Chapter VIII: Jealousy
Glorfindel walked around the celebration glade and searched for Elerrina. He sighed heavily. The festival had been going on for several hours now, and she still had not arrived. She decided not to attend, he thought gloomily. He frowned. Why am I so concerned with her attending? I have many friends here that I can converse with.
He looked around the glade and saw Lord Elrond speaking with a small group of Elves. Glorfindel strode over to Elrond and greeted his friend.
"Mae Govannen, Elrond."
"Mae Govannen, Glorfindel."
"Is Lady Celebrian here this evening?"
"Yes. She is speaking with a group of elleths near the dance area." He smiled at Glorfindel. "Are you accompanied by anyone tonight, Glorfindel?"
"No. I am here alone."
Elrond nodded, but at that moment, Elerrina walked into the glade. Glorfindel could not keep from smiling. She was beautiful, her blonde hair flowing freely about her shoulders. She wore a simple green dress, but she could not have been lovelier if she had worn an ornate one. He glanced up and saw Elrond grinning at him. Glorfindel bid him a rather uncomfortable farewell and walked over to where Elerrina was sitting. She glanced up as he approached, and he smiled at her.
"I see that Celeblas has released you for the evening."
"Yes, my lord. However, he has decided to continue working throughout the eve," she said, her voice filled with amusement.
"Of course." He smiled. "You look beautiful this evening, Elerrina."
She blushed vividly. "Thank you, my lord."
He sat beside her. "Elerrina, please call me 'Glorfindel'. 'My lord' is not necessary, nor do I wish for you to address me as such."
"Yes, my lord. Glorfindel."
He grinned at her. "Elerrina, may I have the honor of this dance?"
She glanced at him shyly. "Yes, Glorfindel."
He rose and helped her to her feet. He took her hand and led her to the dancing area. They slowly began to dance, the enchanting music drifting throughout the glade. Glorfindel pulled her close, much closer than was the normal for dancing. He did not know why, but somehow it felt right having her in his arms. It felt like he was home.
Elerrina took in a sharp breath as she felt Glorfindel pull her closer to him. Her heart began to pound, and she knew that her hands were perspiring. Why do I feel so nervous when I am around him? It is strange. I feel odd, yet safe when I am with him. Somehow, it feels like I am home.
Before they realized it, the music had ended, yet they still continued to dance. Elerrina drew back slightly and looked into his eyes.
"I believe the music has ceased, Glorfindel."
He smiled. "I do believe it has."
He took her hand and led her back to where they had been sitting. He smiled at her.
"Thank you for the dance, Elerrina."
"Yes, my lord. It was my pleasure."
He grinned, and they began to tell each other of their lives and families. They talked for hours, well into the night. As the evening ended, both were aware of one thing: something was different between them.
The following week, Erestor returned to Rivendell. Elerrina had received word of his return three days prior, so she was waiting for him in his study the morning of his arrival. He opened the door, and she smiled in greeting.
"Welcome back, my lord."
He smiled at her. "Thank you, Elerrina. I am glad to be home."
She walked over to him and took several of the scrolls from his arms. "I trust that your journey was safe and prosperous."
"Yes, it was. But I am afraid that we have much work to accomplish."
"Of course," she said, her voice lightly tinged with sarcasm.
He laughed and handed her a stack of parchments. "You can begin with these, while I start with the pile of scrolls on the desk."
"Yes, Lord Erestor."
Elerrina sat at her small desk and began the seemingly endless task that was before her. She had never met an Elven lord who could accumulate as much work as Lord Erestor. He was very gifted at such. She glanced up as she felt his eyes upon her. She smiled at him.
"Is there something you need, my lord?"
"No. I was only wondering what you did while I was away. Did you enjoy having time to yourself?"
"I painted on occasion, but I spent most of my time aiding Celeblas. He needed the assistance."
He smiled and shook his head. "You worked even while I was in Lothlorien. I should have expected as much."
She laughed softly. "Yes. I believe that Celeblas needs his own assistant. Perhaps then, he will allow himself, and me, to rest."
They both laughed and returned to their labor. They worked late into the afternoon, until Erestor decided that they had accomplished what they needed to for the day. They sat for a time and talked about Erestor's journey and Elerrina's experiences with Celeblas. They both began to laugh as she spoke of Celeblas' flustered reaction on the day she had returned from her morning ride. They left the study still laughing and paused before the door.
"That was most amusing, Elerrina."
"Yes, it was." She smiled. "I will see you tomorrow morning, Erestor."
"No, Elerrina. I want you to spend tomorrow doing something that is pleasing to you. We have accomplished much today, and I myself will be enjoying a day's respite."
She grinned at him. "Thank you, my lord."
"Of course." He looked her in the eye. "But you must promise that you will not aid Celeblas, only that you will enjoy the day."
"You have my word." She smiled and lightly touched his arm in thanks. "Good evening, Erestor."
"Good evening, Elerrina."
Erestor watched her as she walked down the hall. He smiled and shook his head. How was I ever so fortunate to find such a wonderful scribe and friend?
Glorfindel strode down the hallway towards Erestor's study. He wanted to greet his friend and learn about his journey to Lothlorien. As he neared, the door to Erestor's study opened, and Erestor and Elerrina walked into the hall. Glorfindel stepped into the shadows of a nearby doorway and watched them. They were laughing and appeared to be very familiar with one another. He watched as they spoke for a time outside Erestor's door. Jealousy ran through him as he saw Elerrina touch Erestor's arm and address him by his name without any hesitation. Why did she not tell me that she was with Erestor? He sighed angrily. I am a fool.
He drew back further against the door as Elerrina passed by him. She did not appear to notice him, for she did not pause. Glorfindel moved from the doorway and approached Erestor. Erestor turned and smiled at him in greeting.
"Mae Govannen, Glorfindel. How are you, my friend?"
"I did not realize that you were courting Elerrina, Erestor," Glorfindel said abruptly.
Erestor blinked at Glorfindel's rash statement. What had brought this on? He studied his friend and saw the anger and jealousy in Glorfindel's eyes. His brows rose slightly as realization dawned upon him. He is in love with her.
"Glorfindel, I am not courting Elerrina. She is my scribe and my friend. Nothing more."
Glorfindel stared at Erestor in surprise. Was what he had seen between them merely a friendly exchange? He studied Erestor's eyes and saw that his friend spoke the truth. He sighed heavily.
"Forgive me, Erestor. I should not have been so rash in my assumption."
"Think nothing of it, Glorfindel." Erestor looked at him for a moment before continuing. "Why does it concern you so, Glorfindel? Why does it matter to you who courts Elerrina?"
Glorfindel blushed slightly. "It does not. I was merely curious."
Erestor smiled, his eyes alight with amusement. "Of course, Glorfindel."
Glorfindel glared at his friend, but Erestor did not seem to notice. "I have much work to do. Good evening, Erestor."
"Good evening, Glorfindel."
Glorfindel strode down the hall towards his study. He scowled as he heard Erestor's laughter behind him. He entered his study and closed the door loudly behind him. I do not know what he finds so amusing. I was merely curious about Elerrina. I care not who courts her. He sat at his desk and attempted to work, but he could not concentrate on his manuscripts. He sighed heavily, for he knew he would accomplish nothing tonight. Why can I not stop thinking of her? It matters not to me what she does, or if someone is courting her. He shook his head and sighed, for he knew that it did.
