Lord Elrond of Rivendell wondered if he were the only elf in all of Imladris that was spending this night alone. Elladan was with Haldir, Elrohir was apparently with Rúmil, Thranduil was with Glorfindel -- and that would likely be some mess to sort out in the morning -- and Orophin was with Legolas, even if the Prince of Mirkwood was unconscious. Maybe Elrond would go back and check on him later.

He had just finished looking in on Radagast the Brown, who was asleep and snoring soundly, in no worse shape for the trouble he had caused. The body of the troll would have to be buried in the morning. Maybe Elrond would put Erestor in charge of that. The Chief Advisor would no doubt be irritated that he had missed all of the excitement -- or rather, that he had not yet heard about it yet.

Or had he? As Elrond rounded the corner Erestor came barreling towards him with a speed that Elrond had never known him to possess, his black robes flying out in an arc around him, his pointed face bearing its customary haughty expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but Elrond cut him off.

"Do you think, Erestor, that I am doomed to be forever lonely?"

Erestor screeched to a halt and his mouth remained open. Now he looked slightly shocked, and Elrond was relatively sure it was because he did not usually discuss personal matters with him. Somehow the shocked look was satisfying and it prompted Elrond to go on in this vein.

"My sons and Legolas have taken up with the Lórien party. Thranduil has apparently commandeered Lord Glorfindel, and here stand I, wandering the corridors by myself at this hour. What about you, Erestor? Have you no lover this night?"

Erestor's mouth snapped shut and his ears turned scarlet. Elrond had to suppress a chuckle. He was taking far too much pleasure in tormenting the councilor.

"My lord… I… know not what to say. Your wife--"

"My wife is in Valinor, far away."

"One day you will sail back to be reunited with her."

"Perhaps. But what about tonight? And tomorrow night? And all the endless years that lie between then and now…"

Erestor stood staring at him, still stunned. "What exactly are you asking of me, my lord?" he asked finally.

Elrond threw his head back and laughed uproariously. "Not what you are thinking, I assure you."

Erestor looked half relieved and half disappointed. "Ah."

Elrond sighed. "Forgive me, my old friend. I do not mean to shock you with my late night melancholy. What is it that you came to tell me?"

"You already seem to know the better part of it," Erestor said. "I…am concerned for the well-being of Lord Glorfindel. And also, there is apparently a dead troll in the lower gardens. Your statuary has…suffered."

"May I ask, Master Erestor, the nature of your concern for Lord Glorfindel?" came an amused, purring voice that could belong only to one elf. Elrond felt his temple begin to throb as he turned to see Thranduil leaning against the wall. He truly, truly did not wish to speak to the King of Mirkwood right now.

Thranduil was fully dressed, but his clothing was rumpled, as if it had been lying on the floor for some time. His wavy gold hair was as shiny as ever but parts of it appeared to be tangled. The circlet he customarily wore on his head to denote his station was crooked.

Erestor's ears turned even more red, and Elrond would not have been surprised if they burst into flames. Elrond supposed that he could save his Chief Advisor some embarrassment by changing the subject -- he was going to have to tell Thranduil about his son's injury -- but Erestor drew himself up and looked directly into the King's eyes.

"I was concerned that he might find himself in the same condition as the statuary."

"Suffering?" said Thranduil. "Elrond, Elrond, Elrond. What sort of things do you tell your people about me? Your son Elrohir cost me my night with Rúmil with his gossiping, and Glorfindel required a thorough demonstration of my kind and gentle nature."

"Your what?" said Elrond. Thranduil's eyes twinkled and he smiled at him, but he turned his attention back to Erestor.

"My dear councilor, Glorfindel has not suffered at my hands. If you wish to ascertain this for yourself, he is down in the kitchen fetching some wine for me."

"Lord Glorfindel is not a servant--"

"I am well aware of that, Master Erestor," Thranduil said. "I did not force him to it -- or anything else."

"Then if you will excuse me. Lord Elrond, the troll--"

"Yes, have it burned or buried in the morning, and commission some new statues for that area, will you, Erestor, please?" Elrond said wearily. "Perhaps order a few extra ones as well. I seem to have tremendously bad luck with statuary."

"Very good, my lord." Erestor turned with a swirl of black velvet robes and stalked off.

"Is he in love with Glorfindel?" Thranduil asked, watching him go. "I would not have infringed."

"If he is, no one has ever spoken to me of it."

"I was of the opinion that Glorfindel was taken with Elrohir."

Elrond stood stiffly. "That would be inappropriate, although it would explain a great deal."

Thranduil laughed. "You just cannot manage to control your children, can you, Elrond?"

"Children," Elrond replied icily, thinking of Legolas, "Do not need to be controlled."

"Not all parents can be as lucky as I am," Thranduil said proudly. "Now what is this about a troll? You did not tell me you were having games!"

"It was more of an accident than a game," Elrond said sourly. "The troll was dispatched. Your son assisted and I daresay we would have faced much more danger had he not kept a level head and appeared with weapons… unlike myself, my sons, or any of the Lórien party, who all came to investigate."

"Ah, Legolas does take after me, does he not? I shall have to give him a gift for this -- no, you shall, Elrond. Something to show your gratitude! And do not harbor any lecherous thoughts."

An elf with less self-control might have blushed, but Elrond simply grew more irritated with the brash King. "Very well, I do not mind giving Legolas a gift -- however, you should be aware that he suffered an injury and was brought unconscious to his room. Orophin is with him now."

Thranduil turned pale as the shock hit him. "Why did you not send for me?" he said, his voice falling for a whisper. Tears came to the King's eyes and Elrond suddenly felt sorry for him. He truly did love his child.

"Elrohir told me you were preoccupied, and Legolas will be fine. I tended to him myself and left Orophin with orders to fetch me if I am needed," Elrond said gently.

Thranduil drew in a deep breath. "If you say that he will be all right, then he will. There is no greater healer than you in all of Middle-earth." He grasped Elrond's shoulder, surprising him. "Thank you for taking care of him. Now, if you will excuse me, I will go to check on him."

"Very well. Good night, Thranduil."

Thranduil turned and strode away, but half-way down the hall he stopped and looked back. "Oh, and do tell Lord Glorfindel, if you see him, to bring the wine to my room. I will meet him there as soon as I can."

Elrond shook his head as he was left, once more, all alone.