Category: Tolkien-Universe
Rating: M
Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant
Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything
Chapter: 25
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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A month later, Salgant woke to strangers in his bedroom. Okay, not quite strangers, he had met them before, but...
"What!?" He didn't squeak like his intended might have in this situation, but it was a close thing as two red-haired elves leaned over him with identical, almost evil grins.
"Hi. We're here under orders." If not for the fact that Tinnuion was also there, looking moderately put out, he'd probably have screamed for guards once they dragged him to his wardrobe.
"What?" He repeated himself, though somewhat softer and less panicky.
"Apparently, Rog does not want me to potentially run into him working on our wedding jewelry and spoil the surprise." The Lord of the House of the Mole muttered, arms crossed. "So Egalmoth asked the Amrhosco to get me out from underfoot... and well..." He gestured to the two Sons of Fëanor inside the elegantly carved spruce piece of furniture.
"So we're following our big brother's example and stealing some descendants of uncle Fingolfin." One of the red heads beamed at him. "We're going to take you two camping for a month orso! And then bring you back, I don't think cousins Turgon and Aredhel would let us keep you as long as Maglor kept his twins." His brother pulled out several of his more outdoorsy outfits and shoved one of them at him. "Here."
"So... why do I...?" Obediently, he did take the clothes and withdrew behind his chamber-screen to dress. He practically only went to the smithies if he needed Tinnuion for whatever reason, so if his fiancé was out of the city, he would not go there. There was no need to remove him from New Gondolin!
"Hostage." A hand put down his riding-boots around the screen. "To make sure Mouse does not just sneak back to the city before he's allowed."
He did snort at that, braiding his own hair somewhat messily and heading out. "Would you? Sneak back, that is?" He had little choice in the matter, and it would be nice to spend some time with just Tinnuion, even if it was completely unplanned.
"I keep saying I won't, but they don't believe me." Turgon's nephew rolled his eyes.
"Well, you do have a habit of sneaking off when forbidden." The twin with slightly darker hair pointed out with a smirk, elbowing the black-haired elf beside him. "Relax. If you are a good little kidnapping victim for the month, we don't need to dunk your beloved in the first mudpool we encounter and then throw him into a pile of pine-needles."
Now he squeaked a bit, eyes widening at the thought. Camping was not so much a problem for him, but that was a bit much.
"I won't." Mouse grumbled, letting himself be towed along. Salgant was propelled forward by a hand on his back.
"Wait, wait, one question!" He could not outright resist, the Amrhosco that was steering him far stronger than he from regular participation in Oromë's hunt. They didn't stop moving, but the one beside him did throw him a glance meant to encourage him to continue. "Did you at least inform people of this?" He did oversee trade for the city, after all, and there was quite some trading done to keep everyone fed and happy. He was not one of the Lords that could easily take some time off.
"Egalmoth said he'd take care of it." He'd have to trust that the other Lord would not let his neat system go down in flames, then. There were four packed horses waiting in his courtyard and he nearly snorted again when noting that the two of them that he and Tinnuion usually rode were connected to the other two. They were taking this 'kidnapping'-bit very seriously!
"Let's go!" He got shoved gently towards his horse and obediently climbed on with a chuckle. Beside him, he noticed the faint uptick of Tinnuion's mouthcorner.
"Theoretically, should we not be calling for aid if this is a kidnapping?" He leaned over a bit, urging his horse to follow despite the sentiment of his words.
"Theoretically, you two should be bound and gagged if this were a kidnapping." Egalmoth was waiting at his gates, eyes sparkling in amusement. "Here." He held a package up to him as the group briefly stopped. "Breakfast and lunch for today."
"Dad..." Tinnuion whined, looking down beseechingly, but making no move to get off his horse.
"Have fun." The Lord of the Heavenly Arch patted his leg with a soft laugh. "Behave. Be back by the next monthly council. Don't drink, and if you do, don't drive afterwards."
Salgant laughed at that, the stereotypical parental rules for leaving the house being levelled at his century-old fiancé. Tinnuion could see the same humor in the matter and grinned widely. "I don't know if I should obey your rules. You are letting me get abducted in front of you!"
"Alas, I am still recovering and can't save you. Wrong father for that." Egalmoth stepped back a bit, favouring his leg just a touch. "Rog's not here, as you can see... Maybe if Aredhel were here, you could call upon her as well."
"Besides, if he saves you now, how are we going to get the ransom?" The twin connected to Tinnuion's grey mare laughed as he drove his horse forward. "Expect the note in three weeks!"
"Make sure they don't sneakily marry out there!" The older elf laughed outright at the scandalized look on his son's face as he called after them. "I won't give ransom if that happens, then you have to keep them!"
"Dad!" Salgant nearly fell off his horse laughing.
