A/N: I don't think I've ever had so much fun writing a chapter as I did this one. Please enjoy and let me know what you all think of it!
Chapter 4
"What's going on? What are they talking about? Are they liking the sweet potato and beet root salad?" Lindir questioned when Glorfindel met him in the corridor.
Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Glorfindel felt someone grab him by the collar and shove him against the wall. Not surprisingly, he found it was Erestor who gripped him by the tunic and started to shake him. He really needed to find out how Erestor could appear out of nowhere, it was an awfully handy trick.
"Explain yourself!" Erestor demanded. "I have been watching you this whole time, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say the Lady Celebrían was attracted to you and not Elrond. And what I want to know is, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO FIX IT!"
"It's not my fault!" Glorfindel cried as Erestor continued to shake him, making him bash his head against the wall. "I've been doing everything I can to make Elrond look like a glorified hero, but she's not buying it!"
"Lady Celebrían is no fool you incompetent half-wit!" Erestor retorted, emphasizing certain words with more forceful shakes. "She is as insightful as her father and likely sees through your idiotic fallacy! You could ruin everything!"
"Well, it seems like they're getting along fine now," Lindir said as he peered into the banquet hall, ignoring Erestor as he assailed Glorfindel.
Erestor and Glorfindel exchanged a quick glance before they scurried over to peer around Lindir. Just as he said, Elrond was comfortably speaking with Celebrían. To their astonishment, he was actively engaged and even enthused about the topic of conversation. He listened attentively to questions and responded with insightful zeal. He looked no different than when he spoke with all the other guests that came through Imladris.
They couldn't help but release a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank Eru!" Glorfindel said, bent over and clutching his chest.
"Now if he keeps this up he should have no more problems," Erestor said, folding his arms.
"I'll be the first to admit that I was getting concerned," Lindir said. "Hopefully, this means that everything else will go swimmingly and we'll be celebrating Elrond's engagement or wedding in no time."
"Lord Glorfindel!" The trio turned to see Amathȋr, Glorfindel's second walking towards them. Dressed in his usual sentry garb with his golden hair pulled back, he appeared jovial as he strolled through the candlelit corridor.
"Captain?" Glorfindel raised a brow, curious to why he was here and not on patrol as he should have been.
"I come bearing surprising news that you will enjoy immensely!" he said with a broad smile. "The High Princess Ereiniel is just outside. She journeyed ahead of the High King to inform Lord Elrond that a company of Númenoreans shall be joining him."
Glorfindel gasped with delight while Erestor scowled. Lindir blanched.
"Oh no! That's terrible news!" Lindir cried. The other three blinked in confusion. "If Erie is here, that means she's the highest ranked person in attendance! Lady Celebrían will be forced to relinquish her place of honor to her!"
"And Elrond just got comfortable talking to her," Erestor said, then turned to Glorfindel. "This is bad."
"Well then, we haven't a moment to lose!" he said before starting down the corridor. "No one can learn she's here!"
Erestor immediately followed while Amathȋr lingered with Lindir.
"Why can no one know the Princess is here? And why would it be bad for Lady Celebrían to relinquish her seat?" he asked. Lindir sighed and ushered him to follow him.
By the time they started down the hall, Glorfindel and Erestor were already halfway to the front entrance. They tore through the corridors with their fine robes billowing about them, skirting around corners so fast that Glorfindel slammed into a wall and knocked over a vase of flowers.
Thankfully, Ereiniel nor her company had made it inside yet. They were still in the courtyard, quite damp and splattered with mud, and pulling their saddlebags off their horses while several attendants assisted them. Glorfindel and Erestor barely kept themselves from bowling her over as they skidded to a halt.
"Glorfindel!" she beamed when she initially saw him. Yet her face fell when she saw his and Erestor's panicked expressions. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"You need to leave!" Erestor responded, startling Ereiniel.
"Wha—?"
"Meldanya, I'll explain everything," Glorfindel said as he tried to catch his breath.
"The Lady Celebrían is here," Erestor said, nowhere near as winded as Glorfindel.
"She's here?" Ereiniel said, starting to understand what was going on. She was also well aware of Elrond's infatuation with Celebrían, and his problems with her. "Where's Elrond?"
"Inside, he just now started talking to her," Glorfindel answered. "Really talking to her."
"You're kidding!" she said, her brows raised in astonishment. "I've got to see that!"
"NO!" Glorfindel and Erestor cried in unison as they blocked her from taking another step forward.
"It's just, you see—" Glorfindel started, then warily eyed the other Elves who were staring and listening intently to them. "Come with me."
Ereiniel allowed him to lead her away from the courtyard and around a stairwell covered in autumn roses. Once they were hidden from view, Glorfindel pulled her into his arms and kissed her eagerly. Ereiniel felt herself smile as she returned his kiss and threaded her gloved fingers through his hair.
"I had to get that out of the way first," Glorfindel gasped when they broke apart, though he kept his arms around her cloaked shoulders.
"I figured that was part of the reason you brought me over here," she responded, wrapping her arms around his waist. "But truly, what is going on? Why am I not allowed inside?"
"Celebrían is seated next to Elrond at the moment," Glorfindel said. "If you go in she'll have to move further down the table, and we can't allow anyone to come between the two of them at the moment. Not when things just started going well."
"Oh I see," Ereiniel replied. "I suppose I shall have to remain out of sight tonight?"
"Oh yes!" Glorfindel said with a rakish grin. "You see, I already figured you could stay in my chambers with me, that way Elrond won't be suspicious. After breakfast tomorrow I'm sure that it'll be fine for you to emerge. Unless you don't want to."
"Oh, I like that idea," Ereiniel responded with a giggle. "And I could simply say that I was exhausted from the journey and wanted to rest. And, truth be told, I wouldn't mind a nice, long hot bath right now. I feel disgusting because of all the rain and mud we had to travel through."
"Well then, you go to the bathhouse whilst I return to the banquet hall," Glorfindel said. "When it's over I'll come get you and sneak you inside. I'll have Lindir bring you some food and drink, and then we'll spend the rest of the evening and tomorrow morning doing whatever we please."
"You're so brilliant, it's no wonder I love you so," she said before kissing him again. "Not to mention you look so handsome tonight."
"I'm glad I please you, milady," he said as she smoothed his gold and ivory attire.
"I'll tell the others not to mention me," Ereiniel said. Though they both knew that they should return to the courtyard, they found it difficult to step out of each other's embrace. Especially after being apart for almost sixty years.
"That will be helpful," Glorfindel said, and after one last lingering kiss he stepped away. "I should return to Lord Elrond, lest he starts to wonder where I have gone and come looking for me."
"It would certainly put a damper on our plans should he find me, wouldn't it?" she smiled playfully before they walked back to the courtyard.
Erestor stood with arms folded and a scowl on his face when they returned. Lindir and Amathȋr were also there, mingling and whispering with Ereiniel's obviously confused and uncertain company. The soft talking stopped immediately when they saw her approach.
"Lord Elrond cannot know I'm here for the time being," Ereiniel said as she folded her hands before her. She had a special way of issuing orders that didn't quite sound like commands, but nonetheless they were always obeyed. "I know you must be confused, but please be assured I will explain why later. Until then, go inside and eat before you rest. I shall let you know when I need you."
"As you wish," Saelaethor was the first to acknowledge and incline his head. He was the tallest Elf in the group, with dark hair and sharp features, and was Ereiniel's most trusted guard and advisor. It was he that Ereiniel approached and handed a sack that she pulled from one of her saddlebags.
"Please inform Elrond that ada will be arriving with the Númenoreans, and do give this to him for me," she said. "I'd greatly appreciate it."
"Of course milady," he responded before she slung her saddlebags over her shoulder and bid them goodnight. Once she was gone Glorfindel gave a polite bow and extended his hand.
"Well met again, Lord Saelaethor," he said.
"Lord Glorfindel," he responded with a small bow and ignored his offered hand.
Glorfindel wasn't surprised. Saelaethor wasn't overly fond of him, though he didn't quite know why. Although he knew plenty of people who still whispered 'cursed' and 'kinslayer' behind Saelaethor's back, Glorfindel never once said anything disparaging about the former Fëanorion retainer. In fact, he thought him to be a very loyal, wise, and honorable Elf, despite his past. Yet Glorfindel figured he must have done something egregious to have offended Saelaethor so, given his ferocious stares and curt responses.
"Please allow me to escort you and your company to Lord Elrond," Glorfindel said. "He'll be grateful to see you have all arrived safely."
"Hm," Saelaethor grunted before brushing past him, choosing instead to walk with Erestor.
While Ereiniel's company followed Erestor and Saelaethor, and the attendants led their horses away, Amathȋr approached Glorfindel with Lindir.
"So, you're planning Elrond's wedding?" Amathȋr whispered, making Glorfindel shoot Lindir a wide-eyed, horrified stare.
"He pretty much guessed it after I told him we were helping Elrond," Lindir said with a shrug. "Evidently we're not as secretive as we thought."
"Everyone knows you, Lindir, and Lord Erestor meet in the cellars when you're hatching schemes without Lord Elrond," Amathȋr said. "And I haven't been blind to the mass quantities of food and flowers that have been imported recently. Once Lindir said that no one could interrupt Lord Elrond while he was with Lady Celebrían, I was able to piece together what was going on."
Glorfindel was red-faced and flummoxed by this revelation, and wondered how long it would be before Elrond himself learned of their plan. Surely if Amathȋr was able to figure it out, others would too.
"Fear not milord," Amathȋr said, clapping Glorfindel on the shoulder when he noted his horrified expression. "Your secret is safe with me, and I shall do all I can to dispel any rumors that may crop up. After all, you've done well to use Prince Amroth and the High King's coming to cover your tracks."
Glorfindel gave a wry smile and exchanged a nervous glance with Lindir. They managed to dodge several major setbacks thus far, and wondered just how many more awaited them. Something told them this wasn't the last of their troubles.
oOo
Meanwhile, Erestor led Saelaethor and his company into the banquet hall, which remained filled with feasters and musicians. Elrond was still seated with Celebrían and Prince Amroth, and seemed to be in a particularly buoyant mood as he smiled and talked with his guests. His elation was further elevated when he saw Erestor approach with Ereiniel's company.
"Welcome Lord Saelaethor!" Elrond said as he stood. Prince Amroth and the Lady Celebrían did not seem particularly pleased when Elrond turned his attention to the newcomer. "I'm relieved to see you have made it to Imladris safely."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond," Saelaethor said as he bowed low. "I was sent by the High King to inform you that he may be further delayed. He stopped by the Last Bridge when he learned that a company of Númenoreans were heading up the River Mitheithel. They will be joining him and should arrive no later than next week."
"We shall be glad to receive them!" Elrond replied. He always enjoyed meeting Men of Númenor, and couldn't imagine himself happier than he was then, now that he was able to entertain Celebrían. "Please, you must be famished and exhausted from your journey. Sit and eat, then you may retire and rest."
"We are grateful for your generous hospitality," Saelaethor bowed again. "Also, I was instructed to give you this, a gift for you from the High Princess Ereiniel."
"Oh?" Elrond's brow rose as he was presented with a large paper sack. He accepted it with a nod of his head, and felt his heart soar when he looked inside. Elrond had been wrong. It was possible for him to become much happier.
Prince Amroth, Celebrían, and Erestor were visibly curious when Elrond gave a giddy laugh and sat down. Yet only Erestor rolled his eyes when Elrond poured out several pieces of colorfully wrapped taffy into his hand.
"Nimriel's without a doubt!" Elrond said, elated. "She makes the finest in all of Lindon!"
With his heart brimming with joy, and all nervousness banished, he stretched out his hand to Celebrían.
"Here, have one."
