The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 78

Glorfindel leaned quietly against the window frame his gaze lost in the stars as he idly swilled the last remains of his wine around in his glass. Behind him all the representatives of the realms talked heatedly about border security, trade and women. Jokes and stories were being retold in the old language, as the finest of Imladris’ vineyard were being brazenly drunk to excess. Although he had attempted to join in conversation with topics he knew well Glorfindel still could not disguise the fact that his mind was elsewhere. While he had hoped for a speedy conclusion to the nights events it had become quickly apparent that everyone had settled in for the night, leaving Glorfindel stranded with little he could do to escape. As Lord Elrond’s seneschal he had a duty to remain at the proceedings even thought Legolas would be still waiting for his promised return. Yet again the feeling of sadness swept over him at the mere thought of his lovers name. Something was so dreadfully not right with Legolas and Glorfindel had a feeling he was to blame in some way. While they had shared such secrets with one another since their binding there was still something Legolas was afraid od wad was trying to hide it. Glorfindel sighed heavily unknowingly allowing the heavy breath to echo around the library.

“You are very out of character this evening Lord Glorfindel, do not tell me you are mourning the loss of your prized princeling yet? Or has your mate tamed you already?” Glorfindel closed his eyes in anger as the sickly sweet laughter of Mirkwood’s advisory broke over the top of the quiet conversation causing all attention to now focus on the blonde seneschal. Tightening his grip on his wine glass Glorfindel composed himself and slowly turned around from his gaze out of the window. The entire ensemble was looking at Glorfindel with curiosity at the the elder elf would reply. Erestor and Elrond although cautious were standing stoically near the desk ready to intervene if necessary. It had been a surprise to learn of Thranduil even sending a gift for his son let alone an advisor to formally portray Mirkwood’s regards to the couple. Yet Elrond had been suspicious from the beginning and knew that any advisor from Mirkwood would be mostly likely here to cause trouble.

“Yes you are very observant Yamalin, although misguided I fear. I confess I am a little out of sorts of late but to no other reason than of matters private to myself.” Glorfindel’s reply was curt and left no room for comment. Wisely Mirkwood’s advisory backed down immediately from the confrontation and lowered his head in defeat as Glorfindel moved quickly to the table and poured himself another glass of wine. The conversation began around the room again and Glorfindel sighed quietly as he caught Yamalin’s gaze again knowing now that the younger elf was sent here by Thranduil on a mission. Glorfindel made a mental note to keep a close watch on the party from Mirkwood during their stay.

“You look weary my friend, come sit with me.” Glorfindel turned back to his glass of wine just as Erestor came to a quiet stand still beside him. With a soft gesture Glorfindel allowed himself to be guided to a spare sofa by the side of the fire place, unoccupied and apart from the main body of conversing elves.

“Aye I have not felt this tired in all my years and I believe that it is my bond with Legolas that is making me so.” Erestor nodded understandingly as he soothed a hand over Glorfindel’s on his knee before taking Glorfindel’s glass of wine and replacing it with a jug of water hoping that the refreshing drink would do his friend some good.

“You will feel like this for some time Glorfindel, for Legolas is weaker than you and is relying heavily on your strength to get him through each day.” Erestor urged his friend to drink some more water as he paused his conversation as one of the dignities wandered past them heading towards the open library doors. “It will pass as Legolas gains his own strength and confidence in your relationship. Elrond tells me he has urged the prince to take up combat training again and has scheduled some hunting trips in order to keep Legolas’ occupied and build his own strength again.” Glorfindel nodded quietly pleased by the information that Erestor was telling him, although there was still something that did not feel right.

“Aye you are right I must bear this as best I can, he will grow more independent as we go on together. Yet there is something that I have been feeling for a while now, something that is in him a fear that is growing with each day that passes and it worries me so. He increasingly does not want to be apart from me for loerioeriods of time.” Erestor frowned at Glorfindel as he watched his friend shiver in the breeze coming in through the open windows. It had taken some getting used to for Erestor to see his friend suffering from the cold and while it was distressing sometimes Erestor did not comment, instead placing the blanket from the back of the sofa over his friends shoulders. Glorfindel smiled appreciatively at his best friend and wrapped the material around him tightly.

“That is a little concerning, most elves can bare being apart from their bonded for as long as necessary so long as their bonded returns to them eventually. Perhaps Legolas is afraid you will not come back to him or maybe he fears for your safety?” Erestor was thinking out loud and Glorfindel found it fascinating to watch his friend turn over each and every point of view in the situation.

“That maybe true. He has been pestering me of late about rejoining the patrols but I thought he was just being over protective and sulking because I will not be spending all of my time with him. And why should he worry about my not returning? He knows I can defend myself and that I will return to him no matter what.” Erestor shook his head and rolled his eyes at Glorfindel’s mentality. Sometimes his friend could be so forthcoming sometimes that he missed the subtler details staring him in the face.

“Aye Glorfindel you amaze me sometimes.” Glorfindel looked at his friend confused as Erestor scowled at him in mock anger. “Legolas is neither Elladan or Elrohir and you should not treat him like them. He is your mate now and while he may sulk like our old charges used to it is over a far deeper issue than mere separation.” Glorfindel twitched guiltily now having realized that he had indeed been discussing Legolas like he had done Elladan and Elrohir when he and Erestor were their tutors. Sensing his friend had been chastised justly Erestor continued. “Now there is obviously something you are missing. Have you told him that you will return for him? Does he understand that you are forever his?”

“I have told him thousands of times that I love him and will return as soon as I am able to. We have also discussed my departure with the patrols on more than one occasion and while he seems to understand my duty he does not want to let me go.” Glorfindel lowered his voice and slid easily into Quenya as he realized a few of the visiting dignities were eaves dropping on their conversation. “Even now he tosses in his bed, he makes me feel ill to the stomach, the only time he is at peace is when he lies with me at night.” In disgust Glorfindel pushed the glass of water away from him as again the feeling of Legolas’ fear swept through his body as it had done so frequently of late. Erestor frowned pensively as he bent his head forward and rested it on his hands as he thought about the situation at hand. He had assumed too much about the happiness of his friends once their union was complete. None had foreseen how troubled the relationship would be even when it had been so clearly destined to be.

It was in a moment of clarity that Erestor found the problem and ultimately it’s solution. The bond between his friends had still not been consummated and it was that which was probably the cause of all their problems. Most normal couples would have been making love long before their binding yet Glorfindel and Legolas had been so hurriedly brought together that none had considered the final aspect of the completion of the bond. It was just always assumed that with a binding ceremony the sharing of each other’s bodies would take place afterwards sealing the union. Yet as far as Erestor knew Glorfindel and Legolas were still celibate even after Erestor had talked to Glorfindel earlier that month. It was the fact that their union had not been complete that was straining their relationship to its limits. Lowering his voice to barely above a whisper Erestor leaned in close to Glorfindel and breathed softly into his friend’s ear.

”You must take Legolas to your bed.” Glorfindel frowned and pulled away from his friend slightly concerned that Erestor had become so bold in his advice. Erestor scowled and pulled his best friend back to him, still wary of those trying to listen to their conversation. “Legolas is afraid because you have not given yourself to him completely yet. His mind knows you will be safe and you will return to him as you have completed that part of the binding ceremony but his body and his heart do not know that, as you have yet to share yourself with him and complete the bond.” Glorfindel sighed heavily already seeing the truth behind his friend’s words.

“I have not discussed this with him yet.” Glorfindel swallowed hard as he watched Erestor tut loudly and roll his eyes before glaring at him pointedly.

“Then you must do it tonight Glorfindel. We do not know what might come if you don’t seal the bond completely. Legolas needs you to give him what his body is obviously crying out for. This is perhaps the reason behind why you are not feeling well yourself. Maybe all these problems you have been experiencing since the bonding will disappear once you have completed it.” Glorfindel nodded still a little unsure of himself as Erestor helped him stand from the sofa.

“What if he is still not recovered enough to do as I would like of him. I do not want to hurt him Erestor.” Glorfindel whispered through gritted teeth as his friend led him boldly towards where Elrond was talking quietly with a few councillors from Lorien.

“Legolas is well Glorfindel and I am sure you will know how to handle the situation so that all involved enjoy the experience.” Erestor’s voice trailed off as the pair of them came to a stand still directly in front of Lord Elrond who’d ceased his conversation due to the impending interruption.

“Lord Elrond please forgive our interruption. A situa has has arisen just now of grave importance, Lord Glorfindel is needed immediately upstairs and I wish to speak with you privately.” Glorfindel swallowed around the large lump in his throat hardly believing that Erestor was lying so blatantly to Lord Elrond. Elrond it seemed understood the unspoken lie from his lover however and both exchanged looks of concerned worry before Elrond turned to Glorfindel and gestured pointedly at the door to the library.

”You are excused Glorfindel go quickly.” Glorfindel could only nod before he turned and strode confidently from the room ignoring the looks of those dignities staring after him. Behind him he could hear Erestor and Elrond following him but their simultaneous steps stopped in the hall as he alone dashed up the stairs to the second floor of the last homely house. He had been putting this off for weeks too worried about scaring his lover or what the right words would be to say to Legolas. Now at Erestor’s plea it seemed fair to say the situation was urgent enough to be acted upon and Glorfindel bit his lip in determination. Already a hundred starting phrases began running through Glorfindel’s mind as he stepped up to the chambers he shared with Legolas. Pausing briefly outside the tapestry covered door Glorfindel composed himself before taking a deep calming breath and confidently pushing asside the heavy tapestry….

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

(A/N) We're sooooooooo close now people. I can smell freedom in the air.