For all of my readers that are still hanging in there with me - thank you! I know that things are a little bit frustrating and confusing right now! Some are acting a little out of character, even for my book! I have read all of your comments and just know that there is a propose of this... I promise!

For Dream Plane: I agree! I do tend to beat up my characters quite a lot! I guess we will have to see what else I will put him through ;)

For silverarrow: Of course I am making you wait, mellon nin! It would be very unlike me if I did not! And yes what reason is there? And if there even is a reason how many will just blindly follow? *me realizing I just answered your question with a question*

For Nymiriel: Hello again mellon nin! Yes, I must admit this story has turned out a lot darker than I had previously thought! And as for a solution... don't things always have to get worse before they get better? :)

Elvenmaia - you really do keep me going with the project! I promise I will try to break out of my writer's block soon!

In Times of Trouble

Scribbles-on-Parchment

April 17, 2021

Chapter 5 – A Heart's Anger

Estel just stared at his ada, unable to fully comprehend what the eldar had just told him. How could the counsel want their Lord to declare war on the Greenwood? Why in Eru's name would they want Elrond to do such a foolish thing?

"Why?" Estel's question came out through clenched teeth, "What reason did they give to justify their demand for such an action from you?"

The young human's grey eyes narrowed as Elrond simply shook his head almost sadly before turning away to look out the window.

"You must understand ion that many of the Noldor that reside here with us not only remember Thranduil's actions and mannerisms that helped to bring about strife between us, but they also remember the names and the faces of the eldar that fell in battle trying to protect the Greenwood," Elrond turned back to face Estel again, "There is no love left in their hearts for that forest and her people. There is only anger and frustration that has simmered for many long years and has now turned into hatred."

"So, they are merely being petty and angry and therefore think it right to simply declare war on their own kin? How does this make sense to them? Where is the logic and reason that they have used to make this decision?"

"To them it does not matter Estel. They can no longer tell the difference between friend and foe in that dark forest. They have let some dark force corrupt their very souls."

Estel's hands clenched into fists at his side, "Who is it? Who is the one spreading such lies and dark thoughts?"

"Why?" Elrond's sorrowful brown eyes looked upon the young human, "There is nothing that you can say that will make them believe they are wrong. They will not listen to you."

"Because I am mortal," The anger was evident in Estel's voice as he spat out his next words, "And who's fault is that? Whose fault is it that no one will listen to me?"

The young man took a step towards Elrond as he continued,

"Ada, I cannot be taken seriously because I am different. I am not one of you; I never have been and I never will be. I am destined to be an outcast, but I do not care anymore as I have long ago accepted that that was my fate. I am a grown man now and they shall listen to what I have to say."

"Estel," The elf lord spoke his son's name with a warning evident in his dark tone, yet the man did not stop.

"No ada. I will not stop or be quiet and let them use you to do their will. I will not stand for it. It is absurd. I cannot understand why you are allowing them to do this. Fight back for Eru's sake! Show them who is stronger."

"And what good would come of that? It would only lead to more bloodshed and hatred. Sometimes in order to show someone the right way it is better to let them suffer the consequences of their actions first."

Estel could not believe what he was hearing.

"So, you are going to declare war on the Greenwood? You are going to allow them to get their way? I thought that you were better than this ada. You will do exactly what Thranduil thought that you had done all along."

The grey eyes of the young man seemed to bore right into the elf lord and spoke of such anger and frustration that Elrond was forced to look away.

"You still do not realize, ion nín, that there are things that you do not yet understand that move against m…"

"No!" Estel's forceful tone cut off his ada's next words, "You do not understand. You are becoming exactly who the Silvans think you to be. I, however, will not allow such things to take place."

And with that the human spun around and stormed towards the door his face clouded with his emotions.

"Where are you going Estel?"

The edan heard his ada call out to him, yet he did not heed the call. Estel flung the door open with a fierce pull before he turned around and cast one last look at the elf lord who still stood stunned by his desk.

"I am going to do what you will not."

Elladan watched his youngest brother storm out of their ada's office, his body almost radiating frustration. The Noldo sighed to himself before stepping out from his place by the window to confront Estel.

This was exactly how he had thought that the conversation between the young human and the elf lord would have ended. In fact, this was almost the exact same way that his meeting with his ada had ended. He could only imagine the harsh words that Estel had spoken to Elrond in his anger. No doubt they were the exact same things that he would have said had he not known any better. He understood the pressure that his ada was being placed under and the conviction and guilt that was eating him alive, yet he did not agree with what the elf lord had decided.

"How was your talk?"

Elladan's question was met with angered silence by Estel who just glared at the older twin.

"How do you think it went? Does my face not convey to you all that you wish to know?"

"There is still no harm in asking, for you seem angered all of the time now," Elladan offered a soft smile which was not returned.

"I am not in the mood," Estel spat, "Now leave me alone. I have things that I need to do."

The young edan pushed past Elladan without another word and began to walk quickly down the hall back towards the Great Hall. The ellon shook his head before hurrying to catch up to Estel.

"And what is it that you must do toron? Has ada given you a task?"

"What does it matter to you?"

"It matters a great deal to me, for you are my brother and if I know anything about you then I would say that you are about to do something that you will later regret and I want to caution you against it."

Estel raised a brow, "Then pray tell what do you think that I am about to go and do?"

The ellon's face had now become shadowed in a dark frown, "You are going to go and do something incredibly foolish. I can see it in your eyes."

Both brothers had come to stop in the middle of the hall. Elladan stood with his arms crossed over his chest while Estel glared at him.

"You are about to go and start an argument with several ellyn who are more than one hundred times your elder, who are respected by everyone who live here, and who hold much power in the counsel. Tell me I am wrong."

Elladan had expected the man to protest his words, but instead he was dismayed as Estel merely nodded his head in agreement and began to continue his hurried walk down the door.

"You know me well, toron, for that is exactly what I plan to do."

The eldar watched as his youngest brother moved away from him, determination evident in his gait; it was then that a great feeling of dread began to wash over Elladan for he knew that there was nothing he could say that would convince the foolish edan to stop his reckless plan and think about what he was about to do.

"Estel!" Elladan called out after the retreating back of his brother, "Do not walk into a fight that you will never win. Do not thrust yourself into issues that are beyond you. It would be wise of you to consider your next actions very carefully."

As expected, these words fell on deaf ears and a moment later the door at the end of the hall slammed shut; it sounded like a drum that rang out of ill tidings.

Elladan cast one last look in the direction that Estel had taken before he turned on his heel and strode quickly back the way he had come. He needed to speak with his ada before it was too late and things were damaged beyond the hope of repair.

Elrohir stood quietly by one of the large windows that lined the walls of the Great Hall of Imladris. The normally joyful and welcome atmosphere felt much lessened than he would have wished for. It felt to him as though the eyes of everyone in the room were casting judgment upon him. His ada's halls no longer brought him comfort.

Yet the youngest twin would not let the glances and whispers force him away. He was here to wait for Estel lest the foolish human do something stupid after his talk with their ada. The words of Elrond still rang in Elrohir's ear as he waited by the window. He knew exactly who the eldar were that pressured the elf lord in such a manner. They were cold hearted ellyn who thought and cared nothing for anything but their own desires. They hungered for power and they would do anything to get it.

Elrohir's head jerked up as he heard the door at the end of the Great Hall slam shut with a loud boom that resonated through the room. He knew exactly who it was even before he turned around, for only one in all of Imladris caused such a commotion wherever he went. It had to be Estel.

The younger twin set eyes on the human and immediately knew that things were not going to go as smoothly as he had hoped. He could already tell the dark aura that seemed to radiate off of the man even from across the room.

He needed to stop Estel before he did anything he would later regret. However, Elrohir only managed to take one step towards his brother before he heard the young human call out,

"Omalaern!"

Estel's voice sounded loud in the stillness of the Great Hall and much to Elrohir's dismay all heads then turned to stare at the man.

"You have taken things too far this time. How could you betray both your Lord and also your own kin with such evil and corrupted intentions and demands?"

The ellon whom Estel had addressed stood up from his seat by the fire and stepped towards the human, dark eyes filling with anger.

"What is the meaning of this edan?" The last word was spat out, "What is it that I have done that has led you to shout and accuse me of evil deeds when you know not of what you speak?"

Elrohir realized that his time to deescalate the situation was rapidly drawing to an end and quickly surged forward even as Estel said,

"Gen fuion! Dôl gín cofn!"

There were shocked murmurs and gasps that traveled around the room as the insults reached everyone's ears. Elrohir cursed under his breath. Why did Estel have to make everything so difficult? He swore that he spent half of his time cleaning up after his brother's messes.

"You dare to insult me!"

Elrohir stopped in his tracks as the malicious words left Omalaern's mouth and watched with great dread as the ellon drew his sword and leveled it at Estel's chest.

Somewhere in the Dunland

Rúnath narrowed his eyes as he noticed the elven stranger riding steadily towards him. The Noldo slowed his steed to a stop and put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Ever since he had been banished from Imladris four years ago he had been growing increasingly wary of any who crossed his paths out here on the wide plains. Any one of them could prove to be his enemy and he did not want to take any chances.

"Peace mellon," the stranger called out as he drew near, "I mean you no harm and only wish to speak with you and inquire of where you are traveling from."

The lightly accented elvish instantly brought to Rúnath's mind a picture of the young Greenwood prince. The very one who had led to him getting banished in the first place. The eldar gritted his teeth at the thought.

"Stay back for I neither wish to speak with nor have any dealing with your kind."

"My kind?"

Rúnath's hand tightened on his sword, "Yes your kind. I wish nothing well on anyone from that accursed realm."

"You mean the Greenwood I assume?" the stranger had now drawn near enough that Rúnath could make out the Silvan's face.

"You people have caused me nothing but death and sorrow. So, unless you wish to feel the bite of my sword, I would suggest that you move on."

"Or perhaps we can find common ground for I too am a wanderer and have no place to call home or to rest my head," Rúnath said nothing, "I am willing to offer you a proposition. If you help me get what I want then I can help you get what you desire."

"And what is it that you think I desire so much as to help the likes of you?"

The stranger's eyes glinted with a strange light, "Revenge. I can get you revenge on the house of Thranduil."

Rúnath's eyes widened slightly, "And why would I even listen to what you are about to say?"

"Because without me," the Silvan elf continued, "You will remain an outcast for the rest of your long life. I know this is what you want."

Rúnath slowly drew his hand away from his sword, "And who might you be that you can give me such a thing?"

A smile began to form on the stranger's face, "My name is Rívorn."

Elvish Translations:

ada – dad

ion – son

ion nín – my son

toron – brother

gen fuion – you disgust me (Sindarin insult)

dôl gín cofn – your head is empty (Sindarin insult)

mellon – friend