In disguise

Title: In disguise
Author: Peniel
E-mail: familie@hetnet.nl (P.S. I am busy so it might take a while before I respond but I –will- respond. I love feedback)
Pairings: Elladan/Thrilmaldur ; Glorfindel/surprise
Rating: NC-17 and -no- BSDM, Incest or character death
Summary: Imladris suffers mysterious thefts. Thrilmaldur, Lothlóriën’s chief counsellor, is sent to help Elrond solve the mystery. And he will be in disguise. He draws the attention of the eldest twin. How will he react? And is he able to unmask the thieve? What will happen afterwards? Read and find out….
Genre: AU; Romance; Drama; Angst
Author’s notes:

I like to use a lot of Elfish in my tales for it increases the atmosphere I think. I prefer to use Quenya, though I also use Sindarin. When I do I will state so with the translations, which I also give at the end, as the readers of my other fics already know.

One more thing:
“ ” Indicates speech
/ Indicates thought
~~~~~~~~ Indicates a change in time or place
- - Emphasises the word(s)
` ` Indicates far speaking, speaking within the mind.
And sometimes ‘’ come up and they indicate mind talk. Like when you have a conversation with yourself inside your head.

Let’s go:

Chapter one The assignment

The Golden wood was silent and in the royal talan Galadriel looked at the desperate elf, who shook his head. If the world outside would mirror is feelings thunderstorms, windblasts, waterworks and worse would befall them simultaneously.

Thrilmaldur sighed. “Nan heri nin, ni ná ú lá iltára nólaequër. Ú ohtar.”
Galadriel nodded. “Haldir and his brothers will guided you safely to the borders, but you must understand that your success depends on being anonymous.”
The counsellor sighed again. it it feels wrong, spying on Lord Elrond.”
Celeborn shook his head. “Nay, Thrilmaldur, you are not spying -on- Lord Elrond, but -for- Lord Elrond. This has to be stopped and they have been unable to find the thieve. They need your perceptiveness, cunningness and smartness.”
Thrilmaldur looked pleadingly. “But why make me wear a disguise? Can’t I go as myself?”
Galadriel shook her head. “You would only be avoided as yourself. Really, the only chance of success is for you to be unrecognised.”
The counsellor stood and shook his head. “I can’t do this. I am a counsellor, not a servant. I know nothing of cleaning and such. I would make a fool of myself and they would all find out the truth within a minute.”
Celeborn smiled, placing a calming hand on the upset counsellor’s shoulder. “Calm yourself, Thrilmaldur. You will need a new name and identity. We’ve already figured parts out but you can fill in the details yourself. And Elrond is aware who you really are, though he will never address you thus. He begged for our aid. Autumn is upon us and Imladris is always first to experience snow. The theft has to stop before then.”

Celeborn sighed and closed his eyes. “Here’s what we’ve come up with so far: you were a helper in our library, that will cover your knowledge and yearning for books. You had a fall out with your brother and left to seek refuge in Imladris, whose lord kindly takes you in.”
Thrilmaldur actually smiled. “And the fact that it was my brother that left to Mirkwood does not matter?”
Galadriel shook her head. “No, we must stick to truth as much as possible. Elrond’s twin sons are very perceptive. More so than Erestor and Glorfindel. Elrond has not told anyone about our mental conversation, not even his sons.”
Thrilmaldur sighed. “But I am no spy. Surely there are elves that are better suited for this job. Haldir or his brother’s perhaps?”
Celeborn smiled. “No, we cannot send any warrior. The risk of Elladan, Elrohir or Glorfindel recognizing him is too great. And we need a smart, perceptive elf for this. You alone are capable. Please help our son fight this menace.”

Thrilmaldur sighed. “I am your loyal servant, my lord, and will do your bidding, but I think you are making a mistake. I will try not to break your trust.”
Galadriel smiled. “You won’t! Haldir and his brothers are waiting. Travel light and travel safe. We will not see you of, my friend. Namárië.”
Thrilmaldur bowed. “Namárië an sí.” He sighed as he walked out. Why did they pick him?

Celeborn embraced his wife. “Your voice was sad.”
She nodded. “I looked in the mirror. He will not return to our realm.” Celeborn gasped and she turned round. “Worry not. He will live, but his destiny now lies within Imladris.”
Celeborn shrugged his head, knowing only time would show the meaning of Galadriel’s words. “O well, back to business.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond sighed as Erestor read out what had been taken from them this time. He plunged in his chair. “How are we ever going to find out who it is? There’s no pattern in the thefts, no logic, no nothing. Not even in what the thieve steals.”
Erestor nodded, his face troubled and grim. “And Glorfindel is right: we seriously have to consider false declarations. Things that have been sold or lost and now are declared stolen to keep the peace between friends.”
Elrond nodded. “I am aware of that, but right now the main concern is the identity of the thieve. We need to find him, or her, or we won’t last the winter.”
Erestor nodded. “Aye, we’ve already had to organize more hunts than usual. The twins promised to return with loads of food.”
Elrond nodded but his eyes were troubled. “What good will that do when it keeps disappearing? Even with guards placed at the storage rooms and the kitchen.”

He shook his head and lowered it on his arms. “Erestor, for the first time in my life I do not know what to do.”
Erestor sighed. “Don’t worry. We’ll find the thieve before snowfall.”

Elrond shrugged. He had lost hope. It was that Gollum had perished with the One Ring or he would have thought it to be him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elladan smiled at his twin. “We’ve been lucky. Adar will be pleased we have so much.”
Elrohir nodded, but his eyes did not join his smile, making Elladan frown.
Elrohir shrugged. “It just feels like a waste of time. Within a month another party will set out, while this should last us three.”
Elladan nodded and closed his eyes. “All we can do is pray to the Valar the thieve will be found in time. Or that Mandos claims him.”
Elrohir nodded. “Or her. I don’t normally wish a living creature to Mordor, but this is one that makes my blood boil.”
Elladan nodded. “You don’t suppose it is a band of things, raiding us.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, we would have sensed others. That’s what makes it so frustrating. We don’t have any clues.”
Elladan nodded, anger alight in his eyes. “Well, we’ll be home soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Glorfindel smiled. “Mae Govannen, mellyn nin. What brings you to our realm?”
The three strange elves bowed and returned the greeting.

“My sire, King Thranduil of Mirkwood send me with a message for Lord Elrond. It requires no immediate reply but I would like to return as soon as possible.”
Glorfindel smiled. “But not today I hope.” He signalled a soldier closer. “Show this elf to Lord Elrond.”

The second elf smiled. “I’m on my way to the Grey Havens. My name is Filfirin. I was hoping I could rest the night here before I continue my journey.”
Glorfindel smiled. “Of course you can. Imladris turns no one down.” He instructed another soldier to take their guest to the house and hand him over to Erestor’s care.

Glorfindel now looked at the third elf, who bowed respectfully. “Many greetings, Lord Glorfindel. I hail from ‘Lóriën and would like to speak to Lord Elrond.” Glorfindel sensed something strange from the elf and decided to guide him there himself. He did not completely trust this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond smiled when he saw Thrilmaldnternter his study and he signalled Glorfindel could leave.

“You made it here fast.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and smiled meekly. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t even think of an alias. Had Glorfindel asked me a name I would have failed to give him any.”
Elrond smiled. “Well, you can hardly carry your own. It is known here. Galadriel has contacted me about the little story they have created. But we will decide that later. Here are the lists of everything that has been stolen so far. Maybe you see something we miss. I shall be back later.” Thrilmaldur nodded and gave his attention to the papers Elrond handed to him.

After a while Elrond came back, looking grim. “More has been taken. Here’s the list.”
Thrilmaldur nodded but sighed. “I am afraid there’s absolutely no pattern or anything, and I strongly fear whoever stole the food had inside help. How else are the guards fooled? Whoever steels knows the shifts and rotations. And Glorfindel changes them too often. It has to be an insider.”
Elrond nodded. “But who? Where do we start looking?”
Thrilmaldur smiled. “The best way is to give me a job that guarantees I meet almost everybody and give me name.”

Elrond smiled and thought for a moment. “Got it. I think it best you become a house servant. You shall work under Erestor, as they all do, but if you need to be somewhere special you can tell I gave you an assignment. If Erestor asks I shall always agree to whatever you made me order you.” Thrilmaldur could not help but grin at the words and he inclined his head at the show of trust.

Elrond cocked his head. “All that rests now is the matter of your name.” He took the other elf in and smiled when he saw Thrilmaldur’s silver hair had the tendency to reflect the sun, making it blink. “What do you think about Tihtalfin?”
Thrilmaldur cocked his head and smiled. “It sounds nice. I only hope I won’t forget to listen to it.”
Elrond laughed warmly. “Come, I shall instruct Erestor to assign you a room and fill you in on daily life. Come to me whenever you need to.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and bowed. “Thank you, my lord.”

Elrond waved it away and smiled at Erestor. “Erestor, meldir, we have a new addition to our household. Meet Tihtalfin. He will stay here and work as a house servant. Are there any areas that are desperate for aid? If not, it’d prefer it if you could rotate him, so he can get acquainted with everything before he makes up his mind.”

Erestor nodded and signalled for the other to follow him. “Well met Tihtalfin. An unusual name, I must say, but very fitting. Have you served before?” Thrilmaldur shook his head and Erestor nodded. “All right. Slow starts then. Could you start tonight? The twins are returning home tonight and we need to prepare.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “Of course. How can I help?”
Erestor smiled. “Well, I will show you your room first and then I shall get you a map of the house, you’ll need it the first few days. And if you wouldn’t mind preparing the rooms of Elladan and Elrohir. It’s a good practise for you and they’ll be too tired to notice if you’d missed or forgot something.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “Thank you for the trust you place in me.”

Erestor grinned and opened the door of the room that would become Tihtalfin’s. “That’s all right. If you had any bad intentions I know the twins are more than capable of fighting even when asleep. But if Elrond trusts you then I trust you. This is your room. You wilve tve to use the common bathrooms if you wish to bathe, but you do have a washcloth and a washing table. You can buy your own breakfast or arrange something with the cooks, in which case it will be held from your wages. Please let me know if everything is wrong.”
Thrilmaldur nodded and smiled shyly. “I’m afraid I don’t posses any more clothes. I had to leave in a hurry. Is there perhaps a way I could borrow some? Or wear working clothes or something?”
Erestor frowned. “This is all you have?”
Thrilmaldur nodded and Erestor rubbed his nose in thought. “Well, this is unusual. But if you don’t mind wearing hand-me-down’s I’m sure we can get you lots of clothes for free and quick.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “As long as they fit and are relatively whole, I am happy.”

End chapter 01
TBC

Translations:
Nan heri nin, ni ná ú lá iltára nólaequër. Ú ohtar. Means But my lady, I am but a mere counsellor. Not a warrior.
Namárië means farewell
Namárië an sí means farewell for now
Mae govannen mellyn nin means well met my friends. (Sindarin)
Filfirin means flying little bird (more or less)
Thrilmaldur means golden memory of victory (finally found the meaning….)