"I don't want a marriage without intimacy," Elrond mused. "It's neither fair to you, nor to me. So this isn't a duty you have to worry about. I won't ever marry you." (from female Elrond, for Lómy) - @ranasta
"Nor should you," Lómion replied, pushing himself off the wall with the parchment of questions still in his hand. "You deserve everything that can be given in a marriage, mellon nin, and though my respect and affection for you is unwavering, I cannot see a world in which I can give you what you need."
Perhaps it would have surprised her to know how much thought he'd given the subject when it had been proposed, following through each path to reach the conclusion he gave to ensure verity of his answer. Where the origins of his care had come from guilt, and once he had sought redemption as well as recompense--Elril had become much like a sister to him. He felt an unwavering protectiveness and love,a concern for her welfare, a desire for her future to be happy and well, a fondness for her companionship. . . but only in that aspect. However, with the proposed question, he had checked himself, if only to ensure that platonic love---filial love--- was indeed all he felt toward her.
Perhaps it was proof in itself when he was relieved to find it so. Even now, as he passed his hand over her hair and tapped her nose with a half smile, he felt most like a brother.
"But I will say this," he began again, voice lowered as he leaned toward her as if to share a secret. "If there was a duty, for whatever unknown and unearthly reason that had bound us, and if it was to protect you... and you wished it--" his finger lifted with the words to emphasize. "Then I would do it and do everything within my power to ensure your happiness. That would include intimacy, if you desired it, for I would not wish you to be without such an important aspect of existence. You are the type who is meant to be loved and loved well, and I am no fool who would waste you."
Leaning back again, he crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "But apart from such a scenario, I cannot see a world in which I am what you want. You are far too lovely and bright for the likes of me, and I am a possessive sort of lover. I would accidentally dim your light and hoard it like some miserly dragon, and that is hardly fitting for who you are. Best that we are friends---nay, best that we are brother and sister, where I can watch over you until one who adores your light as I do can come and make you shine all the brighter." The parchment in his hands was crumpled and thrown into the forges fires, burning amidst the flickering flames as he chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"And if he fails, I reserve the friendly right to throttle him."
