Just two years had passed since the fall of Gondolin and Erestor was standing at the entrance to the Great Hall before the feast being held in Glorfindel's honour. He was dressed in the formal robes befitting a young advisor on such an occasion. Glorfindel was pacing the entrance hall, looking rather uncomfortable.
"Do stop pacing Glorfindel, you are making me nervous"
Glorfindel glanced at the miniature advisor and smirked, "You, Erestor are the most fearless elfling I have ever had the dubious fortune to meet, it would be a sorry state of affairs if you were to now cower at the site of me preparing myself for an entrance into a new court and a new position."
Erestor laughed, "On the contrary 'My Lord' I do not cower, I merely fear for the sanity of our King, and wonder if he has had a lapse in judgement that has led him to believe that you are a suitable candidate for such a prestigious appointment. For a captain that cowers at the prospect of meeting noble Lords and their gentle maidens, must surely be a force to be reckoned with!"
Glorfindel mock scowled at Erestor and took his arm, leading him to a bench just outside of the hall.
"Those 'gentle maidens' and some of those 'noble Lords' are likely to eat me alive, you do realise this?"
Erestor grinned in reply, "Do not fear Fin, I'm sure most will be happy to see you glance their way, and the rest can most likely be pacified by a dance."
Glorfindel sighed heavily and took Erestor's hand in his two large ones, "Oh Erestor, you would think that after all my years as the son of a Lord, and a Lord in my own right I would be well used to such flirting, but truly I find it all so insincere and tiresome."
Erestor smiled at him reassuringly, "You will be fine Fin."
Glorfindel gave a half smile in return, "At least you will act as propriety demands, and I think that you would make a better Lord's son than I."
Erestor smiled fondly, "ah, but I am not the son of a Lord, and you are, all will be well. And besides, Mîrgaer will be attending and I am quite certain that she will encourage me to go along with one of her hair brain schemes, which will no doubt get us both into trouble."
Glorfindel couldn't help chuckling at that, "aye," he said thoughtfully, "our demure and retiring Mîrgaer! I think she is good for you, you are far to serious!"
Erestor snorted at that.
Gil-Galad cleared his throat tactfully as he rounded the corner, and two sets of eyes looked up at him in wide-eyed innocence "You two look as if you are plotting something!" He smiled despite his words. "It is time we entered."
Some time later Erestor was leaning against one of the pillars in a quiet corner of the hall watching Glorfindel talk and laugh with those present. Nobody observing this scene could have imagined that this was the same elf that had voiced a dislike of such social activities, he appeared entirely at ease, and Erestor suspected that the court had already accepted him as one of their own.
There were few in the castle, that were unaware of the changes that had taken place in regards to the High King's oldest charge and rumours had been rife. However Gil-Galad had gone to great lengths to ensure that Glorfindel had a brief period of quiet before assuming his duties, time to settle into a new home and a new life. So while the rumours had been rife and in some cases right, this was the night when Glorfindel of Gondolin was finally introduced to the court, and the excitement in the hall was palpable.
Erestor stood quietly in the shadows, observing those that sort favour with the famed Golden Lord with some distaste, such false fawning raised his ire.
"Fin looks very well this night."
Erestor started at the words whispered softly into his ear and spun about to address the speaker. Mîrgaer grinned cheekily at her friend, before speaking again.
"You cannot hide your interest from me, I know you too well."
"I do not know what you are referring too."
The elleth laughed, "still in denial my friend?"
Erestor huffed and turned back to the crowded hall.
Mîrgaer smiled to herself and took a step closer to the young advisor wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin upon his shoulder.
"Is he much changed?"
Erestor shifted uncomfortably, whether from the closeness of the young elleth or her questioning none could say.
"Nay, I find him the same in character, he is still the same elf despite the accolades that the court see fit to present him with."
"Do you doubt that he is this Golden Lord?"
"Nay," Erestor paused, for a moment unsure of the truth in that answer, yet knowing that to doubt even for a moment questioned the wisdom of the High King, one of the Istari, and others, he sighed, "Nay he is this elf of Gondolin, I have no doubts, though I wonder were this leaves us."
"Surely it leaves you where you have always been, in his heart. And him in yours."
Erestor twisted in the embrace that held him to look at his friend, "Perhaps. Shall we dance?"
Mîrgaer grinned, "I thought you would never ask!" hand in hand they made their way through the crowds to the dance floor.
Glorfindel's eyes narrowed as he watched Erestor leading Mîrgaer across the floor. The healer's daughter was a fair creature, slightly taller than Erestor, she was almost full-grown and her body now possessed the feminine shape that would make her sort after by eligible elves of both sexes. It seemed however that she had already staked a claim. He watched as Erestor laughed at something she had said and could not help but note her arms wrapped about his slight form. His lips pursed slightly and he could no longer hear the chattering and the music for the blood rushing in his ears. He was hot, too hot, and yet cold.
A hand upon his arm drew him from his affliction and he raised his eyes to look into the face of an attractive, fair-haired young ellon (male elf), "My Lord? Are you well?"
Glorfindel shook his head absently and turned to leave the hall without a word, the young elf smiled slightly and followed.
