melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter thirteen Rejection

Elrond sighed contended and leaned back in the chair. When he had come to check on his counsellor Gimli had instantly seized the opportunity to take Legolas for a walk. Elrond chuckled at the reluctance Legolas displayed, not at all willing to leave Erestor’s side. Only Gimli’s words that the walk would strengthen Legolas and if the blond wasn’t strong enough someone else would have to carry the counsellor around made the prince cooperative, but he still refused to leave him alone.
Elrond now laughed, seeing back Gimli’s mock anger. /Why do you think I waited for someone to be here to do this? Silly Elves./ Elrond shook his head as he remembered the words.

He looked at Erestor and placed a wayward strand behind his ear. He was happy for him. Legolas was willing to fight for him and Elrond could detect small speckles of acceptance in Erestor’s orbs, which told him the counsellor has accepted their love for each other, even if he was still to voice it out loud.
But Elrond had no worries. Legolas was the most patient elf he knew and would wait millennia for Erestor to voice it.

He was pulled from his musings when Erestor groaned and woke again. The counsellor blinked, stunned by not finding his hand firmly clasped by Legolas or otherwise feeling the Prince hold him.
Elrond handed him a glass and he automatically drank. “Gimli took him for a walk, Erestor.” He grinned. “Though he had to use force to achieve it. Only my presence here now made him comply, my friend.” He grinned. “Either that or his reluctance to have you carried by any other than himself.”

Erestor shook his head. “I never would have…”
Elrond nodded, his eyes showing his understanding. “I am happy for you.” There was guilt in his voice and he smiled ruefully when Erestor placed a questioning hand on his knee. “We never should have promised.”
Erestor sighed, knowing full well what Elrond meant. “I wouldn’t have allowed him close, Elrond, and you know it.”

He smiled. “But your pain is but partly there because of me.”
Elrond sighed and nodded. “Aye, I’d rather wait, but…” He hung his head. “Celeborn has been harsh on me, back in Mirkwood, and he’s right. I’ve closed my eyes, but I’m afraid, Erestor. Never once did I see a lover for me after Celebraín.”
Erestor grasped his hands in his and Elrond smiled at the gesture, forcing his pain to the background again. “But enough about that. I’m worried about Orophin.”
Erestor frowned at the affection he sensed but decided to remain silent, for now.
Elrond sighed. “He’s so erratic, Erestor. One moment he’s kind and compassionate and the next he’s calling me things that would make an orc blush.” He shrugged. “And I never know what it was I did or said to cause that change.” He looked hopeful at Erestor, but narrowed his eyes when the counsellor smiled warmly at him.
Erestor shrugged. “Methinks you’re attracted to him, Elrond.” Seeing Elrond blush he grinned and squished the hands supportively. “Now that’s a great incentive for me to heal even swifter. How else can I help you get him?”

Elrond laughed warmly and impulsively hugged Erestor, who yelped a little at the sudden abuse of his tired body. “Lord Elrond?!” Both Lord and Counsellor grinned at Legolas’ outraged voice and seeing his eyes Erestor could do naught but laugh.
Elrond sat back and blinked his eyes in wonder. He never heard Erestor laugh before. “Well… well…”

He stood and shook his head, smiling at Legolas and his eyes twinkled when Gimli’s scorn registered. “I take it that walk didn’t go as planned?”
Gimli nodded and sighed dramatically. “You try keeping that one moving for more than three steps. Impossible.”
Elrond laughed warmly and now hugged Legolas. “This is the first time I ever heard him laugh, Legolas.” His voice was low, so low even Legolas had to strain to hear it, but he saddened when he did, instantly vowing to make his love laugh more.

He sat down and drew Erestor closer. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke, but that idiotic Dwarf insisted I take a walk.” He rolled his eyes and looked bewildered when there was a laugh from the door.
“Methinks I should tell that Dwarf a thing or two about you, ion-nin?”
Legolas smiled and stood to embrace his father. “How are you, ata?”
Thranduil grinned. “Last time I looked I was the one asking that?”
Legolas grinned. “I’m just sorry for…”
Thranduil nodded. “I know. You had to do it.” He shrugged. “Always said your stubbornness would even beat the Valar.”

He hugged his son tight and upon release grabbed Erestor’s hand in his. “I don’t think I’ve welcomed you into my family yet?” He shook his head. “Nay, you should be welcoming me in yours, for there are more of you then there are of me.”

Elrond shook his head and smiled. “Where’ve you been?”
Thranduil looked surprised. “The house of healing of course. Glorfindel is absolutely harsh to the healers. They are only trying to help him.”
Elrond blinked his eyes and Thranduil realised he was not yet informed. He sighed. “There’s been an accident. Three eager elflings were able to practise archery without supervision, and… well… Glorfindel was in the arrows’ path.”
Elrond gasped and sank down, landing on Erestor’s bed, who instantly grabbed his shoulders in support. “How is he?”
Thranduil smiled. “Worry not, counsellor, he’ll be fine. But I doubt if everyone else will be.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, he is the worst patient in the world.”
Erestor grinned. “At least he didn’t yell at anyone this time.”

He frowned. “He’s not shot in the mouth, is he?”
Elrond narrowed his eyes and then nodded. “Aye, Erestor, it -is- -too- quiet.”
Thranduil grinned. “I tied and gagged him.”
The Imladrian elves widened their eyes at that and even Legolas blinked. “And he let you?” Thranduil looked at Legolas and the Prince understood. Glorfindel hadn’t had a chance. He knew his father could outmatch anyone if he desired too, both in verbal combat as well as physical, but he never would have suspected he’d use it on the seneschal.
He shook his head and grinned when he heard the words Gimli finally spoke. “See, you elves are naught but trouble.”

Elrond laughed as well. “This I have to see.” He frowned when his robe was held back and turned, seeing Erestor’s pleading eyes. He grinned. “Of course you are coming. I wouldn’t behold this fun from you for anything.”
He bend and easily scooped up the counsellor, who growled. Elrond raised his eyebrow. “First you laugh, and now you growl.”
Erestor glared at him. “You and Legolas bring out the worst in me.” He sighed, realising why Elrond was carrying him. The Peredhel thought Legolas too be a little too weak for it yet.

Legolas followed sulking. He wanted to cradle Erestor to his chest and jealousy swept through him.
Thranduil laughed and pulled him closer. “He loves you, ion-nin. But you can’t expect Elrond to have you jeopardise both your health?”
This made Legolas calm down and he pouted. “So I -am- too weak.” He leaned against his father, his eyes never leaving Erestor.

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Celeborn walked the gardens and sighed at the peace that hung over the entire valley. He jumped up shocked when he suddenly bumped into Haldir, who instantly bowed. He shook his head. “Nay, Haldir. Seas, I grow weary of seeing everyone do that. Please, stop bowing for me, for you are my equal now.” /Always have been./
Haldir nodded and his eyes asked the questions he dared not ask.

Celeborn smiled and motioned for Haldir to walk with him. “Elrond has taken his job back, though Thranduil and I will still aid him he now is Imladris’ lord again.”
Haldir smiled pleased and Celeborn nodded. “It will give us all more free time than when we had our own realms.”
Haldir’s heart ached, hearing Celeborn’s saddened tone. “You do not sound glad to have it.”
Celeborn smiled warmly at Haldir. “Aye, I am not. It will increase my loneliness.” He shrugged. “I miss her, Haldir. Not so much the love or the company, but feeling a body besides mine at night.” He closed his eyes and sighed deep and longingly, keeping the words he really wanted to say inside.

Haldir blinked and looked at him in pain. The words Galadriel had spoken to him before she left came back to him and he nodded.

He placed his hand on Celeborn’s arm, forcing the elder elf to focus on him. His eyes were warm and friendly again. Haldir smiled. “Your pain is easily remedied. You do not have to be alone.”
Celeborn narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, Haldir?”
Haldir smiled. “I would come to your bed.” His eyes showed there was no mistake.
Celeborn blinked and only with the force of his will he was able to shake his head. “Nay, Haldir. As much as I value your friendship and company, I cannot accept. I cannot, should not and I will not.” He reached out a hand and caressed Haldir’s hair. “For we’d both know the reasons to be wrong.” He sighed. “Do not offer me your body to make me forget my pain, Haldir. And do not offer it because you need to forget.”
He smiled. “Please do not take my rejection to hardly, for I will be loath to part from your company for then I would truly be alone.” His eyes shone with hope, hope Haldir would remain by his side.
The warrior nodded. “But I can’t stay now, I have the next patrol.”

He smiled warmly and turned, walking away slowly, though he felt like running. /She was wrong. I should have let her speak. It made me believe. I let me to hope./ He allowed his tears to fall and ran to his room, flinging himself on the bed. He grabbed an old letter and flung it away before grabbing his weapons and storming out again.

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The healers shook their heads. Even gagged and bound the blond seneschal mumbled, growled and continued to make their work impossible. Suddenly there was an even worse growl from the door.
“Can’t I leave you alone for one minute? Must I hit you out cold before you let them tend you? Really, Glorfindel, for one that has such a profound hatred of healing houses and healers, you sure show it in a weird way.” Thranduil shook his head and looked at the muttering seneschal admonishingly and in disbelief.

Glorfindel knew he wasn’t behaving on his best, but it was stronger than himself. Besides, focussing on the pain and the antipathy for this place and the healers was the only thing that prevented him from becoming aroused.

Thranduil sat down and placed some wayward strands behind Glorfindel’s ear. “For if you won’t let them heal you, you will never get out of here.”

Hearing a chuckle behind the king made Glorfindel look past him and he blushed deep crimson, seeing Elrond hold Erestor. His eyes were happy, seeing the mirth in the counsellor’s eyes and he shrugged, no longer caring he embarrassed himself. His friend knew happiness and that was more important.

Legolas shook his head. “Glorfindel, I believe this is the second time stray arrows manage to hurt you. Aragorn will be pleased to hear it happened while he was away.” He grinned. “Though I cannot help but wonder who your actions will bring together now.”
Glorfindel widened his eyes but then understood.
Legolas nodded. “Aye, Aragorn and the twins told me. It was… extremely entertaining.”

Thranduil was puzzled but ignored it, seeing it brought mirth to the others. They all needed it, but if Legolas said anything to embarrass his seneschal he would leave.
Thranduil sat down and frowned. /Why did I just think of Glorfindel as mine? He isn’t mine. He never was and never will be. But I wouldn’t mind having another night with him. Or more./ He berated himself for his thoughts, knowing he would end up hurt if he let them catch hold.

He looked stern at the injured warrior and removed the gag. “Now behave or this is back before you know it.” His voice left no room for doubt and Glorfindel actually lay passive as Elrond himself started tending him. He had placed Legolas in a chair and Erestor in Legolas’ lap, which made both counsellor and prince extremely happy.

Legolas had instantly forgotten the room and was focussed solely on his counsellor, sitting on his lap. When Erestor yawned he guided the other to rest his head against him and he smiled when, after a moment’s hesitation, Erestor relaxed and allowed himself to rest.

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Rumil frowned when he found the room empty. /Where is everybody?/
He grinned. /Well, Phin is no doubt near Elrond or he would be here, but where’s Haldir?/
He looked around and frowned again when he noticed the weapons missing. /What happened? He isn’t at the training grounds. I passed those. And he isn’t due for patrol for another day./ Worry assaulted him and he looked around for clues.

His frown deepened when he saw a piece of paper. After unwrapping it he shook his head, unbelieving that his little brother could have lost it. but then the shock settled as he read the signature. /Not Celebraín./

He sat down and smoothed the paper, intend on reading it. The next thing he did was run as fast as his legs could carry him. He was fairly sure what happened.

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“Orophin?”
The elf turned and grinned at Gimli. “Still having trouble telling us apart, master Dwarf?”
Gimli nodded. “Aye, when you and your brothers are alone and not with a certain someone, it is very hard indeed.” He smiled when he noticed a almost undetectable blush settling over the other. “I believe Lord Elrond might need some assistance from you.”
Orophin’s eyes became worried, which intensified when he noticed the expression in Gimli’s eyes. /He can’t find out./
Gimli grinned. “Apparently he has to heal a very reluctant seneschal.”
Orophin didn’t need more encouraging and ran towards the healing wing.

Gimli stared at his retreating back. /Can it be that your behaviour is tight to your emotions? To your feelings for him? For you certainly have them, of that I have no doubt? But why remain silent?/ He shook his head. “Elves!”

TBC