Téci melméva or love letters

Chapter eight Admissions

Elladan groaned when the images on the ceiling started dancing before his eyes. “Can’t they stand still?”

Ereineldo’s look was one of concern and he sat down beside the ill elf. He felt no temperature, but this was getting worse if Elladan saw the images moving. He gasped when Elladan suddenly grasped him, pulling him close. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re stunningly beautiful?”
Ereineldo shook his head. “Now I am sure, you are ill, very ill indeed. I would get your father, but I can’t leave you alone. Who knows what you’ll do.”
Elladan laughed and pulled the other down. “Can I sleep?”
Ereineldo nodded. “Aye, you need it. Sleep will aid your recovery.”
Elladan smiled and pulled Ereineldo even closer. “You’re soft in all the right places. That’s good.” Without warning Ereineldo felt himself being kissed before Elladan rested his head on his chest, dozing off.

The grip he had on Ereineldo was very tight and the servant would have trouble leaving the bed, but right now that wasn’t on his mind. Why had Elladan called him beautiful? And why say that he was soft in all the right places?coulcould make heads nor tails from it and wondered if perhaps Elladan was delirious after all and maybe seeing someone else when looking at him. For one thing was sure: the twin could not be talking about him. He wasn’t beautiful.

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Elrond smiled when he entered the room. “I am very pleased you are still here, Márcaron. Elladan tells me you’ve got something to say that cannot wait. But he also told me I’m blown, so that doesn’t mean anything.”
Márcaron frowned. “He’s worsened? You should be with him, my lord.”
Elrond smiled at his concern and affection. It always warmed his heart to see how well loved his family was. “He’s fine and I intend to go back as soon as we’ve talked. I cannot have you waiting in here forever, can I?”
Márcaron smiled and nodded, drawing in breath. “Ereineldo is ill. I even think he’s fading my lord.”
Elrond gasped and his eyes widened. His mind went into overdrive. “Why do you think that?”

Márcaron sighed. “Because he doesn’t shine as he once did. I never really noticed but Elladan asked questions about him and I thought and remembered some times in the past, things I could tell your son. It was only then that I realised Ereineldo has lost his glow, his senses and his joy. And he doesn’t speak as much as he did before, my lord.”

Elrond closed his eyes, forcing himself to do the same thing, only he went further back. Slowly he opened his eyes and nodded. “You are correct. But why is he fading? I know of no lover.”
Márcaron sighed. “Me neither, but I will ask everybody. Someone must know.” He smiled hopeful. “Maybe he’s Elladan’s mystery lover? It would explain his fading.”
Elrond smiled. “And safe us the trouble of finding another fading elf. Make sure you stay near him at work, keep him occupied, his mind busy. Ask him questions, maybe talking with him might tell you more.”
Márcaron nodded and went home; he was going to talk to his sister: she might know what to say in order to get the desired response.

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Entering Ereineldo’s room he smiled. “Has my son been giving you trouble?” Ereineldo shook his head, blushing when he couldn’t move away. Elrond narrowed his eyes. /Can it be?/ “You seem ill at ease. Does Elladan make you uncomfortable? He would hate himself if he learns of this.” He went about checking, thus showing the servant he held no grudge.

Ereineldo closely monitored the ruler and sighed relieved when the angry expression stayed away. “Nay, my lord. And he’s ill, I cannot imagine what he must go through.”
Elrond smiled, noticing the small glow that had settled on the elf, a glow that hadn’t been there before. /He really is fading and it is because of Elladan. O, ion nín what a time to fall ill./ “Well, he’ll be in bed for one more day, provided he stays in it.” He smiled at Ereineldo. “But I trust you to make sure he does. Tie him down if you have to.”

He sat down. “And now I must ask you something personal.” Ereineldo nodded and Elrond locked their eyes. “Who has stolen your heart?” He noticed Ereineldo’s bewildered look and the hold on Elladan that involuntarily tightened. But he also saw Elladan’s stiffening at the words. He smiled. /So, you’re awake and aware? This will make it even easier for me./

Ereineldo swallowed several times. “I know not what you mean, my lord. My heart belongs to no one.”

Elrond noticed the smile on Elladan’s face and he could not help but smile at that himself. But his eyes remained stern. “Yes, you do. You’re fading. You don’t shine as you once did and don’t you dare deny it. I’ve known you since Lindon and I know this is not even half of what you used to be. There’s only one reason: your heart is aching. Please tell me so I may help?”

But Ereineldo stubbornly shook his head. “Your memory must delude you, my lord. I am not fading.”
Elrond sighed. “I’ve done some thinking before coming back here, my friend. And if memory serves me correctly, and I think it does, you’ve started to fade about two millennia ago. But I cannot think of any elf that was close to you then.”
Ereineldo’s mouth became a thin line. “My lord, you are seeing things that aren’t there. And please, be silent, you’ll wake Elladan.
El
Elrond noticed a blush formed on the other’s face at the mention of the twin’s name and he grinned. “Are you blushing? Yes, you are. You blushed when you mentioned Elladan’s name. And is it my imagination or do you shine more than when I entered? Elladan’s closeness must be a balm to your lonely heart.”

Elladan gasped at the words and his head flared up, making Elrond groan. If Elladan had remained silent a little longer, he would have gotten the truth. Now, it seemed, his chances were lost. Elladan looked at Ereineldo. “You can’t fade.”
Ereineldo shook his head. “I am not. I know not how much you’ve heard, but your father is obviously being affected by old age.”
Elrond growled. “I am not. Márcaron informed me of your condition. Without him I wouldn’t even have realised.”
Elladan smiled. “So it was you. Aiya, I am tired. Don’t leave me, Ereineldo.”
Ereineldo sighed. “And where would I go? Valinor?”
Elladan smiled. “I would only follow you. I love you.”

He laid back down and sighed contented. “By Elbereth, I hate this illness. I am not even fully half human, why does it affect me so?”
Elrond laughed at the words. “I don’t know, pen-neth, but if you stay in bed the whole day tomorrow you might be rid of it soon.”
Elladan nodded. “If Ereineldo holds me.”
Elrond smiled, answering before the other could protest. “He will. I suggest you get well soon tal talk.”
Elladan raised his head again. “About what?”
Elrond smiled. “Love!”
Ereineldo shook his head. “Elladan’s ill and delirious. And maybe you’ve caught it too.”
Elrond grinned. “No, but I do see things I didn’t see before. For instance I can now clearly see who wrote Elladan those love letters.” He noticed the panicked expression and smiled. His smile widened when Elladan once more raised his head and looked at him hopeful.

Elrond leaned forward and kissed his son. “I will tell you when you’re well. You need some reason to behave yourself.” Elladan groaned and instantly fell back asleep.

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Elrohir sighed in bliss when he woke up. He’s never before felt so peaceful. He gasped when he saw findfindel so close to him. He instantly pulled back, but Glorfindel’s hold was just as tight as his own was and his efforts proved fruitless. They did, however, have another effect. His movements caused the blond to grow hard. Elrohir groaned when he noticed it. “Glorfindel, wake up, I am not my twin.”

Reluctantly awareness returned to the blue orbs, which beamed in happiness upon finding Elrohir so close. His lips curved upwards in a smile. “I see you decided to head my advice for a change. Is the fire dying out?”
Elrohir cast a quick look at the fire and smiled when he saw it indeed was. Nodding, he sighed when the blond released him and he instantly left the bed.
His way to the fire was a bit unsteady but he managed to add a few logs to the fire.

Glorfindel wanted to help him back into the bed but the twin glared at him, making him abandon his efforts and just lie back. He noticed Elrohir’s swift, yet curious look at his lower regions and he frowned. “Why are you looking at my groin?” He grinned at the beet-red colour that spread on the twin’s face in immediate response.
Elrohir swallowed. “You were hard just now and I…” He stopped speaking when he saw Glorfindel turn red and avert his eyes.

Elrohir cocked his head. “Are you sure you’re not in love with Elladan?”
Glorfindel looked at him in total disbelief. “How can you ask that after all that’s happened?”
Elrohir shrugged. “I have a cold, Glorfindel, thinking is not my strong point at the moment. But it makes sense. I bring you discomfort because I look like him.”
Glorfindel groaned. “Your fever is getting worse; you’re uttering insanities now.”
Elrohir smiled. “It’s all right. I’m sure Elladan feels nothing for that writer and I’ll help you court him.”
Glorfindel grabbed his arms, tighter than Elrohir thought possible at the moment. His eyes spat fire. “For the final t I d I do not love Elladan. Not in any other way than that of your father.”

Elrohir could see the truth in his eyes and it brought confusion to his own. “But… I don’t understand. Why else would you call me beautiful? Or be uncomfortable near me?” Suddenly tears sprang to his eyes. “Or do you hate me?” He could not bear it if he did.
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. “I did not call you beautiful, Elrohir.”
But Elrohir nodded. “You did. When you fell asleep for the first time.” His tears now left him and he closed his eyes, trying to keep them inside. Glorfindel’s arms embraced him gently and he brushed them off. “Don’t even offer me false comfort.” He sniffled as he spoke.
Glorfindel raised his chin and forced him to open his eyes. “Aiya, pen-neth. Don’t cry. I do not hate you. Saes, stop crying.”
But Elrohir shook him off. “You do! You hate me! You feel uncomfortable around me and I disgust you. What other reason can there be for your shock of calling me vanimaer?”
Glorfindel prevented hiom tom turning away. “Now you listen to me, Elrohir Peredhel. You are Elrond’s son, and that alone is reason enough for me to love you. Neither you nor Elladan could ever lose my love, trust and support. I don’t know what made you think I hate and despise you but you couldn’t be farther from the truth. I apologize for any action that might have prompted that believe.”

Seeing the confusion within Elrohir grow he sighed. His own eyes were desperate and inside he struggled. He had vowed himself never to speak it, but how could he let Elrohir believe this?

Elrohir continued sniffling. “Every action of you the last couple of days clearly showed you don’t want to be near me. You make up excuses to leave. And it took me a while to realise it but you always did. You never liked me and you don’t want me around. I’m not Elladan and you hate me for it.”
Glorfindel growled and shook him. “I do not hate you and I thank the Valar you are not Elladan. Two of those stubborn Peredhel’s would undo even me.”

He temporarily closed his eyes, but his decision was made. “I am sorry, Elrohir. I never realised I did these things, but I did not wish to leave you because I hate you. You are honoured, gentle, kind and generous. One has but to know you to know his heart lost forever. You’re warm-hearted, easy-natured and compassionate. What’s there to hate or despise?”
Elrohir calmed down a bit by his words but doubt still marred his features. “But then why? I don’t understand?” His eyes were so full of hurt and fear it drove a dagger into Glorfindel’s heart.
“Elrohir, vanimaer, I did not make up excuses to leave because I hate or despise you, but because I love and admire you. Being near you was too painful. Forgive me, I never meant to hurt or pain you or cause you distress. And forget I even said this, I vowed I would never speak of it and were you not so upset I would not have broken it
E
Elrohir stared at him with disbelief. He remained silent as he thought about everything the blond had said. He swiftly realised Glorfindel’s love was old and ran deep. /He vowed he would never tell. To father or to himself? And when?/ He realised he didn’t ask himself if he returned it and in that moment he knew he always had.

He carefully leaned in closer and gently touched Glorfindel’s lips with his own, swiftly pulling back. His features ed hed his happiness. “I love you too, you silly seneschal.” He instantly claimed an embrace. “I’m glad you spoke of it or I would never have realised. But when did you promise to remain silent? And to whom?”
Glorfindel still had to come over the shock of feeling Elrohir kiss him and he blinked to get back to the world. “To myself. Elrohir, you were still an elfling. Loving you was wrong and…”
Elrohir looked at him. “I haven’t been an elfling for millennia, Glorfindel. Why keep silent after I reached my maturity?”
Glorfindel shrugged. “You were still young and needed to find your way. Telling you of my love seemed wrong. It would hold you back.”
Elrohir smiled at him. “And later you’ve always found another excuse not to tell, I suppose. Let’s not talk about that now. We’ve got all our lives to talk about the past.”
Glorfindel smiled. “You really love me back.” He smiled at Elrohir’s expression. “I’m sorry, vanimaer, but I could not rule out that it was the fever talking. Oh, I love you.”

His eyes now opened and Elrohir was shocked to see the true Glorfindel look at him for the first time, a Glorfindel he found even more desirable than the mask he’s seen for so long. He pressed his body as close to Glorfindel’s as possible and kissed him. “Once we’re home, I’m going to court you properly, my love.”

He smiled at Glorfindel’s blush and he was grateful theer ker kept his arousal at bay. He would have loved to mlovelove but he could read, as well as conclude, the blond’s insecurity. He’s never seen Glorfindel with any other and now he finally knew why. And from what he knew about Glorfindel, and that was a lot, he could tell the blond never had a male lover before.
But the twin did not speak on that now, he knew words wouldn’t help and in time Glorfindel would grow over his insecurity.

He snuggled closer. “I wonder who did write those letters. Adan is determined to find him.”
Glorfindel grinned. “I hope he doesn’t start suspecting innocents as well.” Realising his words pained the twin he tightened his hold. “But we may be able to find it out.”
He smiled when he realised the twin had fallen asleep. He watched over him as he let tho thoughts wander over the puzzle. After half an hour he smiled and nodded, finally allowing himself to fall asleep.

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“Create some litters. Neither elf is capable of riding a horse or walking home.”
“The Captain is lucky Lord Elrohir found him in time.”
“Aye, but he’s contracted a cold in turn.”
“The litters will be ready in an hour and Lord Elrond and Counsellor Erestor will be informed before we arrive.”
“Good, and now outside and silent. We don’t want to wake them yet.”

End chapter 08
TBC

Translations:
Ion nín means : my son
Saes means : please
I wanted to make the last part, the group of elves speaking, in Quenya, but I had to abandon that for I couot fot find half the words.