The Music in My Heart
folder
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,783
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,783
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
chapter 31 In the Dark Backward
Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 31 betaed
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating: PG-13, but rating will increase in future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 31 --- In the Dark Backward
“What seest thou else in the dark backward and abysm of time?”
William Shakespeare
*****
True awareness was slow to return to Elrond and Seere. Gradually, the sounds of harsh breathing, the frantic press of warm bodies, the chill of the night air against damp, heated skin began to penetrate their dazed senses. Long minutes passed before their arms slipped from around each other, leaving them face to face, still kneeling beside the chaise. Liquid silver met liquid gold as both struggled to find their voices, find balance, find answers.
Seere was the first to speak, her eyes dropping to stare at her clinched hands. “My apologies, my lord, for disturbing your sleep.”
“How?”
Golden eyes lifted briefly to meet his gaze and then were quickly hidden as she dropped her head, hiding her thoughts behind a sweep of long auburn hair. /I wonder if she realizes how much she resembles her Adar when she does that? I always know Erestor is hiding something when he will not hold my gaze. Like father, like daughter, it would seem!/
He was startled back to the moment by her whispered answer. “It was a nightmare. I often have them. They are not visions as they are about past events. Ada says I have them because I spent too much time buried in the library reading unsuitable material when I was younger and not enough time spent in the fresh air. He says the old stories I favor affect me too strongly with my seer’s sensibilities. I am often told I have too much imagination for my own good.”
Elrond narrowed his eyes at her practiced answer as he tried to discover what she was keeping from him. /What is she hiding? I have known her long enough to know this attempt at a meek, shy maiden is not her true nature… like father, like daughter indeed. Maybe a direct question is needed, though they seldom work with her adar when he wishes to evade answering me./
“Explain to me how it is that you know things not written in any book I have ever read? I built Imladris’ library volume by volume and I doubt many additions have been made in the years I was away, as history was my passion. While Erestor and Celeborn enjoy that topic, it is a passion shared by no other resident of Imladris to my knowledge.” The closed expression on Elrond’s face betrayed little of his thoughts; unless that is, you were looking into his troubled eyes.
“I share that passion, as I thought you knew. Many volumes that had no other safe home, after so many of our people sailed to the West have found their way to our library in those years. I have read quite a few of them.” Seere raised her eyes to meet his asking, “What is it I know that I should not?”
That surprised him. /Does she truly not know or is she trying to evade answering me? Answer a question with a question --- the twin’s influence no doubt./
“Tell me what you saw? Tell me about your dream.”
A subtle hesitation, then, “I dreamed about a battle. Surely, such a dream would be better described as a nightmare, my lord.”
“That’s not what I asked. What did you see?”
A long heavy pause, then, “Death… for as far as the eye could see,” came the choked reply.
Elrond took a deep breath to clear his mind of those very images and asked the question his heart needed, nay, demanded be answered. “Through whose eyes did you see this carnage?”
Panicked eyes again found and locked with his. “It was a dream, a nightmare, my Lord Elrond, nothing more.”
“Why do I doubt that? You did not answer my question.”
“I do not think that there is an answer I can give you. It was my dream, so is it not logical to assume I saw it through my own eyes?” Seeing Elrond frustration rising in reaction to her words, Seere quickly added, “I do not understand your need to question this, nor can I claim to know your mind, your doubts. I only know it is late and I have disturbed your rest far too long.”
“You have the gift of foresight. You say you dream vividly about the past, about events that happened long before you were born. I have felt a sense of knowing you, of recognition, since the very moment we first met. Nay, I have seen you in my dreams and visions for millennia… for many centuries before you were born. I see and hear echoes of the past in you at odd moments --- a unique turn of phrase, the odd mannerism, or an unexpected tactical move during a sparring match. Nay, it is not doubts that confuse me, my lady, rather the lack of answers to my questions.” Elrond paused, then sighed.
“But, you are right. It is late and hardly a proper place for us to discuss this matter any longer. Do not, however, take this delay in my demand for answers to mean I have given up having them. We will talk about this on the morrow and I will seek my answers, Seere.” He held her gaze for several seconds watching the warring emotions play themselves out on her lovely features. “My heart tells me you hold answers I strongly desire, Lirimaer, I will not rest until I have them.” (lovely one)
Satisfied his point had been made, he freed her from his gaze. “Will you be able to sleep after this ‘nightmare’ or do you need a sleeping draught?” he asked, pulling them both to their feet.
A soft whisper responded, “I will manage,” as her eyes became dull with fatigue.
Rather than comment on yet another evasive answer, Elrond raised an eyebrow in silent reproof before moving back toward his balcony. Before climbing over, he turned to her. “Remember, we are to meet in the Healing House after breakfast to inventory the supplies of medicinal herbs. We will talk more of this then, understood?”
Hearing her dispirited, “Aye, I will be there,” he climbed back across the balustrade, muttering to himself over yet another non-answer to a direct question.
A soft, 'Quel du,” made him turn in time to see her disappearing into her bedroom. The candlelight from within backlit the silk of her sleeping robe and Elrond stifled a groan. /Wonderful! I can now add that image to the memories of how she felt in my arms --- warm breath against my neck and ear, the scent of her skin… a subtle mix of lavender and vanilla, the press of her soft breasts against my chest. Quite a list of what will keep me awake for the rest of the night!/ (Good night.)
/Erestor will surely be outraged if he finds me addled brained with desire for her before I think of a way to ask his permission to court her, for I can not now imagine not pursuing her favor! I may have better success at both if I use the head on my shoulders and not the one doing my thinking at the moment!/
Smirking at his own joke, Elrond moved back to his chaise knowing sleep would prove allusive for the rest of the night.
*****
Seere paused just inside the archway. Her body, rigid with emotion, began to tremble. Several shaky steps brought her to the foot of her bed where she collapsed and rolled to her side in the fetal position. Silent tears began to fall as the tremors shaking her frame grew stronger. It was many hours before she fell into a troubled sleep --- a sleep once again plagued by confusing images, long suppressed desires, and too few answers. The only comfort she could find was in the steadying presence of a dark haired elf with molten silver eyes.
*****
Lindon, Second Age 1523
The High King slipped out of his warm bed… easing away from the warm body that shared it with him. Plucking up a hastily discarded robe from where it lay crumpled on the floor, he wrapped his sated body in the soft folds of midnight blue velvet. After pushing his feet into a convenient pair of slippers, he walked soundlessly to the window.
/It seems I will find no sleep again tonight. I wore my lover into exhaustion, but my mind refuses to give me rest. Sated… yes, but not satisfied. I seldom seem to feel satisfied anymore… I can drive myself to endless release, but, there is no peace to be found in the act. Why?/
The sky was crystal clear as only a cold winter night can be. Out of habit, he watched the light of Eärendil sail before him, its path constant and comforting. /How many times have I watched his nightly voyage… how many times have I stood with Elrond to share his pain and soothe his aching loneliness? He has lost so much… so many… robbed of his mother, father… twin… his home. Well, I understand the pain of such losses./
Lost in thoughts of his young herald… the twin that had chosen the life of the firstborn… the life he had offered when they came to him as elflings… a home and a surrogate father, he did not at first see the lone figure leaning against the gate post. The fluttering of his heavy cloak in the bitter winter wind caught his attention. The High King dropped his gaze from the star of the father to the huddled form of the son, his tall, elegant body wrapped tightly in the heavy black wool, which gave but scant comfort against the frigid cold.
“Elrond,” whispered softly from his lips.
A pair of pale green eyes watched the scene play out before him, obscured by a tumble of pale golden hair. He had heard the whisper and let a silent sigh of regret pass his lips. He had seen the signs of the High King’s growing love for the peredhel. He knew in his heart he was not fated to be the enduring love of the mighty Noldor. The King’s fëa called for another. His time in this bed… in those strong arms was rapidly coming to an end.
/Once Ereinion acknowledges his heart, what chance do I have that… that his mongrel would not return such affections. How could he not?/
Oropher silently turned his back on the oblivious form of his lover and squeezed his eyes shut hoping to block the sight from his mind. Jealousy, love, passion… hate warred in his wounded fëa as he settled into the now familiar pattern of his nights… he in the lonely bed and his love lost to him at the window.
So, the night passed… as did many before and after --- three elves… sleepless… lonely… and alone.
*****
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating: PG-13, but rating will increase in future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 31 --- In the Dark Backward
“What seest thou else in the dark backward and abysm of time?”
William Shakespeare
*****
True awareness was slow to return to Elrond and Seere. Gradually, the sounds of harsh breathing, the frantic press of warm bodies, the chill of the night air against damp, heated skin began to penetrate their dazed senses. Long minutes passed before their arms slipped from around each other, leaving them face to face, still kneeling beside the chaise. Liquid silver met liquid gold as both struggled to find their voices, find balance, find answers.
Seere was the first to speak, her eyes dropping to stare at her clinched hands. “My apologies, my lord, for disturbing your sleep.”
“How?”
Golden eyes lifted briefly to meet his gaze and then were quickly hidden as she dropped her head, hiding her thoughts behind a sweep of long auburn hair. /I wonder if she realizes how much she resembles her Adar when she does that? I always know Erestor is hiding something when he will not hold my gaze. Like father, like daughter, it would seem!/
He was startled back to the moment by her whispered answer. “It was a nightmare. I often have them. They are not visions as they are about past events. Ada says I have them because I spent too much time buried in the library reading unsuitable material when I was younger and not enough time spent in the fresh air. He says the old stories I favor affect me too strongly with my seer’s sensibilities. I am often told I have too much imagination for my own good.”
Elrond narrowed his eyes at her practiced answer as he tried to discover what she was keeping from him. /What is she hiding? I have known her long enough to know this attempt at a meek, shy maiden is not her true nature… like father, like daughter indeed. Maybe a direct question is needed, though they seldom work with her adar when he wishes to evade answering me./
“Explain to me how it is that you know things not written in any book I have ever read? I built Imladris’ library volume by volume and I doubt many additions have been made in the years I was away, as history was my passion. While Erestor and Celeborn enjoy that topic, it is a passion shared by no other resident of Imladris to my knowledge.” The closed expression on Elrond’s face betrayed little of his thoughts; unless that is, you were looking into his troubled eyes.
“I share that passion, as I thought you knew. Many volumes that had no other safe home, after so many of our people sailed to the West have found their way to our library in those years. I have read quite a few of them.” Seere raised her eyes to meet his asking, “What is it I know that I should not?”
That surprised him. /Does she truly not know or is she trying to evade answering me? Answer a question with a question --- the twin’s influence no doubt./
“Tell me what you saw? Tell me about your dream.”
A subtle hesitation, then, “I dreamed about a battle. Surely, such a dream would be better described as a nightmare, my lord.”
“That’s not what I asked. What did you see?”
A long heavy pause, then, “Death… for as far as the eye could see,” came the choked reply.
Elrond took a deep breath to clear his mind of those very images and asked the question his heart needed, nay, demanded be answered. “Through whose eyes did you see this carnage?”
Panicked eyes again found and locked with his. “It was a dream, a nightmare, my Lord Elrond, nothing more.”
“Why do I doubt that? You did not answer my question.”
“I do not think that there is an answer I can give you. It was my dream, so is it not logical to assume I saw it through my own eyes?” Seeing Elrond frustration rising in reaction to her words, Seere quickly added, “I do not understand your need to question this, nor can I claim to know your mind, your doubts. I only know it is late and I have disturbed your rest far too long.”
“You have the gift of foresight. You say you dream vividly about the past, about events that happened long before you were born. I have felt a sense of knowing you, of recognition, since the very moment we first met. Nay, I have seen you in my dreams and visions for millennia… for many centuries before you were born. I see and hear echoes of the past in you at odd moments --- a unique turn of phrase, the odd mannerism, or an unexpected tactical move during a sparring match. Nay, it is not doubts that confuse me, my lady, rather the lack of answers to my questions.” Elrond paused, then sighed.
“But, you are right. It is late and hardly a proper place for us to discuss this matter any longer. Do not, however, take this delay in my demand for answers to mean I have given up having them. We will talk about this on the morrow and I will seek my answers, Seere.” He held her gaze for several seconds watching the warring emotions play themselves out on her lovely features. “My heart tells me you hold answers I strongly desire, Lirimaer, I will not rest until I have them.” (lovely one)
Satisfied his point had been made, he freed her from his gaze. “Will you be able to sleep after this ‘nightmare’ or do you need a sleeping draught?” he asked, pulling them both to their feet.
A soft whisper responded, “I will manage,” as her eyes became dull with fatigue.
Rather than comment on yet another evasive answer, Elrond raised an eyebrow in silent reproof before moving back toward his balcony. Before climbing over, he turned to her. “Remember, we are to meet in the Healing House after breakfast to inventory the supplies of medicinal herbs. We will talk more of this then, understood?”
Hearing her dispirited, “Aye, I will be there,” he climbed back across the balustrade, muttering to himself over yet another non-answer to a direct question.
A soft, 'Quel du,” made him turn in time to see her disappearing into her bedroom. The candlelight from within backlit the silk of her sleeping robe and Elrond stifled a groan. /Wonderful! I can now add that image to the memories of how she felt in my arms --- warm breath against my neck and ear, the scent of her skin… a subtle mix of lavender and vanilla, the press of her soft breasts against my chest. Quite a list of what will keep me awake for the rest of the night!/ (Good night.)
/Erestor will surely be outraged if he finds me addled brained with desire for her before I think of a way to ask his permission to court her, for I can not now imagine not pursuing her favor! I may have better success at both if I use the head on my shoulders and not the one doing my thinking at the moment!/
Smirking at his own joke, Elrond moved back to his chaise knowing sleep would prove allusive for the rest of the night.
*****
Seere paused just inside the archway. Her body, rigid with emotion, began to tremble. Several shaky steps brought her to the foot of her bed where she collapsed and rolled to her side in the fetal position. Silent tears began to fall as the tremors shaking her frame grew stronger. It was many hours before she fell into a troubled sleep --- a sleep once again plagued by confusing images, long suppressed desires, and too few answers. The only comfort she could find was in the steadying presence of a dark haired elf with molten silver eyes.
*****
Lindon, Second Age 1523
The High King slipped out of his warm bed… easing away from the warm body that shared it with him. Plucking up a hastily discarded robe from where it lay crumpled on the floor, he wrapped his sated body in the soft folds of midnight blue velvet. After pushing his feet into a convenient pair of slippers, he walked soundlessly to the window.
/It seems I will find no sleep again tonight. I wore my lover into exhaustion, but my mind refuses to give me rest. Sated… yes, but not satisfied. I seldom seem to feel satisfied anymore… I can drive myself to endless release, but, there is no peace to be found in the act. Why?/
The sky was crystal clear as only a cold winter night can be. Out of habit, he watched the light of Eärendil sail before him, its path constant and comforting. /How many times have I watched his nightly voyage… how many times have I stood with Elrond to share his pain and soothe his aching loneliness? He has lost so much… so many… robbed of his mother, father… twin… his home. Well, I understand the pain of such losses./
Lost in thoughts of his young herald… the twin that had chosen the life of the firstborn… the life he had offered when they came to him as elflings… a home and a surrogate father, he did not at first see the lone figure leaning against the gate post. The fluttering of his heavy cloak in the bitter winter wind caught his attention. The High King dropped his gaze from the star of the father to the huddled form of the son, his tall, elegant body wrapped tightly in the heavy black wool, which gave but scant comfort against the frigid cold.
“Elrond,” whispered softly from his lips.
A pair of pale green eyes watched the scene play out before him, obscured by a tumble of pale golden hair. He had heard the whisper and let a silent sigh of regret pass his lips. He had seen the signs of the High King’s growing love for the peredhel. He knew in his heart he was not fated to be the enduring love of the mighty Noldor. The King’s fëa called for another. His time in this bed… in those strong arms was rapidly coming to an end.
/Once Ereinion acknowledges his heart, what chance do I have that… that his mongrel would not return such affections. How could he not?/
Oropher silently turned his back on the oblivious form of his lover and squeezed his eyes shut hoping to block the sight from his mind. Jealousy, love, passion… hate warred in his wounded fëa as he settled into the now familiar pattern of his nights… he in the lonely bed and his love lost to him at the window.
So, the night passed… as did many before and after --- three elves… sleepless… lonely… and alone.
*****