the trouble with love

Chapter forty-nine …Or not?

Several days later…

Orophin smiled at his fidgeting lover. “Relax. He’ll come. He requested this himself, remember.”
Elrohir nodded but didn’t calm down. “I’m just worried. This is not like him, Phin.”
Orophin shook his head. “I disagree. It sounds like he’s becoming more himself again. He used to do things like this a long time ago.”

Elrohir jumped up and ran towards his brother as soon as he saw him. “Adan. What is it?”
Elladan frowned. “Ro?” He locked eyes with Orophin, grinning as the other started blushing.

He wordlessly sat down and sighed. “I’m starting to hate this. Every day there’s another present waiting for me. I don’t know what he wants, Ro. Or even who he is anymore.”
Orophin smiled and sat down. “Relax, Elladan. He wants to tell you how much he loves you. And he’s trying to apologize.”
Elladan looked at him with disbelief. “Apologize? Apologize for w”
”
“For running away.” He laughed at Elladan’s dumbfound expression. “Look, he loves you and is giving an extreme effort to court you properly. Either accept that or don’t but I don’t think it will stop.” He shrugged. “It’s a natural course, considering he has chosen you since he was a mere babe.”
Elladan growled but shrugged his shoulders. “I know, but…”
Elrohir hugged him tight. “Oh, gwanunig, don’t let mother keep you from finding love. I’m glad Phin is right for Elvil is too stubborn to let you push him away.” He rubbed his back. “Give it a chance, allow him to heal you.”
Orophin nodded. “Aye, you and Legolas have come a long way already. Don’t stop now.”

Elladan grinned. “Thranduil is coming. He’ll arrive later today. Do you think he’ll be surprised?”
Elrohir nodded. “Of course. ees ees back a different Legolas than the one he left. But I do hope he won’t make troubles for adar.”
Elladan smiled. “Well, Melpomean and adar really love each other. Warming each other’s beds can’t compete with that. Don’t worry about it.” He stood and left.

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Erestor shook his head. “Will you stop this fidgeting, Melpomean?”
Melpomean sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Erestor, I just can’t help it.”
Erestor cocked his head. “What is wrong? I know I am not Sealbeth, but I can help too.”
Melpomean smiled but shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
Erestor crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Either you tell me what is troubling you or I’ll tell Elrond something’s wrong with you.”
Melpomean jumped up anokedoked at him with begging eyes but Erestor didn’t give way and in the end Melpomean sagged back on his chair.

“Thranduil’s coming.”
“So?”
Melpomean smiled the ghost of a smile. “So Elrond will go back to him. He does not love me, Erestor. He loves Thranduil and once he sees him back he’ll abandon me.”

Erestor gasped and watched the other leave in horror. Blinking his eyes twice he made up his mind and rushed from the room.

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“Thrilmaldur! Wait a minute!”
The counsellor halted and smiled when he saw Thranduil speeding towards him. “King Thranduil. What a surprise. What brings you to Imladris?”
Thranduil smiled. “Several problems that need solving. I was happy to see you. The journey’s been rather boring and I thought perhaps we could continue together?”
Thrilmaldur inclined his head in acceptance and smiled, riding next to the king.

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Elrond looked up when his door opened and Erestor marched inside. He cocked his eyebrow at the sight of his stern appearance. “Erestor?”
Erestor came to a halt before the desk and looked down at the Peredhel. “Thranduil’s about to arrive.” He could see a small twitch.
Elrond sighed. “I am sure you can make the necessary arrangements.”
Erestor nodded. “Already have, but what about Melpomean? Because if you plan on taking the king back into your bed…” He stopped speaking when Elrond released a growl and advanced on him. Involuntarily he jumped back. “Don’t you ever say such ridiculous things again or I’ll have your brain for my belt.”
Erestor swallowed. He’d never seen Elrond in such a state. “But he told me you would abandon him.” His eyes were begging.

Elrond growled again, making the counsellor jump once more, and he fell back into his chair. “So that’s been bothering him.” He closed his eyes. “I knew there was something, but I didn’t know what it was.”

He sighed. “Keep an eye on him, Erestor, and ask Sealbeth to help you. Nothing I will say to him will convince him he’s wrong. Only my actions when Thranduil’s here. I shall tell Legolas his father is arriving soon.”
Erestor nodded, not knowing how fast to run away. Elrond was pretty scaring when in this mood.

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Legolas grinned. “If you shoot it like that it is more likely to kill a bird than hit target.”
Elnihir turned round. “But I’m too little to reach the target. I have to aim it up.”
Legolas nodded. “Aye, but not that much. You have to aim at the target, which indeed is up, but not just up and at the sky.”

He kneeled down and rearranged the small body. “Like this. Let your eye follow your arm as you stretch.”
Elnihir did as he was told and smiled wildly when he saw the target on the other side. “Can I shoot?”
Legolas nodded. “Aye, release.” Elnihir let go and the arrow pierced the air, landing in the target’s outer circle.

“Ok, first we have trk ork on your accuracy and than on succession.” Seeing Elnihir’s eyes take on their questioning look he smiled. “It is one thing to hit the centre of the target once but quite another to do so in a row.” He ruffled the hair. “And once you’ve mastered that we will work on distance.”
Elnihir beamed with happiness. More work meant more time with the blond. “And swords? And daggers? And…”
Legolas laughed warmly. “Aye, that too, but we should concentrate on your bowmanship. You are little and with your arrows you can fight your enemy from a distance.” Elnihir pouted and Legolas frowned, wondering what he had said wrong.

Before he could speak he heard Elrond stepping up beside him, already kneeling down to face the elfling. “I’m sorry, Elnihir, but Legolas is right. Most of the enemies you might face in your later life will be larger than you. But I also think Legolas prefers teaching the bow to the sword, not really liking it himself. But the twin daggers… The ones he carries are lethal and he shall teach you that as well.”
Elnihir smiled and hugged his grandfather. “Thank you, ata’da.”

Elrond stood, pulling the other with him, holding him to his chest. “Legolas, I came to see you. Your father is approaching and will arrive soon.”
Legolas beamed and twinkles appeared in his eyes. “Thank you, Elrond. I shall make sure I am ready to greet him.”
Elrond smiled and nodded. “Just don’t knock him of his horse. I won’t risk war with Valthroman because his lord got injured on my ground.”
Legolas laughed and ran away.

Elnihir started playing with Elrond’s hair and the elflord left the training grounds, instructing a passing warrior to clear it.

“And how are you, my little Elnihir?”
Elnihir sighed contented and snuggled a little closer. “Fine. Legolas is nice, ata’da. He’s funny and he likes teaching me and I like him.”
Elrond grinned at the words. “Aye, Elrohir mentioned something like that. Where did you sleep last night? In your hide out?”
Elnihir shook his head. “Legolas.” His eyes suddenly widened in fear. “He told me I could. I’m not trespassing, ata’da, really.”
Elrond hushed him and soothed him. “I know, I know, little one. I’d like to think we raised you well. So when I am looking for you I can find you there?”

Elnihir nodded. “I don’t like sleeping alone and Elvil’s acting different.”
Elrond sighed and tightened his hold. “Ai, peth. th. Elvil is older now.”
Elnihir nodded. “I know, Legolas explained what happened, but it’s still weird.”
Elrond nodded, fully agreeing.

“I am planning a private dinner tonight. Just me, Melpomean and my children.”
Elnihir pouted. “Can I come too? I don’t want to sit all alone at the table.”
Elrond shook his head. “You are my child too, little one, though I am called your grandfather. I would not dream of not having you.”
Elnihir smiled and rested his head on his grandfather’s shoulder. “Diolla lle.”

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Erestor sighed as he came to a halt in front of his door. He was glad he did not have to be present to greet Thranduil. He was still tired.

He opened the door and walked inside, smiling when he saw the bowl of fruit. It always reminded him of his lover for without it they would not have found out. He sighed longingly and started to undress.

About to climb into his bed he frowned, hearing a knock on his door. “Come back later!”
“If you really wish me to.” A bemused voice sounded through the door.

Erestor’s eyes widened and, after swiftly flinging a sheet around his frame, he ran to the door and swung it open. He stared at the other in disbelief and happiness. The inability to move lasted only a second before he pulled his lover in and kissed him passionately.
His hands were already working on the clasps and straps that adorned the other’s outfit.

Thrilmaldur easily lifted his lover and walked to the bed. He ended the kiss and stepped back, smiling from ear to ear. “I missed you.”
Erestor beamed, his eyes hungry to see him naked. “I you too. Why do you always wear so many clothes?” His hands flew forward to continue their work.

When he finally managed to remove the travel dirty clothes he pulled him close again. “I want you. And then I’ll probably pass out. I’m exhausted.” A yawn proved his words correct and Thrilmaldur narrowed his eyes, sitting down on the bed. “What happened?”
Erestor smiled when the other pulled him closer. “Nothing. I just had to do the work of four alone for a while. I’m glad Melpomean is back to help me.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “Tomorrow I shall help you too.” Seeing Erestor turn his head to look at him he frowned. “That is, if you want me to.”
Erestor flung himself at him, hugging him tight and catapulting him backwards on the bed. “If I want to? Of course I do. All the help is welcome and with yours I might even stay awake tomorrow night.” His eyes turned mischievous and Thrilmaldur grinned before reinitiating the kiss.

TBC