Title: Becoming
Characters: Elladan & Elrohir, Elrond, Celebrían
Prompt: 002. Middles
Rating: G
Summary: A change in plans begets a change in perceptions.
Narië T.A. 178
"Summer in Eryn Galen?"
"But what of Lothlórien?"
Elrond smiled at his sons' incredulity. Well, the invitation from Thranduil had come as a surprise to him as well. After all, relations between the Silvan Elves of Greenwood the Great and the other elven realms had suffered to a certain extent in the wake of the War of the Last Alliance. Thranduil had not cut off all ties with his erstwhile confederates but neither had he fostered anything more than cautious amity with them. And this latter gesture was more for the sake of his people's security than any desire for greater friendship with his counterparts. The Imladrin lord glanced down at the letter on his desk written in the woodland king's own hand.
"I was as surprised when I read this," he told them. "But your grandparents themselves would urge me to accept. Thranduil's reasons are sound even if they were obviously put forth to him by someone else."
Elrohir leaned forward in his seat. "Legolas?" he ventured.
Elrond nodded. "I believe he appealed to his father's pride in their people. Else why would Thranduil trouble to extend this invitation that I might 'personally see how our people have fared since the decimation of their ranks during the last war and our removal to the north of Eryn Galen'? It would be a point of honor with Thranduil to prove that his folk are far doughtier than too many of us tend to believe."
He suppressed a grin when Elrohir snorted and said: "Only fools and lackwits would think the Wood-elves anything less than brave and strong and – and capable. Why, one need only spend time with their prince and know any belief otherwise is an ill-founded fallacy!"
Elladan chuckled softly. "'Tis a pity King Thranduil is not around to hear so spirited a championing of his son and subjects," he teased. "I wager it would go a long way in mending fences between his people and ours."
"Indeed," Elrond agreed. "All the more reason to accept his invitation and prove we bear the Silvan folk no ill regard but highly esteem them."
"Which is what Legolas intended I presume," Celebrían said as she entered the study. She received her sons' greetings then looked at her husband inquiringly. "Erestor tells me you have instructed him to prepare for departure within a fortnight. Is there need for such haste, husband?"
Elrond reached out a hand and, when his wife slipped hers into his, drew her to him and onto his lap. The twins exchanged glances then furtively snickered in the manner of youths the world over when presented with the picture of their parents so romantically posed. Elrond paid them no mind but held his lady even closer.
"The earlier we set foot in their kingdom, the lengthier will be our stay and the more opportunities there will be to strengthen our ties with them," Elrond reasoned. "Therefore, aye, there is some need for haste."
Celebrían pressed a fond kiss to his temple. "And I suppose your anticipation of Elrohir's delight had naught to do with it," she murmured.
Elladan chortled while his brother turned a nice shade of red. Meanwhile, Elrond clucked his tongue at his wife but shortly broke into a wide smile.
A week into the ensuing preparations for the visit to the forest realm, Elladan walked into Elrohir's room to find his twin glaring at the mountain of apparel and sundry other clothing items on his bed. Elladan came to his side and stared at the bounteous mess.
"Are you planning to take up permanent residence in Eryn Galen?" he mildly inquired upon ascertaining that his brother was attempting to pack for their approaching journey. "Surely you do not need everything in your wardrobe for a summer's visit."
Elrohir scowled and tossed the tunic he was holding aside. "I am only trying to select what will suit me best," he readily admitted. "It has been eleven years since Legolas came here, Elladan. I cannot help but wonder whether he will remember the young Elf—"
"The charming young Elf," Elladan cheekily interjected.
"—of his earlier acquaintance." Elrohir glowered at him ere continuing. "Or will he think me a gangling creature not worth his time and attention."
Elladan nigh choked on the idea. "Gangling?" he repeated disbelievingly. "Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? No Elf in Arda could ever describe us thusly, Elrohir! We are too solid of frame which is only to be expected given our heritage."
To his surprise, Elrohir only looked more alarmed. "Do you think so?" he anxiously said. "Then would he not be put off by this less than lithe form?"
The older twin did not quite know whether to laugh or groan. "Elrohir! Just because we have more meat to us does not mean we lack in lissomness!" he exclaimed. He grabbed his brother and pushed him in front of the mirror. "Do you think we could compare to our mannish kin? Why, they mistake us for Elf-maids far too often as it is! And Glorfindel is forever telling us to gain more weight if we hope to hold our own against his warriors." He shook his head. "If you need evidence of true brawn, you need look no further than our captain and his fellows."
Elrohir studied his reflection. He looked at Elladan who stared back at him in mingled amusement and exasperation.
"Elbereth preserve me, I am lost!" he moaned.
Elladan threw his arm around him consolingly. "You will find your way back," he assured him. "Do you not recall my own folly six winters ago?"
Elrohir had to smile albeit feebly. "In an attempt to look older, you plaited your hair elaborately for the solstice celebration," he murmured reminiscently.
"Because I wanted to hurry him into seeing me in a different light," Elladan said. "Thank Eru Mother met us in the corridor ere we entered the Hall of Fire and counselled me not to hasten matters along. Can you imagine my humiliation had I proceeded thusly coiffed?"
"Well, I did warn you," Elrohir pointed out, his smile widening.
"That you did but I was too besotted to listen to one of my own years." Elladan continued earnestly. "I pray you will not make the same mistake. Heed me, brother, though I know little more than you."
Elrohir sobered. "I am listening."
"Then do not embark as I did on some outlandish endeavor to make yourself more desirable to him," Elladan counselled. "You already are, Elrohir. Else he would have turned down your request when you made it for he is not one to give false hopes."
A moment's silence followed that statement. Elrohir turned to the mirror to consider his appearance once more. After a while, he reached behind his head and, gathering his raven hair, began to plait it. Understanding his intent, Elladan stepped behind him to help, securing the resulting single braid with a thin black riband. Elrohir did the same for him.
The brethren regarded themselves and each other appraisingly. And smiled.
oOoOoOo
Not a few were taken aback that night when the twins joined their parents in the dining hall for the evening meal. Many an Elf stopped in their tracks when the two entered the chamber, looking not quite the same yet not altogether different either. Even Elrond and Celebrían stared at their sons for a spell in wide-eyed silence, suddenly and acutely aware that these beauteous beings they had begotten were braving the road to full maturity and all the rewards and challenges that came with it.
"It is most fetching," Celebrían finally said with an approving smile. "And I dare say suitable as well," she dryly added, recalling all the times she had needed to battle the effects of hard play on her sons' thick manes.
The twins beamed happily at her but a moment later became conscious of their sire's too long silence. They glanced at each other then focused their gazes on him.
"Are you displeased, Ada?"—Papa—they chorused.
Elrond heard the uncertainty in their voices. They knew him. Knew what memory stayed his tongue.
Once upon a time, so very long ago, he had stepped back from helping another attire himself for the journey to his new country, his new kingship and his new life. Just so had Elros done his hair then, in the manner of the people he and his heirs would rule from thereon. In that moment, Elrond had truly felt the chasm that yawned between them. In that moment, he had felt utterly alone and lonely.
A hand gently clasped his and he met his wife's gaze. The feeling of loneliness receded. He turned to his sons once more and was struck by how much he could now see of his brother in both of them. The remembrance of being alone faded as well.
"On the contrary, I am most pleased," he warmly assured them. Casting a quick glance about and noting one surreptitiously rapt regard in particular, he suddenly grinned, the twinkle returning to his eyes. "But likely not more pleased than those for whom this becoming change is intended."
Glossary:
Narië – Quenya for the sixth month of the year, the period between 23 May and 21 June
Eryn Galen – Greenwood the Great
To be continued...
