All I ask of you

Chapter 9.

Glorfindel grinned when he heard Erestor’s grumbling. Never had he dreamed that this day would come. He was to be bound within the hour, and his best friend would do the same. With the sons of their Lord. Glorfindel turned around, and stared at Erestor’s unusual appearance, wondering how he had never noticed how beautiful his friend was. Instead of those shapeless black robes he usually wore, Erestor had now deep red robes, which made his hair and skin shine beautifully. Glorfindel also had gone to much trouble with his own appearance. He wore deep blue robes, with golden embroidery. He wasn’t very fond of formal robes, but today he wanted everything to be perfect.

“Elladan and Elrohir are lucky to have you.” Glorfindel said, with a smile. His smile widened when Erestor blushed, fiddling with his sleeve. This blushing, shy elf wasn’t the Erestor he had gotten to know.

“You must think me fool, when I am this nervous.” Erestor whispered, feeling himself highly vulnerable. He couldn’t believe that this was really happening. Within the hour, he would be bound with his beloved twins.

"You are not a fool, mellon min (my friend). You are just in love.” Glorfindel said softly, trying to ease Erestor’ s nervousness.

“Ai, aye! I love them both, so much. It’s just feels like a dream. I never imagined that I could someday love them openly. And I never dared to believe that Elrond would accept me.”

“Is this the reason why you have seemed so… distracted lately?” The elda asked carefully. Erestor was always been there for him, when he had needed a friend. Maybe he now he could finally return the favor.

“Exactly. So long I thought that my love for them was something shameful, something I needed to bury forever and now… For a long time I considered myself a traitor, when I loved them.” Erestor’s voice faded when he didn’t know how to describe his feelings.

“Oh, Erestor. You silly elf. Your feelings were not a secret, not to anyone who knew you. And you have nothing to be ashamed of. You and the twins are an excellent match, and Elrond knows it. I have never seen you or the twins as happy as you all are now.”

“Do you really think so?” Erestor asked with a small voice.

“I ‘really’ think so! I fear what will become of us now, when the three worst rascals I know, are together forever. You would surely shake poor Imladris to its foundations!”

At first, Erestor tried to hide his laughter, but soon the two friends laughed heartily together.

“Elrond really doesn’t have any idea, that you never tried to stop the twins’ mischief, but actually encouraged them.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Erestor said innocently, but frowned when Glorfindel sat, and he saw the elda wincing slightly.

“Are you hurt, Glorfindel? Why you didn’t say anything?” Erestor asked, not believing his eyes. It wasn’t possible…

“I swear that your eyes don’t betray you, Erestor. I indeed find a little bit difficult to sit at the moment. And it’s all because of my sweet little Mel.” Glorfindel admitted, blushing.

“I believe you. Look at all that's happened… our wedding…. Feredir’s departure… Nothing can surprise me anymore. And your mate seems quite unique, I must say.”

“Mel is amazing! He has made me so happy.”

“It’s good to hear. And now, take this before we go. You cannot leave like this to your wedding.” Erestor said, offering the cup of tea to his friend.

“What is it?” Glorfindel asked suspiciously. He trusted Erestor, but the tea he offered him smelled horrid.

“It’s herbal tea, and will dull the pain. You need to sit quite a long time at the celebration, you know.”

“And where in Arda did you get this?”

“I stole it from Elrond’s medicine stock.” Erestor shrugged.

Glorfindel stared at his friend, mouth agape. And then he remembered something.

“What about the tea, which the twins slipped in Feredir’s drink? Did you steal that one also?” He finally asked.

“Let’s just say… that I might have lent them some, in my great need.” Erestor smirked.

“Dear Manwë, Erestor! You are hopeless.”

Before Glorfindel could continue, someone knocked at the door. Erestor went to answer, and saw a servant behind it.

“Everything is ready, My Lords. They await you in the garden.” The elf said with a bow.

Glorfindel smiled happily, and hurried to the door.

“I seriously recommend that you drink your tea like a good elf. Surely you want to enjoy your wedding?” Erestor smirked. Glorfindel sighed at first, but swallowed the foul tasting potion as soon as possible. He shuddered.

“It tasted even worse than smelled.” The elda groaned.

“I know. I have had to use it few times lately.” Erestor admitted, but didn’t explain further. And that would have been needless. Glorfindel could have guessed that the twins could be quite demanding when they wanted…

For a moment those two old friends looked each other, and then embraced warmly.

“So… are you ready, meldir ( my friend)?” Erestor finally asked.

“I cannot be more ready. So…this is it. We are to be bound.” Glorfindel whispered, a silly grin on his face.

“Let’s get going. They are waiting for us.”

They didn’t talk anymore, but silently started their short journey to the garden, both ready to start a new chapter in their lives.

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Along their walk, Glorfindel went to Melpomaen, to escort him to Elrond. Erestor went to the twins as well, his heart pounding.

The elda knocked at the door, and when it opened, he almost forgot to breathe.

“Mel…you are… so beautiful.” Glorfindel whispered, staring at his soon-to-be-hervenn. Melpomaen blushed beautifully, which made him all the more attractive. The young elf radiated happiness and love, and he leaned closer and kissed Glorfindel on the cheek.

“Are you happy, meleth?” Melpomaen asked shyly, daring not to believe that this was really true. He felt warm happiness inside him, when Glorfindel pulled him in his arms.

“I am. I am truly blessed that I have your love, Mel nín. It’s everything that I have ever wanted.” Glorfindel said softly, and captured Melpomaen’s lips into gentle kiss. They separated when they heard amused voices behind them.

“You have plenty of time for that later. We really should go now, before ada comes to fetch us.” Elladan chuckled, his arm wrapped around Erestor’s waist.

“You are right. But I see that you have used your time more… usefully than us.” Glorfindel smirked, looking at Erestor who seemed thoroughly kissed.

Laughing and joking they finally went to their wedding.

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All the elves in Imladris had already gathered in the garden, where the wedding was about to begin. Imladris’ Lord waited in his place, ready to bind both couples together. When the big doors finally opened, he looked intently at the nearing elves, then smiled fondly. His sons seemed happier than he had ever seen them, as well as the other three elves. The small group walked in front of him, waiting for him to start the binding ceremony.