Thawing the Ice

Chapter 14--Muddled Thoughts

Erestor cursed softly and closed the book then laid it on the table. He couldn't get the kiss off his mind and it was driving him crazy! He wished he could lose himself in work, but the last thing he wanted was to be led out by Glorfindel. He would be overjoyed to never see the blond Elda again right now. He stood and paced. I should have punched him right in the jaw when he kissed me, damn him, why can he not leave me be? He thought. He forced himself to sit down on the bed and concentrated. Perhaps a brief time of meditation would calm him. It took a while to slip into it, much to Erestor's frustration, but he finally did.

When Erestor came out of his meditating trance he did feel much calmer. He stretched out on the bed on his stomach and picked up his book. He had just started reading again when someone knocked on the door. "What is it?" he asked.

"It is time for lunch, Lord Erestor!" a servant called.

"I will be right there!" Erestor replied. Sighing, he rose from the bed and neatened himself up then headed for the dining hall. He took his place between Elrond and Glorfindel.

Glorfindel smiled wickedly at Erestor. "I see this time you remembered all your clothes, so I did not have to bring any forgotten items to you," he said and winked suggestively.

Elrond gave Erestor a curious look with one eyebrow raised quizzically.

"Keep your ridiculous ideas and innuendos to yourself, seneschal. You are not impressing me," Erestor retorted, helping himself to some of the food.

A messenger hurried into the room. "Pardon me, Lord Elrond, but I have received a message from Lorien," he said and offered Elrond a scroll.

"Thank you," Elrond said. He opened the scroll and read then smiled. "Celebrian is returning home. She should be here by dusk tomorrow," he said. "That is good; the children and I have missed her."

"Good news indeed," Erestor agreed.

"Shall I take out a patrol to meet her?" Glorfindel asked.

"I do not think that will be necessary, she is well protected," Elrond said, "but thank you, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel nodded and glanced at Erestor. "Tomorrow is the day we go over the duty roster. Shall we meet in your room or mine?" he asked.

Erestor gave him a look that would send an army of Orcs running for their lives. "We will meet in the library like we always do," he said.

Glorfindel ignored the look and sighed dramatically. "Pity, I was hoping we could be alone," he said.

"Not a chance," Erestor retorted. He turned back to his food, determined to ignore the annoying Elda.

After lunch Erestor headed back to his room to go back to his book then he realized he was being followed. He stopped and turned to find himself face to face with Glorfindel. He stepped back hastily and scowled. "What do you want?" he demanded.

"Another kiss would be nice," Glorfindel suggested, winking.

"Try it and I will bite your tongue off," Erestor warned.

"Really? I find danger so alluring, do you feel the same, lirimaer?" Glorfindel asked.

Erestor shook his head and continued to his room. He was glad that Glorfindel didn't follow him. Closing the door and locking it, Erestor returned to his book.

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Glorfindel spent the afternoon drilling some of the guards then returned to his room for a bath. He stretched out in the warm water with a sigh then he began to plot his next move.

Erestor didn't go to the dining hall for dinner. He had a tray brought to his chambers instead. He didn't want to be exposed to Glorfindel right now. He read late until he grew drowsy. Once he laid down he found he was suddenly wide awake and couldn't seem to get comfortable. It was that damned Glorfindel's fault! He tossed and turned, silently cursing Glorfindel in every language he knew, which was a lot, but it was no help. He finally fell asleep to the image of tossing Glorfindel into the new rosebush below his balcony.

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Morning came much to soon for Erestor. He dragged himself from his bed and splashed cold water on his face then got dressed. This was the first time he had ever wanted to stay in bed instead of working. He groaned when he remembered what was to be done today. He was going to have to spend the morning with Glorfindel. Steeling himself, he went to the dining hall for breakfast.

Elrond looked up to greet him then frowned. He had never seen Erestor look so haggard before. "Erestor, are you well?" he asked sharply.

Glorfindel looked at Erestor as well and frowned. "You do look terrible, advisor," he agreed.

"Well, thank you so much for your opinion, seneschal," Erestor snapped testily. This mess was all Glorfindel's fault after all.

Elrond frowned even more at that. "I think you should go back to your chambers and take another day off. It is obvious you did not sleep well," he said.

"I do not need another day off. I will be fine," Erestor said, moving towards his accustomed spot.

"Glorfindel, if you would," Elrond said pointedly.

"Right away, my Lord," Glorfindel said, rising from his chair and blocking Erestor's path.

Suddenly Erestor found himself draped over Glorfindel's shoulder like a sack and being carried from the room. "Glorfindel! Put me down!" he protested.

"Sorry, lirimaer, Elrond's orders," Glorfindel said. He carried Erestor back to his chambers, ignoring the advisor's struggles and protests.

Sorry about the wait. I was temporarily abandoned by my plot bunnies! R/R please!