A/N: Thank you to those who left me such lovely reviews! Unfortunately though, I'm going to take a hiatus after this chapter. I've got school coming up and I'd like to spend some time working on one of my manuscripts before term starts (because I'd actually like to get published one of these days.) So please be patient with me and continue to let me know what you think!
Chapter 5
Glorfindel leaned against a wall of stone as he lingered outside the bathhouse, delicately sniffing a sprig of pink freesia. He was in a rather pleased mood despite Amathȋr's knowledge of Elrond's wedding. Or engagement party. Glorfindel hadn't lost hope it would be the former.
Once he returned to the dining table, he found Elrond didn't need him at all. After he received Ereiniel's gift, Elrond spoke at length about his youth in the King's household, and traded stories with Celebrían and Prince Amroth about their fondest memories growing up. None of them dared to question Glorfindel about anything after his abrupt departure earlier that evening, which was fine with him. Celebrían was forced to focus instead on Elrond, and Glorfindel was able to keep his thoughts elsewhere.
"Well, I feel much better," Ereiniel said when she emerged sometime later, washed clean of her travels and in a short sleeved, blue linen dress.
Glorfindel smirked and raised an enticed brow at the low neckline and high slits on either side of her dress. Falathrim maids were far less modest than any of their other kin, and Glorfindel planned to rail against Turgon the next time he saw him. Gondolin, in his mind now, should have been built closer to the sea. He and the other lords would never have become irritable or questioned their decision to hide away for four hundred years if there were plenty of beautiful, scantily clad Elleth walking about.
Especially if there was one as wonderfully sculpted as Ereiniel to spend time with.
"I'd agree that your appearance has much improved since you arrived, but that would give the impression that I don't always think you're one of the most beautiful of Ilúvatar's creations," Glorfindel said as he presented the freesia to her. "But I will admit, I do like the change of clothing."
Ereiniel smiled as she accepted the flower and inhaled its sweet scent. Like all princesses, she was remarkably lovely, with soft, delicate features and an elegant sense of style. Yet Glorfindel found it was her generous heart, her sense of humor, and her charming nature that were her greatest attributes.
"Have you any interesting ideas as to how you want to spend the evening?" Ereiniel asked as Glorfindel took her saddlebags and offered his arm to her. She still carried her sword, quiver, and bow on her shoulder as they walked to Glorfindel's rooms.
"None at all," he responded. "I give this evening to you, so if all you wish to do is rest I shall not disturb you. If you want to play cards I'll let you win each round, and if you desire entertainment I will perform whatever you desire for you."
"As much as I enjoy your monologues, I think I'd prefer to eat first, then just lie in bed with you and talk," she said as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm hungry and exhausted, and I can't think of nothing better to do than to just spend some time with you before I sleep."
"Then I will do as you request," Glorfindel said.
"You're not disappointed are you?" Ereiniel questioned, looking up at him. "I don't want to ruin what may be one of our only nights alone together, especially if there's something you'd rather do."
"Nonsense!" Glorfindel assured as he kissed her hand. "To go to bed with the loveliest lady east of the sea is by far the best thing I can think of!"
"The loveliest east of the sea you say?" Ereiniel raised a brow and smirked when she was certain Glorfindel wasn't displeased. "Pray tell, who would be the loveliest in the West?"
"That, Meldanya, would my mother," Glorfindel replied, making Ereiniel snort and chuckle. "And I have no clue what I shall do when you are both in Aman, for how will I differentiate the two most beautiful Elleth in my life then?"
"Well, I wouldn't dare usurp such a title from anyone's beloved mother, least of all yours," she said with a twinkling laugh. "How I've missed your sense of humor."
"I take it there's not much to laugh about back in Lindon," Glorfindel said, his jovial tone fading. "Elrond has heard troubling news lately."
"Oh yes," Ereiniel responded. "It's evident Sauron has started to rebuild his forces in Mordor, though this doesn't surprise us. The Black Gate has been refortified twice now, and is heavily guarded. We cannot lay siege and destroy him, not without taking enormous casualties and definitely not without Númenor's full army to aid us. For now, we're at a stalemate."
"So, the question is how long will this peace last and what will we do in the meantime?" Glorfindel said.
"Ada has ordered a stockpile of new armor and weapons be made, along with other provisions," she said. "But even with adequate stores we haven't the strength to face Mordor on our own, that's our biggest issue. And the Kings of Númenor grow ever more prideful and less supportive with each generation, we may not have their aid for much longer."
Glorfindel's mouth straightened into a tight line as he considered this bitter news. It seemed like the last war had just ended, and there was yet another on the horizon. When would it end?
"But please, let's not talk of this no more tonight," Ereiniel said when she noticed he fell silent. "We'll have plenty of time to ponder our predicament once ada arrives."
"You're right of course," Glorfindel chuckled, snapping out of his reverie. "For the rest of the night I promise to only talk about pleasant topics, such as wine, music, and what we are going to name our children."
"Do you not think it more practical to talk about the wedding first?" Ereiniel countered as she poked him in the chest with her flower. "Because that must come before the children."
"I thought we already determined our colors were to be gold, evergreen, seafoam, and midnight blue, and we were to have hydrangeas and peonies for garlands and centerpieces."
"You determined that, not I. And I'd prefer cerulean and berry with gold and evergreen," she said. "One is more green, and the other is bluer, and much deeper. It'd be a splendid contrast."
"That reminds me, I have something to tell you once we get inside," Glorfindel said as they neared the wing that contained the private rooms of Lord Elrond and his closest kin. "Wait here for a moment though, Meldanya, let me make sure no one is here."
Ereiniel remained in the shadows as Glorfindel crept forward, poking his head into the open corridor adorned with golden candelabras and a table decorated with flowers. The stairwell leading to the upper floor where his bedchamber lay was on the far end, and he motioned to Ereiniel when the coast was clear.
"Quickly now!" he whispered before taking her hand and dashing down the corridor.
They took the steps two at a time, trying to be as quiet as possible, til they reached the landing and heard a voice call from the top of the stairs.
"Glorfindel! Is that you?"
Ereiniel and Glorfindel nearly squawked when they heard Elrond. Ereiniel grabbed her saddlebags from Glorfindel before she rushed back down the stairs and out into the garden.
"There you are! I've been wanting to thank you my friend," Elrond said with a beaming smile when he appeared at the top of the stairs. His hair was unbraided, and his outer robes were gone. "Tonight was splendid, and I think it would have gone much differently without your help."
Glorfindel gave his most inconspicuous smile as he stared blankly at Elrond.
"Truly, your thanks are not necessary," he said. If Elrond was suspicious he certainly didn't show it, Glorfindel noted with relief. "It has been my pleasure."
"I do hope you don't intend to miss breakfast tomorrow," Elrond said when Glorfindel finished climbing the steps. "I was hoping you could perhaps distract Prince Amroth for a time. That way I could perhaps invite Celebrían to the infirmary. She was quite intrigued by some of my research."
Glorfindel paused, grimacing. Elrond always enjoyed an early breakfast, which meant he'd have to cut his time short with Ereiniel. However, thankfully, Elrond interpreted his expression in an altogether different manner.
"I can assure you that neither Prince Amroth nor Lady Celebrían have any intention of asking you any questions about your past," he said. "Though I daresay I got the impression they were disappointed when they realized that."
"As most often are," Glorfindel said with a hint of contempt as Elrond fell into step with him. People always wanted to hear his account, but speaking about the deaths of so many of his friends and loved ones was not something he wished to recount.
But he quickly turned his thoughts back to his predicament. He had promised he would assist Elrond. However, he also wanted to spend as much time with Ereiniel as he could, which meant something would have to give.
"I promise you that I shall be at breakfast tomorrow," Glorfindel said to Elrond's immense relief. "I will then perhaps take Prince Amroth on a ride through the valley."
"Excellent!" he beamed as he clapped Glorfindel on the back. "I don't know how I shall ever repay you."
"I'm certain you'll think of something," Glorfindel said, pausing by his door. "Since you require me early tomorrow, and it is late, I shall retire."
"Of course."
Thankfully, Elrond was understanding and did not linger. After bidding each other a quick good night, Glorfindel shut his door and listened and waited for Elrond's own door to close. However, he was disappointed when he heard Elrond make his way towards the stairs, not to his own rooms.
Where on Arda is he going?
As he stood there with his ear pressed against the door, Glorfindel heard a rustling in the tree outside his balcony. He looked over just in time to see Ereiniel's saddlebags being heaved over the railing, and dashed over to help her.
"Isn't it the Ellon who is supposed to sneak into the Elleth's room?" she asked as Glorfindel pulled her from the foliage and onto the balcony.
"Quiet!" he hissed. "Elrond might be nearby!"
Indeed he was, as soon as Ereiniel's feet touched the ground Elrond appeared below, looking up with some confusion on his face.
"Glorfindel? What are you doing? I thought I heard someone talking," he called up.
"Twas just I!" he replied, poking his head over the railing. Ereiniel hid inside with her back pressed against the wall. "There was an owl rustling around here in the tree, caught me by surprise is all."
Elrond was content with this explanation, though he did not hear of the sounds owls usually made. After bidding Glorfindel another good night, he started down the garden path, intending to take a nice long stroll before heading back to his rooms.
Glorfindel watched until he was out of sight before he went back inside. Ereiniel had already poured herself a glass of wine and was standing beside the serving table.
"So what is it you were going to tell me earlier?" she asked before taking a sip.
Glorfindel couldn't help but grin.
"Oh, you're going to love this."
