Category: Lord of the Rings
Rating: M
Couples: None
Warnings: AU, Blood, Character Death (sorta), Mention of Rape
Chapter: 6
Copyright: Characters & places © By Tolkien, Plot & OC´s © by me
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"They are gone." Thranduil told the others in the room. "All of Taurath's followers have either left the realm or have been captured."
"Good." Celeborn said. "They will not get far. And those that do escape us will never be allowed to enter an elvish realm again. What were they thinking?"
"Not much good." Elrond looked at the list resting on the table between them. "The hate of the Noldor runs strong in the older members of the Silvan and Sindar. They allowed that hate to overrule their common sense, much like Taurath did."
"It pains me that it came to end like this." Thranduil sank back on his chair, burying his head in his hands. "He was a good friend."
"I apologize for my vassal's actions once more." Elrond reached out to the King. "He overreacted and acted without my consent."
"We all saw that." Celeborn referred to the argument that had ensued between said vassal and Elrond after Taurath's body had been carried inside.
"Yes, I do not blame you." Thranduil looked up. "In a way, I cannot blame your vassal either. He reacted like any parent would, though I do wonder how he managed to poison him so quickly and heavily."
"His family specializes in the use of poisons." Elrond answered. "Among others, that is."
"I do consider it interesting you never mentioned them to us." Celeborn leaned on the backrest of his chair, studying his son-in-law.
"Oh, but I did. Just not by name." Elrond smiled. "They are not ones for fame."
Thranduil sniggered. "Of course not. I daresay they earned themselves some fame after what happened here. People will talk about this, Elrond, and they will tell others about the Vassals of the East who have poison potent enough to kill an elf."
"One can't have it all." The Half-elf turned to the door. "They are ready to leave, I must see them off."
The other two followed him out of the room, down the winding corridors of the Mirkwood Palace. They watched silently as Elrond spoke to his two vassals, particularly the older one. The man looked from the Noldo to the others in even intervals, as if fearing that they would attack. The anger he had radiated while they met him had dissipated, leaving discomfort in its' wake.
Not ones for fame indeed. Celeborn stood next to Galadriel as the two left through the marvelous gates of the Halls of Thranduil. Both had the eerie feeling it would be centuries until they would see Calon and his father, Eastern Vassals of Elrond, again.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Sauron had been destroyed, cleansing the lands of his foul influence. Aragorn wed Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in Minas Tirith. As they took leave of Elrond and Galadriel in Edoras, the Age of Men began. Underway to Rivendell a strange group seemed to be waiting for the elves traveling in that direction. It was several days before Galadriel and Celeborn had to leave that the two groups encountered one another.
"Hail, Elrond." The voice was one of power as the owner stepped up to the caravan. "My Lord."
"Calon." Elrond recognized him immediately. "What brings you here?"
"Dire news from my father. We must speak." Calon removed the hood of his cloak.
"How dire?" Celeborn asked, driving his horse beside Elrond's.
"Depends on one's point of view." Calon answered.
"Travel with us then, and tell us of your problems tonight." Galadriel offered.
Calon nodded and gestured to the forest behind him. Moving from the shadows were several others, all dressed like him. His father stood up front, holding the hand of a woman.
Galadriel swiftly glanced to Celeborn when she saw the woman was wearing a face-covering mask, hiding her features behind solid iron. Only her eyes, deep brown, could be seen. The scales that made up her outfit were a startling green, unlike those of Calon and his father, who wore more brownish scales.
Elrond smoothly dismounted, moving towards the pair. "Rogan, Shilene. A pleasure to see you again."
Rogan nodded, while Shilene merely inclined her head in acknowledgement.
"Likewissse, my Lord." Rogan answered. "I wissshed we could have done more to aid you in thisss war."
There were some double-takes as his hissing reached the rest of the group, but if Elrond noticed, he took no heed of it.
"You did what you could." Elrond returned to his steed. "Join us, and tonight you can tell us why you came all the way here to meet me personally."
Rogan nodded again and gestured to his family to join the caravan. The horses did not like that, shying away from the group. They were afraid of the newcomers, their scent spelling nothing but trouble to the animals. Only Elrond's horse did not even shiver. She was used to them.
