Part Thirty

"You know something," Erestor said to Silindë in a low voice. He tried not to sound accusatory, but he had always had a suspicious nature. Despite how happy he was with his new young lover, Erestor still had fears, which he tried to hide deep inside.

Silindë was young and beautiful and golden and had clearly learned a few tricks from Thranduil in the bedroom. Erestor had tried more different positions in the past week than he had in the five thousand years before this. He was amazed that he was able to keep up. No wonder Lord Elrond had ensconced himself in the Elvenking's bedroom. He needed this sort of activity even more than Erestor did.

Silindë had gathered all the Elves of Mirkwood together in the palace and dispersed them in small groups to search it from top to bottom. Glorfindel had been sent to search the dungeons, along with Saelbeth, whom Erestor knew was regarded with suspicion. Erestor was doing his best to stay calm, but the thought of the death of Haldir of Lórien filled him with a grief that it was hard to lay aside. And if anything happened to Legolas, Thranduil was going to go mad with grief. They would all be in danger. They would all be lucky if he did not have every elf in the palace killed.

Silindë looked at Erestor with guilt in his blue eyes. He took the Councilor's hands in his own and bent towards him to speak softly into his ear.

"I listened at the door. I should not have, but, forgive me, I am glad I did. Haldir is not dead, just in a coma. He was poisoned, and the poison came from the giant spiders. He should be fine in a few days. Elrond and Thranduil are keeping this information close. I think they fear Legolas will be harmed if the ruse is not believed."

"And there is no question that Legolas did not poison Haldir himself?"

"Legolas would never harm another elf. Beside, he is in love with Haldir."

"Then he is truly in danger. Silindë--"

"Yes?"

"Meant you to hide this from me?"

"I wanted to tell you…. yet I thought perhaps I should leave that to Lord Elrond?"

Erestor felt a little better. He knew Silindë was torn as to what he should do. And he was right, Elrond should tell him this. He was supposed to be the Chief Advisor after all, and how could he give advice if Elrond continually refused to tell him what was going on? He still had not even been told the real reason they had come to Mirkwood in the first place.

"I need to have a discussion with my lord," Erestor said irritably. Silindë looked worried and miserable, so Erestor kissed him on the mouth. "I love you. You are loyal and good and pure of heart. You share much in common with your friend the Prince."

Silindë smiled slightly. "I fear for him, Erestor. I cannot bear to think that he might be lost."

"I know. Lead the search, Silindë. Keep the others from panicking. I will go speak to Elrond, and see you a bit later."

He kissed Silindë again and hurried out of the Great Hall. Erestor went directly to Legolas' room. He did not knock. He simply pushed open the door and nearly knocked down Glorfindel, who had apparently been about to open it. Glorfindel bared his teeth at Erestor, then disappeared out of the room and down the hall. The War Councilor really was an odd duck, Erestor thought. Was he not supposed to be searching the dungeons with Saelbeth?

Inside the room, Haldir of Lórien lay on the bed covered only with a sheet over his waist. Erestor wondered idly if he was unclothed beneath the sheet, since he clearly had no tunic on, and was willing to bet that he was. He could guess that they had been doing when he was poisoned. He was beautiful, and he certainly did for all appearances seem to be dead. The bed was surrounded by the sons of Elrond and their father, Thranduil, and the brothers of Haldir. They all stared at him.

"My Lord Elrond, I need to speak with you," he said.

"Not now, Erestor," Elrond said, scowling at him. Erestor scowled back.

"Surely you can leave the corpse to the mourners for a few moments," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He looked at Rúmil and Orophin, who both seemed pale and ill, but not as upset as someone who has lost their closest relative should be. "Have you no tears for Haldir?" Erestor said to them. "One might expect a little grief on all accounts for such a great loss."

Elrond stalked over to him and put a forceful hand on his shoulder, turning him around and propelling him into the hallway. He closed the door behind them.

"What in Middle-earth has possessed you to be so rude?"

"Have I been dismissed from my post?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why, Elrond, do you no longer confide in me? If not for the sake of my post, then for the sake of a friendship which ranges back for-- for millennia! You are not the same elf of late. Certainly lying with Thranduil has improved your disposition, which was badly needed, but you still are sly and secretive -- quite unlike yourself. Do you no longer need me, Elrond?"

Elrond looked guilty, then defeated. "Of course I need you, Erestor. I could not govern Imladris without you."

"Then stop hiding things from me. Tell me what is going on."

"Clearly you are already well aware that Haldir of Lórien still lives, despite the appearance of death."

"Clearly."

"How did you know?"

"Never mind that. Go on. Why is this being hidden?"

"It was decided between Thranduil and myself that it was best to let the murderer think he had been successful, to protect Haldir in the state he is in now."

"Will not the six of you standing round his bier protect him?" Erestor asked, knowing he still sounded excessively sarcastic. Few would have dared to take this tone with Elrond but he had known the Lord of Imladris for a very long time.

"Erestor, please. The most important thing right now is that Legolas be found. I need you to help with this."

"Have you any notion as to who committed this crime?"

"I do not wish to point any fingers until there is concrete evidence. Do not fear, your lover is not under suspicion."

"I never thought that he was. Besides, we have rarely been apart this past week. I think I would know if he had kidnapped the Prince. Elrond, are you ever going to tell me the truth of why we came to Mirkwood?"

Elrond sighed. "Very well, but you must keep this to yourself. I came to ask Thranduil to wed Legolas to Arwen."

Erestor laughed. "Think you Arwen will agree to that?"

"She is obedient."

Erestor repressed a smirk. That was what Elrond thought. "And Legolas? He is sleeping with Haldir."

"Yes, yes, I know. Thranduil made it a condition that Legolas agree, but also that he not be informed until we clear out the spiders and the orcs-- stop laughing."

"Your friend Thranduil is taking advantage of you. I only hope he is making it up to you in the bedroom."

"You are far too bold, Erestor."

Erestor wondered if he should tell Elrond that Silindë thought Legolas was in love with Haldir, and therefore not very likely to agree to marry Arwen. He decided this little fact could wait, since first they had to find the Prince. He nodded.

"I will go back to the search," he said softly, laying a hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Keep up the spirits of the King, my lord."

Elrond only nodded, then he turned and went back into the Prince's chamber.