The four companions shared their repast under the lightening sky, enjoying the crisp morning air that bespoke of autumm, soon to come.
" Methinks we will arrive at the outer borders of Imladris by late afternoon." Aragorn said, his eyes trained westward.
" Aye, you have the right of it Estel." Erestor concurred. " And though I cannot deny that this has been a most enjoyable journey, it will be good to be home." he finished, popping a handful of wild berries into his mouth.
Ja-zel looked over at Arwen, who was strangely silent as she daintily picked at her food, her eyes downcast.
" What troubles you Arwen?." The Lyoness asked, her voice gentle.
The elven maiden looked up, her eyes glistening. Aragorn reached for her hand, his own eyes betraying a hint of unease. Arwen's lovely face turned apologetic.
" Forgive me. I do not mean to dampen this beautiful morning for I, too, am eager to see home again. But I must also admit that a part of me wishes we could just keep travelling as we are, for I have relished this freedom." The Evenstar glanced over at her beloved. " I think I could be quite happy with the life of a ranger."
Her smile was returned by the Dunadan, though both of their faces reflected a wistful melancholy at knowing that such a simple future was denied them. Erestor's piercing ebony eyes softened at the sight.
" I have also reveled in this freedom, pen-neth. But we cannot deny who we are. No matter how we might wish for things to be otherwise."
As he finished speaking those last words, Erestor's eyes shifted towards Aragorn and he could not help but feel a pang of sadness for what he knew awaited the ranger, when Elrond finally revealed to him the full import of his heritage. Sensing the advisor's scrutiny, Aragorn met those elven eyes and for a brief moment, the Dunadan felt an overwhelming sense of foreboding. He gave Arwen's hand a gentle sqeeze.
" We will meet what is to come. Though well we know that the news of our love will be hard for Lord Elrond and the bethren to hear." He said, resolutely.
At that, Ja-zel spoke up.
" I do not think they would long begrudge your news, Aragorn. The Lord of the waterfalls knows what it is to love completely, as do the twin cubs."
The Lyoness smiled as she recalled Elladan's loving words towards the unconscious Elrohir during that harrowing first journey to Imladris.
" Your brothers, especially, will understand Arwen." She continued, looking at the elven maiden. " For never have I sensed a love like the one shared by them. Their mated bond is truly all-encompassing."
Absolute silence followed her statement, only broken by the sound of two metal cups hitting the rocky ground. Ja-zel's brow knitted in confusion, as she suddently found three pairs of eyes staring at her with incredulous shock.
" I... I thought you knew..."
Melpomaen heard the door to Lord Erestor's study open and felt a sudden rush of panic, as he hurriedly shut the thick book he had been engrossed in with a thud, before trying to hide it.
He was not fast enough.
" What have you there?." His formidable lover asked, crossing the room towards the desk.
" N-n-nothing..." Melpomaen stammered.
Glorfindel took in his young love's darting eyes and flushed cheeks, cocking an amused eyebrow.
" Well, it most certaintly appears to be something, judging by your present state." The seneschal said. " Let me see, Melpomaen."
" N-no.. It is really nothing importa..."
His words were cut off abruptly, as Glorfindel reached behind him and snatched the book he had been vainly trying to conceal. Melpomaen felt his face flush scarlet as the Balrog Slayer opened the tome and he cast his violet eyes downward, with an embarrased groan.
Meanwhile, both of Glorfindel's eyebrows raised in surprise as he perused the contents within. The book heralded from the land of Harad and it was obviously some sort of erotic manual, complete with very detailed illustrations. The golden Lord's lips curved into a delighted, and quite lecherous, smile.
" Mmmm... Most interesting. May I inquire as to the reason for such.. unusual.. worktime reading?." He asked, silkily. " Is Elrond contemplating some new kind of trade agreement?. Or is it perhaps that you are finding my bed-skills lacking in some respect?..."
Melpomaen's head whipped up to find his lover looking back at him with a pout, though the colbat eyes belied that impression by twinkling mischievously.
" No!... You are... that is, your... No!. I.. I just wanted..."
" Wanted what, meleth nin?."
" Just wanted to..."
Glorfindel gave his utterly flustered love a saucy wink, his hand flipping through the pages of the book until he found a particular drawing. He held it up so Melpomaen could see.
" Wanted to try something like this, perhaps?." He asked, rakishly.
The assistant's eyes widened as he looked at the explicit drawing.
" You know, seron vell." The Balrog Slayer said, tapping the page with one finger. " I do believe that this particular position could be quite well accomplished, say... on top of a desk?. In fact, I though of this very thing while in my office, not long ago." He continued, his eyes taking on a deepening glint.
Glorfindel trailed the fingers of his other hand atop the polished surface of Erestor's desk and looked at the younger elf, whose own eyes had gone wide as saucers, as comprehension dawned.
" If what Lady Ja-zel said about their sense of smell is true, methinks we could leave ample evidence to show our stodgy old advisor that his assistant has not been idle in his absence." The seneschal finished, with a positively evil grin.
All the air seemed to leave Melpomaen's lungs as he stood there, looking back at his roguish lover. He was mortified, nay, horrified at the suggestion.
But he was also incredibly aroused by it.
Glorfindel took a slow, deliberate step, fully intending to go through with his wanton proposal. He licked his lips in anticipation...
A loud knock sounded at the study door.
The Balrog Slayer actually snarled at the wretchedly-timed interruption, before taking the book that had started his twarted efforts and quickly going to stand by the balcony, as Melpomaen literally fell back into the desk chair.
" Come in." The poor assistant squeaked.
The door opened to reveal Lord Hallaorn, eldest son of the chief healer of Mirkwood, who had been sent to Imladris to further his own studies in the healing arts. Melpomaen gave a mental groan. Hallaorn was a prickly elf who, although unflaingly gentle with all who came under his care, tended to look down upon those he considered to be beneath his station, when outside of the healing rooms. Nevertheless, Melpomaen tendered him a polite greeting.
" Good day, Lord Hallaorn. Of what service may I be?." he asked.
The tall elf walked briskly to the desk and prepemtorily tossed upon it a scroll that had his family seal prominently displayed all along the surface.
" You will see to it that this is included with the next dispatches to Mirkwood." The elf ordered, without so much as returning any form of greeting.
By the balcony, Glorfindel bristled at hearing his lover addressed in such a way. Setting the book down, he walked over to stand beside the seated Melpomaen, placing his hand protectively on one slim shoulder. He looked at the other elf, who had been unaware of his presence in the room, with hard eyes.
" Lord Hallaorn." He said, his voice cold and clipped. " This must be a most urgent message, for you to forgo any curtesy when speaking to the Chief Advisor's assistant who, incidentally, is also my beloved. I do hope nothing is amiss."
Hallaorn blanched under the scrutiny, knowing that he had given great offense to one of the most revered elves in all of Arda.
" I ask you pardon..." He began, only to see those piercing eyes glance down at the top of Melpomaen's tawny head, before looking back up at him, meaningfully.
The chastised elf took the hint, directing his next words to the shy assistant.
" My apologies, Melpomaen. My manners leave much to be desired this day. If you would be so kind as to see this scroll delivered, I would be most appreciative."
" Off course, my Lord. There is a messenger leaving on the morrow. I will personally place this scroll into his hands." Melpomaen said, inclining his head respectfully.
And with that, the tall elf took his -rather stiff-backed- leave of the study. Melpomaen glanced up at Glorfindel, his eyes shinning with gratitude and love. The Balrog Slayer met the adoring stare.
" No one speaks to my mate in that way!." He growled.
The young elf rose from the chair, his face alight with a beatific smile.
" My Lord." He said, striving to keep his tone formal, despite the desire that shone in his violet eyes. " I hear that the Seneschal of Imladris has a particularly large desk in his office."
" Indeed he does." Glorfindel grinned widely.
Moments later, the two elves were rushing out of the great library, with a large book in tow.
Behind them, inside the locked study, that elaborately embossed scroll-case lay atop a stack of dispatches bound for King Thranduil's realm...
TBC...