the trouble with love

Chapter fifty eight A second departure

Galadriel shook her head as Celeborn hurriedly packed. “I take it we are leaving?”
Celeborn nodded. “Aye, I have no desire to end up in the healing wing, thank you.”
Galadriel sighed. “But I cannot leave Melpomean. Not yet.” Her voice was sad for she would rather have joined her husband.
Celeborn sighed and stopped packing. “You are right. You should stay. Contact me often.”
She nodded and smiled when he embraced her. “I am sorry I cannot join you. I wish I could.”
He smiled and hushed her. “I know and I do too, but it just isn’t possible right now. I shall patiently await your return. Relax and take care of them.”
She nodded and deeply inhaled his scent. He grinned when he received her seductive images and happily obliged her. It would have to sustain them both for Elbereth knows how long.

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Elrond smiled as he waited for his grandson to join him. It amazed him how well he was doing but he knew better than to dwell on it.
Elnihir jumped up and smiled when Elrond instantly pulled him close. “Good morn, ata’da. Is it true. Will you teach me?”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, I shall teach you today. Legolas deserves some time off, Elnihir. You ware him out.”
Elnihir grinned and rested his head against his grandfather. “I don’t mind if I get to spend it with you instead.”
Elrond’s heart warmed at the words and he hugged him closer, walking towards the library. “I hope you learn swiftly, so we can go for a ride later on.”

He wondered how Elnihir would react when learning he would ride a mount of his own instead of sitting in front of his grandfather.

But for now they had to start on the symbols.
Again Elnihir amazed him with his skill and Elrond laughed loud when he read what the young elf had written down: a request to go riding now. He nodded. “Aye, we shall. It seems you are further than I thought. How come?”
Elnihir grinned. “Legolas helped me. And it really isn’t that much of a difference from our symbols. Can we go?”
Elrond looked outside and nodded. “Aye. Let us away. I long for a long ride. First we shall see if you can talk to my horse and your foal, all right.”

Together they made their way down the stairs and to the stables.
Elnihir smiled. “Do you also want me to ask his name?”
Elrond grinned. “Aye, I do. And his favourite treat.”

Elnihir remembered Legolas’ words and petted the nose, trying to follow with his mind. But, as the blond had already predicted, it was a lot harder this time. But he was stubborn and didn’t give up.
`Oh, all right. What do you want?`
Elnihir smiled and almost lost the link, but managed to maintain it. He politely offered his apologies and asked the horse his questions.
The horse snorted and turned his head away.
Elrond shook his head and scolded his steed mentally. “That wasn’t very nice.”

He scooped his grandson up and smiled. “It seems we caught him in a foul mood. But you’ve proven you can do it. Let’s try Asfaloth.”
Elnihir beamed and nodded, running to the stallion’s box.
Asfaloth curiously nuzzled his robes.
Elrond waited for the expected laughter to sound. He had suggested Asfaloth on purpose, knowing the stallion was a gentle creature, curious and nosy. It would boost Elnihir’s confidence when trying to talk to the foal.

Elnihir laughed and ran back to Elrond. “Glorfindel gives him carrots and hides them in his robes.”
Elrond nodded. “I know. Asfaloth always searches everyone for them.”

He gently led the little elf outside and mentally called the mare close, who obediently came, the foal following. “All right, see if you can reach out to her. Remember, she is young and won’t concentrate for long. You do not have the luxury of talking much. Introduce yourself and ask your question.”
Elnihir nodded and reached out, once more petting the nose.
The mare eyed it curiously but she trusted Elrond unconditionally and allowed it. In response the ruler rubbed her flank in gratitude. He knew how hard it sometimes was to ignore your parental protectiveness.
Elnihir smiled. “She likes it, ata’da. She likes the name I gave her.”
Elrond smiled warmly. “I had no doubts about that, Elnihir. May I suggest you visit her regularly to talk and maybe tend to her.”
Elnihir nodded. “I already came here often, watching them play. Onar thinks she’s the most beautiful foal she’s ever seen. And Legolas says she’s a strong breed.”
Elrond nodded. “That she is. Why don’t you try to make a sound when you come next time and call her close, using her name. That way that whistle or whatever sound you make will become her trigger.”
Elnihir looked at him and suddenly beamed. “Like Glorfindel’s whistle to Asfaloth?”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, like that. Now, shall we ride?”

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Melpomean growled when he was unsuccessful to put out the fire. Instead all he did was make it blaze even more.
Galadriel smiled. “Calm down. It feeds of your anger. What are you trying to do?”
“To put it out.”
She nodded. “How?”
Melpomean frowned. “What do you mean ‘how?’?”
She grinned and approached him. “How would you do it otherwise?”
Melpomean shrugged. “With water.” He looked at her in disbelief and she laughed, easily catching on. “Nay, I am not saying you make it rain inside. I am saying you need to cool it down, mentally.” Now he understood and focused, trying again.

He jumped up and screamed when he actually succeeded. “I did it! I did it!”
Galadriel laughed at his enthusiasm. “Aye, you did.” She relit the fire. “Try again.” This time it happened swifter and she smiled. “I think it is time to try something else.”

She filled a glass with water and placed it in Melpomean’s hand. “At first it is easier if you touch it, but we should work on doing it from a distance.” She narrowed her lips and thought for a while before she smiled again. “Yes, I know. Try to create a little whirlpool in the glass.”

Melpomean frowned but did as she said, getting frustrated when it wouldn’t work. /Calm down, Melpomean, you don’t want to overflow the Bruinen./ He didn’t know if it was possible but right now he didn’t put anything past it. /How do I create a whirlpool?/
He smiled when he saw Galadriel stir her tea and he just knew she did that deliberately. /That stirring creates a whirlpool, so I need to stir this water mentally. That’s it, isn’t?/ He tried so, focussing real hard and was ecstatic when it worked.

He jumped and raised his hands, forcing the water to leave the glass.
Galadriel shook her head. “If you react like that every time you learn something new I fear teaching you to work with the Bruinen.” Melpomean widened his eyes and she nodded. “You’re natural powers water and cold, Melpomean. The water will always obey you, though you have to learn to command it, and the cold will aid you to put out fires and such.”
Melpomean nodded. “Can I also summon the cold? I mean, to freeze something?”
Galadriel nodded. “To ensure Elrond’s ice-cream won’t melt, you mean? Aye, you can. And with lots and lots of practice you might even succeed in turning an orc into a frozen creature.”
Melpomean shivered and shook his head. “Nay. The warriors should kill them.”
Galadriel laughed and nodded.

She pointed to the medallion. “And once you’ve mastered that, which will go swift thanks to Elvil’s gift, we shall see how well you can tap into other powers, but I really believe Mithrandir or Thranduil should guide you there. My knowledge on that is insufficient.”
Melpomean nodded but shrugged. “I’d say there’s still lots and lots to learn about my own powers and I think I should also learn to wield them without the medallion aiding me.”
He cocked his head when there was knock on the door. “Enter.”

He stood and smiled when Onardodya entered. “Elrond isn’t here, I’m afraid. He went to the stables with Elnihir.”
She smiled and nodded. “I know. Nay, I came for the lady Galadriel.”
Galadriel instantly stood and looked at her. She smiled when she clearly saw why everybody liked her so much.
“I am sorry. It is my fault your husband left. I never…”
She stopped speaking when Galadriel raised her hand, effectively silencing her. Her eyes sparkled. “That is his own fault for trying to meddle when he shouldn’t. I am surprised someone actually managed to scare him. Normally it is the other way around.”

She frowned when she detected some sadness from their guest.
Onardodya gasped when she felt Galadriel in her mind and nodded when she realised the woman had found out her secret.

Galadriel sighed. `Elrond, hear me. We need you here. Now!` She looked at Melpomean, knowing he could speed things up a little. “Could you get Elrond here?”
Melpomean frowned but did so, now knowing how to do it.
Elrond blinked and glared at Galadriel when he realised what had happened. “I can walk, you know. And we were about to leave for a ride!”
Galadriel nodded. “I know, but this is important.” She entered his mind and conveyed the images.

Elrond sighed and nodded in understanding. He placed his hands on Onardodya’s shoulders and smiled warmly, locking their eyes. “Aye, we shall grieve you, my lady, but none will parish, for we all have each other for support and comfort. And Elnihir will long have reached his maturity by the time you leave us, meldir. After all, you will only be forty-eight when he turns fifty.”
She smiled at the words and accepted the embrace. “I am sorry. I don’t mean to feel this, but…” She shrugged. “I am mortal and thus I will die.”
Elrond nodded. “But we all know that. Your death, provided it is one of old-age, will be expected and thus the blow less hard.”
She looked at him and nodded, understanding. “Come, I shall walk you back to the stables.”

Elrond nodded and took her arm in his own. “I do have a favour to ask of you when the time is there. In a few years time Legolas shall leave us to teach Gondor and Rohan.”
She nodded, understanding. “I shall look after Elnihir for you. Elvil no longer needs me.” Her voice was loving and not regretful. She was happy Elvil had found happiness and love. “Though if Elladan doesn’t fully accept it soon he will have to face me.”
Elrond laughed. “I am sure Elvil will even attack you, so please don’t. Let us watch and be patient instead.”

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Thranduil smiled and nodded. He had received a message from his sons and was glad things were going nice in his realm.

He opened the door and screamed when a shower of icy-cold water descended onto him.
Looking up he saw a basket dangling in such a way the opening door made it tumble. Despite himself he whistled in admiration. The door had actually been closed, thus not tipping him off. Never before had he seen anyone pull that off. He now checked the letters, sighing grateful when they showed to be spared and he swiftly placed them on his desk.

He looked in the mirror and grinned. “Thranduil, you are a drenched cat with ice cubes in your hair.” He grinned. “No wonder it was cold.”

He twirled when the door opened again. He grinned at the anxiety marring Valthroman’s features and motioned for the soldier to calm down and lower his sword. “I’m fine, albeit very wet. The only thing attacking me was cold water and ice cubes.”
He pointed to the basket and the soldier widened his eyes. “Who would dare do this?”
Thranduil laughed warmly. “Relax. It’s a practical joke, a prank. Not a declaration of war or disrespect.” He waved the other out but Valthroman shook his head.

“I was hoping to talk to you, my lord. Sealbeth and I… I mean…”
Thranduil smiled warmly. “I know you are lovers and you deserve each other. I do not mind sharing you with Imladris, for I get to benefit from Sealbeth as well. And I do not yet know when I will be leaving. Was that it?”
Valthroman grinned, nodded and left.

Thranduil shook his head but soon entered the bathroom, getting rid of the cold and wet clothes before quickly rubbing himself and his hair dry. When he was done he carefully tugged the letters in his new tunic.

Now that he was standing in the corridor again he carefully looked around but saw no clues to the identity of the prankster. But he did see Glorfindel and Rumil talking together.

“Glorfindel, Rumil, one moment please. Have you seen anyone near my room?”
Glorfindel nodded. “Aye, my lord, Valthroman left it just before you did.”
Thranduil smiled and nodded. “I see. If you see my son, would you tell him I received letters from his brothers?” He grinned. “And fortunately they are still dry. Can you believe there was an ice cube shower waiting for me in my room? That’s why Valthroman entered; he thought I was under attack.” He shook his head and smirked. “But it was well carried out. Nothing tipped me off. Well, I’m off.”

Once he was gone Rumil looked at Glorfindel in fear. “Do you think he suspects?”
Glorfindel nodded. “I think so. -That-, my friend, was a well hidden compliment.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And an invitation for more.” He was going to love this. He placed his arm on Rumil’s back and steered the elf along, already plotting for the next scheme.

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Days passed by slowly with everybody settling in a nice routine once more.
Both Elnihir and Melpomean blossomed under their tutors’ care and because both Thranduil and Galadriel were still here Elrond still benefited from both Erestor and Sealbeth and also got to use the skills and wisdom of their lovers, for which he was more than grateful. Now Melpomean had all the time he needed to get acquainted with the job and then some.

He stretched and placed his hands on his sore muscles. He hoped the other would give him a massage later today. He simply loved the way his lover did that, reaching out not only with his hands but massaging with his mind as well.

Elrond stirred from his thoughts when Thranduil walked in, blowing purple hair from his face. “Thranduil, what happened?”
The Mirkwood elf shrugged. “My shampoo was replaced by berry juice, that’s what happened. It will come out, though.” He shook his head. “And yesterday my clothes were missing and I had to walk back to my room in a towel.”
Elrond tried hard not to smile and look sympathetic instead.
Thranduil smirked when he saw it. “It’s all right. It is rather hilarious. But why me? Can’t Rumil pick another victim?”
Elrond smiled. “I think he knows you don’t really mind and that you will never shun him for it. But I must say it surprised me to learn he was the prankster. He so much wants others to see him as an adult and now he does this…?” He shook his head in disbelief.

His eyes widened when two arms settled on his shoulders and wordlessly started a massage. “I think Rumil is trying real hard to act like a child should, showing them all that until now he was everything but. They will come to miss the old Rumil.”
Elrond smiled proudly, not even asking where Melpomean had come from. “Aye, meleth, you are right.” He leaned back and closed his eyes, enjoying having his love close.
Thranduil smiled, feeling like a voyeur as he watched them together. “Well, I better go wash my hair. I need to wash it at least ten more times before it is away. Any suggestions for tonight?”
Melpomean smiled. “Wear something blue.”
Thranduil laughed and left, his eyes smiling just as widely as his face.

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Legolas smirked as he knocked on his father’s door. He still remembered the comments his father’s hair had triggered, though the Mirkwood King had managed to wear a good shade of blue to match it and looked rather exotic instead of ridiculous.

Thranduil opened the door, a towel showing he had just washed his hair again. It made Legolas frown. “I thought you would be rid of it today?”
Thranduil shrugged. “It appears to be very potent stuff.”

Legolas nodded, sitting down. “You wanted to see me?”
Thranduil nodded. “Aye. I am leaving. I can take no more of these pranks. He’s worse than Daiz ever was.”
Legolas smiled. “I shall visit soon and give my love to them all. And have you told Elrond and Sealbeth?”
Thranduil nodded. “Aye, they are all aware I am leaving tomorrow. Erestor and Sealbeth have worked out a schedule that works for all of us.” He hugged his son. “I just wanted to say goodbye to you in private.”

Legolas rested his head on his father’s shoulder. “Can I sleep here tonight? In your arms?”
If Thranduil was surprised at the request he didn’t show it. Instead he simply pushed Legolas to the bed and returned to the bathroom. “I’ll just wash my hair again and then I’ll join you.”

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Elrohir frowned when he found Elnihir sitting before his door, pouting and glaring. He blushed, knowing that he would have had his hands all over his lover hadn’t someone crossed them a moment ago.

“Ion?” Elnihir jumped up and into Elrohir’s surprised arms, who happily held him close. “What is wrong?”
Elnihir rested his head on his father’s shoulder. “Legolas is gone.”
Elrohir frowned and looked at Orophin, who shrugged. “I know nothing.”

Suddenly Elrohir understood and he walked towards his father’s rooms, Elnihir still in his arms and with a frowning Orophin tailing him.

“Adar? Are you in?” He smiled when Melpomean opened the door. He liked the changed state of the elf.

He walked in and sat down on the chair. “It seems our Elnihir has trouble finding Legolas, whose arms and voice usually lure him to sleep nowadays.”
Elrond laughed and nodded. “Aye. He’s sleeping with his father tonight. Thranduil is leaving tomorrow.”
At this the little elf widened his eyes and the worry, anger and fear left them. “I would do that too.”
Elrohir laughed. “Good to know. Anything we can do?”

Elnihir jumped from his father’s lap and ran towards his grandfather. “Ata’da?”
Elrond smiled warmly and nodded. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather sleep with Elrohir?”
Elnihir nodded. “I like the stories Melpomean tells.”
To this Elrond’s laughter sounded and he looked at Elrohir. “It seems we are both overdone by a story telling secretary.”
Melpomean threw him a pencil as the other had resumed writing. “I doubt he would have taken my stories had I not been in your bed.”
Elnihir beamed. “It’s nice and big.”

He looked at his father. “Do you want to stay. I am sure it is big enough for you and Orophin as well.”
Orophin blushed and Elrond smiled, picking up Elnihir. “I think Orophin has another story to tell Elrohir.” He laughed as the other two hastily left. At times children could be a bit embarrassing, but he loved them for it.

Suddenly a worried knock sounded through the room and Elrond signalled his lover to remain seated as he answered it himself. He frowned when he saw Onardodya.
The woman relaxed when she saw Elnihir. “There you are, you little run-away. Now where did you head off to? I had trouble finding you back.”
Elnihir smiled. “I couldn’t go to bed without a goodnight kiss and then I went to find Legolas, but I couldn’t find him.”
Elrond shook his head when he understood what had happened. He grabbed his grandchild and tickled him. “A bundle of energy, that’s what you are.” He smiled at the woman and his eyes showed his affection at seeing hers.

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Galadriel frowned when she saw Rumil waiting before her door. “Darling, what is wrong?” His sad eyes went straight to her heart and she hugged him close, steering him inside. “What can I do for you?”
Rumil smiled at her care. “King Thranduil is returning to Mirkwood tomorrow.” He couldn’t prevent the sadness from seeping into his voice.
Galadriel laughed, seeing the desire in his eyes. She had already spoken to her husband about it and now she agreed. Rumil needed to spend some time away from the others, though more for their sake than his own. Without him there they would realise his value.

She poured him some wine, while she listened to the expected request. “Of course you can go. I’ll talk to Thranduil myself. But I would lay of the pranks a little, Rumil, while you are on the road or in Mirkwood. An angered Thranduil is a very dangerous opponent.”
Rumil blushed but nodded. “I will. Thank you.”
Galadriel hugged him and smiled when he left. She knew he would go straight to Glorfindel and Ecthelion for more ideas. She knew it was Glorfindel’s brainwork that was responsible and as soon as Rumil ran out of those Thranduil was relatively safe. Or perhaps he would find a new victim in Mirkwood?

She swiftly made her way over to Thranduil’s rooms and knocked.
Thranduil opened the door, his hair now toned down to a light blue. “How many times have you washed your hair in two days?”
Thranduil shrugged. “I stopped counting after thirty. What is it?”
Galadriel smiled. “You are leaving tomorrow and first I already want to wish you a safe and pleasant journey. I do not know if I will be able to see you off.”
Thranduil inclined his head in gratitude. “Second?”
She smiled at his coherence, even though he had just gotten out of bed. “I am sending Rumil with you. He needs to spend some time away from Lórien and from his brothers, who will remain here for quite some time. And I think Mirkwood will give him some experiences he will love.”
Thranduil managed not to glare at her and he curtly nodded. He knew her well enough to know she would make up an excuse if he didn’t take him along. Some silly message or something. /I shall have to warn my horse to be careful around him. I have no desire to fall down./

tbc