Vocabulary Builder
Topic: Alphabet Games
K. knapsack (knap' sack) n.: sack or bag for provisions

Elladan/Elrohir, Elrond

"Elrohir, I am troubled."

Elrohir looked up from the scroll he was translating to stare at his father with a concerned expression, "What is it, Ada?"

Elrond sat behind his desk looking deceptively calm, "Your brother has come to me requesting leave. He desires to go to Lorien and visit your grandparents," he paused, "I can see by your expression that he has not told you of this request."

Elrohir answered even though it was not a question, "No, Ada."

"That is what troubles me. You and Elladan have never been on a prolonged journey from the valley without each other. My advisors tell me that you are not speaking to each other. Glorfindel tells me that you have had a horrible fight...Erestor will only say that it is complicated. What is it, Elrohir?"

"It is...complicated."

Sharp gray eyes pierced Elrohir's, "Have you fallen out over one of the archers from Lorien? That young, pretty one, Rumil?"

"Not...exactly, Ada."

"I would like for you to talk to your brother before he leaves. I would not have you grief between you should anything happen to either of you when you are apart."

"Please, do not talk that way, Ada! I will talk to him before he leaves. We will make things right between us."

"Good." The two elves finished there work in silence. Elrond satisfied with his talk and Elrohir filled with trepidation over his upcoming talk with his brother."

Elrohir walked slowly down the hall to his brother's room and stopped in front of the door, taking a deep breath before knocking softly.

"Come in, Elrohir." Elrohir entered and stood just inside the door awkwardly. Elladan frowned at him. "I suppose Adar has informed you of my request to leave the valley." He moved around throwing clothes from his closet to the floor, obviously searching for something."

Elrohir cleared his throat, "Yes...he told me. What ...what are you looking for?"

"My knapsack. You know the one with blue lining."

Elrohir smiled, "It is in my room."

Elladan frowned again, "What is it doing in your room?"

"Because it is mine."

"Oh."

They stood staring at each other for a moment. Then Elrohir rushed forward, hugging his brother. "Do not leave me, Elladan. I am sorry for being mean to you. I will not do it again. Do not leave me alone."

Elladan stroked the chestnut hair, so like his own, "You will not be alone. Ada, will be here, Glorfindel, Erestor...Rumil."

A sniff came from his shoulder, "Are you leaving because of Rumil? We are just friends...there is nothing going on."

Elladan sighed, "You are just friends because he is afraid to challenge my authority in my house. He only holds back because he knows I disapprove...you only hold back because I disapprove."

Elrohir drew back a little, "I did not want it to be this way. We promised each other forever and everything."

Elladan smiled sadly, "We were elflings then. We knew not the ways of the world. It was a dream."

Elrohir looked at his brother shrewdly, "A dream you still cherish. I...I could give you everything, Elladan." He pressed closer to his brother, letting him feel the heat of his body.

Elladan stiffened and tightened his hold on his brother, "Not like this, I did not want it to be like this. Something out of pity, out of an insane urge to keep me closer to you."

Elrohir crumpled and wailed, "I do not want you to hate me!"

"Oh, Elrohir, I could never hate you. I just need time to sort my feelings out."

"It would not be pity; I love you. I want you. You know this."

"You also love Rumil."

"Yes...but that does not mean I love you any less."

Elladan shook his brother, "I do not want to share you!."

Elrohir touched his brother's mouth, "You would not be sharing me...we would be sharing him. Everything and forever."

Elladan leaned down to kiss his brother, "Everything and forever."

Tomorrow the Letter L.