Wedding Plans

Erestor took a deep breath and dismounted from his horse. He loved LothLorien at this time of year. It was breathtaking. It was still early autumn and the trees had all turned a brilliant gold or amber. Hundreds of song birds adorned each tree, filling the forest with their cheerful ballads. The air was still warm with just a hint of that winter chill waiting at the edge of every breeze.

It was beautiful. So why was Erestor sad to see it?

After a warm welcome from Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel and a dismissal from Elrond, Erestor was shown to what was to be his room for the next six days or so. He washed up and changed into fresh clothes, glad to be rid of the feel of dirt and grim.

Erestor combed his hair out; his hands shaking slightly and a lump lodged in his throat he couldn’t quiet swallow as he worked the knots from his dark mane. Lorien… they were here… which meant…
He thought back to his conversation with his lord on the road to the Golden Wood.
----
“Erestor, you can relax,” Elrond tried again to sooth his councilor’s rapidly fraying nerves.

“But, my Lord, I won’t know how to act… and won’t everyone know that he’s, well, not actually sincere?” Erestor asked, wincing at his own words but for once at a loss of how to say what was troubling him. Elrond let out a great sigh and shot the dark elf a look, trying to convey that he’d had quiet enough.

“Erestor, you know as well as I how much Glorfindel values his privacy and anonymity. He uses an alias for the sake of the Valar,” Elrond started for the last time. “The only ones who even know that he’s an escort are the Lord and Lady of Lorien, you, and myself. No one will know. As for how to act, I’ve told Glorfindel to treat you as if you’re newer lovers but have been together for at least a few months.”

Erestor sighed and looked down at his hands. He didn’t think he could do this. How could he pretend to have given his heart to the golden elf when he had done his best to erect a stone wall around it. Of course he remembered how he had acted with Sirloke, but he’d rather shoot an arrow through his foot then pretend he was that vulnerable again.

Elrond saw the conflicting emotions in his friend.

“Trust me, Erestor… it will all work out.”
----

Erestor shook his dark head and stood, smoothing his black robes unnecessarily before looking at himself sternly in the mirror. He clenched his hands, trying to still their shaking.

“You are not nervous!” he directed his reflection with much more conviction than he felt. “You are chief councilor of Imladris… you will not get flustered and embarrassed in front of the whole of Lorien.”

Swallowing… hard… Erestor straightened his robs one last time and headed down to meet his… date.

“Glorfindel!” A voice called from across the large clearing used for arrivals. The golden warrior turned from his horse to see the lord of Imladris striding towards him, flanked more slowly by Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel. Even further back was the dark form of one elusive chief councilor, Erestor.

Glorfindel had to hide his smile at the ‘no-nonsense’ expression on the somber advisor’s face. He was looking forward to try and smooth out those frown lines.

“My Lord Elrond,” the large elf greeted, bowing slightly before embracing arms with the lord who had called to him.

“It is good to see you my friend,” Elrond said, smiling broadly. “I trust your trip went well.”

“Of course,” Glorfindel replied. He then turned to the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. “My lord and lady.”

“Glorfindel,” was the simple greeting from Celeborn, a smile on the elven lord’s lips.

“Glorfindel, welcome,” Galadriel said, taking his face in hand and kissing the top of his golden head. “It is always good to see you, mellon-nin.”

“Like wise, My Lady.” Glorfindel looked then to the silent shadow of an advisor standing shyly beyond the welcoming party. With a nod from Elrond, Glorfindel approached the councilor, who seemed to be trying to make himself as small as possible.

“Erestor,” he greeted happily, lightly embracing the now rapidly blushing elf and giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

Elrond tried not to laugh at the look on his friend’s face. Erestor probably hadn’t been sure what to expect… but apparently he hadn’t anticipated such a warm welcome. After a brief moment, Erestor managed to find his voice.

“Glorfindel,” he said quietly, his face a lovely shade of red as he attempted to keep his features stern.

“Sorry I couldn’t be there to travel with you from Imladris,” Glorfindel continued, apparently unaware of how his close proximity was affecting the other elf. “I trust the journey went well?”

“Q-quiet well,” Erestor answered, dreading the small quaver in his voice as he felt the golden elf take his hand gently. He cleared his throat and dared to look up into brilliant blue eyes. “And how faired your own journey?”

Erestor felt his face flush a little more at Glorfindel’s warm chuckle, whether he did so because he liked the sound, or because he realized how foolish his own formality sounded, he wasn’t sure.

“It was well enough,” Glorfindel smiled and brushed a hand over Erestor’s cheek. “However, I am glad to finally be near you again.”

“Findel,” Elrond cut in, saving the pale elf from having to answer. “Perhaps Erestor can show you to you quarters? He’s already settled in.”

Erestor’s face went from cherry red to deathly pale in the span of three seconds. Elrond nearly smirked. He had conveniently forgotten to mention to the councilor that he and the golden elf would be sharing a room.

Erestor sent a subtle glare at the goading lord of Imladris before clearing his throat to regain Glorfindel’s attention.

“It’s just this way,” he started lamely. “Do you have a pack?”

Glorfindel smiled warmly again and nodded, slinging his pack over his rather broad shoulder.

“Always,” he smiled, loving how Erestor grew shy once more. “Lead the way, my Erestor.”

Erestor inwardly blanched at the title before nodding and leading the golden elf towards his, their, rooms.

Kuragari: that’s it for now. In character so far? ^^