Thank you to all the readers, to everyone who takes a moment to read my story thrills me to the point of making me weak. I've been sick so I skipped band and took the time to sit in my chair and work on my new chapter. Also thank you to the West Wing for the inspiration for some of the lines in this chapter. I hope to enjoy reading it.
Holding Destiny
Chapter Two
In the late afternoon, Glorfindel peered around the edge of the office door. He knew Erestor would be alone working on some final items for the day and it would be the perfect opportunity to get the elf out of the stuffy office and with him into the sparring ring.
The red hues of the lowering sun cascaded into the room and framed Erestor as the warrior approached.
"Come on, Advisor, surely all of great import for the day has been accomplished and now you can come with me and practice your techniques."
Erestor raised his gaze to meet Glorfindel's, "I suppose it would be rude of me to ignore your request now."
A bright smile lit up the blonde's face. "I shall meet you in the ring in ten minutes!" With that, he bounded off.
Erestor sighed and capped the inkpots. Even though he always showed annoyance on his face when Glorfindel would come after him to go out, in the inside Erestor loved sparring and venturing with the blond, his closest friend in Imladris and Glorfindel could always see through Erestor's little act and know he was not really bothered but loved to play that little game with him.
Lights from torches illuminated the ring and shone off the blades the two elves held. Glorfindel stood strong and muscular, someone you would not want to face off against in serious combat while Erestor, being smaller and slighter, has speed and grace to aid him in this challenge.
They were two well-matched, battle-experienced adversaries who were, at present, merely holding their pose and attempting to stare the other down.
"Come on, Mighty Balrog Slayer, come show me your prowess!" Erestor teasing, hoping to make the blond charge and perhaps make an error.
Glorfindel smirked, "Are you afraid to charge against me, dark one?" he responded. His challenger simply held his blade firm, the longer fingers of a scribe wrapped around the handle with precision.
Finally, Glorfindel, having not as much patience as the advisor, did attack and Erestor blocked it with a swift move.
"Ai!" Glorfindel exclaimed, "You still have the habit of twisting like that, you realize you leave your front open with your arms in such a position to maintain your balance."
"Glorfindel, always there to provide teaching even when he should be keeping his mind in the game." Erestor said as he made a quick turn to trip up the other's rhythm.
Elrond looked on from his balcony as his two dearest friends continued their "battle". Even though Glorfindel was more of a warrior than Erestor, his advisor did get a few points in his favor. For this small moment he was content to simply enjoy the display……………….
"Erestor, look out behind you!"
"Do you honestly expect me to fall for that?"
"Can't blame me for trying"
…………………and smile at their bantering.
"My Lord?"
Ashamed at having been startled, Elrond turned to see who addressed him.
"I have scouted as you requested and have identified the men on our boarders."
Elrond walked towards the speaker, "Well done, Milkya, what did you discover?"
"They are men of Rohan on orders from their king to scout the land near and around theirs in order to gain an idea of the happenings of the world."
The scout waiting for his Lord's response, looking up to look Elrond in the eye. Milkya was the best elf in Imladris when it came to spying on anything, he was very small even for an elf and could sneak anywhere without making a sound. Once he invaded an orc camp and simply took all their weapons without them hearing a whisper of anything, only to awake later with fully armed elves slicing their insides and no manner to fight back.
"How were you able to discover all this information from simply looking in on them? Surely they weren't discussing their entire mission?" Elrond questioned.
"I spoke with them, Lord."
Shocked, Elrond took a step back, "Why did you do that?"
The young elf was confused at his Lord's reaction, "There was no reason not to, sir. We have had many men travel our boarders and none do anything against us, they know better than to attack Imladris so long as a ring of power protects our lands. I've met men from their country before and never have they sought to do us any harm."
Silence hung in the air. "You are correct."
"In fact," Milkya continued, "I bear a message from their captain. He requests permission to stay in our lands near the boarders for a few days. They are weary from constant traveling and wish to find sanctuary here where they could let down their guard for a moment and rest."
"I will think on it, now leave, I will tell you my reply to them shortly. Wait for my summons to return here."
The scout bowed his head and left, confused as to why this would take consideration. Elrond was known for opening his home to guests and travelers, elves and all other races together. Hesitation was quite out of character, but he obeyed his Lord and quietly shut the door behind him as he left.
"I'm bored." Elrohir sighed.
His twin nodded, "Me too."
Legolas sat up from his position lying in the grass, "What can we do?"
The elder twin kept his position lying on the ground and watched the clouds drift by, "How about going swimming?"
Elrohir snorted, "We did that yesterday."
"Sparring?"
"Nah, that involves too much physical activity."
"Humph." Legolas replied.
Many legends are written about the stamina of elves, the power, the grace and the energy. It's surprising the tale of the lazy elves lying on the hillside never entered into a tale. Bored they were, it would have said, yet too slacking to get themselves up to do anything.
"So, brother, what do you think that cloud looks like?"
"Legolas getting tossed into the river." Elladan replied.
"And that one?" Elrohir asked once more with a sluggish wave of his hand.
"I would have to say Legolas getting pelted with moldy bread."
The Prince grumbled and rolled over to put his back to the pair.
Exhaustion pulled at the half-elf in the late night. Erestor and Glorfindel had long since ended their sparring session and bid each other a good night. All the windows were dark and Elrond's one candle looked impossibly bright in the darkness.
Without even going to bed, sleep crept up on him while he sat in his chair. The warmth of the wine he drank called him to dreams.
And dream he did.
Elrond looked to his friend who now occupied the previously empty chair next to him.
The blond warrior's words were poetic and quiet, very out of character yet touching to the heart.
"We did not seek nor did we provoke an attack against our home." Glorfindel smiled peacefully, "We did not expect nor did we invite an assault on our way of life"
"What do you mean?" Elrond questioned.
Once more Glorfindel smiled, "They are not what they seem."
"Glorfindel?"
"The Halls of Mandos are too crowded with friends tonight."
The Lord looked to the candle on the table and thought about his words before once again looking to his friend for more answers.
The chair was empty and the sun was rising.
He sat alone in his room for a moment, truly unsure about his course of action for the first time in an age.
A sunrise would not be complete for the Lord if there weren't a knock at the door before the sun would clear the horizon.
"Yes." Elrond called, his mind still elsewhere.
Erestor entered, "My Lord, good morning. Did you sleep well?" The advisor was very observant, part of his invaluable skills, and he could tell from first glance his Lord had not found peace.
"Fine, Erestor." Elrond rose from the chair. "What news have you?"
"The men of Rohan have remained near our boarders awaiting a reply to their request." The counselor replied. "We need to answer them, it is quite odd for them to wait."
A nod was Erestor's only response.
"A decision must be reached. What would you like to do, My Lord?" He questioned.
The words of the visions and dreams rang in his ears, what did they mean, what choice was the right one?
"What are you going to do?"
TBC