Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. So let's get on with the tournament. Let's begin.
Glorfindel stretched lazily, flexing strong muscles underneath the short sleeved tunic he was wearing. He could feel the excitement building around him. The tournament had begun. He flashed a smile towards some of the maidens who were watching him as he stretched and prepared himself for the next battle.
The first few rounds were excellent, but Elrond had forbidden him to enter in the archery contest, saying this was a contest for the younger generation. So instead he had cheered on Elladan and Elrohir, as the Elflings entered for the first time.
They had both done well, finally facing off against each other and then they had both forfeited, not wanting to best the other.
Glorfindel walked forward, picking up his sword as he went. He had yet to see Erestor but he knew the councillor was probably busy. He waited patiently on the side for his next opponent. He had never heard of this particular elf before, but the elf wore a mask, which was highly unusual. The word around was that Elrond himself had given his consent.
Inspecting his sword, Glorfindel made sure that there were no dent marks in it. It would unbalance the sword and it was fairly new. He swung it around a few times before the bells called him to take his place in the next mock battle.
He pushed through the crowd and entered the ring. He allowed his sword to rest against his thigh as he surveyed the crowd. Finally his opponent came forward. The elf Glorfindel would fight was hooded and wore a mask. The elf was not as tall as Glorfindel was, but the body conveyed his strength.
Glorfindel saluted, watching as the other elf took out his weapons. Twin blades glittered in the sunlight as they were spun around in expert hands. Glorfindel allowed himself a small smile, this would be a challenge.
He extended his sword in the traditional sweep, inviting his opponent to attack first. The commands were given that they were allowed to begin and they did, dancing around each other.
Glorfindel tried to place the elf but he could not. He had seen the elf before but the sweeping jabs were alien movements to him and the next moment his opponent attacked, spinning both blades closer to Glorfindel. The other elf danced out of reach and brought his sword up in a high block.
They continued to dance around each other, blocking and attacking in slow and graceful movements. Glorfindel could tell the other elf was getting tired, the shoulders heaving just slightly. The silence around them tensed and Glorfindel knew what would happen next yet he could not stop it.
The masked elf jumped at him, one blade pointed high and the other low. Glorfindel swept his sword up and jumped to the side to block the well aimed attack. They pushed against each other to try and find a way to unbalance their opponent.
Glorfindel had the advantage of strength and stamina, but he knew that if his opponent used a well-aimed kick he would lose his balance. The next moment Glorfindel was on one knee, hands brushing over his shin where his opponent had kicked him.
He picked up his sword again and faced his opponent, circling closer. Their weapons flashed in the light in a series of movements that none could follow. Glorfindel drew back just in time when his fingers were nearly severed from a sharp blow of the knives.
He blocked high and then with the next sweep he knocked one of the blades away. Yet his opponent did not seem to mind for the next moment Glorfindel was attacked with just one blade that switched from hand to hand. Glorfindel spun around, trying to keep the other elf in his line of vision but it did not seem to be when he felt a hand pull his hair back and the blade at his throat.
The crowd gasped and Glorfindel could see the judges coming closer. He held out his hand as a voice behind him whispered. "Do you surrender, Lord Glorfindel?" The blade pressed against the skin of his neck and Glorfindel shivered at the contact.
He turned his head to look at his opponent and said. "No. You will have to beat me fairly."
"Very well then." The voice behind him said and the next moment a strong kick in his back made him fly forward. He turned immediately, spinning into the momentum and using the speed to knock both himself and his opponent on the floor. They wrestled for a little while and finally Glorfindel gained the upper hand, startling his opponent.
He could hear the shouting of the judges and the crowd and finally he managed to hold the masked elf to the ground. One arm of the masked elf was behind his back and as the smaller elf struggled, Glorfindel put more pressure on the shoulder, hissing. "Stop struggling. I might harm you."
"You cannot harm me." The elf on the ground replied. Glorfindel growled softly, pressing the elf down even more. The next moment both of them heard the snapping of bones and Glorfindel could feel the elf underneath him tensing. "Oh no." He whispered, knowing the pain of a broken arm.
The elf struggled no longer and Glorfindel could hear himself being pronounced the winner. He quickly slid off the unmoving elf, hearing raggered breaths coming from underneath the mask. "Lay still. I am sorry, I did not mean for this…" He whispered, crouching next to the elf as he struggled to sit up.
Glorfindel became worried because of the lack of response he got and he helped the elf who was cradling his broken arm close to his own body. "I need to remove your mask…."
"No, please do not." The elf begged, surprising Glorfindel.
"You need to breathe freely, my friend." Glorfindel whispered, finally seeing the elf nodding and he hooked his fingers under the metallic mask. He only now noticed that the elf had dark eyes that looked at him with a mixture of pain and absolute trust. He wondered at this for what reason would this elf trust him. He put the matter out of his mind and carefully removed the mask.
He had thought he would see burns or scars in the face but the face was smooth and youthful like all the Eldar were. His eyes narrowed when he noticed it was a face he knew well, it belonged to somebody he loved. "Erestor?" He breathed, one hand tracing a tear stained cheek.
The councillor gave him a small smile and nodded, biting his lip. The hands of the general came to cradle the elf closer as Erestor struggled to fight the pain. "You have won…" The councillor forced past his trembling lips, dark eyes moving up to meet Glorfindel's sky blue ones.
"This is not a victory, Erestor, nor would I want one like this." The other elf said, one hand behind his friend's back as he helped the smaller elf stand. "But still you have won…"
"Yes, but only because I used my strength. I could not have won on skill alone, Mellon nin." Finally Glorfindel smiled as he saw the ghost of that smile echoed on the pale face and the lips he longed to kiss.
One of the judges came forward and said. "Lord Erestor, you should move to the healing wing so that they can take a look at your arm. Lord Glorfindel, you will need to get ready for the next battle."
"I will not continue this tournament. I am forfeiting. I will accompany Lord Erestor to the healing wing but someone else may take my place." Glorfindel surprised both elves as Erestor's hand came to cover his, even as the smaller elf shook his head.
"No, Glorfindel. You won fairly…" Erestor stood swaying and the hand that had covered Glorfindel's tightened. Glorfindel walked closer and said softly, watching Erestor's reaction. "Yes, I won but I only entered because of you, dear councillor. Because of the prize you promised me." Erestor looked at him with slightly unfocused eyes and Glorfindel gently placed his arm around the councillor's waist.
"Besides, I would like to ask you where you got those fighting skills. That was really impressive with the blades; I did not think you had it in you." He could see Erestor smile and it seemed like the smaller elf forgot he had a broken arm but soon the pained expression returned and Glorfindel gently nudged the elf as he began walking towards the healing wing.
It did not take long for the news to travel through the crowd that Glorfindel had forfeited the match, giving his place to another who wanted it. Yet this did not matter as Glorfindel sat in a chair as the healers gave Erestor something to numb the pain and set the bone, binding his arm tightly.
Finally the two friends were left alone. "You really do not have to remain here, Glorfindel. You should go back and watch the remaining matches." Erestor's voice was soft and sleepy due to the drink.
"I do not want to go back. I want to remain here with you. I caused the injury and I want to make sure that you are comfortable…" Glorfindel's voice sounded regretful and the fair face spoke of sorrow.
"You are a good friend, Glorfindel. I hope you will forgive me but I cannot seem to stay awake any longer. You will get your prize when I am recovered…" The words were lost when Erestor finally fell asleep, losing the battle with the pain draught as Glorfindel fondly kept watch and thinking of what they could do together.
Hope you liked it. Please review and send some ideas what they can do and how Glorfindel can show Erestor how he feels.