Deny Me Not

Deny Me Not

Chapter 9

Elrond studied the two pieces of parchment that lay before him and had to admit that the handwriting on the fake note was very similar, but not exactly the same, as that on the seneschal’s weekly report that he had retrieved from Erestor’s office. Under close scrutiny the subtle differences became quite obvious and Elrond was more certain than ever that such would not have escaped the astute advisor’s notice unless Erestor had been under an outside influence.

“Why the frown, my love?” Celebrían asked as she ran soothing fingers across the creases of worry on her husband’s brow. Elrond was startled by her silent approach, but only for a moment. He smiled up at his beloved as he captured her hand and kissed the soft skin if her palm.

“It escapes me how Erestor allowed himself to be drugged, or how I can possibly prove it without a confession from the culprit, ” he replied as he drew Celebrían onto his lap and wrapped his arms about her waist, an action rewarded with a tender kiss on his cheek.

“If the one responsible was whom we all seem to think it was, you will likely be waiting until the end of Arda. Her obsession is not only a danger to herself but to others as well, and she is very cunning,” observed Celebrían with a coldness that indicated her disgust with Amien.

“You speak wisely, as always. I have spoken to Galen but he claims to have no idea who forged the letter.” Celebrían did not seem surprised either that Galen kept his silence or that her husband did not trust him.

“You do not believe him, do you.” It was a statement of fact rather than a question. Elrond shook his head.

“Not entirely. I believe him when he says it was not one of the scribes, but he does know who is responsible, of that I have no doubt. Nonetheless I have arranged a meeting with Amien and her parents in the hopes of obtaining a confession,” he said allowing the one closest to his heart to hear the uncertainty of that outcome in his voice. Were Erestor here, his dear friend of many ages would also have easily detected it, he mused.

“Can Erestor not explain what happened?” Elrond raised his eyebrow in surprise at the mention of the name that had just been in his thoughts, but what else did one expect from the daughter of Galadriel.

“Nay, I spoke to him earlier for a few minutes and he was still unable to think clearly. He is confused and unsure which of his recollections are real and which are parts of the nightmare that he has suffered during these past days,” he told her with a sigh of frustration.

“I can not begin to imagine the heartbreak he felt thinking Glorfindel no longer loved him. I wonder that the Valar allowed him to suffer so,” said Celebrían, tears filling her eyes with sorrow.

“As did Glorfindel,” added Elrond, as he took Celebrían in his arms and held her as if he would never let her go. “I do not know what I would do if I were to lose you, my love,” he whispered, a flash of his far sight making him suddenly afraid of the future.

“I am part of you, beloved, you can never lose me,” replied Celebrían as she tilted her head up in an invitation which Elrond readily accepted with a kiss that was as sweet and filled with love as the first one they had ever shared. Celebrían sighed happily when they finally parted and then returned their conversation to the current problem.

“Elrond, love, I have far spoken with Naneth and she has shown me a way to seek out Erestor’s memories. Do hav have any idea what herb was used to incapacitate our dear advisor?” Celebrían asked after several minutes of contented silence had ensued as she snuggled against the strong body of her husband. Elrond slammed his fist onto the desk, and laughed bitterly as recognition lit his eyes, to be quickly replaced by cold fury.

“I am a fool! I trusted her to dispose of that plant, but I should have done it myself!” he exclaimed as he hugged Celebrían and kissed her soundly again before lifting her from his lap. “Come, if my instincts are correct, I know where the evidence and the assistance you require is to be found,” he said as he took her hand and strode purposefully from the study.

Celebrían found herself being lead to the herb garden where, after a quick glance around the area he knew so well, and as if guided by some invisible hand, Elrond walked deliberately towards a particular corner of the garden that had been rather overgrown until Amien began restoring it. He plunged his hands into the newly turned soil and easily moved the soft dirt aside to reveal a cloth covered bundle of dried leaves with a distinctive scent that told the master Healer they were of the plant Amien had claimed she had destroyed as requested.

“That material was woven in Lothlorien,” said Celebrían as she rubbed a corner of the cloth between her fingers.

“A fact that only confirms my suspicions about Amien,” replied Elrond looking at the leaves with disgust. Celebrían carefully smelled the herb and nodded as if answering some unspoken question.

“The leaves do have a rather distinctive odour and will possibly help me restore his memory.” Elrond favoured his wife with a loving smile and taking her hand again they made their way to the healing hall.


*********

The lore master raised his hand to knock on the door, but refrained from doing so when he heard the muffled sound of voices through the thick wood.

“Ouch! Please, not so hard, Glorfindel!”

“I am sorry, Erestor. Please try and relax. The pain will pass quickly,”

“Perhaps if you used a little more oil?” moaned Erestor as he felt another sharp pain.

“Just a few strokes more, I am almost finished my love.”


It seemed apparent that the occupants of the healing chamber were involved in their own method of recovery, but Elrond’s disapproval was also obvious as he reached for the door knob.

“Do you think it proper that we should interrupt?” asked Celebrían uncertainly. Elrond allowed himself a moment to simply look at her before replying. He found the slight blush on her cheeks to be exquisitely charming and arousing.

“Aye, I do. As much as they may desire to consummate their marriage, Erestor is in no condition to do so, no matter how gently Glorfindel might treat him. Wait here,” he said handing Celebrían the bundle of herbs before he opened the door just enough to allow entry and then disappeared into the chamber.

“Glorfindel, Erestor, I suggest you stop before you find yourselves in need of my healing services again!” he demanded, keeping his eyes averted to allow his friends some privacy.

“Just what is it you think we are doing, Elrond?” Glorfindel’s hearty laughter and Erestor’s weak but equally mirthful chuckles cause Elrond to look in their direction, only to find things were not as he had assumed.

Erestor was sitting propped up by several pillows while Glorfindel attempted to brush the unruly tangles from the neglected locks of dark hair. It was a daunting task despite the liberal application of some oil the seneschal had found amongst Elrond’s potions.

“I… that is… Celebrían and I…we thought you were making love,” Elrond stammered in his embarrassment.

“Then why did you interrupt?” Glorfindel asked, the wicked gleam in his eye telling both Erestor and Elrond that he was enjoying his lord’s discomfort immensely.

“Out of concern for your well being. You both must realise that Erestor especially should not be exerting himself just yet,” he explained tartly.

“Although I very much desire to do so,” Erestor whispered into Glorfindel’s ear. The seneschal kissed his mate softly on the lips.

“I know, as do I, but Elrond is right,” he whispered back. The sound of the lord of Imladris clearing his throat recaptured their attention.

“I thank you for your concern, but as you can see, I am quite safe in Glorfindel’s hands,” replied Erestor as he leaned wearily back against his mate who enfolded him in a warm embrace. “I am also very tired,” he added drowsily.

“So I see, but there is a matter of import we must discuss,” said Elrond as he moved to the door and ushered Celebrían in to the room. She walked over to the bed and kissed Erestor’s cheek, and exchanged a relieved smile of affection with Glorfindel.

“Erestor dear, I am so happy for both, and pleased that you will be well, but before you fall asleep again perhaps I can help you recall how you came to be in possession of that forged note?” She suggested, holding his gaze as she tenderly took one of the advisor’s hands and placed one of the dried leaves in it. “Have you seen or smelled this particular herb before? It makes you both very lethargic and extremely susceptible to suggestions.” Erestor felt as if a cloud lifted from his mind and memories of that terrible day suddenly became clear.

“Aye, the aroma reminds me of the bath I was preparing whilst waiting for my meal to arrive,” he said feeling wide awake for the first time in days. Realising that it was Celebrían who was responsible for his alertness, although he knew not how, he nodded his thanks.

“This is not your usual fragrance,” commented Glorfindel who had also taken a careful sniff of the herbs that Elrond held in the cloth.

“Nay, it is not. I was tiand and lonely and missing you very much my love, and I think I used your bathing herbs without realising the strange scent they contained.” He smiled as he felt Glorfindel’s arms tighten around him and soft lips tickled his neck.

“I missed you too,” whispered Glorfindel against the soft skin, causing a delightful sensation to travel down Erestor’s spine. The advisor fervently begged the Valar for a swift recovery and several uninterrupted days and nights with his husband. “Soon,” Glorfindel whispered seductively as he sensed his mate’s impatience.

“What happened next?” Celebrían asked, ignoring the love play between the two.

“I finished bathing and I felt very strange. I collapsed on the bed just before the maid brought my meal tray. It was not the usual kitchen maid, but Amien who brought my meal,” he said, suddenly fully alert. His eyes widened as his clarity of thought allowed him to fully realise what had happened. “So it was she who used this insidious plant to cause me to mistrust my own heart and believe that Glorfindel had left me,” said Erestor, relieved to finally learn the truth.

“So it seems, for that is the danger of that particular herb,” explained Elrond who had remained silent until now.

“It was she who gave me the note from Glorfindel!” declared Erestor, his eyes ablaze with outrage at what had been done to him, and hatred for the one responsible.

“Amien!” hissed the Balrog slayer with equal vehemence. It had hurt him deeply to feel Erestor fading, knowing that only grief from a broken heart could cause such a tragic event but until now he did not understand what could have made Erestor doubt his love.

So distraught had the seneschal become as he felt Erestor’s fea slowly slipping away that he had returned alone to Imladris in response to his lover’s distress, but he had become careless and allowed a band of orcs to come upon him unawares. Had not Elladan and Elrohir been hunting in that area, Glorfindel might have found himself back in the Halls of Waiting.

“Elrond, that evil child must not remain another day in Imladris!” It was more than a request; it was an order not to be denied.

“Aye,” nodded Elrond, not of a mind to disagree with gol golden elf lord. “I am expecting Amien and her parents to attend me in my study shortly but perhaps it would be best if they came here and heard Erestor’s account of the events, if you feel well enough, that is?” Elrond glanced at his advisor who nodded his acquiescence.

“As I am the only witness, I will find the strength to participate for such an atrocious act can not go unpunished,” he assured them all.

“Thank you, Erestor. We shall return shortly with the others, so in the mean time please try and get some rest,” said Elrond with a pointed glance in Glorfindel’s direction.

“I will see he sleeps, but first I think we should finish what we started before we were so unceremoniously interrupted,” said Glorfindel, winking at Erestor as he reached for the discarded hairbrush.

Elrond and Celebrían quickly took their leave, the seneschal and advisor exchanging amused smiles at the slightly coloured cheeks of their Lord and Lady.