In disguise

Chapter three Stake out

Thrilmaldur poured another cup of coffee for himself and yawned. /Good thing I’m allowed to sleep in the kitchen tomorrow. I’m too old for this./ The night was already half spent and still no sign of any thieve. But he had had no security tonight would be the night. This was his only clue and he would sit here every night until he had caught the thieve. And obviously tonight would not be the night.

He smiled when an owl landed on the porch and turned his head around, taking him in. “Have you come to keep me company?” The head turned the other way and Thrilmaldur smiled. “That is very kind of you. But we have to be quiet. I’m waiting for a thieve.”
The owl hooted and hopped closer before taking off.

Thrilmaldur dove back into the darkness, seeing an elf walk toward him. Without the owl he would have been caught himself. His eyes widened when he saw Glorfindel march past and into the direction of the supply room. /He must be checking how everything goes./

He shifted and poured himself another drink.
The next moment the owl was back, settling down next to him.
Thrilmaldur smiled. “I am sorry, but I only have coffee and I don’t think that’s good for you. I shall try to bring something different for you tomorrow.”
The owl hopped closer and claimed Thrilmaldur’s lap. The elf smiled and instigatedtingting the feathered body. His eyes narrowed when he sensed a distortion. “You are injured?”

Thrilmaldur sighed. /Well, tonight is not going to happen and you need medical attention. But how do I get you that? I don’t know where Elrond’s rooms are or any other healers. I don’t even know where the healing rooms are./ He stood and lifted the animal who didn’t seem to mind. “Come, my friend. I have a map in my rooms. And then it’s just a question of finding the right corridor.”

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Elrohir groaned when he was being poked awake. “Go away.”
Elladan shook his head. “I have to talk to you, Ro.”
Hearing the desperate tone in his twin’s voice jolted Elrohir up and he looked at Elladan in worry. Elladan sighed and sat down on the bed. “I’m in love, Ro.”
Elrohir laughed. “That I can see. You practically glow. But who is it? We’ve only just arrived.”
Elladell ell down and sighed longingly. “Tihtalfin. He’s tifutiful, Ro. Absolutely beautiful.”
Elrohir frowned. “Blinking hair? Who would call their child blinking hair?”
Elladan sighed. “But it is so true. His hair catches the light, reflecting it. It’s really blinking, Ro. And his eyes are the softest green I’ve ever seen. And his voice…”

Elrohir laughed. “All right. I get the picture: you are hooked. Is this elf staying long?”
Elladan nodded. “He’s a new servant. Ro, I don’t know what to do.”
Elrohir shrugged. “Depends on what you want.”

Elladan looked at him and Elrohir widened his eyes. He hadn’t thought Elladan to be that hooked. “It’s really serious, isn’t it?” He pulled his brother in a tight embrace. “Let me guess: since you met him you could not close your eyes. He’s haunting you.”
Elladan nodded. “I want to court him, Ro, but I don’t think I can.”
Elrohir frowned. “Why not? Adar would only disapprove if he were evil, you know that.”
Elladan nodded. “Aye, but it’s not that easy. How do I court someone who’s poor?”
Elrohir’s eyes widened. “Poor?”
Elladan nodded. “Aye. He came from ‘Lóriën with only one set of clothes. And I know this night he’s sowing; altering hand-me-down’s. And his favourite colour is dark blue. The robe the girl brought was that colour. I hope I see him soon.”

Elrohir shook his head at Elladan’s rattling. “We can always seek him out. And why not give him things he can use? Become his friend before you become his lover.”
Elladan smiled at Elrohir and nodded. “Aye, I think that is best. Oh, Ro, what would I do without you?”
Elrohir shrugged. “Let’s hope neither of us has to find that out.”

Elladan nodded and settled down. Elrohir smiled in understanding. Elladan would not wish to sleep alone now.

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Apsontë jumped when she entered the kitchen. She shook her head at the image.

Carefully she nudged the elf awake. “And just how long have you been sleeping here?”
Thrilmaldur smiled at her and yawned. “Don’t know. A while. I found this injured owl.”
Apsontë’s eyes became concerned as she saw the owl.

She grabbed some soft cloths for him. “Here, place him in this. Get him to the healers.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “I had every intention, but I’ve been unable to locate the healing rooms. So I came here and decided to wait till someone would arrive here. Better than wandering aimlessly through the corridors.”
Apsontë nodded. “Take that door, turn left go tgo to the gardens. The healing house is the second building on your right. The first is the library.”

Thrilmaldur nodded and yawned. “When’s breakfast?”
Apsontë grinned. “Half an hour.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “I’ll go bring him to the healers then.”

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Elrond smiled when he saw his sons enter the dining room. “Elladan, you look troubled.”
Elladan shrugged. “Difficult night, adar. Sorry I didn’t join you yesterday, but I just couldn’t stop yawning.”
Elrond smiled and placed his hand over Elladan’s. “I’m glad you two are back. Do you mind helping out with the healers, Elladan? They are a bit understaffed at the moment.”
Elladan shook his head. “Not at all. What are you going to do, Ro?”
Elrohir shrugged. “I think I’ll help Erestor get through the day. Are the guests still here adar?”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, the Mirkwood messenger left three hours ago and the other continued his journey to the Grey Havens two hours ago.”

Elrohir nodded and smirked, winking at Elladan. “Didn’t you mention a third new face. When did he leave? One hour ago?”
Elrond laughed. “No, pen-neth. He’s still here. His name is Tihtalfin and he’s joined our household.”
Elrohir nodded and with a most interested tone continued asking questions. “And where will he work?”
Elrond shrugged. “Everywhere. He’s never been in service before and I want him to rotate a bit before he settles down.”
Elrohir nodded. “Excellent. Maybe I’ll see him in the library?”
Elrond shrugged. “Maybe. Depends on where Erestor places him.”

Erestor and Glorfindel entered and they looked grim.
Elrond shook his head. “Don’t even open your mouths. I don’t want to hear.”
Glorfindel sat down and growled while Erestor sighed. “More food disappeared last night.”
Elrond lowered his head. Ell Elladan could hardly contain his curiosity. Elrohir sensed his turmoil and looked at Erestor. “So where can we find the new elf today, Erestor?”
Erestor looked at him and smiled. “The kitchen. Apparently both Apsontë and Sermo took a liking to him. She practically threatened me to allow him to work there if he wished to.” He shook his head and laughed. “And the laundry elves are flattered by him as well.”

Elladan sighed and quickly rose. He had to go before he gave himself away. “I ‘m going to the house of healing. See you later.”
He deliberately took the road through the kitchen, feeling disappointed when he didn’t see Tihtalfin.

The healer smiled when he saw Elladan enter. “Elladan, welcome back. And you come at the right time. I can’t get this bird to eat.”
Elladan looked flabbergasted, seeing an owl. “An owl?”
The healer nodded. “Aye, a house servant brought it in. Said he’d be back later to see how the thing is doing. But it just won’t eat.”
Elladan laughed. “No wonder. You’re not being nice to him.” He smiled at the animal. “Or are you a she?”

He grabbed the food and the animal and settled himself in a corner. “Come, you need to eat if you are to heal. And the sooner you are mended the sooner can you leave this place.” He smiled when the owl accepted his food and threw a smug smile at the healer who rolled his eyes.

“Where did it show up?”
The healer shrugged. “Don’t know. It was a bit hectic here so I forgot to ask.”
Elladan turned to yel him him but all his words where stuck in his throat when he saw Tihtalfin enter the house. He turned abruptly to stop himself from staring.

Thrilmaldur smiled when he saw Elladan tending to the bird. “How’s the owl?”
Elladan focused on the owl and smiled. “Eating. He or she’ll be fine soon. Where did you find it?”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “I’m afraid he found me. I surprised to see you here. I thought you were a warrior?” Elladan turned and shook his head. “Not really. Aye, I know how to fight, but father also thought me how to heal. And Erestor has forced his lore on me, so I know my way with books as well. Ro and I help out wherever we might be needed.”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “I see. Well, I better hurry back, before Sermo starts thinking I started an affair with the healer.”
Elladan laughed. “Be careful of your words around him, Tihtalfin.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and smiled. “I will. Thank you.”

Elladan closed his eyes. “Well, little bird. At least that story is true. He wore the same outfit he did yesterday.”

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Elrond rubbed his temples and cocked his head, hoping this new perspective showed him the solution, but of course the problem at hand did not change.

He smiled when he saw Thrilmaldur enter his room after knocking. He signalled he should sit down. “Please bring me good news.”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “I know that look. Celeborn uses it daily. What’s the problem? I might be able to shed some light on it.”
Elrond nodded and handing him the papers. Thrilmaldur looked it over and nodded. “Road maintenance. They want the bridge to go down south, whereas the other party want it in the north. But there is a middle way, my lord. The middle road. If we place the bridge there none of the parties will be offended.”
Elrond smiled. “But that’s of the main road.”
Thrilmaldur shook his head. “Not necessarily.” He hovered his finger above the map. “Look, if we let the bridge road connect with thin rin road here and here it won’t give much trouble.”

Elrond narrowed his eyes and nodded. “That’s the perfect solution. Short cut and use the middle path. You are a genius. Thank you, my friend. But tell me, why have you come?” There was a note of dread in his voice and Thrilmaldur smiled. “I heard there were new thefts.”
Elrond nodded. “Only meat this time. If this keeps up we have to hunt through winter.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “I intend to find the thieve before than. But I was wondering something. I sat in the corridor leading to the storage rooms last night. The only elf I’ve seen was Glorfindel.”
Elrond nodded. “He was probably checking.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “That’s what I thought, but is it possible for me to question the guards?”
Elrond frowned. “Without exposing you? Difficult. Unless you do it at night.”
Thrilma nod nodded. “Thank you, my lord. I shall.”

He left and smiled. Tonight he would stake out again.

He jumped when he nearly bumped into another. He cocked his head seeing one of the twins. It was so hard to tell which was which.

“You must be Tihtalfin. I’m Elrohir.”
Thrilmaldur smiled and bowed. “Greetings, son of Elrond.”
Elrohir smiled and he could see why Elladan was so smitten by this elf. “Where are you headed?”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “The kitchen. Is there something you wish me to do?”
Elrohir smiled and sniffed. “Yes, take a bath and refresh your clothes. You carry the road with you.” He left, grinning to himself. Now all he had to do was send Elladan to the common bath.

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Thrilmaldur smiled when he entered the kitchen. “Apsontë. Do I smell?”
The woman smiled at him. “Depends on what you mean. Do you smell nice? No! Do you stink? No!”
Thrilmaldur grinned. “Well, master Elrohir seems to think I do. I better go take a bath and change. Is that all right with you?”

Sermo embraced him from bd. “d. “As long as you are not sneaking of to spy on someone.”
Thrilmaldur swallowed. “Spy?”
Sermo laughed. “Aye, spy. There are some beautiful elves walking around here. I am sure one of them is bound to draw your attention.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Thrilmaldur shook his head. “You’re a pervert.”
Sermo laughed. “And you’re prudish. Get yourself cleaned then.”

End chapter 03
TBC