Téci melméva or love letters

Chapter nine And I you

Elladan groaned when he woke up but smiled, knowing his illness was almost completely gone. Seeing Ereineldo seated behind the desk, reading, made him smile more. All events from last night returned vividly and suddenly he made the connections.

“Good morn.”
Ereineldo startled and turned to him. “Good morn, my lord, you look better.”
Elladan rolled his eyes. “I should hope so.” He sat up and grinned at the worried expression on the other’s face. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to disobey father again.”

He narrowed his eyes and watched the other while his morning concoction was made. After dutifully swallowing it he frowned. “Why didn’t you believe me last night?”
Ereineldo blinked. “I know not what you refer to. You uttered many things and were delusional.”
Elladan shook his head and looked stern. “Was not. My mind wasn’t as clear as it is normally, but I wasn’t seeing things or saying things that aren’t true. Yet you didn’t believe me when I called you fair.” He laughed. “When did you look in the mirror last? I’m surprised you don’t have a lover, though it pleases me.”
Ereineldo cocked his head. “Surprised? Pleased?”
Elladan nodded. “Aye. You’re a good soul, Ereineldo, worth conquering. So aye, I am surprised no one has bothered to do so. And aye, pleased as well, for it means I have a chance.” Seeing the beautiful eyes widen further he smiled. “Don’t tell me you still don’t see it? I love you. You’ve stolen my heart so gradually not even I noticed, but now that I know I will do everything to achieve yours.”

Ereineldo swayed and his breath seemed to be knocked from him and Elladan hastened to catch him, pulling him to his own body. “Ereineldo, man raica?”
Ereineldo looked at him and shook his head. “You can’t be in love with me. You can’t.”
Elladan nodded. “I am. Ni ná.”

He slowly leaned in closer and kissed him, enjoying the feel of those luscious lips. He felt Ereineldo stiffen and gasp, the reluctance to believe, but also the strong desire and need.

Elladan smiled lovingly when he broke the kiss. “I feel sorry for whoever wrote me those letters, but I am not giving you up for anyone.” He saw the eyes widen in shock and cocked his head. “Ereineldo?”
Ereineldo sat back up, sighing deeply. “You really meant that. I never would have believed it. But you cannot love me. I can give you nothing, I am nothing. Your father will never approve. You can do so much better. Nay, you cannot pursuit this. I will not let you.”
Elladan sat up and frowned. “I am a grown elf, Ereineldo, and father has always said I was free to love anyone I want. And I don’t think he’ll disapprove. You are the best and I can’t ask for a better mate than you. We care not for rank or station.”
He didn’t allow Ereineldo to distance himself from him and pulled him back. “You can’t stop me from pursuing this. I want you and will not stop courting you until I’ve conquered your heart.”
Ereineldo sighed. “You need not waste your time. It is yours already.”

Though the words made Elladan the happiest elf alive they also scared him. /He loves me already? But then why does he fight this? Me?/ His head started pounding as he tried to figure it out. “I need ada. My head is about to explode.”
Ereineldo shook his head. “Why must you always exaggerate? I shall get him.”
“And come back to me. I will leave this bed to track you if you don’t.”
Ereineldo nodded. “I will return with him. I cannot be responsible for you aggravating your condition.”

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Erestor frowned at the weird sound that entered his hearing. It took him a while to place it but then he rushed outside, knowing they’ve arrived. His worried look softened when he saw the calm expressions of the soldiers.

He antlantly addressed their leader. “What happened? Where did you find them?”
The soldier bowed respectfully and smiled. “Our Captain had a very unfortunate fall during last night’s storm. Lord Elrohir saved him but contracted a cold.”
Erestor sighed. “Bring them inside. I will alert Lord Elrond.”

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Elrond shook his head at the stubbornness Elladan displayed. He knew just how to wind his father around his finger. Elrond knew very well that it was Ereineldo’s presence that had saved him from further arguments.

“Elladan, I cannot allow you to leave the bed. Besides, both Elrohir and Glorfindel will be too ill to notice you. It’s not worth aggravating your condition.”
Elladan glared. “But Ro’s hurt. I need to be with him. He needs me. And I need him.”
Elrond sighed defeated. “Very well, we will bring you to the healing room, but then I will have no more of this.”
Elladan nodded and smiled gratefully. He made to rise and growled when Ereineldo pushed him back. “That glare is wasted on me, Peredhel. I am going to get more blankets first. The corridors are drafty.”
Elladan sighed. “Ereineldo, don’t bother. If we walk fast I am sure…” But the elf shook his head. “More blankets or you don’t move. Take your pick.”

Elrond grinned at theden den submissiveness he saw in his son. No one had ever been able to talk Elladan out of anything, but it seemed there finally was such an elf. But then again, if Elladan was in love with him, it made perfect sense.

Elladan grabbed his father and beamed with happiness. “He loves me too. But he thinks he’s unworthy of my love. I can’t make him believe me, adar.”
Elrond shrugged. “I cannot tell you what to do, Elladan. But we’ll find the answers, I promise.”

Elladan nodded and smiled warmly when Ereineldo returned with the blankets. Without warning he pulled the elf close and kissed him as he allowed the blankets to be folded around his body.
Elrond laughed at the blush that settled on Ereineldo. “You’ve got yourself a handful, Ereineldo. If at any time he drives you out of your wits or tired to the bone, you can always come to me. I have a huge supply of medicine to counter anything he might provoke in a body. I’ve had many years to learn the need of a large supply.”
Elladan glared at his father but smiled gratefully as well.

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Elrohir groaned when he woke up and blinked in confusion when he didn’t recognize his surroundings. /Glorfindel!/ The worry left him when he saw his father sitting by his side.

“Don’t move. The fever is rather bad at the moment but in a couple of days you’ll be back on your feet.” He smiled at Erestor. “And our peace will be over once that happens.”
Erestor grinned. “Aye. Elladan’s contracted a cold as well, Elrohir. And of course he had to make it worse by coming here.” He cocked his head to indicate the other twin was resting on Elrohir’s other side.

Elrohir smiled at Elladan’s sleeping face. He narrowed his eyes and grinned. “He looks different. Happy. Did he find the author of those notes?”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, he did not. But he did find something else.” He laughed at Elrohir’s curious face. “Now, pen-neth, you know very well I cannot tell you. I am sure Elladan would like to do it himself.”
Elrohir sighed and nodded. “He’d better wake up soon. Where’s Glorfindel?”
“In another room, asleep and healing. You saved him in time, little one.”

Erestor frowned at Elrohir’s expression. “Is something wrong?”
Elrohir sighed. “Can he come here? There’s another bed. I… I just can’t rest without knowing he doesn’t take his own.”
Erestor laughed and Elrond shrugged. “I will see if he is willing to move.”

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“RO. Wake up. Please? There’s so much I’ve to tell you. come on, you can sleep later.” Elrohir stirred as Elladan’s voice reached his foggy brain.

He grinned at his smiled twin and instantly flared up. “What is it? Ata hinted you found something. Tell me.”
Elladan grinned and nodded. “Aye. A lover.”
Elrohir blinked. “But you hadn’t found the author.”
Elladan nodded and shrugged. “I didn’t. But I did find my beloved.”
Elrohockeocked his head, his eyes gleaming with happiness for his twin and the fever as well. “Anyone I know?”
Elladan blushed a bit but nodded. “Aye. Ereineldo.”
“Ereineldo? The servant?” Elrohir grinned at the angry expression that entered Elladan’s eyes and shook his head. “It’s serious. You’ve never been that flammable before over anyone.” He hugged his twin. “Well, if he makes you happy I’ll happily call my brother.”

Elladan smiled. “Thank you. But I feel guilty. I won’t be able to spend as much time with you as before and…”
Elrohir shook his head. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got Glorfindel. I’m going to court him.”
Elladan blinked and grinned. “What? Since when did you love him? You’ve been keeping secrets.”
Elrohir shrugged. “Not really. I didn’t even know I loved him until I found him in that storm. It nearly broke my heart. And I didn’t realise what it meant until hours later. But when did you decide you were in love with Ereineldo?”
“I don’t know. I’ve always been in love with him, I think, I just never realised it until yesterday.” A sad expression entered his eyes and alerted Elrohir, who embraced him instantly. “Don’t tell me he doesn’t return it. He’s a fool if he doesn’t.”
Elladan smiled. “No, he does love me, but he feels unworthy. Nothing I say or do can convince him otherwise. It scares me, Ro. I don’t want to lose him.” He couldn’t help but cry.

“Elladan, what is it?”
Elrohir grinned at the curses Elladan uttered at hearing his father’s voice. The ruler had just helped Glorfindel move here.

“Will you put me down, I do not wish to remain in your arms any longer.” Elrond had the grace to blush and gently lowered his charge on the bed. “Well, I suppose it is better to have the three of you in the same room where we can keep an eye on you.”
Glorfindel snuffed. “I am not a trouble maker like those two. And you need to concentrate on something else.” He smirked at Elrond’s expression of silent inquiry. “Elladan’s mystery lover.”

Elrohir groaned and turned to face him. “I’ve figured out who it is.”
Elladan smiled and flared up. “Who is it? And how do I let him down gently?”
Glorfindel cocked his head. “You wish not to explore this?”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay. Ereineldo is my lover and I am not going to give up on him.”

Elrond smirked at the words for he had seen the elf enter and now turn beet-red. “You’d better get used to Elladan’s possessive streak, Ereineldo. It is worse than any other.”
Elladan smiled warmly and affectionately at him and reached for him, so he had no choice but to walk towards him. Without warning Elladan pulled him close and claimed his lips. “Where have you been? Never mind. Glorfindel figured out who wrote those letters to me, but I am going to need your help turning him down.”

But he, like everybody else in the room, looked lost and completely puzzled when Glorfindel burst out laughing.
Elrohir’s worry increased and he feared the blond might have received a harder blow to the head than he’d originally thought. Ignoring his father’s pleas he stood and walked to the blond. “Glorfindel?” The worry was so evident in his voice Glorfindel immediately stopped laughing and looked at Elrohir in concern, his blue orbs filled with love. Elrohir smiled meekly and shrugged. “I thought you insane for a second.”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay, I am not. I’ll explain later.” But Elrohir’s look made him reconsider. “Like I said, I figured out who the author is.”
Elrond now started to share his son’s concern and placed a hand on the blond’s forehead. “It feels all right, but this is highly worrying me.”
Glorfindel shook his head. “You’ll understand later, I promise. And I am not insane. The blow to my head wasn’t that hard!” But both Elrond and Elrohir weren’t convinced.

Elladan shook his head, leaning closer to Ereineldo. “Poor Glorfindel. Between father and Elrohir he won’t get a peaceful moment for the rest of the day.”

Ereineldo made up his mind and cleared his throat. “I don’t think Lord Glorfindel lost his marbles.” Seeing the others look at him made him squirm uncomfortable, but Elladan smiled so warmly at him it actually gave him the courage he needed. “You see, I wrote those letters.” He lowered his head, awaiting his doom.

Elladan sat up and frowned, not really believing his ears. /Why didn’t he tell me sooner?/ But he instantly had his answer and he sighed. “Well, that simplifies matters a lot, doesn’t it? Now I don’t have to brake any hearts.” He lifted the other’s head and kissed him possessively. “I already said I’m not letting you run from this.”

Erestor whispered something in Elrond’s ear and the ruler nodded. “Let me be the first to welcome you into the family, Ereineldo. It is a good thing Elladan is so possessive and protective for he will have to stay near you for a while. You have some healing to do, my friend, but we will all support you.” He groaned. “Aiya, don’t tell me you want me to move Glorfindel and Elrohir out. I don’t think my back will handle that.”
Elladan laughed. “As alluring as that sounds I don’t think we’ll need that. Yet!” He grinned. “Ereineldo and I are taking things slow. Don’t worry, Ro, I’m not movout out our rooms just yet. We both have some courting to do.”

This widened Elrond’s eyes and Erestor gasped. “Elrohir? What don’t we know?”
Elrohir shook his head. “Can’t an elf have a secret?”
“NO!” came the unanimous reply from all others.
He laughed and shook his head. “Very well, I plan on courting Glorfindel until he marries me.”

He grinned at Glorfindel’s look of shock. Seeing the eyes warm and hope ride the waves of desire he leaned in and claimed the lips. “I lyou.you.”
Elrond sighed. “So both my sons have grown up. You couldn’t have found a stray elfling, could you?”
Glorfindel laughed. “Erestor, can you please make sure he doesn’t repeat those silly notions. Two elves that refuse to grow up are more than enough for my taste.”
Erestor grinned and nodded. “Aye, I couldn’t agree more. Come, melamin, let’s leave those two thick-headed sons of yours with their lovers.”

End chapter 09
TBC