Betrothal To An Elf
Part 20
Posted: September 7, 2007
Title: Betrothal To An Elf
Author: Inwë Sáralondë
Summary: Elrohir goes in search of Elladan.
*****
Having left after sunset, Elrohir now used the moonlight to help guide his way down the well-trodden path to the hut near the waterfall. He knew he would find his brother there; the two of them had, over the years, used it when they needed time to themselves, whether together or alone. It had been their oasis, especially in the time after their mother’s attack and subsequent sailing, the natural beauty and quiet providing a soothing balm to heal shattered souls.
Elrohir was sick with worry and exhausted from lack of sleep as he tried to make sense of his feelings. He suspected that Elladan had come to the same conclusion as he had, but knew how tempestuous his brother could become if faced with something he felt he had no control over. The younger twin hoped that the hut and its surrounds had worked its usual magic and that his brother would be amenable.
Cresting the small hill, he stared down at the little valley before him. The hut was dark; there was not even any smoke rising from the chimney. Elrohir’s heart sank. Where could his brother be?
“Looking for me, tôren?” Elrohir jumped at his brother’s voice, and then grimaced. “You always were sneaky,” he grumbled.
His eyes glittering with amusement, Elladan replied, “I know. It was always something I was good at.”
Elrohir did not reply, and instead started making his way down the hill. Elladan’s gaze followed his brother thoughtfully. He knew why Elrohir was here – the same reason he was. Elladan had spent the last two days contemplating the idea that Elrohir was supposed to be…more than a brother. If he was going to be honest, he had wondered what it would be like to make love to one who was virtually identical to himself, but to have Elrohir as a mate? *That* was something that Elladan was having difficulty in comprehending. With a sigh, he began to follow his brother.
“You know why I am here.” Elrohir’s words were out before Elladan barely had the chance to step inside.
“I do,” Elladan responded gravely.
“And?”
“And *what*, tôren?”
“How do you feel?” Elrohir wanted to know.
“I have been trying to work that out for the last two days, and I am no closer to an answer, no more than you.”
“What makes you think I do not have an answer?” Elrohir’s question startled his brother.
“Then how *do* you feel?” Elladan asked a little harshly.
“Relieved,” Elrohir admitted.
“Relieved?” Elladan echoed disbelievingly.
Elrohir nodded. “We belong with the Eldar, Elladan. I know that we have not made our choice, but we both have always felt closer to elves than men.”
“I can not disagree with you there, Elrohir. I hear the whispers when I travel through mortal settlements; they call me an exotic half-breed.”
The younger twin smiled gently. “Only because they do not know any better, Elladan,” he said softly. “However, in the eyes of most men we are elves, and that is exactly what we are.” He pulled out a chair and sat down, indicating to his brother he should do the same. “But we digress. Shall I tell you why I feel relieved?”
“Please.”
“At first, the thought that we were soul-mates frightened me, that it was a sin. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.”
“How?” Confusion was evident on Elladan’s face.
“Remember what I told you all those years ago? The words I overheard our grandmother say?”
Elladan nodded slowly. “That our souls were two halves of one. But did we not agree it was because we were the mirror image of each other, that when one of us started to say something, the other would finish it?”
“And that may still hold true,” Elrohir replied. “However, during the last two days I began to wonder as to whether our grandmother had seen something about us that made her say those words.”
“You mean that we would one day come together as lovers?”
“Aye. It would explain so much, Elladan. Why neither of us has been able to settle, why we have not been fully satisfied in any of our relationships. We have both been searching for the one with whom we would have the most affinity with, and in all that time we have overlooked the very one who would make each of us complete.”
“Each other.” Elladan rose from his chair. “Let us get some sleep, tôren,” he said abruptly. “It is getting late.” His gaze was unreadable, and Elrohir found he could only nod in agreement.
“Shall we get up early and watch the sunrise?” the younger twin asked.
Elladan smiled slightly. “Aye.”
*****
Elvish translations:
tôren – my brother
*****
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