Sorry this is a little late everyone, wasn't sure if I was going to get it posted this week or not. Real life is being a pain at the moment.
Just want to say thanks to all of you still reading and to those of you who have followed or favourited. Thanks also go out to you lovely reviewers too, I really appreciate the time you take to write what you think. It keeps me going too! I'm sure I've replied to those of you logged in but if I haven't please let me know.
ILVB - Hope this moves things along a little for you :) I know its been a little slow in the past few chappies but it will start picking up again from now. Honest!
*Noms on choccy chip cookies and coffee* Thanks
Well, here's the next one. Hope you like it and don't forget to R+R. *Makes puppy dog eyes*
Chapter 28
Estel feels so weary, it is hard to believe they only left Imladris three days ago, it feels as if they have been out here for ever. He looks over to where his brothers sit, sprawled beside the meagre fire they have lit in order to cook the squirrels he managed to catch, grabbing a little of the meagre warmth left in its dying wake. This has been the first day to pass without incident and the well earned rest is very welcome, even if a little unexpected. Leaving Imladris had been hard, very hard. He had searched everywhere he could think of for his friend but of the archer there was no trace and, reluctantly, in the end he had to agree with his father who suggested that Legolas was most probably no longer in the realm, besides, he knew from experience that searching for wood elves, and this one in particular, who had no wish to be found was an exercise in futility.
Their journey had started well enough, with them making good progress on that first day, however, since then there seemed to be orcs around nearly every corner. The first ambush had happened as they were preparing to make camp that first evening, having set their horses free to roam they were just begining to unpack cooking utensils and bedrolls when they were set upon by a relatively small band of the creatures, who had apparently been hiding in the bushes, waiting to strike. After the swift, and bloody skirmish the brothers had discussed the unusual stealth displayed by their foe but had written it off as bad luck on their part,thinking they must have happened upon a site the orcs were using for their own camp. Since then, however, they had been similarly attacked over a dozen times, and although each time the number of orcs was relatively small, the constant vigilance and battling was begining to wear down even the twins abundant resilience.
The more Estel ponders upon the strange behaviour the more he is becoming convinced that some motive lies behind it beyond the usual lust for destruction and death these creatures display, almost as if something, or some one is playing with them and he has no liking for being used as an orcs toy. His head is just beginning to feel heavy and his eyelids to close when he hears a loud snarl and in the blink of an eye is on his feet, sword in hand, alertly scanning the small camp site.
His brothers have also reacted with lightening speed and already have the bodies of two decapitated orcs at their feet, then Estel loses sight of them as he finds himself face to face with one of the ugliest orcs he has ever seen yet. he manages to dodge the curved blade swung wildly at his head before bringing his sword around to block the next thrust aimed towards his chest. The force as the two blades meet jars his arm and for a second almost feels the blade will slip from his fingers but instinctively his grip tightens and he manages to push against the other blade, forcing it away, then brings his own around in a low curve to slice across the creatures belly. Its eyes open wide in disbelief as it clutches at the innards spilling from the split gut then crumples to the floor in a messy heap to be trampled underfoot by the next nightmarish creature to be after the young mans blood.
Once again the battle is furious but short, the orcs eventually being dispatched by the brothers with only minor nicks and scratches to show for it.
"This, is becoming an inconvenience." Elladan smirked, adrenaline still coursing through his body.
"Only an inconvenience brother?" His twin asks, matching him grin for grin, "I would have though it at least merited nuisance value by now."
Estel, used to their post battle banter, pays them no heed as he walks through the site checking to ensure the orcs are all dead. One he finds, choking on its own gore from a gaping wound across the throat, and he thrusts his sword swiftly and cleanly through its heart to end the pain as mercifully as possible. They may be corrupted beings, bred for one purpose only, to kill, answering to none but their dark masters, yet elves hate to see any creature suffer and as Estel has been raised in the way of the elves, he acts accordingly.
Only when satisfied that there are no more survivors does he turn his attention once more to the twins, who are by now comparing the number of kills each has made and trying to outdo each other in the extravagant claims of their prowess.
"If you two could stop your infernal chatter for a few moments," he grunts as they turn with guileless looks on their faces. "We should be moving on, who knows how many more of these foul creatures are near."
He bends to begin picking up the items that have been scattered from his pack during the skirmish.
"It would appear our baby brother is feeling somewhat out of sorts 'Dan" the younger twin grins.
"I cannot think why that should be the case 'Roh," the elder replies his grin equally as wide. "Mayhap we should do as he bids else he mistake us for orcs and shows us the sharp end of his sword."
Estel snorts and the three quickly pack up their remaining belongings and move away from the site whistling for their horses as they move. At this rate they will not reach their goal for weeks and the young man is fearful that the longer it takes the harder it will be for them to seek out the truth they have been sent to discover.
.
Seated in his study poring over an aged document Elrond massages his temples with long, elegant fingers. He has been staring at the page in front of him for hours now without really taking anything in, his mind replaying the departure of his sons on their quest some days ago. He watches again as his sons mount their horses to leave, dressed in their accustomed matching black, swords swinging at slender hips, the twins are a formidable sight and one that makes him both proud and saddened at the same time.
"Remember this is no ordinary orc hunting trip," he had smiled up at them, wishing there was no need for orc hunting at all, ordinary or not. " Think of it more as a fishing trip."
The twins grinned down from their stallions and nod.
"We will ada."
Simultaneous answers had taken the lord back to when they were elflings and almost every sentence was spoken as one in a move designed to exasperate their teachers. It took years for them to realise that their father was not disconcerted by this method of communication as he and his own twin had used it to great effect themselves.
His eyes had widened as Estel appeared, walking his horse from the stable, marvelling at how he had grown over the last few years, both in height and maturity and he realised that he could put off the inevitable no longer. Once this was over, he resolved to let the young man into the secret of his heritage, it was past time for Estel to become Aragorn, son of Arathorn, even though this may mean letting him go.
"How quickly the lives of men go by," he thought. " It does not seem five minutes since he was brought to me as a babe by his mother, desperate for protection, and look at him now." He smiled fondly then, as the young man mounted up to join his brothers and raised his hand in blessing.
"Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel i Valar tielyanna nu vilya, may the Valar protect you on your path under the sky."
His heartfelt plea sent them on their way as they walked their mounts to the gate, then, with one last wave, turned and spurred them away, galloping down the path and out of sight. Loosing a resigned sigh Elrond had then returned to his study to gather his thoughts. There is nothing more to be done for now, the wheels have been set in motion, all that remains is to see what is uncovered.
The knock at the door brings the lord back to the present.
"Enter." He calls without lifting his eyes and feels a draught as the door opens then light footsteps announce the presence of someone moving towards his desk.
A shuffling of feet and clearing of the throat encourage him to raise his eyes and for the first time in millenia his face briefly registers surprise before he once again regains control and his usual cool, unruffled facade returns. A strange elf stands before him, what is more the clothing he wears marks him as a Mirkwood elf. Elrond raises an eyebrow as the elf bows.
"Mae Govannen, Hir nin, well met, my lord, I apologise for the interruption." The silvery light musical tones and accompanying smile do nothing to quell his puzzlement.
" Mae Govannen."The lord replies with a slight inclination of the head, wondering why this elf is here and more so, why he is behaving as if recent events have never happened, he waits to see what will transpire next.
The elf delves into a messenger bag hanging at his waist, which has been hitherto unnoticed, and draws from it two letters which he places on the desk, turning them around so that the names imprinted upon them are facing Elrond.
"I have been ordered to deliver these into your safekeeping and no others." The elf bows briefly once more but the lord does not see it. His eyes are fixed upon the writing in front of him. Two letters. Two names. Written in the same sprawling script. A script he knows well from past missives. Thranduils script. He does not notice when the elf slips out of the room, neither does he notice when his hands clench, neatly manicured nails cutting into the flesh of his palm. The world revolves around those two pieces of parchment and the two names, Elrond and Legolas.
