The stone and the petals

Title: The stone and the petals.
Author: Fishy
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: PG13
Notes: AU, PWP, Just a little crimbo fic for the Erestor group.
Beta: Mary *squishes Mary*
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: The exchanging of gifts.

The stone and the petals.

Erestor was nervous, the twins sat amongst piles of colorful and ripped paper and ribbons with gleeful smiles upon their faces having opened all their gifts that had been doted upon them. Due to his human heritage Elrond had decided to bring a new tradition to the high house of Imladris, something humans partook of each winter. Erestor would never admit it but he found that he rather enjoyed this odd tradition of bringing a tree inside of the house and decorating it. And the idea of placing gifts under the tree to open upon one morn had given him the ideal opportunity to finally give Glorfindel his gift. Even if all had not gone to plan.

Glorfindel was oblivious to the fact that Erestor had loved him since Gondolin; he had never had the confidence to tell Glorfindel this and had settled for his friendship. He had mourned and cried bitter tears when Glorfindel, his close friend and unrequited love had fallen and left Arda for the halls of waiting. And he had rejoiced and thanked the Valar for returning him; he had also sworn to himself that he would not forsake this second chance he had been given. He had vowed that he would use this chance to tell Glorfindel of his feelings for him. Now many, many years had passed and Erestor was still yet to fulfill his vow. Then Elrond had come up with this tradition, which Erestor secretly knew Elrond used as an excuse to simply dote upon his beloved family.

He had had this small token made as soon as Glorfindel had returned to them, it was a broach, but not any broach. It was a replica of a broach that Glorfindel’s father had given him, a delicate golden flower, and a symbol of their house. Glorfindel would wear it everywhere and never remove it, so proud of it he was. Then Glorfindel’s father had died when Glorfindel was still very young, the broach had become even more precious to him, and Erestor had often seen Glorfindel cradle it in his hand with tears in his eyes when thinking of his father. Erestor even recalled the blond wearing it the day Gondolin had fallen, and ultimately the day of his death.

One of the first things Glorfindel had asked him upon his rebirth was if the broach had survived, Glorfindel had pulled him to one side when all the fuss had died down after his return and asked with hope shining in his eyes. Erestor had hated being the one to tell him that it had not, for tears had immediately gathered in the warrior’s eyes. Glorfindel had of course plastered a fake smile upon his face and waved it off, knowing that the chances that it had survived would have been slim. But Erestor knew how dear the item was to the reborn elf, the very fact that Glorfindel had asked for it after so many years proved that. Even now Erestor grew sad at remembering that conversation.

*~~~~*

“Erestor may I speak with you a moment?”
“Of course Glorfindel, does something ail you, is there anything you need my friend?” Erestor had asked still with the blissful smile that had been spread across his face since the return of the one who was keeper of his heart. Glorfindel had smiled at his old friend and merely pulled him too a recluse part of the hallway where the sounds of celebration and talk of his return could only be heard as a low hum.
“Erestor, do you remember a…ah, a certain broach that I used to wear? It was this big and was golden and..”
“The one your father made for you , aye I remember it.” Erestor had felt his heart clench at the hopeful smile that had spread across the blonds face.
“Did…did it survive? Is it here?” Glorfindel had asked whilst unconsciously holding onto Erestor’s sleeve.
“Nay my friend, I am sorry it did not.” Erestor had replied honestly, he had even gone as far as to look for the broach but it was lost forever. Erestor had felt wretched when he saw the utter disappointment in the Glorfindel’s face, he had swallowed hard when tears had gathered in the blonds eyes.
“Oh, ah, well, never mind, I knew there would only be a small chance that it would of survived, it was just…some other small items from Gondolin had been salvaged, I had just hoped that it would have been amongst them. It matters not…’twas just a broach.” Glorfindel had said with a false smile, before Erestor could reply or comfort his friend however someone had called Glorfindel back to the celebration, Glorfindel had nodded to Erestor and returned to the gathering.

*~~~~*


The very next day Erestor had made a sketch of the broach and had taken it to have it made, the sketch had been unbelievably detailed for he remembered it perfectly, every last detail. He had smiled and even gone as far as to hug the smith who had presented the finished result to Erestor, much to the shock of the smith, for Erestor was known to be notoriously reclusive and shy.

So he had kept the broach all these years, wishing to find the courage to give it to Glorfindel, for he knew how much the blond would love it and felt almost guilty at keeping it from him. But finally the opportunity had come along, he would give it to Glorfindel as a festive gift. Throughout all the years he had kept the small token only one other had seen it and that was Celebrian. She had come upon him once when he had simply been admiring it and had commented on how beautiful it was. Erestor had quickly hidden the item and merely smiled at the lady, saying that it was a small gift he had yet to give to a friend when she had asked. She had then smiled at Erestor as if she were seeing him in a new light but had also not brought up the subject again, which he had been most grateful for.

Their mother had taken the two young twins to bed and now it was only Elrond, Glorfindel and himself that remained seated by a fireplace, and he knew that they too would soon exchange their gifts. They sat there talking quietly with their wine, but all Erestor could think about was what kind of reaction Glorfindel would give from his gift, not that he would receive any of the credit.

At the last moment his plans had been thwarted, apparently they would not all give gifts to everyone. They had in fact written their names on small pieces of paper, and each had chosen a piece of paper with a friends name written upon it, whoever was on the paper was the person they would bestow a gift upon. And unfortunately he had not picked the piece of paper with Glorfindel’s name upon it, Elrond had.

He had been standing in Elrond’s office the night before watching as Elrond had busied about his office, finishing some small last piece of work before retiring for a drink with his friends.

*~~~~*

“So are the twins looking forward to tomorrow morning?” Erestor had asked with a loving smile, knowing full well that the two young elflings would most probably not sleep a wink tonight because of their excitement.

“Indeed they are, I had in fact considered drugging them with some ‘special’ herbal tea just so that they would rest.” Elrond had said with a grin making Erestor chuckle softly.

“So, what is your gift for Glorfindel?” Erestor had asked trying to sound casual.

“Damn!” Elrond had exclaimed. “I had completely forgotten, what am to get him at such short notice?”
“You have not gotten him a gift yet?” Erestor had asked thoughtfully.
“Nay, I have been so caught up in my work and the twins I completely forgot.”
“I…I have something you can give him.” Erestor had suggested with a resigned tone that Elrond had not noticed.

“You do?”
“Aye, I had had it made for him in mind before I realized we were exchanging gifts in this fashion, you can give it to him if you wish.”
“You would not mind?”
“Nay, honestly I would not mind if you gave it to him as a gift from you, it would be a waste otherwise.”
“Thank you my friend I am most grateful, what is it?” Elrond had asked patting his friend's shoulder briefly in gratitude.
“Oh it is…but a simple broach.”
“Thank you Erestor, I’m sure he’ll love it.”
“ It’s alright, it is I that was to give you a gift, consider this it.”

Elrond laughed merrily and again patted his friend on the shoulder.
“Thank you my friend, and a wonderful gift it is.”


*~~~~*
“Well, now that the twins have finally passed out from excitement what say you we exchange our gifts?” Glorfindel had said trying to hide his own childish excitement, making Erestor smile adoringly.

“Aye very well…” Elrond had said placing his wine aside but was stopped by Glorfindel.
“Don’t move I’ll get them.” The blond had said jumping up from his seat, not caring about the sinkers he heard from Elrond and Erestor. When he had retrieved the gifts he had seated himself on the rug carpet beckoning for Erestor and Elrond to join him. Both dark haired elves had rolled their eyes at their friend’s behavior and joined him on the rug with their wine in hand.

“Here you are, who shall go first?” The fearsome warrior asked excitedly, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.
“You got me a gift? But I thought…” Elrond had begun to ask looking towards Erestor.
“I was of course joking my lord.” Erestor had replied ignoring the confused expression on Glorfindel’s face and watched Elrond open his gift.

“Oh Erestor thank you, it is beautiful.” Elrond said as he spread out the deep burgundy cloak that Erestor had given him.
“I thought perhaps it would replace your old one your sons had destroyed by spilling ink on it.”
“Indeed it does! Thank you my friend.” Elrond had said with a laugh.

“Here Erestor, this is from me.” Glorfindel had said handing over a small box with a smile, a smile that had made Erestor swallow hard.

Erestor had unwrapped the small wooden box and smiled broadly when he had opened it, inside was a beautiful midnight blue feathery quill. He pulled it from the box with a smile as he stroked the soft feather.
“Thank you Glorfindel, it is very beautiful,"
"If you look on the lid of the box you will find an inscription." Glorfindel had eagerly pointed out leaning forward and pointing.

Erestor tilted the lid and felt emotion build within him, on the lip there was the carved inscription: 'To dearest Erestor, love, your friend, Glorfindel.' It was with flushed cheeks and glistening eyes that Erestor looked back up to Glorfindel who was watching intently for the advisors every reaction.
" I will always treasure it, as I do our friendship.” He had said in all honesty earning a brilliant smile from the blond.
“I am so glad you like it.” Glorfindel had said softly, making Erestor blush further to his dismay.
“Why don’t you open your gift?” Erestor had said trying to shift the attention away from him.

Glorfindel had smiled excitedly and looked down to the box he held in his palms.
“I assume this is from you Elrond.”
“Aye, open it.” Elrond had said whilst taking another sip of his wine, expecting nothing out of the ordinary.

Erestor had watched intently as Glorfindel slowly opened the box and pulled back the silk that covered the broach. Elrond had glanced in the box and had instantly choked on his wine upon seeing the broach. That was more than a simple broach; Elrond knew the significance of it just as Erestor did. He looked to Erestor in shock, but Erestor was gazing at Glorfindel, watching his reaction.

Glorfindel had gasped upon seeing the broach, the smile leaving his lips and wonder replacing the expression on his face. He picked up the broach in his hand and touched it delicately, opening and closing his mouth to speak, but no words coming forth. Finally he looked over to Elrond.

“Elrond…I…it looks just like it, I can’t believe you did this for me…” Glorfindel had said, his voice a whisper.

“Glorfindel I …I couldn’t possibly, I didn’t..”
“It is a wonderful gift Elrond.” Erestor had interjected, not wanting Elrond to spoil the moment for Glorfindel by confusing the matter.

“Elrond, my dear friend thank you so much, you will never…” At this point Glorfindel’s voice had broken and he had to wipe away the tears that had formed in his eyes. “You will never know how much this means to me.” Glorfindel had reached forward and pulled Elrond into a fierce hug. Erestor had simply looked down into the contents of his glass, wishing that it was he who was being hugged so affectionately. But he was content; Glorfindel loved the gift that was all that mattered, that he had been able to give Glorfindel back a little piece of his old home.

Glorfindel had pinned it into his tunic and looked up proudly, once again wearing the symbol of his house.
“I must go see it in the looking glass!” Glorfindel had said excitedly and stood still wiping away the tears, as he stood he again hugged Elrond tightly and whispering his thanks. Once Glorfindel was out of earshot Elrond whipped his head back around to Erestor.

“Erestor! How could…if I had I known I never would of…how could you let me take such credit? We both know how much that broach had meant to him you should have told me! You need to tell him, I cannot take such credit!”
“Elrond, let us leave the matter, he is happy, that is all that matters, not who gives it to him. Look at him Elrond…” Erestor said whilst gazing over to Glorfindel, a loving smile playing across his lips. “He is so happy.”

Elrond raised his eyebrow slightly at the loving and affectionate look Erestor was giving Glorfindel, there was obviously more to this than there seemed.

“Erestor?” Elrond began with a calculating look but was interrupted by Erestor who obviously no longer wished to speak of it.

“I will take my leave now Elrond, if you would, please pass my goodnight to Glorfindel.” Erestor cradled the precious gift Glorfindel had given him in his hands and nodded to his lord who had stood before departing for the evening. As Erestor had left Celebrian had returned.

“My love, is there anything amiss?” She had asked her slack jawed husband when coming to stand before him. After a moment to organize his thoughts Elrond finally noted his wife’s presence.

“Hmm? Oh no, no I was just thinking.” He said whilst smiling apologetically.
“Are the boys finally asleep?” He asked smiling fondly when Celebrian rested her brow upon his chest groaning in mock exhaustion.
“Aye, at last they are, but they have taken all their gifts into their bed with them I am afraid.” She had said laughing merrily.

“Celebrian, good eve to you.” Glorfindel had said walking back towards Elrond with a beaming smile.
“Good eve…ah I see he has finally given it to you, about time.” She had said with a broad smile looking at the broach that was proudly pinned upon his chest.

“My lady?” Glorfindel had asked looking to Elrond with a smile.
“I had come across our dear advisor a couple of years ago looking upon that same broach fondly, I was beginning to wonder whether he was ever going to give it to you.” She had said with a laugh, her laugh however wavered seeing the confused expression on Glorfindel’s face and the apologetic one upon her husbands, she had the distinct impression she was missing something.

“My lady, Elrond gave this gift to me.”
“Actually…I hope you can forgive me but I had actually forgotten to find you a gift Glorfindel…” Elrond glanced at his friend apologetically with a small smile. “I had become so distracted with the twins…”
“Then to who do I owe my thanks, for I would dearly like to know who it was that knows me so well, for it is an exact replica of the one my fath…” Glorfindel’s voice faltered slightly as he took the broach again into his hand and touched it gently as if it were the most precious jewel in all Arda. “It’s exactly like the one he gave me, every last detail.”

“Erestor.” Elrond said simply.
“Erestor?” Glorfindel asked surprised at first, but a smile slowly crossed his lips. “Erestor…” He said again almost wistfully, “of course it was Erestor, but why…” Elrond had raised his hand knowing what it was Glorfindel was going to ask.
“I had mentioned to him that I had forgotten to find you a gift…” Elrond again smiled apologetically. “He had told me that he had had a gift made for you, before we had decided to give gifts in the fashion that we did. He had said he cared not who gave the gift or received the credit, and that all that mattered was that you had it. He had told me that it was a broach, but I never expected it to be, well…if I had known, I never would of excepted.”
“I know, I, will you excuse me? I need to speak with him.” Glorfindel asked, not at all annoyed by what had transpired, if anything he seemed delighted, if the giddy smile on his face was anything to go by.
“Of course, good eve Glorfindel.” Elrond had nodded as Celebrian smiled; Glorfindel was about to take his leave when he turned back with a mischievous smile.
“And Elrond, I expect a most spectacular gift from you next year, not that any gift could rival this one.” Glorfindel had heard his lord and lady both laugh as he left and made his way to Erestor’s quarters.

He sighed with a content smile, Erestor. He could not get over what it was the advisor had done for him, he would make sure he showed his gratitude to him. He laughed, this just got better and better, not only had he received the most precious gift, he also now had cause to gather the petite beauty in his arms as he had wished to so since he had first met his dear friend. And if he held him a little longer than polite, then he had a plausible excuse, for the gift had touched his heart, just as Erestor had many years ago.

He stood now outside Erestor’s rooms, still holding the precious gift. He thought back to the day he had received the gift, a sad smile playing upon his lips.

*~~~~*

“Come my son, I have a gift for you.” His father had said with an excited smile. He loved the childish grin his father would show when excited, the day he had received the gift had been a special anniversary for them both that only he and his father knew of. In Gondolin there was one day a year that all mothers would be pampered and doted upon, a day all mothers looked forward to. Glorfindel however had never met his mother, she had sadly died during childbirth, and so he had never celebrated that day, and had always felt a slight twinge of guilt towards his father. His father however had picked up on this when Glorfindel was but a child, and would not have his son feeling any guilt for something that was not his doing. He would make sure his son wore a genuine smile upon his face, for his precious Glorfindel was his pride and joy.

“Ada, you are such a child.” Glorfindel had said giggling at his father’s broad smile.
“I know my son, I may be millennia old but I do indeed have the mental capacity of a ten year old…” He had smiled hearing Glorfindel’s chuckles. “I would not laugh too much my son, it’s hereditary.” He had laughed along when Glorfindel had slapped his father’s shoulder, his mirth unrestricted.

“Come, open it.”
Glorfindel had opened the small box and had looked at his father surprised.
“I know it is unorthodox for a father to give his son jewelry…” He had stopped briefly to smile at his son’s giggles. “But this broach is very important.”
“I see that Ada, it is beautiful, and the symbol of our house.” Glorfindel had said looking down at the golden flower.
“Indeed, but what I refer to is the stone in the center of it…” His father pointed to the sparkling blue gem in the center. “That stone, was apart of a necklace I had given to your mother many years ago, she loved it dearly and would never remove it. It is also the exact color of her eyes, Glorfindel. Know that though she never had a chance to meet you, she loved you more than any words could ever say, as I do. You may never of met her, but she never left us my son, I see her when I look at you, and now you will see her when you look upon the broach.”

Glorfindel had been speechless, his eyes had filled with unshed tears much to his embarrassment. But when looking up and seeing the tears in his father’s eyes he had let his own fall freely.
“Thank you Ada.” He had whispered. His father had pulled him into a tight hug, holding his sons head against his chest before murmuring softly to him:
“My boy, my little boy.”

That was their last anniversary; Glorfindel had lost his father a few months later. He thought his heart would break at losing his father and best friend, but he would not succumb to grief, his father would not want that. So he continued, holding his head high, not allowing bitterness or grief to defeat him. And whenever he would feel lonely, he would look upon the small broach, for his mother was the sparkling gem, and his father the golden petals. They would always be with him.

*~~~~*

Glorfindel wiped at his damp cheeks with a sad smile, Erestor had known how precious the broach was to him, but he doubted that the dark elf truly knew how precious, and so he would tell Erestor now. After pinning the broach back upon his breast he without hesitation knocked upon the door, it was a few moments later that a bleary eyed Erestor answered the door.

The advisor came to the door his hair loose and tussled, holding his robe closed with one hand, and rubbing at an eye with his other. Glorfindel had to smile, Erestor looked…well, he rarely used this word but…cute, Erestor looked unbearably cute.

“Glorfindel?” The advisor was clearly surprised to see Glorfindel.

Glorfindel stood there, he had been confident, and still was, yet he was at a loss for words, so he opted for the direct approach. He lunged forward and pulled Erestor close into a tight hug. He had pulled Erestor close by the waist and had kept one hand at the small of the advisors back while the other trailed over his back, crushing the slighter elf’s body close to his own larger frame.

Erestor had been startled to say the least, but he had allowed himself to be held and had even leaned his head to rest on the blonds shoulder before realizing what it was he was doing. Unable to pull back from the heavenly embrace Erestor spoke hesitantly.

“Ah…Glorfindel?”
“Thank you Erestor, I love it, you really do know me best of all don’t you?”
“I…did Elrond…”
“Aye he did, with help from his wife, I can never thank you enough Erestor, it means so much to me.” He said still holding on tightly to Erestor, enjoying the feel of Erestor at such a close proximity.

Erestor was thoroughly enjoying the embrace, but loving the feel of Glorfindel holding him so was not the only reason Erestor grasped onto the warriors sleeves when Glorfindel had tried to pull back when people approached from the far end of the hall.

“Wait don’t!” Erestor immediately pulled the blond close and clutched at his broad shoulders when Glorfindel had pulled away. Glorfindel was a little confused but never one to pass up an opportunity pulled Erestor close again.

“Is something wrong?” Glorfindel had asked while closing his eyes in bliss at the feel of Erestor against him.

“Uh…my…my robe has fallen open, and I am afraid I am not wearing much beneath.” Erestor replied blushing a deep red.

Glorfindel squeezed his already closed eyes t tighter and let his mouth open slightly realizing that not only was he holding Erestor close, he was holding a naked Erestor close. It took all of his strength not to grow aroused, and he laughed when Erestor buried his head into his shoulder with what he guessed to be a fierce blush.

“Walk backwards.” Glorfindel had said in a chuckle, he then walked Erestor backwards back into his room, not releasing the advisor from his arms. When they were in the room Glorfindel had kicked the door shut with his foot, they than stood there, still holding each other unsure of what to do next.

“Um..” Erestor began to pull back slightly; Glorfindel took the hint and averted his eyes as Erestor quickly pulled the robe tightly around his frame, tying a knot with the sash. When they made eye contact again, both blushed and chuckled.

“My apologies, I should of given some sort of warning before launching myself at you.” Glorfindel had said with a sheepish grin.
“It’s alright.” Erestor had said blushing a deep red whilst holding his robe tightly around him.

“Erestor…” Glorfindel began and stepped in front of Erestor “I can not begin to thank you enough, save for the original it is the most precious gift that has ever been bestowed upon me.”
“‘Twas nothing.” Erestor said quietly lowering his head. He was made to make eye contact however when Glorfindel tilted his chin upwards to face the blond.
“Erestor…it, it is exactly the same. How, how did you get it so exact? And why? Why did you do this for me?”

“I…well, you loved it, and you were so very proud of it you wore it all the time. So I was able to remember what it looked like, I drew a sketch for the smith, the credit should go to the smith really.” Erestor had said with an embarrassed smile.

Glorfindel had smiled adoringly, letting his finger trail Erestor’s jaw line.
“And why?” He asked.
“When you returned, you had asked me if it had survived, and the look on your face when I told you it hadn’t was heart breaking, so…so the next day I had made the sketch and taken it to the smith.” Erestor had said a little shakily with Glorfindel so close.

“The next day! How long have you had it?”
“Well, it only took the smith a week or two, so quite a while, I’m sorry I didn’t give it to you earlier, had I known you would like it so much I would of.”
“I do not like it Erestor, I love it. And why didn’t you give it to me earlier?” He did not ask the question accusingly but curiously as he continued to trail his finger along the dignified yet somewhat softly defined jaw line.
“I had never found the right…opportunity.” Erestor replied nervously, yet he did not shy away.

“Then I believe I shall give my thanks to Elrond the next time I come upon him, for giving you this opportunity.” Glorfindel had said with a sweet smile, he took a deep breath before continuing. “In fact I think this little tradition has afforded us quite a few opportunities.” He said smiling at he slightly wide eyed expression on Erestor’s face as he ran the back of his fingers across a high cheekbone.

“H-how so?” Asked Erestor in an unsteady voice.

It was then that a smile spread across the blond’s lips as he pulled some sort of weed from his pocket.
“Do you know what this is Erestor?”
“No I do not.”
“It is a plant called mistletoe, do you know the traditional purpose of mistletoe?” Erestor simply shook his head negative.
“Well, it is an age old tradition for men that if two people were to stand under mistletoe, well, like so…” And Glorfindel held the plant above both of their heads. “That the two individuals standing beneath it would…kiss.” Glorfindel had smiled when the blush on Erestor’s cheeks had reached the tips of his ears.

“I know you have given me so much this evening already but, could I steal a kiss Erestor?” Glorfindel asked with his most charming smile.

Erestor had swallowed hard before slowly tilting his head upwards to press a kiss to Glorfindel’s cheek. However, just as Erestor began to pull away Glorfindel cupped the side of his cheek and turned his head until they could see closely into each other’s eyes. Erestor watched as Glorfindel angled his head until their lips were impossibly close yet still not touching. Erestor closed his eyes when Glorfindel finally brushed his lips against the advisor’s.

Glorfindel grinned when he heard the gasp come from Erestor at the slight brush of lips. Dropping the mistletoe to the floor Glorfindel let the hand fall to the small of Erestor’s back to pull him closer as he continue cup the advisors cheek tenderly. Again he pulled back slightly to brush his lips across Erestor’s feather light, teasing him mercilessly. Finally he gave into his own cravings and kissed Erestor fully on the lips. They continued the slow lazy kiss, both lost to the feel of soft lips against their own. It was Glorfindel who was surprised when he felt a tongue discreetly ask permission for entry into his mouth. Glorfindel opened his mouth obligingly and moaned at the deepened kiss.

Tongues slowly glided against each other, as hands pulled heated bodies closer. Glorfindel broke the kiss momentarily only to change the angle of their kiss, when lips met again Glorfindel took command of the kiss. One hand cradled the back of Erestor’s head, the long silky black hair falling over the hand, while the other held Erestor at the waist. Glorfindel deepened the kiss without hesitation pulling a whimper from Erestor as the advisor gently cupped the blonds face when Glorfindel dropped both of his hands to the advisors waist.

Finally they pulled apart, only for Glorfindel to draw Erestor's lips back for one final kiss, when they did part Glorfindel had rested his brow against Erestor’s, waiting in hope for an invitation to stay. But when the invitation did not come he pressed one last soft kiss that lingered only for a moment to Erestor’s lips before stepping back.

“Well, I will let you rest then…”
“Glorfindel?”
“Yes?” Glorfindel cringed at how quickly he had answered and how hopeful it had sounded.
“Thank you for the quill, I do love it.”

Glorfindel smiled sweetly at Erestor, trying hard to mask his slight disappointment.

“And…thank you for…the kiss.” Erestor said blushing again.
“‘Twas my pleasure, truly…” He had grinned handsomely, still hoping for an invitation, “and thank you for…” he brushed the broach he wore before continuing, “thank you for giving me back…a piece of my home.”

Erestor had smiled in turn. Sensing no invitation coming forthwith Glorfindel nodded saying goodnight before leaving the chambers.

When Glorfindel closed the door behind him he had started to walk away before pausing, he began walking again only to pause and walk back to Erestor’s door.

‘You said you would not waste the second chance you were given you silly elf! Now go out there and bring him back in!” Erestor had mentally cursed to himself once Glorfindel had left his rooms.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door….

‘Glorfindel if he had wanted you to stay the night he would of asked you to!’ He had thought to himself.
‘Perhaps he was just unsure of what I would say? Erestor is naturally shy.’
He continued the debate in his head before reaching a conclusion, he walked to a near window and pulling away a part of the creeping vine from the outside. He stood in front of Erestor’s door again trying to think of anything to say, but when the door suddenly opened and Erestor was standing before him he realized he had just ran out of time to think of anything clever to say.

“I was wondering perhaps if you knew the tradition of what one would do when two people stood beneath…whatever this plant is?”
“I think I have an idea, at least I hope I do.” Erestor had said quietly with a nervous smile as he stepped backwards to allow Glorfindel entry to his rooms. Glorfindel dropped the weed or plant or whatever it was on the floor and entered the dark elf’s rooms, waiting only a moment for Erestor to close the door before drawing the coy elf in to finish the kiss they had started moments ago.


The end.