Téci melméva or love letters

Chapter four Down to two

Elladan sighed as he sat back up. “Think, Elladan. You’re not getting anywhere if you let the clouds distract you like this.” He frowned and retrieved the letter, reading it to see if there was anything he missed. He started thinking, talking in himself to try and figure out this puzzle.

/Let’s see, I’ve already established it has to be someone that was there during dinner or one of the elves we met on the way there. Now, and Erestor agrees, I know it is a male, for which I am fortunate; I could never accept a female. So that leaves me with that male we met on the way and the male servants./
He pulled his legs up to his chest and embraced them with his arms, resting his chin on the knees: his favourite thinking position. /What else do I know for sure?/ He stared at the paper in his hands and smiled. /Oh, yes, he lives inside the house. So that leaves only the servants./

His smiled widened and his eyes sparkled. /So that means I can figure this out! If I watch them all close during dinner I must be able to do so. Or I could try and find out if they are wed or something./
He frowned at that thought, wondering why doing such a thing would help him. /Elladan, you simpleton, these letters don’t say it latterly but he clearly is unbound; therefore the unbound males are the only ones I need to focus on./ He nodded.
/But how do I find that out? I could ask Elrohir? Or cook, she knows everybodHe bHe balled his fists. /I need an action plan. Think, Elladan, think. I need to find it out./

After a while he decided to watch the male servants close during dinner and draw them into a conversation. If he could convince Elrohir to help him it should be easy enough. And afterwards he would go to the kitchen.

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Elrond and Erestor smiled when Glorfindel finally entered the room. “Mae Govannen, meldir. I feared you had abandoned us.” Glorfindel seemed not to have heard Elrond’s cheerful greeting, but looked around the room and a happy smile played his features when he found only Lindir present besides them. But seeing a worried and troubled expression enter Glorfindel’s face almost immediately made Elrond frown and he locked his worried look with Erestor, who shared it, but, like him, was at a loss to what might have caused it.

When the blond fearfully claimed his seat Erestor cleared his throat. “You seem distracted today. Is anything amiss?”
Glorfindel smiled gratefully at him and Elrond, but also a little bit guilty. He pushed his chair back. “Forgive me, my friends, but I’d rather eat in the kitchen today, if you don’t mind.” He saw their worry accumulate and sighed, wishing he could explain. But he just did not know how. How could he explain something he did not understand himself?

Lindir now sensed the tension and cocked his eyes to study him. “If you need an excuse to leave, my lord Glorfindel, I could always ‘kidnap’ you to judge my latest composition.”
Glorfindel nodded gratefully. “I shall love to hear it, Lindir. Can we away right now?”
ir nir nodded and rose.
Erestor kicked Elrond under the table and the ruler nodded. “Before you go, Glorfindel, would you promise me your company tonight? I’m opening a rather rare bottle of wine and thought you might enjoy it.” His eyes silently ordered Glorfindel to accept, but that was precisely what Glorfindel wanted to do in the first place. He bowed and smile warmly. “It would be my pleasure, my lord. Shall I join you after dinner?”
Elrond nodded, his eyes narrowing when he saw his sons entering. As far as he could tell Elladan was doing all right, but Elrohir’s troubled look had increased and he did not like it.

Elrohir frowned when Glorfindel looked at Elladan troubled but avoided his own gaze. Feeling Elladan pull him to his seat brought him out of his confusion and he smiled innocently as he sat down. Erestor recognized that look and raised his eyes to the sky. /Elrond, my love, trouble is afoot. And it’s called Elrohir./

Elrohir smiled at his father and started eating. “Why did Glorfindel leave, father?”
Elrond returned the smile but shrugged his shoulders. “We know not pen-neth. How are you?”
Elrohir grinned. “I am fine. You know, Elladan suggested something that makes sense and I want to know what you think of it.” Elrond signalled him him to continue and he grinned at Elladan’s lost look. “Well, you know he and Arwen write a lot and apparently she mentions a rare custom there. Something called Servant-day. Now, I don’t know the details, but it seems that day is there to honour the servants; you know, present them gifts to say thyou.you.”

Elrond closed his eyes and sighed. “Elrohir, what is it you really want? For if there really was such a day both Arwen and Aragorn would have told me.”
Elrohir sighed. “All right, there isn’t. Yet! I do believe it is a good idea. You have no idea of what they have to do.”
Elrond shook his head. “If you want my approval to give presents to every servant we have, go ahead, but I will not spent Imladris’ resources with that. I do not get presents for ruling her either. Nor do the workmen get gifts for the work they do. It’s all important, Elrohir, and giving gifts to one group alone would not go down well with the others. No, son, if you insist on giving the servants gifts you must give everybody a present and you will pay for them yourself.”

Elladan burst out laughing at the words and smiled at Erestor, who looked a bit cross at his father. “Ignore gwanunig tithen’s babbling, ada, he’s clearly lost his mind. And I never stated anything like that in my life.”

He grinned at the flustered servants, who were all trying hard not to hear any word or to look at each other. He raised his voice, so they could easily hear him, whether they’d wish it or not. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not very grateful for your work. I simply hated cleaning my room or making my bed, but now you that for me, for which I am more that grateful.”
Elrond laughed warmly. “Maybe you should show it by keeping it tidy for a change instead of yelling so loud? I’d like to eat in calm and serenity someday.”
Erestor grinned. “Than you should eat alone, for that’s the only way you’d achieve that.”
Elrond nodded. “Quite true. I’ll forgo it then.”

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After cleaning the family dining room he rushed to his room and quickly wrote a note. He could not believe it, but it had to be. There was no other reason for Elladan to be asking questions about them.

After Elladan had left the kitchen cook had rushed to the family dining room, where they were busy cleaning, to warn them. She could not phantom why either twin wanted to know anything about them, but she had learned to be suspicious of them at all times and now warned them there might be a prank coming up. All had promised to watch out, but he had instantly known the more dangerous truth. Why else would Elladan have asked about their personal lives? Why else would he want to know whether or not they were bound?

He quickroterote the note and maure ure to place it on Elladan’s desk within the hour. It wasn’t long and carried no new declarations. No, it was short and simple:

Elladan,
Seas pustát tirë nin. Várácat i titta sérë háryëan.

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Erestor’s face had long lost its smile, which had graced his features at dinner. It had turned mischievous when the two had walked to their room, already knowing Glorfindel would be waiting for them before their door.

He had indeed been pacing before the door and had smiled most happily when they arrived. His haunted look had not vanished due to Lindir’s musical skills and Elrond had abandoned desire for Erestor in favour of his concern for Glorfindel.

But Erestor hadn’t. He had cherished idle hope Glorfindel would soon have gotten to the point and would have left after the talk, but after two hours the point still had to be touched and Erestor had turned grim. Yet, no matter how great his desire to throw the blond out, he kept councountenance and patience, for he considered the seneschal a close and dear friend; he just did not know him as well as Elrond did.

His eyes widened when he realised what might be holding Glorfindel’s tongue and he closed them before speaking. “Perhaps I should leave you two alone.” Elrond looked puzzled, not understanding the movement, but Glorfindel easily caught on and his guilt increased. He swiftly placed a restraining hand on Erestor’s knee, preventing him from standing up. “Nay, stay. Forgive me, but I… I am puzzled.”

Elrond smiled, glad the blond was finally opening up a little. He knew, better than Glorfindel himself, that the blond needed to tell things in his own time and his own way and only where matters of security were involved did Elrond order the direct approach. He smiled warmly at Erestor, knowing the counsellor must be feeling lost as well right now. He silently promised to explain later.

“Would you share your trouble with us, Glorfindel?”
Glorfindel emptied his glass, happily noticing Erestor refilling it at once. He sighed. “I don’t know what to make of it, Elrond. Elrohir came to my office in the early midday.” He closed his eyes and started shaking his head.

Erestor wanted to ask why the twin’s visit was related to Glorfindel’s puzzling mood, but Elrond motioned for him to remain silent.

Suddenly the blue orbs opened and locked with Elrond’s grey ones. “He told me Elladan received another message.” He narrowed his eyes restrestor’s nod. Elrond smiled in response. “He showed us earlier today.”
Glorfindel nodded. “I see. But when he had said that Elrohir said the funniest thing. That I should stop hiding and be myself.” His eyes took on a puzzled glance again. “I’ve never hid myself from anyone or anything. Elrond, I do not understand that remark. I can’t make it out.”

Erestor could not help but laugh at those words. He looked utterly embarrassed and tried to throw an apologetic look at Glorfindel, but failed miserably due to his mirth. “Apsenat, Glorfindel, apsenat nin. Quettart nindër nin lala.” He sobered when Glorfindel’s look of puzzlement increased. “Aiya, Glorfindel, I am so sorry, but did you really haunted yourself over that?”

Glorfindel sighed and nodded, turning back to Elrond. “That’s not all he said. He also said that maybe Elladan would surprise me.” He growled and downed his goblet. “It just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t make sense.”

Elrond smiled and his eyes were filled with understanding. “It does, Glorfindel. It would not make sense without the last sentence, but now it does.” He placed his hands over Glorfindel’s. “For some reason Elrohir must think you wrote those letters to Elladan and is telling you to, ehm, how shall I put it… woo him.”

Glorfindel’s eyes widened and when the totality of Elrond’s words sank in he jumped up, shaking his head, forcing his hair to swing about and only Erestor’s elven reflexes saved him from getting hit in the face. “But that’s ridiculous. Me write Elladan love letters.”
He growled. “How can he think I’m the writer? How, Elrond? I feared he wasn’t seeing, but that he is this blind I cannot believe.”

He plunged back down and looked totally defeated. His eyes filled with tears and he looked at Elrond in despair, who shook his head at the non-understanding counsellor, signalling him he would explain later. He kneeled before the distraught blond. “Perhaps you’re not clear enough? Perhaps you need to follow his advice?”

These words puzzled Erestor more, but he would not be Erestor if he didn’t figure it out and soon his eyes widened and he plunged down on his knees beside Elrond, clasping Glorfindel’s hands in his. His eyes betrayed his thoughts and feelings and all Glorfindel could do was nod.

Erestor smiled and shook his head. “I ly bly believed I thought that boy to use his senses?” He looked sadly at Glorfindel. “Need help?” He didn’t wait for an answer but continued. “If Elladan didn’t need all of us right now I would suggest you take Elrohir with you on a patrol.” His eyes took on a mischievous glint. “We could always make sure you got stuck in a little cabin.”

Seeing Glorfindel’s eyes widened in horror and disbelief he smiled and shook his head, softly squishing the hands. “Don’t worry, I won’t.” He hugged the blond. “Just make sure Elrohir abandons his thoughts on you being the author. That’s all.”
Glorfindel sighed, saddened. “That’s not all. You know they are tight. If he thinks I wrote it, so does Elladan.”
Elrond nodded and grinned. “Which is the real reason you did not wish to join us for dinner. You shouldn’t have worried. Elladan doesn’t even include the four of us.”
Glorfindel cocked his head. “Four?”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, Erestor, you, me and Lindir. We’re all excluded as possible suitors.”

Despite himself the blond laughed at the choice of words. “You can hardly call the elf a suitor, Elrond.” He stood and smiled warmly and grateful at his friends. “I think I’d better go to Elladan and talk to him. Just to make sure.”

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Elrohir frowned when he was about to enter his room. “What are you doing here?”

The female on his bed stood straight and glared at him with an intensity that unnerved She She stepped closer. “I know not your plans, but I assure you they better not involve my brother.”
Elrohir widened his eyes. “Plans? What plans? And who are you? And more importantly: who’s your brother?”
She sniffed. “Márcaron is my brother.” She passed him by and left, leaving Elrohir behind stunned and bewildered.

He was still blinking when Elladan opened the door separating their rooms, flustered and upset. He immediately rushed forward and hugged him. “Right now I understand why you stay far away from she-elves. They’re insane!”
Elladan laughed at the words. “Why?”
Elrohir shrugged. “There was one waiting for me when I returned. She told me my plans better had nothing to do with Márcaron, her brother.” That resulted in Elladan rolling around laughing.

When his laughter subsided he grinned impishly at Elrohir. “Aiya, I am sorry, gwanunig tithen. I’ve been asking cook questions about the male servants. I think she still doesn’t trusts us.”
Elrohir’s look became understanding. “I see. And Márcaron is one of them. Glad the girl didn’t carry an axe, I suppose.”

He jumped on his bed, pulling off his boots. “And what did you find out?” He would support this search, for it would keep Elladan from the painful truth.
Elladan shrugged. “Not much. From the three males two are single and have been for a as long as they can remember. It can be either of them.”
Elrohir nodded. “Names?”
Elladan sighed. “Ereinaldo and Márcaron.”
Elrohir groaned. “And neither of them is very talkative. Well, we’ve got some work cut out for us. I do hope that girl doesn’t know any Dwarves.”
Elladan laughed and punched him. “And you’re accusing me of over exaggerating.”
Elrohir nodded. “I do it to make fun, you always do it. there’s a difference.”

He cocked his head when he saw the small pile of paper Elladan was holding in his hand. Elladan smiled. “Everything he wrote. Erestor suggested rereading it; maybe we’ve missed some clues, but I don’t think so. And oh, this one is new.”
Elrohir smiled. “At least he’s determined.”
Elladan frowned. “I just don’t know whether or not to tell ada about this one.”

He was still wondering if he should tell Elrohir when Glorfindel entered. “I was hoping to find you here, Elladan, when you weren’t in your own room. Can we talk?”
Elrohir jumped of his bed and ran to the door, pulling Glorfindel inside. “Of course. I’ll go run a while.”
But Glorfindel stopped him from leaving. “No, this concerns you more, I think.” He walked in, pulling the younger twin along.

He frowned when he noticed Elladan’s doubtful look and groaned. “Don’t tell me he actually -did- share his suspicions with you?” Elladan’s look became one of puzzlement and he looked at the blond in wonder, making Glorfindel sigh relieved. “What is it?”

Elladan smiled at him and handed him the last two letters. “This one arrived early this day and this one just now. Father and Erestor read the first and gave me council, but I’m unsure whether or not to let them read the second.” His eyes settled on Glorfindel and the blond sat down, silently reading, and like Elrond and Erestor, catching the hidden meaning that might even be unknown to writer himself.

“Well, at least we know he’s a he and living in the manor and from what I can tell an ancient one. Most servants are young and they can’t write Quenya, but this one does.”
Elladan nodded. “Aye, but both Márcaron and Ereinaldo are ancient enough for that.”
Glorfindel smiled proud at him. “If you’ve already narrowed it down to those two, I am amazed at you. And you’re sure you’re not forgetting anyone?”
Elladan nodded and Glorfindel smiled. “I do believe your father should be aware of this new letter, Elladan. But I wouldn’t disrupt him now or Erestor might become very angry.”
Elladan laughed. “It’s not like I didn’t go there before, Glorfindel.”
The blond nodded and grinned widely. “Aye, but I’ve just left there, so he’s very eager right now.”
Elrohir frowned. “But you never spend your nights with them anymore.”
Glorfindel nodded. “Well, I needed to talk to someone about your insanity. Thinking I wrote these letters does not really indicate a working brain, Elrohir.” He stood and, after hugging each twin, left the room.

End chapter 04
TBC

Translations:
Mae govannen, meldir means : well met, my friend c.q. welcome, my friend. As far as I know it is Sindarin.
Seas pustát tirë nin. Várácat i titta sérë háryëan means : please stop looking for me. Do not break the little peace I have.
Apsenat, Glorfindel, apsenat nin. Quettart nindër nin lala. Means : Forgive, Glorfindel, forgive me. Your words made me laugh.
Márcaron means : housemaker