The Strong Heart

Note: Thalahir’s thoughts will be indicated with a **at the beginning and end**.

Chapter 11

Everything was arranged. Erestor and Glorfindel were in their rooms, both deep in thought. They had finished dressing for dinner, and were in the sitting room, absent-mindedly playing with the kittens, while Tinnu and Glirien watched. Erestor sat on the floor waving a feather and watching little furry paws grab for it. Glorfindel sat holding Brogdithen on his lap, stroking the purring mass of long black fur.

“Glorfindel, what if he goes anywhere else in the house before we can stop him?” Erestor asked quietly.

“Worry not, sweetheart, there will be guards secreted all over the house watching. They will not allow him to harm anyone. ”

“All over the house? How many will there be?”

“Oh, four, ten, twenty, forty; what’s in a number after all?” Glorfindel grinned.

“The whole patrol?” Erestor asked, amazed.

Glorfindel nodded. “None would return early. They will all sneak in after everyone is in the dining hall. It makes sense, my love. If Thalahir does sense something, the greater number will convince him that he is simply sensing all of us.”

“We had better go, it is getting late.” Erestor gave Tinnu and Glirien one last stroke, then replaced the kittens in their basket, including the one on Glorfindel’s lap. “Take care of your little family, Tinnu,” he told the cat.

Taking Glorfindel’s hand, Erestor reached his other into a pocket for the key to lock the door.

“No, sweetheart, leave it open,” Glorfindel said. “Our guards are perfectly capable of picking locks, but we may as well make it easier for them.”

Erestor raised his eyebrows. “One will be in here?”

“Did you think I would risk any harm coming to you or Elrond?” Glorfindel said softly. “There will be someone in here and your office, as well as Elrond’s rooms and office, and watching the quarters of the scribes and librarians.”

Erestor wrapped his arms around Glorfindel’s neck, and pulled his head down for a passionate kiss. “Thank you, my love.” He whispered.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The elves gathered in the dining hall patiently waited for their guests of honor to arrive. Elrond had decided earlier that this would also include Saercaeron, and a small chaise lounge had been brought into the hall for his use, placed near Elrond’s table. Elrond sat in his usual place at the head of his table, flanked by Erestor and Glorfindel on one side. Opposite them were two empty chairs for Gurvelon and Caladir. Various elves, including Lindir, Melpomaen and captains in the Imladris guards occupied the rest of the table.

“Glorfindel, what is Suithoron doing with Rinion? Oh my, they are kissing. When did that happen?” Elrond whispered, looking at the large warrior with a small librarian in his arms.

Glorfindel and Erestor grinned. “It didn’t, Elrond,” Erestor whispered. “Some of our friends decided to add some fuel to the fire.” Elrond chuckled.

Taurfaeron and his guards, including Thalahir, occupied the table placed immediately in front of Elrond’s. Only Thalahir was unaware of what every other elf in the room knew; that the whole event had been planned to expose him.

All around the room, warriors were seated next to smaller scribes and librarians. Only Thalahir was unaware that what appeared to be a loving relationship between a librarian or scribe and a warrior, with a few exceptions, was all for his ‘benefit’.

Saercaeron arrived, carried by his father. Amarion set the little elfling on the chaise, settling him comfortably resting against the back with his broken little leg spread out before him. Amarion and his wife seated themselves at a small table set next to the elfling for them and a few of their friends.

The elves welcomed him with cheers and applause – all except one. “Erestor, do you see?” Glorfindel asked.

“Aye, love, he does not seem too pleased to see our little elfling, even if he is applauding.”

**Damn little brat. All these elves think you’re just so cute. We’ll see how cute they think you are when I’m done with you.**

Gurvelon and Caladir arrived next, and received the same reception as the elfling.

“What say you to that, Elrond?” Erestor whispered, barely nodding in Thalahir’s direction.

“If I had any doubt before, my friend, I no longer do,” Elrond answered. Thalahir applauded with the others, but his face was darkened into a grimace.

**That puny mouse has no right to be with such a warrior! Caladir will be mine! I will show him what a lover worthy of a warrior is like. Just you wait, mouse, I have a little surprise for you later.**

Gurvelon and Caladir seated themselves in their places, and Elrond rose. “My friends, we rejoice tonight with Caladir and Saercaeron’s parents that our dear Gurvelon and Saercaeron have both escaped serious harm. Gurvelon is returned to health, and Saercaeron soon will be. It pleases me that so many of you were able to join us, and I hope you will all stay after dinner to join us in music and dancing.” The elves cheered, and Elrond signaled for dinner to begin.

Caladir gave his sweet little mate a loving kiss, then lifted a choice tidbit to Gurvelon’s mouth. His little love opened his mouth and wrapped his tongue around Caladir’s fingers, making a fine show. “Careful, sweetheart, you will make me forget what we are supposed to be doing here,” Caladir whispered into Gurvelon’s ear. Gurvelon giggled, and moved his head to give his large husband a passionate kiss. Warriors all over the room hooted at the pair. “That was being careful?” Caladir whispered at the soft lips. Gurvelon giggled again, and lifted a strawberry to Caladir’s lips. Caladir pulled the berry into his mouth with his tongue and bit into it. Gurvelon licked the red juice from his lips. “You just wait until I get you back to our rooms, you little tease.” Caladir gave his spouse a kiss on the neck.

All over the room, couples indulged in loving behavior. Glorfindel and Erestor were no exception. “Come here, my petite councilor,” Glorfindel said, giving Erestor a passionate kiss.

Suithoron and Rinion were feeding each other, and exchanged a kiss between every bite. Melpomaen and Torladen sat with their arms wrapped around each other, occasionally feeding each other and shyly kissing.

“Oh my,” Lindir whispered to Melpomaen. “All this makes me wish I was next to a big, strong warrior. I do believe I may be jealous.”

“This is disgusting,” Thalahir said to Taurfaeron.

“What is?”

“All these Imladris warriors and their mousy little lovers. What is wrong with this place?”

“I find it all rather lovely and refreshing that they are all so comfortable and show their love in the presence of others. Much more relaxed than at home. After all, for a warrior to have a scribe or librarian for a lover is such a good match, I think. Gives us someone removed from the evil we must deal with to come home to.” The other guards at the table nodded in agreement. Was that what had happened to Thalahir? Had he come into contact with too much evil and been corrupted by it? Taurfaeron wondered how possible it was.

Taurfaeron continued answering Thalahir. “Aye, it is refreshing. Just look at that little minstrel, Lindir, sitting at Elrond’s table. Is he not the loveliest elf you have ever seen? How I would love to come home to him after a month on the borders!” Lindir was so lovely, and so sweet an elf, Taurfaeron admitted to himself that what he had said to Thalahir was not really a lie. He wouldn’t mind staying in Imladris if he could be with Lindir.

Thalahir shifted uncomfortably in his chair and scowled, waiting for dinner to finally be over and for the elves to move into the Hall of Fire. Then he could finally make his move.

**This damn place. I hate it. I hate them all. Corrupting all these warriors, turning them into weaklings. When Caladir is mine, I will return to Lothlorien and take him with me. I’ll show these puny little elves what a real warrior can do!**

Tbc…