Hello everyone. I am so sorry for taking so long to update yet again. Things have been super crazy lately. I will announce why later, but part of it involves my "sperm donor" passing away. I am worried about my sister so those who do believe in a religion, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
On other news, I am writing in this story for NaNoWriMo 2023! So you will be getting a lot of updates this month!
Elrond stood by the entrance of his room with a blank look on his face. He was still in shock about the kiss as he finally moved to the door.
"You okay?" Andreth asked coming up and looking at the stunned Elrond.
"Yeah… I think so," he said looking at his mentor. "Just a lot on my mind."
"Well let me know if you want to talk," Andreth said with a smile before moving to his door.
"Thanks, Andreth," he smiled before shutting his door and turning back to his bed.
There were things he wanted to talk to Andreth about, but decided to wait until the trip back to Lindon. He knew they would have plenty of time to talk on the way. He closed his eyes for a moment before deciding to go to his bed and sit down. He pulled his clothes off slowly before neatly folding them and placing them aside. His heart raced as his thoughts stayed on the silver haired elf that had just passionately kissed him before leaving him alone in this room. Leaning back on the mattress, he kept thinking over his lover and what had happened. Part of him wanted to know why Thranduil kept pushing him off, but he knew he would wait as long as Thranduil wanted him to. If Thranduil did not want him sexually for the next one hundred years, Elrond would wait. He knew deep down that Thranduil was the one he was destined to be with.
Running one hand through his hair, he sighed softly. He did not know what was to come of them, but he knew that his time in the city was coming to a close and that meant riding off and leaving Thranduil behind him once more. He had a lot more to learn from Andreth about healing. He knew that there was much that he did not know and that he needed to learn before he could be out on his own. What he was going to do? He was unsure. He knew he did not want rule like Gil-Galad had planned, but he also knew that would mean leaving Andreth and Gil-Galad to go off elsewhere. That was something to think about for another day.
Closing his eyes, his mind drifted back to Thranduil as he fell asleep and when he awoke, he was surprised to hear a knock on his door and the sun shining through the window brightly.
"Yes?" He asked sitting up.
"I am sorry to wake you, but you have a busy day ahead of you," Andreth said calmly. "Is your letter ready for Elros?"
"It is," Elrond said as he walked across the room and opened the door to see Andreth standing there fully ready for the day. "Are you heading out to the docks?"
"I am after picking up a few supplies to send to your brother. Would you prefer to stay? I think Thranduil may be heading over at some point."
"I…" Elrond started thinking over the question. "I think so. As long as you do not mind dropping off my letter to send with the supplies."
"I do not mind at all," Andreth smiled as he watched Elrond turn and make his was to his bag.
"Thank you," he said pulling out a letter, he moved back to Andreth and handed it to him. "I really do appreciate it."
"Not a problem at all," Andreth said as he lowered his head slightly. "I will check on you when I return."
With that, Elrond watched as Andreth left to go to town without another word. Closing the door, Elrond moved across the room and started to get ready for the day. His outfit was nothing spectacular compared to what he would normally wear if he was home and this was due to the fact that he did not want to stand out compared to the regular townspeople. He knew that Thranduil had no choice in the matter and would wear something that his father would approve of which would seem over the top in this town, but this was nothing new. Oropher was always that way. With a grin, Elrond thought about just walking through town with Thranduil or sitting here at the inn. Either way, his day would be spent exactly as he wanted.
Opening his door again, Elrond moved down the hall and to the lobby where he ordered a simple breakfast of bread and fruit while he waited with a glass of water. The water was chilly compared to normal due to the slightly cool weather they were experiencing this morning, but this did not bother Elrond at all. When the bread and fruit came out, Elrond thanked the server and took a bite of strawberry before slicing the bread. The bread was fresh and still warm which was exactly how Elrond loved it. The heat of the bread made the grape jelly soft and just warm enough to enjoy without having to let it cool. This combined with the fruit made for a very enjoyable breakfast and perhaps one of Elrond's all time favorites. He did not care much for meats due to his time with Maglor, but at times, he did not mind eating a bite of it. It was never his first choice though. He much rather eats foods from the earth than killing another animal to survive. He knew that Thranduil was not this way and he would never judge him for this. If Thranduil wanted to eat meat, he would allow him that choice.
"That seems to be a very delicious breakfast," came a voice that made Elrond turn and smile. "Care if I join you?"
"Please do," he responded as his eyes found Thranduil's. "How did you convince your ada to come back by today?"
"To give you the short story, I explained you still had questions when I left yesterday. He wants me to secure you on our side for trades. Without access to Gil-Galad's trades, we will not survive."
"You do know that means that I would get to come and see you with Andreth by my side," he smiled.
"I do understand that. Which is why I do not feel I will have to do much to secure you on my side for trades."
"All you have to do is ask. I will be there as soon as you need me and as often as you need me," Elrond could not stop smiling. "But that also means you will need to talk to your father about his wording. If he insists on calling me…. You know… then I will feel inclined to increase the trading prices."
"I do not care if you increase your prices as it is. I doubt Ada will change his mind no matter what is said. Even if that means your double or triple your price. If he is in need of the goods that bad, he will pay that price and not say a word."
"I figured as much. You know I put up with his words for you and you alone."
"I know and you do not deserve what he says about you. You are just as much elf as anyone else. I truthfully think you have more right than most of us to rule due to your lineage alone."
"At the same time, I know what has happened to every high king before Gil-Galad and I do not want to fall to the same fate as them," Elrond explained.
"I completely understand what you are saying," Thranduil said watching Elrond take another bite of bread.
"Do you want anything to eat, Thranduil?" Elrond asked watching Thranduil shake his head. "If you do want anything, please order whatever it is that you want. I do not want you to be hungry."
"Thank you," Thranduil smiled. "Ada made sure we had breakfast before I left this morning."
"Do you have any plans for today other than meeting me here this morning?"
"Nothing besides spend the day with you, meleth nîn," he said watching Elrond blush hearing this. "Maybe I should call you that more often."
"I would be careful where you say it," Elrond admitted knowing what could happen to them. "You do not want word getting back to your father that you called me that."
"I understand that completely," he said watching Elrond finish his breakfast and his water.
"Do you want to head out or stay here today?"
"I much rather walk around town some before coming back here, if you do not mind," Thranduil responded.
"Absolutely," Elrond said standing and placing payment on the table. "You ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be," Thranduil said standing and leading them outside.
The crisp air greeted them as the door opened as they walked slowly down the street. They talked softly about all the things they saw as well as things that came to their mind as they walked and watched everything going on around them. They passed fruit and vegetable stands setting up goods for sell as well as a local hunter who was setting up a stand of fresh meats that he had available. Next to them was a baker and farmer who had fresh goods also available. The variety of goods surprised Elrond as he looked at everything available. Moving on they passed more stands of foods as well as stands selling paper, pens, ink, seasonings for foods, books, weapons, amongst other goods. Everything seemed so different than what Elrond was use to and Thranduil was getting more and more use to seeing such a variety of stands with his recent travels. The stand that made them stop was selling baked sweets and Thranduil watched Elrond with a smile.
"Pick out whatever you want," Thranduil said watching Elrond carefully.
"You do know that I can pay for my own goods."
"I know this, but I want to treat you for once," Thranduil explained watching a slight blush cross Elrond's face.
"You sure?" He asked.
"Yes," Thranduil smiled watching Elrond pick out three items before handing payment to the shop keeper.
"Thank you," Elrond said wanting to kiss him, but knowing that he could not do that here on the streets.
"You are welcome," Thranduil said walking next to him as close as he could without touching him. "I hope one day we can do this without worrying what others think."
"I agree. I really hope times change where us being together is not an issue," Elrond admitted.
"When you are ready to head back, let me know," Thranduil said softly, still watching his dark haired lover.
"Anytime you are ready, I will be fine to head back," Elrond smiled.
"Come on then," Thranduil grinned turning around to head back to the inn without another thought.
They passed by the same stands on the way back as they stayed silent this time. The streets were starting to fill with townspeople as they moved through. Some people were lined up at the meat stand trying to buy what the hunter had brought. Elrond did not know that so many people wanted meats, but it did make sense. It was not a popular item to see for sale so it would most likely go faster than most other items available. Upon reaching the inn, Elrond opened the door and motioned for Thranduil to enter who did without a word as he made his way straight to Elrond's room. As soon as the door opened, Thranduil entered and turned to pull his lover into a kiss while Elrond shut the door behind them quickly. Dropping the baked goods on the table, Elrond wrapped both arms around Thranduil's neck and pulled him closer against him. The kiss deepened as Elrond's eyes closed and he held him tightly before breaking the kiss, not wanting to push his luck.
Thranduil panted looking him in the eyes. "You are so beautiful, Elrond."
"I think you are more so," Elrond admitted opening his eyes to look into Thranduil's memorizing eyes.
"Can I admit something to you?" Thranduil asked softly.
"Of course, you can. You can anytime you want to," Elrond said softly.
"I want you so much, but at the the same time, I want to wait."
"I respect that," Elrond smiled pushing Thranduil's hair behind his ear. "Whenever you are ready, let me know."
"Thanks for understanding," Thranduil replied kissing him again.
"Let us try those baked goods before we get too flustered," Elrond said pulling away and grabbing the bag as he made his way to his bed, motioning for Thranduil to join him.
I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I love to hear from everyone so please feel free to comment and let me know what you think.