Caretakers, Matchmakers And Fate

Caretakers, Matchmakers And Fate

Posted: October 5, 2007
Title: Caretakers, Matchmakers And Fate
Author: Tena
Type: FCS
Characters: Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien. I make no claim to these characters and use them solely for entertainment purposes. No money is being made.
Warnings: Fluffy Stuff
Author’s Note: For Aglarien, some months back she gave me a bunny about a sponge bath. It took a while, and I intended a lot of G/E smut but they did not cooperate. Private little buggers! LOL! This is the fluffy result

Summary: Erestor is injured and Glorfindel must take care of him.

*****

Elrond watched his best friends and most trusted advisors avoid their true feelings. He sighed and looked upward. “Eru, I thank you and all the Valar everyday for the many blessings of my life, and I thank you for putting Erestor and Glorfindel into my lives, but why did you have to make them so stubborn?” He turned when he heard his wife’s light chuckle. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“And Eru, I thank you everyday for giving me such a wonderful love and soul mate, but why did he have to be so stubborn and meddlesome in the love lives of his friends.” Elrond looked back at her over his shoulder and she kissed his cheek.

“And, Eru, why did you have to make my wife so beautiful and sweet, so that even when I wish to be annoyed with her, I find it impossible.” Elrond turned and scooped his wife up returning to their bed to ravish her.

Below their balcony, Elrond had been watching Glorfindel and Erestor argue over some mundane matter. He knew they argued because they were so uncomfortable getting personal with one another. This is what aggravated Elrond. He knew they were fated to be together. He had known it more than 300 years ago when Glorfindel was returned. He knew it the moment their eyes locked. He knew and they did too, but stubbornly remained friends only.

Elrond watched over the years, as Erestor’s heart would break when Glorfindel would share another’s bed, and he saw the fire in Glorfindel’s eyes when Erestor would bestow intimate attentions on another. He grew tired of their silliness and was now bound and determined to get them together. He had even considered locking them in a holding cell until they came to their senses, but thought better of that later.

Erestor shook his head and sighed. “Good night, Glorfindel.” Erestor was tired, tired of the evenings ending the way they always did, arguing with Glorfindel when he’d rather be loving the warrior. When had things become so difficult?

Glorfindel’s smiled fell. “Good night, meldir.” It hurt to watch Erestor walk away, but Glorfindel felt like he had waited so long to tell Erestor how he felt that it would be impossible to convince him that his feelings were true.

After a fitful night, both of them met in the stables, by chance, early the next morning. Glorfindel brushed Asfaloth, a gift from Erestor shortly after his arrival in the valley, feeling tired but ready to run free in the valley. He hoped to clear his head. The stable doors opened and he turned, surprised to see the object of his torment walking in. Erestor met his gaze and gave a quick smile.

“Good Morning, Glorfindel. I did not expect to see anyone here this early,” he moved to his horse and began preparing him to ride.

“Good morning, Erestor. I was hoping for an early ride before the work began.”

“Then we are of like minds. I felt the need to ride this morning as well.”

Glorfindel watched as Erestor groomed his horse, speaking softly to the animal. When he moved to the horses head and lovingly placed a kiss on its nose, Glorfindel almost cried. ‘Why can that not be me?’ He cleared his throat, “Erestor, I was going to ride to the high meadow and back. Would you like to join me?” Erestor hesitated, “I would like it if you would you join me.”

Erestor was at war inside. He wanted nothing more than to spend time with Glorfindel, but it always ended the same. After a few thoughtful moments he smiled, “I would like to join you, Fin.” Smiling brightly, Glorfindel finished readying his horse and took it outside. “Erestor, I will be right back. Don’t leave without me,” he smiled and ran into the house after Erestor nodded.

Returning with a sack over his shoulder, they mounted and rode away from the house. Elrond and Celebrian watched from the window. She grinned at the smile on her husband’s face, “You really are incorrigible, Elrond. If they are fated to be together, they will be.”

“I know, Bri, but I am just trying to help them along,” she shook her head.

“Come, the twins will be up soon and I would like to finish at least one meal before they demand all of my attention.”

They rode for an hour before reaching the high meadow. There was a light breeze and the temperature was warming quickly. Once they reached the meadow, Glorfindel dismounted and motioned for Erestor to do the same. “I thought we could share breakfast here,” he began emptying the contents of the sack.

Erestor released his horse to graze on the fresh grass along with Asfaloth. “That was very thoughtful of you, meldir,” he took a sweet roll that the warrior offered. They ate in silence, listening to the sounds of the creatures waking around them. Several doe and their fawns came into the clearing.

“They are so beautiful,” Erestor whispered, fearing to scare them.

Mmm…and they will be very tasty one day too,” Fin nodded, grinning.

Erestor smacked his arm. “Really, Fin,”

“What? They will be, Erestor. I have seen you eat your share of venison so do not look at me as if I am evil,” Glorfindel drank his water. “But yes, they are very beautiful.”

The deer finally had their fill and left; Erestor stood. “Excuse me, Fin, I must relieve myself.”

Glorfindel watched him walk into the woods, and then turned when he heard another approach. “Good morning, Captain,” a young guard waved.

Glorfindel stood, “Good morning, what are you doing up here?”

“Just out for a morning ride, and you.”

“The same, and having some breakfast,” Fin motioned to the food.

“Ah, that is just what I needed,” the young guard grabbed a sweet roll. Erestor heard voices as he returned to the meadow. He stopped when he saw the young guard standing close to Glorfindel. “Mmm…this is almost as sweet as you,” he leaned forward to kiss Glorfindel. Erestor stomped out of the woods and straight to his horse. He mounted quickly and began to ride, hoping the tears would be hidden.

Glorfindel turned when he heard the horse neigh. “Erestor! Where are you going?” He had pushed the young guard away, but Erestor had not seen that, to blinded by his hurt.

Glorfindel glared at the guard who merely smiled and stepped back. He quickly grabbed the remaining items and whistled for Asfaloth. He rode quickly after Erestor. Asfaloth was faster than Erestor’s mount, so he caught up to him quickly. “Erestor, wait!”

“Just leave me alone, Fin!” Erestor yelled.

Glorfindel realized that Erestor had forgotten about the jump ahead. His horse refused to jump it on the way there. “Erestor, he will not jump!”

Erestor did not hear what Fin said and realized too late the jump was in front of him. Glorfindel cringed when he heard Erestor scream, and he could hear the sound of something, he assumed Erestor, hit the ground. He slowed Asfaloth when he saw Erestor’s horse stopped before the jump. He leapt off his horse and rushed to Erestor’s side. He laid there, his leg bent awkwardly and moaning.

“Meldir, why did you not stop? Can you hear me? Erestor, answer me!”

“Shut up, you arse. My leg and side hurts,”

“Your leg is obviously broken, and probably your ribs,” he called Asfaloth over and took a pouch from the saddle. He took the herbs he kept there and mixed it with the remaining water. “Drink this, meldir. It will help the pain and put you to sleep. I must get you back to the house and the healers. If I try to move you now, you will not tolerate it,” he coaxed Erestor to drink, helping him lift his head.

“You are going to enjoy my pain are you not?” Erestor glared at his friend.

“Erestor, I would never enjoy your pain. The break is bad. Now, relax and behave.”

Erestor’s eyes widened. “I hate you!”

Glorfindel sighed, wishing the herbs would work quicker. “Erestor, why did you run?”

“I thought the two of you wished for some privacy,” he whispered, the herbs making his eyes heavy.

“Erestor, that young guard has been after me for some time. There is nothing…” he stopped when he realized Erestor could no longer hear him.

He gently straightened Erestor’s leg and splinted it. Then he tied the horses together, and lifted his injured friend and slowly made his way to the house. Guards had alerted as they came closer to the house, so Elrond was ready for them.

“What happened,” he demanded. The healers set about checking Erestor for any unseen injuries.

“He was riding to fast and his horse refused a jump. Erestor was thrown,” he watched worried as they worked on his leg.

“Will he be all right, Elrond?”

“He will heal, but the break is bad, as you can tell. It will be awhile until he can walk. The broken ribs will make it very difficult for him to move around. He is going to be very difficult when he wakes,” Elrond shook his head. “Go, we will take care of him.”

“I am not leaving him, Elrond. This is my fault.”

Elrond watched him closely, “All right, but stay out of the way.”

For two days they kept Erestor sedated so that the breaks to his leg and ribs could begin heal, and to help keep him from pain. Elrond finally convinced Glorfindel to take a break, get a bath and a hot meal. Elrond had just finished checking the ribs and binding him again to prevent the breaks from dislocating, when Erestor opened his eyes.

“El…rond?” he croaked.

“Meldir, do not move,” he assisted Erestor in drinking some water. “Do you remember what happened?”

“My horse threw me,” he sighed. “How bad is it?”

“You have broken your leg and several ribs. They have begun to heal, but you will need to remain in bed for another week, and then you will still not be able to put any weight on your leg for a while.”

“I am not staying in bed for a week. I have work to do,” he began to sit up but blinding pain shot through his body. “Aaarrrgggghhhh!” he yelled.

“Erestor, lie still, you fool. Are you trying to re-break your ribs?” Elrond adjusted his body back into alignment and moved the pillows under his head.

Glorfindel had heard the yell down the hallway and ran into the room. “What happened? Was that Erestor yelling? What did you do to him, Elrond?”

“Glorfindel, shut up! I did nothing. The stubborn fool thought he would get out of bed.”

Glorfindel sat beside Erestor. “Meldir, please, listen to Elrond. You were hurt badly.”

“Whose fault was that?” Erestor murmured through his teeth.

Glorfindel sighed. “I tried to tell you I was sorry,” he said through gritted teeth.

Elrond heard the exchange, although he pretended he did not. “Well, as you can see, Erestor, you can not get up yet. You must stay here where we can help you.” Elrond knew Erestor would protest, and if he knew his captain, he would do just as Elrond thought he would.

“Elrond, please, I do not want to stay in the healing room. Let me go to my room. I will rest better in my own bed,” he pleaded with his eyes.

“Erestor, the healers are needed here. I cannot spare them to stay with you in your room,” he sighed and looked at Glorfindel. “You will need help around the clock. What if you need to go to the privy during the night? Even changing your position in bed will require assistance.” Elrond raised his eyebrows.

“I will help him,” Glorfindel jumped at the chance. It was all Elrond could do to stop himself from laughing. His friends were rather predictable when it came to each other.

“Glorfindel, I do not think you understand what you are offering. You will need to stay in his rooms with him.”

“I will do it,”

“Absolutely not!” Erestor blurted out.

“Erestor, I want to help you. Please let me help,” the look in Glorfindel’s eyes was enough to make his heart melt, but Erestor could not imagine having the warrior around all day and night. He knew he would need help in the privy, bathing, dressing, undressing…the corner of Erestor’s mouth twitched. Glorfindel would be at his beckon call, he would get to order him around, Erestor looked at Glorfindel.

“It seems that if you want to leave the healing room, you have to accept Glorfindel’s offer. I cannot spare a healer,” Elrond looked at him expectantly.

“Please, Erestor, please let me help you.” Glorfindel almost felt desperate. This was his chance to be close to Erestor, and hopefully find a way into his heart.

“Fin, you know how disagreeable I am. Do you really want to do this?”

The smile he was met with was so beautiful, and the warrior nodded.

“All right then, when can I leave?”

Elrond had to turn his back to them. He was giddy with satisfaction. They were so predictable. He walked to the table and began packaging some herbs. “In a few hours, it will take us that long to ready your chamber, and prepare the herbs you will need for the remaining day and tonight.”

“I will go and pack some of my things, and then go to your room and get it ready. Thank you, Erestor,” Glorfindel took his hands. “I will not let you down.” Erestor and Elrond watched as he left the room.

Elrond gave his patient some pain and sleeping drought, and when Erestor fell asleep, he went to find his wife to tell her the news.

Celebrian stared at he husband in surprise. “But…but, Elrond, they will kill each other.”

Elrond laughed. “I know. It will be wonderful!”

Celebrian shook her head. “You are the one who will have to deal with them.” She said in sing song as she kissed his cheek.

A few hours later, Erestor was safely and comfortably in his own bed. Glorfindel was looking over the herbal packets that Elrond had left him, and then he sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at Erestor’s face, so peaceful in slumber, his hair as black as midnight. He took some of the tresses and held them to his face. They were so soft. He held one of Erestor’s hands, gently massaging it. He turned it over and softly stroked the palm and it reflexively closed around his own hand. Tears filled Glorfindel’s eyes.

Elrond chuckled as he left Erestor’s room. It had been almost a week since he had left the healing room, and Erestor was fit to be tied. Poor Glorfindel was being patient and attentive, but Elrond could see the weariness in the warrior’s eyes. Elrond suspected what Erestor was doing; he was testing Glorfindel’s limits, seeing how far he could push him, how much would it take for Glorfindel to finally snap and leave him. That was Erestor’s greatest fear, giving his heart away only to have it broken and thrown away with the refuse. He only hoped Glorfindel knew Erestor’s intent as well.

“I said no, Fin. I am not taking a bath,” Erestor said shaking his head.

“Erestor, you have been in bed for two weeks without bathing. Have you suddenly turned into a hobbit?” Glorfindel was exasperated.

“I have been using a damp cloth to cleanse myself; you ought to know, you bring them to me,” Erestor gesture with his arms and winced slightly at the sharp pain in his side. He had refused to let Glorfindel bathe him. He was too embarrassed at his body’s reaction to being so near the warrior.

“Erestor, you are my dear friend, and it pains me to say this, but…you stink. You have been in that bed, except for two trips daily to the privy, covered in the sheet and blanket. It was bound to happen, you smell, meldir.”

Erestor’s mouth fell open and he glared at his friend. “I…do…not!”

“Erestor, you pride yourself on your appearance, and most of the time you are reasonable, except with me of course. Why are you being so unreasonable about being clean and feeling refreshed?”

“I do not stink, Glorfindel. Washing with the wet cloth is perfectly…” he watched Glorfindel move around the room.

Glorfindel sighed, walked over to the bed, took the sheet Erestor was clutching and lifted it slightly, fanning it. He snorted as Erestor’s head jerked back as the foul odor hit his nose. “And now,” he asked.

Erestor’s head dropped to the pillow. “I stink.” He was defeated and knew he had no choice.

“Good, I will go prepare everything we need. Elrond said you can sit in a chair now, so I will move you to the chair after everything is ready,” he smiled, satisfied he had proven he point and went into the bathing chamber to get the needed items.

Erestor was close to tears. How could he do this and not humiliate himself? He lifted the sheet, waiting for the offending odor to leave, and then he looked at his semi-hard shaft. “You will behave yourself,” he said to his unruly body part. “You stay down there where you belong, do you understand?”

“Did you say something, meldir?” Glorfindel asked as he walked back into the room with the items.

“No…no…I mean, I said it will be nice to stand.”

“I am sure it will feel very good to be upright. You must feel stiff and rigid, like a new recruit always coming to attention.”

Erestor groaned. Did Fin never shut up? All the talk of being stiff, rigid and coming to attention was having an effect of Erestor. He concentrated, willing his unruly body to calm. He startled when Glorfindel pulled the cover off of him, laying a soft robe on him to preserve his modesty.

“Can you put your arms around me, meldir, or should I just scoop you up and carry you?” Glorfindel reached for him, and Erestor noticed he had removed his shirt.

His eyes roamed the broad chest of his friend. “I can hold you, Fin…I mean hold onto you,” he blushed.

The warrior grinned, but said nothing. He carefully helped Erestor to sit, and then stand on the side of the bed. “Are you all right?” he had seen Erestor grimace while they were moving.

“Just give me a moment, please. The pain is not bad, but I am dizzy,” he held onto his friend tighter as the room spun. “We can move now.”

Glorfindel carefully transferred him to the chair next to the bed, making sure he did not put any weight on his injured limb. After making sure Erestor was as comfortable as possible, he placed a wide tub behind the advisor and towels on the floor. A knock at the door signaled the hot water had arrived. Three house elves brought in the water, and wished them a good day. One stayed to strip the bed linens, and then returned with fresh ones.

“Lean your head back, Erestor. I need to wash your hair.”

Erestor complied, and moaned as the warm water was poured. The pain of being moved had kept his body part in line thus far, but as Glorfindel began to massage his scalp, neck and shoulder muscles, his body began to react. He gave up trying to force it to relax, so he just tried to forget about it and enjoy having his hair washed.

Glorfindel did not want to stop, but he felt if he continued his actions may become suspect. He reluctantly rinsed and towel dried the ebony strands, and then moved to wash Erestor’s body.

“That felt wonderful, Fin. I am so relaxed, and the pain has subsided.”

“Good, you will feel even better after you have been thoroughly cleaned,” he poured the dirty water off the balcony, and filled the tub with some of the warm water. He carefully lifted Erestor broken leg, letting his foot rest in the water. Erestor followed with his good leg, moaning again as the warm water surrounded his feet and lower legs.

Glorfindel poured fragrant bathing oils into the water. The smell of vanilla filled the room. Erestor chuckled, “Well, that is certainly an improvement from the smell that came from under those sheets.”

Glorfindel laughed and nodded in agreement. He took a large sea sponge that he knew Erestor loved to use. Gildor always brought him a new one when he had traveled to the havens. He reverently rubbed the sponge over his good leg, and then even more carefully over his injured leg. He avoided Erestor’s groin which was covered by a towel, but could not help but notice the slight bulge under the towel. He did not react, not wanting to cause his friend any embarrassment.

He cleaned his friend’s arms, chest and back, wrapping a towel around his shoulders to keep Erestor from getting chilled. He cleared his throat, speaking cautiously. “Erestor, you may clean your private area; I will turn around. Just tell me when you are finished or if you need any help,” he dipped the sponge in the water and handed it to Erestor, then he stood and turned around. If he had really looked he would have seen the deep crimson blush across Erestor’s face. The advisor quickly scrubbed his private area, getting all the crevices as clean as possible, and then tossed the sponge into the bucket.

“I am finished, Fin, thank you,” he was so touched by Glorfindel’s care of him, his voice was choked.

The warrior lifted Erestor feet out of the water and dried him thoroughly. “How are you feeling, meldir?”

“Much better, but I am getting a bit tired. I cannot believe how I have weakened, and all from a fall from a horse,” he shook his head.

Fin looked at the floor. “This is all my fault. Can you forgive me, Erestor?” He began to brush Erestor’s damp hair.

Glorfindel’s apology surprised him. He did not blame his friend for his rashness. “Fin, you are not to blame because I reacted rashly to seeing you with that guard. You are entitled to be with whomever you wish too.”

“Erestor, I have never been with that guard. He wishes to lay with me, but…well…the truth be told, I have not lain with another in some time,” he was not sure why he was admitting this.

Erestor felt so ashamed for assuming the worst about Glorfindel. “I thought…I…why haven’t you?”

“It is unsatisfying, unfulfilling. I want something more, something deeper,” he shrugged. “Silly is it not?” He chuckled, unable to look into Erestor’s eyes.

“No, it is not silly at all. I feel much the same, meldir,” Erestor took his hands and gave them a squeeze. Glorfindel smiled and helped Erestor to his feet and back in the bed. He pulled the covers over his friend and began cleaning up the mess.

“I am going to bathe if you do not need anything for a few moments,”

“No, please, go ahead. I am fine,” Erestor chewed on his bottom lip, feeling overwhelmed with his feelings, Glorfindel’s admission and the care his friend had taken in bathing him. Something had just happened; something happened to them, passed between them. Erestor yawned and slipped into reverie.

Glorfindel stayed in the bathtub a little longer than he intended, but he could not stop thinking about his admission to Erestor and Erestor’s admission to him. He felt a change when he looked at Erestor after they each admitted they wished for more than someone to share their bed. Glorfindel did, he wanted someone to share his life, his heart, his soul, and yes, his bed. He smirked, he did not want someone; he wanted Erestor.

When he came into the bedroom, he smiled as he heard Erestor’s light snore. It had been like a lullaby since he had been staying with Erestor. He put on light sleeping pants, grabbed the pillow and blanket from the foot of the bed and settled on the sofa.

Erestor woke later, needing to relieve his bladder. He spied Glorfindel on the sofa, feeling bad as the warrior was far too tall for the sofa, and he knew he could not be comfortable.

“Fin” he whispered.

Glorfindel sat up. “What is the matter? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I need the privy though.” Glorfindel helped him into the privy and then back to bed. As he stood to return to the sofa, Erestor grabbed his wrist. He lifted the covers on the other side of the bed. “Stay here…please.”

Glorfindel just stared for a moment. Erestor tugged on his arm. He silently walked to the other side and lay down next to Erestor. Looking at the ceiling, he smiled and turned on his side facing Erestor. They looked at each other, staring intently as if saying everything that was in their hearts with their eyes.

Erestor took Fin’s hand and pulled him closer, and then placed their hands on his chest. Glorfindel leaned forward and kissed Erestor softly on the lips. He had heard Erestor’s heart and it said “love”.

That is the way Elrond and Celebrian found them the next morning. Still sleeping close with their clasped hands on Erestor’s chest.

*****

THE END

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