Winter Tears

Chapter 2

“….There upon I found these two sneaking about the gardens devoid of clothing entirely….” Erestor finished his curt declaration and promptly sat himself back down in the window seat to await Elrond’s comments. As Ereshad had told them the night before Elladan and Elrohir had dutifully repd tod to the study only to find Erestor already relaying the story of their nightly activities to Elrond and Glorfindel. Having given his son’s a few moments to explain themselves Elrond finally rose from his desk and walked easily over to where his two son’s now stood guiltily before him.

“I see that you already understand what you did wrong as I am sure Erestor has pointed that out to you last night.” Elrond glanced over his shoulder at his chief advisor who sat as usual stony faced in the corner of the room. As much as Elrond loved Erestor as part of his family, the councillor was cold and ruthless in everything he did. His reputation in Imladris was nothing short of a walking talking fire breathing dragon. Turning back to his sons Elrsmilsmiled weakly already seeing the worry in the twin expressions. “As punishment for this incident you will both spend one week in the stables helping the stewards with their chores and you will be confined to the gardens.” Reluctantly Elrond brought down the punishments for his sons before apologetically hugging them. Sometimes Erestor’s tight leash on his students was too tight and Elrond often wondered if his councillor had ever actually had fun as an elfling himself. “Now get away with you both, I believe Glorfindel will take you for your lessons now and that there is to be a visitor of whom I expect you to greet at the ford this afternoon.” Elrond smiled over at Glorfindel who nodded understandingly before leading the two twins from the library. Erestor looked his usual emotionless self as he watched the trio leave the room before he rose to his feet and began sorting out the paperwork on the desk as if nothing at all had happened.

Elrond sighed as he watched his councillor fuss over the papers. Erestor never wore any other colour but black, his formal robes never discarded even in the most casual of circumstances. The only time Elrond had ever seen Erestor wear anything else save his black robes was during the last alliance. The black robes had been replaced by armor and a grey tunic and leggings, that unlike everyone elses was devoid of the symbols of his heritage or home. It had been a strange sight to see the elf with his hair tied back in a warriors braid, from where it had for centuries hung down his back, unbraided and unrestrained. Yet as soon as the war was over Erestor had gone back to his old ways, his hair left loose and his robes brought out of the wardrobe again as if he hadn’t even been away from the last homely house.

In the mess that was the war none had, had time to question the advisors change until it was over, and by then Erestor had already reverted back to his private self again. Elrond had known Erestor most of his life, yet knew little of his friend’s, family and past. The councillor arrived in Imladris just after the fall of Gondolin and had pointedly avoided all topics regarding his past. With a temper easily upset and being an intensely private person no one had ever pressured Erestor into speaking freely about his life in Gondolin, yet everyone wondered about it. The only person who knew a little of Erestor’s past was Glorfindel but like all those who had survived the fall of Gondolin, the seneschal was not easily drawn into conversation about his home, leaving no one any the wiser on Erestor’s history.

“My lord, are you listening to me? Are you not well?” Erestor’s concerned voice interrupted Elrond’s thoughts, the Lord only now realizing he had been standing for quite some time staring blatantly at his advisor.

“Nay I am well Erestor and I am sorry I was not listening can you perhaps repeat what you said?”ond ond slipped easily into Quenya, Erestor always preferring to talk with his lord in the elder tongue when alone.

“I was suggesting that you read through these notes again before signing them. I took the liberty of taking scribe of the few things I thought needed a little more attention so that you would not have to re-read the entire document again.” Elrond nodded his approval as Erestor handed him the notes, elegantly noted in Erestor’s perfect hand. If there was one thing Erestor knew how to do, it was write, the advisor’s perfectly sculptured hand suited wonderfully for scribing texts in Quenya.

“Thank-you. I will look over them today and have them finished by the midday meal, so you may send them on with the messenger.” Erestor moved aside from the desk to allow Elrond to sit down before placing the last of the documents in front of his lord that needed his attention.

“There is a message from Mirkwood my lord, along with a package from Celeborn in Lorien that you may wish to see to as well. I will also give the reports from the borders to Lord Glorfindel.” Elrond again nodded his approval before sitting back from his desk full of work to look up at Erestor. Despite his pale appearance and blank expression Elrond could see the signs of fatigue in his councillors stance and decided then and there to give the advisor time to himself.

“Thank-you Erestor, you may take the rest of day for yourself. The twins will be occupied with the Prince for most of the afternoon so your lessons will have to be postponed till tomorrow.” Elrond turned back to his desk half expecting Erestor to leave but the councillor remained stationary beside Elrond.

“Prince? I did not know we were expecting such company my lord Elrond?” Erestor frowned a little as Elrond silently cursed to himself, only just remembering his councillors’ absence from dinner yesterday.

“Ah yes, I apologise Erestor. We are expecting the company of Thranduil’s youngest son today. The prince is to take up archery lessons with Glorfindel, and will be staying with us until after twi twin’s coming of age celebrations.” Elrond smiled brightly up at his councillor but frowned a little when he saw a strange moment of emotion flash into the dark inky black depths of Erestor’s eyes. It was only a moment before the emotion was gone again and Elrond was considerably confused as Erestor straightened himself and let o lit little sigh.

“I will have to arrange for the guest rooms to be aired and readied for his arrival then.” Erestor hid his anger at not being told of this situation sooner. The Guest rooms had not been used since Celeborn’s last visit to Imladris, and would thus be dusty and odorous with lack of use. Erestor bowed and turned to leave the study already planning what had to be done in order to ready the rooms for the prince.

“Nay Erestor I wilve Lve Lindir………………..” Elrond went to remind Erestor about the day to himself, but by the time Elrond had put words to what he was thinking, the advisor had already left the room in a flurry of black robes and silver hair. Sighing loudly Elrond slumped himself back in hisir air and glared irritated at the papers in front of him. It was going to be a very long day.

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Once outside and out of sight from his father and Erestor, Elladan finally groaned in protest to the punishment that had been laid before him. He had learnt quickly that protesting any punishments that Erestor had overseen would merely mean a doubling of the time already set down for the chore.

Glorfindel chuckled softly at the two withdrawn faces of his snts,nts, already understanding what had truly gone on the night before.

“Why is Erestor so…” Elladan fought for the right word to describe his tutor his frustration clear as he tightened his fists at his . “…. “……so not understanding? He doesn’t have any feelings what so ever?” Exasperated Elladan threw his hands up into the air as he followed his brother and Glorfindel from the house and down into the front courtyard. Glorfindel glared pointedly at Elladan from over his shoulder, for such cruel words.

“Mind your tongue Elladan if you please. Just because Lord Erestor is somewhat harsher in his control of you two, it does not mean you can make idle accusations such as that.” Elladan lowered his head a little guiltily already knowing he had crossed the line in insulting Erestor. Handing out the weapons from the store to his charges Glorfindel continued. “To accuse someone of being without feeling is like saying they have no heart and you know as well as I that Erestor certainly still has that no matter how cold it is. Erestor is merely more guarded in his emotions and chooses not to portray everything he feels so openly.” Leading his two charges into the stables Glorfindel wandered quietly over to the rack of tools at the far end of the stables and preceded to hand both twins a shovel and a pitchfork.

“But it’s as if he doesn’t know how to have fun.” Elrohir whined in complaint as his elder brother stole the pitchfork from Glorfindel before he could, essentially lumbering him with the task of shovelling muck instead of the preferred clean hay. Glorfindel chuckled to himself in amusement as he leant back against one of the stall’s doors and stroked the head of the mare within it, as she nuzzled into his shoulder.

“Elrohir, that is unkind too. I am sure Lord Erestor knows how to enjoy himself, it is just that his definition of fun, dif gre greatly from your own. Not everyone finds happiness in foolery and mischief as you two do.” With a final pat of the mare in the stall behind him, Glorfindel moved back to the open doors of the stables and turned back momentarily to face the twins who were now already beginning their punishment for the morning. “I will hear no more about your dislikes of Erestor. The fact of the matter is, is that he is your tutor and your elder and as such deserves your respect and you will give it to him. I expect that most of your chores will be completed by mid morning and then I will return and we can make our way to the ford to meet the visitors is that understood.” Together Elrohir and Elladan both nodded their understanding before Glorfindel sighed and disappeared from the stables, leaving the twins to their punishment.

Like Elrond, Glorfindel had known Erestor most of his life and although a century or so younger than himself, considered himself and the advisor friends. Erestor alw always put distance between everyone and himself, and it was with Glorfindel alone that the advisor seemed most at ease, although never casual. Over the years Glorfindel had come to accept Erestor’s ways and moods, taking them with a pinch of salt with each day that passed. Some days Erestor could go all day without speaking a word to anyone, and then another he could spend all day screaming, at lazy guards and housemaids. Unlike his changes in moods however, Ere’s c’s cold heart never moved. Not a soul in all of Middle Earth could see beyond the stern hard exterior of the advisor, and while most knew that secrets would probably be locked away none dared ventured into the barren landscape of Erestor’s emotionless façade to find out what they were. Erestor of Imladris was an elf not to be taken likely….

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>