Disclaimer: Tolkien owns The Lord of the Rings.

Warning: This content contains slash. This means romance between two people (in this case, male people) of the same gender. If this is not to your liking, the please leave. We are not forcing you to read it, so there is no real need to flame. We are entitled to our beliefs, as you are entitled to yours. If you really have a problem with this, then send us an email. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Chapter 2: Ignoring The Signs

"Glorfindel. . ." Elrond paused for a moment. "Come in, Erestor. I do not want to keep you waiting, and I may continue with my conversation with Glorfindel . . . later."

Erestor silently cursed. How in the name of Mandos did Elrond know he had been there? And for how long?

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As Erestor entered the study, Glorfindel looked at him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Of all Elves. . . . It had to be Erestor who heard the pain he had kept bottled inside for so long. He avoided looking at the smaller advisor, and concentrated on his hands. They were gripping the sides of the chair, his knuckles were white and he was half standing. Then another though hit him. How much had he heard? Did he know?

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"Elrond, before you begin to lecture me, how in the name of Mandos did you know I was waiting?"

Glorfindel seemed to start, and Erestor looked at him, a little concerned despite their earlier argument.

"Glorfindel, are you all right?"

The elf pretended not to hear him, and Elrond ground his teeth. Or rather, he would have if it wouldn't have destroyed all dignity remaining to him at this point.

"Yo- you wanted to see me, Elrond?" Erestor said a little awkwardly.

The elf lord seemed to clear his head, and said distractedly "Yes, sit down, mellon nin."

Erestor quickly sat. Glorfindel still didn't look at him.

"About your . . . argument, earlier in the day-"

"Well, we. . . ." Glorfindel started to say. He was then treated to a severe death glare.

"I care naught for what started it, nor for what made it escalate to such an extreme volume." His voice started to rise. "What I do care about is that my most trusted advisors - and two of my best friends - have been seen arguing everywhere in such an unseemly manner for this past century! Have you no shame?"

"Well, we-" Glorfindel said again.

"There is no excuse for you two to be behaving in such a manner!"

"My lord," Erestor said calmly. He had an idle second to wonder why Elrond's shouting didn't really upset him -- yet Glorfindel's did -- before he continued. "Glorfindel and I are . . . rather vocal people. When we argue, we unleash all the pent up anger we have built inside. We are still friends. . . . Aren't we, 'Fin?"

The blond elf didn't answer. He was still intent upon his hands.

"Fin?" Erestor whispered, "We are still friends, right? Aren't we?" His tone seemed slightly vulnerable. Inwardly, he kicked himself for sounding so needy.

"Aye," The other looked up at him with unreadable eyes. "We are friends."

Erestor felt an inexplicable sense of relief wash over him. He hadn't realized how much he valued Glorfindel's friendship until that moment.

Elrond cleared his throat. "Fighting friends or not, this cannot -- nay -- will not continue!"

The two others bowed their heads.

"If you must argue, do it quietly, and if you are unable to do that, go outside where you will scare only the birds, and not the guests."

"As you wish, Lord Elrond." Glorfindel mumbled. He stood up, and left the room. Almost slamming the door behind him. Erestor exchanged a worried look with Elrond. Glorfindel never mumbled! He excused himself quickly, and followed after the other.

Erestor caught up with Glorfindel at the blond elf's door. "Glorfindel, please . . . wait!"

"What is it, Erestor?" Glorfindel asked tiredly.

"What is wrong? You do not seem to be yourself."

"Excuse me for saying so, but this is odd coming from the elf who was shouting at me a few minutes ago."

Erestor flushed, then felt angry with himself for doing so. "I was only trying to help!"

Glorfindel stepped closer to him, and Erestor moved backwards against the wall. "Help?" He said bitterly. "You have no idea what you are saying."

Erestor was closer to Glorfindel then he had ever been before. The bright blue eyes of his companion held his own dark ones. They were flashing with anger. No, not anger, barely contained rage. "Glorfindel. . . I"

"You know not of what you speak!"

Erestor felt tears pricking at his eyes. Get a hold of yourself Erestor, he is angry, but not at you. Crying will not only shatter your own self respect, but any he has for you. "I was going to say 'sorry'. There is no point in shouting at me." He said, trying not to let his voice break.

Glorfindel paused in his anger. Was Erestor trying not to cry? He had never seen the advisor succumb to an emotional breakdown before. Why now? He frowned.

Erestor, thinking the frown was meant for him, tried not to cower against the wall.

Glorfindel stared at him, perplexed. Why was Erestor acting so strangely? His eyes softened and became a calmer blue. Then he looked into Erestor's face and took a deep breath. "I am sorry, my friend. I did not mean to. . ." He broke off. Erestor was still looking at him, waiting for the rest of the sentence. Why had he never noticed Erestor's long lashes? "I was still angry and . . ." Erestor's black eyes held his, and Glorfindel unconsciously shuffled a little closer. "I was . . . wrong, to try to blame you for what you did not do. It was a dishonorable elfling's trick and. . ." He trailed off again. The two were closer than ever, and Glorfindel stood a few inches taller then the dark haired advisor. "What I mean is . . ." For Elbereth's sake, why couldn't he finish a sentence? "I am sorry, mellon nin. Can you forgive me?"

Erestor smiled, and Glorfindel felt an odd feeling in his stomach. "Yes, mellon nin. I understand that you were . . . upset before we began speaking, and I did nothing to improve the matter. I am glad you still count me as a friend."

"Were you really that worried?" Glorfindel asked, slightly bemused.

Erestor paused for a moment. "Yes, yes I was," he said finally. Glorfindel seemed to glimpse something in his face for a moment, before it was gone, and the diplomat mask was back in place.

Glorfindel stared at the other. Dark wavy hair, tied up in braids. Slender form a little below him in height and fierce dark eyes. Why had he never considered Erestor especially attractive? He really was, now that Glorfindel took the time to notice.

Erestor felt Glorfindel's eyes moving over him, and he felt helpless. What was it about the other? Why was he so emotionally insecure where he was concerned? Glorfindel moved a little closer, and slowly reached out.

Glorfindel watched his hand move of its own accord to gently stroke Erestor's hair. The Advisor closed his eyes for a moment, and seemed to almost lean into the touch. Then, a loud noise came from down the hall and the two elves jumped apart. "I. . . ." Glorfindel stammered.

Erestor stared at him, shocked. He was about to open his mouth to say something when Elrond's voice came thundering down the hall.

"Erestor! Glorfindel! In my study! Now!" The two looked at each other. It was never a wise thing to keep Elrond waiting. They hurried in the direction of the shouts, the encounter forgotten. For now.

It appeared that the (former) candelabra was no longer a secret.

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Authors' Notes:

Wow, three reviews in a very short time! Thank you all!!!

Eithelien will be going to the East Coast for three weeks starting Saturday the seventh, and there will be no updates in that time. Narthoron will be gone from the tenth to the fifteenth. . . . maybe she'll post a couple one-shots though.

Reviews are mothers' milk to us! (Hint, hint) Thank you, again!