Thawing the Ice

Chapter 31--Heart to Heart

Usually the gardens brought Elrond peace, but tonight it wasn't working. He couldn't understand what was wrong with Celebrian. She seemed upset by the idea of a relationship between Glorfindel and Erestor and he didn't understand why. Finally he turned to return to their suite.

Celebrian heard the door open and shut when Elrond entered their sitting room. She waited, but he didn't enter the bedroom. After waiting awhile she stood up and pulled on her robe.

Elrond heard their bedroom door open and looked up from the book he was reading. "I thought you were asleep," he said.

"I was waiting for you to come back," Celebrian said. She sat down beside him. "I also wanted to tell you that I am sorry."

Elrond laid the book aside and drew his lady into his arms. "Tell me what is troubling you, my love," he coaxed.

Celebrian leaned against her head against her husband's chest, listening to his heartbeat. It was soothing and familiar sound. "Not right now, I do not want to discuss it. Just hold me, please, just hold me," she whispered.

"Always, love, always," Elrond said and held her close.

Meanwhile

Erestor awoke to find a lock of blonde hair tickling his cheek. He brushed the blonde lock away, tucking it behind one pointed ear. He looked up into a pair of sky blue eyes.

"Good morn, lirimaer," Glorfindel said.

"Good morn. How long have you been awake?" Erestor asked.

"About an hour, you looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you," Glorfindel said.

"Aiya! I am going to be late! I have to go," Erestor said. He threw back the covers and started to get up.

Glorfindel pulled him back and kissed him passionately before letting him go.

Erestor was sure his toes had permanently curled. He had to force himself to leave the bed and dress. He paused to look in the mirror, noting his badly rumpled state. "I look terrible!" he said.

Glorfindel got up and walked over to his lover, unconcerned by the fact he was still nude. He put his arms around Erestor, pulling him close.

“Glorfindel! I have to go!" Erestor protested. He pulled away reluctantly.

"Are you sure?" Glorfindel purred seductively.

"Yes, but I admit I wish I was not," Erestor said. He gave the blonde Elf a final kiss then left.

Smirking, Glorfindel went to take a bath and dress. He had new recruits to train and patrols to schedule.

Erestor was very late, so he took a brief bath and dressed properly. He brushed out his hair, braided it then rushed to Elrond's office.

Elrond looked up when the advisor entered. "You are over an hour late," he said.

"My apologies, my Lord," Erestor said.

Elrond examined the advisor then grinned. “It is alright. I am sure you had a busy night. That passion mark on your neck is quite telling,” he said.

Erestor blushed.

Elrond laughed. “Here is today’s urgent paperwork,” he said.

Erestor took it and gratefully escaped to his office.

It was nearly time for lunch when Glorfindel sauntered into the office. "Hello, lirimaer," he said. "May I escort you to lunch?"

"I am quite capable of finding my way to the dining hall," Erestor said, but he smiled.

"I know that, but I also know that you will get busy and forget to eat. I have a definite interest in keeping you healthy," Glorfindel said.

Erestor examined Glorfindel's eyes, seeing the determination in them. "Very well," he said and stood.

Glorfindel rested his hand on the small of Erestor’s back and guided the advisor to the door. "After lunch we will go for a walk. You need to get more sun," he said.

Erestor rolled his eyes at the familiar lecture. "You are a nuisance," he said.

"Perhaps, but I am also devastatingly handsome and charming," Glorfindel said.

"And so very modest," Erestor muttered.

"Exactly!" Glorfindel agreed.

They arrived at the dining hall and went inside, taking their seats.

Elrond gave them a friendly smile. "How is everything going?" he asked.

"All the truly urgent paperwork is complete," Erestor said.

Glorfindel's eyes brightened at that, but he didn't say anything.

Lunch over, Elrond returned to his office.

Erestor stood to return to his office as well, but Glorfindel caught his wrist. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"All the urgent paperwork is done," Glorfindel stated. "You said so yourself."

"That does not mean I do not have other work to do," Erestor said. He tried to pull free.

Glorfindel pulled Erestor into his lap and wrapped his arms around the advisor's waist.

"Glorfindel, let me go!" Erestor protested. "I have work to do!"

"Certainly you do, but nothing urgent. You said so yourself," Glorfindel said. “You have time to take a short walk with me, please Erestor.”

Erestor sighed. “Very well, but only a short one,” he said.

Glorfindel grinned triumphantly and let the advisor up and they left the dining hall.