we are staying with Dinendal, Erestor, and Elladan in this chapter...

CHAPTER 11

Erestor awoke to the sound of giggling. He sat up and saw Dinendal and Elladan talking. Every so often Elladan would say something while nudging his head in Erestor's direction and then Dinendal would giggle. Erestor stood up and walked over to them, taking a seat at the table where they were.

" May I inquire as to what is so funny?"

Dinendal blushed slightly and looked away, causing Erestor to chuckle. Elladan held up a hand.

" I was telling him about the time Elrohir and I pranked you in the wine cellar."

Erestor groaned.

" Why would you even speak of that?"

Dinendal looked at Erestor, still blushing.

" I am sorry that I laughed."

Erestor smiled and shook his head.

" There is no reason to be sorry. It is just that this Elrondion," Erestor nodded at Elladan, " And I were courting at the time of said prank."

Dinendal's eyes widened at Elladan.

" How could you do such a thing to your courted?"

Elladan held up his hands, trying not to burst into laughter.

" I did not mean for it to go as it did. You see, we had only set up a few corks to pop out of their own accord. They were just supposed to fall out of the bottle. I had never intended them to shoot from the bottle and hit Erestor."

Erestor crossed his arms.

" Did you also tell him I had to stay in the healing wing for a week?"

Dinendal gasped.

"Elladan!"

Elladan stood and plopped himself into Erestor's lap.

" Must I keep apologizing?"

Erestor grinned.

" Of course you must."

Dinendal watched the two intently. It seemed as though they were falling back into their love quite easily. It was almost as though they had forgotten he was there. He began to stand, to give them some time alone, but a hand on his forearm stopped him.

" Dinendal nin?"

Dinendal noticed that both Erestor and Elladan were looking at him in concern. He mentally cursed himself. He had not wanted to make them concerned about him. Elladan hopped off Erestor's lap and Erestor stood, taking Dinendal in his arms.

"What ails you?"

Dinendal shook his head.

" It is nothing."

"Dinendal..." Erestor said sternly, " Tell us. What ails you?"

Dinendal sighed.

" Do you still love me?"

Erestor looked at him, shocked that he would even ask such a thing.

" Of course I do."

Dinendal breathed a sigh of relief, but there was one thing he had wondered. He finally looked at Elladan.

" Is it only Erestor you wish to court?"

Elladan did not answer for a moment. It was not out of rudeness nor because he had to think of his answer, but because he thought his intent had been made clear. He stepped closer to Dinendal.

" I wish to court you both, if that is okay."

Dinendal looked at Erestor with a smile on his face.

" What do you think Erestor? Shall we let this beautiful elf court us?"

Erestor pretended to think about it, earning him a playful slap on the arm from Dinendal. He chuckled.

" Yes we shall."

TBC...