Betrothal To An Elf
Part 8
Posted: August 17, 2007
Title: Betrothal To An Elf
Author: Inwë Sáralondë
Summary: An interesting word or two, and some trivia.
*****
Erestor threw down the parchment in disgust and looked at Glorfindel reprovingly. “Why must your reports always be so obfuscate?”
The seneschal stared at Erestor, perplexed. Obfuscate? Glorfindel shook his head. He could never fathom why the advisor insisted on using words that no one knew the meaning of. Although desperate to find out, he decided against asking Erestor what it meant. He could always try and find out later from someone else – providing, of course, there was someone else who had actually *heard* of the word.
“The report is a draft only. I plan to clarify some details when I have the opportunity to do so. Remember, you did say this was urgent,” Glorfindel said calmly.
“So I did.” Picking the report up once more, Erestor scanned it again before commenting, “For a moment, I thought you did not know what I meant by ‘obfuscate’ until you mentioned you would clarify some details.”
Glorfindel tried to appear nonchalant. “Surely you are not implying that I am a dullard? I knew very well what you meant.”
Erestor smiled. “No, just sometimes a little…obtuse.”
To Glorfindel’s ears, ‘obtuse’ sounded very much like ‘dullard’, but he refrained from commenting. Instead, he pointed to the small box standing on Erestor’s desk. “Is that authentic sandalwood?” he asked.
“Can you not smell it?”
“I can smell sandalwood, yes, but that does not mean the wood itself is sandalwood. It could just as easily be something else and infused with sandalwood oil.”
“In this case, it is not. I purchased it many years ago from one who had a forest purely made up of sandalwood trees, and who made boxes such as this as well as produce oil.”
Glorfindel picked up the box and gave it an appreciative sniff. “Smells wonderful. Did you know that the trees have to be at least 40 years old if you want commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils? But apparently 80 or above is preferred.”
Erestor leaned back in his chair. “Is this a game we are playing, Glorfindel?”
“Game?” This time it was Glorfindel’s turn to lean back in his chair. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“First it was…what was it again? Something to do with the number 13.”
“Triskaidekaphobia,” Glorfindel said helpfully.
Erestor glared. “As I was saying…”
“No, we are not playing a game, Erestor,” Glorfindel said a little tiredly. “I am but merely spouting useless bits of information in an effort to annoy you. And it is succeeding. Now, if you do not need me, I shall take this ‘obfuscate’ report and make it a little clearer for you.”
Rising from his chair, he snatched the offending piece of parchment from Erestor’s hand and stalked out of the room, leaving the darkling elf suddenly feeling bereft.
*****
Obfuscate: make unclear or hard to understand
Obtuse: annoyingly slow to understand; dense, dull, imperceptive, slow, slow-witted.
*****
| Home | OEAM News | Recent Story Updates | Stories by Author | Stories by Pairing and Character | Stories by Title | Works In Progress |
| Author Profiles | Story Submission Guidelines | Beta Listing | Awards/Achievements | Links |