In your Eyes: Epilogue



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 Thanks to Dorothy for betareading

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Anar was high in the sky when a lone rider left the sleeping manor of Imladris, eager to bring back to his father the answer to his request. Urging his horse to go faster, he crossed the plain surrounding the tall construction, quickly reaching the top of the nearest hill. But, then, as if pushed by an unconscious need, he stopped his valiant steed and looked back, memorizing the glorious image of the vale and manor. He felt in his very core something was calling him back, and a feeling of incompletion seized him as a reminder of what might have been. The Prince chased these feelings away, repressing the unwanted emotion deep into his heart. Gently patting the neck of his powerful white stallion, he murmured words of encouragement in Naralod. Soon, the rider and steed disappeared into the shining light of day, ignorant of the pair of identical eyes fixed upon them.

Indeed, in the manor, the twins were looking at the vanishing figures by the window of Elrohir’s room. The elder twin had come in a few minutes earlier to find his beloved brother staring at the lone silhouette moving away. Soundlessly he stepped behind him, encircling his slender waist with his strong arm, nesting his chin in the hollow of his brother’s shoulder. Together they watched the retreating rider until he was only a point of light on the landscape. They remained as such until the silence was broken by Elladan's spoke in a concerned voice.

“He is a Prince…”

Elrohir did not avert his gaze, his face still and straight, his jaw clenched. One of his hands lay on the edge of the window, the other resting on his brother’s arm. Slowly, almost regretfully he replied, his voice devoid of any emotion.

“I know”

Elladan brushed back a wild strand of raven hair that barred his brother's pale features, caressing the velvety skin before letting his hand fall back to Elrohir's waist. Another moment of silence was broken when he spoke again.

“He is beautiful…”

Elrohir suppressed a shudder, but he knew that as close as he was, Elladan felt it. His gaze fixed on the top of the hill where the Prince had disappeared, he answered in the same disembodied voice,

“I know”

Elladan deeply inhaled his brother's scent, so alike his own, yet so different. Elrohir knew what he was going to say, but nonetheless he said it, not wanting to see his beloved brother suffer because of this unattainable hope.

“He is not meant to be yours…”

At these words, Elrohir half closed his eyes and slightly turned to face his brother. He raised his gray eyes toward him and looked into his eyes. He heard what his brother did not say. A prince was supposed to take a wife and have children. He knew this, but it did not quell his desire for the fair being. Resuming his serene contemplation of the vale, he repeated himself.

“I know”

Elladan understood that no more would be spoken on this subject. Nestling again against his brother's neck, his cheek resting on unbraided dark locks, his breath tickled Elrohir's skin as he whispered.

“Good”

Silence befell them again as they hugged themselves tight, still looking out of the window at the vale of their childhood. Memories surfaced, reaffirming in their silent way their childhood oath. Whatever might happen, they would always be there for one another.

The end.

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