Erestor's Gift

Title: Erestor’s Gift (1/?)
Author: Aglarien
Type: FPS
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel, Elrond/???
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. The great Master Tolkien’s estate owns everything, except for some cats that appear along the way. I promise to return his elves when I’m done playing with them.
Warning: None, except for fluff.
Summary: Erestor is sure Glorfindel forgot his begetting day, and Elrond meddles.
Author’s Note: Not a part of my usual Erestor/Glorfindel universe.


Chapter One

Erestor awoke with a smile on his face. It was his begetting day. Elrond, the twins, Lindir and Melpomaen always got him clever and practical gifts, but the one he looked forward to the most was Glorfindel’s. One year Glorfindel had a beautiful broach made for his friend. Other years it was an elegant robe, or a picture he had painted himself that now graced Erestor’s chamber walls, or a figurine of Glorfindel and his Asfaloth that the warrior had carved himself and now sat in a special spot on the councilor’s desk.

Erestor had loved the golden warrior for centuries, ever since he had first seen him. They were the closest of friends, and even if Glorfindel wasn’t aware of Erestor’s feelings, his gifts always made the councilor feel that he was very special to his secret love.

Bounding out of bed, Erestor hurriedly bathed and dressed, then brushed his long ebony hair until it shone, leaving it flowing loose. Taking one last look in his mirror, he headed for the dining hall for breakfast.

Erestor entered the hall to calls of “Happy Begetting Day, Master Erestor,” and smiled his thanks as he walked to Elrond’s table. Elrond, the twins, Lindir and Melpomaen rose from their chairs to greet him.

“Happy begetting day, my dear friend,” Elrond said, giving Erestor a hearty embrace.

“Thank you, Elrond,” Erestor smiled. “Is Glorfindel not here yet this morning? It is not like him to be late.”

“I am sorry, Erestor, but Glorfindel had to leave to check on a situation on the border. Hopefully, he will be back tonight.”

The twins, Lindir and Mel joined in welcoming Erestor and wishing him a joyous day. “Come, Erestor, open your gifts!” Elrohir said.

Erestor sat down in his place and looked at all the colorfully wrapped presents, wishing one of them was from Glorfindel. Remembering other years when Glorfindel had to leave early, and had left his present, and more importantly a note, in his office, Erestor brightened. That was it….his present from Glorfindel would be in his office. Immediately happier, he asked, “Which one shall I open first?”

“Open mine first, Erestor,” Melpomaen said, handing Erestor a flat package shaped like a book.

Erestor smiled at his friend, carefully untied the silk ribbon, and removed the fabric wrapping. It was indeed a book, but a book of leather bound blank parchment. “How did you know I needed a new journal, Mel? Oh, this is lovely. Thank you.”

The twins gifted Erestor with a lovely new set of quills. There was a collection of ancient poetry from Elrond, and a beautiful hairclip from Lindir.

After breakfast, Erestor hurried to his office carrying his gifts. Setting them down, he scanned his office for Glorfindel’s gift. But there was nothing. No note, no present. The smile left Erestor’s face, and he wondered if Glorfindel had forgotten his begetting day. He put his new gifts away, then turned to his work to take his mind off of his disappointment.

All day long the usually kind and even-tempered Councilor was rude and cranky. He barked at the poor serving elleth who brought him his lunch, yelled at a scribe for making an error on an inventory sheet, hollered at librarian who didn’t find a book he needed quickly enough, and even jumped on Elrond when the Lord of Imladris asked him for the status of a report.

“I am sorry, Elrond. I did not mean that. I fear I owe many others an apology as well. I am not myself today,” Erestor said.

“So I have noticed. What ails you, my friend? This is not like you,” Elrond replied, taking a seat across from his friend.

Erestor sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I…I think he forgot today is my begetting day. Always before when he was away, I found a note and a gift from him in my office, or someone delivered them to me. This time there is nothing.” In a voice so quiet that Elrond had to listen carefully to hear it, he said, “It is not the gift. You know that. It is…..that he cares enough to remember. It is the one day that I feel like I mean something special to him. The one day when I feel that I am more than just his good friend.” A lone tear left a wet trail as it rolled down a pale cheek.

“When will you tell him how you feel, Erestor? For too long have I witnessed your love for him. He is the one who should know, not I, my friend. When will you tell him?”

“Never. I could not bear it if he rejected me. You know I cannot risk that, Elrond. I love him too much to risk it. If he rejected me, I fear it would be the end of me,” Erestor whispered sadly.

“I know he did not forget, Erestor. He and I spoke of your begetting day just a few days ago. He probably just did not have time to do anything about before he had to leave this morning. I am sure all will be well when he returns.” Elrond rose and moved around the desk to place a hand on Erestor’s shoulder. “Come, now. This is not a day for sadness, my friend. Where has my strong Chief Councilor gone today?”

Erestor managed a weak smile. “I fear he left for a while to wallow in self-pity, Elrond. But he is back now.”

“Good. Now I want you to find those you need to apologize to, and then take the rest of the day off. I will be leaving for a few hours to take care of a personal matter.”

“But what of the rest of today’s work?”

“There is nothing more than cannot wait, my friend. We will finish it tomorrow.”

After thanking Elrond, Erestor went off to make his apologizes. Once that was done, he retired to his room for a soothing bath, then took a book out into the gardens to spend the rest of the afternoon reading.

Meanwhile, Elrond had changed into leggings and tunic for riding, told his sons where he was going, and left for the guard post that Glorfindel would pass on his way back home. He had had enough of a sorrowing Erestor. Especially since he believed that the object of his affections harbored similar feelings. His two best friends were just too stubborn to do anything about it themselves.

As Elrond approached the guard post, which consisted of a small cabin used for resting and preparing meals for the twenty or so guards, the post commander hailed him. “Lord Elrond, is anything amiss?”

“Nothing is wrong, Thoron,” he answered. “I simply want to speak with Glorfindel when he returns, and felt like some exercise. May I wait with you and your men?”

“Of course, my Lord. Come into the post. I have just prepared some fresh tea.”

As Elrond dismounted, he nodded his thanks to the guard who took his horse and joined Thoron. The two chatted over tea until one of the guards shouted that Glorfindel’s patrol was returning.

“Thoron, would you mind if I spoke to Glorfindel alone?” Elrond asked.

“Of course, my Lord. The post is at your disposal. I will ask Lord Glorfindel to join you here.” Thoron bowed gracefully to his lord, and left the cabin.

Minutes later, Glorfindel entered with a worried look on his face. “Elrond? What is wrong?”

“Come and sit with me, my friend. I wish to speak with you about something.” Elrond said.

Glorfindel sat across the table from Elrond. “What is it?”

Elrond had thought all afternoon about how he would approach the subject, but now found himself nearly struggling to find the right words. He had to be careful if he was not to make the matter worse. “Glorfindel, what are your feelings for Erestor?” he finally asked.

“Erestor? He is a dear friend. My best friend, along with you. But you know this.”

“Yes, I do. But that is your relationship with Erestor. What are your feelings for him?”

Glorfindel looked at Elrond and hesitated. “He is my friend. I enjoy his company. I respect his knowledge, and his quick wit. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and is one of the kindest elves I know.”

Elrond shook his head. “Glorfindel, look at me.” His tone and countenance were serious. “Tell me the truth this time. What do you feel for Erestor?”

Glorfindel looked at Elrond. He understood full well what Elrond was asking, but did not understand why. Elrond was his Lord. He could not refuse to answer him. But he was also his friend. “Can you tell me why you want to know, Elrond?”

“No. I simply need you to trust me in this. I promise I will respect your privacy and I will reveal your answer to no one. But I must know. What do you feel for Erestor?”

Glorfindel looked down at the table for a long moment, then raised his eyes to Elrond and began to speak in a strained whisper. “Never have I said these words aloud before, Elrond. I love him. I have always loved him. I would gladly give my life for him, but I would much rather live the rest of my life beside him. He has held my heart from the first day I met him.”

“Oh, thank the Valar,” Elrond breathed. “I suspected as much. Now, what do you plan to do about it?”

“I will do nothing, Elrond. Erestor has never hinted that he has more affection for me than for a dear friend. I will not destroy what we have. If he were to reject me, I fear I should be the guest of Mandos once again.”

“Hmm. That answer, I fear, is not acceptable, Glorfindel.”

“Elrond, you promised to tell no one. It is my decision.” Glorfindel rose and stood defiantly before his Lord.

“Yes, well, thank the Valar I made no such promise to Erestor. Sit down, Glorfindel. I have something to tell you, and then we have plans to make.”

~~~*~~~
Elrond accompanied Glorfindel and his patrol back home. And as he rode, he thought of his own secret love. One he had loved for many years, who had crept quietly into his life and now consumed his dreams and many of his waking moments. Celebrian had sailed hundreds of years ago. Knowing that Elrond had to stay in Middle-earth, she had released him from his vows and told him to seek out a new love. Speaking to Glorfindel had made him finally admit to himself how much he wanted love and companionship again. Perhaps he should make his own plans for tonight. Perhaps it was time to take the risk for a chance of happiness. He smiled as plans of his own began to form in his mind.

Tbc....