Hey everyone! I just want you to know if you feel like I'm leaving a character out too much let me know. I know I haven't done much about Elladan aside from brief moments but you will see why here in a few chapters. But if there is anyone else you feel like your missing out on let me know!
Erestor's heart thumps loudly in his chest as he stands among the long-dead orcs splayed on the path around him. The rainstorm from a few days ago had washed away a majority of the blood but some of the thick black liquid is still staining the dirt. Twenty-three bodies litter the forest floor proof that the two wayward elves had not gone down without a valiant fight. Although he pays the deceased creatures little mind, his cool eyes unable to leave the barren spot of ground in the middle of the carnage. A dark patch stares at him that would nearly resemble all the other blood spots were it not for the reddish tint it still holds.
He questions for only a moment who it belongs to, the answer seems blatantly obvious. There is no other sign they had been injured, in fact, the few day's old stain is the only proof they had even been here. He knows it likely belongs to the golden-haired warrior. He never backed down from a fight no matter the odds if it meant protecting those he cares about. While some see it as an admirable trait Erestor can only see it as a fatal flaw. For has the young warrior not given his life once already, has he not proven himself to the Valar enough to earn a reprieve from suffering. No matter how much time he spends trying to talk sense into his friend, the Vanya will likely never abandon his self-sacrificing ways. It makes his throat tight and eyes burn, irritation then pooling in his stomach as he wipes away the angry, hot tears before they can fall. If only Glorfindel would heed his advice if only he would listen. Maybe his friend would have attempted fleeing with the twins rather than standing up to fight. He knows it's irrational to be upset with the age-old warrior but the fear that has been consuming him for the past two days has slowly turned to rage. With no orcs nearby for him to slaughter he can only turn his anger inwards, cursing everything that has lead to this. Lead to him standing before the dried blood of his best friend without a single sign he is still alive.
He briefly recalls when Glorfindel had asked him if he wanted to come on the journey as well. He had politely declined as there was work he needed to finish and the thought of traveling with the twins even on such a short journey didn't necessarily sound pleasant in his mind. Though now he wishes more than anything he had agreed. If he had been there when the orcs attacked them, maybe he could have offered help. Maybe he could have made sure they didn't end up being taken by such despicable beings. At the very least he wouldn't be standing here, feeling altogether lost and like somehow this is his fault no matter how irrational he knows that may be.
A warm hand settling on his shoulder causes the advisor to jump from his thoughts, dark stormy eyes meeting the worried ones of Elrond. "Despite the rain, it did not wash away the path, we will find them," he comforts, but his words do little to ease the advisors roaring emotions.
"He wanted me to go with them. I know I'm not a warrior like Glorfindel but I can't help but feel if I wouldn't have been so stubborn to stay behind and enjoy the comforts of home, perhaps things would have played out differently," Erestor speaks openly knowing if there is one person he can confide in when his best friend is not around, it is the wise elven lord.
"If you had been with them you likely would have been captured as well mellon. As much help as you think it may have been it is much better that I will have your assistance when we find them," he reassures seriously, before looking away with a sigh, "I to wish I had been with them Erestor. My son was taken and I was not there to protect him as I had sworn to his mother. But where then would we be? If they were able to apprehend Elrohir and Glorfindel would one sword more have truly made the difference or would it have left us with one more lost as well?"
The words strike Erestor as he realizes the truth of them. If he had been here the day of the attack he would have simply been taken along with his other two friends, so would anyone else that could have possibly taken the journey as well. The only way things could have been different was if they had left with a small company, which at the time had seemed entirely unnecessary and absurd. No, Elrond is quite right as usual. It is much better, that in the end he or the elven Lord himself had not been there. They would have still been few against many. Now here they are scouring through the woods with sixty horsemen, the irony is not lost to him.
"You have always spoken words of calming wisdom Elrond. While my nerves shall continue to fray until I see Elrohir and Glorfindel alive, I can at least find peace in the knowledge that I will be able to be at your side to mend their wounds when we find them," Erestor returns once more glancing towards the taunting red stain in the dirt. They will surely have their work cut out for them when the two elves are finally found. He just thanks the Valar for quick healing and strong magic.
"Come it is time we continue on. We have clear tracks to follow and many hours of daylight to aid us, we should not delay here longer," Elrond says after a few moments forcing the advisor's dark eyes away from the ground. He does not say anything, a simple nod his only response before heading towards Luinefalle. She watches him approach attentively sticking out her nose to nestle him softly when he approaches causing some of the icy fear around his heart to melt as he pets her with a smile.
"I know you are likely tired my friend for we have not stopped long and you are not used to such treks but Glorfindel and Elrohir are in need. I promise to give you fresh apples to your heart's desire when we return home," he promises before climbing into the saddle. He takes only a moment to ensure the lead tying Asfaloth to his mare is secure, knowing the loyal white horse would follow faithfully behind without it either way. Although he does not want to risk Glorfindel's horse running off on him if they run across orcs, they could not spare the time nor people to chase the stallion down if that were to happen.
The troops are gathered once more and riders atop much quicker and lean horses than all the others are sent ahead to scout directions flanking from the path lest they miss anything in favor of staying on the road. The horses, while having little rest, move steadily in a long snaking line as the trees have begun to close in around them thinning the path.
Erestor once more rides a little ways from the front on Elrond's right while Elladan, still much quieter than the advisor has ever seen before, sits on his father's left. They do not speak as they ride, voices from the back flittering through the woods to fill any silence there would have been. Deep tracks are still imprinted deeply in the path that guides them forward.
Deeper ruts in the road are filled with water from the long-dispersed rainstorm forming small clear pools disturbed by the few riders whose horses walk carelessly through them. As he watches the mirrors break, splashing up with ripples running to the edge of its cage he finds himself lost in a memory from only a handful of decades ago.
The air is warm despite night having crept up many hours ago, the moon sitting high upon the sky amongst the brilliant stars. He had woken some time ago unable to find sleep after a nightmare. While they have been growing much less frequent, some nights he still wakes with trembling muscles and terror gripping his heart. On those nights he seeks his usual spot of quiet solace that only a few other know and only one ever visits at night like him. As he approaches the trees and hedges that hide the peaceful pond and one lone bench from view a voice rises through the air. It is neither loud nor quiet. It could not wake nor reach the ears of any in their homes or wandering the many halls. Although any within the area could easily hear the angry cries followed by the peculiar sound of something splashing into the water. He freezes for only a moment, debating whether to continue or not. Rather unsure if he should disturb what sounds like a rather foul-tempered Vanyarin lest he wants to be on the other end of it. He creeps forward carefully peeking around the edge of the hedge. He can not leave in good faith without at least making sure his friend will be okay.
Glorfindel stands near the edge of the pond, his head raised to the stars as he speaks; only stopping to occasionally chuck a stone into the serene pool and break its mirror-like surface. He stands so close to the water that as it ripples to the shore it laps at the golden warrior's weathered brown boots, licking at the toes and staining them a shade darker. A frown tugs at his lips slightly when he hears the slight slur in his friend's words, quickly noting the discarded empty bottles of wine by the bench. It is not often that the Vanya turns to drink as a means of comfort and only occurs on the nights he struggles the most. Which thankfully are becoming few and far between. Truthfully Erestor has not seen his friend in such a state for some time and it has him completely forgetting the nightmare that had originally brought him here when another hoarse shout echoes through the night causing his heart to ache horribly in his chest.
"Why Ulmo must you mock so. Do you punish me for Manwe choosing the wrong warrior when it should be Ecthelion gazing upon your cool waters and not me?" Silence falls for a second before another rock is angrily thrown shattering the calm water. "You know it was not my choice, I did not wish to be brought back when my actions could never account to his."
A shuddered breath escapes the golden elf as he throws the final stone grasped in his hands his next words ringing much quieter, "I am not the mighty hero they think me to be." No longer able to stand by while his friend is obviously suffering, Erestor steps from behind the hedge speaking soft but with fiery conviction that has the older elf turning in slight shock at the sudden company.
"It matters not if you were a hero Glorfindel, the Valar choose you because they knew you could guide us through these dark times without hesitance. They knew you would not allow Sauron and his forces to destroy the sanctuaries we've worked so hard to create after his and Morgoth's reign of terror."
"You think Ecthelion could not have handled matters just as well if not better than I?" the Vanya spits in a cold tone that is nothing like the usual light lilt of his words. He shakes his head, looking away suddenly as he speaks but a whisper so soft it barely reaches the advisor's ears, "I should not be here."
"Have you never thought he would likely feel the same if he truly were here instead?" Erestor questions causing the golden elf to frown in thought as he thinks on the words. The advisor walks cautiously to his friend's side before turning his dark eyes to the deep pond. A sigh escapes him as he gazes upon the still surface, "I believe the Valar were cruel yet very wise in their decision."
"How so?" Glorfindel asks some of the heat has faded leaving somber weariness behind. Erestor takes a moment to contemplate how to best phrase his words. These are thoughts he's held silent for centuries, for there has never been the appropriate time to bring such things up. He glances towards the stars for support finding their brilliant lights easily give him the strength to speak.
"You have been here for nearly two thousand years Glorfindel yet you find little in the ways of solace and decent rest on some nights. You are old but young. Your eyes reflect stories of times that no other who walk this land have seen. Yet you move, talk, and fight with the vigor and swiftness of a young ellon whose just reached his prime and eager to see his first fight. You could fool anyone that you've lived a life of simple nobility due to your untouched skin yet I know you wake to dreams of scars received long ago that had been washed away when you were brought back anew. At times I find you profoundly confusing my friend. Yes, you enjoy your second life here but you also suffer. You want to trade places with Ecthelion yet have you not thought how it would affect him if he were truly here instead. I think the Valar knew you would grieve but perceiver. He did not need to be brought back Glorfindel because he already has been through you."
Glorfindel stands beside him quietly a confused frown settled across his face as he soaks in the young elf's words. "I had never thought of it like that," he says suddenly glancing at him in near amazement. "He was like a brother to me and I learned much from him. Things that I have in turn taught here, as long as I continue to share what I know his memory shall not fade and he will be beside me. Thank you, my friend. You have helped ease something that has plagued me horribly for much too long a time. I do not think my heart will ever heal from the loss of my beloved friend but I know I will greet him again one day in the grand halls of Valinor."
With a much lighter air surrounding them, they find themselves laughing about cherished memories shared together while tossing rocks into the pond all through the night.