Category: Tolkien-Universe
Rating: M
Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant
Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything
Chapter: 15
Copyright: Characters & places © By Tolkien Estate and/or mynameisjessejk, Plot & OC´s © by me
Authors note: Set in the Otter(less) Mayhem Universe of abovementioned mynameisjessejk on AO3. Unofficial sequel to 'The House of the Mole'
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Turgon hung back a bit, mouth-corner quirking up just a touch when Glorfindel and Ecthelion jumped of their horses and into the river. He could just make out Erestor's facepalm as he chuckled warmly at the exuberant greeting of his husband not to him. He could not make out Rog and Egalmoth, both of them now hidden from view by the rest of the group that had been waiting on the shoreline and had followed their peers just a touch slower.
His great-grandson splashed into the river, walking over as the two boats were dragged into the sandy bank. He was saying something now, but he could not make out the words.
The twins - his family's twins - joined their father and then there was Egalmoth, now quite visible. The two were lifting him from the boat carefully, one of his legs splinted up its' entire length... It was the one that had been between his horse and the rockwall, Gondolin's King realized. But once the black-haired lord was beyond the water, on the sand, he managed to balance on his good leg with just the help of one of the twins. Though he could tell his friend was leaning heavily on the youngster, arm wrapped around his shoulders. The other arm - he noted - was also splinted, a sling keeping it from moving about too much.
At the same time, the blond husband of one of them was assisting Elrond with Rog, for all of the five seconds until Glaur and Ecthel almost literally stole him from them. Rog laughed at that, loud and boisterous as was his wont, but did not object as they got him onto solid land as well, looking far less likely to collapse into a heap compared to Egalmoth.
Behind them, Tuor changed back from his sealion-skin, throwing over the tunic the Teleri held out to him. He had been moving between the two groups once they had returned to the river, arranging for an appropriate meeting-spot that was not too far for either of them.
"Tinnu!" There was command in the word, though it was softly spoken. Quite frankly, he'd probably not have heard it had the group not obligingly quieted so they would not drown it out. The elder Lords parted, opening up their tight circle in the direction of the two youngest. Salgant had not abandoned Tinnuion, had lingered at his side as his nephew only slowly moved away from the cluster of horses. He remembered what he'd overheard, all those years ago, about Salgant needing Tinnuion's strength. He was certainly using it now, gently pushing his fiancé towards the one who had summoned him.
Somewhere between last seeing him and now, the strength of the Lord of the Heavenly Arch had failed, needing support on both sides now instead of just the one to stay upright. Still, he imperiously waved towards the boy, beckoning him close with his healthier arm.
"Mouse." Rog's voice was far stronger and louder, having grown powerful from needing to be heard over smithwork. "Now, please." The sharp statement earned him a look from the other Lord, but it did get Aredhel's son moving.
He hesitated just outside the group, but another beckon - this time from the smith - got him moving again. He flew that last bit, nearly bearing all three of them to the ground with the force of his impact. Despite various others helping them stay upright, it had to hurt. He could see the bandages below the simple shirt Rog wore and Egalmoth's leg was impossible to miss. Neither was in a state to easily catch a grown elf.
They gave no indication of any discomfort however, folding themselves around the youngster tenderly. He clung to them, heartrending sobs echoing in the silence of the rest of the group. They just tightened their grips, heads against his. Turgon could not quite see, but he was pretty certain Egalmoth was talking into Tinnuion's hair, Rog's head firmly on his shoulder, face half-hidden in black hair. Beside and behind them, several sets of hands helped them to stay upright without having to lean fully on their son.
"I'm sorry... Please... I'm sorry..." The sobs made way to grief-filled, stammering apologies as Gondolin's king slid down from his own horse and started down the soft ground towards them. "I didn't..."
"Ssshh..." He was close enough now to hear Egalmoth's weak voice, muffled as it was in the other's hair. "Ssshh... None of that, Tinnu, none of that..."
"We're alright... we'll be alright." Rog's voice carried a wavering note he was pretty certain he had never heard in it before. "We're here, we're here with you."
"We're here." Egalmoth pressed a kiss against the trembling form in his arm, gently caressing the messy locks when that move tore a heartbroken wail from the form. Arms tightened around them, the Lord of the House of the Mole seemingly attempting to channel his sigil-animal and burrow into them. In a tenderness they had never seen from him before, Rog mirrored the Lord beside him, lips brushing the temple beside his head.
A quick look revealed that there were tears again, but these were tender ones of happiness at the reunion.
