Thanks
again for the reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Warnings
for mushiness near the chappies end! ;)
Chapter
3
Lord
Elrond met them when they arrived. His sons looked well, but
the pale Galadhel with them looked ill.
“Ada, this is Orophin. Our grandparents wish for him to
stay here for a time.” Elladan introduced the other Elf.
“Welcome,
Orophin.” Elrond smiled. He wasn’t surprised that
Celeborn and Galadriel had sent this Elf to him. He did not
look at all well. “I hope you enjoy your time in Imladris.”
“Thank
you, My Lord.” Orophin bowed. “Please, may I see
the Elf you found now?” He knew that he sounded abrupt,
but he was desperate for answers and could wait no longer.
“Of
course,” the Lord of Imladris replied, “please come
this way.” He led the way to the Healing House. As they
walked, he explained a little about the Elf’s injuries.
“He has multiple broken bones in his arms and right leg,
several broken ribs and a punctured lung, but the worst injury
is the gash to his throat.”
He
might have said more, but they had arrived at their destination.
Elrond pushed open the door and ushered them inside where a
pale figure was lying on a bed.
Orophin
froze. Time stopped as he looked at the injured Elf. Eru, could
it be? Had the Valar answered his prayers? He blinked, wondering
if his grief-stricken mind was playing tricks on him. But it
was no trick, simply a most welcome miracle.
“Rúmil?”
Orophin’s voice was barely a whisper. It was enough however,
as the Elf on the bed blinked and turned his gaze to the door.
“Oh
Valar, Rúmil!” Orophin moved forward and fell to
his knees besides the bed. He began to cry openly as he took
a heavily bandaged hand in his own. “We thought you were
dead,” he sobbed, unable to take his eyes off of his brother.
“We thought we’d lost you. Oh, Rúmil, what
happened?”
Tears
filled Rúmil’s eyes at seeing his brother again,
but he found he couldn’t face him. He forced the tears
back and turned away from Orophin.
“Rúmil?”
Orophin’s voice was filled with worry. “What is
wrong? Please, talk to me!”
“He
cannot.” Orophin turned to see Lord Elrond standing next
to him.
“What
do you mean?” Orophin asked, confused. The Elf-lord looked
sadly at him and
motioned him aside.
Once
they were out of Rúmil’s hearing he stopped.
“The
injury to his throat was very severe. I did what I could, but
his vocal cords were severed.” Orophin looked up, eyes
registering his shock. “I am sorry.” Elrond said
gently, “But your brother will never speak again.”
Orophin gasped in disbelief.
“Never?
It will not heal even in a thousand years?” He did not
want to believe it any more than Rúmil himself.
“I
wish I could tell you that it would.” Elrond said. “But
not even ten thousand years can undo the damage done.”
Orophin leaned heavily on the wall, his legs refusing to support
him as the extent of the injuries inflicted on his brother started
to sink in.
“Orophin.”
Elrond’s voice called him back to the present. “Rúmil’s
life does not have to be ruined because of this. Right now he
is despairing, which is to be expected, but time will ease the
pain. Once he regains the use of his hands and legs he may well
feel better. Those injuries at least, will heal fully. When
that happens I want him to start leaving the healing house,
to explore and hopefully to find some enjoyment in living here.
I need you to help with this. You are; my sons tell me, his
brother. In which case, you are the best person to keep him
going, to remind him of why he still lives.”
“If
that is so,” Orophin said quietly, “Then why was
I sent from Haldir’s side?” Elrond did not understand
for he had yet to read the note sent to him by Galadriel and
Celeborn.
(In tragic irony he would soon discover that the original message
had been about the very bandits that had led to the downfall
of Rúmil’s patrol.)
Orophin
quickly explained to Lord Elrond about his caring for Haldir
before being sent to Imladris and how his brother had not shown
the slightest desire to heal.
Elrond
thought for a time before he replied. “It seems to me
that Haldir was not responding to your care. This is sad, but
can happen. The Lady Galadriel obviously feared loosing you
both and so sought to separate you so that Haldir would be forced
to think on what he was doing by fading, while giving you time
to properly grieve. However, it is my hope now that you can
help Rúmil in adjusting to the changes that this injury
will force upon his life.”
Orophin
sighed. His head was spinning from all the emotional turmoil.
He felt oddly weak and wasn’t sure if he could take much
more of this. Elrond noticed his anguish and berated himself
for neglecting the Galadhel.
“But
such things can wait a few days. You must rest now, for you
have also suffered greatly. Come, join me for dinner and then
I will show you to your rooms.”
“Thank
you my Lord.” Orophin replied. “I will just tell
Rúmil where I am going and then I would be delighted
to join you for dinner.”
He
stepped up to his brother’s bedside. Rúmil still
faced the wall, refusing to look at him. “Rúmil?
Rúmil, please look at me.” As before, there was
no response. He knew Rúmil could hear him, but he seemed
determined to ignore his presence. “Very well,”
Orophin said sadly. “I am going to have dinner with Lord
Elrond and then get some rest. I will see you again soon.”
With that he walked away and followed Lord Elrond to the dining
hall.
******************
Orophin
sank gratefully onto the soft bed. He was more tired than he
could ever recall being before, tiredness not so much of the
body as of the spirit. Emotions still warred within him, but
he lacked the energy to try to sort them out. Barely staying
awake long enough to peel off his travel-stained uniform, he
crawled into bed, falling into deep reverie as soon as his head
touched the pillow. His eyes half-closed in sheer exhaustion
as he slept.
It
was over eighteen hours later when he awoke. At first he was
horrified at having slept so long, but he knew that he had truly
needed it. He felt better equipped now to face the long and
arduous task of pulling Rúmil from his deep depression.
Washing and dressing he went to see what he could get to eat
before heading to the Healing House to see his brother.
When
he entered the room he was pleased to see Rúmil sitting
up in bed. “Good morning,” he said, as cheerfully
as he could manage. Once again he got no response, not even
the flicker of an eyelid. Undeterred, Orophin sat down next
to the bed. “Lord Elrond tells me that your hands and
legs are healing nicely. You should be out of this bed before
long!” He could have been talking to a statue for all
the reaction he got. He decided to try another tactic. “I’ve
missed you so much, Rúmil.” He spoke softly. “I
know you’re hurting right now, but I want you to know,
I’m so glad you survived that attack. I need you in my
life. We can get through this somehow, you are not alone.”
Unknowingly he repeated Lord Elrond’s words.
Rúmil
wanted to respond to his brother, wanted to hug him and hold
on tight to the security that Orophin offered. But he couldn’t
bring himself to do so, did not want to break down in front
of anyone, let alone his brother. He hadn’t cried openly
since Lord Elrond had broken the news to him. His pride was
all he had left and so to protect it he had retreated behind
an expressionless mask. He tried to tune out Orophin’s
words, knowing that to truly hear them would be his undoing.
Deep down, he knew he was hurting his brother but all reason
seemed to have deserted him.
He stared blankly as Orophin talked, telling him everything
from how sad they had been without him to how nice his rooms
were here.
The
only time Orophin provoked a reaction from him was when he told
him how the twins had found and cremated the bodies of his fallen
companions. That one time, Rúmil’s pain-filled
eyes had looked directly at Orophin and he had allowed an embrace.
Orophin had known then that the journey had been more traumatic
than any
of them had guessed. He wondered if they’d ever know the
full story. More importantly, he wondered if all the help in
the world would be enough to make Rúmil live again.
*********************
Orophin
sat with his head in his hands, looking out at the picturesque
scene before him. He hardly marked the beauty though, as he
was lost deep in thought. Try as he might he could not take
his mind off his troubles, off of the terrible tragedy that
had ripped his once-happy family apart. It had been over a week
now since he’d arrived and in that time he’d hardly
managed to get more than the most basic of reactions out of
Rúmil. He was lucky if his brother even acknowledged
his presence.
“Are
you well, my friend?” Orophin started at the question,
he had noted the other passing by, but had not expected him
to stop. He looked around to see Elladan looking at him with
concern.
Orophin briefly considered lying, but abandoned the notion in
favour of the truth.
“No.” He said simply. Elladan sat down beside him.
“Would
you like to talk about it?” He asked gently.
“I
hardly know where to begin.” Orophin said. “Everything
has fallen apart. Rúmil lives but he is almost catatonic
in his depression. Haldir still believes him dead, yet I am
reluctant to send word to him from fear that Rúmil may
yet fade. Lord Elrond has told me to rest, but I cannot, try
as I might, I cannot forget, even for a moment.”
Elladan
observed the Galadhel as he listened. There was no denying that
he was attracted to the Lórien elf, he had been ever
since they began their journey from the Golden Wood. He had
said nothing, feeling that under the circumstances such advances
were inappropriate. He debated with himself for a moment; maybe
this still wasn’t the time.
Then
Orophin let out a depressed sigh and Elladan threw caution to
the wind. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to those
of the Lórien Elf.
Orophin
stared at him, shocked.
“Elladan?”
The other smiled.
“Let
me distract you tonight. If you would let me, I would take your
mind off your pain, if only for a time.”
Orophin’s
heart was pounding. He’d noted a vague attraction to the
older twin previously, but he’d had so much on his mind
he had not pursued it. Now however, he realised that he rather
liked the idea of being ‘distracted’ by Elladan.
He needed to relax and he could think of no better way than
in the arms of the handsome Peredhil.
He
smiled at Elladan.
“Aye,
I would like that.”
Elladan
nodded and as Orophin stood he took his hand and led him back
into the house, towards his rooms.
Opening
the door to his rooms, Elladan ushered Orophin inside. He closed
the door swiftly and then turned and gave the Galadhel a searing
kiss. Orophin responded eagerly and tried to take control, but
Elladan would not allow it.
Eventually,
Elladan broke this kiss and took a step back. Then he slowly,
almost reverently began to undress Orophin. He delighted in
sliding the fabric off Orophin’s shoulders, revealing
the smooth, creamy skin underneath. He pressed several light
kisses to his chest and throat before picking up where he had
left off and unlacing the grey leggings, sliding them down over
slender hips.
Orophin
stepped out of his leggings and boots, standing nude before
Elladan. The Peredhil smiled at the vision before him and took
Orophin by the hand, leading him to the bed.
“What
about you?” Orophin whispered. “You’re wearing
far too much.”
“All
in good time,” Elladan teased lightly, gently pushing
the Lórien Elf onto the bed. He leaned over and pressed
another kiss to Orophin’s throat before finally removing
his own clothes.
Orophin
watched as the Peredhil stripped, taking in every inch of the
toned body. Only of slightly heavier build that full-blooded
elves, Elladan was truly a sight to behold. His toned, slightly
tanned body spoke of a warrior’s lifestyle, much like
Orophin’s.
He
knelt on the edge of the bed and slowly draped his body over
his lover’s, covering him completely. Flesh met flesh
and Orophin moaned. Elladan kissed him, his hands roaming over
the well-muscled chest, stopping to toy with his nipples. The
Galadhel squirmed in pleasure and Elladan increased his ministrations.
“Please,”
Orophin gasped, “distract me completely.” Elladan
placed his lips to Orophin’s ear.
“As
you wish,” he breathed. His hands slid down and he lifted
Orophin’s legs to rest on his shoulders. “In the
drawer to your right there’s oil,” he whispered,
all the while stroking Orophin’s thighs.
Orophin
reached out and opened the drawer. He quickly found the crystal
vial and handed it to Elladan.
The
twin uncorked the vial and the scent of vanilla flooded the
room. He poured a little onto his finders before reaching behind
Orophin to prepare him.
Stars
exploded into Orophin’s vision as Elladan touched the
pleasure spot inside him and he cried out from the sensation.
Satisfied that his lover was ready, Elladan removed his fingers
and coated himself. Holding onto the slender hips he slid inside
in one smooth thrust.
All
thought fled from Orophin’s mind. No more problems, no
more pain, just Elladan and the things he was making him feel.
His hands came to rest on the Peredhil’s arms, digging
in as Elladan slid in and out of his body.
“Ai!” he cried out, “Elladan!”
Hearing
his name cried in such passion drove Elladan to move faster,
bringing them rapidly towards completion.
With
a ragged cry he came, followed by Orophin a moment later. Gasping
for breath he slumped down atop the Galadhel, before gathering
the strength to withdraw and roll to the side.
They
lay in each other’s arms, Orophin feeling a calm he’d
long been lacking. He’d needed this release, this chance
to forget. “Thank You.” He said, wishing he had
better words.
“You
are welcome.” Elladan said. “I care a great deal
for you, Orophin. I will be here for you for as long as you
need me.”
Orophin
reached out to cup the twin’s cheek.
“Oh
dear,” he murmured, caressing the delicate features.
“What?”
Elladan asked, worry lacing his voice.
Orophin
smiled wryly. “I fear I may need you for eternity.”
He replied, causing Elladan to grin.
“I
think I can live with that.”
Orophin
pulled Elladan closer still, delighting in the feel of the warm
body. He’d never felt this secure in a newly formed relationship
before. He had a feeling that this might just be forever. If
only he could pull his family back together, things would be
perfect.
“But
I’m not alone anymore.” He thought as he drifted
off. “Elladan will help me and together we’ll help
Rúmil. I swear to Ilúvatar I’ll find happiness
for as all again.”
END
CHAPTER 3
