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Da hybrid Queen - I often forget which twin is which too!
Hope you enjoy this next chapter and please, let me know, even if you don't! :)
Chapter 29
At last the trio of brothers have reached the borders of Mirkwood with limbs intact albeit a little bruised and battered. They have decided to camp for the night just outside the forest, preferring to penetrate its dark depths initially during daylight hours, they have no wish to blunder into an orc or spider nest in the gloom of night. Twilight finds them seated around a small fire continuing a discussion that started some nights ago after the last orc attack.
"I still say it is too dangerous" Elladans voice is edged with worry, "we should stay together, there are worse things than orcs lurking in this forest." He stares at the young man who is glaring back at him.
"Do you think me incapable of looking after myself, 'Dan?" Steely grey eyes flash dangerously in the firelight.
" Nay, that is not it." The twin raises his hands in a placatory gesture, "I only mean."
"He only means," Elrohir breaks in. " That together we are stronger," he looks at the young man and smiles in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, "and we know from past experience just what trouble you can get into when you're alone." He reaches over to playfully punch him on the arm raising a small smile on the youths indignant face.
"But adas plan was for me to enter alone." The young man speaks calmly and forcefully betraying a hint of the command he will assume in later life. " It is the best way we can all get past the border guards." He speaks slowly, as if to elflings "You will need to create a diversion so that I can sneak in, remember."He stares at the two elves, daring them to disagree and when they both stay silent continues. "We need to think of Legolas and the best way to help him, if that means me risking my life I will gladly do it. "
The determined look on his face is one the twins have seen on many previous occasions.
"Very well," Elladan finally admits defeat, "we will stick to adas plan, but," he holds up one hand as Estels smile widens. "You must promise to take care gwador nin, my brother, this realm has dangers around every corner." He pulls the young man into a hug. " And anyway, we have kind of got used to having you around, we'd have to find someone else to play our pranks on and that would be no fun."
All three laugh and prepare to settle for the night, Estel and Elrohir snuggling down under their blankets whilst Elladan climbs into a tree to take first watch. Tonight the twins will allow their human brother to sleep, acutely aware that it will be the last chance he has to truly relax until their task is complete and that may take some time.
.
Elrond stands at the window gazing up into the starry night. He is wishing, not for the first time, that his sons were safely back within his realm. He always worries when they are away and now the note from Thranduil makes him more anxious. When the two letters had been placed in front of him a variety of thoughts had passed through his mind and his emotions ran wild. Initial surprise had given way to anger and for a moment he considered thrusting them into the fire before curiosity had taken over and stilled his hand. It had displeased and saddened him when the king did not come in person for Legolas' judgement but maybe this missive would shed some light on his reasons for apparently abandoning his son.
Now he stands and ponders that missive. Thranduils neat script had been short and to the point, no niceties or explanations.
'Elrond,' it had read. 'Look after my son, do not let him leave Imladris, keep him safe until I come for him. Thranduil.'
Just a few short words, but with so much written between the lines. Thraduil obviously believes there is more to this business than meets the eye and worries for Legolas' safety. If only the messenger had arrived before his sons had left, he had warned them to be careful but this would have underlined the advice. His thoughts stray once more to the second letter. It lay, unopened in a locked drawer waiting to be handed to its intended recipient and there it would remain until said elf chose to reappear. Unfortunately, although he did not know it, it would be a very long time until that happened
.
The twins ride through the forest side by side looking dour and grim, they know they are being watched and make no effort to show their displeasure with all that surrounds them.
"Mirkwood is such a good name for this accursed place brother," Elladans voice is pitched to travel to unseen ears. "It has become such a drear, dark place."
His brother nods in agreement.
"Aye, and its inhabitants are just as grim," Elrohir sneers. "They have become little more than savages it would appear, lacking both courtesy and civility."
They halt as two arrows hit the ground just in front of their horses and a light musical voice commands them to stand. A figure emerges from the trees before them, he is dressed in the colours of the forest and the twins are well aware that they only see him because he wishes them to.
"Your own manners are considerably wanting." The elf states in a cold, unfriendly voice as he looks them over sternly "To what do we owe the pleasure of the company of the dread Peredhil twins?"
The two share a glance then flash identical feral smiles upon the other.
" Look 'Dan, what did I tell you?" Elladans grin widens. "The wood sprites idea of welcome is to fire upon us."
The Mirkwood elf stiffens at his words.
"You enter into our realm armed for battle," he states through clenched teeth, "radiating ill will, are we supposed to give a cheery wave and allow you to pass?"As he speaks two more of his ilk drop down from the trees, bows drawn and arrows nocked by the time they straighten up, "if we had wanted you dead, you would be."
The twins laugh lightly in unison.
"Saes mellon nin, peace my friend," the eldest speaks, " we mean no harm to you."
"No," his brother interrupts, " we only mean to teach your king a lesson."
A slight shift in their positions and they leap in tandem, each twin making for an archer, catching them unawares. Before the Mirkwood elves can react they each have one hand around a slender neck, and a knife pressed to a heaving ribcage, the shower of arrows expected from the trees never materialising.
"Ho,brother," Elrohir grins over his hostages head, "'twould appear the patrols are somewhat lessened these days."
"Aye brother," Elladan replies. " I remember the days when these trees would be swarming with guards, I wonder at the change." They both stare meaningfully at the single elf left standing alone in front of them.
.
As the twins had ridden away from their campsite at sunrise Estel had bidden his horse to go home then slunk into the trees on foot and set off in roughly the same direction as his brothers. The forest was dark and unwelcoming but it was not the first time he had been here alone and he knew the way well, albeit he usually saw it from the top of a horse and with the knowledge that he would be met by a friendly face before too long. This time, however, he was trying to avoid meeting anyone.
Leaving the well known path he sets off into the trees trying to make as little sound as possible as he passes. He is headed for an outpost where he hopes he will find Legolas' patrol, if he can find Doronor, the princes lieutenant and childhood friend the young man is hoping to be able to get some answers about the events leading up to Lhossons attack. The forest is eerily quiet and still with neither sight nor sound of bird or animal. It has ever been a much darker place than that surrounding Imladris but somehow feels more forbidding than on any of his previous excursions through it.
The deeper he goes into the forest the more uneasy he feels. There is a gloom hanging in the air as if the very trees are in mourning and trying to keep him away. Paths suddenly disappear into thickets and roots seem to jump in front of him to trip him up. He has never felt so uncomfortable here before and can only ascribe it to his anxiety over the way Doronor will receive him. As he ducks under a thorny creeper that seems intent on raking him with its sharp spikes he thinks he hears a sound and stops, scarcely breathing, standing silently to listen. Nothing. It is as if the forest itself is holding its breath. He moves forward once more only to find his way obscured by a large branch and once this is negotiated comes face to face with a thick, impenetrable knot of brambles.
"This is getting ridiculous," he thinks, "it is as if some force is trying to keep me away."
Resolving to continue his course by any means he draws the sword he habitually wears from its scabbard, and commences hacking away at the offending thorny barrier.
A sudden noise halts his progress, the tramp of heavy feet coming his way makes him suddenly wish he was not alone. Cautiously he moves to a tree and begins to climb, he may not have the agility of an elf but he has been accustomed to traversing the trees from a young age. Once safely hidden in the foliage he waits and it is not long before the source of the noise is revealed. Two heavy set men, carrying large packs stop under the very tree he inhabits, shrugging the burdens from their backs they each peer about the forest then, deciding they are alone, relax onto the floor, sitting with their backs against the tree.
"Don't know about you but I'm beat," the tallest of the two men voices in Westron. "This forest is a nightmare, I've never seen so many flaming brambles!" His friend nods in agreement then takes a long draught from his waterskin.
"I know." His voice is slightly higher in pitch than the first and both have accents that Estel cannot place, "it is almost as if they are growing as we watch!"
The first man snorts at this and aims a swipe at the others head.
"Fool!" He ejects, "you'll be saying its enchanted next."
The smaller man ducks and grins.
"I'm only..." he whines. "Ow!" This comes as the next swipe connects with the left side of his head and he raises his hand to rub his ear.
"Maybe that'll teach you to think before you open your mouth."
The first man has his pack undone by now and Estel watches silently as he removes bread, cheese and dried meat and shares it out in equal portions.
He is pondering on whether to remain hidden or reveal his presence when the next words out of the smaller mans mouth make the decision for him.
"So, " he mumbles round a mouthfull of cheese, "what do you reckon the boss wants him for?" He looks thoughtfully at his comrade, "mores to the point, do you think we can get close enough to him if he's here?"
The older male narrows his eyes.
"It ain't for us to know why the boss wants anything," he utters sharply, " and you better remember that." He stares at the other. " As to getting near enough, the boss gave me something to make sure there shouldn't be a problem with that, so you just eat up and stop trying to think." He throws a crust of bread into the bushes. "I've had enough of your stupid questions."
The shorter male closes his mouth, shutting off whatever he was going to say next at the fierce look in the others eyes, and picks up another piece of cheese, eyeing it warily before popping it into his mouth.
Above their heads Estel wonders about the words he has just heard. It is obvious to him now that these men are not just innocently passing through the forest as he had first thought and is relieved that he decided to stay hidden, but as to who their boss is and who they are looking for is beyond him. Something tells him, however, that it does not bode well and he should try to find out more of their plans if possible. This leaves him in a quandary, does he continue to study them in secret and hope to overhear more or does he come out of hiding and try the direct approach.
Mulling over the options in his mind he quickly makes a decision and moves as silently as he can to the next tree, then the next, causing only a few leaves to rustle with his passing then clambers down to the ground a few feet away from where the men are seated, still unaware of his presence. It is a risk, but he feels he may gain more this way so picking up a long stick he proceeds to thrash at the brambles beside him, making as much noise as possible as he walks closer to where they sit.
