Wedding Plans

Kuragari: Ok, I got this idea while watching the ‘Wedding Date.’ (Shrug)

Erestor looked at the invitation on his desk for what must have been the thousandth time. Little Elrohir was getting married… well… bonded. In less than a week the twin was going to be in Lothlorien reciting his vows at a bonding ceremony… his already bonded brother by his side.
Erestor couldn’t believe how fast the twins had grown up. It seemed like only yesterday they were sitting at desks in his office… trying not to fall asleep as he gave them one of his lectures. Erestor had to chuckle at the memory. The twins had been fine students, when they could hold still long enough to pay attention.
And Rumil… a fine young elf. Erestor had only had the pleasure of meeting him a few times… but the youngest of the Lorien brothers had always impressed him. He was a fine match for dear Elrohir.
Erestor looked at the invitation again, and felt a familiar coil of dread settle in his stomach. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go. He wouldn’t miss this for the world. But there was one person who the councilor knew would be there that he wasn’t sure he could face.
His old beloved… Sirloke. Erestor had fallen in love with the blonde, handsome, dashing Mirkwood elf when Sirloke had come as an emissary to Rivendell. They had continued a fairly serious relationship for nearly 12 years, the blink of an eye for an elf, and had even made plans to become bonded. Though, one week before their bonding ceremony… Sirloke had dropped Erestor with no explanation before ridding off to Mirkwood and never returning.
Erestor hadn’t seen or heard from him since. That had happened nearly thirty years ago… but it still hurt. It had been Erestor’s devotion to his lord and his family that had kept him from giving in to the heartbreak and fading away. Although, honestly… it had been his devotion to the twins, his want to see them grow up and become young men. He had never told the two Peredhil that they had saved his life all those years ago. They had given him a reason to live.
Shaking himself from those thoughts, Erestor paced back and forth in front of his bed, occasionally glancing at his travel bag that hadn’t been packed yet.
He didn’t want to let Elrohir down, really he didn’t… but he knew Sirloke was going to be there… and he wasn’t sure he could face him. He wasn’t sure he could survive seeing him again… after all, the twins didn’t need him anymore.
Erestor let out a heavy sigh and collapsed on his bed.
‘Perhaps Elrond will understand and let me stay here…’ he pondered quietly, staring at his ceiling. Yes, he would try and reason with his lord… and worry about making it up to Elrohir later.

Elrond stormed down the hallways of the Last Homely House, ignoring all the servants and guards that had to scramble to get out of his way as he headed for the councilor’s room.
Erestor was not going to do this. He simply was not! Elrond would force him if he had to, but Erestor was going!
His chief councilor had been making himself very scarce ever since Elrond had presented him with Elrohir and Rumil’s invitation. And Elrond knew exactly why. He also knew that Erestor was afraid of more heart ache and was now attempting to hide away from it.
No one in Imladris had forgotten what had happened thirty years ago… when Erestor had almost faded completely. No one in Imladris could forget. Everyone had been afraid of loosing the dark advisor to his grief. Erestor was far more loved than he seemed to realize.
Luckily, Elrond had a plan.
The elven lord didn’t bother knocking before storming into his chief councilor’s rooms. He found the dark elf lying on his bed next to an empty bag.
Erestor shot up in surprise to find a very angry lord in his room.
“My lord?” Erestor started, not sure what to say. Elrond didn’t respond to his startled advisor and went straight to Erestor’s wardrobe, grabbing an armful of black robes and dropping them on the bag.
“Erestor, I understand your reluctance to attend my son’s bonding ceremony, but regardless of what you think, you ARE going!” Elrond said sternly, crossing his arms.
Erestor’s eyes widened and he looked much like a fish out of water as he tried to get his voice to work.
“B-but… my lord…” The councilor’s lip started to tremble slightly. “I-I can’t…”
Elrond’s eyes softened at the sound of Erestor’s distress. He sat next to the trembling elf, placing an arm around his shoulders. His concern increased when the independent elf leaned into the embrace, seeking comfort.
“Erestor, my friend, you’re going to have to face him again one day,” he said gently. Erestor let out a sigh and swallowed hard.
“I know that… but… Elrond, I don’t think I’m ready,” Erestor whispered.
“Erestor,” Elrond started, standing from the bed. “I have an idea that may take your mind off of him while you’re in Lorien.”
“My lord, why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this idea?” Erestor’s eyebrow went up in question. Elrond sighed.
“Because you probably won’t at first, but hear me out!” He waited for Erestor’s consent before continuing. “I think it may be less awkward for you if you go with someone.”
“As in a date…” Erestor started, visibly paling.
“Just think about it for a moment, my friend. If you had someone else to spend time with and weren’t left alone with your thoughts… I think it would be good for you,” Elrond reasoned.
“B-but… Elrond… who would I take? Who would go with me?” Erestor said desperately. Elrond was right, he didn’t like this idea.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Elrond said, returning to packing Erestor’s bag so he could avoid his councilor’s horrified look.
“W-what d-do you mean…” Erestor asked, his voice much higher pitched than before.
“I’ve found someone who has agreed to accompany you to the ceremony,” Elrond answered calmly. Erestor’s heart stopped beating for a split second.
“Y-you… you… you… WHAT!” Erestor shrieked, shooting up off the bed, a horrified look on his face.
“Erestor, calm down,” Elrond reasoned.
“How c-can I calm down! Do I even know this elf?” Erestor demanded, to busy to realize he was yelling at the lord of Imladris.
“Watch your tone, Erestor,” Elrond snapped, before softening again. “And yes, you’ve met this elf before, a few times I believe. As I recall you referred to him as fascinating and rather good looking.”
Erestor swallowed hard. Oh no… he couldn’t mean… well he was the only elf Erestor had ever referred to as ‘fascinating.’
“Besides, he’s a professional,” Elrond finished, returning to packing Erestor’s bag. All the blood drained from Erestor’s face.
“G-gl… Glorfindel?!” he managed to squeak. “Th-the escort?”
“The very same,” Elrond said as he finished packing Erestor’s bag and buckled it closed. Handing it to Erestor he headed towards the door.
“He’ll be meeting you in Lorien. We leave within the hour,” and with that, Elrond left his mortified and very confused chief councilor.
Erestor stared at the closed door, holding the bag as he tried to sift through his muddled thoughts.
“Glorfindel?!”