b2mem | In Which a Fountain Nourishes Both A Tree and a Flower

B2MEM Challenge: o65: Artifacts and Weapons - Glingal (Golden Tree of Gondolin)
Format: Ficlet
Genre: Slash, Humour
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Characters: Glorfindel, Ecthelion
Pairings: Not yet Glorfindel/Ecthelion
Summary: Ecthelion attempts to befriend the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower

"Behold the tree." Glorfindel stared upards, though he had gazed upon Glingal many times. But it gave him an excuse to look elsewhere than at his companion, Ecthelion. He had not asked for the company of the guard; in fact, he did not desire it, yet Ecthelion insisted on following him from his post at the gate all the way into the courtyard of the King of Gondolin.

"I see it," Ecthelion replied. "My fountain takes care of Glingal, watering it with my carefully devised system of hoses. They call this tree the 'Hanging Flame'." He stepped toward the golden-haired Elf, placing a firm hand boldly upon Glorfindel's arm. "But if one were to ask me, I would tell them that is a name better suited to describe your hair."

Shocked, Glorfindel stepped backwards, abruptly pulling his arm out of the grasp of this brash Elf. Who did he think he was? Yes, Glorfindel was aware that Ecthelion was a great Elf Lord and warrior, and guard of the seventh gate. But that did not give him the license to manhandle the equally, if not more important, Glorfindel.

An awkward silence grew between them. It was to be the first and the last.

"I beg your pardon, Lord," Glorfindel pulled himself together, adjusting his baldric, not that it was out of place on his carefully put together outfit. "But I do not think the courtyard of the King is the correct environment in which to lay your hand upon me, though the gesture may not have been an act of aggression."

Ecthelion smiled. The Lord of the House of the Golden Flower was beautiful, that was certain, no less so at the moment, his hair shimmering as it was in the light of the Sun upon Glingal, the tree itself casting rays of light from its luminous boughs. His eyes sparkled with what appeared to be anger - Ecthelion was not sure if it was such a strong emotion as anger - but they sparkled nonetheless. It made Glorfindel's appearance all the more striking.

"Correct is an interesting word, my Lord," Ecthelion returned. "That you would use it does not surprise me, for correctness is an attribute that surely applies to you."

Adding "Such a pity," he turned to leave, but as he had hoped, Glorfindel stopped him.

"A moment, if you will," Glorfindel's tone bore a hint of irritation.

Ecthelion stopped, turning to face the source of his intense amusement. "Yes, my lord?" He tried to keep his expression serious.

"Your words would imply that there is something wrong with correctness." Glorfindel's stance and attitude bore the haughtiness of one done great injustice.

"Nothing of the kind," Ecthelion replied. "My implication was never meant to be criticism. More of disappointment. For I had envisioned the beginnings of a possible relationship growing between us, since we would both seem to have some things in common. Yet now I would seem to have insulted you, causing you to walk away from me. I decided to take my leave before I committed the grave sin of doing you further hurt."

Glorfindel's expression changed to one of interest, for his fine eyebrows raised and his previously tightened lips relaxed. Ecthelion dared not look upon the rosy fullness of those lips long lest he lose the last shreds of his composure.

"If you would be so kind as to accompany me to my nearby rooms," Ecthelion continued, indicating two open casement windows on the third level of the building opposite the fountain, "I will attempt to make things right between us." He dared now to be bold because if he did not encourage Glorfindel to come with him at this moment, he was afraid he might resort to begging, thus losing the last shred of his dignity. That would not befit a guard of Gondolin, never mind the Lord of the Fountains.

"I will attempt to explain my motives to you there, and perhaps restore myself in your eyes as an Elf Lord of mutual dignity and worthy of your respect." He gave Glorfindel his most sincere smile. He hoped the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower would find him somewhat more attractive in that moment.

Since Glorfindel's expression turned once again into one much softer, a little uncertain perhaps, Ecthelion ushered him without further delay to his afore-mentioned rooms, where what was to become their long-lasting relationship was thereby begun and cemented.

If anyone had chanced to pass beneath the open windows of the apartment opposite the fountain in the courtyard of the King at that particular hour, he or she would have been privy to hear some of the most lyrical, passionate singing by the Lord of the Fountains on that most special day in Gondolin, Ecthelion revealing yet another one of his many talents.