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In Times of Trouble

Scribbles-on-Parchment

October 2, 2021

Chapter 11 – Taking Sides

Clang.

The sound of the two Noldor's swords clashing together sounded through the hall like a battle cry.

"What are you doing?" Elrond's face was a storm cloud of anger as he stared at his son's attacker through the interlocking sword blades, "Lower your weapon before you cause any more damage."

The council member hesitated for a moment before lowering his blade, clearly surprised to see the elf lord. Omalaern cast one more seething glance in Estel's direction before he sheathed his sword with more force than was necessary. Seeing that the threat was, for the moment, taken care of, the elf lord also lowered his own weapon. Yet he did not sheath it but instead keep it in his hand hanging visibly by his side.

"You are out of line, mellon," Elrond's voice was calm even as his grey eyes flashed a warning to the irate council member, "This is not the way to deal with whatever petty argument that you might have with my son."

"Petty argument?" Omalaern spat through gritted teeth, crossing his arms over his chest, "I have more than just a petty argument with that wretched edan that you call your son. He has not only insulted me but has also made accusations of treason against me. These are serious offenses that I cannot easily forgive. "

So, this was all centered around Estel. It was all Elrond could do to resist the urge to reach up and tear out a handful of his hair. He swore that one day that mortal would be the death of him.

"If your argument is with my youngest son then why, pray tell, is Elladan standing behind me with a bloody gash across his back. Did you also have good reason to attack him as well?"

There was a moment of silence. Omalaern's eyes took on a calculating look as if trying to decide what best to say in this situation.

"I have my reasons. Elladan stepped in front of my blade. I was merely trying to send a warning to the edan and had no intentions of harming anyone – least of all one of the eldar."

As he said this the council member looked over at where Elrohir and Estel stood and sent them a cold look as if daring them to speak out about his statement. Estel felt his temper begin to rise again as he saw the faint trace of a smirk on the elf's lips. The irritating ellon had lied to his ada's face about what had occurred and he was about to get away with it. This thought was too much for the young human. He had just opened his mouth to protest when Elrohir's elbow was driven sharply into his side causing him to gasp in at the sudden pain. He glared at his older brother who just shook his head signaling him to hold his tongue.

Thankfully Omalaern did not seem to notice this exchange as he had already turned his attention back to the elf lord. If Elrond had known of the council member's lie he did not show it and instead said,

"I understand that you have been deeply insulted by Estel's words. He spoke out of his emotions and I am sure he did not mean what he said."

"That may be my lord," Omalaern's voice was as cold as ice, "But he must take responsibility for the damage that he has caused to my reputation. He needs to learn what it truly means to be a man and to face the consequence of his actions. It was he who caused this and not I."

"He may be a man, but he is still young in years and is still inexperienced in the ways of the world. You must see this and therefore forgive this argument. There is never a good cause for violence for it will result in only harm and nothing else."

Elrond paused to allow for Omalaern to respond, but the ellon remained silent, his gaze now unreadable.

"Please allow your anger towards him to pass. I can assure you that this shall not happen again…"

"And if it does, hîr nín," the eldar said, taking a threatening step towards the elf lord, "Then know that his blood will be on your head. After all, it was you who chose to bring a human into Imladris against the will of your council. There are still many amongst your people who would gladly see the edan leave whether by his own choice or by force."

Elrond's eyes darkened at this as a crease of worry appeared on his brow, "What exactly do you mean by this? You do not have the right to decide who may remain here in the peaceful valley and who leaves. The last I checked I was still the lord and you were not."

Omalaern let a soft smile play across his lips as he shrugged before turning sharply on his heel and beginning to walk away. However, before the elf had gone far he called out over his shoulder,

"It would be good if you remember that you are the only lord of this land for only as long as the people will side with you."

"Quiet mellon nín," Elrond's voice was calm but his eyes spoke of deep anger that simmered below the cool demeanor, "I will not speak of these things here. If you have an issue with any of my judgments then you may bring them directly to me, I will not entertain them here and now. If you will excuse me."

The elf lord sheathed his sword in one swift motion and turned towards his sons. Yet Elrond did not get far before Omalaern's voice brought him to a halt.

"Do not walk away Earendilion. Your actions make you unworthy to be lord of this land and her people. It will not be long before even your sons cannot turn a blind eye to the destruction you are bringing about."

Elrohir took a threatening step towards the Noldo, a look of rage showing on his face, but Elrond held out his hand to stop his son before saying,

"Omalaern you disgrace yourself with these words. They are spoken with a wave of anger and jealousy that is not befitting of any of the firstborn. You know nothing of what you speak and therefore I think it would be wise if you held your tongue."

Everyone in the vicinity could hear the anger in Elrond's voice. Very few had ever seen the elf lord so enraged at one of his own people. Even Estel expected the council member to realize his words and keep silent, but it was not to be.

"You cannot command me, half-breed. You are not my lord any longer. I will not watch as you destroy Imladris before my eyes. You will wage war with the dark elves of Mirkwood and their treacherous king – and if you do not then I am sure even you will not be able to stop what happens next. This is something you cannot control. It is time you ceased trying."

Estel watched transfixed as his ada spun around at this comment. The Noldo's eyes were now glowing in dark light and the young human shuddered at the frightening sight. Nonetheless when Elrond spoke his voice was calm but held a power about it that could not be matched.

"You are relieved of your title as a member of the lord's council Omalaern Erthorion. Your heart grows dark with a black evil that you have let in. Now leave this place least I seek a more befitting punishment for your treasonous words."

The twins and Estel watched in fearful amazement as a bright light flashed out from Elrond's body at these words, enveloping all in the room. This act reminded the young man so closely of one that Legolas had done in the Greenwood so many years ago that for a minute he forgot who it was that stood in the middle. The white and silver light faded as quickly as it had appeared and as the room dimmed once more Estel saw his ada standing over the council member. Omalaern had collapsed to his knees and knelt holding his head as if in great pain. However, before anyone could ask what had happened, the disgraced Noldo stumbled to his feet and dashed out of the hall leaving the entire room deathly still.

"Come Elladan. I must see to your back."

His ada's calm voice snapped Elladan out of his daze. He had been so surprised by everything that had just happened that he had not noticed the ellon come alongside him. The elven lord put his hand gently on Elladan's arm and began to gently lead him out of the hall and away from the gazes of the other Noldor who had remained.

"Estel, Elrohir come as well," Elrond called out, "I have no desire for either of you to seek out any more trouble this day."

It was not long before Elladan heard the faint footfalls of his twin and the louder ones of Estel. He was glad that the edan had not put up much of a protest… yet. Perhaps it was due to the raw power they had just seen come from their ada.

As Elrond led him into the hall that led to their private quarters Elladan found the stinging pain in his back growing. While he knew it was not a fatal wound by any means, that did not stop it from bringing a crease of pain to his brow. Why in the Valar had the stupid eldar attacked him when his back was turned? It was a coward's move and not one that he had ever expected to see from one of his kin.

"How are you, ion nín?"

"Fine. It surprised me is all. It is but a mere scratch."

"A mere scratch that I will see to nonetheless."

Silence once again settled on the group as they walked through the quiet halls. It was not long after that Elladan found himself in his room. He sighed in relief as Elrond helped him sit on a low bench by his bed. The sun was streaming in and the sounds of birds could be heard through the open windows. While this would normally have brought peace and calm to the eldar, Elladan found himself troubled. It was as if the air itself had taken on a troubling hint. It reminded him so much of the forests of the Greenwood that he could not help but shudder. Would his home also be doomed to fall as the Woodland realm had?

As his ada began to examine his back, Elladan looked around his room in search of his brothers. He relaxed a little as he saw his twin standing by the closed door to his room as if he were guarding it. Estel was standing a little way by one of the large windows that overlooked the gardens. His face was dark with emotion but he had still yet to say a word. Elladan could read the human's face clearly and sighed as he saw the guilt and anger that tore at him. He almost felt…

Sharp stinging pain in his back dashed all of the eldar's thoughts as he let out a hiss of pain. He felt Elrond's hands gently run over the length of his wound checking to see the severity of it.

"Lift your arms ion nín."

The command was loud in the stillness of the room and worked to jolt everyone back to the present.

"You must have him banished ada," Elrohir's voice came suddenly from behind even as Elladan lifted his arms for his tunic to be removed, "You cannot let him get away with those treasonous things he said to you. If you think he is growing dark then send him far away from here. Do not let us become like Thra…"

"You need to have the other council members evaluated as well," Estel cut in, "How do we know no one else has been poisoned by evil?"

Elladan closed his eyes, trying to ignore his brothers as another jolt of pain rushed through him.

"He attacked Elladan without cause. He is a coward that needs to be punished. He does not deserve…"

"Quiet!" Elrond's voice was tense, "I will not discuss these things now."

"But ada…"

"Omalaern will be punished to the extent that his words merit, Estel. I will not discuss this any further. As for you," Elladan tensed as he waited to hear what the elf lord would say, "You need to control your temper. You are just a part of this as he is."

"But ada…"

"No Estel. It would be best if you did not speak of this matter with me until I have time to think over what I will do next."

The room stilled once more and Elladan could only close his eyes and wish that the end to this whole mess would come swiftly.

"Did you get the papers?"

Omalaern smiled as he was handed a letter sealed with Elrond's signet. The letter that would bring ruin to anything the elf lord had planned.

"Your diversions worked perfectly. Everything was there for the taking. It was too easy," The other eldar grinned too this time.

At this, a sour look crossed Omalaern's face,

"But it did come at a cost. Elrond did strip me of my position in the council."

"It matters not," a hand came out to rest on the Noldo's shoulder, "With this letter, we can finally begin."

Elvish Translations:

mellon – friend

ada – dad

hîr nín – my lord

ion nín – my son