Elfpunzel

That night, as Erestor was leaving, he heard a lonely sigh from Glorfindel. “What is it, my love?” he asked, stroking Glorfindel’s cheek as the blond fastened his braid to the hook by the window.

“Only that, I wish you did not have to leave,” mourned Glorfindel. “Or rather, I wish I could go with you.”

“I wish you could, too,” answered Erestor. “Tomorrow the negotiations should be over and the treaties should be signed- I will come for you right after. The rope you have woven is nearly long enough- and if you jump the rest of the distance, I shall catch you,” he said confidently.

“Dear Erestor, how will I bear the night without you?” Glorfindel looked to be nearly on the verge of tears, but Erestor hushed him with a kiss.

“Only one night more, my love, and we shall be together. Weave the rest of the night, and tomorrow I shall bring the rope that I have kept hidden in my tree. By this time tomorrow, we shall be riding to Rivendell,” promised Erestor, not knowing it was a promise he could not keep.

Tearfully, Glorfindel nodded, and after another shared kiss, Erestor started to climb down. “Oh, screw the negotiations,” he said just as he had climbed through the window. “I shall go and retrieve the rope now. It should be nearly long enough.”

“Nay, dear Erestor, please,” winced Glorfindel. “The Lady will be back any moment, and... and you’re starting to tug a little hard on my hair.”

“Sorry,” apologized Erestor, climbing down quickly as Glorfindel mumbled something about no one having any consideration over the fact it was always his hair that needed to be used to climb up the tree. As soon as he was on the ground, Erestor called up, “Tomorrow night, my love!” before hurrying away, lest he be caught by the witch.

It was not long after that Glorfindel heard the customany cry. “Glorfindel, Glorfindel, let down your hair, that I may climb without a stair.”

Sighing, Glorfindel wrapped his braid around the hook and tossed the end out the window. As Galadriel clambered up, Glorfindel whined, holding onto the end of the braid attached to his head. “Aiya, you pull it more than Erestor does,” he muttered as Galadriel climbed into the room.

Immediately, the lady’s eyes darkened and she glared at Glorfindel. “What did you say?”

“Ah... I...” Glorfindel wrang his hands together, knowing he was caught. In a panic, he attempted to change the subject. “You... you’re looking very lovely this evening, not at all as evil as usual. Er...”

“You wretched child!” shouted Galadriel as she advanced upon the cowering Glorfindel. “How dare you! I raised you and cared for you, and this is the thanks I get!” She took a deep breath, her rage growing. “Cheesecake? Is that... cheesecake? Answer me!” she demanded, yanking Glorfindel to her by his braid. “Is that what I smell?”

Yelping in pain, Glorfindel nodded. “Yes, yes, it is cheesecake- well, either the cheesecake or the sex, I’m not sure, but-“

“What?!” Galadriel, so furious now to learn how she was deceived by not only her precious Glorfindel, but also by Lord Elrond’s advisor, tightened her hold on Glorfindel’s golden locks. From her belt she withdrew a dagger and while Glorfindel weeped and begged her not to, clinging to her arm, she hacked off the long golden braid.