velyn froze. Her last encounter with the twins had been... unpleasant to say the least. She knew that they had to have heard about her affairs in Mirkwood and she really wasn't quite ready to face them again. Glorfindel had a hand on her wrist, but his grip was loose enough that she knew she could break free if she wanted to. In fact, she was halfway to breaking away when one of the twins, Elladan, spoke.
"Evelyn!" He waved his hand frantically. "It's great to see you but where in Eru's name have you been and what in Eru's name was that?!"
Elrohir sharply elbowed his brother as they approached, shooting him a glare of annoyance that only siblings were capable of before turning to Evelyn, a slightly calculating look in his eyes.
"He means, it's good to see you again Lady Evelyn... our Ada told us about-" he paused when he realized how much Evelyn stiffened at hearing her name.
"Don't," the words came out sharply. "Please just... Raven is fine." After the realization about her heritage, Evelyn found that she couldn't stand to hear others in Middle Earth call her by that name. It no longer felt like it was hers.
"Oh, of course Raven, just like old times," Elladan's smile was a but forced, but Evelyn couldn't really blame him. "My brother is right though. It's good to see you again, the valley felt lonely without you and I missed watching you disarm Elrohir with your blades."
As Elladan chatted however, Elrohir appeared to be staring strangely at Glorfindel before suddenly gasping. By some weird twin telepathy thing, Elladan abruptly stopped speaking as well, both twins becoming very still.
"Glorfindel," Elrohir began slowly. "Your scars... they're-"
"Gone," he smiled warmly.
"But they're-"
"Marks to your Fea. It-"
"Shouldn't be possible-"
"Not in Middle Earth."
The twins were so rushed in their speech that they ended up cutting each other off and finishing each others' sentences. While it wasn't as jarring as it had been the first time they did it, it was still a bit strange to Evelyn. Glorfindel, having helped raise the twins, seemed to take it all in stride.
"Elenya is the answer to the prophesy... it seems she doesn't answer to the rules."
"How did you-" Elrohir started.
"I don't know... I just," Evelyn honestly wasn't sure what, how, or why she did it... but it just felt right. One moment she was staring at the scars that had been made in her presence, the next, she had her hand on him and everything just felt... right. "I don't know."
It was as honest of an answer as she could give. Beneath the glare of the sun, standing on the compacted dirt of the twins' secret training grounds, everything felt surreal. The birds had fallen silent during when Evelyn was doing... whatever she did to Glorfindel and now they were singing without a care.
"I see Nightshade is well," Elladan attempted to break the tense silence.
He got a growl in response.
Nightshade was perhaps not the most please with the twins, but she had been the one to almost die that last time they were near each other. The wolf, much like her companion, was not the quickest to forgive.
There are two of them, Nightshade's thoughts bloomed in Evelyn's mind. Are you sure I cannot eat at least one?
No, Evelyn replied. She was pretty sure that Nightshade was being sarcastic, but only "pretty sure," it was always hard to tell with the wolf.
What about an arm... if I didn't get to eat The Pup-Slayer than can I at least have a taste of one of them.
No.
How about I scare them a little. Maybe a hand? Evelyn was facing Nightshade as they had their mental spat and thus, she missed the strange looks she was getting from the twins as she stood still, her eyes locked on the wolf's.
"You're not eating either of them," the last comment slipped aloud as she threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Eating either of them?" Elladan parroted back.
"She hasn't forgiven you from the debacle with Legolas and she was asking permission to bite one your hands off," Evelyn couldn't help but roll her eyes. Somehow though, Nightshade always knew how to cheer her up. Sometimes it meant demanding to be pet as a distraction, sometimes it meant leaping on her back to play fight as a way to burn off steam, and sometimes it meant a sarcastic argument to cut the tension.
Just a nibble.
"Wait, Nightshade said that she wants to eat us?!" Elladan sounded mildly alarmed.
"Relax, she's joking," Evelyn shot Nightshade a look.
Mostly.
"She speaks?" Elrohir asked.
Before it could get more awkward, they were interrupted by Erestor.
"Lord Glorfindel," Erestor stood at the edge of the training field, his back straight and his eyes scanning the other elf, widening slightly before he schooled his features. "Lord Elrond wishes to speak with you immediately... privately," he added when it looked like he was about to drag Evelyn with him.
"I-" Glorfindel began.
"It's fine," Evelyn was dusting herself off at this point, having stood when the twins first approached. "I promise I'll keep Nightshade from eating the twins."
For now...
"I'll see you at supper," Glorfindel appeared reluctant to leave her alone.
Evelyn waved him off. If worse came to worse, she and Nightshade could ditch the twins and find a tree that liked them. She didn't need a babysitter.
Supper was an awkward affair.
Elrond had discussed the revealed information with Glorfindel and his old friend had a few ideas in regards to the "Ents" and "Hurons" that were supposed to help turn the tide of the war. Now, the table was set for six: himself, Glorfindel, Erestor, Evelyn, Elladan, and Elrohir. They were dining in Elrond's private rooms as he had a feeling that this would be a conversation best to be had in private.
The table was set in the room that Elrond usually used to receive visitors. It was cozy with a cheerful fireplace and arching windows that overlooked the orchards and gardens of the valley. The sun was just beginning to set and thus, bright crimson and orange swirled on the horizon. Elrond could tell from the scent of sweat and dust that Evelyn had been training with both Glorfindel and the twins. Just like his sons, she seemed to be much calmer after the mock battles. Elrond hated to break the easy peace that had fallen on the scene, but they still had much work to do.
"Tell me Evelyn- or Raven if you prefer," he couldn't help but notice the way she stiffened at hearing her name. "What do you know of the Ents?"
"The Ents?" She looked confused for a moment, looking towards her wolf who was eating her own meal on the floor by Evelyn's feet.
When Elrond sent the meal request into the kitchen with a side note asking for them to bring a raw leg of deer, the kitchen staff sent a runner up to ask Elrond in person if he actually wanted a raw leg of deer or if the note had been forged by one of his sons in an attempted prank. The fact that his staff was still suspicious that his sons, who were technically old enough to inherit his title and role in Imladris, were playing pranks was a slight concern. But, Elrond had bigger problems at the moment.
"Yes... they are a race we've never heard of."
"You, Elrond, great Loremaster of the Noldor, have never heard of the Ents?"
"I'm afraid not."
Raven looked stunned.
"Would they happen to be creations of Yavanna?" Glorfindel inquired.
Raven nodded and a series of glances passed between Elrond, Glorfindel, and Erestor. Eventually, their silent argument ended with Glorfindel being the seemingly chosen one to deliver the news.
"The Sundering," he said with a single exhale, trying to convey the meaning in that one title. Unfortunately, it seemed that Raven was not familiar with the ancient tale and Glorfindel was forced to explain in detail. "The Sundering was an event that took place before Middle Earth was fully formed. The Valar Yavanna and Aule were betrothed when Aule crafted his children, the dwarves. Despite it being forbidden, Eru, in his mercy, granted them with life, real and independent life as only Eru can grant."
"Yes... I've heard the story," Raven said.
"But that's not the end..." Glorfindel continued. "Yavanna grew afraid that Aule's children, having no love or regard for the land, would destroy her creations. She went to Eru and pled her case, begging that he would grant life to creatures of her own... protectors of her creations."
"Ya, those are the Ents and Hurons."
"Except he did not grant them life," Elrond said when it appeared that Glorfindel was stuck.
"Unlike Aule who sought forgiveness, Yavanna made the mistake of asking permission and she was denied by Eru. She then went to Aule and pleaded with him to change his children, his dwarves, and give them a concern for the creatures of the earth... he refused. Thus, Yavanna broke their betrothal and there came the Sundering."
"And ancient fault shall be reconciled," Erestor repeated the ancient prophesy.
The table fell silent. Elrond could practically feel the fury as it rolled off Raven in waves. In truth, he understood. In the version of the story that she knew... it seemed that the Ents and Hurons were formed as guardians who then rose up in the coming war. Instead, she was now learning that she was supposed to somehow fit in their place.
Just as the rage seemed to rise too high, as Elrond's ring began to hum slightly as it did when warning him of magic, Glorfindel moved his hand to cover Raven's. It was a small gesture, one not uncommon between friends. But, it seemed to instantly calm her. Raven's breathing slowed and evened, her shoulders relaxed, and her eyes lingered on one blink. Then, she looked to her wolf, engaging in that sort of silent communication that Elrond had become accustom to observing when she dressed the table.
"If there are no Ents or Hurons and the Rohirrim are left on their own, then the battle of Helm's Deep may be lost." She held up a hand to prevent interruptions. "Lorien, Mirkwood, and Dale will all be attacked as well. The only realm spared from a direct assault and therefore able to spare soldiers is Imladris. So I'll as you, how many warriors are you willing to send?"
"I cannot demand my people fight for a world they are leaving," Elrond spoke carefully.
He saw the way Raven's mouth opened, about to protest, when she was cut off my Glorfindel.
"I can think of three score who would volunteer, another four who would march if I asked them to."
Raven nodded her head and Elrond really couldn't think of a protest to that. It seemed settled, Glorfindel and the twins would work to rouse what warriors they could to march to Helm's Deep. Hopefully they would arrive in time to be of aid in the battle.
"And where are you going?" Glorfindel asked Raven who seemed to have been avoiding the topic of her plans.
"To Isengard," she replied.
"Then I'm coming with you," Glorfindel said.
"No," Evelyn slammed her fist on the table, creating a shockwave that shook the room. It was obviously unintentional as she seemed just as surprised as everyone else. She slowly withdrew her hand and shook her head, her voice softer but no less firm. "Absolutely not. Saruman wants you. There's no way you're getting anywhere near him."
"I can't let you go alone."
"I will be flying and Nightshade runs faster than any horse," she spoke with a certain amount of finality in her tone, a razor sharp edge used only by those who knew that the argument was already won. "If you try to follow you'll be wasting your time and help no one. Gather an army and march on Helm's Deep. After the battle is won I'll meet you in Minas Tirith. Tomorrow, Nightshade and I make our way to Isengard."
"And what do you plan on doing?"
"I have a score to settle with the wizard."
Elrond's sleep was troubled. His dreams flew past, flashes, images of fates for the future. Each was more grim than the last.
There was the scene of a great battle, armies of men and elves fought side by side as they had once in the Last Alliance. But, the scene was set at a pair of great black gates. Standing atop one was Glorfindel. The ancient Lord was dressed in his finest armor, smoke blacking the silver and yet his golden, unbound hair still shone. His blade was like a rive of silver as it swiped through the air, striking at the foul mounts of the Nazgul.
Then, from behind him, came another of the beasts.
Elrond felt his breath catch in his throat as he tried to scream a warning as his old friend, but it was too late. The creature came from behind and latched its claws into the golden warrior, lifting him into the air.
Glorfindel released a scream of pain as he dropped his sword, blood running down his back where the creature's claws had cleaved their path. The beast was rising into the air, far too high for even the finest elvish archers to even dream of hitting. Then, just as the creature seemed to be high enough to kiss the clouds, it dropped Glorfindel.
It was like time itself slowed as the speck of shining silver and gold fell, tumbling down faster and faster until he hit the earth so hard, a crater formed as one does when a star falls from the heavens.
No creature, not even and elf born in Valinor, could survive such a fall.
There was a flash and the scene changed.
It was an image wouldn't leave him, a dream that he had had many times before. It was Imladris.
Burning
Fire and smoke surrounded him as he ran through his precious halls, his home that he opened up for anyone who came in peace. His refuge where survivors of the Last Alliance lived together, finally finding peace amongst the aftermath of centuries of war. The marble of Imladris was blackened with smoke, tapestries were set alight, elves were running, screaming, crying out in pain and fear.
Orks
Uruk-hai
Foul beasts surged all around as they slaughtered his kin. Elrond watched, helpless as everything around him burned, black and red blood splattering all around.
Then, in the midst of the smoke was Raven- Evelyn.
She wore blackened armor, her swords were dripping with viscous fluid, and her wolf was at her heels. The smoke and chaos surged around her as if it were a part of her.
He awoke with a gasp.
For several moments he remained still, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm himself. He looked out the window towards the sky, looking at the stars. He searched for his father among them and sent a silent prayer.
Please... do not allow this to come to pass.