Lord Elrond sat up just a little straighter by habit when Thranduil burst into the room. The sight of the tawny King of Mirkwood always put him on his guard, normally because he and Thranduil were generally trading barbed remarks. He had never seen Thranduil in a state such as he was in now, looking so unnaturally upset. Had it been anyone else, he might have wondered if they were drinking wine early in the morning. As it was, his first thought was that this must be some sort of joke on Thranduil's part.

He knew better when Legolas immediately jumped to his feet and ran to his father's side. Legolas was far too noble to be any part of Thranduil's chicaneries and Thranduil at least could be counted on not to use his son against his will or without his knowledge. Haldir rose as well. The Marchwarden of Lórien had always been a friend to the House of Mirkwood.

"Elrond!" Thranduil shouted, "Glorfindel--"

A chill went through the Lord of Imladris. Glorfindel was one of his oldest friends as well as his trusted War Councilor.

"Yes, what is it?" he asked, rising from the table.

"Did you kill him with your lust?" Erestor said, narrowing his dark eyes. The Chief Advisor did not get up from his seat.

"It has been decades since I killed anyone with my lust," Thranduil snapped, meeting Erestor's challenging gaze. "Now I only pierce their nipples with gold rings, or had you not heard?"

Elrond had heard the rumor himself, he thought, and presenting himself without his tunic on in front of half the population of Imladris, his own gold rings bared and bold for all to see, Thranduil was only going to keep tongues wagging. Elrond might have pointed this out had he not been so concerned for Glorfindel.

"What of Glorfindel?" he interrupted.

"He is up on the roof!" said Thranduil.

"The roof?"

"Does he mean to cast himself off?" asked Haldir, frowning. "Is that your concern, King Thranduil?"

Thranduil nodded, clasping Haldir's arm. "I awakened only in time to see him disappearing through the window."

Erestor chuckled softly. "Is that all?"

"What mean you, is that all, Erestor?" Thranduil snarled. "For all your jealousy, I would have thought that Glorfindel's safety would have been important to you."

The mirth left Erestor's expression but a dull satisfaction seemed to linger in his eyes. "I know more about Lord Glorfindel than you can hope to discover in a millennia. He is perfectly safe on the roof and not likely attempting some sort of suicide -- though were I in his shoes, I might feel inclined to do so myself.."

Elrond turned and gave Erestor a cutting look. He did not want his advisor arguing with the King of Mirkwood, even if Thranduil possibly deserved it. Erestor was one elf nobody liked to argue with, for his inexorable adherence to the side of logic generally made him the winner every time.

"Master Erestor, would you please explain to us, as you seem to know, what Glorfindel might possibly be doing on the roof that does not threaten his health?"

Erestor sighed. "He thinks no one knows that this is where he goes to escape. To think. He sits up there for hours at a time. I am simply amazed that no one besides me has ever noticed this."

"As am I," Elrond murmured. "Thranduil, did you not attempt to follow him onto the roof and see for yourself what he might be doing there?"

"Father is afraid of heights," said Legolas defensively. Thranduil did not appear to be pleased that this had been revealed.

"No wonder you never go to visit Lady Galadriel," said Elrond, trying not to smile. "And I thought you preferred Imladris for the wine."

Thranduil sighed. "I would think I could count on you not to exploit my disinclination for high places, Elrond."

"Forgive me," Elrond replied, "But I am rather surprised."

"No elf likes his weakness revealed."

"My apologies, Father," Legolas said.

"Do not concern yourself with it, Legolas," Thranduil said, apparently forgiving him. "But now, would anyone be so inclined as to fetch Glorfindel down for me? How about you, Erestor, since you seem to be so familiar with the roof?"

Before Erestor could give what would no doubt have been a scathing reply, Lord Glorfindel himself showed up in the doorway behind Thranduil.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, looking slightly startled.

"King Thranduil was convinced you had gone to throw yourself off the roof after lying with him," Erestor said.

Elrond turned and looked at Erestor. "Perhaps you ought to go oversee the burial of the troll. I am not sure I trust Elrohir out there with a work crew."

"I am sure that--"

"Just go, please, Erestor," Elrond sighed.

Smirking slightly, the Chief Advisor got up and flowed out of the dining hall. Thranduil seemed hardly to notice him as he was caught up in the appearance of Glorfindel, but the War Councilor looked at the departing advisor with curiosity.

"I just go there to think sometimes," Glorfindel explained to the assembled company. He seemed slightly surprised and bewildered.

"Then all is well," said Thranduil affectionately.

"I am glad," said Glorfindel, smiling at him. Elrond had not seen Glorfindel look so happy in a long time. Suddenly he wondered if this pairing might not be a good idea after all.

"Father, perhaps you should go back to your room and finish dressing," Legolas suggested. "Your appearance is causing a distraction."

"You will leave half of Imladris in love with you," Glorfindel added, slipping a finger through one of Thranduil's gold rings and twisting it slightly.

It was a pungent reminder of Elrond's own loneliness. "Well now," he said. "As we have gotten the confusion cleared up and hopefully taught Lord Glorfindel the perils of walking on the roof, I have business to go about. Haldir, Elladan, you wished to watch the wine-making. You may join me if you like. And Legolas, although you are well familiar with the crushing of the grape, you are certainly more than welcome to come along as well."

"Does this please you, Orophin?" Legolas asked, reminding Elrond that the Prince had a new lover as well.

Orophin nodded his approval. "Rúmil, will you come as well, or are you and Elrohir--"

"I shall be happy to," Rúmil said quickly -- almost too quickly.

Did he have a problem with Elrohir? Elrond frowned and silently vowed to find out. Elrohir had been causing far too much trouble lately. Perhaps it was time his sons were sent out on another orc hunting mission… and yet it seemed a shame to break apart Haldir and Elladan when they had so clearly found an accord, and Haldir had raised Elladan from the sadness that had haunted him so recently. He would have to consider this carefully.

Nodding to Thranduil, Elrond left the dining hall with most of the assembled company in tow.