GLORFINDEL LION-HEART
Genre: slash, humour, sap.
Rating: yellow/mild orange
Pairings: Erestor/Glorfindel (not the Balrog-slayer, though), Erestor/Legolas
Warnings: AU, and how! A wee bit of angst.
Beta: Miss Enismirdal, the műmak multiplicator
Feedback: But most certainly yes!
Beautiful artwork by Nellas of Doriath!
Summary: Glorfindel wishes he had a lion-heart. And Erestor.
Author's notes: They only thing this story has in common with my "usual" AU are the customs of the Woodland Elves. Originally, this was supposed to be a stand-alone. Alas, it turned out to be a new series. Thanks for convincing me to write this series, it was a lot of fun!
CHAPTER 5
Glorfindel paled when Legolas entered his shop. It had been a busy day, with Elves of all realms coming and going. Only a few days were left until the tournament started, and so all the archers wanted their bows checked. Glorfindel could hardly keep up with the demand, and he was very much looking forward to closing the shop for the day and getting some rest when Legolas turned up.
"My apologies for being late, Master Glorfindel," Legolas said, and gave Glorfindel his brightest smile. "I had to tend to important matters and could not make it earlier."
Glorfindel nodded shortly, thinking for himself that he could well imagine what important duties had kept Legolas. But he would not let his anger and disappointment show, least of all towards Legolas!
"It is no problem, my lord," Glorfindel said. "How may I be of assistance?"
Legolas took his time answering. He looked Glorfindel up and down, curious to learn who this Elf was that had managed to keep Erestor's mind – and possibly heart – captivated for one hundred and thirty-seven years, 7 months and 29 days. A fair one, no doubt, but not the type of Elf Legolas would have chosen. Not a warrior, though his stature was the one of an archer. 'Archery is a form of art for him,' Legolas thought, 'not a type of warfare.' When Glorfindel frowned, Legolas cleared his throat.
"Just Legolas, please. I do not like titles. They make me feel so ancient. I need your help with my bow; I was out for a hunt yesterday, and I have chipped it. As it is my favourite, I would be most grateful if anything could be done to repair it. You have been recommended to me as a master of your craft, so – here I am!"
'Next thing he will do is congratulate me that he entered this shop,' Glorfindel thought. Legolas' cheerfulness grated on his nerves. It would have been easier to hate him if he had been less of an enchanting creature, but not even Glorfindel could escape the Mirkwood Elf's charms.
"My thanks to the one who recommended me," he said, "though I fear he has exaggerated. Let me have a look at the bow, please."
Legolas passed his bow to Glorfindel. The bow maker saw immediately that the large chip missing from the top of the bow had been cut away with a knife.
"I will tell Erestor, but he was adamant that you are the best bow maker in Middle-earth."
Glorfindel almost dropped the bow when he heard Erestor's name. Legolas grinned, then hopped on the sales counter and crossed his legs elegantly. He leaned over to Glorfindel and lowered his voice.
"He speaks very favourably of you, Master Glorfindel. Your skills must have really impressed him."
'One more word,' Glorfindel seethed, 'and I will shove that bow up his backside.'
"Now does he really," he said instead, gritting his teeth. "How nice. I had no idea he even knows me. As for your bow, I can have it repaired by tomorrow evening, if this is convenient for you? And maybe you should investigate among your servants; somebody intentionally cut off this chip."
Legolas clasped his hands in mock shock.
"By the forest spirits, pray tell, now who would do such a dastardly thing! Ah, what has this world come to! But I trust you with my life, and even with my bow, Master Glorfindel. Tomorrow evening it shall be then."
He jumped down from the sales counter, waved Glorfindel good-bye and left the shop.
It was a good thing the Mirkwood Elf was so swift, otherwise the quiver Glorfindel threw after him might have hit him on the head.
* * *
Repairing the bow had not been a difficult task. Once Glorfindel was finished, the bow looked like new. He took great pride in his work, and so he polished and restrung the bow as well. It was silly trying to compete with a radiant star like Legolas for Erestor's affections, but at least he could show him that he was indeed a master of his trade.
It was almost closing time when the door opened and Erestor entered. Glorfindel looked up from his work, surprised to see the captain.
"Well met, Glorfindel," Erestor said, looking a little uneasy. "I come for the bow Legolas brought to you yesterday for repairs. He is unavailable and asked me to pick it up for him."
'Fantastic. Not only does Erestor serve him as a lover, he also serves him as a gofer', Glorfindel thought, knowing very well that he was being unfair. Pathetic as it was, he had to admit that he was jealous. Glorfindel would have given anything, just anything for the right to touch or even talk to Erestor the way Legolas did. He had to get a grip on his jealousy, or he would look like a blithering idiot.
"The bow is finished, and I hope the repairs are to your friend's satisfaction," Glorfindel said.
"My friend? Oh ... Legolas, of course. Yes, he is a friend from my youth in Mirkwood. Lord Elrond calls us 'The Beauty and the Beast,' and I tend to agree with him."
Glorfindel frowned.
"'Beast'? It is not at all like Lord Elrond to talk about a guest in such a way…"
He broke off when Erestor burst out in loud laughter.
"I would think Lord Elrond was referring to me when he mentioned the beast, Glorfindel! The beauty is definitely Legolas, who currently has half of Imladris worshipping at his feet. But thank you for the compliment. You are not beaten with the ugly stick, either."
Glorfindel's skin could not decide whether to pale or turn brick red, so it settled for a lovely pale green. 'You Valar,' Glorfindel sent a silent prayer to the sky above, 'please open this floor and let it swallow me, for I shall die of embarrassment any time soon!'
Alas, the Valar were busy with other things and the floor too lazy to open, so Glorfindel had to stay and deal with Erestor alone.
"I did not mean to… what I tried to say was…" Glorfindel began, unable to build whole sentences. Erestor took the bow and put three silver coins on the counter, far too much for such a small repair, but Legolas had insisted on this price.
Erestor looked at the bow.
"Indeed, excellent work, Glorfindel. And please stop stammering, I remember quite well that you used to have – a certain fondness for me when you were a youngster."
As soon as he had spoken, Erestor wished he could have taken the words back. Confronting Glorfindel with such a memory!
Glorfindel bit his lip and reached out for the coins, taking one and shoving two back towards Erestor.
"You are very generous, my lord, but I cannot take more than my work is worth."
Erestor sighed deeply.
"My apologies, Glorfindel. The older I get, the more thoughtless I become. Please forgive me, I should not have mentioned an event that you very likely do not even remember anymore."
"Oh, I do remember," Glorfindel said. "I remember very well."
An awkward silence filled the small shop. Erestor knew he should leave, but somehow his feet did not obey his wishes. And Glorfindel, who wanted to retreat to his workshop as quickly as possible, could not move either. Finally, Erestor took a step closer, then he covered Glorfindel's hand, which still rested on the counter, with his own, and squeezed it lightly.
"So do I, young Glorfindel."
They looked at each other, and might have found the courage to speak as well if Melpomaen had not entered the shop that very moment to invite Glorfindel for dinner. The spell was broken, and Erestor let go of Glorfindel's hand as if he had touched a red hot iron. He nodded briefly in Glorfindel's direction, glared at Melpomaen and hasted out of the door.
"Now what was that?" Melpomaen asked, looking in puzzlement after Erestor.
"Bad timing," Glorfindel answered.
* * *
TBC