Exhausted

Inspired by SayAye’s mood icons, believe it or not!
Summary: Erestor works too hard and Glorfindel is worried. Fluffy humour
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Not mine, it all belongs to Tolkien
Author’s notes: This fic is in no way related to my other G/E fic, Heaven. I’ve never attempted slash humour before so I hope it works!
Feedback: Oh, *Please!* lairewen01@yahoo.com

*Exhausted*

Glorfindel stepped back against the wall as a blurry form shot past him. Blinking, he just managed to identify the form as an elf and Erestor at that, before he was gone again.
“That elf works too hard.” He muttered. Glorfindel himself was no stranger to hard work, he often spent long hours out on patrol or on the training field, but the difference was he knew when to stop. In war, he would push himself to his limits and beyond, but outside of that he took good care of himself. Erestor however, did not seem to be able to make that distinction. Everything was life or death to him and Glorfindel knew he often worked late into the night, especially at this time of year. The Summer Solstice was fast approaching and Erestor was busy with the preparations. This year was ever busier than most, as Imladris was host to parties from all the other elven realms. Delegations from Lorien and Mirkwood would arrive within a few days; the party from the Grey Havens would not be far behind. Glorfindel sighed. Erestor would work himself into the ground before then unless someone did something. Coming to the decision that it might as well be him, Glorfindel drew himself up to his full height and strode off in the direction he had last seen Erestor going.


Where was it?! Erestor was fast becoming frustrated. He rifled through his desk again. The normally immaculate workspace was a chaotic mess, papers strewn all over it and piled on several surrounding chairs. No, he *couldn’t* have lost the damn seating plan! That was a full day’s work! He ran his hands through his hair, unwittingly pulling out several midnight strands in the process.
“Curse it all!” He cried as he began to leaf through one of the piles of paper on a nearby chair. “It must be here!” So lost in his panic was he, that he didn’t even notice the door opening and a tall figure stepping in.


Glorfindel watched the frantic figure for a few moments. The usually calm, composed chief councillor was nowhere to be seen; only this harassed, panicked figure remained.
“Erestor?” Said Glorfindel softly. “Can I help you?” He hated to admit it, but he was worried about the dark-haired elf. Erestor looked awful; he was even paler than usual, his skin taking on an almost ghostly pallor. Dark rings around his eyes spoke of days with little or no sleep and his raven tresses had lost their usual sheen. Glorfindel wondered when he’d last slept or eaten for that matter. Even the jug of water on the windowsill looked distinctly stale and had probably been there for some days.
When he received no reply, Glorfindel tried again.
“Erestor? What are you looking for mellon nin?” Again he was ignored and Glorfindel wondered if Erestor even knew he was in the room. Giving up on speech, he moved to stand in front of Erestor, preventing him from moving. He was going to talk some sense into the councillor if it killed him!


Erestor suddenly found his way blocked by a tall, solid form. Looking up, his eyes met the concerned blue gaze of the Balrog-slayer.
“Get out of my way, Glorfindel.” He snapped irritably. Glorfindel shook his head.
“Not until you tell me what is wrong.” He said firmly. Erestor glared at him, but the golden lord was unmoved. Erestor threw up his hands in exasperation.
“I’ve lost the seating plan! A whole day’s work! Now move aside so that I may find it!” He shoved Glorfindel out of the way, the blonde elf almost staggering at the unexpected force behind the push.


Glorfindel looked quickly around the office as Erestor continued his frantic search. His sharp eyes caught sight of a piece of paper containing what appeared to be a diagram peeking out from under a huge pile on the corner of the crowded desk. He carefully pulled it out and looked at it. Confirming his suspicion, he went and stood in front of Erestor once more.
The look Erestor gave him made most elves want to throw themselves off the nearest cliff, but the Balrog-slayer was unaffected by the icy gaze.
“Now what?” He ground out as he found his way blocked once more. Glorfindel waved the piece of paper in front of him.
“Is this it?” He asked. He jumped as the paper was rudely snatched from his grasp.
“I knew it was on the desk.” Erestor grumbled and began to work his way through it, making changes as he went. He totally ignored Glorfindel.


Growing impatient, he snatched the paper back in order to gain Erestor’s attention.
“GLORFINDEL!” The councillor yelled. “What are you trying to do?” The golden lord ignored the outraged comments.
“When was the last time you slept, Erestor?” He demanded. “Or ate?” He sniffed slightly. “Or sweet Eru, Erestor, when was the last time you bathed?!” He shook his head; this was beyond ridiculous.
Erestor grabbed the paper back.
“It is none of your business, Glorfindel. Now leave me be!”


Glorfindel stepped back and watched his old friend. Obviously talking was going to get him nowhere. He growled and tried to come up with some idea that would make Erestor see sense, but could think of nothing. All he could do was keep an eye on the councillor and make sure that he didn’t push himself beyond his limits. It was a situation that he didn’t like, not at all.


***************************


As the days went on, Glorfindel watched Erestor continue to push himself, saw how his condition deteriorated with each night of lost sleep and forgotten meals. He tried on more than one occasion to convince him to rest, but his efforts came to naught. He tried raising his concerns with Elrond, but the lord had his own workload and only brushed Glorfindel off with an assurance that Erestor would be fine.


He sighed deeply as he made his way back to his rooms. His own festival preparations were nearly complete, but worrying about Erestor was starting to wear at him also. Nobody else could see how the elf was wearing himself down; even the twins had brushed it off as needless worry on his part. “Maybe they’re right.” He thought. “I could just be over-reacting.” Still, he was unable to convince himself.


He continued down the hall, deep in thought as rounded the corner. Suddenly his eyes opened wide at the sight before him.
Erestor staggered along the corridor, books clutched tightly in his arms. He was deathly pale and didn’t seem to realise where he was going.
“Erestor?” Glorfindel asked, worry lacing his voice. Erestor didn’t reply, just continued on his erratic course. Suddenly he stumbled, the books falling from his arms. “By the Valar, he’s going to collapse!” Glorfindel thought and dashed forward. Erestor turned dizzily, his body heading downwards. Glorfindel reached out and just caught him before he hit the ground.
“Erestor!” Glorfindel cried out in concern. There was no response. Glorfindel scooped the unconscious councillor into his arms and hurried to his rooms, which were only a few doors away.


Pushing open the door, he placed Erestor on his bed and felt for his pulse. He found it easily, for it was steady and strong. Glorfindel was confused. What was wrong then? He was just about to go and get Elrond when Erestor coughed slightly and mumbled something. It was then that Glorfindel realised that Erestor wasn’t sick - he was fast asleep! The elf had literally worked until he dropped. Glorfindel shook his head. Erestor could be such a fool at times. He shook him, but Erestor had dropped into a deep sleep and could not be woken. The golden elf debated what to do. Erestor’s quarters were some way away and Glorfindel didn’t fancy being seen carrying the slumbering elf.
“He’ll just have to stay here.” He said and moved to place the councillor in the bed properly. As he bent down, his nostrils caught an unpleasant odour. “That’s it.” He said, straightening up. “That elf is having a bath!”


He strode into the bathroom and drew the bath, adding plenty of sweet smelling soap oil. Then he returned to his sleeping quarters where Erestor was still slumbering peacefully. Glorfindel paused as he realised that the next step involved undressing the dark haired elf.
Slowly he reached out and gently removed Erestor’s outer robes and boots. Then he unbuttoned the undershirt and slid it off, leaving the pale, well-formed torso bare.
“When does he get time to work out?” Was the thought that flitted through Glorfindel’s mind as he faced the last item of clothing - Erestor’s leggings. He paused, suddenly wondering if this been such a good idea.
“What am I, an elfling?” He chastised himself. “It is not a big deal.” He firmly took hold of the leggings and pulled them off, leaving the councillor completely naked. He looked down at the pale, toned body.
He had to admit, a naked Erestor was - rather nice. Especially in his current position on Glorfindel’s bed, sound asleep. Many naughty thoughts wandered unbidden through Glorfindel’s mind.
“Ai!” He caught himself. “Grow up, Glorfindel!” He scooped the sleeping elf back into his arms and carried him into the bathroom.
“If he wakes up now I think I’ll be returning to Mandos’ Halls.” Glorfindel thought with grim humour. Luckily for him, Erestor was so fast asleep that Imladris could have been swept away by a tornado and he wouldn’t have woken.
Glorfindel rubbed a soapy sponge over Erestor’s body, trying not to think about his actions until he reached Erestor’s most - private - area. The Balrog-slayer whimpered, the sponge hovering over the offending area. “Well, I’ve come this far.” He sighed in resignation. The sponge descended.
“Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it.” Glorfindel kept repeating the words like a mantra in his mind as he worked.

He was most relived when the task was finally done and he dried the slumbering councillor off. He slipped one of his own sleeping shirts on him and tucked him into his bed. He ignored the nagging voice that said Erestor was going to kill him when he woke in rooms other than his own. At least here Glorfindel could keep an eye on him.
First however, he had to take a bath himself. A cold one.


When the time came for him to go to bed he faced another problem. The sofa in his room really wasn’t big enough to sleep on and he didn’t fancy the floor. It wasn’t as if the bed wasn’t big enough for two either.
Deciding that Erestor was going to send him to Mandos anyway, he thought he might as well get a good night's sleep beforehand. He donned his most concealing sleeping robe and got into the bed.


***********************


The next morning Erestor was still fast asleep. Glorfindel wasn’t surprised, but he couldn’t stay in his quarters all day, he had duties to attend to. Rising and dressing he locked the window, glad that the lock still worked as he hadn’t used it in years. Exiting the room he used the same key to lock the door behind him. If Erestor woke up he wouldn’t be able to get out and there were rarely people in this part of the house during the day. He’d get rest whether he wanted it or not. Smirking, he sauntered down the halls, pausing only to tell the chambermaid not to bother with his quarters today.


Over the course of the day he continued his own preparations, did some of Erestor’s and delegated the rest. If Erestor’s staff were surprised at receiving their orders from Glorfindel, they didn’t say. If anybody enquired as to the councillors whereabouts Glorfindel simply said that he was ‘Otherwise occupied.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.


On at last returning to his rooms he found that his precautions had been unnecessary as Erestor was *still* fast asleep. The golden elf rolled his eyes at the depth of the foolish elf’s exhaustion. Without much thought he got ready for bed and slipped under the covers where sleep came quickly.


“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”
Glorfindel woke with a start at the scream. Still half-asleep he groped for a weapon to fend off what must surely be a terrible attack. Unfortunately, what his hand found was Erestor’s thigh. The next thing he knew was the councillor’s hand connecting violently with his face. He blinked, coming quickly to full awareness and realised that Erestor was awake, alert and VERY angry.
“Good Morning to you too.” He grumbled as he rubbed his cheek. Erestor stared at him.
“Good morning?” He asked incredulously. “What in the Valar’s name am I doing in your bed? This isn’t funny Glorfindel, if you slipped something into my wine I’ll have you charged with harassment!” Anything else he might have said was lost as Glorfindel moved, his hands either side of Erestor’s head, glaring down at him.
“I have put *nothing* in your wine.” He growled. “You haven’t even had any. What happened, *mellon nin* was that you collapsed from overwork right by my quarters! You’ve been asleep for two days!” He couldn’t help the irritation he felt, even though he’d been expecting such a reaction.
“Two days?” Erestor sat up in horror and tried to push Glorfindel away. “Ai, I am so behind! The seating plan needs checking and the menu needs approving. I haven’t picked the wine…”
“ERESTOR!” Glorfindel roared. “It has all been done! Your staff do know what they’re doing, give them some credit!” He bent down until their noses were almost touching and Erestor could feel Glorfindel’s breath on his face. “You are staying right here until I say otherwise.” He glared defiantly at Erestor.


The councillor tried to speak to protest this treatment. He was quite shocked to find that words were not forthcoming as Glorfindel looked down at him. All of a sudden, the prospect of being trapped in this bed with the Balrog-slayer didn’t seem so bad. Actually it was most appealing. It was also a very large bed.


Glorfindel also appeared to notice the shift in the mood. He was greatly surprised; he’d admired Erestor for years but had never expected anything to come of it. Still, Erestor was here, in his bed and apparently feeling the same as he.
Never one to resist temptation, the blonde elf shrugged then leaned down and kissed Erestor.
Erestor’s eyes opened wide as Glorfindel’s lips met his. He should be protesting. He really should. So why were his arms wrapping themselves around Glorfindel’s waist and pulling him closer? It was most illogical.
More illogical still was that the very handsome Balrog-slayer also seemed to be most eager. Could this really be the same elf who had tormented him for centuries?
Actually, Erestor thought, he was still tormenting him. Just that this time, he didn’t mind, not at all. In fact, the golden elf could torment him like this for as long as he wanted. Which would hopefully be a very long time. Forever was good.

He groaned as Glorfindel descended upon him, their bodies pressed close together separated only by the sheets. Erestor had never hated sheets so much in his life. Glorfindel apparently felt the same because he raised his body slightly and ripped the sheets from between them. Erestor’s robe was not far behind the sheet and before he knew it, Glorfindel was naked too.
He took in Glorfindel’s toned, tanned body. Two words crossed his mind, especially as his gaze travelled lower. “Oh, my…”
Glorfindel growled - a most fascinating sound, Erestor thought - and pressed their bodies close together. Flesh touched and as Glorfindel’s lip’s claimed Erestor’s once again, the councillor lost the ability to think and knew only the sensation.


The Balrog-slayer grinned at the writhing figure beneath him. Ah, so Erestor *did* have emotions other than annoyed and irritable. He rather liked this new, completely undone Erestor. He wanted to keep him like this, preferably for the rest of eternity. Or maybe longer. He wriggled, delighting in the moans that came from the dark haired elf.
“Damn it, Glorfindel, get on with it.” Erestor ground out and Glorfindel laughed. It appeared that even in passion, Erestor could get annoyed.
“As you wish.” He grinned and reached round the Councillors back where he carefully prepared the way. Erestor whimpered like a baby when he removed his fingers and the Golden elf resolved to tease him about it at the earliest opportunity.
The room filled with the scent of vanilla as the bottle of oil was uncorked - Glorfindel *always* kept a bottle by his bed, just in case - and moments later he was sliding himself into the warm delights of Erestor’s welcoming body. He groaned, Ai Valar, now it was he who was undone!
He began to move, shifting until he found the sweet spot he was looking for. Erestor cried out and waves of pleasure shot through them both.
Glorfindel moved faster and faster until he could hold back no longer and came to completion inside Erestor’s body.
The councillor reached his own peak just moments later and they cried each other’s names to the heavens before collapsing in a heap of tangled limbs.
They lay there for some time, catching their breath and revelling in the aftermath of sensation.


Then Glorfindel heaved a huge sigh and pulled away, flopping down next to Erestor. With what appeared to be a supreme effort he then got up, wrapped a robe around himself and left the chambers without a word.


Erestor was confused, but understood a few minutes later when Glorfindel returned with a silver tray laden with food. He set it down between them on the bed.
Erestor found that he was extremely hungry - ravenous, actually. Glorfindel was forced to grab what he wanted extremely quickly, lest he lose a finger or two.
When the tray was empty - not a very long time as even a hobbit would have had trouble keeping up with Erestor - Glorfindel turned to him again.
“I hope,” He said, “That you have learnt your lesson on the dangers of overwork.”
“Oh yes.” Erestor replied, nodding emphatically. “Overwork leads to being bedded by gorgeous Balrog-slayers and waited on hand and foot. I must do it more often.” Glorfindel put his head in his hands.
“Ai, you are hopeless Erestor!” He cried. He paused as the rest of Erestor’s words sank in. “You think I am gorgeous?” The dark elf smiled.
“You are certainly more than passing fair.” He replied, leaning over until their noses were almost touching. Glorfindel took a long breath.
“You are not unattractive yourself.” He said as he took in the still-naked beauty before him.


His eyes widened as Erestor began to push him back down to the bed.
He had never seen the usually quiet councillor this bold. It unnerved him, in an exciting, pleasurable kind of way. “Ah, Erestor, actually we need to get up, we have duties to perform…” He stammered, not quite managing to convince either himself or Erestor.
“As you said,” Erestor purred, “We shouldn’t overwork ourselves. Lord Elrond would not be pleased if we fell asleep during the celebrations. Besides, have you forgotten the staff you have so much faith in? Surely you are not turning hypocritical now that *your* staff are involved?”
Glorfindel’s eyes sparkled. “Not at all. I have complete faith in my staff. However, I do foresee one problem.” Erestor raised an eyebrow, a habit he had picked up from Elrond.
“Oh and what would that be?” He asked.
“If you and I stay in this bed together I do not think either of us will get much rest!” Erestor laughed.
“Well then, I suggest that should you fall asleep during the festivities, you do not snore!”
“Sage advice,” thought Glorfindel, that he would probably need after Erestor was done. Not that he minded. After all, not all forms of exhaustion were bad.

THE END