Category: Tolkien-Universe
Rating: M
Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant
Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything
Chapter: 17
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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"I hate these things..." Rog muttered darkly once he had safely arrived in the royal courtyard, the crowd not passing beyond the gate. "Next time, we're throwing Galdor down the collapsing road."
"Hey!" Galdor frowned, stopping from where he had wanted to help his friend out of the carriage. "Why me!?"
"Because you are long overdue to have something dramatic happen to you." Egalmoth pointed out with a grin. "Mr. I'm-just-going-to-survive-the-First-Age-like-it's-easy..."
"Tuor survived as well!" He countered, gesturing to the man currently getting of his own horse.
Tuor in turn gasped in mock-insult while petting his horse. "Keep me out of this!"
"Perfect, since these things happen in twos." Rog leaned heavily on Glorfindel, carefully and slowly making his way onto solid ground. "Then you lot can deal with bloody parades and I can just stay in my forge... like I am meant to."
"Should we remind you that your adopted son is a Prince of Gondolin and at some point is going to marry?" Turgon purred as he hopped down from the vehicle nimbly, which made Rog glower evilly at him and Tinnuion turn beetred. Salgant chuckled softly, grinning apologetically at his fiancé. "I expect you to stand at his side when that happens."
"Can I pick who is standing closest to me or is that Tinnuion's job?" Aredhel, Elenwë and Fingon approached the group, Aredhel throwing her arms around Egalmoth's shoulders carefully for a hug. "Welcome back to New Gondolin, you two. Just know that if you do something like that again, I am feeding you to Oromë's hounds."
"Duly noted." He didn't have an arm free to return the gesture, but he leaned his head against her shoulder briefly. Pulling back lightly, he looked at the waiting stretchers. "One of those is mine, I guess?"
"Yes." Elenwë greeted him and Rog gently. "You must be exhausted. I have arranged two of the guestrooms for you, to keep from dragging you through half of New Gondolin while you are still recovering."
"Much appreciated, my Lady." The Lord of the Heavenly Arch let himself be laid out on the soft cloth of the stretcher, eyes slipping close. Before it could be lifted from the ground, Elrohir climbed on as well, curling in the curve of his healthy arm. "I think you downplayed how cuddly your great-grandchildren are, Tuor." He chuckled softly, reaching with his healthy hand to card through the soft fur.
"Honestly, I am tempted to join him, but we'd need a bigger stretcher to fit me." He grinned down while bustling Rog onto the other one. "Besides, they worked really hard. They deserve some cuddles." His older great-grandson cheeped in happy agreement at that statement from where he had slid out of the carriage.
"I suppose they do." Elrond leaned down, scratching Elladan's head. "C'mere, I'll have to carry you after them if you want to join." At that, the sea otter grumbled something and Erestor promptly appeared beside him.
"You most assuredly do not." He reached down, hoisting the fluffy form into his arms. "You are still drained from your healing, you are not carrying this heavy thing." A very upset squeak sounded from beside his head at that, one free paw smacking his chest. "Elladan, you weigh a tonne, your father would probably collapse under your weight right now. Do you want to explain to your mother why he's a pancake?"
Elrond rolled his eyes good-naturedly, but trailed after them without any extra baggage. Elenwë and Fingon caught off most of the group, pointing out that what was most needed was rest, which would not be gotten if all the Lords of Gondolin went along. Glaur and Ecthel pretended not to notice that their queen was staring at them in particular.
In the end, the only one that was allowed to follow was Tinnuion, Elenwë dragging her husband off for rest of his own and her law-brother shooing the rest away to - as he put it - start the party outside, thank you very much.
Several of them swore they'd make him regret that one, but all more or less obediently filtered out of the royal palace for now.
