Against all odds

Chapter thirty-eight A weird welcome

Elrond had to jump when Elrohir ran past him and towards the bed. One look told him his son had been right. Legolas was fading. And fast. He heard the gasps behind him, informing him the others had reached the same conclusion. If something didn’t happen fast, they might loose him.

Sighing he quickly took control. “Lindir, get that fire going, we need this place as warm as we can get it. Elladan, run to the healing wing and get me the necessary herbs.” They both nodded and hurried to their job.

Elrond felt his lover’s hand in his back and he smiled reassuringly. “We won’t loose him!” His voice was determined.
Erestor took some steadying breaths. “Cenat ron. Pápëaror perlinnar.” He smiled weekly when he saw Elrohir’s presence soothed the distressed Prince.
Elrond closed his eyes. “This is not new. I fear he has been suffering from this even before the letter arrived. In his heart he must have realised and now that it is confirmed….” He sighed again. “Erestor, melmë, I need Elladan here and I don’t want to expose Lindir to his parents. Would you ask Glorfindel to bring Thranduil here? He might be the only one to safe his son.”

He saw Elrohir’s look and knew Legolas’ life would be saved but he’d rather spare Elrohir the danger. He did not know if Elrohir was strong enough to pull Legolas back, even if Mandos was on their side. He sat down on the other side of the bed. “Elrohir, why don’t you hold him? Keep the darkness at bay a little longer.”

Elrohir did as he was instructed, holding his charge close. He touched Legolas’ hair and jerked back. “They feel like straw.” A tear fell from his eyes. “They used to feel so soft.”
Lindir smiled at him. “Grief is a powerful force, Elrohir. You need to be strong. Not only for yourself, but for Legolas as well.” His eyes closed briefly in pain. “I would not be here if Elladan hadn’t been.” He blinked, forcing the dark memories away and threw some more logs on the fire.

Elladan burst into the room, his arms filled with herbs and a wrapped item. “Here are the herbs. Lindir, this is for you. Hendutinwel brought it just now.”

Lindir looked stunned and carefully unwrapped the item. He gasped when he saw what’s in it. “I…I….She’s perfect.”
Elladan sat down beside him, embracing him. “Told you it would be all right. Look ata, it’s Lindóma.” Elrond smiled at Elladan’s attempt to bring some happiness but arched his eyebrow when he saw Lindir shake. “Nay, this isn’t Lindóma, nor is she Lindóma atta. She’s…..” unsure he played a few notes and his smile increased. “She’s Sérëantë”
Elladan smiled. “A wonderful name.” Elrond and Elrohir nodded.

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Glorfindel was having a hard time keeping Tyelcë calm. And he was quickly losing it as well. He sighed relieved when he saw Erestor approaching. The counsellor nodded to Tyelcë and Quentalëndil and directed his gaze on Glorfindel. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Glorfindel,” he started, though he sincerely doubted the blond minded. “but Lord Elrond wishes you to ride to King Thranduil immediately.”
Glorfindel’s eyes warmed in gratitude, but darkened in worry. “I shall leave at once.”

He turned to go but Tyelcë held him back, grabbing his cloak. “No one is going anywhere until I get some answers. What is wrong with my son?” Erestor’s glare made her back away and Glorfindel grinned, whishing he could remain to watch the scene. Knowing Legolas’ life was at stake made him rush to the stables instead.

Erestor approached the she-elf, who trembled under his icy glare. “You wish to know what is wrong with your son?” His voice dripped with loathing and disdain. “I shall tell you. He is fertile. I wonder why?”
He threw a quick apologetic look towards the male, knowing he had suffered the most. “Never has he had any friends or known much joy. All because he was afraid to let go, even for a little while. Afraid he would get pregnant.”
He sniffed, a sniff he saved especially for people that annoyed him immensely. “He finally knows himself loved and cherished and we will not let you harm that. You should be happy and welcome it, not condone it. But that’s what you’ve always done, isn’t it?”

He could see is words had effect and smiled. “When you realised you had given birth to a boy instead of a girl. You wanted to be known as the mother of the most beautiful she-elf alive. But instead you had a fertile male on your hands.”
Erestor’s eyes sent daggers towards her. “So you made him pay. How sad.”
He turned and marched back to the room, knowing his words would probably have little effect. /The best way to ensure Lindir’s happiness is for her to be forbidden to return./

He smiled when he entered the room.
Elrohir held Legolas in such a way it looked like the boy was a delicate priceless object instead of a stubborn Prince. And Elladan and Lindir sat next to each other, drawing strength for each other’s presence. Determinedly he walked towards Elrond and sat down on the floor. He knew Elrond needed to feel in control now and by caressing him he just might get that feeling.

Elrond smiled when Erestor laid his head on his lap, stretching like a cat, and kissed his legs through the fabric. He closed his eyes in defeat. For one moment everything had looked perfect and then something happened to unbalance it all. One thing after another. /I’m getting too old for this. Maybe it’s time to retire and let my sons rule?/
Erestor shook his head. /Nay, Elrond. I will not let you. This is not you speaking but the darkness. Please stay with me?/
Receiving that thought Elrond grinned foolishly. “I didn’t hold it for possible, melmë, but our bond has strengthened.” He bend down and placed a kiss on Erestor’s lips. “As long as I have you I can face everything that comes my way.” Erestor melted into the contact. “Don’t worry. Thranduil will come. Even if Glorfindel has to kidnap him.”

A pearly laugh from the bed made them all look towards it. Legolas had awoken and had heard the last lines they had spoken. And now he was shaking with laughter, which Elrohir enjoyed. “Aiya, Erestor, you have a way of saying things. I can already see my father, tied to a horse by Glorfindel, muttering and growling under his breath.”

He rolled around laughing, ending on top of Elrohir when he had to stop. His body could no longer comply and he lay silent, catching his breath. Elrohir was pleased to see mirth in the eyes. Eager to hear his love laugh again he grinned. “That’s if Glorfindel manages to kidnap him in the first place. It’s more likely he’ll get thrown into your father’s prison. I can already see him pacing about, almost begging for a Balrog to show it’s nose.” He smiled at the laughing Legolas, who lay on his chest panting. “Melin lle, Legolas.”

Without warning he kissed his prince. Legolas melted into the kiss. Elrond could read the Prince’s eyes and discretely signalled for the others to follow him out.
“We’ll be off then. You know where to find me, Elrohir, though I am sure Erestor appreciates it if you wouldn’t repeat your rash actions.” He rubbed his butt as the pain suddenly sliced through him again and looked at his lover apologetically. Erestor embraced him, kissing his nose. “I know. Not tonight. Or tomorrow, I r. Br. But…..” he didn’t finish the sentence but Elrond received mental images that were very arousing.
He scooped up his lover and hugged him close. “You’re mine!” Without giving Elladan or Lindir any further thought he ran towards his rooms.

Elladan shook his head. “He’s like an elfling. And everybody tells me -I- have to behave.” Lindir laughed, already pulling Elladan towards the Peredhel’s old rooms. Elladan raised his eyebrows when he realised and Lindir shrugged. “I don’t want them to find me.”

Elladan stood still and smiled lovingly. “I understand, but you can’t force them out of your lives. Your father seems guilty and worried to me. I think he wants you to be happy above all else.”
Lindir nodded. “He does, and I don’t really hate him. It’s just that he’s always trying to belittle mom’s actions. As if it didn’t affect me.” He sagged against Elladan when the younger elf pulled him close. “I know, I know. It will pass, give it time.”

Lindir smiled and raised his eyes. “Thank you for before.”
Elladan feigned ignorance. “For what? Kissing you? I want to kiss you forever.” Lindir grinned. “I do too. But that’s not what I meant.” Elladan nodded. “Istan. And you’re welcome.”

He wetted his lips, hoping Lindir understood. And the minstrel did. Drawing Elladan’s mouth closer he claimed his lips, wedging himself closer to Elladan, moaning his need.
Elladan smiled at the display, but his eyes locked with the two elves behind Lindir. He saw the fire, anger and hatred in Tyelcë’s eyes and met them head on.

/Hurt him and you’ll have to deal with me!/
He could see the woman’s shock at hearing his voice in her mind. He grinned. Not even Elrond knew he could do that. He hardly ever did it. But now he was glad his grandparents had thought him how to do that.

Lindir’s father smiled and his whole posture showed happiness and acceptance. He cleared his throat. As much as he hated interrupting them, he needed to talk to Elladan. “I am sorry to disturb, but I just want to give you my blessing, Lindir. You choose well. Elladan, I hope I may fuss over you as well in the future?”
Elladan smiled and nodded. “Just what I need, another father.” He rolled his eyes in mock, drawing a chuckle from both other males.

“Also, I wanted to talk to your father, Elladan. Where can I find him?”
“In his rooms, but I’d knock before entering. Or wait an hour or so.”
He smiled and bowed. Dragging his wife with him he left Elladan and Lindir alone. Before turning the corner he addressed Lindir one more time. “Don’t worry about your mother. If I can’t handle her I’ll ask Lord Erestor to talk to her again.” He laughed as he remembered the words.

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Glorfindel drew the hood over his ears. The wind was increasing in strength, but he would not stop riding until it became life threatening. From what Erestor had told him he figured time was tender and he didn’t want to waste any by stopping needlessly.
Urging his horse on he smiled when he felt Asfaloth accelerate. Even with the unsteady footing the horse understood his master’s need for speed and went as fast as possible.

Suddenly Asfaloth threw his head in the air and sniffed. His ears confirmed the smell and he whinnied to alert his master. Glorfindel wondered what Asfaloth has sensed, but he knew it wasn’t danger. /Maybe other horses./

He did not have much time to think on it for out of nowhere a branch swooped across the path. Glorfindel didn’t have enough time to react and the branch lifted him from the saddle, making him fly through the air to land ungraciously in the nearest mud puddle.
Asfaloth reared and walked closer.
The blond shook his head a few times to get it clear. He berated himself for the loss of time this brought upon them.

About to get to his feet a hand hovered before his face and he stared in the concerned face of a Mirkwood soldier. “The branch swooped me backwards, didn’t it?”
He snapped his head when he heard a pearl laughter behind him. “Yes, it did, Glorfindel. It did not flung you to my realm. What are you doing out here, riding like a madman? I could understand if you rode towards your home, but away?”

Glorfindel’s mouth fell open as he stared into Thranduil’s face, the one elf he had gone to fetch was here. He started grinning like an idiot and Thranduil shook his head. “I think that branch did more damage than we realised.”
Glorfindel jumped up and shook his head. “Nay, I am unhurt, except in my pride. I was sent to bring you to Imladris.”

Thranduil gasped and grasped Glorfindel by the shoulders. “Legolas, what happened to my son??” “Please, sire, come with me. Time is of the essence. That’s all I know.”

Thranduil nodded and whistled his horse. “I will go with you. My men can come later, when the wind has died. I was on my to meet Legolas. I must say I had expected a different welcoming party than this.”

End chapter 38
TBC

Translations:
Cenat ron. Pápëaror perlinnar. Means Look at him. He shivers himself to pieces
Hendutinwel see chapter 30
Lindir’s parents names see previous chapter
Sérëantë means peacegiver