Chapter Text
"--and, your highness, I confess I am in love with you," said Tuor, a blush illuminating his face.
A smile broke across Idril's features as she took his hands. "I feel the same way," she said. "And I would court you, if that is your wish."
"It is," he said, breathless and looking up at her as if he could hardly believe such a perfect moment to be real, "but -- ah, I hesitate to say it, for such things can never be -- and yet I must confess also that my heart knows not the boundaries of law nor custom, and yearns for more than its share of love and joy. Your cousin the prince, too, possesses my heart, and were it not impossible I should be proud to love you both."
Idril blinked. This was not exactly the love confession she had dreamed of him giving to her, and she was loath to share with her distasteful kinsman, but...
Tuor clutched at her hands. "My lady, please, do not pull away! I apologize that I have said these things to you when they are not to your liking, but I cannot hide them, for such would be more disrespectful still."
"It is surely unexpected," she said, putting her thoughts in order, "but I do not think I mind. And I will have you, whether he will or not, but I cannot love him, nor should he love me. At best we shall make peace and love you together."
"That is a dream I have hardly dared hope for," said Tuor.
Idril smiled and squeezed his hands, heart racing in anticipation of what her choice might bring. "May I kiss you?"
He nodded, speechless with joy.
"Congratulations are in order, I hear," said Maeglin, not looking at Tuor at all. "Why are you coming to see me? If you wish to rub in the attainment of her love which I once desired, you are many decades too late; I no longer have any interest."
"That is good to hear, but no, though my business with you is of a somewhat related matter," said Tuor.
"I hardly see why you would ask me for advice in courting."
"It is not that, either."
Maeglin rolled his eyes. "Then what is it? Are you, out of some brotherly feeling towards the kinsman of your beloved, trying to aid me in matters of the heart? Let me lay that to rest, there is no one I love whose heart can be won."
"No. I came to confess to you that I love you."
Maeglin stood and turned away, making to leave. "This joke is in poor taste, and I shall not indulge it. My best wishes to you and to Idril."
"It is no joke," Tuor said, and Maeglin paused, turning back slightly. "Please, will you hear this before you go? Such things are not done, and yet with all my heart I adore you both, and my lady has given me leave to court you if you will have me."
"Who in their right mind would refuse you?" said Maeglin, then covered his mouth as if wishing he could unsay the words he had not intended, but Tuor's heart leapt.
"Then may I?" he asked. "With all my heart I love you, and with all my heart I wish to cherish you as you deserve."
Maeglin's face was aflame. "You may. But do not think this will make me any more civil to you."
"I would have you no other way."