Sorry this took a bit to get out. I have been swamped with work and with family. Please let me know what you think. Please note that I had to type it on the website without a proof reader. Right now my subscription to my notepad is up and I have no internet.
Elrond sat silent and still waiting for something, anything, to happen, half expecting it not to go well. It almost never did. In his heart he could already see how this could end badly in too many ways to count.
"I thought twins were a legend," Thranduil said in amazement.
"No, I think we are quiet real," Elrond said softly, hoping it didn't show just how uneasy he was.
"I am sorry. I never did introduce myself. I am Thranduil, son of Oropher," he said as he lowered his head respectfully.
"I am Elrond, twin of Elros, son of Earendil, adopted son of Gil-Galad, King of Lindon and High King of the Noldor," he said lowering his head as well, hearing Elros sigh, knowing he wasn't taking this well.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Elrond," he smiled seeing the book in his hands. "May I ask what you are reading?"
"A book on the Maia and Valar. I was trying to find information on the Maia named Malian."
"Isn't she the one who fell in love with a human?"
"Yes," Elrond smiled. "She is also the mother of Luthien. Luthien bore Dior, who bore Elwing, our mother."
Thranduil sat down next to him and looked at the book for a second.
"There was a different book that I read with information about her. I don't remember which one though. If I think of it, I will let you know."
"Thanks," Elrond smiled.
"I was told you like to read."
"I do," Elrond glared at his twin who was now sitting on the far side of the room. "Why?"
"I was thinking maybe one day we could go somewhere and sit down with a book or two to read," Thranduil explained.
"Are you just trying to find ways to spend time with me?"
"Maybe... Is that a bad thing?" he responded.
"Not entirely. I think it depends on what you have in mind."
Thranduil chuckled at the thought. "I promise I won't do anything that you don't agree to. If that means you don't want to sit in the forest by a lake and instead you want to walk through town, we will walk through town together."
Elrond smiled at the thought. If Thranduil was willing to do things he wanted to do, there was a few things that came to his mind quickly.
"In that case, Thranduil, son of Oropher, I would gladly spend time with you. I would enjoy the chance to get to know you as well. Would you like to share some tea with me?"
"Tea would be great. Would your twin be joining us?"
"Only if he wants to," Elrond smiled at his brother.
"I would love to join you for tea," Elros smiled before opening the door and asking a guard for three cups of tea to be brought to them.
As soon as the guard left and the door shut, Elros moved to sit next to his twin. Thranduil looked between the two for a few moments realizing that their personality was different, but they were very hard to tell apart. He couldn't imagine being the father to twins so close in appearance and all the trouble raising them. Thranduil watched silently as Elros leaned over and whispered into his twin's ear.
"Do you think he is like us?" Elros asked.
"In what way?" he questioned.
"In the way of preferring male company over women company."
"I don't know. Would you like to invite him to share our bed if so?" Elrond asked only receiving a nod in response. That would be something quiet enjoyable in thought, but it didn't seem likely to happen.
Thranduil sat silently while they whispered to each other. In a way he felt like a third wheel, but Elrond did invite him to enjoy tea. But as much as he wanted to continue their conversation or even talk to the half elven twins in general, he couldn't think of anything to talk to them about.
"So... what do you like to read about?" Thranduil finally asked.
"Just about anything I can get my hands on," Elrond answered. "Gil-Galad seems to have a wide variety of books and I have enjoyed reading so many of them."
Elros stood when he saw the door open and a guard appear with a try of tea. Taking the tray, he crossed the room. The guards kept their eyes on the three young adults, especially the twins, like Gil-Galad asked them to. It wasn't as if Gil-Galad didn't trust them, he just wanted to protect them. He also suspected an intimate relationship between the two boys, but he didn't feel confident enough to talk to them about it. He figured finding out for himself would be the best plan of action. Silently taking their leave, the guards left them in peace.
Elros placed a cup of tea in front of he Sindar elf before putting one in front of his brother. Placing a dish of tea leaves in front of them, he placed his own cup in front of him before scooping some leaves into his cup and an equal amount into his twin's.
"How much would you like, Thranduil?"
"The same amount will be fine," he responded.
Elros smiled as he scooped the same amount of leaves into the last cup as he watched them start to expand and their flavor start to seep into the hot water. Moving to sit across from the other two, he stayed quiet allowing his brother time with their company.
"Do you spend most of your time in the library?" Thranduil asked.
"Most of the time. I do other things as well. I just enjoy books, reading, and learning more," he explained.
"Would you be interested in joining me in some weapons training one day?"
"I don't mind. Please know that I am not a great fighter. I didn't start learning till I was around thirty," Elrond explained. "I am still learning and don't mind practicing with someone new."
"Then I would love to practice with you one day," Thranduil smiled. "Maybe we can teach each other something new."
"I would enjoy that," Elrond smiled.
"Hey, maybe then you will stay out of the library for an entire day," Elros joked as Thranduil laughed. "Seriously Thranduil, he brings books to bed with him."
"Don't tell him that, Elros. He may think I am a stuck up, know it all and never talk to me again," Elrond said as he used a spoon to start scooping out the tea leaves.
"Actually, I find knowledge attractive," Thranduil smiled.
Elrond stopped in shock as he heard this before quickly putting down his spoon and taking a sip of he almost boiling tea. He didn't want to address the comment. Elros on the other hand took a spoon and started to filter his tea.
"Your tea should be about ready," he said calmly, changing the subject to try to ease the comfort in the room.
"It is great, Elros. Thanks," Elrond smiled putting his cup down as Thranduil sat silently.
It was only after Elros had strained his tea and Thranduil had started to strain his that the blonde even spoke.
"What I was trying to say is, there is nothing wrong with an elf or anyone as a matter of fact being knowledgeable. I think someone who is well read is much more attractive than someone who isn't. I am sorry if I came across wrong on that. And by no means was I saying it in a flirtatious way."
"I think you shocked him more than anything," Elros muttered.
"Shocked, very much so. Assuming that you were trying to be flirtatious with me, that I didn't do," Elrond responded softly.
Thranduil let that sit in for a bit as they all sipped their tea silently. Even though he wanted to stay and talk longer, he felt it would be best to leave shortly.
"If neither of you mind, I will take my leave," Thranduil finally spoke up.
"It was a pleasure to meet you," Elrond replied politely.
"Thanks for having me."
"I will walk you out," Elros smiled standing up. "After you."
Thranduil nodded before walking to the library door and silently out. They didn't get far before Elros spoke.
"I am sorry for any uneasiness."
"No, it's my fault. I didn't mean to make anything uncomfortable. I meant what I said though. And in a way towards both men and women. I hope I didn't ruin my chances of spending time in his presence again."
"I don't think so," Elros smiled. "Give him at least two days. I am sure by then he will be up to meeting you again."
"Thanks," Thranduil said leaning in and hugging the half elf before whispering, "But I really meant what I said. Please don't tell him."
"I won't," Elros smiled as Thranduil pulled back and turned away. "Keep in touch."
"I will," he called disappearing behind the corner.
Elros turned back to the library to talk to his brother as a guard smiled and turned towards the small office where Gil-Galad and his most rusted adviser went over trades.