All notes from first chapter apply. Eilian and Ithilden (only mentioned) are Daw the Minstrel's characters, borrowed with permission (and appear here as an AU version). She writes them FAR better though, so if you love Legolas go read her stories!

Thank you, again, to EverleighBain, best beta, cheerleader, counselor and friend a girl could ask for.

Thank you also to you, the reader. I'd love to know what you liked (or didn't), so drop me a note! :)

Chapter 2

"Look here, brat." Eilian bent over the intrepid flower advance guard and gave it the salute of an approving smile. "A niphredil."

The child sitting on the rock lifted his gaze for a moment before looking away with a shrug.

Oh...that would not do. Resisting the urge to grit his teeth against the surge of frustration that rose against the child's apathy, Eilian instead drew in a long, deep breath. Releasing it, he counted to ten. Twenty. Fifty.

Better. Straightening, he walked over to his little brother and looked down at the little bundle of light blond hair and gangly limbs. "Legolas." He knelt and waited for the child to look at him.

"Can we go home now?"

"No!" Eilian pushed to his feet, took a step away then stopped, wrestling with his temper. Running a hand through his hair, he turned back to find the child watching him. No imp of a smile curled his lips. No twinkling glee lit the blue eyes for having gotten the better of an older brother. No, there was nothing. Just...despondent resignation. Eilian shook his head and bent to gather his brother in his arms. Legolas was limp against him. No resistance. No struggling or protests that he was too old for coddling. Pressing his face to the white-gold hair, Eilian closed his eyes and for at least the thousandth time sent up a silent prayer. Please, help me find a way!

"Come on," he said, voice gruff. "Let's get going." He set Legolas down and the boy shuffled towards his horse. The mare turned and snuffled the boy as he walked up, but he turned his head from her soft nose, without even a word.

Shaking his head, Eilian went to his horse and cupped the gelding's muzzle. Deep brown eyes regarded him from beneath the fringe of rust-brown hair. Eilian combed his fingers through the forelock, pulling it to the side. "If you have wisdom to share now would be a good time, bird-brain."

Fileg snorted and lipped his human's tunic but otherwise offered no advice.

"Think on it then." Vaulting up on the horse, Eilian made sure Legolas' mare was following before nudging Fileg back onto the road. This was beginning to look like a bad idea. Lips thinning, Eilian shoved the thought to the back of his head and tipped his face up to the sun. No. He would succeed.

He had to. There was too much at stake.

"Where are they?"

A grunt of annoyance for his brother's continued bouncing, and Elladan scanned the area below them again.

"I want to look!"

"It's my turn."

"You've looked for long enough." Bottom lip betraying a stubborn heart often buried beneath a curious nature, Elrohir held out his hand. "Give it to me."

Elladan scowled. "I've only had it for a short time."

"It's MY turn!"

Glorfindel shook his head as the squabble continued, but made no move to break it up. Squalls of this nature often sprang up around the twins, circling storms that bled off some of the restless energy of young boys. For the most part, they were harmless. Sibling spats. Keeping a storm eye on them, Glorfindel shielded his eyes and noted the two horses and riders coming into view on the path next to the river.

The storm broke and Elladan grabbed his brother's arm, trying to twist it into a hold that would allow him to wrestle him down to the ground. Elrohir snarled and whirled, and the match was on.

Sighing as the boys tumbled past, Glorfindel plucked the fieldglass from the fray and waited to see if this storm would abate or need intervention.

"Warg!"

"Orc!"

Glorfindel reached down and grabbed, one tunic in each hand, and pulled up two kicking, wriggling boys, now with filthy tunics, muddied leggings and hair alive with twigs. "Enough."

A snarl, Elrohir had taken an elbow to his nose and it had hurt, and Glorfindel gave the miscreant a mild shake. As soon as startled grey eyes met his, he knelt. "Let me see that, Elrohir."

Elladan didn't move as he was released, but frowned. "He star-"

"That is enough."

Another mild rebuke, but Elladan winced as if struck and looked down. "Sorry, 'Ro."

Fidgeting in place as Glorfindel examined his nose, Elrohir grinned when he was released. A small trickle of blood was wiped on a tunic arm and he glanced at their mentor. Glorfindel raised an eyebrow, and Elrohir nodded. "Sorry, Adi."

Glorfindel gestured and stood to take a step back, out of the way. The twins held one another's gaze for a moment, the silent communication had always been there between them, and then grinned. Elladan pulled a stick from his brother's hair. "You look like a scurrilous scalawag."

Making a mental note to let Erestor know some of his milder phrases were being noted by small ears, Glorfindel listened for hoof beats that would announce their company as the twins giggled. Picking up the fieldglass, he tucked it in his saddlebag then turned back to the boys. No time to wrestle the two into looking presentable, nor was he one to fuss over boys being boys. There was no longer blood trickling from Elrohir's nose, and most of the twigs were on the ground again.

Good enough. "I believe our friends are approaching."

Two pairs of grey eyes locked on the adult before the twins scrambled up on the rocks topping the small bluff. Elrohir immediately began to hop and wave. "Legolas!"

Elladan, no less eager but more restrained, settled for waiting until the riders were closer before grinning. "Let's go greet them!" He grabbed Elrohir's hand and the two hopped down from the rocks to pelt down the bluff towards the pair approaching.

Following at a slower pace, Glorfindel offered a broad smile as Eilian and Legolas pulled their horses to a halt. "Greetings, sons of Thranduil!"

Throwing his leg over his horse's neck, Eilian slid down to land lightly and grinned at the twins. "Hello, friends!" He looked to Glorfindel and the grin grew. "You survived."

A snort. "I could say the same for you, scamp."

The smile faltered and Eilian turned to see how his brother reacted to the ebullient greeting of the twins. A small smile, more than he'd seen the entire journey, and Legolas slid down from his mare to allow the twins to hug him. A sigh and Eilian turned back to find Glorfindel watching the boys. He nodded as the eldar's gaze met his. "It is good to see you again."

Glorfindel's smile warmed his eyes. "It has been some time since I saw you." Last time Eilian had been just a bit older than the twins, and every bit as wild. "Still sliding down railings?" He clasped the youth's arm in greeting.

"Too busy watching that one." Eilian nodded toward his brother who was listening to the twins tell about their journey. "It has been...difficult."

Pulling the youth close enough to sling an arm over his shoulders, Glorfindel walked them towards where the horses stood. "Let's wait over here and let those three get reacquainted." Gently pushing Eilian to sit on a rock, Glorfindel walked over to Alfirin and pulled his water skin off the saddle. He offered it to Eilian who gratefully accepted. "I take it there has been little change?"

Wiping the water from his chin, Eilian capped the skin and handed it back. "None for good." Pushing back the despair that threatened to flood him, he swallowed hard. "Naneth is ..." A shrug. There were no words. "Adar told me to get Legolas away, take him, distract him for a while."

To part a mother from her young child was serious business, and he knew Thranduil had fierce love for his family. Crossing his arms over his chest, Glorfindel considered the young man sitting slumped in front of him. Such a request was a heavy burden. "How is Ithilden?"

Wry smile curled generous lips and Eilian shoved heavy brown hair off his face. "Stuck with the actual day-to-day duties as befits the eldest son of Thranduil." He sighed. "Alassiel is the only one Adar will allow near naneth besides himself." Looking towards the boys, he shook his head, voice quiet. "It is breaking Legolas' heart."

Eilian's sister had trained as a healer with Elrond in Lindon. She was much like her mother; calm and steady. "How is Lostariel?" Glorfindel had only met Thranduil's wife twice but mourned that such a thing should happen to her.

Quiet for a long moment, Eilian rubbed his hands over his face before finally clearing his throat. "You know what happened?"

A nod. He had been there when Elrond had received the message. Had indeed asked if he should ride to offer assistance. A dragon in the Third Age was no small thing, and he was one of the few elves still in Middle-earth who had faced the creatures in the First Ages of the world.

Checking to be certain his brother was out of earshot, Eilian stood and paced, finally stopping to grab Glorfindel's arm. "My father." A hard swallow. "He places fault on my brother. "

"What? Eilian, no."

"Hear me out." Lowering his voice to no more than a whisper, Eilian said, "The dragon was a young one, not fully-grown, and Legolas saw it and..." He grimaced. "For some reason he was moved to pity by the creature and begged Adar to let it fly north."

Where most of the drakes still alive dwelt and were welcome to the wastes of the north. Glorfindel nodded, but remained silent.

"We tracked it until it was far, far from our lands. We thought it was gone!" Blue eyes were wide as Eilian relived the moment. "Naneth and her ladies were out harvesting wheat when without warning, it... It was there. No warning, just...flame and ..."

Glorfindel steadied Eilian, his expression grim.

"Naneth was burned, but at least she lived!" The blue gaze met Glorfindel's. "I thought she would heal and perhaps have scars, but that was not all." Eilian bowed his head, allowing a long fall of brown hair to cover his face. "I did not realize the horror of the creatures was so great. She dreams still and her cries in the night are horrible!"

He knew that sometimes the wounds were too great. The memory too haunting, too horrific to be borne. "Eilian," Glorfindel said gently. "I've known strong warriors who have quailed before a dragon. They are terrifying in sheer size, and cunning foes. A dragon is far more treacherous than any creature. There is a wrongness in them, a twisting of the Music that is an assault merely to be in its presence."

Doubt warred with the weight of knowledge behind the words. Eilian knew Glorfindel and a few others he knew had an intimate acquaintance with the great horrors of the First Age. Thranduil had fought on the rocky desolate face of Orodruin and seen what the volcano had spawned but he never spoke of it. "Do you think it is something she can..." He sought for the right word. "Overcome?"

As if he could say what any fëa could bear? "Lostariel has much to live for."

"I don't know that it is enough." Gaze going again to his young brother, Eilian felt his guts twist as if a fist wrapped around him. "If she does not..."

"Don't." Glorfindel gripped the young man's shoulder. "Enough trouble comes without worrying for more." He tightened his grip until Eilian met his gaze. "Have hope, Eilian Thranduilion. Your brother needs you to show him how to get through this."

Eilian closed his eyes, grief twisting his face. The burden was heavy. He wasn't sure he knew how bear the thought of losing his mother, and to help his brother? But what else could he do now but to stay the course to whatever end? He had accepted this when he left with Legolas. He sighed and gave a grudging nod. "Yes."

Glorfindel pulled him into a quick, hard hug. "You are not alone in this." He stepped back, one hand still on his shoulder. "It's good you brought Legolas to see the twins. And I am honored you trust me enough to tell me this."

Eilian nodded, wiped his sleeve across his face. He turned to watch the three boys. "I wish I was as young as them again and had no memory of war and death." Shaking his head he drew in a deep breath. Legolas needed him to be strong. Eilian forced himself to smile as he walked towards the boys. He swooped his brother up and spun him in a circle. "I am hungry enough to eat an Oliphant! Who else is hungry?"

Elladan bounced up and down. "Me!"

"I could eat a warg!" Elrohir grinned as his brother wrinkled his nose at him.

Legolas mustered a small smile and nodded shyly as Glorfindel joined them. "Well then!" Glorfindel said with a smile. "We'd best find something to eat very soon, Eilian, or they will gnaw upon our legs!"

Swinging his brother atop the mare, Eilian mocked fear. "Will we make it to Rhosgobel?"

"I bet I get there first!" Elladan raced for his gelding, his brother hot on his heels.

Vaulting to Fileg's back, Eilian grinned. "Last one there is an orc's uncle!"

Eilian hailed the gate-wardens as they approached the defensive wall running the entire length of Rhosgobel. It was made of dark brown wood, a tree, Eilian informed them, that grew well in the Greenwood. He was greeted warmly as was Legolas, and Eilian introduced Glorfindel and the twins. Inside the wall there were about twenty dwellings as well as several larger buildings built of logs. "There is a guest-house," Eilian explained, waving to another man as they rode along the village common. "We will be welcome to stay there for the night."

Elladan was silent, taking as much in as he could as they rode. Most of the houses had thatched roofs, but some were of a more elaborate style, with carved decorations. He thought it must be elvish workmanship because the style was not so different from some of the buildings in Lothlórien, though there were no flets here. They passed corrals of horses, several pigsties, a forge where a smith was hard at work and a group of children chasing geese.

Elrohir bounced in his saddle. "There are Men here! Do they live with the elves? Are there dwarves as well?"

"Adar keeps a small garrison of warriors here, but since the war..." He frowned and glanced at Glorfindel, riding next to him. "There are not as many of us now."

"Oh." Elrohir understood and stayed silent. Adar had told him about the Last Alliance and how Thranduil's father had been lost along with a large portion of their warriors early in the war. While it was ancient history to Elrohir and Elladan, it was one of the topics Erestor had sternly told the boys not to ask the residents of Imladris about unless invited to do so. He looked at his brother who nodded. Later.

"We are turning it over to the Woodmen, " Eilian added with a mirthless smile for Elrohir. "I have never seen a dwarf here. They would rather shave their beards than come to an elvish village for anything."

Elrohir opened his mouth, but sighed as Glorfindel shook his head. Perhaps later he could get Glorfindel to tell him more. Clearly there were many things he was not to ask Eilian.

Legolas was a much more likely source of information. Adults so often gave confusing answers, as if everything was far too complicated for a child to understand. One thing was clear to Elrohir. Eilian's adar did not care for dwarves. And that was odd to him. Dwarves were fascinating! However, when they had first arrived in Lothlórien, so close to Khazad-dûm, Nana had explained to him that many of daeradar's people did not care for Dwarves. They had dealings with them in the past and were still bitter.

That only fanned the flames of curiosity. He would find some way to get to Khazad-dûm. To be so near and not be able to go there was ...what was one of Elladan's words? Unimaginable!

"Here we are." Eilian slid from his horse and gave one of the gelding's ears a gentle tug. "None of your tricks, Fileg. Go with the lad here and behave." He handed the reins to the stable boy who had run out of the stables upon hearing them ride up. "Make sure the door to his stall is secure. He delights in untying knots and roaming around to see what he can eat."

"I will, my lord!" The boy took the reins with a quick bow before turning to take the other horses' leads as well.

"He will brush them down and clean their feet, won't he?" Elladan watched the boy leave, a frown furrowing his brow.

Eilian snorted. "You can check his work later if you'd like."

"Thank you, I will."

Glorfindel bit back a laugh for the very serious reply, and encouraged Elladan to move forward with a hand on his shoulder. "Keep up, Elrohir!" The boy, gawking at some men unloading a cart of barrels, scampered to catch up. "We'll look around later, but let's get some food first."

Ducking a hen who clucked and flew at him as he ran past, Elrohir "I shall eat an entire pig!"

"Even the tail?"

Elladan, ready to trounce his brother's announcement with one of his own, stopped and burst into laughter at Legolas' innocent question. "Yes! You have to eat the tail first, 'Ro!"

Eilian smiled at his brother as he put a hand on his shoulder. "I've heard they're quite crunchy."

Mouth open, Elrohir closed it abruptly and scrunched his nose. "Perhaps not." He fell in alongside Glorfindel as they entered the guest-house. "Is it truly crunchy?"

"What makes you think I have eaten a pig?"

"You've done everything else," Eilian answered with a laugh and a wink. "But never eaten a pig entire?"

The chief of the village saved Glorfindel from answering as he bowed to them, and greeted them. They were introduced to several other men as well as the elf in charge of the warriors before being led to the guest-house. There they were shown to rooms where they left their gear and then to the ale-house, which was like a rustic inn.

"The fireplace is almost as large as ours!"

Elladan leaned close to whisper, "But their bard is not half so good as Lindir."

They were shown to a table near enough to the fire to be quite toasty and shed their cloaks. Before long food was brought out by a woman who smiled at the eager looks on the boy's faces.

"I could ask if they have a pig's tail," Legolas said with a glint in his eye that dared either twin to defy him.

The woman serving their food laughed at that, and Legolas ducked behind his brother's arm as the woman turned her beaming smile on him. "We've not yet slaughtered a pig today, lads, but I can let you know when we do?"

"He said he would eat it," Elladan offered with a smirk for his twin.

"Did not!"

"Thank you, but no." Glorfindel smiled for the woman. She left them with mugs of milk for the boys, a pitcher of ale for the adults and enough food for at least three other adults. A snort and Glorfindel met Eilian's curious look. "Clearly she knows about feeding growing boys." As the boys eyed the food like ravening wolves, he inclined his head. "We give thanks for this food, and the fine companions to share it with."

That was all the boys needed as they happily gave up talking for eating.

"You'd think they never get fed." Eilian marveled at the sight of his own brother eating with apparent relish. "Though it's good to see Legolas have an appetite again."

"They must have very happy cows."

Elladan paused in wolfing down his food to give his brother a curious look.

"The milk is good!"

"My adar has let me drink wine," Legolas informed them with a glance at his brother.

"A few sips now and then is not the same as drinking, brat." Eilian poured the ale out for himself and Glorfindel.

Elladan shrugged. "Adar has let me taste mead."

"It made my stomach kind of fuzzy." Elrohir admitted with a grin. "I shall drink it every day when I am grown!"

Making an effort not to roll his eyes, Glorfindel arched an eyebrow. "Then you can also help clean the casks and prepare to make it, Elrohir."

Pursing his lips, the boy considered that. "Would I have to strip the combs from the hives?"

"He doesn't like the bees," Elladan explained to Legolas. "They don't like having their honey stolen."

"They buzz angrily!" Face flushing, Elrohir frowned at his twin. "I wasn't the one who cried when he was stu-"

"That's enough." Glorfindel quieted each boy with a look. "Legolas, why don't you tell the boys about your trip here?"

Twisting his fingers, Legolas shot a glance at Eilian. "It was nice."

A snort and Eilian rolled his eyes. "That's not what you said when the rabbit spooked your mare."

Blue eyes flashing, Legolas leaned forward. "Because your horse flushed it out and ran it in front of us!"

Surprised by the vehemence in his brother's voice, Eilian sobered. "It wasn't done deliberately, Legolas. Fileg was just as surprised."

The boy scowled and slouched down, looking at the table's scarred surface.

"Orc face does the same thing, only because he sings so loudly." Elladan scrunched his nose as his brother stuck out his tongue.

"Warg breath snored so loudly last night he scared the frogs away!"

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"Perhaps one of you needs to come sit with me." Glorfindel said with a considering look at the twins.

"We have several new foals in Imladris." Elladan quickly warmed to the subject and launched into telling Legolas about the baby horses, Elrohir dropping in to finish his sentences here and there.

Legolas sat, a bemused smile on his face as he looked from one twin to the other.

Noting the curious and sometimes admiring looks they were getting from several of the village young women, Eilian leaned closer to Glorfindel to whisper, "Best lock the door of your chamber tonight." It earned him a scalding look. He sat back, eyes dancing and grinned. "Don't want to scandalize your charges."

"What's scandalize?" Elrohir looked to his brother, mouth full.

"It means Eilian has a big mouth," Glorfindel answered.

Elladan leaned behind Legolas to whisper, "I'll tell you later."

A nod and Elrohir went back to eating with a blissful smile.

"You," Glorfindel told Eilian, "are by far worse a pest than those three put together."

Lifting his mug, Eilian toasted his companion. "To friendship."

Laughing, Glorfindel had to agree.

Luckily no nocturnal visitors came knocking on his chamber door, and Glorfindel got his charges bathed and settled for the night without much more than the usual disagreement and swapping of sleep tunics. Elrohir had gone out like a snuffed candle as soon as he settled before the warmth of the fire, and Glorfindel carried him to bed, covering him with the hand stitched quilt.

Elladan was quiet, seemingly content to stare into the flickering flames and contemplate his thoughts.

"You should rest." Glorfindel sat next to the boy, carding his fingers through the dark brown waves of hair. "Elrohir probably won't stay asleep."

"He won't." Elladan was not afflicted with insomnia, but was well used to his brother's ways. "Legolas is sad."

Glorfindel nodded. The twins had some share of their father's healer sensibilities and were quick to pick up on emotions.

"Why?"

Plaiting his own wet hair, Glorfindel considered his answer as he tied a strip of leather around the braid. "His naneth is unwell."

Grey eyes solemn, Elladan nodded. "The dragon."

Of course the boy had heard. He seemed to know everything that went on in Imladris, and the cooks often forgot the boys were there when they gossiped. Glorfindel nodded. "Yes."

"It's not going to hurt anyone in Lothlórien, is it?"

Reaching out to stroke back an unruly strand of hair, Glorfindel shook his head. "They killed it. It was immature. Probably lost." The wobbling of the boy's chin and tears sparkling his eyes was unexpected. "Elladan..."

"It was a baby?"

Stars help them all. "Even young dragons are dangerous, Elladan."

"But..." The boy wiggled his toes and looked into the flames before blurting, "Won't its mother miss it and come looking for it?"

Something he'd hoped the boy would not conclude. The possibility had clenched his heart as well when Eilian had told him it was an immature dragon. "I'm not sure dragon mothers watch over their young for long."

"But what if she does?" Quicksilver mind, he found his answer before Glorfindel could offer one. "They'll kill her too."

"Or drive her off, yes." Glorfindel caught the child's chin and waited until the grey eyes met his gaze. "Dragons are dangerous creatures, Elladan. They cannot be trusted."

Expression twisting in distress, the boy pleaded, "But she might only come to defend her baby!"

"Elladan." Glorfindel took hold of the boy's shoulders. "Why are you upsetting yourself over a situation that has not happened and might not?"

"Because...just because the baby hurt Legolas' naneth doesn't mean they should kill its naneth!" A tear rolled down the boy's cheek, followed by another. "Adar calls that an..an..untemmable situation."

"Untenable," Glorfindel corrected gently. How tender the hearts of the young, and how vulnerable. Too often had he seen Elrond struggle over a similar situation in Lindon, when it seemed both sides had so much to lose and there was no clear answer. Guiding the boy to sit before him, Glorfindel worked the tangles out of the dark hair. "Let me put this question to you, youngling. Have you any doubt that when I tell you and your brother the tales of earlier ages that I tell the truth?"

Pursing his lip, Elladan considered and shook his head. "Erestor says you embellish, but that does not imply a lie."

Smiling, Glorfindel began to braid Elladan's hair. "Correct. But I do not embellish when I tell you the dragons I saw in the First Age were not friendly in any way to Elves or Men. They enslaved some to their will, slaughtered us any time they could and were greatly feared as enemies. Do you recall the story of the fall of Gondolin?"

Elladan twisted around to face his mentor. "Of course! Glorfindel, I didn't mean that you lie!"

"Peace." Placing his hand on the slim shoulder, Glorfindel held Elladan's gaze. "There were dragons in the attack."

A nod. "They did not have wings as yet, but climbed over the walls and ran through the streets."

"Slaughtering women and children as well as soldiers."

Elladan swallowed hard, eyes falling. "They are...amoral?"

Glorfindel sighed, suddenly unwilling to make such a judgment. "It could be that they have a code they hold to, Elladan, but if so, it is nothing I understand. They were, as many creatures then, under the sway of their creator, Morgoth."

"But he's in the Void, so..." Hope shone eternal in the young eyes.

"Many went north and hid, maybe to live out their lives separate from his will."

"But that does not inval..." A huff for his mind, too weary to conjure words at his will. "It doesn't make what they do right. You cannot say that just because Morgoth made them they had to obey." He twisted his fingers in the cloth of Glorfindel's tunic sleeve. " Ilúvatar made us all but we don't always do as he wishes."

"We have free will."

"So maybe the baby dragon did too?" He wrestled with that thought for a moment and sighed. "I want to think it went there by mistake and hurt them accidentally."

Glorfindel was silent, waiting for the child to finish his thought.

"But it is possible it did as it was created to and hurt Legolas' naneth on purpose."

Clearly the boy did not like the conclusion, but his sense of fairness and logic pushed him to follow through.

"We can't know for certain, can we?"

"No." Glorfindel shook his head. "We were not there to witness the attack."

"But we know Legolas' family is not evil."

Grey eyes were glazing a bit, weariness finally beginning to override the child's desire to know. Glorfindel pulled the boy closer to lean against him, holding him to his side. "They are good Elves in Greenwood, much like Imladris. They do their best to live in peace with all who share their lands."

"I hope his nana will be all right."

The words were slurred as the child fell into the gentle arms of sleep.

"As do I, child. As do we all."

"Eugh." Elrohir wrinkled his nose. "What is that smell?"

Eilian pulled Fileg to a halt and turned as the boys and Glorfindel rode up alongside him. He pointed to the wetlands, down below the high rise that they were riding on. "That is the marsh. We're very near."

It was foggy, though not so thick that they couldn't see where they were going. As they rode down the rise, following a well-marked path, the ground became muddier, trees thinning out to a wide wetland filled with rushes, reeds and large clumps of yellow iris that grew up tall and graceful all along the water's edge. Clumps of willow trees hung low over the water and a flight of geese came winging in to land on the murky water as they watched.

"Long ago, when the first Silvan Elves came to the Anduin, there was a lake here where the rivers meet." Eilian pointed to the dark line of the forest that now rose above them, past the rise. "Some of the Silvan elders say that it stretched to the forest."

"That would have been a huge lake!" Elrohir shook his head, trying to imagine how it looked.

"Since that time, long ago, it has dwindled and is now as you see."

"Nudging his gelding closer to Alfirin, Elladan leaned over to ask, "Is this not where the king Isildur was shot by orcs as he tried to escape their ambush?"

Glorfindel was silent a long moment, gazing out at the foggy marshlands, but the boy was certain that it was not the present he was seeing. A blink and the eldar turned to nod at the boy. "They were ambushed not far from here, two hundred Dúnedain, only a year after the war ended."

"And the king?"

"He escaped the initial attack, urged to flee by his sons and advisors, but ..." He glanced to where Eilian and Legolas sat, also listening. "He was betrayed." Voice soft, he continued. "He shed his armor and plunged into the river, but as you know he refused to give the One Ring up at your father's bidding at Orodruin."

Solemn, Elladan nodded.

"It betrayed him, as it does all who think to control it, and slid from his hand. Isildur rose out of the water but ...perhaps he thought the ring would shield him, or that he had gone farther than he had. When he rose out of the river, the Elendilmir was still on his brow and likely shone like a beacon. He was shot with poisoned arrows and died here, far from his home and family."

Elrohir, whose imagination was lively, looked around wide-eyed. "Right here?" He shifted his horse closer to Glorfindel, shuddering as the mist moved around them in ghostly forms. "Their...their spirits aren't lingering here, are they?"

"No." Eilian's tone was sharp, eyes flashing as he met Glorfindel's gaze. "Hardly a tale fit for young boys."

"We already knew it!" Elladan scowled, but, with a glance at Glorfindel, kept his tone of voice respectful. "We've studied this, my lord, my brother and I."

Legolas drew his cloak around his body, and shook his head. "There are no houseless here. It's just fog."

"Can we look around?" There were paths in the rushes, Elladan could see they were well-used and not just animal trails. "I promise we'll be careful."

"Mind the areas closest to the water," Eilian told them. "The mud is deep and not safe for the unwary."

"I don't want to look. There's nothing remarkable down there." Legolas nudged his mare back the way they had come, shoulders and back ramrod straight.

"I'll go with him," Eilian said. It was clear the marsh was not to his brother's liking. "We'll wait back up on the rise. If you need help to find the way out again sound your horn and I'll come back."

"Eilian." Glorfindel reached out to stop him as he made to ride past. "I am sorry. I did not mean to upset him."

The younger elf shook his head. "He is upset all the time, Glorfindel. Legolas' mind is constantly on our mother and I know he wants only to return to her side." Sorrow leached the joy from him and his shoulders sagged. "We cannot return. Not yet."

"When can you?"

Meeting Glorfindel's compassionate gaze, Eilian tried to hide his weariness but knew it showed in the darkening circles under his eyes. "My father is not himself. In his despair he turns to wine and forgets that his young son is also tormented by what has befallen our family." He shook his head. "He does not want us there right now, he made that clear." Reining his horse away as Glorfindel reached out, Eilian hardened his voice. "We will return when we are bid to do so by our father."

None of the horror he felt showed, Glorfindel was far too old and too experienced in such matters, but his heart broke for the two boys. What could he do? Thranduil was a good father, but proud, and he would not welcome outside interference, even if it was well intentioned. Nor would he listen to Glorfindel who, as Thranduil had acidly informed him once upon the plains of Orodruin, 'suffered the taint of Noldorin blood'.

Heart heavy, he nudged Alfirin forward. There were two curious boys that he was charged with watching over, and for them, he would do anything. Besides, Glorfindel had no desire to wade into the murk of the marsh to retrieve sodden younglings, and that was highly likely if he didn't find them. Immediately. "Another reason to put bells on those boys," he sighed. Alfirin shook her head, headstall bells chiming in shared amusement, and followed after the boy's horses.

Legolas left his mare at the top of the rise and leaped from the saddle to the boughs of a nearby tree, climbing up until the branches were too light to support him. He huddled there, wrapped in his cloak, angry with everything. Everyone. He was cold, he hated the marshes and ...

He just wanted to go home. Nana needed him! She was in pain, and it was his fault, but he could sing to her and hold her hand and... He hiccupped, fighting the sorrow that was rising up, choking him.

Ada had told him to leave. Had been unable to look at him or touch him ever since it.

Why had that stupid dragon come back? WHY? He had watched the warriors chase it off, shooting arrows at it and shouting loudly enough to startle the trees and birds. It could have done what Legolas could not - it could have flown home to its mother! He hated that stupid dragon. It hadn't gone home. No, it had come back, only days later, and ...

It was his fault. Ada was right. If not for him Nana would be fine!

A tear rolled down the boy's face to fall on one of the tree's green leaves. Another tear followed, and yet another. The tree stirred, startled by the sudden rainfall that was only hitting one small leaf. It moved, shifting as it did when winds came through the valley and the small elf crouched on its branch wrapped arms around the trees trunk to steady himself. Shhhh, the tree soothed, and its leaves moved in a soothing sound of wind and rain. Storms come to all, little leaf. Winds will push, rain will pound. Bend, bend beneath the wind, and when it passes you will stand tall in the sun, roots deep in the good earth.

Legolas shook his head, cheek pressed against the trunk. The tree was old, and had weathered countless storms. It showed him a brilliant flash that tore apart the night and he knew it had even survived almost being struck by lightning.

He heard hoof beats and the soft sound of his brother's voice speaking to his mare. Eyes closed, Legolas thought that maybe, just maybe, it would be better if he just stayed where he was. Forever. Eilian could go home. Ada could stand to look at him. Ada wouldn't ask about Legolas probably. And Nana...

"Legolas." Eilian reached up from a branch below, gathering the small boy close and hugging him tightly. "Oh, little one, no, no." Back to the trunk, he held his sobbing brother close, the sorrow so vivid he could not help but hear the distraught thoughts. The tree drew its branches around them, shielding them, offering itself as shelter.

After a what seemed like forever, the weeping slowed and Eilian slid to sit, cuddling Legolas to his chest. "Oh, little one, I know it is confusing and difficult right now." He kissed the blond hair and rubbed his brother's back, trying to soothe the distraught boy. "Adar is scared, little brother. Scared as he has never been."

"He is brave!" Legolas pushed back to look into Eilian's face, frown fierce. "Don't say that! He fought in the wars! I have seen his scars, Eilian!"

Not all of his scars. Some things were not meant to be seen by one so young. "He is, and you're right, but Legolas..." How did you explain to a child younger than the very tree they were sitting in that adults were not always perfect? That their parents were facing something so awful no elf wanted to even contemplate it. What Eilian wanted was not to have to deal with this right then. It was too painful and words were not always his friend. But there was no action to take and there was no one else to ease his burden. Eilian was all Legolas had right now, and he was woefully aware that it might not be enough. "Do you remember the storm that came through several years ago? The one that blew over so many trees and started the fire?"

Blinking tears out of his eyes, Legolas nodded. "The lightning hit Bellethiel's hut."

"Yes, it did, and it was frightening, wasn't it?"

Legolas nodded. "Everyone helped her."

"Yes. That is what we do for our people, but sometimes there is nothing we can do. There are some things even Adar cannot stop, Legolas. He cannot stop storms from coming. He cannot stop trees from falling over or animals from dying. If no rain falls, he cannot make it cloud up and rain. Adar can do many things, little brother, but he is not all powerful."

Screwing up his face, Legolas crossed his arms. "You argue with Ada all the time."

Stubborn little... "So does Ithilden! Legolas, Adar is ..." How did you tell your little brother that the man he looked to set the sun in the skies was sometimes very difficult to live with? "He loves you. Legolas." Eilian caught the boy's chin and lifted his face until their gazes met. "He loves me and Ithilden. He loves all of us, very much, but he does not always show it as we might wish. He is proud and stubborn and, stars above, sometimes he will not stop speaking until you do what as he wishes, but brother." Eilian held steady under the doubting gaze of the boy before him. "He loves us so much that it would break him apart to lose one of us. Including you, especially you."

Legolas shook his head, bottom lip sticking out before it began to tremble. "He..." The words were barely a whisper. "He cannot look at me. He said I was to get out of his sight and..and..."

Eilian spat a word so foul it widened Legolas' eyes. "You are never to repeat that in the hearing of anyone but me," he warned. A sigh and he cupped his brother's jaw, stroking the round cheek with his thumb. "Little leaf, Adar has a terrible temper. He is like a wounded bear right now, roaring and ripping apart everything in his path and his wrath is a fearful thing. But Legolas..." He hoped the truth of his words were something the boy could see. He was so young still. "Do not doubt that he loves you. I know it's confusing and it's not fair." Eilian grimaced. "He can be wretchedly hard to deal with at the best of times, but can you understand that Nana is his heart? They are one, Legolas. Two trees, entwined. You cannot cut down one without damaging the other."

"If...if Nana ..." Legolas hiccupped, trying to hold back his sobs, "If she d...dies, will he die too?"

"No! No, little leaf, no." Eilian pulled his brother to his chest in a fierce hug, and closed his eyes against the pain of the question. This was so unfair! He was so young, too young for this! Heart howling, Eilian forced himself to calm, and drew deep breaths, not even noticing when his tears wet his brother's hair. "He will never leave us, not willingly and I doubt even Mandos would want to try to convince him to do so."

"I want to go home, Eilian. I want Nana!"

He swore he heard his heart crack the pain was so great. "I know, brother. I know."

TBC

Thank you for reading!