Title: Through the Ages
Author: Mawgy
Beta: Naresha (Thanks Darling)
Dedicated to my Boney Arse *winks* *sheep*
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Ansgt, AU
Warnings: Short reminder of what occurred in last chapter.
Pairing: (eventually) Erestor/Glorfindel
Summary: This fic follows the somewhat sordid lives of Erestor and Glorfindel from their childhood in Gondolin to their re-acquaintance in Imladris. Glorfindel is a Lord much like in medieval times and has power over everything and everyone, and Erestor, a lowly peasant.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am making no money from this story… I just like to play with other people’s toys. :D
A/N: Erestor is 48, looks like a 24 year old and shouldn’t age physically any more than that.
~blah blah blah~ denotes Erestor’s thoughts.
Chapter 6
Erestor nervously wrung his hands again. Earane had never seen his son so jumpy and began to worry Erestor might not come across as the Elf he usually was and mess up the vital first impression. Slipping a little Dwarven rum into Erestor’s tea to calm his nerves, Earane handed his son the mug, whereupon the younger Elf gulped it down without a second thought.
“You seem unsettled,” Earane remarked as casually as possible.
“Oh, well, I have been thinking a lot about what you said,” Erestor mumbled, avoiding eye contact with his father. “And I have decided that it would be good to have a backup such as an engagement, for any unforseen circumstances that may pop up.”
Erestor had told no one of what had occurred in Master Tebring’s office on Thursday night, although his supervisor could see that something had disturbed Erestor sometime during the night, but no matter how many times he asked, Erestor maintained all was well. As ploughed under with work as they were, Tebring could not bring himself to ask Erestor to work on Sunday, though it was needed. Erestor’s features grew more haggard and his face paler each day, though he remained just as beautiful to all whom were not familiar with him. Thus Tebring decided a change of scenery might do his apprentice some good.
The incident with Glorfindel, and the blonde’s promise of more suffering to come had shaken Erestor to the core. When he had eventually dragged himself to bed many hours later that night, he had decided rather eagerly to court and woo this young maiden so they may be engaged at least until he made Advisor. Once he reached that status, his value to Gondolin would be too great to risk harm to, and as such none save the King or one of the other eleven House Lords would have that kind of power of him.
He knew his plan was selfish and might even break Silindrical’s heart, but after that night, Erestor felt very little compassion for anyone else.
“Erestor, I know you are not one who would treat Elven binding in the trivial manner your words have just suggested. Even though I did first propose this arrangement, I did not mean for you to regard it lightly. I just meant, if it is beneficial to both you and Silindrical and you are willing to announce an engagement, then do so. But do not leave her unaware of what it is you desire to do and request binding in a manner that contradicts her own thoughts on the subject,” Earane gently lectured his son.
“I know Ada… I am just… nervous. I have never met a female under the prospect of a romantic relationship before… nor a male, come to think of it,” Erestor tried to explain, with a light smile as he finished.
“Well, do not let it affect you when meeting her. If you keep that thought in the forefront of your mind you may end up scaring her off.”
“I know that Ada, I just cannot help dwelling-” Erestor was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. His eyes widened in nervousness, hope and fear. Looking to his father, Earane sent him an encouraging look and a pat on the arm as he moved to open the door.
“Linwelin, Silindrical, so nice to see you. Please, come in,” Earane swept an arm around his body, inviting them in as he moved out of the way. Erestor’s breath caught as he first glimpsed his possible future lover. Soft curls of red locks framed a most beautiful and kindly face. Eyes the colour of the ocean on a summer’s day. Full pink lips blending perfectly to her lightly sun-kissed face.
“Ah, yes, Silindrical, Linwelin, this is my son, Erestor,” Earane introduced them. “Erestor, this is Linwelin, local harvester of grain. And this is his lovely daughter, Silindrical."
Erestor stepped forward and offered his forearm to Linwelin. “It is an honour,” he spoke softly but clearly.
“Nay, the honour is all mine, son of Earane,” Linwelin said as he grasped Erestor’s arm in his hand in friendly greeting.
“My lady, ‘tis a pleasure,” Erestor expressed sincerely, taking her delicate hand in his and gave a soft kiss to the back of her fingers.
Silindrical gave a shy smile. “Oh, how charming,” she cooed. Earane’s eyes met Linwelin’s and they grinned. “I brought apple pie,” she said, holding out the offering for Erestor to take, inclining his head in thanks as he did so.
“It smells delicious,” he praised. “We shall enjoy this greatly after the main meal, I am sure.” Silindrical gave a small, embarrassed smile.
“May I offer anyone a cup of tea?” Earane spoke up after a few moments of silence.
“Yes, thankyou.”
Earane busied himself with the pot and Erestor indicated towards the table once he had put the dessert down. “Please, sit,” he said, holding out a chair for Silindrical as he had seen many servants do for ladies of the court.
“Erestor, how is life in the palace? Are they working you hard?” Linwelin asked, opening the conversation.
“Life is busy but very rewarding,” Erestor replied politely.
“The Lords… are they treating you well?”
“As well as one in my position deserves.”
“But, I thought you held equal status with them?” Silindrical interrupted.
“As of this moment, I am still an apprentice scribe. Once I am an Advisor, then I will have equal standing with all except the House Lords. Only the Chief Advisers or Captains of the Guard are equal to them. Though even then, while officially they shall hold the status of Lords, none will ever match their authority except for other House masters,” Erestor explained; wondering what Linwelin had told Silindrical about him and this match. And indeed what exaggerations his father may have told.
“Oh,” Silindrical said, her eyes shifting to her father for a moment before coming back to rest on Erestor. “How long until you are an Advisor?”
“If all goes well, a minimum of twenty-two years,” Erestor said.
~Twenty-two years?~ Erestor thought, ~no one stays engaged for twenty-two years without marriage… It would be impossible to expect anyone to accept this relationship if bonding did not occur during all that time. Especially after only two years of courting. Silindrical certainly seems well bred and well mannered, she is definitely comely, no one could deny that. I would be honoured to live out eternity by her side… but does she feel the same about me?~
“And a Chief Adviser?” Silindrical inquired further.
“That is hard to predict. Some Advisers have worked many centuries and have never been promoted, while others just a few years… it mostly comes down to who is in favour and who is not.”
“The King favours you, does he not?” Linwelin asked bluntly.
Erestor blushed. “I- I can see why people would think that he does, however it would be foolish to put my hopes upon him advancing me. Especially still so soon into my career. Yet even so, it is usually one’s own House Lord that decides upon a person’s role within the palace. The King only intervenes when he is particularly impressed with an individual.”
“Oh…” Silindrical nodded, her gaze falling back to her father.
An awkward silence fell over the table and eyes shifted uncomfortably.
“Here you are,” Earane spoke up, sliding mugs of tea across the table, followed quickly by a large plate of sandwich quarters with various fillings in them.
“Thankyou,” Father and daughter gave their appreciation voice and started eating the meal. Erestor watched closely as Silindrical elegantly reached out for a piece and delicately nibbled upon the bread and chicken filling.
~Yes, she would make a good wife~, Erestor decided to himself and took a slice with egg and lettuce in it.
Lunch was a quiet affair with occasional questions and answers, various comments on the weather, or high praise being given to Silindrical’s apple pie.
Once the meal was over, Earane and Linwelin made themselves scarce. Earane eager to show Linwelin his workshop once the farmer mentioned an interest in the general subject, Erestor’s father insisting on showing him personally how to make a bangle.
Erestor and Silindrical sat for many minutes in silence, shyly looking at one another over the table, blushing lightly when the other caught their gaze before quickly gazing elsewhere.
“What does an apprentice Scribe do?” Silindrical bravely opened the conversation.
“I help look after, maintain and bind books in the library. I record communications during minor Council Meetings. By minor I mean councillors that look after everyday tasks such as food, land distribution, etc, rather than the Council Meetings held with the Lords whom discuss major events, security, wealth… I also help find references, articles and books for Advisors and the general public. And I often write the first draft of a diplomatic letter Master Tebring or any other Scribe needs to send. There are a few other skills and tasks involved, but they are the main ones.”
“And what is the difference between what you do now and what you shall do once you become a Scribe?” Silindrical asked, seemingly interested in Erestor’s profession.
“I shall have no one to answer to except the Head Scribe, whom even Master Tebring must adhere to. Yet, I shall be moved to the Golden Flower Library rather than the Palace library where I am situated now, and the Head Scribe will be someone else to whom Master Tebring works under. And I shall write the final copy of letters rather than the draft. Though I would prefer to work on it from start to finish.”
“Your accommodation… is it as grand and as luxurious as the rest of the palace?”
“Not at the moment, but someday it shall be so,” Erestor said, giving a truthful but consoling answer. He saw that his plan worked moments later as Silindrical beamed at his answer.
“What are twenty-two years to immortals but mere blinks of the eye?” Silindrical mysteriously asked. Erestor had no reply other than a nervous titter, a gentle smile and the light touch of his nervous hand upon hers. Silindrical gave a coy curve of the lips.
After a few minutes, Erestor broke the comfortable silence. “I come home every Sunday. I would like it very much if I could call upon you in the afternoon next week?”
“I would like that also,” Silindrical consented.
~*~*~*~*~
“Wow… Earane, truly your craft is as interesting as you are talented with it! Silindrical, look here, I cannot even see where the gold was melded together! Truly a work of art!” Linwelin said half an hour later as he and Earane walked into the kitchen, handing Silindrical the bangle. Erestor and Silindrical’s entwined hands released one another’s and flew back to their laps at the sound of footsteps approaching. Yet Linwelin noticed nonetheless and smiled to himself.
“Yes father, it is beautiful,” Silindrical politely praised.
“Aaah, you are too kind,” Earane said, trying to keep the blush off his face. “If you like it so much, the bangle is yours Silindrical.”
“Oh no! I couldn’t!” she offered it back.
“‘Tis but a trifle. Please, I insist,” Earane argued.
Silindrical looked as though she was about to resist again, but a quick shake of the head from Erestor showed it was pointless to try. “Thankyou sir, I am honoured,” she gave in, slipping the bangle on and standing from the chair to give the craftsman a kiss to the cheek.
“Think nothing of it,” he smiled, his blush obvious.
“Well, I think it is about time we started back home. Earane, Erestor, thankyou for lunch,” Linwelin said and headed towards the door.
“Thankyou for the meal,” Silindrical bowed and walked over to her father.
“You are welcome. And thankyou for the lovely apple pie,” Earane said.
“Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
“Namarie.”
“Farewell,” they said to one another. Erestor and Silindrical shared one last brief, shy smile before father and daughter departed. The second the door clicked closed, Earane launched rapid-fire questions at an overwhelmed Erestor.
“How do you find her? What did you two talk about? Are you going to see her again? Any prospects for the future? Perhaps you can get her a job as a library maid, then you can be together all the time! What if you-”
“Father! Calm down! It was only our first meeting! I find her pleasant and fetching. We talked about what I do as Apprentice Scribe and how she helps her mother design dresses, but has little interest in pursuing that career… though in all honesty, I think she would rather a life of luxury with no work at all… I am seeing her again next Sunday… I thought that perhaps a picnic would be nice. The future is too far off to know for sure, though it would not be undesirable. Also, there are no ‘library maids,’ just maids who do all tasks, some of them including library upkeep. But there are no full time library servants except us scribes,” Erestor humbly replied to all his father’s questions.
“Did you ask to court her today?” Earane asked excitedly.
“I did not wish to overwhelm her, so no, I did not. However I may ask her father for his permission next Sunday, before asking her.”
“But he agreed! You heard him on Tuesday! He was in favour of this match! You do not need his permission further!” Earane pointed out in shocked disbelief.
“Nevertheless, this is my first relationship, if that is what it is to become. I would prefer to proceed in the traditional manner.”
Earane grudgingly nodded his head in understanding, though was slightly disappointed Erestor was taking their affinity slowly, yet he could see reason behind it.
“That apple pie was horrid though, was it not?” Erestor blurted out, wanting to lighten the heavy mood.
“My word yes! I am sure even I could make better!” Earane chuckled whole-heartedly. “Be sure to get a cook should you two wed!”
Erestor smiled in acquiescence.
TBC
Namarie- Farewell.
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.