Excerpts from the Journal of King Thranduil of Mirkwood
17 February 3019
Diner was a strange affair this evening. My guests, Glorfindel and Erestor
of Rivendell, brought news of the One Ring and my son, Legolas.
The Halfling, called Frodo Baggins, has come into possession of the Ring through his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. I had Bilbo, once many years ago, in my dungeon. He escaped. Now I believe he may have had the ring to aid him, but none can say save him. I doubt he will tell the truth, even should he now remember. His age, I am given to understand is well advanced for one of his kind.
My son, Legolas, has taken it upon himself to accompany Frodo Baggins on a quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom. I resent Elrond's decision to send a company of nine individuals to finish what he was unable to complete so long ago. If he had not been enthralled with Isildiur, then we would not now be faced with this problem.
They departed for Mordor from Rivendell on December 22. No news has been had of them. The company included Aragorn of the Dunedain, my son represented the Elves, Gimli son of Gloin for the dwarves, four Halflings, and the Son of Denothor of Gondor and Gandalf the Gray.
Erestor also delivered news that Saruman has betrayed those aligned against Mordor. He is a font of ill tidings is Erestor the Seneschal of Imladris.
I found the company strange, indeed. While Erestor delivered the news, Glorfindel looked as though he wanted the floor to open and he to fall in. I would like to question him, but he has given every indication that he is unavailable. I cannot imagine why.
Erestor, besides imparting ill news, had much to ask in Lord Elrond's name. Elrond believes war is imminent and all who value beauty and freedom must band together. I have not committed Mirkwood to his cause. I will see what develops. I must see to my own borders first. Mirkwood grows more dangerous every day. Evidence of this lies in the attack of Glorfindel's party on the way to my hall.
They were lucky to have escaped with their lives.
On a more personal note, I seemed to detect tension between the Seneschal and the leader of Elrond's armies. Erestor is rumored to be one of the most gifted negotiators and capable of great feats of logic, much like his master, Lord Elrond. I saw no evidence of this during dinner. He dropped his soupspoon. He stepped on my feet, twice. Nearly fell out of his chair once and generally gave the impression of being a gangly human child rather than an elderly elf. Even his notoriously glib tongue seemed to have abandoned him and several times he sputtered and stuttered as though he was unable to properly marshal his thoughts or guard his tongue.
Erestor's behavior seemed to annoy Glorfindel. I observed that the more distraught Erestor became, the angrier Glorfindel appeared. Of course, this only served to increase Erestor's tension.
If I did not know better, I would say that Erestor has developed a lustful heart for Glorfindel.
I do hope not. One does not long for Glorfindel. He is too fickle with his affections.
Thranduil
Excerpts from Erestor's Journal
3019 February 17
I survived the formal state diner with King Thranduil. I would rather have
had diner with Orcs, or maybe goblins. I would have been happy to have diner
with the Nazgul, rather than sit across the table from Glorfindel. He glared
at me all evening.
I could feel sweat breaking out all along my body every time he glared at me. Once, during a retelling of Gimli's actions at the White Council, Glorfindel anointed me with such a vicious glance that I dropped my soupspoon, splattering tomato bisque all over the table and my robes.
Another time, while I was walking beside King Thranduil, discussing his son Legolas, Glorfindel pinched my arm. As a result of that, I stumbled and stepped on King Thranduil's foot.
Thranduil inquired as to whether or not Lord Elrond's twins had found a she elf with whom to mate. Glorfindel's long leg snaked the width of the table and connected firmly with my shin. I jumped and nearly fell from my seat.
Before retiring, Glorfindel jabbed me with his elbow when King Thranduil inquired after available she elves at Imladris for Legolas. Again, I trod on the King's toes.
I am sure that Thranduil thought I was an idiot. I cannot say as I would find fault with his assessment. I felt completely awash and unable to adequately perform my diplomatic mission. If I fail, I will have no one to blame but myself. This will be hard news for Elrond. He is desperate to form an alliance that will be able to march to Mordor.
Let us hope my clumsy tongue and feet did not adversely affect King Thranduil's decision.
Excerpts from Glorfindel's Journal
17 February 3019
Well, despite Erestor's best efforts, the formal dinner was not a complete
disaster.
He is not a diplomat; I don't care what E says. Erestor couldn't keep his tongue still and babbled incessantly about inane topics. When Thranduil broached the subject of his son, Erestor's face turned crimson. I cannot but be thankful that Thranduil was apparently distracted by Erestor's clumsiness.
During dinner, he splattered the soup all over himself and the tablecloth. I have no idea what happened. One minute he was retelling of Gimli's attempt to destroy the Ring and the next, he looked up at me and dropped his spoon. Conversation the length of the table came to an abrupt halt.
I also believe he may have stepped on Thranduil's toes. Literally, at that, for I noticed several times while they were walking that the King grimaced and sidestepped him. I have not been able to figure out why Erestor seemed so intent on walking so close to the King. He gave the impression of being afraid of being sandwiched between us.
I will not go into detail, but I believe King Thranduil was surprised by Erestor's lack of grace and his apparent inability to maintain his focus during the most casual conversation. I, too, was disappointed in Erestor. None of the grace or eloquence for which he is renown shown on this visit.
I am wondering if he is not more troubled by the Orc attack than he has let on.
A random thought has just entered my head. Could he be pining for E? I hope not. I do not believe that would be a productive situation. Mayhap he believes I have lost respect for him since learning of his involvement? Ah, far from it. I am somewhat intrigued, as I would never have thought Erestor capable of such licentious behavior.
One does wonder, though. His behavior since the night spent in the company of E's companions has grown exponentially stranger. Daily I see him become more and more distracted and unfocussed. I do worry for him, for though he has been a thorn in my side, he is still a vital member of Imladris.
I realize my own role in this, too, for he seemed to expect something more from me when he offered 'anything' for my silence to his whereabouts. I believe my own reputation as a lover might have played some role. Did he expect that I would trade sexual favors for my silence? How repulsive. I am often a rogue, I will admit, but I am never cavalier. Perhaps, too, I displayed too much curiosity about the situation. Part of this I attribute to concern for E and his reputation, though he is a grown elf and is entitled to his own affairs, I nonetheless worry for him as a friend. I have slowly come to grips with his unusual relationship and, though I may never understand completely, E has my full support.
My musings are idle and futile. Whatever is in Erestor's mind or heart, he has chosen to share them with no one. Until he does, I can only add increasingly wild speculations to the already potentially volatile situation.
Should I confront him? I will muse over this possibility.
In the meantime, I am off to visit with Thranduil. He and I have not had the pleasure of one another's company in many years. I look forward to reacquainting myself with him.