A heart's miscommunication

Chapter eleven What now?

Glorfindel smiled, happily looking around. He was glad to have arrived and the journey had gone swifter than he’d anticipated.

He smiled when he detected Galadriel and Celeborn coming his way. He swiftly dismounted and bowed in respect.
Celeborn clasped his shoulders. “Mae Govannen, meldir. I have prepared rooms for you.”
Glorfindel frowned. “I am sure Elrond will want to return as swiftly as possible.”

A look passed between the rulers of the Golden Wood and Galadriel smiled sadly. “I fear there are complications.” She sighed. “And it is all my fault.”
Celeborn shook his head. “Nay, no one is to blame. We must hope the children are adapt enough to solve it themselves. We cannot meddle now.”

He looked at Glorfindel. “You are aware why you are here?”
Glorfindel nodded. “To escort them home in style. And I think we should hurry. Erestor is alone now and the wench is cunning.”
Celeborn cocked his head. “Are you doubting Erestor’s capabilities?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay, but who knows what she’ll do to get out? The sooner we return the better.”
Galadriel nodded. “But you can’t return alone and right now Mistalas is unwilling to leave.” Seeing the blond’s eyebrows go up made her laugh. “Aiya, forgive me, Glorfindel, I cannot stop thinking of him as Mistalas. It’s a long story and we will tell you everything.”

And with a bewildered expression on his face, Glorfindel followed the other two inside where he was informed.

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Erestor signalled the guards to stand aside. Curiosity was getting the better of him and he decided to already question the she-elf. Before the seneschal had left he had pointed out the suitable guards and while the blond was moving towards the border they had arrested Aiwandila.

Erestor masked all emotions and stepped in the room. One guard followed him inside and secretly he smiled at the action.

Aiwandila looked at him and her expression was almost lethal. She rose and glared. “How dare you? Lord Elrond will hear of this! And Elladan will never allow this behaviour.”
Erestor ignored the words and sat down. “Do you really think your treachery would remain secret?”
She snorted and turned her back on him. “Leave, Counsellor, and start packing. Your days here are numbered.”
Before Erestor could say anything the guard snorted. “Hold your tongue, wench. You drove them apart and we will not let you get away with it. So just forget any escape attempt you might be thinking of.” She twirled round and glared at him but the guard merely rested his hand on his dagger. “The only reason this isn’t in your throat yet is because I would not rob my lord of that pleasure.” He spit on her shoes.
The girl glared and stepped forward. “I know not what Erestor’s been telling you, but I assure you he’s lying.”
The guard snorted. “They broke up because of you! And none will forgive you. Lord Elladan will want to unleash his anger at you himself, but I swear, if you do not hold your tongue, he will find nothing but your corpse.”

Erestor had a hard time keeping a straight face and watched in silence. He had long realised he had forgotten a tiny, yet important detail. Coirëhón was a guard as well and therefore loved by the ones responsible for guarding her. And it seemed Aiwandila had forgotten as well.

She now walked closer, and a bit towards the door. But her plan failed for the guard noticed and whistled. Instantly there were two guards standing in the doorway, glaring at her and with their arrows notched. “You might try it, but you won’t get far.”
She looked at them with loathing. “You are making a mistake. I am Elladan’s betrothed. He will not treat you kindly if he learns.”
Erestor jumped up but the warriors laughed. “Hear that guys? She’s living in a dream world. A dream world she decided to make true.”
Erestor nodded and advanced on her. “You are a disgrace to any elf. How could you make them believe the other walked out on them? Because you wanted Elladan?” He shivered. “I know enough. You will remain here and you will be fed only once a day. Lord Elrond will decide your punishment.”

Heppedpped out and the warrior followed him, but be cle closing the door Erestor turned again. “And they are right: any escape will result in death. Have you forgotten Coirëhón is one of them?”

The door fell close and he sighed. “Don’t let anybody near. And don’t let her walk.”
They nodded, faces set grim. “We won’t. This is personal, Lord Counsellor.”
Erestor nodded. “And the one bringing the meal is a Dwarf. She won’t let Aiwandila bribe her.”
The warriors looked amazed. “A Dwarf?”
Erestor nodded. “Aye. In the last storm some Dwarves got caught and some of them were injured. They are healing here. I’m surprised you haven’t seen them yet. They offered their services in return, but Elrond always said they were guests. Though one she-Dwarf was more determined.” He grinned as he remembered the verbal battled between Elrond and the female Dwarf. “She’s helping in the kitchen. Her name is Glina.”

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Orophin frowned when he walked into the house. He instantly dropped the purchased goods on the floor and looked around. “Haldir? RU?”
Haldir emerged and smiled. “Phin! You’re back. Raven needs to get away from here. He met the Peredhil and now is upset. I’m taking him to our vale until they are away.”
Orophin nodded. “I’ll come get you when they’ve left.”
Haldir nodded. “I was hoping you would.”

Both he and Orophin jumped when Rumil ran inside, his face flustered. “Ru?”
Rumil sat down and looked at his brothers. “You are never going to believe this!”
Orophin shook his head. “Oh no, Ru, no gossip today. We are in no mood for that.”
Rumil growled and jumped back up. “It’s not gossip. Elrohir told me. And look.” He showed them Coirëhón’s picture.
Haldir grabbed it. “It’s beautiful. And so real.”
Orophin nodded. “Aye, who did this?” His eyebrows wiggled. “Don’t tell me you raided Thrilmaldur’s desk?”
Rumil shook his head. “Nay, Elrohir gave me it. Elladan made it.” He grinned when his brothers frowned. “Why would…”

The rest of the words never left their lips for Mistalas walked in. “I forgot my sketch b Do Do you maybe have something I can use? Or your neighbours?”
Orophin hugged him and grabbed the painting from Haldir. “Look, this is you.” He grinned. “I think Haldir and Thrilmaldur aren’t the only ones noticing you.”
His eyes widened when Mistalas jumped up. “Thrilmaldur. I have to talk to him.”
Haldir pulled him back. “You could run into…”
Mistalas shook his head. “Phin will walk me there, won’t you? I have to talk to him, Haldir. I promised I would meet him tomorrow, but if we leave I can’t and…”
Haldir nodded. “All right, you have to go explain. Keep him safe, Phin. I will finish packing for you.” He looked at Rumil, had had a strange expression on his face.

Rumil jumped up. “A walk along with you a bit. I have an appointment.”

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Elladan sighed when someone entered the room. Looking up he recognized the smith and he stood up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stayed here so long.”
The smith waved the apology away. “It’s all right. You are the second elf with heartache I meet. Mistalas being the first.” He grinned and grabbed the painting. “This is his uncle. Can you believe he had no idea who he was?”
Elladan looked at the painting. “I know that painting. There’s a smaller copy in the library. He’s a great smith, isn’t he?”
The smith nodded. “Aye, and Mistalas is his nephew.” He left the twin alone to get some food.

Elladan frowned. He remembered why Mistalas’ heart was broken but now that he knew who he was it was hard to match those two things together, he tried hard to remember the elf’s name in any of the tale’s he’s heard about the great smith, but failed.

He jumped up when the door swung open. “There you are. You seem to like it here. Why are you brooding?”
Elladan smiled at Elrohir’s words and leaned against his twin when the other had settled down beside him. “I miss Él, Ro. But I can never have him back. Not without explaining and apologizing first and that I cannot do. I don’t know where he is.”
Elrohir grinned. “I think he’s here. Ru said there are a lot of hide outs here and when I showed him that painting you made, he grabbed it and ran off. My guess is that he’s seen him.”
Elladan sat back up, hope entering his eyes. “Really? I have to go to him then. I have to find him. I have to.”
Elrohir jumped up and nodded. “Aye, and once we’ve got you two back together we need to work on Mistalas. Father acted real strange when I told him.”
Elladan ignored the words and ran out.

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Thrilmaldur frowned when someone knocked on his door and he cracked it open, smiling when he saw Mistalas’ features. “Mistalas, come in. what brings you here. Or is it tomorrow already?”
Coirëhón smiled but shook his head. He hung his head and sighed.

Sensing the trouble and pain forced Thrilmaldur to instantly pull him in and burry him in a hug. “Come, sit down. You are obvious upset. Tell me, maybe I can help?”
Coirëhón shook his head. “Nay. Only time will heal me. Haldir is taking me on a vacation, so I won’t be here tomorrow.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and frowned. “He’s doing that to cheer you up. What happened?” He sighed at the silence. “I’ve got a lot nflunfluence, meldir. I can help you.”

He stood and smiled. “And I’ve been thinking. Lord Elrond is here and he’s a gifted healer. Maybe he can help you.” He was unprepared for the out burst that followed and looked at the other in wonder. When the raving stopped only tears were heard. He cursed himself for not considering the other’s past and hurried to sooth him. “Forgive me, I did not think. Which is a first.”

He hugged him. “What has happened? And I don’t mean todbut but Imladris as well. You’re breaking, Mistalas, and it hurts me to see it.”
In between the sobs Coirëhón ged ged to tell him everything.
Thrilmaldur sighed as he listened. He poured some miruvor in a glass and made the other sip.

“So let me see if I got this right. Your real name is Coirëhón, not Mistalas, and you were lord Elladan’s lover. Someone made you believe Elladan was getting wed and after you left that same person made Elladan believe you walked out on ”
”
He rubbed his nose. “Well, that only makes sense if that someone is interested in Elladan him- or herself. You were in the way, so to speak.”
He sighed and sat down, pulling the weeping elf in a hug. “Do not blame yourself for walking away. You acted according to your knowledge. And nothing can change the fact anyway.”

He frowned. “And now you know what really happened and you feel torn between Elladan and Haldir.”
Coirëhón nodded and looked at the other for guidance, his eyes filled with hope.
Thrilmaldur shrugged. “It’s simple really. If Haldir wasn’t there, would you go back to Elladan? Think about that, meldir, and think good. For if you d, yd, you cannot stay with Haldir, for you would only end up hurting him. But if you wouldn’t you should stay with him.”

He sighed. “But regardless of your decision, he deserves to know the truth.”
Coirëhón shook his head. “Nay, they’ll despise me if they know.”
Thrilmaldur narrowed his eyes. “Do I despise you?”

He smiled and turned, grabbing a sword. “Come, we shall spar.”
Coirëhón widened his eyes in wonder and question.
Thrilmaldur shrugged. “Lord Celeborn himself trained me. Sparring will be easy, I hope. You are a warrior. Sparring will help you think.”
Coirëhón smiled and nodded, understanding now. He stood and dried his eyes. “Do you have a spare? I buried my weapons before I came here.”
Thrilmaldur shrugged. “Nay, but I am sure you can borrow Orophin’s. It is him waiting downstairs, isn’t it?”
Coirëhón nodded and blushed. He had no choice but to follow.

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Rumil shook his head when he saw a known silhouette run past the house. Without giving any explanations to his hosts he stormed out and ran after the fast elf.

“Elladan, wait! Elladan, please, wait a moment. Elladan.” He had to run faster if he was to catch up with the twin. “Elladan, will you wait?”

Finally Elladan stopped and turned, looking grim, yet hopeful. He was annoyed someone wanted him to stop searching, but realising it was Rumil he hoped the elf might tell him where Coirëhón was.

Rumil didn’t stop until he stood in front of the twin. “What’s the rush?”
Elladan rolled his eyes. “Where is he?”
Rumil widened his eyes. “Mistalas? He went to see Thrilmaldur. He has an appointment with him tomorrow, but Haldir is taking him for a small vacation tonight.”
Elladan rolled his eyes. “Does it look like I care? Coirëhón, where’s Coirëhón?”

Rumil smiled and cocked his head. “You’re father than anyone thinks, aren’t you?” Elladan glared at him but Rumil ignored it. “Your senses have deteriorated bad, haven’t they?”
Elladan snorted. “Why do you care?”
Rumil laughed. “You’re a friend, only natural that I care about you. But you haven’t sensed him then.”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, where is he? Ro said you knew the hide outs. Is in one of them?”
Rumil shook his head. “Nay, he isn’t. Yet!”

He placed his hands on Elladan’s shoulders. “How well do you know him? How much do you want him back?”
Elladan sighed. “He’s my life, Rumil. And I don’t care if I have to work ten thousand millennia to get him back, I will never stop showing him how sorry I am.”
Rumil smiled and nodded. “Go to your talan, Elladan, and start thinking like him. Ro said you know why he left, try to figure out what he did next. Think like him and you’ll find him.”
Elladan glared at him again. “Just tell me!”
Rumil shook his head. “Nay. I cannot. You’re on your own.” He smiled saddened and left.

Even though he longed to help the twin, he could not, for it would hurt Haldir. And he had promised Mistalas to remain silent. Of course that promise was made before he knew Mistalas’ lover was Elladan, but that didn’t change the fact that he had promised. And it didn’t help him he had no idea what either he the three elves were thinking. /Aiya, Elbereth, protect them. Make them happy./

TBC