Title: A Midwinter's Tale
Author: Aprilmoon
Email: Aprilmoon08@yahoo.com
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Sweetness with some angst
Disclaimer: They all belong to Tolkien. Special thanks to William
Shakespeare for his lovely words. And extra special thanks to the "No
Fear Shakespeare" for the translations.
A/N: Merry Christmas tale for the Secret Santa Fic Swap
Beta's: Vesta


He was finished.

Erestor had been working quite hard on the last of the gifts he had
been making for the household, and could hardly contain his excitement
at giving them. He had always loved the Yule season, and this year was
no different. Well, maybe a little different. He had never been one to
complain about what he received for the Yule, but he was getting a bit
tired of constantly receiving wine as a gift. He had worked at the Last
Homely House for three hundred years now, and all he ever received was
wine. He received wine for special occasions, anniversaries,
birthdays, holidays, and gifts of appreciation. He just didn't
understand why they constantly gave him wine, until this year.

Erestor had started to go around the house to give gifts to the
household staff and the various scribes and soldiers, when he came
upon a couple of elves talking. It just happen that one of the elves
that was present happened to be the one that had held his heart from
the first moment he laid eyes on him.

His name was Glorfindel. Lord of the House of the Golden Flower,
Seneschal to Imladris, and Balrog Slayer extraordinaire. How Erestor's
heart swooned at the mere sound of his golden voice that sounded like
the very voice of Eru himself. Erestor loved listening to him in
counsel and even more when he graced the Halls of Fire with the songs
he composed. Gods, to hear him sing was like having a feast. Erestor
felt Lord Glorfindel could do no wrong, or at least he thought he
could not.

Erestor shook himself from his musings to hear what the two, nay
three, were saying. The other two were Lord Elrond himself and the
March Warden Haldir from the Golden Wood. He knew he should not be
listening, but he couldn't help himself. He just had to listen to find
out what they were saying.

"So my Lord, how many more gifts do you need to acquire?" Glorfindel said.

"Just Erestor's, but his will be easy. I am going down to the cellar
to get a special vintage for him this year. I thought he may like
that. I wanted to tell you that if you're going to give him the same
thing pick from the lesser vintages. I am getting tired of everyone
giving my good wine away to him."

"Of course my Lord, but then again he is easy to buy for. No one has
to buy him anything. They just go down to the cellar and pick
something up. We all do it all the time, and Erestor does like it when
we show him some attention. It is like playing with a puppy."

Haldir just looked at the two for a moment. He wonder what Celebrian
would have said to that knowing that she had a bit of a soft spot for
the counselor. But who was he to judge, if they wanted to do as they
pleased, he could not stop them. He did wonder if it wasn't true.
Erestor did seem to glow more in the attention of the Balrog Slayer,
and Haldir wondered what would happen if this *puppy* of his became
something more than he appeared. Haldir would like to find out.

"I see what you mean. He is just a counselor. Does he hold a title?"
Haldir asked.

"He does and don't you forget it. He is my cousin, and no one
disrespects him but me. He is not really anything special. He is just
Erestor plain and simple. Anyway, Erestor should not expect much, for
no one really likes him. They only seem to like the presents he gives.
He is quite generous during the holiday season. He spends too much on
us, and we spend as little on him as possible." Elrond laughed
thinking what he said was funny not ever knowing that Erestor was just
around the corner.

"Aye. It is too much of a bother trying to get him anything nice. He
probably would not appreciate it anyway, and it might make him think
we like him even more," Glorfindel said with a smirk.

Erestor just stayed there glued to the very spot he had stopped in
when he heard the three approaching. They rounded the corner and their
laughter and jesting stopped as they came in contact with the *butt*
of their jokes. Erestor stood there lip trembling, tears streaming
down his cheeks while clutching the basket that held the many gifts
for the household. Erestor swallowed hard and tried to get his courage
up, but it failed him. All he could do was stand there looking like
the fool that they clearly thought he was and cry. He slowly turned
around, dropped the basket, and left the scene. He knew now that he
was a joke to all, and he didn't want to be around when they tried to
hopelessly apologize of their carelessness.

The three just stood there looking at the retreating figure, and
realizing then what true bastards they had just been. Haldir for not
saying anything, Glorfindel for opening his big mouth and starting it,
and Elrond for just being a huge giant ass. They all knew Erestor
didn't deserve what was said, or what was thought about him. They were
too caught up in the moment to realize that the words said had carried
so much weight, and in an instant had ended up crushing Erestor's spirit.

Glorfindel was going to be the first one to speak, but it seemed
someone had beaten him to it.

"I hope you three are proud of yourselves. I just passed Erestor and
he asked for me to hand out the last of the gifts. He wasn't the only
one to hear what you said. I am so disappointed in all of you,
especially you Elrond. How could you say such things? Have you no
heart at all? He is easy to buy for. Well, I hope you know you have
just killed any hope he had and have just now crushed his spirit,"
Celebrian said as she passed the three the gifts Erestor had picked
out for them.

They took the gifts she had handed them, and just looked. She asked if
they were going to open them, and at first they appeared as if they
didn't understand her. But after a moment, reality kicked in and they
opened the brightly wrapped gifts like little children. Celebrian
waited and watched as their eyes caught the beautiful pieces of work
there before them. Erestor had really gone out of his way this year.
He had purchased for everyone beautifully made hair clips that
depicted the station of everyone in the house or their occupation.
Elrond received one with the insignia of the healer and scribe, Haldir
with one of a sword and bow crossing each other, and Glorfindel
received one of a golden flower with a beautiful blue sapphire in the
middle on top of two swords.

They all had never felt lower than they did at that very moment.
Celebrian turned; anger still etched upon her face, and gave all three
a look that spoke volumes. They all knew the crime that had been
committed, but how to make it better. One could not just go and
apologize and expect to be forgiven. It would take time to be granted
a full pardon from the crime committed so ungraciously.

"I want the three of you to know that I am not pleased. Elrond and
Glorfindel I am most disappointed, and Elrond you will be sleeping
somewhere other than my bed until he forgives you. Haldir, I will
inform my mother of this and have her act accordingly. And Glorfindel,
Erestor cares for you more than he should. You do not deserve his love
or affection."

Celebrian left the trio to their thoughts, and went to seek Erestor
out. She knew that he would be in his room crying, and she did not
know what to do or say to make it all better. Maybe she should not do
anything. Maybe she should just be there for him, and to let him cry
on her shoulder. She did not know what to do, but hopefully something
would come to her soon.

Glorfindel stood there in shock over what he had just heard. Erestor
had affection for him. No wonder he seemed to always be around when
one least expected it. He looked at Elrond, made his excuses and left
for his rooms. He needed to think about this, and figure out if he
might have the same feelings for Erestor. For even though he had said
those things, he was happy when he would see him around at unexplained
times, and when he left had a sadness that seemed to consume him when
he was gone. He needed to think, and fast. He bowed to Lord Elrond and
left.

Haldir just looked at Elrond. He was still trying to figure out how on
Arda he was at fault, but he did stay and listen. Even if he had said
nothing he was an active participant in the conversation, which made
him just as guilty. Elrond looked at Haldir and gave him a rather
uncomfortable looking smile.

"I will talk with Galadriel Haldir; I will explain you were not involved."

"Even if I was not actively participating My Lord, to some degree I am
still at fault. Please don't say anything. I would like to see my home
before any children I was planning on having have grown, and had
children of their own."

"You don't think she would send you away do you?"

"Nay, I would be guarding the northern borders by the time you had
children. And that could just be the beginning of it all. Good day to
you My Lord. I need to go and think about what has transpired here
this day, and hope I can make amends to Lord Erestor for what happened."

Haldir bowed to Lord Elrond and left him to his thoughts. Elrond
looked out the window and remembered a time when he and Erestor were
children with Elros. They had all been happy. When was it that he had
turned so bitter towards Erestor? Maybe it was because Erestor had had
his family, and was raised by them. Erestor had been a happy child.
Full of laughter and light, and now he feared tears and darkness. He
had to finally admit to himself he was jealous of Erestor. He was
jealous at the fact that Erestor had had a better childhood than he
had, and had been loved. Erestor also still had his sisters and
brothers, where he had only memories of Elros.

Elrond wanted to beat his head against the stone wall. How could he
have been so insensitive for so long to Erestor and his needs. Erestor
was once a social person and he did remember he had become a lot shyer
when he had arrived. Of course Erestor would have tried to make merry
with others. He was lonely just like a lot of people. He had wanted to
make friends and everyone had seen was how deep his pockets went,
himself included. And now they knew he was in love with Glorfindel,
how would that affect the relationship with his Captain? Even with his
participation with the jokes and banter about Erestor, he felt that
Glorfindel felt something for his cousin as well, and he could have
screwed that completely up now.

Gods, he was a jackass extraordinaire, and beyond. He would have to
have Erestor's forgiveness before his wife would forgive him. The
hardest part was how sincere all of it had to be in the end, for
Celebrian to forgive him. He needed to think some more too, and he
better do it quick for the evenings festivities were fast approaching
and he would need to be ready for them.

****************************

Glorfindel had not gone to his rooms, but towards Erestor's. He needed
to apologize before it was too late. He raced towards the rooms hoping
that he could beat Celebrian before she arrived. He was in luck. As he
passed a corridor he noticed she was in a conversation with one of her
handmaidens. He passed the corridor as quickly as he could and took
off into a dead run to Erestor's rooms. Glorfindel approached the rooms
as his second in command was passing him.

"My *Lord*Glorfindel may I have a brief word with you." Gildor had
said with a bit of anger to his voice.

Glorfindel knew a lecture was coming on. Just by the way he had
stressed Lord had said it all. He had no time to waste words with
Gildor. He needed to speak with Erestor and fast.

"Not now Gildor. I need to speak with Erestor."

"He will not open his door for you. He wouldn't open it for Lady
Celebrian, and if I do remember she has more sway with him than you my
friend."

Glorfindel contemplated the meaning of the word friend that fell from
Gildor's lips. He knew the sound and meaning of it, and it wasn't
going to be pretty in the least. He had to speak with Erestor. He had
to tell him he was sorry for what he said, and make amends. He just
had to do it.

"If he won't open it, I will break the bloody thing down."

"So dashing and noble my *LORD*, one would think you care about him
the way you carry on."

The words had hit their mark with unerring accuracy, and Gildor was
the victor. Glorfindel stopped and just glared at him. No longer was
the look of desperation, but of a warrior going into battle. He stood
up to his full height and gave Gildor a look that could have frozen
orcs in their tracks.

"And what, pray tell, does that mean?"

"It means if you are going to play with the big swords you better
prepare for the consequences. He came running through here crying, and
mumbling something about only truly being wanted for the things he
could give. I did not understand fully when he told me that my gift
was with Lady Celebrian until she informed me of what was said, and I
will say that that may be true of a lot of people, but not me.
Whatever possessed you to say that I will never know, Glorfindel. But
just so you know, you have hurt him now beyond measure. That doesn't
sound like the friend I know."

Glorfindel hung his head down as tears kissed his golden cheeks. He
had gone too far with the joking. The remarks were not jokes, but of
hurt to one that was so bright and warm. He wasn't jealous as much as
he was scared of the feelings he had for Erestor. Erestor had been
nothing but kind to him since he had arrived, and what had he done but
keep him at a distance. For he knew to embrace Erestor and his love
might burn him beyond repair should Erestor want to bestow his
feelings to another.

If he let Erestor love him, he would never be able to love another ever.

"I was wrong Gildor. Do you think he would ever forgive me?"
Glorfindel said in a small voice.

Gildor's anger melted away at his friend's obvious pain. "I do, but
Glorfindel you must be most sincere. He loves you and has for a long
time, and what you said was more than hurtful. You wounded him more
than if you had said it to his face."

"You are right my friend. Will you help me break down his door if I
need to?"

Gildor sighed. "Of course I will. What are friends for, but after this
I need to make haste to the jeweler. For you my friend, are going to
need a very special present to make up for this along with several
breakfasts in bed, and special favors among other things. We need to
move fast before the lynch mob shows up. It is just a matter of time
before one is formed, and headed by Lady Celebrian whom I would not
want to cross in a dark alley."

"You, Gildor of Imladris, are scared of the Lady of Imladris."

"Let me think about this one. Yes, and she has connections, just
remember that. You might wake up bald one morning, and whoever heard
of a bald elf?" he said sarcastically.

Glorfindel knew he could not argue with that, for the connections were
her mother, and that she-elf scared everyone, even her husband, who
seemed to be spending a lot of time here of late at the Last Homely
House. The two elves ran down the halls at break neck speed, and
arrived in time to see Erestor coming out of his rooms. Erestor spied
the two elves running towards him and went to enter his chambers and close
the door, but he wasn't fast enough. Glorfindel had arrived first and
managed to get half of his body inside the door before Erestor could
close it all the way. It meant he would be walking with a limp for a
few days, but it was well worth in the long run.

Erestor wasn't pleased that he hadn't been quick enough at closing the
door. Now, he had a twice born again Balrog Slayer in his room, who
was about to become the thrice born again Balrog Slayer, and there was
nothing he could do about it.

"Get out of my rooms you bastard and I mean now." It was obvious that
Erestor had been crying, for he had red rimmed eyes and a very red
nose to match.

"Erestor please just listen to me. I am sorry. I didn't mean to say
what I did. You are right. I am a bastard. My words were callous and
unkind, and what I said should not have been said. You have to believe
me Erestor. I didn't mean what I said. It has been hard to adjust
here, and I wanted to fit in. But, I shouldn't have done it at your
expense. I am sorry."

"I hate you," Erestor said in a small voice. He just couldn't help it
himself anymore. Standing in front of what he had hoped would be his
one day had made him feel small and ugly. He just wanted Glorfindel to
leave. His heart was broken and stomped on with his pride shredded and
thrown to the wind. And when all else seemed to fall from grace,
Erestor started to cry again. Sobs so loud they could be heard by the
Valar, and tears so large and many they could have created rivers. His
body shook so hard that Erestor collapsed upon the floor holding and
rocking himself to bring some comfort, but for Erestor there could be
none. He wanted his mother.

Glorfindel watched as Erestor crumpled before him. If they were trying
to find a way to hurt him, they had succeeded. He felt so low, that
not even to the scum of hell would he have measured up. Glorfindel felt
like he had just killed his best friend, and in some ways he had.

"Erestor please believe me when I say I am sorry. Please forgive me.
I know that I do not deserve your forgiveness, but please believe me
when I say I am sorry. I am a bastard, a loser, a piece of warg shite,
a cretin, a cur, a jerk. I am not fit to lick the bottom of Feanor's
boots after he has stepped in something foul. I am .you can stop me at
anytime now you know."

"Keep going. You haven't even gotten to the ones I was thinking about."

"Erestor I love you, and even if you won't believe me please
understand I was wrong to do what I did. I said those things to push
how I feel about you away. I really do love you."

"I don't believe you." During the time Erestor had been crying
Glorfindel had taken him into his arms, and helped him with the
rocking. He held onto the slight elf loving the warmth that his
body gave off. It was a soothing feeling which he didn't think would
ever be repeated.

"Erestor please do. I was going to give this to you after the feast
tonight, because I didn't want anyone to see it. I just wanted you to
see it." Glorfindel reached into his pocket and took out a beautiful
silver locket on a silver chain. He opened it up, and to Erestors
surprise it held a small lock of golden hair.

"I wasn't sure about my feelings for you, but I wanted to give this
to you anyway. Please accept it. Again, I do love you."

Erestor was going to wipe his tears away with his sleeve, but
Glorfindel beat him to it. To Glorfindel, Erestor looked so lost at
that moment, and again regretted the words he had spoken in jest to
Erestor. It had never been his intention to hurt the beautiful
advisor. Erestor, still giving his body warmth to Glorfindel, took the
locket and studied it for a moment. It was heart shaped with a
butterfly etched on the front, and an elvish love knot on the back.
It had a small red ruby in the center of the butterfly. It was truly a
beautiful piece.

Erestor looked up at Glorfindel and gave him a small smile. He thought
it was the most beautiful loving thing anyone had given him. But, he
wasn't sure if he wanted to forgive Glorfindel so soon. He looked up
into the big blue eyes and fell for him all over again.

"Thank you for your gift. I will treasure it." Erestor had built up a
small wall around his heart in the time he and Glorfindel had been
together in his room. His reply came out sounding small, and lacking
any true passion at the moment. Glorfindel looked defeated by Erestors
words. Erestor was afraid to open himself up again in case Glorfindel
decided to use it against him.

"Erestor, maybe I should leave," he said. It was now Glorfindel to
sound small and hurt. Erestor just looked at him for a moment. He
wasn't sure if he should say the words he had wanted to say since he
had first seen Glorfindel, but he did.

"Don't go. I like your company, and I do enjoy being held in your
arms. I love you." Erestor's 'I love you' had come out in a barely
audible whisper. Glorfindel wasn't sure if he had heard correctly, so
he decided to chance it and ask.

"Erestor did you say what I thought I heard you say?"

"Yes. I love you, and I forgive you. May the Valar forgive me, but I
love you." This time the words came out louder, and with more love.
Glorfindel's heart swelled, and even though he knew that it was way
too soon to ask such things he was going to.

"Will you be my mate? Marry me and be my husband for always? I swear
upon my soul and honor that I will never hurt you again. If I so do
may Mandos take my life from me and never return me to the land of the
living."

"Yes!!! But one should not say such things." Soon Glorfindel had two
armfuls of wonderful beautiful Erestor.

"Only for you would I say such things and mean them," and with those
words Glorfindel kissed Erestor sweetly upon his lips and held him in
his arms. As far as he was concerned, the world could end and it
wouldn't have mattered for he had the one thing he had been looking for.

After what had seemed like hours, Glorfindel got up pulling Erestor up
on his feet, and the two headed for Glorfindel's rooms. Erestor had
somewhat protested, saying he was not going to do that just yet, but
Glorfindel reassured him that they were going to retrieve something
from his rooms. When they reached Glorfindel's rooms he went inside
and retrieved a small delicate bracelet.

"This was my mother's betrothal bracelet when my father proposed to
her. I would be honored if you would wear it."

Erestor just smiled at him as he raised the wrist to Glorfindel "I am
afraid I will lose it. It is so beautiful."

"Don't worry about it. As long as you want me that is all that
matters. Do you really forgive me?"

"Yes, yes a thousand times yes."

Glorfindel grabbed Erestor in a fierce hug, and held onto him like his
life depended on it. The two separated when they heard someone banging
on the door. Glorfindel got up and proceeded to be a little cautious
about opening the door, since Celebrian had last talked to him. He
asked who it was and when the reply came back that it was Gildor he
opened slowly.

Gildor walked, no practically pushed, his way in. The two elves looked
him up and down and looked astonished at his appearance.

"Don't go out there for a while. The servants seem very protective of
your Chief Advisor it seems. Lady Celebrian told one servant, and that
is where it just seemed to go bad. They all formed a large lynch mob,
lead by our lady of course, and they started to throw the Christmas
pastries at Lord Elrond and Haldir. Lord Celeborn was trying to
protect them or mostly Haldir because I think he has a thing for him,
and it got ugly really quick from there. If Lady Galadriel hadn't
showed up I am not sure what would have happened. And oh yes, the
party has been pushed back a day or so. Something about lack of
dessert going around or something, and by the way nice betrothal
bracelet," he said as he scraped a piece of cake off of his tunic.

Erestor just looked at Glorfindel, who just knew he was going to have
to face the music eventually. "I will go with you," Erestor said.
His eyes spoke of nothing but love and affection for the Balrog Slayer.
Glorfindel knew that Erestor would be by his side the entire time, and
for the first time did not mind going into battle.

"I love you."

"And I love you. This may not have been the best Yule, but I will make
it up to you," Glorfindel said while caressing the soft cheek.

"I am sure you will."

Gildor rolled his eyes. How much of the mushiness could one take
without one's teeth getting all crumbly from the sweetness? He needed
to find someone for he was too young to be this sour. He looked at the
two and saw the love that had been there all along. And as the two
prepared to go out and face the crowd, he too would be there to
support his old and new friend through this together.

The End