Posted: April 28, 2006
Title: My Love Likes a Red Red Rose
Author: Arthvaineth
Type: FCS
Characters: Turgon/Thala (OCM)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Tolkien world. They belong to their respective copyright holders.
Beta: Alex Cat
Author's Notes: Nestaion, the healer.(OCM)

Summary: Tuor had a foster son and Turgon fell in love with him.

*****

FA 200

A young elf was brought in front of the Lord Tuor of The House of the Wing. The light brown haired elf was half dead and hardly breathing. His skin was darker than any elves in the City. He was too skinny and his clothes were torn. That was all could be seen in the Lord's eyes.

"Bring him to the Healing Wing, please." Tuor said to the guard who brought him into the City.

"Yes, my lord." The guard replied and carried the injured elf inside.

Inside the healing chamber, one of the healers was busy taking care of his new patient. He checked the injured elf's body carefully after cleaning up his body. He was too concentrated upon his work and even didn't notice the Lord was there until the Lord spoke to him.

"How is he, Nestaion?"

"Oh, my lord." The healer was startled by Tuor's approach. "His condition is fair. No major injuries but few scratches." A smile hung on the healer's face and he continued. "I think he needs nutrition. It seems he hasn't eaten for a long time."

"Well, I leave him for you. You must only report to me," said Tuor.

"Yes, my lord." The healer bowed then Tuor left the healing chamber.

The next day, the young elf woke up starving. His eyes wide open when he saw the surroundings. Then he was surprised at what he wore. He was wearing a simple white coloured tunic and a pair of sleeping pants. He sat up in the bed immediately and looked around. He started to panic because he had no idea where he was. When he tried to get off the bed, he saw someone was approaching. He ran toward the window and hid behind the curtain instinctually. The healer chuckled when he saw the young elf run behind the curtain. Then he walked toward and stood in front of the curtain and spoke to him.

"Good morning, sire." Nestaion bowed. "How do you feel today?" He asked with his gentle voice but there was no answer. Then he kept on speaking. "My name is Nestaion. I am the healer here. Would you like me to check on your condition?" He offered his hand to the silent elf. The panicked elf peeked behind the curtain and felt uncertain what to do. And the healer continued. "Don't worry, you are safe now. No one will hurt you here." The other elf said nothing and the healer didn't dare to step forward, which might frighten the other. Both of them fell into silence but the silence was broken by the sound as the youth's stomach rumbled.

"I take you are hungry." The healer laughed. "Come out and I'll bring you food."

Finally the young elf came out from behind of the curtain because of the word food. He was starving. He didn't eat for more than a week in the wild. He accepted the healer's hand and walked to the table in the room. Nestaion presented a chair for him and indicated for him to sit down. Then he waved to a maiden and ordered the maiden to bring him some food. In short time, a maiden came in with a plate of food with bread, cheese, meat, fruit and also a bottle of honeyed milk. When the hungry elf saw the plate of food, he grabbed the bread and put it into his mouth as quick as he could. The healer giggled again and was sure that this elf must have been starved for a while. After the great meal for the hungry elf, there was a mess on the table. Nestaion frowned but only smiled to the other. He waved to a maiden again and told her to clean up the table then they walked back to the bed. Once they both sat down on the bed, the healer spoke again.

"Now you are full, would you like to tell me your name?" The elf felt a silence and Nestaion continued. "Well, I need to know your name so that I will know what to call you."

"I..." He stopped but that was the first time the silent elf spoke.

"Don't be ashamed, go on." Nestaion encouraged.

"I... don't remember." The unknown elf lowered his head and spoke softly.

"Oh dear." The healer pulled him into his embrace. The other said nothing but felt warm in an embrace. "Now," Nestaion released him from his hug and said, "would you please come with me and our Lord would like to meet you."

"Lord?" The other cocked his head.

"Yes, Lord Tuor of the House of the Wing." Nestaion explained. "You are in Gondolin."

"Gondolin?" The young elf sounded surprised and a tear appeared from his corner of his eye.

"Yes." The healer wiped the tear of the other's eye then stood up. "Now it's time to prepare to meet Lord Tour."

Tuor woke up early as usual, then went to his office and started his work. A knock on the door pulled his concentration away from his work.

"Come on in," Tuor answered the door.

The healer and the elf came inside. Nestaion bowed to his Lord but the other did not. Nestaion told the young one he had to bow to his Lord as one of manners. The young elf did what he was told. Tuor tittered when he looked at those two elves in front of him. Then he spoke. "Come here and sit down." He walked toward the couch and waved to them to follow.

"How do you feel?" Tuor asked while he was sitting down but stopped. "Sorry, may I have your name please?" He smiled at the silent elf and the elf kept quiet.

"Sorry, my lord," Nestaion cut in. "He doesn't remember his name."

"Arr..." The Lord sighed. "But it is not good to call you without name. Let me think." Tuor lifted up his head and looked at the ceiling. "It seems you are so strong to survive in the wild. How about I name you ' Thala', which means stalwart. What say you?"

The silent elf said nothing but nodded. "So be it. From now on, Thala is your name." Tuor clapped his hand and gave Thala a hug.

"Thala is a good name." Nestaion said with joy. "Welcome to Gondolin."

"Gondolin," Thala mumbled when he heard this name again.

"Yes, this is Gondolin." Tuor spoke direct to Thala's eyes. "You are in my House. House of the Wing. And from this day, you are one of the members of this House."

***

Since the day Thala came to the household of Tuor, the Lord loved him as his own son. He taught him almost everything he knew. He stepped out of his silence finally and became one of the popular elves there. He was loved by most of the households. Soon enough, Thala became a scribe to Tuor. Because Thala became an official member of Tuor's house, Tuor had to report to his King, Turgon of Gondolin.

This morning, Thala was anxious. This was his first time to be seen by the king of Gondolin. He looked at the mirror several times and checked his clothing. Unexpectedly, he was startled by a knock on the door. It was Tuor who was waiting for him. After he greeted his foster father, they walked to the Tower of the King where Turgon dwelt. Both of them were brought in front of the King and they bowed.

"Raise your head," Turgon designated. Therefore both of them lifted their heads and looked at the King. Turgon's breath was taken away when he placed his eyes on Thala. The elf that stood in front of him had an undescribed His cheeks were slightly flushed. Turgon just couldn't take his eyes off of him. The hall fell into stillness. Tuor felt there was something on his King, his father-in-law's mind. He didn't know what was it but he hoped it was a good thing. Finally Turgon spoke. "Here isn't a good place to talk. Come with me inside. We can have a good talk in my study." He stood up when he finished. He peeked on Thala once last time before he led the way to his study.

Both of them spent most of the day in Turgon's palace. Thala was asked lots of questions by Turgon. Every time, he answered carefully. Turgon was very happy with his answers. After the dinner, both of them headed to their house, but the conversation between Tuor and Thala was not finished yet.

"It seems Turgon likes you very much." A smirk hung on Tuor's face.

It was too dark to see the expression of Tuor's face but Thala could feel his tone was teasing him. Thala said naught on their way back.

After Thala met the King for the first time, he was always called to see the King. At the beginning, their conversations were mostly about daily life and work. As they spent more time together, their conversation became more and more personal, until one day, Thala was invited for dinner with Turgon. The dinner was only two of them and set it in Turgon's private chamber. Even though Thala had met Turgon many times, this was the first time he was in the King's private chamber. He was looking for the dinner but he also nervous about that. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath then knocked on the door.

He entered the King's chamber after Turgon answered. He stood at the threshold and gaped at what he saw in the room. There was a table filled with food and drinks, But there were one thing on the table which caught his sight, a vase filled with red roses. Turgon walked toward the motionless elf and invited him to come inside. He signalled Thala to sit down and then he opened a bottle of wine and poured into his guest's chalice. They talked of many things during dinner. After dinner, Turgon invited Thala to the sitting room with a fireplace and continued their conversation. Of course, the wine would be the best company for gathering. Suddenly, Turgon stood up and walked toward the dining table. He picked up a deep red rose and walked back to Thala. Turgon gave a flower to the scribe and placed a kiss on his lips. Thala didn't know if was it the fire or the wine, but he felt his face was getting hotter than before.

Turgon knelt in front of Thala and looked at his eyes. "Thala, I come to you and confess tonight. Don't you know I can't get you out of my mind since I met you the first time?" Turgon took up the scribe's hands. "Would you like to stay with me?" Turgon said with his tender voice.

"I..." Thala stopped and bit his lower lips. "I don't know. I..." He really lost his words and didn't know what to do.

"I'm sorry." The King placed a kiss on the back of his hand. "I think my abrupt manner which scared you. I'm sorry."

"Please don't apology, my King." Thala knelt on the ground suddenly and pulled Turgon into his embrace. "You did nothing wrong. It should be me who owes you apology. I didn't answer you question which upset you."

"No, it is not an easy way to answer that important question. I was too impatient. I should give you time." Turgon comforted the scribe by smoothing his hair. Then he slightly pulled them apart and continued. "How about I hire you as my scribe and we may have more time to understand each other?" The King offered.

Thala didn't answer but nodded.

Few days later, Thala became a scribe to Turgon . Due to his great talent, he was promoted as a counsellor to the King in only two months.

One day, Turgon asked the same question again and Thala gave him the answer.

*****