Deny Me Not

Title: Deny Me Not
Rating: R
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel
Author: jenolas
Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Chapter 11


Well accustomed to observing such displays of affection between his Captain and the Advisor, Darian made no move to leave, for there were still several questions he needed answered.

“How long will it be before you can return to your duties, Glorfindel?” he asked.

“My wounds are not severe and will heal quickly, but I can not judge how quickly Erestor will recover, and I will not leave his side until he is well,” he replied, ignoring the mumbled word of protest he felt against his chest.

“Please do not need to neglect your duty to Imladris on my account, my love,” Erestor entreated as he moved back a little and gazed into Glorfindel’s eyes.

“I am not. Darian is more than capable of taking command in my absence and you can clearly see the danger I am to myself and others when I am distracted. In this matter it is my heart that rules,” he said as he tenderly claimed the soft lips that moved invitingly close. Erestor deepened the kiss, his tongue eagerly seeking the moist warmth of his love’s mouth and sending tendrils of fire through them both that left them burning with desire when the need to breath finally forced them apart.

“Ahem… It might interest you to know that we found the orcs who survived the attack on you,” Darian said looking back up at the lovers after discreetly studying the pattern on the bedcover for a time.

“I assume you saw to it they paid for venturing so close to Imladris?” Glorfindel asked, pulling Erestor closer when he felt his lovers’ arms tighten protectively about his waist.

“Aye,” Darian nodded. “However, I will order extra patrols to be sent out for a few weeks, just to be certain there are no others.”

“A wise precaution,” Glorfindel agreed, his eyes partly closing in response to the teasing caress of Erestor’s fingers as he traced the outline of his partially unlaced undershirt. Darian decided the time to leave had rapidly approached and was just about to do so when there came a timid knock on the door.

“Kalian, I take it that delicious looking meal is not for a weary warrior such as me,” he said with a sad sigh .to the kitchen maid who stood at the door with a laden tray and shook her head, smiling at his feigned disappointment. Glorfindel’s second was well known to the kitchen staff for often took it upon himself to oversee the preparations of the field rations for the various patrols. He was also well loved by many of the more enlightened maids who, knowing the handsome Balrog slayer was spoken for had turned their affections to his unattached and equally charming, second in command.

“Nay it is for Lords Glorfindel and Erestor and I am to say that Lord Elrond insists they both eat at least a portion of the meal and drink the herbal tea he has prepared especially for them.”

“One of Elrond’s unpleasant medicinal potions, no doubt,” Erestor said wrinkling his nose in distaste as he eyed the tea kettle warily, his brow creasing momentarily as he was reminded of something that had been puzzling him. “Kalian, do you recall the night I asked you to bring me some supper?”

“Aye, my lord, that was the night you became ill. Not from the food,ope?ope?” she asked with alarm.

“Nay, ‘twas not the food,” he reassured her with a rare smile. “But I am curious about something. Why did Amien bring the tray in your stead?”

“I was wondering that as well,” commented Glorfindel.

“And how did she know Kalian’s errand involved Erestor?” Darian asked as he realised the importance of the information.

“When I had prepared the supper, I returned to find Amien in the hallway that leads to Lord Erestor’s chamber and, well, everyone knows the regard that wanton maid has for Lord Glorfindel so I asked her why she was in the house so late at night,” she said with scorn, her cheeks colouring as she realised to whom she was speaking. “Please forgive my bluntness, my lords, but the maid is not well thought of by any I know.” Darian squeezed her hand lightly in a gesture of assurance.

“Nor indeed by any of my warriors. Continue if you will.” Kalian smiled shyly and resumed her explanation.

“Amien told me that she was on an errand for Galen and had an important letter to deliver to the Advisor. When I replied that I was also on my way there she offered to take the tray as well. I was at first reluctant to allow her to do so, but since I knew that Lord Erestor was alone, I saw no reason to refuse. I did not do anything wrong, did I my lords?” Kalian asked nervously as she saw Erestor and Glorfindel exchange a dark glance at the mention of the letter.

“Of course not, but I think Lord Elrond will be most interested to hear of this incident. “Come, I will take you to him for I think these two would like to enjoy their meal in private,” he said with a smirk for Glorfindel and a knowing wink at Erestor whose hand had now disappeared under the bedcovers.
***************

Kalian was more than willing to allow Darian to take her hand as he led her from the chamber and was delighted with the stares of envy she received as they made their way across the courtyard to the main house and Elrond’s study. Darian briefly explained his reason for wishing to attend the meeting and Elrond readily agreed.

“Elladan has already informed me of Amien’s admission, but you are both most welcome to give your evidence,” he said as he ushered them inside. Darian bowed politely in response to Celebrían’s smile of welcome then turned to speak to his lord

“Elrond, a word in private if I may?” the warrior asked, his voice barely audible as he noticed Amien and her parents were already seated on one side of the artfully carved wooden desk that dominated the chamber. Elrond raised an eyebrow and silently gestured for Darian to follow him out onto the balcony.

“What is it?” He listened intently while Darian briefly explained the confrontation between Amien and Erestor and Glorfindel. “I am well aware that Glorfindel considers banishment from Imladris as a suitable punishment and since I have more than enough evidence against the maid, I see no reason not to grant their request to take no further part in this unpleasantness.” Darian nodded his thanks and then took his seat beside Kalian as Elrond signalled the inquiry was to begin.

Galen stood abruptly and before Elrond could utter a word, he began to speak.

“My Lord and Lady, my wife and I are well aware of the accusations being made against Amien, and although we would wish it otherwise, it is to our everlasting shame that she has admitted her guilt. The only explanation she offers for her action is that she truly believes she is in love with Lord Glorfindel.”

“As many others claim, even one or two in his own patrol, but none would dare behave in neither such a manner towards him nor his beloved,” Darian stated angrily.

“Then I can only say that they are far more worldly wise in matters of the heart than a young maid such as Amien,” responded Galen defensively.

“I understand a parent’s desire to protect their child at all costs, but I would hear exactly what Amien admits to being guilty of from her own mouth,” Elrond demanded, taking control of the inquiry. “Did you write that forged note from Glorfindel?” he asked, directing his questions at the one accused.

“Aye, my lord.” Celebrían felt something slightly amiss at the sullen response
and was becoming increasingly concerned that all was not as it appeared.

“It is a good likeness of his hand, I take it your learned your skill from your Adar?” The maid merely nodded. “And the herbs, why did you disobey me and keep the plant?”

“You told me to dispose of it, my lord and I did,” she replied with a hint of defiance.

“Aye, by adding it to the various jars of herbs inrivarivate bathing chamber,” said Elrond as he pointed to several containers he had retrieved from Glorfindel and Erestor’s bathing room. “Who was really your intended victim? Erestor or Glorfindel?’

“I would never harm Lord Glorfindel, I love him!” she declared. “I did not want to kill Lord Erestor, I just thought that if he believed Lord Glorfindel no longer loved him he would set him free.”

“A mistake born of ignorance of the true nature of love, my daughter,” said Inilwen sadly, speaking for the first time. “I had thought you learned that in Lothlorien, but apparently not.”

“What do you mean, Naneth?” asked the maid.

“You did not fade from grief when the young Galadhel you claimed to love was killed by orcs, but the one he left you for did,” she said, holding the now sobbing Amien close. “He was never yours, and neither is Lord Glorfindel.”

“I know that now, Nana,” she replied through her tears. Celebrían watched the two, her brow furrowing as she the briefest shadow of doubt at the maid’s sincerity touched her mind.

“I fear that my wife and I must take the responsibility for our daughter’s actions,” Galen said to Elrond who, on hearing Inilwen’s words had come to regard Amien’s plight in a more compassionate vein but was not prepared to disregard the serious nature of the events that had occurred at her hand.

“Aye, I accept that you may be partly to blame, but… we almost lost Erestor and he and Glorfindel have suffered unnecessarily as a result of her misguided actions.“

“Misguided? Her actions were well planned and deliberate,” said Darian, contradicting his lord in his anger. True he also felt a small measure of sympathy for the maid, but he could not forget the haunted look that has taken the light from Glorfindel’s eyes as he felt Erestor slowly fading, nor the fact the his Captain and friend had almost been killed by orcs as he followed his heart back to Imladris.

“I am forced to agree with Darian.” Celebrían said as she moved closer to Amien and tilted her chin so that she could see her eyes. “I sense some remorse, but also a cold determination to achieve her heart’s desire despite her tears and her words. She can not be trusted.”

“I see, then the sooner she is away from the source temptation to the better it will be for all concerned,” stated Elrond turning to speak with Galen once more. “Since I suspect Amien’s behaviour is the real reason your family left Lothlorien, and I value my friendship with Thranduil too highly to send you to Mirkwood, I suggest you leave for the Havens at once. I have no doubt the Valar can assist Amien where others have failed.”