Creature Comforts

Chapter 2

 

Glorfindel flops quite ungraciously onto his bed his chest
heaving beneath the tight cloth of his tunic as he attempts to regulate his
breathing. I take the opportunity to sit down on the edge of the bed; my feet
are quite killing me. Despite having played many an elven game of skill againslorflorfindel in childhood, I believe we are both tiring in our old age. We have been running through the halls
and gardens of Imaldris, a boisterous game of tag between two grown men. In the
silence of the dark bedroom all that can be heard is our irregular breathing
before Glorfindel sits up on his elbows and begins to laugh softly. His melodihuckhuckle is infections and I find myself laughing also, unaware of the humour.

 

“I have not run like that since you fell from that horse in
your youth Estel.” Turning I lie down easily on my side next to Glorfindel as
he smiles wistfully and casts his mind back to his memories. I see him turn the
thoughts over in his mind before sighing heavily and glancing down to me at his
side. In his face I see a thousand life times each scattered with every emotion
possible. While physically his skin shows no signs of aging his eyes portray
the tiredness his body hides. As a child I listened engrossed to his stories of
valiant warriors and fair maidens, they were like fairytales and dreams. Only
in my teachings did I learn of their truth and only in maturity do I realise
that reality is not like fairytales at all.

 

“Will you ever cross the waters again?” My question somewhat
startles Glorfindel at it’s abruptness but he softens as he realises the
intrigue behind my musings. I watch as he nods solemnly his hand coming to rest
on my own.

 

“Eye’ I will one day. For what it is worth I am bound to
Middle Earth until such time as Elrond leaves it. I am his protector and it is
my hope that I shall travel with him when the time comes. I have already seen
Mandos Halls and I don’t want to go there alone again without it being of my
own choice.” I sigh heavily and nod before turning to fiddle with the corner of
the bed coverlet my mind already playing the fears of Mordor over in my head.

 

“I know how that feels. My death will not be mine to choose wil will perish like those bound to mortality and I shall take that journey
alone.” Disturbed by my thoughts I sit up from the bed and clutch my face in my
hands shutting the world off, as I consider what I shall never have. I hear Glorfindel
sigh sadly before he sits up next to me and places a gentle hand on my
shoulder.

 

“You will return Estel, from this quest, as you have from
the many others before it. You are no stranger to death but unlike many of your
kind, you will face it with stability of heart. Arwen loves you as you do her,
nothing can break that. Lord Elrond is just a father concerned for the welfare
of his daughter. When you return you will return with honour no matter what the
outcome, then he cannot refuse you her hand in marriage. You do not need a
crown upon your head to show your worth. All will be well Estel, I believe it
in my heart.” Turning I stare into Glorfindel’s eyes, his shining hope
alleviating my heart somewhat from its constriction.

 

“I must get some rest the scouts will be coming home soon
and if the news they bring is grievous then the fellowship will be departing
within the next phase of the moon.” Glorfindel nods as he and I rise from the
bed to stand facing each other.

 

“May you sleep well Estel and your heart lie easy in it’s
fear.” Gripping my hand in a warriors stance Glorfindel smiles widely at me
before brushing his free hand down my cheek in comfort. I sigh and turn quickly
and move silently from the room into the corridors of Imaldris. It is cold and
I wrap my robe tighter around mdy ady as I make my way towards my chambers. In
my haste for slumber I do not notice the presence of another heading the
opposite way down the corridor before we collide. I myself hold my chin in
agony from where it seemed to collide with the other’s shoulder while oth other
falls with little grace to the hard slate floor with an exclamation of
surprise.

 

“Legolas?” In the dim light of the Valar I instantly
recognise the figuow sow sprawled out upon the ground and I regretfully offer
my hand towards him for assistance in rising. For a moment my hand remains
untaken as Legolas stares at it almost in fear before awkwardly taking it and
allowing me to help him from the floor.

 

“Aragorn, I apologise for my clumsiness. I was not aware
anyone else was awake.” Legolas seems to shy away from me a blush colouring his
cheeks and the tips of his ears.

 

“No it is I who should apologise, I should look where I am
going.” I smile warmly before glancing at Legolas’s appearance. He is adorned
in his nightly robes, his hair is hanging unbraided around his face while his
feet are bare. He looks almost wild but beautiful all the same.
Self-consciously Legolas pulls the robe tighter around himself as I realise my
extended glance has turned into an awed stare at the creature in front of me.
The air seems to grow thick with guilt all of a sudden as Legolas steps away
from me and lowers his gaze away from mine.

 

“You will excuse me.” Without warning Legolas pushes hastily
past me and swiftly moves down the corridor. Suspicion grows on me as I watch
Legolas address Elrond’s nightly guards at the end of the corridor and is
without question allowed to pass into the chambers. For a moment I remain still
until curiosity and suspicion become too much. Despite Legolas’ more placid
nature he is still King Thranduil’s son and his sneaking about late at night is
more than a little concerning. Moving quickly down the corridor I address the
guards, their unwillingness to tell me of what Legolas had spoken a sure sign
of ill doings. Despite their reluctance to divulge the conversation with the
young prince they allow me access to the Lord’s chambers. I move quickly with
light feet to the door of Elrond’s library. The thin slither of light that
illuminates the darkened halls a sure sign of the occupant’s whereabouts. In
the quietness I hear voices, and move slowly to the ajar door of the library
and carefully peer inside.

 

“I have spoken with Glorfindel already, he agrees it is
improper for the ceremony to take places before my departing with the
fellowship.” Legolas paces in and out of my vision his robes easily flapping
with the flustered movement. Elrond sits quietly observing the young prince his
expression painfully sympathetic towards Legolas’ argument. The elder Lord is
dressed much the same as someone who has been disturbed from their sleep, his
hair in tangles and his robe in disarray.

 

“And I neither have any grievances with what you are
suggesting Greenleaf, but it is you Fathers wishes.” Legolas pauses in his
pacing as Elrond sits forward in his chair to calmly address the flustered
young prince. “He wants you married Legolas, you have known this for sometime,
it should come as no surprise that he wishes it to be so before you depart.” In
amazement I watch as Legolas fury culminates and he turns around to throw the
small water glass he is holding into the far wall. The shattering pieces fall
loudly to the ground echoing around the chambers.

 

“To Mordor and the fires of hell with my father. I am not a
child any more, and he is not my keeper. I will not be treated as an elfling
just out of his minority. I shall not leave a wife behind with an unforseen
future on whether I shall ever return, even more so a wife which I do not love.
It is cruel and against everything I have been taught and I will not do it.”
Legolas all but screams his elvish curses to Elrond his hands clenched tightly
in fists at his side.

 

“Legolas!” With a chastising growl Elrond rises hastily to
his feet and moves to stand menacingly behind the youth. I am exceedingly
curious to what will come next, it is not like Elrond to chastise so harshly.
“Calm yourself, I shall not hear of you waking half of Rivendell with your
childish tantrum.” I raise an amused eyebrow and smiled to myself as Legolas
sighs heavily and allows his shoulders to slump, the proud warrior I met at the
council looking suddenly vulnerable and hurt. There is a silence before Elrond
gently places his hand on the young princes shoulder. “Come ‘melme’ you must
fulfil your duties as you were meant to. You knew this was coming, we have
talked about it before. Do not make it harder than it already will be, if it
will not be born of love then let respect guide your relationship instead.” In
awe I watch as Elrond leads Legolas to his seat allowing the younger elf to
kneel at his feet as Elrond sits upon his chair. Instantly Legolas snuggles
into Elrond’s knee as the elder’s hands begin gently stroking the golden
threads of Legolas hair.

 

“Will you at least make him see reason to postpone the
marriage till my return with the fellowship?” Legolas’ voice has lost its
intensity and has become now merely a whisper as he closes his eyes in sadness.
I watch as Elrond stares softly at the youth at his feet and nods slowly.


”Eye, I shall.” There is a pause as Legolas sits up from Elrond’s knee and
stares at him hopefully. “But you must tell me something truthfully before I do
so.” Legolas nods and I watch as he lovingly kisses Elrond’s hand awaiting the
question. Elrond takes a small intake of air before resting back in his chair.
“Would you be as determined to postpone your marriage to Genevieve had Aragorn
not been departing with the fellowship?” Unablesuppsuppress a gasp at my sudden
entrance into the conversation I cover my mouth foolishly too late and step
back from the opening in the door, hoping that I have not been discovered as
Elrond and Legolas look towards the entrance. For a moment there is silence
before Elrond assures Legolas it was only the guards yawning in the corridor.

 

“I fear I do not understand the question that is asked of
me, what is it you wish to know that concerns the ranger?” I relax a little and
move back to look into the library after I am sure the pair inside have not
seen me. I hear Elrond chuckle lightly as he brushes his hand down the side of
Legolas’ face.

 

“You do not play me for a fool Legolas. Is your protest to
the marriage solely born from your morals or is it more matters of the heart
and to whom you have already given it to? For I will not defend this protest if
I will gain your fathers fury at you coming home from the fellowship bound to
another? I will not risk alliances between Rivendell’s people and that of
Mirkwood just because of a folly of attraction.” The conversation has taken a
confusing turn but as little as I know Legolas seems to gain the hidden meaning
behind Elrond’s words. Slowly the young elf rises from Elrond’s feet and
vehemently shakes his head.

 

“If you mean that I have feelings for the ranger, you are
surely mistaken. I care nothing for a man who is so weak and ashamed of his own
race as to become a ranger and deny his duties as heir to the Throne of
Gondor.” I step back immediately from the door at Legolas’ snarling comment
unsure all of a sudden of the elf’s friendship with me. “I only wish to be
released from an engagement that contains no love, so that I may make my own
decision, just as others are allowed.” An anger flashes through me as I realise
the malice intended by Legolas words about me and I clench my fists at my side.
“Besides the ranger seems to have a keen interest in the hobbit named Frodo. He
spends far too much time staring at him as one already committed should.” The
sarcasm, which taints Legolas last comment, makes me ropable and I turn hastily
from the door, unable to listen further to the comments. I have no doubt in my
mind now that Legolas is not the right elf to be accompanying Frodo on the
quest. Despite his archery skills the emotional baggage and malice that las las
carries with him far outweigh his skills and ultimately will affect the
fellowship. In my angered resolve to talk to Elrond in the morning I forget to
silence the guards of my presence as I pass them back towards my own chamber.
It is a mistake I will for for in the morning.

 

TBC………………..