Chapter Seven
A/N: I know I said I wouldn't update for a while, but there I was, writing my novel, and just as one of my characters was getting all angsty and reminiscent – DUN, DUN, DUN! – the plot bunnies attacked! Hope you like!
Erestor sat in the library. It was his usual location, whether he was poring over books or copying old scrolls to preserve them. He was bent over the former this time, his dark hair hiding his face from others as he concentrated on what he was reading. Thus, he almost had a heart attack when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up in shock at the smiling face of Nathariel.
"Valar, Nathariel, you almost killed me!" he cried jokingly as he put a hand over his heart.
"I'm sorry," she giggled. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
Erestor sighed happily. "Of course."
They headed out immediately. The weather was steadily getting warmer, edging from placid spring to fiery summer. All the Elves wore looser, thinner clothes to keep themselves comfortable. Nathariel chose her usual path, a bunch of papers under her arm.
What are those?" Erestor asked curiously, gazing pointedly at them.
"Some drawings I wanted to show you."
"I didn't know you were an artist," Erestor said, surprised.
"They're not too good, but…" She pulled out one she'd done of Lord Elrond looking contemplative.
"Are you crazy?" the advisor asked in shock, taking it from her to look at it more closely. "It looks just like him!"
"Thank you," Nathariel muttered, looking at the ground and turning pink.
"Do you have any more?" Erestor asked.
"Yes," she smiled, holding out the stack. They sat down together on the dusty, sunlit path and Erestor began sifting through the papers. Sometimes Nathariel would seize a drawing from him and refuse to let him see it, because she didn't think it was good enough, but most of them she let him look at. She was a great artist, able to take a person's likeness and sketch it perfectly, and had done almost all the Elves. Erestor stopped in astonishment when he pulled one out of himself, gazing at it open-mouthed for quite a while before she asked, "Do you like it?"
"It's perfect, Nathariel. It's incredible!"
The healer mumbled another "Thank you" and turned her face away.
Suddenly, someone appeared behind them and slung an arm over each of their shoulders.
"Well, what are you two doing sitting in the dirt?" came Glorfindel's teasing voice. Then he spotted the drawings and asked, "Whose are those?"
"Mine," Nathariel said. She was getting a bit self-conscious.
"Is that me?" the golden-haired Elf asked, taking one of the drawings from the pile.
"Yes," she nodded.
"This is wonderful!" he said in amazement. In it, he was clad in a black cloak, leaning roguishly against a wall, his hair loose and cascading.
"Sure it is," Erestor grinned. "You think anything's wonderful if it involves you."
"That's not true!" Glorfindel protested, elbowing Erestor. "It's really good," he insisted, gazing at her. "You are very talented."
"Thank you," Nathariel said for what seemed the hundredth time. She was getting uncomfortable.
"No need for that," Glorfindel laughed. "They're very beautiful drawings." He stood and started to walk away. "You should show them to other people," he added. With a bow and a grin, he strode off.
"What a nuisance," Erestor muttered, but he was smiling as he said it.
"Oh, he's sweet," Nathariel said firmly.
They went back to the drawings.
Reviewer Responses:
Miss Piratess: Ah, don't worry about it. I knew you were there! And I'm sure Lindir will be fine.
anticipationnation: Thank you for the novel well-wishes, and thanks for the compliment!
matrixelf: Wow! A five-part series! I so wanna read that! Once it's published let me know! And it's nice to hear from you again!
swee-haret179: Thanks again, and I think I've found a couple possible publishers thanks to Writer's Market 2003. I've almost finished the manuscript!
Malara: As usual, you give the longest (and sweetest) reviews! Thank you! Yes, I will let you know when it's published. Don't worry. That won't be for some time. You remembered peanut-butter Lindir! I'm planning on writing another parody, and including him this time. ANFoT probably won't be updated soon. Thank you for the compliments!
delucamar: Welcome! I'm glad you like it! Was that soon enough for you? Hee, hee!
