Trinkets by Independence1776

The earth in flame

Elrond and Celebrían supervise a fire-starting contest for their young twin sons. Triple drabble, rated General.

This was written for the Competition/May 2018 SWG Challenge. It's loosely inspired by Elnur & Samir’s “Day After Day,” specifically the line, “The earth is in flame and you must share the blame.”

Celebrían wrapped an arm around Elrond’s waist after he finished explaining the terms of the fire-starting challenge to Elladan and Elrohir, who then scurried off to collect flint and kindling. “Why do I sense that there is a story behind you having them hold the contest on our stone porch rather than a patch of dirt?”

Elrond smiled. “There is. Maglor said his mother held a similar challenge for her twin sons and they nearly burned down the garden in their enthusiasm.”

She snorted. “I suppose Maglor held one for you two?”

Elrond nodded. “We took it rather more seriously, though. Our sons are-- and Nerdanel’s sons at the time were-- not living in hiding in a war-torn land.” He sighed. “From what both Maglor and Maedhros said, neither Amrod nor Amras lost their love of flames.”

Celebrían lay her head on Elrond’s shoulder. “I suppose they found other uses for fire in the end?”

“Morgoth was not the only one to use it in war. He was merely the first to weaponize it on a vast scale.”

Elrond shoved aside the memories with the ease of long practice. Now was not the time to dwell on the First Age and its ending, nor of the twins he had never met as they’d died in the battle where Elros and he were taken. They had both heard a multitude of stories of the older set of twins.

Elladan and Elrohir never had to grow up with the intimate knowledge people died with frightening ease. Instead, they were learning a necessary survival skill-- even if they’d use it solely on hunts, though Elrond thought the peace would not last-- and having fun doing so.

Though it did mean there were several dozen buckets of water on the porch next to them.