"I think we should name him, brother," Elladan murmured as he checked the black steed's wounds. It had been a week since they had brought the battered creature home. Their father had healed or had begun to heal the bodily wounds, and the twins were working on the damage to his heart and spirit.
A black nose pressed Elrohir's small purse, which he had long since learned contained candies. "You're right," he smiled, pulling out a peppermint candy and feeding it to the grateful horse. Turning his head, he nuzzled the other one, asking for one of his candies as well.
Only four of the whispering things had been to see him, and the black steed knew them all. The two that looked alike smelled different. One had a sweet candy that made his teeth stick together. The other had a different candy that crunched in his teeth and reminded him of late autumn days. Elladan fed him a caramel, chuckling. "He's going to get fat if we keep feeding him candies, brother."
"Nay. After so long without, he needs candy now. Candy and love." He caressed the stallion's neck, looking into his deep liquid eyes. "What's your name? Hmm?" he asked softly. The horse whickered and lowered his head, butting gently against Elrohir, then nosing the candy bag again. Without waiting for the elf, he managed to nudge the cover of the bag aside and get a few peppermints for himself. Elrohir laughed, holding still and watching the stallion. Finishing his examination, Elladan stood beside his brother, offering the former Nazgul steed another caramel. The horse raised its head, sniffed Elladan's hand, then went right back to nosing Elrohir's bag. The elder twin looked slightly offended, then chuckled.
"Well, it's clear where his loyalties lie," he wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Decided on a name yet?"
Elrohir nodded, smiling, reaching the last of the candies from his bag. "Peppermint." The horse lifted his head, one ear twitching, as if to say "Well that was obvious, now bring me more of 'em."
