the trouble with love

Chapter thirty five decision time

He sat in the chair, feeling all his childish habits forcing their way back. He had to stop himself from shuffling his feet in circles and he practically had to sit on his hands to stop them from going to his mouth. He could sense the eminent nail-biting was close. Something he used to do when seating at his father’s desk every time he had done something bad, impatiently awaiting his punishment.
For some reason he felt like that again and only great force made him look Erestor straight in the eye in stead of out the window. He wished Erestor would end this uncomfortable silence.
This was worse than his father’s desk had ever been because he had always known why he had been there, but now he was at a loss. The counsellor had never given him much notice, so little in fact that Legolas was surprised to hear the counsellor wanted a word with him. And tomorrow Legolas would be going back home.

Erestor swallowed his throat, trying to find a good way to start, but once again words eluded him. He drew in another breath and told himself to do this. “Today’s the last day of the celebrat.” .”
Legolas merely nodded. He would wait for Erestor’s lead. He had no idea what the counsellor wanted to talk about.
Erestor once more cleared his throat and drew in a breath. He wondered why Elrond had picked him for this job. Legolas and he hardly knew each other. Normally that wouldn’t have made the slightest difference to Erestor but this was such short notice and that made him highly uncomfortable. /Why Elrond hadn’t asked him before?/ Than it wouldn’t have been a problem. But now Erestor felt it inappropriate for him to be asking this. It should be one of the twins or even Elrond.
He decided to get it over with. “I don’t know if you have any plans after tomorrow, but Lord Elrond would be pleased if you would be able to remain and and take on the job of teaching Elnihir and Elvil the art of fighting. Lord Elrond would ask you himself, but unfortunately he’s too busy, nor did he wish to delay it any further.” Legolas was stunned. He had not expected this. But before he could open his mouth to speak Erestor continued: “We ot eot expect an immediate answer. Tomorrow will be soon enough.” He waved his arm in the direction of the door, indicating the meeting to be over.

Legolas stood and left, his head in a daze. He had a hard time taking everything in. He needed to clear his head and he made his way to the secret spot he had found.

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Elvil stirred and woke. He smiled when he recognized Elladan’s scent. He turned in the embrace. The smile he sent Ellamademade the older elf a bit dizzy. Elladan blinked his eyes to get rid of the spell. “How are you?”
“Ok, I guess. It’s just difficult. Like having two memories, two lives, but it is one. It’s weird.” Elladan nodded in understanding. “I’m glad the spell has worked. I think you need something to eat.” He had been reluctant to get up earlier, but his stomach had been making noises for about an hour now and he could no longer ignore it.
Elvil smiled. “That sounds like a great idea. ” he” he hesitated, not really sure he should voice this. Elladan smiled at him reassuringly. “I don’t want others to know, Elladan. I don’t want questions I can’t answer.” Elladan understood. “You want to find your own answers first. Let’s go eat, shall we?”

Elvil beamed and reached for Elladan’s hand as they madeir wir way to the kitchen. At the second corner they bumped into Elrohir and Elnihir.
Elnihir drew Elvil into a tight hug. “I am so glad you’re all right.” He couldn’t stop crying or hugging him. Elvil warmly returned the hug. “We’re going to the kitchen. Coming?” Elnihir didn’t have a choice for Elvil was already dragging him along. “What have you been doing with yourself?” he asked.
The twins looked at each other at this exchange. “It seems things are back to normal.” Elrohir said, but Elladan shook his head. “Don’t count on that, my brother, don’t count on it.”
Elrohir looked at his twin in small wonder. “What do you mean?” But Elladan remained silent. He did not wish to share this with his brother. Besides, he wasn’t even sure he was correct.

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The kitchen staff had outdone itself on today’s lunch. It was going to be the last lunch of the celebrations and after that many elves would go back to their own realms. Until lunchtime tomorrow many elves would be departing. Everyone was glad to be going home, but also sad that the celebrations were over. Promises to visit were exchanged all around. The ‘Lóriën party would be the first to leave.

Celeborn secretly handed Elrohir a note when he passed the younger elf on his way to his seat. Elrohir smiled. Trust Celeborn to leave a message on what they were doing. He quickly read it and smiled.
‘everything all right on S-V. Unsure on E-T. G and I keep eye on 2; you keep 1 under observation.’
He laughed to himself. Celeborn hadn’t need to hand it like that. No one would have been able to read this message except himself and Daiz. He would tell Daiz to keep his eye on ‘V.’ to make sure everything stayed all right. He wondered what had happened.
But now he was going to concentrate on lunch. It wasn’t daily that he got to help himself to such feastings. He exchanged a smile with his twin as Elnihir and Elvil attacked the food. It reminded him of his own childhood and how he and Elladan had tried to eat everything in one minute before it would evaporate.

Elrond kept a close eye on Elvil. Although he seemed the same Elrond could see tiny differences. It told him the spell had worked, but not why Elvil hadn’t said so. But after what Melpomean had told him, he could understand. If it was true, and there was no doubt on his mind that it was, Elvil was safer being Elvil.
But what disturbed him where the quick glances in Elladan’s direction. But the second Elladan’s eyes threatened to cross Elvil’s he averted his. It was a behaviour Elrond had not seen in him before and he feared Elvil might soon be running from Elladan again.
He also saw Elnihir smile at Legolas, who returned it. Elrond smiled inwardly. He hoped Legolas would stay. Maybe his grandson would be able to help Legolas?
When his sheen got kicked Elrond released a little yelp and dropped his juice. He looked at Galadriel, who was sitting at his side. “What did you do that for?” He rubbed his sheen frantically. He could see it would become a big bruise, he bruised so easily and sometimes he wondered whether that was a result of his human blood.

Galadriel merely smiled at him. “Well, you were blatantly ignoring us and I thought a little reminder of where you are was in order. No need to be so dramatic about it; it was only a slight tap.” She raised her eyes to the heavens. “You men can be so whiny.”
At that all the men present looked insulted, but the women broke out in laughter and nodded in agreement. Celeborn silenced them with his hand. “I am sure you women have your lesser qualities as well. We always have to wait for you to be ready if we go out, whether it’s a short walk or a huge party. I don’t know about your ladies but Galadriel here implies she only does it for me. I don’t really see the point. We’re married and to me you look the same whether you paint yourself for hours or put on orcish clothes. Women!” Now it were the women with outrages faces and the men who where cheering.
But Galadriel had her reply ready. “Fine, next time we have a reception I shall wear ugly clothes, let’s see what people say then.” Her face was set in defiance. Celeborn chuckled. “It doesn’t matter what you wear, dear, you always look astonishingly beautiful to me. And you seem to blind everybody with your smile, so maybe you could even go naked and none would notice.” She hit him over the head in a playful way.
Haldir shook his head. He had witnessed too many of these banters. Others who did not know them personally were a little shocked to see and hear this, but their admiration towards the couple only rose. They resembled a normal couple. Whispers would go round: ‘look, the lord and lady of ‘Lóriën are normal too.’ ‘how do they do it? Be so regal and yet so normal?’

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Crash!
Another of his vases fell to the floor as Melpomean tried to get formally dressed. Soon the parties would leave and his presence was requested, he was sure, so now he had to get dressed. He was about to lose balance again and he swayed around dangerously, waving his arms about to get some sort of support.
Suddenly strong arms had wrapped themselves around his waist, steadying him. “Melpomean, what are you trying to do?” He cringed, hearing Elrond’sce bce behind him. Elrond gently, but determinedly guided him to a chair and a reluctant Melpomean sat down. “You don’t expect me to wear my normal robes to the departure, do you?”

Elrond red red himself and kneeled down in front of the other. He rested his arms on Melpomean’s shoulders. “No, I expect you to take your rest and make a full recovery. No one will mind if you’re absent.” Elrond could see the worries and troubles coming back in the younger elf’s orbs and he hurried to soothe him. “There really is no reason that demands your presence, Melpomean, although…..” Elrond stopped and pretended to be thinking. “I should have figured. You don’t really want to be there, you just want to get out of your rooms before you go nuts.” He now squished the other’s shoulders. “Why didn’t you just say so, my friend. Far be it from me to lock you in your room. By all means, take a walk in the garden or something.”
His plan was workinglpomlpomean had not expected this and was looking at Elrond disbelievingly. Before he could voice his doubts though, Elrond spoke once more, changing the subject. “I came here to tell you Elvil has woken some hours ago. He seems the same, but I can assure you the spell did work. Which is why I must ask you to keep your findings to yourself.” Melpomean didn’t understand why Elrond asked that, but he nodded his consent. He would do all Elrond would ask of him without questioning it and when the Lord left he would sit and ponder Elvil’s reaction.

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“Legolas?!”

He didn’t really want to talk to anyone but he stopped none the less. He knew he would never fool Galadriel into believing he hadn’t heard her. He waited until she was standing in front of him. Not saying anything Legolas waited for her to speak.
“Legolas, it has been too long since we saw each other last and I feel this celebration has been too short for today is the last day we all will be in your presence.”

Legolas wondered what she wanted. Not to say goodbye for if that was the case, she would have said so. No, there was more to it, he knew. “Thank you for your kind words milady. I hope our paths will cross again soon. If you will excuse me…”
He turned to leave but Galadriel’s lyrical voice stopped him. “Actually I wanted to ask you a question. Elnihir seems rather drawn to you, is he not?” Legolas stopped, just like she knew he would, and turned around. “Aye, milady. What about it?”
She smiled her most dazzling smile. “As you might know Elrohir needs some help raising him. And I was hoping you might be inclined to keep an eye on the little one for us. If it wouldn’t be too much of a trouble to travel so often between your home and this realm? Perhaps one of those journeys might even lead to ‘Lóriën.”

Legolas shook his head. /Elrond must really be desperate if he sends Galadriel to talk me into staying./ “My lady, Erestor has already spoken to me, informing me of Lord Elrond’s request to remain here and teach the little ones the skills of war.”
Galadriel’s smile broadened. “Ar man quetuvatyë?”
Legolas lowered his eyes. He did not wish to tell her an untruth but he also did not wish to get talked into anything. He still hadn’t made up his mind. Part of him wanted to accept the offer and stay, but another part of him wanted to run away as fast and as soon as possible.
The Lady of Loriënriën read his inner turmoil and touched his shoulder in a supportive manner. “Cennyë úístëatyë an sí. Far be it from me to tell you what to do. I, like all others, can only offer you advice. Why not stay a little longer, and perhaps teach a little; see if the situation is acceptable to you. If not you can always leave. I am sure Elrond will understand your desire to wait and see.”
Legolas released a sigh. He was glad the lady did not tell him what to do, that she had juiveniven advice and it had sounded logical. But so many things went through is mind. /What if it all goes wrong? What if I loose the one thing that matters to me?/

Galadriel had already turned and was walking away slowly, but now turned again and addressed him once more. “úlenca fúmë, cundu, an ilya vanwa ëa ruvumë. An ellë anruvúva pella lencanëtyë.” She left him stunned.

End chapter 35
TBC

Translations:

Ar man quetuvatyë? And what will you say?

Cennyë úístë anë an sí. I see you do not know yet.

úlenca fúmë, cundu, an ilya vanwa ëa ruvumë. An ellë anruvúva pella lencanëtyë Worry not, Prince, against every loss there is a gain. And you will gain more than you have lost.