Faded Light: Book II
folder
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
12,219
Reviews:
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0
Currently Reading:
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Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
12,219
Reviews:
46
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
Characters and places belong to JRR Tolkien and to his estate. I own only my OC's and twisted storylines.
The Letter Pt. 2
(For additional notes and disclaimers, please see top of Chapter 1.)
- Del, I don't know if you'll see this one before you leave for Brazil, but thank you for your earlier review, and I hope you enjoy your holiday. I actually tried to post this one last week, but for some reason it didn't come up and I didn't feel like fighting with it.
I'm glad you like the Leralonde/Saelbeth storyline; it has definitely been one of my favorites to write, it sort of started out as a way to balance out all the dark sexual angst in the Legolas part of the story, and then it just grew - - I have a tendency to do that...before I write almost any character I need to know something about them and their past, so I often end up with a lot of complex characters...
Though the original version of this story, from about 2006 (which is, I hope, not still floating out there in cyberspace, as I have come to deeply dislike it), had only the Legolas stuff and almost none of the Mirkwood, and, I think, was rather flat and ineffective...
I have a nice slashy chapter, by the way, with Saelbeth and Leralonde coming up probably before March...
...anyway enjoy this one and Brazil, and I’ll probably have a few more chapters posted by February... -
Chapter 25
The Letter Pt. 2
Dafi found the Elfling, as Amanyar had said, in one of the gardens near the Castle wall, but playing alone, balancing herself around the narrow edge of one of the fountains...
“Suilaid, Adar,” she said, not pausing her game.
“Guren linna chen cened, Tithen Pen.
“I thought Katya was with you,” he said.
“Her Nana sent for her...
“Are you well again?” asked the Elfling.
“Yes, I’m well now.”
“I’m glad,” she finally stopped walking and looked up. “And I’m sorry I made you angry, Ada.”
“Mel, look at me,” he said coming to stand in front of her so they were face to face.
“Do not be sorry, Nin hen. I never want you to apologize to someone when they have been unfair. I was unjust, and I am sorry.”
“So you aren’t cross anymore?”
“No, I’m not cross, Meld Pen. And I should not have made you feel that I was cross with you, I wasn’t...”
“So it isn’t true that you want to send me away with Princess Saterah...” she asked suddenly, sending a wave of pain through his heart...what had the child overheard? And was that the real reason she had been upset these past days, thinking she was being sent away because he was angry? “I heard Nana and Prince Emau talking, and...”
He pushed aside the impulse to admonish her for listening behind doors; what she did not need right now was another unjust scolding...
“Come here, little one,” he said, picking her up; he walked over to the shade of a nearby tree and sat them both down. He knew he could not make the Elfling understand his real reasons for his agreeing with Prince Emau’s idea that she be sent to Horondor, or what he had actually been planning.
But he needed to find a way to reassure her from the fears she had obviously been keeping to herself...Valar knew he had dealt with similar anxieties when he was an Elfling nearly every time his father went off to fight Orcs; especially after his mother’s death...
“The last thing I would ever want, Nin Hen,” he said gently, “would be to send you away...but I think for now it would be better for you in Horondor. Things here may change soon, and I need to know you’re safe...”
“But I’m happy here with you...”
“Iston, Nin Mir,” he pulled her closer, kissing her dark hair.
“But you should have a better life than you will here...with Princess Saterah you may have your freedom one day...I hope in time you’ll understand little one...”
“...Ada, you miss Mirkwood a lot, don’t you?” she asked as if it was something she hadn’t really thought about before...
“...aye, I miss Mirkwood,” he closed his eyes, taking himself somewhere else for a moment. “Elves are not meant to live like this, Tinu Nin...
“...I miss the forests, the whispering of the trees...” he opened his eyes and gazed at the clear early afternoon sky...“even the stars are different in Harad...”
She followed his gaze upwards for a second and looked back at him confused, “...whispering trees? I never heard Harad trees whisper...”
He smiled, “Maybe that’s because the trees of Harad are so much younger than the ones in Mirkwood...maybe they just haven’t learned yet...”
“I promise,” he said, serious again, “I’ll do everything I can so we’re not apart for long...whatever happens, I’ll come for you...”
The Elfling nodded stoically; she didn’t like it, but she was sure her Ada wouldn’t lie about something like that...
“Im mil le, nin Ield, lim,” he said wrapping his arms more tightly around her.
“...ar-we, Ada...
“Ada,” she looked up and hesitated, suddenly worried again, “...I lost the necklace you gave me...”
“I know,” he said, “your nana told me...”
“Diheno nin, Adar...”
“It was just a necklace, meld pen. I’m not angry about that...I’ll have a new one made for you all right...
“Now, come on,” he said standing up again, “I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“First, you have to promise you won’t tell anyone where we are going.”
“I promise.”
“We are going to go see an Elven warrior from Lothlorien.”
“Truly?”
“Remember, Mel...not a word,” he cautioned, “even to Nana, or it could get a lot of people into trouble.”
=================================
“...how is he?” asked Leralonde as Vaurna came down the stairs into Hallon and Talyantaro’s sitting room; the prince had brought Tadion here, to the home of his closest neighbors, not wanting to leave him alone in the midst of the emotional break down he’d found him having earlier, before sending for the Healer...
“He’s asleep now,” said the Elder, “I gave him a mild sedative.
“You say you have no idea what put him in that state?” he asked.
“As I told you before, I found him like that,” said the Prince, sitting down again.
“Do you think he was attacked by someone or something...?”
“There are no signs of violence; but I can’t think of what could have distressed him like this...”
“...I think ‘distressed’ is rather an understatement.
“I knew Tadion a little when he was serving his time as a warrior; I never knew him to easily fall apart.
“But you’ve probably known him longer than I...” the prince went on; he took the glass he had left on one of the end tables and refilled it.
“Why do I get the impression you know more about this than you care to let on?” He offered the bottle to the Elder...
“...la, hannon le; I’m still on duty tonight.
“I had to leave two of the apprentices in charge when you called. They’re capable enough, so long as nothing urgent happens...
“I have known Tadion and all his brothers since they were Elflings,” he said, taking the other chair and going back to the part of the Prince’s earlier question he felt he could answer. “Actually I knew their father, the old Forest Lord, for thousands of years before that...he was a just Elf; he would not have approved of much of his heir’s behavior, especially the manner in which he has so often belittled his brother...”
“...if you’ve known their family so well all these centuries, you must know what happened to Tadion when he was younger,” Leralonde asked cautiously.
“...what happened between he and Hirgon when Tadion left home.”
“What has Tadion told you about that?”
“Just that he ran away, and he found refuge with your kin...”
“Well, that part is true,” said the Healer leaning forward slightly, a serious look on his face, “but he did not so much run away as barely escape with his life with the help of Colfind, his eldest cousin...”
“I remember Colfind. He was one of the best Elves I’ve known...”
“He was. And Tadion would not be alive now had it not been for him...”
“Why?” asked the Prince, draining his glass and setting it down again.
“I’m sorry, Highness,” said the Elder, “You know I can’t go into that...that is something only Tadion can tell you about, if he wants to...
“Though I know he must have told you some of it, considering your relationship...”
“He has told me as little as possible...
“And no...he and I have never been together in that way,” the Prince admitted awkwardly, unused as he was to discussing his intimacies with extra parties, even the ancient Healer...
“I didn’t think so...but you care about him.”
“I do.”
“Good. I think he may need you before this is over...”
“I would probably be a good deal more useful if I knew more...”
“I’ll be back to check on him in the morning,” said the Elder standing up, clearly done with further explanations. “Navaer, Highness...”
“Vaurna...
“Who was Tahlsalion?
“Tadion said his name during his breakdown,” he clarified when the other said nothing.
“...he was someone Tadion knew long ago,” said the Healer, his face impassive.
“A lover?”
“Aye, they were lovers,” Vaurna’s face still revealed nothing, but he was clearly not comfortable with where the Prince wished to take this conversation. “But Tahlsalion died...centuries ago...”
“How?”
“Navaer, Ernil Nin...” said the Healer again, gathering his cloak and bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow...”
========================
Entering the merchant’s tent, Elf and Man immediately dropped their facade, as Dafi was greeted by the last of the three Lorien brothers, who he had not met yet, a very tall Elf who more closely resembled Rumil than did Haldir.
“...this is Haldir and Rumil’s brother, Orophin,” said the Man. “This is Rumil’s friend who is helping us. I’m sorry, but I still do not know your real name...”
“I am no one; just one who wishes to help a fellow captive.
“And this is Mel," he said of the small Elfling who stood next to him, uncharacteristically shy, never having known any Elves aside from her father.
"Glassen na chen govaded, Mel," greeted the tall warrior.
"Mae Govannen," she answered, eyes wide as she looked up at the imposing Elf.
"Meld Pen, would you sit over there a moment while I speak with Orophin."
"Yes, Ada."
"Your daughter...she was born in Harad?" asked Orophin while Earnan improvised some game to entertain the Elfling, and he and the slave moved to the other side of the tent.
"You're the only other Elf she's ever met." He smiled sadly, "I expect she's in awe...she's not often at such a lack for words.
"We can’t stay long," he went on. "I came only to tell you, your chance to save your brother may happen in the next few days.”
“How?”
“There is a prince...kin of Javad’s, who has often called for Rumil these past months.
“He has been absent for some time, but he’s back now. I’m sure it won’t take him long to send for your brother.”
“Are you sure? Maybe he’ll want someone else..."
“Too well do I know this prince’s habits,” he said bitterly. “His interest is far from waning. From tonight you must watch the Palace closely."
“Haldir is already keeping an eye on Arya’s brothel. And I’ll join him immediately. Earnan has everything prepared already for our flight.”
“When Arya takes a slave to the Palace he always goes along himself. The route back is often dark and deserted.
“It would not be a bad thing, if he ended up face down in some gutter.”
“I understand,” said Orophin.
“Is there anything we could do for you, Mellon?” asked the warrior. “Maybe there is a way you and the child could...”
The slave shook his head resolutely. “Nay, do no tempt me with such thoughts. It is not so simple for me...
“There is the child to think about...two more people would only make it more likely all would be taken. However, I would ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If you could make sure this letter reaches Mirkwood,” said the courtesan, pulling out the small envelope from a hidden pocket in his cloak, "I would be most grateful..."
“Of course. Either Haldir or I will deliver it personally."
He took the letter Dafi held out and looked up from the name on the envelope, smiling in surprise. “Hir Feredir, the Elvenking’s son?”
“You know him?"
Orophin shook his head. “His wife actually. But I have met Hir Feredir on a few occasions when they have both returned to Lorien.”
“His wife?”
“Hiril Alatariel,” Orophin explained. “Her parents lived in the Golden Wood for centuries, and so my brothers and I know her family. She and Feredir married some years ago.”
“I am glad to know Feredir is well. And wed." He smiled fondly, "It is hard to imagine.”
“They have a child too; he's called Ithilhen.
“But how is it that you know King Thranduil’s son...?”
“I...I was a friend of Haryon Legolas'...long ago. I was at the battle where he fell.
“If you could take the letter to Feredir...” said the slave, fighting to keep from asking for further news of his family; he was not ready to make himself known yet.
“...it is as much as you can do, I fear.”
“Of course.
“Certainly His Lordship will be happy to have tidings from you.”
“Thank you, Mellon Nin.”
“May the Valar grant that we may meet again, under more auspicious circumstances...”
“Harthon gerich rui vaer, Orophin.”
=================================
Tadion was sitting on the side of the bed holding the sides of his head when the prince reentered the room.
“Tad...I didn’t think you’d be up yet...you should lie down...”
“...what happened, where are we...?” The youth looked questioningly at Leralonde and down at the sleeping robe he had on and back again. “This isn’t mine...”
“It’s Telyantaro’s; we thought you’d be more comfortable,” said the prince coming a few steps closer. “What do you remember?”
He frowned, looking intently at the floor, “I’d just gotten home...I was taking Lacaru into the barn...”
“Aye,” said the Prince, “I got worried when I found him wandering around outside...”
“My head feels like it did the morning after my advancement from Novice rank...”
Leralonde couldn’t help smiling at that; he didn’t think he’d ever met a warrior who didn’t have a story or two about graduation night...“Dale...?”
The younger Elf huffed a laugh, “Our class decided to go to Laketown actually...there was a particularly strange Dwarf back then who owned a tavern there...”
He looked at the Crown-prince, serious again, “Leralonde...”
“I found you in your room,” he explained, “you were...upset...you’d barred the door with the side table and you had a knife...”
“Oh...”
“It didn’t seem the best thing to leave you to go find Vaurna,” the prince went on, “so I brought you to Telyantaro and Hallon’s, and Hallon went to get Vaurna...they’ve gone to bed now, Vaurna just left a little while ago...he said he’d be back tomorrow...
“Are you sure you don’t remember anything?”
The younger Elf laid back down and turned on his side, pulling the covers up, his back to the prince, “I think I was wrong...”
“About what?”
“My head didn’t feel this bad the day after graduation...”
He reached out to the prince who took his hand, “...stay with me; I don’t think I want to be alone just now...”
Slipping off his shoes, Leralonde laid down on top of the blanket, wrapping his arms loosely around his young lover. “Tad...”
Tadion didn’t say anything, but after awhile he turned and laid his head on Leralonde’s shoulder, occasionally gripping more tightly at the arms that held him, as if grasping for some kind of anchor...
“Talk to me, Melui Pen.”
“I can’t...”
“Why not?”
The Healer took a deep shaky breath, every muscle taut with his tension in Leralonde’s arms, “All these centuries I wanted to believe I was in control of my own life,” he said, “I don’t feel much in control right now...
“As nin dortho-le ilya, saes...”
The youth didn’t say anything else, and it didn’t take long for his eyes to slowly glaze over into sleep, Vaurna’s sleeping potion taking hold again; though even in sleep the tension barely seemed to leave him and it wasn’t a very restful night for either. Whatever haunted the younger Elf, every once in a while seeming to follow him into his dreams...
Leralonde was reminded of all those nights after the attack on Saelbeth when he had lain awake watching over his lover’s sleep, which had been plagued by persistent nightmares for many months after...
“Tad, saes wake up...” he whispered, gently rubbing at his back, as the youth’s sleep became more agitated, occasionally mumbling so faintly Leralonde only made out a few disjoined phrases...
“Baw, baw...avon...im avo n’aniro...”
“It’s all right now, melui pen...” he soothed, “...it’s just a dream...”
Tadion didn’t fully wake up but huddled deeper into the prince’s side, weeping softly, “Saes, baw...avon, avon...naicelea...”
The younger Elf’s voice sounded at least 300 years younger as it pleaded with the phantoms in his dreams, and it made the prince’s heart ache, and made his hatred double for whomever it was that had ever caused such pain to someone as irreproachable as Tadion...
The Prince also caught the name Tahlsalion again several times; he still had not idea who this mysterious Elf was from Tadion’s past, other than that he had been a lover of Tadion’s who had apparently died. Leralonde was tempted to try to get the other to keep talking as he continued to mumble unknowingly, but it did not seem like a wise idea, and his conscience would not let him commit such an invasion of the younger Elf’s innermost thoughts while he slept, believing himself safe in the Prince’s embrace.
So he settled for keeping his arms around him and whispering what comfort he could, occasionally stroking his back or running his fingers over his pale hair; after awhile, the youth seemed to calm down and slept deeply again...
TBC...
Elvish Translations:
Suilaid! / Greetings
Adar, ada / Father, dad, daddy
Guren linna chen cened / My heart sings to see you
Tithen pen / little one
Nin hen / my child
Naneth, Nana / Mother, mom, mommy
Iston / I know
Nin mir / my treasure
Im le mil (limb) / I love you (much, (very much))
Nin Ield / my daughter
Ar / too, also
Diheno nin / Forgive me
Meld pen / dear one
Tinu (nin) / (my) little star
La, hannon le. / No, thank you.
Navaer / goodbye, farewell
Ernil nin / my prince
Glassen na chen govaded. / My pleasure to meet you.
Mae Govannen / Well Met
Haryon / Prince and heir, crown-prince
Hir / Lord
Hiril / Lady
Melon nin / my friend
Harthon gerich rui vaer. / I hope you have a good hunt.
Melui pen / sweet, lovely one
As nin dortho-le ilya / just stay with me
Saes / please
Baw / no
Im avo n’aniro... / I don’t want to...
Avon / I won’t...
Naicelea / painful, hurtful
Elvish Names:
Telyantaro / Having Allure
Hallon / Tall
Lacaru (The name of Tadion’s horse.) / Slothful, inactive
Tahlsalion / From Tahlsal / sweet honey blade - (It’s not actually Sindarin or Quenya, but I heard this name somewhere, and I liked it. I added the “Ion” at the end to make it more Middle-Earth Elvish appropriate.)
- Del, I don't know if you'll see this one before you leave for Brazil, but thank you for your earlier review, and I hope you enjoy your holiday. I actually tried to post this one last week, but for some reason it didn't come up and I didn't feel like fighting with it.
I'm glad you like the Leralonde/Saelbeth storyline; it has definitely been one of my favorites to write, it sort of started out as a way to balance out all the dark sexual angst in the Legolas part of the story, and then it just grew - - I have a tendency to do that...before I write almost any character I need to know something about them and their past, so I often end up with a lot of complex characters...
Though the original version of this story, from about 2006 (which is, I hope, not still floating out there in cyberspace, as I have come to deeply dislike it), had only the Legolas stuff and almost none of the Mirkwood, and, I think, was rather flat and ineffective...
I have a nice slashy chapter, by the way, with Saelbeth and Leralonde coming up probably before March...
...anyway enjoy this one and Brazil, and I’ll probably have a few more chapters posted by February... -
The Letter Pt. 2
Dafi found the Elfling, as Amanyar had said, in one of the gardens near the Castle wall, but playing alone, balancing herself around the narrow edge of one of the fountains...
“Suilaid, Adar,” she said, not pausing her game.
“Guren linna chen cened, Tithen Pen.
“I thought Katya was with you,” he said.
“Her Nana sent for her...
“Are you well again?” asked the Elfling.
“Yes, I’m well now.”
“I’m glad,” she finally stopped walking and looked up. “And I’m sorry I made you angry, Ada.”
“Mel, look at me,” he said coming to stand in front of her so they were face to face.
“Do not be sorry, Nin hen. I never want you to apologize to someone when they have been unfair. I was unjust, and I am sorry.”
“So you aren’t cross anymore?”
“No, I’m not cross, Meld Pen. And I should not have made you feel that I was cross with you, I wasn’t...”
“So it isn’t true that you want to send me away with Princess Saterah...” she asked suddenly, sending a wave of pain through his heart...what had the child overheard? And was that the real reason she had been upset these past days, thinking she was being sent away because he was angry? “I heard Nana and Prince Emau talking, and...”
He pushed aside the impulse to admonish her for listening behind doors; what she did not need right now was another unjust scolding...
“Come here, little one,” he said, picking her up; he walked over to the shade of a nearby tree and sat them both down. He knew he could not make the Elfling understand his real reasons for his agreeing with Prince Emau’s idea that she be sent to Horondor, or what he had actually been planning.
But he needed to find a way to reassure her from the fears she had obviously been keeping to herself...Valar knew he had dealt with similar anxieties when he was an Elfling nearly every time his father went off to fight Orcs; especially after his mother’s death...
“The last thing I would ever want, Nin Hen,” he said gently, “would be to send you away...but I think for now it would be better for you in Horondor. Things here may change soon, and I need to know you’re safe...”
“But I’m happy here with you...”
“Iston, Nin Mir,” he pulled her closer, kissing her dark hair.
“But you should have a better life than you will here...with Princess Saterah you may have your freedom one day...I hope in time you’ll understand little one...”
“...Ada, you miss Mirkwood a lot, don’t you?” she asked as if it was something she hadn’t really thought about before...
“...aye, I miss Mirkwood,” he closed his eyes, taking himself somewhere else for a moment. “Elves are not meant to live like this, Tinu Nin...
“...I miss the forests, the whispering of the trees...” he opened his eyes and gazed at the clear early afternoon sky...“even the stars are different in Harad...”
She followed his gaze upwards for a second and looked back at him confused, “...whispering trees? I never heard Harad trees whisper...”
He smiled, “Maybe that’s because the trees of Harad are so much younger than the ones in Mirkwood...maybe they just haven’t learned yet...”
“I promise,” he said, serious again, “I’ll do everything I can so we’re not apart for long...whatever happens, I’ll come for you...”
The Elfling nodded stoically; she didn’t like it, but she was sure her Ada wouldn’t lie about something like that...
“Im mil le, nin Ield, lim,” he said wrapping his arms more tightly around her.
“...ar-we, Ada...
“Ada,” she looked up and hesitated, suddenly worried again, “...I lost the necklace you gave me...”
“I know,” he said, “your nana told me...”
“Diheno nin, Adar...”
“It was just a necklace, meld pen. I’m not angry about that...I’ll have a new one made for you all right...
“Now, come on,” he said standing up again, “I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“First, you have to promise you won’t tell anyone where we are going.”
“I promise.”
“We are going to go see an Elven warrior from Lothlorien.”
“Truly?”
“Remember, Mel...not a word,” he cautioned, “even to Nana, or it could get a lot of people into trouble.”
=================================
“...how is he?” asked Leralonde as Vaurna came down the stairs into Hallon and Talyantaro’s sitting room; the prince had brought Tadion here, to the home of his closest neighbors, not wanting to leave him alone in the midst of the emotional break down he’d found him having earlier, before sending for the Healer...
“He’s asleep now,” said the Elder, “I gave him a mild sedative.
“You say you have no idea what put him in that state?” he asked.
“As I told you before, I found him like that,” said the Prince, sitting down again.
“Do you think he was attacked by someone or something...?”
“There are no signs of violence; but I can’t think of what could have distressed him like this...”
“...I think ‘distressed’ is rather an understatement.
“I knew Tadion a little when he was serving his time as a warrior; I never knew him to easily fall apart.
“But you’ve probably known him longer than I...” the prince went on; he took the glass he had left on one of the end tables and refilled it.
“Why do I get the impression you know more about this than you care to let on?” He offered the bottle to the Elder...
“...la, hannon le; I’m still on duty tonight.
“I had to leave two of the apprentices in charge when you called. They’re capable enough, so long as nothing urgent happens...
“I have known Tadion and all his brothers since they were Elflings,” he said, taking the other chair and going back to the part of the Prince’s earlier question he felt he could answer. “Actually I knew their father, the old Forest Lord, for thousands of years before that...he was a just Elf; he would not have approved of much of his heir’s behavior, especially the manner in which he has so often belittled his brother...”
“...if you’ve known their family so well all these centuries, you must know what happened to Tadion when he was younger,” Leralonde asked cautiously.
“...what happened between he and Hirgon when Tadion left home.”
“What has Tadion told you about that?”
“Just that he ran away, and he found refuge with your kin...”
“Well, that part is true,” said the Healer leaning forward slightly, a serious look on his face, “but he did not so much run away as barely escape with his life with the help of Colfind, his eldest cousin...”
“I remember Colfind. He was one of the best Elves I’ve known...”
“He was. And Tadion would not be alive now had it not been for him...”
“Why?” asked the Prince, draining his glass and setting it down again.
“I’m sorry, Highness,” said the Elder, “You know I can’t go into that...that is something only Tadion can tell you about, if he wants to...
“Though I know he must have told you some of it, considering your relationship...”
“He has told me as little as possible...
“And no...he and I have never been together in that way,” the Prince admitted awkwardly, unused as he was to discussing his intimacies with extra parties, even the ancient Healer...
“I didn’t think so...but you care about him.”
“I do.”
“Good. I think he may need you before this is over...”
“I would probably be a good deal more useful if I knew more...”
“I’ll be back to check on him in the morning,” said the Elder standing up, clearly done with further explanations. “Navaer, Highness...”
“Vaurna...
“Who was Tahlsalion?
“Tadion said his name during his breakdown,” he clarified when the other said nothing.
“...he was someone Tadion knew long ago,” said the Healer, his face impassive.
“A lover?”
“Aye, they were lovers,” Vaurna’s face still revealed nothing, but he was clearly not comfortable with where the Prince wished to take this conversation. “But Tahlsalion died...centuries ago...”
“How?”
“Navaer, Ernil Nin...” said the Healer again, gathering his cloak and bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow...”
========================
Entering the merchant’s tent, Elf and Man immediately dropped their facade, as Dafi was greeted by the last of the three Lorien brothers, who he had not met yet, a very tall Elf who more closely resembled Rumil than did Haldir.
“...this is Haldir and Rumil’s brother, Orophin,” said the Man. “This is Rumil’s friend who is helping us. I’m sorry, but I still do not know your real name...”
“I am no one; just one who wishes to help a fellow captive.
“And this is Mel," he said of the small Elfling who stood next to him, uncharacteristically shy, never having known any Elves aside from her father.
"Glassen na chen govaded, Mel," greeted the tall warrior.
"Mae Govannen," she answered, eyes wide as she looked up at the imposing Elf.
"Meld Pen, would you sit over there a moment while I speak with Orophin."
"Yes, Ada."
"Your daughter...she was born in Harad?" asked Orophin while Earnan improvised some game to entertain the Elfling, and he and the slave moved to the other side of the tent.
"You're the only other Elf she's ever met." He smiled sadly, "I expect she's in awe...she's not often at such a lack for words.
"We can’t stay long," he went on. "I came only to tell you, your chance to save your brother may happen in the next few days.”
“How?”
“There is a prince...kin of Javad’s, who has often called for Rumil these past months.
“He has been absent for some time, but he’s back now. I’m sure it won’t take him long to send for your brother.”
“Are you sure? Maybe he’ll want someone else..."
“Too well do I know this prince’s habits,” he said bitterly. “His interest is far from waning. From tonight you must watch the Palace closely."
“Haldir is already keeping an eye on Arya’s brothel. And I’ll join him immediately. Earnan has everything prepared already for our flight.”
“When Arya takes a slave to the Palace he always goes along himself. The route back is often dark and deserted.
“It would not be a bad thing, if he ended up face down in some gutter.”
“I understand,” said Orophin.
“Is there anything we could do for you, Mellon?” asked the warrior. “Maybe there is a way you and the child could...”
The slave shook his head resolutely. “Nay, do no tempt me with such thoughts. It is not so simple for me...
“There is the child to think about...two more people would only make it more likely all would be taken. However, I would ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If you could make sure this letter reaches Mirkwood,” said the courtesan, pulling out the small envelope from a hidden pocket in his cloak, "I would be most grateful..."
“Of course. Either Haldir or I will deliver it personally."
He took the letter Dafi held out and looked up from the name on the envelope, smiling in surprise. “Hir Feredir, the Elvenking’s son?”
“You know him?"
Orophin shook his head. “His wife actually. But I have met Hir Feredir on a few occasions when they have both returned to Lorien.”
“His wife?”
“Hiril Alatariel,” Orophin explained. “Her parents lived in the Golden Wood for centuries, and so my brothers and I know her family. She and Feredir married some years ago.”
“I am glad to know Feredir is well. And wed." He smiled fondly, "It is hard to imagine.”
“They have a child too; he's called Ithilhen.
“But how is it that you know King Thranduil’s son...?”
“I...I was a friend of Haryon Legolas'...long ago. I was at the battle where he fell.
“If you could take the letter to Feredir...” said the slave, fighting to keep from asking for further news of his family; he was not ready to make himself known yet.
“...it is as much as you can do, I fear.”
“Of course.
“Certainly His Lordship will be happy to have tidings from you.”
“Thank you, Mellon Nin.”
“May the Valar grant that we may meet again, under more auspicious circumstances...”
“Harthon gerich rui vaer, Orophin.”
=================================
Tadion was sitting on the side of the bed holding the sides of his head when the prince reentered the room.
“Tad...I didn’t think you’d be up yet...you should lie down...”
“...what happened, where are we...?” The youth looked questioningly at Leralonde and down at the sleeping robe he had on and back again. “This isn’t mine...”
“It’s Telyantaro’s; we thought you’d be more comfortable,” said the prince coming a few steps closer. “What do you remember?”
He frowned, looking intently at the floor, “I’d just gotten home...I was taking Lacaru into the barn...”
“Aye,” said the Prince, “I got worried when I found him wandering around outside...”
“My head feels like it did the morning after my advancement from Novice rank...”
Leralonde couldn’t help smiling at that; he didn’t think he’d ever met a warrior who didn’t have a story or two about graduation night...“Dale...?”
The younger Elf huffed a laugh, “Our class decided to go to Laketown actually...there was a particularly strange Dwarf back then who owned a tavern there...”
He looked at the Crown-prince, serious again, “Leralonde...”
“I found you in your room,” he explained, “you were...upset...you’d barred the door with the side table and you had a knife...”
“Oh...”
“It didn’t seem the best thing to leave you to go find Vaurna,” the prince went on, “so I brought you to Telyantaro and Hallon’s, and Hallon went to get Vaurna...they’ve gone to bed now, Vaurna just left a little while ago...he said he’d be back tomorrow...
“Are you sure you don’t remember anything?”
The younger Elf laid back down and turned on his side, pulling the covers up, his back to the prince, “I think I was wrong...”
“About what?”
“My head didn’t feel this bad the day after graduation...”
He reached out to the prince who took his hand, “...stay with me; I don’t think I want to be alone just now...”
Slipping off his shoes, Leralonde laid down on top of the blanket, wrapping his arms loosely around his young lover. “Tad...”
Tadion didn’t say anything, but after awhile he turned and laid his head on Leralonde’s shoulder, occasionally gripping more tightly at the arms that held him, as if grasping for some kind of anchor...
“Talk to me, Melui Pen.”
“I can’t...”
“Why not?”
The Healer took a deep shaky breath, every muscle taut with his tension in Leralonde’s arms, “All these centuries I wanted to believe I was in control of my own life,” he said, “I don’t feel much in control right now...
“As nin dortho-le ilya, saes...”
The youth didn’t say anything else, and it didn’t take long for his eyes to slowly glaze over into sleep, Vaurna’s sleeping potion taking hold again; though even in sleep the tension barely seemed to leave him and it wasn’t a very restful night for either. Whatever haunted the younger Elf, every once in a while seeming to follow him into his dreams...
Leralonde was reminded of all those nights after the attack on Saelbeth when he had lain awake watching over his lover’s sleep, which had been plagued by persistent nightmares for many months after...
“Tad, saes wake up...” he whispered, gently rubbing at his back, as the youth’s sleep became more agitated, occasionally mumbling so faintly Leralonde only made out a few disjoined phrases...
“Baw, baw...avon...im avo n’aniro...”
“It’s all right now, melui pen...” he soothed, “...it’s just a dream...”
Tadion didn’t fully wake up but huddled deeper into the prince’s side, weeping softly, “Saes, baw...avon, avon...naicelea...”
The younger Elf’s voice sounded at least 300 years younger as it pleaded with the phantoms in his dreams, and it made the prince’s heart ache, and made his hatred double for whomever it was that had ever caused such pain to someone as irreproachable as Tadion...
The Prince also caught the name Tahlsalion again several times; he still had not idea who this mysterious Elf was from Tadion’s past, other than that he had been a lover of Tadion’s who had apparently died. Leralonde was tempted to try to get the other to keep talking as he continued to mumble unknowingly, but it did not seem like a wise idea, and his conscience would not let him commit such an invasion of the younger Elf’s innermost thoughts while he slept, believing himself safe in the Prince’s embrace.
So he settled for keeping his arms around him and whispering what comfort he could, occasionally stroking his back or running his fingers over his pale hair; after awhile, the youth seemed to calm down and slept deeply again...
TBC...
Elvish Translations:
Suilaid! / Greetings
Adar, ada / Father, dad, daddy
Guren linna chen cened / My heart sings to see you
Tithen pen / little one
Nin hen / my child
Naneth, Nana / Mother, mom, mommy
Iston / I know
Nin mir / my treasure
Im le mil (limb) / I love you (much, (very much))
Nin Ield / my daughter
Ar / too, also
Diheno nin / Forgive me
Meld pen / dear one
Tinu (nin) / (my) little star
La, hannon le. / No, thank you.
Navaer / goodbye, farewell
Ernil nin / my prince
Glassen na chen govaded. / My pleasure to meet you.
Mae Govannen / Well Met
Haryon / Prince and heir, crown-prince
Hir / Lord
Hiril / Lady
Melon nin / my friend
Harthon gerich rui vaer. / I hope you have a good hunt.
Melui pen / sweet, lovely one
As nin dortho-le ilya / just stay with me
Saes / please
Baw / no
Im avo n’aniro... / I don’t want to...
Avon / I won’t...
Naicelea / painful, hurtful
Elvish Names:
Telyantaro / Having Allure
Hallon / Tall
Lacaru (The name of Tadion’s horse.) / Slothful, inactive
Tahlsalion / From Tahlsal / sweet honey blade - (It’s not actually Sindarin or Quenya, but I heard this name somewhere, and I liked it. I added the “Ion” at the end to make it more Middle-Earth Elvish appropriate.)