“There are a few minor problems that have arisen.”
Erestor furrowed his brow as he turned to the door. “Why do I get the feeling these problems are not as minor as you would have me believe?”
Dressed in his finest, the blue, silver, and white that designated him as both head of the military and keeper of the sixth Gondolin gate, Ecthelion scratched at the molding around the doorway. “The official ministrant still keeps his vigil over his father’s body and refuses to come down to perform the ceremony.”
Momentarily, this seemed to dampen Erestor’s spirits. The captain simply shrugged as he turned back to Laiqalasse, his designated elf of honor for the marriage, and continued to ready himself for the day. “Then we shall need to find another to perform the rites. What are the other issues?”
“The wedding cake was accidentally dropped on its way to the hall.”
“I never liked wedding cakes myself. Too sugary. I suspect there is something that can be done to replace it somehow?”
“The bakers are scurrying around in an attempt to do so.” Ecthelion nearly managed to get a sliver in his finger from his worrying of the wood, so he folded his hands before him and said, “There is one other item.”
“Oh?”
“Glorfindel is ill.”
Erestor smirked. “Because he is young, and one would expect him to get marriage jitters. It will be alright; I shall speak with him before the ceremony. I am sure our brides are going through the same thing.”
“No, I think Glorfindel is more than nervous. I truly think he is sick. He is in bed, writhing in pain, clutching his stomach. When I suggested calling a healer, he refused vehemently. I had no idea what to do, except to come to you.”
Unfastening the ceremonial sword from his hip, Erestor placed it upon the bed and turned once again toward Ecthelion. “He is in his room?” Ecthelion nodded.
Erestor took long strides across his room, passing by Ecthelion as he went. “See if you can find a Sedryner minister or something,” he said, to which Ecthelion responded with, “Sure, give me the impossible task.”
Laiqalasse was on Erestor’s heels as he walked briskly down the halls to another wing entirely. “Do you think we might need to postpone?” offered the younger elf.
“No. I think Glorfindel is just being dramatic,” mumbled Erestor with a sigh. The last few days had been full of complaints of headaches, stomach cramps, and fevers, all of which the dark haired ellon had brushed off. He came to the door of his friend and rapped on the wood before trying the knob and finding the door unlocked.
Glorfindel was still in bed, as Ecthelion had described, doubled over and clutching his belly. “Oh, no, none of this. Come on, get up,” Erestor insisted, grabbing hold of one of Glorfindel’s feet and shaking it. A whimper came from the bundle of blankets. “Fin?”
Wincing, Glorfindel sat up, drenched in sweat. “I feel like I am dying,” he moaned.
“You look terrible,” remarked Laiqalasse, standing beside Erestor with his arms crossed.
Erestor sunk down onto the bed and placed his hand upon Glorfindel’s forehead. “You are a bit warm,” he admitted. “Where does it hurt?”
“Everywhere, but mostly here,” he said, still holding his stomach. “And my back hurts, too.”
“Alright, lie down.” Erestor scratched his chin and looked around for a cause. “Have you been drinking much lately?”
“No, nothing. I can barely eat,” groaned Glorfindel.
“It could be a pulled muscle or something of that sort,” suggested Laiqalasse, but again, Glorfindel shook his head.
Looking around the room, Erestor saw the freshly pressed garments for the impending ceremony and the small box of personal items still waiting to be moved to the new rooms Glorfindel would share with Tauniel. “The guests are already assembling. We need to get you bathed and dressed. Laiqalasse, can you go to the kitchens and see if there is some sort of soothing tea or something that you can bring?”
“Sure.” Laiqalasse headed for the door, but then stopped and came back. “Erestor, about the minister... well, I could always try to perform the ceremonies if you want me to. I have never performed one, but if it comes to it, I meet the qualification.”
“I know that, but if you and Galdor want to keep your sway in council, it may be best for you not to appear as a religious extremist,” said Erestor.
“Extremist?” Laiqalasse laughed at this. “I would take that risk; I think you overestimate the negative perception of my beliefs.”
“Overall, the population would side with you, yes. In council, it is a different matter.”
“Still, it is a risk I would take.”
With a nod, Erestor turned his head. “So be it.”
Laiqalasse smiled a little. “Thank you. Now, which of the ceremonies is to be first, so that I can prepare?”
“They are to happen simultaneously.” Erestor moved to the tub to check the temperature of the water, and then added drops of oil into the bath.
“That would not be proper,” Laiqalasse replied.
Walking back to the bed, Erestor coaxed Glorfindel to sit up again. “That is the way we want it to be.”
“You should tell him,” mumbled Glorfindel.
Laiqalasse frowned and came closer again. “Tell me what?”
Erestor chewed his lip for a moment, and then sighed and lowered his voice. “There is a bit of deception going on. It is not Aranel and I who are getting married or Tauniel and Glorfindel, but rather Aranel and Tauniel.”
“I see,” said Laiqalasse after a pause. “So, the two of you are just the stand-ins, to make it look convincing. There does seem to be a flaw in your plans.”
“We will work that out later,” Erestor said hastily. “Knowing what you do now, are you still willing to perform the marriage?”
Laiqalasse nodded without hesitation. “When I chose my path and began to minister, I did so knowing that things like this could happen. I am glad you told me ahead of time; I will adjust the ceremony accordingly.”
“No one else must know,” warned Erestor.
“I assumed as much,” answered Laiqalasse. “I will go to the kitchens and see what I can find to ease your pain, my friend,” he said to Glorfindel, who was huddled on the bed.
Once Laiqalasse had gone, Erestor helped Glorfindel to sit once more. “We need to get you cleaned up,” he said, pulling the linen nightshirt up over his companion’s head. Glorfindel promptly flopped over onto his opposite side, arms crossed over his hips. “Glorfindel, I am going to ask you something. I am only asking once, and I expect an honest answer. It will not anger me to hear the truth, but I will be upset later if I find out you lied to me now. Are you trying to find a way to stop the wedding from happening?”
Glorfindel whined softly, and shook his head. “No. I wish I felt better. I am not backing out, I just feel terrible!” Tears began to fall, and Glorfindel was drawn up into Erestor’s arms.
“Alright, alright, I am so sorry, my dear, dear friend. I had to ask—you understand, I hope,” crooned Erestor, and Glorfindel nodded against him. “Here; let us get you to the bath. It may make you feel better.”
“Is it warm?” asked Glorfindel, teeth chattering. “The air is a bit chilly now.”
Confusion set in as Erestor checked Glorfindel’s temperature once more and found his face and temples were cool to the touch. “When I arrived, you were burning, and now... I wish you would allow me to call a healer!”
“No, no healers. The last time this happened, I was laughed at. They told me it was all in my head.”
“The last time?” Erestor was aiding Glorfindel to the tub, hoping the water had not cooled overly much. “This has happened before?”
“About ten years ago,” confirmed the blond as he sunk down into the water with a shiver. “Feels like ice.”
“You should have gotten in earlier when it was still warm,” Erestor half-scolded. “Wait here, I will be right back.”
“Where do you think I am going to go?” wondered Glorfindel, sinking down into the water until it covered his shoulders and lapped against his chin. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt another sharp pain in his middle and willed himself not to cry again.
Erestor returned soon, as promised. “I asked a maid to bring hot water to add to the bath. Ecthelion was in the hallway, and I told him we found a minister, so he is going to calm the masses and let them know there will be a slight delay. The bakers solved the cake issue, but it is a bit odd what they have done. They are using chocolate cake for the bottom layers and cheesecake for the middle, with glazed strawberries atop. It will be... different,” decided Erestor.
“Cheesecake? Have I had that before?”
“You tell me,” said Erestor as he located the shampoo and set it at the ready for when the water arrived.
“I do not think so.”
“Then we had best make you presentable, or it will remain that way.”
