The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 52

Glorfindel smiled and rolled his eyes contemptibly as Erestor shook his head in disbelief. His friend was obviously shocked in hearing what he had confessed to the prince and that they were now officially courting, with plans to travel to Imaldris together.

“I can not believe it has happened so fast? Surely you wanted time to think about such a decision?” Glorfindel stood from his chair and wandered over to the pitcher of warm wine refiling his own glass before refiling Erestor’s also.

“If I’d have thought about it any longer it would not have happened at all Erestor.” Erestor nodded understandingly as Glorfindel handed him back his refiled glass, before watching intently as his friend sighed and leaned against the fire surround his brow furrowed in thought.

“Are you in love with him Glorfindel?” Erestor’s question sent a tingle down Glorfindel’s spine but also sent doubt into his heart. In all honesty he did not know whether it was love or just the illusion of it due to everyone’s persistence. Knowing Erestor would surely pick any lie Glorfindel turned back to his friend and simply shrugged his shoulders.

“I do not know yet. I have spent so little time with him I have not had a moment to define the feelings inside of me.” Glorfindel bit his lip cautiously before moving back to his seat next to Erestor’s before continuing. “I know that when he is close to me I feel warmth from him that makes me happy. I also worry for him every moment he is out of my sight and that I am not at rest till I know he is well.” Erestor smiled indulgently at his friend having seen for the first time a sparkle of life in the elder’s eyes as he spoke of his feelings for Legolas. “Yet whether these feelings are love is still to be determined. I may just be overprotective of one so young that I am fond of.” Erestor nodded silently as Glorfindel sipped from his wine before glancing back at him for any comment concerning the situation. Obliging his friend Erestor swallow his own mouthful of wine before questioning the blond seneschal again.

“Why then have you agreed to court him if you are not sure of yourself?” Erestor made a valid point and Glorfindel huffed in contempt. Sometimes Elrond’s advisor made too much sense when approaching matters such as these and it infuriated Glorfindel to find himself questioning his actions prompted by Erestors reasoning.

“I do not know. I hope that I have not made my decision purely because of the pressure I feel upon my shoulders. If I am not his destined then untold evil will fall upon us all and I am hesitant about trying this relationship in case you have all been wrong in your predictions. I know also that he will get hurt if I distance myself from him, and it will pain me to see him miserable again.” Glorfindel drained his entire glass of wine in a single gulp before hanging his head in his hands, despair clearly lingering upon his shoulders. Sensing his friends dilemma Erestor quickly refiled Glorfindel’s wine glass and moved his chair closer to the seneschal’s so that he could rest a comforting hand upon his friends shoulder.

“Have a little faith Glorfindel it is not as desolate a situation as it seems at present.” Glorfindel glanced up at Erestor from behind the curtain of his blond hair eager to hear his friend’s worldly advice. “Let us look at it from the prince’s perspective. You now have seen what we all have in Legolas’ eyes. It is clear to anyone who sees him that he is in love with you and while it might be a flight of youthful fancy it is still there to be acted upon just as you did. The care he has for you radiates from his eyes every time he sees you, his glow is so much brighter now than when we firet het him. It is obvious that it was your destiny to rescue him from Thranduil’s hold on him and thus free him to make his own decisions. So while ever Legolas is free to choose his own mate, fate will guide him to the right person who he is destined to be with. Even if you are not his destined while ever he freely chooses his mate things will work out just as they have been predicted. The valar have plans for us all Glorfindel and while their actions often confuse us in the end it is all for a purpose.” Glorfindel sighed heavily but smiled despite himself. What Erestor had said made sense. While ever Legolas was free to choose his own mate things would eventually work themselves out.

“You are right as always my friend.” Glorfindel sat up slowly as he thankfully placed his hand over Erestors on his own knee. “If this was destined to be then so be it, but I will not be disappointed if it ends in nothing. I have acted upon my feelings and there is nothing more I can do than spend time with the prince in an effort to see what becomes of it, while still protecting him from untoward pressures and dangers.” Erestor smiled triumphantly having seen his friend’s cheerful mood return. Glorfindel smiled cheekily as he watched his friend’s obvious delight in being told he was right and the elder seneschal set about instantly fixing the smug smile he knew Erestor was hiding. “But I have to admit if this ends in nothing I will be loathed to miss the feel of his lips upon mine. His kisses are soft and chaste, while being extremely pleasurable. I would have taken great delight in teaching him how to thoroughly devour one’s mouth with his tongue.” Glorfindel chocked back a laugh as he watched Erestor slip in pouring himself another glass of warm wine having heard Glorfindel’s lewd declarations. Uncaring that he’d spilt the wine Erestor spun around and glared at his friend in shock.

“Are you saying you kissed him? You did not tell me this before!” Glorfindel merely shrugged his shoulders having seen the small amount of jealousy that Erestor had feebly hidden behind his facade of shock. So Gandalf had been correct in suggesting that Erestor liked him. Glorfindel smiled at the information but remained silent, it would not do to upset his relationship with his friend by making jokes concerning feelings.

“I did not deem it necessary to kiss and tell.” Erestor rolled his eyes and turned away from Glorfindel’s cheeky smile to clean up the mess he had made on the table.

“I do not think Haldir will see it like that if he finds out, considering that Legolas has the potential to be able to bear children!” Glorfindel laughed out loud at Erestors preposterous comment. While Glorfindel knew his friend was only covering his jealousy Erestor’s attempt at making Glorfindel feel guilty had certainly not worked.

“Erestor, I merely kissed him I did not take him to my bed.” Glorfindel stood and replaced his empty glass next to Erestors on the tray, having drunk the remains of the warm wine between them during their conversation. Erestor blushed having realised his mistake as Glorfindel came and rested a hand upon his shoulder. “I assure you my friend Legolas will have to be securely bound to his mate before ever Filgree, Haldir, Celeborn and Lord Elrond allow him to be bedded. I would not get within a meter of the prince’s bed nor he mine less Haldir himself rip my genitals from their place.” Erestor burst into a fit of giggles at his friend’s vivid description. It was true, Haldir was becoming obsessively protective of his son with everyday Legolas was in Lorien.

“Aye you are right, he will have a chastity belt made from the dwarves strongest metal if he could.” Glorfindel laughed and nodded at his friend as he turned around by the fire to warm his cold rear. Curious as to the evening’s previous conversation in Celeborn’s private library, Erestor inquired after his friends feelings on the matter discussed. Erestor had noted that Glorfindel had kept unusually quiet, as they had discussed Haldir’s decision to send Legolas to the boarders now that he had come of age. “What say you on Haldir’s decision to send Legolas to join the board patrols?” Erestor was a little take back as Glorfindel instantly replied in a sharp and almost furious tone.

“It is a ludicrous decision, made from Haldir’s own embarrassment of Legolas’ lack in fighting skills!” Erestor stared shocked at Glorfindel as the elder elf let out a snort of disgust and clenched his fists at his side in rage. “Legolas has hardly the skill to defend himself in hand to hand combat let alone fight the bands of orcs that trouble the boarders at present. He will be a burden to the patrol and they will have enough on with defending the boarders to worry about Legolas as well. I fear for his safety greatly.” Glorfindel almost exploded in rage and Erestor watched in ore as the blond seneschal slammed his fist into the stone fire surround before finally turning around and allowing himself a moment to calm down. Erestor stayed silent merely watching as Glorfindel slowed his breathing and the tense muscles in the elders shoulders finally eased and relaxed again after his outburst.

“Why did you not say this at the meeting in the library?” Glorfindel slowly turned back aroto fto face his friend sufficiently having calmed himself.

“Because it is not my place. Haldir is Legolas father and as such has no right to be challenged in his decision despite its foolishness.” Erestor frowned and shook his head not believing what he was hearing. For the past month he and Glorfindel had searched for Legolas desperate to save the young elf’s life only now to stand back and watch as his own father put him at risk again.

“That is not strictly true Glorfindel. Legolas is of age now he may make his own decision whether or not to go to the boarder, and I am sure Filgree in his advisory role will dissuade him from joining the patrol.” Glorfindel shook his head sadly knowing that it was useless. He had seen the way Legolas looked up to Haldir and while he had come of age Legolas was still the passive young elf he had been yesterday.

“No he will go to the boarders despite himself. He would not dare disobey Haldir. While Legolas has come of age he still has the traits of an elfling. He is used to submitting to his elders wishes and despite his age does not have the courage to say no to those he thinks above him in position. That and the excitement the responsibility will bring to him. Thranduil never allowed him to join the patrols in Mirkwood and he has heard only the glorified stories and adventures his brothers and friends have told him. He does not understand the dangers and sees only the freedom of a genuine responsibility given to him.” Erestor sighed heavily as Glorfindel turned slowly around to warm his other side with the fire. What Glorfindel had said was true the prince was still an elfling at heart despite his coming of age and from what Erestor had seen with his own eyes Legolas stood little chance of defending himself.

“And so what do you propose to do about this then?” Erestor sat back down his rocking chair watching as Glorfindel pondered on the question for a few moments before turning to reply to him.

“There is little I can do. At present I do not have the strength to join the patrol with him. The short ride tonight has already taxed my back to its limits; the days of riding required for the patrol would simply be too much for me. My ailment also prevents me from picking up a bow and I would have little strength to wield a sword with the necessary force needed to defend myself let alone Legolas too.” Erestor nodded in sympathy of his friend clearly seeing the stoop Glorfindel was getting having stood up to long already. He should have known better than to send Glorfindel after Legolas tonight on horseback, the seneschal had obviously hurt himself again.

“What if I was to join the patrol with him? It is only a few days at the most and it is highly unlikely we will run into any of the enemy on the Northern Boarder where he is destined to be posted to.” Glorfindel shook his head determinedly at Erestor unwilling to let his friend do something so drastic.

“No you have duties here with Lord Elrond readying for our departure whenever that may be. There are only a few options left to us.” Glorfindel paused and gestured in the direction of where Haldir’s talon was situated out into the night. “I have already ensured that Rumli and Orophin will be in the same patrol, and quietly spoken to them of my concern for the prince. They agree and while not willing to argue the point with their brother will be with Legolas the entire time he is on patrol, insuring his safety as best they can. Lastly is a distant hope that Legolas will catch a cold from tonight’s escapades and will not be well enough to join the patrol in the morning.” Erestor huffed a small laugh at Glorfindel’s last pathetic solution to their problem. While it was a very weak hope of Legolas becoming sick it was still something to hold onto if nothing else.

“Well we can but hope.” Erestor stood from the chair sensing his friend’s obvious fatigue. It had been a long night for them all and Glorfindel would need the rest to heal his back. “I will leave you now to get some rest, it has been a tiring day for you.” Glorfindel nodded and walked Erestor to the door of his talon smiling as he watched his friend step out onto the balcony.

“Aye, Goodnight Erestor and pleasant dreams.”

“You too my friend.” With a smile Erestor disappeared from view leaving Glorfindel to close the tapestry to his talon and begin undressing for slumber.

With his back very tender and sore Glorfindel took his time stripping from his formal outfit and pulling on a light-sleeping robe. Having thrown his things over the back of the rocking chair Glorfindel took a few moments to wash his face and hands before extinguishing all the candles around the talon and finally climbing into his warm bed. Taking a moment to arrange the sheer curtaining around his bed Glorfindel lay back and snuggled up under the blankets. For a while the blond seneschal stared at the drapery around the top of his bed playing through his memory of the nights events. When his thoughts drifted to Legolas Glorfindel found himself lingering on the beautiful image the prince had provided upon having received his first kiss. The prince was youthful perfection at it’s best. Glorfindel involuntarily closed his eyes as a pleasant warmth spread through his body as he remembered the way Legolas lips had glided across his in that first tentative moment. Glorfindel found himself imagining the way Legolas silky golden locks would feel being run though his fingers or what the prince’s innocent green eyes would look like in throws of passion.

Inwardly Glorfindel groaned and reluctantly opened his eyes dispelling the image of the prince in his mind. While his groin twitched in delight of the images Glorfindel knew it wasn’t advisable to be thinking about Legolas in such a way. The prince was still innocent and any such dirty thoughts defiled Legolas’ unmatched beauty. Turning over onto his side Glorfindel ignored his semi erect cock and pushed the thoughts of Legolas from his mind. It had been centuries since Glorfindel had ever taken himself in hand and brought himself to release having fantasised about another elf and he would not do so now, especially considering Legolas age and position. Staring at the shadows flickering on the wall of his room Glorfindel emptied his mind of conscious thought and slipped slowly into his dreamscape.

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