Chapter Text
Aphedor keeps as much distance as possible between them and twins as Elros still yells at them anytime he sees them.
Things change a little a month after Sirion, when they run into the twins with Erestor. The Steward is carrying Elrond, and Elros hides behind his legs when they see them. However, he doesn't yell at Aphedor, so they stop, when they see Elrond looking at them curiously from Erestor's arms.
"Hello," Elrond says.
"Hello, Little One," they smile politely at the child.
Elrond returns the smile and then hides his face in Erestor's robes. Aphedor nods at the steward and walks on. It's still progress.
Two weeks later, Elrond approaches them in the gardens, when they're looking for Lord Maedhros.
"Hello," the child says with a shy smile.
"Hello, Little One," Aphedor returns the smile.
"I'm Elrond."
"I'm Aphedor," they reply. "It's very nice to meet you."
Elrond giggles and runs away. Aphedor stays long enough to see him run up to Salabiel, so they know the child is safe.
"Elrond asked if you want to come to dinner tomorrow," Salabiel says three weeks later, when they're getting ready to bed.
"Why?" Aphedor looks at her, surprised.
"He wants to know who I'm married to," their wife chuckles as she finishes her sleeping braid.
Aphedor hums thoughtfully, running through their schedule in their head.
"I don't think I can come tomorrow," they frown, remembering that Lord Maedhros needs them in the evening. "The day after?"
"I'll ask," Salabiel says as she climbs into bed.
It takes another week and a half before Elros agrees to Aphedor's presence at dinner, after he takes offence that their refusal of the initial plan upset Elrond.
Aphedor makes sure both their Lords don't need them, before heading to the twins' rooms. They hesitate slightly at the door, remembering the last occupants of the suite. They need to remember that it's not Roscoe they're going to meet inside, as they knock.
"Come in!" one of the Peredhil twins calls from the inside.
Aphedor walks into the room with a small smile, putting the thoughts of Roscoe away for the evening.
As soon as they're inside, a very small body crashes into their knees, Salabiel following closely behind.
"Hello!" Elrond says excitedly.
"Hello, Elrond," they say, crouching down to get closer to his level. "How are you?"
Elrond smiles shyly. "Good. You?"
Salabiel mentioned the younger twin was struggling with his speech, so they know to expect more words than sentences.
"I'm very well, Little One, thank you," they say.
Elrond nods and then turns around to hide his face in Salabiel's gown.
Aphedor walks over to the table. Elros looks at them grumpily.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to come, when Elrond first invited me," Aphedor says with an apologetic smile. "I'm glad you've allowed me to come today."
Elros harrumphs, and crosses his arms on his chest.
"Only because Elrond asked a lot," he says sullenly. "My name is Elros," he adds after a moment.
"I'm Aphedor." They put their hand over their heart with a nod. They sit down on the chair clearly meant for them and dish up some food, still smiling at Elros, but happy to let him start the conversation, or not, if he's not interested in speaking to them.
Salabiel brings Elrond back to the table, and argues with him about sitting in his own chair for a few moments before helping him climb onto it. Unlike Elros, Elrond immediately starts chattering, asking them about their day and what they do in Amon Ereb. Aphedor carefully doesn't mention either of their Lords when answering the child's questions, as discussed with Salabiel earlier in the day.
They get through dinner smoothly, but when Aphedor tries to leave Elrond pouts at them.
"Don' go," he says sadly.
They glance at their wife and she nods with a smile.
"I won't if you don't want me to and Elros is happy for me to stay," they promise Elrond.
Elros sighs and rolls his eyes. "It's fine."
"What would you like to do?" Aphedor asks Elrond and immediately the child takes them by their hand to the sofa and makes them sit to read him a book.
Elros follows, still looking grumpy, but he sits on the floor with some building blocks. His ears twitch whenever the story has a good moment, so Aphedor knows he's also listening, even as he plays with Salabiel and he doesn't look at them once.
It takes only a few pages before Elrond starts shuffling over slowly, carefully glancing at them with every move, and when he's close enough, he cuddles up against Aphedor's side. They smile softly and let their hand rest against Elrond's back gently, so he can shake it off if he wants.
Elrond sighs happily when the story is over and stays against their side as they start humming a soft tune. It's nearing the twins' bedtime, from what Salabiel has said in the past, so Aphedor doesn't begin another story. Instead , they continue humming and let Elrond rest against them.
Elros glances at Elrond and Aphedor and then whispers, very loudly, to Salabiel, "I like him."
Aphedor doesn't flinch, but they don't quite manage to stop themselves from a small grimace.
Salabiel glances at them before looking down at Elros.
Don't, they're just little children, it's fine, Aphedor says to her through the marriage bond.
It'll be fine, Salabiel assures them, and gently pushes them away from her thoughts when they try to protest again.
"I'm glad you do," she says to Elros with a smile. "But when you speak about Aphedor, you should say they or them. They're not a 'he'."
Elros frowns, and Aphedor can feel Elrond tense up against them. Salabiel shoots them a look, when they open their mouth to reassure the children.
Give them a moment, she says.
Elros hums thoughtfully for a moment, and then nods. "I'm sorry," they say to Aphedor, before turning back to Salabiel with a smile. "I like them."
Aphedor smiles at him, and then looks down at Elrond. The child's eyes now wide open when he was close to falling asleep a few moments ago.
"I like you," Elrond whispers conspiratorially, yawns and relaxes again.
I told you, Salabiel says smugly.
Aphedor chuckles and rolls their eyes at her.
Two days later, it's Elros who asks Aphedor to come play with him and Elrond. They check with Lord Maedhros, who doesn't need them at the moment, and with Salabiel who approves it. They agree to meet the twins the next day around midday.
Salabiel looks relieved when they come to the twins' suite, rushing off as soon as Aphedor sits on the floor with Elros and his building blocks. Elrond glances at them shyly, but continues playing with a couple of stuffed animals.
It takes a few sigh and unsure looks towards them for Aphedor to realise that Elrond doesn't seem to be shy, but anxious. They continue to play with Elros for a little longer, hoping the child will speak up unprompted, but when Elrond hides his face in his hands with a frustrated noise they turn towards him with a gentle smile.
"What is it, Little One?" they ask softly.
Elrond peers at them between his fingers and mewls sadly, turning away.
Elros makes an annoyed noise at losing his play partner, and reaches over to poke Elrond on the side.
"Just ask them," he whispers to Elrond.
Elrond shakes his head, and pushes the probing finger away.
Aphedor gets up and walks over to sit cross-legged in front of Elrond, the smile not leaving their face. They put their hands palms up on their lap and look at the child.
"You can ask me," they encourage.
Elrond whimpers and kicks his legs anxiously, bringing a stuffed bunny to his chest and squeezing it tightly.
"Don' know," he whispers.
Aphedor nods patiently. "Would you like a hug?" they offer.
Elrond fidgets again before he launches himself at Aphedor, crushing against their chest and hiding his face in their robes with another unhappy noise.
Aphedor gently strokes Elrond's back, humming a soothing tune for a few moments.
"What is it? I'm sure we can solve it," they assure him.
Elrond clings to their robes for a minute before mumbling something completely unintelligible.
"Hmmm, I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." They rub the child's back.
"What-" Elrond whimpers quietly, "call you."
"What to call me?" Aphedor puzzles slowly.
Elrond looks up at them with teary eyes, pouting and nods shakily.
"Sala'l is lady," Elrond whispers. "Eres'or lord. You?"
Oh. Aphedor doesn't laugh because it'd only distress the child further. They smile at Elrond instead, noting the fact that the children seem to call Salabiel a lady to tease her about it later.
"Oh, Little One," they say warmly. "You can just use my name."
Elrond's eyes widen and he presses against them more, cuddling up as close as he can. "Oh!"
"Yes, just use my name," they repeat.
Elrond hums happily, rubbing his face on their robes to dry his tears.
"Aphed!" he says proudly
"Yes, Little One." They kiss the top of Elrond's head, chuckling warmly. "Aphed."