A/N: My deepest thanks to my reviewers, especially my most recent ones: Lady of the Twilight Woods, anxioustritip, Erestor and nevvy. Do not worry; I am enjoying writing this fic in the jungle gym of my mind too much to stop it now.
And my deepest apologies for having taken this long to type up this chapter. My only excuse: Nanowrimo. So, it's short, but it's posted the night I've typed it.
If were to make my chapters longer, I would take even longer to type them up then I do now.
Does anyone want me to take longer? I know that when I'm enjoying a fanfic I want the author to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible.
And here they are – Erestor and Glorfindel! And I'm sorry, but I was enjoying the Elrond -- Galadriel dynamics...
Glorfindel was enjoying himself. He was having an excellent time sneaking around Imladris. He wore soft slippers, and did his best to disappear into alcoves whenever an elf walked by. After he had persuaded Elrond to take over his case, his leg had healed rapidly. He had only waited this long to pursue his revenge on Erestor, because he had had trouble coming up with something fittingly horrific.
He had thought that none of the standard approaches would work. Erestor was too frequently inhabiting his own mental cloudcuckooland for a typical practical joke to work.
Pail of dye suspended above the door? Erestor might appreciate it.
ShavingErestor bald? See previous answer.
No, the revenge Glorfindel had in mind was much more appropriate. It was to be far more devious than the usual tricks. And was calculated to make Erestor notice.
He wanted his revenge. Besides, Erestor wouldn't dare do anything until the party from Lothlorien and that of the Naugrim left. Glorfindel was quite sure that, although Erestor would notice this "prank," he wouldn't try anything until he could be sure that the repercussions wouldn't harm Elrond. So, Glorfindel snuck into Erestor's room and set to work.
Elrond was gritting his teeth and doing his best to pay attention to Galadriel's lecture. Celeborn was glancing at him worriedly, and cut short his wife's flow of words.
"Lord Elrond?" asked Celeborn. "Are you feeling well? You seem to be twisting your mouth into the most absurd grimaces."
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm quite sorry. Lady Galadriel, would you please explain, again, to me, why exactly, you are trying to give me a character sketch of your daughter?"
Galadriel continued. Although her face was growing redder by the second, she was determined to get her point across.
"My daughter is not exactly the sharpest arrow in the quiver. She is very beautiful. She is also sweet, naïve, and very gullible. I will be very displeased should you or any in Imladris –"
Elrond had trouble believing what he was hearing. But he decided to stop Galadriel before she began resembling a plum. He was a healer after all, and he didn't want to have to treat her for bursting a blood vessel.
"Lady Galadriel, I assure you. Romancing Celebrian is the last thing on my mind."
"So, it's Celebrian to you? Young elf, I am inclined to give you a piece of my mind…"
Elrond mentally sighed, and let her continue on. There was just no helping some Eldar...
Erestor was occupying himself in Imladris' forge. Darin, the chief of that party of the Naugrim, was demonstrating a new technique for working in silver wire. Erestor was looking forwards to crafting a new hair tie. Granted, his old one had lasted for the past several decades, but he was looking forwards to a change. Besides, he was enjoying talking with the Naugrim. They knew so much about metals and stones. He could find out so much.
Erestor was pestering the Naugrim with tons of questions. Darin was looking slightly harried when Lindir came in.
"Erestor," said Lindir. "I'm afraid I have some very upsetting news.
"Huh? Just give me a minute, here, I'm a bit busy…" muttered Erestor out of the corner of his mouth. He was busy setting an amethyst into its setting.
But Lindir insisted, "I believe you should come with me now." He turned to Darin. "Forgive me, but this is very important."
Darin waved a hand in negation.
Erestor shrugged in resignation. He followed Lindir out of the room. The next sound heard was the pattering footsteps of a surprisingly quick eldar.
A wail was soon heard throughout all of Imladris.
"GLORFINDEL!"