Royalties by heget

Chapter 2

“More have signed up for lessons in basic Taliska. Taltyo, I don’t understand. I thought my writing was clear, and it’s not as if they need coaching in the comprehension of new word meanings like the mortals did. Which, may Eru forgive me, I lost my temper with the sons and daughters of Bëor’s people in those early days, to my shame, because I did not comprehend that the mortals could not learn the tongues of others as we do, and thought them slow and stupid instead of the truth, that they were far more clever than I would have been.”

Tacholdir’s fiancee once more refrained from rolling his eyes in irritation at his fiancee’s proclivity for belittling himself and undervaluing his talent and accomplishments. And to think everyone in his gymnasium thought him the most impatient and unrestrained of his fellows. “More of my cousins? Or the lore-masters’ apprentices?”

Tacholdir gave Taltyo the list of signatures.

Inspecting the long list of names, and recognizing most of the Vanyar and none too few of the Noldor, by their patronymics if nothing else, Taltyo chuckled. “I understand what is occurring, my love. Describe the age and martial status of all your prospective new students, if you will.”

“Martial status? What does that have to do with aught?” Tacholdir sputtered.

His fiancee gave him a dry look.

“They know I am engaged to you! And our fortunes are not that great, or my fame. And I know I am not comely.”

At that last statement, Taltyo wrapped his fiancee in an embrace and kissed him. Tachildor sighed against Taltyo’s lips, dropping the paper from his hand and pressing against his fiancee’s chest, lifting his feet to stand on his toes because of the height difference between them. The tension ebbed. “I have been a great nervous fool these last few months,” Tacholdir whispered, curling against Taltyo’s chest as the other man rested his chin atop his head.”Usually I am not this way. Sensible and steady. Ask my superiors and they would commend me such.” 

“We are settling into our new lives,” Taltyo said. “Adjustments happen. You were my rock in the Gardens. Let me be your rock now.”

Tachildor smiled and leaned back up to place a series of seemingly chaste but playful kisses on Taltyo’s lips. “You can sit in during the lessons if you want, to warn off any would-be flirts. But wear your most unflattering shirt, lest they turn their attention to you. I won’t even ask you to participate in the pronunciation drills.”

“You Noldor and your inventing new sounds.”

“Those are all the mortals to blame. And the dwarves.”

“Watch out for Melimo. He is notorious for becoming infatuated with anyone with a halfway pleasant voice. If not you, than one of your soon-to-be students. And his poetry is atrocious. Both what he sends while attempting to court and afterwards while lamenting his broken heart.”

“Personal experience?” Tachildor teased.

“If he shows up for lessons, charge him triple.”

Chapter End Notes

Release from Bondage established that they met in the Gardens of Lorien. Taltyo wasn't reborn, but like Faron he did get grievously injured during the War of Wrath and needed recuperating.

At the beginning, Tacholdir is referring to how Finrod and other elves could quickly learn languages via the quasi-mind reading of oswarë.