Betrothal To An Elf 14

Betrothal To An Elf

Part 14

Posted: August 24, 2007
Title: Betrothal To An Elf
Author: Inwë Sáralondë

Summary: Elladan muses, and things come to a head with Elrohir and Lothvaen.

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Elladan was feeling lonely. It had been months since he received Orophin’s letter and, while he was still saddened that his relationship with the Galadhel had ended, he was ready to move on. Elrohir was content to go months on end without someone in his life, but Elladan was not. He needed companionship.

He had not spoken to his brother any further about his relationship with Lothvaen, and began to wonder if there was still something between the two of them. Certainly they had not been seen together for a few weeks now, leading to persistent speculation that Elrohir and Lothvaen were no longer a couple. Elladan sighed. There were times when he was tired of the interest shown in both him and his brother. He had lost count of the number of ellyn and ellith that had approached them, hoping that either of the twins would favour them. Some would flirt; others were too shy and would merely stand there and blush.

Shaking his head, Elladan stood and started to make his way back to the house. He had been up since dawn, unable to sleep with too many thoughts crowding his head. But now he was tired, and decided he would get some rest before dinner. He wondered if Erestor would be there; his former tutor had not shown for the last three nights, though Glorfindel had reassured all and sundry that the advisor was well. But Elladan sensed the underlying concern within the seneschal.

As he made his way back, Elladan espied his twin with Lothvaen, and stopped. The two elves were deep in conversation, but there was nothing…loving about them. It was if they were just friends having a discourse of some sort. As Elladan continued to watch, he could see the frustration on his brother’s face, while Lothvaen seemed close to tears. Whatever the two were discussing, it was not going down well, especially with the scribe. Moments later, Lothvaen turned and walked rapidly away from Elrohir, leaving the younger twin with a scowl on his face.

Deciding there was no point in pretending he hadn’t seen anything, Elladan approached his brother. “I take it you said something that Lothvaen did not particularly like?” he asked mildly as soon has he was close enough.

Elrohir turned a disgruntled face to his brother. “I wish I were as diplomatic as Adar,” he said. “Unfortunately my tact is sadly lacking.”

“What happened?” Elladan asked with some concern.

“We are no longer together.”

“Elrohir, the two of you have not been seen together for some time now.”

“I know, but you may now consider it official. And I have officially broken his heart.”

Elladan looked at his brother. “I am sure you did not mean to, tôren,” he said quietly. “You sometimes just have an unfortunate way with words.”

Elrohir snorted. “Unfortunate? It was more than ‘unfortunate’, Elladan.” He sighed gustily. “Even though Lothvaen and I have not been together lately, I have not been with anyone else. However, not only did he accuse me of being unfaithful during that time, but also during the time when we *were* together.”

“Where in Mordor did he get that idea?” Elladan was astonished.

The younger Peredhel shook his head. “He saw me together with Saelbeth and came to the wrong conclusion. When I tried to explain to him that we were just friends, that Saelbeth was with Silinde, he would not listen. He accused me of sleeping with Saelbeth. Needless to say, after that, my tongue ran away with me, and things went rapidly worse from there.”

Elladan drew his brother into his arms. “I am sorry,” he said simply.

“I am glad you do not judge me,” Elrohir said quietly.

“I know you, that is why,” Elladan responded. “You have always been the more impetuous, and there are times when you do not think before you speak.”

“Thank the Valar you do,” Elrohir chuckled. “One of us needs to be blessed with some sort of tact.”

“A shame you were not blessed with anything at all,” Elladan drawled.

Elrohir looked at his brother in disbelief, but then saw the mirth twinkling in Elladan’s eyes.

“Why, you…” Elrohir punched his brother on the shoulder.

“Ow! That hurt!”

“It was supposed to, you wretch!”

Elladan rubbed the spot where his brother hit him. “You know I am but merely teasing you, tôren. I am sorry if I offended.”

Elrohir sighed. “I know. I apologise for hitting you.” A mischievous look appeared in his eyes. “Shall I kiss it better for you?” he teased. His mien sobered, however, as he noted the strange look on his brother’s face.

*****

Elvish translations:

Adar – father
ellith – female elves
ellyn – male elves
Galadhel – tree elf
Peredhel – half elf
tôren – brother

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