Livin' On A Prayer

Title: Livin’ On a Prayer
Fandom: LoTR
Author: Lynsey
Websites and Mailing List: See links under user information
Beta: None
Chapter: 6/?
Pairings: Erestor/Lindir
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Implied domestic abuse
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings or its characters. I do not make any money from this fiction.
Summary: An aspiring musician and his husband are down on their luck and living the hard life. Can they hope to rise above as long as they have each other? Or will life fall apart around them?


Erestor didn’t know how long he’d been unconscious. He remembered fighting, pain, and seeing Lindir as he ran out the door. He’d tried to get up, but he was dizzy and weak. Laying still had felt like a good idea, and the next thing he knew it was night and he was still laying on the floor.

Sitting up was difficult. It took several tries before he could wrestle himself into a sitting position. The world spun horribly, and he felt like he was going to be sick. His hand came up to cover his mouth and he swallowed several times, trying to keep the bile down.

It was several more minutes before he could stand, and even then he was wobbly and could hardly keep his feet. He sat heavily on the bed and lay down. This was not good at all. He needed help, but he couldn’t even stay standing long enough to go outside.

He tried touching his head and winced. Shakily, he touched and explored. Slightly sticky matted hair and massive amounts of pain met his fingers.

His last thought before he surrendered to the darkness again was, What am I going to do now?

**************

The Corner Tavern was packed when Elladan entered. Servers zipped by with mugs and laden trays. The young lord peered around, looking for the dark headed minx that consumed his thoughts so. Not finding him, Elladan weaved his way through the crowd to the bar.

“Bartender!” Elladan called to the large elf behind the counter. The young lord was impressed despite himself. Most elves were rather slender, lithe. The bartender was a bear of an elf, towering and powerful.

Elladan might have been attracted if he hadn’t already found something small and dark to obsess over.

“What’ll ya ‘ave?”

“I was actually looking for one of your wait-staff. Erestor. Is he working this evening?”

The bartender frowned. “He didn’t show up for work. Don’ know why.”

It was Elladan’s turn to frown. “Has he ever skipped work before?”

“Nay. The lad’s reliable to a fault.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

*************

Erestor resurfaced from the blackness at the feeling of something soft and wet brushing across his face. His breath jerked and he tried to open his eyes.

“Shhh, little one. You’ve got an awfully ugly bang to the head. Best to just lay still.”

Elladan. Elladan was here.

The soft wetness was back, and Erestor realized it was a cloth wiping away the blood.

“When did you get here?” Erestor asked. He didn’t try to open his eyes again. Laying still and letting the other elf take care of him seemed like the best option.

“Just a little bit ago. I asked for you at the tavern,” he went on. “They said that you hadn’t shown up, which wasn’t like you. They told me where you lived and…here I am.”

Erestor finally peeled his eyes open to gaze blearily at the lord. “I’m dizzy,” he moaned and quickly shut his eyes again.

“I need to get you to a healer. You bled a lot, but head wounds always do. I’m more worried about what’s going on inside that pretty skull of yours.”

“I just need to rest…”

Elladan shook his head, even though Erestor couldn’t see it. “No, you need a healer. I have a carriage outside. Let me bundle you up and I’ll take you to the manor.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I don’t need to but I very much want to.”

Elladan tenderly wrapped Erestor in the blankets and lifted him into his arms. Despite how gently Elladan moved, Erestor still hissed through his teeth as he was jostled. The older elf muttered a sincere apology and carried Erestor outside.

The carriage was small, and Erestor had to sit up in order to fit inside. He leaned heavily against Elladan, who talked softly and encouraged responses. Erestor just wanted to sink into the comforting darkness where there was no longer any pain, but Elladan was persistent and kept him awake.

Life was hazy and intensely painful again as Erestor was lifted from the carriage. He heard Elladan yelling to others, but he didn’t bother trying to understand what was happening. An indeterminate amount of time later Erestor was lying on something extremely soft and scented of lavender.

Erestor’s eyes opened tiredly and immediately found Elladan hovering above him. “Hey,” Elladan said with a comforting smile. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Thank you,” Erestor whispered.

Elladan turned to face someone that entered the room, and Erestor’s eyes tried to track Elladan’s glance but was left dizzy. Erestor closed his eyes and swallowed to bring the bile down again.

“Father,” Elladan greeted respectfully. “Can you help?”

Erestor felt soft, professional touches to his head. His breath hitched a little when those gentle hands touched the tender, aching part of his skull.

“Hmmm…” the new elf pondered. The hands disappeared for a moment before returning with a warm, wet cloth. The pain seemed to lessen, and Erestor felt extremely tired. He struggled to stay awake since Elladan had kept saying it was so important.

A soft, warm voice murmured softly, “It’s alright, little one. Sleep. All will be well when you awake.”

Erestor didn’t fight anymore. Darkness and blessed relief claimed him immediately.

*******************

“Hey there, little minx,” Erestor heard as he slowly shifted from deep sleep to partially awake. He peeled his eyes open and glanced hazily around the room. It took awhile to focus, but eventually the familiar features of Elladan’s face.

“Hi,” Erestor whispered and blinked a few times sleepily.

“You know, you’re really adorable when you first wake up,” Elladan said with a smile. “How do you feel?”

Erestor took stock of himself and was surprised to realize that despite some lingering fatigue, he was feeling rather good. “I’m fine,” he said quietly.

“No pain? Dizziness? Nausea?”

Erestor shook his head slowly. “No. I’m just tired.”

“Good. Let me know if you’re uncomfortable at all.”

Erestor smiled shyly. “Would you help me sit up so I can have something to drink?”

“Of course,” Elladan agreed. It was moments before Erestor was propped up against the headboard with more pillows than was necessary. The darkling drank slowly from a mug of water Elladan gave to him.

“So,” Erestor said after a few sips, “what happened? I don’t remember much after you brought me here…”

Elladan settled himself on the side of the bed so he faced the occupant. “Well, my father saw to your injuries. You’ve been in a healing sleep since then.”

“How long have I been sleeping?”

Elladan shrugged. “Only a day. You healed much faster than anyone expected.”

“I’d like to thank your father,” Erestor said timidly. “It was really wonderful of him to see to me. He didn’t need to.”

Elladan frowned and touched Erestor’s face. “You were hurt pretty badly, lovely. It was a good thing I brought you here.”

“Where…exactly are we?” Erestor asked.

“We’re in the home of a friend of my family’s. I’ve been staying here with my father and brother for a couple of months while my father sees to some affairs.”

“What’s your father’s name, so I don’t sound completely idiotic when I see him again?”

“Elrond.”

Erestor’s eyes widened. “El…Elrond? As in, Lord Elrond of Imladris?”

Elladan nodded and took the mug from Erestor’s suddenly shaking fingers. “Yes. You seem surprised,” the lordling commented.

“I…I-I suppose I am. I had no idea you were…”

“Elladan Elrondion,” Elladan bowed as well as he could considering he was sitting, “At your service.”

Erestor felt the blood drain from his face. “Oh…oh dear.”

“What’s wrong?” Elladan worried after seeing Erestor pale. “Are you dizzy again? Do you feel sick?”

The darkling shook his head and inhaled a shaky breath. “You’re…you’re so much more than I am,” Erestor said with a small voice. “I can’t believe that you even know I exist.”

Elladan’s face softened. “I don’t know how anyone could miss you. I would bet you outshine the Two Trees, had I ever set eyes on them.”

Erestor blushed, his former pallor gone in a flush of embarrassed color. “I fear you give me too much credit.”

“Nay. I do not give you enough.” Elladan gently tilted Erestor’s downturned head to look into dark chocolate eyes. “You draw me like no other has. Anyone who does not appreciate your beauty is blind and dumb.” He traced the side of Erestor’s face that had sported nasty bruises just days before. “Anyone that could mar that beauty deserves their own special brand of hell.”

Erestor closed his eyes as tears welled in them. He sniffed and tried to hold back a sob and failed miserably. Elladan released his hold on his face to embrace the smaller elf gently.

“He…he-he didn’t mean it,” Erestor wept. “He’d never hurt me. He loves me.” He buried his face in Elladan’s chest and cried bitterly. “I love him so much.”

“I’m so sorry, little one.” Elladan’s heart ached for many reasons. The first being his sympathy for the betrayed elf he cuddled close. It was so obvious that Erestor was very much in love with an elf that didn’t love him as much as he should. The second being that Elladan was…also head over heels. For Erestor. And he felt that he would either never have a chance with the heartbroken darkling, or he would always be the second choice.

But…second was better than nothing.

“I wish I could take away your pain,” Elladan said sincerely. “But,” he tipped Erestor’s face up again, “I can’t. However, I can be here for you. I’ll be whatever you need.”

Erestor smiled a small, but real smile. “Thank you.”

“Now,” Elladan said as he wiped away as many tears as he could. “Why don’t you lay back down and rest. You’ll feel better if you do.”

Erestor nodded and lay down, but the tears didn’t stop. Elladan went to stand, but a small hand clutching his stopped him.

“Please don’t leave,” Erestor said. “I don’t…don’t want to be alone.”

Elladan sighed, part of him worried that this would be it. If he stayed here, he would never be able to let the beautiful young elf out of his sights again.

And that part of him didn’t care one bit.

The lord lay down next to the small, slightly chilled body. Erestor burrowed close to his warmth, and Elladan sighed as the young elf continued to cry. Elladan didn’t fool himself into thinking the tears would stop any time soon. Erestor was devastated, left beaten and alone by the husband he loved. It would be no small feat to heal from that.

Elladan would be there, he swore to himself. He would be there to make the youngster smile when he became morose or thought of the past too much. He would be there to dry the tears of loss and tragedy.

And he would wait for his turn, if it ever came.

TBC…