The Robe of the Golden Flower

Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.

The Robe of the Golden Flower.

(Final) Part Five.

Glorfindel did not have to wait long to speak with Thranduil, who had easily found him as he stood in front of the window at the end of the hallway, lost in thought as he stared out over the valley. The elf lord freely admitted to himself that he was partly to blame for the Twins misconceptions regarding his relationship with Legolas, but that was no real excuse for their disapproving attitude. Never before had Elladan and Elrohir caused him such anger and hurt.

“Glorfindel, I would speak with you!” The irate voice of the Woodland King echoed down the passageway and startled the golden elf lord from his melancholy thoughts.

“I am listening,” he told the afternoon sun as he continued to gaze out of the window rather than face the elf behind him.

“Legolas has told me of this farce you and he are perpetuating, and as amusing as I am certain you both find it to be, I ask that you to put a stop to it immediately!” It was more an order than a request. “Even you must admit that the jest has now gone too far!” exclaimed Thranduil, still furious at his son’s mistreatment.

“Indeed it has, and I have already decided to do as you so politely ask,” agreed Glorfindel with much sarcasm as he finally turned to face Thranduil. The King drew in a sharp breath at the dejected look on the face that normally shone with humor and the joy of the song of life. Is a s a sight he could not recall ever having seen before and his friend’s dark mood banished the frivolity of the young ones’ behavior from his thoughts.

“Tell me Glorfindel, what has happened to cause you such despair?” asked Thranduil with a tenderness that allowed his genuine affection and concern to be heard in his voice.

“I am well aware of your disapproval of liaisons between males, but I wonder how you would react if Legolas gave his heart to one?” asked Glorfindel. Thranduil’s eyes widened with shock, causing a flicker of amusement to lighten his friend’s face. “Do not look so startled, Thranduil, he had not done so, I am merely curious.”

“As you say, I would not approve of his choice, but nor would I stand in the way of his happiness, if that was where it lay,” answered Thranduil after a few moments thought.

“And what if I were to do so?”

“There is no greater joy to be felt than when the song in your heart sings in harmony with another, and I would wish you, my friend, such happiness as well. But I would still not approve if your heart was given to a male,” replied Thranduil, a shadow of sadness passing across his face as he thought of his own love, waiting for him in Valinor.

“Nor would I expect you to, but your support would be more than welcome,” said Glorfindel sadly as the darkness returned to his mood.

“Am I to understand from your inquires that someone you are close to, perhaps Elrond’s sons, do not approve of whom they believe to be your love?” ventured Thranduil.

”Come, Elrond is waiting for Legolas, and I believe you should accompany us as well,” said Glorfindel as he gripped Thranduil’s shoulder in a gesture of silent thanks for his understanding.

“That is no answer,” said Thranduil, sighing with resignation. It was obvious from his avoidance that Glorfindel was not prepared to discuss the matter further, and he had no choice but to respect his friend’s wishes. “If you do not wish to speak to me of that which causes the heaviness in your heart, then perhaps Elrond will be of some assistance,” suggested Thranduil as he knocked on the door to Legolas’s chamber and asked his son to join them.

*********

Elladan and Elrohir were greeted with their usual fatherly embrace from Elrond when they entered the library and their initial relief at his apparent good mood quickly changed when he spoke, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“Your hair is looking exceptionally lustrous today,” he said to Elladan, brushing a stray lock of black silk back behind his son’s ear. “It feels so soft I venture to suggest it has had several washes.” Elladan groaned inwardly, he should have realized that Elrond, for all his apparent aloofness at times, was well aware of everything that happened in Rivendell, for good or ill, especially where his sons were concerned. Elrohir was struck with the same realization and as Elrond turned his attention to him he did not fail to glimpse the brief exchange between the twins as Elladan mouthed a silent, “He knows,” to his brother who nodded his agreement.

“I believe this powder is quite useful in removing certain blue oil from the skin, Elrohir,” he said as he handed the younger twin a small jar containing a white powder that looked like bath salts.

“Thank you, Adar,” mumbled Elrohir as he studied the carpet, unable to meet the stern glare filled with displeasure he received as Elrond resumed his seat without further comment.

“Adar, surely you realize that it was Legolas who initially played these pranks. Why are you upset with us?” asked Elladan, finally unable to stand the uncomfortable silence in the room. Legolas had not been punished for the wine incident, and he had decided not to allow his errant friend to be let off lightly this time

“Ai, I know of his part in this, and since both he and Glorfindel also need to hear whatsaidsaid, there is no point in speaking until they arrive,” he replied just as the door opened.

Glorfindel followed Thranduil and Legolas into the library, and Elrond was shocked at the despondency he sensed the elf lord was feeling. Thranduil motioned Elrond aside and spoke in a voice loud enough only for Elrond’s ears.

“As you can plainly see, something has happened to cause our friend great sadness. I sense it has to do with your sons, but he will not speak of it with me. Perhaps you can persuade him to share his pain? I much prefer him in his guise as carefree troublemaker rather than one so melancholy.” Elrond studied Glorfindel from the corner of his eye and was disturbed by what he saw.

“I see what you mean. I have an idea as to what may be the cause, or at least part of it, and I will see what I can do to restore his good humor,” replied Elrond. Thranduil nodded and then continued in his normal speaking voice.

“I believe you are aware of the practical joke Legolas played on your sons, but their act of retribution was far too violent. They are fortunate that he has only has a few bruises to show for his ordeal,” stated Thranduil.

“Show me, please,” the gentle voice of the healer insisted. Legolas obediently rolled his sleeves back to reveal the blue-black bruises on his wrists. “How did you get these?” he asked as he quickly examined the injuries, causing Legolas to wince slightly as he applied pressure to determine if anything was broken.

“I found him struggling to free himself from the bonds that tied him to his chair!” Thranduil answered for his son. Disbelief and dismay could easily be seen warring with each other in Elrond’s eyes as glanced at his sons.

“There are no broken bones, and the bruising will heal quickly,” he told his patient. “Such behavior is totally inexcusable, and I must apologize that you were treated thus under my own roof,” he said with sincere regret.

“Your apology is accepted, however, Legolas is not entirely blameless in this and I believe he has something to confess?” Thranduil said looking to his son. Legolas nodded and spoke directly to Elladan and Elrohir.

“Despite the ‘evidence’ you believed you gathered by subjecting us to your constant scrutiny, and my deliberately vague and ambiguous answers to your questions, I am telling you now, in all honesty that Glorfindel and I are NOT lovers, nor have we ever been.” He declared vehemently, hoping to convince them of their folly.

“You admitted that you loved him not more than an hour ago!” protested Elladan.

“And so I do, but only as a dear friend, even a brother, in the same manner that I love you and Elrohir. Who could not love one who is not only a delight to be with, but is possessed of an inner beauty that rivals the fairness of his face? I love him, but I am not IN love with him!”

“Then why were you wearing his robe and why did he kiss you after you and he had been alone in Adar’s study? And why does he spend so much time in Mirkwood?” asked Elrohir, his revelation causing Thranduil to frown at the elf lord who had not yet spoken a word.

“That is enough Elrohir!’ shouted Elrond angrily. “Obviously you did not stay long enough to see me leave the study after Legolas retired, wearing Glorfindel’s robe because he was cold. And your memory must be short indeed, if you do not recall receiving such fatherly kisses from your tutor. As for Mirkwood, you have no right to ask for an explanation, his business there, or anywhere else for that matter, is his own!”

“If it will help dispel your unnecessary concerns, I will tell you that I have taken an interest in the history of the Sindar, and Thranduil is kindly assisting my learning with both his knowledge and by allowing me access to his library which boasts many old works that were saved from the ravage of Doriath.,” offered Glorfindel, speaking for the first time in a tone that the two elder elves easily recognized as controlled rage.

“You were there, too Adar?” asked Elladan suddenly realizing how foolish he had been to misconstrue the entire situation. Elrohir had been correct that night when he suggested that is was all perfectly innocent. Glorfindel’s words only served to confirm that he and Elrohir must have offended the elf lord deeply, and it was no wonder that he was angry with them both.

“My Lord Glorfindel, please accept my sincere apologies for assuming that your relationship with Legolas was anything other than friendship. I know now that J must have offended you, and I deeply regret doing so,” he said bowing respectfully to his tutor. Glorfindel acknowledged the apology with a nod.

“I also apologize, dear Glorfindel, I never meant to offend you,” said Elrohir, also bowing to his elder. “You must know we both adore you, and regard you as a second Adar?” he added.

“I am not offended that you would think I might fall for the charms of my undeniably attractive young friend, whom I love equally as well as I do you and Elladan. However I am offended and deeply hurt that both you and Elrohir questioned my honor and integrity. You must hold me in very poor regard if you believe I would take a lover merely for my own pleasure,” he said feeling relieved at having voiced the reason for his anger with the Twins.

Elladan and Elrohir glared accusingly at Legolas.

“We were only trying to help you, by telling you what we had heard,” Elladan told Legolas.

“Ai and I thank you for your concern, misplaced though it was. But I also felt it only fair to inform my friend of your mistrust,” he said unashamedly.

“It appears that you have all been misinformed. That the highly respected and much adored Lord of the House of the Golden Flower would use anyone in the manner you suggest is inconceivable. I have never heard of him spoken of as anything other than a wonderfully tender and attentive lover,” said Thranduil in his friend’s defense and directing his comments to the three younger elves.

“Your reputation seems to be a little tarnished, I am sorry to hear, but I warned you that too much flirting with fair young elves and maids would only cause you grief one day,” Elrond said quietly to Glorfindel who was trying not to return the brilliant smile of amusement while glaring at Thranduil who had suddenly found the need to cough to hide his laughter.

“And so it has, but now that we all understand one another better, I am willing to forgive Elladan and Elrohir, if they in turn will forgive me my poor behavior towards them,” he said graciously. Rather than answer with words, the two younger elves both ran to his side and threw their arms around him, laughing merrily as all three tumbled to the floor.

Elrond and Thranduil watched in bemused silence as Legolas joined the others in the totally undignified wrestling match that had ensued as Glorfindel tried to escape the numerous kisses with which he was being bestowed.

He finally escaped their attention long enough to glance up at the two Adars.

“Please do not make any false assumptions, this is allfectfectly innocent,” he said wickedly.

*********

Later that evening as Elrohir toweled himself dry; he was pleased to see that the powder Elrond had given him had removed all traces of the blue coloration from his skin. He took a robe from the back of his armoire, and drew it tightly around him, reveling in the feel of the soft velvet that had also touched another’s skin. He closed his eyes to better savor the distinctive floral scent of its owner, and sighed contentedly as he vividly recalled the one or two not so innocent kisses he had given Glorfindel that very afternoon.