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“Another letter?”
Erestor returned with a full hand of envelopes , though Elrond referred to a specific one every time. A letter, initially once a month, then whose frequency increased to twice a month three months ago, then once a week a month ago, from Earendil and Elwing, asking to meet him. Elrond, for his part, replied politely the first time, refusing the invitation due to the lack of necessity, and skimmed the other letters but never replied again.
Erestor looked more nervous this time, as it was the second letter they received within the week, definitely not a good sign.
He tried in vain.
“I really think Lord Maedhros…”
“They need to worry about nothing.”
Elrond said determinedly. Maglor never knew of those letters, nor did Maedhros; the reason for the former being his poor health and the latter his overly strong sense of responsibility.
“Then you should consider arranging…”
“And as I said before, I don’t think a meeting would be necessary or effective.”
They ended this conversation with Erestor’s frustration. Elrond had problems, but never so obvious. It was always a dangerous topic mentioning his parents when Maedhros and Magpr were just outside in the garden, with rushing letters from a pair of parents Elrond never fully prepared to see. The reasons for not seeing them seemed legit, but Erestor had a hunch. A negative one.
They had a meeting with Finarfin later today, a regular one.
They were at the end of their conversation and everything went well enough. Elrond was tying a thick cloak back to Maglor’s shoulders and Maglor was complaining in false irritation that Elrond certainly spent too much time on him.
“How could I spend too much time with you? Every minute with my family is treasured.”
Elrond raised an eyebrow and retorted in gentle correction. His fingers entangled with strings fastened around Maglor’s collarbone, adjusting their positions to make sure the cloak didn’t slip off. Even on a warm day, he couldn’t risk exposing Maglor to stronger winds, as fevers did catch every chance to ground Maglor indoors.
It was then when the next group of guests were led into the hall. The only thing left to say was goodbye, and Finarfin breathed out in relief, until he turned around and realized who his next meeting was with.
It was a short distance, and Maedhros - for Eru’s sake, had he never considered dyeing his hair? - was too conspicuous for anyone to ignore, so when Elwing spitted out “You monster” poisonously, Elrond heard it clearly.
They definitely attracted everyone’s attention.
Finarfin only went stiff for a short second before ordering one of the guards to show them the way out, and faced Elwing himself.
“Please just wait a moment. We will meet in one of the rooms and- ”
Of course pretending something didn’t happen didn’t always work, not to mention Earendil’s eyes were already directed to where Elrond stood. He unsteadily stepped ahead and called out a name in bewilderment, tone high and shaky.
“Elrond?”
Maedhros was the first to react. He paled and covered Maglor’s view with a palm, though was not sure if he should say something.
Now Finarfin only hoped they would not burn his court down to ashes.
Elrond, hearing both sentences, glared at Finarfin before speaking up, as if warning, or apologizing ahead of time, or both.
He turned around to fully check the person who insulted Maedhros, and even sidestepped to raise an arm, as if covering Maedhros behind him.
“You should apologize for calling him that.”
A calm tone, though no less furious.
Finarfin didn’t know Maedhros could pale furthur, and now his fiery hair was in steep contrast with his ashy cheeks. His fingers reached out to Elrond’s wrist and squeezed it inadvertently. He only whispered.
“I think they are your parents.”
Elrond, looking like swallowing a pebble into his throat, waited a long moment to gently press Maedhros to comfort him, and conceded to face Maglor again.
“Then we should return.”
Finarfin almost let out a sigh of utter relief.
“I’ll accompany you and the next meeting could wait.”
It turned out Earendil wasn’t planning to recede. He stepped forward further until his voice could echo in the whole room.
“Elrond, why did you refuse our invitation constantly?”
He raised his voice, just a little, and Elrond bit his lips, brows furrowed and chin lifted.
“Must we talk?”
“Of course we do. You’ve been avoiding us and we don’t know the reasons as your parents!”
Elrond turned again to Finarfin, still holding his calm voice as if he was the one in charge here but not a guest. From long time observations, Finarfin could only conclude it was merely a pretense for some incoming outburst.
“My king, I’m afraid I have to stay, so could you accompany Maedhros and Maglor out?”
“I’ll stay.”
Maedhros replied immediately.
Elrond frowned and glanced at Maglor, but Maedhros got close to Maglor first.
“At least you can trust me, and he won’t get hurt.”
Maglor looked undetermined. A hint of confusion with too much weight falling all at once, and an outbreak, if his composition could not last, would be the worst thing now.
Maedhros’ hand was steadier than when he first heard Maglor sailed, and warmer than when Elrond first wrapped his back.
“I made a promise to Kano to protect you, and I also promised never to leave you for long again.”
It was an instinctive reaction that drove Elrond to raise his voice out of fear. Just high enough for his parents to hear.
“What if they…”
“It’s Valinor, and surely His Highness would prevent any inappropriate act. Besides, that is nothing more than I deserve.”
Elrond conceded, with lips flat and brows furrowed. It could be better or worse, depending on if Elwing would overreact to Maedhros’ presence or Maedhros could help him calm down. Maedhros always knew too well his overreaction when his parents were involved.
“I was hoping I could persuade you just this once.”
When Maglor showed no sign of objection, Finarfin had no choice but to half drag him into the hallway and personally commanded a guard to see him to the stable. Letting him ride alone could be risky, but still safer than leaving them all here.
“I promise you they will come back whole. I’ll allow no physical conflicts in my court, whoever may start it.”
Maglor just nodded.
“He’ll stay.”
It was said toward Earendil, and Earendil, if not appalled by the obvious intimacy between Elrond and Maedhros, was enraged enough to blurted out: “He already scared your mom!”
It was the worst case when Finarfin came back and saw Elrond answer coldly.
“If she can’t accept it, then we shall leave for the talk now.”
It would escalate to a situation that Finarfin had to intervene, if not for Maedhros suddenly emerged again, flinched seeing Elwing shook in panic and Earendil groped his belt as if to grab a hilt that isn’t there, and bowed deeply before Elrond could react.
“I could not possibly apologize enough for my doing, but under no circumstances shall I commit any harm to you again.”
His voice, muffled and shivering, didn’t seem to have the effect he expected, which could not be an easy acceptance from Earendil, but not an immediate defense from the one he made hostage of either.
Elrond grabbed his elbow in restrained protest, as his habit had been obscurely expressing dissatisfaction since when Maedhros’ elbow was the highest point he could reach. To others’ eyes, his action couldn’t be decoded as concern for Maedhros’ safety but more likely as stopping him from embarrassing themselves.
Finarfin nearly decided to abuse his power as the current high king before his court turned into a law court, however he wanted to cover his head with thick pillows and scream.
“You could talk in one of the meeting rooms.”
Please say yes.
Elrond nodded first, though obviously out of the inertia to alleviate aggressions as he had known too well what public conflict could lead to as a long time leader himself, also compromising for Maedhros’ sake; Earendil then nodded stiffly, following Finarfin with his lips bitten in visible twist when Elrond and Maedhros walked quietly into a bright room.
Elrond was determined to keep his mouth shut in the first three minutes, under the worrying sights from all other four persons, as if he wasn’t the one who held a meeting to decide Middle Earth’s fate, or wasn’t taught by a great orator himself. Maedhros smelt a hint of cynicism under his peaceful guile, a familiar sense well concealed but lurking nevertheless. Not speaking with detectable sarcasm was merely a good practice Elrond learned to keep, but repression of emotions no one alleviated could spark a larger explosion when triggers were ready. Everytime he or Maglor tried to talk about his bloodline, rejection and obviation were all they received, and soon they perceived they were in no position to discuss this topic. Nor Gil-Galad or Cirdan. Nor Galadriel or Celeborn. The twins maintained the avoidance forever.
“Why didn’t you reply to any of our letters?”
Elrond seemed ever calmer and answered with ease.
“I think there is no need.”
“And you prefer spending time with kinslayers?”
Finarfin was covering his forehead with both palms. Maedhros was squeezing Elrond’s hand under the table. Elrond didn’t show any sign of irritation, though.
“If you mean the kinslayers that raised Elros and me, then yes. You are still my birth parents, for that I publicly admit.”
“They destroyed your home! Why would you prefer them -”
Now it was Earendil’s voice filled with disbelief, and Elwing resumed her sobbing.
Elrond sighed. Maedhros hoped Finarfin sensed something and interrupted him.
“Because you didn't share your food with two children and withstand the possibility of starving yourself; because you didn't spend a minute after we could remember anyone's face; because you didn't witness their suffering and empathizing. I've been avoiding you because I don't want to throw those words onto your faces instead of realizing the truth yourself. I've been busy taking care of my family, tending to Maglor and reuniting with Maedhros.”
His voice turned high in the middle, then grew smoother.
“My guess is we are still little children to your eyes, though Elros was a prominent king and I am long grown.”
Earendil cut in to defend themselves. His throat was tight.
“Of course not. Your name of wisdom spreads across the sea and we are very proud of you both. Always.”
“Then I get to choose who I live with and love, but not who I am supposed to. I was hoping desperately when hiding behind the cabinet, when they held swords, that you would choose us over the jewel. I didn’t, and don’t care who owns the gem, but I guess your choice said something of our importance.”
Finarfin finally spoke when Maedhros found his palm full of cold sweat.
“It is to my knowledge that if we resume a discussion later, it would be more effective than turning to the same topic again and again. How about setting another date?”
“Whenever I’m available.”
Elrond said calmly and stood up. Maedhros followed rigidly.
Finarfin sighed again, knowing they were going to the stable.
“I’ll go back to Fingon first.”
Elrond wrinkled his nose, pretending to be surprised.
“I shall accompany you, then.”
“You know Kano would already be worrying about you, Fingon about me as well.”
He was convinced, but not enough.
“See us tomorrow?”
Maedhros smiled in indulgence.
“Of course.”
Elrond held Maedhros tightly before getting back on his horse. He vanished in the view with Maedhros standing where he was.
Earendil saw this when he was asking too many questions to Finarfin.
“Were we really so irresponsible?”
Finarfin assessed the complications of such family relationships and decided it was no easier than his own.
“You have to ask Elrond yourself.”
They didn’t mean to encounter Maedhros again, of course. Actually, Finarfin led them here after guessing Maedhros already left.
Maedhros was petting his horse’s nape, and bowed with a slight startle, but said nothing.
Earendil braked, scanned other paths to the stable but found none. He looked as if coming to some conclusions and went forward just a little bit more.
“What were they like?”
It was for Maedhros.
Maedhros didn’t ask what they referred to, sunk himself in memories for a while and answered with barely visible nostalgia.
“The brightest I ever see. Troublesome, but also the best company I could hope for.”