breaking the ice

Chapter fourteen Finding answers

Erestor frowned when he realised he had just woken from a peaceful sleep. This was the second peaceful rest he had recently.

Stretching he realised Rumil was sleeping close to him. His first instinct was to pull away but finding out he was holding Rumil in place shocked him. He looked at the sleeping elf in his arms, wondering if perhaps his night had been so calm because of him. Without realising it he caressed Rumil’s hair with his left hand.

Rumil smiled. He had been awake a while now but had not given Erestor any indication of that fact, curious what the other elf would do if he thought him to be asleep.

Suddenly Erestor realised what he was doing and he flared upright. “No!”
Rumil instantly turned and looked at him. “Erestor? What is it?”

Erestor shook his head and before he knew it he was having the worst panic attack he ever haven ven breathing became difficult. Feeling two arms embrace him with concern he leaned into it. Only seconds later he pushed back and started shaking. Tears made it to his eyes and he started rocking himself.

Rumil was beside himself with worry and determinedly tried again. “Erestor?” Slowly, so the other could see what he was doing, he sat in front of the shaking elf and opened his arms. “Please confide in me. You took care of me. Now let me take care of you. Please?”
Not really knowing why he felt it important to voice his next thoughts. “I will never hurt you, I love you, remember?”
He was stunned to see Erestor fling himself at him, crying in earnest. He embraced him and rubbed soothing circles on his back, patiently waiting if Erestor would confide in him.

After an hour Erestor stilled. “I’m sorry.”
Rumil shook his head. “Don’t be. It’s all right to let go. You freaked out because you touched my hair, isn’t it?” Seeing Erestor’s bewildered look settle on him, he smiled. “I didn’t want to startle you so I pretended to be still asleep. Forgive me.”

Erestor rested his head against him. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.” He felt adrift on his emotions, like a boat on a stormy sea. Rumil’s compassion was like a shining beacon and he clutched at the other’s clothes.
Rumil reacted by tightening his hold. “Erestor, I think you panicked because you showed your feelings, isn’t it?” Erestor nodded and Rumil’s heart pounded wildly. /He trusts me! He trusts me enough!/ “Why do you feel you need to hide them?”

Erestor sagged against him, burying his head in Rumil’s hair. He wanted to tell Rumil, to confide in him, but he couldn’t voice it. Instead he tried to get his breathing under control. Feeling himself being pulled to sleep he raised his head and looked at Rumil. Already shaken he was stunned by the love and care that stared back at him. His voice was cracked and low when he spoke. “My room, your answers.” His eyes became vacant as sleep claimed him; he was exhausted.

Rumil held onto him a little longer and then lifted him in the bed. He looked towards the door and growled. /Maybe I can pick the lock?/ But what if he failed? /Then Haldir will have to pay for a broken door after I break it open./ He kneeled before the door and after some minutes of wiggling he had the door open.

Before he left he wrote Erestor a little note. He didn’t want to worry him. Erestor stirred when Rumil left but didn’t wake and since Rumil’s scent was heavy in the room his dreams stayed light as well.

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Haldir smiled at Elladan, figuring he might as well start their ploy this morning.
“Good morning, Haldir. How fare you?” Haldir shrugged his shoulders and sat down on his chair. “Where is everybody else?”
Elladan didn’t understand the smile Haldir directed at him, but he smiled back. “I don’t know, you are the first one I see. Would you and your brothers care to join me today? I would like to show Rumil the village and I don’t believe you and Orophin have already seen it.”
Haldir nodded. “That’s correct, but I cannot speak for my brothers. At any rate: Orophin is to rest, so he can’t come.”

Elladan lowered his eyes. Both because he felt ashamed for not thinking on that and to avoid Haldir’s piercing gaze. Even though the smile didn’t reach the eyes, they were still deadly weapons.

Haldiilediled to himself at the reaction he provoked in Elladan. /Erestor was right. Playing him will be easy./ He bowed respectfully when Elrond entered the room, Glorfindel in his wake.

The Peredhel winced when he sat down, before smiled dotingly at his lover, who had coloured at the sound.
Elladan reddened as sudden images invaded his mind and he groaned. “Either I or you two will have to dine somewhere else. Do you know how long this will haunt me?”
Elrond smiled at him. “What will? Breakfast?” He laughed at Elladan’s expression. “Haldir, good morning. How was your rest?”
Haldir smiled. “I wouldn’t know, my lord, I was asleep.”
Elladan burst out laughing. “I’ve got to remember that one.”
Haldir inclined his head in silent thanks.

Elrond noticed the empty chairs and frowned. “Where are Erestor and Rumil?”
Haldir reddened at the remark. “Oops. I forgot. Lord Elrond, I will probably be needing your services as healer before the end of the day.” He did not rise, nor did he elaborate. He intercepted Elladan’s look and returned it, making the twin avert his eyes.

“Father, can I get Elrohir from the kitchen. He must be hungry too.”
Elrond shook his head. “He’s not there, Elladan.”
Elladan’s eyes showed his surprise. “Then where is he?” Had Erestor changed his punishment?
Glorfindel smiled and casually replied. “Holding Orophin’s hand.” This remark brought a pearl of laughter from Haldir’s lips and the March Warden doubled over.

Elrond shook his head. “First Orophin, now you. Pray tell me what is so amusing.”
Haldir too shook his head, to clear it. “Forgive me, my lord, but your words triggered a funny memory, that’s all. Would you please excuse me? I have to take some food to Phin.”

Elrond sd atd at him but signalled for him to remain seated a little longer. “I’m afraid Orophin has been in an accident last night. He’s in the healing house. Now don’t rush off just yet. He’s fine, though the inflicted wound is located on the already injured leg. Elrohir is with him.” “Holding his hand.” Glorfindel stated, drawing a chuckle from Elrond. “Behave, meleth. Haldir, why don’t you and Elladan take some food to your brothers? I will check on them later.”

Elladan and Haldir rose and filled some plates. Elladan smiled weakly at Haldir as he asked him to follow him. At times he wondered if the March Warden knew of his plan. But that would be impossible for if he did he would surely attack the twin. Elladan shook his head to clear it as he walked towards the healing house.

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Elrohir woke from the sensation of someone staring at him. Stirring, he opened his eyes and moved, yelping when he suddenly found himself on a collision course with the floor. Two strong arms encircled his waist and stopped the fall, pulling him back upwards.

When he was steady on his feet he turned, ready to thank the healer that had helped me, and was surprised to see Orophin sitting upright in his bed, holding his arms loosely around Elrohir, who still was a bit wobbily on the legs.

The Galadhrim grinned at Elrohir’s stunned expression. “You need to work on your balance, elfling.”
Elrohir’s eyes darkened. “I am not an elfling.”
Orophin laughed warmly. “No offence, son of Elrond. How was your night?” His eyes sparkled in happiness and mirth and Elrohir found it a warming sight and he shrugged, no longer caring how Orophin called him. “I am sorry I fell asleep. I meant to watch over yours, not join you in reverie.”
Orophin smiled warmly at him. “How will you make me rest when you sleep when I’m awake?”
Elrohir nodded. “Good point. But next time I’ll take the chair.”
Orophin waved his hand. “Nay, it’s all right. Haldir, Ru and I are used to sharing our bed. I don’t mind at all.”

Elrohir blushed and averted his eyes. Orophin wondered why he did that, he also still wondered about other things Elrohir did, but he was too drained too focus on them right now. It could wait. “Is it about time for breakfast?”
Elrohir grinned and nodded. “I shall fetch you something.” He walked towards the door but jumped back when it opened already.

Elladan grinned at his dumbfound expression. “Ata send us to bring you some food. Hungry?”
Haldir brushed by them and advanced on the bed. “Phin, what happened? How are you? Here’s some food.”
Orophin assaulted the food and smiled at Haldir. “Just a silly accident. I’ll be fine. Here, sit down.” Instead of claiming the chair Haldir sat down on the bed and started talking.

Elladan pulled Elrohir out of hearing range and started talking about breakfast. Elrohir grinned at the picture he drew. “I wonder where Rumil and Erestor were though?”
Elladan shrugged. “Who cares. Haldir acts as if he knows, but that’s impossible. I still have all my limbs.”
Elrohir grinned at the exaggeration. “He knows. Erestor overheard us and warned them. Look, I don’t want to do this anymore. I feel bad now that I’ve put Orophin in here.”

Elladan noticed the blush that crept across his twin’s face at mentioning Orophin’s name. “Are you beginning to feel something for him?” He squinted his eyes and saw a slight nod. He immediately buried his brother in a tight hug. “All right, we won’t do this, but please, don’t lose your heart to him. This won’t work.”
Elrohir glared at his brother and took a step back. “Why?”

Neither of them noticed the two Galadhrim were looking their way, concern in their eyes. To them it was obvious the two were having a quarrel.

Elladan sighed. “Be logical, Elrohir. Firstly he’s already attracted to Sílagalad and secondly: if he weren’t and he would, I say would, return your feelings than it still wouldn’t work. He’s a Galadhrim, Gwanunig. He is bound to ‘Lóriën as we are to Imladris. That would never work.”

He noticed the tears coming into Elrohir’s eyes at his words and he cursed. At himself for bringing them there, at his twin for falling for a Galadhrim, at Orophin for being a Galadhrim and at fate for letting it happen. He pulled Elrohir into another embrace. “I am sorry, I really am, but better to crush your feelings now before they become deeper and you’ll lose your heart.”

Elrohir nodded, but his heart ached. He knew he had already lost it to the Galadhrim, and probably long before this too. Resting his head on Elladan’s shoulder he let his thoughts wander and realised he had been in love with the Galadhrim for a long time. What started as admiration and affection had slowly turned to more.
He had admired Orophin’s grace, beauty and skills for a long time, but knowing he was Haldir’s brother had made it hard on him. He had felt it best to hide it and Elladan had unknowingly helped him with the pranks they pulled on the two brothers whenever they had the change. Most of the time they had no idea it had been them. The main reason the twins were such good pranksters was the fact they hardly ever were around when it took place. They would see the results later.

Elladan smiled at his brother and squished his shoulders. “I was planning to go to the village. You come as well. Haldir, are you still coming?”
Haldir shook his head. “I was unaware I had agreed to coming. But I am not, I have to take care of Phin.”
Orophin growled. “No, you are not. Why don’t you show my brother the borders insteae die did want to exchange our knowledge, remember?”
Haldir turned to him. “But what about you? Someone needs to sit with you to make sure you rest.”
Elrohir smiled. “Ata already appointed that job to me and I really don’t mind. It is my fault after all.”

Orophin rolled his eyes. “All right, a compromise. We are both to blame for we both thought each other to be an orc.”
Haldir grinned. “Well, in that case you are most lucky, Elrohir. If you hadn’t hurt Phin first his arrow would have killed you.”
Elrohir nodded. “A compromise it is.”

Elladan was unsure he shouldn’t stay but Haldir was already dragging him along, after winking to his healing brother. As far as he was concerned their jest was still on.

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Rumil carefully opened the door to Erestor’s rooms and hesitantly entered. He held his breath at the beautiful sight. Somehow he had imagined the room to be less warm and friendly. He shook his head. /Rumil, you’re a fool./

He walked until he had reached the middle of the room and the first item to catch his attention was the tapestry he had found in the attic. He cocked his head. It looked familiar to him, but he didn’t know why.

Looking around the room his gaze rested on the books Erestor had standing on the shelves. Different volumes on various subjects. Closing in he read the titles, surprised there were some on Gondolion that stood alone.

He wasn’t surprised at seeing books on Lindon. It was common knowledge Erestor had served Gil-Galad before creating Imladris with Elrond, not long before Glorfindel had joined their household.

Picking up one of the books on Gondolin he suddenly knew what the tapestry displayed. The fall of Gondolin.
Shaken, Rumil sat down on a chair. His thoughts were reeling. Why would Erestor have a tapestry of that tragedy? And more importantly, why would he cherish it so much?

Absentminded he flipped the pages of the book until his eye came to rest on the words. He read some of them but then held the book away. The words that painted an image in his head were too intimate, too knowing. He had never before read a history book of this magnitude.

Flipping through he stopped at the chapter entitled: I Lanta Ondolindëva. After a few pages tears welled his eyes and he closed the book.

Curious for the name of the author he opened the book on the first page but didn’t find any. /A modest writer then./
He had already concluded it had to be one of the Gondolin elves, and therefore it could only have been a survivor. But he wondered how Erestor had gotten hold of such a valuable book.
Opening the book on the last page he still saw no name, which vexed him.

About to close the book again a thought came to him and he quickly read the last lines of the book:
Ilyë oron nar ve ner ar yassen ni istëa i-sanda. Endanya oi niruva ten, meldir nin. Erestor.

Rumil gasped as he read those words. His heart ached for his beloved. Everything now made sense. Erestor had lost all he had ever loved: his home, his friends, his family, everything. And all at the same time too.

Rumil had only heard the tales of Gondolin but instinctively knew no other realm was as grant as that had been. No wonder Erestor missed it terribly. He did wonder why Glorfindel and Erestor didn’t spend more time together as they both were from that place. But perhaps they had never before. Placing the book back he smiled bitterly and walked back to his rooms. He would help Erestor heal his heart.

End chapter 14
TBC

Translations:
Gwanunig means twin in Sindarin
I Lanta Ondolindëva means The fall of Gondolin
Note: Ondolindë is the Quenya name for Sindarin Gondolin
Ilyë oron nar ve ner ar yassen ni istëa i-sanda. Endanya oi niruva ten, meldir nin. Erestor.
All the above is as it happened and in which I hold the truth. My heart will always morn you my friends. Erestor.

NOTE for readers on FF:
I realised I did not explain why suddenly there was no Breaking the Ice and then, just as suddenly the first ten chapters where made into one big chapter. Reason is I have no reason. I was just as surprised as you were when I could not add a new chapter. FF stated I did not have such a fic. I was pulling my hair out, I can tell you that. Adding every chapter anew would have taken too much time so I did the next best thing and put them together. And I apologize for any inconvenience it might give new readers.