A/n: Lord Of The Rings was the very fandom for which I started writing fanfiction. However, my writing was a lot different back then (aka I was trying to find my way around things) and my writing skills were rather lacking. Nevertheless, for nostalgia's sake and because I wanted to have all of my stories in one place, I decided to upload them anyway. So, after some brushing up, here they are. I hope you enjoy them in spite of it all. :)
A robin flew amid the branches of the trees that surrounded Rivendell, welcoming with its chirps the rise of a new day. The little bird knew that the inhabitants of the great house which dominated in the fair realm would be having breakfast now, so it was more than eager to land on the balcony nearest to the dining table; it was quite certain that at least one of the Firstborn would place a few crumbs for it. The summer was over and autumn bore its last fruits before nature fell in its winter sleep, and the feathered creature had to make sure it wouldn't get hungry just yet.
The robin waited by the edge of the balcony for a few moments, chirping and hopping happily, until its patience was finally rewarded. The gentle rustling of a dress and soft footsteps were soon followed by the graceful form of a black-haired beauty, holding in her elegant hand her own treat for the meek guest.
"Mae govannen, tithen mellon," Arwen said softly, noticing the robin. "Aníral mado, thenid?" Without waiting for the obvious answer, she let the crumbs fall from her hand onto the stone floor of the balcony. Smiling at the robin's happy chirp of gratitude, she went back to the dining hall to finish her own meal.
Her father and brothers were also there, still having breakfast. Strangely, though Elrond Half-elven and the twins were eating, there didn't seem to be much cheer at the table. In fact, a keen eye would have been able to observe the quick, yet full of regret glances that all three cast towards another, empty chair. It was Estel's chair, the Man whom they had fostered, and who was destined to become known in the years to come as Isildur's heir and rightful king of Gondor.
The Lord of Imladris caught sight of his sons looking at the empty chair again and sighed. Putting his fork down, he faced both Elladan and Elrohir and cleared his throat to make sure he got their undivided attention.
"I miss him as well, you know," he stated, cutting into their train of thought. "Nevertheless, he made a choice and we must respect it."
"Must he wander all Middle-earth like some wildman though?" Elladan asked, unable to hide his bitterness. "Denying his right to the throne of his ancestors is one thing, but this seems unnecessary!"
"He is not alone out there, Elladan," corrected Elrond. "He is with the other Dúnedain, learning the ways of his people."
"But, father, we are his family. He has grown amongst us, not them!" Elrohir said. "I will not deny that the Rangers are an honourable folk, the blood of Númenor still flowing strong in their veins. Nevertheless, his home is in Rivendell."
"Perhaps for Estel, Elrohir, but certainly not for Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Now that he knows his true heritage, he must learn the ways of the people whose bloodline is much closer to him than ours. Only then can he decide what he is to do next in his life."
"Was that what he said?" Elladan asked.
"It was something that we both agreed to on the last discussion we had," Elrond replied.
"But we could have helped him in that decision, father! We know how important this is to him!" Elrohir argued.
The wise half-elf shook his head solemnly. "That was out of the question. He is an adult by Men's standards and more mature than many out there. He needs to test his strengths on his own."
Elladan and Elrohir fell silent, realising that their father's words made sense. Arwen's eyes darkened, however; for another thought lingered in her mind.
"This was not the only reason Estel left and you all know it," she said quietly. "He went away because of me."
Elrond and the twins looked at her in sympathy. The day they had discovered that Aragorn and Arwen not only had met, but had even started having feelings for one another, had proved a most embarrassing one. True, they were partly glad about the chance meeting of the two. Aragorn and Arwen would make a beautiful couple and share the joys of the world together. But logic warned them that a Man marrying an Elven-woman could bring a lot of pain and suffering as well. After all, wasn't Lúthien Tinúviel an elven-maiden who fell in love and married a mortal man, only to die and share the fate of Men? None of the three wished that for Arwen.
"Yes, I will not deny that," Elrond admitted after a few moments of silence. "But, Arwen, trust me when I say that the Ranger's life will prove a most instructing one for Estel. It will offer him the opportunity to sort out his thoughts and feelings for what came to pass between you two. So do not fret, daughter: it is probably for the best that things turned out the way they did."
Arwen nodded slightly, acknowledging her father's opinion on this but not feeling particularly comforted.
"Did you get any recent news from him, by the way?" Elrohir asked. "I was hoping he would send a letter telling of his whereabouts from time to time."
"Indeed, I have news," Elrond answered with a small smile. "Your grandmother has informed me that Estel is enjoying the hospitality of the Elves in Lothlórien for the time being, and he intends to stay there for a month or so."
"No injuries?" Elladan ventured to ask.
"No injuries," answered Elrond mirthfully.
"That is a welcome change," Elrohir noted. Aragorn was a lad full of curiosity for the world around him, driven by an undying thirst to see and know everything. It was a trait that made the Man different from the rest of the Secondborn that the Elves of Rivendell had encountered. On the other hand, it was also a trait that got him into trouble quite often.
"Any news concerning his return?" Elladan asked, unable to hide how much he missed his foster kin. The Man had lived for many years with them, and Elladan didn't wish for their ties to be broken.
"Nothing, I fear to say, my son," replied Elrond, saddened to see the disappointment written on Elladan's face. Elrohir draped an arm over his brother's shoulder in comfort.
"But that does not mean that he is not thinking of returning, is it not so?" Arwen said, looking at her father hopefully.
"Yes, quite right," Elrond said. "Who knows, he might be back when we least expect it."
"That will be hard to believe," Elladan sighed. "It is so different here without his presence, father. To be perfectly honest, there is hardly a day by passing which I do not think he will come through that door, rubbing the slumber off his eyes and excusing himself for oversleeping again."
In that moment that the door opened slightly, but it wasn't Aragorn as everybody half-expected. It was Glorfindel, fully armed and clothed for a long ride.
"Elrond?" he said, standing proudly in front of the Lord of Imladris, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "The patrol and I are ready to set out. Do you want me to keep something under consideration before we leave?"
"Nothing, except that you all return safe," Elrond answered with a smile. The seneschal was considered by everyone as part of the family after many long years of service, and Elrond was quite fond of him. After all, Glorfindel was the Elf that had literally given his life for the safety of Elrond's ancestors, facing one of the Balrogs that razed the fair city of Gondolin to the ground. And when he was resurrected by the grace of the Valar to yet again protect Elrond and his family, the Lord of Imladris was grateful. He knew he could always find unrelenting support and trust in the face of this old friend.
Glorfindel smiled as well. "That goes without saying." With that, he headed toward the exit, but Elrohir's voice stopped him.
"Elladan, we have not gone hunting for some time. What say we ride out for some tasty game?"
Elladan's face actually beamed at that, and he faced Elrond. "May we go, father? We will only hunt within the borders of Imladris!"
Elrond wasn't certain this was a good idea. The Orcs from the neighbouring mountain had become bolder and they were seen even in the nearby area of the Trollshaws. On the other hand, he couldn't deny his sons' wish. They were accomplished warriors, able to defend themselves against any danger. Besides, a hunt would put aside their sad thoughts about Estel.
"All right… As long as you are careful!" he said in the end, trying to make himself heard over the twins' cries of joy. After all, he was still a parent, and it was his right to worry about his children even after they had acquired beards as long as Círdan's!
The twins, however, were far too happy to notice that.
"Last one to the stables is an Orc!" Elladan cried out, jumping off his seat and heading for the door. Such was his haste and eagerness that Glorfindel had to step aside before he was knocked over. "Sorry, Glorfindel!"
The seneschal shook his head in amusement, then swiftly side-stepped again before the other young Peredhel ran over him as he shot after his brother.
"Sorry too, Glorfindel!" Elrohir cried and then shouted to Elladan, "And the first one has to kiss him!"
Glorfindel faced Elrond and Arwen, sighing and dropping his arms in melodramatic defeat, and then he graciously followed the twins at the stables.
With a small smile tugging on his lips, Elrond called one of the Elves in the household to clear the table and he rose to take up his usual work in his study. Arwen accompanied him gladly, wishing to talk with her father a little while longer.
"There are times like these that make me wonder if I am truly the youngest of us three," she said in mild tease, her eyes shining brightly as she recalled her brothers' antics. "They act as though they are still children!"
"Indeed," Elrond agreed, but his face darkened as black thoughts entered his mind. "And yet I prefer it to the almost mindless hate they show at any Orc they come across; especially after what happened to your mother."
Arwen saddened at the memory, for she recalled the incident only too well. The torture Celebrían had gone through in the hands of the Orcs was so terrible that, by the time Elladan and Elrohir freed her, her soul had been completely broken. Her only chance to find peace was to sail to the Undying Lands and, after she was gone, Arwen went to Lothlórien, finding comfort in her grandmother's care. As for Elladan and Elrohir, they let themselves be consumed by loathing for the Orcs, hunting down and slaying every such foul creature that was unfortunate enough to cross their path.
"I am glad that it is over," she murmured, her hand clasped around her father's arm. "I still remember your letter regarding their behaviour. It sounded as though you spoke of different persons."
"I was," Elrond sighed. "In fact, this is one of the reasons that I thank the Valar for bringing Estel into our lives. It is thanks to him that their kindness resurfaced in their hearts, and their hatred finally changed into wisdom and compassion."
"We have all grown through that sad event," Arwen noted, her eyes resting on the lines on her father's face. Though Elrond proved the most stoic in the family during that time, the fair maiden knew just how much Celebrían's predicament cost him. She contemplated matters and, as another thought crossed her mind, she looked at him shyly.
"Father… had you known about mother's fate, would you have still chosen her as your wife?"
A ghost of a smile appeared on Elrond's lips. "I loved her. That should be enough as an answer."
Arwen remained silent, something that made Elrond stop in his tracks.
"Should I ask why you made that question? Or is the answer so clear?"
Arwen simply blushed. Sighing heavily, Elrond decided to address the matter first.
"I know Aragorn quite well. Despite what I have said before, I doubt his feelings for you will ever change. What I want to know, though, is of your feelings towards him."
Arwen hesitated for a few moments. "I have not encountered many of the Secondborn. Nevertheless he seems noble-hearted and kind. You have raised him well."
Elrond's lips tugged to a smirk. "That is not what I asked and you know it."
Arwen bowed her head, realising she couldn't evade her father's question as easily as she wished. "Then I am forced to say, father, that I cannot give you any clear answer when I have none to give."
Elrond cupped his daughter's chin, prodding her gently to look at him. "I am certain you will find the answer in time. And then you will do as your heart bids you to - like I will," he added, a bit more harshly than he wished.
Arwen looked at her father, puzzled and unaware of the glimpse that he had already cast into her future. For Elrond, having the gift of foresight, had indeed seen part of her fate and he didn't like what he had seen. It was only his belief that nothing was ever certain that kept him from speaking his mind more clearly and declaring that he was against a potential marriage between Aragorn and Arwen. He would only do such a thing when there was no other choice left in him.
That, however, was neither here nor there. Remembering himself, Elrond caressed Arwen's cheek lightly in affection
"Do not heed me when there is no need," he said. "I must go to my work. Will you be in your room?"
"Either there or at the library."
"Then I will send word to you when it is time for luncheon. Till then, Arwen."
"Till then, father," Arwen said with a small bow, and they parted.
The two young horses pricked up their ears when they heard familiar footsteps rushing to the stables, and the black stallion, Sadron, quickly reared on its hind legs, while the pale-haired mare, Malthen, stomped her front leg on the ground. Both were quite excited, since they had grown tired of staying indoors. Now that they sensed their masters approaching, the prospect of a ride seemed certain. Asfaloth, on the other hand, regarded the young horses from his own stall and snorted loudly, as if disapproving such antics as inappropriate for dignified Elven-horses who served Master Elrond's sons. Nevertheless, he went close to the door of his stall and waited for Glorfinder, brown eyes keeping a lookout for him; he could sense his master approaching also.
None of the horses had to wait long. The stable doors burst open and a very amused Glorfindel walked in, followed by a pair of bantering twins.
"I have to note, brother, that it was unfair of you to pull my cloak like that, trying to slow me down," Elladan declared in mock annoyance.
"While making me stumble was so much fairer!" Elrohir pointed in the same tone.
"I did no such thing!" Elladan opened the door for Sadron to come out and the stallion quickly buried his head on his master's chest in greeting.
"Then may I ask how a branch managed to get tangled at my feet?" Elrohir asked, raising an eyebrow in manner very much like their father. Malthen whinnied softly, happy to see her own master as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Perhaps you are clumsy," Elladan answered with a mischievous grin.
"Glorfindel!" Elrohir cried. "You saw what happened, did you not?"
"Oh, I did," Glorfindel answered as he brushed Asfaloth. "I saw two Elves falling in a big heap on the ground, while I walked graciously past them to reach the stables first."
The twins exchanged a glance at the realisation.
"Remind me not to ask your opinion again," Elrohir finally said, and he led Malthen outside.
"The same goes for me," Elladan seconded. "You are worse than father when you rationalise things."
"I take that as a compliment," Glorfindel said with a chuckle, his dark-blue eyes shining teasingly as he walked out of the stables as well.
"Elrohir," Elladan said then, pretending that he didn't notice the seneschal close behind them, "do you have that bucket of icy-cold water ready to throw it on his face when he returns from his patrol?"
"You only have to give the word, brother."
Glorfindel stared at them, agape. "You would not dare!"
"I do not know… Would we?" Elladan grinned, finally facing Glorfindel.
Elrohir laughed out loud, but the seneschal simply cuffed them both on their arms.
"You two are impossible," he declared. "Come along, the rest of the party is waiting for us."
Arien was well on her way to the highest place in the sky-dome when the patrolling Elves reached at their first stop. Glorfindel guided Asfaloth close to the twins' horses, his eyes fixed on the large clearing before him.
"Are you certain this is where you want to venture?" he asked the twins. "This is not any of your usual haunts."
"That is why there is bound to be more game to catch," Elladan said in a confident tone.
"It is still too near the Trollshaws," the seneschal noted.
"Glorfindel, rest assured that we will not stray from the borders of Imladris," Elrohir said.
"Do not get me wrong, my young friend. You know I can trust you. It is in any trespassing Orcs that you will find my faith lacking."
"Ah, but we can always have faith on your vigilance," Elladan said with a broad smile, patting Glorfindel's shoulder.
"Not to mention we have been taught how to fight by the Balrogslayer himself!" Elrohir seconded, grinning.
"I take that as a compliment, too," Glorfindel said softly, a rare blush colouring his cheeks.
The horses shook their manes, eager to move on. As Elrohir patted Malthen's neck reassuringly, Elladan faced the seneschal and waited for his final answer. Glorfindel's dark-blue gaze drifted to the oldest of the twins, regarding him for many long moments before finally replying.
"Well, I suppose you can go. When you return to the Last Homely House, tell your father-"
"That you and the rest of the men will be back in two weeks' time. You have already told us three times!" laughed both Elrond's sons.
"Just making certain," Glorfindel replied with a small smile. "Till our next meeting, young ones!"
"May the stars shine upon you, old tutor," answered Elladan and Elrohir.
Glorfindel nodded his farewell and rode off with the rest of the party, leaving the twins to their hunting. The young half-elves smiled and prodded their horses forward and soon they were marvelling at the vast vegetation and small life they discovered. It was while riding that an idea crossed Elladan's mind, and he faced Elrohir with a grin.
"Brother, what say we separate?"
Elrohir, however, frowned. "Do you think it wise? We are not familiar with the grounds."
"One hunting area is not all that different from another," Elladan pointed out.
Though Elrohir had to admit that his brother had a point, something warned him they should stay together, at least on this first venture.
"What if we come across anything else?" he asked, hoping to dissuade his brother. "And do not tell me I now sound like Glorfindel! You know his worry is not unjustified."
"Nevertheless, I will give you the same answer we gave him," Elladan answering. He pushed his cloak back to reveal his sword, still buckled on his side. "He taught us well, brother. Why this restlessness all of a sudden?"
Elrohir checked himself. It was actually a very valid question. The hunting trip was his idea after all, and he didn't mind when Glorfindel expressed the same fears only just a while back.
"You did not like the idea that we should separate, did you?" Elladan said, cutting into his train of thought.
The youngest of the pair nodded without realising it. Yes, that was probably one of the reasons, but it wasn't the only one, he knew that much. However, he couldn't tell that to Elladan without sounding insane, so he bowed his head, uncertain as to what to say.
In the next moment though, the sound of hooves indicated that Elladan was coming close. And, sure enough, his brother's hand clasped on his shoulder.
"I am aware of the love you have for me, brother; I have it for you as well. It is a rare thing for the two of us to go anywhere without the other following. And yet there are times that one wishes to be alone. Do you not feel this way?"
Elrohir's look was enough as an answer.
"Then let us make it one of these times," Elladan said. "If anything, it will be interesting to see what we will be able to catch without the other's help." he added in a playful tone, earning thus a smile from his brother.
"Are you proposing a wager then?" Elrohir asked.
Elladan grinned. "I am indeed. The one who brings home the best prize will hand over his chores to the… less fortunate one."
"I do not suppose that means the 'less unfortunate one', as you eloquently placed it, will be freed from his own chores?" said Elrohir, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Elladan said with a chuckle.
"Then I take your wager," came the grinning answer.
"Excellent! We will meet again after five hours to see what each one has accomplished. Prepare to accept defeat, brother!"
"How odd, I was going to say the same thing to you!" Elrohir laughed. "Five hours it is, then."
With that, each brother rode onto his way, not knowing what awaited them.
Elladan walked cautiously through the woods, his bow and arrow in hand in case he spotted any worthwhile game. He had dismounted Sadron, leaving him to graze on the blades of grass a few feet away, hoping that he wouldn't disturb the quiet of the forest if he were on foot. T, however, didn't seem to be the case, and the elf couldn't help but feel displeased with himself. It wouldn't be long before he would have to his and Elrohir's meeting point, and he hadn't caught anything so far. He cringed, not wishing to think what would happen if he appeared before his brother empty-handed.
Just then, the sound of a twig snapping made his ears prick up and he put his sharp hearing to work. He smiled as he recognised the soft footfalls some distance away from him and, making sure he stayed against the wind, he approached as quietly as possible to some thickets. Moving several branches away carefully so he could see better, he located what he had been looking for.
The three deer still in the centre of the clearing, unaware that they were being watched. The females of the group were eating, partly hidden by a great male, who was holding up his head as he kept vigilance, and Elladan marvelled at the magnificent animal. Deciding that he had found his prize, he raised carefully his bow and arrow and took aim.
To Elladan's misfortune, a flock of birds took off from some dense trees in that very moment, their squawks of panic startling the deer and making them run off. Dismay yet not wishing to give up, Elladan jumped out from the bushes and ran after them. He shot an arrow at the male, but the projectile missed the creature by a mere inch.
Even so, Elladan still gave chase. With his eyes constantly on the animal, he nocked another arrow, but the deer jumped over a big log and vanished out of the Half-elf's sight. Gritting his teeth in stubbornness, Elladan instinctively jumped over the log too.
It proved one of the greatest mistakes in his long life: when he landed, he found himself sliding on a rough slope. He tried to keep his balance, but it was impossible. The next thing Elladan knew, he lost his footing and tumbled down at great speed, getting knocked about in every rock he encountered as helplessly as a puppet. A sharp pain from his leg surged through his whole body, making him cry out; but his heart, called for his brother even louder.
Just when it seemed his fall would never end, he felt himself crashing on another, larger rock, and then there was nothingness.
TBC...