All I ask of you

Disclaimer: Sad but true: they are not mine. I
just play with them. No one pays me.

---

Chapter 2.

Melpomaen almost panicked, seeing Lord Erestor’s face turning
serious. He struggled to not flinch under that piercing gaze. 
What a fool he had been, when he had told the truth. What if he were
banished from his job now, maybe even from Imladris? Silence between them
continued, and Melpomaen could hear his heart’s rapid pounding in
his ears.

“Glorfindel… I see”, Erestor finally said. He saw
full well Melpomaen’s distress but couldn’t ease his
mind, not yet. First he had to be sure that the youth’s feelings
were real, for both of their sakes.

“I… I’m sorry! I shouldn’t
have…”, Melpomaen began, but Erestor waved him to silence.

“I’m not mad at you, pen-neth if that’s what you
think.  I just want to be sure that your feelings are not that
hero-worshipping I told you about. Glorfindel has had enough for that
kind of foolishness. ”

“They are not! I could never… How anyone could not see
his beauty? The gentleness that shines from his every cell? I have
seen how he adores elflings, animals, and how he always cherishes even
smallest and weakest ones. How could anyone not to love him?”
/>

Melpomaen calmed a little when he saw Lord Erestor’s face
softening into light smile.

“Fine. I believe you. I am sorry when I pressed you so, but
Glorfindel is like brother to me. I don’t want to see him
hurt”, Erestor said, much more warmly.

“I understand. Though I must admit that I was quite scared
for a moment. I thought you would get angry with me”, Melpomaen
whispered shakily. This encounter had been quite frightening.

“Oh, pen-neth. I really am sorry. What if you went to rest
for a while? You have been working so hard lately. I owe you that, after
giving you such shock”, Erestor suggested gently.

Melpomaen left gratefully. He felt quite dizzy at the moment. Maybe
a short walk in fresh air would help.

---

Melpomaen decided to visit the stables, to see how his mare was
doing. He loved his horse. She was all he had left from his parents who
had sailed for Aman a while ago. He was all alone in Arda now, and he
hoped that someday he would feel that Imladris was his home. So far, he
had enjoyed his stay, but sometimes he longed something more. Or
rather, someone to love, not just passing and insignificant friendships.
But, could he ever find peace and happiness, as long as he cherished
fool hopes of someone he could never have?

He was almost at his destination when his walking was stopped
abruptly. Someone had gripped his arm, and didn’t let him go.

“Look at that little cutey, my friends! Isn’t he
adorable?” The tall, blond elf laughed at his friends, and pulled him
closer. Melpomaen tried to struggle away, but the elf was bigger and
far too strong to him.

“Let me go!”, he snapped, but the elf
obviously had no intentions to oblige.

“Oh my, you are not only pretty, but fiery as well! I must
admit that I’m quite smitten with you. Give me a kiss and I will
let you go”, the elf smirked. His friends around them spurred him
on.

“No! I don’t want to. Let me go, saes”, Melpomaen
whispered, embarrassed. His situation began to sink in on him, and he
got tears in his eyes. How in Arda would he get away from this
terrible trouble? He tried desperately to think of something to do, when
suddenly, an angry voice boomed behind him.

“Take your filthy hands off of him!
Now!”

The elf let him go so quickly, that Melpomaen stumbled onto his
back.

“So, Glorfindel the Great had arrived again, clad in his shiny
armor. I can guess that you want this little tidbit all for yourself!
Why you are the only one here who has permission to enjoy his
charms?” The elf said, bitterly.

“I have warned you several times, Feredir (Hunter). You
don’t seem understand that when someone says no, he means it. And no
one in this valley is obliged to submit to you against his
will.”

Melpomaen flinched when he saw his savior. His cheeks flamed with
embarrassment. Why, it just had to be him.
Melpomaen didn’t dare meet the elda’s gaze when he lifted
him up.

“Are you all right, pen-neth?” Glorfindel asked him
gently.

“I am. Can I go now?” He whispered, staring blindly at
the ground.

“Oh how sweet! I’m sure that you will greatly enjoy his
tight little ass.” Feredir mocked.

Melpomaen froze, trying desperately to hold back his tears. He had
never felt so ashamed as at this moment, and his agony deepened at the
thought that Lord Glorfindel was witnessing his shame. He never could
see him again, without remembering this.

“What a monster you are, Feredir! You have no right to talk
to Melpomaen like this! If you don’t apologize immediately, you
will be mucking out the stable for the next decade, warrior though you
may be!” Glorfindel shouted angrily. Melpomaen could see that
the elda finally started to lose his temper.

“You can wait until the waters of Arda run dry,
Balrog-slayer! I won’t fawn upon you. Not ever.”

“All right. Then suffer your well deserved punishment. You
are removed from your post. If you aren't very careful, you will find
yourself banished from Imladris”, Glorfindel said coldly. Then he
took Melpomaen’s arm, escorting him back to the house.  He
ignored the young elf’s obvious attempts to get rid of him. He
couldn’t leave him alone, before he was sure that Melpomaen was
all right. When they finally had made their way to the elf’s
chambers, Glorfindel stopped him.

“Melpomaen. Look at me, saes.” He said softly. After a
long wait, the young elf finally met his gaze. Glorfindel's heart ached
at seeing how Melpomaen’s eyes were full of pain and tears. He
couldn’t just go and leave the young elf alone in his anguish.
/>

“Can I go now, My Lord? I don’t think I can take much
more.” Melpomaen begged, feeling his breaking point rapidly
approaching. He was sure that Lord Glorfindel would despise him now, because
of his weakness. How he could go on, after this humiliation?

“Don’t listen to him, pen- neth. He is but a bitter and
malicious fool, nothing more.” Glorfindel said, trying to offer
at least a little consolation.

Melpomaen couldn’t answer. He couldn’t think. Suddenly,
he broke out in tears, sobbing desperately.

Glorfindel did the only thing he could; he took the sobbing elf in
his arms, trying to soothe him. He had hoped silently that their
embrace would have happened in different circumstances, but nevertheless he
enjoyed holding his beloved close.  When Glorfindel finally felt
Melpomaen calming, he was almost sad because of it. How he wanted to
keep this adorable creature in his arms, forever. But that wasn’t
possible, not now, and he knew it. Reluctantly, Glorfindel freed the
young elf from his embrace.

“Are you feeling better now?” He asked, wondering why
his voice sounded so hoarse.

“I am. Thank you, My Lord. I don’t know what would have
happened without you coming to my aid. I’m sorry I haven't
thanked you sooner.” Melpomaen said shyly, starting to realize how
close Glorfindel still stood. And how The Lord had held him, only a
moment ago.  He blushed, despite his former afflictions.

“You owe me no apologies. I’m glad I could help
you.” Glorfindel smiled, relieved.

“How can I ever thank you enough, for your help, My
Lord?”

Melpomaen’s heart started to race, when Glorfindel leaned
little closer, a hopeful smile on his beautiful face.

“Oh, there are a few things, I imagine… first, I hope
that you would call me Glorfindel.”

“Aye, anything you say My… Glorfindel.”

Melpomaen was confused seeing Glorfindel’s smile growing but
then he realized what he has just said. He had called the Lord his
Glorfindel! How utterly embarrassing!

“Just like that… my beautiful Mel. And there is another
thing I ask of you.”

“What… what that would be”, Melpomaen gasped,
feeling Glorfindel’s breath on his cheek, when the elda leaned to
whisper into his ear.

“Would you give me the honor of dancing with you
tonight?”

“Oh… aye! I would love to, if that is what you
want.” Mel stuttered, daring not to believe in his luck. Would
Glorfindel kiss him now? Oh… he was so close…

“I wait for that. We well meet tonight then, my beautiful
Melpomaen.”

Mel closed his eyes, waiting Glorfindel’s kiss but suddenly
he found him gone. Without kissing him. Melpomaen stepped slowly into
his chambers, feeling dizzy and wondering what had happened.