Gifts and Old Traditions

Ch14

Thranduil placed the blanket on
the ground, and then spread out there midday meal. As they sat and ate,
Thranduil looked around and smiled “A fine spot you chose, Mirkwood has many
areas like this…you would like them” Erestor shifted nervously and Thranduil
leaned close “Come back to Mirkwood with me melanin, be mine”

Erestor sighed “But what would
I do there” “You would be my mate…and if you truly needed something to do, I
could put you in charge of my advisors…or…you could be in charge of my library,
spending your time restoring old tomes. I have a vast and diverse library,
would you like that?”

The advisor smiled and nodded
“Nai, I would” Thranduil mulled over in his mind at how he was going to broach
the subject of how Erestor came to Imladris. The king suddenly smiled “I could
go to Elrond right now and ask that he release you from his service and…”
Erestor blanched “Nay! Oh my lord nay…saes do not bother lord Elrond with this”

Thranduil inwardly smirked as
he thought ‘Ahh…here we go’ “Oh
but melanin, it is only proper that I…” “Th…Thranduil I…it is not lord Elrond
you would need to…to ask” “Then who my raven beauty, he is the lord
here” Erestor lowered his gaze and whispered “E…Elladan and Elrohir”

The king furrowed his brow and
winced ‘Ooo…I was not expecting that’. The king shook his
head of his thoughts “The twins? But why…what have they to do with…” Erestor
sighed and looked at the king pleadingly “After…” “Nai melanin? Go on” “After
my Adar did what he did…he so…he sold me”

Thranduil dropped his jaw in shock “Wh…what? How…wait…”
The king shook his head and sat taller “What?” Erestor bit his lip and
whimpered as he stood “I…I am sorry my lord” then ran off, leaving the king
sitting in shock under the willow.

Erestor ran past the sparing paddock and heard “Erestor!…”
“…Daro!” The advisor stopped instantly and lowered his gaze. The twins ran over
and noticed that they had seen correctly, Erestor’s face was wet with tears and
his chest was heaving with labored breaths.

Elladan stepped forward and held out his arms. Erestor
slowly walked into the embrace, and placed his head against the elder twins
shoulder as his arms wrapped around him. Elrohir began to lightly rub the
advisors back and looked to his brother with concern.

Elladan sighed, and then whispered soothingly, “What is
wrong with our shy one mmm? What is causing you tears” Erestor lightly shook
his head into the shoulder “Th…Thranduil wishes for me to be his mate. He wants
me to return with him to Mirkwood”

Elrohir smiled as he continued to rub his back “Ai he
loves you greatly…as you do him ay? Have you told him about us yet?”
Erestor sighed and pulled away to look at the younger twin “Nay…not completely.
Only that he would need to speak with the both of you about my release from
service, along with the fact that my Adar sold me”

Elladan tilted his head “Go to our chamber and wait for
us” Erestor lowered his head and nodded “Nai Elladan” The advisor slowly
turned, and made his way to the twins chamber. Elrohir sighed as he watched the
advisor slowly walk off “Aye Elladan, he is so very frightened”

The elder twin nodded “That he is, and I hate seeing our
shy one like this” Elrohir looked to his brother “What are we going to do”
Elladan arched his brow “We are going to go speak with king Thranduil, and put
an end to our shy ones suffering…where were they having there picnic?” Elrohir
smiled “Under Erestor’s willow” Elladan sighed and shook his head “Very well,
let us go now and speak with the king”

TBC……………………………….

Translations:

Melanin----------------------------------My love

Nai--------------------------------------Yes

Saes-------------------------------------Please