The proposal

Eh,,,
to state the obvious: TOlkien owns everything

The proposal

Yelling, screaming, items falling to the floor. The twins looked at each other. Their father seemed to be having one of his famous tantrums again. But wait a minute… That didn’t sound like a one. It seemed like a quarrel. Their looks became horrid. Did they really hear the lovers fight?
They rushed closer, hoping to catch some words. The sound of breaking objects guided them. Suddenly the fight seemed to reach its peak and they backed up, looking at each other indecisive. But the door remained closed. Suddenly they could hear fragments.
“….did you think….humiliate….brainless…”
crash!
“I love….proposal….and you….”
“…………marriage…..no more!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”

The twins had to jump backwards to avoid getting the door slammed into their faces and they watched in sheer disbelief as a furious Orophin marched past them. Already wide, their eyes widened further when they saw the damage done to Elrond’s room. Their thoughts were confusing and both were wondering what in the Valar had happened between them.

They hesitantly shuffled inside, hoping their father didn’t suffer a tantrum aftermath. “Ehm, adar?”
Elrond twirled and smiled warmly at them. “I guess we gave a show, didn’t we?”
Elladan shrugged. “What happened?”
Elrond copied the shrug. “I think we just broke up.”
Elrohir gasped and instantly flung himself at his father. He looked at his twin, but Elladan was lost for words as well.

Suddenly the door flung open and Glorfindel ran inside, his face anxious and on the brink of losing it. “What in Mandos happened? Why is Orophin leaving?”
Elrond closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “Can’t you guess?”
Glorfindel growled and plunged down. “Of course I can guess. But I want to know why. You two were happy together.”
Elrond stood and walked to the window. He felt his eyes sting as he saw Orophin ride away. The other didn’t even look back. That really brought out his tears. “He doesn’t love me, Findy.”
Glorfindel reacted instantly and embraced Elrond from behind. “Now why do you say that? What did you two fight about. I am sure…”
Elrond shook his head and freed himself, anger once more flaring from his eyes. “I do not wish to hear his name again.” The infinite sadness that was in his voice and eyes before now was replaced by pure venom and hatred. He walked away into the direction of his study.

Glorfindel shook his head. “That doesn’t promise much good. He can only bury himself in his work so much.”
Elladan sighed. “Could we find out what happened? Perhaps if we contact ata’da and nona?”
Glorfindel nodded. “Do that. I see if Erestor knows anything. We need to fix this.”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye. They were, are perfect for each other.”

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Haldir and Rumil goggled when they saw their brother barge inside their house, flung his duffle bag on the ground, go straight to the kitchen where he yanked out the miruvor and plunged down on the couch.

Even though Rumil had the same disbelieved and bewildered expression on his face, Haldir pinched himself to make sure this was really happening. He swallowed and gingerly approached. Orophin seemed upset and he did not want to end up on the other side of his sword. “Orophin?”
The elf didn’t speak, in fact he didn’t even move.
Rumil jumped when he saw tears falling and he rushed forward, sitting down on the ground before his upset brother. “He’s crying.”
Haldir nodded. “But why? What happened, Phin? Did you break up?”

Orophin now flung himself at his brothers. In between the cries he told them what happened.
Haldir blinked. “He proposed?” He really didn’t believe he had heard correctly. Somewhere between the tears he must have gotten it wrong.
But Orophin nodded. And once more his grievance came out, but once more the other two failed to filter out the words.

After Orophin had fallen asleep Haldir stood and scratched behind his ear. “Elrond proposed and they break up?” Did the world just turn around on them?
Rumil sighed. “Perhaps Phin heard him propose to someone else? Or perhaps someone else proposed to Phin? I don’t know what to make of it.”
Haldir sighed. “Me neither. I shall go to the lord and lady. Maybe they can help.”

But Galadriel and Celeborn were at a loss as well. They already knew the two had broken up and they knew Elrond was as broken as Orophin was, though he hid it extremely well. Only those who had seen him grief before could read the signs. But after several months passed they, with the aid of Erestor and Glorfindel, devised a plan.

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Haldir sighed and mentally prepared himself for a fight with his brother. Even though Orophin had become stable he still refused to speak about what happened. And Haldir and Rumil both knew that meant their brother was still inwardly working with whatever happened. And the absence of letters didn’t help them calm down.

Rumil spotted him first and smiled warmly. “And, what did the lady want this time?”
Haldir smiled. “She wants us to go and welcome the Imladrian elves and guide them here.”
Orophin turned to him and the expression became guarded. “Who?”
Haldir shrugged. “Don’t know, but I do know Elladan and Elrohir will be amongst them.”
Rumil stood and nodded. “Which is why we have to go. All right, let’s set out then.”
Haldir was glad he had Rumil to help him with his brother. He had tried to find out whether Elrond was coming as well, but Galadriel had been strangely tight-lipped.

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Elladan and Elrohir looked at their father. They knew he didn’t want to be here. But Elrond had come, knowing a refusal would have upset Galadriel to the point of war. The twins only hoped things wouldn’t worsen. That she knew what she was doing.

Elrond intercepted their looks and smiled warmly at them. “We’ve got company.”
Instantly the three brothers jumped down and Elrond felt his heart stop when he saw Orophin. But the other didn’t even look at him and his posture showed nothing, nothing at all. /Fine! See if I care./ He hardened his gaze and at that moment Orophin’s eyes locked with his.

Orophin was pained at the anger he saw in the other’s eyes but he refused to let it show. He jumped back into the trees. He would guide them from up there and keep a look out for danger.

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Haldir and Rumil were seriously puzzled. What was going on? Rumil walked close enough to whisper. “Did you sense it too?”
Haldir nodded. “Hostility. Something did happen between them. But what?”
Rumil sighed. “Perhaps the twins know. Shall I ask?”
Haldir nodded. “Aye. This anger scares me, Ru. It’s like their love turned into hatred.”
Rumil frowned. “That I would be able to understand but I can tell you Phin still has feelings for him. And Elrond does too, I think.”
Haldir inhaled deep. “We have to fix this.”

Rumil moved over to walk beside the twins. “Welcome back. Your presence was sorely missed.” Elladan smiled, but remained silent, waiting for the reason the other had come over. Rumil didn’t disappoint him. “What in Elbereth’s name happened between them?”
Elladan stifled a snicker and shrugged. “I take Orophin didn’t say anything?”
Rumil nodded. “He plainly refuses to talk about it. He told us the first night, but we couldn’t make much of it. All we know is that a proposal is involved, somehow. But who proposed to whom and why and how and aaaaah.”
Elrohir laughed at the exasperated look on Rumil’s face.

Suddenly he remembered and his face cleared. “A proposal?” He grabbed Elladan’s sleeve. “They were arguing about that!”
Elladan nodded. “Aye, but we also don’t know who, where, why and how, Ro.” His eyes started twinkling. “Findy and Erestor were right.” He nodded when Elrohir and Rumil looked puzzled. “Aye. They were. Orophin might talk to Ro and me and you and Haldir might be able to get adar to talk. This is perfect.”
Elrohir gasped. “Do you think they manipulated this journey?”
Elladan nodded. “I wouldn’t put it past them.” He grabbed Rumil’s shoulder. “Will you and Haldir talk to adar?”
Rumil nodded. “Aye, we will try. If you try to talk to Phin. And we have to figure it out together.”
Elladan nodded. They were glad they now had a option.

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Elrond smiled when he saw Haldir in his door opening. “Please, come in. Don’t tell me she made you my personal caretaker?”
Haldir laughed and shook his head. “Ru and I would ever stand for that.”
Elrond smiled and signalled for them to sit. “Than what brings you here.”
“Orophin.” Haldir temporarily cursed his brother’s big mouth but when he saw Elrond’s shocked and worried expression he praised it instead. “What happened? Why did you break up?”
Elrond cocked his head. “You don’t know?”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay. He just came back and we are tired of supporting him without knowing why.”
Elrond sighed and his eyes became fond. “You are good brothers to him. I am glad he has you.”

He remained silent for a while but then realised the brohter’s wouldn’t leave until he spoke. Sending them away felt wrong and wouldn’t help much either. He shrugged. “You will probably not believe it but I proposed to him.” They goggled and Elrond smiled rather sadly. “I proposed and he left.”
Haldir had to shake his head to rid himself of the spell. “But…. But…. What?”
Elrond sighed. “I know he wanted a romantic touch, Haldir. He’s hopelessly romantic. So I proposed in the spot where we admitted our feelings for the first time.”
Rumil shook his head, gaping at Elrond. “But why did he run?”
Elrond shrugged. “You tell me! I propose, he turns and marches back to the chambers, packs his bags and after a fight he leaves.” He stood and stared out over the trees. “Please leave.”
Haldir and Rumil left in a daze. They wondered what the twins would learn.

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Elladan growled. He hoped Haldir and Rumil were having more luck with his father for Orophin wasn’t exactly working along.

Orophin stood and walked to the door, opening it. “Why don’t you go? I cannot help you.”
Elrohir stood and shook the elf, his temper finally getting the better of him. “Cannot or will not? We hear you fight and then you leave. We merely want to know why. Is there anything we can do to help you get back together? You were so right for each other.”
Orophin pushed him away. “Really?” His voice was sarcastic. “If your father loved me half of what he said he did he wouldn’t have proposed to me in such an indignifying manner. I may be used to dirt, I will not accept this.”
Elladan hit him and marched out.
After a swift look at Orophin Elrohir hasted after him. He thought he was beginning to understand.

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Haldir and Rumil were waiting for the twins to show up. They frowned when Elladan marched towards them and sat down wordlessly, his face angry. “Elladan?” The twin glared at them but the Elrohir dashed into the clearing and sat down.
“Haldir, Rumil. Phin is romantic isn’t he?”
Haldir laughed and nodded. “Hopelessly so. I take it you weren’t very lucky with him?”
Elladan snorted but Elrohir signalled to ignore it. “Did adar say anything?”
Rumil nodded. “Though it doesn’t solve the riddle. He proposed to our brother, apparently.”
Elrohir laughed and jumped up. “Rumil, suppose you wanted to propose to Orophin, how would you do it?”
Rumil looked revolted at the suggestion but sighed when Haldir hit him. “Well, it will have to be extremely romantic. And Elrond did. He said he proposed to him in the spot where they first acknowledged their feelings.”
Haldir made a humming sound. “Sounds pretty romantic to me. Why would that result in Phin dashing off? He loves him.”

Elrohir beamed and jumped up. He looked at Elladan with an intense stare, waiting for his twin to realise as well.
And then Elladan did. The twin jumped up as well. “We’ve been so blind.” He laughed hysterically, so glad was he to have figured it out. Then his face contorted. “But that means he forgot.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay. He merely didn’t register it. Come, we have to get them together. Elladan, you bring adar and Haldir, you must bring Phin. Ru, will you help me get my grandparents to aid us?”
Rumil nodded and he ran after the exited twin.

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Celeborn and Galadriel were happy to help and they arranged everything.

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Elrond walked into the room with a surprised look on his face. It grew when he saw the three brothers standing guard in the room. “Galadriel?”
Celeborn smiled at him and signalled him closer. “Well, we found some old letters from Celebrían and now we’re trying to find the spot. Without much success.”
Elrond shook his head and sat down. “I need something to go on if you want me to point it out.”
Galadriel smiled. “The one spot that in wintertime is the most beautiful place in the valley but reeks after orc-pits in summer. I just can’t find it.”
Elrond’s eyes turned lovingly and his finger landed on the map without hesitation. “This is it.”
Celeborn leaned over and frowned as he read the markings. “Local dump?” He looked at Elrond. “A trash-site?”
Elrond nodded. “Aye. We get our manure from there. In summer the bacteria work overtime and the heat provides the stench, but in winter it may well be the most romantic spot in the world.” Suddenly he widened his eyes and laughed uncontrollably.

When he was relatively back to normal he shook his head, pointing his finger at them. “You set me up!”
Galadriel nodded. “You know we cannot refuse Elrohir anything. And I am surprised you failed to notice yourself.”

Celeborn pretended to be completely unaware and signalled Orophin closer. “Tell me, in all the time you’ve spend in Imladris, have you ever seen this spot?”
Orophin smiled and nodded. “Aye.” /We shared our first kiss there./ His eyes darted to Elrond and he was surprised to see unchanged love stare back at him.
Elrond stood. “Perhaps I should have waited till winter.”
Orophin widened his eyes but then he sat back down, realising.
Rumil grabbed his shoulder. “You are lucky we are so stubborn.”
Haldir smiled. “They both are. Really Phin, how could you have failed to see?”
Orophin shrugged. “The stench made my eyes water.”

Elrond walked closer and kneeled before him. “I am sorry, meleth. But now… well, you better make up the romantic gesture yourself for I will not wait till winter before saying this. Will you marry me?”
Orophin’s eyes filled with tears and he nodded. “But are you sure you still want me? If I can’t even remember where we first kissed.”
Elrond nodded and embraced him. “But you remember. You tell me every winter.” He closed the distance and kissed his love.
Elladan and Elrohir smiled.
Galadriel’s eyes twinkled and Celeborn shook his head, already knowing what was to come. She coughed to get their attention. “Ehm, boys? Next time talk before breaking up.”
Elrond laughed warmly. “We’ll try.” He gazed into his lover’s eyes. From now on he would think twice about his movements. Once to see if it was romantic enough and once to determine if perhaps it could be taken the wrong way.
Orophin himself promised to show Elrond just how guilty and sorry he felt. He laughed when Elrond ran away from the others, dragging him along. There was no mistake about what was on their minds.

END