Erestor's chamber.

The dark-haired one slammed the door behind him with more force than even he expected. Not caring about it, he also slammed the windows shut and angrily pulled the drapes closed. The stars in the night sky had seemed to be looking at him and he wanted no such thing as he fought to keep back the hot tears that burned his eyes and choked him. Erestor sat for a moment on the edge of the turned-down bed, staring blankly ahead before crawling under the heavy blankets and drawing in upon himself in hurt. Unbidden, the thought of that kiss came rushing back, along with the small stir of pleasure he felt with that touch at his thigh. That caused Erestor to let go, at long last, of all the tears he had worked so hard to hide over the many years.

How many long, long years had he waited for such a moment as the one that occurred only a few minutes ago in Faramir's study? How many nights had it haunted his dreams? How many days had he found himself unable to concentrate at a council meeting or on the papers in front of him? But now, looking at Glorfindel's actions, he felt used.

For one thing, Glorfindel had certainly never shown the slightest affection before, and now that they were the only two Elves for leagues around, certainly it was convenient for Glorfindel to have need of a lover. Add to that the fact that Glorfindel had tried to take advantage of him by using his one weakness against him like that and Erestor could not describe what he was feeling as anything but deep hurt. For years Erestor had silently loved Glorfindel, at times against his own will, and wanted so badly to taste his kiss, only for the object of his love to use him. Erestor wept to think that all he had ever wanted from Glorfindel was a single word of tenderness, and all Glorfindel had ever wanted from him was a stand-by sex toy.

Eventually Erestor felt he had no tears left to shed and emotional exhaustion had the mercy of letting him fall into a deep sleep. When morning rose, Erestor had overcome the agony of the past night's betrayal of his very heart. Instead of sulking, Erestor dressed and went about his work with a whole new ruthless efficiency. If others had joked that he was a cold Elf before, he was determined to make that look like a sweltering summer day.

When Glorfindel had spotted the Noldo going about the halls of the Citadel he chuckled lightly to himself. He had in fact expected Erestor to act stand-offish come morning, and as he had slipped into bed the previous night he felt rather sorry for going just a bit too fast for the dark one, but Glor' felt confident that he had made some excellent progress. For today, his main task was to locate the rest of the King's Dorwinion so he knew where go when Erestor's mood passed. He was proud of himself for remembering how much Erestor loved the vintage, but moreover the Vanya only knew that he had to have another of Erestor's kisses soon. All of his strange thoughts of late were starting to make sense, and Glorfindel could not hide his smile or the odd giggle that escaped him when the reality came to him that he was in love.

Every night as Minas Tirith lay quietly asleep, Erestor lay awake hating himself for the desire he felt to have Glorfindel touch him again, much as Glorfindel lay awake desiring to touch Erestor again. The Vanya knew he had to be willing to bide his time, though, and not make any sudden moves that might scare off his raven-haired beauty. Glor' began to grow a little concerned when days had passed and still Erestor seemed colder than ever. He wondered if he had not seriously offended Erestor and hoped dearly that he hadn't. But he did his best to simply be patient and give Erestor all the time he needed. Another concern that weighed on him was the fact that he had yet to find more of Estel's Dorwinion, and that he might have to enlist the help of the kitchen staff in the matter. Surely the King of Men had more than just that bottle?

Glorfindel knew Estel was due to return to his kingdom in less than a week now and he was glad that at last, after several weeks of iciness that rivaled Helcaraxe, Erestor had started to ease up. Little did Glor' know that Erestor hadn't really eased up so much as he started to give up. In the back of Erestor's mind, even through his deep hurt, there had been hope that Glorfindel meant his kiss truly. But as the weeks passed by without Glorfindel even trying to say anything to him or giving him anything but amused, leering glances, Erestor firmly believed that he had in fact been used.

Glorfindel had decided at the end of a particularly long day to try Erestor's mood. Glor' had spent the last several days assuring the Dwarven workers that Aragorn would be back very soon indeed so that they could begin the rebuilding their kinsman Gimli, Gloin's son, had called upon them for. He should have known better than to try to see Erestor again when they were both in such tense states, but Glor' had honestly thought that maybe they could benefit each other and take the edge off. Besides, he thought, at least he could hide from the Dwarves in Faramir's study for a while.

Walking in unannounced, Glorfindel was treated to quite a sight. The general desk area, and Erestor with it, was in total disarray. There was paperwork, literally, everywhere and Erestor looked like he was actually hemmed in by tottering stacks. The contradiction to Glorfindel's image of the painstakingly tidy Erestor evoked a laughter that not even the Balrog-slayer could hold at bay.

Erestor glared killer icicles at the intruder.

"Oh, feeling a little perturbed, are you?" Glorfindel said, trying to lighten the mood. "At least you have not a pack of Naugrim turning up every few hours with the same complaint." It did not work and Glorfindel found himself slightly frightened by the tone Erestor replied in.

Clearly Erestor's tongue matched the icicles in his eyes. "If they did, mellon-nín, I would know how to make their complaining cease, permanently."

Glorfindel grinned after conquering a dusting of fear. It was definitely time he got Erestor to loosen up. Unfortunately, there was only one way he knew of doing so and never once before had it worked on the Noldo. "I am sure you would," Glorfindel agreed, "the Valar know you could bore the most hard-of-hearing Dwarf directly to Mandos." This time Glor' had gone so far as to bring his own experiences into the matter, hoping that would prove to Erestor his good will.

Not only did Erestor not buy it, but he rose and stared directly at his opponent. He had been waiting for this confrontation and he intended to pull no punches. "A Dwarf, even the most insufferable, being sent to Mandos by my boredom-inducing speech, would remain there, instead of driving Lord Námo so annoyed that he sent back the pestilence." Erestor hoped his words made clear his feelings once and for all concerning Glorfindel. He hoped Glorfindel would take the hint and go back to Mandos on his own, immediately. But he hoped most of all that he could fool himself into believing that it didn't hurt that Glorfindel was so near him again.

Glorfindel then abandoned his attempt to lighten anything. Erestor's barb struck too true, as did the impression that the joy he felt in realizing that he was in love was, apparently, not requited. Glorfindel felt his pride and ego taking over as he stepped challengingly closer to Erestor. "At least i actually did something heroic enough to wind up in the Halls of Mandos! Unless you cut your finger on a poisoned parchment, you will be remembered by these mortals in the ages to come as 'Erestor: Chief Advisor to Lord Elrond,' whilst i have the honor of 'Glorfindel: Warrior of Gondolin, Defender of the People, Selfless Slayer of Balrogs, Servant of the Vala Lord Námo....' Well, i think you understand. One day these mortal children shall wonder that one Elf could really have ever been so great and some will be convinced that there must have been two Elves named Glorfindel. I shall be remembered as -"

As Glorfindel rambled on egoistically Erestor felt his hand grip around the hilt of a small sword that was kept on the underside of the Steward's desk for protection. It was a lucky thing for Glorfindel that he had chosen to wear his scabbard belt just to impress his importance when dealing with the Dwarves earlier. Erestor, wholly fed up, drew the sword and without a word engaged Glorfindel mid-self-praising-sentence.

Such was the scene that Aragorn was treated to when he arrived back to his home and decided to investigate the Elven shouting coming from his son's study.

---

What we have here is a failure to communicate. How odd, considering that the first Elves called themselves the Quendi because it meant to talk or communicate. Those who have read the Sil' might have learned that Elves highly value communication.

AM: Yes, it is a little tease, isn't it!

Haldir's Heart & Soul: He did, and Erestor got to kiss him. There will be more to come, but right now Erestor is really hurt by his preceptions.