Against all odds
folder
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
9,175
Reviews:
43
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
9,175
Reviews:
43
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
time to think
Chapter ten time to think
The cabin was nothing more than a little shed, used only by the travelling patrols. And even they used it only on occasion.
Elrond had made himself comfortable inside. There was some food in storage, but as he had no way of refilling it as was the rule he had to go hunting instead. He had taken out some of the spare weapons, put there for the patrols. Every resting place the patrols sometimes used had spare weapons and clothing and a small ration of food. When something was taken it had to be refilled, so no patrol party would be without. The spare weapons would now serve Elrond.
He had been trying to shoot something all day. Without success. Even though he was a highly skilled warrior once, he had no training in hunting. He was getting annoyed at his own skills. Or lack thereof. Elrond growled. If things went on like this it was going to be a starving time, instead of a thinking time.
He had collected all his shot arrows and put them back in the quiver, checking them all for faults. He was going back to the cabin, eat some storage food and when he was back he would ask Elladan and Elrohir to refill it. He’d rather not, but as the hunting was fruitless, he had no choice.
About to head back a deer approached him. It was male, old and weary of life. It came to stand in front of Elrond, looking him straight in the eye. Elrond carefully approached the animal and petted his nose. The old deer put his head to Elrond’s. Elrond was stunned when he heard the creature inside his mind. ‘Elrond Peredhel, don’t try to do something that goes against your nature.’
Elrond was perplex. What was happening? He had heard the tale of elves being able to talk to animals, but he had never been one of them. ‘How come I can hear you?’ He hoped he wasn’t imagining it.
‘Because I wish you too.’ The deer answered. ‘I have watched you hunt’ Elrond laughed ‘Hunt? That was not much of a hunt. I go home hungry’ The deer locked eyes with him ‘Yet it is not food you crave. You crave answers.’
Elrond was stunned even more. How did the deer know so much about him? He asked.
‘This is Imladris. You’re its lord.’ It was as simple as that for the deer. Because Elrond was the lord of this realm every living thing knew about him. And the deer had seen and heard much. Elrond decided to ask the deer what it wanted.
‘I wish to die.’
‘What?!’ Elrond was completely flabbergasted. The deer came to him, mystifying him and now asking for death. ‘I’d be honoured if you kill me, Elrond Peredhel. Eat me, use my fur for clothes, my bones for utensils.’ It practically begged Elrond to take up his bow and end his life.
But Elrond wouldn’t be Elrond if he just did that. ‘Why do you wish to die? Are you ill?’
‘No, not ill, though it’s only a matter of time before I will be. I am old. Useless and old.’
Elrond pondered the options. Even though the animal came to him, asking for death, giving him his body to use, Elrond was reluctant to shoot him. ‘Maybe you can come with me, to the Last Homely House. There we can look after you, heal you when you’re sick. Perhaps you can share your wisdom with me?’
The deer broke contact and stepped back. It seemed to think about the suggestion, studying Elrond from every possible angle. Then, suddenly, it made up it’s mind and kneeled before the elflord, showing it’s willingness.
Elrond lowered his head and turned, motioning for the deer to follow him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When it was time for dinner Erestor and Glorfindel were patiently waiting for Elrond and the twins to arrive. Glorfindel was chattering away jovially, as was usual for him, and Erestor was silent, his eyes fixed on his glass.
Glorfindel was worried about Erestor’s sudden silence but knew better than to address it. In the past months, when their friendship had been growing stronger and stronger, he had learned Erestor sometimes needed his privacy and that resulted in a silent Erestor. He was quite happy to talk to the air, showing Erestor he was there should he be needed.
When the twins walked in the room Glorfindel was telling the plates how lovely they looked today. “No really, you are a treat for my eyes. I know I have never said it, but it’s true. I couldn’t be eating from better plates.” Elladan and Elrohir burst out laughing. Glorfindel turned on his chair, dohis his best to look absolutely hurt. “Elladan, Elrohir. I was having a serious discussion here, so if you do not mind…”
Still chuckling, the twins seated themselves and greeted both elder. Glorfindel gave them the longest welcome return they had ever heard. “I think he’s trying to make up for Erestor’s silence.” Elrohir whispered in Elladan’s ear. The counsellor had merely nodded.
Elladan gave the signal for the food to be served. The servants eyed him curiously. “Elladan, shouldn’t we wait for your father?” Glorfindel asked. Elrohir answered, while Elladan actually had the grace to turn red, “Ata is not joining us. He’s gone away and we’re not to go for him unless it’s an emergency. We’re sorry for not mentioning it immediately.” Glorfindel jovially waved away the apology and continued to talk.
But Erestor went more silent. He hardly touched his food. Glorfindel was slowly getting worried. And the more worried he became, the more he talked.
After dinner he hurriedly went after Erestor, knocking on the counsellor’s door only seconds after Erestor had closed it behind him. He had not noticed Glorfindel following him and it was only Glorfindel’s quick reflexes that saved him from getting hit in the nose. Highly annoyed Erestor flew open the door.
“Can I come in Erestor?” Erestor did not respond. He merely turned around and walked back into his room, leaving the door open. Glorfindel took that as an invitation and he followed.
He sat down on a beautiful green chair near the large garden opening. Erestor had already claimed its twin.
“Erestor, I am worried about you. Will you not tell me what is troubling you?” He hoped he hadn’t crossed the invisible line. If he had, Erestor would avoid him for weeks and something told him his friend needed him, now more than ever.
Erestor could no longer contain himself and he broke down. He started crying, hard shakes were rocking his body back and forthorfiorfindel shook his head to get rf hif his bafflement. The image before him was not what he had expected. It wasn’t Erestor anymore; there was nothing left of the advisor but a trembling, crying mass. He stood and embraced his friend, giving all the support he could.
When Erestor had no more tears left he looked at Glorfindel. “W-w-why? Why d-d-does h-h-he act l-l-l-like this? Why, g-g-g-glorfindel, w-w-why? I d-d-d-don’t und-d-d-derstand him any-y-y-ymore.” Silent sobs and intakes of breath made it impossible to speak properly.
“What do you mean, Erestor?”
“Elrond. H-h-h-he a-a-avoids me and n-n-n-now he w-w-want-t-ted t-t-t-to w-w-w-walk w-w-with m-me.”
Now Glorfindel understood, a little. “But meldir, that’s nothing to worry about. Elrond blames himself for what happened to you. No matter what any of us say, he feels guilty. He didn’t want to see you hurt again and thought keeping his distance would ensure your safety.”
Glorfindel saw Erestor’s disbelieving eyes fixed at him and he hurried to tell him how he had practically ordered Elrond to stop hiding.
Erestor stopped crying, he stared out to the trees that graced his room with shadow. “Glorfindel, will you leave me alone please? I need to get my head straight.” His voice sounded eerily empty.
Glorfindel left but not without telling himself to check up on Erestor within the hour. He didn’t like how the voice had sounded.
Erestor waited until Glorfindel was gone from the corridor before he stood wal walked to his wardrobe. He opened a trunk and got out one of the knives his father had given him. He had never used them before, but he would now.
After hearing Glorfindel he realised there was only one thing for him to do. Something he had wanted to do daily if not for Elrond’s unvoiced order to remain. No matter how many baths he took - some days he wouldn’t even leave the tub - it did nothing to get rid of the stain he felt. He knew it; he was dirty, stained, broken, used.
He then walked over to his desk and wrote a simple note.
He sat down on the floor, cross-legged, facing the trees, and removed his outer robe. One last look out the window and he drew the knife over his arms, opening the veins. Blood poured freely from the large cuts which were covering his entire arms. He laid the knife at his feet, atop the note, and waited for the inevitable.
End chapter ten
TBC
Translation:
Meldir means my friend.
The cabin was nothing more than a little shed, used only by the travelling patrols. And even they used it only on occasion.
Elrond had made himself comfortable inside. There was some food in storage, but as he had no way of refilling it as was the rule he had to go hunting instead. He had taken out some of the spare weapons, put there for the patrols. Every resting place the patrols sometimes used had spare weapons and clothing and a small ration of food. When something was taken it had to be refilled, so no patrol party would be without. The spare weapons would now serve Elrond.
He had been trying to shoot something all day. Without success. Even though he was a highly skilled warrior once, he had no training in hunting. He was getting annoyed at his own skills. Or lack thereof. Elrond growled. If things went on like this it was going to be a starving time, instead of a thinking time.
He had collected all his shot arrows and put them back in the quiver, checking them all for faults. He was going back to the cabin, eat some storage food and when he was back he would ask Elladan and Elrohir to refill it. He’d rather not, but as the hunting was fruitless, he had no choice.
About to head back a deer approached him. It was male, old and weary of life. It came to stand in front of Elrond, looking him straight in the eye. Elrond carefully approached the animal and petted his nose. The old deer put his head to Elrond’s. Elrond was stunned when he heard the creature inside his mind. ‘Elrond Peredhel, don’t try to do something that goes against your nature.’
Elrond was perplex. What was happening? He had heard the tale of elves being able to talk to animals, but he had never been one of them. ‘How come I can hear you?’ He hoped he wasn’t imagining it.
‘Because I wish you too.’ The deer answered. ‘I have watched you hunt’ Elrond laughed ‘Hunt? That was not much of a hunt. I go home hungry’ The deer locked eyes with him ‘Yet it is not food you crave. You crave answers.’
Elrond was stunned even more. How did the deer know so much about him? He asked.
‘This is Imladris. You’re its lord.’ It was as simple as that for the deer. Because Elrond was the lord of this realm every living thing knew about him. And the deer had seen and heard much. Elrond decided to ask the deer what it wanted.
‘I wish to die.’
‘What?!’ Elrond was completely flabbergasted. The deer came to him, mystifying him and now asking for death. ‘I’d be honoured if you kill me, Elrond Peredhel. Eat me, use my fur for clothes, my bones for utensils.’ It practically begged Elrond to take up his bow and end his life.
But Elrond wouldn’t be Elrond if he just did that. ‘Why do you wish to die? Are you ill?’
‘No, not ill, though it’s only a matter of time before I will be. I am old. Useless and old.’
Elrond pondered the options. Even though the animal came to him, asking for death, giving him his body to use, Elrond was reluctant to shoot him. ‘Maybe you can come with me, to the Last Homely House. There we can look after you, heal you when you’re sick. Perhaps you can share your wisdom with me?’
The deer broke contact and stepped back. It seemed to think about the suggestion, studying Elrond from every possible angle. Then, suddenly, it made up it’s mind and kneeled before the elflord, showing it’s willingness.
Elrond lowered his head and turned, motioning for the deer to follow him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When it was time for dinner Erestor and Glorfindel were patiently waiting for Elrond and the twins to arrive. Glorfindel was chattering away jovially, as was usual for him, and Erestor was silent, his eyes fixed on his glass.
Glorfindel was worried about Erestor’s sudden silence but knew better than to address it. In the past months, when their friendship had been growing stronger and stronger, he had learned Erestor sometimes needed his privacy and that resulted in a silent Erestor. He was quite happy to talk to the air, showing Erestor he was there should he be needed.
When the twins walked in the room Glorfindel was telling the plates how lovely they looked today. “No really, you are a treat for my eyes. I know I have never said it, but it’s true. I couldn’t be eating from better plates.” Elladan and Elrohir burst out laughing. Glorfindel turned on his chair, dohis his best to look absolutely hurt. “Elladan, Elrohir. I was having a serious discussion here, so if you do not mind…”
Still chuckling, the twins seated themselves and greeted both elder. Glorfindel gave them the longest welcome return they had ever heard. “I think he’s trying to make up for Erestor’s silence.” Elrohir whispered in Elladan’s ear. The counsellor had merely nodded.
Elladan gave the signal for the food to be served. The servants eyed him curiously. “Elladan, shouldn’t we wait for your father?” Glorfindel asked. Elrohir answered, while Elladan actually had the grace to turn red, “Ata is not joining us. He’s gone away and we’re not to go for him unless it’s an emergency. We’re sorry for not mentioning it immediately.” Glorfindel jovially waved away the apology and continued to talk.
But Erestor went more silent. He hardly touched his food. Glorfindel was slowly getting worried. And the more worried he became, the more he talked.
After dinner he hurriedly went after Erestor, knocking on the counsellor’s door only seconds after Erestor had closed it behind him. He had not noticed Glorfindel following him and it was only Glorfindel’s quick reflexes that saved him from getting hit in the nose. Highly annoyed Erestor flew open the door.
“Can I come in Erestor?” Erestor did not respond. He merely turned around and walked back into his room, leaving the door open. Glorfindel took that as an invitation and he followed.
He sat down on a beautiful green chair near the large garden opening. Erestor had already claimed its twin.
“Erestor, I am worried about you. Will you not tell me what is troubling you?” He hoped he hadn’t crossed the invisible line. If he had, Erestor would avoid him for weeks and something told him his friend needed him, now more than ever.
Erestor could no longer contain himself and he broke down. He started crying, hard shakes were rocking his body back and forthorfiorfindel shook his head to get rf hif his bafflement. The image before him was not what he had expected. It wasn’t Erestor anymore; there was nothing left of the advisor but a trembling, crying mass. He stood and embraced his friend, giving all the support he could.
When Erestor had no more tears left he looked at Glorfindel. “W-w-why? Why d-d-does h-h-he act l-l-l-like this? Why, g-g-g-glorfindel, w-w-why? I d-d-d-don’t und-d-d-derstand him any-y-y-ymore.” Silent sobs and intakes of breath made it impossible to speak properly.
“What do you mean, Erestor?”
“Elrond. H-h-h-he a-a-avoids me and n-n-n-now he w-w-want-t-ted t-t-t-to w-w-w-walk w-w-with m-me.”
Now Glorfindel understood, a little. “But meldir, that’s nothing to worry about. Elrond blames himself for what happened to you. No matter what any of us say, he feels guilty. He didn’t want to see you hurt again and thought keeping his distance would ensure your safety.”
Glorfindel saw Erestor’s disbelieving eyes fixed at him and he hurried to tell him how he had practically ordered Elrond to stop hiding.
Erestor stopped crying, he stared out to the trees that graced his room with shadow. “Glorfindel, will you leave me alone please? I need to get my head straight.” His voice sounded eerily empty.
Glorfindel left but not without telling himself to check up on Erestor within the hour. He didn’t like how the voice had sounded.
Erestor waited until Glorfindel was gone from the corridor before he stood wal walked to his wardrobe. He opened a trunk and got out one of the knives his father had given him. He had never used them before, but he would now.
After hearing Glorfindel he realised there was only one thing for him to do. Something he had wanted to do daily if not for Elrond’s unvoiced order to remain. No matter how many baths he took - some days he wouldn’t even leave the tub - it did nothing to get rid of the stain he felt. He knew it; he was dirty, stained, broken, used.
He then walked over to his desk and wrote a simple note.
He sat down on the floor, cross-legged, facing the trees, and removed his outer robe. One last look out the window and he drew the knife over his arms, opening the veins. Blood poured freely from the large cuts which were covering his entire arms. He laid the knife at his feet, atop the note, and waited for the inevitable.
End chapter ten
TBC
Translation:
Meldir means my friend.