Tirnel looked to his friend, the larksome mood from earlier having simmered down into quiet thoughtfulness. He knew what was on Elegost’s mind, for it was on his own, and no amount of joking and singing could truly suppress the memories. He sighed. He searched for the other man’s eye in a quiet offer of fellowship, but Elegost continued to bitterly look ahead and did not seem to see his former pupil at all.
shading done! don't worry about the values, they're gone now but they will be back (hopefully) with the colours <:
So, I started playing LOTR: The Third Age, for PS2. I beat the game once, ten years ago, and tried to beat it again many times over these years, but always would feel unmotivated to actually finish it. But now, I promised that I would beat it, and on Hard mode.
And boi... Hard mode IS hard. I remember the first time I played, I found the game too easy because I focused all the damage on Berethor, and he basically killed Sauron's eye full solo in the end. Now... even if I focus the damage on Berethor, he'll NOT carry everyone to the end. I'm struggling like hell, and I haven't even reached Helm's Deep. And I promised I would beat the game until this friday.
(pic of best boy Elegost)
Every year, to go alongside his actual presents, I like to try and draw or make something for my brother...
... And this year he’s going to get this; Elegost, Idrial and Berethor from the Lord of the Rings; the Third Age (since I’m pretty sure we’re the only people who genuinely like this game, despite it’s undoubtedly batshit moments).
I promised I would beat The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age before last Friday. Then, the promise changed to next Monday. And still, won’t be able to do it.
If I wasn’t such a stubborn prick who won’t beat the game without getting all the skills of all characters, I wiuld have finished it today. But still, only Morwen and Idrial have all skills unlocked.
The words were a breath against his ear, sleep-roughed and contented. A balm to the homesickness that Elegost had felt in the long months since they were last together.
”Far afield. In the mountains, hunting orc-kind with Elrond’s sons.”
”You have not been cautious,” Leofric chided. His lips kissed a new scar on his shoulder, a testament to the accused lack of care.
”It was not a bad injury,” Elegost soothed. He drew a warm hand to his mouth, pressing his own kisses to a calloused palm. “It healed on the road. It did not keep me from you.”
”Still, I could wish it had not happened,” Leofric said. “More I could wish that your elven friends hunted orcs closer to our own borders. Then sometimes I could ride with you, and keep your back, since you will not keep it safe yourself.”
”Gladly would I have you with me. It’s long since we drew swords together.”
”Mm, not so long,” Leofric teased. The bedclothes shifted as he rolled his hips, hand trailing down low on Elegost’s belly. With a laugh Elegost swatted his thigh, a light slap of skin to skin.
”Long since we drew steel together then,” he amended. In spite of the laughter something solemn settled in his eyes and voice, dimming the richness of his gaze. “My heart is of two feelings, I find. Gladly would I have you with me, yet glad I am, too, that you are here, safe. I do not doubt your valor, Leofric,” he soothed, when met with a sound of offense and a body withdrawing. He reached to loop an arm around Leofric’s waist, drawing him back. “I don’t mean that you should be left safe while other men fight. Only that, when the days have grown long and the hunt wearisome, I’m glad to think of you here, sun-touched and away from the vile hovels of orcs and wolves.”
He stroked a hand against a beard-rough cheek, and pressed kisses along the furrowed brow until the signs of wounded pride were smoothed away again. Leofric looked up at him, concern dimming his eyes as he searched Elegost’s face. He brought a hand up to stroke his cheek. “Something troubles you.”
”No,” Elegost lied. Then, “Yes. Probably it is nothing, but… I fear that darker days are coming. The orcs and goblins grow more bold in the mountains, and wolves have been seen returning to lands that have long been safe. People talk of shadows forming again in the East.”
For a moment a grim silence fell, Elegost’s eyes dim and grey with visions of unknown shadows creeping. Leofric took his face between his hands and drew his gaze down, thumbs stroking his cheeks, until Elegost looked at him clearly again.
”Even if these shadows do grow, they are not here now,” he said, lifting his head to ghost a kiss to Elegost’s lips. Elegost sighed into the parting of his lips and sunk into his embrace, welcoming the comfort offered.
”You’re right,” he murmured, nuzzling Leofric’s jaw. “And if the darkness does someday spread even here, then I will come, and on that day we will draw our swords together again and defend one another.”
”But not today,” Leofric said, as he pushed up from his back to roll Elegost beneath him, covering him with his body while the blankets pooled around their hips.
”No,” Elegost agreed, between one kiss and the next. He tangled his hands in long, golden hair, and let the scent of hay and sweat wash away the shadows. “Today the sun still shines on us.”
Leofric smiled as he bent to kiss him anew. ”May it ever.”
shoutout to @painterofhorizons for encouraging me to talk more about these two after reblogging my very first edit for them!
This is just a snippet of what I have for these two, but everything else is all just notes and scattered bits of a larger fic. Not sure if it’ll ever get written, but at the very least I hope someone enjoyed this! Also other Third Age rememberers, come say hi!
