Notes: Sorry this has taken so long to be updated. I have no true excuse, though I appreciate all the wonderful comments sent. Thank you all so much. :) This is a really short update, mostly because I want the next part to be seperated from it. I promise the next chapter will be longer, and will hopefully be ready soon. Till then, again, sorry for the delay, and enjoy. :)


Lindir seemed to still at that. The vague smile that always haunted his lips faded into a straight line, and the beautiful light in his eyes seemed to dim. Erestor dared not breath as he waited for some sign from the silent minstrel.

Green eyes closed, "By that, what do you mean, exactly, Councilor?" His voice was flat, expressionless.

Erestor kept himself from frowning, masking his own face for the moment, "What do you wish it to mean?"

Lindir opened his eyes a crack, gazing at him through slits, "You are avoiding the question. But, as to what I wish, I will not say till you tell me what you meant. Because you may very well lie to me if I say I wish for one or the other."

Erestor was mildly surprised at Lindir's wisdom, and decided to go through with it, "If I were to say that I wished to be more then a casual friend, if I were to ask to be your lover in time, what would your answer be?"

Lindir let a soft sigh escape him, and pressed further back against the pillows, his eyes shutting completely, "You know, as all Imladris does, I have not taken a lover since Feadin died."

"Yes," Erestor replied simply, unsure of where this would lead.

"At that time, I thought I would not ever want nor need for love again. He was a good Elf, and I loved him deeply as my best friend," piercing eyes suddenly opened, striking through Erestor's own as if to read his soul, "Tell me, Councilor, why do you approach me after all this time? Is this offer out of want to help, or do you indeed desire me?"

Erestor had to pause for a moment, to consider his words, even though he knew the answer, "It is out of both. I admit I have desired you for a long time, but I do wish to help you as well. I do not wish to see you continue to wear yourself down. As to why I could not approach sooner… I admit I am not a brave Elf when it comes to the matters of the heart, and I was afraid of your reaction," he confessed softly.

"Afraid of my reaction? What did you think I would do, Councilor?" Lindir asked quietly, his eyes shutting again.

"I…I'm not sure. I know you have turned away all other suitors, many of them with far better looks and talents then I. I did not believe myself to have a chance, and I did not want the humiliation of being rejected," Erestor said.

Lindir was silent for a while, then finally he sighed silently, "It is true I have turned the others away, because I desired none of them. But, you do not hold yourself in the right regard. I am not a vain Elf, Councilor, looks and talents mean little to me. It is the soul that I am interested in, and the song that I hear from it. I have heard many sweet songs in my day, but yours has always struck me as beautiful, even though it is so sad."

Erestor looked at him in surprise, and brief wonder. It wasn't an uncommon gift among the Elves, any sensitive Elf could hear another's soul song if needed, mostly healers and musicians were the most intuned to it. What did shock him was Lindir's comment about his own song. He thought it…beautiful? Did that mean….

"I could possibly accept your offer, Councilor… " Lindir said thoughtfully.

That brought even more surprise to Erestor's mind, yet, it lightened his heart, till Lindir spoke again.

"However, I wish to be courted properly. I will not pursue a relationship of mere lust, it is not worth my time. I wish for you to understand me, before you understand my body," Lindir stated softly.

Erestor found he didn't mind that condition at all. The opportunity to understand the minstrel better, to find out more about him, to finally begin to piece the puzzle he presented together, was a delight. He could do so, for he wished to know Lindir far more then he wished to have him in his bed. And he hoped the minstrel would come to understand him, and his true feelings given time.

"Of course. I will court you as you have asked. I wish to learn about you, as much as you allow," he said softly.

That brought a faint smile to Lindir's lips, and warmth to those enchanting green orbs. This was the Lindir he was used to seeing, not that cold, and forbidding one.

"Very well, we will see how this may go. I trust your words... Erestor." the singer's smile brightened and Erestor felt overjoyed, though he kept it controlled.

He hadn't won the game yet, but this small victory was a promising move.