Tolkien reader inserts/one shots

Restless (Lord Elrond x fem!ranger reader)

When you'd saved Elrond, you didn't think anything would come of it. After all, he was an elf and you weren't. You were a Ranger and fated to die eventually. But when he offered you a home in Rivendell, you accepted without hesitation. It had been a while since you'd had a permanent residence and you longed for a place to lay your head at night. Even though you were a Ranger, you were still a woman and you enjoyed the finer things in life sometimes.

You didn't know the real reason Elrond asked you to stay. At first, neither did he. Elves rarely fell in love and Elrond certainly didn't think he'd fall in love with you. Nevertheless, he did. Much to his surprise, Elrond would often find his eyes scanning the grounds of Rivendell to find you. You were usually training with one of the elves, or you were walking by yourself. Part of him knew you wouldn't be inclined to stay very long. That wasn't your nature, but Elrond was going to enjoy your presence in Rivendell as long as possible. He didn't realize that it wouldn't seem like long at all.

Elrond wandered to one of the many gardens in search of a brief rest. Rivendell had been busy that morning and the older elf needed a break. Instead of what he was looking for, Elrond found you. You were sitting on a bench, your legs out in front of you and your gaze directed beyond the borders of Rivendell. You let out a barely audible sigh.

"Something troubles you, Mellon." You jumped slightly at the sound of Elrond's soft voice. Looking over at him, you smiled and moved your legs so he would have a place to sit if he wished it. "I am not troubled, my lord," you assured him. Elrond debated for a moment. Should he sit next to you and talk with you? Or should he return to work? The elf had seen a glimpse of the possible future, and it wasn't pretty. What if he pushed you toward that future? Still, he had to know what was wrong with you. "Then why are you out here by yourself instead of training?"

You laughed softly. "Fair enough. I did not realize you'd paid such close attention to me, Lord Elrond," you teased. Elrond had learned long ago to cover his true emotions so he didn't give anything away with his expression. Inside, however, his emotions were doing flips. He didn't understand how you could look so melancholic one moment and then be teasing him the next. Still, he said nothing as you continued speaking.

"Very well. It seems I am no good at hiding my true nature. I am very grateful for the home you have offered here, Elrond...truly I am. But the truth of it is that I am restless. I'm not used to sitting in one place for so long. I would have typically moved on by now in search of another adventure." You went quiet after your confession in fear that you had offended him.

"Then why have you remained?" Elrond asked, "It is not wise to go against your nature, my lady. We would never ask it of you. So why, if you still seek adventure so readily, have you not made you choice to leave us?" Your brows furrowed as you pondered. Elrond had a way of speaking that made everything seem like it was your decision when sometimes it really wasn't. But you didn't know how to convey that to him so you stayed silent, looking down at your lap.

Elrond was far wiser than many knew. He could read a person as easily as one reads a book. And now, he was reading you. Your body language, your facial expression, every appropriate part of you. It told him everything your words would not. "Ah," he finally whispered, "Then it is a matter of the heart?" Your head snapped up again in surprise. "W-What?"

"That is the only reason I can find for your reluctance to leave us. Perhaps you have found one among us who has captured your heart and that it why you have not sought a new adventure." You frowned, though you weren't unhappy. You were mentally cursing Elrond for being so observant. You thought you had been able to hide your feelings. "I-I cannot deny it," you finally said, "There is one who has captivated me. I would ask him to join me, but he cannot leave Rivendell."

Elrond watched your eyes dance over his face. They were full of so many emotions, it almost hurt to look directly in them. "None of my people are prisoners, Y/N. Whoever he is, he is welcome to leave with you should he choose. Should the need arise, I shall send for you both." You shook your head sadly and, before you could stop yourself, you replied, "Your people need you here, Elrond."

Elrond hadn't been expecting that. Not really. He knew how he felt about you, but the fact that you returned his feelings blindsided him. For such a wise elf, he felt like a fool. How had he missed it? He thought back over your time in Rivendell and could very clearly see your growing attachment to him. At the time, he thought it was his own imagination, tricked by his feelings for you. Clearly that hadn't been the case.

You stood up and moved to leave. "Perhaps you are right," you told him in a quiet voice, "Perhaps I should move on and find my adventure." You fought back a sniffle and started walking. Quick as a flash, Elrond gently grabbed your wrist, holding you in place. "Wait, Y/N." Elrond stood as well, and turned you to face him again. He saw the tears streaking down your face. "Melamin," he whispered, testing the word on his tongue. It had been so long since he'd used it. But as soon as the word was out if his mouth, Elrond felt a warmth he hadn't felt in many, many years.

You looked at him with wide eyes. You knew what that word meant. "Why would you call me that?" you asked. Elrond smiled. "Do I need to reply? Surely you can feel it." You raised your hand that wasn't locked in Elrond's hold to his chest. You could feel his heart beating under your palm. You couldn't speak. Instead you just stood there, lost in the moment as his eyes stared into yours. It was the most intimate thing you'd ever felt before.

After a while, you were finally able to tear your gaze away. Elrond frowned slightly. He knew you could feel whatever it was happening between you, but it was clear that you still weren't at ease. The yearning for adventure was too strong in you. You needed it like you needed air. Without it, you would continue to feel as trapped as a bird in a cage. Elrond knew what he needed to do, though it nearly broke his heart.

"You must go, Melamin." Your mouth opened a little, but he continued, "You must find your adventure." You huffed a little. "But what about you? I cannot just leave. Not now." Elrond chuckled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear. "It will not be forever, Y/N. And to keep you here would be a crime. You were right. I cannot leave my people, but you cannot stay here without the adventure you so desperately need."

He could see you wanted to argue and that your heart was ripping right in front of him. The tears were welling up in your eyes again before you could stop them. "Do not cry, my love," he whispered, "Find your adventure and then, if your feelings are the same, come back to me. I shall be waiting for you to return." Finally, your lips turned up into a smile. "Nothing short of death could keep me away, my love," you said firmly as you leaned up to press your lips to his in a human showing of affection. A kiss that Elrond would cherish until the day you came back to him.