"If you like," Arwen frowned. Her mother was unhappy in Imladris and everyone knew it. "Will you return?"
"Here?" Celebrian paused. "I do not know. Think about it, will you? We should have fun in the Golden Wood." She smiled and left Arwen alone and puzzled.
*~*
At Erestor's door, Glorfindel paused. "I am placing a lot of trust in you, my friend. Please do not betray that trust by trying to escape."
Erestor shook his head. "And where would I run to? No, I will accept this fate."
Glorfindel pushed open the door and ushered Erestor inside. The room was tidy. Nothing was out of place. Glorfindel stared around, trying to see Erestor through his lodgings. "I have to search your quarters."
A slight blush crept across Erestor's cheeks. "Of course. Shall I stand outside with my guards or would your prefer I remain in here?"
"You may remain. Sit anywhere." He watched as Erestor chose a straight back chair next to his desk. "Is there anything that you wish to tell me?"
Erestor stared at the floor and shook his head. He knew they would search every inch of his room and his shame would know new heights as they discovered his soul's deepest secrets. He could not prevent the occurrence and he only hoped to endure what was to come. "No."
"Elrohir, secure the door. Elladan, stand near the balcony, please." Glorfindel watched as the twins obeyed his command and then returned his attention to Erestor's private sanctuary.
Tall bookcases were filled with scrolls and books and assorted parchments along with knick knacks and other sentimental objects. He recognized a decanter that he'd given to the Chief Advisor. There was a detailed carved box, another gift, if Glorfindel was not mistaken, from Golrahir. The bed was neatly made. A large wardrobe stood near it. With a mental shrug, the warrior decided to start there. He crossed to the bed and knelt, peering beneath the wooden frame. There was nothing, not even dust balls, beneath the bed. He pulled back the covers and found nothing but crisp, clean sheets. He patted the pillows. He lifted the mattress. Nothing. What had he expected to find? He asked himself. Nothing, his mind answered.
He opened the wardrobe and rifled through Erestor's clothing. He preferred black silk and, occasionally in the summer, cool cotton. He opened a drawer and lifted a stack of leggings and undergarments. He blinked in surprise at what lay beneath and cast a puzzled look to Erestor from the corner of his eyes. The advisor blushed again and averted his gaze. One by one, Glorfindel lifted each item and laid it on the bed.
Erestor wanted to scream. He wanted to die. He wanted the torment to end. He dared not look up lest he see the smirk he knew must be on the faces of his guards. His knuckles whitened on the arms of the chair and his shoulders grew increasingly rigid.
A part of Glorfindel was surprised and a part of him was embarrassed. He was surprised to discover Erestor's secret for certainly he'd never suspected his friend of such a variety of sexual preferences. He extracted a short whip and examined it. The item was still quite new, Glorfindel knew, because the leather was still stiff. The phalluses he withdrew were stuffed leather and of two varieties: one was long and thick and the other was long and slender. There was a pair of innocuous leather gloves and Glorfindel had to work hard to conceal his smile. He had played with something similar with a lover once and he remembered the experience with fondness. The other items he was unsure of at first, until he unraveled their mithril chains. Then his eyebrows shot up as he recognized the items. Cock restraints. He was beginning to understand why Erestor was so infatuated with Faelon's private life. Apparently he shared Faelon's tastes.
His embarrassment stemmed from having to expose Erestor in such a fashion. No one should have their intimate life so exposed to strangers. As he thought about his own tastes and desires, he understood Erestor's red face and white knuckles. He would feel the same, he knew, if someone were to prowl so methodically through his own personal life. "I am sorry, Erestor. I know this must be uncomfortable for you, but I assure you that I am do not pass judgment nor will what is found here be discussed outside this room unless it pertains to Faelon's death or Lady Celebrian's accusations."
"Of course," Erestor managed.
Glorfindel gave the twins each a warning glance as he wrapped the sex toys up in a silk shirt for transportation to his office. The twins possessed the decency to look away.
"Have you any weapons?"
"My sword is in the chest." Erestor pointed to large mahogany chest at the foot of his bed. "I keep a dagger in the stand beside my bed."
Glorfindel opened the chest and found the sword, well sharpened and wrapped carefully in oiled cloth. He sorted through the rest of the contents but found nothing of any value or interest. He next retrieved the dagger. Quickly, he went through the rest of Erestor's things, sorting and mentally categorizing. He found a journal and opened it. "This is evidence, you understand?"
"Yes," whispered Erestor. Every moment of Glorfindel's search was like a dagger in his heart and he did not know how much more he could stand.
At last, Glorfindel was satisfied. "You will have one guard in your room and one at your door and another on the balcony. You will not leave these rooms unless you are summoned and you will have a guard detail even then. Meals will be brought to you by me. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Erestor could no longer meet the warrior's gaze.
"Do you have any questions? Will you say nothing on your own behalf?"
Erestor shook his head and clamped his teeth together.
*~*
"Lady?"
Celebrian pricked her finger with the needle and a small drop of blood oozed from the wounded digit to her embroidery. After her discussion with Arwen, she returned to her solar and dismissed her ladies so that she could be alone. There was much for her to think about. She could never be accused of being a coward. Though at the moment that was how she felt. The game she had started had gotten out of her control and she was afraid of the consequences. "You startled me."
"My apologies. Are you hurt?"
"It is nothing." Celebrian wiped her finger on her skirt. "What brings you here at this time of the day?"
"I came to warn you that Erestor has been arrested."
"My husband will surely discover that I lied about Erestor's inappropriate behavior and he will, in turn, begin investigating other matters."
"He will be too busy."
"With what?"
"Let us say that he will have other problems, shall we? I must get back before I am missed. One day, my love, you and I will be together."
Celebrian swallowed convulsively. She was glad that she had decided already to leave for Lothlorien.
*~*
"Father? May I speak with you?" Arwen paused outside the study door and peered inside. The room was cluttered but neat and stacked with endless reams of parchment and leather bound books. Candles lit the room, though daylight streamed in from the large windows. The corner office was strategically designed to capture the rays of both the rising and setting sun.
Elrond looked up from his papers and smiled at his daughter. She had his dark hair and gray eyes. But her complexion belonged to Celebrian; oleander pale and as fragile as a winter rose. "What a pleasant surprise. Do come and sit with me, Arwen. I am always glad to welcome my children."
Arwen entered the room and sat opposite her father. She was nervous about what she had to say, but chose a straightforward path, as he'd taught her to do. "I came to tell you that I will be going with Mother to Lorien."
Elrond frowned and sat back in his chair, hearing the wood creak gently beneath his weight. "I am saddened by your decision. Is there any reason you wish to share with me?"
Arwen folded her hands and stared down at her feet. "Mother needs me, Father, and I want to go with her. I will only be gone a little while. Perhaps, once Mother is home with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, she will be at ease again and I will return home."
"I shall have your brother ride as escorts, then. When does Lady Celebrian plan to depart?" That he had to ask his daughter was a measure of the distance grown between his wife and he of late. He could not blame her, though he did not find that his share of the blame equal to the punishment she meted to him.
"Within two weeks, Father. You are not angry with me?"
"Should I be angry? Are you, perhaps, angry with me?" A sense of foreboding settled in Elrond's stomach and for a moment he wondered if Celebrian had convinced their children that he was a monster that they should avoid.
"Nay, Father, I am not angry with you. I understood about your relationship with.." here Arwen paused, uncertain if she had any right to delve in to her father's private life. She'd been given only a smattering of detail by Celebrian, and her brothers had received the same skimpy education. But they all knew. They had always known that Elrond and Celebrian were married in name only. Well, perhaps not completely in name alone, for Elrond had always professed that he loved Celebrian, in his own way. If that love was not enough for his wife or if the love he felt for Faelon made her feel used, so be it.
"Lord Faelon," he finished for her. He'd wondered when the time would come when he'd have to explain himself to his children. Now, one of them sat before him, with her eyes large and full of unnamed emotion, telling him she was leaving his home. Her home. "You understand that he has nothing to do with Lady Celebrian? She is welcome in Imladris; in fact, I would prefer that she stay."
"I think perhaps she is lonely?" Arwen knew she was overstepping her bounds, but could not help herself. She knew nothing she said or did would alter what lay between her parents, but she could not bear the thought of her father thinking that he was unloved by his children. "I think she misses the Golden Wood. When she is settled, I will return home."
Elrond found his daughter's reassurance refreshing and, to some degree, his mind was eased. "You will always be welcome, Arwen. As for your mother, her loneliness is not completely homesickness for her family. Nor is it completely my fault." He did not know why he felt the sudden need to explain himself. "Your mother and I have different needs that cannot be fulfilled by each other. I wish it were not so. I would trade all the wealth that is Rivendell to change what is between us. Alas, I cannot do so. Despite our differences, Arwen, your mother and I love you dearly, as we do your brothers."
Arwen leaned forward intently. "Father, I have never felt unloved or unwanted. We have always known that you and mother were different. And we accept that difference. We do not judge you for it."
Elrond relaxed. "I thank you, Arwen, for your words have taken a great burden from my mind.."
Arwen rose from her seat and came hesitantly around the desk. When her father opened his arms, as he had always done, she gratefully sank on to his knee and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could smell his soap and the clean, sharp smell took her back to early childhood. "I love you, Father."
Elrond locked his arms around Arwen and held her close for a moment. "Thank you for understanding. "Arwen closed the door on her way out and Elrond stared at nothing for a long minute. Then his body began to tremble and his grey eyes clouded with tears. In only a matter of days everything he'd worked for had turned to ash. All that he loved was vanishing before his eyes. The place that he built as a haven for others had become his prison. He placed his head in his hands and wept.
*~*
Sighing, Glorfindel motioned to Elladan. "Take his belongings to my office and see that they are secured." He handed Elladan the bundled sex toys and weapons. "Elrohir, wait outside the door. See that none disturb us." When the twins had gone, Glorfindel seated himself in the only other chair in the room. "I know you are hurt, Erestor. Despite your pain, you must not allow this silence to continue. I have to question you and you must answer me."
"I know," Erestor trailed his finger on the shiny desk.
"Let us begin with Lady Celebrian's accusations. You claim innocence? Very well, explain to me why she would lie."
Mayhap because she dislikes me because she sees in me another rival for Elrond's affections." Erestor muttered. "Otherwise, I cannot say, for I have done nothing to her or against her, for that matter."
"Hrrumph," the blond elf leaned back and placed his large hands on his knees. "So, now we come to the heart of the matter. You are in love with Lord Elrond."
"You did not know?"
"How could I, Erestor? You have kept your secret well."
"But not well enough. Will Elrond believe me if I tell him that I did nothing to Lady Celebrian? I do not think so. I knew she would make good on her threat, but what defense can I offer?"
"You might give an accounting of yourself."
"You mean tell him how I feel?" The advisor looked horror stricken. "Never could I do that, Glorfindel. I would not—nay, could not—make such a fool of myself as all that. Besides, if I confess my love for Elrond, does that not make me an even more likely candidate for Faelon's murder?"
"I have no proof who murdered Faelon. But I cannot cast you in the role of murderer, either. Help me, Erestor. I am trying to save you."
"Should I wish to save my reputation, for that matter my position, and possibly my life, I must confess something so private that I have never spoken of it until now."
"You gave up your right to privacy when you violated Lord Elrond's."
Erestor cast his eyes down, unable to present an argument or even defense. Glorfindel was correct, of course. A lone tear splashed from his eyes and darkened the black silk robe. "I have always admired Elrond, even when he was Gil-Galad's lover. I had not hopes that he would turn to me for love or comfort after Gil-Galad's death, nor when I came to live in Imladris. I knew of his marriage to Celebrian and assumed the union was happy and fruitful. I did not know about Faelon until almost a month after I'd been here. I discovered them by accident."
"They have sometimes been lacking in discretion," agreed the warrior.
"They were beneath the willow trees."
"A favored spot, I believe."
Erestor bobbed his head. "I was shocked. I had never witnessed such a thing. I could not imagine. Yet, my body responded. I could not control it. I was ashamed and excited in ways I never dreamed possible. I returned to my rooms. I could not erase the image from my mind and I could not force my body to..to not respond. And thereafter I –I should not have, I know. I could not stop myself. I was addicted to the images, the sounds. I could imagine Lord Elrond doing those things to me. I craved them. Afterwards, I always felt dirty and cheap. And I promised myself I would never do it again. I could never keep my promises. Faelon came to my room the day he died and accused me of being in love with Elrond. He said he would kill me if I tried to take Elrond way from him." Erestor at last raised his tear-filled eyes. "There. Is that what you wanted to hear? He threatened me, but I did not retaliate."
Glorfindel fingered the journal he'd kept. "When I read this, what will I find?"
Erestor lifted his chin in defiance. "You would do that to me?"
"Yes, I would. I have to." Glorfindel felt as though he were betraying more than friendship and he wondered if Erestor would ever trust him again. Or forgive him, for that matter. "Answer me, Erestor."
"You will find accounts of daily events. You will discover what I have already told you."
Glorfindel rose. "I shall leave you now. Elrohir will come in and be with you. You will never be alone, you understand?" He waited until Erestor nodded his agreement. "I will return this afternoon with your lunch."
He crossed to the door and opened it. He said a few words to Elrohir and the elf entered the room. Another elf followed and went to stand by the balcony. Elrohir said nothing as he seated himself in the chair recently vacated by Glorfindel. Erestor rose from his own seat. "If it is permissible, I would like to lie down."
"Certainly," Elrohir answered neutrally. "You must leave the door open."
Erestor unbuttoned his high-collared robe and laid it neatly over the chest. Stripped to his under tunic and breeches, he no longer appeared as the stern advisor. He was well-muscled and lean like a warrior. He lay on the bed and folded his hands neatly upon his breast and Elrohir was reminded of a corpse.
*~*
Golrahir reentered his office and sat down to face the piles of his lord's correspondence. During the last few days much had been left undone and Golrahir knew that soon he would be asked for an accounting. With a sigh, he lifted up his quill.
"Where have you been?" Saelbeth stood in the door to the cramped office and glared at Elrond's personal secretary. Though he had no standing with Golrahir, Saelbeth was angry and concerned at the elf's long absences from his duties.
"I took a walk to clear my head," Golrahir answered. "Erestor's arrest has unnerved me."
Saelbeth gave the secretary a look that suggested disbelief. "I will be in the library for a moment if Lord Elrond should need me."
"I will inform him. Congratulations."
"Pardon?" Saelbeth spun around and glared at Golrahir.
"On your promotion. I assume you will be Erestor's replacement."
"Shut up, Golrahir, just shut up," stormed Saelbeth as he fled the office.
*~*
Melpomaen stood in Faelon's old office and stared uncomprehendingly at the piles of documents and letters on the desk. He wanted to run and hide in his rooms. He wanted to fold himself in Saelbeth's embrace. He could do nothing of the sort. He had to keep moving forward, not dwelling on things he could not change. His heart longed for a moment's peace from the grief and guilt.
"Melpomaen?" Saelbeth entered the room silently and watched his lover for a moment. "Oh, love." He said as the librarian looked up. He crossed to the desk and folded Melpomaen gently in his arms. "Everything will be all right."
"No, it won't. Nothing will ever be the same again." Melpomaen gripped handfuls of Saelbeth's tunic and wept in to his shoulder. "I saw Glorfindel march Erestor away. Oh, Saelbeth, this is horrible. Will this nightmare ever end?"
Saelbeth stiffened. "You shouldn't weep for Erestor."
"I'm not," growled Melpomaen. "I am weeping for Imladris. Faelon is dead and the Chief Advisor is accused and Elrond is distraught. It as though all of Imladris weeps and mourns. There is so much pain and sorrow and anger. Can you not feel it?"
Saelbeth blinked back his own tears. "Aye, I feel it, too. Come, we know Erestor would never hurt Faelon. We must believe that he will not be punished for it and that who ever did kill him will pay. Please, Melpomaen, do not cry."
*~*
Glorfindel dropped Erestor's journal off in his office and then went to Elrond's office. No one was around, not even Golrahir and the warrior frowned. He knocked on Elrond's door and after the longest pause, heard his lord's voice bid him enter. He peered inside and his heart fractured a little more. Elrond's face was tear stained and his eyes were red rimmed.
"Forgive me, Elrond," he said as he closed the door behind him. "I have interrogated Erestor and I thought you might like to hear."
"Not really."
"That is not like you, old friend. You are normally not so unfair in your judgments."
Elrond thought about that for a moment. He'd once informed Faelon that he would never allow his relationship with the librarian to influence events at The Last Homely House, yet here he was, doing exactly that. "Tell me what accounting he gave of himself."
"He claims to be confused about Lady Celebrian's accusations. Frankly, so am I."
"So you have already said. Regardless of Celebrian's actions and accusations, there is Faelon's death to consider."
"Indeed, there is, but I believe one is tied to the other." Glorfindel crossed one long leg over the other. "Furthermore, he professed a love for someone else, a secret lust of the heart that has nothing to do with your wife."
"Of course telling me the name of this individual would break the confidence, therefore, I cannot truly know if he is lying, as to question him would reveal that you and I had spoken. You are too clever for your own good, my friend."
"Perhaps. Perhaps, too, you could guess if you set your meticulous mind to the problem."
"Is there some truth, then, to the rumor that he was in love with my lover."
"He loved Faelon as a friend and openly admits to that. He also told me, of his own accord, that he and Faelon quarreled the night of the murder. I believe Faelon guessed, or was informed, of some vital bit of information that would have set him against Erestor. The resulting quarrel would automatically cast suspicion on Erestor once Faelon was found dead. Of course, he would be the most obvious candidate, therefore, as a suspect, Erestor is illogical."
"Erestor would have known that he would be the first to be suspected, but he also would know that you would think suspecting him to be illogical. He could have played on that."
"True. And still be playing on it, I suppose." Glorfindel choose his next words with unparrelled care. "Let us consider his private activities."
"Do your refer to his voyeurism?" Elrond leaned back in his chair. "I find that aspect of his nature most puzzling."
"So did I, until I questioned him on it."
"I could get no answer from him."
"You wouldn't." Glorfindel dryly replied.
"I wouldn't? I did not." Elrond frowned. What was Glorfindel hinting at? "You know his excuse?"
"One relates to the other."
"I am too tired for games. I-" Elrond stopped. "He was not in love with Faelon."
"So I said. Whoever set this in motion also thought that Erestor was in love with Faelon and, assuming that, also assumed that killing him in a jealous rage was logical. Consider, if he was not in love with one, then he must be in love with the other. But if the other knew that he, meaning Erestor, had killed his lover then the other would not forgive Erestor."
Elrond rubbed his temples. "Your riddles astound me."
"Ah, but that is the nature of the murder. Who stands to gain by Faelon's death?"
"No one."
"Exactly. So, it must not be Faelon who was the target."
"But Faelon was the one murdered." Even hearing his lover's name ripped at his heart.
"Aye. But only to get rid of Erestor."
"So, the question becomes, who would benefit by Erestor's departure."
"Precisely."
"Saelbeth."
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. "Might as well say Melpomaen. His knife, after all, was used as the murder weapon."
"Everyone in the council, of course. Saelbeth moves in to Erestor's position. Melpomaen moves into Faelon's. Golrahir would make an excellent Assistant Advisor. And my wife gets rid of her rival and Erestor." Elrond paused as the thought went through his mind with the force of an orc arrow.
Glorfindel uncrossed his legs and rose from his
seat. "True love never harms that which is the object of love."
He closed the office door on his way out.
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