First Love

It was soon after the twins' fourth birthday that the inhabitants of Imladris noticed a distinct change in the two boys – in Elrohir, in particular. The younger twin toddled through the halls of his father, his eyes dazed and adoring, particularly when he caught sight of the object of his love.

It was just past midsummer, the most popular time of year for young lovers. Poems were written, rose-scented letters left coyly in rooms, and love-songs were sung beneath windows. Heretofore, the young sons of Elrond had scoffed at the ellyth and ellyn that roamed the gardens hand-in-hand, but no longer. No, now Elrohir, in his innocence, decided that he was deeply in love. He had already discussed the matter with Elladan during the meal the night before, using their secret 'twin language', and his brother had swiftly lost all animosity that he had felt towards the romantic time of year.

Elrohir tripped down the halls towards his father's office, standing on tiptoe and stretching his arms to their limits to reach the doorhandle. After a moment's struggle with the brass knob, the door slid open and the tiny child peered around the door.

Elrond glanced up as he heard small grunts and gasps from behind the door, and he grinned to himself. It was obvious who his visitor was. Debating with himself as to whether or not he ought to assist the little elf with opening the door, he decided to wait for a moment to see if his intervention was needed. Even as he sat back in his chair, the door swung inwards, and a round face appeared, the grey eyes darting around the room.

'Good afternoon, Elrohir.'

Elrohir trotted into the room, pushing the door shut behind him. Tripping his way around the desk, he came to stand beside Elrond's chair, staring intently up at his father.

'Do you need help, little one?' Elrond asked, hiding his amusement with some difficulty.

The twin shook his head. 'Ada,' he said at last. 'I fink I'm in love.'

Elrond raised one eyebrow. 'Do you indeed, penneth? Might I ask who the lady is?'

Elrohir opened his mouth to reply, then shut it. The dark head shook a second time. 'Glorfy told Elladan not to make kissing noises at Feredir and Linloth in the garden yesterday.'

'I assure you I will not make kissing noises at your elleth,' his father promised, quite intrigued.

Elrohir looked deeply suspicious, but slowly clambered up onto his father's knee. Pulling Elrond's head gently down to his level, he whispered in his father's ear.

Elrond's eyebrows rose simultaneously at his son's announcement. 'But my dear child, I am afraid that your lady is already married – to me!'

Elrohir's face fell. 'I was finking that might happen,' he said, shoulders sagging in genuine disappointment. 'Maybe you and me can share her?'

'Well now, I think that that can be arranged,' Elrond nodded, patting the small back. 'How about I ask her to give you, Elladan, and myself equal portions of her love? That way, we can all share her just the same amount.'

Elrohir seemed the think this proposition over in his head, before nodding slowly. 'But Ada...' he trailed off, slowly raising a finger to press against his front tooth. 'I do not think she loves you anymore.'

This startled Elrond even further. 'Whyever do you say that, child?'

Elrohir hung his head. 'She s-said that she loved me with her whole heart yesterday when I went to bed.'

'Nanas are a miracle, Elrohir,' Elrond said gently, tilting the little face up with a finger. 'Their hearts are special. Your nana can love a lot of people with her whole heart, and still have room to love more. She has a special love for you and Elladan, because you are her little boys. And she has a special love for me, because I am her husband.'

'But I want to be her husband,' Elrohir pouted. 'I love Nana.'

'If you were Nana's husband, she could not give you horse-rides on her knees. She could not pick you up in her arms and carry you into the house when you get tired. If you were Nana's husband, she could not be your nana.'

Elrohir's grey eyes widened with each example. Nana gave better horse rides than Glorfindel. She bounced just the right amount and could whinny so accurately he could hardly tell the difference between his mother and an actual animal. 'So Nana loves little boys as much as she loves you?' he questioned carefully.

'Indeed she does,' Elrond confirmed. 'If you do not believe me, you may run and ask her yourself.'

Elrohir slid off his father's lap and was half-way across the room before a thought occurred to him. 'When I am big,' he said at last, brow furrowed. 'When I am big, she will not be able to give me horse rides, or carry me. Can I marry her then?'

'When you are big, mouse, you may realize that you do not want to marry your nana,' Elrond said, rising from his feet and sweeping the child into his arms. 'You might want to stay our little boy forever, even though we won't be able to give you horse rides or carry you.'

'Forever an' ever?' Elrohir asked.

Elrond nodded, kissing the soft hair. 'Ever'n'ever.'

The End