Chapter Eight:
It took nearly an hour for Elrond to completely remove the blood from his body and dress in the fine robes of his office. He took extra care with his hair, combing and twisting the long, twilight strands and wrapping them loosely in silver ribbon. Only when he was finished did he check on his patient and search for his lover. He found him in one of the lush gardens near Arrah's room.
Ereinion didn't notice the master healer's approach; he was lost in thought. He knew that, on all counts, he should be happy. Arrah was safe and would recover, Meg was meeting new people and learning new things, he himself was not being constantly harassed. He was close to his lover, the only place he'd ever wished to be. And yet, his heart was sad.
Elrond stepped up behind him, realizing the elven king's mind was distant. He placed a gentle hand on the strong shoulder. "My l..." He paused and hesitated. "Ereinion?" the elf lord whispered. Ereinion reached up and covered Elrond's hand with his own. "I do so like it when you call me that," he said softly, "and I suppose it makes it all the more sweeter to hear because you say it so rarely." He paused, then continued more quietly, "I know I'm selfish, and I've tried hard to hear your meaning and not just your words, but every time you call me 'my lord' in our most intimate moments, it makes me feel as if I'm the one who's not worthy of you."
"But you are my everything to me. You are my lord, my love, my life..." Elrond's voice trailed off as he lowered his hand, fidgeting absently with his robes. His eyes focused on a small wildflower nearby. "I love all of you, not just Ereinion for I never knew him before he was king. And..." He hesitated, trying to find the right words. "You belong to so many... When we joined, the words became more to me." He shifted and sighed. "It means 'my love' ... for I address no other in the like, lord or not."
Ereinion smiled a soft smile. "I know, my love. And I do enjoying hearing the words, for you say them with more feeling than anyone ever could." He turned to face his lover. "I'll always be Ereinion; that didn't change when I became king. I'll admit, being king does cause me to think differently sometimes, but I'll always be Ereinion, no matter what." He reached over and took Elrond's hands in his own. "It is your choice. I don't want you to change unless you want to change. I should be content just to be with you. But, if you like, could you start calling me Ereinion more often?"
Elrond continued to look away and nodded, hiding the hurt. He didn't mention that when Ereinion was away, and he himself was addressed as 'my lord', that it made him feel closer to his faraway love, or that hearing others address the king himself in such a manner made him remember their more intimate moments and realize that his lover, his lord, was no one else's but his. Of course, he couldn't even begin to say such things aloud or coherently; instead, he apologized. "I am sorry; I had thought it was a jest when you mentioned your annoyance with me, that you truly liked it. I will work on it, for us."
Ereinion tilted Elrond's chin in such a way that they were forced to make eye-contact. "Elerondo, I do like hearing 'my lord' from you, truly. But I relish the few times you've called me by my given name, and I miss those times, and if only one person in the world was allowed to speak that name I would want it to be you, because you make it sound more meaningful and more personal than anyone else."
Elrond maintained the eye contact for some time before the grey globes vanished behind his dark lashes. He spoke in a soft whisper. "It seems as though the more I try to draw you to me, the further I push you away. Our relation is the only one that I have truly had; there had been others before you, but . not like this." He stepped in closer, their bodies touching. "I am afraid of losing you, Ereinion, and if that happens then my heart would break and I could say your name no more, though you would remain my lord, always."
Ereinion wrapped his arms around his love. "I tell you these things because I don't want to lose you either. I cannot help what I feel sometimes. Oftentimes I cannot even explain what I feel. But I know for certain that I could not live without you."
Elrond drew a quivering breath. "With you I am weak..." he murmured and then pressed his lips against his lover's. "I will work on this for us, then."
Ereinion kissed back sweetly. "Don't ever be afraid to call me by name when you wish to, for you have more of a right to do so than many others." He looked over his lover for a long moment. "You're beautiful, Elerondo."
Elrond blushed lightly. His fingers played with his lover's collar as a light smile formed on his features. "Not bad for a peredhel you mean," he teased quietly.
Ereinion kissed him again, playfully, and responded, "You're more attractive than most elves I know."
"More attractive? Surely you jest," Elrond returned. "But I take your words to heart and treasure them."
Ereinion smiled and held Elrond close to him. "Thank you for what you did today, for Arrah. I hope he didn't slap you too hard."
Elrond shook his head and relaxed, letting his head rest on his lover's shoulder. "I have experienced far worse for poorer reasons. He is an angry young man, and you will have your hands full with him."
There was the sound of someone clearing their throat and then one of Rivendell's residents approached. "Pardon me, my lords, but a letter was left for you, Lord Elrond."
Elrond stepped away briefly to accept the letter and placed it in his pocket, waiting for the other to leave before he spoke again. "Do you know if either has family living?"
"Meg has a locket with someone's name on it, but I've not delved deeper into either's history. I intend to as soon as I can."
The dark haired elf sighed. "Humans do not keep track of each other to any degree of great detail. It will be difficult discovering where they come from and who may still be living if they do not know specifics. There are those here who travel extensively that we may implore for aid in this."
Ereinion nodded, then sighed. "My guard will be here soon, if they aren't already."
Elrond hesitated. "It will have been a long journey, perhaps they will rest here a bit before wishing to depart..."
Ereinion sensed Elrond's hurt and was quick to hold him once more and reassure him. "Don't worry, I'll be here a couple weeks yet. I don't intend to let them drag me back to Lindon easily."
Elrond smiled weakly. "I am not certain there is a creature alive that can make you do as you do not desire. But if you are truly needed in Lindon..." He sighed lightly. "We both know you would have to go."
"This is true. However, that doesn't mean I can't do something about it while I'm there. Arrah told me that there are those who complain and those who do something about it. And I am surely one who can do something about it." He smiled softly. "And who's sending you letters?"
"Our great king, learning from a human child," Elrond said with a smile as he kissed his lover's neck gently. "An interesting notion that is." The lord withdrew his letter and unfolded it carefully. He frowned after a moment and put it away. "Havan sent it."
"That's unsettling."
"Only if I let it be," he replied quietly. He smiled then, his fingers trailing over Ereinion's lips. "I sometimes forget how aged you are, for at times you seem so young."
Ereinion smiled softly. "Are you saying I'm old?" he asked playfully.
"Mmm," Elrond moaned lightly, pressing his lips against the light neck. "What if I am?"
"Then I will certainly have to prove you otherwise."
Elrond laughed delightfully. "Oh?"
Ereinion grinned. "Yes." He kissed Elrond for a long moment before breaking away slowly. "But first, I should tend to Arrah and Meg, and you should read your letter and tell me if I should be worried about its contents."
Elrond stepped away with a happy sigh. "Very well. The letter was brief; there is no need for concern."
"I'm glad. I'm going to go get Meg, then see Arrah. Would you like to come with me?"
Elrond shook his head. "No, I think I will walk around a bit."
Ereinion nodded once more, then kissed his love on the cheek before he went to find the young human girl. He found her with the other elves not far from the manor itself, in a light meadow where music and light chatter took place. She sat a bit away from the others, with small jars of colored dye nearby, using a brush to color rocks.
"Hello, Meg," Ereinion said as he approached.
Meg looked up and smiled, putting her small project aside.
"Elrond got the spearhead out of Arrah's belly. I'm about to go see him now. Would you like to come with me?"
She grabbed her pen and paper. *He Okay*
"Yes, he's okay. It'll take some time for him to heal, but he'll make a full recovery."
Meg smiled and shook her head. She then mouthed the word 'stay'.
Ereinion nodded, realizing his mistake. It would take some getting used to communicating with Meg. "Only for a little while," he told her as he sat down. "I promised Arrah I'd look after him." Meg smiled and hugged him tightly. Ereinion hugged back and was reluctant to let go of the young one. "Are you having fun?"
Meg nodded eagerly. *Pretty Colors, Nice Music. Nice Elves.*
Ereinion smiled. "Do you like the elves?"
She nodded. *Do you like us?*
"I love you both," he responded without hesitation.
Meg beamed, truly delighted at the statement. *We just met. But I meant Humans. Do elves like humans?*
"We have no reason to dislike them. On the whole, we're allies and get along well. There are some we dislike, but that is because they are evil, not because they are humans."
Meg frowned momentarily but nodded. *Havan says there are lots of evil people these days. That's why we had guards. Where is your wife?*
"I don't have one," Ereinion said simply.
She took a moment to think and then wrote. *Elves don't marry?*
"Most elves marry before they're 100 years old. I never got around to it. Neither did Elrond. We're strange in that way."
Meg nodded, her brown eyes brightening. *Oh I understand, he is your w* -- she frowned and tapped the pencil a few times and tried again -- *whore.*
Ereinion took the pencil from her hand and marked the word out. "The word whore implies two things: first that I pay him for his services, second that he means nothing to me beyond that. Both are wrong." He gave the pencil back. "He is my friend and my lover. If we were married, he would be my husband."
Meg shrank back, confused and uncertain, though she nodded quickly in acknowledging the error.
Ereinion smiled softly. "It's ok, Meg. You didn't know." He offered his arms to her for a hug.
Meg moved forward hesitantly and then placed her arms around his neck. She placed her lips against his ear. "Havan says adults take whores to bed. He was in your bed..."
Ereinion's heart skipped a beat, not at what she'd spoken but rather that she'd spoken. "Havan knows nothing of who I take to bed with me and why. Elrond is my friend and I love him very much."
Meg smiled and continued to whisper quietly. "That's what adults do ... right?"
"Some of them do, but not all." His own voice was soft and quiet.
Meg backed away and returned to a sitting position near her rocks and dye, picking up the pencil and paper again. *I don't understand. I heard these things but you say it is not so.*
"Havan caters to a certain group of people, and he makes generalizations of those people. They aren't meant to apply to all people everywhere."
Meg sighed and put her tablet down, only nodding.
"You will learn a more realistic view of the world in time," he said softly, smiling gently. "I like to hear your voice." It was a beautiful voice, he thought to himself. Her speech, like her writing, was mostly common and elvish, but her accent suggested she grew up in the far east.
Meg shook her head. *Cannot talk. Masters not allow it.*
"You are no longer a slave, and you will not be so again if I have anything to do it."
She shook her head. *No one ever leaves the grasp of Mordor. He said so.*
"You have been to Mordor?" That worried him.
Meg's eyes looked up at him and she did nothing for a moment. Then she wrote one word on the paper: HOME.
It took nearly an hour for Elrond to completely remove the blood from his body and dress in the fine robes of his office. He took extra care with his hair, combing and twisting the long, twilight strands and wrapping them loosely in silver ribbon. Only when he was finished did he check on his patient and search for his lover. He found him in one of the lush gardens near Arrah's room.
Ereinion didn't notice the master healer's approach; he was lost in thought. He knew that, on all counts, he should be happy. Arrah was safe and would recover, Meg was meeting new people and learning new things, he himself was not being constantly harassed. He was close to his lover, the only place he'd ever wished to be. And yet, his heart was sad.
Elrond stepped up behind him, realizing the elven king's mind was distant. He placed a gentle hand on the strong shoulder. "My l..." He paused and hesitated. "Ereinion?" the elf lord whispered. Ereinion reached up and covered Elrond's hand with his own. "I do so like it when you call me that," he said softly, "and I suppose it makes it all the more sweeter to hear because you say it so rarely." He paused, then continued more quietly, "I know I'm selfish, and I've tried hard to hear your meaning and not just your words, but every time you call me 'my lord' in our most intimate moments, it makes me feel as if I'm the one who's not worthy of you."
"But you are my everything to me. You are my lord, my love, my life..." Elrond's voice trailed off as he lowered his hand, fidgeting absently with his robes. His eyes focused on a small wildflower nearby. "I love all of you, not just Ereinion for I never knew him before he was king. And..." He hesitated, trying to find the right words. "You belong to so many... When we joined, the words became more to me." He shifted and sighed. "It means 'my love' ... for I address no other in the like, lord or not."
Ereinion smiled a soft smile. "I know, my love. And I do enjoying hearing the words, for you say them with more feeling than anyone ever could." He turned to face his lover. "I'll always be Ereinion; that didn't change when I became king. I'll admit, being king does cause me to think differently sometimes, but I'll always be Ereinion, no matter what." He reached over and took Elrond's hands in his own. "It is your choice. I don't want you to change unless you want to change. I should be content just to be with you. But, if you like, could you start calling me Ereinion more often?"
Elrond continued to look away and nodded, hiding the hurt. He didn't mention that when Ereinion was away, and he himself was addressed as 'my lord', that it made him feel closer to his faraway love, or that hearing others address the king himself in such a manner made him remember their more intimate moments and realize that his lover, his lord, was no one else's but his. Of course, he couldn't even begin to say such things aloud or coherently; instead, he apologized. "I am sorry; I had thought it was a jest when you mentioned your annoyance with me, that you truly liked it. I will work on it, for us."
Ereinion tilted Elrond's chin in such a way that they were forced to make eye-contact. "Elerondo, I do like hearing 'my lord' from you, truly. But I relish the few times you've called me by my given name, and I miss those times, and if only one person in the world was allowed to speak that name I would want it to be you, because you make it sound more meaningful and more personal than anyone else."
Elrond maintained the eye contact for some time before the grey globes vanished behind his dark lashes. He spoke in a soft whisper. "It seems as though the more I try to draw you to me, the further I push you away. Our relation is the only one that I have truly had; there had been others before you, but . not like this." He stepped in closer, their bodies touching. "I am afraid of losing you, Ereinion, and if that happens then my heart would break and I could say your name no more, though you would remain my lord, always."
Ereinion wrapped his arms around his love. "I tell you these things because I don't want to lose you either. I cannot help what I feel sometimes. Oftentimes I cannot even explain what I feel. But I know for certain that I could not live without you."
Elrond drew a quivering breath. "With you I am weak..." he murmured and then pressed his lips against his lover's. "I will work on this for us, then."
Ereinion kissed back sweetly. "Don't ever be afraid to call me by name when you wish to, for you have more of a right to do so than many others." He looked over his lover for a long moment. "You're beautiful, Elerondo."
Elrond blushed lightly. His fingers played with his lover's collar as a light smile formed on his features. "Not bad for a peredhel you mean," he teased quietly.
Ereinion kissed him again, playfully, and responded, "You're more attractive than most elves I know."
"More attractive? Surely you jest," Elrond returned. "But I take your words to heart and treasure them."
Ereinion smiled and held Elrond close to him. "Thank you for what you did today, for Arrah. I hope he didn't slap you too hard."
Elrond shook his head and relaxed, letting his head rest on his lover's shoulder. "I have experienced far worse for poorer reasons. He is an angry young man, and you will have your hands full with him."
There was the sound of someone clearing their throat and then one of Rivendell's residents approached. "Pardon me, my lords, but a letter was left for you, Lord Elrond."
Elrond stepped away briefly to accept the letter and placed it in his pocket, waiting for the other to leave before he spoke again. "Do you know if either has family living?"
"Meg has a locket with someone's name on it, but I've not delved deeper into either's history. I intend to as soon as I can."
The dark haired elf sighed. "Humans do not keep track of each other to any degree of great detail. It will be difficult discovering where they come from and who may still be living if they do not know specifics. There are those here who travel extensively that we may implore for aid in this."
Ereinion nodded, then sighed. "My guard will be here soon, if they aren't already."
Elrond hesitated. "It will have been a long journey, perhaps they will rest here a bit before wishing to depart..."
Ereinion sensed Elrond's hurt and was quick to hold him once more and reassure him. "Don't worry, I'll be here a couple weeks yet. I don't intend to let them drag me back to Lindon easily."
Elrond smiled weakly. "I am not certain there is a creature alive that can make you do as you do not desire. But if you are truly needed in Lindon..." He sighed lightly. "We both know you would have to go."
"This is true. However, that doesn't mean I can't do something about it while I'm there. Arrah told me that there are those who complain and those who do something about it. And I am surely one who can do something about it." He smiled softly. "And who's sending you letters?"
"Our great king, learning from a human child," Elrond said with a smile as he kissed his lover's neck gently. "An interesting notion that is." The lord withdrew his letter and unfolded it carefully. He frowned after a moment and put it away. "Havan sent it."
"That's unsettling."
"Only if I let it be," he replied quietly. He smiled then, his fingers trailing over Ereinion's lips. "I sometimes forget how aged you are, for at times you seem so young."
Ereinion smiled softly. "Are you saying I'm old?" he asked playfully.
"Mmm," Elrond moaned lightly, pressing his lips against the light neck. "What if I am?"
"Then I will certainly have to prove you otherwise."
Elrond laughed delightfully. "Oh?"
Ereinion grinned. "Yes." He kissed Elrond for a long moment before breaking away slowly. "But first, I should tend to Arrah and Meg, and you should read your letter and tell me if I should be worried about its contents."
Elrond stepped away with a happy sigh. "Very well. The letter was brief; there is no need for concern."
"I'm glad. I'm going to go get Meg, then see Arrah. Would you like to come with me?"
Elrond shook his head. "No, I think I will walk around a bit."
Ereinion nodded once more, then kissed his love on the cheek before he went to find the young human girl. He found her with the other elves not far from the manor itself, in a light meadow where music and light chatter took place. She sat a bit away from the others, with small jars of colored dye nearby, using a brush to color rocks.
"Hello, Meg," Ereinion said as he approached.
Meg looked up and smiled, putting her small project aside.
"Elrond got the spearhead out of Arrah's belly. I'm about to go see him now. Would you like to come with me?"
She grabbed her pen and paper. *He Okay*
"Yes, he's okay. It'll take some time for him to heal, but he'll make a full recovery."
Meg smiled and shook her head. She then mouthed the word 'stay'.
Ereinion nodded, realizing his mistake. It would take some getting used to communicating with Meg. "Only for a little while," he told her as he sat down. "I promised Arrah I'd look after him." Meg smiled and hugged him tightly. Ereinion hugged back and was reluctant to let go of the young one. "Are you having fun?"
Meg nodded eagerly. *Pretty Colors, Nice Music. Nice Elves.*
Ereinion smiled. "Do you like the elves?"
She nodded. *Do you like us?*
"I love you both," he responded without hesitation.
Meg beamed, truly delighted at the statement. *We just met. But I meant Humans. Do elves like humans?*
"We have no reason to dislike them. On the whole, we're allies and get along well. There are some we dislike, but that is because they are evil, not because they are humans."
Meg frowned momentarily but nodded. *Havan says there are lots of evil people these days. That's why we had guards. Where is your wife?*
"I don't have one," Ereinion said simply.
She took a moment to think and then wrote. *Elves don't marry?*
"Most elves marry before they're 100 years old. I never got around to it. Neither did Elrond. We're strange in that way."
Meg nodded, her brown eyes brightening. *Oh I understand, he is your w* -- she frowned and tapped the pencil a few times and tried again -- *whore.*
Ereinion took the pencil from her hand and marked the word out. "The word whore implies two things: first that I pay him for his services, second that he means nothing to me beyond that. Both are wrong." He gave the pencil back. "He is my friend and my lover. If we were married, he would be my husband."
Meg shrank back, confused and uncertain, though she nodded quickly in acknowledging the error.
Ereinion smiled softly. "It's ok, Meg. You didn't know." He offered his arms to her for a hug.
Meg moved forward hesitantly and then placed her arms around his neck. She placed her lips against his ear. "Havan says adults take whores to bed. He was in your bed..."
Ereinion's heart skipped a beat, not at what she'd spoken but rather that she'd spoken. "Havan knows nothing of who I take to bed with me and why. Elrond is my friend and I love him very much."
Meg smiled and continued to whisper quietly. "That's what adults do ... right?"
"Some of them do, but not all." His own voice was soft and quiet.
Meg backed away and returned to a sitting position near her rocks and dye, picking up the pencil and paper again. *I don't understand. I heard these things but you say it is not so.*
"Havan caters to a certain group of people, and he makes generalizations of those people. They aren't meant to apply to all people everywhere."
Meg sighed and put her tablet down, only nodding.
"You will learn a more realistic view of the world in time," he said softly, smiling gently. "I like to hear your voice." It was a beautiful voice, he thought to himself. Her speech, like her writing, was mostly common and elvish, but her accent suggested she grew up in the far east.
Meg shook her head. *Cannot talk. Masters not allow it.*
"You are no longer a slave, and you will not be so again if I have anything to do it."
She shook her head. *No one ever leaves the grasp of Mordor. He said so.*
"You have been to Mordor?" That worried him.
Meg's eyes looked up at him and she did nothing for a moment. Then she wrote one word on the paper: HOME.