Chapter 9
“Erestor! Come along now!” Earane called out.
“It looks silly,” Erestor whined.
“Better that I see it now so we can improve upon it before Saturday. Now come out! I need to see how the entire ensemble looks! There is no reason for you to be shy!”
“All right, all right, I am coming out. But no laughing!” He warned, then stepped out from the hallway into the kitchen. Upon his head sat a circlet denoting his maturity, made of gold with emeralds. A blood red robe with a blue sash clothed his body, whilst ankle-high boots with a small heel covered his feet, although the robe swam on his small body and trailed on the ground, hiding the shoes.
Earane’s anticipatory face fell. He circled Erestor slowly, taking note of what needed to be changed.
“Well, gold is not your colour,” he took the circlet off, “as for the blue sash… Well perhaps we can change that to black… The robe itself is fine, albeit a little long. But, other than that, it suits you quite well. Though, it needs to be hemmed a little, but nothing the tailors cannot handle. We shall have to change your hair… Wearing it completely out makes your face look longer and worn,” he said, placing the circlet to the side and pulled Erestor’s dark locks up around his head, dropping them again to see the effect. “See? Is it not a good thing we checked your outfit now rather than the night before like *somebody* wanted?” Earane teased. “Take that robe off then come and see me in the showroom and we shall see what other maturation celebration circlets I have. Perhaps silver with rubies would be best. And, for the day, maybe we should ask Cirilea to braid your hair. Alright, go change,” Earane ordered as Erestor teetered in the doorway, waiting for his father to stop talking.
Two hours later they had decided upon a simple styling of hair for Cirilea to play around with later, a white gold circlet with black diamonds and a black sash with silver tassels for a touch of colour, and the same robe, now pinned to the right length for the tailors to hem.
“There, you look like a prince!” Earane commented with a happy grin.
“Ada, I am going to stand out…” Erestor squirmed.
“That is the point! After all, you are the begetting-day boy!” Earane smiled proudly, then suddenly scooped his son up for a tight hug. “I am so proud of you, your achievements and everything you have done to brighten my life. I love you *so* much!”
“I love you too, Ada,” Erestor replied and hugged his father back.
“OH! I have a present for you!” Earane announced excitedly, pulling back.
“But my begetting day is not for another week!” Erestor argued lightly, the delighted grin upon his face clearly giving away his want.
“This is not a present for you, it is a present to and from you,” Earane explained, pulling a small velvet box from a pocket and, once facing Erestor, opened it slowly.
Erestor stared at the exquisite ring for some time, his mouth trying to form words, yet his voice failed him for some time.
“…Ada…I- no… you can’t… *I* can’t-”
“You can and you will accept it. I thought you may wish to propose to Silindrical with it,” Earane said, pushing the box into Erestor’s hand.
Erestor gazed at the ring, a look of deep thought marring his gentle features.
“I do not know if Silindrical is my intended,” Erestor whispered.
“Erestor,” Earane said seriously, placing a hand upon his son’s shoulder, drawing his attention away from the box. “I have heard disturbing whispers about Lord Glorfindel’s interest in you… Not two days ago did I hear about the incident in the kitchen… he spilling some milk on the floor, just in time for you to walk in and slip on it, then he carrying you to the healers before taking you back to your chambers and tucking you into bed, all whilst you were dazed and only half aware of what was happening! I wonder how much further he shall go once you have reached your majority.”
“I do not think he intended for all that to happen,” Erestor mumbled.
“Then why was he in the servants’ kitchen at all? Why that particular time? And why was he conveniently not busy the second your head hit the stone floor?” Earane asked accusingly.
Erestor looked like he was about to reply but bit his lip, not knowing what else to say that might convince his father his fears were misplaced. After all, it would be nice to be rid of the young Lord’s attention for once and for all.
“I think it is a little late for second thoughts now,” Earane said gently.
“I know… yet I cannot help but wonder if I am ever at the forefront of her thoughts as she is mine.”
“Erestor-”
“Lately she has been distracted. She has cancelled five of the last eight times we were to spend the day together. And when she has come, her thoughts are elsewhere and she remains no more than a few hours before running off inexplicably. She no longer makes an effort in her appearance, seemingly saving all her dresses and graces for another. Ada, I do not think-”
“Erestor, you are being silly and judging her too harshly. But never fear, many do when approaching such an important step in a relationship, yet most can be explained quite simply. Her clothes; she is merely so comfortable in your company now that she does not see the point in looking good for you as she knows you appreciate her beyond the physical. Disappearing and cancelling dates…she may have duties at home she needs to attend to, or she might be just as nervous as you are approaching maturation day, and the thoughts of what you might ask her is so overwhelming she can barely stay in your company for long, scared she might say something inappropriate which may sway her favour. It happens to a lot of couples, Erestor. Believe me, you are not the first pair to experience this,” Earane explained away, Erestor in turn giving him a look to express his state of disbelief.
Earane sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Just ask her. There is no harm in doing that at least, now is there?”
“I suppose not,” Erestor replied dejectedly, still not entirely sure.
~*~*~*~*~
“Erestor!” A familiar voice hissed; the apprentice scribe’s shoulders slumped immediately. Turning from the books he was sorting, Erestor faced the blonde.
“Yes, Lord Glorfindel?” he asked in a bored but polite manner. Over the past fifteen months, Glorfindel’s presence no longer affected him in the same way it once had. There were a few occasions when fear overtook him, but mostly he regarded the Lord as nothing more than an occupational nuisance.
“My rooms. Tonight.” Glorfindel ordered then began walking away.
“Forgive me, my Lord, but I do not reach my majority until tomorrow.”
“I am aware of this,” Glorfindel remarked, but continued walking away.
“Then you are also aware that you cannot force me into anything until the day after tomorrow,” Erestor said, subtly reminding the warrior that the day of maturation is reserved for celebration.
Glorfindel stopped then and turned around, throwing Erestor a rather bemused expression. Stalking towards the younger Elf, he leaned in close, forcing Erestor against a bookshelf, the Lord gently curling a wisp of dark hair around his finger.
“Do not fret, sweet Scribe, for I only wish you to see… something.”
“And what might that ‘something’ be?”
“Oooh, I cannot say, for then it would not be a surprise. Think of this as your present from me. And though you shall not thank me for it anytime soon, I know it is for the best,” Glorfindel spoke, his breath caressing Erestor’s cheek.
Erestor remained impassive, saying nothing about Glorfindel’s closeness, how their bodies touched from chest to groin nor that certain sparkle the Lords’ eyes contained when in intimate contact with himself.
Glorfindel watched the Scribe closely, not for the first time his eyes raking over pale skin, dark eyes and red lips, calculatingly cataloguing each and every small, delicate feature, and capturing each flicker of emotion that his countenance portrayed, memorising them to re-live later when he lay in bed.
“Come after dinner,” Glorfindel husked, his eyes rooted to Erestor’s mouth. With a final fleeting glance, Glorfindel hesitantly walked away.
Erestor frowned, wondering what sinister trick Glorfindel was to play on him now, yet his curiosity could not be swayed. Thus, after dinner, following his own interest and obeying orders, Erestor found himself outside Glorfindel’s chambers. Raising a shaky hand, Erestor knocked on the elaborately decorated wooden double doors.
A servant, most likely a butler from his attire, Erestor deduced, answered the door.
“Hello, uh, Lord Glorfindel summoned me to his rooms this night,” Erestor said, wondering why Glorfindel did not greet him himself, knowing he was due to arrive.
“Forgive my master’s rudeness for not welcoming you, but he is still arranging your…” the butler looked Erestor over in a superior manner, making the Scribe’s skin crawl, “… surprise. You may enter, but remain here. I shall be back shortly.” The butler moved away, exiting the main room through a door on the opposite wall.
Erestor stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind him. Looking around the room, Erestor noted the lack of expensive, gaudy decoration most other palace rooms contained, but rather the soft, earthy tones on the walls, elegantly simple furniture and a few furs strewn around the room over the black marble floor. All in all, Erestor couldn’t help but admire the Lord’s taste in décor.
Startled, Erestor spun around to face a somewhat bare corner of the room when he heard whispering. Stunned, Erestor watched as two somewhat battered, bruised and naked she-elves held each other comfortingly as they stared at Erestor, seemingly frozen under his gaze.
Erestor stood still and watched fear flicker across their countenances, and throughout their trembling bodies. He wanted to allay their concern, tell them he would do them no harm. Yet all words failed him as he saw the resonating sorrow within their eyes and the harm they had received from their master’s hand.
~*~*~*~*~
“Master, would you like some refreshments now?” The butler asked.
“Aaaah… yes. Bring them in,” Glorfindel agreed. The butler bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Once in the main room again, the butler beckoned Erestor to him as he picked up an already prepared tray.
“You are to stay by the door. Do not speak or let your presence be known in any way. If you do not obey these rules, then all shall be ruined, though the end result shall no doubt be the same,” the butler spoke haughtily, wondering why his master would go to all this trouble for a peasant.
Confused, Erestor nodded nonetheless. Opening the door to Glorfindel’s sleeping quarters, the butler entered and placed the tray down on the bedside table. Erestor moved to the door but halted in his tracks at what he saw. Lounging on his back on the bed, wearing naught but a pair of leggings, was Glorfindel. Kneeling over his hips was a naked female with curly red locks, her groin gently rocking against Glorfindel’s.
His eyes taking in only what was happening upon the bed, Erestor lost his footing for a moment and stumbled as the butler pushed past, closing the door behind him, giving Erestor little time to move away. Righting himself again, Erestor leaned against the wall for balance as tears of betrayal welled in his eyes.
“I am glad you asked for me this night, my Lord,” Silindrical cooed.
“Oh, and why is that?”
“For I am in desperate need of a spanking.”
“What have you done now?”
“I did not help Nana set the table.”
“Again!?” Glorfindel asked dumbfounded. “If I did not know any better, I would swear you *wanted* to be punished every time you visited! But I am tired tonight. Do you have plans for tomorrow’s eve? Perhaps then I could execute your punishment.”
“Forgive me, but Erestor wants me to accompany him to his maturation ball.”
“Aaaah, yes. Erestor… And how are things with him?” Glorfindel prodded.
“You know I possess no affection for him,” Silindrical insisted.
“Yet you refuse to break it off with him…” Glorfindel countered.
“It is complicated.”
“You are stalling. Why do you lie to him?”
“Why do you care?”
“I may be many things, but to give false hope is something I would never do.”
“I am not giving him false hope.”
“Oh please! Tomorrow he turns fifty! He is an open target to anyone whose status is higher than his unless he is engaged to be married. And right now, you, my sweet, is his only viable candidate.”
“Sounds like someone is scared of losing me,” Silindrical teased.
“So when he asks, you shall reject him?”
“Need you ask?”
“And if I were to propose right now, would you accept?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“Why?”
Silindrical laughed at this. “Who wouldn’t want to be married to a Lord?”
“Is that the only reason?” Glorfindel inquired seriously. Silindrical instantly sobered and looked at him in a loving way.
“Nay, for you are also brave, truthful, sincere and handsome beyond compare.”
Erestor had to stifle his sharp intake of breath as fond memories of a summer’s day emerged from his mind whereupon Silindrical had uttered similar words about him.
“Shame…” Glorfindel sighed.
“What is a shame?”
“My parents are arranging my marriage. And no matter how much I may wish to bond with you, I cannot.”
“Oh,” Silindrical muttered, forlorn.
“Promise me that you shall not dwell over what we have shared. That you will go on and find happiness with another,” Glorfindel urged, grasping Silindrical’s upper arms.
“Do not fret. I shall bond with Erestor when he asks. Though he shall never reach your status, both in rank and in my heart, I shall live well with him. Besides, just because we are to bond with others, does not mean that we cannot still have these little intrigues,” Silindrical bounced back, always having a second option to fall upon.
“Then perhaps you should tell him your true age? He is bound to find out sooner or later.”
“I know Erestor. He likes a woman to be younger and more vulnerable than himself. It gives him a sense of worth and power that he does not possess in other areas of his life. If he knew I was almost seventy, he would never ask me to be his mate,” Silindrical stated. “Yet, once again, we are speaking of Erestor. How about I get you out of these leggings,” she tugged on the waistband, “then we can have some fun with those slaves of yours, hmmm?”
“I think you have been using them a little roughly lately, my sweet. But, if that is what you want…”
“I do. I shall be right back,” she said, pressing a soft kiss to Glorfindel’s lips and climbed off the bed. Yet before she could take one step towards the door, a large gasp came from her as she caught sight of Erestor and froze, not knowing what to say or do that might explain all that had been said and done.
Noticing her shock, Glorfindel got up from the bed and walked towards Erestor, whose doleful eyes were trained on Silindrical, his heart clearly breaking beneath the surface. Standing behind the Scribe, Glorfindel wound his powerful arms protectively around the lithe body, his head alongside Erestor’s. Yet the younger elf felt none of this, only the pain and hollow feeling of betrayal now growing within his breast.
“She played you for a fool, Erestor,” he whispered loudly enough for Silindrical to hear. “She used us both, just to rise above her station… she should be punished.”
“If you punish me, then you must also punish Erestor!” Silindrical demanded. “He is just as guilty as I!”
“How so? He works hard for his achievements and earns his way to the top. And he does not hurt others to do so.”
“Surely you jest, my Lord!” she scoffed. “Erestor is doing precisely what Lords have feared for an age! A mere peasant shall soon be counted among you! And you claim he hurts none! It is now he whom gives false hope to other peasants by letting them believe that if he can rise to be more than he was born to be, then so can they!” she fired back.
“But he does not manipulate others to get what he wants!”
“What nonsense! See how he has manipulated your affections for him! At school he was despised by you!”
“Do not think my interest in him has changed one iota. With the breaking of this union he shall be nothing but my plaything once more,” Glorfindel said in a sultry voice, licking Erestor’s ear tip to punctuate his words.
Erestor trembled with fear and emotional distraught, too upset to join in the conversation, his thoughts jumbled, his eyes leaking teardrops as he continued watching Silindrical.
“Make me your plaything, my Lord! I am much more experienced, willing and deserving of your attention, surely?”
“Willing and experienced you may be, but deserving you are not! Besides, who says I want some pliant, enthusiastic body beneath me? Yet, a plaything I shall make you as punishment for your actions. You, Silindrical, daughter of Linwelin, shall henceforth be a sex slave to the court of Gondolin, as a result of your deceitful and unnecessarily harmful actions towards a Lord,” Glorfindel announced rather smugly as he watched her face fall.
“But… B-but that is not fair!” she argued pitifully.
“I am a Lord, I do not need to be fair,” Glorfindel smirked. “SECAR!” Erestor winced as the word was shouted into his ear, although Glorfindel did press an apologetic kiss to the appendage.
“Yes Master?” The butler asked, entering the room.
“Take this… thing, to the harem and make sure she is integrated into their ways properly,” he ordered.
“Of course, Master,” he answered, walking towards Silindrical.
Desperate, the red-haired she-elf evaded the butler and flung herself onto Erestor.
“I may not have been loyal or sincere, but was I not good to you? Ask me now to bond with you and I shall accept! It will be beneficial to us both!” she begged and pressed a kiss to Erestor’s tightly closed lips.
Glorfindel growled deep in his throat and was about to forcibly remove Silindrical from Erestor when the butler grabbed her by the arms and wrenched her away.
“Ask me now! It is not too late!” she begged, as she was hauled out of the room.
“Actually, it is,” Glorfindel said, releasing Erestor and turning to watch them leave. “I signed the requisition this morning. They are anticipating your arrival as we speak. Now, take her away,” Glorfindel said in a bored voice.
Secar struggled to keep a hold of her, but eventually removed her from Glorfindel’s quarters, although her protests, curses and screams could be heard for some time as she was escorted to the harem.
Glorfindel chuckled lightly and clasped a supportive hand on Erestor’s shoulder before he walked over to the refreshments Secar had brought in earlier.
“It is all happening tonight,” he commented, mainly to himself. “Drink?”
“No thankyou, my Lord. If you permit it, I think I shall retire now. Thankyou for my present,” he said monotonously, stiffly moving towards the door.
“She was using you, Erestor,” Glorfindel reminded him.
“I was using her,” Erestor whispered then exited the room.
Parmasambe
Library of Imladris
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.