Title: Betrothal to an Elf Part 1 Author: Inwë Sáralondë Email: mb2002ldgd@yahoo.com.au Pairing(s): Erestor/Glorfindel, Elrohir/Lothvaen, Lindir Rating: PG Summary: Lindir is worried about Lothvaen. Genre: Romance Word count: 463 Warnings: None Beta: Aglarien Disclaimer: The characters portrayed are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. No profit or such is made from this. Authors Note: The prompts used were 4 Aug 2006 – ‘Erestor’; 6 Aug 2006 – ‘what’; 27 Aug 2006 – ‘friend’; 10 Sep 2006 – ‘rain’; 28 Jan 2007 – ‘bank’; 29 Jan 2007 – ‘orchard’; 22 Mar 2007 – ‘anxious’; 4 Apr 2007 – ‘buds’ and ‘worry’; 19 Apr 2007 – ‘mud’; 22 Apr 2007 – ‘slick’; 23 Apr 2007 – ‘slippery’; 16 May 2007 – ‘river’; 17 May 2007 – ‘rock’; 19 May 2007 – ‘heavy’; 19 June 2007 – ‘splash’ ************************ Lindir was anxious. Something – or someone – had upset Lothvaen, and he was determined to find out. He made his way through the orchard down to the river, barely noticing the buds on the trees that signified the arrival of Spring. He espied his friend sitting on a rock and made his way downward towards the bank, noting how slick and slippery it was, the ground almost mud from the recent heavy rain. “Why are you here?” Lothvaen’s quiet voice reached him despite the distance the minstrel had to traverse to reach him. Instead of answering, Lindir concentrated on keeping his footing. Finally, when he reached the other elf, he laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Because I worry about you,” he replied. With a toss of his wrist, Lothvaen threw a small stone into the water, its splash barely disturbing the silence. “What has happened, Lothvaen? Will you not tell me so that I can help you?” Lothvaen shook his head. “It is not something you can help me with, mellonen. I am afraid this is something I must deal with on my own.” “Does it have something to do with Elrohir?” the minstrel tentatively asked. The scribe sighed. “Aye.” “It is not going as well as you hoped?” Lothvaen shrugged. “That depends.” “Depends on what?” “On how well one expected it to be in the first place.” “I do not understand.” “’Tis all right, mellonen. I fear I do not make much sense at the moment.” “I am sorry.” Lothvaen turned, his gaze quizzical. “For what are you apologizing?” It was Lindir’s turn to shrug. “I do not know. I fear I do not make much sense at the moment.” Lothvaen smiled and gave his friend a slight shove. “Careful! The ground is a little slippery from the rain!” Lindir said, smiling at Lothvaen. “At least I made you smile.” “Hannon le, Lindir. I am glad you are my friend.” The minstrel flushed. “We have always been there for each other, and I do not like seeing you sad.” He motioned to Lothvaen to make some room for him on the rock. “Actually, I have some news.” “Good?” Lindir grinned. “I would say so. I do believe there will be an announcement very soon concerning a certain seneschal and advisor.” Lothvaen’s eyes widened. “How did you find out?” “I saw Erestor and Glorfindel leaving Elrond’s study with smiles on their faces…*and* they were holding hands!” “Do you think it will be tonight?” “I would be very surprised if it were not. Come, let us make our way back to the house. I think we both need to change our robes before we go to dinner.” Looking down at his muddy hem, Lothvaen nodded ruefully. “I think you may be right.” ************************ Elvish translations: hannon le – thank you mellonen – my friend *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Title: Betrothal to an Elf Part 2 Author: Inwë Sáralondë Email: mb2002ldgd@yahoo.com.au Pairing(s): Erestor/Glorfindel, Elrohir/Lothvaen Rating: PG Summary: Elrohir asks some questions. Genre: Romance Word count: 513 Warnings: None Beta: Aglarien Disclaimer: The characters portrayed are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. No profit or such is made from this. Authors Note: The prompts used were 18 Apr 2006 – ‘luck’; 17 May 2006 – ‘follow’; 28 Jun 2006 – ‘heart’; 7 Sep 2006 – ‘fountain’; Sep 2006 – ‘night’; 30 Jan 2007 – ‘circle’; 5 Feb 2007 – ‘twist’; 6 Feb 2007 – ‘birth’; 29 Apr 2007 – ‘eternity’; 28 June 2007 – ‘complicated’ ************************ Elrohir found himself walking in a circle continuously around the fountain, his mind in turmoil. He kept on reliving his conversation with Lothvaen, and wondered anew where things had gone wrong. His gaze caught by a passing bird, he watched it twist and turn as it attempted to catch a moth for its evening meal. He wanted desperately to speak to Elladan, but his twin was in the stables, watching as one of his mares gave birth. It would be a while before his brother would emerge; in the meantime, Elrohir would have to be patient. He sighed. When had things become so complicated? Elrohir had not given any thought to love, so when Lothvaen had spoken those fateful words, asked that fateful question, it had taken him completely unawares. Erestor and Glorfindel came out into the garden. The seneschal was smiling broadly, even though the advisor appeared to be chastising him for some thing or another. Elrond had already told him the news that the two were now betrothed, and that the announcement would be made that night. Elrohir was genuinely pleased that things seemed to be finally working out for his two former tutors; he had always felt that they belonged together. He decided to make his way back into the house; the two elves were heading in his direction, and he did not feel up to answering any questions, for it would not take them long to realise that something was bothering him. However, his luck ran out just as he turned. “Elrohir!” It was Glorfindel who called his name, and the younger Peredhel turned once more to face them with some reluctance. Erestor looked at his former pupil. “What is it that bothers you, pen-neth?” he asked bluntly. Elrohir took a look at both their concerned faces. “How does one know when one is in love?” he blurted out. If there was one thing Erestor and Glorfindel had not been expecting, it had been the question Elrohir had just asked. “Why do you ask?” Glorfindel asked cautiously. “Lothvaen asked me if I loved him.” “Did he say he loved you?” Erestor asked gently. Elrohir nodded. “So…what did you tell him?” Glorfindel wanted to know. The younger elf sighed. “I told him I cared for him. In his eyes, it was the wrong answer. He said that caring was not the same, that it only implied affection. What do I do?” he appealed to the older elves. Erestor and Glorfindel exchanged glances. “Follow your heart,” Erestor said simply. “As trite as that answer may be, it is the only answer we can give you. If you do not feel you love Lothvaen, then best to know this now than to find yourself in a situation that you would rue for all eternity.” “But I hurt him,” Elrohir whispered. “Mayhap it is better you hurt him now, rather than letting him believe that there could be a future between the two of you.” “That is so harsh, Erestor,” the younger elf said. “Sometimes life – and love – can be,” Erestor responded simply. ************************ Elvish translations: pen-neth – young one Peredhel – half elf *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Title: Betrothal to an Elf Part 3 Author: Inwë Sáralondë Email: mb2002ldgd@yahoo.com.au Pairing(s): Erestor/Glorfindel Rating: PG Summary: The betrothal announcement is made. Genre: Romance Word count: 547 Warnings: None Beta: Aglarien Disclaimer: The characters portrayed are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. No profit or such is made from this. Authors Note: The prompts used were 24 Mar 2006 – ‘closer’; 10 Apr 2006 – ‘bite’; 4 May 2006 – ‘nervous’; 29 Jul 2006 – ‘intrigued‘; 28 Aug 2006 – ‘fire’; 22 Sep 2006 – ‘wedding’; 19 Oct 2006 – ‘drink’; 22 Oct 2006 – ‘drag’; 7 Feb 2007 – ‘knot’; 8 Feb 2007 – ‘whole’; 9 Feb 2007 – ‘hole’; 3 Mar 2007 – ‘tight’; 8 May 2007 – ‘gossip’; 15 May 2007 – ‘goblet’; 25 May 2007 – ‘ceremony’; 7 June 2007 – ‘dare’; 13 June 2007 – ‘anger’; 23 June 2007 – ‘safe/safety’; 24 June 2007 – ‘collar’; 27 June 2007 – ‘fun/funny’; 1 July 2007 – ‘bastard’ ************************ Erestor’s stomach was in a knot. The time was fast approaching when Elrond would announce their betrothal, and he was wishing he was anywhere else except the Hall of Fire. “Are you trying to rub a hole into the floor, melethron?” Glorfindel whispered. The darkling elf started. “What do you mean?” “Your slipper has been rubbing over the same spot again and again for the last half hour. I think Elrond would prefer if his floor were left whole.” Erestor took a sip from his goblet, noting with a little satisfaction that his hand was still steady, despite what he was feeling. “You need not be nervous, Erestor.” The advisor shot Glorfindel a dark look. “Do you find this funny, Glorfindel?” “I would not dare to, melethron. I have my safety to think about.” “And, if I were you, I would be careful. Right now I am very tempted to drag you by your collar out of here to give you more than just a piece of my mind!” There was anger in Erestor’s voice, but he still kept it lowered so as not to attract attention. “And provide gossip for all here? I think not.” Leaning closer towards his betrothed, Glorfindel said with a smile on his face, “You do realise that your bark is worse than your bite, do you not?” “Bark worse than my bite? Where did you learn such a phrase?” “From some mortals at the settlement I visited the other day.” Glorfindel moved back to sit more comfortably in his chair before turning a quizzical gaze at the darkling elf. “You said ‘more than just a piece of my mind’. I confess I am intrigued; what would that ‘more’ constitute?” he asked mischievously. “You are a bastard,” Erestor said calmly. Glorfindel’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?” Erestor shrugged his shoulders imperceptibly. “’Tis an expression I learnt from some mortals. Quiet now, Elrond is about to make his announcement, though I feel I should make one to say that the betrothal has been cancelled.” “You would not do that,” Glorfindel stated confidently, but then glanced at the stern visage of his lover. “On the other hand, you would,” he muttered, before returning his gaze to Elrond. “My friends,” Elrond began. “I have a wonderful announcement to make, one I am sure all of you had been hoping for.” His gaze rested on his seneschal and advisor, taking in the expressions on their faces. ‘Oh Valar, now what?’ he thought. Pausing only slightly, he then continued, pretending he had not seen what he had. “I am pleased to announce the betrothal between my chief advisor and seneschal.” The Hall erupted with clapping and shouted good wishes at the pair, with a number of them shouting ‘about time’. Elrond raised his voice. “Which means that, in a year’s time, we will be celebrating their wedding ceremony.” There were more cheers, and Elrond raised his goblet. “Let us drink to Erestor and Glorfindel.” There was momentary silence as they all took sips of their wine. “Melin chen, Erestor,” Glorfindel said quietly. Erestor’s throat was suddenly tight with emotion, and he had difficulty in swallowing his wine. “Melin chen, bevae,” he managed to bring out, and felt his heart flutter at the brilliant smile that Glorfindel gave him. ************************ Elvish translations: melethron – male lover melin chen – I love you melin chen, bevae – I love you, too. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*