Title: Of Gondolin Part 2/??
Rating: PG-13 so far
Pairing: GlorfindelxLaiqalassë, GlorfindelxEcthelion & a few random hinted ats…
Disclaimer: Although these characters are based on Tolkien’s, they are by no means completely accurate representations of them. And although some of the situations described are based on canon events, these are my interpretations of it. This is fiction for the pure and simple pleasure of it, nothing for profit. I own nothing.
Summary: Life in Gondolin, for the Lord and Captain of the House of the Golden Flower.
Note: This is all amakarie’s fault for encouraging me. This part beta’d by amakarie & shizzical but further feedback is welcomed.

A soft melody could be heard as Glorfindel approached his office. He was not surprised to find Ecthelion sitting next to his desk as he entered. Of the Lord of the Fountain , it should always be recalled that although his house rejoiced greatly in the sparkling of diamonds and silver, so too did they rejoice in the sparkling sound of flute music. Ecthelion was counted among the most talented minstrels of the city for his skill on that instrument. The blonde smiled as his friend withdrew the flute from his lips upon his entrance.

“I hope I have not kept you waiting too long?”

“Not overly long. Shall we go over the patrol schedules, then?”

Ecthelion carefully tucked his flute into the case he carried for it, before gesturing to the papers before them.

Glorfindel nodded but did not yet take his chair.

“But let me ask a servant for food, first. I have not yet bothered to eat this day. You will join me?”

“An excellent idea! Food is most welcome.”

A smile crossed Ecthelion’s lips as a sudden thought came to him. “Tell me, my dearest friend, what you have been so occupied with this morn that you have not bothered to eat?”

After catching the attention of a servant and relaying his instructions for their luncheon, Glorfindel returned to the desk to sit with his friend. “I rode out early this morning to check on the patrols at the gates, but on my way back I found that it was too lovely a day not to stay outdoors a bit longer. So I forwent my breakfast in favour of the training yards. There I ran into Galdor, so we sparred for some time.”

“Ah. Who won?”

“Galdor.”

Green-gray eyes looked up from the papers they had been studying with a knowing twinkle.

“So what you actually meant to say is that you ran into Galdor and Laiqalassë?”

“Stop it, Ecthelion,” Glorfindel sighed. “It is but a small attraction which I do not think is returned and I have no plan in pursuing it. It will pass, and I have no need of a matchmaker.”

“You really need to stop falling for your close friends, Glor.”

Ecthelion smiled fondly at the blonde and pressed a hand gently to his cheek.

Glorfindel nuzzled the offered hand gently before pulling away, remembering well when Ecthelion had been the focus of his attraction and knowing the dark-haired elf had been referring to the same.

“That was also an infatuation, and it did pass. So you can understand why I am not terribly worried about this situation.”

“Excepting that we both know this is a much stronger infatuation then you have ever felt. I know you, Glor, am I not your closest friend? Have you not shared all such thoughts with me over the many centuries we’ve known one another, whether you meant to or not?” Then, almost as an afterthought, he added quietly: “Besides we both know that Laiqalassë actually has sought after males in past. Always, before, it was not possible for your interest to be returned.”

“Are you encouraging me, now?”

Ecthelion paused to actually think about this. Should he encourage this?

“Possibly. I do not know that I mean to. I do think you would make a cute couple…”

“Aiya! Ecthelion!” Glorfindel blushed fiercely at the unexpected support, and playfully punched his companion in the arm.

“Alright, peace, Glor.” The Fountain Lord rubbed his offended limb. “I will leave it be. But you should not.”

Glorfindel nodded mutely, not sure what he should think at all. Together, they turned back to their work, speaking softly about which guards should take which shifts and thanking the servant who finally arrived with their lunch, and even joking about past shared experiences. They tried not to be too distracted by other thoughts.

~~~~~

The wind plucked delicately at the braids that held his dark hair away from his face, attempting to pull loose any stray strand it could find. Green-gray eyes scanned the horizon, noticing nothing unusual. The valley was as quiet and safe as the day Ulmo had first revealed it to Turgon.

Ecthelion nodded to himself, assured of the continued safety of their secret city. Gondolin. The secret stone. A place of unrivaled beauty and peace for all Elvenkind. Well, at least those who were so fortunate as to dwell there. Newcomers were rare, as it was the very secrecy of the city that allowed it to remain the haven it was.

Days had passed since his conversation with Glorfindel, but his friend had said nothing of it since, so he had kept quiet as well. Even his thoughts only came to rest on the subject rarely. Although playing matchmaker was a secret obsession of his, he knew better than to try and force anyone – least of all two of his friends – into a relationship if they did not wish for. So he had focused on his duties, and let the matter be.

Speaking softly to a few of the guards on duty, Ecthelion looked up in some surprise to hear approaching hoof-beats. As the rider slowed down to stop at the guard post, he pulled down his hood to reveal himself as no stranger to the patrol.

“Laiqalassë, I trust all is well?” The fountain lord smiled upon recognizing his friend, and the object of Glorfindel’s affections, a plan waking in the back of his mind. Perhaps he wouldn’t let the matter be for much longer.

A slight bow of the head in respect from the rider to the lord before him.

“Aye, my Lord, just reporting in that I have returned from my scouting duties. The valley is quiet.”

“Most excellent. My friend, may I speak to you of a personal matter?” There was a nod, and Ecthelion waited as Laiqalassë dismounted and went with him as he walked his horse towards the inner gates of the city. “Are you busy this eve? Glorfindel and I were planning to have our evening repast in the gardens this evening and it occurred to me that we have not shared the pleasure of your company in some time. I would like for you to join us.”

“I am certain my uncle can spare me, milord. Truly it has been too long since I’ve spent time with you for friendship rather than duty.”

By this time they had reached the inner gates to the city, and Ecthelion had to return to finish his inspection of the day’s patrols. So he departed from Laiqalassë with after placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I will see you this evening, then.”

~~~~~

“No. No. No! You should not be cheating at your own game, Ecthelion!”

“I’m not cheating; I’ve simply adjusted the rules slightly.”

“That is most unbecoming behaviour for a lord of our fair city!”

Glorfindel smiled to himself at the scene he was approaching. The two dark-haired elves sat together on the grass beneath a large oak tree arguing over playing cards. His two friends were similar enough in appearance that those who did not know them well might think them kin – for they shared similar dark hair and green eyes though Ecthelion’s were mixed with gray – and their familiar way of interacting might also encourage those thoughts. But the blonde knew better, it had been decades of friendship that gave them such an easy way with each other.

“Fighting again?” Placing a basket of food in front of them, Glorfindel slipped to sit on the grass between them. Partially to keep the playful bickering to a minimum and partially from his selfish desire to be close to both elves. “Remind me in future not to leave the two of you without supervision.”

Laiqalassë laughed at the teasing, shifting over slightly to give the blonde more room to sit.

“Aye, naneth, we will try to behave.”

Glorfindel poked the younger elf’s side. “You had best.”

“Oh, enough of manners! What treats did you bring me, Glor?” Ecthelion lifted the cloth covering the basket to peek inside but the blonde lightly slapped his hand away.

“Obviously you have not been taught enough manners.”

The Fountain Lord adopted a slight pout, trying to win back his friend’s pity and – more importantly – the food.

“Forgive me, Glor, but I am very hungry and you are quite late.”

A roll of his eyes indicated the blonde was unimpressed with this show, but he seemed to relent nonetheless, laying the cloth out before them and setting out the food he had brought for them to share. As soon as he was done, all three sat eating for a time in companionable silence.

Once the sting of his hunger was somewhat abated, Glorfindel spoke: “So what game are you playing that Ecthelion has to make his own rules since he so obviously does not know how to play?”

Ecthelion stopped chewing to frown at the blonde, but Laiqalassë only laughed.

“One of his invention, but the rules seem to keep changing with each hand so that I am certain neither of us actually knows how to play.” His answer, of course, earned him a tug on his ear from the disgraced Fountain Lord.

“You simply do not listen when I explain. That’s all.” He had swallowed his mouthful of food, and was now quite determined to defend his dignity. Which, in truth, he should know better than to attempt with his two friends who knew him too well to believe him. “It is a new game. As we were playing, I noticed that certain rules were not working well, so I adjusted them.”

Mischief shone from blue eyes. “So… you adjusted them so you would win?”

“Yes! I mean no! I mean… oh, do shut your mouth, Glorfindel.” Ecthelion frowned again at being called out so. “Typical you should take his side. Even after the favour I did you.”

Glorfindel laughed, still, but held his tongue from teasing his friend further. He did not want their companion to know that his invitation was that favour. But Laiqalassë seemed unconcerned, which he truly was. Such bickering was not uncommon between the two of them.

In fact, the bickering and teasing picked up again shortly as Laiqalassë and Ecthelion both managed to reach for the same apple at once. And it continued well into the evening, the three friends enjoying themselves in each other’s company. It may have happened that Glorfindel spent a bit too much time looking at Laiqalassë, or perhaps let a touch or two linger longer than was strictly necessary, but he didn’t think the elf noticed.

Ecthelion noticed. But he only smiled to himself and let it be.