Title:  The Lord’s Minstrel 2/??
Author:  Tena   faramirhaldir@yahoo.com
Type:  FPS
Rating:  G this chapter, NC-17 eventually
Pairing:  Elrond/Lindir
Disclaimer:  These characters are from the brilliant mind of J.R.R. Tolkien.  I make no 
claim to them or make no money from this story.
Warnings:  none for this chapter.  Consensual sex between males in later chapters.
Archived:  http://faramirhaldir.livejournal.com
Summary:  This is a story about how Lindir came to Imladris and the events that made 
him the Lord’s Minstrel.

Author’s note:  I wrote a drabble in which Lindir finally expresses his love for Elrond.  
This is an expansion on their story.  It involves events before, during and after the 
drabble.
If you wish to read the drabble, it is at my LJ.
http://faramirhaldir.livejournal.com/2006/03/31/

Imladris, 1830

Lindir surprised everyone, especially himself, with his ability to handle weapons.  He had 
truly thought he would be a failure and embarrass himself in front of Lord Elrond.  
Elrond’s patience and encouragement had fueled Lindir’s determination and now he was 
wielding his sword like a true warrior.  He still could not best Elrond but he could make 
his lord become winded and on the run.  Elrond had suggested a rest and some water and 
now stood removing his shirt.  Lindir averted his gaze and blushed at the feelings he was 
having.

Elrond noticed Lindir’s sudden shyness and smiled.  “Lindir, are you well?”  He grinned 
when Lindir would not look at him.

“Aye, my lord.  I am fine.  Just a little winded.  It is rather warm today, is it not?”  Lindir 
fanned his face.

“Yes, pen neth, it is.  Should we stop for the evening?”  Elrond took another drink and 
handed the flask to Lindir, forcing him to look at him.

“Thank you, my lord.  Yes, let us stop today.  I promise work harder tomorrow.”  Lindir 
took a long drink from the flask.

“Fine, pen neth.  I think that tomorrow you should start working with Erestor.  You have 
made excellent progress with your sword and now it is time to begin long knives.  I will 
ask Erestor tonight to open his schedule tomorrow afternoon.  Is that alright with you, 
Lindir?”

“Of course, my lord.  If you think I am ready.  I do not wish to loose my skills with the 
sword though.”  Lindir felt a sudden panic that he would not be spending as much time 
with Lord Elrond.  Lindir would enjoy the time with Erestor, but it was Lord Elrond he 
wanted to spend his time with.

After dinner, Lindir returned to his chamber with his parents.  Torlon had noticed the 
looks Lindir had been giving Lord Elrond and was becoming more and more concerned 
with his son’s obsession.  “Lindir, we are very proud of the way you have worked so hard 
to master the sword.”

Lindir sat tall if front of his father.  “Thank you, Ada.  Lord Elrond is a good teacher.”

Lindir’s mother took her son’s hand.  “Lindir, you father and I are concerned.  We have 
noticed that you spend much time with Lord Elrond.  Perhaps too much.”

“Why do you think it is too much?  He has been training me.”

“Yes, but you seem to be seeking him out at other times as well,” Torlon’s voice was 
sympathetic but stern.

“I like Lord Elrond.  He is very kind to me and has always taken time for me,” Lindir 
looked at his parents with concern.

Aerin, sensing he son’s confusion tried to calm him.  “Pen neth, we are so grateful to 
Elrond for all he has done for you.  He has treated you like his own child.  You are a 
growing up and in only a few short years, you will reach your majority and be free to 
make your own decisions.  You will also be free to take a lover or a mate.” 

“Nana, please,” Lindir blushed furiously and looked at his lap.

Aerin tilted Lindir’s face to her own.  “My son, we only worry for your heart.  We have 
seen the way you look at Lord Elrond.  We do not want you to have your heart set on 
someone who may never be able to love you, as you deserve.  I feel Elrond will want and 
need an heir to carry on his legacy should anything ever happen to him,” she wiped tears 
from Lindir’s cheek.  “Lindir, we are not trying to cause you pain, but trying to save you 
from it.”

“I know, nana.  Thank you both so much for loving me.  I promise to think hard about 
your words,” he kissed them both.

Torlon stood.  “There is something else.  Your mother’s sister has given birth.  We wish 
to go and visit them.  We will not leave for a few months and will leave the decision to 
you as to whether you will go with us.  We plan to be gone about a year and will return in 
time for your majority celebration.”

“That is wonderful news, nana.  Do I have a niece or nephew?”

“You have a niece, pen neth.  Her name is Lotesse.”

“Oh, that is beautiful.  May I think about whether I will join you or not?”

“Of course, now good night, pen neth.”  His father hugged him before he left.

Aerin approached her son, taking his face in her hands.  She kissed each cheek and then 
his forehead. “Lindir, we love you so much.  Please do not be angry.  We really only have 
your best interest at heart.”

Lindir smiled, “I know, nana.  I love you, too.”

Several months later, Lindir had made his decision and he stood watching his parents ride 
away.  He could not help the tears in his eyes or the terrible feeling he had, that he would 
not see them again.  Elrond had returned to the house and Erestor stayed with Lindir.

“Pen neth, you will see them again.  In only a year they will return and we will celebrate 
you reaching your majority.”

“I know, Erestor.  It is just that I have never been away from them.  I am sure that is the 
cause for this feeling I am having.”

“What feeling?’

“Like I will not see them again.  I am just being silly.”  Lindir smiled and shook his head.

Erestor smiled at him as Lindir returned to the house.  Erestor turned in the direction 
Lindir’s parents had departed.  “By the Valar, I hope you are wrong, pen neth.”  He 
whispered.

Lindir continued his weapons training with Erestor and his music with the other 
minstrels.  He had been asked to join the minstrels group and enjoyed playing so much.  
His music had helped keep his foreboding feelings at bay.  He had been rather disturbed 
that Lord Elrond seemed to always be busy.  He could not help but wonder if maybe he 
was avoiding him.

Over time, Lindir seemed to withdraw more and more.  Erestor found Lindir in his rooms 
when he had not come for his training.  “Lindir, is anything amiss?  I waited for you at 
the training grounds.”

Lindir did not look up.  “I am sorry, Erestor.  I just did not feel like training today.  I 
should have told you.  I will next time, I promise.”

“That is alright, pen neth.  I feel something else is troubling you.  I would like to help if I 
can,” Erestor sat on the bed next to Lindir.

“You will think I am just a silly elfling.”

“Lindir, I will never discount your thoughts and feelings.  Tell me and I will try to help.”

“Does Lord Elrond hate me?  He used to spend so much time with me and now he is 
always busy.  He seems to be leaving whatever room I find him in.  Have I done 
something to upset him or anger him?”  Lindir’s eyes were pleading.

“I do not know.  I cannot think of anything I have seen you do.  Elrond has not told me 
that he is upset.  He is very busy, Lindir.  Imladris is growing quickly.  He does have 
quite a bit on his mind.” Erestor made a mental note to talk to Elrond.

The next morning as they completed correspondence, Erestor thought it was a good time 
to talk to Elrond.  “Elrond, I had an interesting talk with Lindir yesterday.”

“Really, what about?”

“He wanted to know if you hated him.”  Erestor watched Elrond’s eyes widen.

“Hate him?  Why would he think that?”  Elrond shook his head.

“Well, I think he misses the time you used to spend with him.”

Elrond dropped his head and rubbed his forehead.  “I had hoped he would not notice.  I 
hoped he would stay busy so he would not miss me.”

“Elrond, what are you talking about?”

“Before they left, Torlon and Aerin brought to my attention that Lindir may have a crush 
on me.  At first, I thought they were mistaken, but after I thought more about it.  I think 
they are right,” he shook his head.  “I tried to separate myself from him.  Perhaps I 
handled it the wrong way.”

“Elrond, it is not uncommon for crushes to happen.  He is young.  He will change his 
mind many times on who he thinks he loves.”

“Erestor, he seeks me out.  He stares at me.  On our last training day, he blushed when I 
removed my shirt.  He was nervous and refused to look at me,” Elrond pleaded his case.
“I love him like a son, Erestor.  I do not want to mislead him.”

“Elrond, I understand, but he is hurting.  His parents are gone and he looks to you to fill 
that void.  Avoiding him is hurting him.  You must talk to him.”

“You are right.  I will talk to him this afternoon.  Perhaps, I will take his training today.  
Would that agreeable with you, meldir?”

“I think that is a good idea.  He is progressing so well with his knives he may well best 
you, meldir.”  Erestor laughed as they left the office.

Lindir was shocked but happy to see Elrond arrive at the training grounds.  “Lord Elrond, 
it is good to see you.  Is there anything wrong with Erestor?”

“No, pen neth. I just thought I would see how you are doing with the long knives.  Is that 
alright with you?”

“Of course, my lord.”  Lindir could not stop smiling.  

Elrond noticed and felt very uneasy.  He hoped Lindir would understand.  He desperately 
did not want to hurt him.

As training ended, Elrond was very proud at Lindir’s progress.  “Lindir, you are very 
good with knives.  I would not want to meet you in battle,” he chuckled.  “Come, pen 
neth.  Let us sit for a while. I wish to speak with you.”

Lindir followed him to a nearby tree and rested against the trunk.  “Lord Elrond, is there 
anything wrong.  I have not seen you much lately.”

Elrond smiled at the beautiful elfling.  “No.  I have not made much time for you.  I am 
sorry.  How have you faired without your parents?”

“As well as can be, I suppose.  I was very lonely at first, but I know they will return in 
only a few short months.  I do miss them.”

“As do I, pen neth.  I had grown quite accustomed to conversations with you ada and 
your mother’s ever present smile,” Elrond watched that familiar smile grace Lindir’s 
face.  “You have her smile.”

Lindir began to blush.  Elrond quickly chastised himself. //You’re not supposed to 
encourage him// he thought to himself.  “Lindir, I need to talk to you.  First, you must 
understand that I think you are so special.  I have so enjoyed watching you grow.  Now, if 
I have misunderstood you I apologize,” he watched Lindir’s reactions.  “You will reach 
your majority soon and I want you to feel free to love.  I want love as well, but I also 
wish for a family and my own children.  I do not wish to hold you back from finding your 
own love.”

Lindir listened to what Elrond was saying, his face remaining calm.  “Thank you for 
telling me this.  I was afraid I had done something to make you angry.  I understand what 
you are saying.  I hope we both find love, my lord.  I am glad you were honest with me. I 
have missed you.  Can we spend more time together now?”

Elrond smiled.  “Of course, pen neth.  I have missed you as well.”  They stood and began 
walking back to the house.  “We have a celebration coming soon.  We need to start 
making plans.  What kind of party would you like?”

A month had come and gone since Lindir’s parents were supposed to return.  Erestor 
found Elrond pacing in his office.

“You are concerned as well, my lord.”  Erestor watched Elrond stop and stare out the 
window.

“Aye, we received the letter that they arrived and one letting us know when they expected 
to arrive here.  Too much time has passed.  I fear something has happened.”  Elrond 
turned to Erestor, the concern clear on his face.

“Should we send a patrol to look for them?”

Elrond gave a soft smile.  “Our thoughts are the same, meldir.  I was trying to decide how 
many to send.  I know the route they were planning to take.  If they stayed on that path, 
we should find some trace of them.  I will go if you will stay her and take care of Lindir.”

Of course, I will.  Be safe and may the Valar be with all of you.”

Several weeks later

Lindir knew the news was not good when he entered Elrond’s study.  Elrond and Erestor 
were both there with tears in their eyes.

“Pen neth, come in and sit down.”  Elrond took him by the shoulders and led him to a 
chair.

“They are gone, aren’t they?”  It was more of a statement than a question.  Lindir’s 
premonition was coming true.

Elrond turned away as fresh tears flowed down his face.  Erestor took Lindir’s hands.  
“Yes, pen neth.  They are gone.”

Lindir’s violet eyes filled with tears.  “What happened?”

tbc