melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter seventeen Morning comes

Elrohir’s eyes sparkled as he spotted his brother walking towards the healing wing, rubbing his butt. He ran to catch up. “Has Yule inflicted her bad behaviour into yet another?”
Elladan grinned and shook his head. “Nay, Asfaloth decided he wanted to go out before being fully tended to and he dragged me along. I tell you, I’d rather fly through the air trice in a row than being dragged behind a horse.”
Elrohir’s eyes turned compassionate and he hugged his twin. “Ata is still asleep, I’d rather not disturb him. He looked so tired.”
Elladan nodded. “Aye, I am grateful Orophin is looking after him. Though he’s probably sitting with his injured brother right now.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, not even Rumil is there. Celeborn seems to want to do that alone.” Again he couldn’t stop the anger from entering the words.
Elladan stopped walking and looked at him. “What is wrong?” He grinned. “Don’t tell me you are attracted to Haldir?”
Elrohir shook his head and his face turned disgusted. “How can you suggest such a thing? But ata’da is.”
Elladan widened his eyes. He wanted to ask him if he was sure, but decided it didn’t really matter. If it was so and they wanted him to know they would tell him. He grinned. “Well, I am going to the healers, see if they can do something to stop this burning feeling. See you at breakfast. Adar will be there, won’t he?”
Elrohir shrugged. “I suppose so.”

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Haldir blinked his eyes and woke, smiling when he realised this was his normal waking time. One look told him only Celeborn was in the room. And he was asleep on the chair, his head resting on the bed. Although Haldir couldn’t feel it he did see him holding his hand. /Why is he still here? There are healers to tend to me. My brothers. Why he?/

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Haldir wasn’t the only one waking up. Thranduil regained consciousness as well and smiled, realising Elrond’s words were true. His headache has lessened and though he still felt it throbbing it in no way compared to the agony of before.

He grinned, realising he was surrounded; Glorfindel had pulled him extremely close and had his limbs around his body to make sure he stayed. He closed his eyes and allowed the blond’s scent to caress his nostrils. Glorfindel still smelled extremely good. His hands encircled Glorfindel’s waist to complete the embrace. /Why are you acting so out of character, Glorfindel? And why haven’t you had a sexual activity since Mirkwood? Did you think you could hide it from me? I know your every move./
The more he saw and learned about Glorfindel the more of a mystery the blond became. That had always been the case and today was no exception.

He smiled and rested his head on the blond’s shoulder, patiently waiting for the other to wake up or for someone to bring breakfast. And he hoped that someone would be Legolas. He grinned, remembering Elladan’s words. /He will come to yell at me later… Sure sounds like him./

He heard the door open but paid no heed. He didn’t dare move too much. His body ached and he didn’t want Glorfindel to wake up yet.

Elladan smirked at the image. “And there I was thinking no one would ever warm your heart, Glorfindel, but it seems finally someone has.” He was unaware Thranduil was very much awake.
He retrieved some balm and bandages and approached the bed. “Well, my dear friend, stay asleep a little longer. I have no desire to fight you.” Thranduil’s smile widened but remained motionless. Because he had his eyes closed Elladan didn’t notice the alert state of his other patient.

He swiftly worked on Glorfindel’s wounds, applying the new salve and bandages and he smiled at the healing rate. “It seems Thranduil is having a positive effect on your healing. Last time a week had passed before you were this far.” He shook his head, realising he should stop speaking now.

A snicker came from the door and he smiled, seeing Mirkwood’s chief healer enter. He beckoned him closer. “I will need your aid to refresh Thranduil’s bandages.”
The healer swiftly approached and grinned again. “Maybe you should make some new ones. He’s not going to like this position upon waking, I assure you.”
Elladan shrugged. “He holds Glorfindel in turn so I’d say it is not completely unwanted.”

He moved round the bed and removed the old bandages. The moment Elladan did so Thranduil felt the pain increase and he whimpered in pain. Elladan gasped. “Aiya, forgive me, I had no idea you were awake. The pain will lessen shortly.”
Thranduil involuntarily tightened his hold, forcing Glorfindel to regain consciousness as well.

He was extremely pleased to wake up holding Thranduil so close and he realised the other had moved even closer and was holding him in turn. He beamed in happiness and only then realised his wounds were being pressed.
“Lay still, seneschal, or you’ll worsen your conditions.”
Glorfindel groaned in response.

His eyes now locked with Thranduil and he was surprised seeing the pain in them. Acting on instinct he moved his hand to caress his face, take his mind away from the pain.
Thranduil lowered his head on Glorfindel’s shoulder, forcing his tears to remain.
Glorfindel locked his eyes with Elladan. “Are you sure you’ve not missed something. He is in extreme pain.”
Elladan looked worried. “No, I am sure father would have realised if we had. It is the broken rib, Glorfindel, though it shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. I will ask father if he knows the cause.”

He finished applying the bandage and smiled, already realising what might lessen the pain. “Glorfindel, help us turn him on his side. It will probably ease the pressure.”
Together they manhandled Thranduil until the blond was resting on his side. He couldn’t stop a relieved sigh from escaping. The pain had indeed lessened.
“Would you like a sleeping drug, or some pain-killing potion?” Thranduil shook his head. Elladan sighed. He would feel better if he could give him something, but since he didn’t want any. He shrugged. “I shall leave now and check on our counsellor. I’ll say hello for you.” The healer had already left to check on Haldir.

Elladan cocked his head and grinned. “Just one more thing before I go.” He grabbed Thranduil’s arm and moved it lower. “We don’t want to risk reopening those wounds. Bye.”

Glorfindel didn’t stop his caress. “Maybe you should have taken his offer.”
Thranduil shook his head. “Nay. Sleep is a good enough pain-killer I think.”
Glorfindel sighed and remained silent, his eyes returning to their unfocused state. Thranduil smiled when he noticed and he allowed the calm, steady breathing of the other lure him back under as well.

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Erestor blinked once and his eyes had their focus back. He smiled at the way Legolas held him. /A good thing I have such a demanding job or I would never leave this bed again./

He smiled and watched Legolas until the Prince stirred and woke as well. The smile that greeted him when the Prince noticed Erestor’s closeness was warming and Erestor leaned in and kissed him. Legolas moaned his displeasure when the lips were gone too soon. “Morning, Legolas. Gimli.”
Gimli huffed and stood from his make-shift bed. “What do you want for breakfast?”
Erestor laughed and sighed. “We are joining the family. I don’t want to stay in here much longer. And with your help, Gimli, there’s not much chance of overdoing things.”
Gimli crossed his arms before his chest. “But you are to relax. Lord Elrond said it: no work yet!”
Legolas smiled. “Maybe a short walk in the gardens or a visit to the stables. I am sure they long to see you.”
Erestor nodded. “Aye, I’d love that.”
Legolas grinned and kissed him again. “The stables it is.”

He carefully disentangled himself from Erestor and stood. “Is there time for a warm bath first?”
Erestor looked out the window and nodded. “Aye, but I will need help, keeping the bandages dry will be impossible otherwise.”
Gimli nodded. “Laddy can do that. And I’ll find a healer to refresh them.”

Erestor threw him a grateful glance. Gimli didn’t know it yet, but he would help him later and organize everything again. He had been in his own world for three years so things would have to be brought back to his system.

Legolas saw his brooding look, but didn’t ask. Instead he walked to the bathroom and filled the tub. “Do you want to go first or remain in bed a little longer, Erestor? And which herbs do you want me to put in?”
Erestor slowly walked towards him, glad he wasn’t as weak as the previous day. “Revitalizing herbs would be best, don’t you think?”
Legolas nodded and smiled at Erestor’s progress. “I take it you go first. Can you get in alone or do you need help? I’ll help you wash.”
Erestor leaned against him. “If we take it together we can stay in longer. Besides, you are softer than the tub.”
Legolas laughed warmly and nodded. He understood the silent question and started undressing his love. “All right, and while we soak you can plan today, but please include a visit to the healing house.”
Erestor nodded. “Of course, we can go immediately after breakfast, if you like. And I’ll tell Gimli to sharpen his axe.”
Legolas smiled and lowered his love in the tub before swiftly undressing himself and joining him.

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Elrond woke but didn’t yet open his eyes. He felt so at peace he didn’t wish to do anything just yet. He felt the body against him and had swiftly remembered Orophin had stayed. And now he was still safely nestled in the warrior’s arms.

Orophin felt himself facing a dilemma. He could see it was half an hour to breakfast and he needed to wake Elrond up but he was reluctant to do so. He had been so tired last night Orophin didn’t want to disturb his much needed rest.
He closed his eyes and sighed, realising he didn’t have much of a choice. Elrond had to be woken now, for he also needed to bathe, having skipped it yesterday.

He kept his voice to a whisper. “Elrond, wake up. It’s near breakfast time.”
Instantly the eyelids opened and Elrond smiled at him. “I hadn’t realised it was that late.”

He pulled back and stretched. He felt extremely revived. Perhaps the knowledge of being guarded had made him sleep deeper. “Do you wish to us the bathroom first, Orophin?”
Orophin shook his head. “Nay, I’ll swiftly dress myself and change in my own rooms. I want to wear new clothes today.” He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. “See you at breakfast, Elrond.”

He grinned as Orophin ran to the bathroom to change and was back so swift Elrond suspected the other have thrown his clothes on over his sleeping pants. Normally he would have left the bed by now, but Orophin’s actions made him believe the other was prudish, so he remained in bed until Orophin was gone.

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He had to hurry to be ready in time and ran to the dining room, but stopped dead when he saw Gimli balancing three plates in his hand. Taking a step closer he saw why. Erestor and Legolas were safely seated and Gimli was serving them.

He snickered and walked in. “Good morn. Erestor, I would like to see to your bandages today.”
Erestor smiled warmly at him. “No need, meldir; Gimli has already made a healer do that. It is fine now.”
Elrond none the less checked it to make sure and smiled when he felt it had began to heal.

Legolas looked stronger too and he smiled in greeting. “Do you plan on visiting your father today, Legolas, or will you usher Erestor back to bed to hold him the whole day?”
Legolas smiled back just as warmly. “Though that thought is extremely appealing, my lord, I shall not. I do wish to see my father and later we will visit the stables.”
Elrond grinned. “Aye, Elladan is most anxious for your recovery, Erestor.”
Erestor grinned. “I heard. It will be a while before I can ride again, I think.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, a week, minimum.” He smiled at Erestor, seeing the questions lurk in the dark eyes and shrugged. “All right, all right. Provided Gimli and Legolas assist you, I will allow you to return to work, but only for a couple of hours.”
Erestor smiled wickedly. “Of course, I want my personal servant to have his feet left, Elrond.”
Gimli muttered and simply attacked his food.
Legolas grinned and rested his head on Erestor’s shoulder. He was happy and he would always be grateful for Mandos’ help.

Hearing a snicker behind him made him turn and he glared at Rumil, who continued to snicker. “If that isn’t one sated Prince, I don’t know what is. What say you, Orophin?”
Orophin grinned but didn’t answer.

He sat down and started eating. “How fare you today, Counsellor?”
Erestor smiled and returned nod. “Better, though it will be a while before I am to full health again.” /Or at least half of it./
Orophin smiled. “That’s good to hear.” He looked at Elrond. “Do we need to bring any food to Celeborn or is he coming here? And where are the twins?” The next moment he was hugged from behind and he grinned, having received the answer to his question.
“We are here, meldir. Why, did you miss us?”
Orophin rolled his eyes. “No, I was just wondering how long we would have this peace and quiet, but now that you are here, it is gone.”
Elrohir pouted and sat down, while Elladan merely hit him in play. “You hurt us, Orophin, I thought we were friends?”
Orophin nodded. “We are, but that doesn’t mean you are ideal company when I’ve just woken up.”
Elladan grinned. “How about sparring? We haven’t done that for centuries.”
Orophin nodded. “Aye, but no archery. If your father can beat me, then you most certainly can.” He grinned and picked another piece of meat.

Elrond coughed to regain their attention. “Has Haldir woken yet? And have you checked on Thranduil and Glorfindel yet, Elladan?”
The twin nodded. “Aye, I have. I must say Glorfindel is not at all like before. I mean, he’s cooperative.”
Elrond grinned. “Maybe I should check him for a fever?”
Elladan laughed as well, but became serious again. “But would you look at Thranduil again, adar? His pain is higher than it should be.”
Elrond frowned and nodded. “I’ll accompany Legolas and check him immediately.”

He sighed. It didn’t look like he would have peace today. He had hoped to go swimming but he knew he had a lot of work to do. There were too many people working sideways now. He had to rearrange the system.

“And Haldir?”
Elrohir grinned. “He woke during the night.”
Elrond’s eyes immediately settled accusingly on Orophin, but the elf looked at Elrohir in disbelief. “He never wakes during the night!”
Elrohir shrugged. “He did this night. And he feels his one arm too much and the other not at all.”
Elrond nodded. “What’s to expect with crushed muscles and nerves… Maybe I can speed up the healing process.”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, adar, not unless you have to. It always leaves you weak and you can no longer drain from Vilya.”
Elrond nodded. “I know, I know.” He smiled affectionately at his eldest son. “I promise to be careful if I proceed with it.”
Elladan sighed, knowing he could not get more from his father.

Elrond stood and smiled at Legolas. “Are you coming?”
The blond jumped up and nodded. He looked at Erestor, but the counsellor shook his head. “Gimli and I will be in the study.” Elrond’s eyes flashed towards him but mellowed when the dwarf spoke. “Aye, I’ll make sure you don’t do anything. Besides thinking and ordering the others around.” He stood and came to stand by the counsellor. “Go on laddy, I’ll look after him.” Legolas smiled and nodded.

Orophin jumped up and ran after them. “Wait, I want to come.”
Elrond stopped and turned. “Aiya, forgive me. You haven’t seen your brother since he arrived.”
Orophin shrugged. “I would only have been in the way.” He turned round. “RU! Are you coming?”
Rumil jumped up and ran to catch up with them. “Sorry, I hadn’t finished yet.”

TBC

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