The greatest gift of all

The greatest gift of all…

Author: Githoniel
Part: 1/1
Pairing: Elrohir/Glorfindel, Elladan/Legolas
Ratings: PG-13
Warnings: AU
Disclaimer: All elves belong to Mr. Tolkien...
Summary: It’s the twins begetting-day, but it’s nothing what they thought this day would be...

For Carinito. Happy birthday sweetie!!!

Imladris, 1276 T.A.


A sunny autumn morning dawned, when Elladan heard someone knocking at his chamberdoor. Not really wanting to wake, he decided to turn around, put his head under the pillows and simly ignore it. Seconds later, the door flung open with a loud bang that got the young lord sitting upright in his bed. He gazed grimly at the intruder, who turned out to be his twin.
“Ro, do you always have to do this??? Can I not sleep long at least one day in this century???”
“No, my dearest muindor – see, the sun’s shining, the birds are singing and – “
“Why are you always so damned good humored early in the morning... I could kill you for that!”
“- and you forget: It’s our begetting-day today!!! So leave your soft sheets and your sweet dreams be and let’s go downstairs and have some breakfast! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!!”
“ELROHIR!!!”
“What?”
“Shut up!!!”
“Get up!!!”
Elladan sighed and shook his head, but left the warm sanctuary of his bed and went to the bathroom. His twin meanwhile rummaged the wardrobe in search for a certain leggins and shirt and after a few minutes, he found what he was looking for – a simple black leggins and a dark red tunic, adorned with silver ornaments.
When Elladan came out of the bath, he looked at the clothes, his brother had chosen for him to wear.
“Oh, does it have to be this one? Why do want me to wear the same tunic as you do? Aren’t we a little too old for that?”
Elrohir was hurt at hearing this and the emotion clearly showed in his eyes. “Of course, you don’t have to wear this... if you deem yourelf to mature for things like that! It’s just – we always looked identical at our begetting-days, so I thought...”
“It’s ok, Ro– forgive me! I’m not the best company this morning, I fear. I will wear the tunic and then we will go and have breakfast together!”
Elladan dressed and then braided his hair the same way, his brother had done this morning.
“Why are you so very grumpy this morning – it’s worse than other days!” Elrohir asked.
“I’m sorry- it’s just... I.. I am a little sad, you know. I miss Legolas so much. I wish he could be here today!”
Elrohir drew his brother in his arms. “Oh, Ella - you know, how much he loves you and that he would be here today, if there was a way. But he is needed in Mirkwood now. I’m sure, there is a loooooong letter and a gift from him waiting for you in the hall.”
“Maybe you are right... oh how I envy you – Ro! You have your favourite blondie everyday around you!”
“Yes – I’m really enviable... I love an ellon, who still thinks me an elfling, who doesn’t know of my feelings, let alone returns them. Truly Ella, at least you KNOW that Legolas loves you. You have a future together – Glorfindel and I will never happen!”
“That is true – as long as you don’t confess your feelings for him, nothing will happen. Oh, Ro – what do you have to lose?”
“Everything – Ella – everything! But let’s stop talking about that, it’s time for our breakfast. I’m sure, everyone is already waiting for us in the hall. Think about it, thousands of congratulations, hundreds of gifts – now, doesn’t that brighten up your mood a little...”
“A little!” Elladan smiled and took his twin by the hand. “So let’s go, you crazy son of an orc!”
“Careful Ella – we have the same adar!!!”
“I know, muindor – I know!”

Together they ran down the stairs and into the hall of fire – where they expected to find their family and friends for a big begetting-day breakfast together. But when they entered the hall, they saw, that no one was there – the hall was abandoned.
The twins gave each other questioning looks.
“Maybe they are waiting for us in the library, or in ada’s study?” Elladan said.

They went to the library first, where they found Erestor and Melpomaen already working over some books and scrolls.
“Ah, Elladan and Elrohir – good, you are awake!” Erestor greeted them. “We could use a little help here. So if you Elladan could aid Mel with those maps and you Elrohir –“
“Daro, daro Erestor!” Elrohir shouted. “We just got out of our beds, we didn’t even have our breakfast. Why are you already so busy – it’s still early!”
“The early bird catches the worm!” Melpomaen smirked.
“Ahh, since you two are not willing to help us, off with you both!” Erestor shoved the twins out of the library. “We don’t need distraction!” And with that, he banged the door in front of the identical faces.
The twins stood dumbstruck with their noses only inches from the oaken door.
“What the hell is going on this morning?” Elrohir asked. “Did everyone forget about our begetting- day?”
“Let’s go to Ada’s study!” Elladan said and grabbed his twins hand, dragging him through the corridor until they stood in front of Elronds study.
They knocked and at once were bid to enter. Unsure of what to expect, they hesitantly stepped inside and found their father sitting at his desk, Glorfindel at his right and both discussing some reports.
“Ah, ionath-nîn... good to see you – I need your help. Can you please bring this message to the western border post?” He handed a scroll to the younger twin. “It’s really, really important and I cannot spare Glorfindel. Or have you already plans for today?”
“No. We thought, YOU might have plans for today!” Elladan answered confused.
“Ah, indeed I have – Glorfindel and I reorganize the border patrols, so there’s lot to do today. That’s why I need your help. To ride to the western border should take 4 hours, so if you go right now, you will be back before the sun sets.”
“But Ada – we... we ...” Elrohir started now.
“Ah ah –Elrohir! Elladan! Of course you can do this for your hard working adar!!! Now get your lazy behinds in the kitchen, take some provisions and then off with you!!!” Glorfindel bellowed.
The twins dared not to try another objection but left the study with their heads down.
In silence they entered the kitchen, quickly ate some porridge for breakfast, then packed some fruit and Lembas, filled two waterskins and left for the stables.

“Can you believe they forgot our begetting-day, Ro?” Elladan asked while mounting his horse. The younger twin only shook his head and Elladan noticed the lost expression in his brother’s face.
“Ro, are you alright. Shall I ride alone?”
“NO!! No Ella – I’m alright.”
“Is it because Glorfindel yelled at us?”
Even though his twin didn’t answer, Elladan knew he was right.

After riding a while through the forrest, Elrohir looked at his brother with tears in his eyes.
“He just showed me once more, what I am for him, didn’t he?”
Elladan halted his horse next to Elrohir’s and hugged his twin, who was seriously crying by now.
“Shh, shh – Ro... he wasn’t really mad with you, that was just his temper. You know him.”
“Yes – I do. And that’s the reason why I won’t ever tell him about my feelings. He would most likely laugh at me!”
“He would never do something like that.”
“Do you know for sure?”
“Calm down, Ro. Let’s take a short rest and eat something. And then we hurry to deliver this cursed message and when we are back home, we take two or three bottles of miruvor and have a party ourselves.”
Elladan smiled when he saw his brother laughing through his tears!

Their ride to the border post was uneventful. In the early afternoon, they reached the border post and asked for the guard in command. Luturion, a tall warrior, greeted his young lords with respect. After reading the message he smirked.
“Hmm – I think it would be better, if I answer your adar at once. Why don’t you join the soldiers in the meantime and show them some of your tricks with the bow?”
The twins nodded and left the warrior. They spend two hours with the other soldiers, before Luturion called for them.
“I’m sorry, my lords, it took a little longer, than I thought it would. So please bring my answer to Lord Elrond immediately now. Be safe!” Luturion bowed and handed a scroll over to Elladan. The twins gathered their belongings and left.


A soldier stepped to Luturion as soon, as they were gone.
“Captain, what was this all about?”
The warrior grinned and handed Elronds message over to the guard. There was just a short notice on the pergament.

- Please keep my sons occupied, while we are preparing a surprise party for them.
Make sure, that they don’t come back before sunset.
Elrond Peredhel –

The twins rode home in a haste and reached the last homely house when the sun was about to set.
They left their horses with the stable-lads and immediately searched for their father. But Elrond wasn’t in the library or his study, nor in his bedroom or the hall of fire. In the kitchen, they asked one of the servants.
“My lords, Lord Elrond and some others are dining outside tonight, the rose garden.” The young servant bowed and quickly got back to his work.
“The rose garden? Now, what do you think about that, Ro?”
“I think, this day is full of surprises! I’m not sure, I want to know, what happens next.”
The moment, Elrohir had spoken the last word, both were suddenly grabbed from behind and blindfolded before they could even try to turn around.
“What the hell...!” Elrohir yelled but stopped at once, when he recognized his attackers scent. It was without a doubt Glorfindel standing behind him. Elladan also stopped his squirming, when he heard Erestors voice next to his ear.
“Don’t be afraid – there’s just something, we want to show you!”
Glorfindel and Erestor guided the young lords outside in the garden, where all their family and friends were waiting. Lindir and his minstrels started to play a soft melody, candles were lit, a large table was set.
Elrond stepped in front of his sons and motioned for Erestor and Glorfindel to untie the blindfolds.
“Happy begetting-day!” everyone shouted, the moment, the fabric fell off the twins’ eyes.
Elladan and Elrohir stood totally dumbstruck at the sight of the garden, filled with their dear ones.
Elrond drew his sons in a crushing embrace. “Now, you did not truly believe we would forget your begetting-day! Never... it was the luckiest day in my life. I love you, ionath-nîn!”

The evening was filled with congratulations, gifts and a wonderful dinner. After the dessert, the minstrels played another melody and some elves began to dance. While Elrohir danced with their sister Arwen, Elladan stood next to Glorfindel. He observed the warrior closely and found, that the blond seneschal couldn’t tear his gaze from his brother. He cleared his throat to get Glorfindels attention.
“Ehm, yes Elladan?”
“Glorfindel, what do you think about Ro?”
“What do you mean? You both are very dear to me, you know that. I was here, when you were born and practical raised you. I still remember the day, you first trained with your wooden swords.”
“You realise, Elrohir is not the pen-neth from back then anymore?”
“What are you saying, Elladan?”
“Oh, come on – I have seen how you look at him. You think him attractive, don’t you?”
“Well, he IS very attractive!”
“And he’s a grown elf, Glorfindel.”
Glorfindel sighed and nodded. “Yes, he definitely is.”
“Why don’t you ask my twin for a dance now?”
“Elladan, I can’t do that, in front of your adar... and how do you know, he wants to dance with me?”
“Well, there’s just one way to find out. Come on, don’t make me call the mighty balrog slayer a coward!” Elladan smirked.
“Maybe you are right – after all, it’s just a dance!”
Glorfindel took a deep breath and walked towards Ro and Arwen. Elladan watched, as the blond warrior adressed his twin and Elrohir’s face turned to crimson. They were dancing slowly in the light of the moon, the stars and the candles. There is magic in the air tonight, Elladan thought. This was definitely more than a simple dance, this was the beginning of a great love!

Though Elladan was happy to see his twin in the strong arms of Glorfindel, it made him a little sad at the same time. He missed his lover Legolas, who couldn’t be with him tonight. There hadn’t been a letter or a gift from Mirkwood, but that didn’t mean, Legolas had forgotten his begetting-day. The routes between Imladris and Mirkwood were not the safest.
Elladan suddenly felt the need to be alone. He walked through the gardens, all the way to the riverbank of the Bruinen. There he sat down in the grass and stared at the reflection of the moon in the water.

Suddenly, there was another light at the water surface, it was a bright and warm glow and it came nearer to where Elladan sat. Suddenly, the young lord found himself surrounded by this glowing light and he heard a voice in his mind.
“Lirimaer, do you hear me? Don’t be afraid.”
“Legolas? What kind of magic is that?”
“We have to thank Mithrandir for that. He was visiting my adar and granted me a wish. And the only wish I have is to be with you tonight!”
“Oh, Legolas...”
“So, do you trust me – I mean really trust me?”
“Yes, meleth, I do.”
“Then let yourself fall. Close your eyes and follow my voice and your heart.”
Elladan closed his eyes and heard his lover whispering words in a tongue, he never heard before. Suddely he felt a warmth around him, birds were singing in the distance.
“Now you can open your eyes again, lirimaer!”
Elladan did so and found himself standing in the clearing of a forest. The sunbeams fell on his skin and warmed him. And then he turned and saw Legolas standing next to him.
“Where are we?”
“This is the place, your heart pictures when you think of me. Fitting for a wood-elf, I must say!”
Elladan drew the mirkwood prince in a crushing embrace.
“I have missed you so today, meleth.”
“I have missed you too, lirimaer. Happy begetting-day Ella!” And he placed a soft kiss to Elladans lips, that soon deepened and became passionate.

Two hours later, his father and brother roamed the gardens in search of the missing twin.

“Lirimaer, I have to go now!”
“No, saes – Legolas! Stay!”
“I can’t, I’m sorry. The spell is already lessening Close your eyes again. We will see each other soon, I promise. I love you, Elladan Elrondion.”
“I love you too, Legolas Thranduilion!” Elladan closed his eyes.

Minutes later, he heard his brother calling: “Here, he’s here ada!!!”
He opened his eyes and found he was still lying in the grass at the riverbank. Confused he gazed around and saw his father and twin sharing a worried look.
“Elladan, are you alright, ion-nîn?”
“Yes – yes. I am! I- I just received another gift right now. The greatest gift of all.”


THE END

Translation:

Muindor - brother
Ellon – male elf
Adar, ada - father
Daro - stop
ionath-nîn – my sons
pen-neth – young one
lirimaer – lovely one
meleth - love
saes - please
Elrondion – son of Elrond
Thranduilion – son of Thranduil