A new story! Updates might take a little while, since I still have stories to post in 'Bits and Pieces.' I'm not completely finished writing this, but I hope it turns out to be a success.

This story is a completely different take on the idea of the twins leaving for the first time. This story has no connection to the stories Never Left Behind and Reassuring Hope.

Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Middle Earth and everything Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien


"Orcs have been spotted on the Southern border, my Lord. Their numbers have been increasing lately, though we cannot fathom how this has come to be." Glorfindel reported, having just returned from patrol. The blonde had called a meeting to report what he had found during his patrol, and his warriors had attended to add their own thoughts on the events they had witnessed.

Elrond nodded, his eyes shifting in the candlelight to fall on his twin sons. The anger they felt at this news was clear to see for those present in the room. Looking to the map Glorfindel had drawn up Lord Elrond sighed, taking a seat in one of the chairs at the table. The twins had been oddly silent throughout the report, their hatred and disgust growing palpable. Every so often they would share a glance, and the elf lord knew they were planning something. Though they could not rush out to battle, he knew they were bound to do something.

"I have sent scouts to track them, to see if they will try and travel further into Imladris." Glorfindel relayed. "They will be dead before they can go any further, I assure you. At sunrise I will take a few more warriors to dispel them completely."

Elladan glanced up, the fire in his eyes burned brightly in the dim room. As he opened his mouth to voice his thoughts, the door to the study was opened, revealing Erestor and a freshly bathed Estel.

"Look who is finally clean! I wonder if your family will even recognize you, tithen pen." The elf chuckled as he set the squirming child on the floor. Walking over to stand by Glorfindel, Erestor noted the serious faces and looked towards they maps on the table. Giggling, Estel crawled his way to where Elladan was leaning against the wall and lifted his small arms to the elf.

"Dan, hold you!" He grinned, latching onto the dark-haired elf's legs and trying to lift himself up. Elladan's eyes softened, the hatred and anger burning there just moments before gone without a trace. Leaning down he picked Estel up, settling him on his hip as Estel smiled widely at the other elves in the room.

Elrohir laughed, walking over to stand by his brothers as he reached out to run his hand through Estel's damp hair.

"Your hair is not even dry yet, Estel!" He exclaimed, getting a giggle from the boy as he wiped his hand on Elladan's shoulder. The older twin made a face, causing Estel to launch into a full out laugh.

Elrond smiled at the trio, glancing towards Glorfindel who nodded and gathered his maps from the table. Before Estel could pick up on the mood of the room, the blonde elf had gathered his things and dismissed his warriors, a few of them ruffling the child's hair as they left. Glorfindel was the last to leave, smoothing Estel's hair back into place and wiping his hand on Elladan's shoulder.

Elladan gave a shout of protest, handing the boy to Elrohir as he made chase after Glorfindel. As Estel's giggles subsided, he lay his head on Elrohir's shoulder. Noticing this, Elrohir walked over to deposit the boy into his ada's arms.

"I better make sure they do not hurt each other," Elrohir said, leaning down to give Estel a kiss on the head. Estel yawned, and both elves hid a smile. As Elrohir slipped out the door, Elrond leaned back into his chair, setting Estel more comfortable in his lap.

"Come now, Estel, why don't I tell you a story before bed?" He said quietly, getting a sleepy nod of brown curls in return.


"I do not think leaving is wise, Elladan." Elrond's words were strong but quiet. The twins had just put Estel to bed and were now in their father's study. Estel had been oddly compliant as they tucked him into bed, no doubt tired from his day outside with his brothers. Glorfindel had returned right as they were heading indoors, and the look on the blonde warrior's face alerted the twins before they even heard the report.

When Elladan approached the elf lord after laying Estel to bed, Elrond knew it would be about Glorfindel's report and the approaching orcs.

"Ada, Glorfindel said the orcs were seen at the border! We must ride out to protect our home!" Elladan argued, pacing the length of the study. Elrohir stood silently by the wall, conflicted. He could understand his father's thoughts, but he would stand by what he had discussed with Elladan. The hatred and anger he felt towards the foul creatures was mirrored in Elladan's heart, and they both knew what had to be done.

"I understand that, ion nin, but that does not mean you have to rush out to join the patrol so suddenly." Elrond tried to reason.

"And if we do not rush out, do we stand by idly and do nothing? Do we stay here and wait for the orcs to break into our home?" Elladan questioned heatedly, his agitation thick in the air.

Elrond shook his head, giving Elladan a sharp look. "You know that is not what I mean, Elladan. There are countless others who will ride out with Glorfindel. You have to think about the consequences of your actions, now more than ever."

"The consequences, Ada? I see the only consequence being that that more of these foul beasts dead, gone from this realm forever!" Elladan said fiercely as he slammed his hands down on the desk.

"And what of your brother? Will you abandon him so suddenly without a word?" Elrond said, unfazed by Elladan's display of anger.

"I do not understand, Ada. Elrohir will be—"

"I am talking about Estel, or have you forgotten the child that holds you and Elrohir so deep in his heart. Will you rush out into this battle while the boy is left behind to wonder why his brothers have left him? I cannot raise him alone, Elladan, you knew this when you brought him here."

"Ada, we will not abandon Estel!" Elladan said, disgusted with the very thought. "We will only be gone for a short time, Estel will be fine while we are gone."

"And how long do you plan to be gone? A month? A year? I have known you two to ride off hunting orcs and not return for years. You realize how quickly time passes for mortals, that Estel will be a grown man before you know it."

Both twins were silent. Elladan's fists were clenched tightly. Elrohir watched as Elladan grew completely still. His twin was taking his anger out on their father, something he did often when they got news of orcs near Imladris. They had avoided this situation since Estel had come, though Elrohir knew the situation would arise before long.

"Do you doubt our love for Estel, Ada?" Elladan questioned quietly, refusing to look at the older elf. Elrohir pushed off the wall and made his way to his twin, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Of course not, Elladan. You know Ada could never doubt the love you and I have for Estel." Elrohir said softly, locking gazes with Elrond.

Elrond walked over to the twins, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Elladan looked up into his ada's eyes as he spoke.

"If there is one thing on this earth I would never doubt it is the love you both share for the small human child that now sleeps safely down the hall. What I fear is that you will become blinded by this guilt and hatred, and that it will tear you from Estel forever. Can you understand that?" Elrond questioned seriously.

The twins were silent, their eyes never wavering from their fathers'. Elladan finally looked away, closing his eyes as he broke away and headed for the door.

"I cannot ignore this growing threat to our home. Evil has already taken my mother; I will surely be dead before it takes my hope as well. We leave at sunrise." Elladan said evenly as he opened the door. "We will be gone no longer than a week, this I swear." Elladan vowed as he swept out of the room.

Giving his ada a pained look, Elrohir made to follow after his twin. Turning back to his father, his eyes held anguish and determination.

"I will follow Elladan, Ada." Elrohir whispered, leaving in the room in search of his twin.

Elrond sighed in defeat, looking out the window. This had not gone as smoothly as he had hoped. He could only hope the twins would make their departure easy for Estel to understand.

tbc...