Warning male/male relationships, slash. Family fluff.

AN Another, somewhat shorter chapter. I think things are starting to heat up a bit! Yours, DR.

Summary Keeping others out had always been the easiest way to protect themselves from the hurt of others leaving them. For there was nothing worse. The twins hated being left behind.

.oOo.

Chapter 5

.oOo.

A tingling along the short hairs of his neck told him they were staring at him again. It made his stomach tie itself up in knots so he stopped momentarily in his eating, uncomfortable under their heavy gazes.

Lavender eyes rose from his plate to the pair sitting across from him. Elrohir quickly looked away and looked intent on devouring his breakfast as fast as possible, but Elladan did not bother hiding his curious gaze.

Aerandir put down his spoon, gracefully wiping his mouth with the corner of a napkin. "Why are you staring at me?"

The twins had been studying him the whole morning and Aerandir preferred eating his breakfast without being looked at like some animal at display.

Twin pairs of silver grey eyes flickered at his question and Aerandir could almost hear the words that begged to slip off of their tongues. Still, the elder twin managed to stop them at the last minute. "No, it is nothing."

A thin, dark brow arched. "It is obviously not nothing."

Aerandir could not understand the sudden change that had overtaken the twins over the past week. A wall of awkwardness had appeared between them. It was strong and overbearingly obvious to all that were around them, but neither twin were willing to address this new development.

Sending a questioning glance towards the elven lord at the head of the table made Aerandir frown deeper. Lord Elrond would, as his sons, remain a mystery to him. Why do you avert your gaze? Thought Aerandir as he watched the lord forcibly pull his advisor into conversation, a strategic retreat if he ever saw one.

"It is obvious the young Lords here have finally realised your shy beauty, my friend," Gildor laughed jokingly, enjoying the offered entertainment this early in the morning.

"I am glad it amuses you, oh ancient one." Aerandir shot back dryly, not in the mood for the elder elf's teasing remarks.

Gildor, gladly rising to the challenge, quickly fell into his routine of playful teasing. "Why, of course, Your Highness." He even threw a small mock bow into his performance. Gildor smiled widely at the glare that was cast his way, before Aerandir turned away to finish his bowl of berries with cream.

Gildor watched the younger elf eat while nibbling on some cheeze, content to wait for him to finish. After a while though the blond elf's eyes drifted to the window as he took in the sun's position in the sky before he rose from his seat. "Come, Princess, it is time. I shall humbly escort you to your throne in the gardens." He winked, offering his hand to help Aerandir rise.

Aerandir sighed, clearly Gildor was intent on vexing him. Offering a slight bow of his own to his table companions, he said, "Thank you for the meal."

Elrond nodded. "Remember, dinner will be served early today. I'll send for you."

He nodded, hand raised in a farewell gesture. "My lord." Sending a last smile in the direction of the twins, he was disappointed to see both avoid his eyes. Relenting, Aerandir left, following Gildor to the door.

Finally braving a glance in the direction of the exiting pair, Elrohir watched as the overly jolly Gildor escorted Aerandir out of the hall. Sighing, he leaned back against the chair. Feeling exhausted by the new extra tension that had started between them.

Elladan, on the other hand, was busy throwing daggers at the blond wanderers back. His hair an agitated mess from their hasty awakening this morning.

The twins had been on patrol these last three days. Elrohir thought it strangely timely, but quickly realised that it was due to Erestor's manipulations, the elder apparently took pity on them. Still, their brake away from Rivendell had given them both necessary time to reconsider their new relationship with Aerandir, although the elf in question still remained oblivious to them knowing their familial connection.

The twins had argued the whole night after their return about the best way to address the subject with the younger elf, not wanting to scare him off. But as of yet, considering they had slept in and Gildor apparently having staked his claim on Aerandir's time this morning, they would have to catch the elf after dinner to tell him.

"Elladan, you are bending the spoon." Erestor pointed out, dark eyes clearly amused.

Releasing his hold, the utensil fell to the table horribly bent. Elladan stared at it as if wondering how it came to be in that shape.

Elrohir leaned in. "Dan, don't kill the cutlery just because you wish to strangle a certain elf," he said pointedly, well aware of his brother's inclination to hurt Gildor for his overly friendly attitude towards their brother. Not that Elrohir did not share his brother's dislike. They had quickly agreed that Gildor was not good enough an elf to even be considered a suitor for Aerandir, not to mention a possible mate.

They had discussed their feelings regarding Aerandir and had each been shocked by the other's revelations. Elrohir had been glad to find that his twin didn't blame him for his inappropriate feelings towards Aerandir. Knowing that Elladan too had harbored an unexplained attraction to the elf, even if it was more in form of the behavior a protective brother would have towards his sibling.

Elrohir had also been shocked by how easily Elladan seemed to adopt the younger elf into their family. His twin had always been obstinate about family and even those they had known a long time, such as Erestor, had had to work hard to be included into their little circle. Both elves knew it was due to the breaking of their family with their mother's sailing. Keeping others out had always been the easiest way to protect themselves from the hurt of others leaving them.

For there was nothing worse. The twins hated being left behind.

Elladan growled. "I do not like the way he keeps following him unsupervised." His hand retook the spoon and resumed playing with his food, shuffling it from one side to the other.

"He is a good and honorable elf, Elladan, as you both know very well." Elrond was happy to see his sons accepting Aerandir's presence, but this new hostility and almost disturbing overprotectiveness Elladan was showing was something he couldn't permit.

"Well, if you disregard his flirtatious personality," said Erestor, popping a piece of fruit into his mouth. "He would be your average elf, wouldn't he?"

Elrond sent Erestor a betrayed look, silently asking him not to add further fuel to the fire. Knowing his eldest, Elladan would explode into a fit and Elrond would end up having to take responsibility for the corpse that would turn up a week later.

"That is exactly it!" fumed Elladan. His gray eyes a whirl of liquid metal as they fixed on the doors the elf had left through. "If he had been an responsible adult, he would stop harassing Aerandir. Who knows to what lengths he will take his games?"

Elrohir tried to calm him with a hand on his arm. "Dan, I'm sure Gildor won't jump him without his consent." Inwardly, Elrohir certainly hoped he wouldn't, since that would force him to join his brother in whatever act of revenge he came up with.

A laugh from Erestor sucessfully drew the attention of the peredhil. The advisor leaned his head into his hand lazily, watching them with his eyes glowing with mirth. "Do not worry, little one." The smooth voice and the knowing smile on his lips sent shivers down the twins' spines.

"Gildor does not even notice what his own feelings are yet," Erestor said with a sly smile. "Though you accuse him of being a philanderer, Gildor is still quite inexperienced in the ways of the heart.."

Erestor let his feline-like eyes slide over to Elrond seated beside him, who was looking as shocked as his sons, before he added, "Always have been actually."

The table fell awfully quiet. Erestor didn't bother turning when he heard the twins rushed footsteps as they left the table in a rush. Instead he kept his gaze on the half-elf beside him.

"I will not lie to you, my friend," Erestor said as he traced a finger over the rim of his glass. His manner darkening immediately once the twins left the room. "I am afraid there has been a slight miscalculation in my plans."

"What do you mean?" Elrond's brows wrinkled in thought, concerned over his friend's sudden gloom. Erestor had been unusually happy these last few weeks and watching his mood take such a sudden turn for the worse was not how he wanted to begin his morning.

Erestor turned solemn as he dug up a piece of paper from his pocket. The paper slip was nothing more than a short message, but one of heavy importance. Elrond took the note and quickly recognised it to be a relay from the southern guard post. Why the correspondance had gone to Erestor and not directly to him did not register in his mind at that instant. Instead, his eyes widened as they scanned the hastily written message.

'Lord Glorfindel and his party has been spotted a few miles south.'

Stormy gray eyes locked with Erestor's dark ones. The seriousness on Erstor's face told Elrond it was no jest and when the advisor opened his mouth a second later it only confirmed his fears.

"I received it just this morning. He will be here by nightfall."

.oOo.

Aerandir did not know what to expect when the twins asked him to accompany them on a walk after dinner. Their sudden willingness to speak with him confused him. Elrohir was walking a little ahead of them, while Elladan kept in pace beside him.

The night was warm. A prelude of summer. The warm but comforting air calmed him and he felt some of his fears leave him. That is, until he realised where they were leading him.

"Why are we here?" he asked nervously. Aerandir knew from experience that the twins avoided their mother's garden religiously. The only time they visited it was on special days or when the longing became to much for them. So finding them leading him here now made suspicious, indeed.

Aerandir watched Elrohir climb the short stair before he disappeared into the gazebo. When Elladan's hand took his and gently but firmly pulled Aerandir with him, he complied and lowered himself into a sit on the bench inside. He didn't quite manage to hide his surprise when Elrohir joined him on the bench and his brother started to pace the small space impatiently.

Finding his nerve Elrohir released the breath he had been holding, ignoring his brother's pacing. "Aerandir.. I know you are wondering why we've brought you here."

"We do not wish to scare you," said Elladan taking hold of Aerandir's hand as he came to sit to his left, squeezing it reassuringly. "I.. We want you to know that we do not blame you for hiding from us."

Seeing the confusion on Aerandir's face, Elrohir told him softly: "Father told us."

Aerandir's face quickly went blank and Elrohir had to force himself to appear as non-threatening as possible. Their father had told them of Aerandir's fear of being rejected by his newfound family and neither of them wished to confirm his fears. Especially when they had no intention of doing so.

"He.. told you?" His hesitance was palpable and they could see Aerandir had a hard time believing what they were trying to tell him.

Elladan decided to take control of the situation. "We know you are our brother." His hand kept its hold on Aerandir's, squeezing it faintly in hope that it would comfort him.

Panic flashed on Aerandir's face, his eyes flickering back and forth from one twin to the other. This was impossible! Aerandir had not thought that he would be left alone with them when they were to confront each other on this matter. He had believed Elrond – Gildor at the very least! – would be present once the truth came out.

Now, Aerandir didn't know what to expect. Where they angry? Did they despise him?

Lowering his gaze, he scrutinised the hem of his sleave, fiercely avoiding their eyes as he did not wish to see the rejection on their faces. He felt his heart sink as he was left waiting for the reaction to his deceit. Aerandir knew they had every right to feel hurt by his actions, he could only wish that their anger would be quick to pass.

The twins felt a twinge in their hearts at the scared figure before them. They should have expected him to react this way, it was only natural. Wishing to put Aerandir out of his misery, Elrohir wrapped the elf in a hug from behind after taking a seat behind him on the bench. Elrohir felt his new younger brother stiffen in his hold, almost to the point of not breathing, and it only made him hold Aerandir even tighter.

Elladan, recognizing the hurt in his brother's eyes, used his free hand to bring his face upwards. "We are not angry with you," he said, his eyes trying to convey his honesty. Eyes so similar to their sister's filled with tears as the younger elf drew a shaky breath.

"You should be," Aerandir said in a whisper. Most elves would have been angry with him, showing up and barging into their lives like this. He knew the fact that he was their half-brother should have been incentive enough for them to blame him for trying to keep his identity a secret. For being part of their mother's new life without them. They should despise him.

"I would lie if I said I did not feel a little anger when I found out about you and the circumstances of your birth," said Elladan.

Elrohir tucked Aerandir's head in under his chin. Enjoying the feel of him in his arms, before he too confessed: "Mosty, I think the both of us were shocked when father came clean with us." He searched Elladan's eyes for consent to spill what they both were thinking. "The news itself was.. unexpected."

Elladan brushed away a tear that had managed to escape to run down a smooth cheek. "But now.. we find that it is not wholly unwanted news," he smiled at him encouragingly. "We have both been unexplainably drawn to you. Something about you have called out to us. Now, we finally know what it was."

Aerandir shook his head weakly. "You are too good to me." Using his hands, he tried to hide his tears from them as emotions washed over him. "I.. It was a selfish wish of mine to see you, to get to know you. My father long sought to talk me out of it, even mother was hesitant in allowing me to come here. I had to plead for permission to sail, all the while silently despairing that I would be denied passage."

Elladan, finally failing to keep his distance, joined his brother in hugging the distressed elf. He had never seen so many conflicting emotions take place at the same time. Their admission seemed to have spurred the youth into unravelling himself completely and the only thing they could do was hold him, making small hushing noises as Elrohir softly rocked him against his chest.

Elrohir smiled at his twin, knowing how long Elladan had wished to pull the smaller elf into his embrace. They were whole now. A complete set. The only thing that could have made it better was Arwen's presence. Elrohir too felt his fëa calm now that he held Aerandir in him arms. Their souls were speaking to each other, a silent conversation beyond words. Once touched, they would always find comfort in each other's fëa. It was a bond of family – of blood – that was strong enough to call out to each other over long distances.

Having lived with his twin bond his whole life, the connection between Aerandir and himself paled in comparison. But Elrohir knew that with time, it would strengthen just as Arwen's had. He opened his eyes again, noting how the shaking of his little brother ceased. Their presence seemed to have finally reached out to him as well, unconciously comforting his troubled fëa.

"Know that you will always have a brother in me, Aerandir," Elrohir said, voice tender with emotion as he allowed his fëa to reach out further. He watched lavender eyes peek out from underneath Elladans black curtain of hair. The picture was quite a sight, causing a smile to bloom on Elrohir's face.

"Aye, and I too accept you as my brother." Elladan said seriously, inwardly vowing to protect him as he did all of his family.

The paleness that had previously shown on his skin disappeared and Aerandir felt his cheeks heat in response to their words. How long had he dreamt of this day? How many nights had he spent as a little elfling, wondering what adventures his brothers were having? How many times had he imagined himself there with them, laughing as they explored the world together?

A strong sense of belonging overtook him in a rush, warmth spreading all the way out to his toes and fingerstips.

'Brothers,' Aerandir thought. 'We are brothers.'

Who knew so much love could be kindled by such a simple word? How could he feel so at peace just by knowing they were there, close to him? He buried himself back into Elladan's chest, listening to his breathing. He felt arms tighten around him, the brothers speaking without words as their eyes clearly communicated what their lips did not.

"If this is a dream, I do not want to wake up," he whispered to himself his secret wish.

The twins smiled at each other. Content to stay as the were for a little while longer. The moon lit their forms, their elvish light glowing and blending together with starlight.

Yes, they might have lost their mother, but in return they gained a brother.

#To be continued...

Peredhel/Peredhil – Half-elf (sing/plur)