The Sweet Sound of Music

CHAPTER 3


The morning found Glorfindel well rested and at peace. With a happy
spring in his gait, he headed to Ecthelion's room. They would have
breakfast in the main hall and Glorfindel would make the announcement
there.

When they arrived, Glorfindel was disappointed to not see
Erestor at the table. That in itself was not odd; however, when
Elrond was gone Erestor usually took his place at the head of the
table. `Oh well,' Glorfindel thought. When it was clear that all the
elves coming were seated, Glorfindel stood and addressed the
congregation.

"My friends," he began in a loud voice. "Last night a
blessing was bestowed on us all. Beside me sits an elf that all have
heard of. Beside me sits the other Balrog slayer! Ecthelion!"
There was a sudden moment of oppressive silence. Ecthelion had urged
Glorfindel to not do this, especially with his Lord absent. But when
Glorfindel set his mind on something, one would have an easier time
trying to get a deer from a warg's jaws. A thunderous cheer arose as
those present finally digested what they heard. Glorfindel raised
his hands to quite the room. "Furthermore, there will be a welcome
celebration when Lord Elrond returns." A cheer followed before the
masses returned to their breakfast. The whispers, of course,
continued.

"He is as fair as it is said." One elleth could be heard
saying.
"His return cannot bode well." One of the guards whispered
to his companion.
"Do you think they really were lovers?" Another said with a
conspiring gleam in his eye.

It was beginning again, Ecthelion thought. He hated being
the subject of talk. It was bad enough in his first life; now it was
unbearable! He finished eating in relative silence. After
breakfast, the dark warrior accompanied his friend through the daily
routine. That included going over reports with a certain advisor.

When the knock came, Erestor sighed and centered
himself. `Be polite,' he reminded himself. Aloud he called, "Enter."

Glorfindel peeked into the office with a contrite look on his
face. "Um, do you have a moment?" He inquired.

"Captain, I am buried under a pile of correspondence. As
nothing has occurred on the boarders, I think we can skip this
morning's briefing." It had sounded a bit harsher than planned.

There it was again…the use of a title. Something was off with
his friend, but who could tell for sure. "I understand that,
Counselor," Glorfindel countered coolly. "However, I would like to
introduce you to the newest resident of Imladris." He stepped further
into the room with a sheepish looking Ecthelion trailing behind.

Erestor never looked up, nor did he stop writing. "I believe
that was handled last eve. Please close the door as you two leave."
Glorfindel stared in stunned silence at his friend. Realizing that
the matter was closed, he quietly left.

In the hall he turned to his friend. "Sorry, I do not know what his
problem is. Stern and aloof, yes. Rude... No."

Ecthelion thought about the night before. "Tell me meldir, who
stands in the place of your lord when he is absent?" Glorfindel gave
him a puzzled look.

"Erestor does."

"Well it seems to me that he is a bit hurt." When it was clear that
Glorfindel was clueless, he continued. "It is his place to welcome
me; his decision to allow me to stay or not. You took that away from
him."

The golden lord gave his friend a disbelieving look. "Erestor is not
so egotistical! I am sure he understood the circumstances. That is
just Erestor being Erestor."

Ecthelion just shook his head. Some things never change. The Lord
of the Fountain hated attention and the Lord of the Golden Flower was
clueless. He hoped that Erestor did not detest him too much. He was
certain that they would have to speak at some point in time. "Tell
me…how did he know I was there? I made no sound and he never looked
up?"

Glorfindel smiled. "Like I said, that is just Erestor."

That evening, going against his better judgment, Erestor went to
the library and sat down at the chess table. Nothing had changed; at
least not as far as the game went. `You are too old to behave like
this,' he scolded himself. `Not once did Fin ever give any
indication of wanting more than friendship. You need to handle
this. Ecthelion is not going away.' With that thought, the chief
councilor of Imladris retired to his quarters.

At the barracks, talk was all about Ecthelion. Glorfindel introduced
him to the guards, and at once they all wanted to hear the real
story. Ecthelion put on his most pleasant mask and told and retold
the story many times that night.

"Hey," Glorfindel stood, "I nearly forgot that Erestor and I never
finished that game of chess. I am sure he is waiting for me. If you
get tired before I return, one of these cretins can guide you." He
gave an apologetic look as he dashed out the door. `I hope he is not
too cross,' he thought, `I am really late.'

Upon entering the dim library, Glorfindel realized that the dark
haired beauty was not there. He strolled to his office expecting to
see Erestor still diligently working. He was quite surprised to find
himself wrong. "Wonder were he is," he mused aloud. His heart did a
sudden plummet as a thought crossed his mind…what if Erestor did not
want to finish the game? Was Ecthelion right? Had he stepped on his
dear friend's toes? Being too late to do anything about it now, he
headed back to the barracks. He was stunned to find Ecthelion gone.
"I'm not sure, Captain." One guard said. "He left shortly after
you did."

"Sir."

Glorfindel turned back to the soldier, "Yes?"

"Well, we are all wondering. Were you and Lord Ecthelion
lovers?"

Glorfindel raised both his eyebrows in shock, then rolled his
eyes and turned away with an exasperated "humph".

After he left, a unanimous sigh was heard. "You know you will
probably be guarding the horses for that? And you didn't even get an
answer." As the young guard dropped onto his bunk, his companions
had a good laugh.

After leaving the barracks, Ecthelion made a quick stop to pick
up his beloved flute, then he quietly made his way out into the garden.
He followed a path leading him away from the main building. Finding
a nice oak tree, he sat down under its branches and began to play.
Despite what history seemed to say about him, the Lord of the
Fountain did not like crowds or the limelight like Glorfindel did.
He always just went along for the ride. He always preferred to find
a quiet place and play. It was very soothing to his soul.

"It is as they say. Your playing is extraordinary, my Lord."

Ecthelion's eyes snapped up. If he did not know that the Lord
of the valley was away, he would be convinced that the lithe yet regal
elf before him was Lord Elrond.