XII
Still stunned by the realisation, the twins were trussed up the rocky terrain, stumbling along with the rough shoves and endless attempts by the Orc-like beasts to trip them over.
Yet they did not react to any baiting or goading, not even Elrohir, whose hatred of the goblins had almost driven him to madness many years past. For Elrond's sons would not stoop as low as such degraded beasts.
"We're home, boys!" the leader cackled as they were pushed into a hole in a wall of rock.
Their legs kicked out from under them, the twins were forced to the ground and held there by their captors.
"Look at this one's sword! It's as big as they get it is!" one of the creatures cried.
"And look here at his clothes! How fancy he must think he is! And then to have them clothes all ruined by travel. What a shame! He must be real unused to it, the soft bugger!"
And abruptly the laughter and mockery ceased as if someone had thrown a wet towel over it.
"Now then, gentlemen. What have you brought to us?"
The voice was so different to the spitting, twisted tongues all around that it sounded even cleaner and more beautiful to the twins' ears. What was such a refined tone doing here?
"We found them wondering about, spying, sneaking up to no good we did," the leader said, the fear and respect in his voice clear enough.
"How interesting. But I was under the impression that I said you were to take none alive," the refined voice was ever so polite still, yet something sent a titter of fear through the gathered creatures.
"But, I thought you may have wanted for them to be taken back, after all they seem to be similar to you –" the leader's voice choked off in sudden fear.
"Well, well. I suppose we shall have to see, shall we not? Help our guests to their feet, gentlemen, if you would be so kind."
And the twins were hauled roughly to their feet, their minds confused and spinning with all they were hearing. Elrohir in particular was almost bursting with confusion. There was something about the voice, a certain lilt, that he simply could not bear hearing without an ache.
They could not contain their gasps as their eyes raised to meet with a familiar figure smiling down at them.
"No!" Elladan gasped in confusion.
While Elrohir did not speak.
"Welcome, sons of Elrond, to our humble abode."
Calm, almost serene features studied the twins, who had both turned pallid.
"I trust you were not inconvenienced too much on your journey?"
"Explain this!" Elladan stammered, while Elrohir continued to stare with bulging eyes.
"Now, there is hardly any need to get your good selves into this state, is there?" one of the creatures sneered. "Be more respectful."
"Lithroleah, what is going on?" Elladan finally found his tongue.
"Leave us," the dark Elf commandeered, and the ugly beasts melted away, grinning malevolently.
Left alone, he looked from twin to twin, still perfectly composed, as if their meeting under the circumstances was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Can I offer you a chance to freshen up?"
"Manwë's arse, Lithroleah, stop your posturing and tell us what is going on!"
If Lithroleah were offended, he did betray it.
"Please, Master Elladan, there is nothing to fear. Those were my men."
"They are Orcs!" Elladan exploded, more outraged than ever.
"One might have expected better than such ignorance and blind prejudice from Elrond's sons," Lithroleah carried on, quite unmoved. "And your brother seems rather above such differences, does he not?"
And for the first time Elladan saw how frail Elrohir looked, for he was suppressing a broad tremble in his body.
He took a deep breath.
"Please, Lithroleah, perhaps you could give me a moment with my brother? The journey has been difficult for him."
"If you wish. None will disturb you," Lithroleah said, and he floated out of the room without a glance behind.
Roh?
Elladan did not dare to speak, for fear of being overheard.
Roh, please, what is the matter?
Think you Lass is still out here, Dan?
Elladan wrapped his brother in his arms, any earlier resentment and annoyance forgotten. He pressed their heads together, and felt too at a loss. But they were expected to be grown up! How could they do so, when they felt such little ones deep down?
Stay strong, Rohnen, we shall get to him. You must be strong, both for me and for him. Can you do that?
Elrohir gave the smallest of nods.
Yes.
We will let none stand in our way, and who dares turn Elrond's twins down? This is our story.
And these words which they had always uttered to each other in periods of tribulation never stood so strongly. From deep within, Elrohir pulled out his strength and slowly he worked himself away from his brother.
"I never forget what those creatures are," Elrohir said, suddenly filled with icy fire.
"Lithroleah!" he cried.
It was not long before the sanguine Elf re-entered the room.
"Ai, I see you have rather recovered, Master Elrohir."
"Do you know what you are doing, Lithroleah?" Elrohir held his gaze.
"One must not jump to conclusions –"
"We are listening," Elrohir interrupted, some of his old impatience returning.
"They are such allies that old fools such as Thranduil and Elrond will never realise, stuck in their dogmatic ways!" Lithroleah said, excitement creeping into his demeanour for the first time. "There is a way to control them, yet the babbling dotards refuse to consider it!"
"It is of your king and our father that you speak of," Elrohir said, yet his voice was still completely even.
Unnerved all of a sudden, Lithroleah gave a slight cough and tried to carry on his explanation.
"I mean no disrespect, but these creatures would form an almost invincible army!"
"What are they?" Elladan said, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.
"Can you not tell? For they embody the very best qualities of Arda's races! From the Orcs they take the immunity to pain, and from our own noble lineage, the ease of movement and prowess on the battlefield."
Silence of the deepest shock met his pronouncement, as the twins digested his revelation.
"They are half-Elven?" Elrohir eventually asked.
Lithroleah beamed with delight.
"Do you not think it a most wonderful thing?"
"What vile –"
Elrohir was cut short by his brother placing a hand on his arm.
"Do you not realise what this means?" Lithroleah said, quite beside himself with excitement. "With them working for us, we will be able to march across Arda with impunity! Angmar, Mordor, we fear their pathetic powers not!"
He let out a loose laugh that sent shivers down the twins' spines.
"How came you across such a depraved idea? Surely 'twas not you who – crossed – them?" Elladan said, unsure of whether to be angry or disgusted first.
"Ai, I must admit they were the work of another. But surely you both more than others will appreciate the day when half-bloods could be free from feeling like filth?"
"What are you talking about? You are a first-born –"
"Perhaps you are luckier than most. Perhaps you do not realise the fates of other Halflings who are not as lucky as you to rule a kingdom! Your father is rather the exception, I think, a freak occurrence, rather than –"
"Watch your mouth, whelp," Elladan said softly.
Lithroleah was not perturbed.
"Ah, yes. But do you know what happened to those other half-bloods – oh yes, do not look so startled. Did you suppose yourselves to be so unique? For many an Eldar had their names written off the memories of their families for losing their hearts to mere mortals! They were simply – written out of existence! And what of their children, little freaks that they turned out to be? They were cast out from our noble societies, left to the wolves, or worse still, to the mockery of humans, for being in possession of pointy ears, the ability to live long past the lives of mortals a curse upon them. You see, greed and jealousy of their noble features led to many mutilations – and those were lucky. Others were simply beaten to death! Or perhaps they were the lucky ones!
"And our esteemed rulers continue to cast these children out, covering this up, for they threatened the purity of our race! Imagine your children torn from you and made to suffer, because you lost your heart to someone unsuitable!"
Elrohir made a sudden movement.
"No, 'tis not true," he murmured, lost in his own swirling emotions, stung by Lithroleah's accusations.
"Ai, you are mistaken, Master Elrohir. Did you think Mirkwood would ever accept your family, half-blood that you are? Why it would turn your blood cold to hear some of the things said about your undesirable influence over His Highness!"
"You lie!" Elladan said, knowing they were now treading in dangerous waters.
Yet he knew too that Lithroleah spoke an element of truth. Why else had Elrond advised his sons to play down their friendship with Legolas? It would not be past wagging tongues to misconstrue it as something more sinister, especially with Legolas's age –
"Have I lifted the scales from your eyes, peredhil? Even your names carry the reminder of your mixed blood!"
"We carry them with pride. Pride in our noble ancestor, Eärendil, who looks down upon us even now," Elrohir stirred from his thoughts. "Do not mix our names with those creatures you have out there! For you may call them half-Elven, and it may even be so, but rest assured that if left alone with your Lady Caeriel they would violate her in ways unimaginable!"
Astute Elrohir still was in spite of all the turmoil that raged within him. The reaction it provoked within Lithroleah was great indeed, as the dark Elf's face turned a deathly pale.
"Liar!" he spat into Elrohir's face. "You filthy, disgusting –"
He was cut short by the entrance of one of his half-Orcs.
"The master wants them brought to him," he said, smiling nastily at the twins. "Without further delay."
Abruptly Lithroleah wiped away his rage.
"Come on then. Your presence is greatly anticipated."
And the twins were bundled out without a further word.
xxxxx
A/N: So that's the latest update from me. I'll not get the chance to be online much for a bit, but thanks for your interest and do let me know how you're finding this.
myshka - thanks for your support. I hope you continue to like it, as I seem to have little control over the direction this one is heading towards!
