Lady Anck-su-namunThank you so much! It always thrills me when someone is touched by my stories. Please keep reading.
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Chapter Five
Was you who spoke the words that things would happen, but not to me? All things are gonna happen naturally…
Elladan and Elrohir quickly began part of the Havens. One might has thought that two Lords so used to being in control over their own land would have balked at being under the authority of another. But with the sons of Elrond it wasn't so. Indeed, if the twins had been raised in the Havens all their lives they would not have been a better fit among the people.
They decided to take up the simple grey tunic the other ellons of the Havens wore. Instead of the princely robes they were allowed due to their position they choose to be in amongst the people in everyway. Everything they turned their hands to seemed to blossom. In weeks they had mastered the art of sailing around the bay and the surrounding sea. Much to the disgust of some they also gained the approving eye of many of the pretty elleths in the Havens.
It would be a lie to say that everyone loved them, but they weren't mean men. They just naturally gained love from the elves around them as they went.
Elladan made friends with Eglerion's having met him some decades before while in Ithilien. Although it surprised Elladan to learn that his companion was to be married.
"Really?" Elladan asked, "To whom?"
"What do you mean to whom?" Eglerion tossed back. They were sailing around the bay with a load of boys on a fishing trip, "You were talking to her last night…you know after night."
"But I only…" Elladan trailed off and thought of the elleth he had spoken to. She was the one with the sad eyes and hair the color of black pearls. He had noticed the ring on her finger but he had thought it was for a lost love. Certainly her eyes didn't glow with that light that betrothed couple only shared.
"Elladan? Are you awake?" Eglerion teased. But there was a note of curiosity in his voice.
Elladan smiled, "Nothing, I'm just forgetful. Father sometimes was. It's because of my human heritage you know."
"Oh?" Eglerion asked in a tone that indicted that he didn't care at all.
"How long have you and …uh..."
"Itarildë." Eglerion rolled his eyes, "You are forgetful. Honestly, Elladan. And it's been a year and a half at least."
"Was she betrothed before?" Elladan asked tactlessly.
"Why would you say that?" Eglerion asked sharply.
But before Elladan could make another mistake, a bundle of rope dropped onto his head from the sails above. A moment later Elrohir swung down from the rigging and began to help Eglerion dig his brother out of the tangled mass.
"Sorry," Elrohir apologized, but he didn't sound quite sincere, "I didn't see you there brother. Here, let me soak your head for you."
"No, that's alright," said Elladan, not taking the hint, "I'll be alright in a moment."
"No, I'm sure you more seriously hunt then that." Elrohir gave his brother a suggestive look, "So, you'd better come and soak your head."
"Oh," Elladan answered, he lanced at Eglerion, "Oh, right. Yes…ouch, yes my head is smarting something evil. Good idea brother."
And Elrohir all but dragged his twin away from the Ithilien elf who was bursting with questions. Cirdan, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, now pretended that he had no idea what was going on as he wandered by a thoughtful Eglerion. The Ithilien elf was working the roping back into a neat bundle, but his hands moved slowly and it was easy to see he was wrapped up in his thoughts.
At the bow of the ship Elrohir was practically drowning his brother with salt water as he berated him for being such a tactless jackass.
"How was I supposed to know that they were betrothed?" Elladan said.
"Because he had said so!" Elrohir returned, "You should have at least pretended that nothing was wrong. Honestly, telling him that you thought she'd been betrothed. What is he supposed to think?"
"But she don't behave like a bound elleth, she doesn't even look like one." Elladan said dosing his head in fresh water, "You know she doesn't."
Elrohir rolled his eyes in eerie imitation of his father, "Yes, Elladan. I've noticed, I'm sure the whole Havens have noticed that. But Eglerion hasn't. You may have…well, I suppose in the end it might be for the best." Elrohir fell into what Elladan called his 'philosopher mode,' and wandered away.
Elladan shook the water from his braids and moved back to where Eglerion finished putting the rope onto the provided spooks.
"Uh…I'm sorry if I misspoke earlier I…"
"Never mind," Eglerion said shortly, "It doesn't matter."
And that, it would seem, was all the other elf would say about it. But it would be wrong to say that Eglerion discounted what the Prince of Rivendell had said. No, in fact he began to think deeply upon it and watch his beloved with Elladan's words in mind.
"I must confess I was surprised to get your letter," said Caladhiel. She yawned and leant back in her deck chair. Itarildë andCaladhiel were relaxing on the porch of the main house and at Caladhiel's comment Itarildë blushed red.
"Why? Can't I marry whom I like?" she asked.
"Certainly, and Eglerion is defiantly one whom to like. I've rarely seen as handsome an ellon as he." Caladhiel answered, "But I didn't think you would marry a wood elf."
Itarildë didn't answer. She and her friend had been weaving the last of the summer straw into sun hats for the children. Although the straw cut their fingers they enjoin the work well enough. Itarildë had removed her engagement ring to work faster. Caladhiel picked it up and watched the light sparkle off the many facets of the stone.
"If I were you I won't ever take this off. Why, you might lose it in the sand."
"I'm sure I would never be so careless." Itarildë answered. Yet, she couldn't help but smile at her friend. Caladhiel was her only friend remaining in Middle Earth and ever now she was planning on sailing with the next ship.
"I wonder when that stuffy old shipwright will finish the ship. I can't imagine that it could take so long to build a simple boat." Caladhiel said next.
"It actually takes a great deal of care and thought. You should see the hours of care and work that Cirdan pours into each and every vessel. I can tell you that not one ship that sails for Valinor without his stamp of approval. Each one is made differently and with a great deal of care." Itarildë said.
"Fine. Forget I asked!" Caladhiel held up both hands in mock protest. "I think that you should marry Cirdan instead of Eglerion then you could boast about the ships without everyone thinking you're strange."
"Don't be silly." Itarildë said, "Cirdan is …is he too great and good to think of in that silly way. I won't have you mocking him Caladhiel."
She turned away with a blush on her cheeks. Caladhiel subsided, but tucked away a little mental note that Cirdan would bring a blush to her friends face, but not her betrothed.
"Curiouser and Curiouser." Caladhiel mused.
"What did you say?" Itarildë said.
"Nothing," Caladhiel answered, she brushed some straw off her lap, "Just something about true love not being hidden.
And Itarildë blushed even more.
