(A sequel to "Reckoning")
Elrohir stood in the doorway, a smile playing on his face as he watched Elladan smother a second scone in strawberry jam. His brother seemed a different creature from the forlorn elf who had confessed all such a short time ago. �How things can change in a fortnight, hmm, t�ren?�
Elladan looked up with a welcoming grin, brushing telltale crumbs from his tunic. �I am certain I do not know what you mean. Come in, if you remember the way. There are still scones and muffins.� He raised one of the crusty pastries in evidence.
�Not due to your lack of effort,� Elrohir joked, looking pointedly at the half-empty plate as he settled himself at the table. Snatching up the last of the scones, he waved aside Elladan�s offer of jam, reaching instead for the dark, fragrant honey that L�rien produced in such abundance. �And it is your own fault, if I do not remember the way. The cacophony of your rutting drove me to seek quieter sleeping quarters.�
Elladan laughed aloud. �Driven out, were you?� He reached out with a gentle finger to trace one of the fading bruises that adorned Elrohir�s throat. �I see the scars still linger.�
�I am recovering slowly,� Elrohir replied, his eyes glinting with good humor. �Orophin has been a great help.�
Elladan�s smile dimmed, drawing a concerned glance from the elf-knight.
��Dan?� Elrohir prodded, his own face sobering. �What ails you?�
There was a pause as Elladan struggled to compose his thoughts. �I feel like I have betrayed you, �Roh, though that was never my intent.�
Elrohir shook his head. �Do not be daft,� he said giving Elladan�s arm a reassuring slap. �I thought that you realized I was but joking when I said you had driven me out. You are in love, and I am happy for you. It is no great hardship to allow you space to indulge.� The elf-knight chuckled. �Considering the alternate arrangement I have found, it is no hardship at all.�
�You speak of it lightly. You have naught invested?�
�I did not say that,� Elrohir replied seriously. �There is little point in pondering the future after ten days tangling, but I would have us continue, aye. Orophin has become dear to me, if only for his friendship. I am not adverse to more.�
Elladan�s expression grew even more morose. �Which makes my folly all the more reprehensible.�
�So we have come back to that, have we?� Elrohir�s tone was one of affectionate exasperation. �Let it go, �Dan,� he advised. �It has no bearing on what now is.�
�How can you so easily dismiss it?�
Elrohir looked at his brother thoughtfully. �Very well, then. Would it make you feel better if I were to seduce Haldir? Say the word and I will meet the returning patrol with spiced wine and oil, make my excuses to Orophin, then drag Haldir back to the talan and have my wicked way with him. Would that make you happy?�
Elladan�s eyes, which had widened in disbelief as his twin began speaking, narrowed as he became aware of the mischievous amusement in Elrohir�s voice. �No, t�ren,� he replied, one eyebrow arched in perfect imitation of Elrond, �no, it would not.�
�Then pray do not bring it up again,� Elrohir retorted mildly, though his expression was serious. �There is naught to be gained and much to lose by your fretting,� he said. �No other knows, �Dan, save you, me and Orophin. You remember little, he even less.� Echoing Elladan, though he did not know it, Elrohir added, �It need never have happened.�
�There is one other,� Elladan objected, �who knows it was not you with Orophin that night. You were not here when I arrived, �Roh.�
Elrohir smiled faintly, a memory rising unsought. A glimpse of obsidian dark hair and bottomless indigo eyes, of copious wine and sweet mead, of a surprised refusal giving way to eager surrender. �There is no danger from that source,� he promised confidently. �None at all.�
�But I still deceive Haldir, do I not?� Elladan said with a tired sigh. �I cannot escape that thought. Do I not owe him the truth?�
�This truth would serve only to hurt,� Elrohir disagreed. �What would be accomplished by sharing it? Relief of some guilt you carry?�
�Perhaps.�
�But at what cost, t�ren?� the elf-knight demanded. �You would have him forsaken by both brother and lover with a pointless word? And how reasonable is this guilt you trumpet? Had you promised fidelity?�
�Nay, but...�
�It was a mistake, Elladan, on Orophin�s part as well as your own. Let it be. Do not make Haldir suffer to ease your conscience. Do not cause us all suffering for no gain.�
Elladan nodded uncertainly. �I will think on your words.�
�That is all I can ask,� Elrohir replied, pulling his brother into a quick embrace. �But that is enough sobriety for one morning. What shall we do with ourselves today?�
***********
A week�s passing brought the patrol back to the city and Haldir found himself eager to toss away his weapons and move toward the milling crowd of elves come to greet the returning guardians. For the first time in his many years, he was one of those met not by kin or overzealous pursuers, but by a lover, and the swell of warmth in his chest as he caught sight of Elladan�s welcoming smile made the risk of loving more than worthwhile.
Wrapping his arms around Elladan, Haldir buried his nose in the mass of his lover�s hair, inhaling the brisk scent of icy water and evergreens that had so quickly come to mean �home� to him. �I love you,� he murmured, nuzzling at Elladan�s ear. �I have missed you.�
Elladan chuckled affectionately, pulling his lover into a quick kiss. �Even if I am easily tamed by a tongue to the ear?� he teased, not realizing the portent of his words until Haldir went still, his brow furrowing in confusion.
�Where...I did not...how?�
In the instant that was granted him, Elladan glanced over his lover�s shoulder to Elrohir and Orophin. They stood side-by-side, their arms curled around one another, their heads bent close in conversation. Even as he watched, their mouths met in a tender kiss.
Pulling back to meet Haldir�s questioning gaze, Elladan gave the only possible answer. �How could I not have heard, melethen?� he asked, pressing his lips to his lover�s jaw. �I have a twin, you know.�