Wedding Plans

Glorfindel placed his pack down next to the travelers’ chest kept near the foot of the spacious bed and turned to the silent councilor. Erestor hadn’t moved from his uneasy stance in front of the closed door and was looking at his feet. Glorfindel wanted to grin at the councilor’s shy nature, but held it back fearing that Erestor would see it and mistake it for mocking.

The two had been casual friends off and on for years now, never really becoming more then acquaintances. Glorfindel had always admired the quiet elf from afar, knowing the main reason they had never become close was Glorfindel’s line of work. Erestor was no innocent, he knew some elves offered companionship for pay, but he had never really understood why or been comfortable around those that did.

At long last, Erestor raised his dark eyes to the blonde standing across from him, watching him patiently.

“I-I’m certain you must want to rest before dinner is held,” he started awkwardly, turning towards the door. “I should allow you to get settled…”

“Councilor Erestor,” Glorfindel called, stopping the dark elf from leaving. Erestor turned around, surprised at the formal title. Though, he nearly fell over completely as the golden elf swept into a deep bow. “I feel I must ask your forgiveness for the current circumstances.”

Erestor blinked a few times, unsure how to respond. Luckily, Glorfindel solved the problem for him.

“I was lead to understand that you had requested my service specifically by Lord Elrond. Given your confused and embarrassed demeanor downstairs, I take it that this was not true and that Lord Elrond went behind your back in soliciting my help for the next week or so,” the warrior explained himself. Finally straightening he offered an apologetic smile to the councilor. “And so I must ask for your forgiveness. It was not my intention to make things awkward for you during your stay in Lorien.”

Erestor couldn’t help but smile a little. So, Glorfindel had been deceived as well by Elrond. His lord was certainly a tricky one.

The dark elf felt a great sense of relief at the warrior’s words. He was glad to hear that Glorfindel was taking his feelings into account and he realized that had the warrior not cared about his discomfort, things could have been a lot more awkward in the courtyard.

“Thank you for your consideration, Glorfindel,” he began quietly, lowering his gaze to the floor. “It’s… nice to know I was not the only one fallen prey to our cunning lord.”

Glorfindel chuckled slightly, glad to hear Erestor sounding a little less formal with him. The small smile on the councilor’s face was enchanting and Glorfindel found himself wondering what a full smile would look like. In all his years, he’d never seen the councilor smile fully.

“If you would prefer we can cancel the arrangement. I do not wish to make this harder on you then I imagine it will be,” the golden elf offered. He immediately regretted his choice of words as what little humor that had graced Erestor’s features dissipated.

“You know of that? My… situation I mean.”

Glorfindel swallowed hard, considering his answer carefully. He didn’t want to let… certain things slip before he was prepared to reveal them.

“I was informed, as were many others, when… the incident happened and was re-informed of the matter by Lord Elrond,” he answered slowly, unsure of the dark elf’s reaction. It was true that Elrond had reminded him of what he was trying to keep Erestor distracted for, but it wasn’t like Glorfindel had ever been able to forget. He had been one of the many elves holding vigil in Imladris until the councilor had recovered, hoping and praying to the Valar each day that the enigmatic and calming elf would make it through his heartache. He had also joined in the dancing and revelry on the day of Erestor’s recovery.

“Well… I suppose that’s just as well,” Erestor began, keeping his eyes on the floor. He had only recently begun to discover just how far news of his plight had traveled. It seemed every elf in Arda had known and now wished to offer their sympathies as they came to Lorien. He was a very private elf by nature… and having something so personal be common knowledge… it was very disconcerting.

“A-and to answer your question, Glorfindel,” he plunged ahead, trying to ignore the ghosts lingering in the back of his mind. “I… do not necessarily wish to end our… arrangement…”

Glorfindel’s blue eyes widened impossibly at that.

“Truly?”

“W-well…” the councilor tried to explain, a delightful blush adorning his cheeks. “We have always been distant acquaintances and in all truthfulness, I have always wished for an opportunity for the two of us to… get to know one another. Perhaps even become close friends…”

Glorfindel felt his smile returning at Erestor’s shy nature. There was an adorable hint of hopefulness in the last statement that had sent warm shivers down the golden elf’s spine.

“I would very much like that as well, Erestor,” he began, loving the shy manner in which those obsidian eyes darted up to meet his. “However, Elrond has given everyone here the impression that you and I are lovers. Somehow I doubt that public cuddles and kisses were part of your vision of our friendship together.”

Erestor felt his blush intensify as he remembered the feel of those lips against his skin in the loving gesture that Glorfindel had greeted him with.

“T-true… I had not considered that,” he admitted sheepishly. In all honestly, he had been so excited about becoming friends with the alluring elf he had always been curious about… that he had completely forgotten the true nature of their arrangement.

Glorfindel approached him, that same disarming smile on his face. Gently, keeping in mind that one wrong move could send Erestor running, Glorfindel took one of the councilor’s hands between his own.

“However, if you truly wish we carry on, I believe it may help put many minds to rest during this event, including your own. His lordship sounded very concerned about you and I’m certain that if he feels I’m sufficiently… distracting you he will be able to truly relax and enjoy the event,” he prompted. Yes, it was a little selfish to play to the councilor’s undying devotion to his lord… but if the elf was honest with himself, this was a job Glorfindel really didn’t want to walk away from.

Erestor swallowed hard when the tall elf tenderly encompassed his hand with two of his own much larger ones. It was such a caring gesture that Erestor found himself unable to recall ever receiving… even from Sirloke when they had been together. The warrior had labeled them frivolous and had avoided the ‘weakening sentiments.’

It was true what Glorfindel said about Elrond. His lord would not be able to fully relax if he was constantly worrying about Erestor relapsing into his depression… and the same could be said for the twins. Erestor had yet to see Elladan and Elrohir, but he knew that they would share their father’s sentiments. And he really wanted Elrohir to enjoy himself.

Blushing, he looked down at their entwined hands and ever so slightly curled his fingers around Glorfindel’s.

“I-I see your point…” the councilor mumbled, avoiding the golden elf’s gaze.

Glorfindel took a chance and carefully tilted the councilor’s face up. The dark elf still wouldn’t quiet meet his gaze, the dark eyes shifting nervously up and away.

“However we both have to become accustomed to displays of affection,” he explained.

He then bent his head and placed a lingering kiss on the corner of Erestor’s mouth, pulling back after a moment to gage his new ‘friend’s’ reaction.

Kuragari: K, there we go! Sorry about the long wait. Bit of a pattern with me I'm afraid.