Against all odds

Chapter twenty two a new morning

It was well past breakfast and Glorfindel only had had Elladan for company. Not that it had been such good company for the twin had been feeling guilty for Lindir’s situation.

At first Glorfindel had laughed about the twin’s actions but when he had seen the state Lindir was in, it didn’t look like the elf would be sitting comfortably for quite a while, Glorfindel had gotten mad. He had punished Elladan to kitchen duty in the morning and stable cleaning in the afternoons, until Lindir was well again.

He had to force himself to keep a straight face when Elladan had told Lindir to hurry up the healing. But the reply had been even more straining on Glorfindel’s face. Lindir had said he now had a very good incentive for him to get well soon. To safe his own dignity Glorfindel had hurried out of the healing wing and ushered Elladan to the kitchens.

After that he had gone to Elrohir’s rooms, only to find them empty. Even though the bed had not been slept in Glorfindel didn’t worry. He knew that if something was wrong both Elladan and Elrond would have sensed it. But still he felt it his responsibility to inform Elrond of this morning’s happenings. Maybe the Half-Elf knew where Elrohir was, but he would happily wait until Erestor and Elrond joined them again. He knew they needed their time together and he was happy to do their jobs as well for the time being.

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Elrohir stirred when sunbeams entered his eyes, drawing him out of his reverie and back to the real world. Slowly his eyes opened and focused and sense came back to him.

The first thing he realised was that he wasn’t alone. His first thought was of Elladan, figuring one of them had crept into bed with the other. But he saw blond strings of hair in front of him, flowing on the air. He groaned.

‘what happened last night?’ Elrohir knew it must have been bad for him not to remember anything, but he didn’t really try at the moment. He felt strangely at peace and happier than he had been in a long while. And he wanted the feeling to last.

He closed his eyes, desperate to keep the sun out and sniffed the surrounding air. A sweet scent invaded his nostrils making him open his eyes again. Elrohir had trouble placing it, though it wasn’t as alien to him as he expected it to be. His mind started work ‘bl ‘blond…how many blonds do I know?’

Just then he felt a hand caressing his hair. ‘The same manner Glorfindel used to do when I was little.’ He smiled to himself, unknowingly etching closer to the body beneath him.

Elrohir felt an arm around his waist shift a little, but the caresses to his hair did not cease. Elrohir sighed blissfully. ‘hmmm. This is nice. But Glorfindel never held me like this. And is it my imagination or is this more sensual?’

He decided to stay asleep a little longer and just enjoy being held like this.

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Legolas smiled when he felt Elrohir stir. His leg had been sleeping for quit a while because the younger twin was blocking the blood circulation. But Legolas had been reluctant to move Elrohir,t het he’d awaken. Legolas thought Elrohir needed a good night’s rest.

When they had walked back from the garden Elrohir had seemed to shrink, his light seemed to diminish before his very own eyes and it had scared Legolas. More than he would have admitted to himself.

Elrohir had been the perfect host and had even insisted bringing Legolas to his rooms before going to his own. But Legolas’ sharp ears had picked up some weird noises and together they had investigated.

Legolas had enjoyed the sight of first seeing Elladan hump about like a madman and then Lindir. But he had enjoyed hearing the snickers and grinning next to him. It was then that he decided Elrohir didn’t laugh enough and that he would make sure that changed. So when they headed back to the corridors Legolas asked Elrohir to join him in his room. He had been stunned when Elrohir had eagerly accepted.

Once in his rooms Legolas made sure to tell funny tales. He told Elrohir about the pranks he pulled when he was little; the famous Mirkwood threat. Before long Elrohir’s laughter erupted in the guest quarters, fuelling Legolas’ determination and the blond doubled his attempts. His plan had had a small side-effect though.

When they where done laughing and both elves where laying across the bed Elrohir had opened up to him. The laugh-attack had dissolved his walls and before Elrohir had realised it he had told everything to Legolas. All his troubles and pains.

Legolas had sat back up, blinking his eyes. He had known there was something wrong here, but he had no idea it was this big. He had a hard time focussing on Elrohir’s words after the first admission, butdid.did.

When Elrohir was done pouring out his heart his eyes widened in realisation and he would have bolted out of the room had Legolas not spoken. “So Elrond bound himself to Erestor? I knew there was something between those two. Don’t worry about them, Elrohir, they’ll be fine before long. During the party Erestor unknowingly drew closer to your father. Don’t worry.”

Elrohir looked at Legolas with surprise. He had expected Legolas to laugh about his problems, not to say something like this. Legolas had seen the surprise, cocked his head and smiled. “You don’t think me crazy for telling you all this?” For some reason that thought pained Elrohir.

Legolas shook his head. “Why would I? And besi I - I -did- ask you earlier. Do you think you are the only who sometimes feels so lonely?” Elrohir looked at him disbelieving. “You feel that way too?” But Legolas shook his head. “Not anymore. But I did when I was on the Quest. A member of a group of nine but still I felt alone.”

Elrohir gently hit him. “You were the only elf. Of course you felt alone.” Legolas smiled at him. “And I am sure there is a simple reason for your loneliness too. And it too will pass. But for now I think we both need our sleep.”

Elrohir understood and reluctantly worked his way over to the edge of the bed. He would go to his rooms and let his friend get some sleep. But Legolas had other ideas. “No, stay. This bed is big enough.” When Elrohir looked at him with squinted eyes, Legolas joked about it. “Or don’t you appreciate my company?”

Elrohir had laid back down and they both had quickly fallen asleep.

Legolas awoke when he felt something press closer to him. He smiled when he realised Elrohir was wriggling closer to his body. His smile increased and gently, without awakening his friend, he pulled the sleeping elf into an embrace. “Sleep, my friend. I am here for you.”

Legolas had found it impossible to go back to sleep. Not with Elrohir asleep on his chest. He looked at Elrohir and admired his beauty. Studying the sleeping elf he mentally made a list of all his qualities. He was still working on that list when Elrohir stirred.

Legolas smiled. Elrohir was waking up and soon his leg would be freed. He did not stop his caresses that had started somewhere in the night. He suppressed a chuckle when Elrohir groaned. ‘So, you’re a late-sleeper. Guess it will be a while before my leg gets some movement.’ But Legolas could care less. The scene before his eyes was well worth a sleeping leg. His smile broadened when Elrohir moved against him and practically purred his content. It was obvious Elrohir did not wish to wake up just yet and Legolas was content to hold him longer.

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It had been some happy hours in which Legolas had continued to hold Elrohir, who was drifting between sleep and waking. Both elves totally enjoyed this ing.ing. But then Legolas’ stomach decided to make demands. It growled. Loud enough for Elrohir to bolt upright. Legolas reddened in embarrassment.

Elrohir thought it was fortunate he’d already figured out it was Legolas holding him, otherwise he would now have something totally stupid.

Seeing Elrohir ready to run from his room, Legolas quickly sat up as well, ignoring the funny feeling in his leg. “Good morning, Elrohir. Sorry, but I guess I need some nourishment. Join me?”

Elrohir now looked out the window. “Breakfast is long over. We have to go to the kitchens. I will show you.” He stood up and walked to the door. Legolas immediately followed suit.

When Elrohir was turning the handle he hesitated. Even though it had been but a mere whisper Legolas still heard Elrohir’s words. “Thank you”

Legolas quickly closed the distance so he could whisper in the other’s ear. “My pleasure, Elrohir. You can always come to me.” He could see Elrohir lowering his eyes and drawing back into himself. Legolas knew he had to do something now. “And now show me that kitchen before I alert all the foul creatures in Middle Earth where to find Imladris.”

It worked; once more Elrohir broke out into a laughter. “You are something else, Legolas. This way.”

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“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s it. I’ve had enough of you around here. Get out my kitchen now!” Cook was sure she would go insane if that elf stayed one more moment in her kitchen. He broke more than he helped them make things.

Elladan would have been pleased to go, he hated the kitchens, but he feared Glorfindel’s reaction more. “But Glorfindel said..”

“I don’t care what he said. I want you out and if he thinks he can rule my kitchen he’s got another thing coming. Balrog slayer or nay, this is ending here.”

Elladan was well aware the she-elf was more ferocious than any balrog could have been, but he wasn’t so sure about Glorfindel. He was saved further conversation by an opening door.

Cook turned to the intr in in annoyance. “O no, not more perpetrators or some foul deed-doers. You are not paying sentence in my kitchen. Out!” She crossed her arms over her chest and straitened her back. Standing like that she reminded Elladan why he always feared going in the kitchen as a child. He was sure she would put the fear in Sauron himself.

“But Apsontë, we merely here to get something to eat. We’ve missed breakfast.” Elrohir put on his puppy-dog face. Like Elladan he feared her when she was like this. “You don’t want dad to think I am starving our guests, do you?”

The cook relented. “Oh, alright, come in and help yourselves, but don’t get in the way. And you,” looking stern at Elladan, “out my kitchen now!”

Elrohir looked at his brother apologetically. He would have helped him, but Apsontë wasn’t to be crossed. EllaElladan shrugged. “It’s all right Elrohir, I’ve always wanted to spend the entire day cleaning the stables. If Glorfindel doesn’t find something worse for me to do.” He squished Elrohir’s shoulder and brushed past Legolas.

Elladan didn’t know why he did what he did, but as he passed the blond he hissed in his ear “stay away”

Legolas looked at him confused. What had Elladan meant by that. He was shocked to see Elladan’s eyes regard him coldly and hatefully. He watched the r twr twin make his way down the hall and it wasn’t until he felt a hand on his arm that he came out of his musings.

“Everything ok?”

Legolas turned and looked straight into Elrohir’s concerned eyes. “Yes, Elrohir.” But he didn’t sound as convincing as he would have liked to. Suddenly the kitchen was too crowded for him. He grabbed Elrohir’s arm when the twin made for the kitchen table. “Can we eat outside?”

There was something in Legolas’ voice that made Elrohir wonder if everything really was alright. “Of course we can.” He smiled as he started piling the food in both their arms. “You’re the guest.”

Legolas signalled for Elrohir to lead the way. The twin knew the gardens better than he did.

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“Really, Glorfindel, that’s ridiculous. You can’t be serious.” Lindir was having a hard time keeping up with Glorfindel. The seneschal had much longer legs and his walk was no match for a warrior’s stride. But he stubbornly followed. “Will you listen? It’s insane to punish Elladan for no reason.”

Glorfindel stopped and briskly turned around. “No reason? No reason?” Glorfindel was practically fuming and he pointed towards Lindir’s sensitive butt. “He did this to you.”

But Lindir shook his head. “No, the ants did that. How could Elladan know there were that many or that I am allergic to their bites? I didn’t even know that.”

Glorfindel shook his head. “He should have been more careful. And more respectful.” Lindir eyes opened wide and Glorfindel sighed. “It’s not the proper way to treat your elder. And yes, you are his elder, Lindir.”

Now it was Lindir’s turn to sigh. “He does respect me. You should know that.”

The seneschal snorted. “You’re too lacks, Lindir. He treats you as a friend, not as an elder or a tutor. He never did.”

“And I am glad he doesn’t. You might prefer a saluting pupil, but I don’t. I’d rather teach someone something they are willing to leahan han to force them to study. And before you argue, there’s a difference between musical teachings and that of war. You don’t –need- the first to survive, now do you?” With that he turned and smiled at Elladan, who was following them.

The twin had bumped into Glorfindel shortly after he had left the kitchens and the blond immediately had assumed he was shunning his duties and reassigned him to new ones. Elladan would have a rough time and just when he thought there was no way out Lindir walked into them.

Elladan knew Glorfindel would not appreciate it, but he asked Lindir how he was doing and hugged him. And then things went from bad to worse. Glorfindel had exploded, saying things like respect your elders. He could hear every word and where Glorfindel’s made him feel like a little elfling again Lindir’s words reminded him he was everything but.

Lindir now walked past him, his face set in determination. Before he left he addressed the seneschal once more. “If you’re so keen on punishing Elladan, don’t you think I get to decide what it is? Considering it is mtt att and all?”

Glorfindel raised his arms to the heavens and shook his head. “Fine. I surrender. You take him then. I’ve got more important things to do.” He threw Elladan a look that said ‘we’re not done yet’ but unfortunately for him Lindir also caught it. “You can just forget about that, seneschal. We just made an agreement and if you break it I will be forced to inform our lord of that.”

He turned and dragged Elladan along. He knew it would be a while before Glorfindel had a witty comeback to that but he also knew he did not wish to hear it. “Come, Elladan, you can help me with my chores. Is that alright for you?”

When Lindir looked at the elf walking next to him he saw how Elladan quickly lowered his head and his hair covered his face, but not before Lindir saw his flustered face and the eartips sticking out of Elladan’s hair were most definitely darker than usual. Elladan was blushing. It made Lindir doubt his eyes. In all the years that he knew Elladan he had never seen him blush.

End chapter 22
TBC

Translation
Apsontë means she who makes cooked food.