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Rúmil stepped away from the archery range and leaned his bow reverently in a stand before rushing toward his lover and embracing him in welcome. Peering with undisguised curiosity around Elrohir’s broad shoulders at the beribboned basket the Peredhel’s twin carried in his arms, he queried expectantly, “That would be for me, perhaps?”
Tipping up his chin so he could look up into Elrohir’s eyes, grey and sparkling with amusement, he batted his eyelashes and the younger twin laughed and returned his lover’s embrace with an indulgent squeeze. “Nay, not for you - I made 'Dan cart it all the way out here for Orophin. But since he is not here, and you are, I suppose you may have it by default, impertinent wood Elf.”
“‘Tis not my begetting day, Rohiren.” Rúmil’s green eyes danced with eagerness and pleasure that his usually reticent lover would surprise him in such a manner.
“But oft the unbidden guest proves the best company, and the gift unexpected proves the most appreciated, hmm? Go on; take a look, ere you explode from the anticipation.”
Elrohir motioned his twin to set the basket on the ground. The look Elladan returned as he carefully lowered his burden indicated he was not in agreement with his younger twin, but it was not clear whether his displeasure was over Elrohir’s choice of gift or for being consigned to fetch-and-carry duty.
Rúmil dropped to his knees beside the basket, eyeing it warily. Spread neatly over the top, a white square of cloth – a costly linen napkin evidently pilfered from Elrohir’s grandmother’s dining room – quivered and rippled as though concealing a swarm of angry snakes.
“What in the world?” Peeking under a corner of the fabric, he gave a great whoop of joy and gently lifted a wriggling ball of fluff from within the depths of the basket.
“A puppy!” he exclaimed in delight, holding the squirming black and white pup to his face and giving its underside a covert peek. “And ‘tis a female! Oh, Roh, look how precious she is!”
The tiny fur ball yapped in agreement, licked her new master’s nose, and promptly dribbled a warm, yellow stream onto his tunic.
“Naughty girl!” Rúmil chastised, not really seeming to mind very much, and flopped on the ground with his new canine friend tucked under his chin, forgetting all about his companions as he cooed and lightly rubbed behind her floppy ears while she wiggled and yipped.
Elrohir punched his twin lightly on the arm before dropping down beside his lover to play with the fuzzy, pot-bellied pup.
“And you thought he would prefer a kitten.”
*~*~* finis *~*~*