Erestor paced outside the door to Gil-Galad's study.
After hearing Erestor's garbled explanation of his and Glorfindel's earlier discussion and of the dreams that had been plaguing the golden haired elf, Gil-Galad had dismissed him.
The guard in the corridor was observing him in some amusement as he paced, most likely thinking that he was awaiting some punishment.
Erestor paid him no heed, his thoughts turning over in his head.
((I cannot be mistaken in this, for I know of no other mountain city as large as that described by Glorfindel from his dreams, perhaps there is a connection between Glorfindel and his namesake, the Lord of the Golden Flower?))
Erestor's childhood obsession with the romantic hidden city served him well, for he knew well of the numerous gates and alleged location of Gondolin. He had kept this interest from his family, even his brother, for it would have displeased them to learn of it.
Erestor shuddered, it was well known that the Vala Lórien gifted dreams of prophecy to some, and elves took such dreams most seriously.
Glorfindel exited the study, and with a brief glance at Erestor began walking down the corridor. Erestor raced after him and took his arm "Glorfindel stop."
The golden haired elf did so, turning his body towards the elfling, his clear blue eyes sparkling with an emotion that Erestor couldn't name.
Glorfindel cupped the younger elf's chin with his hand and lifted his head.
"I am fortunate to be able to count you among my friends Erestor."
Without another word or thought, gazing into large dark eyes, he bent his head and brushed his lips lightly against Erestor's.
Erestor's eyes widened at the intimate touch, before incredulity took over and he replied. "You are stalling Fin, what did Lord Gil-Galad say?"
"He said that they were just dreams Erestor, and that I should pay them no heed."
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Gil-Galad signed his name with a flourish, before folding and sealing the parchment. He rarely wrote to the High King directly, usually correspondence were handled by his advisors and scribes, but in this case he was not prepared to take any chances and did not wish the contents of this letter to become know, even to his most trusted servants.
He sighed heavily as he sat back in his chair; he knew he could not in good conscience ignore the dreams that plagued his oldest charge, even if they proved false. ((Aye, he would inform his king))
Gil-Galad rose and ventured out onto the balcony. "I'm sorry to have to send you off again so soon" he said lightly to an eagle, perched on a beautifully crafted stand. The bird looked up at him indifferently as Gil-Galad donned a gauntlet, and picked up a piece of meat from a bowl. A whistle brought the bird onto his arm and the meat was snatched from his fingers. Gil-Galad slipped the parchment into a small pouch attached to the bird's leg.
"Return to Gondolin and from thence to your cousins in the mountains, faithful messenger. See that your journey is swift and safe."
With his farewell, and a thrust of his arm, the majestic bird took to the air, swooping once as if to say farewell in turn, the eagle flew east and out of the Elf Lord's sight.
Gil-Galad paused for a time on the balcony; Glorfindel's dreams worried him in a way that surprised him. He was not one to let an unfounded fear enter his head or his heart. He shook his head and wondered how it was he had managed to become charged with two such mysterious elflings.
Erestor had settled into his home well, Gil-Galad was aware that he had often cried himself to sleep during the first few months and that he was often sullen and introverted. The elfling had never shared more with either himself or Glorfindel about his family and his background.
At first Gil-Galad had allowed this, thinking that this was the way he was dealing with his grief, over time this had not changed and now it seemed as if Erestor had not truly existed before his arrival on Balar.
Gil-Galad knew that now it was unlikely he would ever know the true story concealed in the young one's head. But Erestor was a good elfling and Gil-Galad had no reason to think that any secrets that he held were anything more than the worries of a terrified and confused elfling.
His advisor had been unable to garner any information from his brother regarding Erestor's identity, this did not surprise him, those in Ossiriand were fiercely protective of their privacy and their secrets, but Gil-Galad felt that if anything terrible lay in the elflings past or if he had any remaining kin, he would have been informed.
And now it seemed that Glorfindel was a seer, it was not uncommon for this ability to come to light, around an elf's majority. Glorfindel was now just three months from his majority, so it was certainly possible.
Mithrandir had always been evasive when discussing the golden haired elfling, so Gil-Galad did not know what to expect. He had been asked to treat the elfling as if he were a son, to see that he was taught court ways, and introduced to society. Truth be told, Gil-Galad had no idea why Mithrandir would take such an interest in an elfling sired by a blacksmith. It was sad that the young one's parents had sailed to Valinor shortly after his fortieth begetting day, but Gil-Galad was unable to believe that a more suitable guardian could not be found.
Gil-Galad resolved to press Mithrandir for answers when he arrived for Glorfindel's begetting day.
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Glorfindel sat in a tree, and mentally chastised himself for his earlier actions. He could scarcely believe that he had disregarded his own promise to keep his attraction from Erestor, and had actually dared to kiss the young elf.
He was entirely torn, his heart sung out at the memory of Erestor's lips against his own, his mind recoiled at what he had done, for it was most improper and he stood to lose that which he held most dear. Glorfindel could see the object of his turmoil through the foliage; Erestor sat on a bench in the gardens, an open book in his hands, blissfully unaware of the inner conflict he had caused, and seemingly unperturbed by Glorfindel's earlier actions.
