Thawing the Ice

Welcome to Ellie, a new reviewer! I feel very popular! I love it. A quick warning, on June 7th I go on a new work shift. Instead of 4 pm until 12:30 am I work from 4 am to 12:30 pm, so updates might be erratic until I get adjusted.

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Chapter 7--The Hunt begins

Reluctant to go back to Glorfindel's chamber, Erestor took his time bathing, but finally he left the tub, dried off and put on clean clothes. He combed out his hair and bound it back at the nape of his neck with a leather thong. Just as he was leaving the room his gaze fell upon a thick book on the bedside table. He went and got it then left.

Elrond opened the door is kis knock. "Good, you are back. I must go and tend to my duties. I will be back to check on Glorfindel later," he said. He left.

Erestor closed the door behind him and walked over to the chair he'd spent the night in.

"Erestor," Glorfindel said.

"What is it?" Erestor replied.

"Would you open the balcony doors? I would like to see the sun and feel the breeze. It seems stuffy in here," Glorfindel said.

Erestor shrugged and went to the doors and shoved them open. Sunlight and a fresh breeze filled the room. "Satisfied?" he asked.

"Aye, that is much better," Glorfindel said and smiled at him. "I wish I could go outside. I hate being bedridden though the company is worth it."

Erestor shook his head. "You are such a nuisance, seneschal," he said. He went back to the chair, sat down, and opened the book.

"You mean you are going to just sit there, read, and ignore me?" Glorfindel pouted.

"I am bored. I can hold a book, but I can't turn pages and it is making me crazy to just lay here," Glorfindel complained.

"So you are trying to make me crazy as well by nagging," Erestor pointed out.

"We could play a game of chess. I can do that with only one good hand," Glorfindel suggested hopefully.

"I was not aware you played chess," Erestor remarked.

"Aye, I play with Elrond often. He has even said that I am a very worthy opponent," Glorfindel said. "Consider it a challenge."

Erestor had to admit he was bored too. A game of chess would be welcome. "Very well, your challenge is accepted. Do you have a chess set or shall I fetch the one in the library?" he asked.

"I have one," Glorfindel said. He directed Erestor to where he kept it. He got himself into an upright position while Erestor fetched the board and set it up.

"If you help me I can sit at the table. It will make it easier to play," Glorfindel suggested.

Erestor hesitated then went over and assisted Glorfindel to his feet and over to the table then lowered him into a chair. "Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"Very, thank you, lirimaer," Glorfindel said.

Erestor scowled. "Stop calling me that," he said. He sat down in the other chair. "You are playing white, so you move first," he said.

Glorfindel moved then sat back and watched Erestor make his move.

After two hours both of them were impressed with each other's skill. Finally Glorfindel managed to corner the black king where it couldn't escape. "Checkmate, lirimaer," he said.

Erestor studied the board then tipped the black king on its side to symbol surrender. "You are a worthy opponent indeed," he admitted.

"I think that a prize is in order," Glorfindel said huskily.

"What sort of prize?" Erestor asked warily.

"I will settle for a kiss, lirimaer," Glorfindel said.

Erestor just sighed in annoyance and stood. "Your seductive attempts completely lack in subtlety, seneschal," he said.

Glorfindel laughed. "Very well, advisor. Let us play another and I promise to behave, agreed?" he asked.

"I doubt the word behave is in your vocabulary, in fact I doubt you even know what it means," Erestor snorted.

"Perhaps, but you can teach me all that while we are playing our second game," Glorfindel offered.

Erestor finally sat down. "Very well and stop calling me lirimaer. I am not one of your conquest," he said.

They were on their third game, trying to break a tie when Elrond came in. "Glorfindel, what are you doing out of bed?" he asked.

"Playing chess," Glorfindel said innocently.

"Do not do that. You know what I am talking about. You should not be up," Elrond said.

"But I was bored and besides we are almost done. I will have him in two moves," Glorfindel said.

Erestor made his move. "Checkmate," he said.

"WHAT?!" Glorfindel cried. He looked at the board. "Well, damn."

"Too bad he had you in one," Elrond said. "Now you will return to your bed."

Glorfindel grumbled, but allowed himself to be helped back to bed.