Title: Truth is a Whisper
Author: Farewell
Rating: R
Warnings: slash. Elrohir / Arryn, mainly. Others possibly.
Notes: Prequel to "Crucifixion". You don't have to read that first; as this is supposed to be a "prequel". This is a "How Elrohir met Arryn" and a bit about my dear redhead himself. Poor little guy.
Standard Disclaimer: LOTR characters / places / whatever, aren't mine. Arryn is. (Not that he's too pleased with it.)
Here it comes, ladies and gents: Chapter Two! Let me know what you think.
*~*~*
Feeling incredibly out of place, Arryn followed Elrohir into the stables. As soon as they entered, the horses began calling out to their elf-friend, whinnying and nickering and snorting their pleasure. Arryn smiled as Elrohir walked among the beautiful beasts, rubbing a nose, an ear, whatever the horse liked best; he seemed to know. Arryn looked about in wonder at the many horses; so many colors! He jumped as a soft nose was thrust against his chest by a small coppery horse. The horse snorted in surprise at his sudden movement, and jumped back as well, but was soon cautiously extending its head back to see who Arryn was.
Arryn jumped again as Elrohir stepped up behind him. "That is Nattie. She is my horse's sister."
"Nattie? It seems such a small name for such a horse," Arryn was carefully stroking the velvet nose.
"Well, she is a small horse. Truly, she is so small that only the children could ride her; she is far too little to carry a fully armored elf." Elrohir watched Arryn carefully, he well knew that Nattie was a spirited beast, and was only unridden because she wished it so.
"Do children ride her then? She is very sweet; I think she would be well suited to the task of teaching children." Arryn grew brave and stepped close to the door; Nattie put her head down as far as the board would allow and rubbed against him.
Elrohir made a non-committal reply, and took Arryn's arm. "Come, I have settled my mare, let us away to the house—we must get you cleaned up for dinner!"
With a last, longing look at Nattie, Arryn allowed himself to be dragged away to the house.
*~*~*
Elrohir showed him quickly to his room, and left him there to bathe and change. Arryn wandered about the vast room in silent awe; he curiously went through an open door and found himself in a luxurious bathroom. Carefully, he stepped onto the wooden floorboards towards the bath. The tub was large and full of hot water; Arryn could smell something sweet, which he discovered was soap. Stripping slowly, Arryn looked around. There was a closed door across the room, which he supposed was to an adjoining bedroom. There were high windows, curtained with lace, and low wooden benches decorated the wall.
Suddenly, Arryn felt extremely uncomfortable in his nakedness. He stepped forward and slid into the water, looking around cautiously over the lip of the pool. He could see no one and chided himself for being silly, and began his bath.
The hot water felt wonderful on his body—he rubbed with the scented soap until his skin was flushed red. Dunking under the water, he ran his fingers through his hair, enjoying the slight pull on his scalp. He washed his long hair twice, and dunked under once more before climbing out of the tub. Arryn looked around for a towel of some kind, but could not find one. He shrugged, and had begun to wring out his hair when the door opened; he turned, his hair draped over his shoulder.
Elrohir stepped in, carrying an armload of cloth. He stopped short at the sight of the —very naked—redhead. Blushing furiously, he dropped the cloths to a bench, staring at the ground. "I brought you some clothes," he mumbled, and fled from the room.
Arryn smiled at the dark haired elf's discomfort, but crossed to the bench. Digging through the pile of cloth, he selected a towel and dried himself. He folded the towel and replaced it on the bench, forgetting his dripping hair as he drew a dark green robe to his body. Marveling at the delicate embroidery, he put it back on the bench, and took back the towel, scrubbing his hair viciously to dry it. Folding and replacing the towel a final time, he finger-combed his long red hair, and hastily braided it.
There was a knock at the door just as Arryn was slipping on the magnificent robe. At his call, the door half-opened, and Elrohir spoke, hiding behind the door. "Are you ready?"
Arryn laughed. "Yes, I am ready. I am sorry I took so long."
Elrohir smiled and entered fully. "Not a problem. Will you join us for dinner?"
The redhead did up the last button and stepped up to the other elf. "Certainly," he smiled back, and then looked down. "This is such a fine garment. I feel foolish."
Elrohir took his hands. "You look lovely."
Arryn blushed, but glanced at the other. "What is I spill something?"
"Oh well," he shrugged. "'Tis no matter."
Arryn shook his head. "You are strange to me."
Elrohir took his arm and guided him out of the room and down the hall. "You are strange to me."
*~*~*
They entered a large, decorative dining hall, and joined Elrond, and two other unknown elves. Elrohir introduced them as Glorfindel, a tall blonde, and Elladan. With a jolt, Arryn realized that Elrohir and Elladan were twins; he felt a strange relief. //I suppose that Elladan is not Elrohir's lover, then.//
He was seated beside Elladan, but across from Elrohir. Arryn watched with wide eyes as a plate of food was placed before him; he could not recognize any of the food, but the others seemed to enjoy it. Cautiously, he picked up his fork and speared a random piece, and chewed it carefully. He was pleased to discover that it was very good; he could taste a light spice that he recognized but could not name.
The five elves ate all but silently, punctuated only by Elrond's few questions to Glorfindel about border patrols. Only once they were finished, and the servants had borne away their plates, did Elrond begin asking Arryn questions.
Leaning back in his chair, he fixed the redheaded elf with a hard glare. "My son tells me that you were captured by Men. Where?"
"I—I am not sure." Arryn looked away, unable to keep eye contact with the intimidating lord.
Elladan looked at him sharply. "How can you be unsure? Do you not remember?"
Arryn's braid fell over his shoulder as he whipped his head around to look at Elladan. He met the curious, intense gaze and couldn't hold it. Looking down in his lap, he noticed that he had taken hold of his long braid and was twisting it anxiously. He tried to speak, but couldn't—he could not get his voice to work. Desperately, he glanced around the table—Elrond, Glorfindel, Elrohir, Elladan—they were all looking at him expectantly.
He looked down again and tried to get his throat to work—but he couldn't, and finally Elrohir saved him. With a glare at his family, he stood up and came around the table, resting his hands on the struggling redhead's shoulders. "Come Arryn—join me for a walk in the gardens."
Grateful for the escape, he scrambled up and followed behind the dark-haired elf. They exited the dining hall, and quickly found an archway that lead to the gardens. Elrohir paused and took Arryn's hand. "Are you alright?"
The redhead looked down in shame. "I am fine. I do not know why I —"
Elrohir interrupted. "My father was trying to intimidate you; that is his way. Do not let it bother you."
Arryn nodded and whispered. "He is frightening."
The other shrugged. "Only until you know him; truly he is very kind."
Arryn looked around, not answering.
"Oh, hey..." Elrohir pulled him close and draped his arm over the smaller elf's shoulders companionably. "Cheer up. 'Tis not the end of Middle-Earth, aye?"
"How can they—how can you trust me? You do not even know me!" Arryn pulled away, feeling miserable.
"They will trust you because I trust you. I am never wrong about people." Elrohir looked at him, smiling lazily. He changed the subject. "Shall we stop by the stables? I wish to check on my mare." He grinned when Arryn's eyes brightened.
They crossed the courtyard and entered the dark building, Elrohir moving through the darkness with practiced ease, Arryn following in his footsteps. They cracked the door open and slipped in; Arryn made a beeline for his friend Nattie. Elrohir fetched a brush and held it out to him. Confused, Arryn took it. "What is this for?"
Elrohir opened the stall door and gently pushed Arryn in. "Brush her coat—she will enjoy it."
Arryn stumbled, and hesitantly touched the mare's side. She immediately stilled, and heaved a sigh. Smiling a bit, the redhead stroked the shimmering coat. So involved was he that he didn't notice Elrohir slip out of the stable, and return a few minutes later with his twin.
The two elves watched in fascination as the normally-vicious mare rocked in pleasure from the firm brush strokes.
"That is amazing!" Elladan stepped forward before Elrohir could stop him. He opened the door, talking all the time. "How did you make her so calm? She would have killed most people before she let them half as close as you—" Elladan cut off as the mare whipped around and kicked out. The solid sound of her hooves hitting the wall was deafening. Arryn grabbed the horse's face in his hands, looking at her in outrage. "Hey! That's not nice!" She huffed, but lowered her head in submission.
Arryn stepped out of the stall and helped Elrohir lift Elladan to his feet. He had flung himself down when Nattie kicked. "Are you alight?" Arryn asked. "Did she hurt you?"
Elladan stood. "No. She missed me—we're all used to dodging Nattie's hooves." He turned an angry glare on his twin. "But you Elrohir! You allowed him near her? You left him alone with her? How could you, Brother?"
Elrohir straightened. "Did you not see them? Nattie took to him—she has never let even Glorfindel near her!"
"Exactly!" Elladan bellowed. "This horse is dangerous!"
"Not to him!" Elrohir returned vehemently.
Arryn had paled at the yelling voices, saying quietly, "Please, don't fight. Please— stop—" The horses were getting anxious at the yelling; Nattie was lunging forward viciously in her stall, trying to get at them, which only fueled Elladan's argument.
Arryn backed away from the two brothers, and slipped out the door. He stood outside, shaking in the cool air, and then slid down the wall in misery. He didn't know exactly what the twins were fighting about, but he knew that he was the cause.
Arryn was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Lord Elrond until the elf had burst through the door and was physically restraining his sons. "What are you doing?" Could be heard from inside.
Elladan spoke first. "Elrohir left Arryn alone with Nattie!"
Elrohir cut him off. "Nattie likes him! She was nuzzling him—she let him groom her! He was safe."
The lord sighed. "Are you sure?" Elrohir must have nodded for Elrond continued. "Then go out and see him. He is waiting outside, and looking rather distressed."
An instant later, Elrohir's head popped out the door; he came over and sat beside the redhead. "Are you alight?" he whispered.
Arryn stared ahead, unseeing. "Do you always fight so?"
The elf shrugged. "Sometimes."
"I am sorry to have been the cause," he whispered.
Elrohir put his hand on his shoulder, looking at his fully. "You were not the cause! Elladan was merely worried—he has been trying to get near Nattie since the day she was born. He knows her only as dangerous. He was just worried. Please don't be upset."
Elrond stepped outside the door. "Elladan tells me that you were grooming Nattie." Arryn nodded, looking confused. "Show me."
Elrohir bounced to his feet and helped Arryn up, then ushered him into the stable. When Nattie saw the redhead enter, she nickered and stretched her head over the door to him. He came close to her, rubbing her forehead, not looking at the others.
"See?" Elrohir crowed. "I told you Elladan!"
Elrond put a hand on each of his sons' shoulders, looking concernedly at Arryn's hidden face. "I believe it is time to retire. Elrohir, take Arryn to his rooms. I shall see you all at the morning meal." This was undoubtedly a command. Elrohir took Arryn's hand and pulled him away from the horse. The redhead patted her neck once more and followed the other elf out the door, and up to the House.
*~*~*
and so ends part two. did you like it? hate it? completely indifferent? please review and tell me about it!
