breaking the ice

Chapter twenty one Progress is slow.

Galadriel smiled at the image of two sleeping elves before her and silently tiptoed away from the patio. /That’s one that will be all right./ She grinned at her thoughts. /Two./

Walking further she frowned and cocked her head as she saw Elladan and Haldir walk towards her, together and laughing. She happily accepted and returned the warm embraces they bestowed upon her. “What are you two doing up so late?”
Elladan laughed warmly. “Really, grandmother, we are no elflings. Haldir and I went sparring and we lost track of time. The trees had to tell us it was way past our bedtime.”

Galadriel smiled at his wordings and the smile increased when she saw the happy glow that came from Haldir. Apparently Elladan’s company was helping him recover, or at least temporarily forget.

She took the twin apart and smiled at him. “I need to ask you a favour, Elladan.” Elladan cocked his head and nodded, wondering what it was she wanted. Galadriel continued smiling. “It seems you have a positive effect on Haldir. He’s been through a lot, pen-neth, and is hurting inside, grieving even. We had to send him here to heal, but it is a long road. And it looks like you can make it a little easier for him. Would you lend him your strength and support?”

Elladan nodded and worry entered his eyes. “Can you tell me what happened? I mean, I know about the silly she-elf standing him up, but is there more?”
Galadriel frowned. “He told you that?” /And so soon?/
Elladan nodded and shrugged. “He prefers talking to me to writing something down on paper. And he really wants to do this, for Rumil and Orophin.”
Galadriel nodded and sighed. “There is indeed more, though he does not know it. Rumil had followed her once and had seen how she played with over twenty elves their hearts. She was engaged to af thf them, Elladan. I can still remember the night he came to me to tell it. We’ve never seen him more upset. Together we told your grandfather and he managed to send her away without giving the real reason.”

She hugged Elladan. “Don’t tell Haldir this, for I fear it will only hurt him more. I merely told you so you’d know the true story and pain involved. And Ru and Phin might like another to talk to.” Elladan nodded and his eyes spat fire, making Galadriel inwardly laugh. If her grandson ever came across the wench he would unleash his wrath at her, she was sure.

They returned to Haldir and she smiled at him. “Well, I am off to bed. And before you go looking for Rumil, I saw him asleep on the patio. With Erestor. I know it is hard, Haldir, but please keep your distance. Erestor is the only one who can help Rumil heal. And your brother can heal him in turn.”
Haldir’s eyes widened but slowly hope came to life in the blue orbs. “I really hope so. He’s suffered too much.”
Both Galadriel and Haldir ignored Elladan’s puzzled look and hugged each other before the lady went to her room.

Haldir locked eyes with Elladan. “How about you show me more of your realm tomorrow?”
Elladan nodded. “All right. Do you want to leave before or after breakfast?”
Haldir smiled. “Before. I think it is best if I keep my distance right now. If either Ru or Phin need me they’ll know where I am, but I will not be in their way.”
Elladan smiled and nodded. “All right. I’ll meet you in the stables.”

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Erestor woke with a start when Rumil yelped. Somehow the elf had managed to fall of the counsellor’s lap.

Rumil looked dazed and smiled at Erestor. “I’m sorry I woke you. I thought I was still asleep and dreaming when I hit the ground, but it was a bit too hard to be a dream. I do believe my whole butt is red now. Go back to sleep, I need to walk a bit.”

Erestor shook his head at the flow of words but remained silent and watched Rumil as the younger elf started walking around, rubbing his butt.

Later in the night Erestor barely woke up when Rumil reclaimed his former position on his lap. In his sleepy state he did not register the huge smile adorning Rumil’s face when Erestor tightened his hold on the lithe body.

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Elrond smiled when he walked into the bathroom. “Come, meleth, join me in bed?”

Half an hour ago Glorfindel had locked himself in the bathroom, after waking from a terrible and horrifying dream. But it hadn’t been the dream that had spooked him so, but the reality for his arms had swung around so wildly he had managed to knock Elrond off the bed, making the lord of Imladris fly through the air and land against the wall. It had been Elrond’s pain filled cry that had woken the blond and his conclusion was swiftly n. n.

After coming round sufficiently Elrond realised what had happened. Though part of him felt very grateful Glorfindel had placed him back in the bed and had tended to his wounds, he was vexed, concerned and worried about Glorfindel locking himself in the bathroom.
Ignoring the small pain, he had walked there and had spend the last ten minutes talking through the door, begging his lover to open it.

A happy smile adorned Elrond’s face now that Glorfindel finally had and Elrond walked closer to his upset lover.

“Will you not share your dream with me? Was it Gondolin?”
Glorfindel nodded but did not move. Though this vexed Elrond he made no comment for although the blond might not move towards him, he also did not move away, which was promising. “Glorfindel, melamin, please let me help you?”
Glorfindel’s eyes turned on him and the amount of pain, guilt and tears nearly broke Elrond’s heart. He immediately hugged his lover tight.

Glorfindel sighed. “You should not sleep with me when my dreams attack.”
Elrond shook his head. “You’re not talking me into another bed, Glorfindel. Please don’t blame yourself for what happened.”

Glorfindel shrugged and turned his head away, but Elrond would have none of this. Knowing he could not reach his lover with words he used actions instead. He pulled his lover up and dragged him back to bed, while mentally reaching out.
Feeling Elrond’s spirit caress his own calmed the blond down and Glorfindel was finally able to put the accident behind him and start forgiving himself.

Elrond tenderly kissed him. `I love you and nothing can change that. Next time this attacks you I know better than to try and hold you.`
Glorfindel nodded and smiled. `But I do like it when you hold me.`

He sighed as they laid back down. “I hope Erestor’s night is more peaceful.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, it will. He’s finally facing what happened and is willing to talk about it. Rumil will be there for him and that will aid him better than anything could.”
Glorfindel smiled. “And what about Rumil himself. He’s ailing too.”
Elrond nodded and smiled. “He will have Erestor. No, I have no more worries there, but I do worry about Haldir and Elrohir.”
Glorfindel grinned. “I don’t think we have to. Orophin will help Elrohir heal; they are in love and Haldir too will heal eventually. As long as we all support him he’ll be fine.”
Elrond nodded. “But he won’t be going back for a long time and now that both his brothers have found love it might become difficult.”
But Glorfindel shook his head. “If they hadn’t found love Haldir would never have agreed he needed to heal, or accept our aid. No, his love for his siblings is pulling him through this. Without them falling ive hve he wouldn’t have a reason to fight this.”
Elrond nodded, instigating a needful kiss. `You are right, melmë. I fear Galadriel goes back alone.`
Glorfindel snickered. `Alone? With a horde of warriors? But aye, -they- won’t be going back with her.`
Elrond moaned and nodded, abandoning all thought as Glorfindel deepened the kiss and started stroking his hip, indicating he wanted him.

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Orophin looked around dazed when he woke up. He couldn’t remember sleeping so sound ever before. Seeing a healer in the chair he blinked. /Aiya, Elbereth, don’t tell me it was a dream?/

Noticing his patient had regained alertness, the healer leaned forward. “Welcome back, Orophin. Just a minute while I get you some water and send someone to alert Elrohir. He requested to be informed. You slept for quite a while; over half a day. It’s three hours away from morn at the moment. Your leg is healing just fine. Lord Elrond himself checked it before he turned in. Not that you noticed.”
Orophin shook his head. “You’re the third elf I know to talk so much. Good thing I don’t have an headache.”
The healer grinned and helped Orophin drink some water.

The next moment Elrohir walked in and instantly sat down on the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Orophin shrugged. “Don’t know, but apparently I’m doing better. You?”
Elrohir smiled warmly and nodded. “Better. Before I forget: Elladan asked me to tell you and Rumil Haldir is going away with him tomorrow. Something about him showing Imladris or something.” He snuffed. “It’s not very considerate. Haldir following my twin around Imladris and Erestor will undoubtedly succumb to Rumil and show him around as well. Real inconsiderate of them to forget about you.”
Orophin laughed. “But I have you. And personally I couldn’t think of a better guide. Show me your realm when I’m able to walk?”
Elrohir smiled and nodded, blushing a little at the hidden undertone.
Orophin smiled. He knew they had to take things slow, and he was perfectly willing to do that, but that did not mean he would not caress or complement him.

“So, can you tell me if Elladan abandoned his plan or not?”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye. He felt guilty too and we called off the whole thing only hours after I got you in here.” Orophin nodded, content, but his eyes widened when Elrohir continued talking. “He now has another scheme, o please, don’t worry, nothing harmful; he only wants to help Haldir heal.”

He frowned when Orophin flared up right and his worry mounted when the Galadhrim tried to leave the bed. He placed his hands on his beloved’s shoulder. “Phin, get back. Unless you need to pee, you are not leaving this bed.”
Orophin glart hit him, but mellowed down immediately. “I’m sorry, you do not deserve my anger. Haldir does. I fear he did not yet abandon his plan. He was to lure Elladan into a wrong sense of peace, using his own illness. I can’t allow that.”
Elrohir sighed but smiled. “Calm yourself. I do not think this will hurt Elladan and Haldir might actually benefit from it.”

He smiled at the agitated Orophin. “Please, adar ordered you in bed. You are physically and mentally exhausted and I only added to that. Please, stay in bed, for me?” He could see Orophin wanted to relent but fear was palpable in the orbs. “If I promise to keep an eye on Elladan and Haldir, will you rest?”

He smiled, seeing the warrior lay back down. “And I will also make sure Erestor and Rumil are all right. Now I have to go, but I will be back. I’ll ask nona to sit with you.”
Orophin smiled. “Aye, I missed her. Too bad Celeborn couldn’t come, but he hates leaving his realm.”
Elrohir grinned. “Aye, tell me about it. All his visits were always absolutely necessary and as short as possible. No, if we wanted his company, truly wanted it, we’d to go to ‘Lóriën ourselves. But I didn’t mind.” He smiled as he left.

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“Come on, sleepy head, wake up!” The only thing that replied him were groans emanating from the bed. Elladan grinned and shook the sleeping elf more vigorously. “Haldir, wake up. We need to leave soon if you are to benefit most from the precipice. Come on.”

Finally Haldir reluctantly opened his eyes and stared at Elladan in confusion. What was the twin doing in his room?

Elladan smiled and continued dragging the dazed elf out of bed. “Does it always take you this long to wake up? What if we’d been under attack?”
Haldir groaned. “Then you would have woken me in a different manner and the noises outside would have been different. Now let go of me so I can get dressed. Why did I consent to this?” But he allowed Elladan to take charge, secretly relieved about the freedom it gave him. He looked forward to this day.

End chapter 21
TBC