The Line Of The Peredhel for Silmsmutweek 2025 by LadySternchen  

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Day Seven- Dark

Ok, you really don’t need to read this, this probably doesn’t belong here. Or anywhere where people can read it. I wrote it just for myself and never thought I’d publish it, which is why I used many quotes from this fic in other stories of mine (so yeah, you’ve read it before) 
This is what my brain spits out if it thinks itself unwatched. 

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Mablung was in the act of packing when he became aware that he was not alone, and he turned sharply, prepared to snarl at the intruder who had not bothered to knock.

“What are you… oh,” he faltered, feeling his cheeks go scarlet.

Of all the people he had expected to see, the King was the very last one. And, worse, Elu could go within Menegroth wherever he wanted, so his tone of voice had been utterly unwarranted.

“I beg your pardon, Lord,” he said, hastily bowing his head. “I thought you one of my wardens.”

To his great relief, Elu leaned against the doorframe, smiling. He still wore his court robes of grey and white silk, perfectly in tune with his hair. How very different that made him look to the lanky boy with his stitched-up tunic that Mablung had once known on starlit shores. But despite the breathtaking beauty Elu had grown into over the centuries, Mablung would still gladly have the boy Elwë back, just to see grief erased from Elu’s features, to hear his laugh again, bright and careless.

“No wonder they all fear you, if you bite their head off for coming to call.”

That was an exaggeration, or so Mablung hoped, for while he had no objections to being known as a thorough teacher and stern captain, he still did not want his men to fear him. Fear inhibited trust, and trust was vital when facing danger.

“It does not hurt to demand manners,” he noted stiffly, his face still burning.

“My apologies for my intrusion. I was indeed as yet unsure of how to word my request, hence my silence.”

“I didn’t mean… of course this does not apply to you, Sire.”

“I wondered, once you are done packing, if you would accompany me on a stroll outside? Not as my captain, but as my friend. Do you think we can still do that? Forget who we are and pretend we are strolling through the woods surrounding Cuiviénen? It has been a while, I know.”

Mablung stared at the King, flummoxed. Had he heard right?

“I… of course. Sorry, I… “

“You did not expect that. Naturally.”

Packing went a lot more quickly after that. Still wondering what this was all about, Mablung followed Elu outside, drawing his cloak more firmly around him as the cold hit him.

“Winter is drawing nigh,” Elu remarked conversationally, in a tone that made it only too obvious to Mablung that he had no idea how to say what he sought to express.

Deciding to relieve him of his discomfort, Mablung stopped in his tracks, cocked his head, and asked:

“What is this all about? What do you really want to say?”

He sincerely hoped that Elu had been serious earlier, when he had asked Mablung to accompany him as his friend, not as his captain. Otherwise, this would have been the second terrible impertinence of the evening.

“Am I right in assuming that your feelings towards me have never changed?” Elu asked bluntly, again leaving Mablung to grapple with keeping his composure.

Of course, his feelings had never changed, and would never change. But he had made a decision, long ago, to lock those feelings securely in his heart and become Elu’s captain. Those shared intimacies belonged to a long-lost past.

“No,” he answered, truthfully.

Elu halted and turned to face Mablung, his hair playing around him in the icy breeze.

“Then, if you will it, I would… appreciate us pretending tonight that we are not in Doriath in the Age of the New Sun, but on the march under the stars. Will you lie with me, Mablung, just one more time?”

Wanting very much to pinch himself, Mablung stood transfixed, unable to move or speak. Of course, he wanted to. Elu and the nights they had spent sharing a cloak were ever on his mind, sleeping and waking. But this…

“And Melian?” he asked hoarsely. “She cannot be fine with this? Because I will not hurt her, and even less will I allow you to hurt her!”

The words came out sounding much rougher than Mablung had intended, yet he could not help it. He would never, ever, come between Elu and Melian, not to appease his own desire, not to please his lord.

“As if I would ever hurt her on purpose. You should know me better than that, truly, Mablung. No, she knows and not only is she fine with it, it was the Queen who encouraged me to seek you out. I never concealed what we had before her, and nor does that, or indeed anything that shall or shall not happen tonight, change my feelings for her. You are free to ask her.”

Mablung nodded his approval. It was the first time tonight that Elu’s tone had become passionate, and if the accusation of feeling anything but devotion for his wife stung him so, there could be no doubting the sincerity of Elu’s words.

“I take your word on it.”

“So then I’m yours for tonight.”

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, then Mablung tentatively reached out and took Elu’s hand, fighting down all the emotions that wanted to overwhelm him, silencing all the questions that swirled in his head. He knew Elu well enough to know that his intentions, whatever they might be, were not malevolent, and this meant that finding out what this was all about could wait until morning. For now, all he had to do was grasp the moment. He almost laughed at the thought. This recklessness he had not felt for millennia, so it seemed that he was already in the middle of playing pretend.

Quietly, they left the path and wandered aimlessly between the majestic birches, until they found a space they deemed fitting. There they both sat down, and Mablung at last did as he had longed for ever since Elu had first revealed to him his desire and stroked a loose strand of the King’s silky hair behind his ear, but not without caressing the tip of his ear gently. Elu drew a shuddering breath at Mablung’s touch, and closed his eyes.

“This is awkward,” Elu admitted, but not without an apologetic grin.

“Then let us get the awkwardness out of the way quickly,” Mablung grinned back, and leaned over to kiss Elu without further ado.

It had never worked like that, it had always been him to lead Elu, always been him who was the bolder. Beleg’s influence, really, but Mablung could not allow himself to think of their friend just now. He did not want this moment marred by grief any more than it needed to be.

Their kiss was tentative at first, then more demanding. Elu needed a little while to really give into the kiss, as he always had done. Mablung wondered briefly whether that was a thing of their little romance alone or if he needed his time with Melian as well. When Mablung finally did feel the King’s composure slip, did feel his hand moving to his hair as well, he found himself overcome by emotion. He had longed for this for so long, had so long grieved the loss of their romance, had thought he would never feel Elu this close ever again.

”I missed you so much. Whenever I was near you, I longed to run my hand through your hair, to feel you. Just to be close to you…” he whispered in a voice that was choked by his feelings, once they broke apart.

“I know.”

Elu laid his forehead against Mablung’s, his hand still in his neck. Mablung could feel him shaking, could sense also the turmoil of his Fëa. Something was not right.

”What’s wrong? Elu, we need not do this if it makes you uncomfortable. We can just sit here and I’ll hold you. I will not do anything that feels wrong to you.”

”It’s not that. I ever longed for you, too, longed so much to feel you again. But I know what pain I caused you, and cause you still. Like I cause pain to all those I love, in one way or another. I do not deserve this.”

”If you don’t deserve this, lord, I do neither…” Mablung whispered, choosing to pass over the other part of what Elu had said.

“Don’t. Don’t call me that, please. Not tonight.”

Elu sounded close to tears.

“I was mocking you. Relax.”

Once more, Mablung sought Elu’s lips, but this time, Elu leaned into the kiss much easier, his hand slowly sliding over his back, grasping his arse, pulling him close. Mablung gasped, but grinned into their kiss all the same. Someone meant business. Elu fumbled with Mablung’s belt for a moment, then untied it and Mablung, ending their kiss, pulled his tunic off. The cold air hit his skin, made goosebumps erupt all over him. Or was that Elu’s touch, his fingers that traced the muscles on his chest and his flanks, then those on his back? He closed his eyes contentedly, then slung his arms around Elu as well, and felt him melt into their embrace.

“Some things never change, do they?” he whispered in Elu’s ear with a little laugh. “You were always the one to cuddle yourself into sex.”

Elu nodded, but did not reply, only wrapping his arms a little more tightly around Mablung. They remained like that a while, then, to Mablung’s horror, he felt a sob shake Elu’s body. He scrambled upright, and laid a hand on Elu’s cheek that was wet with tears.

“Elu… tell me what’s wrong. Please.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t. Don’t be. Come here. I’m here. I’ll always be at thy side, remember? As long as it be thy will!” Mablung whispered softly in Elu’s ear, once again embracing him.

“Just never leave me, Mablung. Please.”

“I will not. I meant that oath when I took it, even though you did not ask it of any of us. To my King for everyone to watch— to my beloved in my heart. I shall not leave your side, ever, whatever befalls!”

With that, Mablung bent his head to kiss the tears from Elu’s cheeks. Again, their lips met, but there was urgency now in that kiss, desire born of despair now burning in Mablung’s heart. He nestled with Elu’s flowing garments until they came loose, and he could strip Elu as Elu had done with him before. Ass soon as he had rid Elu of his clothes, however, he gasped.

”Oh Elu, what have you done?”

Elu gave no answer, but only fled into his embrace once again. Mablung gingerly stroked his back, tracing his ribs and his spine. Lean Elu had always been, but now he was nothing short of emaciated. How well he had hidden that fact under the flowing robes he now always wore. So well that he had fooled even Mablung.

”When have you last eaten?” he asked, aghast.

”I don’t recall it.”

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” now Mablung was the one to blink back tears. ”You are killing yourself.”

”That is the intent, yes.”

”Elu…”

Mablung looked into those grey eyes and saw the pride there, not the desperation. He could not help but embrace him, and was surprised as the embrace was answered, that even in this state, Elu was still strong enough to match Mablung, as he did at sparring practice. Now at last, Elu took the lead, as Mablung knew he would do eventually, kissing him fiercely, making him lie backwards.

“I am still the one who’s in charge here. I am still your king, Mablung, and you will not pity me!”

That this was unmistakably an order was not even marred by the fact that Elu uttered it between kisses. Mablung held his gaze, then let a finger glide from Elu’s lips down over his jaw and neck.

“I shall not pity you, then. But I pity myself, because after this, it will be even harder to have to let you go.”

And then, with brutal clarity, the realisation of what Elu was doing crashed over him.

”Wait, Elu, are you… is this… goodbye?”

Once again, Elu gave no answer, but ran his hand slowly over Mablung’s stomach, until it came to rest on his cock. Almost against his will, Mablung laid back his head. He did not want this, wanted to shake Elu back to his senses and then force him to answer his question, or better even to eat, force him to pull himself together, but his mind seemed to have no more control over his body. At least not while Elu was stroking his cock in just such a way.

”Oh by all the…”

”Don’t call to the Valar, I don’t need the feeling of Manwë watching.”

Elu’s remark made Mablung chuckle in spite of himself, and oh, what a wonderful, wonderful relief. Then Mablung felt Elu shift a little, only to press a gentle kiss to his cock a moment later, felt his tongue caress him. He had not expected that at all, and even less to feel Elu take him into his mouth a moment later. He arched his back and whined, his hands finding their way into Elu’s hair. This was too much, he no longer had any control whatsoever, even while his mind was still painfully aware of what this was. Elu had never been able to bear seed anywhere near his mouth, had never been into sucking or indeed being sucked, so his giving this to Mablung now, his forcing himself to bear the sensation, could only be a parting gift. Something to remember him by.

It was too long that Mablung had last found relief, the sensation too powerful, so that Mablung felt that he would not endure it for another moment without spilling.

“I’m coming… oh, please, Elu, let go, I’m coming!”

When Elu did not heed his words, Mablung pulled him off his cock by the hair, not caring if he hurt him. He needed to last a little longer still.

“No. I don’t want to have my pleasure at your expense. Let me love you, please.”

Elu rubbed his head slightly, and opened Mablung’s clenched fist with a wry smile, pulling strands of his silver hair from Mablung’s grip and waving them before his face.

“Well, you didn’t listen!”

For a moment, they both grinned at each other, then Mablung nudged Elu into lying back down, raising himself to his knees instead. He stroked Elu’s flank and felt him shudder at the touch.

“I will be careful, I promise.”

“I know.”

“Turn on your side!” Mablung said gently, carefully spreading Elu’s legs, caressing his balls and his cock until he was fully erect, drawing, for the first time this evening, little moans from his friend’s throat. Mablung licked his fingers, in want of any other salve, and carefully started to prepare Elu, letting his finger slide in and out of him. Elu gasped, and Mablung felt him tense.

“You need to relax…” Mablung whispered softly.

“I can’t!” Elu whimpered, fresh tears running from his eyes.

“Am I hurting you?”

“No… it’s just… it hurts, it hurts so much. Not what you’re doing, nothing bodily. But if I give into that now, I’ll… I’ll lose control!”

”You have to let go, Elu. Not for my sake, not for fucking. For yourself…”

Mablung stroked Elu’s stomach gently, slowly letting his hand wander again to his cock, which made him wince, overly sensitive to any touch.

”I’m here. I’ll protect you, even from yourself.”

Elu nodded and reached out to Mablung’s hand and stayed it over his cock.

“Don’t stop, Mablung. Please.”

Mablung smiled.

“No, I will not. Tell me what I can do for you, and I shall do it.”

“Fuck me. I don’t care if it hurts. Just take me as you like. I’m yours.”

And now, at last, Mablung understood. This was how it had been back on the Journey as well, Elu pleading with him to just take him, to lift all responsibility from his shoulders for a moment. This was so painfully, so endearingly familiar that Mablung could not help but take Elu’s hand and press his lips to it. Then, so as not to give himself any time to get even more sentimental, he pushed into Elu without so much as a warning. Unsurprisingly, Elu cried out, hastily biting down on his other hand to stifle the sound. Mablung grew utterly still, allowing Elu to accustom to the stretch.

”It’s been a while!” Elu panted.

“I know. But it is still as beautiful as it was.”

“Move, please.”

Mablung grinned.

“So impatient all of a sudden?”

”Cruel, one could call you!”

”Is that so?”

Mablung asked innocently, playing with Elu’s nipples and noting with satisfaction how his cock twitched with every pinch of Mablung’s fingers.

”I wish I could honestly say I won’t beg… but I will, if that is what’s needed.”

Mablung laughed.

”No. I don’t want you to play. I want you to let go.”

And with that, Mablung started to thrust into him, ignoring Elu’s panted moans, soon slipping into a rhythm that suited both of them. It didn’t take Mablung long to be, again, on the verge of his climax. He knew his movements became increasingly rough, knew that Elu’s moans were no longer solely of pleasure, but he was utterly lost now. He needed, he wanted Elu to come first, though, wanted to feel his orgasm, so started stroking Elu’s cock in rhythm with his thrusts, until Elu stayed his hand with trembling fingers. They both moaned as Mablung felt Elu’s cock pulse, spilling his seed over his fingers, while the muscles that enclosed Mablung’s cock contracted around it. The sensation was too much for him, and he thrust into Elu once more, before he reached his climax with a small cry as well, while Elu was still coming into his hand. 

Mablung made sure they both were really done before gently withdrawing his softening cock from Elu’s body, who still lay curled up on the ground, shaking all over. Yet, as Mablung lay beside him, running his fingers down his spine, Elu turned and kissed Mablung, a fierce and desperate kiss they once again lost themselves in. When finally they did break apart, neither one could hold back his tears.

 

Mablung would not be able, later on, to tell how long they lay in each other’s arms and just wept silently. It seemed that for Elu, this was truly the breach of the last stronghold he had kept, and Mablung was equally sorry and glad about it. He had watched the man he loved walk to his own destruction, fuelling it along the way with his pride and stubbornness, and paying thrice in pain and grief. He knew how ill this had made Elu, that he held an Elf in his arms who was on the very brink of death. Yet he could not, he would not imagine life without Elu, who had always been there, and whom he had admired from childhood on. He remembered the awe of watching the young prince, clearly frightened, yet with an air of determination that hushed everyone watching, step forward and stand before Oromë representing the house of Enel. He didn’t know when admiration turned to love, or what had been there first— the love for a friend or that for one’s true love. He couldn’t recall, either, how Beleg and he had truly ended up in some weird sort of love triangle with their lord, only that it had probably been the happiest time of his life.

Before long, the heat from their love-making left them, leaving them both shivering with cold. Lovingly, Mablung pulled his mantle around them both, and after a while Elu lay his head on Mablung’s chest.

“I’m falling asleep right now…”

“Then sleep. I’m here.”

“Aye, but then you will fall asleep as well and it does not do for anyone to find me sleeping naked in my captain’s arms.”

“Mm, that would make for some gossip, I agree.”

For a moment, he remained still, then he tightened his embrace a little more, and said seriously:

“Please don’t do this, Elu. I’m serious. Please don’t throw away your life like that.”

“It is too late for that. My body is already damaged beyond repair. And I am tired.”

“So is that why you flee the caves at night, and spend the days locked in that smithy? So Melian does not see that you are starving yourself?”

”So Melian doesn’t have to watch me starve myself, aye.”

”She knows?”

”Don’t be shocked. It takes its time to starve an Elf who has seen the Light, as I found to my cost. Melian argued with me. A lot. Her spells kept me alive for many years. But she had to give in in the end, for my decision is made. I do not deserve life! Not anymore.”

”Are you out of your mind? Like, thoroughly?”

”I must be. But still, I cannot bear it anymore. It was not a conscious decision, it just… I could not eat after Lúthien chose mortality, not really. And then I found that this was my way out of it.”

“But that has been years! Many, many years.”

“I know that. Please don’t turn away from me now. Resent what I do, hate me for it, I’ll sit in Mandos forever for this, anyway, but please do so after my death. I need you just now.”

”I will do nothing but grieve for you, as you know perfectly well. And Melian will, too.”

Elu nodded.

“I want to die in her arms, that’s all. And I would love to know that Elmo and you are there.”

“I will be. If there is any way, I will be there. It shall break my heart to see you pass, but I will be at your side until your last breath!”

He stroked Elu’s hair gently, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“I love you. I always loved you.”

“I know. And I’m so sorry that I cannot… I love you too, Mablung, with all my heart, as a friend, a brother, even… as the boyhood-first-sex-whatever. I…”

Mablung laughed at this last word, even through his tears. Pretty much, he thought.

“And I am content with that. Truly. But I needed you to know!”

“I do know. I will not tell you not to be sad, for I know that is inevitable, but… don’t let losing me destroy you. Promise me that. I love you far too much to suffer you to hurt like that.”

He wiped Mablung’s tears from his cheeks, then kissed him with a tenderness he only ever shared with Melian otherwise. Mablung took a few deep breaths, then straightened himself.

“So… as I am bound to go back to the marches tomorrow… should I ask for leave?”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Who knows… you know I can’t predict that!”

”No… word will reach you if you’re needed… I mean, you’re always needed here, but…”

Mablung nodded, kissing the top of Elu’s head. The night was cold, he wouldn’t be surprised if it started to snow.

”I wanted to ask you something for quite a while, but never found the time, as it’s not important, not really. Since I’m in charge of all the Marchwardens, I would much rather stay in Menegroth. No, I’m not making this up now, I wanted to ask that of you since you made me chief.”

”Does this have time ’till tomorrow? I’d like to put that before the council.”

”Of course. I just wanted to give you the chance to think about it in advance.”

”Thanks.” Elu mumbled, sleep overwhelming him at last.

”I promise I won’t fall asleep. You’re safe. I’m here.”

“We… need to… dress.”

Mablung sighed in agreement and helped Elu put on his clothes again, noting as he did so that the King truly was more asleep than awake already. Still, he cradled him in his arms until he was sure that he really was soundly asleep, then laid him on the ground and covered him in both their mantles again, as he could feel him shaking even in his sleep. He cuddled up to Elu’s shivering body, not to fall asleep, he stood by his promise, but to keep Elu warm. It had been literally ages since they had spent a night like this and Mablung savoured every moment he lay there, with his arms around the man he loved. Until a hardly perceivable crack made him aware of a presence.

“Who’s there?” he whispered into the darkness.

“Captain Mablung? What are you…?”

“Hush.”

Mablung rose to his feet swiftly, hoping against hope that it was before his marchwarden had realised what he had been doing.

“I am keeping watch. What are you doing here at night?”

“Keeping watch. Patrolling. What are you..”

As the young Elf’s eyes fell upon the sleeping King, he gasped.

“Quiet. Let him sleep. As I said, I am keeping watch over him.”

“It is so cold, though. Should we not wake him and get him inside?”

“No. I do not want to disturb his sleep. He was so exhausted.”

“I noticed that at court. He seemed really tired. Rather unlike him, is it not?”

Mablung nodded, gritting his teeth to keep himself from showing his grief.

“Yes.”

“Forgive my surprise, Captain. I just never imagined finding him sleeping in the woods.”

“Then,” Mablung said, rather sternly “…you need to keep your eyes open when patrolling. Many Elves of Menegroth, including King and Queen, choose to spend their nights out here from time to time.”

“But not in Midwinter!”

“Oh yes, also in Midwinter. Again, train your eyes!”

“Mablung!”

The warden’s voice was suddenly sharp, but Mablung had already turned. Elu had stirred in his sleep, groaning, and Mablung knew instantly that he must be in pain. He was at his King’s side in one stride, kneeling down beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder. Elu was shaking worse than ever, and when Mablung tried to rouse him, he did not wake.

“What is wrong with him?”

“I do not know. But this is serious.”

Mablung turned to his warden.

“Go. Get help. Get the Queen. Hurry!”

Without hesitating, he pulled Elu into his arms and lifted him up, far too easily, carrying him back to the caves.

“Hold on. Please!” he whispered.

Please. I love you more than anything in Arda, please don’t die. Not now.

Melian met him before he had reached the bridge, a cloak drawn hastily around herself. She looked utterly terrified.

“What happened?” she asked, as Mablung carefully laid Elu down on the mossy ground. Melian knelt down beside them and half pulled her husband onto her lap, arms supporting his head and torso.

“I do not know. He was so exhausted. I thought he had just fallen asleep and kept watch over him, but he…”

He was at a loss for what to say.

“You responded perfectly, Mablung. Thank you.”

Unbidden, Elu’s request of having Melian, him, and Elmo by his side came into Mablung’s mind. Did Melian know of it, he wondered? There was only one way to find out, and to find out also if the situation was as dire as it seemed to him.

“Should I go and… does Elmo need to be here?”

Melian looked up at him, understanding showing clearly in her face, then lowered her gaze again to her husband, who still lay trembling in her arms. She closed her eyes for a moment and nodded, tears spilling from under her eyelids. Fear and grief tore at Mablung’s very heart at that. He had been afraid of it, yet not been prepared for it.

“I will get him!”

“No. Make someone else go. I am not sure there is enough time! I need you to stay, if you will.”

“Of course.” Mablung answered hoarsely.

So Elu had talked Melian through his last wishes. Mablung understood now how all this came together, their night together, Elu’s frankness… this was no co-incidence, but a carefully laid-out play. Elu had staged his own farewell. But the realisation did nothing to change the circumstances, so Mablung stood up swiftly and walked a few steps to one of the guards that had followed Melian out of the caves, and now stood horror-struck nearby.

”Get Lord Elmo here. Tell him it’s urgent.”

Mablung wondered, as he knelt down beside the King and Queen again, whether Elmo would know straight away. Close as the brothers were, he was certain that Elmo knew that Elu had not been exactly well lately. And being urgently called out into the wintery woods long before dawn to his brother’s side would not leave too many doubts about the reason. After a while, Mablung reached out tentatively and took one of Elu’s hands, carefully opening his tightly cramped fist. Melian smiled, and it was a genuine smile, tear-stained as it was.

“He’s so cold!” Mablung whispered.

“He does not have much time left. I misjudged. I, his wife, was too wrapped up in my own pain to realise how desperately weak he already was.”

“Did I do this to him? With…?”

“No.”

“But the cold…”

Melian looked at Mablung, and there was pity in her eyes.

“Even if, Mablung, your night together were responsible— I promise you, he would have much preferred it to another day or two of meaningless suffering. But it was not. He just hid his weariness well. Being so cold is the prelude to his Fëa leaving his body, that would be the same in the height of summer. Have you tried to keep him warm all night?”

“Of course.”

“Oh Mablung.”

“I am glad that I did not know, or I could never have… this farewell should have belonged to you, lady.”

She stroked Elu’s cheek tenderly, looking down at him, and there was so much love in her gaze that it moved Mablung to the core.

“We said our goodbyes over the last years. He loves you, Mablung, though perhaps in a different way—not, never, less— than you love him. This time belonged to you, who knew him long before I did. And I could never have been so selfless. I could not have accepted it. Unto the last moment, I would have hoped. And in hoping, I would have failed to be a true comfort to him, as you were. You held him, and kept him comfortable, and warm. And much though I wish it had been me, I know that it could not have been. Thank you.”

“You should not be comforting me…” Mablung managed to say, his voice thick with tears.

“No. I am just speaking the truth.”

“Does Elmo know?” Mablung asked suddenly, a thought striking him. “What Elu did to himself?”

Melian shook her head sadly.

“No. And if I can achieve it, I would like to keep it that way. He need not know Elu starved himself to death. It is enough to know his broken heart finally killed him. Which will be no lie.”

“Is there nothing we can do?” Mablung asked desperately.

Maybe he had appeared to be accepting Elu’s decision to Melian, but this, now, was his breaking point. He could not just sit back and wait. Melian, however, shook her head, new tears spilling from her eyes.

“No. I did what I could for years, and achieved nothing but to prolong the suffering of the one I cherish most. We have to let him go. I know you love him as I do, and he needs us to be strong now.”

Mablung was saved the necessity to answer by Elmo’s arrival.

“What happened?” Elmo asked, looking wide-eyed at his brother’s still form in Melian’s arms.

“There… there is no gentle way to tell you, or I would. He is… dying, Elmo. If you want to say goodbye, you have to do it fast!”

“No…”

“I am so sorry.”

“How… Melian, is that what they mean when they say that elves can die from a broken heart?"

Melian nodded, and Elmo knelt down beside them, stroking his brother’s head.

“Can you hear me, Elu?” he asked softly, and there was an unmistakable plea in Elmo’s voice, a plea for his brother to wake.

There was no reaction though, Elu still lay with his eyes closed, quite clearly oblivious to everything going on around him. And yet Elmo went on, all the while stroking his brother’s hair.

“If you can, know that I love you. Thank you for being strong for so long. Thank you for everything! But now at the end, we will be strong for you, so if you need to… you can let go! Please be at peace! Heal. Be free from this pain.”

Tears were running down all their faces, as what Elmo had said moved Mablung to the deepest corners of his soul, and he guessed Melian felt something rather similar. They all watched silently after that, expecting Elu’s death to occur at any moment, but yet he was breathing, if weakly.

Then, to Mablung’s mingled relief and horror, Elu opened his eyes once more. As he beheld them and understood, he smiled, and the gratitude and love and relief that lay in that smile tore at Mablung’s heart. Elu pressed his face gently against Melian’s chest, and she once again stroked his hair, rocking him softly.

“I love you, too.” she whispered. “All of us do! Into all eternity.”

Mablung pressed Elu’s hand as confirmation of Melian’s words, and Elmo, too, bent to kiss the top of his brother’s head.

Once more, Elu smiled faintly, then he closed his eyes again and sighed deeply, his hand slackening in Mablung’s grip, and did not draw breath again. The pain of it was like that of a white-hot spear passing through Mablung’s heart, choking him, making him wish for nothing more than to follow suit. And yet he remembered Elu’s request of him not letting himself be overcome by that grief, and he would fulfil his King’s wish as he always had done, which meant that he had to prevail, he had to endure, had to stay.

None of them spoke or moved; it seemed even the forest itself held its breath.

“Is he truly gone?” Elmo asked at last, his voice thin and shaky.

Melian nodded, unable to speak through her own tears. She pressed her husband’s body to her chest, cradling him. It had started to snow, little white flakes swirling around them like blossoms in spring, catching in all their hair and on their cloaks. The way Melian held him made Elu’s head fall back a little, and his hair spread down to the ground like a waterfall of molten silver. Mablung had never seen anything so beautiful, yet so heart-wrenchingly sad.

What would happen next, he neither knew nor cared. Could Melian bear to remain with them when there was nothing left for her here but grief and the promise of more loss? Would it fall upon the young son of Lúthien and Beren to take the crown? What would happen when Menegroth awoke from its slumber of blissful oblivion and found that all was altered? All these questions floated meaninglessly by in his head, unimportant, irrelevant.

“May you find rest, Elwë of the house of Enel,” he said softly at last, addressing Elu in the half-forgotten tongue of their childhood. “Until we meet again.”