(A sequel to "Quandary")
“What are you doing?” Orophin hissed, struggling against the weight of the body above him.
“He must not see my face,” Elladan whispered, lowering his head so that a heavy curtain of raven-dark strands fell forward to screen them from curious eyes. “I am Elrohir. Elladan is... he is...you think he is...with his grandmother!”
Orophin’s astonished rebuke was cut short by the sound of booted feet on the talan floor and a snort of laughter, quickly muffled.
“Forgive me, tôren,” Haldir managed, his tone more amused than apologetic. “But I see your quest has been successful.”
“Can you not see that I am engaged, as well, then?” Orophin snapped, hoping that the tremor in his voice would be taken to have cause other than the stark terror that was its true source.
“Aye,” Haldir agreed conversationally, though he did offer the courtesy of averting his eyes. “They are easily tamed by a quick tongue to the ear, you know. If you prefer your Peredhel passive.”
Elladan’s eyes glittered dangerously and suddenly Orophin found himself tasked with continuing the deception with little aid. Tightening his hold on Elladan’s arms, he twisted fluidly, taking advantage of his companion’s surprise to haul himself atop, using his body to shield Elladan from Haldir’s view.
“Go away,” Orophin ground out, despairing that there would be any relationship left to salvage if his brother lingered longer. “Ere you say something that will come back to haunt you.”
“Very well, tôr dithen,” Haldir chuckled unrepentantly. “Elrohir, where is your better half?”
“Valar’s wisdom, Haldir,” Orophin exclaimed, “he is hardly positioned for a chat! I believe Elladan left the festivities to converse with our Lady.” Drawing a bit of vicious satisfaction from the expression of unease that shrouded Haldir’s face, he added, “You had best await his overture, tôren. Your flight to the border was not appreciated.”
“I will be in my talan, then, if you hear that he is seeking me,” Haldir said, his voice unexpectedly subdued as he turned toward the ladder.
The conspirators untangled themselves in awkward silence after Haldir’s departure, Orophin’s relief at the success of the ruse tainted by the swirl of hurt and anger that surrounded Elladan like a cloying cloud. “He does love you,” Orophin offered, laying a tentative hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“Aye, and I am easily tamed by a quick tongue to the ear,” Elladan spat bitterly. “Of all the arrogant, insufferable...”
“He sought to taunt me, not you.”
“He spoke of me as though I were little more than a trained animal, and he did so in the supposed hearing of my brother,” Elladan replied his voice strained with conflicting emotions. “Think you that ‘Roh would be any less affronted than I?”
Orophin’s eyes widened in horror. “Where is he?”
Elladan stared at him blankly.
“Elrohir,” Orophin said urgently. “Where is he? If he is out wandering the Wood...”
Elladan paled visibly and closed his eyes, reaching out with his thoughts.
‘Roh? Elrohir! Answer me, tôren...