A heart's miscommunication

Chapter six A chance meeting

Galadriel smiled when she saw the happiness spread over Celeborn’s face the moment their family came into view. It has indeed been long, too long, since they were here last. Swiftly they descended down the winding stair in order to greet them. Both of them worried for Elladan, who didn’t seem alive anymore. And they agreed something was wrong with Elrond as well, but they contributed it to his worry for his children.

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Elrond smiled as he saw them and dismounted before hugging them tight. “It is a pleasure to be here. Celeborn, can we talk?”
Celeborn nodded. “After I’ve greeted my grandsons. It’s been too long, pyn-neth.”
Elrohir smiled and had to fight not to break down and cry on his shoulders. Elladan nodded and sighed, his eyes empty.

Celeborn winked Haldir closer and took him aside. “Haldir, what I tell you now you are not allowed to repeat to anyone, save perhaps your brothers. Elladan’s here because he’s mourning his lover who walked out on him. Could you three keep an eye on him?”
Haldir sighed but nodded. “Is it all right to tell Mistalas, my Lord? Something similar happened to him and maybe they can talk to each other.”
Celeborn widened his eyes. “You know what happened to him?”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay. But he might talk to Elladan.”
Celeborn nodded. “And Elladan might talk to him.”

He rubbed his nose. “I just realised you three are returning to the borders soon, but I’m inclined to cancel it. I’d prefer to have you here for them.”
Haldir smiled and nodded. “So do we, my Lord. We were already thinking of finding out who could swap with us.”
Celeborn laughed warmly. “No need to swap. Your off duty is officially prolonged for as long as it takes.”
Haldir nodded gratefully. “I have to tell Ru and Phin.”
“Take Elladan with you.”

Haldir nodded and approached the twins. “Would you like to visit my brothers?”
Elrohir’s eyes lit up. “Aye, they are always fun. Come on.”

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“Where are we going, Orophin?”
Orophin smiled and waved his arm around. “Anywhere our nose takes us. You haven’t seen that much yet and since Haldir has some official business to do I thought I do it now.”
Coirëhón smiled. “And where is Rumil?”
Orophin shrugged. “Don’t know. Endangering the realm no doubt. Did the smith really attack Thrilmaldur?”
Coirëhón laughed and nodded. “Aye. I’m glad nothing happened. I would feel guilty. I’m sorry, Orophin, but I am not great company at the moment. Would you mind going back and maybe climb the trees near your house?”
Orophin shook his head. “Nay, of course not.”

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“Elrond, what is it? How bad is Elladan? What happened?”
Elrond sighed and sat down. “I don’t know what happened to Elladan, but we hope he will get over it soon.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Nay, that’s not true, I do know what happened, though not why it happened.”

Galadriel frowned, sensing his sadness and pain, though it went deeper than his worry for Elladan.

He smiled at them. “Let me start at the beginning: one day Coirëhón comes to me, asking me to release him. I’ve managed to persuade him to come here, but he never arrived.” He sighed deep. “Apparently Elladan and he were secret lovers, which is why Elladan is now slowly fading. But why he left in the first place I know not.”
Celeborn placed his hand on Elrond’s arm. “And now you fear not only losinladaladan but Elrohir as well. And even if you find him back there’s no guarantee. You have my sympathy, Elrond.”
Elrond smiled and rose. “Focus on Elladan and worry not for me. I’ll walk a bit before going to bed.”

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Elrohir rushed up the stairs and hugged Rumil tight. “Where’s Orophin?”
Rumil grinned. “Showing some more of our realm to a new friend of ours. His name is Mistalas. Ever heard of him?”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay.”

Haldir and Elladan entered and Elrohir asked the two Galadhrim to join him. “I’m going to need your help with Elladan. His lover walked out on him a while back. Did an elf called Coirëhón pass through here since?”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay. You did the right thing bringing him here.”

He smiled at Elladan. “Elladan.” He waited for the other to focus on him before continuing. “Mistalas is fighting a heartbreak as well. We don’t know much but his lover is getting married after being with him for a millennia.”
Elladan’s eyes widened. “What? But that’s cruel. How can anyone do that? Do I know that bitch?” His voice was seeping with rage and disdain. Elrohir smiled at Haldir, knowing his twin now had something to focus on.
Haldir shrugged. “We know not his name, Elladan. But we’re hoping maybe you and Elrohir could help us. He’s been in your realm at least one time.”
Elrohir nodded. “You should ask father, he’s got the uncanny ability to remember every face he sees.”
Haldir smiled. “Thank you, and for now we relax and tomorrow we’ll show you the realm.”
Rumil smirked. “Or we can visit Mistalas at his work.” Haldir rolled his eyes and ignored the comment.

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Elrond sighed as he took another turn. He prayed to Elbereth to guard his son, but he realised it wouldn’t do much good if Coirëhón didn’t come back. /But what about Aiwandila? I was under the impression they were dating?/

He jumped from his musings when he heard voices, one of them highly familiar. /Is this how insanity starts?/ He carefully walked the bend and smiled when he recognized the two elves.

“Orophin! I hadn’t expected to see you here.”
Orophin bowed politely. “Lord Elrond, a pleasure to see you here once more. May I present our friend Mistalas to you?”
Coirëhón bowed, praying the other wouldn’t recognize him. He knew he blushed at least three shades of red but he decided to use it to make the other think him shy, backing up to stand behind Orophin a little. He was everything but shy, but it might work to keep him under cover.
Elrond smiled. “It is nice meeting you, Mistalas. I hope we will meet again, but for now I am too tired to walk around any further. Excuse me please.”
The other two bowed and Orophin noticed the relieved sigh that escaped his companion.

Silently they continued their walk towards the talan and the Galadhrim watched in bemused wonder how the other walked the stairs without noticing.

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Four heads turned when the door opened and Haldir warmed when Mistalas smiled at him.
Rumil jumped up and grinned. “May we introduce our friend Mistalas to you? Mistalas, these are Elrond’s twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir.” Orophin noticed the dark elf stiffen but decided it was to be expected.

Elrohir smiled warmly, but cocked his head when certain features seemed awfully familiar to him. /Who are you?/ “Have me met before?”
Coirëhón sucked in a panicked breath and looked at Rumil in obvious gratitude when the warrior answered for him. “I don’t see how that’s possible. He only arrived a couple of weeks ago.” He rolled his eyes. “And they call us dense.”
Elrohir twirled and glared at Rumil. “Don’t you insult me, Rumil. He just looks familiar to me and I wondered why?”
Again Rumil rolled his eyes. “And you are wondering why I call you dense after the conversation we’ve just had? Haldir, you were there, tell me I am not having a memory different from the rest of you.”

Haldir shook his head at the words. “That doe mat matter now. Evening is almost upon us and we should prepare for bed. Will you walk the twins to their talan?”
Rumil nodded, but Elladan shook his head. “Nay, Haldir. I’d rather stay here, if that’s all right?”
Haldir nodded and rubbed his nose. “Phin, go ask the neighbours if we can borrow another bed.”
Orophin nodded and ran away while Rumil grinned madly. “You should have asked for a third as well, for I daresay Elrohir will sleep here now as well.”
But Elladan shook his head. “Nay, he won’t. He promised Erestor to keep ata company.”
Elrohir threw him an angry glance but shrugged and left, but not without throwing Haldir and Rumil a begging look. He did not want his brother to be alone.

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Orophin growled as he walked back up the stairs, desperately trying to carry a mattress.

Rumil laughed warmly and hurried to help him. “Wait. We have to take our time. And we need help.” He ignored his brother’s bemused look and called out for Elladan to help. “Your bed is proving to be a little difficult.”
Elladan laughed and came down to help them, noticing the sparkle that passed between the other two.

He soon realised why as he found the mattress to be easy for them, perhaps a bit difficult for one elf, but certainly not two. /So there’s something between Haldir and this Mistalas? Or are they hoping for it?/

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Haldir smiled and sat down. “We still have to place your bed somewhere. Where would you like?”
Coirëhón shrugged but at Haldir’s pose he closed his eyes and thought. “Can I share a room wsomesomeone? You or your brothers?”
Haldir nodded. “We’ll place it in my room then. You already know it.”

Coirëhón smiled and shyly retrieved the object he’d grabbed before leaving his house so suddenly. “Here.”
Haldir accepted it and his eyes widened when he saw what it was. “Did you make this? Already? The smith is right: you have a talent.” He smiled warmly at the blushing elf and kneeled down, caressing the hair clip. He saw the hope in the dark eyes and slowly leaned in closer to press a chaste kiss on the lips. “Hantalenya. Ná vanima, Craban.”
He smiled at Mistalas’ surprise at hearing the endearment. “Tirich begraban. Lín finnil a hîn har bevor a bebevain.”

The tension became hard and to do away with it he loosened his hair and placed the clip in it. “How does it look?”
“How does what look?”
Haldir turned on his heels and beamed at the three entering elves. “The hairclip Mistalas made me.” He jumped up and twirled around like a child showing a new dress.
Rumil grinned. “It looks good, a bit feminine for war but good.” Haldir growled at him and the other dunked to avoid a punch, laughing warmly at his brother. “Don’t worry, it looks perfect.”

He grabbed his brother’s hair and pulled it down. “Let us have a better look at it.” Though Haldir yelped at the sudden abuse of his hair he stayed perfectly still when Rumil admired it.
Hearing the sounds of awe emanating from his brother Orophin too took a closer look, unable to hide similar sounds. “Mistalas, that is exquisite. Before long you can set up shop yourself.”
Coirëhón blushed further and shook his head. “Nay, I like working with Tano.”

Elladan took a swift look at it and nodded. “It’s good, but I think the effort and skill are wasted on something like this. you need to make weapons, Mistalas.”
Coirëhón looked at him funnily, not believing his ears. Had Elladan really said that? That didn’t sound like Elladan. But he reminded himself Elladan might not have been the real him around him.
He sighed and pulled Haldir close, as if drawing strength from him. “I’ve evolved a dislike to weapons and I’d like to gift my friends with things they can wear all the time.”

Rumil grinned. “Too bad Haldir can’t wear it at work.”
Haldir glared at him and sat down beside the now sad elf. “Just ignore that brainless brother of mine. It’s beautiful and I love it.”
Rumil nodded. “Aye, it’s beautiful, though I am glad I’m not the one receiving a gift now.”
Coirëhón looked startled and shocked. “I’ll make you something next, Rumil, I promise.”
Rumil grinned. “Nay, grant me last, please, make me last. For then I will receive the most beautiful thing you make.” At this they all laughed.

Elladan sat down and kept looking at Mistalas. He waited for the others to prepare the beds before he addressed him. “Don’t be angry, but Rumil told me what happened.” He lowered his head. “I’m suffering from something similar. My lover left me.”
Coirëhón jumped up and looked down in shock. “What?”
Elladan looked up and nodded, before his features contorted. “Ai, forgive me. I did not think. Of course this is not similar. I guess I’m just saying….” He hesitated but took another breath and spoke the words. “If you ever want to talk about it, I am here. I carry the same pain, though it has a different origin.”
Coirëhón narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “Nay, I shall never speak to you again. I am sorry your lady left you, but my pain is none of your business.” He left the room and walked down the stairs, running as fast as he could.

When Haldir returned it was only Elladan he found, completely baffled and stunned, and after hearing what happened he set in pursuit, praying to Elbereth to keep him safe.

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Elrond sighed as he looked at his bed. Once again he imagined a certain elf to be on it and he shook his head to clear the image.

He collapsed on the floor, holding his legs close to his chest, and started a rocking motion. /Elladan’s his lover. Elladan./ The tears he’s always kept inside now flew freely.

After a while he calmed down , though he didn’t stop the suiting motion. He needed to think. /He left when Elladan was gone. And therefore wasn’t there when the twins returned./ He clasped his legs more firmly in an effort to force himself to think deeply, to find the answer. /Elladaoke oke down because his lover was gone. Logical./ The rocking became harder; there was something he was missing. /Why did he leave?/ He looked up. /And why feel the need to change his identity? Mistalas is Coirëhón; there’s no doubt./

He stared in empty space as their chance encounter returned to him. /Worry not, my love, I shall not give you away./

Elrond sighed and rested his chin on his knees. /What am I missing? What?/

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Translations:
Hantalenya. Ná vanima, Craban. Means My thanks. It’s beautiful, Raven.
Tirich begraban. Lín finnil a hîn har bevor a bebevain. More or less means You look just like a raven. Your hair and eyes are as dark as one and just as beautiful.