The secret life

Part 8.2

“So what about your prank now, Legolas... we are waiting for more than a weak. Or don’t you dare it? ... In that case-“
“Forget it Elladan, I will win our wager. Give me one more day. Tomorrow, when the patrol returns, I will do it. But I need your help.”

***

The next day, Erestor was sitting in his study even though it was already late. It had been an exhausting day, Imladris was currently in negotiations with some human traders. The advisor felt tired, but he wasn’t done yet. He would finish this contract first and then go to sleep. Hoping that he could refresh himself a little, he took another sip of wine, but tonight the wine seemed to have the opposite effect. Erestor yawned. Perhaps he could finish the contact next morning... He tried to stand up but failed, his limbs wouldn’t move and his head became heavy and then he surrendered and fell asleep on his desk.

A few minutes later the study door slowly opened and three heads peeked inside.
“How did you know he would sleep, Legolas?”
“I drugged him.”
“You did what?”
“It’s just a slight sleeping potion. Your adar told me how to make it last month. He will sleep until late morning...”
“I never thought you would do such a thing. I think Elladan and I have to watch our backs in the future...”
“Don’t be silly! You should rather help me now. I want you to carry him to the Hall of Fire!”
“Why? What is on your mind? And what is in that bag, you brought with you?”
“You’ll see, you’ll see! Do you manage him, Elrohir?”
“Of course, he weighs almost nothing.”
They quickly made their way to the Hall of Fire, where Elrohir placed his former tutor into one of the armchairs.
“You won’t compromise him too much, will you?” Elrohir asked. Although he and Elladan had played tricks on almost every elf in Imladris, he felt a little unwell seeing Erestor in such a helpless state.
“No, not too much. But now quick, Elladan, watch the door! Elrohir, open my bag and hand me the coal!”
“Coal? What do you want with coal?”
“Just wait and see!”
Elrohir gave Legolas the coal and the Greenwood prince began to blacken the area around the advisors eyes.
“Is that all you have in store, to smear some coal in his face?” Elladan teased.
“I’m not yet finished.”
Legolas opened his bag again and pulled out a white sheet and a cutter.
“Oh, I think I can guess now...” Elrohir said, while the young prince began to cut two holes in the fabric and when he was done, he put the sheet over Erestor. He took his time to adjust it a little, but at last he grinned satisfied and stepped back.
The twins had to laugh.
“Oh Legolas, that’s great! Erestor as a ghost... just like Glorfindel always says.”
“Yes, and with the coal around the eyes, booh... makes me shiver. Very creepy, really. I think I have to admit you’ve won our wager!”
“Thanks Elladan... but now let us place him right in the middle of the hall, so that every elf can see him on the way to the morning meal!”

***

Glorfindel found he couldn’t stay in bed any longer. It was always the same when he returned from patrol, his sleep was always disturbed the first night at home.
//Maybe I’m not used the luxury of a real bed after sleeping a whole week on the ground!//
Although it was still dark outside, at least an hour before dawn, he got up and dressed in loose fitting tunic and leggins. His stomach growled – perhaps he could pinch a little snack from the kitchen before breakfast...
Quietly, not wanting to wake anyone, he went down the corridors and was about to cross the Hall of Fire, when he froze in his movements. In the middle of the hall sat a ghost! Of course the seneschal did not believe in ghosts... but still... in the dark hall with just the fire’s little light – it looked quite spooky!
Slowly Glorfindel approached the creature and had to laugh about his own stupidity when he found it was a costumed elf. He lifted the sheet carefully and tried hard not to laugh out loud when he found it was Erestor!
//Oh my dear one... it seems as though you were their new victim, my black ghost. But at least they are very inventive!//
At first he wanted to leave Erestor sitting there, as not to ruin the young ones’ joke, but then he thought back at his quarrel with the advisor a week ago and his reaction to his remark in front of Legolas. How would Erestor feel if the whole household would laugh at him.
//I’m sorry, but I cannot allow that! As much as I enjoyed the sight of Erestor as ghost...//
Smirking he pulled the sheet off, took Erestor in his arms and cradeled him against his chest. He burried his nose in the black mane and inhaled the advisors scent of almonds and sandalwood, savoring the moment of closeness to the fullest. He was about to leave the hall towards Erestors room whe he heard something outside. The servants were awakened. What should he do now... there was no way to get Erestor in his room without being seen and rumors were spreading quickly in Imladris. But then he had an idea.
//My study in the barracks... I could use the backdoor and go through the gardens... //
There wasn’t much time to think as he heard the first footfalls outside. He left the hall and carried Erestor to his study, where he placed him on a sofa near the fireplace. He covered the dark elf with a blanket, brushed his lips on the advisors brow and then sat himself in a nearby chair.

The sun stood high in the sky when Erestor awakened. His head was spinning and he was quite confused. But when he looked around he was sure that this was neither his room, nor his study.
“Good morning! I already thought you would sleep the whole day!”
“Glorfindel? How? Why? Damned, where AM I?”
“You’ re in my study in the barracks... haven’t you been here before?”
“I don’t believe so.”
Glorfindel took a bowl with tepid water and a washcloth.
“Let me wash your face and remove the coal.”
The seneschall gently used the cloth to clean the advisors eyes.
“Daro, daro, daro! Coal? What coal? And WHY THE HELL AM I HERE!!!”
“Nothing to worry about, it seems you had become the victim of a prank?” And Glorfindel told the advisor, how he had found him.
“... and then I came to your rescue. No one saw you, so evereything is fine!”
“FINE? FINE??? Nothing’s fine. Do you have the slightest idea what this means. NO ONE plays tricks on me. If this really happened as you said, they do not respect me any longer.”
“That’s nonsense, Erestor.”
“I think I’ m going to be sick. I need some fresh air!”
And Erestor got up and opened the veranda doors but forgot to breath at the sight, that greeted him there.
“YOU???” Erestor uttered in disbelieve.
Glorfindel stepped closer.
“YOU!!!”
What had taken the advisor by surprise were four rose trees, standing in full bloom.
Glorfindel whispered to his ears:
“It’s the everblooming rose of Gondolin, unrivaled in its beauty, much like you, lirimaer.”
Erestor paled, his eyes became dangerously dark.
“I should have known. So it was you? Congratulations – you did a great job. You already had me thinking that someone out there could possibly care for me... I should have known better. Well, it seems I underestimated you. This was without a doubt the best jest you ever made, an evil jest, so forgive me, if I do NOT laugh. And even now you mock me...”
“NO Erestor, I’m serious! I left you a rose everytime when I said something to you, that I regretted later on. I couldn’t tell you that I’m sorry, call me a coward – maybe you are right! But I DO care for you, Erestor... I always did. Saes, lirimaer, let me show you how much.”
And he crushed the dark elf to his chest, burried his hands in the black mane and sealed the soft red lips with his mouth.
Erestor felt his heartbeat quickening and a warmth spreading in his body. Never before he had felt something like this... what could it be?
//Love?// As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Erestor panicked. He shoved the blond warrior rudely away.
“How dare you. Get your filthy hands off of me, you son of an orc, and never touch me again! Did you think, a few roses and I would crouch at the feet of the mighty balrog slayer? You might have been a great Lord back in Gondolin, but that elf no longer exists. The hero, you have been once, was killed by the balrog. Look at you now... a mere warrior, a brainless fool... I’m not interested in you. Let another one see to your needs – I’m sure a great warrior can have every whore he desires, but you cannot have ME!”
Glorfindel felt as if he had received a heavy blow, his stomach turned, as he watched Erestor leaving his study.

tbc

Translation:

adar – father
daro - stop
lirimaer – lovely one
saes – please

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I had in mind to finish chapter eight today, but hey Glorfindel and Erestor had their own will - so there will be a part 8.3 too.
But I have a few days off and try to post an update as soon as possible.
I think you all want to see Elladan in a dress, don't you?

Enjoy your day (or night :-) )

Githoniel