Chapter 7

Two days ago

Glorfindel took a deep breath, steadying himself. It was his ritual, every morning. Inhale, count to five, exhale, count to five. He had to prepare himself. He placed his palms against the large doors and opened them, entering the Hall. Elrond was seated at the table in the center of the room, silent and stoic, as he had been since…no, I will not think about Elrohir. I will not.

Erestor walked up to the table next to Elrond holding a plate full of food in each hand, and he placed one in front of Elrond. Since…No! No!

Erestor had, for the last three years, gotten Elrond's food for him. It was often difficult to get Elrond to even come to the hall, never mind get his own food and act civil to his people. He always just sat quietly, ate, and went back to his study. And they could ask no more of him.

After collecting a plate of food, he sat at his designated seat across from Elrond. The chair squealed as he pulled it out and he cringed. The hall was silent.

Before, everything would've been bustling with activity, everyone would be talking to everyone else, and Elrond himself would've been the center of it all. But not since…not since then. Elrond had made his family a private place to eat since then. Now it was all silent.

Elrond did not even greet him as he sat, instead staring at his food with glassy eyes. Glorfindel glanced at the two empty seats. Celebrian's chair had long since been removed, but the empty seats remained for Elladan and Elrohir to Elrond's right. Technically, Elladan should've been to his right and Elrohir to his left, showing their positions, but the Peredhils were not a normal family.

They had decided, with the consent of Rivendell's citizens, of course, that Elladan and Elrohir would run Imaldris together after Elrond. Elladan could not imagine ruling without Elrohir, and Elrohir could not imagine all the time they would have to spend apart if Elladan had to rule by himself. So they both sat to his right.

Neither of them were there. One was lost and the other was searching for him.

Arwen's seat was to his left, but it was not often occupied. However, today it was, as Arwen was on one of her infrequent trips home. She put a hand on her father's arm.

"Ada, you should eat," she said gently, and he picked up his fork and did as he was told without comment. Glorfindel looked at Arwen gratefully. Trying to convince Elrond to eat every morning was always hard.

Glorfindel began to tuck in to his own food. He was about halfway through the plate when Elrond, who had been slouched over his plate, jolted to attention.

"Ada?" Arwen said. She put a hand on his arm. "Ada, what's wrong?"

"He's found him," Elrond breathed, and Glorfindel's heart skipped a beat. "Elladan has found him."

There was absolute silence. Glorfindel leaned over the table and put a hand on Elrond's shoulder.

"Where are they, mellon-nin?" Glorfindel said. His voice was calm, but his heart was pounding. Elrohir, Elrohir, Elrohir. He was alright. Elladan had found him.

"Something…something is wrong." Elrond said. His eyes were unfocussed. "Elladan should be…he should be the happiest he's ever been, but he is very upset...Something is wrong."

Glorfindel, Arwen, and Erestor watched as Elrond's eyes moved around, as if he was watching the action unfold.

"Ah!" Elrond exclaimed, clutching at his chest. "Elrohir, no! Valar…"

"What is it? Elrond, what is wrong with Elrohir?" Erestor asked, frantic. While Elladan, as a child, had doted on Glorfindel because of his fighting prowess, Elrohir had attached to Erestor because of his seemingly endless knowledge and their shared love for books. They had grown close.

"He…the orcs had him," Elrond whispered. "All this time…they had my son! My beautiful, gentle Elrohir! They had him! They have hurt him, like they did my Celebrian…"

"No…not Elrohir! Not my gwador!" Arwen said. She had a hand over her mouth, and tears were beginning to slip from her eyes. Elrond took her into his arms and held her shaking form, burying his face in her hair. Erestor hugged himself tightly, trying and failing not to shake. Glorfindel's face was emotionless, but inside he was weeping for the younger twin.

Elrond kissed Arwen's head and stood, his eyes filled with grief and anger. He looked at Glorfindel and Erestor.

"I was blind. I did not listen to Elladan when he told me Elrohir was still alive and that he needed us to save him…How could I have been so stupid?" Elrond said, thinking aloud. Glorfindel opened his mouth to speak, but Elrond held up a hand.

"No. I was stupid and I should never have given up on him. I have already failed to save one," his eyes were filled with grief. "but I will not fail again."

He began to walk towards the door.

"Glorfindel, Erestor, we will ride out in an hour."

Present

"Elrohir," Elladan gasped, and Elrohir gritted his teeth. It was too much. He couldn't stand more pain. It was too much.

"Elladan…I…" he whispered. Elladan notched an arrow and shot quickly into the trees, taking down the hidden orc archer. When he was sure the orc was dead, he grasped Elrohir's hand, focusing solely on his twin.

"Elrohir…shh, gwador-nin, I am here…" Elladan said, wishing with all his might that he could take the pain that was causing his brother's breath to come in gasps onto himself. Elrohir gripped his hand tightly, trying to breathe through the pain.

Elladan tried to ignore the way their bond was fading quickly.

"Elrohir, I need to get the arrow out, and bind the—"

"Elladan, please don't, I…I'm…" Elrohir's voice was raspy and growing softer. "I'm going to die."

There was a moment of shocked silence from Elladan.

"No! Elrohir, you can't give up on me!" Elladan cried after a moment, and he felt the tears beginning to run down his cheeks, but he didn't care.

"Elladan, I—"

"You made it so far! You survived three years and we finally find each other again and now you're going to leave me." Elladan put a hand over his face, trying and failing to hold back a sob. He leaned over Elrohir, hugging him tightly. "Don't leave me…"

"Elladan—"

"Please! These three years were hard enough. I cannot go through it again!"

"Elladan!"

Elladan shut his mouth, looking at Elrohir, who was panting.

"Elladan, you…I am already scared…I…you are making it worse, gwador-nin…" Elrohir said, and tears began to drip slowly down onto the ground from his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Elrohir," Elladan whispered. He stepped away from his brother.

He felt Elrohir's presence fading from his mind. The living could not remain connected with the dead.

Elladan whistled to Narea, who came within a minute from her spot a few meters from the edge of the clearing. She rushed to him, and he shushed her, opened the pack on her back, and started rummaging through it.

"Elladan?" Elrohir called frantically. He felt the blood rushing out of his body, and he knew he would not make it. Where was Elladan? What could possibly be more important than their last moments together?

Elladan did not come closer. He remained with his back turned to Elrohir, who felt his eyelids drooping. It was so hard to stay awake…What was Elladan doing?

"Elladan…I'll miss you…" he whispered, and he fought to keep his eyes open. His brother turned around, and Elrohir's eyes widened as he saw what was in his hand.

"No need," Elladan said grimly. The knife glinted in the setting sun. "I'm coming with you."

A/N: EEEEEEEK! Please don't kill me!

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