Chapter Three
AN: This chapter is dedicated to Vermillion Lynn, for all her encouragement.
Throughout their childhood the twins had protected and supported each other, but when it became time for them to join the warrior's patrols, that was set aside. They had been receiving formal weapons training since they were thirteen, six years ago. They now knew their heritage as Peredhel, and knew why some thought less of them because of it. Maglor had always told them that their family made them unique, although almost all the other elves of Himring, influenced by Maedhros, treated them as inferior. They were protected from serious physical harm as they were Maglor's foster sons, but they had become used to ignoring verbal insults. The beginning of their time as warriors drove a wedge between them, because Elrond had grown very close to Maglor over the years, learning elven history and the basics of healing from him, whereas Elros preferred to learn battle strategy, and the history of the Edain. Elrond wished to remain in Himring, with Maglor, but Elros longed to seek out the Edain, and dwell with them in a nearby village. Neither one was willing to compromise, so they were forced to part ways for a time.
The day Elros actually departed Himring was a sad one for both Elrond and Maglor. They stood watching for some time, gazing in the direction in which he had ridden. Maglor was the first to gather his composure, and put his arm round Elrond's shoulders to lead him back inside.
"Come, Elrond. We cannot simply stand out here for months, waiting for your brother's return! Let us go and see if any aid is required in the healing rooms." Maglor spoke bracingly, hoping to give Elrond something to cheer himself with- he enjoyed helping the healers, and, despite his brief years, showed great potential as a healer. The young Peredhel nodded, but did not speak, walking silently behind his foster-father as they headed inside.
Elros rode along eagerly on his dark bay stallion. It was a two day ride to the village, and he couldn't wait to arrive. Ever since he had grasped the fact that he had Mortal blood in his veins, as well as Elven, he had longed to meet some Mortals. He never felt truly accepted among the Elves of Himring, because he physically looked more like a Man, in build and height. He had endured a great deal of ridicule from Maedhros and his people for it. His brother always tried to sympathize, but as Elrond looked more like a true Elf, he could not really understand. Elros shook the grim memories from his head and rode on. He would miss Elrond and Maglor, but he had promised to write to them frequently. He was trying to look forward to his future.
Elrond worked in the healers rooms til sunset- it helped keep his mind off things. He was placing the last of the tinctures he had created into storage when footsteps entered the room. He did not turn his head, assuming it was Maglor come to remind him about supper.
"Oh, you're still here, are you?" Maedhros sneered. "And here I was, hoping you'd accompany your brother, and be out of my people's hair!"
Elrond did not respond, having learned it was better not to protest, and quickly attempted to walk out of the room. Unsurprisingly, Maedhros blocked his path.
"Not going to defend yourself, whelp?" he taunted. "You always were afraid of a fight. Never even spoke up to defend your brother. No wonder he thought he'd be better off without you!"
Elrond's face reddened with shame at Maedhros' barbed comments. It was true that he had not stood up for Elros as he should have when they were younger, but there was a reason, one he was not about to reveal to Maedhros. He let his mind drift back to when they were ten...
Elros had gone through a growth spurt recently, so now he was somewhat taller and broader than Elrond, but he seemed unused to his new size, as he became somewhat clumsy. He was trying to place a book they had been using for their lessons back onto a high shelf that Elrond could not reach. In attempting to put the book back with its fellows, he knocked about a dozen onto the floor. The echoing thud made both twins jump. Elros hurried to pick them all up, hoping none were damaged. Elrond moved to help him when Celepharn, one of Maedhros' Captains, came to investigate the noise. He saw Elros holding most of the fallen books, and his eyes darkened in anger. He stepped forward, looming over Elros.
"Is it not bad enough that we have to let you stay here in Himring?" he asked, in a low, threatening voice. "Now you think you are at liberty to do whatever you please? Make as much mess as you like, and no-one will reprimand you? Useless half-breed! And you do not even look like an Elf. Abomination!" he hissed.
Elros looked like he would burst into tears. Elrond moved between him and Celepharn.
"It was an accident!" he protested. "Elros didn't do it on purpose."
Celepharn caught him by the arm, and pushed up against the opposite row of shelving.
"Listen well, elfling." he murmured, so that only Elrond could hear, "You and your freak of a brother only remain here because Lord Maglor feels sorry for you. No-one actually wants you here." He pressed his forearm against Elrond's throat, making it hard for him to breathe. "Maglor's protection might mean that we cannot cause you harm, but if you talk back to me or any of the other warriors again, we might 'forget' that! And little ones can have 'accidents' very easily..."
He released his hold on Elrond, who coughed and gasped for several minutes. Celepharn smiled at the twins.
"Remember this lesson, little ones." he said ominously, before striding away. Elrond approached Elros and helped him stand. Both twins were pale with fright. Leaving the books, they quickly went to find Maglor. Elrond explained about the dropped books, but made no mention of Celepharn. He never mentioned the incident again. He was too scared that Celepharn might hurt him or Elros.
He blinked back tears at the memory. He knew now that he should have done more, but back then, he had been too afraid to act. That fear had prevented him from defending his brother on other such occasions, though he never explained that to Elros. He always tried to comfort and reassure him after such incidents, but felt powerless to stop it. He had hoped that when Elros departed, such mistreatment would stop. Maedhros' arrival had destroyed that belief.
"Well?" Maedhros snapped, becoming angrier as Elrond appeared to ignore him. "Are you too much of a coward to even defend yourself?" Elrond did not speak, not wishing to make Maedhros temper even worse, and tried again to walk past him and out of the room. Maedhros grabbed his upper arm, pulling him round to face him.
"Make no mistake, Peredhel, you will not be staying here for much longer. You've been a nuisance long enough. If my brother," he almost spat the word "hadn't taken pity on you, I would have cast you out of Himring years ago. I-"
"Elrond?" Maglor's voice called from just outside the healing rooms. Maedhros bit back an oath and released his hold on Elrond as Maglor came in. He looked at Maedhros in surprise.
"What brings you to these rooms, brother?" he asked, glancing between Maedhros and Elrond. "You have not been injured?"
"No." Maedhros replied smoothly. "I was merely checking on my 'nephew' after his brother's departure." He smiled at Elrond. "I was concerned that he might be lonely, without his only companion."
Maglor eyed him suspiciously. "I am sure he will be fine. We have known this day was coming for several weeks, after all. I actually came to fetch Elrond for supper. Would you care to join us?"
"No, thank you. I intend to go hawking in the woods this evening."
"Brother, it is not safe..."
"Celepharn will be accompanying me. We will be fine." Maedhros strode out of the room at that. He did not even look back at Elrond.
Maglor sighed. "Elrond?"
His young charge- not so young anymore, he reminded himself- looked at him warily.
"What was he really doing here? I doubt it was truly his intent to ascertain your wellbeing." He knew that his brother was not fond of the Peredhil, although he had tried to change Maedhros' opinion over the years, he had had little success.
"He was merely seeing what I was doing, that's all." Elrond said softly. He had never spoken to his foster-father of the treatment he and Elros had received at other's hands, though he knew Maglor suspected. Maglor shook his head in defeat, knowing that Elrond was too stubborn to reveal anything else.
"Shall we go then? I asked for our supper to be laid outside, under the pavilion in the gardens. I know you enjoy watching Anor's descent."
Elrond nodded, and soon they were settled outside, facing the west while enjoying their meal. As the sun vanished, Elrond let out a gasp.
"What is that?!" he gestured to a bright star he had never seen before, shining almost as brightly as the sun. Maglor gazed in the direction Elrond indicated, and drew his breath in sharply. 'How?' he thought to himself. That brilliant light could only have come from a silmaril. But they had thought it lost...
Elros, who had stopped and made camp at sunset, gazed in awe at the luminous star. He had never seen anything so beautiful! For some reason he could not explain, just seeing it made him feel more hopeful...
Maedhros and Celepharn, pausing in their hunt, stared in disbelief as the star rose above the trees.
"That star..." said Celepharn in wonder, "could it be a sign from the Powers? Perhaps they come to aid us at last?"
"Nay." Maedhros said darkly. "They have forsaken Middle-Earth. That light comes from a silmaril. I know not what this portends. We must return to Himring. I must speak of this with my brother." They gathered their supplies hurriedly, and returned home as fast as they could. When they arrived, Maedhros dismissed Celepharn, and stormed into the gardens where Elrond and Maglor were deep in conversation. Seeing Maedhros, obviously angry, Maglor sent Elrond inside. The Feanorians stared at one another for a few minutes. Maedhros spoke first.
"Surely that is a silmaril that shines now in the West?"
"If it truly be the silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil."*
Maglor truly believed it was best that way, but Maedhros was displeased. How were they to fulfill their Oath if one silmaril was in the hands of the Valar, and the other two lay in Morgoth's grasp? There was no obvious solution. They stood out there for some time without speaking, both gazing at the new star, wondering what it signified.
Elrond had lingered near the doorway when Maglor sent him inside, and thus overheard the brothers' conversation. The revelation that the new star was a silmaril stunned him. Could his mother still be alive? He did not dare to hope...
AN: *The brothers dialogue was taken directly from Page 258 of the Silmarillion.
