Téci melméva or love letters

Chapter three The confusion starts

Elladan lovingly gazed up at the passing clouds and smiled. It was a way of passing the time he had not done often anymore and he noticed how he had missed it. “Caran sin an.”

When someone blocked the sun he looked up and saw a servant standing behind him, unaware of the relaxing twin behind his back. He grinned, fully aware of this moment’s teasing ability. He coughed and smiled warmly when the other twirled round instantly. “You are very fortunate I have outgrown my childhood.”
The servant blushed and nodded, hastily jumping aside when he realised he was blocking Elladan’s sun. “Apsena nin.” He ran away before Elladan even had the chance of opening his mouth.
The twin frowned. /I wonder who he is? I see him here often, but now that I think of it, I don’t seem to know him at all./

He grinned when Elrohir suddenly hovered above him, shaking his head. “Don’t tell me I got he blankets for nothing.”
Elladan smiled. “All right, I won’t. I just wanted to spend some moments and gaze at the clouds. I haven’t done that for so long.”
Elrohir nodded. “Too long.” He smiled at Elladan’s nod. “Perhaps you will take it slower in the future and continue staring?”
Elladan rolled around and grinned. “Perhaps, though I think you will only start worrying if I don’t get sunburn.”

Elrohir laughed and spread out the blankets and cloaks, creating a comfortable setting for them. Elladan stood and started setting up the game. Elrohir cocked his head. “I can wait. It didn’t seem you were done with your gazing.”
Elladan shrugged. “That will never be done for no cloud is the same, gwanunig. Let’s play.”
Elrohir frowned when he saw the wrinkle on Elladan’s forehead. “As soon as you tell me what’s troubling you.”

Elladan laughed and nodded. “Before you showed up a servant came by. He’s been working here for a long time, I mean, I seem to recall moments of seeing him even when we were little, yet I do not even know his n”
”
Elrohir sat down and frowned. “But we know everybody here. Which one is it?”
Elladan closed his eyes and nodded. “The that always serves Erestor and Glorfindel.”
Elrohir’s eyes sparkled in recognition, but soon he too became lost when he had to admit he did not know much either. “But I -do- know his name. Ereineldo.”
Elladan grinned. “Strange name, but than again so is Elladan and it basically means the same, doesn’t it?”
Elrohir shrugged. “Don’t know, don’t care.”

He plunged down and placed his legs beneath him. “O, I almost forgot, I’ve got something for you.” He handed over the envelop and smiled. “Nai ántëan ten anwa nótë telda?”

Elladan momentarily closed his eyes, dreading the contends. His hands twitched as he opened the letter and started reading, in silence this time. As he did so his eyes widened in disbelief.

He locked eyes with Elrohir and sighed. “It’s as Erestor and Elrond state. Whoever it is has been in love with me ever since I was born.”
Elrohir nodded. “It’s such a long letter.”
Elladan nodded and he forced the looming tears to remain in his eyes. He handed over the letter and watched Elrohir pale as well. After taking it back he jumped up. “I’m sorry, Ro, but I need to talk to ada and Erestor. Alone!”

Elrohir nodded and stood to go as well. Elladan did not see him walk towards the barracks.

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The elf leaned against the door and panted heavily. His mind was reeling and he was afraid to look back.
/He knows!/ /But he can’t know./ /But he did!/
His breathing calmed down and he was able to let his mind go back to the moment.

After a while a relieved sigh left his lips. Although Elladan had looked at him funnily it did not carry any meaning or messages. No, he figured he was still safe and hidden in anonymity. /Ada, istan i-sanda á ná ëa lúli, nan merisnyë hendinna, ú sintárë./

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Elrond frowned when he heard a knock on the door and he locked eyes with Erestor and Melpomean, who shook their heads at the silent iry.iry. They did not expect anyone.

Elladan carefully opened the door and one look at his face was enough to catapult Elrond towards him. He tenderly pulled the elder twin to himself. “Elladan, man raica?”
Elladan smiled at his father’s chest. “I received another one.” His tone was so painful it worried Elrond.

He smiled when Erestor discretely asked Melpomean to go and close the door. Next the counsellor handed the ruler some water for Elladan and sat down. “Do you want me to leave as well?”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay.”

Elrond’s concern grew when Elladan continued to shiver in an effort to compose himself and not cry. “Elladan, pray tell me what is in it. You are worrying me.”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, it hurts me to speak it.” He handed the letter to Erestor, who frowned at the length and unfolded it.

Elrond and Erestor both gasped at the seriousness of the letter, in which the unknown elf told Elladan how he/she’s been in love with him; how Elladan has enchanted the poor elf since the birth and how the love continued to grow still. It also spoke of Elladan’s lineage and high status; of the other’s lack of such things and unworthiness. It told them how everything Elladan did or say was a sign of his uniqueness and qualities. And the end of the tale was a plead for Elladan to forget about the letters, stating reasons beyond belief.
The greatest amount of love either of the three had ever known seeped from the paper, but also an amount of loneliness and despair that were just as great. Both elder elves read between the lines and with every line their fear grew; fear of losing an elf to grief.

Elrond forced his voice to sound steady as he spoke. “It’s as we thought. Ever since you were a baby.”
Erestor sighed. “To think he, or she, tried to fight it daily, but failed miserably because you are so charming.” He realised his mistake in words and hurried to soothe Elladan. “Forgive me, that’s not what I meant, but had you not been so desirable, which you just can’t help, things would not be as they are now.”
Elladan nodded.

“But how do I find out who it is?” His voice was desperate.
Elrond hugged him close. “Do you want to find out?”
Elladan nodded. “Yes, if only to talk. How can I go on as if nothing has happened? As if I didn’t receive the letters and there isn’t an elf smitten with me? How could he even ask such a thing?”
Elrond’s eyebrow rose and he smiled. “He?”

Elladan nodded and so did Erestor. “Aye, my love, this letter is filled with clues. The first reason for Elladan to forget is because, and I quote, ‘I cannot give you children.’” He looked smug but Elrond shook his head. “There are enough females who cannot conceive.”
Erestor nodded. “Aye, but they do not live within this house and this one does. Therefore the author must be male.”

Elrond sighed and smiled saddened at Elladan. “We will help you find him if you want.”
But Elladan shook his head. “No, I should do that alone. If I understood correctly he will only run away if anyone but me confronts him.”
Erestor smiled and locked eyes with him. “You are a wise and caring elf, Elladan. If anyone can stop him from hiding it is you. Read the letters carefully and look for clues, maybe we’ve missed some. But be careful when you do confront him. I fear there’s more than meets the eye, or, in this case, paper.”

Elladan smiled weakly at the joke and hugged both elders tight. “I would be lost without you. I love you.”

Elrond nodded. “One more thing Elladan; what are you going to do when you do find him?”
Elladan cocked his head. “You mean -if- I find him. I don’t know, father. Talk to him.”
Elrond nodded. “I will not tell you what to do, but please, should you reject him, do it gently. Place yourself in his shoes before you act or speak.”
Elladan nodded and left the room, heading back to the blankets in the garden. Perhaps he could clear his head and think while gazing at the clouds.

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Glorfindel looked up surprised when the door to his office flung open and Elrohir marched inside. He smiled warmly at the younger twin. “Hello, Elrohir, I thought you’d be spending the day with your twin?”
Elrohir smiled and sat down. “I was. He’s received another letter.”
Glorfindel’s eyes widened and he blinked several times. He even stuttered when he answered Elrohir. “He… he… he did?”
This uncharacteristic behaviour forced Elrohir to believe his suspicions to be true and he sighed.

He stood back up and placed his hand over Glorfindel’s. “I never believed you to be shy, meldir. But now I see you’ve always been acting, playing a part. My advice to yotop top hiding and be yourself. Maybe Elladan will surprise you.” He smiled at the blond’s dumbfound expression and left him alone.

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It was hours later when a soldier entered the seneschal’s office after knocking on the door without reply several times. His lord had asked him to find the seneschal, who was late for dinner.

The elf’s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the blond, proud elf sitting behind his desk, a dazed expression in his eyes, constantly shaking his head in disbelief.

He carefully approached him and leaned on the desk. “My lord Glorfindel?”
Glorfindel’s eyes snapped to him and alertness resurfaced. He looked confused. “Where’s Elrohir?”
The soldier shrugged his shoulders. “I know not, my lord. Lord Elrond has send me to find you for dinner is about to be started.”
Glorfindel jumped up and one look out his window affirmed the soldier’s words: dinner -was- about to be started!

He swiftly crossed the room, still occasionally shaking his head. /How do I handle this? I still haven’t figured this out. Elrond, my friend, tonight you will not be alone with Erestor./ Even though he knew Elrond would not welcome his company he could not be alone tonight. And he needed his friends to help figure out this riddle Elrohir had thrown at him.

End chapter 03
TBC

Translations:

Caran sin an. Means : I should do this more often.
Apsena nin means : forgive me
Ereineldo means : men-elf
Nai ántëan ten anwa nótë telda? Means : May I present you with number three?
Ada, istan i-sanda á ná ëa lúli, nan merisnyë hendinna, ú sintárë. Means : Father, I know the truth must be sometime, but I wish it in the future, not today.
Elladan, man raica?Means : Elladan, what is wrong?
Sorry that I have no letter this chapter, but I could not translate it all into Quenya so I had to find another way of ‘writing’ the letter.