Téci melméva or love letters

Chapter six Sidetracking

Elrond rushed from the healing house to Elladan’s rooms and was pleased to see him in bed, pampered by a worried Ereineldo. He wordlessly entered the room and approached his eldest. “Any better?”

Elladan shook his head, immediately regretting the action for it made his headache grow and he groaned.
Ereineldo shook his head. “You should keep your head still, my lord.” His eyes were worried and Elrond smiled at him. “He’ll be fine. It’s just a side effect of the battle.”
Elladan groaned. “Ro’s got some punch.”
Elrond grinned. “You both looked miserable.” He prepared a salve and smiled. “Ereinaldo, could you please get me some warm water from the kitchen?” The servant nodded and dashed off.

Elladan sighed relieved when he felt his father apply the salve on his chest. “The scent will aid your recovery.” Elladan smiled. “How’s Ro?”
Elrond grinned. “He’ll be fine once he’s found Glorfindel and apologized to him. You know him.”
Elladan closed his eyes once instead of nodded. “He’s too stubborn sometimes. Ereinaldo told me we made so much noise he’s sure even Thranduil would have heard.”
Elrond laughed warmly. “Well, I am grateful someone managed tep tep the air light. And aye, we could all hear your argument. I could safely say the whole valley now knows you have a secret admirer.”

Elladan nodded. “Is he really fading?”
Elrond sighed sadly. “I fear he might. Erestor and I will be monitoring both Márcaron as Ereinaldo, but I really could use Glorfindel’s sharp eye.”
Elladan sighed. “Maybe I should try and befriend them instead of trying to figure out which of the two it is? Maybe the answer will come as we go?”
Elrond shrugged. “I know not your answers, Elladan. I wish I could help you better.”
Elladan smiled, squishing his father’s hand. “Don’t worry, ada. I can talk to you and that’s a great support already.”

Elrond smiled at the returning Ereinaldo and accepted the hot water, mixing it with herbs. “Now, I know this will taste bad, but you need to drink it, and you will continue drinking it until the entire carafe is empty.”
Elladan groaned but drank obediently. He fought down the dry heaves that were the result of the nasty medicine. “t tht there another way?”
Elrond shook his head sympathetically. “I fear not.”

He turned round when there was a knock on the door and Erestor walked in. The counsellor wordlessly claimed the other side of the bed and smiled at the twin. “How are you feeling?”
Elladan shrugged. “Like an elfling.”
Erestor laughed warmly. “Well, your twin is on his way to track our seneschal down. I’m sure he’ll find him soon and they’ll talk things out. It’s all just a misunderstanding.”

He looked at the sky and shook his head. “I don’t like the look of the sky, Elrond.”
The ruler followed his gaze and nodded. “Aye, the village is going to get some heavy wind tonight. We should make sure everything is secure enough to last the night.” He closed his eyes in agony. He could not let Erestor do it alone, but he also didn’t want to leave Elladan alone.

The twin read his mind and smiled. “Don’t worry about me, ada. Imladris comes first.” He grinned. “And besides, Ereineldo can keep me company. Or are you busy?”
The servant shook his head. “Nothing that cannot wait. You should not be alone. Or would you prefer I search for Lindir?”
Elrond laughed warmly. “No, please don’t. That will only make matters worse. Even a bedridden Elladan is capable of hitting a too cheerful Lindir in the healing house. Let’s face it; he’s not the best nurse there is.”
Elladan laughed as well, occasionally groaning. “Even a Dwarf is better than him. No, you stay, please.” Ereineldo nodded.

Elrond stood and pulled Erestor up. “I’ll be right there. Elladan, I want you to stay in that bed and rest. You do not have to sleep, but you are not to read or leave the bed.” He leaned in close and kissed him on the forehead. “I expect you to be recovering when I return.”
He looked at Ereineldo and smiled. “I trust you to make sure he obeys me. And make sure he does finish the carafe.”

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Elrohir cursed as he noticed the subtle change in the weather. He hoped it would not prevent him from finding Glorfindel, but the elda wasd tod to track down. He growled when he finally realised he had lost thecks.cks.

He looked around fervently without success. “Glorfindel! Asfaloth!” But once again silence was the only answer he received.

He sighed. “Well, the letter you left for ata and Erestor said you were going to check the borders. I suppose the best course is to go straight the closest border from here. Maybe there will be tracks there.” He kicked his horse in motion.

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Elladan smiled at the subtle care that was offered to him. “Any ideas whycarocaron didn’t want to take care of me? Does he hate me?” He noticed the strange look Ereineldo threw him but ignored it for now.
The servant smiled. “I don’t think anyone could hate you, my lord.” He poured a fresh glass. “It’s time for your medicine.”
Elladan sighed before closing his nose and gulping down the brew. “I hope ata comes up with a better tasting concoction next time.”
The servant shook his head. “You should better hope there won’t be a next time.”

Elladan grinned. “Right you are. I’m getting bored. Can you play?” He smiled at the horrified expression that entered his ‘nurse’s’ eyes. “You know: cards, board…”
The servant shook his head. “I never had time to learn. I’m sorry.”
Elladan shrugged. “That narrows the options. Either we talk or I’ll teach you now. Your choice.”

When the choice was served right back at him Elladan noticed his companion seemed to have a very low self-esteem and he frowned. He felt like there was something he was missing, but he couldn’t label it. It vexed him and vented his anger at the poor servant. “Why don’t you go, if you can’t do anything right? I’m sure even Lindir is better company than you.” He glared at the other’s shocked face and turned round.

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The thunderstorm that had attacked the village only moments ago now travelled west at an alarming speed. Erestor sighed, already knowing what this meant. Elrohir and Glorfindel were in danger. He mentally made a note to send a search party tomorrow, if only to make sure the tracks didn’t lead into the direction the storm was headed.

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Glorfindel yelped when lightning struck a tree not far away. He hadn’t even noticed the storm come to live. /I am close to the borders. There’s shelter there./ Heavy rain now poured down from the clouds and he cursed. He should have sensed it. He should have. But he hadn’t.

The blond did sense his horse’s fear and dismounted. If he walked beside it, he might be able to keep Asfaloth calm enough. Once inside the cabin it would be all right, but now they were at risk.

He walked as fast as the conditions allowed, the wind sweeping his cloak and hair in his face, tearing at his body and clothes. This was swiftly developing into the worst storm he’d ever seen. “Yotulat, Asfaloth. Nauvar ilraica. Ve lértëar er rahtar I-titcar turúva.” He smiled and caressed Asfaloth’s flank when it came within sight. “Almost there.”

But then disaster struck.

The wind blocked his view, sweeping his hair and cloak in his face completely and the rain hitting his face, covered or not, wasn’t helping the blond see better. He missed the root of a tree sticking out and he also failed to see the small distortion in the soil just behind it. And Glorfindel, as any person would do, tripped over the branch. He would have kept his footing hadn’t the hole been there. But, alas, it was.

His felt his ankle twist as he plummeted to the ground. His arms instinctively stretched forwards, but it did little to brake his fall. His balance was off and he landed mainly on his right side; his left wrist wasn’t capable to cope with the sudden amount of pressure and broke. Glorfindel could also feel a sharp, tiny object enter his side, but when his head made contact with the ground it was greeted with solid rock and he screamed in pain.

Knowing the danger of the situation and the cabin nearby miraculously kept him conscious and he started crawling towards safety.

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Elladan flared up when the thunder rolled over the house and his first thought was for his twin. He must have screamed for not long afterwards the door opened and revealed worried and concerned faces.

Elrond hurried forward and his eyes already examined him. Elladan acted instinctively and pulled him close. Elrond hugged him tight and started soothing him. “It’s just a storm, Elladan. And it is safe to assume that by now either your twin found Glorfindel or the blond found Elrohir. They’ll be fine.”
Elladan nodded and leaned against his father, sagging up his warmth as comfort.

He looked past him and saw Erestor standing there, sleepy. He smiled sadly and sighed. “Where’s Lindir?”
“Making music for the little ones.”

Elladan frowned at the strange voice and nodded when he recognized Márcaron. “What are you doing here?”
Márcaron smiled. “Working. And apologizing. For my words to you and for my sister’s behaviour towards your twin. We just were sceptic.”

Elrond grinned and lowered his son back on the bed. “Well, everything is all right with you, I’m pleased to see. I fear I have to go back to healing house. Some elves got themselves injured.”
Elladan nodded but he was afraid to be left alone and now that Lindir wasn’t here anymore….

He frowned, having suddenly realised something. “I didn’t notice him leaving.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, you were sound asleep. Márcaron has been watching you since.”
Elladan, who had his mind back a bit, smiled gratefully.

He waited until they were alone before speaking again. “Thank you. I guess you want an explanation?”
The other nodded. “That would be nice.”
Elladan nodded. “I’m just trying to find an answer to a question, that’s all. No harm intended.”
Márcaron narrowed his eyes. “Couldn’t you just ask your questions? And why would you want to know whether or not I am available?”
Elladan actually blushed, hearing this. “Aiya, it does sound like I have a hidden agenda.” He shook his head. “Well, I do, but not like that. It’s hard to explain, but if you’re not interested in me, I have no business with you.”

Now Márcaron smiled and nodded. “Your love-letters. I understand.” He laughed. “You thought I wrote them?”
Elladan shrugged. “You were, are a possibility.”
The other shook his head. “Am not. It takes a certain amount of bravery and definitely love to do that and I have neither.”
Elladan smiled. “That leaves me with just one option, but that seems unlikely. Did I make a mistake? Or miss someone?”

Márcaron sat down, fully interested. “This sounds like an interesting riddle. I love riddles.”
Elladan laughed. “Help me solve it then.” T
he other nodded. “All right. First thing you need to do with every riddle is remove the extra’s and concentrate on the core only.”
Elladan frowned. “Core is that I have an anonymous lover.”
Márcaron nodded. “But that’s just the riddle, not the core; the core is formed by the letters.”
Elladan sighed. “They tell me about him; yes, it’s a he. They tell me he lives in the house, or at least spends a rather large amount of time here. And that he writes Quenya, they’re written in that language. And that he’s a he. Well, actually Erestor figured that one out.”

Márcaron nodded, smiled and frowned. “Than I am surprised he did not take the next step.”
Elladan widened his eyes. “What next step?”
“Of solving the riddle. You’ve just mentioned certain qualifications the author must apply to in order to be the author, right?” Elladan nodded and Márcaron smiled warmly. “But you’ve only used parameters from within the letters. But they provide you with more information.” Elladan frowned and cocked his head.

The other sighed. “When did you receive them? And where?”
Elladan sighed. “The first was on my desk, but I don’t know how long it was there. The second before my door somewhere during the night; Ro found it at night. And the third that same day but again on my desk. Number four I found myself, again at my desk. And the last one I found on my plate. Why?”
Márcaron shrugged. “Too bad your twin constantly found them and that they’ve been there a while before he did…”

He was lost in thought for a while but then smiled. “But they do give somethiway.way.” Elladan motioned for him to continue, which he did. “The author lives here. We can safely assume the second one was planted before your door at night. And he knows your rooms and your seat at dinner; there are not many who do.”
Elladan nodded. “But then who can it be?”
Márcaron shrugged. “Find an elf that lives here, knows Quenya, knows your room and your place at dinner and either cannot keep his eyes of you or gives every effort not to.”
Elladan sighed. “So I am back at square one…”

He remained silent for a while. “What do you know of Ereineldo?”
Márcaron laughed warmly. “Your next possible author I suppose?” He grinned shooshook his head. “It’s certainly possible. But I don’t know much. He’s almost as old as my father is and he is ancient. I know he came with your father from Lindon.” He grinned. “So he definitely speaks Quenya. But I don’t know much about his personal life, other than that he’s single. By choice, they say.”
Elladan asked him to try and think of something more and the other certainly gave it his best effort.

Suddenly the eyes widened with horror. “O no… no… that can’t be…. But it must be….” Elladan grabbed him and shook his to get him back. Márcaron looked horrified and he shook his head. “Now that I am trying to think, I remember he used to shine more in the . Hi. His hair has lost its glow. It must have happened so gradually none noticed. That must be why he’s so drawn into himself…”

He jumped up. “I must inform your father. That elf ll. ll. Might even be fading. By the Valar, he will tell me who he grieves if it’s the last thing I do.” The servant all but ran out the room and left Elladan to his own devices.

The twin laid back on his back, shaking his head and replaying the last conversation. “Well, no matter what this means, I do know I have to apologize. I was harsh to him.” He clumsily left his back and started staggering through the corridor.

End chapter 06
TBC

Translations:
Or should I say translation….
Yotulat, Asfaloth. Nauvar ilraica. Ve lértëar er rahtar I-titcar turúva. Means : Come on, Asfaloth. We’ll be all right. If we can just make it to the cabin.