The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 53

Glorfindel had felt their presence entering his room long before he’d heard their gentle breathing and light footsteps. He had been pleasantly lost in his dreamscape when he’d felt the light breeze of the tapestry entrance to his talon being opening. Unmoving but still aware Glorfindel had kept himself within his sleep like state, not wanting to alert the intruder to his awareness until he’d established who they were and what they wanted. With one of his hand hidden beneath the blankets Glorfindel took the opportunity to carefully move his hand to the silver dagger he kept hidden beneath his pillows. Glorfindel consciously slowed his breathing to a normal rate so as not to cause suspicion as he heard the footsteps coming towards the bed. Instinctively Glorfindel closed his first tighter around the handle of the dagger ready to strike if necessary as he listened to the sheer curtains surrounding his bed being pulled open. Glorfindel could not help but stiffen a little in preparation to strike as he heard the sheer curtains being carefully closed again before there was a distinctive dip in the bed at it’s end. Without moving Glorfindel felt the bed move a little more as the intruder obviously got themselves comfortable on the end of his bed. The seneschal could not for the life of him image who would have the presumption to climb into bed with him uninvited! A ghost of warm breath brushed softly against Glorfindel’s foot which was obviously sticking out from the covers and the blond instinctively twitched it at the ticklish sensation. Glorfindel held his breath quickly wondering if the intruder had seen his foot twitch but as the moments passed in silence and the breathing of the intruder became deeper and steadier Glorfindel realised with startling reality that the intruder had literally fallen asleep!

Glorfindel waited a few long moments to fully insure the intruder was asleep before blinking his eyes back to awareness so that he could see around him. At first it took a moment for his eyes to adjust but then in the darkness Glorfindel began to see everything around him. When his vision was clear again Glorfindel slowly glanced down towards the bottom of his bed. Silently the blond cursed to himself, the figure was curled up under a blanket and unrecognisable from his current position without moving. Slowly Glorfindel sat up careful not to move his feet, which were precariously close to the figure’s body. Moving forward slightly Glorfindel caught the glimpse of a blonde head of hair peeking out from beneath the blanket. It wasn’t enough to be able to identify the person but it was a start. As silently as he could Glorfindel leant forward and gently tugged at the edge of the blanket and watched in amazement as the intruder murmured something unintelligible in sh bsh before turning over in their sleep. All Glorfindel could do was stare at the face that now looked up at him.

“Leg?” G?” Glorfindel’s voice was but a shocked whisper and did not disturb the sleeping young elf at his feet. For a while Glorfindel merely stared down at Legolas’ vacant gaze silently wondering what could have brought the prince to his talon and why. Glorfindel however was reluctant to wake the sleeping elf in order to get answers, the exhausted look in the young one’s expression a sure sign of his need for rest. Sighing heavily Glorfindel wondered what to do. He knew what it would look like to anyone who entered in the morning to see the prince snuggled up with him in the same bed and there would surely be an inquest into what, where and why. The seneschal was also pretty sure he would be answering a lot of questions none of which he would no the answer to. Yet the only other option was for him to sleep in the rocking chair and allow Legolas to have his bed. That too however was not going to happen. Glorfindel’s back ached terribly and a night spent sleeping upright in a hard chair was out of the question if he still wanted to be able to walk tomorrow. So that left only one option to sleep with Legolas in the bed, much to his own dismay fhat hat might happen in the morning.

As gently as he could Glorfindel rose from the bed and moved around to it’s end. Legolas shifted in his sleep and mumbled something again as Glorfindel disturbed him as he lifted the young elf into his arms. The prince did not wake however as Glorfindel repositioned the elf back into bed and tucked him under the covers. With as much care as possible Glorfindel climbed back into bed on the opposite side. Glorfindel had hardly time to get himself comfortable again when Legolas turned over unexpectedly and wrapped his arms over Glorfindel’s waist before snuggling into the elder’s chest. Glorfindel froze instantly as Legolas settled again in his sleep firmly within Glorfindel’s embrace. Sighing in defeat Glorfindel gently wrapped his own arms comfortably around the prince’s form. With Legolas this close it would be impossible to gain any rest what with the youngsters intoxicating smell and soft touch of his skin against Glorfindel’s. Allowing himself an indulgence Glorfindel leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Legolas’ forehead before relaxing with a contented sigh into his bed. No doubt there would be an uproar in the morning but there was nothing Glorfindel could do now and so prepared himself for a long night without much sleep.

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Glorfindel awoke to an annoying tickle under his nose and the unfamiliar smell and feel of someone else in his bed. Opening his eyes Glorfindel sighed as he pushed the few stray golden locks from under his face before focusing on the face of the person now cuddled firmly against his chest. In a flash last night came back to him with a bruising force as he stared down at the still vacant gaze of the young Prince Legolas. It was with great dilemma that Glorfindel realised that extricating himself from the situation would be impossible without waking the prince. Legolas had a firm hold of his waist and sometime during the night their legs had become entangled. Sighing Glorfindel relaxed back against Legolas form involuntarily stroking his fingers through Legolas mane of golden locks that now fanned out across Glorfindel’s chest. Unwilling to wake the peacefully sleeping Prince, Glorfindel silently stared at the canopy above his bed listening to the morning sounds outside. Surprisingly he felt comfortable lying in Legolas’ arms listening to the steady beat of Legolas heart and the sound of his gentle breathing. It still confused him why Legolas had come to him in the first place but in a way Glorfindel was secretly glad he had. Glorfindel had to admit last night had been the most restful slumber he had ever had and it made him curious to why he felt so at ease with Legolas’ presence. Absently Glorfindel’s hand drifted lightly back and forth across Legolas’ arm the seneschal enjoying the soft silky touch of the youngsters skin against his fingertips. Glorfindel was beginning to drift back into a lazy snooze when Legolas shifted against him. Instantly Glorfindel felt the distinctive bulge pressing against his thigh and he stiffened in shock. The first place he looked was at Legolas eyes but having seen them still vacant Glorfindel relaxed a little. Glorfindel’s comfort lasted only a moment though as he glanced down at Legolas again to see the prince uncovered by the blankets and the sleeping robe he wore riding high around his waist exposing a perfectly shaped round plump arse. Inwardly Glorfindel groaned at the sight. The pale milky skin of the prince’s thigh was just begging to be licked and Glorfindel forcefully had to stop himself from reaching out a hand to run over the silky skin.

Closing his eyes Glorfindel composed himself a little before reaching for the blanket to pull back over them and save the prince’s dignity. The seneschal was only half way there however when the tapestry to the talon door was flung back and Erestor, Haldir and Filgree stepped in to the room closely followed by Lord Celeborn and Lord Elrond and several Lorien guards.

“Glorfindel Legolas is not in his room……” Erestor’s voice trailed off as the dark haired advisor came to a screeching halt half way across the room his eyes trained on the two figures lying entwined together in the bed. Glorfindel winced as he heard Haldir’s foul curses to the valar as he saw his son lying undignified and sprawled upon Glorfindel’s bed.

“It is not what it looks like.” Glorfindel sighed as he hastily pulled the blanket up around Legolas still sleeping body as he carefully unwound himself from the prince and stepped from the bed. Erestor was instantly at his side helping the elder elf on with his robe while simultaneously glaring at him in questioning.

“You better hope it’s not.” Lord Celeborn was now standing at the side of Haldir his arms folded angrily across his chest. Filgree was obviously in a state of shock and quickly dashed over to the bed intent on checking Legolas condition. Glorfindel accepted the glass of spring water Lord Elrond handed to him as he moved stiffly around the room trying to get his tired muscles working again. The seneschal was surprised that Lord Elrond wasn’t giving him an accusing dirty look like the others but Glorfindel knew better than to judge Lord Elrond on appearances alone, and that some other emotion was raging inside the Half-elf.

“He came to me last night. I do not know why, he just slipped into my room while I was asleep. At first he was on the end of the bed but when I awoke to see who it was I couldn’t just leave him there, he was cold and shivering.” Glorfindel winced at his stiff back grateful when Lord Elrond told him to lean against the fireplace while he gently massaged it for him.

“You could have taken him back to his own rooms.” Haldir snapped sharply at Glorfindel his face telling the elder elf that the march warden didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“Aye I could have, but as you can see I was in no shape to carry him and I did not want to wake him cause he seemed peaceful. Besides there must have been some reason he came to me and if I’d returned him to his rooms there is every chance he would have come back here anyway.” Glorfindel yelped in agony as Lord Elrond massaged a particularly sore knot in his back. The seneschal was now sure that the horse ride in the cold last night had done him very little good at all.

“Filgree?” A timid, sleepy voice from over on the bed silenced any angry reply Haldir was going to give. Glorfindel glanced painfully over his shoulder to watch as the sleepy looking Legolas sat up in bed and stared guiltily around at the faces staring at him. “I’m sorry.” His whispered reply was quickly followed by gentle tears that flowed freely down his cheeks. It was obvious that Legolas knew what he had done and despite Filgree’s comfort still continued to cry.

“Legolas why did you leave your room?” Filgree gently questioned his charge as Glorfindel groaned and breathed out heavily as Lord Elrond helped him sit down in one of the rocking chairs. Legolas looked guilty at Lord Glorfindel before nuzzling his head into Filgree’s side.

“Because you left me. I told you to stay but you wouldn’t. I could see his face everywhere I looked, and I was scared he was going to come and get me again.” Glorfindel watched with intrigue as Filgree lowered his head guiltily and tightened his hug on the young prince, almost as if in apology. Legolas then looked up at Haldir who had gone suspiciously quiet. “And you shouted at me. I wasn’t going to come to see you because you would have shouted at me more! So I came here because Lord Glorfindel wouldn’t leave me and he certainly wouldn’t shout at me.” Glorfindel watched amazed as Legolas pushed Filgree away before hastily getting up and moving over to him in the rocking chair. There was a shocked gasp as Legolas leaned down and boldly kissed Glorfindel on the lips before standing protectively behind the rocking chair, his hand automatically finding Glorfindel’s and entwining their fingers together. “I will sleep where I like now. It is none of your business.” Glorfindel was just as shocked as everyone and glanced questioningly up at the young prince. Despite his outward appearance of defiance Glorfindel could feel Legolas hand shaking in his, and so in silent support he squeezed it gently.

“Will you be joining the patrol this morning Legolas?” It was Lord Elrond who calmly broke the stagnate silence. Glorfindel was shocked at seeing how calmly Lord Elrond had taken all of this considering he had been among those to desperateant ant Legolas to stay single, just in case the world collapsed. Glorfindel looked at the Lord questioningly but was only ignored as he waited patiently for Legolas to answer.

”Aye I will. I will go and dress for it now.” Glorfindel sighed heavily as Legolas stepped away from him after having squeezed his hand back in reassurance. Despite everything Legolas was still going to go on the patrol much to Glorfindel’s own worry. Everyone watched as Legolas moved over to the door stopping only a few moments as he asked Filgree to join him. Obediently the tutor got up and followed him leaving an awfully thick silence in his wake. Glorfindel couldn’t believe what had just happened and was sure it would take a few days for it to fully sink in. Legolas had made his intentions very clear to everyone and it worried Glorfindel that the prince had left himself open for ridicule. Yet there was nothing he could do until Legolas returned from the patrol, hopefully in one piece. Haldir was the first to leave his gaze telling Glorfindel everything he needed to know. It had been fine while ever Haldir had been in control but now as he son got more bold things had become difficult. Celeborn left in silence with the guards leaving Lord Elrond and Erestor standing in front of a very upset Glorfindel.

“I think it best we leave for Imaldris as soon as you are able to make the trip Glorfindel.” Both Glorfindel and Erestor looked at Lord Elrond slightly shocked and puzzled but the half-elf’s face told nothing of what he was thinking. “While ever Legolas stays here, Haldir will prevent his further growth and I am concerned that it is an unnecessary stress the prince does not need in his life. You did not save him from Thranduil only to be stifled again by Haldir.” Glorfindel could only nod stunned into speechlessness as Lord Elrond moved towards the exit of the room. “Erestor I would see you in the library when you have helped Glorfindel dress.” With that Lord Elrond left the talon leaving both elves shocked at what they’d just heard. What had Middle Earth come to when the Lord of Imaldris made such quick decisions regarding such important matters? Glorfindel looked at his friend for explanation but Erestor merely shrugged his shoulders blankly unsure himself of what had gotten in to everyone. Surely the only explanation was that they were all still hung-over from the wine at last nights feast. In silence Erestor helped Glorfindel from the chair and both went about dressing Glorfindel in silence for the day ahead.

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

(A/N) Hope you are still enjoying this story I'm trying to move it along a little but at the moment Haldir's had a spastic and I just couldn't prevent him from smothering Legolas, so it's off the Imaldris we go.........also Lord Elrond has a reason for the move but all will become apartent in time.