The secret life

Part 8.1


Imladris, 1455 T.A.


“Imladris is quite peaceful these days, muindor!”
“Yes, Elladan.”
“In fact, too peaceful!”
“Oh, I know that look... this particular glitter in your eyes means nothing but trouble!”
“And wouldn’t you enjoy a little trouble???”
“Maybe... what do you have in mind?”

***

Erestor was about to leave his room, when something red on his bed catched his eye. There on the dark silken sheets lay a single red rose and the advisor was quite sure, it hadn’t been there before. It was not the first incident like that, the last 30 years Erestor had found every now and then a rose of this particular deep red colour in his bed, on his desk, at his seat in the council room... And there was never a card or any sign who might be the sender...
Erestor brought the rose to his face and closed his eyes as he smelled its sweet scent and felt the soft petals at his lips. He smiled and even had the grace to blush.
//One could think I’m being courted...//
But as soon as this thought had crossed his mind he opened the eyes again.
//Stop those silly dreams, Erestor. Nobody would ever court someone like YOU!!! That’s one of the few things in life, you can be sure of...//
He put the flower between his books and headed towards the library. On his way there, he met the minstrel.
“Ah, Lindir, just the elf I need. I know you spend a great deal of your time in the rosegardens...”
“Yes, this place is so inspiring, even now, when no roses blossom. Why?”
“They do not blossom right now?”
“No, it’s not their time now but in a few weeks there will be the first buds.”
“How odd!!! See, I got this rose here and I wanted to know if it grows in the gardens.”
“No, I’ve never seen this particular colour before... it’s really beautiful. Where did you get it?”
“Found it...” Erestor mumbled absentmindly and simply went away, leaving Lindir alone in the corridor.

***

The door fell close with a loud BANG! and Legolas ran through the corridors.
//Damn! I’ll be late again... Erestor’s gonna kill me!//

23 years had passed now since his arrival in the valley and yes, it has truly become his second home. Though he still missed Greenwood and his family, he had found friends among the Imladris elves. Quite often he was seen playing with Arwen and Nori, the young chambermaid, the little girl was so fond of. The twins, Elladan in particular, often teased him about his time with their younger sister, but Legolas wasn’t irritated by that. It was impossible not to like the sons of Elrond. Once a week the prince spend some time with their father in the healing wing, listening to his lectures about herbs and wound treatment. Though Legolas found these lectures interesting and talked to Elrond more often now, there was still a distance between them. It was exactly the opposite with Glorfindel. The young prince had long ago taken the warrior to his heart, his training sessions were the hours of the day, he cherrished the most and if the seneschal had to go on patrol, Legolas was in a bad mood ‘till his hero was back again.
But right now the Greenwood prince was on his way to the library and his lessons with Erestor and these next hours promised little to be pleasant. Legolas had told Elrohir once: “I think Erestor doesn’t like me.” But Elrohir had only shrugged his shoulders and said: “Actually Erestor does not like anyone!” Perhaps this was really the case but now that the twins had finished their studies and Arwen was still too young for her education to start, Legolas had to endure the strict tutor all alone.

When he reached his destination he opened the door quietly and slipped inside. Erestor was already at his desk and normally would have scolded him for his tardiness, but today, luck was on Legolas side. Erestor was so deeply lost in thoughts, he didn’t seem to notice the young elf at all. Legolas sat down at the table and opened the book they were currently working with. No one said a word.
It was about two hours later that Glorfindel entered the libray.
“Legolas, still working inside? It’s such a beautiful day! The twins are seeking you, you should meet them at the stables.”
“Glorfindel!” Erestor shouted. “Legolas cannot go outside now. We are not finished yet!”
“Oh, but I’m sure he can read this book in the evening too. Right now a young elf like him should be playing outside and you, my dear advisor, could use a little sun too.”
Erestor’s dark brown eyes became even darker, almost black and he glared dangerously at Glorfindel.
“Oh, Legolas, did you see that look.... Beware the black ghost!!! Run for your life, pen-neth!” The warrior laughed but Erestor became calm, too calm, only his eyes revealed his anger.
“Legolas – we are finished, you can go. But I will test your knowledge tomorrow. Glorfindel, I have to speak with you! NOW!”
Legolas closed the book and quickly left the room, clearly feeling that there was trouble in the air.
When he was gone, Erestor turned to Glorfindel.
“How dare you!!!” he hissed.
“Dare what? Send the pen-neth outside to play?”
“You know what I mean. You are undermining my authority!”
“Oh, Erestor, come on... as if anybody could damage your authority. Your person is still sacrosanct.”
“And why do you think it is... Do you think it easy to always be controlled? But it’s necessary. I’m not only the childrens tutor, but also chief advisor. I deal with many people, elves and men from many realms – they HAVE to respect me!!!”
“Erestor, it was just a little jest and only Legolas listened. Don’t you think you overreact?”
“I’m quite sure you have a brain in that big head of yours, haven’t you? Perhaps you could use it! How would YOU feel, if I came to the training grounds and make fun of you in front of your soldiers, you son of an orc!”
“You do not know how to make fun, you creepy crow.”
“If every elf in Gondolin suffered of this stupidity, it’s no wonder, the city fell!” – ouch, that hurts. Glorfindel paled.
“Glorfindel, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-“
“If you would excuse me now. I have work to do.” And with that the seneschal left Erestor alone in the library.
The advisor went to his desk and let himself fall in his chair. He couldn’t believe it, for the first time in his life, he had lost control. What was wrong with him today? He knew that to mention Gondolin, even in jest, was taboo. Everybody respected the wounds and scars, Glorfindel still carried from that loss. There was no excuse for this.


***

Legolas met Elladan and Elrohir at the stables.
“Ah, there you are.” Elrohir shouted. “Come inside, quick, and close the doors, we cannot be caught!”
“Oh oh – that’s sounds like I’m getting right into some mischief. You two are up to something!”
“Yes and we need your help!”
“And what if I don’t want to get in trouble?”
“Oh, our pen-neth is so well-behaved. Still our little good girl, huh?”
“If you think you can convince me with your teasing Elladan, then your wrong. So tell me, what you have planned – or better, do NOT tell me, I’m sure I do not want to know.”
“We only want you to spend the evening with Glorfindel and make sure he doesn’t come to the stables. That’s all!”
“That’s all?”
“That’s all!”
“But I would have spend the evening with him anyway, because he leads the patrol tomorrow.”
“We know... just make sure he doesn’t come here, right?”
“I should know better, but I’ll see to it.”
“Great... it would be best if you go right now... I think Glorfindel is at the training grounds.”
When Legolas left, Elrohir addressed his brother:
“Why do you always tease him so?”
“Oh come on, it’s just fun. First of all, he doesn’t mind. And secondly, he has to learn to put that away and behave like a young boy. In a few years he will join the warriors for training and they won’t handle him with kid gloves. Do you remember OUR first training? And we were their lord’s sons! And now stop questioning me and come here. We have some work to do!”

***

Glorfindel watched his warriors crossing their swords. That was the best way for him to forget his quarrel with Erestor. Three new recruits had joined his regiment lately and he was curious about their talents in the sparring matches with the more seasoned warriors. One recruit he watched with particular interest. It was a young man with auburn hair and hazel eyes, who fought with a fiery passion. //Well, that one is ambitious...// Glorfindel thought. //Perhaps a little too ambitious... but then again, he’s still very young.//
The seneschal called for a break and moved to the elf in question.
“You fought very well today. Try to hold the sword a little more like this.” He rearranged the weapon in the young warrior’s hands.
“What’s your name, soldier?”
“Sarik, my captain!”
One of the other guards cleared his throat and directed Glorfindels gaze at the chestnut tree that grew nearby. “I think we have a spy, my captain.”
“Legolas? What are you doing in that tree? Come down.”
The Greenwood prince jumped from the branch he had been sitting on and landed in front of the blond warrior.
“I’m sorry, Glorfindel. I just wanted to watch the training.”
“It’s allright, pen-neth. I’m done here. Do you want to go for a swim?”
“Wonderful idea! Let’s go.”
“Wait, wait, pen-neth. I want to go to the stables first. I’ve got an apple for Asfaloth.”
“But I want to go swimming right now!”
“Legolas! Stop being so childish. First the stables, then the river.”
The young elf was at a complete loss but then he had an idea.
“Glorfindel, wait! I think I forgot something in the tree.” He climbed the tree again but not too high, took a deep breath and let himself fall off the branch. Glorfindel ran to his charge.
“Legolas, everything allright? Are you hurt?”
“Ah... my leg. I think I broke my leg!”
“Hold on, I’ll carry you to Elrond.”


In the healing wing, the Peredhel eyed the young elf suspiciously.
“No need to worry, it’s just a scratch. The leg is not broken but you shouldn’t walk to much this evening. Glorfindel, would you please fetch another leggins for Legolas...”
Elrond waited until his seneschal had left and then turned to Legolas.
“You are a gifted actor, pen-neth. Broken leg – “ Elrond chuckled. “I’m not sure if I want to know why you let yourself fall from a tree. Oh, I know you did it on purpose. You are a woodelf and they never fall off a tree.”
“Do not tell Glorfindel, please. It has to do with a ... a... a surprise for him.”


***

The next morning everyone went to the courtyard to see the patrol off. But the patrol wasn’t ready to leave, their captain was missing. A few minutes later Glorfindel was heard, as he rode cursing along the way and when he came round the corner, the sight caused every elf to laugh, even Erestor had to smirk.
Elrond tried to catch his breath.
“VALAR! Children, what have you done?”
“Why, adar? Elrohir and I just used some crushed berries to make the oh so proud stallion of our beloved Glorfindel even more marvellous.”
“You have painted his horse pink!!!”
“Just for fun... once he crosses a river, Asfaloth’s fur will shine in a bright white again. But just this moment was worth the trouble!”

***

In the afternoon Legoas and the twins were sitting under a tree in the gardens.
“So, Legolas... how did you find our little joke?”
“Not bad, Elladan, not bad. But you know that you’re in trouble when Glorfindel returns.”
“Oh, you are always such a damn good boy. Or should I say a good girl!”
“That’s not true!”
“Prove it!”
“Alright, I’ll do. I already have something in mind. I will play a trick on... Erestor!”
“No, Legolas... no one dares to play tricks on Erestor.”
“I will. Care for a wager, Elladan? If I do not dare it, I’ll be your slave for a week, but if I’ll do it, I’ll put you in a dress and braid your hair and you will be my sweet little girl for a whole day! Agreed?”

tbc

Translation:

muindor - brother
pen-neth - little one
adar - father