the trouble with love

Chapter forty-two Time to relax

Elrond smiled as he lowered himself into the warm, welcoming water in his tub. Once submerged in the relaxing fragrances he sighed blissfully. Things almost were peaceful. And after he had taken full advantage of this he would go to Melpomean. Even though he wanted to go to the other elf he knew he didn’t have to because Melpomean wasn’t alone. He had Elladan, Legolas and the children with him. Elrond grinned fig figured Elrohir would join them too and start fussing over Elnihir, who, by the looks of things, preferred Legolas to do that. /Good thing Orophin is here to distract him./

Elrond had ordered the brothers released before he went to the bath, also instructing the soldiers to transfer his request to Orophin, stating he would appreciate it if the Galadhrim would keep Elrohir some company. A goofy smile played his face as he thought on this.

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Glorfindel groaned. He had trouble tracking this trail, though that was mainly due to his double vision that was the result of the highly intoxicating contends of the four bottles downed tonight.

Suddenly a tree appeared on the path, neatly separating the two tracks in such a way one of the paths Glorfindel saw now went by its left and the other seemed to pass the tree on the right side. Glorfindel halted and cocked his head, trying to decipher which trail was the real one. It didn’t cross his mind he would find out soon enough if he would follow either of them: did it stay: it was the real track and would it disappear then he had taken the wrong choice. But drunk as he was he did not think clearly anymore.

He was still busy solving this riddle when he heard a sound from his left side. Thinking orcs were invading again he launched himself at the hidden danger, drawing his dagger. He was stunned to see golden strands of hair enter his vision. /An elf./
Immediately he tried to stop the attack, but he noticed he was already flying through the air, so instead he just let his weapon fall to the ground. He closed his eyes when his body slammed into that of another elf. /Please don’t be Elrond./ Slowly his mind began working again as he remembered the golden strands of hair. /Elrond’s not golden-haired. I am the only one. And Ecthelion./ Hearing the name inside his head brought back the reason of why he was out here in the first place and he growled.

Ecthelion, effectively trapped beneath him stiffened in fear. “I’m sorry, Glorfindel, I didn’t mean to…”

Hearing that melodious voice brought Glorfindel to the present and his eyes widened when he realised he was pinning Ecthelion to the ground. “No, it is I who is sorry. I should look before I leap. I thought you were danger. I mean…..O never mind, I’m drunk and I babble when I’m drunk.”
Ecthelion smiled at his words. “Apparently. Lord Elrond had sent me to your room to inform you we have two prisoners but you were talking to yourself. Now get of me!”
Glorfindel nodded and then smiled as knowledge came to him. “So you’re the one that was eavesdropping.” “And you should lock your door. Get off!”

Ecthelion didn’t like the predatorily look in Glorfindel’s eyes and started fighting him off. Glorfindel on the other hand smiled and crawled back to his feet, pulling Ecthelion along. “Sorry. Told you I’m drunk. Walk me back before I fall asleep here. And tell me what happened.” Ecthelion shook his head. “You really shouldn’t drink so much, Glorfindel. Why do you do it?”

Glorfindel stopped walking and looked at the elf in front of him, constantly telling himself this was a different Ecthelion. He didn’t know what to say; no one had ever asked him that. “To kill the pain.”
Ecthelion smiled ruefully. “It’s surprising how we all find different ways to numb the pain, if only for a while, and yet none of us are brave enough to face them.” Glorfindel squinted his eyes at those words. “Repeat them tomorrow, please, I can tell they make sense.” Ecthelion grinned. “Thank you. Why don’t you share your pain with me? Release your burden?”

Glorfindel’s head lolled to the right and suddenly it flew towards the sky at an alarming rate. For a second Ecthelion feared he would pass out there and then, but then the other spoke. “What’s your favourite constellation?” Ecthelion’s eyes widened and he wondered how Glorfindel’s thoughts were going at the moment. “That one over there.” He stretched out his left hand, allowing Glorfindel to lean against his right arm.
Following the finger Glorfindel nodded. “Thought so. And flowers, decorational system, riding manner and tree?”

Ecthelion shook his head, thinking Glorfindel didn’t know what he was saying. “I don’t really have a favourite flower, Glorfindel, but I prefer the yellow ones, I suppose. And decorations? Colours blending in each other and twirling and such. I can look at such a painting for hours and still see different things, mainly because it has no definite image. You will think me crazy.”
He was surprised to see Glorfindel’s head shake frantically. “You’re not crazy.” The words and movements made him smile. “You’re the first to say that after learning this. Even my parents thought me insane.” His voice became sad and his eyes became wet but he forced himself to focus on Glorfindel’s question and to answer it. “As for my favourite tree…”
He paused for a moment to think. “There weren’t that much varieties in Valinor. Only here did I see how much nature there really is. Each living creature is unique; don’t ask me to make a choice.”

Glorfindel shook his head. “Race.” Ecthelion giggled. He other was definitely fun when intoxicated. “You were asking my favourite type of tree?” After seeing Glorfindel nod he closed his eyes as he visualised every type he knew. “I don’t think I know all of them yet but so far I count the weeping willow as my favourite.”
Seeing Glorfindel’s eyes widen in surprise and disbelief he shrugged. “Other trees make me feel young, restless and gloomy, but the weeping willow makes me happy and less restless. It’s hard to explain, but I”
“Can be yourself around a weeping willow and you can sit beneath, in or next to one for hours, enjoying the sound of leaves touching water.”

Ecthelion nodded, stunned Glorfindel had voiced his exahoughoughts. “Aye. You too?” How else could he have guessed correctly?
But Glorfindel shook his head. “I once found pleasure there, but that has long passed. Maybe in the future I can find it again?”

Ecthelion couldn’t help but think there was more to this sentence than was heard but he dismissed it for now. “And riding manner? I suppose you are referring to the way I prefer to sit on a horse?” Glorfindel nodded and awaited the answer. “Backwards.” The answer was fast and solid. “I like to feel the wind caress my hair, blowing it in my face. I can only see what’s behind me, not what is coming or even what’s right or left of me. It’s not only fun but it also sharpens the senses and creates a stronger bond between me and my horse. You should try it sometimes, though you should do it when you’re sober.”

Glorfindel started to shake his head and didn’t protest when Ecthelion continued the walk to the seneschal’s rooms. When they arrived at his door Glorfindel decided he wanted to know. “How old are you?” Ecthelion smiled. “Only 500, I’m afraid. Everybody thinks I’m older, but I’m not. Now, do I have to put you in your bed or can you do that on your own?”

He frowned when he saw a calculating look appear in Glorfindel’s eyes. “Glorfindel?”
The blue eyes flashed toward him and for the first time in a long, long while Glorfindel smiled a genuine smile. “You came back.”
The frown deepened. “Elrond send me remember.” Glorfindel shook his head. “No, -you- came back. You came back.”

Suddenly Ecthelion found himself enveloped in a tight hug and he felt Glorfindel crying on his shoulder, who was repeating those words over and over again. Blaming it on the booze the blond had consumed he manoeuvred the elf in his arms inside and to the bed. He would put Glorfindel under the covers, go to his own bed and in the morning he would take that bath.

But Glorfindel wasn’t inclined to let him go. Feeling his bed beneath him he fell backwards, pulling Ecthelion with him. “You stay.” The words sounded strange to Ecthelion, like an order with the fear of denial seeping through, a pleading request cloaked as a statement.
Glorfindel’s hold tightened; he was afraid to find it all a mirage in the morning. /I don’t want you to fade while I’m asleep./

Ecthelion didn’t know what to do, but he quickly realised he was hopelessly stuck in this bed. The hold Glorfindel had on him was too tight for even a warg to escape. “If I promise not to leave you alone, will you let me breathe?” In answer Glorfindel’s grip loosened a bit, but a second later Ecthelion wondered if his words had triggered that action or Glorfindel’s desire to get closer for he almost immediately snuggled closer, bringing their heads closer together.

Glorfindel sighed blissfully. “Ni melin te.” Before the other fully realised it he closed the distance between their lips and delivered a small, fleeting kiss on them.

Ecthelion would have pushed Glorfindel away but he realised the blond had fallen asleep. /With his eyes closed. That’s a good thing, right? He’s healing. Or dying? I will have to ask Elrond. Tomorrow./ He realised he wouldn’t go anywhere any time soon. If the blond elf in his arms was indeed doing some healing his presence had triggered it and he knew he had to stay close to make it continue. He didn’t let his thoughts stray to the kiss Glorfindel had given him, sure as he was that had just been the influence of the alcoholics and that Glorfindel would have kissed everyone at that point.

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“Whooooo” Elrohir didn’t have time to avoid the body he had collided with, sending him on a collision course with the floor. Lucky for him Orophin reached out and grabbed him before his fall was complete. “Thank you, Phin. You just saved my butt. What are you doing here?” His eyes lit up at seeing his friend back so soon. He hoped he hadn’t arrived alone, but that the Galadhrim had accompanied his grandparents.

Orophin grinned. “Long story short: Galadriel ordered the three of us to bring two prisoners here, whom we encountered not far from Imladris’ border. Now that we’re been relieved your father asked me to keep you company. Elnihir and Elvil are with Legolas and Elladan and from what I understood Elrond didn’t want to disturb them.”

Elrohir shrugged. He had been on his way to find his son, but knowing he was safe made him feel relieved. And he decided to keep Orophin at his side. “I think we’ll find out why later. Ata’s like that. So where are your rooms?”
Orophin snorted. “With Haldir. I’m glad Rumil has his own room.” Elrohir turned and pulled his friend along, smirking at this golden opportunity. “Aye, me too. Stay with me then if you don’t like to share rooms with Haldir.”

Orophin was torn in two: on one hand he really wanted to accept this offer and spend as much time as possible with Elrohir but on the other hand he saw the dangers of doing just that: he might accidentally give himself away and thereby chase Elrohir away. But he didn’t have time to ponder on that for the younger twin was already ordering servants to bring Orophin’s stuff to his rooms, ignoring the funny and knowing looks they send their way. “Come, Phin, you look like you need a bath. And whilst you soak I’ll go get us something to eat. Maybe I should say it’s for the little ones: we’d get more that way.” Still grinning the Peredhel took off, leaving Orophin to his own devises.

End chapter 42

TBC