Title: Mani Marte? Author: Blue Gold E-mail: bluegold@surfy.net Beta: Beckyboo Archive: http://goldshowers.bravepages.com Pairings: Erestor/?, Elrond/Thranduil (implied), Erestor/Glorfindel, Thranduil/ Viiresse (OFC) Rating:NC-17 Summary: Erestor learns he's pregnant and starts crying rape. But is he telling the truth? Or is he trying to hide the shame of his unwedded relationship with another elf by spinning a fine web of lies. Disclaimer: I *sniff* do not any of the characters in this story. They are owned by Tolkien/Jackson. Warnings: "?Rape?", Angst, MPREG, Authors Notes: Loosely based on some happenings in the LOTR RPG I’m currently playing, In Silpion’s light. Thanks to Az and her mad Elladan for the inspiration. ;) Thanks to Milly for helping all this make sense. Feedback: Sure I’d love some. Elrond entered the library after having a nice breakfast with his family to find Erestor already hard at work on a stack of correspondence, from all sorts. The Lord of Imladris shook his head; Erestor was the first to work in the morning and the last to bed, no matter how much Elrond tried to get him to loosen up. He seemed to not have a life outside his role as chief advisor and that was not healthy. He had tried many times to bring Erestor out of his shell and failed but this time he would not be deterred. "Erestor, have you even had breakfast?" "Yes My Lord." Erestor said, pointing to a barely touched tray. "Erestor, you work too hard." "If I did there would not be nearly this much work." Erestor replied. "These require your attention immediately." Erestor said handing Elrond the smallest pile of parchments. "Alright. Erestor, as you know the Mirkwood party leaves tomorrow morning and we are having a ball tonight…" "Yes, the cooks have prepared…" "Erestor, I want you to attend this ball." Elrond interrupted. "What? Why?" "You need to have some fun, meet a nice elf. Even if for just the night." "For the night?" Erestor said in a near inaudible whisper. "Don’t appear so shocked. It is not as though I am talking about children. Erestor, to be honest it disturbs me that I can not remember ever hearing you laugh." "I am content if that is what you mean." "But are you happy? Alone is not a way to spend all your years on Middle Earth." "I am fine. I do not want to go to the party." "Erestor I did not want to do this. I order you to go to the ball tonight. I also order you to go to the tailors and wear the robe I had commissioned for you." "Yes My Lord." Erestor whispered. "Erestor, about the tailor, I meant now." "Yes My Lord." Erestor said standing and leaving the room. "Now if only I could get him to call me Elrond." Elrond muttered. Erestor walked through the halls slightly stunned. What had gotten into Elrond? He had never taken a real interest in his personal life before, happy that he was a dedicated and good Advisor. The only time they had come close to being friends had been when he was tutoring the twins. It was also then he had realized his attraction, and forced some distance between them. A simple thing of calling him ‘My Lord’ had made him seem untouchable. Erestor reached the tailors and saw that another elf was there picking up some clothing as well. "Ah, Lord Erestor, I was wondering when you would arrive. I have to admit I’m surprised on the color choice but it will be flattering on you." The tailor said, drawing out a light blue robe. Erestor was stunned, Elrond had lost his immortal mind. How could he possibly wear such a thing, without looking like anything but a light blue fool. "I was starting to think you did not know there were other colors beyond black, brown, and gray." The tailor said with a chuckle. Erestor muttered some dwarvish under his breath as he took the robe and made his way back to his chambers to deposit it before he returned to work. ****** Erestor had stood quietly in the corner nursing a glass of wine for the better part of an hour having no interest in a ball but also having been instructed by Elrond to make his presence known. The arrival of the King of Mirkwood and his party was the reason for this celebration. He had brought along his son and if the way he was dancing with the twins was any indication he would get along just fine here. His eyes wandered to Thranduil. Ai Thranduil! Erestor found him arrogant and calculating. He always seemed to be looking down his nose at everyone. He had a feeling it was because Elrond was Half-elven and he had never even once addressed Elrond as Lord. Thranduil should count himself lucky to even be allowed in Elrond’s presence. Elrond was everything a great leader should be: kind, understanding, open, fair, and extremely attractive, at least to Erestor. "See something you like?" Erestor whirled round and found himself face to face to something he wished he could have. "My lord?" "Erestor, go talk to him. I’m sure you and Thranduil would get along. I think you two would have more in common than you would think." "I don’t…" "Go ahead, stop sulking." "But I…" "Go. You both could use some love in your lives." Elrond said before walking over to Lindir who was overseeing all the music for the evening. Erestor had no intention of approaching Thranduil, having no interest in the elf, when Thranduil approached him. "Erestor? Why do you hide yourself in the shadows?" "I am not in the shadows King Thranduil." "Why the formalities? This is a celebration, call me Thranduil. That’s a lovely robe by the way." Thranduil says smiling and Erestor was so surprised at receiving a complement he blushed at the blonde king. These robes, bah, he would probably be laughing at him the moment he turned his back. "Th…Thank you." Erestor whispered. "Erestor, something has been bothering me since the meetings. I’m sure I didn’t sign one of the documents." "But I looked…" "Humour an old elf?" "Fine," Erestor whispered. "They are in my chambers. Follow me." Erestor lead the way to his rooms, annoyed. As if he hadn’t looked the documents over to make sure everything was in order. The more time he spent with Thranduil the more he disliked him, even now the King was sipping his wine and barely looking at Erestor as they left the party. "The scrolls are here." "I thought you said they were in your room?" Thranduil says looking around what clearly looked like a study. "These are my chambers yes. My room is in there." Erestor said pointing to a door. "Yes, well this will only take a moment." Thranduil said as he rifled through the papers. "Yes I was right, I didn’t sign one. A quill please?" Erestor opened a draw and handed it to Thranduil who quickly signed the parchment. Erestor gathered the papers and put them away. He turned to Thranduil who took a step forward and lost his balance tossing his entire wine glass onto Erestor’s light blue robes. Erestor looked at the stain and back at Thranduil who had a sheepish look on his face. "I’m so sorry." Thranduil exclaims patting down Erestor’s chest. "Excuse me, I’m sure you can find your way back to the celebration." "Yes of course." Thranduil says making to leave as Erestor enters his room. He smiles and slowly makes his way to the door of Erestor’s room where the door is slightly ajar. Erestor had already pulled off the soiled robe. ******* The next morning Elrond was surprised not to see Erestor when they were saying goodbye to the Mirkwood party. His Advisor was always up before he was already going through Imladris’ daily rounds. He turned to the twins and smiled, embracing them both. He knew Thranduil would watch over them and the new found friendship with Legolas could only lead to good. "I want you both to behave." "Ada." The twins whined in unison. "You should know I gave Thranduil full permission to discipline you in anyway he sees fit." "Really now Elrond. Do you expect me to turn them over my knee?" Thranduil asked with a chuckle. "If necessary. You haven’t known these two for as long as I have." Elrond said smiling. "I see. I will take it into consideration." Thranduil said grinning. "Ada!" Legolas chided. "I will watch your sons, and I give you the same permission for when the three of them return. Though you may have to learn to climb trees to catch Legolas. Something I would most enjoy seeing in those pretty little robes of yours." "Ha! Thranduil I have seen your formal robes, it’s a wonder you have never been called ‘Queen’." The twins and Legolas exchanged a look, wondering about the formal air their fathers had had for most of the time shattered by playful banter. A side they hadn’t seen since they were children. "Seems to me, dear brother, we will have to be the adults here," Elladan said. "And how could you possibly do that?" Legolas asked grinning. Elrond clapped his hands. "All of you out of my realm. Give me a few moments of peace." "Good bye Ada." The twins said giving their father a final hug before they mounted their horses. Elrond looked over at Thranduil and Legolas and approached Legolas first. "Legolas, it was a pleasure seeing after so long. And I have to say despite your father’s influence you have become a wonderful elf. I hope some of your maturity can rub off on my mad sons." "Thank you Lord Elrond," Legolas said blushing and at the same time trying not to laugh. "And you," Elrond said turning to Thranduil, his features softened. "It is always a pleasure to see you old friend." Elrond whispered. "And you." Thranduil said embracing Elrond. "I will keep them safe." "I know you will." he said as they released each other. Thranduil was the last to mount his horse but he led the party out of the courtyard to where the rest of the elves of both Mirkwood and Imladris were waiting to travel to Mirkwood. Elrond smiled making his way back inside. He would miss his sons, but he knew they were in good hands. He entered his study and there was Erestor was in his usual seat at the desk, but something seemed wrong. He walked over to Erestor and put a hand on his shoulder who nearly jumped out of his skin. "My Lord…I" Erestor stammered, gathering the papers he had scattered. Elrond helped Erestor gather the papers and noticed how tired the elf looked. "Erestor did you get any rest? You look exhausted." "Ye…yes…I’m fine." "Oh!" Elrond exclaimed, realizing what must have happened. "Did you and Thranduil make a night of it then?" "What?" Erestor squeaked, his eyes so large they looked as if they would fall out of his head. "No…nothing…happened…I just had too much wine." "I see." Elrond said with a smile. "But go rest." "I would rather work." Erestor replied politely. "What am I to do with you Erestor?" Elrond said sighing as he went to his own desk. "I do not know My Lord." "For the hundredth time, we are not in a formal meeting just call me Elrond." "I’m sorry." Erestor whispered and went back to work. Chapter 2 Erestor awoke feeling queasy for the fifth day in a row. He had gone to bed without dinner to avoid this but it seemed to have been a failed effort as he emptied to contents of his stomach. He wiped his mouth and after rinsing with water made his way back to his study. He had to move quickly. At this rate Elrond would be done with breakfast before he left his room and that was not acceptable. Erestor collapsed into his chair and Elrond opened the door moments later. Erestor started working knowing what was to come, and Elrond didn’t disappoint. "Erestor, why don’t you join me for breakfast tomorrow?" Erestor looked up surprised. That was not what he had expected. To be told he worked too hard, that he should go out and meet a nice elf but not to join Elrond in breakfast. "You…you want me to join you?" "Don’t seem so surprised, Erestor. It’s been quiet with all the children and even Glorfindel gone." "I don’t think I would be much better company." Erestor said trying to find a way out of this predicament. How could he keep this strange illness a secret? Elves didn’t get ill. He didn’t want to think about what this could be. "Erestor, I would like your company. It would be nice, but I will not force you on me. A boring old elf Lord." "You are not boring. It is I who would have nothing to discuss." Elrond walked over to his desk wondering how he could have worked so closely to someone for so long and not know the slightest bit about them. He was sure that Erestor was interesting, but he had never even gotten him to reveal much about himself. "Well spending all this time alone and inside isn’t good for you. Erestor do you even know what the gardens look like?" "Yes My Lord." Erestor replied to the strange question, then went back to reading. "Hmm, I must be getting old." Elrond said to himself when he realized that he had a quill in his hand, ready to respond to nothing. "Erestor, could you bring me the urgent letters?" "Yes My…" "Erestor!" "Yes…um…Lord Elrond." Elrond sighed. It seemed as though he would never get Erestor to relax. Maybe he should try to acquaint him with Lindir. But the elf had admitted Erestor’s cold demeanour slightly frightened him. Lindir had said he doubted the elf had a heart. Elrond watched as Erestor stood and swayed slightly. He watched with a raised eyebrow as Erestor slowly made his way to Elrond’s desk. Erestor put the papers down and turned to walk back to his own desk. Elrond saw Erestor sway again but was not fast enough to stop the elf from falling to the floor in a dead faint. "ERESTOR!" Elrond exclaimed rushing to the fallen elf. He sat down and rested Erestor’s head in his lap as he stroked the pale cheek. One look at Erestor’s vacant eyes told him that the elf had fainted. He wondered how he hadn’t seen before how ill Erestor looked. There were dark circles under Erestor’s eyes and his skin beyond being extremely pale had a sickly pallor. "Ai, you are killing yourself." Elrond whispered lifting Erestor into his arms. Erestor blinked slowly coming back to awareness. He was being carried, through the hall it would seem. "Wha…" He whispered starting to shift in the strong arms that were holding him. "Erestor be still. We are almost there, you collapsed in the study." "I…I…I’m…I can walk." "Erestor you are in no condition for such. Your body is clearly exhausted. You are working yourself ragged and that just won’t do." Erestor wasn’t sure if he lost awareness again but the next thing he knew he was being placed on a cot in the healing wing. He sat up and Elrond was gathering a tray of herbs from another healer. "Elrond?" Erestor questioned. The elf Lord smiled. "I would have been much happier if you weren’t in a sick bed when you finally addressed me by name. Have you felt strangely recently?" "I have been ill the past five mornings." Erestor whispered. "Why didn’t you say that sooner?" "It would pass by mid day and did not think it was serious. I can do without breakfast. I did not want to trouble you." "You did not have breakfast?" "Nor dinner but it did not help. I did not know I had anything left to get ill with." "Erestor have you eaten anything out of the ordinary in the past few weeks?" "No, I’ve had the same meals I always have." "Hmm, have you felt ill at night?" "No, just in the mornings." "Have you felt any changes within you?" "Changes? I don’t understand." "Erestor I need to ask you something very personal." "What?" Erestor asked his eyes downcast. "Have you had any sexual relations recently?" Elrond didn’t believe it was possible but Erestor paled and then nodded almost imperceptibly. "Were you on the receiving end?" Another minute nod. "Erestor you’re with child." Elrond said hiding his own shock. "Noooo!" Erestor screamed. Elrond stared at his Advisor, wondering why he had such a negative reaction. Erestor looked about ready to burst into tears. "Won’t your lover be happy?" Erestor broke into sobs and then flinched when Elrond tried to touch him. Erestor drew his knees up into his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs with his hair hiding his face. "Erestor, there is still time. You can still be officially bonded. There will be no shame if you two do it quickly." Erestor shook his head his body wracked by sobs. "No." he choked out. "Why? Is he bonded already?" Erestor froze, he neither nodded nor shook his head unable to give any response which was all the response Elrond needed. "Ai Erestor, why would you do such a thing?" "I didn’t…" Erestor muttered more to himself. "Erestor you’re pregnant. Clearly you did…" Erestor’s violent shaking stopped Elrond’s words. "Erestor, are you saying you did not want to have relations with this elf?" Erestor nodded. "Erestor why didn’t you say anything? Who was this elf? He will be made to pay for his crimes." Erestor shuddered but made no move to reply to Elrond. "Erestor look at me." Erestor raised his head slowly, never looking more like a young child to Elrond and yet another random thought struck Elrond. He had no idea what Erestor’s age was. Or even his begetting day. Though most elves did stop celebrating it after a while. Elrond pushed away the stray thoughts and focused on Erestor. "When?" "The night of…the…ball." Erestor whispered still unable to look Elrond in the eye. Elrond felt a twinge of guilt then, but pushed it aside. "You have to tell me who did this to you… Erestor this is a high crime. The involved elf…" Another horrible thought occurred to Elrond. "It was just one elf correct?" "Yes." Erestor said regaining some of his stoic emotional control as he released the death grip he had on his limbs. He was looking Elrond, but the half elf wasn’t fooled. His eyes were locked on his nose. That and the fact that he was seated at the farthest edge of the cot, clearly showed Erestor’s high level of distress. "Erestor please, a name." Elrond coaxed. "It…it…it was…Thranduil." Erestor admitted, looking away. After a few gruelling minutes of silence Erestor finally decided to look at Elrond’s face but wasn’t prepared to see the hate or anger there. He drew away pulling his legs close to his body yet again. "You lie!" Elrond hissed. It was Erestor’s turn to be stunned. "Why would Thranduil force himself on you when he could have much better elves willingly? Why would he when he is in a happy bond with a lovely elf? Why would a King rape a plain, uninteresting elf?" Erestor held back fresh tears at Elrond’s accusations. He should have stuck with his original instinct to never say anything. Now Elrond didn’t even believe him. "Elrond please…" "I am not your familiar. Do not dare think you can taint me with your lies. I was ready to believe your claims but you set the bar too high. How convenient for you. Your supposed attacker is in Mirkwood and can not defend himself. Would you like to tell me the truth now and forget this foolishness you uttered?" Elrond’s cold voice froze Erestor to the core, What was he to say now? Was he to lie and bring another elf into this? That he could not do. He couldn’t take it back now. He had expected Elrond to believe him, not to side with the arrogant Mirkwood king. "I already did." "Get out of my sight!" Elrond roared. Erestor stumbled to his feet and made his way out of the healing wing, still dizzy and light headed. He somehow made it back to his chambers before he collapsed into a sobbing mess at his desk. What was he to do now? Elrond had ordered him out of his sight. Elrond, the only elf he had thought would have believed him. Elrond had called him a liar. ‘Is it that hard to believe? That an elf…’ Erestor almost laughed through his tears. Apparently to Elrond it was, he had finally found out how the one elf he desired above all else felt about him. ****** Elrond sat in the healing wing looking at the spot Erestor had vacated. He wondered why Erestor would ever think he would believe such a thing of his love. Thranduil would never force himself on anyone. He would sacrifice his own heart for the greater good. ~~Flashback~~ Thranduil and Elrond were holding each other in Thranduil’s tent, wrapped up in the luscious furs, each using the other to stave their own grief. Thranduil, who had lost his father and Elrond, who had lost Gil-galad, who had become as close to Elrond as a father. But they both knew this time would be short lived. "I hate this, I hate these stupid rules." "I do too love, but we both don’t have a choice. I have to go become king of Mirkwood and you have to lead Imladris. We don’t have a choice." Thranduil whispered, the tears streaming down his face. "Why couldn’t one of us…" Elrond started as he burst into fresh tears, knowing he was about to lose the only other elf that meant the world to him. "We both know neither of us is fertile, we have tried and tried and tried." Thranduil said with a small smile that Elrond also returned. "Do you…" "I think so, she was my best friend as a child. Her father also fell; he was second in command to Ada. Viiresse, she is a fair elf. I could learn to love her. And you love?" "I have no idea. I don’t want to do this." "We have to. You know children must be born out of a proper bond or they aren’t accepted as the child of the father. We will be expected to have heirs." "Bah! Elves don’t…" Elrond couldn’t finish his arrogant sentence. Most of the time it would have been easy to joke that there was no point in having heirs but they both had seen the folly of such thoughts. "It’s not fair. Who made these stupid rules?" "Stuffy old elves, the same ones who spew nonsense about being bonded after lying with someone. Yeah and Orcs fly." They had stopped talking then, using action to show their love. They had known it was their last night together and more than once they had achieved ecstasy with tears in their eyes. ~~End Flashback~~ Looking back on it now Elrond thought he had been excessively childish in those last hours, especially seeing as he was the elder of the two. "And I had the nerve to wonder where the twins get it from." He mused to himself. Elrond snapped himself back into the present with a shake of his head. He had to deal with Erestor and his lying, conniving ways. What ever his reasons were for dragging Thranduil into this web of lies would be revealed. After stopping to retrieve a vial, he made his way to Erestor’s chambers. Not bothering to knock he pushed open the bedroom door. He looked around the spotless chamber confused. Erestor was nowhere in sight, where else would his advisor go? Elrond was about to leave when he heard a thud. "Of course." Elrond said pushing open the door that joined Erestor’s room to his study. Elrond shook his head at what he saw. Erestor was on the floor beside one of his book shelves surrounded by some fallen books. Erestor clearly thought he was still alone as he reached for a shelf to help pull himself to his feet. The only problem was the case was an addition and not built into the wall like the others and started to tilt forward. Elrond rushed forward and pushed the book case back into place and only a few books fell harmlessly to the floor. Erestor looked at Elrond startled and Elrond extended his arms to help Erestor to his feet. After sitting him down on the couch he removed the vial from his robe. "Every morning place one drop of this into half a glass of water. Do this before you rise out of bed. It will stop the sickness. At least it does for females." "Th…thank you." Erestor whispered. "Maybe you should stay with someone. You shouldn’t be alone in this condition." "Who?" Erestor asked. Elrond looked at Erestor and decided to use a different tactic on his advisor. It was clear that there was a reason why Erestor would rather cry rape than admit his lover. "A friend." Erestor shook his head. "I don’t have anyone I would call such." "You can’t possibly say you don’t have friends. You’ve lived here for thousands of years." "That is exactly what I am saying." "Who do you spend all your time with?" "You." Erestor whispered. "Me?! But we only spend a few hours a day together." ‘Mostly in silence.’ Elrond thought. "What do you do the rest of that time?" "Work." Erestor said simply. "Surely there is someone you talk to, a scribe perhaps? A lower advisor?" "Lord, I am not deaf. They do not like me, so I do not burden them with my company. Why should I?" Elrond rubbed his temples but he had to admit he never saw Erestor socializing. He took most of his meals in his quarters and had to be "ordered" to go to a celebration. "I am used to it. I will survive." "Erestor I will ask you again who was you lover?" "And I ask you how does someone with out friends go about obtaining a lover? I told you what happened," he said, as his cold aloof façade slipped into place. "And I know you lie. All I ask for is the truth. I will keep it between us if you wish and I will do nothing to the other elf. I want to hear the truth." "Why would I lie?" "You may want to protect your lover. How noble of you. But that does not mean you can accuse a king of such a high crime. No one will believe your lie." "It is no lie." "Erestor I am warning you. I will not allow such selfish claims in my realm." "Selfish? To speak the truth?" "Very well. You are forthwith banished from Imladris, under penalty of death unless you speak the truth." "I understand." Erestor whispered, shakily getting to his feet. Elrond was dumbstruck. Erestor would rather leave than to admit the truth? What on earth had gotten into him? "Sit down!" Elrond exclaimed and Erestor collapsed back onto the couch, though Elrond wasn’t sure if it was the order or Erestor’s own weakness. "I am no monster. I will aid you in bringing this child into the world. But you have until that day to tell me the truth or you will be banished along with your child." Elrond stood then not giving Erestor a chance to respond and left the room. As much as he was loathe to do it he had to send word to Thranduil. To warn him if nothing else. Who knew what Erestor would do now? He would do anything to defend and protect his former lover having no doubt in his mind that Thranduil would never do such a thing. Chapter 3 Erestor was already halfway through the morning correspondence when Elrond entered the study with another elf. Elrond just stared at Erestor who seemed oblivious to him as he was engrossed in a document. Elrond cleared his throat and Erestor looked up, ignoring the other elf though he recognized him as the advisor that worked directly below him in rank. He couldn’t recall the elf’s name. "These are the most urgent, and this is a personal letter from Lord Celeborn that arrived this morning." "Wonderful." Elrond said taking the parchments. If it hadn’t been for the brown haired elf at his side he may have just fallen into his daily routine. Elrond sighed; this would have been so much easier if Erestor hadn’t told him yesterday this was all he had. But Elrond just couldn’t pretend everything was normal, and he wasn’t sure he wanted someone like Erestor in such a trustworthy position. "Figwit, could you excuse us for moment?" Figwit nodded and shuffled out of the room. "What are you doing?" Erestor didn’t respond, in fact he didn’t even look up at Elrond as he shook his head and put a parchment aside before picking up another. "Erestor, what are you doing?" "What I always do." Erestor replied. "And what made you think you would still be my Chief Advisor when I can’t trust you to be honest with me? Figwit will be taking over your duties until such time as you see fit to tell the truth." Erestor didn’t argue, he didn’t try to defend himself and for a moment he didn’t do anything. Then he carefully placed the parchment he was reading aside, arranging the pages in their proper order. He put an ink bottle on top of the loose papers and stood. Elrond watched as the elf who had been his Chief Advisor for the last few thousand years walk out of the room. Figwit had a bewildered expression on his face as he entered the room. "What is it?" Elrond asked. "It’s just…what did you say to him?" "Why?" "He looked like…well the only thing that comes close is, hmm…a lost child right at that moment when they realize they are lost. I was sure he was about to burst into tears. I almost asked him what was wrong." "Almost?" Elrond asked with a raised brow. "Well, then I remembered it was Chief Advisor Erestor I was dealing with. It must have been my imagination, he couldn’t possibly show that much emotion. So I am to take over his duties?" "Yes." Elrond said sitting down with what Erestor had already prepared for him. This wasn’t so bad. It seemed that Figwit would do just fine. "So, what’s the real reason you let Erestor go hmm? We all know he works, works, and works some more." "Well it’s not as if it will remain a secret for long. Erestor is with child." Figwit looked over at Elrond then doubled over in a fit of laughter. "No seriously. Why?" Figwit asked but the question was greeted with a deep frown from Elrond. "Seriously?! My word, I would like to meet the elf that melted that ice elf. So when’s the ceremony?" "There isn’t going to be one." "What? Why not?" "That’s where the problem is. Erestor has made some hideous claims against another elf, but refuses to admit the truth. My belief is that elf is bonded with another." Figwit made a stunned gasping noise. "I can’t believe it, and all this time we figured if he had any romantic inclinations they were for you." "Me?" Elrond sputtered. "Well yes, you’re the only person he’s remotely civil to, but maybe that’s because you’re lord. Oh I know! Maybe one of the warriors, even Lord Glorfindel perhaps?" "Glorfindel wasn’t present at the time this was to have occurred, also he is not bonded." "Hmm, what if his lover is someone you sent away with the twins’ party or the Lady Arwen’s. Maybe he has a lover, but he isn’t the father?" "Hmm, a valid point. Why not cry rape to keep this lover a secret?" Elrond mused to himself. "Rape?! He’s lying about that! What kind of elf is he?" "A desperate one. You wouldn’t have any ideas on who this could be?" "I would guess a warrior of some sort. All the scribes and advisors feel the same I do. As do the minstrels, it could also be an elf on the kitchen staff I suppose." "I see. Well you have given me a lot to think about, but we should get back to work." "Sure Elly." Figwit said leaning back as he started to casually go through the papers, his mind already wondering how the other advisors would react to hearing his bombshell. ‘Elly?’ Elrond mouthed but said nothing, he saw no reason to be called lord in an informal situation but Elly? ******* Elrond was going mad. In the week that Figwit had been his acting chief advisor, it seemed that everything that could go wrong did. Figwit could not keep up with the work load and had asked Elrond to get an assistant or two. Now there were four elves barely keeping up with the work once done by one. That and their constant chatter was driving Elrond up the wall. It had come to the point that he considered taking the urgent documents to his private quarters. "I swear he didn’t sleep to do this work all alone." Figwit muttered and his four shadows burst into a fit of giggles. "Well you know he didn’t sleep," Pelin said with a giggle. That was another thing that annoyed Elrond: Figwit was an incurable gossip. The day he had divulged about Erestor’s condition, it seemed all of Imladris was privy to the information. He was about to find any excuse to leave when he heard a knock on the door. "Enter." "Lord Elrond! Thank the Valar I found you." "Calm down, Tella. What is the matter?" "Well you see," she glanced at the four other elves. "Can we discuss this alone?" Elrond nodded. It seemed as though he was the only one who hadn’t known Figwit’s reputation. But the elf had barely spoken around him in the past. "Well, it’s Lord Erestor. He’s always been so nice to me. Little things you know thank you, having his tray ready to go, very polite. I just don’t want those gossips to get wind of this. Who knows how they would twist it. You wouldn’t believe the things they are saying about the poor dear…" "Tella is this why you came to liberate me from the giggling harpies in there?" "Well I went to the healers and they refused to help. Two days I begged and pleaded, but they just ignore me or yell for me to go back to the kitchens. And then I hear about his condition. I just don’t understand it." "What is it?" "Well I noticed that Erestor had been eating less and less, at first it didn’t really bother me. He’s never been a very big eater. But three days ago he stopped eating at all. He just sits on his couch and stares straight ahead. Nothing I say rouses him. I…I…I even slapped him. I am worried for him and the little one." Elrond frowned. What was Erestor up to now? "I will go take a look." "Thank you My Lord." she said with a relieved smile as she followed Elrond to Erestor’s chambers. He opened the door to the bed room and looked back at Tella confused. "Oh I haven’t seen him in his room in weeks. He’s always in his study." Elrond pushed open the door and walked over to Erestor. He bent down in front of the elf and just stared at him. He took Erestor’s hand and it twitched. Elrond stared at Erestor and saw the awareness slowly returning to him. Elrond frowned and pulled back. Erestor blinked a few times then looked up at Elrond with confusion on his face. "No friends indeed. Don’t bother me again," Elrond said and stomped out of the room. "What just happened?" Erestor muttered not noticing Tella. He started to drift off again when someone grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "No! No more of that." "What? Oh, hello. Is it lunch then?" Erestor asked. Tella stared at Erestor with tears in her eyes. "Yes. Let me go fetch something for you. Oh Lord Erestor, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble could I borrow a book of poetry on the second age?" Tella said hoping to keep Erestor from falling into whatever stupor he had fallen into before. "Of course." he said going to his personal library as she rushed off to the kitchens to gather a meal for the frazzled elf. ******* Three days later Elrond was still trying to make sense of that strange scene with Tella. He finally decided to confront Erestor about it and left his study without a word to the giggling harpies. He went directly into Erestor’s study and found the elf seated in the same position in what seemed to be reverie. As he did before he took Erestor’s hand and a few moments later Erestor was again aware of his surroundings. It was the second time around Elrond noticed he had given Erestor a tiny jolt with his healing energy. "Weren’t you here just a few moments ago?" Erestor asked, confused. "Moments?" "With the nice girl, um, Tella, yes from the kitchens." "Erestor that was three days ago." "Days? Wasn’t it just a few hours? She borrowed a book when she came back with lunch my mind wandered. I think I would know if I was sitting here for days." "What have you done since I released you?" "Thought about where I would go." "And where is that?" Elrond asked. "The only place I can, Lorien." "Wouldn’t it be easier to speak the truth? Just tell me what really happened? Do you think Galadriel and Celeborn will be anymore welcoming to your lies? They will not welcome you. If you do not care for your self, do the right thing for this child." "This *child* should not exist. I did not ask for this thing." Erestor hissed. "This thing as you so like to call it is an innocent soul. You will not harm it." "Not only do you think me a liar you think me a killer." "You just referred to your child as a thing…" "What else would you call this abomination? It does not mean I would do it harm, I am no monster." Erestor said throwing Elrond’s words back at him. "Fine, I have no interest in this. As your healer I tell you confining yourself to your rooms is not healthy. I want you to take a daily walk, outside and start to eat more. Has the sickness passed?" "I believe so." "You believe?" "I’m not sure…have I been sitting here for three days?" "Longer if you count the three days before that." Erestor paled. "Then yes it has passed." "Good." "Wouldn’t…I mean…if you prefer I can speak to another healer." "They will not treat you; they heard of your condition and surrounding claims and refused Tella for two days." Erestor’s skin seemed to have taken on a yellowish tint. "They know?" "Nearly all of Imladris knows, that is why Tella was so worried. I will leave word with her to supervise your diet. You are to eat everything she prepares for you." "Yes, My Lord." "And do not forget the walks." "Yes, My Lord." "I will look upon you again in a week’s time. If you do not follow these rules I see no reason for you to stay in Imladris any longer." "I understand" Erestor whispered. "Good." Elrond said leaving Erestor’s chambers. ^*^Blue Gold^*^ ~Look for me in the white forest hiding in a hollow tree~ http://goldshowers.bravepages.com http://pub10.ezboard.com/binsilpionslight http://silpionslight.0catch.com