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The Music in My Heart

By: Sorsha
folder Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating: Adult ++
Chapters: 75
Views: 3,800
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.
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Chapter 48 A Gentle and Tender Hand

Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 48 (betaed)
Author: Sharon
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: AFF.net; fanfiction.net
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic.
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 48 --- A Gentle and Tender Hand

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness,
that is a friend who cares.”
Henri Nouwen

*****

“Seere?! What do you think you are doing… in Elrond’s bedchambers? Return to your rooms immediately and I will be there shortly to discuss your punishment for such behavior!” Turning angry eyes back to Elrond, he continued. “I cannot believe you would take advantage of my young daughter in this manner! I would have expected…”

“Enough, Ada. Punishment? You have no cause to talk to either of us in this manner. Like it or not, I am Elrond’s betrothed wife and we have every right to be together. We sought your blessings for our courtship, as is customary and appropriate, but beyond that, the course of our relationship must be decided by Elrond and me.” Locking her gaze with her father’s, she added, “He has fairly answered you by saying he would make no demands of me that I was not able to freely give and that we would discuss your concerns. To expect more is unfair to both us of as it places you in control of our relationship, not us.”

The trembling of his limbs had grown more pronounced as Seere spoke. “You are my daughter and I will not tolerate behavior of this sort. Go to your rooms now!”

“Ada? What is wrong? You are not acting like yourself. Please talk to me.” Worried at his uncharacteristic behavior, she looked toward Elrond for help. Seeing he was as amazed and concerned as she was, Seere slowly walked up to her father and attempted to embrace the distressed elf. “Ada?”

As she came into reach, her arms outstretched to encircle her father’s form, Erestor grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he cried, “You cannot do this, Seere. You must return to your room and I will join you soon. I love you and will not let you be hurt again.”

“Ada? You know I love you dearly and you know too Elrond would never hurt me,” She soothed. “You are scaring me. Please tell me what has so distressed you!”

Trying to ease away from his frantic hold, Seere found herself held fast. “Ada? Elrond is your oldest friend. He would never harm either of us, so why do you despair so?”

“He would take you from me and you are all I have! Do no leave me, pen vuil! I cannot lose you too! I have already failed you once and I will not let that happen again!” came the urgent reply as his arms pulled her tighter to him. “I have always trusted you Elrond; yes, tis true. Why would you hurt me now, Elrond, by taking her away from me?!” (dear one)

Raising confused, frightened eyes to meet Elrond’s, Seere was at a loss as to how to comfort her father. Finding a stunned look on her betrothed’s face, she tried once again. “Ada? Elrond and I are not going anywhere. My relationship with you will not change. Why do you fear losing me?”

“You will not need me anymore and… I have no one else since your Naneth is lost to me. I failed you once already… I will not do that again!” he sobbed against her shoulder, still holding her in a tight embrace. Once his tears began, the grieving elf clung to his daughter as sobs racked his frame.

Galvanized to action by his friend’s tears, Elrond walked slowly toward the pair. “Erestor… mellon nin? Come over to the fire and warm yourself for you are chilled. We will talk of your fears. I would never do anything to hurt either you or Seere for I dearly love you both. You know that, do you not?” (my friend)

Elrond moved to stand behind Erestor and gently steered them toward the pillows piled in front of the fireplace. Once Erestor was seated, Seere still held tightly to him, Elrond knelt by his friend and counselor’s side. Placing a supporting hand on his shoulder, the elf lord waited for his friend to spend his grief and relax his frantic hold on Seere.

Slowly, Erestor grew calm. After significant time had passed, he raised his eyes to meet the worried silver gaze of his friend. Elrond clearly saw fear, pain and regret warring in the chocolate-brown depths of Erestor’s eyes.

“You know, neither Seere nor I wish to bring you any pain, mellon nin. Do you truly object to our match, Erestor?” Elrond asked, his own hurt and confusion evident in his voice. (my friend)

Erestor was quite for a long moment before answering. “Nay, I do not. I do not know why the news of your betrothal upset me so deeply, for I knew this day was coming… sooner rather than later. I see the way you look at my daughter and the way she looks at you. I know in my heart Seere deeply loves you and could not hope to find a better mate than you, Gwanur-nîn.” (my brother)

Confusion overtook his features as he admitted, “It is taking me a little time to accept that my friend of many millennia… seeks to become by son-in-law. I thought I had… come to accept it… and was happy for you both. I do not know why I came here.”

Sighing, he looked down breaking eye contact with Elrond. “In truth, when I heard the talk at the reception, I grew angry and scared. I never meant to hurt either of you, but… irrational as this is, I fear losing Seere… have feared that ever since Laurea went missing. It felt like you were taking her away from me… that she would no longer need me. It has felt like she is slipping away from me since you came --- she spends her free time with you… seeks you advise… finds comfort in your words… arms, not mine, and I am afraid.”

Knowing these feelings were something Erestor needed to address, Elrond and Seere remained silent to encourage him to continue. The pair shared a worried look over the grieving elf’s bent head.

After several minutes, Erestor continued. “You are as dear to me as a brother, Elrond. I know you would never hurt me or Seere intentionally. I think I also fear losing my relationship with you, for your marriage to my daughter will change many things. How can we confide in each other as we have… your mate will be my daughter, after all.”

Glancing at Seere, who still sat at his side, he let his guilty expression meet hers. “I am sorry, pen vuil. I have ruined this evening for you both. You were right. I have no right to interfere… you do have my blessings. I hope you can both forgive me in time for my behavior. I will leave now and…” (dear one)

“Ada, you will not lose me… nor am I angry with you. I am worried about you and I do not know how to relieve your heart. Amin mele lle, Ada. I will always need you in my life. My loving Elrond does not change that.” She whispered as she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. (I love you, Ada.)

“Erestor, we both love you and are deeply worried about you.” Elrond reached down to lift Seere’s chin so their eyes could meet. “Lirimaer? I think we need to take a little more time before we… confirm our betrothal, to allow your Adar time to grow more comfortable with our match… for us all to find our way in this new life we share with our family. What say you, melme?” (lovely one) (love)

Smiling sadly at her betrothed mate, she slowly nodded her head. “I agree, meleth nin. We have been focused on our relationship and have ignored the changes it will bring to those we love. It is only right we respect their concerns and let our family grow comfortable with our match, too.” (my love)

Turning to face her father, she took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “Does this ease your heart, Ada? It was never our intention to hurt you or give you reason to fear losing either of us. You still grieve for Naneth and your hopes have been raised by recent events. To have your best friend return from Aman and start courting your only child has left you off-balance. We both love you and need you to too much to let this pain go unattended.”

Leaning his forehead against hers, he nodded. “Aye, pen vuil, it does, though… I am sorry, Seere... Elrond. Mellon nîn, I do trust you and want this match. My fears are irrational. This is not fair to either of you. I have no right…” he began. (dear one) (my friend)

“Nay, gwanur-nîn, you do have the right. You need us too and you were right to let us know you required this time… our support. Needing the support and understanding of your family is never wrong or irrational. We give it freely because we cherish you and want our match to make you happy, not grieved.” Elrond’s grip on his friend’s shoulder tightened. “Seere is right; you do still grieve for Laurea’s absence. Indeed, much has happened in the past year to disturb the order of your life. I do know how much you value order in your life. Besides…” (my brother)

“Besides what, tinechor toror?” Erestor asked. (shield brother)

“We want you to help us raise the children we hope that Eru gifts to our marriage. Just think… children may again bring life to this great house.” Elrond smiled at his betrothed. “We may survive the experience intact if they are like Seere or Arwen, but Valar help us if they take after one of us or… the twins!”

A shocked look came to Erestor’s face as the likelihood of Elrond siring his grandchildren hit. The shocked look gave way gradually to a grin. “Well, we will not have to worry about overcrowded conditions once you and Elladan start siring children. The possibility of more elflings such as the twins… or you I might add, as I remember our youth in Lindon… will surely send people fleeing for the hills!!!”

“We could assume the twins take after their Adar’ra Celeborn.” Seere offered, a smile lighting her face. (grandfather)

“So… you think having Erestor as our children’s Adar’ra means the likelihood of another such pair is lessoned? Humm? You forget… I have known him a long time too and I have no such hope!!! I could tell you stories…” he teased.

“What are you suggesting, melme? I will remind you that I am the example of the fruits of my Adar’s line,” Seere responded. “You may want to take care in how you answer.” (love)

“Thank you, Lirimaer! You have proved my case, has she not, Erestor?” Elrond exclaimed, reaching over to claim her other hand so that he could press a kiss to its palm. (lovely one)

“I think I need to talk with Celeborn about the advisability of hording a quantity of wine and miruvor… somewhere known only to the two of us! Something tells me the next few hundred years may well demand it!” Erestor smiled, his fëa feeling lighter than it had in many years. For the first time, Erestor began to view the future… this match with a glad and hopeful heart. (spirit)

/There are worse fates than to spend my life with this family that Eru has gifted me. The thought of grandchildren… grandchildren such as this pair will give me… yes, not such a bad fate at all. The blessing of the Valar be upon those I love!/

*****


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