Title: Peredhil
Author: Milly 
Author's Email: ElrohiradoresElladan@gmx.net
Pairings: Stardome/Starfoam, Erestor/Glorfindel [implied]
Characters I made up and those that run along by other names at 
times: Malegrin, Caresse, Seridec, Thanos
Rating: R
Summary: What if things aren't like they seem to be at first?
Disclaimer: I don't own them. *sighs deeply* It's hard to accept, you 
know, but I do know that they aren't mine. 
Warning: au, incest, angst, slight mentioning of violence, char death 
Authors Note: Did any of you ever realize that a summary that 
doesn't spoil the plot is more difficult to write than most parts of the 
story?
There's an AU warning for a reason. I usually try to stay close to the 
chars as I imagine them to be, but I will not stay to the facts. Oh and 
just in case, I intend to write this in a universe where the different 
races of middle-earth don't meet very often. *cough* And don't 
mistake this story for something it isn't... there are several LOTR 
chars in it. I changed some things after I put up the explanations, 
please don't kill me if I forgot to delete or add something. 
I would love to get some feedback on this story, there's no need to be 
shy about any of my stories, just saying "I read it." would be great, 
'cause it's such an awful feeling if noone ever reacts to what you 
write.

Peredhil

Prologue

Malegrin listened to the voices in the forrest, worried that they 
would find him here. They were running around with their dogs as if 
they were mad. Or at least that was what Malegrin thought them. 
Commands were barked and he covered his eyes like a frightened 
rabbit, unable to move and not daring to give any sound. He found 
himself wishing to be at home again, in a warm study, reading a 
book or playing with his younger siblings. But the forrest had called 
him like it always did and now all he could do was remaining silent 
and hoping that they would go by and leave him alone.

Finally they moved on and Malegrin waited for several minutes until 
he couldn't hear them anymore, before he let go his breath. He got 
up, carefully looking around though he knew they had left. When he 
continued his way through the forrest he suddenly heard voices 
again. It was them again, he knew that but there were others with 
them. People he hadn't met yet. And the blasted curiousity inside 
him drove him near like it called him into the forrest. 

The party had encountered a girl, slender with long dark hair and 
more beautiful than anything or anyone Malegrin had ever seen. And 
though she was speaking a language he didn't understand he felt 
sorry for her. He had heard the tales about what the other males did 
to girls who were found without protection. But he couldn't stop 
them, could he? They always called him a little coward if they met 
him. Or a fool or useless. Today it would be different. This was an 
innocent one and he would not see her harmed.

"Leave her alone, she did nothing to you!" He yelled, trying to gain 
their attention. Surprised heads turned towards him and for a 
moment they just starred at him. Then laughter filled the air and he 
sighed, knowing that it was useless and they would just ignore him 
and do whatever they wanted to do. It was such an awful feeling to 
be thought weak. 

Cold eyes settled on him. "Go home, Mal, father did not allow that 
you leave at all and if you are not back until nightfall he will punish 
you severly." Malegrin sighed desperatly, knowing that Seridec was 
right, but he refused to listen to the resonable words. 

He left the trees which had so far hidden most of his body and 
stepped towards them, looking at the other man with a stern and 
serious mien. "Father did also forbid you to hurt others. You are here 
to hunt animals, not to hunt our own kin." Of course he didn't know 
what their father had told Seridec, but he hoped that it was similar to 
what he had told him the last time when he had overheard the 
conversation between them.  

Seridec crossed his arms and frowned. But at least he listened and 
Malgerin decided that he would continue to speak, hoping that the 
girl would leave them while it had the possibility. Suddenly Seridec 
turned and barked his next command, telling his friends to leave 
them alone. Then he turned and grinned evily. "You will regret this, 
Mal, believe me. Father will cane you until you pass out if he learns 
that you interrupted the hunting again." 

Malegrin eyed his brother, trying to remain as cold and arrogant as 
he could. He already knew that he was in trouble once more, but 
hopefully mother was able to help him. And he would plead if he 
had to. Pleading always helped as his father was stern but not cruel. 
It was just degrading to ask for mercy, but there was no wonderful 
reputation he could lose anyway. 

When Seridec turned and left he eyed the girl more closly. She 
wasn't frightened and he remembered that she had answered evenly 
though not in their language. Gracefully she got up and touched his 
cheek, saying something he didn't understand and left him alone. He 
spent his way home dreaming of her hand against his skin and trying 
to remember the last night he had dreamed of this being. When their 
skins had touched he had known her as the girl of his dreams and 
now he kept those thoughts, hoping that they would disatract him 
while he faced his punishment. 

*******************************************************
****************

Chapter 1

"Father." Malegrin bowed, forcing himself not to stare at his father 
though he wished to see his face. Silence filled the room for several 
moments, until his father spoke to him, telling him of his fears, about 
the new War against the Orcs and their leader. Three years ago, 
when his mother had died Malegrin had become his father's advisor. 
Everyone around knew that he had read every book he had found 
and when he had started to train they had accepted them as a leader, 
knowing that he was familar with every strategy used in the great 
Wars. 

In fact he enjoyed his life a lot, but still the image of Caresse, the girl 
he had met so many years ago hunted him and he prayed to the Valar 
that they would meet again some day. It surprised him that he was 
interested in her, knowing that when he had approached people 
concerning love they had usually been male, but maybe he did so 
because he did not wish to ruin the image of the perfect female. The 
lovely young girl. She had changed with the years in his dreams. 
Aged just like he had. But still she was the most beautiful being he 
could imagine and it took all his will to focus on his father's words. 

He was supposed to lead one of their parties and he had to explain 
the taticts to the rest of the men. When his father had ended he 
bowed once more, aknowledging that he had understand his words 
and would obey to them. It had been so many years since he had 
acted against his father's wishes that he didn't remember anymore 
what it had been like. And even though being disobedient had meant 
to meet her he didn't miss being punished. 

To obey to father's wishes also meant that he could take revenge for 
what Seridec had done. Slowly, and with all patience he had he 
followed his aims. Casual remarks and made up stories told to 
friends had made his brother lose the sympathy of many. Malegrin 
smiled, remembering how Seridec's last girl had broken their 
relationship based on a sweet little rumour. She had been impressive, 
very calm and serious. Somehow she had reminded him of the 
Caresse. But when he had reached out to touch her she hadn't felt 
right. His hands did not tingle with the touch of their meeting skins. 

He had hugged her for comfort until she felt well enough to leave 
and then wished her well. It saddened him that she had been hurt by 
his actions, his only intention had been to hurt his brother. Seridec; 
who would lead another party of his father. And his thoughts 
returned to the now, wishing to prepare perfectly for the fight as he 
didn't intend to be embarassed in front of his rival. They were 
supposed to meet two other leaders at the border who would lead 
them to meet up with two strange races he had read about. The Elves 
and the Dwarves had promised to join their battle against evil and 
his father was very pleased that he had suceeded to convince them. 

The parties had gathered, according to his father's wish, who, 
himself, would stay and guard their home. Seridec and he would 
command the troops and though they had wished each other luck he 
knew that both of them wished for the other to die during the battle, 
knowing that they would find no peace until one left. But it would 
have been wrong to show those feelings before the soldiers. They 
met the other troops and greeted them polietly, waiting for eldest of 
them to lead them to battle.

And battle was what they found, hearing it from afar already. 
Commands were yelled by several leaders and he heard the hissing 
of arrows and the sound of metal meeting metal. Years ago he would 
have ran into the other direction, but now he had been trained for 
this, knowing both how to command and how to fight. There was no 
reason to run, at least not from fear. But his pity for those dying on 
both sides was great, he found himself say prayings to the Valar 
before his troop had even encountered the first Orcs.

Commanding disatracted him from his dark thoughts and even the 
coughing and crying didn't disturb him anymore. Before him soldiers 
of every troop died but he knew that if he lost control his party 
would be lost and so he forced himself to remain calm, even as the 
arrows swirled around their heads. Orcs were brilliant archers, but he 
wasn't surprised about that, having read about their skills several 
times. It just disturbed him, because all of their skills were 
dangerous for his party. 

Several times they barely escaped, but his warriors were well trained 
and his troop seemed to be doing better than the rest. He was pleased 
to see that his brother had trouble, but he forced himself to focus on 
his own tasks. This was not the usual rivalry, here they both fought 
on the same side and he wouldn't lose his soldiers by being 
disatracted. He commanded a reforming of his party and waited until 
the warriors had complied, telling them to arch their bows once 
more.  

Then all of a sudden he heard new voices. "Leithio in phlilin!" Soft 
and melodious they were though it were obviously commands as 
well and he suddenly remembered Caresse, the beautiful girl he had 
encountered in the woods. Just a short moment later he saw them, 
clad in light grey and green, their uniforms shinning brightly as the 
light. 

"The Elves are coming," one of the men next to him yelled, 
obviously relieved about seeing them. Caresse was of elvish blood 
then, no wonder than she was incredibly beautiful. But he had no 
time to enjoy the view of those beautiful creatures arching their 
bows and losening their arrows as a stone hit his head and he found 
himself lost in darkness within seconds. 

Elvish words:
Leithio in philin: Release the arrows

Chapter 2

Sounds around him woke him and he felt his head hurting terribly. 
Malegrin tried to concentrate but only heard yells and commands in 
a different language. Maybe the fighting around him still went on? 
Slowly he opened one of his eyes but he regretted it immediatly as 
the light that flashed at him burned like fire and he felt even more 
dizzy. More carefully this time, he tried to open them again but 
couldn't make out any form, just some lighter and some darker 
colours. But that seemed not to be enough for his body to torture him 
as he felt the awful and familiar feeling of being sick. 

When he opened his mouth to plead for help a mere whisper escaped 
his lips and he felt the bitter liquid coming up his throat. At the 
moment it did not count that it could have been worse than that, the 
he could have been dead or hurt in a more serious way. Now it just 
felt terrible to fear that his head was going to burst or he would 
choke from his entrails. His whole body shook violently as he 
emptied his stomach, soon feeling that there was nothing left, but 
still his body shook and he clawed to the covers, trying not to fall off 
the bed. 

The aftertaste was bitter, it tasted like bile and when his body finally 
calmed his throat hurt terribly and he felt as if he could be sick once 
more, smelling his vomit on the covers next to him. They did not 
write of this when they wrote about wars. If they spoke of wounds 
and death it was usually arrows sticking inside the skin of others or 
other flesh wounds. He hadn't known that he could become sick of it 
as well. 

He tried to lift his head, desperatly hoping to escape the fetidness of 
what had formally been food. But lifting his head only made things 
worse and he gave up, hoping for someone to help him. After 
minutes of feeling the vomit soaking his hair and his clothes he 
passed out from disguist and was once again welcomed to Irmo's 
realm. 

Malegrin slowly became aware of his surroundings once more. Voices were around him, 
but this time they seemed calm and peaceful. No more stern and serious commands. 
Though something was wrong still. They were singing but their songs were sad. And still 
he couldn't understand their words. But then; his head had been hurt. Or at least he 
seemed to remember getting hurt. And when he opened his eyes he remembered that he 
should have kept them closed in the first place. 

His throat still felt sore and his lips were chapped and dry. When he tried to open his 
mouth his lower lip started bleeding but he didn't care, praying to the Valar that they 
would send him someone who could give him some water because he felt that he would 
die from either thirst or hunger soon. But when again only a croaking sound left his lips 
he gave up his hope that he would be found in time. 

Then, all of a sudden, he heard someone coming near. "You are awake at least, young 
friend. We were worried about you." A cool hand touched his forehead and then he felt a 
wet cloth against his lips. "Do not fight this, you were in a terrible state when we found 
you. He said that you are not to drink yet, but you should try to suck on the cloth to get 
your body used to liquid again." Malegrin complied, not only because he was too thirsty 
to even listen to the other's words but also because the cold hand against his head felt so 
comforting. He couldn't remember ever being this sick before. But then, he couldn't 
remember much anyway.

Again and again he carefully suckled on the wet and cool cloth and relaxed, feeling the 
fingers caress his forehead. Being touched like that felt wonderful though he had never 
thought that it might ever 'cause him to adore someone for just touching his head. But he 
did, it felt as if someone finally cared after all the time he had lain in his own vomit. And 
then he remembered, he had been smelling terribly the last time he had been concious. 
Now, however he felt clean, obviously this stranger had taken care of him and no matter 
who he was or what he had in mind he was thankful that he didn't smell like an Orc any 
longer. 

After a while he felt that his first thirst was sated and he tried to talk to the other. To at 
least thank him for his kindness but a slender finger was placed upon his lips. "Do not 
speak, my friend. You will only make your state worse. I must ask you not to move or 
open your eyes yet. And neither should you speak. The best you can do for yourself now 
is to sleep and regain your strengh. If you try to rest now I will be permitted to prepare 
tea for you during your next waking period." Malegrin slowly understood that he was 
under the other's mercy. But he was tired, too tired to ask question and too tired to think 
about his situation.

Chapter 3

"Drink this, it should help you to feel better." One hand was supported his head while the 
other placed a cup against his lips. "Be careful, it is hot." The warning was spoken just in 
time and he carefully took the first sips of his tea. It tasted of several different herbs and 
soon his throat felt less sore. When the cup was empty he had to keep himself from 
begging from more, trying not to humilate himself further though he wasn't sure if it was 
worth the effort. 

Slowly he opened his eyes, but once again he couldn't see the other. The man was dark 
haired and wore grey clothes. But his eyes hurt from the light like they had the last time 
and he closed them again, deciding that he didn't want to be as dizzy and he had been 
when he had tried it before once more. Knowing what the other looked like wasn't that 
important, he took care of Malegrin and that was all that was needed at the moment. 

It seemed that the man was pleased about the progress and a cold cloth was placed over 
his forehead and his eyes. Wet and cold it was, Malegrin nearly enjoyed feeling it though 
he would have prefered to feel the cool fingers of the other against his skin once more. As 
if sensing his wish the other touched his cheek before once again speaking with that soft 
yet firm voice. "You are still sick, my friend, if you need any help just say something and 
I will try to aid you." 

Soothing, once again it felt so good to hear that the other cared. No matter what his 
motives were, it was comforting that he hadn't been left to die in his vomit like he had 
surely done if noone had admistered to him. And it surely was good that the next time he 
would be sick someone would be around to help him.

When he woke again he soon felt how right the man had been, feeling as if he would 
vomit immediatly. But the other had told him to ask for help and it would be less terrible 
if this friendly one would be around to hold his body down during his cramps and 
struggles and helped him to stay on the bed. "Help me... please." Malegrin croaked and 
immediatly he heard the steps of the other. As soon as he felt the reassuring touch again 
he gave in, no longer finding the strengh to hold back. 

His body started to shake and he felt the other holding him to the bed just like he had 
hoped he would. It was embarassing to be held done like this, but he just prayed that 
healers were used to things like this. However, only a short moment later the hands 
losened their touch and left him again and all of a sudden the man before him smacked 
his head. By instict he immediatly stopped his actions and wondered whether the healer 
had known that he would and if it was good for him. But then he heard a angry sound and 
when he opened his eyes the other seemed to glare at him, chiding him in a language he 
didn't understand. 

Then another man came close and grabbed the other's arm, speaking to him in a low, 
threatening voice. Malegrin tried to concentrate on their words but his head hurt too 
much and he was sure -almost sure- that they weren't speaking the common tongue. 
When they were about to fight more seriously two new people entered the room and 
Malegrin gave up trying to count them or trying to understand who of them was on which 
side. 

The voice of one of the two who had newly arrived was calm but obviously it held more 
force than that of the others or it was one of the leaders as immediatly the other two 
stopped fighting and looked at him. Malegrin sighed with relief when suddenly one of 
them came close and touched his head, carefully examing him. "He did not mean to hurt 
you, my friend." A soft voice whispered and he immediatly reconized the healer. "It was 
a misunderstanding, he hadn't understood that you would be sick and became angry when 
you ruined his clothes." 

"I..." Malegrin coughed and tried to focus on the other, not sure who of them was who. "It 
wasn't my intend to ruin his clothes, please tell him that I am sorry for what I did." 

An amused chuckle answered him but then the healer spoke to the others and then turned 
back to him. "He isn't angry and wishes to apologize for his actions. It was my fault, I 
hadn't informed him that you might be sick while I was gone, but now rest, I will watch 
over your sleep and I am sure that hitting your head didn't improve your state."

For some moments Malegrin wondered whether he was supposed to drink tea, vomit and 
sleep until the rest of his days. But then a wet cloth cleaned his face and he felt slender, 
soothing fingers caressing his forehead. If it had to be like that he would cope with it. 
Being hit, feeling pain, but being comforted later. And if he was lucky one day it would 
pass and perhaps the healer would stay and explain why he had helped. If it was a healer 
who took care of him and not just one of the soldiers who had learned something about 
herbs. 

Chapter 4

"Do wake up, my friend." The ever gentle healer woke him and he smiled. This was 
something he would miss soon. Since a few days he was able to look at the others and 
really see them again and the man who had patiently taken care of him for the last weeks 
had explained to him that none of them would force him to stay. Malegrin was sure they 
wouldn't, he couldn't imagine anyone wishing for him to stay, apart from maybe his 
father when he needed advises. It hadn't taken him long to realize who they were once he 
had been able to see him and he couldn't possibily believe that someone as beautiful and 
wise and the Elves did desire him anywhere near. 

"You will be permitted to stay up longer today, my friend." The darkhaired elf wrinkled 
his nose in amusement when he saw the happy expression that lit his face. The 
surroundings were build for the Elves, graceful and beautiful just like them. And it 
seemed to please them how much he enjoyed himself, how much he felt at peace after 
seeing all the terrible deaths. None of them talked much to him but the healer had 
explained it, informing him that the others didn't speak his language well enough to trust 
being able to hold a normal conversation. 

Even the healer did not speak much, at least not about himself or the other Elves. He was 
more concerned about Malegrin and his health. And it seemed that he couldn't ever hear 
enough about the humans and their ways and he was amused to about the funny stories 
Malegrin told him, he was mad whenever he heard about Seridec and he cried when the 
young man spoke about his mother's death. It was surprising that someone cared that 
much, and it felt good. For the first time in his life he really enjoyed speaking to anyone 
but the animals and the trees he had met in the forrest. It was not like he could speak to 
him, like the healer had mentioned the Elves did. No, he had enjoyed speaking to 
someone who did not answer to his words. Who just remained calm and listened. 

Yes he would miss the other and he bit his tongue to make sure he wouldn't say so. He 
didn't want to whine and sob. After all he wasn't a child anymore. But still it would be 
hard and he felt as if he would have to give up Caresse if he left this place. There had 
been no day and no night without anything that reminded him of the young forrest-girl 
and he was sure that she was elvish by now. It matched, the grace, the beauty, the 
different language and the touch of her hand. 

He got up and the healer supported him until he was sure that he didn't feel dizzy again. It 
didn't happen that often anymore, but still he never felt sure until he had left the room he 
had been allowed to stay in since he hadn't been sick anymore. Somehow it amused him, 
the healing room would have been enough for him, it was small but cosy, the healer had 
insisted that he moved into a more comfortable room. With an amused grin the healer 
allowed him to go on alone, knowing that he by now knew the place well enough to find 
his way back. He was grateful that he could spend some time alone, because no matter 
how kind the Elves treated him he felt strange if they were always around. 

However he didn't intend to stay away for long, he just went outside and lay down on the 
grass, enjoying the feel of the sun warming his skin and the song of the birds. The healer 
told him that he was an elf at heart and he had smiled and thanked him for the 
compliment. It surely was an honor for his people to be called elvish, not matter in which 
way and no matter if the other men would accept that it was. 

His thoughts drifted home and he wondered how his father and his brother had coped 
without him. Did they get along or was he missed? And more important, did they even 
know that he was still alive? Or had his father mourned and his brother celebrated and 
then lived on without him? Well he would find out once he went home again and he 
looked forward to Seridec's shock to see him. A voice called him back from his thoughts 
and he looked up, seeing his friend looking down with a smirk. "I should not allow you to 
leave alone, you seem to forget the time as soon as noone is with you." 

Malegrin laughed at the comment and took the offered hand to pull himself up again. 
"Hopefully you will accept that I am a grown man and allowed to make my own 
decisions," he answered cheekily and received a playful slap against the shoulder in 
return. It was obvious, however, that the healer wasn't really angry with him and they 
slowly went towards the house again.

Silence filled the air for a few moments until the darkhaired cocked his eyebrows and 
revealed why he had searched for Malegrin. "There will be a council tomorrow, my 
friend and the King did invite you to join it to represent your race. If you wish to go there 
I can translate their words for you." For a short moment Malegrin looked at the elf in 
surprise, until he realized something else. Surely his friend did wish to join a council of 
his people, he had read that it was important to the Elves to speak about their politics and 
it was an honor to be allowed to join.

"Please tell your king that I am honored to be allowed to join the council and that I will 
happily accept the offer to represent my people before him even though I fear that I can 
not be of much use after I missed several weeks of politics and my brain is still shaken." 
He bowed slightly to underline his words, making the healer laugh in amusement once 
more. 

It took a moment until both of them sombered again. "Do not worry, you are not expected 
to speak for your people, you are to be informed of what we are going to do next so you 
can inform those who are interested in our politics among your people." Malegrin's mien 
lit up, finally understanding what the other meant. The Elves had decided to aid them 
and, obviously they had also decided to reveal some of their secrets to his race. Having 
read much about them he knew that they did not speak about themselves much and he 
had found that attitude underlined during the time he had spend among them. But of 
course the healer could just not translate their secrets and only tell him what was meant to 
be heard by his ears. 

Happy that he wasn't really supposed to act in his people's interest he accepted and the 
healer escorted him to his room, advising him to rest for the next day as it would be the 
first time he would seriously use his brain again. Malegrin nodded and after the elf had 
promised to wake him in time to give him the possibility to prepare himself and join them 
he lay down on the bed, wondering how he would manage to cope with all the new 
informations he would collect tomorrow.

Chapter 5

Malegrin glared at the elf who beamed at him. It surely was amusing to hear him repeat 
the Elvish ways of greetings and see him make the bows that were appropriate to greet 
the Elven leaders. But still he did not think it amusing to find the other laugh and pull 
faces in a way he had never seen him act before. Yes, Elves were surely worse teases 
than any other creature, but still so far he had only met him as friendly and silent person 
who only laughed about the most amusing stories Malegrin had told him.

Suddenly however the laughter ceased and his hope that the glare had been successful 
failed as soon as he noticed the voice of another elf, who obviously had come to collect 
them. His friend bowed before the blond who shook his head and started to speak in 
fluent elvish, sounding more than stern and not at all amused about the healer's 
behaviour.

They were lead towards a place that had been prepared already and his friend turned 
around, informing him which seat he was supposed to take once they had greeted the 
others. Malegrin bowed before the different Elves and only a moment later realized that 
he had surely mixed up all of them. The healer, however interdrouced him to the others 
and for the first time he heard their names, wondering why never before anyone had 
bothered to interdrouce them to him. 

"This is Thranduil Oropherion, the new King of Nothern Mirkwood." The voice softened, 
it seemed that it was sad that he was King and it took him a moment to understand that it 
meant that there had been deaths among the Elves as well. However, he could not help 
them and as the elf had only asked him to bow and not comment on them he only 
whispered the greeting he had learned and waited for the other to go on. "The blonde elf 
in the grey robe is Glorfindel ň Gondolin, known to you as you already told me as the 
Balrogslayer." It seemed to amuse his friend to know end to see his expression. He had 
met Glorfindel before and he was nearly sure that he had also met Thranduil. But the idea 
that he had spoken to him with only the respect he had given to everyone else frightened 
him.

However he only blushed and once again repeated the greeting he learned before the 
healer's face turned towards the next elf and he for a moment saw an more than amused 
expression when he was interdrouced to the elf who had come to fetch them. "Here we 
have the elf who so kindly hit you hello when you were sick all over his robe, Haldir ň 
Lórien." He said and translated his words so the Elves could hear why they were 
smirking. Obviously the King did not think his words amusing as he frowned and shook 
his head. 

The healer bowed and seemed to pretend to be sorry for his words but the amused smile 
did not leave his lips. Three other Elves were interdrouced to him but he just couldn't 
remember their names and a few moments later they sat down and started discussing 
about changes in the politics and other things that did not really interest Malegrin. His 
eyes had been captured by something else. It was an empty chair, still empty and he 
couldn't help but wonder why it had been placed there. 

However, his mind was disatracted from the fact as suddenly the healer started to speak 
in a way, unfitting to his rank and he couldn't help but worry about the trouble his friend 
might talk himself into. "Do... do not anger them, please." He whispered and the healer 
turned to face him, being disatracted immediatly by the King who obviously wanted to 
know what Malegrin had said. The Elf translated his words and the council members' 
miens were different as their appearance. Both the elf who had smacked him and the 
King did look at him in confusion while the Balrogslayer smirked as soon as the his 
friend had ended, obviously answering to what he had said. 

Malegrin, becoming both embarassed and curious asked the healer what he had said and 
the darkhaired turned to him. "Nothing of importance, my friend, he just said that I could 
not possibly anger them by stating my opinion as they highly value to hear it. What he 
means is, however that they would not dare to act against my fallen King's wishes and 
ban his advisor from their council." He translated his words, obviously all of them as now 
all of the Elves started to laugh and the King, as soon as he had calmed again glared at 
the advisor and seemed to chide him for his words.

"He told me, I merely repeat what he said," The healer seemed very amused and not at all 
frightened by the tone of the King, "that I am to tell you that I am Erestor ň Imladris, 
Chief advisor to both the fallen Highking Gil-Galad and the newly chosen Lord Elrond, 
whom you will meet soon. It saddens me to dissapoint you, but I am not even a healer as 
you might have assumed but merely know what my King has told me about herbs and 
sicknesses." 

However he couldn't express his opinion on the cheeky words of his friend anymore as 
now the new elf arrived, whom they had been expecting to come and it suddenly became 
impossible for him to close his mouth. This... was insanity and he knew it. It could not be 
and still it was true. Malegrin blushed when the healer informed him that the most 
wonderful being he had ever met was not a forrest child, not even a girl, but Elrond, son 
of Gil-Galad and Lord of Imladris. 

The elf's eyes settled on him and he spoke to him in the elvish tongue, proving that this 
was not a dream. This was Caresse and Malegrin couldn't help but blush even worse, now 
that he realized that he had always mistaken the person he had adored for something he 
surely wasn't. Again Erestor spoke to him, translating what Elrond had told him. "He says 
that he remembers meeting you when you were children and that he still knows that it 
was you who saved him from the other men. You have protected the Lord of my realm, 
Malegrin and he is grateful for what you did without even knowing him." 

Chapter 6

It had taken days for him to get used to it, but he found that he enj oyed spending time 
with Car... Elrond even though they couldn't speak much. According to what Erestor told 
them they seemed to have much alike and the advisor informed him that he was relieved 
that finally his Lord was smiling again, after losing, -just like Thranduil of Mirkwood- his 
father to War. They were both still young and it seemed to please Elrond to spend time 
with him. They played chess and went for long walks in the forrest, which Erestor didn't 
seem to like that much as he was worried about his King's heir as well as his friend and 
patient. But he didn't forbid them, allowing them as much freedom as he could, knowing 
that both youths needed it. 

And surely Elrond knew every place in the forrest and Malegrin found himself wondering 
how he could have loved him that much without knowing him, growing fonder of the 
pretty elf with every day they spend together. Elrond loved the forrest, he loved 
swimming as well as climbing trees and Malegrin noticed more than once that Erestor did 
tell him off for the way he behaved. It confused him, knowing the friendly elf only as an 
amused or silent man but not as a stern mentor to the child he was supposed to raise. 

It didn't take long until Erestor translated him Elrond's wish to learn to tongue of men and 
his proposal to teach Malegrin the elvish words for the things he would name in return. 
Both grateful and excited he accepted the offer and since then they spend even more time, 
running around and studying books to find whatever vocabularies they wished to learn in 
the language of the other. It surprised Malegrin how fast the elf learned whatever he said 
but he found himself learning the words of the elvish tongue much easier from Elrond's 
lips than he had learned those that Erestor had taught him. 

Learning the words was funnier, now that he could return something and it was easier to 
learn from someone who had to cope with a new language as well. In the evening they 
presented the words they had taught each other to Erestor, who seemed very pleased to 
hear about their progress and several weeks they didn't think of anything than new words 
and practicing whole sentences of the language of the other. It was when the chief advisor 
arrived with a concerned expression in his face -informing them that Thanos had 
requested that his son came back home after he had learned about his whereabouts-, that 
Malegrin remembered that he didn't belong into this realm, that he had only been a guest 
and that his family actually cared enough to want him back.

Both Elrond and he whinned and complained about fate and Erestor seriously chided 
them for their behaviour, telling Malegrin that he had to be grateful to have a caring 
father and Elrond that he was supposed to be thankful for having been allowed to meet 
such a kind and caring person at all. It was when the Chief advisor had left already that 
the young Elven lord placed a shy kiss to Malgrin's cheek and whispered something he 
didn't understand yet before leaving him as well. 

Chapter 7

The next day was busy with preparations for his travel and he didn't see Elrond at all, 
assuming that the sweet elf he had fallen in love with so many years ago did not care 
anymore, now that he would no longer stay. When Glorfindel and Erestor guided him 
towards the stables and informed him about the way he was supposed to take he felt lost, 
sorry that he had given his heart to the other that easily and knowing that he would never 
again wish to think of anyone but the stunning Lord of Imladris during his whole life. 

He turned around, hoping that he might at least find Elrond waving at him but the only 
people watching him leave with regret was Glorfindel and Erestor who, as he noticed 
with surprise, were holding each other hands. At least they tried to look cheery to humour 
him until he couldn't see them anymore, but still he felt terrible, knowing that after all of 
this he had to leave the realm of his dreams again, wondering if he would ever enter it 
again. 

Traveling was surprisingly uneventful and it only took a few days until he had left the 
forrest, riding towards his father's lands. It almost cheered him to find Thanos waiting for 
him outside, comforted by the thought that giving up the wonderful life he had lived 
many weeks now would at least make his father happy. He dismounted and bowed politly 
before finding himself in an unexpected embrace. "I did miss you, my son." The older 
man whispered gently and he was even more surprised to find tears in his father's eyes. 
Never had he thought that his father did truly cared about him. 

But even though it was a comfort he couldn't help but find his thoughts trailing off while 
they exchanged news and he told his father how the Elves had saved and cured him. It 
hurt to think of his lovely Caresse now and though it had been a wonderful time and he 
knew he would keep many happy memories he could not help but wonder how to cope 
with knowing that Elrond had cared for him until he had been forced to leave again. Or 
hadn't he? 

He cursed his brain, always forcing him to think, often more than it was good for him and 
tried to concentrate on his father's words instead, but even the tale of his father was 
stopped at Seredic stepped inside and the brothers glared at each other. They didn't try to 
pretend that they had missed each other. Neither their father nor one of them could be 
fooled into thinking that and he was still sure that his brother would have rather seen him 
death than alive. 

Chapter 8

Writing poems and drawing pictures kept him busy whenever his father didn't need him 
now and he realized that whenever he started to draw the features of a certain elf crossed 
his mind and he couldn't help but draw Elrond over and over again, as a child as well as 
an adult. His brother seemed to relax, realizing that he had lost the pleasure in taking 
revenge and torturing him and he wondered why he couldn't bring himself to tease him 
anymore, though he had more reason to be dissapointed of life now.

He wondered, however, at times -ever since he had returned home- if the stone that had 
hit has head had been thrown by an Orc, or if it wasn't more like a fellow man to throw 
stones, knowing that the Orcs had had bows. Had Seredic tried to kill him? And if he had, 
would he try again or didn't he dare to do that while they were both living under their 
father's roof. His longing to return to the Elvenrealm increased with every day, not only 
to see Elrond, but also to meet Erestor and Glorfindel again and to escape from his 
brother's malice, who surely hadn't grown to like him better since he had returned 
unharmed. 

This just wasn't his home anymore. He wanted to see the forrest and the rivers, the 
waterfalls and the gardens of Imladris. But how was he supposed to explain that to 
anyone? As long as his father did not allow them to leave he wasn't allowed to go and 
knowing that Thanos had grown to like him and had decided to let him command an even 
more impressing troop after he had returned he wondered if he could ever hope to escape. 

Or perhaps... a smirk crossed Malegrin's face and his mind started to work busily. If he 
made sure that his story sounded believable and he did it right.. would he manage to lie to 
them? And did he wish to do this? Now that the new idea had crossed his thoughts the 
nights were even more restless than before. He considered his plans carefully, thought 
about the story he wished to tell them and made up details that would make it sound right.

Chapter 9

Chance however crossed his plans, or rather, his brother did. One day when his father had 
left to meet some of his political friends he suddenly found himself pressed against a 
stabledoor, with a dagger drawing blood from his throat. "I do want you to leave, Mal. 
Forever this time. You are not welcome here and you know you have never been. No 
matter what you did to convince father, I am sure that you were corrupted even worse by 
these Elves. Either you go now or I will kill you, do you understand my words? It is only 
the thought that you are the child of my parents that keeps me from getting rid of you 
now and I swear that there will be no doubt about my intentions if you should ever come 
into my reach again."

Malegrin remained silent, knowing that any move he would make his situation even 
worse than it was already. He waited patiently for his brother to remove the weapon again 
until he spoke. "I will leave, Seredic, but do not mistake me. If I do not return it is not 
because I am frightened of you. It is because I do not wish to see you any longer, to look 
into your ugly, crabbing face. You scare me no longer, orcchild. And no matter what you 
think I can hardly imagine that we were born to the same parents, b-r-o-t-h-e-r." Without 
any second thought he punched Seredic's stomach before running to gather his clothes. 
No, he would surely not stay until his brother had recovered from those words and truly 
seeked to kill him. 

It didn't take long to gather his stuff. Not much of it was of importance, but he packed his 
clothes and his script books before put up a short note for his father, explaining that 
Seredic and he had fought once more and hoping that Thanos would not be hurt to badly 
as the lie that he couldn't bear being around his brother still sounded nicer than the truth 
that he prefered every elf of Imladris to his family. Then he got up, hoping not to meet his 
brother once more though he was not really scared of a possible encounter between them. 
He just did not want to linger as he wasn't sure he remembered the way to the Elven 
realm and he wanted to leave before he changed his mind again and decided to plan his 
actions more carefully.

Chapter 10

Imladris... it looked exactly what it had looked like when he had left it about two months 
ago. But he wondered if he would still be welcome like he had been before he had left. 
What should he do if Elrond did not want to have him around? If Erestor had no patience 
for run-aways? Or if Glorfindel told him to return home before his father started to worry 
about him? If they would treat him like a child or worry about the peace between Elves 
and Men if they didn't force him to leave?

But Imladris was drawing him near and he couldn't help but wonder if it had been the 
beautiful elven realm which had drawn him into the forrest since he had been a little boy. 
Elrond had always dominated his dreams, even before he had first met him. And he 
couldn't turn back now, without even trying to see the Elves once more. Still it would be 
difficult to explain it. The wound at his throat had almost healed during the days of 
traveling and would only his word be enough for them? 

He dismounted, deciding to rest once more to consider what he was going to tell them 
and allow Nefweth to have another rest from their travelings. While he leaned back 
against the trees he heard a cheery sound just above him and only a moment later Elrond 
stood next to him. Stunned he starred at the Lord before beginning to giggle helplessly at 
the state of his clothes. "You are not supposed to jump off trees, penneth. A Lord climbs 
down." Malegrin chided mockingly and the young elf smirked. 

"I missed you, my friend." Suddenly he was pulled into a warm embrace, wondering how 
Elrond could possibily mean those words after making him believe he didn't care for him 
at all for so many weeks. But seemingly this wasn't enough to confuse him as the elf 
leaned forward and kissed his lips, touching him so gently that he was unsure if he was 
awake or dreaming. Then he once again heard the words repeated Elrond had said when 
they had been forced to part. 

Malegrin sighed in frustration. "What does that mean?" He asked, not knowing if he 
could go on without the knowing any longer. But the elf only smirked at him with a 
cheeky expression and shrugged. Obviously he was playing a little game and he couldn't 
help but wonder if kissing others was what Elves did if they got bored. Still he smiled 
happily and enjoyed the feeling of Elrond's lips against his own once more, before he 
found himself pushed beneath the bushes and was about to yelp in surprise when he was 
kissed again.

He struggled but Elrond was very insistened, holding him to the ground and never 
allowing their lips to part. Well no matter why the elf had chosen to play this game, his 
body was surely reacting to it. But even when he stopped his resistence and lay still the 
elf didn't stop holding him down, kissing him more passionately now and slowly letting 
one of his hands travel beneath Malegrin's tunic. And when he finally was allowed to 
catch air Elrond whispered words in fluent elvish, his eyes dark with passion.

Even though he did not understand half of what the elf was telling him he understood his 
intentions clearly. Elrond was talking about the two of them, again and again mentioning 
the elvish words for you and me and started to take off his clothes. It was not that he 
hadn't wished for this, hadn't dreamed of Elrond since the first time he had had a wet 
dream. But being pushed beneath the bushes and ravished was something that just didn't 
happen to him everyday and he felt himself slightly scared whether his body would be 
pleasing enough for the undoubtly beautiful elf. 

He realized that his fears had been vasted when he heard the elf purr in affection only a 
moment later and again he started uttering several elvish words, which as Malegrin 
assumed were terms of love which they hadn't taught each other during his last visit. 
Relieved the young man closed his eyes and allowed Elrond to touch him in every way 
that came into his mind, which -as he soon found out- was much more than what the 
stable boys and the soldiers at home had thought creative. 

His skin was caressed and tickled, kissed and bitten and it didn't take long until he 
moaned from the loving touch, no longer caring that he had never liked submitting to 
another. This would be different, this was the creature of his dreams and he would enjoy 
whatever he did. Good... was the first word that crossed his mind, but it wasn't enough, it 
came nowhere near to how he felt. And still it became better as now he felt slender 
fingers inside him, first poking gently but becoming more insistened with every second 
they stayed inside of him. Elrond seemed to enjoy preparing him. He smiled like a 
pleased cat and uttered sounds he had never thought another being capable off. 

Suddenly Malegrin understood what he was doing and he couldn't help but wonder why 
the elf had started singing to him. I felt strange, by no means uncomfortable, but strange 
to feel Elrond like this, close, pressed against him and patiently preparing him until 
Malegrin sighed in frustration and pushed himself up with an eagerness he had never 
before displayed to any other. Finally Elrond showed mercy, pushing regulary inside off 
him. It felt better than he had hoped, more perfect than what he had thought possible and 
for the first time he asked himself if submitting to another with his body would always 
bring such pleasure or if it was the knowledge that it was the lovely elf who held him 
close even whilst they were moaning in unsion that made it this pleasurable. 

When they climaxed only seconds apart something happened Malegrin had never 
expected. Elrond pulled out of his body tenderly but instead of either holding or leaving 
him he looked at him with a serious expression before offering his own body. Malegrin 
starred at the elf, wondering if Elrond was younger than he was to think them capable to 
build up their pleasure again that soon. But the elf turned to smile at him and his 
knowledge about the human body was proved wrong when he felt the lust to ravish his 
lover -could he call them lovers?- immediatly. And Elrond did encourage him, uttering 
serene sounds while he prepared the displayed body with the same tenderness the elf had 
shown to him before groaning in pleasure while he finally claimed the body he had 
dreamt of for years.

Chapter 11

Malegrin couldn't remember for how long they had just been lying next to each other, 
kissing and caressing the body of the other and just enjoying being close like this. But 
suddenly Elrond's sharp ears had caught a sound and he shook his head, muttering a curse 
under his breath and shaking his head. "Hide..." He whispered before quickly dressing 
himself to then help Malegrin to put on his clothes again. Then they climbed the tree 
together and the man wondered what exactly Elrond was doing.

He didn't have to wait long for his answer once more as he heard a familiar voice, yelling 
something in elvish and the young elf looked down, answering something that sounded 
cheeky enough to tempt Malegrin to pinch him. The Elves talked for some moments 
before Elrond once again jumped off the tree and Malegrin followed him, hoping not to 
stumble and fall from the unusual action. Erestor looked down at them with a serious 
mien before exchanging a gaze with Glorfindel to then jump off his horse. 

"I do not like it if you behave like an elfling who has just been allowed to leave the house 
on his own for the first time." He declared and a stern voice. "You know well enough that 
you were supposed to greet our guests and it was greatly offensive towards both the Lord 
and the Lady of Lórien that you chose to ignore them." The advisor sighed and turned his 
head to face Malegrin, though the speech had obviously been meant for both of them to 
hear as he would surely have spoken Elvish if he had wanted to adress Elrond. "You are 
welcome to us, Malegrin, son of Thanos and I assure you that we will take good care of 
you while they young one will remain in his rooms." 

Elrond didn't complain or plead with Erestor not to punish him like that. He  just lowered 
his head as if defeated to then say something that did obviously upset both of his mentors 
as Glorfindel started to chide him while Erestor shook his head in defeat. The man 
blushed when he saw their gazes turn to him and he figured out what it was that the elf 
had told them. It took a while until the advisor's real attention returned to him. "You two 
made love?" He asked with a pale face, though he knew Malegrin's answer already. 

The young man nodded, suddenly feeling guilty without even knowing the reason. Both 
Elves didn't look mad about what had happened, their faces were pale and expressionless. 
"Let us return to Imladris, you can at least say goodbye to our guests after this seek and 
hide game you have put up since the last ten days." Again Erestor was using the common 
tongue and he couldn't help but wonder whether the advisor had decided to allow him to 
listen to their discussion to make him feel welcome. Even though his voice was still grave 
and heavy, not possibly to be compared to the way the healer he had met months ago had 
spoken.

Chapter 12

They were seperated when they reached the court. Elrond followed Glorfindel without 
any more comment and just turned back one to smile at his new lover before they entered 
the house. Malegrin helped Erestor to deliever the horses to the stable boys, to then 
follow the advisor who asked him into his study. There the until now so selfconfident elf 
started to play with the braids in his hair like a nervous child. And when he did look up to 
look at the man in front of him he smiled tiredly, as if he would have to face a terrible 
destiny.

"We are in trouble, my young friend," He whispered barely audible. "In a trouble greater 
than you can imagine. And it is all my fault. I made a wrong decision, one I will regret all 
my life. I want you to know that I am sorry, I really tried not to do you any harm because 
I like you, you remind me of a good friend I lost and I have been so happy when we had 
finally found you. It is not easy for me to explain this to you. It will be difficult enough 
for Glorfindel though he at least deals with a child who knows the legends of my people."

The elf paused, starting to play with his braids once more. "I will start at the beginning 
and I will pray that neither you nor Elrond will hate me once you do know the truth. It 
started on the day when my protege came home to tell us all about the incidient you will 
remember, back in the forrest when you were still young children. He was upset and 
excited and it took days until he had calmed down again, speaking of nothing else but of 
you. Gil-Galad and I suspected something back then but we were unsure. 

Years passed and nothing happened until the War when my King was shot. We mourned 
for him greatly, most of us Elrond of course and the only thing that comforted me was 
that I had finally found you again. It had taken until we had first realized that you should 
have been... I shouldn't confuse you worse. I cannot express how happy I felt, young one. 
And when Elrond found his will to live again, when he started smiling and laughing again 
as soon as he met you I felt that it would be right to keep you with us. 

But then I noticed the way you were looking at each other. It worried me greatly and I 
knew that my young Lord insisted on being near you. He loved you and you loved him 
back and if the fate had been different I would have been happy for the two of you. No, 
not only happy, I would have thought you the perfect match. Both of you wise and kind, 
gentle at heart and so much alike. 

With the knowledge I had I couldn't permit it. I send a message to your father, telling him 
that you were here and of course he was all happy to hear that you were well. Then I 
informed you of the message of your father and allowed you to leave. Glorfindel did 
invite Galadriel and Celeborn of Lórien to discuss a binding betwen Elrond and the soon 
to be expect heir of their realm. The child would have been a good match, we know them 
for centuries and they are counted among the wisest of my people. 

To keep it short, our protege did not agree to our plans. He ran away on the day he was 
supposed to greet our guests and instead of taking care of our guests we had to go out into 
the woods to search for the rebellic child. We did find him as you are aware, but it was 
too late. I should have known that he would react in this way. But I didn't expect him to 
get the chance to see you. I hoped that you had stayed where you were, save and away 
from my Lord."

Malegrin tried to understand what the elf was telling him but failed. "Why.. why do you 
not want me close to your Lord? Is it that terrible that I am human and he is of Elvish 
blood?" He croaked, failing to even whisper in a normal way. Did Erestor loathe him for 
being human and secuding his protege? But there was no hate in the advisor's eyes. The 
dark eyes were sad, not angered.

"You would be perfect for him if you were human, dear child." Erestor whispered and 
Malegrin sighed, even more confused. And the elf sat down in his chair, closing his eyes 
desperately. "You are Elros Peredhil, twinbrother to Elrond Peredhil." A long silence 
followed as Erestor had told him what had been torturing him and Malegrin tried to 
understand how the elf could seriously think him Elrond's brother.

"But I'm a son of Thanos and you said that Elrond is the child of Gil-Galad." He 
explained with a hopeful glance at Erestor. The advisor just shook his head. "You are the 
children of Earendil and Elwing Peredhil, Elros and no matter how much your stubborn 
brain refuses to accept the truth you cannot change it." The voice was too serious, 
something even Malegrin couldn't speak against. 

And he lowered his head, confused and scared by his feelings. "Then I am in love with 
my brother.. and I have been all my life," he whispered in a pained voice, understanding 
just why the Eldar had been so upset. 

Erestor looked at him with the grave expression still on his face. "You are not only in 
love with your brother, dear child. He is bound to you. And as if that wasn't bad enough 
you are bound to him as well of course. As the stubborn little elf made sure that noone 
could ask him to marry the child of Celeborn and Galadriel." 

Chapter 13

They had cried, first Elros in Erestor's arms later the twins hugging each oth er. The rules 
of the Valar forbid their love, but noone could deny them to embrace each other for 
comfort. And neither Glorfindel nor Erestor felt any desire to force them apart. It was 
terrible what had happened, but none of them was really to blame. The advisors couldn't 
have known that Elrond would run away to then meet Elros of all possible creatures he 
could have encountered. Neither of the twins had known that they were siblings.   

It took weeks of restless nights and days filled with mourning as if they had not lost their 
love but their beloved and somewhat it didn't seem to be different to them. They craved 
the other's touch, they whispered to each other when the Eldar weren't looking and they 
kissed when they were alone in their rooms, though they did feel guilty after it. Resisting 
the sweet touch of the first person they had honestly been in love with was something that 
wasn't demanded of many couples and both Erestor and his lover closed their eyes, not 
even wanting to see what the children were doing though they both knew it was only 
worsening their pain.

But they could imagine what it would feel like to be seperated in such a cruel way and 
they didn't dare to tell them that their doing was wrong. Both twins knew that now and it 
had been their duty to tell them, not to make sure that they would keep to it. Slowly life 
became easier as the half-elves did start to accept their fate and though they usually 
remained together they forced themselves to remember what they had liked doing before 
the binding. Again they started to play chess and run into the forrest, hiding in the trees 
for hours, just talking and trying not to think. They learned the other abilities, taught each 
other more words of their languages, disatracting each other with all purpose from the 
wish to touch, to caress and to kiss. 

And it did work, or at least it seemed to work. Their theories became strange, if one of 
them had been diving for a longer time than they had thought possible they kissed, if one 
of them had managed to tame an animal he was permitted to tickle the other until he 
surrendered and if one of them managed to defeat Erestor at a chess game or Glorfindel 
during a sparring they went to bed together. Secretly of course, unaware of the defeated 
sighs of the Eldar, who of course weren't too stupid to notice what was still going on. It 
was ridiculous to know that they had only shared one night before learning that they were 
siblings and still they felt as if they had always been a couple.

***********************************************************************

Epilogue

One day the news arrived. Illúvatar himself allowed the Peredhil to chose to become 
mortal or remain of the blood of the firstborn. Elrond did not need to think, he had a 
realm that needed him and he had been prepared for this duties since years even though 
he had sometimes acted against his mentor's wishes. He was used to the thought and had 
always looked forward to it. Without any doubt he declared his decision to remain 
firstborn before even considering what it meant.

His brother remained silent for a long time, looking at his beloved twin and knowing that 
they had never meant to be. He was mortal, he had been raised by mortals and he would 
remain mortal. Even if it would hurt his beloved and maybe even destroy the rest of the 
love they had been able to keep. But what could he do? He couldn't comdemn Elrond to 
remain his lover for the rest of eternity, knowing that they would never be permitted to 
share the love his brother deserved. And if giving up his life and his love would mean 
that he could do the most wonderful being he had ever met a last favour he would do it.

He had met Celebrían of Lórien. A shy, young girl, hiding behind her mother who gently 
exhorted her child to behave. They were good people, both the girl and her parents and he 
felt happy when he thought of entrusting his brother's life into their hands. And Elrond 
would always have Erestor and Glorfindel who had remained to support him though they 
could have easily left to found their own realm, knowing that at least half of the people in 
Imladris would have served them as devoted as they served their Lord. 

No, knowing his stubborn beloved Elrond would throw a tantrum once he learned of his 
decision. But if he could ensure that Galadriel and Celeborn allowed their daughter to 
become the wife of the Lord of Imladris he would give up being mad one day, forgiving 
his little brother and accepting that it was what had to be done. He sighed and informed 
Erestor of his plan, feeling that even though the advisor knew that his ideas were sensible 
he was pained by the decision that would cost him a dearly loved friend.

Of course it wasn't easy to live with the twins but still both Glorfindel and Erestor  had 
hoped that both of them would chose to become firstborn as soon as they had learned of 
the choice. Erestor hadn't doubted his decision. As always the older elf had just accepted 
what he could not change and promised to speak to Celeborn. Or rather to make 
Glorfindel speak to Celeborn as they had always been good friends and the Chief advisor 
promised that it would work.

And then Erestor had pulled him close, singing softly to him and it took a moment to 
notice that the most trusted friend he had was singing of his father by blood, of Earendil 
the Mariner. It took him by surprise for several moments until he remembered that 
Erestor had said he reminded him of a lost friend. The tale was long and sad and he was 
surprised to hear that his parents had been asked to pick as well, both chosing to go to 
Valinor because they wanted to remain together. 

Somehow it was comforting to know that they were happy and suddenly he found himself 
wondering if he should not go to Valinor instead of chosing to become mortal. But then 
he would confuse Elrond's feelings even more, he was supposed to stay in love with the 
young princess of Lórien, to be as happy as he could be and do be rid of his selfish 
brother. His choice was right and he decided to announce it before telling his twin. If he 
was to do what he thought right he couldn't allow a discussion on this topic. 

And though it felt strange to deceive Elrond like that he felt better as soon as he had 
declared that he would become mortal. Now there was but one thing to do before he 
could find peace. He shuddered at the thought of brother's words. This wouldn't be easy 
and he didn't expect it to be. Slowly he walked into his brother's room and waited 
patiently until Elrond had asked several other Elves to leave. 

"I am here to inform you about my decision." He said and Elrond frowned immediatly, 
sensing that something was amiss. If Elros had chosen to become firstborn his mien 
wouldn't have been so grave. But could his brother honestly prefer to become mortal? 
How could he want to die? He didn't listen to his lover's explanations, it wasn't necessary. 
Elros' decision was wrong and he would convince him to change it.

But when he had already considered his next actions and noticed that his brother was 
about to end his little speech he suddenly heard the deadly words. "My decision is, like 
yours, already known to the Valar and you will not be able to change it my love. I pray 
that you will lead a happy life, my brother, I did whatever I could do to ensure it. In your 
heart you knew that we could never be happy." And Elros knelt before his twin, accepting 
whatever he thought right for the way he had deceived their love and he couldn't help but 
smile a pained, desperate smile, knowing that his brother had showed him who of them 
was the more stubborn. 

"Then let us not waste the time we have left with fighting, my love." Elrond whispered, 
not really trusting his voice as tears started to run over his cheeks. And once again they 
hugged, clinging to each other and the older halfelf couldn't help but wonder how he was 
supposed to go on without his twin. But thinking about it while he still held him close 
would be useless. They started kissing and exploring their bodies, as if knowing that they 
had given up their life together gave them the right to be close again. 

Elros enjoyed giving himself to his twin, surrendering whatever he could to grant his 
brother pure bliss during this night. And then, whilst his beloved twin fell asleep he 
kissed him goodnight with utmost tenderness before opening his books and starting to 
write a new entry into his script book. Then he started to draw his beloved and finish a 
few letters to entertain himself and before anyone awoke he lovingly took a scarf his 
mother had presented to him a long, long time ago and wrapped it around his neck before 
leaving the room to go for a walk in the beautiful gardens of Imladris.

He thought of what was coming and suddenly faced the decision he had made days ago. 
Becoming mortal meant he would become old and sick, he would bother those he loved 
and not even notice it. His curses would be not only on his decision but also on his 
friends, his family, the people he loved the most. Sometimes it was bad to know what 
was going to happen, to have read so much about everything that could and did come to 
pass during a life. He lay down in the soft grass, comforted by the light rusteling of the 
leaves, coming from the trees around him. And without any real intention he pulled his 
scarf closer, enjoying the way it pained him nearly like a punishment for what he would 
do. 

The grip on his scarf losened when his hand dropped livelessly next to his body and 
Nienna started to weep for him again like she had always done, knowing of the sad fate 
that awaited the gentle young man. He hadn't deserved what was happening but still 
noone had stopped him and now that his spirits did leave the body they had dwelt in he 
saw pictures of his earliest childhood, remembering how Elwing had cared for both 
Elrond and him and how she had been forced to leave to search for their father. He saw 
his lover as Caresse, the young girl in the forrest and then as the young Elven Lord who 
had thanked him. 

It was comforting to remember those thoughts instead of all the trouble they had gone 
through and when the last energy had left the handsome young body a blissful smile had 
captured his lips, forgetting all the worries and cares and not torturing himself with the 
way his family would weep for him. They had to go through this, they were immortals 
and knowing that he couldn't spare him what was his fate he had decided that doing it 
now was better than forcing them to endure him as an old man. 

~The End~