Category: Tolkien-Universe

Rating: M

Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant

Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything

Chapter: 54

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'

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

It was a few days later that Elrond's twins arrived in the city, asking for Egalmoth - or Aikaldamor, as they called him, speaking Quenya for whatever reason. Which was a problem, because Rog had taken his fiancé back to the area his family usually travelled to see them off and meet some more members of his family that had not joined the journey to New Gondolin.

Meanwhile, Tinnuion was suffering under his father's duties. Granted, he had assured the Lord of the Hammer of Wrath that he'd take care of matters, but to suddenly get Egalmoth's as well... He was very happy with Salgant right now, the Lord of the Harp could tell. He had offered to take Egalmoth's duties for the week orso that the older Lord would be missing, so that his husband had to only deal with Rog's workload on top of his own.

"So theoretically, since I am doing Egalmoth's work for road-maintenance, I need to go?" They both rose from their seats when Egalmoth's secretary left the room to wait outside. "Though you are their son."

"I'll go, I guess." Mouse rolled his eyes, tugging his robes. "Can you...?"

"Of course I'll join, my husband." The brown-haired Lord grinned at the faint blush shooting up the cheeks of the other elf. That, he'd not tire of any time soon. "Lead the way."

They followed the secretary through the administrative building to where Egalmoth's office was, where they were greeted by the two Sons of Elrond, and a couple of new faces. Though Salgant had his suspicions, as the male of the pair looked a lot like his primary law-father. He kept from frowning, because they both were far underdressed for the rank of nobility he had always assumed them to have.

"Sorry, we didn't know he was absent. We'd have picked a better time." The older twin adressed them in polite Quenya, Feanorian lisp on full display.

"It was a last minute decision." Tinnu pulled his title of Heir to the City around him like a cloak and Salgant took up a spot at his shoulder. He also spoke Quenya, but with a distinct Sindarin accent that mostly came from a lack of occassions to speak Quenya. "Rauko found his family and took him to meet them."

The Heir-consort of Gondolin - at least, until Turgon and Elenwë got themselves a son - noted that both of the new arrivals flinched at that. Well, it's not often one heard talk about a 'demon' quite so casually.

"They are expected back in two or three days, depending on their speed of travel." Turgon's nephew informed them before turning to the two elves that had been politely waiting in chairs to the side where they had clearly been placed by the secretary while she fetched someone to talk to them. She returned almost as if on cue, followed by a servant with refreshments. "But I am remiss. I am Lord Lómion of the House of the Mole, son of Aikaldamor and heir to this city. This is my spouse, Lord Salakanto, Lord of the Harp."

Both ducked their heads.

"The fault is ours." The younger twin smiled gently. "These are Lord Aikaldamor's parents. We met them in Valimar and at their request escorted them here to meet with their son."

Salgant felt the surprise of his spouse at that statement, and could almost see the line of intense scrutiny Aredhel's son subjected this last set of grandparents to. 'When you told me that they had not taken sides and had been upset at him for doing so, I honestly thought they considered themselves just too tangential to the drama...' He send down their marriage-bond, tilting his own head. 'But now...'

'Now I think they felt themselves too low-ranked to have opinions about their Lords.' Tinnuion agreed with his assessment. The two were simply dressed, even considering they were wearing travelling-clothes. What jewelry they had was sparse, simpel and of a kind that looked as mass-produced as things could be. The most elaborate thing they had was the embroidery pattern, probably done by the female herself. Commoners, both of them, and from their demeanor towards the four Lords in the room with them, quite low-ranked ones as well.

"Well, they are welcome to stay until his return, most assuredly." Tinnuion looked at the secretary with an unspoken request to which she curtsied and headed out to prepare rooms in the guesthouse. "Do you speak Sindarin? Most resident of this city do not speak Quenya, as they are Beleriand-born."

"No, My Lord." The male demurred.

'Does Rog speak Quenya?' Salgant wondered in their bond and nearly snorted at the mental shrug he got in answer. 'Well, that's going to be interesting then.'