melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter fourteen Trouble, trouble…

Elrond smiled as he watched Legolas protectively hold Erestor. Though neither elf had woken when Thranduil and he had placed them in a bed, Legolas had instantly snuggled up to the advisor and now held him just as protectively as before.

Thranduil shook his head and turned to look at the sleeping seneschal. “Do you think I should remove those?”
Elrond looked puzzled but then smiled and shrugged. “You might, but I suggest you keep them at hand. He’s the worst patient possible. Though I must say your method of restraining has helped to lessen the danger.”
Thranduil smiled. “I had to do something.” He looked at Elrond and smiled. “You look weary, Peredhel. Go to bed and allow me to watch them for you.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, you’ll do a better job than I ever could with him and I’ll send Gimli to look after Legolas and Erestor.”

He yawned and left, rubbing his neck. He felt extremely tense. His eyes widened when he saw Orophin running towards him. His heart contracted in trepidation. “Man nás?”

Orophin came to a halt and noticed Elrond hadn’t even moved his hand from his neck yet. He smiled, shook his head and without words reached out and started massaging the tense muscles of the other. Elrond sighed and closed his eyes, making Orophin smile. “Gimli told me you needed me, Elrond. Something about a stubborn seneschal?”

Elrond grinned and allowed the other to steer him to a bench to sit down. Orophin remained standing and intensified his efforts. Elrond leaned back and rested against Orophin’s legs. “Three elves, learning how to shoot, did so without anybody watching. The twins have already punished the ones responsible.”
He sighed. “But unfortunately the stray arrows injured Glorfindel. And he is most definitely the worst patient in the world! It is easier to make a Hobbit not eat.”
Orophin grinned at the words and leaned forward, hugging the Peredhel. “Aiya, he must be truly horrible then. You have my sympathies; being head-healer the worst patients will go to you.”
Elrond grinned, but didn’t open his eyes, merely enjoying the embrace.

Suddenly Orophin jumped up and Elrond opened his eyes, fearing another mood-change had occurred. His eyes widened when he saw Rumil running towards them.

“My lord, my lord, I need your aid.”
Elrond stood up instantly but frowned when Orophin stood before him. “Ru, can’t you go to lords Thranduil or Celeborn?”
Rumil shook his head. “Nay, read.”
Orophin accepted the letter and frowned, shaking his head. “It’s unreadable.”
Rumil shook his head. “It isn’t. Read!” He grabbed the paper from his brother and handed it to Elrond, a begging look in his eyes.
Elrond sighed and let his eyes fall on the letters, smiling when he realised why Orophin couldn’t read it. “You should have realised your brother can only read Sindarin, Rumil.”
Rumil nodded. “So?”
Elrond smiled. “This is Quenya, as you well know.”

He handed the paper back but Rumil’s look implored him to read it. Knowing Rumil wanted Orophin to know its contends too he read out loud.

Nin hwarin Haldir,
Antëan ten tecen sin an cendacarerot, irë váuvaero nav quettartya sanda, ar istan caruvaro. Seas, umtevet nin sinen, Haldir, nan istan tuvet eron calma ar er máquetan tiruvat eron ar cárat eron valin. Leryanërnye merë ata, nan boeuvaro ëllen lavëreron caritas. Lle an toroni ten i-yondor haryanën iloi; tiruvalëlye. Ar seas, cendacárartyë sinen irë i-lú ëa.
Celeborn, istal ni mera ten valin. Lavat i-melmë anta ten. Ar istal atta maquetnën Haldir rautauva ten ve vát; enyárë melmetya vinya boeuva envinyata ten.
Galadriel

Orophin blinked and Elrond looked questioningly at Rumil.
The elf looked at him hopefully. “His weapons are gone and he isn’t due for the patrol until tomorrow and he also isn’t on the practising fields.”
Elrond smiled. “Why show me this letter, Rumil? What do you fear?”
Orophin bit his lip, wondering if he had missed something. The look in Rumil’s eyes told him he had.
Rumil sighed. “Something must have happened between him and Celeborn. Something to upset him.”
Elrond blinked, finally realising the full contends of the note. “Wait a minute. Galadriel asked him to find him a new love and until then warm his bed.” His voice was disbelieving. He had no trouble believing she would do that for Celeborn, but she wouldn’t allow anyone to be hurt by it.
Rumil shrugged. “The attraction has changed since then, my lord.”
Elrond’s eyes widened before he groaned. “Off all the times to have Glorfindel indisposed.” He shook his head and marched into the healing room.

“Thranduil! I need your assistance.”
Thranduil was beside him immediately, his eyes worried.
Elrond smiled. “Haldir has fled, I fear. Would you track him and bring him back? According to Legolas there are none that can best you.”
Thranduil nodded, smiling when he saw Gimli returning. “Aye, gladly, if he watches these three.”
Gimli nodded and walked inside. “Glorfindel will have to steal my axe if he is too leave.”
Thranduil ran away, already thinking of the best elves to come with him. Like Elrond, he felt it inopportune to have Glorfindel immobilised at the time, but there wasn’t anything to be done about it.

Elrond turned and held back Rumil, who wanted to follow Thranduil. “Nay, you stay and aid Gimli. Thranduil searches faster if he knows these elves safe.”
Rumil snorted but obediently sat down, not denying the order he saw lingering in Elrond’s eyes.

Elrond left and, after a look at his brother, Orophin instantly followed. “Any ideas?”
Elrond smiled, hearing his voice. He shrugged. “I was planning to find my father in law and ask him.” He stopped dead. “The letter.”
Orophin grinned and planted it in Elrond’s hand. “Got you covered. Let’s go and aid my brother.” His eyes were filled with anger and fire.
Elrond placed a calming hand over his shoulder. “Do not worry, I fear it is a misunderstanding of some sort. Celeborn would never reject your brother.” He walked on and kept his hand on Orophin’s shoulder, sensing the warrior’s need for the contact.

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Glorfindel groaned when he woke and wanted to sit up, the movement instantly stopped by two strong hands. He opened his eyes and frowned when he stared at Rumil’s face. Where was Thranduil?
Rumil smiled. “You are not to move, seneschal. If I let you both Lords Elrond and Thranduil will have my hide.” He could see the questions in the blue orbs and smiled again. “My brother decided to leave and now Thranduil is after him to bring him back.”
Glorfindel smiled. “Haldir will find himself greatly outmatched.” He grinned. “If Thranduil can outmatch me, he can certainly best your brother.” He grinned at Rumil’s dumbfound expression. “If it were Orophin, Elrond would go himself.” He yawned and his eyes already emptied in sleep.
Rumil blinked at the words, unable to believe what they might imply.

Erestor smiled and closed his eyes, moving closer to Legolas. /So I was right. Elrond, I believe you need some help. Legolas, Gimli, you will have to aid me in this./ His smile turned mysterious as it always did whenever he was thinking.

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Celeborn frowned when there was a knock on his door. /Please, Elbereth, don’t let it be Haldir. I can only be so strong./

He went to open the door, frowning deeper when he saw a serious Elrond on the other side, who seemed to be comforting a shaking Orophin. He instantly pulled his door wide open. “Come in, sit. Do you need something to drink?”
Elrond waved the offer away and smiled sympathetically at the elder elf. “Haldir has left.”
Celeborn nodded. “Aye, he said he had the next patrol and…” The words stilled in his mouth at Elrond’s shake. “Nay, Celeborn, he isn’t due on patrol until tomorrow.” At this Celeborn narrowed his eyes. /But he said so./

Elrond sighed and decided there had indeed been a miscommunication. “We have reasons to believe you were with him last. Was he already upset or…”
Celeborn’s eyes temporarily glared before remembering who was asking him. “I’d be mad at anyone else, you know that.” Elrond nodded and Celeborn sighed. “Plain and simple, Elrond. He offered me his body to forget my loneliness and I refused.” He grinned at their dumbfound expressions, though Elrond’s face carried understanding as well.
He stood. “How could I have accepted such an offer, Elrond?”

Elrond sighed, deciding he had the right to know the truth. “Do you know why he offered?” Celeborn shook his head but didn’t turn to face them. Elrond stood and handed him the paper. “I believe Galadriel saw more than you, my friend.” He smiled and hugged him. “Worry not, Thranduil will bring him back.”
At that Celeborn grinned. “Perhaps we should prepare the healing wing?”
Elrond shook his head. “Oh no, Haldir better come home in one piece, for I already have my seneschal upsetting the healers. I can’t add yours to that.” His voice was normal, but his eyes twinkled, showing the other he was joking.

He turned and pulled Orophin along. “Think well, Celeborn.”
The other understood the message and nodded.

He waited for them to be gone before opening the letter, his eyes widening as he read the note. /You’ve been attracted to me for so long? Are you still? You must be or you wouldn’t have done this, or do you consider it an order from Galadriel? Aiya, Galadriel, you would have made sure there was no doubt. Nay, this can’t be it. But why did you flee, Haldir?/
He sat down, forcing himself to see this problem from every angle.

Suddenly he sat up, his eyes shining with happiness. /That must be it. His eyes on my back, his presence. It wasn’t my imagination, it was real!! It was real. I am such an old oaf!!!/
He jumped up and ran outside, standing on the balustrade so he would be the first to see Thranduil returning. He looked at the letter. /Haldir, ettúl nin. Seas./

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Orophin pulled his wrist free. “What are you doing?!” His voice was clipped, showing he gave real effort to contain his anger.
Elrond sighed. It seemed he had inflicted yet another mood-change. “Orophin, seas, trust me for once.”
Orophin growled and approached, his eyes narrowed dangerously, making Elrond swallow in fear. Orophin hissed and covered the half-elf against the wall. “Trust? Trust? How can you say that?”
“Orophin, please, you…” He held his mouth when Orophin suddenly grabbed his hands and placed them above his arms. His eyes darted nervously, hoping to see some aid. He knew he could easily fight Orophin off, but the remarkable thing was: he didn’t want to.

Suddenly his eyes were locked with Orophin’s in which he read pain and rejection. And just as suddenly his own words returned to him and he gasped, realising he had pained Orophin with his words. He could only say one thing. “Forgive me.”

Orophin was about to yell and lose his temper, the only reason he hadn’t yet was Elrond’s sudden closeness. Hearing those words was so unexpected he blinked bewilderedly and dropped his hand. Elrond’s arms remained where they were, which stunned Orophin even further.

Elrond realised his hands were free and he moved them. One he placed on Orophin’s shoulder, seeing the other was about to turn and break into a run and the other caressed his face. “I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I -do- trust you, Orophin, and I -know- you trust me as well. I know that. Please, forgive me my words.” His eyes were begging and filled with guilt, pain and grief.
It forced a smile on Orophin’s face as he placed his hand on the one Elrond had on his shoulder, making his other rest on Elrond’s own shoulder. “Forgive me too. I was out of line.”
Elrond shook his head. “You were, -are- strained and worried for your brother. I was tactless. Can I still have your friendship?”
Orophin laughed and, following his instinct, pulled the other closer. “Always, Elrond, always.”/And much more, though I will never tell you./ “I’ll stand by you always.” /For I love you./

Elrond rested his head on Orophin’s shoulder, relishing the other’s bodily closeness. “I know what I am doing though. How sure are you about Haldir’s feelings for him?”
Orophin shrugged. He would have ended the embrace but Elrond was disinclined to do so, so he merely allowed Elrond to lean against him. “Rumil is very observant. If he says someone is in love with someone, it is so. I don’t see why that should be different, just because it is our brother.”

Elrond sighed and smiled, forcing himself to pull back. It wouldn’t do to continue this embrace though he never wanted it to end. He smiled at Orophin. “Good, for I know Celeborn returns them.” He grinned at Orophin’s bewildered look. “He told me once.”

He shrugged. “They need to talk and work this out, but I have to doubt they’ll do so.” He placed his hand on Orophin’s shoulder again. “But we couldn’t remain or Celeborn will never accept it. Only solitude will bring him that knowledge.”
Orophin sighed and nodded. “But I do think he is right. We should prepare for injuries. Haldir won’t return willingly.”

Elrond sighed and nodded. “Thank you.” He hesitated but added. “For everything.”
Orophin shook his head, forcing his anger to subside. “And everything to come, I hope?”
Elrond smiled and nodded. “Aye, even more so.”


Translations:
Ettúl nin – return to me.
Seas – please
Galadriel’s letter:
My dear Haldir,
I give you this letter to let him read, should he not believe you(think your words true), and I know he will. Please don’t hate me for this, Haldir, but I know you find him attractive and only I ask is that you watch him and make him happy. I’ve set him free to love anew, but he will need you to allow himself to do that. You and your brothers are the sons I never had, take care of each other. And please, let him read this when the time is there.
Celeborn, you know I want you to be happy. Take the love that is offered to you. And bear in mind that I’ve asked Haldir to shoot you if you don’t. So your new love will have to nurture you back to health.
Galadriel

TBC