A/N: Yay, I finished it before the end of the holidays. This is a pretty important chapter and I had some trouble writing some bits. But the last section was written while I was on my break at work.

I had a weird dream that I handed the last chapter into my geography teacher, instead of my essays. He gave it a D- and wrote 'Twins don't act like this'. When I woke up, I was quite upset that he gave me a D-, and then I wondered why he marked it in the first place.

I'm never gonna write a short A/N, am I?

Chapter 9.

Glorfindel walked into the dining hall with the twins.

"Relax, Elrohir," she murmured. He was so uptight that she would have sworn he'd never done anything like this before.

Sharing a final (discrete) look, they sat down in their positions. Elladan and Elrohir sat down on either side of Erestor, while Glorfindel sat beside Narelda. As they began eating, Elrohir began talking to Erestor about some book he was reading. Everything was continuing as normal.

Elrohir and Erestor were discussing an old book, one that used an archaic form of Quenya. Some words were unfamiliar to the youth, but Erestor was able to assist him. Elrohir looked towards his brother, who quickly tipped some powder into Erestor's wine. Elladan had just pulled his hand back when Erestor turned towards him, seeing Elrohir's gaze drawn away. After Erestor turned back to Elrohir he saw his brother glare at him. But he couldn't help it. He wasn't comfortable with this, it just seemed like they were going too far. Erestor picked up his goblet, and started drinking. Elrohir felt his stomach clench with guilt.

Elrohir was acting a little strange. A few minutes ago, he was staring at Elladan. Erestor hadn't seen Elrohir act like this for decades. He closed his eyes; he felt strange, he couldn't wait for this meal to end, maybe then he could find some peace in his rooms. He opened his eyes again and let out a startled cry…

Glorfindel looked up, along with everyone else in the hall, when she heard Erestor cry out. She watched as he stumbled over his chair, fell, and scrambled backwards. Everyone gaped at Erestor as he clenched his eyes shut and muttered to himself.

Elrohir stepped towards him. "Erestor?"

Erestor opened his eyes and paled. He started rambling something about a purple dragon in front of him. Glorfindel wasn't sure if she should be finding this funny or not. Elladan decided it wasn't, and stepped forward. Erestor gave another panicked cry and kicked out at Elladan, catching him in his stomach. Elladan doubled over, gasping for breath as his twin came to his side.

Glorfindel looked over to Elrond, who had just stood. Together, they walked over to Erestor and kneeled down on either side of him.

"Come, Erestor. I think we should get you into bed," Elrond said soothingly.

Erestor looked up at Elrond "Culhith?"

Together, Glorfindel and Elrond pulled Erestor to his feet and helped him out of the room. Once they closed the doors, they heard the buzz of conversation begin again. Glorfindel had an awful feeling that maybe this had been a little too much.

Escorting Erestor to his room was … interesting. Every so often, he would become enthralled by a pillar or terrified of a vase. They eventually managed to get to him into bed, removing his outer robe. He closed his eyes and clamed down, apart from occasional fits of giggling. That was something to see: Erestor giggling.

"What did you use, Glorfindel?"

"Glorfindel's not a flower!" Erestor interrupted. "That's why Narelda stupid. 'Findel's tooooo vicious-strong to be a flower." A thoughtful look, or as close to thoughtful as could be expected under the circumstances, passed over his face. "Maybe a poisonous flower."

That wasn't fair, Glorfindel thought! Elladan got to be dragon, and she was only a flower.

"I'm sorry my friend," Elrond apologized, "You are right. Just try to rest."

They both walked away so Erestor would not be disturbed.

"What herb did you use? I know you're involved in this. Not even my sons would dare to do this on their own."

Accepting defeat, she replied, "You'll have to ask Elladan." Looking back towards Erestor, she continued, "I'll stay and watch him."

"I pray that you know what you are doing." Elrond turned and left the room.

Glorfindel's doubt grew. "As do I."

(&)

The first thing that Erestor became aware of was how dreadful he felt. The second thing was that he was lying in a bed. Erestor tried to gather his thoughts together, to remember what had happened to him. He pushed aside the voice in his head that told him he didn't want to know. He'd had an 'argument' with Glorfindel … a conversation with Elrond … had eaten dinner, but not all of dinner. He had been talking to Elrohir when. ... no! No, no, no, no. This wasn't happening, it didn't happen, it was a bad dream. He hadn't just humiliated himself in front of Imladris and the Mirkwood royal family.

His mind roamed until it rested on the only logical criminals: "Elladan and Elrohir."

"It was not their plan," a dreadfully familiar voice said.

He quickly opened his eyes and sat up. Glorfindel stood at the end of his bed, a small smile playing across her lips, but her eyes where serious.

"You. You did this," he said, his voice filled with accusation.

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you."

Erestor felt all his feelings of anger, hate, jealously and betrayal threaten to burst free. "So you humiliated me?"

Glorfindel's smile had disappeared by now. "Yes."

That was it. He couldn't take this any more, he had to leave. Erestor got out of bed and began to walk towards the door.

"No, not again." Glorfindel stepped in front of him. "You are not going to walk away from this conversation."

"Yes, again, and it will not be the only thing I walk away from tonight."

Glorfindel looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Erestor walked past her and opened the door, ignoring her question.

Glorfindel slammed the door shut again. "I said: what do you mean?"

"I am leaving Imladris. Now!"

Glorfindel just stared at him as he walked out the door.

Erestor prayed that Glorfindel would not follow him, that she would just let it rest. However, by the time he had reached the end of the corridor she had caught up to him and was babbling, half-panicked.

"Why? Is it because I drugged you? I only did that because I was desperate to talk to you. I am sorry."

They continued like this all the way down to the stables. Neither noticed the stares they received from the many members of the household. One maid ran off in the direction of the studies and the library.

Once in the stables Erestor began to prepare his horse.

"But why now?" Glorfindel finally exclaimed.

Erestor whirled round. He walked towards her, and she backed up until she reached the pillar. Erestor walked up close to her. Glorfindel realized that she was afraid of what he might do in such a dangerous mood. Normally, Erestor was anything but violent, but now…

"Why?" he sounded slightly surprised, "Because of you." He leaned in close to her, his right hand circling her upper arm. They were so close now that their lips were a hair's breadth apart. He could feel her breath against his skin, his lips. Her smell filled his senses. He considered kissing her, just quickly; it would only involve leaning forward slightly. But he prevented himself from doing so, tightening his grip on her arm. He would retain some dignity that night.

"You have been driving me insane for centuries, ever since you first arrived. Everything about you, your attitude, your smell, your looks, everything!"

Looking into her eyes, he noticed that she looked slightly scared. "Erestor, you are hurting me," she gasped out, "Please, let go. I do not want to hurt you."

Hearing this he suddenly released her arm and chose to cup her check instead. He saw her eyes close and he leaned into her ear. When his lips brushed her ear, he heard her take a small, sharp intake of breath. He whispered into her ear, his lips brushing against her ear at times.

"You offered me friendship. I took it, but that was not what I wanted, what I want. Now Narelda has come, and I can not help but hate him. We argued, and we hurt each other deeply. You drugged me, something that I thought even you would not dare, and now I feel betrayed. But what hurt me more than anything is when you claimed I had no feelings, something you should know better than anything.

I can not take this any more. I can not stand to be around you any more. That is why I am leaving."

When Erestor pulled back, he noticed that Glorfindel's eyes were stilled closed, and a tear was rolling down one of her cheeks. He had to turn away quickly to prevent himself from kissing it away. He turned to his horse and led it outside.

Once outside he saw Elrond dashing towards him. He briefly bowed his head to his lord.

"Lord Elrond, I thank you for your kindness over the centuries. I apologize for my hasty departure, but I must leave."

Before Elrond could respond, Glorfindel ran out, her tears flowing freely now. "Erestor, I am sorry, I truly am. Please, do not leave, I will be gone tomorrow. Then you may stay here in peace."
No, he doubted that he would have much peace even after she left. "Farewell, Elrond." Erestor swung into his horse's saddle and left the Last Homely House, leaving behind a dismayed Elrond to comfort the distraught Glorfindel.

End of Chapter 9.

Haldir's Heart and Soul Did you really think that I would be that nice to them:D Well, things do start to get better from here (well, after one more little thing). But then it's sorta a good thing and sorta not. Depends how you look at it.

Twisted Little Star Erestor and Glorfindel are both a little stupid when it comes to their feeling for each other. Hope you liked this chapter as much as the others.

cosmic dancer: Yeah it does reflect real life well. I mean, just look at me! So then did you like the plan, or where you, metaphorically banging your head against the table. I nearly was. :D