The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 44

Glorfindel lay quietly on the bed listening to Erestor hum to him as Gandalf continued to pulse healing energy into Glorfindel’s back.

”I hope this is worth it. I want to be able to walk tomorrow.” Glorfindel grunted in agony as Gandalf pressed particularly hard on his spine before resuming his healing chant and trance. Erestor chuckled at his friend’s impatience as he sponged warm water across Glorfindel’s forehead to wash away the perspiration. Since Gandalf had returned from his talk with Legolas Glorfindel had awoken desperately pleading with the Istari to take away the pain. Reluctantly Gandalf had agreed stating that it would be vital to have Glorfindel up and about now in support for Legolas after having made his great speech. Glorfindel breathed out raggedly and rested his head weakly back against the pillows taking strength from Erestor’s warm hands, which gently caressed his face. Gandalf had told them while preparing for Glorfindel’s healing treatment what had happened in the council chamber. Glorfindel had been shocked that the Istari had chosen this as the right time to tell Legolas of his true being but Glorfindel supposed it was better now than later considering the outcome. Erestor squeezed Glorfindel’s hand in comfort as the warrior felt a particular sharp pain as two bones in his back fused back together under Gandalf’s wizardry guidance.
“Tell me Erestor when did you find out about all this?” Glorfindel’s voice was strained the warrior obviously trying to keep his composure despite the great pain he was in. Erestor smiled comfortingly at his friend knowing full well that he had to explain himself sooner or later.

“It was after I first read that scroll. I knew as soon as I read about the one elf I knew it was Legolas, I just hoped it wasn’t for his sake, knowing how much trouble it would cause to the poor thing. He was so innocent, he had no clue.” Erestor paused as Glorfindel hissed in pain at another particular tough healing pulse raced up his spine. “Everywhere we went I found myself more intrigued by who Legolas was and it wasn’t until we reached Lothlorien that I had a chance to look up the theories I’d created, in the library. That was where Gandalf found me buried in the births and deaths record of Lothlorien. Most of what I’d come up with was true, confirmed by Gandalf who gave me the whole story in full. I’d heard of the legendary scrolls from the valar when I was a child and so I knew most of what was rumoured to be predicted in them.” Glorfindel stared at his friend. Erestor had never been so secretive in all his life and Glorfindel found it difficult to imagine how he could have missed Erestor’s investigative side. “I confess also that I knew Haldir was Legolas’ true father long before we began this trip. When Elrond first found out about it himself he wrote a note about it for his books and being his advisor I happened upon it on his desk while searching for papers. I did not think it my place to inform you considering that I had found out through less than an honest channel.” Glorfindel nodded stiffly. He understood his friend’s loyalties and it went against every bone in Erestor’s body to hide something like this from his friends and Lord Elrond.

“I have a question that you may be able to answer considering your knowledge.” Erestor nodded as Glorfindel was rolled unceremoniously over onto his side by Gandalf who was too concentrated on thek ofk of healing the warrior with his powers rather than the conversation issuing being the two elves. “Tell me, if Haldir is fertile are his brothers also?” Erestor smiled and shook his head as Gandalf grunted at him to support Glorfindel’s neck.

“No they are not, Orophin and Rumli have had more lovers than the entire Lorien Guard put together, so I’ve heard and never once have they fallen to Haldir’s fate.” Glorfindel chuckled at Erestor’s reply knowing also Haldir’s brothers had a reputation among the barracks for being fierce lovers as well as warriors.

“And what of Legolas does he possess the gift of his sire?” Erestor frowned and held Glorfindel tightly as Gandalf manipulated Glorfindel’s back making the warrior yelp in agony and being to breath deeply.

“We do not know yet, there is no way to physically tell until it happens. There are texts in the library however that I read, which say that an elf only becomes fertile after his majority so assuming that it will impossible to know for sure until after Legolas has come of age and chosen his mate.” Glodel del sighed heavily trying to focus on what his friend was saying and not the pain Gandalf was issuing him.

“Then what would have happened if Keeldon had raped him during his captivity? What if it is not true, that elves are fertile before their coming of age? Haldir was only just beyond his majority and he was with child?” Erestor furrowed his eyebrows confuhimshimself at what might have happened if they had not rescued Legolas in time. The advisor was about to answer his friend when Gandalf stood from the bed and straightened out his robes, clearing his throat as he interrupted the two elves conversation.

“Nothing would have happened Glorfindel I made sure of it. Legolas would have just eventually faded from the shame and humiliation of being forced nothing else.” Glorfindel frowned as Gandalf helped Erestor to roll the seneschal back onto his back before covering the elf with the blanket. Gandalf looked exhausted from the effort to heal the warrior and Erestor thoughtfully pulled up the chair from beside the fire so that Gandalf could sit down and rest.

“How is that possible? How did you prevent it?” Glorfindel was surprised at how little pain he was now in as Erestor propped him up against the headboard of Haldir’s bed with a pillow, so that he was now sitting. Erestor placed a tray of fruit and sweet cakes across Glorfindel’s lap taking the opportunity while his friend was sitting to make him eat something.

“Unlike you Glorfindel I have known of this conflict for a long time, it was predicted long before the birth of the elves that this would come about. I took it upon myself when he was born to watch over Legolas throughout his life. He would eventually be the victim of his own innocents and I set about insuring his safety if only from a far without interfering with his fate. In his 500 years I have become just as attached to him as you have Glorfindel having watched over him for so long. He has the heart of a warrior even if he doesn’t believe it and he has the sweetest temperament that I have ever seen in an elf before, yes I admit he is something special.” Gandalf paused as Erestor handed him a stick from the fire so that the wizard could light his pipe. Taking a few puffs of the sweet smelling smoke Gandalf gestured foorfiorfindel to begin eating, the warrior having momentarily forgotten to feed himself in the face of more information. “I see most things Legolas does, I’ve made it my duty to know where he is at all times. When word reached me of Legolas’ run in with the orcs and his escape to Sailston, I went to him there to make sure he was in good health still. That was when I found out who had taken him in. Healer Warwick is a greedy man and is well known for slave trading, so I stayed close to see what would happen. When Keeldon arrived in town I knew what Warwick was planning on doing. Legolas tried to escape one night on his own but it would have been useless anyhow Keeldon’s men were too fast for him.” Glorfindel swallowed a mouthful of berries his eyes never leaving Gandalf’s as the wizard continued his tale. “Quite by chance he ran into me in the lane way beside the house from where I had been watching him from afar. I had little time to think. Keeldon had a reputation with the treatment of his slaves and not knowing what Legolas’ situation concerning his gift I had to act quickly.” Both Glorfindel and Erestor watched as Gandalf pointed at the bedside table upon it sat a small blue bottle a clear stopper in it’s top.

”What is it?” Erestor picked up the bottle Gandalf had pointed to and uncorked the top sniffing at the substance inside to try and determine its contents. Both Glorfindel and Gandalf chuckled as Erestor turned his nose up at the awful smelling substance grimacing as he re corked the bottle and replaced it on the bedside table quickly.

“Haldir tells me it tastes just as foul as it smells.” Gandalf mused as he puffed on his pipe some more taking the offered cup of herbal tea Erestor had made over the fireplace. “It is a potion I created to prevent possible pregnancy. I’ve been making it for Haldir for years, it allows him to take lovers as he pleases. When Legolas ran into me that day, I just happened to be carrying a bottle of that. Legolas passed out when he hit the coble street and I took the few moments I had to pour the entire contents of the bottle down his throat.” Erestor stuck out his tongue and gagged in sympathy for Legolas. Gandalf rolled his eyes at Elrond’s advisor, sometimes it was hard for Gandalf to tell if Erestor had really reached his majority let alone was over 4000 years old.

“You gave him so much! Why didn’t you just rescue him and saved us all this trouble?” Glorfindel pushed the tray aside indicated that he’d finished eating what he wanted. Erestor hastily removed the tray and put it outside the talon ready to be collected by the servants.

“We Istari have long been forbidden from directly interfering with the fate of elves. It was beyond my power to rescue him besides I knew you two were on your way and your fate Glorfindel was to rescue our fair prince I could not interfere with that.” Glorfindel groaned and rolled over onto his side fatigue beginning to creep into his vision.

”But he suffered Gandalf before we could get to him, how could you let him go knowing what Keeldon would do to him.” Gandalf sighed deeply inhaling on his pipe as he watched Glorfindel stare at him angrily.

“It is hard sometimes to let go Glorfindel but as Thranduil has learned today it will happen eventually anyway and it is better to let go freely than have it be forced from you later on. Aye Legolas was hurt and he suffered while in Keeldon’s care but it has done him some good. It has made him more determined, more sure of himself and a lot less helpless, something I am sure we will all benefit from in the future.” Glorfindel sighed and buried his head into the pillow as Erestor helped his friend to lie down again. Sensing Glorfindel’s fatigue Gandalf rose from the chair and gestured to the tea in his hand.

“Well I will leave you now until tomorrow morn. Leg is is out in the forest and I fear Haldir will have a tough time trying to find him if he does not have my help. Despite his coming of age Legolas can still hide as well as any elfling in Middle Earth.” Erestor chuckled and stood up to escort Gandalf out of the talon. Glorfindel’s stare had already become vacant the warrior tucked fast in his dreamscape. Helping him with his staff and his hat Erestor wandered out onto the balcony of Haldir’s private talon and turned to face the old Istari. “Glorfindel should sleep through the night now and in the morning I expect him to be up and walking about. Not too much mind you, just a stroll around the balcony nothing more strenuous. I have healed him to a point where it is bearable but the rest he must do himself, with rest and exercise. I will come again on the morning of Legolas’ coming of age to see how he is doing but then it will be up to you to insure he does not overdo himself until he has fully recovered. Lord Elrond will know how to look after him from now on if you need help.” Erestor nodded understandingly, determined to heed Gandalf’s words and make sure Glorfindel rested well and healed fully.

“Thank-you for looking out for us it has been a stressful few months.” Erestor lowered his head to his chest unable to meet the gaze of the wizard knowing full well that the old man would read his thoughts if he hadn’t already. “Hopefully Glorfindel will recover and be well enough for Legolas’ coming of age, so they can spend some time together.” Gandalf smiled sadly and placed a gentle hand under Erestor’s chin having heard the slightly bitter tone in Erestor’s voice. Erestor was forced to make eye contact with the Istari and could not contain the single sad tear that slipped from his eye.

“Do not cry Erestor, many before you have lost their love to Glorfindel of Gondolin and you are luckier than all of them to still have him as a friend.” Erestor nodded weakly as Gandalf brushed away the tears from Erestor’s cheek before gently leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Erestor’s forehead in comfort. “Since Echthelion Glorfindel has been blind to the love so many have tried to give him and you are no exception. It is your loyal friendship that he values the most and while he loves you as a brother it will never be anything more.” Erestor bit his lip nervously as more tears still persisted down his cheeks. de hde he felt suddenly empty although he had known all along it would be nothing more and yet his heart had held out hope. “Glorfindel has found something in Legolas that makes him happy just as Echthelion used to and even though you are in pain now you will see in time how he shines when he is with the prince. They were meant to be Erestor and he will appreciate you more for being there and being happy for him than he could ever do as your lover.” Carelessly Erestor wiped his tears away with the sleaves of his robe, making Gandalf chuckle again to himself at Erestor’s childish antics. “There is someone out there that loves you Erestor you just have to find them.”

“Thank-you Mirthrandir perhaps I will stop mooning now like a love sick puppy.” Gandalf shook his head and sighed as Erestor quickly covered his broken heart with the calm, cold and hard facade he was so known for back in Imaldris. Erestor was good like that, able to cover his true feelings at the drop of a hat to prevent himself from further getting hurt. Glorfindel was about the only elf in all of Middle Earth who knew the truth behind Erestor’s emotionless wall, it had been why they had become friends so long ago. Erestor watched as Gandalf turned to leave but then grunted in frustration as he turned back having obviously remembered something.

“How terrible of me I nearly forgot this.” Erestor raised a curious eyebrow as he watched the wizard digging around in his robes for a moment before pulling out a small package. “There that will cheer you up.” Erestor took the small package from Gandalf and smiled at the packaging. A little box was wrapped in red silk and tied intricately with a dried chain of blue and purple flowers, which could only be found in Imaldris’ wood. A letter was slipped under the wrapping with Erestor’s name delicately written in elvish across the front of it. Confused Erestor looked up to Gandalf in questioning only to watch as the Istari merely shrugged his shoulders. “Do not look at me like that, a little blue bird gave it to me and told me not to say a thing. And we wizards keep our promises.” Erestor couldn’t help but smile as he untucked the letter and unfolded it intrigued to know who had sent him the gift.

“Dearest Erestor,” Erestor began to read out aloud the elfish script so that Gandalf could hear. “I cannot count the hours since your departure that I have spent pacing the hallways longing for your return. While I did not see my own love of you at first it is clear to me now as ever a love can be. It is only in your long absence that I have realised how much you mean to me and how ardently I love you. I send you this gift as a token of my affections and hope only that you treasure it as well, as I will treasure every moment that you own my heart. Be safe on your travels and do not forget your way home, for I will be waiting anxiously to greet your beautiful face just as the flowers wait to greet the spring rain. I will be with you always no matter how dark the peril. Forever yours……..” Erestor stopped dead and frantically turned the paper over, and over again desperately searching for the author of the note. There was no signature and no sign, not even a seal to indicate whom the writer was.

“Well come on don’t keep us in suspense who is it from?!” Erestor nearly jumped out of his skin as a familiar voice addressed him. Looking up from the package Erestor blushed a bright crimson colour to the very tips of his ears as he saw Filgree and Haldir’s two brothers standing at the top of the ladder staring at him, where only a few moments ago Gandalf had been standing.

”Where did Gandalf go?” Quickly Erestor glanced down over the edge of the balcony desperately searching for signs of the wizard on the forest floor below, knowing that he was the only person who could tell him whom the letter had come from.

“Mithrandir was leaving as we came, told us to say goodbye to you.” Erestor groaned and rolled his eyes as he quickly read the letter again searching for any signs of the author’s identity.

“Well come on tell Haldir, tell us who this love letter is from?” Rumli moved quickly to stand next to Haldir reading the letter over the other elf’s shoulder. “They didn’t sign it. You’ve got a secret lover!” Rumli squealed in delight. Compared to Haldir, Erestor got on a lot better with Rumli and Orophin, their playful nature much easier to handle than Haldir’s sarcastic coldness and sharp tongue.

“Open the parcel maybe that’ll give you some clues.” At Orophin’s childish insistence Erestor carefully untied the flower chain and unwrapped his gift. Erestor could do nothing but stare at the beautiful hair clasp he found in the little wooden box. It was in the shape of the flower that had been used to tie up the parcel and was made of brilliantly polished white marble shell. It had obviously been hand crafted its uniqueness exquisite. The clasp radiated a myriad of colours as it caught the light and Erestor thought it would look beautiful holding back his silky black locks.

“Ooooh isn’t that nice. I wish one of my lovers would send me a token of their affection.” Erestor held the delicate clasp in his hands staring at it wistfully as Rumli sighed in depression at his side.

“Your lucky if you get sent a thank-you note from your lovers Rumli!” Orophin’s cheeky retort to his elder brother earned him a harsh slap behind Erestor’s back, making them all chuckle quietly to themselves.

”It is a beautiful gift Erestor and I am sure your love will become apparent in time. Now let us go inside and wait for Haldir and Prince Legolas to finish running around the forest like children.” Erestor rolled his eyes and accept Filgree’s invitation to make a cup of herbal tea for them all inside Haldir’s talon. There were many things to talk about and relaxation to be had before dinner that evening, of which included Erestor’s new secret admirer.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(A/n) We're getting there slowly I just had to put this bit in about ERestor cause I always feel sorry for him cause he never gets a good fuck, it's always full of angst. SOOOOOO I gave him a small lover just to add to story a bit... What do you reckon? Yay or Nay? I personally felt sorry for the poor bugger being second best to Legolas and all.