All I ask of you

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

---

Chapter 3.

Erestor raised his head, when Glorfindel stormed into library. He
startled, seeing that his friend was obviously upset.

“Glor? What had happened??" He asked

.

“I had to come and tell you! That filthy little skunk! I wish
I could strangle him!” Glorfindel growled, pacing around.

“Glor! Calm down and tell me. How can I help you if I
don’t know who he is that you are cursing so heavily?”

“Why isn't Melpomaen at work?” Glorfindel demanded.
/>

“Mel? I didn’t know that my staff is any of your
concern, but I sent him to rest. He was quite exhausted. Now, you will tell
me what happened. Is Mel all right? Why in Arda you are asking about
him like that?” Erestor said, confused.

“He is NOT all right! He was harassed by
Imladris’ most underhanded bastard! Luckily, I came to his aid before
he was hurt seriously.”

Erestor flinched.

“You cannot mean… Feredir (Hunter)! What did that poor
excuse for an elf do to Mel?”

“He tried to kiss him by force, and mocked Mel cruelly. That's
when I came and saved him. It was horrible! You should have
seen how devastated he was. He cried, Erestor! Because of
Feredir’s filthy lies!”

Erestor struggled to keep his anger in bay.

“You can be sure that Feredir will soon regret he ever laid
his eyes upon Melpomaen. His ways have always been sickening, but now he
has gone too far.” He said coldly.

“What you going to do to him?” Glorfindel wanted to
know.

“Leave him to me. I know exactly the right punishment for
that scoundrel.”

Glorfindel studied his friend, and decided that he didn’t
want to know. Erestor was a good friend, trustworthy and caring. However,
as an enemy… he could be terrifying. His quick wit and sharp
tongue were well known at Imladris’ council, and no one in his
right mind would dare to annoy him. 

Erestor thought about the situation for a moment.  He needed
help with this, but he was little hesitant to ask for it. He feared it
would cost him too much.  But, finally, he decided that any
payment wouldn't be too high for Glorfindel and Mel.

“Go now. I have to think. Would you send Elladan and Elrohir
to me?” He said quietly.

Glorfindel left, and went in search of Elrond’s sons. He was
sure that Erestor’s plan would be successful. If one needed help
in any mischief, the twins would be the right elves for the job. He
smiled, thinking of the coming evening. Feredir would surely endure his
well-earned punishment, and Melpomaen had promised him one dance. Life
was indeed wonderful!

---

Erestor’s heart started to race, when he heard familiar
voices nearing. All too soon, he saw two identical younglings rushing in.
They really were beautiful to look at, and their charm was deadly! Not
even he was immune to it. Particularly not him.

“Erestor! You summoned us. How…”

“… can we can help you?”

Erestor stared at the twins wordlessly. Had he been wrong,
thinking he should ask for their help? Or rather, could he pay the price they
surely would require? After long hesitation, he decided to continue. He
couldn’t accomplish his plan alone.

“I need your help.” He said, struggling not to shiver
under the twins’ gazes. Silently, he wondered how they succeeded
to unbalance him like no one else. Elladan and Elrohir had always been
very dear to him, but after they have reached their majority, this
affection had turned into Erestor’s secret shame. How in Arda he
could tell anyone that he desired his former students… and not
only into his bed, but to love him, as much as he loved them. For a long
time he had been scared that they would notice the true nature of his
feelings. Lately, his situation had worsened, when the twins had
occasionally tried to seduce him. He was sure they were just playing with
him, but he couldn’t tell them to stop it.

“Anything for you, Erestor. Just tell us what you want and
you will have it.” the twins promised enthusiastically. 
/>

Erestor quickly explained the situation to twins, and saw how their
faces turned serious.

“We should have been guessed! He is disgusting. And
little Mel in his filthy hands… it is an unbearable
thought.” Elladan said, shuddering.

“I assume that you are still willing to help me?”

“Of course. That skunk really needs a lesson or two, on how to
treat people.” the twins said.

Erestor told them about his plan, and the twins chuckled
delighted.

“Oh Erestor! You are not only beautiful, but also your dirty
mind matches our own! Your plan is brilliant!”

Erestor smiled wickedly, and bowed his head.

“I’m glad of your approval.” He said coyly.

“Where are you going to get that tea we need?”

“Leave it to me. I have my methods to get what I
want.”

“We know it. And that is the reason we love you so
much.” The twins snorted.

Erestor’s insides turned cold, and his heart ached. How much
he wanted that their words were true! But that never can be, he knew it
full well.  Absently, he dismissed the twins, and tried to focus
his task. He had to make sure that Feredir would never forget this
night.

---

 

Melpomaen wondered if he should go to the dinner at all. Glorfindel
would surely be there, and maybe that horrible Feredir, too. He
shuddered. He thought that he never wanted to meet that obnoxious elf again.
There was something else too, which made him pensive. He wasn’t
quite sure what to think about Glorfindel. The Lord had been so kind,
and every now and then he had seemed being almost interested in
him… But on the other hand… why Glorfindel hadn’t kissed
him then, when he had had a chance? Maybe his kindness, and also that
wish to dance with him, was only pity?

Finally he decided that he had nothing to loose, anyway. He just
had to be careful and stay with others, so that Feredir wouldn’t
get any chance to pursue him.  As for Glorfindel… he just
had to wait and see. Only time will tell what his intentions had been.
He surely would be disappointed if the Lord wouldn’t ask him to
dance, but had he never truly believed in his chances with him. If
Melpomaen was honest to himself, the answer was no.

After long and thorough preparation, Melpomaen was finally pleased
with his appearance. He usually braided his hair at work, but tonight
he wore it loose. He had his best robes on, the ones he had never worn
before. It was deep-green velvet with golden embroidery, and the color
made his skin glow and hair shine. He looked at himself in the
mirror, and let himself dream for one moment. Maybe, if the Valar were
gracious, his greatest dream would become truth.

---

Glorfindel was nervous. He chided himself for his stupidity, but he
couldn’t stop his thoughts and dreams. Was it possible, that
Melpomaen’s feelings were something more than gratitude or
admiration? How he hoped they were!

He wasn’t quite sure, but had he seen disappointment in
Melpomaen’s eyes, when he had left without kissing him? Leaving
Melpomaen had been almost painful, but what else he could do? Melpomaen had
suffered enough for one day. He didn’t need any more unwanted
advances.

But Melpomaen had promised to dance with him tonight. Maybe, if he
were lucky, he could steal from him a little kiss.

And maybe… if Valar were gracious, his greatest dream would
become truth.