A heart's miscommunication
folder
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
18
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Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
18
Views:
2,329
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Realisations
Chapter nine Realisations
Elrond jumped up when Elrohir burst into the room and he shook his head. “What is it?”
Elrohir smiled and claimed an embrace, knowing his fatherded ded it as much as he did. “A lot. Elladan is crying out on Haldir’s shoulder, and you know the Warden will die before he let him slip away.” For the first time in a long while a genuine smile entered his face and eyes at the words.
“And Mistalas is I-Turtano’s nephew and the smith from the bazhaar is acting as his father and he’s really talented. I asked if he would mind showing Elladan how it’s done, take his mind of things.”
Elrond had stopped listening after learning Mistalas, or Coirëhón was the nephew of the great smith. There were many that owed their lives to that elf’s skill. He had always thought it would be him but he never had any certainty, until now.
He sighed and forced himself to concentrate on Elrohir again. “Anything else?”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye, he’s grieving too, ada. He’s from Imladris, yet I’ve never met him or heard of him, but that’s beside the point. He told me his lover walked out on him after a millennia.” He frowned and shook his head as his eyes darkened in hate. “Nay, that’s not true. His lover was getting married or already was married or something.”
He yelped when Elrond suddenly jumped up, forcing him to fall to the ground. “Ada!”
Elrond looked apologetically at him but beamed as well. “Are you sure that’s what he told you?”
Elrohir nodded and watched in bewildered amusement as his father ran off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elladan opened his eyes and blinked, not recognizing the ceiling he was staring at. “Massë ëan?”
“At my house, young one, and in my bed. Haldir wanted to place you on the couch, but that’s hardly comfortable and you looked like you could use a good night’s rest. He and Mistalas are sleeping in the other room.”
Elladan blinked at the other and allowed his mind to slowly digest the words. “Aha.” was all he could utter when he finally understood.
The smith grinned. “Aha indeed. Do you want me to send word to your twin? He’s been here before, bumped into Mistalas. And he asked him to show you how he works, take your mind of things.” He frowned at Elladan’s shake. “No? You don’t want to watch him work? Why not? It’s an honour; he’s I-Turtano’s nephew.”
Elladan’s eyes widened and he sighed. “Maybe then. If he agrees.” His eyes emptied as sleep claimed him again.
“Aye, sleep, you have a lot of healing to do, young one.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond didn’t knock but simply barged into the house, glaring as a sword was aimed at his throat. “Unless you wish to die, you remove that now!”
The sword was lowered instantly. Elrond’s voice had promised no hesitation. “Forgive me, Lord Elrond, I thought you were an intruder, well, a thieve actually, for an intruder you definitely are.”
Elrond glared and ignored the words, which, under normal conditions, would have made lau laugh. “Where’s Mistalas?”
The smith blocked his passage and didn’t seem afraid of him. “Asleep. Come back tomorrow.” Sounds behind him told them both two others were swiftly making their way downstairs.
Haldir’s bow was drawn but it lowered when he too recognized the lord of Imladris.
The smith didn’t turn as he spoke. “Haldir, go upstairs and keep our guest company and Mistalas, Lord Elrond obviously desperately wishes to speak to you.”
Coirëhón swallowed and continued walking. “It’s all right, adar, you can leave us alone.” The smith beamed at the word and strode out prouder than a peacock.
Elrond frowned. “He’s not your father.”
Coirëhón nodded. “He acts like one and I don’t mind being his son. Why are you here?” He was on his guard and the other sensed it, calming down immediately.
“Elrohir told me what you told him. Mind telling me why you told him that?”
“Because he asked. Because it’s the truth.” He jumped back when the other growled. In all his live he’s only heard it twice, but now was the first time it was directed at him.
“Coirëhón, do not lie to me.” The shock and pain that entered the younger elf’s face mellowed him down again. He closed his eyes. “Don’t worry, I will not betray your identity and you will be Mistalas to me. But I wish for the truth.”
Coirëhón sighed relieved and deducted Elrond mustn’t have learned about him and Elladan or he wouldn’t speak like that. “Thank you, my lord, but I’m afraid any other story would be a lie. My lover is married now.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Please, don’t make me speak of it any more. I’ve found happiness here. I couldn’t remain in Imladris, seeing him daily with his wife, I couldn’t.”
Elrond sat down and gaped at him before he narrowed his eyes. He was silent as he thought everything through. “Where did they get married?”
Coirëhón shrugged. “Imladris.”
Elrond’s lips became thin lines. “There’s hasn’t been a wedding in my realm for little more than a year.”
Coirëhón’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “But.. but..”
Elrond stood and grasped his shoulders. “Word is that you walked out on Elladan.” The eyes settled on him and he smiled affectionately at him. “Erestor and Glorfindel are your only allies, Coirëhón. Even Elrohir sides with Elladan.”
Coirëhón shrugged. “They’re twins. Your sons.”
Elrond shook his head. “I never side with anyone.” He sat down and smiled warmly. “But if I had to, I would stand by you.”
Coirëhón grimaced. “The underdog.”
Elrond shook his head but held his tongue.
He was silent for a while but then asked his question. “Were you Elladan’s lover?”
Coirëhón considered lying, but realised Elrond would always detect it and nodded.
Elrond sighed and closed his eyes. “Then what in Elbereth’me mme made you think he was getting wed? He’s not, I can vouch for that. And he’s fading away because you’re no longer there.” He could see his words weren’t believed and sighed. “I wish I could say or do anything to make you believe me, for it is true. Tell me what prompted this behaviour in you so I may bring it down.”
Coirëhón nodded and stood, wiping teartears away. This conversation pained him. He went to his coat and retrieved the painful note. “This is why I left, my lord. I know not why I never burned or tore it. The Valar know I’ve wanted to do so many times, but I never could.”
Elrond nodded and read the dreadful words, gasping as he did so. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the handwriting and he jumped up, growling once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
`ERESTOR!`
Erestor flared up in his bed. /Who? What?/ He looked around but his room was empty. It was then he realised there was a very angry presence in his mind. He frowned when he realised as Eas Elrond. `My lord?` He deemed it safer to bring back the artificial distance of officiality. `What is it? Elladan?`
`Deal with that wench. Punish her sufficiently and wyou’you’re done hold her there. I am sure Elladan and Coirëhón will want to yell at her as well.`
Erestor’s eyes widened. `My lord? What do you mean? Is she behind this mess?` Had Elrond found the reason behind Coirëhón’s departure?
`Aye. I just found out. But not why. I leave that to you. And send Glorfindel here to escort us home officially.`
Erestor nodded. `You have found him then?` His hope and happiness seeped through the link and Elrond smiled warmly. `Aye, I have. Later, Erestor.`
Erestor felt the link break and hastily got dressed and left to do Elrond’s bidding. He cursed himself for not noticing before and not pursuing that girl when he first suspected her, but now it was too late.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coirëhón held on to the smith as they watched the upset elflord pace the room while he was far speaking.
“Who is he speaking with?”
Coirëhón shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Elrond suddenly stopped and turned, his eyes focused again and he smiled sadly. “Did you not recognize the hand?”
Coirëhón shook his head. “Nay, but I am grateful I at least had one friend.”
Elrond shook his head. “That was no friend. I am sorry I was too blind to see it myself. I know not why she did it, but I know she did it. It’s her hand. Aiwandila.” The name was pronounced with anger and pure venom. It promised wrath to the bearer.
He forced himself to calm down and looked at the other. “Coirëhón, he’s not wed and if he ever gets wed it will be to you and nobody else. Please give yourselves a second chance? You cannot leave him over something that isn’t real.”
He smiled when he saw two familiar faces come down the stairs and approached them. “Haldir. Elladan, what are you doing here?”
Elladan smiled and hugged his father. “I have no idea. Last thing I know is talking in the forest to Haldir. You?”
“Trying to solve a puzzle. And I am partly succeeding. I’ve found out why Coirëhón left.” Elladan looked at him in fear but also with hope. Elrond handed him the note. “He received this while you were hunting and meeting Elrohir.”
Elladan read it and his eyes angered; liquid fire came to life in them. His scream was so unexpected and loud even Elrond jumped back. He looked at his father, who, despite his own anger at the girl, suddenly felt sorry for her. “Who wrote this? I’ll kill that bastard! How dare he suggest such a thing? No wonder Él left. I would leave me too.”
He sank to the floor and started crying. “But if I hadn’t been so stupid and insane to keep it secret it wouldn’t have happened.” He cried and looked at his father in agony.
Elrond kneeled and hugged him. “Why did you, Elladan? Why did you feel the need to keep your relationship secret? Did you fear my reaction?” /Does he know me better than I think?/
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, I feared losing him. That someone would steal him from me. I didn’t want that to happen. If our relationship was secret I wouldn’t face the humiliation. And now he’s gone.” He flung himself at his father. “I’ve ruined everything. If I hadn’t been so stupid this letter wouldn’t have mattered.”
Coirëhón gasped as he heard the words. He staggered backwards, staring wide-eyed at Elladan, unable to believe his eyes and ears. This couldn’t be happening. This had to be a mirage. He didn’t notice Haldir embracing him supportively, nor did he notice the other steering him out the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Translation:
Massë ëan? Means: Where am I?
TBC
Elrond jumped up when Elrohir burst into the room and he shook his head. “What is it?”
Elrohir smiled and claimed an embrace, knowing his fatherded ded it as much as he did. “A lot. Elladan is crying out on Haldir’s shoulder, and you know the Warden will die before he let him slip away.” For the first time in a long while a genuine smile entered his face and eyes at the words.
“And Mistalas is I-Turtano’s nephew and the smith from the bazhaar is acting as his father and he’s really talented. I asked if he would mind showing Elladan how it’s done, take his mind of things.”
Elrond had stopped listening after learning Mistalas, or Coirëhón was the nephew of the great smith. There were many that owed their lives to that elf’s skill. He had always thought it would be him but he never had any certainty, until now.
He sighed and forced himself to concentrate on Elrohir again. “Anything else?”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye, he’s grieving too, ada. He’s from Imladris, yet I’ve never met him or heard of him, but that’s beside the point. He told me his lover walked out on him after a millennia.” He frowned and shook his head as his eyes darkened in hate. “Nay, that’s not true. His lover was getting married or already was married or something.”
He yelped when Elrond suddenly jumped up, forcing him to fall to the ground. “Ada!”
Elrond looked apologetically at him but beamed as well. “Are you sure that’s what he told you?”
Elrohir nodded and watched in bewildered amusement as his father ran off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elladan opened his eyes and blinked, not recognizing the ceiling he was staring at. “Massë ëan?”
“At my house, young one, and in my bed. Haldir wanted to place you on the couch, but that’s hardly comfortable and you looked like you could use a good night’s rest. He and Mistalas are sleeping in the other room.”
Elladan blinked at the other and allowed his mind to slowly digest the words. “Aha.” was all he could utter when he finally understood.
The smith grinned. “Aha indeed. Do you want me to send word to your twin? He’s been here before, bumped into Mistalas. And he asked him to show you how he works, take your mind of things.” He frowned at Elladan’s shake. “No? You don’t want to watch him work? Why not? It’s an honour; he’s I-Turtano’s nephew.”
Elladan’s eyes widened and he sighed. “Maybe then. If he agrees.” His eyes emptied as sleep claimed him again.
“Aye, sleep, you have a lot of healing to do, young one.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond didn’t knock but simply barged into the house, glaring as a sword was aimed at his throat. “Unless you wish to die, you remove that now!”
The sword was lowered instantly. Elrond’s voice had promised no hesitation. “Forgive me, Lord Elrond, I thought you were an intruder, well, a thieve actually, for an intruder you definitely are.”
Elrond glared and ignored the words, which, under normal conditions, would have made lau laugh. “Where’s Mistalas?”
The smith blocked his passage and didn’t seem afraid of him. “Asleep. Come back tomorrow.” Sounds behind him told them both two others were swiftly making their way downstairs.
Haldir’s bow was drawn but it lowered when he too recognized the lord of Imladris.
The smith didn’t turn as he spoke. “Haldir, go upstairs and keep our guest company and Mistalas, Lord Elrond obviously desperately wishes to speak to you.”
Coirëhón swallowed and continued walking. “It’s all right, adar, you can leave us alone.” The smith beamed at the word and strode out prouder than a peacock.
Elrond frowned. “He’s not your father.”
Coirëhón nodded. “He acts like one and I don’t mind being his son. Why are you here?” He was on his guard and the other sensed it, calming down immediately.
“Elrohir told me what you told him. Mind telling me why you told him that?”
“Because he asked. Because it’s the truth.” He jumped back when the other growled. In all his live he’s only heard it twice, but now was the first time it was directed at him.
“Coirëhón, do not lie to me.” The shock and pain that entered the younger elf’s face mellowed him down again. He closed his eyes. “Don’t worry, I will not betray your identity and you will be Mistalas to me. But I wish for the truth.”
Coirëhón sighed relieved and deducted Elrond mustn’t have learned about him and Elladan or he wouldn’t speak like that. “Thank you, my lord, but I’m afraid any other story would be a lie. My lover is married now.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Please, don’t make me speak of it any more. I’ve found happiness here. I couldn’t remain in Imladris, seeing him daily with his wife, I couldn’t.”
Elrond sat down and gaped at him before he narrowed his eyes. He was silent as he thought everything through. “Where did they get married?”
Coirëhón shrugged. “Imladris.”
Elrond’s lips became thin lines. “There’s hasn’t been a wedding in my realm for little more than a year.”
Coirëhón’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “But.. but..”
Elrond stood and grasped his shoulders. “Word is that you walked out on Elladan.” The eyes settled on him and he smiled affectionately at him. “Erestor and Glorfindel are your only allies, Coirëhón. Even Elrohir sides with Elladan.”
Coirëhón shrugged. “They’re twins. Your sons.”
Elrond shook his head. “I never side with anyone.” He sat down and smiled warmly. “But if I had to, I would stand by you.”
Coirëhón grimaced. “The underdog.”
Elrond shook his head but held his tongue.
He was silent for a while but then asked his question. “Were you Elladan’s lover?”
Coirëhón considered lying, but realised Elrond would always detect it and nodded.
Elrond sighed and closed his eyes. “Then what in Elbereth’me mme made you think he was getting wed? He’s not, I can vouch for that. And he’s fading away because you’re no longer there.” He could see his words weren’t believed and sighed. “I wish I could say or do anything to make you believe me, for it is true. Tell me what prompted this behaviour in you so I may bring it down.”
Coirëhón nodded and stood, wiping teartears away. This conversation pained him. He went to his coat and retrieved the painful note. “This is why I left, my lord. I know not why I never burned or tore it. The Valar know I’ve wanted to do so many times, but I never could.”
Elrond nodded and read the dreadful words, gasping as he did so. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the handwriting and he jumped up, growling once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
`ERESTOR!`
Erestor flared up in his bed. /Who? What?/ He looked around but his room was empty. It was then he realised there was a very angry presence in his mind. He frowned when he realised as Eas Elrond. `My lord?` He deemed it safer to bring back the artificial distance of officiality. `What is it? Elladan?`
`Deal with that wench. Punish her sufficiently and wyou’you’re done hold her there. I am sure Elladan and Coirëhón will want to yell at her as well.`
Erestor’s eyes widened. `My lord? What do you mean? Is she behind this mess?` Had Elrond found the reason behind Coirëhón’s departure?
`Aye. I just found out. But not why. I leave that to you. And send Glorfindel here to escort us home officially.`
Erestor nodded. `You have found him then?` His hope and happiness seeped through the link and Elrond smiled warmly. `Aye, I have. Later, Erestor.`
Erestor felt the link break and hastily got dressed and left to do Elrond’s bidding. He cursed himself for not noticing before and not pursuing that girl when he first suspected her, but now it was too late.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coirëhón held on to the smith as they watched the upset elflord pace the room while he was far speaking.
“Who is he speaking with?”
Coirëhón shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Elrond suddenly stopped and turned, his eyes focused again and he smiled sadly. “Did you not recognize the hand?”
Coirëhón shook his head. “Nay, but I am grateful I at least had one friend.”
Elrond shook his head. “That was no friend. I am sorry I was too blind to see it myself. I know not why she did it, but I know she did it. It’s her hand. Aiwandila.” The name was pronounced with anger and pure venom. It promised wrath to the bearer.
He forced himself to calm down and looked at the other. “Coirëhón, he’s not wed and if he ever gets wed it will be to you and nobody else. Please give yourselves a second chance? You cannot leave him over something that isn’t real.”
He smiled when he saw two familiar faces come down the stairs and approached them. “Haldir. Elladan, what are you doing here?”
Elladan smiled and hugged his father. “I have no idea. Last thing I know is talking in the forest to Haldir. You?”
“Trying to solve a puzzle. And I am partly succeeding. I’ve found out why Coirëhón left.” Elladan looked at him in fear but also with hope. Elrond handed him the note. “He received this while you were hunting and meeting Elrohir.”
Elladan read it and his eyes angered; liquid fire came to life in them. His scream was so unexpected and loud even Elrond jumped back. He looked at his father, who, despite his own anger at the girl, suddenly felt sorry for her. “Who wrote this? I’ll kill that bastard! How dare he suggest such a thing? No wonder Él left. I would leave me too.”
He sank to the floor and started crying. “But if I hadn’t been so stupid and insane to keep it secret it wouldn’t have happened.” He cried and looked at his father in agony.
Elrond kneeled and hugged him. “Why did you, Elladan? Why did you feel the need to keep your relationship secret? Did you fear my reaction?” /Does he know me better than I think?/
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, I feared losing him. That someone would steal him from me. I didn’t want that to happen. If our relationship was secret I wouldn’t face the humiliation. And now he’s gone.” He flung himself at his father. “I’ve ruined everything. If I hadn’t been so stupid this letter wouldn’t have mattered.”
Coirëhón gasped as he heard the words. He staggered backwards, staring wide-eyed at Elladan, unable to believe his eyes and ears. This couldn’t be happening. This had to be a mirage. He didn’t notice Haldir embracing him supportively, nor did he notice the other steering him out the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Translation:
Massë ëan? Means: Where am I?
TBC