Untitled

Title : Untitled
Pairing: Elladan and Elrohir mentioned
Summary: Elladan and an admirer talk
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Tolkien. This is an original story for no profit and the characters are not mine.
Rating: R

The footsteps are soft on the stone floor, the white clad figure stopped to rest her hands on the railing looking out into the night.

“You do not join the celebrations?” she asked inquiringly to the dark haired elf.

Elladan looked back into the brightly lit hall. This was a celebration of life as much as it was a return. There had been so little over the decades to bring such hope for the future for men that they had embraced this with full force. Banners hung from the ceilings mixed with the streamers of shimmering material. Tables ladened with food and wine rested under the carved statues. Elladan took it all in even as his eyes unerringly found what he unconsciously sought.

Elrohir held forth surrounded by a host of admirers of assorted ages, both male and female. He chatted to them in his easy style yet held them all at bay. Looking up he caught his brother’s gaze and smiled. A communication passed between them that none were privy too. Elladan turned back to his companion.

“My brother is more suited to such occasions than I.”

No further words were passed, the music from behind drifted over them as they both stared into the darkness and recalled the battles.

“Would you walk with me?” she asked turning to the elf, her hand close to his.

“You do not join the celebrations?” he smiled back.

She shook her head. “Not this night.”

Elladan cast a last glance to his brother. Elrohir was surrounded still, sipping lightly on a goblet of wine as he listened with interest. It was little wonder they flocked to him, Elrohir was a vision even among elves with his dark hair, pale skin and glittering grey eyes. A soft smile touched Elladan’s lips as he turned back to accompany the lady on her walk.

She had watched him regard his brother, watched as the dark haired elf amidst the company had known of his gaze and returned it with a bow of his head. She had seen the light in their eyes burn bright, the distance between them no barrier to the feelings they expressed.

They walked through the gardens of the city such as they were. It disturbed Elladan, used to the open spaces and gardens of Imladris, to walk among the stone and struggling life. Talk was of polite enquiry of past events, turning, as they sat on the bench that overlooked the plains, to family. She spoke of her uncle and the loss she felt at his passing, a loss she felt more keenly than that of her parents. There was pride though as she spoke of his achievements and those of her brother. Elladan listened with murmured approval of her words, sensing the need she had to say what was in her heart, and yet sensing also that this was not why she had sought his company.

The music was muted, a happy refrain as they sat for a moment in silence. Unexpectedly she touched Elladan’s cheek with the back of her hand, running it slowly over the smooth skin.

“You are beautiful,” she murmured regarding him intently, entranced, unaware that she had spoken the words aloud.

Elladan did not pull away as she inclined her head to his, softly kissing his lips.

“My lady…” he began, uncertain how to proceed. It was not that he did not understand the looks he and Elrohir elicited from others, evidence of it he had witnessed in the crowd of admirers flocked round his brother so recently. It was simply that most either themselves understood or held the twin elves in such awe they dare not approach in such a way. It was a gallant few who ventured their hand to woo the brothers who needed to be gently turned away. This however was a gentle woman despite her warrior upbringing, less acquainted by her nature to the mores of men, and Elladan less acquainted by his nature to the ways of a woman.

She did not offer a reason for her actions as she laid a hand on his arm. “Tell me about your brother,” she asked gently. She watched as his eyes brightened with a smile, then frown.

“My brother….,” he began to offer in way of explanation, feeling perhaps it was her purpose to pursue Elrohir through him.

“Cares as little for what others can offer as you do,” she finished for him.

Elladan nodded. “Indeed he does…..as indeed do I.”

“I have watched you these last weeks,” she added quietly, “I have seen many flock to your side and be turned away. I had thought it was as elves you held yourself aloof to men, but none felt anger toward you, and I had seen your compassion with the injured.”

Elladan nodded. With so little contact with elven kind there were many who considered them mystical and aloof.

“My thoughts turned to perhaps maids left at home to whom you were foresworn……”

Elladan smiled at little at that thought.

“But then I saw,” she continued, “it was an unguarded moment, lasted a mere blink of an eye…..” she looked off into the distance, then cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand, “he looked at you as you read, you stopped and looked to him………and there, in that glance, as you regarded each other…..you smiled.....”

Elladan nodded, he remembered, he had closed his book, laid it on the table and followed his brother out of the library. It had only been after they were certain that they were alone that Elrohir had slipped his hand into his brother’s and they had walked slowly along the corridor to their shared rooms. Once inside, within the safety of the bolted door, Elrohir had kissed him, pressing his body against the stone wall, his hands pulling at his clothing, Elladan responding with like mind. It had been late in the afternoon that they had emerged to stroll on the gardens, whispering to each other as they walked.

She watched him then as the memory of it took him. She noted the light in his grey eyes, the curve of his soft mouth into a smile. Bewitched by this being before her she did not want to disturb him so remained silent, watching, as had been her want.

When at length he nodded again to her, she continued.

“Forgive me my lord, for my intrusion, “she apologised, “I had not meant to spy upon you.”

Elladan shook his head. He understood the allure of the elves, surrounded as they were in much myth and legend.

“’Tis of no matter, my lady, you are not the first to be……interested…. in the affairs of my brother and I, though most do not see beyond their own desires…..only a few see….”

“That you are in love,” she finished for him.

“Yes.” Elladan bowed his head, waiting for her. He felt her hand on his cheek, her fingers tenderly lifting his eyes to meet hers.

He was not ashamed of his love for his brother, had never been, but they were both acutely aware that others did not view what they shared in the same way. It was not a love that was hidden to those who would see, but they took care not to have it degraded by those who could not or would not understand.

“My lady,” he began, but she hushed him with the tips of her fingers.

“I would wish for a love such as yours,” she smiled, “were you other than who you are, you would have songs sung of your love. The courage, the faith you possess in each other……..it gives hope that such a love is possible for us all.”

She stood to take her leave of him. Elladan stood with her, taking her hand with a smile. She touched his cheek tenderly, leaning forward to place a kiss on his lips.

“He is fortunate, your brother,” she murmured, letting her hand slip from his.

Elladan stood and watched her walk into the darkness.

“Should I be jealous?” A well known voice resounded from the columns behind.

Before he could turn Elladan felt the arms of his brother around him, and the softness of his mouth pressed against his neck. He laughed quietly.

“Would you be?” Elladan asked quietly, turning in the embrace to face his brother.

“Yes,” Elrohir replied with equal softness, “I would be.”

“Good,” Elladan smiled.

“So….should I be?”

Elladan shook his head. “No, brother, there is no need, there will never be a need. I chose my path a long time ago, I have no wish to diverge from it.”

“Nor I Elladan,” his brother answered.

Elladan caressed his brother’s cheek. “Let us go to bed.”