Conversations

Chapter 2 - Tira

"Ah, so are we ready to write some more?" Elladan entered my room and took his place in the second chair at the desk. I noticed his eyes were rather bright, as if he was holding back tears or something. Elladan and tears was not something one often -if ever- saw.

"Yes, I was just checking my mail is all." I shut the window quickly, as it was an email from Raina about what she and Elladan had just spoken about.

"Good. Now, I was thinking that the orcs drug me…"

Elladan and I set to work. He seemed interested only in those parts where he was featured, so I had to wrack my brain for filler paragraphs about Ellie and Antiel. Did you know that Elladan actually created Ellie? I mean, more than the 'creation' in the story, I meant she was his idea in the first place. I had never thought Elladan was one for being a daddy, but when he came up with the idea of Elleriel, it definitely opened up new ideas to me about him. Though I was by no means a psychologist, I rather think he thought of innocent Ellie as the person he wished to be.

I noticed that he got this deep, pensive look on his face whenever it was his turn to write, and that he hunched over the keyboard to hunt and peck for the right letters. He is getting so much better at reading and writing English, I rarely have to correct his syntax and grammar anymore. I think Raina, with all the editing she does for people, has been working with him.

"Elladan," I began. "Why do you write such torturous things about yourself?"

He tensed suddenly, and slowly straightened up. He wouldn't look at me. "I find it a release to get certain frustrations out."

"What kind of frustrations?" I inquired.

"Frustrating ones."

"That was maddeningly unhelpful." I snorted, quoting Jack Sparrow. "Not to mention, you're beginning to sound like me. Now, that is something I never thought to experience. It's so nice that you think that highly of me that you'd emulate me. I thank you."

"You and Raina are ganging up on me." He accused, eyeing me with a look I was not sure of as he ignored everything else I'd said.

"Not at all! Why would we?" I hmphed and crossed my arms. Of course we were, but no way would I actually confess as much, especially not to him.

"Because you both like to insist I am punishing myself." His hesitancy confirmed our suspicions, of course, but I already knew from what Raina had told me that he would not tell me anything. Elladan is very secretive of his past life, and Elrohir refuses to say anything. He just tells me it is Elladan's story to share when he is ready. Sometimes my elf can be infuriating.

"Hey! It's a party!" A familiar voice rang out from the door.

"Three's a crowd, don'tcha know." I replied. Well speak of the devil! Elrohir always likes to butt in when Dan and I write. I think he feels left out. Either that or he is working for the enemy; that is, anyone other than me.

"Hi Ro." I grinned. Elladan made a face when Ro pushed me out of my chair and pulled me back onto his lap. I only have two chairs in the room, and Ro hates sitting on the bed. He often does this. Elladan had attacked the keyboard again and was ignoring me and his brother, so I turned on some music. I have it set to random, so I was kind of surprised when the most fitting song came on: Come Back Down by Lifehouse. I started to sing, I can't help it. Ro says I have actually improved quite a bit, though I am far from being able to sing like an elf.

Elladan's typing had slowed, then stopped altogether as I sang the song. He was listening, which had been my intention. Maybe it would help break the ice. Ro, though he didn't know the words, hummed along with the song.

"I have to go." Elladan said suddenly.

"Oh, so soon? Pity. Where to? Ooh, are you going to go get ice cream? How sneaky of you." I rattled off.

"That is none of your business, and no I am not going to go get ice cream." He replied, giving me a look like his father's. He should know those looks don't do anything to scare me. I have Elrond in the palm of my hand, most times.

"Dan, just don't do anything you'll worry over later." Elrohir said. I could see he was truly worried about his twin.

"Oh please, Ro, you totally know Elladan can't help but worry. He is a born worrier. That is why we call him Little Mother, you know, cause he frets and worries and nags just like a mom."

"It's okay, Ro, I know what I'm doing. Tira, I got Ashuruk sending Bagronk in to parlay with my father, so good luck from there. I'll stop in later and see how it's coming along." He shot me a glare at the little mother comment, and I grinned. I love teasing Elladan, he makes it far too easy. Always has.

"Alright." I sighed. I really wish he wasn't leaving, because I worry about him too, even though he is fun to tease.

I moved to Elladan's vacated chair, even though Elrohir pouted a little. Saving the document, I minimised the story window and opened Silver Blue. Elrohir busied himself with a book I had left, something by Dean Koontz, and was soon lost to the world. Immediately, upon seeing Raina was online, I PMed her a message telling her Elladan had left, but I knew not where. I then continued to browse SB.

Out of the blue Elrohir put the book down and started speaking. "Why do you let Elladan write so much?"

"What?" The question wasn't confusing, I was just surprised.

"Why do you allow him to write such things?"

"Because he disappears for days on end when I don't let him, and that worries both me and Raina." I replied.

"What about me?"

"What, don't you like how I wrote you?"

"Oh, yes. I do love children. You captured me perfectly. It's just that, lately I think you like Elladan better than me."

I couldn't help it, I had to laugh at that. "Oh you silly elf. I could never like Elladan better, not like that." I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"That's not what it seems like."

"Elrohir, what do I have to do to convince you that you're the only elf for me? Besides, Elladan is far too uptight for me."

"I don't know. Let me give you a proper kiss, like we shared in Rivendell. You haven't let me kiss you since, and you only give me little brotherly pecks. I mean, what do you want from me? A friend or more?"

I looked at Elrohir and I know shock must have been written all over my face because he glared at me, waiting for an answer, silently demanding one. What did I want from Elrohir? I had plenty of guy friends, but was the elf more than that to me? I mean, that first big kiss had been an accident, really, all Raina's doing. I don't recall if I ever thanked her for that, either.

"I don't know what I want. This is all very confusing for me, you know."

"Alright, so back to the other subject: why do you let Elladan write more than you let me?"

"Because you never seem interested! You know, the next story has no torture so Elladan probably won't want to write. I want you to do it with me."

"Are you just saying that to placate me?"

Now I was getting mad. What did I have to do to prove to him that I didn't like Elladan better? "Look here, El. I am not placating anyone. If you haven't figured it out by now, I am not the sort of person who sucks up to anyone. I asked you to write with me and if you don't want to do it then don't!"

"No, I want to do it, I just…I don't know." He gave a sigh so heart-rending I couldn't help but wrap my arms around him.

"Cheer up, Ro. You are my only elf, and Elladan will be alright. All too soon Lost Horizons will be written completely and you won't know what to do with yourself besides availing yourself to my hospitality." I addressed the three concerns I could sense were his biggest just then.

"Really, your only one? Even Legolas doesn't spark anything? Cause Vaniriel was awful like you, and so is Antiel sort of."

"Well, that sometimes happens to a writer. I write what I know, so of course you're going to see some of me in them." I laughed the question away. Just before I turned to continue at the computer Elrohir stopped me and looked into my eyes, holding me in place with a hand on my cheek. Now, I've always loved it when guys stroke my face like that, I don't know why.

"Okay, I'll write You Belong to Me with you." He smiled. Just before I tried to turn again he leaned in and kissed me, but only on the cheek, like a brother would.

"Alright, enough of that. I need to write now." He just smiled and sat back, picking up his book again. I could see him peeking over the top and he knew very well he had flustered me. I ignored him and just reopened my document to type more. After all, I had to save Imladris now, since Elladan had left me in such a predictable bind.

I could feel Elrohir watching me, but it really didn't make me uncomfortable. His gaze was very certain and calming, and it helped me write the good scenes, the ones where Imladris was saved, and Elladan too.

I'm not sure why, but Elrohir has always been my elf. Even though he and his twin have such little mentions in the Lord of the Rings books, Cassia and Siobhan's stories really fleshed them out, and to my (very pleased) surprise, Elrohir is very much like his MC counterpart. I have never been able to convince myself that Cassia and Siobhan did not have some sort of awesome psychic link to Middle-earth, because their stories are so spot on, it's scary.

All in all, I have to say it's turning out well. I have my elf, I have my stories…and I have my sisters. They keep me grounded and sane. Now if only Raina and I could figure out why Elladan seems to hate himself, we'd be all set. Unfortunately, I think it's going to be a long ride. There is something seriously bothering both twins, but they are so close-mouthed and withdrawn about personal subjects, it's like trying to open that one pistachio that has no little crack to stick your nail in to pry it apart. I like pistachios, even the tough to open ones, but I do not like these secrets the twins are hiding.