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Rumors brought you back to the dwarf realm. Like Elrond, it has been decades since you have been there. Of course, you have missed your dear friend Durin and unlike the other elf you haven’t missed his wedding. Well, the dwarf was mad at you for missing the birth of his children and when you met them, you fell in adoration with them making Durin really proud.
Sometimes, when duty doesn’t call for you, you take a few days into the dwarf realm to share moments with this friend of yours and his family, wishing silently that you had your own. You knew it would be sooner than you expected. In a moment of madness, you fell deeper than expected for his charms and here you are not knowing what the future can be between the two of you. It was quite unlike the elven tradition but you were the happiest so you didn’t mind. But you know that one day, you’ll be confronted with the reality of your kind. Sometimes you fear the future. He must know. Maybe and surely there were too many questions in that little elven head of yours. Maybe you should listen to Disa’s advice and make peace with your mind. You will need it when it will be the moment to welcome your little miracle.
You knew that Elrond would come to see his dwarf prince friend. You knew it would be difficult for Durin. Elrond is no exception to the elven rules. Time has no effects on him. He doesn’t see time fleeing but you do now just like the other species of Middle Earth. It was strange at first but you can deal with it with any issues.
You were at Disa’s house with her when you heard people coming for Durin and talking about an elf invoking the ancient rite of Sigin-tarâg. You immediately knew who it was so Durin did. You stayed with Disa and the children when the Prince and the Elf were doing the Rite Of Sigin-tarâg. The herald hasn’t seen you yet as he was taken to the rite’s room. No one could beat the dwarves at their best quality. The show must be funny. You were quite bitter to not see it. There were reasons you must agree on and respect.
Time passes quite slowly as you were too impatient and at the same time too anxious to meet Elrond back. The elf wouldn’t let his old friend banish him from every dwarf lands. At first, you were afraid for your dear one but you understood Durin’s choice. Elves always overestimated themselves. No one, not even you were an exception to this very rule of your kind. You must admit that you were too sure of yourself the very first time you met Durin after a decade. You were quite surprised. Hopefully for you, Disa was the one able to reason with him. You were very grateful to her and you owe her for this.
As expected by Disa, Durin concedes. When he entered his house, he was giving orders to the elf who was quite amused by the situation when he - maybe - should not. You were listening to them from the dining room, resting yourself as Disa ordered you to. She knows better than you what you are living now so you are listening carefully to all her advice. Then, the darven princess offers Elrond to stay. It wasn’t really an invitation. She didn't give him any other option so he stayed. From what you heard, you knew he was happy and relieved. But for Durin, things were the same. He was still doubtful and angry at the elf. A long road awaits for your friend. Does he deserve it ? It wouldn’t be fair if you were the only one who had to get his trust back.
When the three of them entered the room I was still sitting on their stone chair. I immediately stood up. I was quite embarrassed and I couldn’t tell why. My long and full dress was hiding my body. No one could see anything and if I hadn’t told the royal couple, they wouldn’t have guessed it. Elrond was quicker than me. He almost ran to me.
Elrond takes you into his arms. It feels right for you to be between them. A huge smile crosses his pretty face. The one you felt for. You have missed that feeling so much. You couldn’t tell him. You cannot let your heart speak for you but soon or later you will have too. You know this deep down inside you. There was no time for this.
As his eyebrows frown and too quickly for you, he pulls you aside with shock crossing his face. He didn't know where to place himself anymore. The fear of making the wrong move, saying the wrong words strikes him. Your mind went blank and you didn’t know what was happening until you remembered your own condition. He always has that power to take your attention and your mind from everything but looking only at him.
“ Oh… I am truly sorry my dear. I must have been more careful. I hope I didn't hurt you. I didn’t know anything about your condition. I know it has been quite a while we haven't met but … There are a ton of questions running to my mouth right now but I will contain them. Maybe you will not worry about me intruding into your personal life. “
You could tell he was hurt about you not telling him that you had a boyfriend or even husband from whatever wedding he wasn’t invited to. Your heart was bleeding. You didn’t know what to do anymore. You didn’t have the time to respond that he was continuing to speak. Disa and Durin must be amused by this awkward situation. You didn't dare to look at them. How could you when Elrond was right in front of you ?
“ [ Y/N ] dearest… I am really sorry for rambling all of this nonsense. No pressure will be put on your shoulders. You must have enough on them for you to bear life within yourself. I do hope you are happy with that mate of yours. “
You heard one of the two dwarves bursting out laughing and the other one hushing at them. At the same time, you can’t contain yourself but being quite amused by this situation. You assumed it was better than crying and freaking away from him. You couldn’t make this situation worse than it already was.
“ Well I must admit that idiot of a mate as you claim might not know … ? “
You weren’t sure why you said that. You were in a really weird situation. You just wanna run and hide far away from everything. Elrond looked at you with concerned eyes. He was worrying for you. It was painful for you as it might be for your dwarven friends.
“ Elrond dearest, may you let [ Y/N ] sit. “ Disa says with a warmful voice.
You thanked her silently. Your eyes spoke for you. Elrond apologizes for keeping you up when your condition requires you to rest. You weren’t a weak leaf at the edge of falling from its tree. Everyone knows it and you couldn’t retaliate. You had no strength for.
During dinner, Elrond’s eyes didn’t leave you. You prayed deep inside you that he has understood the meaning of your previous words but there could be thousands of situations coming from them. To be lucky, your friend should admit what happened between the two of you to himself. You weren’t sure he would do it, afraid to lose your friendship. What kind of friendship will that be if you are bearing his child in your womb ?
You barely ate your meal, gracefully prepared by Disa. You didn’t want to disappoint your friend. So you take your time to eat. Little by little, it was painful for you as nausea strikes again and again. It was the worst thing of your pregnancy. Thankfully for you and your angry stomac, the two men were arguing again. One blaming the other one. One not knowing where to put himself. Disa was trying to soothe the weavy atmosphere while you were watching, a hand around your belly.
At some point, Durin left the room. After speaking with Elrond about the beautiful tree that was growing under a mountain and given by the Elf himself, Disa followed her husband. The two elves of you were left alone in the dining room. Things felt the worst for you. Maybe it was only your hormones talking. You were already tired of these side effects. You must be stronger.
You feel Elrond’s eyes on you. You don’t dare to look at him back. You were holding your hands strongly, almost hurting yourselves. So the herald took your hand without a word. He brushed the back of your hand with his thumb, looking at you with a soft glance. You felt worse. You hate yourself for lying to the one you cherish the most. You hate yourself for not being able to tell him straightfully. Does friendship mean being honest to each other ? And yet, you weren’t.
“ So … May I ask you about the father of your child ? This way, I would not make any mistake the moment I met them. “
He asks gently with a soft voice as he always has with you. Words leave your mind and therefore your mouth too quickly to your taste. He is still looking at you with these soft eyes that make you want to scream your lungs out. You start to speak but are not able to. Then, his eyes became worried.
“ Please do not hate me, dear Elrond. I don’t think I will be able to assume myself in front of any of our people. The thing is … I-I… “
Panic strikes your body. You start shaking a bit too much for his taste and for yours.
“ Do not tell me it is a criminal. “
The elf responds, holding both of your hands and finally facing you.
“ May I say it is one for stealing my heart ? “
You answer at your turn, trying awkwardly to flirt with him as if you didn’t know what to do anymore. You guess you will use anything at that very moment to tell him. You were quite desperate. Elrond burst a laugh at your answer. He wasn’t ready for this, you think. Neither you was.
Finally, you put your left hand on his right cheek. You immersed your soft gaze in his, a beautiful smile flowing between your lips. Lips that he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about kissing them again and again. Those lips he dreams about. Those lips that have stolen his heart as you did with your own person.
“ I must be honest with you, Elrond dearest. I cannot keep this secret any longer. It is darkening my heart and I shall not fall. Our child will need us as I need you in my life, meleth. I am very sorry. I should have told you the very moment I knew it. Even if I was thousands of miles away from you. I should have. “
Your heart feels lightened. You are biting your lips as you are still afraid of Elrond’s reaction. Tears were on the edge of breaking into your pretty eyes.
“ So you finally told him ? “
A deep voice breaks the heavy silence that reigns into the room. Your eyesight moves from Elrond to Durin. None of you have moved.
“ Yes, [ Y/N ] has finally told me and I cannot be more happy than today. She gives me the greatest news a man could learn. “
Elrond speaks before you do. He understands from your face that you will not be able to. How could he blame you for this ? For any of this ? Even if he wishes he had known it way before at the very moment you knew it, he was the happiest. Light was brought to him thanks to you. A blessing was offered to him by you. He won't forget to thank the Valar for this. Not only you told him he was going to be a father but you always declared your love to him. As a result of it, tears rise into his eyes and a huge smile breaks out on his face. Happiness was shining from him.
“ [ Y/N ], my dearest, I cannot hate you for anything. I cannot ever be able to. You are the light of my darkest night. I do cherish you more than any precious stones dwarves can find. You bring me peace and happiness into my life, I shall be the one apologizing for not having been there for you when you needed. I shall repair my own mistake. Let me stay in your life, in our child’s life. “
“ How could I not let you in, idiot. You are the most precious thing that happened in my life. Well… Now not the only but still. I cannot let you go far away from me. You better take me with you or I will come on my own. “
“ I shall not let you. Not anymore. I will stay with you until the end of time and after. I will stay with you as long as the moon stays with the earth, making the sun jealous. No one will separate us, I promise you, meleth. “
“ Good ! Now you are finally making up whatever is between you two. I have to say that you better invite me when your child comes to our world. I better be there, my friends, or you will hear of me. “
Durin says mimicking a disgusting face when you know he was happy for both of you. Both of us are laughing at his manners.
“ You won’t miss it, Durin. I promise you. May you mark my words : You and your little family will be invited to the event. I will let you know when the due moment will happen so you can come to Lindon. “
Elrond answered before I could. Disa couldn’t stop smiling so Durin does. He wouldn’t admit it but everyone here could tell. The only thing I could do at the very moment it’s smiling and touching my little but showing belly before we left for Lindon. Things were getting better between the two friends after all.