A heart's miscommunication

Chapter twelve Confused

Glorfindel sat and blinked. He had a hard time processing all the new information. Celeborn smiled and filled a glass with wine. “Here, it looks like you need this.” Glorfindel nodded and drank.

Finally he lifted his head and locked his eyes with Galadriel. He’s always found it easier to read her than Celeborn, for some weird reason, and he knew he wasn’t the only one. He figured it might be because Galadriel could read others, her mind was more open. “There’s something you’re not telling me.” It was an accusation.
Galadriel smiled, but didn’t answer. Instead she locked eyes with her husband, who shrugged.

Suddenly Glorfindel jumped up. “What’s wrong with Elrond? Tell me!”
Celeborn laughed. “Ease down, slayer, we know not. It feels as if he’s grieving. Do you know of any that claimed his heart?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Where is he?”
Galadriel smiled. “In his rooms. Seeing you might brighten his day. He’s troubled for his sons, and his own ache isn’t helping.”
Glorfindel nodded and marched away.

Celeborn sighed and looked at his wife. “Do you think it is wise? And why didn’t you want us to tell him the truth?”
She closed her eyes. “Because I know what will happen and if Glorfindel knows he will intervene.”
Celeborn nodded. “He will not let Elrond fade, if that’s what you mean.”
She nodded. “Aye, and I would thank him with whole my heart, but if he does so, we’ll lose Haldir.”
Celeborn sat down and frowned. “The mirror?”
She nodded. “Aye. I never understood the images I saw, but now I do. My only regret is not understanding it sooner. I might have been able to prevent their pain.”
Celeborn stood and hugged her tight. “Do not trouble yourself over that. You and I will guide them to the right path.”
She smiled and nodded, cocking her head when she saw his smirk.

He grinned. “Talking of which: what is the right path?”
She smiled warmly. “Mistalas and Elladan belong together. If they don’t reconcile, we will lose Elladan. I need no mirror to tell me that.”
Celeborn smiled sadly. “Leaving Haldir alone.” He nodded in understanding. “He and Elrond will save each other.”
She nodded. “Aye, for they both love Mistalas. Only with each other will they forget their pain, because the other shares it.”
Celeborn grinned. “And knowing them they will not admit they need each other without some guidance.” He grinned. “You take Elrond, I will puss Haldir.”
She cocked her head in question. “And Elladan and Mistalas?”
Celeborn grinned. “We’ve got Thrilmaldur and the smith for that. If they need any pushing at all.”

He pulled her close, sensing her need for oblivion. “Come, let’s forget the world tonight.”

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

Elrond jumped up when his door flung open and his whole appearance changed for the better when he saw the seneschal. “Glorfindel, when did you arrive?”
The blond smiled and approached him. “Just now. Galadriel and Celeborn told me what happened here.” He grinned. “If Erestor hears he will lose it for sure. This whole situation is frustrating him.”
Elrond sighed. “We’ve got a problem, Glorfindel. Coirëhón refuses to return. Because of Haldir.”
Glorfindel nodded. “So I’ve heard. But I’ll bet Elladan hasn’t really sensed him yet. He will and conquer him all over.” He nodded, a smug smile on his face. “They’re in each other in a way I’ve never seen before, Elrond. They’ll reconcile sooner than you think.”

He cocked his head and pulled the Peredhel to his feet, not liking the distant lost look in the grey orbs. /Are they right? Are you grieving? If so I must find out who./ “You are brooding too much. Come, we should spar.”

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

Orophin frowned when Thrilmaldur asked him to lend Mistalas his sword. But the real surprise was seeing the elf wield it. /He can fight?/
Thrilmaldur grinned. “Now you know what we’ve been doing in the evenings together.” He smiled at the dumbstruck elf and nudged the other to remain silent. If Coirëhón made the wrong move now his little white lie would be discovered. He looked beyond the warrior. “Leave us alone, will you, Orophin?”

Nodding, the elf left, still bedazzled about the fact Mistalas could fight. /What if Ru is right and he is Elladan’s lover? It’ll break Haldir’s heart. I should tell him. But if I’m wrong and he’s not Coirëhón, I might ruin their relationship over nothing. What to do?/ He was still pondering it when he returned home.

Haldir frowned when he saw Orophin return alone. “Where’s Raven?”
Those words brought Orophin out of his trance and he shook his head to clear it. “He can fight! He’s sparring with Thrilmaldur. He can fight!” His voice was filled with shock and disbelief.
Haldir’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me that counsellor taught him how to use a sword? I want to be the one to do that.”
Orophin shook his head. “That’s what he said. Thrilmaldur I mean. But I think he lied. Mistalas’ movements were to… to… to refined, to practised for him to be new at it. Do you think he can be…?”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay, impossible. Elladan would have recognized him if he were. Nay, Mistalas can not be Coirëhón.”
Orophin sighed. /I hope so./

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

Elladan paced his room, stunning his twin with the movement. He was trying to think as Coirëhón would think.

Suddenly he growledkingking Elrohir jump up in fright. “I can’t do this. I can’t think. Ro, listen. Ru suggested I think like Él, and he’s right.” He nodded. “He left thinking I betrayed him all those years, that I would return with a wife.”
Elrohir nodded. “And he doesn’t want us to find him.”
Elladan resumed his pacing. “Aye, but where did he go? He is a warrior, Ro, and knows the dangers of being alone on the road too long.”
Elrohir nodded but didn’t speak, not daring to interrupt his brother’s thinking.
Elladan nodded as well. “Therefore he would go here; even as a stop to Mirkwood.”
Elrohir frowned. “But he never arrived here, Adan. He was never seen here and he couldn’t pass unnoticed.”

Elladan nodded but smiled. “Because he changed himself, Ro. Wouldn’t you? He must have changed himself before coming here.” He nodded vigorously, happy he was now on the right track. Talking out loud has always helped him.
Elrohir jumped and screamed. “Aye, he must have. And he’s no longer a warrior, or at least he’s pretending not to be one.” He looked apologetically. “Erestor made me promise not to tell, but I think I can forgo that promise now. His weapons and tunic were found buried nearby the borders. It makes perfect sense if he changed himself.”
Elladan nodded. “Could you get them? I should give them back.”
Elrohir nodded. “But we have to find him first.”
Elladan sighed and resumed pacing. “I know. But he’s here, in ‘Lóriën. And now all we have to do is find out how many new elves arrived here after Él left me. Any of those elves can be him.”

Elrohir frowned. “Mistalas is among them, Adan.” Suddenly he jumped up and hit his head. “How could I’ve been so blind? I should have seen. I’m not fading.” He shook his head. “Mistalas is Coirëhón. It’s the only way.”
Elladan cocked his head and recalled the image of Mistalas in his head. Suddenly he grabbed his twin by the shoulders and looked happy.

“Mistalas is I-Turtano’s nephew.”
Elrohir frowned, remembering. But he also knew Coirëhón wasn’t. Had he made a mistake? “But than it’s impossible. Coirëhón…”
Elladan grinned. “Is related to him. He’s wearing a necklace with a gem in it. His uncle made it. He told me the gem belonged to his father’s dagger. He even showed me a picture of it once. Know what?” Elrohir shook his head, but could guess the coming words. “It was made by I-Turtano.”
Elrohir nodded. “But that doesn’t make him I-Turtano’s nephew or any other relative for that matter.”
Elladan nodded but grinned madly. “But ata once said he believed him to be. He knew Él’s family, Ro. He told me about them sometimes.” His eyes started blinking. “I have to find him.”

Suddenly he sagged and screamed harder than a Nazgûl.
Elrohir rushed forward and hugged him. “Adan?”
Elladan looked at him with sad eyes. “That’s why Rumil didn’t want to tell me. He’s with Haldir now.”
Elrohir frowned but then he gasped as he remembered. “But it can never be a real relationship. He’s ailing too. They said so, remember? Go to him, talk to him. He still thinks you betrayed him, remember, that you’re wed. Go to him. He cannot turn you away, he loves you still, I am sure.”
Elladan nodded and allowed his twin to walk him to the brothers’ talan.

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

Coirëhón smiled when the match was over. They had sparred for three hours now and his mind was clear, free. As he leaned on his sword he smiled. “Thank you, meldir. I needed this.”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “Have you found an answer? Or do you need another match?”
Coirëhón smiled warmly. “You’re exhausted. I cannot spar you again.”
“Then try me or Elrond.” Both elves turned and stared open-eyed at the approaching Peredhel and Balrog Slayer.

Glorfindel smiled warmly. “If I hadn’t been informed on your identity, I would never have guessed.” He grinned. “We’re a little too late, it seems. I would have loved to see if you managed to keep your skills at the high level they were.” He saw the blush appear as it always did when he complemented the other.
“Elladan taught you well.” He smiled warmly as the blush intensified. “I believe he even taught you some of his patented moves.”
Elrond widened his eyes, catching on. “You must be mistaken, Glorfindel. Elladan always says he would never show that to anyone. Remember how many times you asked him to teach you?”
Glorfindel nodded. “Aye, but he did teach him.”

He shrugged. “Can we spar?”
Coirëhón wasn’t sure. Part of him wanted to flee but another part of him desperately needed the sparring match to clear his head.
Thrilmaldur saw and came to the rescue. “Maybe later, Seneschal. We have some talking to do, don’t we?”
Coirëhón nodded and walked a bit away.

Thrilmaldur cocked his head. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Coirëhón smiled. “Glorfindel showed up.” He saw the other would not allow the diversion and he sighed. “I know not if I would or would not take him back. With or without Haldir’s presence. But I do know now that I have to talk to him. I also know my love for Elladan is greater than what I feel for Haldir.” He sat down. “I’m not even sure I even loved him enough in the first place. He was available.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and sat down beside him. “You needed him to survive.” He smiled compassionately. “And you hoped you would learn to love him.”
The other looked at him in shock. “Please don’t be jealous.”
Thrilmaldur laughed warmly. “I’m not. You took him because he’s a warrior. Nay, I’m not jealous. And I will not advice you what to do, but aye, talk to Elladan and decide then.”

He stood. “And Haldir will not be alone. He will have his brothers to hold him, and I am sure my lord and lady will look after him as well. As will I, you have my word.”
Coirëhón smiled gratefully. “Thank you, meldir. I will let you know. Watch us spar?”
The counsellor wiggled his eyebrows. “You will spar Glorfindel? That I must see. I think you are one of the few to best him.” He walked closer and grinned. “This will be an interesting view.” He noticed Elrond had retrieved himself out of view. He was watching without being noticed.

Glorfindel smiled and made the preparations. “I will take your earlier match into account, young one.”
Coirëhón snorted. “Who are you calling young, you ancient elf? Prepare to be bested.”

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

When the door opened Haldir and Orophin jumped up. Orophin immediately hugged the twins. “How are you doing? You look better, Elladan. Hope has returned to your eyes. I must say I am happy to see it.”
Elladan nodded curtly and looked around. “Where is he?”
Haldir raised his eyebrows but Elrohir prevented any quarrel that might arise. “Mistalas, we’re looking for Mistalas. We think we’ve found his lover. Well, his… eh…”
Orophin screamed happily. “That’s great!” /It means he can’t be Coirëhón./ “He’s sparring with Thrilmaldur. At the practising grounds.”
Elrohir nodded. “All right, we will seek him there then. We know where it is. Bye.” He had to run to keep up with Elladan. Orophin hadn’t been kidding when he said hope has returned to his twin, and right now it gave him wings.

TBC