Thawing the Ice

Chapter 2--Revenge Is Sweet


Erestor stormed down the hall back to his chambers with his temper at a boil, not noticing the servants who took one look at his face and quickly moved out of his path. He entered his chambers and yanked the door shut and locked it. Muttering curses at the seneschal, he stripped off his wet clothes and dried off. Pulling out a clean robe he put it on without really looking at it. Grabbing a towel and a brush, he went out on his balcony to sit in the sun to calm down while he tended to his hair.

Elrond and Glorfindel moved to the study after breakfast and sat down. "Now, tell me what happened, Glorfindel and leave nothing out," Elrond said.

Glorfindel sighed. "I truly only meant to tease him a bit. I went into the library and sat down on the desk?." He began. It didn't take long to tell the whole story.

Elrond shook his head. "You should know better then to disturb Erestor when he is working. It makes him angry," he said.

"He works to much just as you do, mellon-nin. It would do both of you good to have time to relax. Erestor is so cold. Do you know what some of the others call him? Ice heart is the nicest of the nicknames that I have heard," Glorfindel said.

Elrond shook his head. "It is my responsibility, Glorfindel and I do not know what I would do without you and Erestor at my side, but that is not what we are discussing. Erestor has many secrets. I know of some of them that I promised him I would never reveal. He loves the children, but is not friendly to older Elves. Be careful about pushing him too far," he warned.

Glorfindel nodded. "I will think of what you said," he said and left the study.

Elrond smiled slightly. I find it interesting that besides the children only you can successfully make him react though it is usually anger. I will be watching both of you, he thought. Sighing, he reached for the first piece of paperwork.

Erestor realized he had missed breakfast all together. He'd been out on the balcony for two hours and he was starved. He went inside and neatened his hair. He snatched up some papers that he needed then headed for the kitchen to look at the menu the head cook was supposed to prepare and give his approval. While he was there he could get a bite to eat.

Glorfindel was returning from the garden when he saw Erestor coming towards him. Grinning, he stepped directly into the advisor's path.

Erestor was still looking at the papers he held when he bumped into someone. He looked up, already forming an apology that wmmedmmediately forgotten when he saw who it was. "Must you always lurk around in the hall?" he hissed.

"I never lurk. I had been out in the garden enjoying this fine day. It would do you good to get some sun yourself. You are pale as a corpse," Glorfindel said.

Erestor's ink black eyes sparkled with annoyance. "Thank you for the lovely comparison, seneschal. Now if you do not mind I have more important tasks to tend to then talking to you," he said. He brushed by Glorfindel and continued towards the kitchen.
ssa,ssa, the head cook saw him enter and came to him. "How may I help you, Lord Advisor?" she asked.

"I need to see the menu for the formal dinner that will be held at the end of the week," Erestor said.


"Of course, I have it all finished," Jessa said. She went and got it. They sat down at a table in an out of the way corner and looked over the menu, making changes as needed then chose the wines that would be served. Two hours passed before they were done. Erestor took a plate of cheese and fruit back to the library.

Later Erestor was at his desk doing the mornings paperwork. A bottle caught his eyes as it was shoved to the edge of the desk. He grabbed it before it fell off and looked inside. Seeing it's contents, he smiled as an idea formed.

Glorfindel walked into the library just ten minutes before lunch would be served to find the advisor hard at work, surrounded by parchments. He swaggered over and sat down on the desk again.

Erestor raised his eyes and frowned. "I have asked you to stop plopping yourself down on my desk, seneschal," he saidly.
ly.

"Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?" Glorfindel asked.

"Nay, it does not, but you might find it uncomfortable," Erestor said. He stood. "I am going to lunch. Thanks to your little stunt I had little to eat this day."

"Then I will come with you," Glorfindel said. He tried to stand up and found he couldn't. "What?"EresErestor smiled almost predatorily at him and handed him a small jar then headed for the door. "Better hurry or you will be late to lunch," he said. He left and closed the door.

Glorfindel looked at the bottle's contents and his eyes widened. "ERESTOR! I will get you for this!" he yelled.

Glorfindel was soon seen, running quite fast down the hallway, and holding a book in front and behind him. However, the books did not hide the fact that he did not wear any leggings and the servant who went to clean the library found it quite amusing to see a pair of leggings glued to the edge of the desk.

A/N--Whoo, was this a fun chapter to write! I about laughed myself into convulsions at the end?Feedback is appreciated!