Isolation

Part 13…

Erestor removed his tunic, chuckling as he watched Glorfindel, already stripped of his own tunic and leggings splash into the slow moving river, exclaiming loudly about the chill in the water. Shaking his head he unlaced his own leggings, marveling at the change in their relationship. It was amazing really, what a single conversation could do to resolve past misunderstandings. He regretted not seeking Glorfindel out earlier, maybe then they would have become friends sooner. Folding his leggings and placing them alongside his tunic and boots Erestor walked into the shallow water flowing sedately along the bank, biting his lip as the low temperature caused him to shiver and goosebumps formed os sks skin. Well at least the cold water rid him of the warm tingling he had started to feel as Glorfindels magnificent golden body was bared for the entire world to see. It was disconcerting to have these tingles of pleasure shooting down his spine; he had unwaveringly squashed any reaction such as this to Glorfindels presence for years, fortified by his mask of composure and strength of will. Feeling it was only fair for this friendship to have a chance, he had dropped all of his defenses and let himself just… be himself. A strange sensation really. It had been so long since he had been anything but the cool, detached advisor it seemed surreal to not have any barriers or walls separating him from everyone else. Now that he was uninhibited he felt a familiar pull, the one he had felt upon first meeting Glorfindel that had made him crave the blondes company, his voice, his very presence as if he would expire without it. Only this time the pull was stronger, more insistent, like a long extinguished candle, forgotten and alone in a dark room until it was once more sparked to life and blazed forth, dispelling the surrounding darkness shadshadows. That’s how he had felt, like he had been trapped in the dark, cut off from life, from his surroundings, until now. Now everything was bright and clear and fresh and…and Glorfindel must not have been as graceful as his reputation proclaimed because the blonde had just slipped and disappeared beneath the chilly water. Erestor chuckled at the image that Glorfindel now presented; dripping wet with his blonde hair plastered to his face, neck and shoulders a disgruntled expression on his handsome face.

“Lost your balance, Glorfindel?”

Glorfindel scowled at the cheerful tone and the trace of laughter as Erestor spoke, huffing in annoyance as he regained his footing before replying. “Not at all Erestor, I was merely eager to wash my hair.” Stubbornly ignoring the peals of laughter his response invoked he bent at the waist, energetically scrubbing his scalp as a means of supporting his claim, knowing he had failed as Erestor only laughed harder.

His laughter dying down Erestor made his way farther into the water, until it reached his hips and he was only a few feet away from Glorfindel. Scooping handfuls of water he cleansed his skin of sweat and dirt, delaying submerging himself completely until just before he was ready to leave the water, not inclined to freeze to death. His nicely laid plan was obliterated when Glorfindel, who in a moment of what must have been sheer lunacy, flung himself from the water and tackled Erestor, effectively plunging him beneath the waters surface.

Spluttering in indignation and having swallowed half the river Erestor attempted to burn a hole through his companion with a legendary glare that had many an opponent fleeing in fear and was known to bring even the most rambunctious elflings, namely Elrohir and Elladan, to heel. “Have you taken leave of your senses Glorfindel? What ever possessed you to do such a thing?”

“I was merely eager to wash your hair.” Was the cheeky reply before two hands grasped Erestors shoulders and forced the fuming elf under the water for a second time, giving the gleeful blond a chance to dash out of the river, scoop up his clothing and disappear into the woods. Sweeping his sopping wet hair from his face Erestor watched the naked perpetrator scurry away with narrowed eyes. Somewhat relieved that Glorfindel had taken off, as the water wasn’t quite cold enough to prevent his body from reacting to the feel of wet, naked skin against wet naked skin, Erestor quickly finished his washing and after hurriedly washing his dirty tunic and leggings exited the river in favor of dry land and dry clothing.

Laying his recently washed clothing on a flat faced rock he allowed the fading sun to begin to dry both his clothes and his own chilled skin. Wringing the excess moisture from his water-logged hair he brushed and effortlessly braided it into a single rope before dressing in his spare set of clothing. While waiting for Glorfindel to return he set about the task of pringring a fire and plotting some manner of devious revenge against the blond menace, one that would hopefully involve smelly fish and the blonds clothing chest, after all he could be as sneaky and mischievous as the next elf and he was twice as patient.

Glorfindel stepped, fully clothed, from the tree line and quietly observed Erestor as he built and lit a fire, taking in the look of avid concentration as he sparked the flint and blew lightly on the tiny flames, encouraging them to spread to the other branches. Glorfindel stood there for several minutes, admiring Erestors pale porcelain skin that contrasted so sharply with his dark hair and accented his dark eyes. Shaking himself he approached the fire with measured steps, praying that Erestor was not overly angry and would accept his apology for acting like a fifty year old elfling. He was half afraid that Erestor would be so furious with him that he would resurrect his barriers and all the progress the two had made along the road of friendship would be unraveled over one stupid moment of foolishness. Nearing the fire Glorfindel felt those intelligent black-brown eyes following his movements and prepared to swallow his pride and get down on hands and knees to beg for forgivenessthe the silent figure seated before him.

TBC…