Title: Blue Eyes and Butterflies

Author: Inwë Sáralondë (manonb63@yahoo.com)

Type: FPS

Pairing(s): Erestor/Glorfindel, Arwen, Lothvaen

Rating: G

Warnings: None

Beta(s): Me, myself, I

Disclaimer: The characters portrayed are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. No profit or such is made from this.

Summary/Notes: Written for Aglarien. Erestor and Glorfindel find out that they like each other - with a little help from Arwen…

>*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Erestor sat himself down on the bench and, closing his eyes, leaned back against the trunk of the tree. He flexed his right hand, grimacing slightly at the stiffness from having held his quill for so long. A never-ending stream of reports and letters had passed over his desk for most of the day, as well as one person after another coming into his office, and now he had had enough. Whatever there was still to be done could wait until the morrow.

"Westor?" The voice was small and hesitant.

Containing his sigh, Erestor opened his eyes and looked down at Arwen. There was such a hopeful expression on her face that the dark-haired elf knew that he could not be angry with her for disturbing his peace. "What can I do for you, pen-neth?" Erestor asked gently.

"Butterfwy," Arwen announced solemnly, her little finger pointing to the creature that had, for reasons of its own, settled upon Erestor's lap, its iridescent wings open in full glory, the darkness of the advisor's robe making the colours seem brighter still.

"Why, so there is," Erestor replied, awe colouring his voice as he stared down at the butterfly.

"Pwetty bwue," Arwen continued. "Wike Gworfy's eyes."

Erestor continued to stare at the butterfly, his eyes taking in the detailed pattern on its wings. "Yes, a very pretty blue, like his eyes," he whispered. For Arwen was right; the butterfly's blue wings were, indeed, an almost exact match to Glorfindel's eyes. Eyes that had mesmerised the dark-haired elf from the very moment the warrior had found his way to Imladris.

"Westor?"

"Yes, pen-neth?" Erestor asked distractedly.

"You wike Gworfy?"

At this question, Erestor raised his eyes to look at Arwen, knowing that she would not understand the double connotation the question had. She was too young to understand anything about love, though Erestor knew she would have been exposed to the affection between her parents.

"I like Glorfindel very much," he said cautiously.

"You sure?" Arwen's voice held suspicion.

This question had Erestor completely flummoxed. "I do not understand what you mean," he said, unable to hide the confusion in his voice.

"Gworfy ask you to sit with him and you say 'no'," the elfling said emphatically.

Arwen was, Erestor noted, actually glaring at him. He did not need to be told when this happened; it had only been the previous evening. When Glorfindel had asked Erestor to join him, the dark-haired elf was so shocked by the question that he had blurted out his answer without thinking. Never before had the warrior asked him, and Erestor had been at a complete loss as to why Glorfindel was asking him now.

"I was surprised," Erestor finally said. "He had never asked me before, you see, so his question caught me unawares."

The little elfling tried to absorb what Erestor was saying. Then she said, quite seriously, "Gworfy wike you."

At her words, Erestor had to smile. "And how do you know this?" he asked.

Arwen gave a shrug of her little shoulders. "I ask him wike I ask you," she said matter-of-factly.

"Oh."

Arwen continued to gaze at Erestor, and the advisor was feeling more than a little unnerved. Even for one so young there was no doubting as to who her grandmother was. Galadriel had that self-same stare, and the fact that Arwen had seemed to have perfected it already did not bode well for the future. For a fleeting moment Erestor pitied those who would attempt to capture her heart; Arwen would surely see through those whose intentions were less than honourable.

There was tugging at his sleeve, and Erestor was brought back to the present. "Gworfy is here," Arwen announced, her finger pointing in the direction where Glorfindel was standing.

Erestor stared, first at Glorfindel - who was still a distance away, and seemingly oblivious to the fact that Erestor was there, though the warrior appeared to be looking for something - then back at Arwen. "Did you bring him here deliberately?" he could not help himself to ask, suspicion colouring his voice.

At this, Arwen shook her head. "I wanted to go outside, but I am not awowed to on my own. Nana and Ada were busy, and Ewaden and Ewohir not here. So I ask Gworfy."

Whether he liked it or not, Erestor could not fault her logic. It was true; she was not allowed outside unless accompanied by an adult. But did she have to ask Glorfindel to accompany her? Erestor sighed, and then a thought came to him. "Why are you not with Glorfindel?" he asked sternly.

Arwen looked a little shame-faced. "I wan away from Gworfy when he not looking," she said. "I saw you go outside and wanted to find you."

Before Erestor could say anything, there was a shout of 'Arwen!'. Looking up, Erestor saw that Glorfindel was striding towards them, a mixture of worry and relief on his face.

"I sowwy," Arwen said as Glorfindel approached.

"So you should be, pen-neth." Worry had made Glorfindel's voice sound hard, and Arwen's lower lip began to quiver.

Erestor put his arm around the elfling and drew her towards him. "As you can see, Glorfindel, she is safe. It seems she saw me leave the house and wanted to find me."

"Then why did you not tell me this?" Glorfindel asked, kneeling down so that he was Arwen's height. "I would have helped you find him."

"I wanted…" Arwen's voice ended in a hiccup, and a lone tear travelled down her cheek.

"Ah, pen-neth, there is no need to cry," Glorfindel said, gently wiping the tear away. "I was worried because I thought I had lost you."

"I sowwy," Arwen said again, and flung her arms around the warrior's neck and burrowing her face in his shoulder. "I not do it again."

Glorfindel held the elfling and stroked her hair. "I know you will not," he said softly, and looked at Erestor a little ruefully. The advisor, in return, could only smile.

Arwen raised her face. "Westor wike you," she suddenly announced, leaving both elves slightly stunned at the sudden change of subject. "And wook," she continued, "a pwetty butterfwy."

Both elves' eyes were drawn to the creature that was - much to Erestor's surprise - still sitting on Erestor's lap.

"Wester say the bwue same bwue as your eyes," Arwen said. There was now a sunny smile on her face, any tears that may have been were now long forgotten.

"Does he?" Glorfindel did not know whether to be amused or not by this revelation, and looked again at Erestor.

Erestor could feel himself flushing. "It was Arwen who pointed this out; I merely agreed with her," he defended. As soon as he said that, however, the dark-haired elf cringed slightly. What was the warrior going to say to that, he wondered?

Just then, Lothvaen appeared, his face slightly flushed. "There you are, Erestor!" he gasped. "I have been trying to find you all this time. I have some questions about the work you gave me, and…"

"And they can wait until tomorrow," Glorfindel said firmly, not giving the advisor any chance to reply. "In fact," the warrior continued, "why do you not take the rest of the afternoon off? I am sure that Erestor would not mind. And," Glorfindel said, taking Arwen's hand, "you can take Arwen back to the house and to the kitchen. I am sure she would not say no to some milk and Anoriel's special cookies."

Arwen's eyes lit up. "Pwease?" she begged Lothvaen.

Flustered, Lothvaen looked at Erestor, who appeared to be just as flustered as he. "Erestor?" he asked timidly, and then glanced briefly at the determined visage of Glorfindel.

Erestor sighed. "'Tis all right, Lothvaen. You may as well have the afternoon off, for I had no intention of doing any more work this day. And before you take Arwen to the kitchen, I suggest you let her parents know where she is," he added. "They do not need to worry needlessly as to where she may be."

"Of course," Lothvaen said, not having any idea as to what was going on. He took Arwen's hand and found himself having to trot a little as the elfling began to run.

Erestor and Glorfindel watched as the two left. "Magic words, those," Erestor said wryly. "As I recall, they worked just as well on the twins." His eyes strayed down to his lap. The butterfly was still there, seemingly oblivious to everything around it.

"Was Arwen right? Do you like me?"

The dark-haired elf raised his eyes warily. "Yes, she was right," he practically snapped, and immediately regretted the harshness of his tone. "She said that you liked me, too," Erestor continued, his voice softer.

"I do," Glorfindel replied, sitting down on the bench next to Erestor. "Very much, in fact." The warrior carefully took Erestor's hand in his, afraid that the advisor would snatch it back. "When I asked you to join me last night, it was because I had had enough of admiring you from afar. I wanted to learn more about you from you, and not from hearsay."

"Yet I said 'no'," Erestor said, turning his head away in embarrassment.

"I think I surprised you when I asked, did I not?"

"Yes, you did." The dark-haired elf took a deep breath and turned to look at Glorfindel. "I have been intrigued by you since your arrival. So much has been said about you, yet you are so modest about who you are."

"Much of the stories about me have been exaggerated," Glorfindel said, scowling slightly. "To single me out as a hero only insults those who were more heroic than I."

"I do not think their heroism will ever be questioned," Erestor said. "But the Valar had their reasons for returning you to Middle-earth…"

"Then why did they not return Ecthelion?" Glorfindel questioned.

Erestor paused for a moment. "You were returned to serve Elrond and his family," he said quietly. "Your tie to his family began when you led the party containing Tuor, Idril and Eärendil away from Gondolin, giving your life to save them from the Balrog that had followed. If you had not done so, then history would have been much different."

Glorfindel remained silent, choosing instead to stare into the distance. "I did what I had to do," he finally said, looking back at Erestor. "As did all those who died that day." His eyes strayed down to the butterfly on Erestor's lap. "It is still there," Glorfindel said in wonderment.

Erestor's eyes followed Glorfindel's. "It is," the dark-haired elf affirmed. "I am loath to get up as I will only disturb it." His eyes took in the delicate details on the butterfly's wings. "The blue does match your eyes," Erestor said a little shyly. "In fact, your eyes remind me of so many things."

"They do?" Glorfindel asked, surprised. "Will you not tell me?"

Erestor flushed. "I am sorry…I am letting my thoughts run away from me." The advisor made to stand, but Glorfindel would not let him.

"Shall I tell you what you remind me of?" the warrior said, and Erestor found he was sitting down again, looking at the warrior in bemusement. Glorfindel was undeterred as he continued, "Your black hair reminds me of the night. But not a cold, dark night, but one that is warm and which envelops you, making you feel safe."

At these words, Erestor blinked in astonishment and made to speak, but no sound came out from his mouth.

"Your eyes remind me of melted chocolate," Glorfindel said. "Warm, luscious, melted chocolate. Do you know what my favourite dessert is, Erestor?" There was a glint in the warrior's eyes that made Erestor swallow. "I adore strawberries dipped in warm, luscious, melted chocolate," Glorfindel whispered. "Perhaps one evening we will share my favourite dessert. And I believe there are other uses for melted chocolate that we could mayhap try…"

Oh. My. Erestor's mind was immediately filled with visions as to what else melted chocolate could be used for and his mouth became suddenly dry. He knew that if he tried to say something it would only come out as a croak.

"Your skin is as smooth as pale marble." Glorfindel's voice penetrated Erestor's thoughts. "But in appearance only. I can already feel from touching your hand that you are not as cold as marble; in fact, you are warm - very warm. And the robes you wear only enhance the paleness of your skin. You project an air of aloofness, but you are not. You cloak a warm and loving heart, yet not so much that you never let it show. I know you must be wondering how I could possibly see all of this, but my eyes have always been upon you ever since I first arrived in Imladris. And, now, I want more than just to be able to look upon you, Erestor. I want to be a part of your life, if you will let me."

Stunned, Erestor could only look at Glorfindel. "Are…are you asking if you can court me?" he finally managed to bring out.

Glorfindel thought but for a moment. "I think I am," he said quietly. "I am happy to give you some time to think about it." Then the warrior smiled. "The butterfly is still on your lap, you know."

Even despite Erestor's attempt to get up before the butterfly, indeed, was still sitting there.

"You were going to tell me what my blue eyes remind you of," Glorfindel said.

Erestor swallowed. "I…I feel a little embarrassed by what you said about me," he confessed.

Glorfindel was puzzled. "Why? I was merely speaking the truth. I can not help but say what I feel and see."

Erestor's eyes were downcast. He was unable to look at Glorfindel. What could he possibly say about the warrior in return? So much - if not all - of what Glorfindel had said made Erestor think that it should apply to another elf, and not him.

"I am sorry if I did embarrass you." There was concern in Glorfindel's voice. "But I can not - will not - lie about one who has begun to mean more to me than no other."

At this, Erestor's eyes flew to Glorfindel's face, and the warrior chuckled slightly at the advisor's expression. "Contrary to what many think, I did not have many lovers, and I certainly had not felt what I now feel for you."

"Not even Ecthelion?"

"Especially not Ecthelion," Glorfindel said. "We were like brothers; we fought alongside each other, tried to drink each other under the table, and each of us attempted to interfere with each other's love life with spectacular failures. He would approve of you, you know."

"He would?" Erestor asked faintly.

Glorfindel nodded in confirmation. "In fact, if he were here, he would have been berating me as to why I have taken so long to let you know of my interest in you." The warrior leaned closer towards the dark-haired elf. "And," Glorfindel continued a little mischievously, "he would be insisting that you tell me of what my blue eyes remind you of." Glorfindel moved back a little, an expectant look on his face. "So, are you going to tell me?"

Erestor sighed, knowing that Glorfindel was not going to let him leave until he had made a complete and utter fool of himself. "Very well," he huffed, and then cleared his throat. "Your eyes," he began, glancing nervously at the warrior, "remind me of a warm summer day, where the sky is a clear and warm blue, with nary a cloud to mar it."

Glorfindel said nothing; instead, he waited for Erestor to continue.

When the warrior did not say anything, Erestor relaxed slightly. "However, sometimes your eyes remind me of a pool, no breeze rippling the surface as it lies still and serene, yet there are hidden depths."

"Have I hidden depths, Erestor?" Glorfindel asked quietly.

The advisor looked at the warrior. "There is more to you than you care to show," Erestor said simply, and this time it was Glorfindel's turn to flush slightly.

"And you wish to discover them?" the warrior asked.

"Perhaps," Erestor demurred.

"What else do my eyes remind you of?" Glorfindel wanted to know.

"My mother."

"Your mother? Did she have blue eyes as well?"

Erestor shook his head. "No, she did not. But she had a dress made of blue silk." Erestor smiled as he remembered. "That is my most abiding memory of her - her wearing that dress. She always looked so beautiful whenever she wore it, and I remember asking her if she would wear it every day. She would just laugh and say 'no', that it was too good for every day wear. But I think she wore it whenever she could because she knew I loved it so." Erestor's smile faded. "She died just after I reached my majority," he whispered. "Our village was attacked by orcs and all were killed. If it were not for the fact that I was already in Lindon, I would more than likely not be here."

"I am sorry," Glorfindel said sincerely. "I am flattered that my eyes remind you of her and her blue dress."

The dark-haired elf gave a small smile. "I am glad you do not find that silly." Erestor reached out and touched Glorfindel's hair. "Your hair is like a golden waterfall," the advisor mused. He rubbed some strands between his fingers. "It feels so soft and silky. I have always wanted to touch it. It is bright, like the sun, and I have often found myself watching your hair as either firelight or sunlight played upon it, make it glint like stars."

"You are determined to embarrass me as much as I did you," Glorfindel grumbled.

"What was it you said before? Something along the lines of 'I can not help but say what I feel and see', was it not?" Erestor teased. Then he sobered. "As you believe what you see about me, so I do about you, Glorfindel. You are strong, loyal and protective of everyone here, from Elrond down to the gardener. You are uncomfortable when fuss is made of you, as if you feel you do not deserve it, even if it is just your begetting day. There is so much I could say about what I feel about you, but it would take a lifetime."

A small flicker of movement caught both elves' eyes, and both watched as the butterfly launched itself from Erestor's lap and flew towards a small copse of trees.

"I do believe that butterfly was waiting for us to declare our thoughts of each other," Glorfindel mused.

"Perhaps it was," Erestor replied. Then he looked back at Glorfindel. "The answer, by the way, is 'yes'."

"It is?" Glorfindel asked, confused, and Erestor laughed.

"You asked me before if I would allow you to court me, and that you would give me time to decide."

Glorfindel smiled as he remembered. "Are you sure?" he asked, though he was unable to mask the eagerness in his voice.

"More than sure," Erestor said, and nearly fell off the bench when Glorfindel gave a whoop of joy.

Rising up from the bench, Glorfindel drew Erestor up with him and took the smaller elf into his arms. "I was so worried that you would refuse me," the warrior said quietly. "I promise…"

"You need not promise anything," Erestor interrupted. "I know I will always be safe with you." He smiled, and then leaned up to give Glorfindel a gentle kiss on the lips. "Now, shall we begin our courtship with a stroll around the gardens?"

Glorfindel grinned. "Indeed we shall," he said. And, arm in arm, the two elves began to follow the same route as a certain blue butterfly did minutes before…

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