of slain Orcs littered the ground, only Glorfindel and Erestor were left standing.
His hair streaked with the black blood of the Orcs, Glorfindel stood in a ring of defeated foes, panting, trying to catch his breath after his battle. Erestor jumped off of Earen's back while the horse was still cantering toward Glorfindel, and ran up to his wounded friend.
"Glorfindel you old fool!" he exclaimed. "What madness possessed you to attack the Orcs? You could have been killed!"
Erestor started to boost Glorfindel onto the waiting Asfaloth as he scolded. He wanted to get to the relative safety of the open plains before he did anything to Glorfindel, the grasses had grown quite high, so they would be able to hide in them with ease. Their Elven-bred horses could walk through the high grass without leaving much of a trail to follow. In addition, they would be able to see in all directions, no one would be able to sneak up on them.
Erestor led Asfaloth through the grass, allowing Glorfindel to realize that he'd done something incredably stupid. Erestor was just hoping that his friend's wound was not very serious.
"Glorfindel, take off your tunic or I will take it off and tie it around your thick golden head." Erestor said in exasperation.
Glorfindel grumpilly obliged. He was cut pretty deeply, due to his hastiness, and he really did not want Erestor to know. Erestor would only sigh and say that he should have known better, which Glorfindel knew was in fact true. Erestor blanched, getting a good look at the cut for the first time.
"You've really done it this time." Erestor sighed. "You really should know better than to rush into battles with Orcs!"
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. He inhaled sharply when Erestor touched his side.
"Was that really nessecary or do you just like to make me hold my breath 'till I turn blue?" Glorfindel asked irritablly.
Erestor shot him a look that could have melted mithril. Glorfindel knew the counselor was not in a jocular mood. Erestor dug a few things out of his packs and came back. He knelt by Glorfindel's side and poured a liquid into a cup.
"Drink this." he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Glorfindel got the distinct feeling he did not want to drink this concoction, but at this point he didn't dare argue with Erestor. It tasted bitter, almost sour, with a strange sweet aftertaste. He felt a little dizzy, and then he felt tired. He flopped down on his back. He could see Erestor looking down at him and saying something, but he could barely hear Erestor's voice. Then Erestor's image went foggy, and suddenly everything was blackness and silence.
"I really hate to do this too you, Glor, but I know you would never hold still long enough for me to do my job." Erestor said softly, watching his friend lose consciousness.
The clear membrane flicked down over Glorfindel's eyes, giving them a glassy look. Erestor nudged him gently. Nothing happened. With that assurance Erestor set about cleaning and suturing Glorfindel's nasty cut. The whole time he muttered about how judgements made in haste were often risky ones. He gently put an undamaged tunic on Glorfindel and threw a cloak over him.
The first sensation Glorfindel noticed as he woke was pain. Especially pain in his head. Then the light seemed way too bright, and Erestor's soft mumbling was too loud. Glorfindel cautiously opened one heavy-lidded eye and looked at Erestor. The raven haired Elf had his back to him and was rocking back and forth with his knees drawn up to his chest. Glorfindel watched Erestor rock back and saw the Elf's eyes were closed as he talked or sang. He usually did that while he thought. Glorfindel sighed and tried to sit up. His side hurt, and his head was complaining something awful.
"Is something bothering you, Erestor?" Glorfindel croaked, and was surprised by the sound of his own voice.
"No." Erestor sighed. "I just, I just don't understand some things."
Glorfindel reached for the water. Erestor handed him an opened flask.
"Drink this instead, it'll soothe your throat and your head." Erestor said.
One whiff and Glorfindel knew it was wine.
"Trying to get me drunk now?"
"No. But it works. I'll take it away before you can get drunk."
Glorfindel was relieved to find that the wine did in fact make him feel better.
"So how does that work, Erestor? You're the knowlegeable one here."
"The sugars soothe your throat. And the sedative effects help with your headache."
Glorfindel pondered this. Erestor turned to Glorfindel with his face screwed up in a 'thinking hard' expression.
"Glor, do you think I'm silly for liking Melannen?" Erestor asked.
Glorfindel's eyebrows shot skyward.
"No, I don't think you're silly. She's a very nice girl." he said. "I know her a little. I guess it's probably my fault that she likes you. I told her about you."
Erestor blushed.
"What did you tell her?"
"That you're an organizational genius and you read a lot." Glorfindel said. "She also loves to read."
This conjured up visions of sitting in the library in Imladris with Melannen, and Erestor smiled dreamilly.
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. He didn't really want Erestor to get married and stop being his closest friend. But he was not a greedy Elf, and didn't grudge Erestor his happiness, knowing that the counselor was actually a very lonely individual.
"I also told her that your sock drawer is organized, she found that fascinating." Glorfindel said nonchalantly.
Erestor's eyes bulged.
"You WHAT?"
"I was giving her an example of how thorough you are, that's all. Why wouldn't I tell her that you organized your sock drawer?" Glorfindel asked, looking puzzled.
Erestor gaped at Glorfindel, a look of deep mortification in his eyes. How could Glorfindel have told a maiden Erestor didn't even know such a personal thing?
"Erestor, you should shut your mouth, you might catch flies." Glorfindel said.
"What other things did you tell her???"
"That although you seem gruff and annoyed all the time you're actually a very affectionate, caring individual, as well as very intelligent."
"Continue?"
"You're not very good with horses and aren't big on long walks in the woods."
Erestor seemed to deflate, slowly sinking to a facedown position on the ground.
"What? What did I say?"
"Ai Valar, Glorfindel, you embarass me in new ways all the time."
By Canon Killer Ellie
For disclaimer and other information (Genre, Rating, Summary, Advisories) see first chapter.
Chapter five: Orcs and Overkill.
"Erestor, I mean it! Keep this up and we'll be able to use the hides of the deer you shoot as sieves!" Glorfindel squawked, looking at the deer Erestor had just brought down. "Ever try downing it with one arrow and being sure it's dead then? Honestly, Erestor, there is no reason to fill it full of arrows just because it's still twitching!"
"I just want to be sure it's really dead!" Erestor protested.
"Ai Valar! I certainly hope Melannen is not nearly so paranoid as you!" Glorfindel said.
He shuddered, thinking of what Erestor's children could be like if they were paranoid as well.
The scarey thing was that Glorfindel was not very imaginative, and yet he could picture that quite vividly. He swallowed raggedly, chilled by his own imagination. He looked down at Erestor, who was quietly pulling arrows out of a sincerely dead deer. There were seven in this one, a startling contrast to the trophy buck he'd downed with one shot. Erestor's hair was back in one lazy braid, they were on vacation and there was no need to look lordly. Glorfindel's expression softened as he listened to Erestor's muttering. Erestor was a dear friend, one he'd be quite lost without, but sometimes he acted so juvenile, it made Glorfindel feel old. Glorfindel smiled at this thought. He was old! Erestor was only a child in comparison really, but they both seemed older than their years.
Glorfindel knelt beside Erestor and started helping with the arrows.
"I'm sorry Erestor. I shouldn't have said that. I talk faster than I think." he said. "Forgive me?"
"I talk faster than I think, I write faster than I talk, I'm in a sorry position too, Glor." Erestor said. "But of course I forgive you."
Erestor smiled thinly.
"I also shoot faster than my brain processes the fact that I hit the target." he said.
Glorfindel laughed out loud.
"Did you know I have a psycotic aversion to Orcs? If I see them I just have to kill them!" Glorfindel said. "Don't feel bad, we all have little quirks, it's what makes us unique. Look at the bright side, you can exagerate when you tell Lindir, and he'll make you into some sort of hero in one of those silly ballads of his!"
Erestor laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
"Yes, that Lindir, such an exagerating, annoying creature! I half think he would write a ballad about Estel falling off a horse if it sounded good!"
Glorfindel laughed and nodded.
"You know, we really need to get away from Imladris more often, you're a lot less crabby away from your duties." he teased Erestor. "It's nice to be able to act like an Elfling for the fun of it."
Erestor smiled and nodded.
"I kind of wish we'd let the twins and Legolas join us." he said. "Legolas isn't so bad now, what a difference a week can make, huh?"
Glorfindel agreed.
"We've only got three more days left in our vacation, then we have to head back. I guess we should see to provisions, right?" Glorfindel said, finally looking to the serious side of their hunt.
"We can make jerky from this one. As for water, there's a lake nearby, the horses have been pulling for it all day." Erestor said, in command of the situation as always.
"I take it you have everything figured out as usual." Glorfindel teased.
Erestor assumed a kingly air.
"Of course! What kind of fool do you dare think I am?!" Erestor kidded.
A smile turned up the corners of Glorfindel's mouth, and a muscle in his cheek twitched as he tried to hold back his laughter.
"That would depend, oh great king Erestor, on how many kinds of fool there are."
Erestor mock backhanded Glrofindel, knocking the surprised Elf-Lord into the leaf litter.
"You said it was nice to act like an Elfling again, so..."
Erestor wrestled with the more powerful warrior Elf, for once regretting that he hadn't sparred with the twins more often. Glorfindel was stronger than he was, and soon Erestor had been thrown down in the dirt and Glorfindel had him in a headlock and was noogieing him mercilessly.
"I yield! I yield!" Erestor cackled, trying to wriggle free.
Glorfindel released Erestor, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
Elrohir tried hard not to laugh as he looked at his twin.
"You know Ressi and Glor would kill us if they knew we were spying on them." he breathed in Elladan's ear.
"I know that, but they're so funny! I wish I'd known Erestor was that much fun before, I wouldn't have tormented him so much!" Elladan laughed softly, watching the two advisors below him.
The twins were perched in a tree, originally they'd been hunting, but a chance to eavesdrop on the two counselors and watch them while they thought they were alone was just too good to pass up.
"They should have been brothers." Elrohir said quietly. "Except Glor is ancient."
"Ressi's no spring chicken either, Roh." Elladan giggled.
"I'm telling him you said that." Elrohir threatened, trying not to laugh.
They watched as the two counselors, different as night and day, scuffled again, this time with Glorfindel voicing the finer points of self- defense.
"Think maybe we should take some pity on Glor's old bones?" joked Elrohir.
"Now I'm telling! That was just cruel!" Elladan fired back.
An unexpected gust of wind knocked the arguing twins from the tree and they landed at the feet of "Ressi". He sighed.
"You two couldn't stalk a deaf deer." Erestor said. "Why are you here?"
Elrohir grinned sheepishly.
"We just wanted to make sure you two ancients were well." he said.
Erestor smacked the younger Elf.
"We're quite well, Elrohir. Go home now, youngling." Erestor replied.
"Did you two see Erestor's prize deer?" asked a voice from the tree above.
Faelon hopped lightly down from the branches, handing a pack to Erestor.
"Your trophies are on the way to Rivendell, with notes as to who shot what. Innas mounted the heads and made the hides into pelts, I hope that's what you wanted." Faelon said. "In the pack is some deer jerky and a small flask of wine. I hope you have a safe trip home."
Erestor resisted the urge to throw his arms around the young lord. Somehow Faelon reminded him of a little child that needed to be hugged. A sparkle of laughter in Faelon's eyes told him that the young half-Elf had a fair idea of what Erestor was thinking.
"Oh, and Erestor, I know this is a little early, but happy birthday. I hope this one will be better than some past." Faelon said, giving the twins a meaningful look.
They smiled sheepishly, remembering that Faelon had been in Rivendell last year on Erestor's birthday. He'd evidently seen them tormenting their favorite counselor.
"I have to be getting back to the manor, so I wish you all well. Rilaisseth seldom lets me out." Faelon joked. "I half think she's worried I'll run away and she won't get to cook for my wedding!"
Faelon started back then stopped and looked at the twins.
"Elladan, Elrohir, if you want to continue to hunt in these woods you had better go back to hunting deer or fowl." he said. "Stalking advisors is against the rules."
Elrohir cracked up, getting to his feet and following Faelon.
"Oh well. They're kind of stringy anyway." Elrohir said, falling into step beside the green cloaked lord.
A rock hit Elrohir's back, provoking a cry of surprise from the Elf. He turned to see Erestor wielding another one as Elladan came hurtling at him. The twins got the message and ran. Faelon laughed as the sons of Elrond took off through the woods like frightened deer.
"Stoning the sons of an Elven Lord is also off limits, Erestor." Faelon said. "It is not good for diplomatic relations."
Glorfindel smothered a laugh at the sight of Erestor's crazed grin. Erestor was just having too much fun.Glorfindel really prefered this side of his friend to the grumpy pessemistic persona he usually presented to the world. There was something rather endearing about it.
"To Mordor with diplomacy!" Erestor muttered, then started rummaging throught the pack Faelon had dropped off.
In the bottom, carefully wrapped in soft cloths to protect it, was a cameo of Melannen. The blue layer of the stone that served as the background contrasted beautifully with the ivory layer in which her face was relief-carved. A small note in with it explained it.
"Well, Erestor, here is your birthday present from Calad, Legolas, Melannen, and I. I meant to give it to you before you left, but it was astonishingly hard to get Melannen to sit still long enough for Legolas to finish it. Yes, believe it or not Legolas does have the patience to fashion jewelry, he just hasn't quite figured out how to make the settings for it. This is set in mithril, there is a chain for it wrapped in the cloth, I hope you didn't lose it!"
Glorfindel, reading over Erestor's shoulder, shook out the cloth and caught the chain when it fell out. He put the tiny cameo on the chain and handed it to dumbstruck Erestor.
"Well, are you going to wear it or stare at it?" Glorfindel asked. "I admit I've never seen a male Elf wearing a cameo though, but Faelon did at least choose a masculine looking chain for it, and the settings are nice."
Erestor blushed slightly and pulled open the collar of his tunic to reveal another cameo, in rose pink and white.
"Well, now you've heard of it, Glorfindel, I wear my mother's cameo all the time."
Glorfindel looked surprised.
"I always knew you had more secrets than I could fathom. How about we hit that lake, the day is warming up and I'll bet the horses are thirsty."
"Glorfindel, I will not race you across the lake! We don't know what's in it!"
"You worry too much, Erestor! I dare you to race me, since you couldn't wrestle me."
"Last time you told me not to worry you almost broke your neck."
"Last time you balked about crossing a body of water you nearly drowned in a flash flood."
Erestor fumed at having that brought up again. He pulled off his tunic and undershirt, set aside his boots, and took a flying leap at Glorfindel.
Erestor's shoulder hit Glorfindel's chest, driving the golden Elf backwards and under the water. Erestor pushed off the shallow bottom and set out for the opposite shore, his leaner, lighter body traveling through the water a little faster than Glorfindel's. Erestor did in fact beat the other Elf to the other side, and was sitting on the bank to greet him. Glofindel flicked water up into Erestor's face, prompting the other Elf to jump over him and head back. When Glorfindel finished exploring the lake he found Erestor fully dressed and filling up containers with water. He smiled and shook his head. Erestor was so organized!
The two ate their noon meal at the side of the lake, letting the horses drink their fill and graze. Glorfindel leaned back against a tree, rolled up the bottom of his leggings, and let his feet hang in the water. He sighed.
"I think I'll almost be sorry to return to Imladris."
Erestor was braiding his hair tightly to keep it out of his face. He smiled softly.
"I'll be sorry to leave Mirkwood, although I'm sure you already knew that."
Glorfindel chuckled.
"You know, Erestor, I've always wanted you to get married, that way you'd stay out of my hair."
Erestor mock shoved the gilded Elf's shoulder and tied his hair off with a dark blue ribbon.
"Wait a minute, that's Melannen's!" Glorfindel exclaimed. "Have you been going around thieving women's hair ribbons??"
The moon's silver-blue light filtered down through the leaves onto Erestor and Glorfindel, who passed like shadows through the forest. The time had come to leave Mirkwood and head home. Their horses seemed eager to be headed homeward at last. Erestor's thoughts were elsewhere, and he felt an odd closeness to Melannen, though he had no way of knowing that she was making a similar journey. He smiled faintly, thinking of Elrond's insistance upon celebrating his birthday this year. Usually Elladan and Elrohir, who knew when Erestor's birthday was, would pick that day to pull the worst prank of the year on him. Otherwise it held no signifcance. But Elrond was making a big deal about this one, maybe it was a milestone or something. Erestor really had no idea of how old he was.
The night was bright, the moon full and the stars shining. The kind of night Orcs liked least. Still, Erestor hoped not to see any. He was getting the unpleasant feeling that he was being watched, and began looking around to see if he could spot what was watching him. As the two Elves rode out into the plain, a party of Orcs broke cover and came after them. They laid their heels to their horses, although Erestor could see that Glorfindel wanted to fight a whole lot more than he wanted to flee.
He was not surprised, therefore, when Glorfindel wheeled his horse and drew his sword to attack. Erestor joined him, figuring they were better off fighting together. They smote Orc-heads from Orc-shoulders, killing all the foul beasts in their paths. Glorfindel finally dismounted to fight those who fled. He just had to kill them all! The Orcs attacked the dismounted Elf with renewed vigor. Erestor got a sick feeling, realizing Glorfindel had been baited into a fight he could not win.
It played out in slow motion in front of him; Glorfindel went ridgid as an Orc-sword made contact with his side, biting deep into his flesh. Erestor urged his horse to leap forward, and decapitated Orcs as he passed, while Earen trampled them. Glorfindel was fighting like a wounded grizzly bear, like a crazy person. Erestor screamed at him to just get out of there, but it seemed like his voice got lost in a vacuum, Glorfindel heard nothing. Erestor was getting more worried and more impatient by the second, he was hacking Orcs to pieces, but if Glorfindel fell, it would be worth nothing. Earen rocked back on his haunches, striking out at an Orc with a steel shod forefoot. The Orc's skull crumpled under the blow, and the foul beast fell to the ground.
Glorfindel was in a killing zone, he'd take all these Orcs out if it cost him his life. In his mind he was more or less back in Gondolin, fending off the invaders. His sword moved almost too fast for the eye to follow. He was an Elf, after all, and in spite of his wound, he reacted to his foes' movements quicker than thought. Soon the bodies of slain Orcs littered the ground, only Glorfindel and Erestor were left standing.
His hair streaked with the black blood of the Orcs, Glorfindel stood in a ring of defeated foes, panting, trying to catch his breath after his battle. Erestor jumped off of Earen's back while the horse was still cantering toward Glorfindel, and ran up to his wounded friend.
"Glorfindel you old fool!" he exclaimed. "What madness possessed you to attack the Orcs? You could have been killed!"
Erestor started to boost Glorfindel onto the waiting Asfaloth as he scolded. He wanted to get to the relative safety of the open plains before he did anything to Glorfindel, the grasses had grown quite high, so they would be able to hide in them with ease. Their Elven-bred horses could walk through the high grass without leaving much of a trail to follow. In addition, they would be able to see in all directions, no one would be able to sneak up on them.
Erestor led Asfaloth through the grass, allowing Glorfindel to realize that he'd done something incredably stupid. Erestor was just hoping that his friend's wound was not very serious.
"Glorfindel, take off your tunic or I will take it off and tie it around your thick golden head." Erestor said in exasperation.
Glorfindel grumpilly obliged. He was cut pretty deeply, due to his hastiness, and he really did not want Erestor to know. Erestor would only sigh and say that he should have known better, which Glorfindel knew was in fact true. Erestor blanched, getting a good look at the cut for the first time.
"You've really done it this time." Erestor sighed. "You really should know better than to rush into battles with Orcs!"
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. He inhaled sharply when Erestor touched his side.
"Was that really nessecary or do you just like to make me hold my breath 'till I turn blue?" Glorfindel asked irritablly.
Erestor shot him a look that could have melted mithril. Glorfindel knew the counselor was not in a jocular mood. Erestor dug a few things out of his packs and came back. He knelt by Glorfindel's side and poured a liquid into a cup.
"Drink this." he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Glorfindel got the distinct feeling he did not want to drink this concoction, but at this point he didn't dare argue with Erestor. It tasted bitter, almost sour, with a strange sweet aftertaste. He felt a little dizzy, and then he felt tired. He flopped down on his back. He could see Erestor looking down at him and saying something, but he could barely hear Erestor's voice. Then Erestor's image went foggy, and suddenly everything was blackness and silence.
"I really hate to do this too you, Glor, but I know you would never hold still long enough for me to do my job." Erestor said softly, watching his friend lose consciousness.
The clear membrane flicked down over Glorfindel's eyes, giving them a glassy look. Erestor nudged him gently. Nothing happened. With that assurance Erestor set about cleaning and suturing Glorfindel's nasty cut. The whole time he muttered about how judgements made in haste were often risky ones. He gently put an undamaged tunic on Glorfindel and threw a cloak over him.
The first sensation Glorfindel noticed as he woke was pain. Especially pain in his head. Then the light seemed way too bright, and Erestor's soft mumbling was too loud. Glorfindel cautiously opened one heavy-lidded eye and looked at Erestor. The raven haired Elf had his back to him and was rocking back and forth with his knees drawn up to his chest. Glorfindel watched Erestor rock back and saw the Elf's eyes were closed as he talked or sang. He usually did that while he thought. Glorfindel sighed and tried to sit up. His side hurt, and his head was complaining something awful.
"Is something bothering you, Erestor?" Glorfindel croaked, and was surprised by the sound of his own voice.
"No." Erestor sighed. "I just, I just don't understand some things."
Glorfindel reached for the water. Erestor handed him an opened flask.
"Drink this instead, it'll soothe your throat and your head." Erestor said.
One whiff and Glorfindel knew it was wine.
"Trying to get me drunk now?"
"No. But it works. I'll take it away before you can get drunk."
Glorfindel was relieved to find that the wine did in fact make him feel better.
"So how does that work, Erestor? You're the knowlegeable one here."
"The sugars soothe your throat. And the sedative effects help with your headache."
Glorfindel pondered this. Erestor turned to Glorfindel with his face screwed up in a 'thinking hard' expression.
"Glor, do you think I'm silly for liking Melannen?" Erestor asked.
Glorfindel's eyebrows shot skyward.
"No, I don't think you're silly. She's a very nice girl." he said. "I know her a little. I guess it's probably my fault that she likes you. I told her about you."
Erestor blushed.
"What did you tell her?"
"That you're an organizational genius and you read a lot." Glorfindel said. "She also loves to read."
This conjured up visions of sitting in the library in Imladris with Melannen, and Erestor smiled dreamilly.
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. He didn't really want Erestor to get married and stop being his closest friend. But he was not a greedy Elf, and didn't grudge Erestor his happiness, knowing that the counselor was actually a very lonely individual.
"I also told her that your sock drawer is organized, she found that fascinating." Glorfindel said nonchalantly.
Erestor's eyes bulged.
"You WHAT?"
"I was giving her an example of how thorough you are, that's all. Why wouldn't I tell her that you organized your sock drawer?" Glorfindel asked, looking puzzled.
Erestor gaped at Glorfindel, a look of deep mortification in his eyes. How could Glorfindel have told a maiden Erestor didn't even know such a personal thing?
"Erestor, you should shut your mouth, you might catch flies." Glorfindel said.
"What other things did you tell her???"
"That although you seem gruff and annoyed all the time you're actually a very affectionate, caring individual, as well as very intelligent."
"Continue?"
"You're not very good with horses and aren't big on long walks in the woods."
Erestor seemed to deflate, slowly sinking to a facedown position on the ground.
"What? What did I say?"
"Ai Valar, Glorfindel, you embarass me in new ways all the time."