One Fine Day

A.N.  - WOW, it's been 2 years since I updated this!  So sorry for the delay, but Life and Writer's Block almost got me!   I've almost got the next chapter complete!  With any luck, I might have it by this coming weekend

Enjoy!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elrond slid onto the bench beside Erestor, who sat watching two beloved blonds play in the labyrinth’s garden.  He leaned close.  “You look oddly well rested.”

 

Erestor grunted.

 

“Is it all you had wished it to be?”

 

Erestor was quiet for a long moment.

 

Elrond heaved a sigh.  “I am sorry, old friend.”

 

Erestor shook his head.  “You have no reason to apologize, Elrond.”

 

“Do I not?  We all believed that Glorfindel’s arrival would be the final piece to complete your life.”

 

“Aye, so did I… but it seems we no longer fit as we once did.”  He sighed.  “I know not what I expected would happen when he came home to me, but I did not expect THIS.”  He gestured vaguely, as if to encompass the entirety of his life.

 

“There is an uneasiness between us.  I sleep in my chair while he and Maniel sleep in the bed.  We barely speak, and when we do, it is awkward and impersonal.  We are both on edge now, and I fear what will happen if this tension does not ease.”

 

“Is it the elfling?”

 

Erestor’s look clearly questioned Elrond’s intelligence.  “As if she could.  She is absolute perfection.”  He sighed.  “At least, she is when I am not present.”

 

“Mmm…” was Elrond’s only reply

 

“She is terribly bright, Elrond.  And perceptive.  She sees that her ‘Papi’ is upset and resents the obvious source.”

 

“You.”

 

“Aye, me.  I heard her telling him one night while curled in the bed with him that she wants to go back home, where she can watch her teletubbies and they can be happy again.”

 

“Quite a punch to the gut.”

 

“Like being kicked by Asfaloth.  But at least the horse got me some greatly appreciated pampering by his rider.  I highly doubt I will be so fortunate this time.”

 

Elrond sat silent for a moment.  “So what now?”

 

“Other than get kicked by another horse?” He shook his head.  “I have no idea.”

 

Or did he?

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Erestor looked over at Elrohir.  “You are certain of this?  This is the best way of going about getting my gift?”

 

Elrohir gave him an annoyed look.  “Erestor, do you want to do this or nay?  We only get one chance here.  If this fails, the group will move on, and the opportunity is lost.  Aye, or nay?”

 

Erestor sighed.  “Aye.”

 

Elrohir nodded.  “Show me.”

 

After a long moment, Erestor pointed.  “There.”

 

Elrohir blinked, and nodded.  “Aye, I can see that.  Follow.”  He rode out.

 

Wondering if this weren’t the stupidest idea he’d ever thought up, Erestor followed him out into the fray.  // I must be out of my mind.//

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hours later, an exhausted Erestor and Elrohir leaned against each other, surveying their work.  “ Not bad, old one.  You’ve got more endurance than I thought,” Elrohir cheeked.

 

Erestor snorted and smacked his arm.  “I am a scribe, not a slug.  And I DID manage to keep myself in relatively good shape.  I could still put you over my knee.”

 

Elrohir smirked.  “You would have to catch me first.  Besides, I don’t think either of us could do much of anything at this point.  That was much harder than I had expected.  I think I was actually in danger of losing.”

 

Erestor chewed his lip.  “Do you think this will work?”

 

Elrohir patted his shoulder.  “Trust me.  Besides…  can it make things any worse?”

 

Erestor sighed.  “Nay.  At this point, anything is an improvement.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning, Erestor was up bright and early.  He headed for the stable that lay between his and Elrond’s homes just as Arien was making her ascent.

 

He eyed the long row of stalls, wincing as the wooden door of the largest shuddered.  “The foal… the foal first.”  He grabbed apples, sugar and a curry kit, then made his way to the stall.

 

The foal, a soft eyed gray and white dapple, squealed as he came into the cell.

 

“Aye, aye, I know.  You hate me right now.  Cannot say as I blame you, but it is for a good cause.”  He moved closer, trying his best to make as little noise as possible.  “I am sure you are going to bite me at some point.  It seems as though all horses like to bite and kick me.  But at least let me try first?”  He held out his hand, presenting the foal with sweet treats.  “See?  No harm.”

The young horse grunted and jerked away.  After a few tense moments of pacing, she edged over to him, eyes wide and tail swishing.

 

Erestor stood still, waiting.  “I would try singing… but I am told crows have a sweeter song…”

 

He waited.

 

And waited.

 

Finally, after much hemming, hawing, and deliberation, the foal craned her neck out and sniffed at his hand.  She took the sugar treats and began searching his hands and sleeves for more.

 

“Now now, no need to spoil your belly.”

 

He carefully pulled the curry brush from his satchel and held it out, gently grazing her muzzle with it.  Then up to her ears, her neck, and her back.  “Good girl.  Pretty girl… gentle.”  Fully aware of how silly he sounded, Erestor stroked the brush over her side and haunches.  “You know, my iel is new here, too… and I think she likes me even less than you do.  If it were up to her, I would be out on my backside, sleeping here in the stables.  Or she would be back home with everything she knew as it was… and no me.  Perhaps, if you and she get along, would you put a good word in for me?”

 

The foal grunted and seemed to roll its eyes.

 

Erestor sighed.  “Aye, I thought you would say that.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Erestor rubbed at his shoulders as he opened the gate to his yard.  He was tired, depressed and dir – was that coffee?

 

He peeked into the kitchen window.  It was indeed coffee.  Coffee and the most perfectly domestic sight he’d ever seen.

 

Glorfindel looked up.  “You were up and out early.”

 

“Aye.  Let me wash up.  I am certain I smell delightful.”

 

“You smell like you’ve been rolling around in horse dung.”

 

“As I said.”

 

“Breakfast is going down in 10 minutes, whether you are in here or not.”

 

Erestor blinked and booked for the bathing chamber.  Clearly, Glorfindel was not in a pleasant mood.  He ran into the bath, stripping as he went.  Moments later, he was soaking in hot water with a relieved sigh.

 

“You’re skinny.”

 

Well.  That lasted for all of 2 seconds.

 

He looked over at Maniel.  “I have always been skinny.  But it is not so bad, really.  It means I can fit in smaller places than most, and I don’t need much space in the bed… which is good, because your Papi likes to hog all the space and steal the blankets.”

 

She giggled for a moment, and then remembered that she didn’t like him and glared.  “Papi said hurry up or else he’ll eat your half.”

 

He sighed.  “Aye, aye, I’m coming in a moment.”

 

She flounced out, nose in the air.

 

Erestor grumbled and climbed out of the bath, wincing as sore muscles protested.  “Augh… and I thought this was such a good idea…”

 

He wrapped his hair in a towel, pulled on his dressing robe, and padded into the dining room.

 

Glorfindel snorted.  “Nice.”

 

Erestor sat.  “Aye, well, the lady said hurry, so I hurried.”

 

The table was silent as they began eating.  The silence stretched on in agony, until finally Glorfindel could stand it no more.  “So,” he said conversationally, “What had you out so early and smelling like a stable lad?”

 

Erestor smiled vaguely.  “You answered your own question, I think.”

 

Glorfindel blinked, then grunted and bit into a piece of bread with uncalled for viciousness.  “So I did.”

 

Erestor bit his tongue to stifle his yelp as a small foot connected squarely with his knee.  He deserved that, he supposed.  Once upon a time, Glorfindel would have made a joke about once a plebe always a plebe.  Once upon a time, Glorfindel would have known without a doubt what Erestor had been up to in the stables, and who he was up to it with.

 

But now they were strangers trying to be lovers again, and their bed partners were suspicion and doubt.

 

Erestor put his empty coffee cup down.  “So, I thought we might go into town today.  I doubt it has changed much since you were last here, but Maniel has not seen it.  And I need to pick up a few boring scribe things.”

 

Glorfindel gave him a slightly confused look.  “Aye, that sounds good.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Hours later, Erestor dragged himself in behind a hyper Maniel and her equally energetic father.  It had been entirely too long since he’d had to chase after elflings, and he clearly was not up to it these days. He slipped into the library and collapsed into his chair with a groan, exhausted.

 

Standing in the doorway, Mani looked up at Glorfindel.  “Papi, why is he sleepin’ already?”

 

Glorfindel smiled and walked over, picking him up gently.  “He is not used to the way we run, iel.  What say you, Mani-love?  Shall we let him sleep in the bed tonight?”

 

Maniel eyed him, even her jealous little heart softening in pity.  “Aye, Papi.”

 

She followed behind as Glorfindel carried Erestor to the bedroom, running to pull down the blanket.  “Where we gonna sleep, Papi?”

 

He tucked Erestor in, then reached for her nightgown.  “In the bed, Mani.  It is big enough for all of us.”