melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Title: Melmë collë or hidden love
Author: Peniel
E-mail: familie@hetnet.nl (P.S. I am busy so it might take a while before I respond but I –will- red. Id. I love feedback)
Pairings: Erestor/Legolas ; Glorfindel/Thranduil ; Elrond/Orophin
ng: ng: NC-17 and -no- BSDM, Incest or character death
Summary: There’s a feast in Mirkwood and all other elves come: Ithilien, ‘Lóriën, Imladris, but also Aragorn and Arwen, who worry about Legolas, who looks rather pale. Could this be a set back from the war wound that should have killed him? And why didn’t he die? Legolas on his turn wonders about Erestor, and he isn’t the only one. Why has Erestor done what he did? What are his secrets? Why has he never taken a lover?
And Glorfindel, who cannot get over Ecthelion, only beds elves to release his tension, please his body. What will happen when he finally meets an elf he wants to feel again? And the sole elf who understands him and doesn’t expect him a second time?
And why is that Orophin suddenly starts to seduce Elrond, who, for someone as perceptive as he, doesn’t seem to notice?
Read and find the answers to these and more questions.
Genre: AU; Romance; Drama; Angst
Warning: Highly AU.
Author’s notes:

Another tale, another plot, another twist. Where does it all come from I wonder. But it is here, it cannot be denied and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I.

This is the first one with a prologue. I know it is normal to have a epiloge as well, but I don’t know yet if that will happen. I am just telling you so you won’t attack me en mass when it appears to be missing. It just means I didn’t write it. I know it is how iouldould be but I don’t really care about that. I am a ‘story teller’, not an author.

Back to business: the notes:
I don’t know how much Quenya and/or Sindarin I will use, but I will always give the translations. And, just to be complete, I use several word lists and dictionaries and the grammar rules come from Helga F.’s site. The Quenya/Sindarin nuts among us know which one I mean.

And, as usual this is the meaning of the signs:
“ ” Indicates speech
/ Indicates thought
~~~~~~~~ Indicates a change in time or place
- - Emphasises the word(s)
` ` Indicates far speaking, speaking within the mind.
And sometimes ‘’ come up and they indicate mind talk. Like when you have a conversation with yourself inside your head.

Ok, let’s start the tale:


Prologue

1 the early years

“You cannot possible spend more time with those books than with me! We’re lovers, you need not become a bookworm. I can provide for you.”
Those words hurt and tears loomed in the greyish blue orbs. “But I can become a counsellor in a couple of decades. You cannot expect me to abandon my dream?”
A snort answered him. “I thought I was your dream?”
“You are too.”
The dark eyes turned cold and regarded him with venom. “Well, you can’t have us both. Pick!”
The lithe elf jumped up and stared at the other in disbelief and despair. “What…? But…? You can’t mean that, can you?” His voice was filled with fear.
“I do. Pick!”
“I cannot just abandon my dreams and sit home and do nothing. It’s not who I am.”
“I provide enough for milymily, which is what I always wanted. So I have more than enough for just us.”
The eyes, filled with tears, now darkened in anger, understanding the hidden meaning behind the words. “Fine. I chose my books, scrolls and a future without you. Leave me be.” His voice was steady and a unshaking finger pointed to the door.
The other turned and left, angry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G
Gil Galad yawned and stretched as he entered his library. He loved coming here in the early hours of the morning, when it was empty.
A strange, yet familiar scent invaded his nose and he frowned momentarily. But soon his lips curled into a smile, knowing why it was so familiar. He always smelled it upon entering; the lingering proof someone had used it during the night. Once again he wondered who it was; not anyone he knew, for he would have had a face match the scen now now if it were so.

Silently he walked towards his favourite chair, smiling when he saw the book he was reading still resting on it. He picked it up and opened it on the right spot and sat down. Halfway down he jolted back up when he spotted an other.
Blinking he adjusted his eyes to the dark staring back at him. For a second he was tempted to run away and start believing in ghost stories.
Just then it hit him: the scent in the room was heavier than ever before: the elf was still present. Forcing his eyes to the maximum he smiled, seeing a sleeping figure. /Best to leave him be./

But curiosity got the better of him and he silently closed in on the other, frowning when he saw the shocking back. /A nightmare?/ Concern and worry were evident on his face and he approached further, until he stood behind the other. He gasped when he realised the other wasn’t tortured by a nightmare, but was crying his heart out. His whole being ached to help and he knelt beside the other.

“Mannás raica?” The head flung towards him with alarming rate and the orbs were wide in fear. Gil-Galad smiled warmly and didn’t move. “Do you care to talk about it? Is there anything I can do?” The other remained silent and shook his head, twice. Despite the situation Gil-Galad smiled at it.

The smile widened when he remembered the elf. “You’re one of the last scribes to join us, aren’t you?” A silent nod answered him. He sighed. He could understand the other felt overpowered by him, especially by sud sudden appearance and he would not question the elf on his pain, but he refused to leave him alone with it.

He looked around, already knowing how to distract him. “I recognise your scent.” The eyes widened in horror and Gil-Galad smiled in reassurance. “It teases me every morning when I enter. This is the first time I actually see the elf that belongs to it.”
He smiled again and sat down on the chair beside the elf, leaning forward to re-establish the contact they had. “I take it you like it here? You read much?” Two nods were his answer and he chuckled. “Do you speak at all or I am the only one rewarded silence?”

The other blushed and seemed to open his mouth to stutter an apology, but Gil-Galad waved it away. “Rather tell me why you spend so much of the night in here, reading. Even someone as young as you needs his rest.”
“I’m not young!”
Gil-Galad’s eyes sparkled. “Aha! You spoke! And such a lovely voice.” He grinned when the blushing intensified. “All right, young you are not. But why forgo your rest to read?”
The head shook and the ebony tresses flung from side to side. “Learn. I am learning. Studying.”
Gil-Galad nodded. “All right. Why do you study then?”
The eyes, which seemed illusive before now settled on him and determination shone from them. “I’m going to be a counsellor.” It was a statement, not open for declaration.
Gil-Galad nodded. “I see. And you wish to be the wisest counsellor there is? Or is there another reason for your desire to learn?”
The head cocked. “How can I give council if I have no knowledge?”
“Very true. But it will be a while before you’re made counsellor, I think, if you are a scribe now, it will be a while before you move up.”
The head nodded and a frown was formed, which seemed to fit perfectly. Gil-Galad thought it enhanced his beauty instead of demolishing it. “It will, but the more I learn, the faster it’ll happen.” The frown deepened. “Unless I attract the attention of the High-King, but that’s unlikely.”

He suddenly stood and bowed. “I’m sorry for disturbing your privacy, my lord. I shall go now.”
Gil-Galad shook his head. “Why apologize for coming in here and read and learn? That’s what’s it is here for. And you don’t have to leave on my account. Why were you crying? Did you find something too difficult to understand?”
The eyes looked at him as if he had asked the other to undress himself and once again the head shook, but now the lips were thin lines. A second later the orbs filled with water again and Gil-Galad cursed his curiosity.

He drew the other into an embrace, ignoring the shock. “Forgive me, my friend. You need not address it, if you don’t want to.” He sighed. “How many books have you read so far?”
The eyes filled with warmth and happiness again. “Five hundred twenty six.”
Gil-Galad whistled, impressed. “And that in the five years you’ve been here. Impressive. You’re almost done then. What will you do afterwards?”
“Look for more books. Talk to others.”
Gil-Galad nodded. “And get wiser still, I wager.”
The blush came back. “Thank you for the compliment.”
Gil-Galad stood and started pacing. “I think I have something to test your knowledge with already. Interested?” The other nodded vigorously and happy, eager eyes locked with his.

He nodded and walked to the door. “Wait here, Ito gto go get it. I can bring some tea as well if you want?”
But a shake was a his answer. “It might damage the books.”
Gil-Galad smiled and nodded. “Back in a sec.”

He ran to his study and hastily retrieved the needed and hurried back. He jumped aside when he nearly bumped into his herald.

“Sire, what is the hurry?”
“Oh, Elrond, bless the Valar you are here.” Elrond gave him a puzzled look. He never quite figured out what it meant but today he figured it was a draw between ‘what is wrong with you?’ and ‘where else would I be?’.

He grinned and pulled him along by the wrist. “I met someone interesting today, in the library. One of the last scribes to join us, actually.” He signalled Elrond to take a look. “Do you know him?”
Elrond narrowed his eyes. “Only his face. I can find out.”
Gil-Galad nodded. “He becomes my counsellor.” Again the strange look was directed his way and Gil-Galad smiled. “He said so and he’s quite determined, I can tell you that.” He laughed at Elrond’s expression. “I have the feeling we can use him in our fight against evil. Will you train him how to fight? He might already know all the theory, but doing it is different.”
Elrond nodded and went to find information on this strange elf.

Gil-Galad waited for Elrond to be gone before he swept back in to the library. “Sorry it took a little longer than I anticipated.” He smiled at the elf and sat down. He handed himieceiece of paper. “See if you can find the solution to this one.” He stood up and walked to his chair, intend on leaving the other alone to figure it out.

But the voice called him back instantly. “Why are you tricking me?”
Gil-Galad frowned. “Tricking you?”
The head nodded and the eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Aye. This is no puzzle.”
Gil-Galad’s eyes widened in disbelief and he shook his head. “No puzzle? It has been breaking our heads the last week and you say it’s no puzzle?” He shook his head again when he saw the other nod.
“Aye.” He placed the paper on the table and retrieved a blank one. With his quill he started drawing, Gil-Galad looking on in wonder and disbelief. “This is what they say: the cow, belonging to the farmers, stood here and the wolf, belonging to the hunters, here on the other side of the river.”
Gil-Galad nodded. “Aye. And somehow the wolf killed and ate the cow.” He widened his eyes again when the head shook. “You disagree?” A nod was his answer. “But there were bones there. Evidence.”
The eyes sparkled and the lips curled into a smiled. “Of course there are bones there and I agree they are from the cow. But the wolf did not kill the cow. One wolf is not strong enough to kill a cow and one wolf’s stomach isn’t big enough to eat a whole cow.”
Gil-Galad’s eyes widened as the simple truth settled in. “There were no other tracks,” He mused out loud. “but the entire cow was eaten. So no other wolfs.”

His eyes settled on the lithe elf. “What do you think?” In answer the elf stood up and retrieved a book Gil-Galad recognized as a weather keeper. He wondered why the elf picked it. He said nothing but watched him open it on the date of discovery and then flip backwards, his finger always on the same line.
The elf turned his head towards Gil-Galad and smiled. “I am sure now. There were three possibilities: the hunters had killed the cow and eaten it, the farmers themselves or more animals have helped the wolf. Now I know it is, in a way, a combination of the last two.”

He tapped his finger on the page. “This record shows the weather was extremely dry this season, but there was a heavy rainfall in the middle, see.”
Gil-Galad nodded, not understanding what it meant.
The other continued. “Look, the soil was dnd wnd with the extreme rainfall dangerous. The riverbank slipped away under the cow and the poor thing probably drowned in the growing river. The farmers should have brought her inside, but they were working elsewhere and ignored the cow for so long a couple of months more couldn’t hurt, they thought. The warmth dried the earth again and the river went down, allowing the wolf easy access to the cadaver. Other animals also came.”

Gil-Galad nodded and his look was one of wonder. “But that doesn’t explain the loss of prints.”
The other smiled and flipped through the weather book again. “The ‘crime’ was reported last week and just the day before there was another rainfall, see. The soil became smooth again and all the foot prints of the animals that ate the cow were ruined.”
Gil-Galad nodded and smiled. “We never would have figured that out.” His eyes narrowed, while he was making up his mind.

“You are not just a counsellor, but a chief counsellor.” The blush came back and he smiled. “You are.”
The other shook his head. “I am a scribe. But I will be a counsellor, and aye, maybe, someday, a chief counsellor.”
Gil-Galad nodded. “Aye, it would be unwise to make you chief counsellor already.”
The eyes widened. “What? But only the High King can” Gil-Galad interrupted. “Can make these decisions. I know, I know. Elrond reminds me daily and I must be insane adding you to that list. Something tells me you will not let me forget even the slightest duty I might have to perform.”
He shook his head but smiled. “Nay, my decision is final. You are promoted to counsellor. I think domestics is the best area for now, so you can continue your studying.”
The eyes widened beyond belief. “You’re…the King?”
Gil-Galad nodded. “Aye, I am. I thought you knew.” The head shook again and Gil-Galad shrugged. “Then you know now. And Elrond will be teaching you how to fight. It is one thing reading about it, but doing it is something else. Come, stranger, what is your name, I need to promote the right elf.”
“Erestor.”
“Nice meeting you, I am Gil-Galad.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Elrond, we must speak.”
He could tell Elrond knew the topic of their conversation. Sometimes his foresight was a curse and he wished Elros had been the one to have it. He wondered how Elrond had managed all those years in his youth, spending time with his twin, already knowing he would eventually lose him to mortality. But, on the other hand, it had lessened the blow.

He sighed and sat down. “I will not say it, but I know my tim clo close. I leave Vilya in your care.” He smiled and closed his eyes. “And Erestor. Take care of him, Elrond.”
Elrond nodded, his eyes misted over. Actually being giving Vilya was hard, even though he had known for a long time it would happen, they both did. He forced himself to focus on their mutual friend. “I never thought Erestor would become the elf he is.”
Gil-Galad smiled. “He knew. And I did too, in a way.” He sighed. “He never told me why he cried though, but I think somehow it has something to do with why his warmth is away.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, his heart is hardened and cold, but I daresay it will pull us all through the coming days.” He knew Erestor would be important to him once more in the future. He wondered how the wife he would lose looked like.
Gil-Galad saw him brood and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Come Elrond, Mount Doom awaits us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 the War of the Ring

One or two millennia later…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Erestor threw the door open and hugged the children tight. “Easy now, it was just a dream. The evil creatures are gone. They cannot touch you here.”

He started rocking the crying infants, already sensing a deepening hatred in them. If they didn’t act soon, they would lose them. He thanked the Valar Arwen was too small to be affected.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Elrond! Get yourself out that bed and into your clothes. Your parents are here to pick up Arwen. They’ve invited the twins as well, but they refuse to go. And you know why!”
Elrond nodded, smiling gratefully at his friend. “Ai, Erestor, we would be lost without you.” He sighed. “Even our steady Glorfindel is shaken. But you are our rock, our guiding beacon. Try not to break down until at least one of us is back to normal.”
Erestor smiled. “I will not break down at all. Come, on your feat, my lord. Greet Celeborn and Galadriel and be grateful you still have children and her parents to see her in.”

Elrond looked at him and for the first time since the attack mirth shone in the orbs. “Can’t fuck them, can’t I?” He smiled. “It’s not so hard, Erestor. I always knew I would lose her and how. That’s why I’ve always guarded my heart, Erestor, to protect it. But I’ve grown to like the sex.”
Erestor nodded in understanding and Elrond smiled. Of all elves Erestor was the only one to understand everything, even if all he’s done was read about it. “Take a bed partner then, Elrond, warm your bed with another.” Elrond’s wide eyes settled on him and he hardened his face. “But not me. Don’t even dare to think it.”
Elrond grinned. “For a moment I feared you were ill, meldir, but I am grateful you are not. I shall think about it and when I am ready you may help me find a suitable elf.”

Erestor nodded and continued dressing the other, ushering him to hurry. His eyes were filled with fear.
Elrond cocked his head and smiled. “Don’t worry. The twins will live. Arwen will fall in love with a mortal, though highly worthy, and the twins will drive you crazy for many eons to come. I see no threat in their future.”
Erestor smiled in thanks; those words warmed his heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several years later…

Legolas sighed as he dismounted. He cursed himself. He should not have gone with the patrol to hunt the spiders. He should have guarded Gollom himself.

He smiled when he saw the twins come towards him. “Elladan, Elrohir, how are you? And that Dunedain, is he here as well?”
Elladan nodded. “We are well. The pain is still e, be, but the need to kill has waned. Erestor has been more than a rock to us.”
Legolas nodded. “I am looking forward to meet that fabled tutor of yours.”
Elrohir grinned. “He will be at the council.”
Legolas nodded and his eyes saddened, setting of their alarms. “What is it?”
Legolas sighed. “Gollom escaped. Or was rescued. There was an attack and when it was over the hissing creature was gone. We could not track it. I should have…”
Elladan shook his head. “Nothing, Legolas. You cannot prevent everything. And father once said Gollom would partly decide the future of elves and men alike, not a Hobbit alone.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, gwanunig, that’s not what he said. He said the Hobbit’s decision concerning the creature Gollom would decide our fate.”
Legolas smiled. “Then I hope the Hobbit is a wise one.”
The twins shrugged. “Don’t know. Come on, to your rooms.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond smiled as he watched all assembled. His eyes warmed when they met Aragorn’s and unknown to the others a silent conversation tolacelace. /You are stronger than you think, my son, for you carry not only your human legacy with you, but also your elven tutelage. The Valar were wise to send you to us./

His eyes widened and he gasped when he laid eyes on Legolas. Immediately an image came to him. /Ai, peril is on your way. I must cot Gat Galadriel./

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas was unaware Elrond was staring at him a little longer than necessary and with fear. He was looking at the elf sitting at Elrond’s right: the dark haired Erestor. He’s heard many tales of him from many people, including the twins, but none of the tales lived up to their job. Erestor was breathtaking. /But if what I hear is true, I do not even stand a ghost of a chance./ So he quickly killed the fire before it could come to live.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erestor frowned. “Elrond, what is it? You’ve been upset ever since the council. Have faith in the Nine. Aragorn is with them and Legolas is an.” .”
Elrond nodded and turned. “It is Legolas that worries me. He might die during the journey south.”
Erestor’s eyes widened. “But Galadriel saw him fight at Helm’s deep in her mirror.”
Elrond nodded and sighed. “It all depends on their decision.”
“What decision?”
“Soon they will have to decide whether to travel through the mines of Moria or through Gondor.”
“Surely they will go to Gondor, the mines are too dangerous.”
Elrond nodded. “But only Mithrandir knows that. And he already told me Frodo would decide their fate.”
Erestor closed his eyes. “And you know his decision?”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, but I do know the result if they go through the mines. Legolas will die then.”
Erestor gasped and sat down.

Elladan and Elrohir hurried toward him. “Erestor, are you all right?” He was most important to them. “Father, what are you talking about that upsets him so?” Once more Elrond told his story and the twins sat down beside the counsellor. “Is there nothing we can do to save him? Maybe if we ride fast?”
Elrond shook his head. “You would come too late.” He closed his eyes in defeat. “If they choose the mines Legolas is dead and will not save so many at Helm’s deep.”

Erestor looked up, his gaze hard and determined. “Is there a way to know what they decide?”
Elrond nodded. “Mithrandir promised to tell me. And then I can mentally prepare myself for Aragorn’s despair. And we should warn A too too for she will feel it as well.”
Erestor jumped up. “Good, for then it will nottoo too late to save him.”
Elladan blinked. “What are you talking about, Erestor?”
Erestor ignored him and locked his eyes with Elrond. “If they choice the mines of Moria, you will challenge the Valar, fight Mandos for him. Legolas will be saved.”
Elrond shook his head. “No, Erestor, that’s impossible. It can’t be done without someone offering life force.”
Erestor nodded. “I know. And you’ll take mine. Legolas will life through me.” His voice was determined and Elrond looked puzzled. “Nay, Erestor, you cannot do that. It will condemn you to a half-life.”
Erestor glared at him. “Legolas is too valuable to lose. And I am not planning to ever wed, so it is of little matter to me.”

The twins looked aghast as well, but knew it was futile to try and change his mind. Elladan frowned. “But I shall tell Legolas what, or rather who, saved his life once this is over. He will…”
Erestor shook his head. “Nay, you will not, Elladan. Neither of us will spread the word. This conversation stays between the four of us and you will not speak about it. Swear it.” His eyes ordered them into submission and all three Peredhil meekly swore him to remain silent.

Elladan looked horrified when the counsellor .
.
Elrond smiled. “Perhaps they will go through Gondor, Elladan.”
Elladan sighed. “Let’s hope so.” But his voice, like his father’s was disbelieving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We will go through the mines of Moria.”
Gandalf closed his eyes as he heard the way his fate would go. `Elrond, Moria.` There was no need to convey more to the Peredhel.

Once they were inside things went as anticipated, though Gimli postponed his destiny by running to his cousin’s tomb. He nodded when, after the battle, he sensed the Balrog, an old foe. Beside himself he smiled. Glorfindel would have easily defeated this one, the one he fought had been much stronger. But Gandalf preferred not to fight. If he could hold him back, prevent it from crossing and following, they, including himself, were safe. And that was his doom. He lost his alertness and forgot the first rule in combat: never turn your back on your enemy, and he fell to his doom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arwen and Elrond gasped when they felt Aragorn’s despair and pain.
Elrond frowned. “That’s too soon.” Erestor locked their eyes and Elrond nodded. He had promised. /I hope Legolas will learn to appreciate your gift, meldir. Why would you not allow us to tell him? He can make you happy./

Together they retrieved to his rooms, Elladan and Elrohir right behind them. Erestor wanted to object but Elrond looked stern. They needed the twins to guard them and make sure they weren’t interrupted. He didn’t wish to think about their assistance should things go wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The others ran towards the exit of the mines, not giving themselves time to come to terms with what happened just yet. Once in the open air, in the warm sun, they gave in to grief and despair.

Aragorn realised he had to lead them on or they’ll never get far today. He started urging them. They obliged and started walking, before they sped up, creating more distance between them and the mines.

Suddenly the Hobbits shrieked and they halted. Boromir sped up and Aragorn turned back and they halted when they saw the Hobbits and the Dwarf looking at a collapsed Legolas in concern. The Steward immediately drew his sword and looked for attackers.
“Don’t waster tir time, there’s nothing there. No arrows or anything. The elf just collapsed. But there is blood on his tunic. My guess is this stubborn elf got injured in Moria.”
Aragorn nodded. “You are right, Gimli.”
“Is he going to die?”
Aragorn sighed. He did not know how to answer Pippin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Glorfindel jumped when Arwen screamed. “Arwen, what is it?”
She looked at him and forced her breath to stay normal. “Legolas, he… he… he’s dying.”
Glorfindel’s eyes widened and he hurried to take her into an embrace. “But then what was the despair you felt before? If not Legolas, who then?”
Arwen did not know, but her eyes stood fearful sen send a servant to make sure the others knew as well.

Translation:
Mannás raica? Means : What is wrong?