The secret life

Part 15.2

Erstor paced the room in panic. For hours Elrond was now tending his beloved Glorfindel. The advisor thought he was going mad if he had to wait much longer. He didn’t even hear Legolas entering the room, but startled, when a gentle hand touched his forearm. Crystal blue eyes met chocolate brown ones.
“He is strong, Erestor, the strongest elf I know... We have to believe in him!!! He won’t leave us!”
“I can not live without him anymore... I... simply cannot!”
Both elves embraced, sharing strength and comfort. That’s when the doors to the healing chamber opened.
Elrond looked tired as he walked towards Erestor and laid a hand on his old friend’s shoulder.
“I did all I could, now it’s up to him. He has lost a lot of blood, the wounds are infected and his lung is slightly pierced, but his elvish healing abilities should take care of that. Fortunately the arrows missed his heart and they were not poisoned, or else I could have done nothing to help him. Still his life is not saved... the bloodloss... and he is feverish because of the infection. If his temperature won’t sink, then... We- We must wait until tomorrow... Erestor, if Glorfindel won’t wake up before the morning dawns, I fear he never will. I’m so sorry mellon-nîn!”
“Can I... Can I see him, Elrond?”
“Yes, Erestor, sit beside him, talk to him, remind him, that he is loved here, that there is a reason to fight for his life!”
The advisor nodded and went inside. Legolas was about to follow, but Elrond held him back.
“Give them a little time alone – you can see Glorfindel later.”
“But my Lord, I...”
“I know he means much to you, but Erestor simply need some minutes now. What about the other soldiers, are they ok?”
“Yes, only some minor cuts and bruises, nothing serious. Your sons ordered them to rest – they are right now in the barracks to arrange for another patrol to reinforce the borderguards. They are waiting for you to give the march order. – My lord Elrond, will Glorfindel survive?”
“I don’t know, Legolas, I truly don’t know!”

Erestor closed the door behind him and approached the bed, his lover was lying in. Never had he seen the seneschal this pale but the most unnerving thing was, that his eyes were shut. Erestor sat down on the edge of the large bed, and took his lover’s hand in his, brought it to his lips and kissed the knuckles.
“Your hands feel so cold ind-nîn. Can you hear me? Please hear me, come back to me!”
He leaned forward and whispered in the blond warriors ear:
“I need you! Have I ever told you that?”
Despair took the advisor and tears were running now freely down his cheeks. For about two hours he sat at his lovers side, whispering soft words of his love.
“Forgive me my harsh words, ind-nîn. I know you love me... It was just my damned pride, again! I almost lost you back then because of it, when you wanted to leave me, and all because I could not tell you, how much you mean to me. And now you lie here, because my pride was hurt when you did not tell me about Legolas... saes, don’t let this be the last words we ever spoke... “
Cold sweat run from Glorfindels feverish brow. Erestor took a washcloth from a bowl with tepid water and pressed it against his lovers forehead.
“I always thought, my dignity and my pride were the most important things in my life, that I could survive everything, if those were still untouched... but now I see my mistake: These things mean nothing for me anymore... I will give them gladly in exchange for your life. But I cannot lose you. If I do, I will lose eveything – I will lose life itself!”
And with a small voice he added:
“If you will enter Mandos halls today, ind-nîn, I will follow you!”
“No, you won’t!!!”
Erestor turned his head at this heated statement and saw Legolas standing in the doorway. The young elf was fuming as he walked over to the bed, Glorfindel was lying in. He shoved the advisor rudely aside and slammed his fists on the mattress.
“Wake up now, you... you... you –argh!!! Is that what you want? Leave this world and cause grief to all that love you. You claim to love Erestor and yet you will condemn him to death too? You will NOT die tonight, do you hear me! You. Will. Not. Die! What kind of warrior are you? Start fighting!!! Wake up!” And suddenly Erestor saw Legolas crumble and break down, whispering in despair: “Saes.. wake up!” all the time. He stepped closer and drew the young prince in his arms, rocking him slowly and stroking his back until Legolas stopped whimpering.
“I’m sorry, Erestor... I didn’t mean to add to your sorrow, forgive me.”
“Shh, it’s alright pen-neth. I know you love him too, he is almost a father to you, isn’t he?”
“It feels as if I am about to lose my adar again.”
“But you have not lost your adar, ernil-nîn.”
“You know???”
“Yes, I know... I got some clues and asked Glorfindel... he told me and we quarreled! It was the last time I saw him before that cursed patrol!”
Erestors heart ached and a new wave of despair rolled over him... tears were trailing down his face and he wept openly in Legolas arms.
“Oh pen-neth, I’m so afraid, so very afraid that he will die without knowing how much I love him!”
“But... I kn- know!” came a soft and throaty reply from upon the bed!
Legolas and Erestor jumped up in surprise and bent over the bed. Glorfindels eyes were open and showed some awareness.
“Legolas, run and fetch Elrond... quick!” Erestor shouted and took Glorfindels hand.
“E-res-tor” Glorfindel’s voice was raspy and upon speaking, he had to cough.
“Ssh, ind-nîn, I’m here... you musn’t speak. You were badly hurt, your lung is pierced, you have lost a lot of blood and you have fever... I – I thought you would... die... You, you scared me so! Never do that again, do you hear me?”
The seneschal tried to smile but had to cough again.
“Wa-ter!” he said.
Erestor brought a cup of tea to his lovers lips.
“Elrond’s healing tea. It will help you to deal with the fever.”
Only a moment later, the Imladris lord entered the room, relief was written all over his face, when he saw his seneschal was awake.
“You had us all scared to death, mellon-nîn! Shh shh – don’t speak now. As long as you feel the urge to cough avoid speaking as much as possible... You are still far from healed. At first we have bring down your fever and wait for your healing abilities to take charge of your lung. You will stay here for a little while, Glorfindel.”

The next morning came and while Elrond had retiered to his rooms and Legolas slept on a cot at the other side of the room, Erestor was still sitting at Glorfindels side. He had not slept a single minute during the night, but held his lovers hand and cooled his forhead every now and then. The seneschal had only been awake for a very short time before falling asleep again. But this time it had been a healing sleep.
The first sunbeams fell inside the room and on the bed. Slowly Glorfindel’s eyes regained focus and he smiled, when he saw his beloved advisor sitting by his side.
“Morning ind-nîn! The fever sunk this night. I guess you feel better?”
Glorfindel nodded, but suddenly the smile vanished from his face and he looked at Erestor in panic.
“Findel- what’s the matter... Are you in pain? Shall I call Elrond?”
The seneschal shook his head frenetically and opened his mouth:
“Cloak!” he said.
Erestor furrowed his brow. Cloak? Why would his beloved ask for his cloak now. Looking around, he saw the garment draped over a chair. He took it and gave it to Glorfindel who immediately searched the pockets and suddenly his features relaxed again and he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Now, what was this all about?”
Glorfindel produced a small box from his cloak and gave it to Erestor, who opened it and was completely dumbstruck when he saw the golden ring.
“Findel.. I.. are you... you... is this...”
“Bi-nd to m-me, E-res-tor!”
“You want me, truly want me to be your husband? O... Findel, I... I am sooo happy... I simply don’t know what to say...”
“S-say yes!”
“Yes, yes ind-nîn... a thousand times yes!!!”
And the advisor wrapped his arms around Glorfindel, but was careful not to put any pressure at the bandaged wounds. He kissed his lovers lips softly but with passion. Finally his greatest wish in life had come true. Never again would he be seperated from Glorfindel now.


***


One week later:


“You cannot be serious with that.” Sarik yelled and threw a paper at Glendarion, Glorfindel’s second in command.
“I just came from that post. I guarded the border three months now, only to return there after a four weeks stay at home??? I will not return there... it’s the outermost post, there’s nothing out there, just the trees-“
“It is not as if you are alone out there... your fellows-“
“They do not even talk to me!”
“And I’m sure you know, why this is so...”
“I will not suffer from this bullying anymore... I will not return to this post!”
“So you are refusing obediance? You know of the consequences. If you don’t obey, you are to be dismissed.”
“You cannot do this!”
“I can... as long as lord Glorfindel is still in the healing wing, I am in charge here. Only the captain or lord Elrond himself can change my orders.”
“Then I will speak with the captain about this!” Sarik hissed, turned and left the barraks in direction of the Last Homely House and its healing wing.


Inside Glorfindel growled at Elrond, who had just examined him again.
“Your growling does not help you at all, mellon-nîn. I do know that you are eager to leave, but I want you to stay here at least two more nights. If I could trust you, not to overexert once you are out of my sight, things would be different... You are still healing. I want to be able to keep an eye on you.”
“But Elrond, Erestor could do that as well, you know that and...” Glorfindel had to stop speaking, because a dry cough teased his throat. Elrond quickly handed him a glass of water.
“It is not that I don’t think Erestor capable of dealing with you but we both know that he doesn’t have the time to do so... The new treaty with Bree demands all his time and Erestor...”
“Have I just heard my name?”
The advisor entered the room and greeted his fiancé with a tender kiss.
“I have to stay here for two more nights... Can’t you talk to him, meleth? Tell him how lonely your nights are without me.”
“True – but I think, Elrond is right ind-nîn. As much as I would love to have you in our bed again, I want you to be healed completely first.”
Glorfindel growled again and let himself fall backwards on the mattress.
“I will leave you two alone now. Glorfindel, I’ll check on you later again!” Elrond announced and left the chamber. At once the seneschal curled an arm around Erestors waist and pulled him down to him. They kissed passionately but when Glorfindel was tucking at Erestors robe, the advisor stopped him.
“Glorfindel, no, daro... saes. I’m afraid, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m almost healed, meleth-nîn, you won’t hurt me.”
“But still... I know that sounds childish and stupid, but .. I want to wait for our binding- night. Can we not simply lie here and talk?”
“Is that truly your wish, Erestor? Well alright then, just hold me in your arms now, meleth, will you?”
“Of course... you never need to ask me that!”
“Tell me of your day... is the treaty with Bree really so difficult?”
“Men... oh they can be so stubborn. But I think we found the best solution for everyone now. We should be able to send our ambassadors next month... you can start to think of some soldiers to escort them.”
“I will do so. And aside from that? How is Legolas faring?”
“He’s fine... he will visit you in the afternoon. He would have come yesterday too, but he was too busy. My fault...”
“Are you pestering him with old books and scrolls again, my sweet bookworm?”
“I altered his lessons a little... as a crownprince and future king of Greenwood he has certain things to learn.”
“Are you still mad at me, because I did not tell you at once?”
“No. I mean, I WAS hurt at first but I can understand, why you did it. This secret is to be kept by all means. You did what you deemed best to keep Thranduil’s heir safe.”
“What have I done to deserve such an understanding husband... The valar must have truly blessed me.”
“Really... mmh.. don’t be so sure about that. Maybe I will be more a curse than a blessing!” Erestor said teasingly and bit the warriors ear slightly.
Glorfindel laughed and kissed the tip of his fiancé’s nose.
“Have you already talked to Elrond about the ceremony, meleth?”
“No Findel... I didn’t want to decide anything without you.”
“Then let us talk about that now... I do not want to wait too long.”
“Why so hastily now. I only hope this is because of your undying love for me and not because you want your celibacy to end sooner?”
Both elves had to laugh at that.

Outside the room, whose door was only slightly ajar, Sarik turned to leave. He had heard enough. Oh, he would put his new knowledge to a good use, that was for sure.

Translation:

ind-nîn - my heart
pen-neth - little one
adar - father
ernil-nîn - my prince
mellon-nîn - my friend
meleth - love
daro - stop


_______________________________________________________________

DarkDreamer: See, Erestor did what he could... all is well again... well, almost!

Ertia: Waaaaaaa!! I have a cold now!!! Do something!!! It wasn't me, who shot those arrows, really... it were the orcs!!! ^-^

Ithilwen: hehe, I know ;)

HHS: Have you ever counted all the "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's" you gave me??? Oh, I hope at the end of the story I will get a big "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES" from you :)

Celeren: Yes, sometimes the pride stands in peoples way... not even our smart advisor is immune at that!


I hope you all like the new chap and don't mind me the delay... Just had a horror week... but now: WEEKEND!!! :D

Greetings

Githoniel