Year of Madness

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS. I MAKE NO MONEY FROM THIS. ITEMS PROCESSED IN THIS PLANT MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF PEANUTS. FRAGILE. THIS SIDE UP.


[Notes: This was a challenge put forth to me by Aprilmoon, and something I swore I would never do. But, I also never not accept a challenge - and there lies the dilemma. And so, likely the first, last, and only mpreg story ever written by me. But the bunny bit hard, and Aprilmoon's idea was a good one, so here it is. (This has nothing to do with the rest of my stories, which pretty much all fit into the same AU). Enjoy, thanks for reading! -Zhie]


Chapter One


“Erestor?” Glorfindel rapped on the door again before trying the handle. Surprisingly, the door was unlocked, but when he cautiously pushed it open, it appeared no one was in the room. The bed was still made as well, and it was far too early for the maids to have made it to this part of the house. Closing the door to Erestor’s quarters, Glorfindel sighed and headed to the library.

The night before, he had found his friend still at work, hunched over the main desk. After teasing him that Melpomaen never gave poor Erestor a day off, Glorfindel suggested they meet for breakfast. It was more so that he made sure Erestor would actually stop to eat instead of having his meal sent down to the library. As was sadly the case more days than Glorfindel wished to count, Erestor wouldn’t even make it back to his rooms between an evening and morning shift.

As he pushed open the doors to the library, Glorfindel was confused to see a different dark-haired elf sitting at the reference desk, readying things for the day. “Lord Elrond?” Glorfindel looked about the vast room and down the aisles to his left and right. “Where is Erestor?”

“He is off, for today and perhaps longer,” explained Elrond, moving things around on the desk to his liking. “He had taken ill, and I have prescribed rest.”

“Ill?” Glorfindel sat down in one of the leather chairs near the desk. Sick elves were a grave matter, and he couldn’t believe something could have overtaken Erestor so quickly. The night before he had seemed well enough. “What ails him?”

“Too much work and not enough rest,” replied the lord of the house. “I am taking his place in the library until he is well enough to return, and it will be my decision when that is,” he added, in case Glorfindel was worried that Erestor would try to sneak his way behind the desk before that time. “Until then, this room is off limits to him – in fact, he is resting, or should be at least, in the balcony room overlooking the valley.”

“Ah, the one Lady Celebrian likes so much,” nodded Glorfindel. “It does have a rather nice view. Have you posted guards,” he added slyly.

Elrond chuckled. “The thought crossed my mind. He has to learn to slow down; I think he finally realizes that. I hope he does, at least. I’m sure he would delight in having you visit,” added Elrond as he finished organizing things how he wanted them.

Glorfindel stood up with a nod. “I think I shall do just that,” he said. “Has he had breakfast, then?”

“I sincerely doubt a second breakfast would do any harm,” said Elrond as Glorfindel left the library.

- - -

“Fancy meeting you in the healing wing,” Glorfindel said in greeting, lowering the tray he had brought onto the table next to the bed. Erestor’s eyes had been closed, but he smiled and opened them slightly. Shaking his head, Glorfindel pulled a chair to the bedside. “That’s right, scare the entire household just to gain some attention,” he chided.

“Did I really?” Erestor sat up, a rather worried look on his face. “I just wanted to finish with the provisions reports, going into late autumn we have to make sure…” he was silenced as Glorfindel waved his hand.

“Erestor, no, I was only joking. ‘Twas a bad joke on my part,” he admitted, moving the items around on the tray so that things were easier for Erestor to reach. “I honestly don’t think Elrond has told anyone else where you are or why you are here. In fact, he didn’t exactly explain things to me, either.”

Arranging himself more comfortably, Erestor said sheepishly, “He told me he found me asleep at the desk early this morning. I had completely lost track of time, I skipped breakfast yesterday and neglected to eat lunch or supper. On top of it all, my throat was sore from the lecture the day before… he gave me a good scolding when I awoke, would not leave until he’d seen me eat, and told me he would have no more of this nonsense and that he was taking my shifts in the library and when next I was back in the rotation if I did not take care of myself, he would remove those duties.”

“I don’t see why you don’t just quit working in the library now,” Glorfindel said. “You more than earn your keep as his counselor and you oversee the rest of the advisors besides. On top of all that, to put in hours at the library—”

“But I like to work in the library,” Erestor sighed. “I enjoy it very much.”

“Perhaps you need to reduce the number of hours you spend there,” suggested Glorfindel. “Surely you’re theore ore often than Melpomaen is, and it’s his library.” Glorfindel shook his head. “I’m sorry, here I am causing you more grief when I came to try to make you feel better.”

“You have,” Erestor assured him, placing his hand on Glorfindel’s arm. He gave him a small smile. “I am glad you came to see me. I doubt very much I shall see anyone othern yon you and Elrond while I am here.”

Handing Erestor a glass of juice the dark-haired elf could not reach, Glorfindel said, “That cannot be true. There are others who will miss you and visit.”

Erestor’s smile drooped into a frown. “I wish. The only time most others seek me is when something is wrong or when they need help. I’m not the life of the party, I don’t get a lot of social calls.” Smiling once more, he took hold of Glorfindel’s hand where it had dropped to rest on the quilt covering him. Glorfindel gave Erestor’s hand a gentle squeeze and smiled back as Erestor said, “Thank you for coming to see me. It really does mean a lot to me.”

“I’m not leaving yet,” said Glorfindel. “In fact, with Elrond busy at your desk, and you sure that no one else will be coming up here, I might just crawl in next to you,” he laughed. “I’m off patrol another week, and I know I’d love a vacation.”

“Hop on in,” smirked Erestor. “Just be warned, my feet are cold.”

Glorfindel grinned. “Don’t be so sure I won’t accept that invitation,” he said, beginning to stand up. Squeezing Erestor’s hand once more before letting go, he added, “I will be right back. I’m going to get a few things to keep me busy while you sleep.”

“Oh! Can you run by the library and pick up my--”

“No!” laughed Glorfindel. “Not a chance!” He waggled a finger at Erestor and said, “I will not be tricked into bringing your work up here.” Erestor merely shrugged in defeat and lifted up his glass to drink his juice silently. Glorfindel tilted his head to the side, eyes wandering toward the open windows of the balcony. “What do you want me to get for you?” he finally asked.

“No, you’re right, I should just rest…” Erestor paused. “I was reading a book on reptiles. Green binding, oddly enough, about so big,” he said, measuring with his hand as one was still occupied with his glass. “It was on the shelf just above the desk last night. I hope it is still there, otherwise--”

“If it is still there, I shall retrieve it for you,” promised Glorfindel. He bent down and kissed Erestor innocently above his brow. “Eat, rest, and do not fret. I will return. With your book,” he added from the doorway. Erestor smiled brightly, and Glorfindel s his his head as he walkut iut into the hallway. For a smile like that, he’d more than happily smuggle a whole shelf of books out of the library, despite Elrond’s orders.


To Be Continued...