Chapter XVI: Defiance
Glorfindel sat at the small desk in the library and tried to concentrate on the piles of scrolls and manuscripts before him. He seldom worked at his study anymore, choosing to work at home instead, for he wanted to be closer to Elerrina. She was ten months along now, and she spent most of her time at home, rather than at work. Glorfindel sighed. He loved his wife more than anything, and he truly enjoyed spending more time with her. But he had begun to think that he annoyed her more than he pleased her. He did not understand her anymore, for she was so temperamental nowadays. One moment she was happy, and the next she was sobbing. At one time, she had become so angry with him that she had told him to leave. He sighed heavily and held his head in his hands. He was beside himself.
He glanced up as Elerrina walked into the room. The look on her face told him that she was in a foul mood. She began rummaging through the books but did not choose one. Glorfindel walked over to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. He winced as she withdrew from his touch, but he pushed his feelings of hurt away.
"Can I help you find something, love?" he asked.
She glanced up at him, her green eyes flashing. "Am I bothering you?" she asked coldly.
"No, dearest. I just want to aid you. Perhaps I know the location of what you are searching for."
"Oh." She sighed. "I do not know what I am looking for. I am weary of being trapped in this house. Perhaps, I shall assist Erestor today."
He sighed heavily, knowing that she was going to become angry with him. "Celeblas has taken over your position until the baby comes, beloved."
"I care not. I am certain that Celeblas has other things to attend to. I want to assist Erestor today."
Glorfindel took her hands and looked into her eyes. "You cannot, Elerrina. You need to rest. Strain is unhealthy for you and the baby."
She wrenched her hands from his grasp and scowled at him. "I am going to work today, Glorfindel!" she snapped.
She turned and stormed out of the room. Glorfindel sank into his chair and rested his head on the desk. He did not hear anything for a long while, so he assumed that Elerrina had decided against going to Erestor's study. He began to work on his scrolls again, but he glanced up sharply as he heard the door slam. He rushed to the window and saw Elerrina walking down the path. He sighed. He knew that she was going to Erestor's and he was going to let her. He could not bear the thought of seeing that look of loathing in her eyes again. He would wait for a short time, and then he would go to Erestor's study himself and tell his friend not to give her anything that would be too strenuous.
Erestor glanced up from his work as Elerrina came walking into his study. He stared at her in surprise. He had not expected her to return to her position until the baby came.
"Elerrina, I did not expect you today."
"I want to assist you, Erestor."
"Does Glorfindel know that you are here?"
"Yes," she said testily. "May I perform my duties now?"
He walked over to her. "Of course. You know that I always need the assistance."
She smiled at that and sat at her small desk. He took two scrolls from his desk and handed them to her. "I need these finished, Elerrina."
She grinned and took them from him. Erestor returned to his desk and watched her. She seemed to be enjoying herself, and he was glad. She had seemed so upset when she arrived. He glanced up as the door opened slightly. Glorfindel was standing outside with a finger to his lips. He motioned to Erestor, and Erestor rose. Elerrina glanced up at him, and he gave her a reassuring smile.
"I will return in a moment. Something outside requires my attention."
She nodded, and he went into the hall. He closed the door quietly behind him and turned to face his friend. Glorfindel looked at him in concern.
"How is she, Erestor? Is she all right?"
"Yes. Do not worry, my friend."
Glorfindel sighed heavily. "She was so angry when she left. She insisted on assisting you today, and she was furious with me when I told her that she could not. I am so worried about her."
Erestor studied his friend in concern. He had never seen him like this before. Glorfindel looked completely exhausted, and he appeared to be on the verge of tears.
"Is everything all right, Glorfindel?"
"No. I do not know what to do anymore. She gets so angry with me, and I do not know how to appease her. Sometimes I think that she truly detests me. I love her so much, and the hatred in her eyes tears my heart out."
Erestor touched his friend's shoulder sympathetically. "I do not know what elleths experience when they are pregnant, but there is one thing that I do know for certain: Elerrina loves you. I have seen the way you two are when you are together. The love that you feel for one another is evident. Do not lose hope, my friend."
Glorfindel nodded. "Do not tell her that I was here. I do not want to upset her again. Please send her home if she begins to feel ill or if the strain becomes too much for her."
"I will, my friend."
Erestor watched as Glorfindel walked dejectedly down the hall. He sighed heavily. He hoped that everything would soon be well between his two friends.
Elerrina aided Erestor for several hours and then started home. She felt horrible for the way she had treated Glorfindel, but she had just been so desperate to do something that would make her feel useful again. She silently entered the house and went into the bedchamber. Glorfindel was there, sitting on the edge of the bed, with his head in his hands. Her heart broke as she realized that he was crying. She walked over and sat beside him. He quickly wiped his tears away and looked at her.
"Are you all right, Elerrina?" he asked, his voice wavering slightly.
She nodded. "I am so sorry. I was so cruel to you." Her voice broke, and she began to cry. "I love you," she whispered through her tears.
Glorfindel put his arms around her and held her close. He could feel his own tears begin to fall again, but he did not care. She buried her face in his chest, and he began to gently stroke her hair.
"It is all right, beloved. I love you. I will always love you no matter what happens," he said tenderly.
"I do not know what is wrong with me, Glorfindel. Will I ever be myself again?"
"Yes, sweet one."
She drew back from him, and looked into his eyes. He started slightly as she leaned forward and began to kiss his neck. She ran her hand through his hair, and he shuddered. She kissed his mouth, and he was surprised by the love and passion that he felt in her kiss. It had been so long since she had kissed him like this. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. After a long while, he released her and lay back on the bed. She lay beside him and rested her head on his chest. He put his arms around her and lightly kissed the top of her head. He felt her relax against him, and he knew that she had fallen into Elven sleep. He gently brushed the tendrils of blonde hair away from her face and smiled at her sleeping form.
"I love you," he whispered.
He sighed. He was so happy to see the love in her eyes again, to feel her lips against his. He loved her so much, and he knew that she loved him. He lightly touched her round abdomen and smiled as he felt the babe kick. Their little one would arrive very soon.
