The Interviews - Erestor
She settled herself on a white stone bench on a lovely, flower-filled patio, admiring the sculptures that stood scattered about in the garden before her. Sipping a cup of herbal tea, she sighed at the beauty and serenity of the place. Her small tape recorder was set on the bench beside her, ready for her next interview.
Soft footsteps heralded the arrival of the Elf who had agreed to be interviewed next. Turning, she smiled at the shy, ebony-haired Elf as he courteously bowed to her before seating himself next to her on the bench. He was a beauty…that was certain. Aside from his inky tresses, which flowed free in a soft curtain about his shoulders and back, his eyes were most captivating…dark…black as night…deep pools of jet that one could easily get lost in. His features were delicate, almost feminine, but there was nothing feminine about his body…even though covered by rose-colored silken robes, she could see the muscular strength that lay beneath the fabric.
Author: Good afternoon, Master Erestor.
Erestor: Good afternoon. Please, my dear, simply Erestor will do nicely.
Author: Thank you, Erestor. Those are lovely robes, by the way.
Erestor: Oh, these old things? Do you like them? I had them made for last year's Midwinter Festival, although why I bother…
Author: Uh oh. Trouble in paradise? Anyone in particular?
Erestor: Glorfindel.
Author: What did he do?
Erestor: Nothing…that's the problem. He never notices when I've bought something new…or put up a new painting in our quarters…or had my hair braided differently…
Author: He takes you for granted, does he?
Erestor: Sometimes I wonder whether he even knows that I'm in the room, even when we're…you know…
Author: Males, Erestor…most of them are all the same. They suck.
Erestor: If he did, then we wouldn't be having this conversation…
Author: Erestor!
the tape runs on a bit at this point, as the author and Erestor giggle like schoolgirls.
Erestor: Well, it's true! He always comes in like gangbangers…
Author: Busters, Erestor…gangbusters…
Erestor: Right, well…gangbusters, and it's all slam-bam-thank-you-Erestor, with no care for my feelings or my needs…
Author: My sympathies, dear…how long have you two been together?
Erestor: Several millennia…ever since his reincarnation.
Author: Why do you stay with him? You're a beautiful Elf, Erestor…inside and out. Hasn't anyone else caught your eye in all that time?
Erestor: No, not really…I mean to say…well, you've seen him, haven't you? Who can compare to that?
Author: But if he treats you badly, then looks are not a reason to stay.
Erestor: Oh, he doesn't really treat me badly…he can be very warm and sweet, when he wants to be…it's just that I don't think he really considers my feelings all of the time…
Author: Have you talked to him about it?
Erestor: Oh, I couldn't possibly! What in Valinor would I say to him?
Author: For starters, just what you've told me. Tell him what you want, Erestor…it's the only way he'll know. If he loves you the way you obviously love him, then he'll listen.
Erestor: I'll have to think about it…but thank you kindly for listening.
Author: My pleasure, Erestor. Now that that's out of the way, let's do what girls do best.
Erestor: And what might that be?
Author: Gossip! C'mon Erestor - give! You were Elrond's Advisor for more years that I can even fathom…you must know the scoop on just about everybody!
Erestor: Oh, dear…that wouldn't be very honorable, now would it? Telling tales out of school…
Author: C'mon Erestor…you know you want to…tell me something about, oh…Lord Elrond, that no one else knows.
Erestor: Well…you didn't hear it from me, but…once, when Celebrian was off visiting her Nana and Ada in Lorien…Elrond had a very naughty painting commissioned…
Author: That doesn't sound too bad, Erestor…
Erestor: Of himself…
Author: Still not gossip-worthy, Erestor…
Erestor: And Celeborn.
Author: BINGO! We have dirt!
the tapes run on again as the Author and Erestor giggle like nuns who've gotten into the sacramental wine
Erestor: Of course - and again, I will disavow ever having said this - there was the time that Haldir got so drunk during a visit to Imladris, that he peed in Elrond's soup bowl.
Author: No…
Erestor: We didn't tell Elrond…
Author: No!
Erestor: Until after dinner…
the tape runs on once again as the Author chokes on her own saliva, and Erestor has to bang her repeatedly on the back.
Erestor: Oh, my! Look at the time! I really must run, my dear…it has been a pleasure speaking with you - I haven't had so much fun in Ages!
Author: Thank you so much, Erestor! And don't forget what we spoke about…tell him what you want, and MAKE him listen!
With a soft kiss on the cheek, Erestor left, his step a bit lighter than before. Wishing she could be a fly on the wall in their suite when Erestor confronted Glorfindel, she picked up her tea cup, drained the last dregs from it, and wandered back into the house. Her next interview would be coming shortly, and she wanted to get another cup of tea before he arrived.
Still snorting periodically over what Erestor had divulged during their interview, she wondered if her next interviewee would be half as interesting.