Title: Runes
Author: Reona
Email: reona32@aol.com
Part: 5/5
Fandom: LotR
Pairing(s): Glorfindel/Elrond
Rating: R
Summary: Elrond is kidnapped by humans for his skill in reading runes. But the secret those runes tell could destroy the world.
Disclaimer: I don't own LotR. I do own this story and any odd characters that show up.
Warning: Attempted rape. I'm not nice to poor Elrond in this.
Authors Note: Uial is my creation; he's Elrond's horse. I'm guessing at the Elvish and so are you.
A huge thank you to Medmartigan for being so understanding when we found out how similar our two stories were. Go check her story, The Runelord, out right now. Very much worth the wait.
The ride to the west of the city was done at a gallop, with the riders bent low over their mount's necks. Sensing the urgency of their masters, the horses put all of their power into speed, racing across the farmland and into the trees. When the Elves slowed their mounts, Kirlad did the same. The young human looked around the forest, expecting to see a large force of Elves, but he saw nothing but the green trees. He turned to his companions and opened his mouth when he saw that they were looking upward. Kirlad raised his head in enough time to see a patch of leaves detach and land next to him. He yelped and his horse shied sideways. He stared wide eyed as the patch of leaves became an Elf with silver hair. The Elf's bright blues eyes moved over him and then looked at Glorfindel. "What news?" he demanded.
"We have acquired the help of the ruler of this city, Haldir. We are to meet with their force at a church. This young man will lead us there," answered the blond Elf.
Haldir's gaze returned to Kirlad and the young man shifted nervously. "Are you sure they can be trusted?" the Elf asked.
Kirlad scowled but the twins spoke before he could. "Yes," both dark haired Elves said together. Haldir sighed softly and then whistled. Kirlad stared as a force of 30 Elves, some dressed as Haldir and others in blue and silver, appeared from the forest. The group mounted horses that Kirlad had not seen.
"Let's go," ordered Glorfindel. He turned Asfaloth and began the trip back to Tancdor. Elrohir, an amused smile on his face, pulled on the bridle of Kirlad's horse and guided the stunned human around.
Along the roads to the city, Haldir was filled in on what they knew. The Lothlórien Elf frowned and turned to Kirlad. "What is this legend that Dameon Xavier is going after?" he asked.
"The legend of the Angel," replied Kirlad.
"The...Angel?" echoed Elladan.
Kirlad almost blushed but just shrugged his shoulders. "It's a rough translation from the old scripts. But the legend says that many thousands of years, before Man and Elf met, the tribes of Man warred with each other. One tribe of Men was mighty above all others because the Chief held a magical entity under his thrall. The being, called the Angel, would do whatever the Chief said, including destroying opposing tribes. When the Chief died of old age his son, who saw the danger the entity posed, ordered the Angel to seal Itself deep underground. It's said that if the Angel were to be freed, It would choose another master and that person would become powerful onto madness."
Four pairs of Elven eyes narrowed at Kirlad. "Exactly how powerful?" demanded Haldir.
Kirlad gulped. "It is said that the Angel could either purify the world or destroy it," he replied.
"Lovely!" groaned Elrohir.
They clattered into the main courtyard and Kirlad quickly slipped from his horse. "Come, Mother will be at the catacomb entrance," he said. He called to some servants and ordered them to take the horses to the stables. The Elven warriors fell in behind Haldir, Glorfindel, and the twins as they followed Kirlad around to the north side of the small palace. There they found a large stone building with a pointed roof, a gated yard behind it with tall trees. "Around here!" called Kirlad. He led them around the church and into the yard. Cool shade engulfed them as they entered the trees. Dark green ivy covered the ground and a stone path wondered through the yard. Kirlad hurried down it and they soon came to a small square. There they found a large fountain courtyard, the sun shining brightly into the small glen. On the far side of the yard, Meyana Trilee and her Captain stood.
Hearing them approach, Nodin turned and swept his eyes over the group. "As I suspected," he said.
Meyana, now wearing a pair of leggings and a blouse, was staring down at the ground. "How many?" she asked without looking up.
"At least two dozen, if not more, my lady," answered Nodin.
Meyana nodded. "More than enough should we run into trouble," she agreed. She reached down and grabbed a fist full of ivy in one gloved hand. Yanking hard, she pulled the plants back, revealing a gated hole in the ground. The opening was flush with the ground and had some steps leading down it, disappearing into the darkness where the sun could not reach. Old rusted bars covered the hollow.
"Lord Glorfindel, I suggest that you leave a sentry every few yards down the tunnel and another at the entrance. Oil lamps are over there," Nodin said. Elladan quickly ordered some of the Elven warriors to pick up lamps and light them.
"Mother, how are we going to find them?" asked Kirlad, lighting a lamp and handing it to her. "The catacombs are endless!"
A faint smile crossed Meyana's lips as she stared into the tunnel. "Nay, I know exactly where they are," she said. Swiftly, she kicked at the rusted lock with her boot and sent it flying off into the ivy. Nodin then yanked the iron gate up, letting it fall open. They stepped back. "Lord Glorfindel," said Meyana, gesturing into the tunnel. "You will want to take the left tunnel at the fork." Glorfindel nodded sharply and entered the tunnel, his sword ready. The twins and Haldir went next. Nodin and Kirlad followed them and then Meyana. The rest of the Elven force followed behind, leaving sentries at every 50 paces as instructed.
As the tunnels Dameon had gone through, these passages were roughly cut and spotted with algae. Glorfindel turned left at the fork as told, his certain steps making sure he did not fall as the tunnel angled downwards. "Take the stairs," ordered Meyana behind him.
Glorfindel opened his mouth to ask what stairs when the wall to his left suddenly opened into an archway. He tuned and went down the steps, the light of his lamp bouncing off the stone. "Hold on, Elrond. I'm coming," he breathed. The group continued to follow Meyana's instructions until they entered the large cavern, it's stalagmite and stalactite teeth gleaming wetly. To their right, light and noise spilled out of the smaller grotto. Glorfindel smiled.
Elrond stumbled when Dameon thrust him into the cavern that held the marble slab. Exhausted mentally and physically from another harrowing passage through the tunnels, the half-Elf fell to his knees beside the center pillar. The power around the room hummed but once again drew back from Elrond. The guards and workers with the lamps shuffled into the room and Jalen came to stand near his father.
As the human lord ran his hands over the marble slab like a lover's caress, Elrond slowly stood. He swayed slightly but remained on his feet. For some reason, he thought that the room was colder than he remembered and knew that his weakened state was affecting him harshly. Elrond watched as Dameon ran his fingers around the outline of the human figure with wings and then turned away from the slab. Dameon fished the crescent piece of silver from his waistcoat, turning it in his hands and watching the firelight dance off it. The energy in the room hummed powerfully and Elrond shivered. "Finally," whispered Dameon.
The human lord began to lower the piece toward the pillar and its slot, that snake like smile upon his face. Elrond heard a swish and belatedly recognized the sound of an arrow when the crescent piece flew out of Dameon's hand. "What?" roared the human.
"Not so fast, Dameon!" cried a female voice. Everyone turned to find the entrance to the cavern blocked. Elladan scooped up the crescent key, although he knew not what it was. Meyana glared at Dameon. "You're under arrest for kidnapping, disregard of the Moral Code of the City of Tancdor, dereliction of duty, and treason!" yelled Meyana.
"Arrest them all!" ordered Captain Nodin.
Elrond blinked as the sound of metal on metal filled the cavern. The noise rang eerily off the stone. The guards, human and Elven, met in battle and the weaponless workers quickly backed away. Jalen, sword in hand, lunged for Elrond and the half-Elf leapt back. Turning on his heel, Elrond sideswiped the young human. Jalen growled and tried to slash at the half-Elf. To Elrond's surprise, the young man with brown hair from the street appeared and clashed swords with Jalen. Suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind and Elrond felt cold steel at his throat. "Stop! Or this world will have one less Elf to worry about!" yelled Dameon.
"Hold!" roared Glorfindel, his blue eyes ablaze. The Elves stopped fighting with the humans, slowly drawing back from the ones they were facing. Haldir lifted his bow and arrow but one of the twins stopped him, shaking his dark head. Although the Lothlórien Elf could probably make the shot without harming Elrond, his family did not want to risk it.
"Dameon," growled Meyana, stepping forward. "Don't be a fool!"
"It is you who are a fool, Lady Meyana," hissed Dameon. He moved Elrond back a little, standing by the pillar. "The greatest power on Middle-Earth at your fingertips and you do nothing!
Meyana shook her head. "The Angel is an unknown, Dameon. It's dangerous!" she exclaimed.
Dameon's eyes gleamed. "Dangerous for you! But I shall master it and thus rule! All will thank me when I have set the world to rights! I will be a King! A God even!"
Meyana shook her head, sorrow filling her eyes. "You have gone mad," she said with pity. Jalen suddenly roared and leapt toward her. Meyana's hand shot out and Jalen fell back with a cry, dropping his sword and clutching his arm where a sharp stiletto dagger pierced his flesh. "Back off, Jalen!" hissed Meyana.
Dameon chuckled, disregarding the fact that his son was injured. "Give me the key," he ordered. No one moved. Dameon growled and pressed the blade harder to Elrond's skin, causing a trickle of blood to appear. The half-Elf hissed at the sting and heard one of his sons call for him. Glorfindel hissed something in Elvish, the knuckles of his sword hand white. "I want the key!" yelled Dameon.
Elrond watched at Elladan stared to slowly come forward, the silver crescent in his hands. Dameon shifted his grip on Elrond and snatched the key out of his hands. "Finally!" cried Dameon. Quickly, he slammed the crescent into the slot.
"No!" yelled Elrond and Meyana. The crescent began to glow, becoming bright white. The earth under them heaved and Dameon and Elrond were thrown apart, the knife clattering away. Dust fell from the roof and choked them. The center pillar turned into a white glowing torch. Suddenly an answering glow appeared on the marble slab. Elrond looked up from the floor, ignoring the panicked yelling of the workers. The outline of the winged figure was glowing and then started to detach from the stone.
Dameon gave a triumphant cry and stood as the shaking slowed and stopped. Finally, the form of the winged person stood separate from the marble slab, shimmering white and black as if it could not decided which color to become. The features of its face were obscure and no sex could be determined from the shape of the entity. Suddenly, two pools of blue appeared on its face, around the area where its eyes should have been. A tiny wind was moving about the room, stirring dust, clothing, and hair. "Yes!" cried Dameon. The Angel's head turned toward him then. "Yes! I am your master! I am the one!"
"You fool!" screamed Meyana. "It doesn't care who put the key in! The Angel will choose its master!" The Angel turned its head away from Dameon, its pool like eyes drifting across the room.
"No!" yelled Dameon. "No! I am the one!" He stretched out his hand but the Angel paid him no attention. "NO!"
The entity continued to turn until she was facing Elrond and then she stopped. Elrond sat still on the floor, afraid to move or even breathe. The Angel took a step toward him, although no legs could be seen in the light. The shards of white and black danced around the entity's body, swirling together. There was a humming sound and then the white parts of the Angel seemed to brighten. "What is it doing?" asked Haldir breathlessly.
Meyana smiled grimly. "I think it just chose Lord Elrond as its master," she replied.
"Ada?" hissed Elrohir. The sound seemed to snap Elrond out of his daze and the half-Elf slowly stood from the floor. As they watched, the black shards faded from the Angel's form, leaving the entity completely white. Suddenly, a hand and arm detached from the main body and rose to hang before Elrond. The half-Elf stared at the proffered hand, no one daring to move. Slowly Elrond raised his hand and opened his palm. The Angel's hand opened over his and something fell onto the half-Elf's fingers. The Angel then lowered its arm and the limb disappeared back into the main body.
Elrond looked down at the object in his hand and a small smile formed on his lips. It was the mithril butterfly that his twin brother had given him so long ago, the one that he thought his kidnappers had taken. Tears sprang to Elrond grey eyes and he looked up at the Angel. "Thank you," he said. The entity's head bobbed and the figure brightened for a moment. Elrond swallowed and glanced around the room. "You don't belong here," he told the Angel hesitantly. "This isn't your home and you don't belong here." Of all things, the Angel cocked its head, seemingly confused. "Go home," ordered Elrond. The Angel hummed and flashed, starting to move away from Elrond. It turned and began to float backward toward the slab. Elrond spun on his heel and ran to Glorfindel, being caught in the blond Elf's arms.
Glorfindel dropped his sword on the stone floor and wrapped both arms around Elrond, feeling the half-Elf tremble. His buried one hand in Elrond's dark hair and pressed a kiss to his temple. Elladan and Elrohir came to stand on either side of them, laying their hands on their father's shoulders.
"You sent it back," said Meyana, awe in her voice.
Elrond lifted his head and looked at her. "No, I sent it home," he corrected.
Dameon suddenly let out a painful shriek and lunged toward the Angel. The entity flashed and its arm flew out to the side. The human seemed to be caught in some sort of energy pulse and was thrown to the ground. He let out another insane cry as the Angel sank into the slab and disappeared, becoming an outline again. As they watched, the outline and runes on the slab faded. Then the marble slab began to splinter and fell apart, seemingly aging thousands of years in those few seconds and becoming dust on the floor. A light shaking started and a large fissure appeared in the dome ceiling. "Run!" yelled Meyana as the shaking intensified.
The lady's cry caused the others to break their astonished positions and race for the opening. The Elves herded the humans to the left and up the path that Meyana had shown them, avoiding a return trip through the Old Forgotten tunnels and the ancient mound. Glorfindel snatched up his sword and ran from the room, pulling Elrond by the hand. Captain Nodin, with an annoyed grunt, pulled Dameon from the floor and pushed him forward. "I should just leave you here," the Captain muttered. Behind them, the small grotto collapsed on itself, a cloud of dust billowing outward. A mad dash through the large cavern and up the stairs followed. They heard the hanging stalagmites in the cavern start to fall, crashing to the floor.
Finally, they emerged from the tunnel and out into the churchyard. Meyana coughed, wiping dust from her cheeks. "Captain Nodin, take Lord Dameon and his company into custody," she ordered. The lady slammed the gate to the tunnels close. "Then have a new gate constructed for this passage."
Dameon hung limply in Captain Nodin's grasp, his eyes dull. "Yes, my lady," said Nodin. With the Elves help, he escorted all of the guards and the workers into the palace.
Meyana smiled and approached where Glorfindel, Elrond, and the twins were standing. She noticed that the elder half-Elf looked a little worse for wear, a dazed look in his grey eyes. "My house is at your service, my lords. Kirlad will show you to suitable rooms," she said. Kirlad nodded with a smile, leading them down the path. Glorfindel wrapped an arm around Elrond's waist and guided him away. Haldir instructed the last of the Elven warriors away, leaving Meyana alone. The lady grimaced at her hair, which was now a chalky white with the dust from the tunnels collapsing. She sighed and then waved halfheartedly at the sky. "I don't know if you're still listening, Valar, but thanks anyway," Meyana said. The ruler of Tancdor then disappeared back into the palace.
Dusk darkened the seaside city, the moon rising from the east and stars sparkling in the sky. The people of Tancdor whispered and gossiped around the dinner table, speaking of the insane magistrate that had caused the shaking of the earth that day. They muttered about the old stories and legends and speculated on who the new magistrate would be. But in one room in the palace, no such talk was going on, for they had been there.
The twins lounged against each other, each with a piece of cake. Across from them, curled upon a couch, were Glorfindel and Elrond. The half-Elf lay comfortably in the blond Elf's arms, freshly washed and wearing a white sleeping gown. Elrond's eyes were closed, signs of fatigue in the dark circles under his eyes and the pinched skin around his mouth. "So, does this mean the Angel is gone?" asked Elrohir.
Elladan shrugged. "The marble slab where it was is destroyed. So it must be gone. Whatever it was," he replied.
"Who do you think created it?" asked Elrohir, for it must have taken someone very powerful to create the entity. The twins spoke in hushed whispered but the both heard their father's soft words.
"The Angel was one of Ilúvatar's first thoughts, created even before the Ainur," said Elrond. A yawn crept out and the half-Elf opened his eyes slightly. "It was His first recognition between good and evil and that our choices and other outside influences are what tips the scales."
"Good and evil?" echoed Elrohir. "Is that why it had white and black lights in it?"
Elrond nodded and leaned into Glorfindel's touch when the blond Elf stroked his cheek. "When the Angel chose Elrond as its master, it turned completely good. It was Elrond's grace and his influence that allowed those scales to tip in our favor," said Glorfindel. Elrond blushed a little and buried his head in Glorfindel shoulder. Glorfindel smiled and ran his fingers through the dark hair. "I believe it was the Angel's conscious choice to pick Elrond as its master and thus become good. The ability to become good or evil is in all of us, if we make that choice. Outside influences, like events in your live, can tip that choice either way."
"What if it had chosen Dameon?" asked Elladan.
Glorfindel sighed. "I have no doubt that both would have destroyed the world,"
"If Ada ordered it away, where did it go?" asked Elrohir.
"I ordered it home, my son," answered Elrond. "I suppose it returned to Ilúvatar. The entity was never meant to be here in the first place. The world has become too complex since its creation." He yawned again.
"That's it," said Glorfindel. "Time for one half-Elf to go to bed. You need to recover from the tunnels." Elrond shivered, having already told them about the Old Forgotten and the murky tunnel entrance. Glorfindel soothed him with soft touches and purrs.
The twins stood and each kissed their father on the cheek. "I was so worried about you, Ada," muttered Elrohir.
"We're glad you're safe now," said Elladan.
Elrond returned their kisses and muttered goodnights to them. The twins left the room with their own farewells and went to the rooms that Meyana Trilee and her son had provided. Glorfindel stood and lifted Elrond up into his arms, taking him to the bed. "Wake me when the sun rises," muttered Elrond, as he was lain on the bed. "I must return to Dameon's manor."
Glorfindel frowned as he pulled up the blankets. "Why would you want to return there?" he asked.
Elrond drifted on the edge of sleep. "I have a debt to repay," he whispered, falling away into dreams. Glorfindel kissed his forehead and drew away from his sleeping form.
Elrond drifted on warm currents, curled under the blankets of the bed. Bright sunshine fell across the bed, heating the cloth and Elrond's skin. The half-Elf smiled in pleasure and buried his face in the cool pillow, feeling safe for the first time in many days. Suddenly, he sat up with a gasp.
Glorfindel, sitting at the window, looked up in concern. "Elrond? What's the matter?" he asked.
Elrond threw off the sheets and hurried to the window, looking out. The bright mid-morning sun fell over the city and the half-Elf cursed. "I told you to wake me up!" yelled Elrond, hurrying into the bathing chamber.
Glorfindel followed him to find the half-Elf quickly throwing on clothing and pulling a brush through his dark hair. "You were sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to wake you," said Glorfindel. Elrond growled at him as he pulled on a tunic and belted it. "What's wrong?" said the blond Elf.
Elrond swept his hair into a loose ponytail and pinned it with his returned butterfly clasp, many locks falling free about his face. "Glorfindel, you're a prince among Elves," said Elrond. He hurried to the archway and paused to kiss the blond Elf on his lips. "But you assume too much!" Glorfindel blinked as the dark haired whirlwind spun away from him and appeared by the door, pulling on shoes. "Come on, Glorfindel!" yelled Elrond, racing out into the hall. Glorfindel was forced to grab his boots and hurry after him.
Elrond raced out into the main courtyard and was almost out of the gate into the city when a familiar whicker made him pause. "Uial?" he muttered, looking around. Glorfindel sighed as Elrond changed his director and ran to the stables. There he threw his arms around the black horse, a cry of delight on his lips. "Uial! It is you!"
Glorfindel came up behind them and rubbed the stallion's nose. "Uial followed you all the way to Tancdor, leaving a trail so that we could follow. If it had not been for him, we may never have found you," said the blond Elf.
Elrond pulled back and kissed the horse's nose. "I thank you then, Uial. Extra carrots and apples for you." The black horse let out a happy whicker and nudged his master. Elrond laughed and pulled away the rope that tied Uial to the post. Gracefully, the half-Elf mounted Uial and then pulled Glorfindel up behind him. "Come! We have to hurry!" Laying his heels to Uial's sides, he ordered the horse out into the city.
"Where are we going?" demanded Glorfindel as he clung to Elrond's waist.
"To Dameon's old manor," replied the half-Elf.
Glorfindel frowned. "But why?"
"I told you! I have a debt to repay!" said Elrond. When they reached the manor, they found that Lady Meyana and Captain Nodin were already there. The house staff and the guards were gathered in the courtyard, the lady's own guards in green directing them. "Oh no," hissed Elrond. "I hope I'm not too late."
Elrond slipped from Uial's back and waded into the crowd. Glorfindel followed him, keeping close. "Too late for what?" he asked. Elrond didn't seem to hear, his grey eyes looking left and right. Finally, Glorfindel had had enough and grabbed Elrond's arm. The half-Elf yelped as he was dragged up to where Lady Meyana and Captain Nodin were standing.
Meyana blinked as the two Elves appeared out of the crowd. "My lords? Is something the matter?" she asked. Nodin was reading from a long scroll and talking with one of his guards.
"What going on here?" asked Glorfindel. Elrond was still scanning the crowd.
"We're questioning Dameon's old staff, Lord Glorfindel," answered Meyana. "I must know how far Dameon's plans went."
Glorfindel looked over the many people in red livery in the courtyard. "What will happen to them?" he asked.
Meyana smiled. "The house staff will probably stay to serve the new magistrate but the guards will probably lose their commission. They will most likely head for Minas Tirith, who requests more men everyday."
Elrond suddenly gasped and broke away from them. Glorfindel cursed and hurried after him, a curious Meyana following. "Young champion!" cried Elrond.
A young boy turned and his eyes brightened. "King Elf!" Elrond fell to his knees and embraced the boy. The woman and man behind the boy stared, an odd daze falling over the woman's eyes. "Are you well?" asked the boy.
"Yes, Avon. I am well," replied Elrond.
Avon beamed. "Then you were rescued!" he exclaimed.
Glorfindel stood behind Elrond, confusion on his face. "Elrond, who is this?" he asked.
"Glorfindel, this is Avon and his mother Iylle, whom I met while being a guest of Dameon Xavier." Elrond smiled at the woman and she blushed once again. "Avon, Lady Iylle, this is Glorfindel, my mate and rescuer."
Avon eyed the tall blond Elf and Glorfindel got the instinct impression that he was being measured in some way he did not understand. The boy then held out his hand and Glorfindel found himself automatically shaking it. "Nice to met you, Lord Glorfindel. About time you showed up." Glorfindel smiled; he couldn't help it.
"Why did you call him 'young champion'?" asked Meyana.
Elrond smiled and rubbed Avon's head, musing his hair. "Avon showed great bravery while protecting me in the manor and thus I call him 'my young champion," replied the half-Elf.
Avon winked his nose and flipped his hand. "Aw, told ya it was nothing. Theron has always been a jerk. He shouldn't have attacked ya," said the boy.
Glorfindel felt something go cold inside himself and knelt on the ground beside Elrond. "Attacked?" he whispered as he cupped one of Elrond's cheeks. The half-Elf covered the hand on his cheek with one of his own, leaning into the touch. Their eyes locked for an endless moment and the humans around them got the feeling that they were suddenly witnessing a very private moment. Meyana and Avon's parents looked away while Avon stared with wide eyes at the Elven pair. Finally, Glorfindel closed his eyes in seemingly pain and sighed. "It appears I also own you a debt I may never be able to repay, young Avon," said the blond Elf.
Elrond smiled, all shadows of memory falling from his eyes. "I have an idea. Why don't you and your family come back to Imladris with us?"
"With you?" squeaked Avon.
Elrond laughed. "Yes, with us! I have a young mortal son that is about your age. You two should like each other very much," he said.
Avon spun and took a hand of each of his parents. "Momma? Poppa? Can we? Please?" he pleaded.
Iylle and her husband exchanged glances and then looked at the Elves. "What use could you have for us?" the man asked.
Elrond stood and smiled gently, easily recognizing the man. "I have a use for anyone. We will find you a place in Imladris," he said. His eyes saddened. "I'm sorry for what happened in the cavern," he said to the man who had been stabbed.
The man touched the shoulder Elrond had healed and smiled. "I would never have known my shoulder was injured if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," he said. "Thank you. My name is Firen."
Elrond clasped his hand firmly and smiled. "Will you come back to Imladris with us, Firen?"
Firen and Iylle exchanged glances, also looking down at the pleading gaze of their son. "My lords, I believe we will," said Firen finally. Avon howled in joy and they laughed.
As they talked, Meyana tapped Avon on the shoulder. The boy looked at the lady and she bent down to whispered carefully. "You say the guard that attacked Lord Elrond was Theron?" she asked. Avon nodded. "Thank you," said Meyana. Avon watched as the lady left them, a dark look in her eyes. Avon saw the lady stop beside Captain Nodin and begin to whisper into his ear. With a small smile, the boy rejoined his family.
Birds sang joyful songs around them and the trees swayed in delight as the Elves past below. The horses walked lazily along, feeling no hurry or urgency in their riders. Upon one horse, a woman and a young boy sat. The woman appeared to have a rather pained look upon her face. "Say it again," requested the boy.
Elladan gave a patient smile. "Mae Govannen," he repeated.
"And that's your standard greeting?" asked Avon.
"Tancave," replied Elladan.
"What?"
"Means 'yes'."
Avon groaned and dropped his head into his hands. "I'm never going to get this," he lamented.
Elrond turned to look back at the human family. "Do not worry, young champion, it took Estel many years before he could speak Elvish," he said.
Avon pulled on his hair, frustration on his face. "Will you stop calling me that!"
Elrond laughed and faced forward, a smile on his face. Besides him, a blond Elf handed him a piece of hard candy. The half-Elf took it and slipped the candy into his mouth. "Glorfindel, are you trying to make me ill with sweets?" asked Elrond.
Glorfindel smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "No, just trying to see if I can make you any sweeter," he teased. Elrond smiled and kissed him again.
"They do that a lot, don't they," said Avon in childish disgust.
"Tancave," said Elrohir. The human boy sighed in annoyance and the twins giggled.
It was not much later that they past into the boarders of Lothlórien. Most of the Lothlórien Elves broke from the group, disappearing back into the forest while the rest of them continued toward Caras Galadhon. Elrond felt a cool brush against his mind and smiled. [Get out of my head, Galadriel.] Amusement and relief filled his mind and then faded away.
The trip to the inner tree city was done leisurely and they arrived just as dusk was falling. "Ada!" cried a small voice.
Elrond slipped from Uial and knelt upon the ground, catching a child with dark hair in his arms. He gently ran his fingers through the boy's hair and smiled. "I have missed you, my son," he muttered.
"Ada, I was so worried when you didn't come back from helping the others!" exclaimed Estel. "And then Glor and Ella and Ro came back and Glor had blood all in his hair! I thought he was dead!"
"Hush, Estel, hush," soothed Elrond, rubbing his back. "All is well now." Behind him, the twins helped Iylle and Avon dismount, Firen coming to stand beside them. They were rather confused for both Elrond and Estel were speaking Elvish. Elrond glanced over his shoulder and switched to the Common Tongue. "Estel, I have someone I would like you to met," the half-Elf said. He stood and guided Estel over to Avon. "My son, this is Avon. He's going to be living with us from now on. Avon, this is my son Estel."
Avon took a big breath and tried his best to repeat the words Elladan had taught him. "May Governnen." Behind him, Elrohir pinched the bridge of his nose and tried not to laugh.
Estel stared for a moment and then blinked. "First time speaking Elvish?" he asked. Avon nodded sheepishly. Estel smiled and then swung an arm around the other boy's shoulders. "Let me help you. You've got your vowels all wrong…"Estel led Avon off, no doubt to teach him proper Elvish. The twins lay their heads together and began snickering madly.
"Erestor is going to kill me," muttered Elrond, for it would be the adviser's job to teach the new arrivals to speak Elvish.
Glorfindel wound an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from the nasty Erestor," he teased.
Elrond rolled his eyes and patted the hand on his hip. "I'm sure you will," he muttered. He turned his head slightly and kissed the corner of Glorfindel mouth. "I'm sure you will…"
Author: Reona
Email: reona32@aol.com
Part: 5/5
Fandom: LotR
Pairing(s): Glorfindel/Elrond
Rating: R
Summary: Elrond is kidnapped by humans for his skill in reading runes. But the secret those runes tell could destroy the world.
Disclaimer: I don't own LotR. I do own this story and any odd characters that show up.
Warning: Attempted rape. I'm not nice to poor Elrond in this.
Authors Note: Uial is my creation; he's Elrond's horse. I'm guessing at the Elvish and so are you.
A huge thank you to Medmartigan for being so understanding when we found out how similar our two stories were. Go check her story, The Runelord, out right now. Very much worth the wait.
The ride to the west of the city was done at a gallop, with the riders bent low over their mount's necks. Sensing the urgency of their masters, the horses put all of their power into speed, racing across the farmland and into the trees. When the Elves slowed their mounts, Kirlad did the same. The young human looked around the forest, expecting to see a large force of Elves, but he saw nothing but the green trees. He turned to his companions and opened his mouth when he saw that they were looking upward. Kirlad raised his head in enough time to see a patch of leaves detach and land next to him. He yelped and his horse shied sideways. He stared wide eyed as the patch of leaves became an Elf with silver hair. The Elf's bright blues eyes moved over him and then looked at Glorfindel. "What news?" he demanded.
"We have acquired the help of the ruler of this city, Haldir. We are to meet with their force at a church. This young man will lead us there," answered the blond Elf.
Haldir's gaze returned to Kirlad and the young man shifted nervously. "Are you sure they can be trusted?" the Elf asked.
Kirlad scowled but the twins spoke before he could. "Yes," both dark haired Elves said together. Haldir sighed softly and then whistled. Kirlad stared as a force of 30 Elves, some dressed as Haldir and others in blue and silver, appeared from the forest. The group mounted horses that Kirlad had not seen.
"Let's go," ordered Glorfindel. He turned Asfaloth and began the trip back to Tancdor. Elrohir, an amused smile on his face, pulled on the bridle of Kirlad's horse and guided the stunned human around.
Along the roads to the city, Haldir was filled in on what they knew. The Lothlórien Elf frowned and turned to Kirlad. "What is this legend that Dameon Xavier is going after?" he asked.
"The legend of the Angel," replied Kirlad.
"The...Angel?" echoed Elladan.
Kirlad almost blushed but just shrugged his shoulders. "It's a rough translation from the old scripts. But the legend says that many thousands of years, before Man and Elf met, the tribes of Man warred with each other. One tribe of Men was mighty above all others because the Chief held a magical entity under his thrall. The being, called the Angel, would do whatever the Chief said, including destroying opposing tribes. When the Chief died of old age his son, who saw the danger the entity posed, ordered the Angel to seal Itself deep underground. It's said that if the Angel were to be freed, It would choose another master and that person would become powerful onto madness."
Four pairs of Elven eyes narrowed at Kirlad. "Exactly how powerful?" demanded Haldir.
Kirlad gulped. "It is said that the Angel could either purify the world or destroy it," he replied.
"Lovely!" groaned Elrohir.
They clattered into the main courtyard and Kirlad quickly slipped from his horse. "Come, Mother will be at the catacomb entrance," he said. He called to some servants and ordered them to take the horses to the stables. The Elven warriors fell in behind Haldir, Glorfindel, and the twins as they followed Kirlad around to the north side of the small palace. There they found a large stone building with a pointed roof, a gated yard behind it with tall trees. "Around here!" called Kirlad. He led them around the church and into the yard. Cool shade engulfed them as they entered the trees. Dark green ivy covered the ground and a stone path wondered through the yard. Kirlad hurried down it and they soon came to a small square. There they found a large fountain courtyard, the sun shining brightly into the small glen. On the far side of the yard, Meyana Trilee and her Captain stood.
Hearing them approach, Nodin turned and swept his eyes over the group. "As I suspected," he said.
Meyana, now wearing a pair of leggings and a blouse, was staring down at the ground. "How many?" she asked without looking up.
"At least two dozen, if not more, my lady," answered Nodin.
Meyana nodded. "More than enough should we run into trouble," she agreed. She reached down and grabbed a fist full of ivy in one gloved hand. Yanking hard, she pulled the plants back, revealing a gated hole in the ground. The opening was flush with the ground and had some steps leading down it, disappearing into the darkness where the sun could not reach. Old rusted bars covered the hollow.
"Lord Glorfindel, I suggest that you leave a sentry every few yards down the tunnel and another at the entrance. Oil lamps are over there," Nodin said. Elladan quickly ordered some of the Elven warriors to pick up lamps and light them.
"Mother, how are we going to find them?" asked Kirlad, lighting a lamp and handing it to her. "The catacombs are endless!"
A faint smile crossed Meyana's lips as she stared into the tunnel. "Nay, I know exactly where they are," she said. Swiftly, she kicked at the rusted lock with her boot and sent it flying off into the ivy. Nodin then yanked the iron gate up, letting it fall open. They stepped back. "Lord Glorfindel," said Meyana, gesturing into the tunnel. "You will want to take the left tunnel at the fork." Glorfindel nodded sharply and entered the tunnel, his sword ready. The twins and Haldir went next. Nodin and Kirlad followed them and then Meyana. The rest of the Elven force followed behind, leaving sentries at every 50 paces as instructed.
As the tunnels Dameon had gone through, these passages were roughly cut and spotted with algae. Glorfindel turned left at the fork as told, his certain steps making sure he did not fall as the tunnel angled downwards. "Take the stairs," ordered Meyana behind him.
Glorfindel opened his mouth to ask what stairs when the wall to his left suddenly opened into an archway. He tuned and went down the steps, the light of his lamp bouncing off the stone. "Hold on, Elrond. I'm coming," he breathed. The group continued to follow Meyana's instructions until they entered the large cavern, it's stalagmite and stalactite teeth gleaming wetly. To their right, light and noise spilled out of the smaller grotto. Glorfindel smiled.
Elrond stumbled when Dameon thrust him into the cavern that held the marble slab. Exhausted mentally and physically from another harrowing passage through the tunnels, the half-Elf fell to his knees beside the center pillar. The power around the room hummed but once again drew back from Elrond. The guards and workers with the lamps shuffled into the room and Jalen came to stand near his father.
As the human lord ran his hands over the marble slab like a lover's caress, Elrond slowly stood. He swayed slightly but remained on his feet. For some reason, he thought that the room was colder than he remembered and knew that his weakened state was affecting him harshly. Elrond watched as Dameon ran his fingers around the outline of the human figure with wings and then turned away from the slab. Dameon fished the crescent piece of silver from his waistcoat, turning it in his hands and watching the firelight dance off it. The energy in the room hummed powerfully and Elrond shivered. "Finally," whispered Dameon.
The human lord began to lower the piece toward the pillar and its slot, that snake like smile upon his face. Elrond heard a swish and belatedly recognized the sound of an arrow when the crescent piece flew out of Dameon's hand. "What?" roared the human.
"Not so fast, Dameon!" cried a female voice. Everyone turned to find the entrance to the cavern blocked. Elladan scooped up the crescent key, although he knew not what it was. Meyana glared at Dameon. "You're under arrest for kidnapping, disregard of the Moral Code of the City of Tancdor, dereliction of duty, and treason!" yelled Meyana.
"Arrest them all!" ordered Captain Nodin.
Elrond blinked as the sound of metal on metal filled the cavern. The noise rang eerily off the stone. The guards, human and Elven, met in battle and the weaponless workers quickly backed away. Jalen, sword in hand, lunged for Elrond and the half-Elf leapt back. Turning on his heel, Elrond sideswiped the young human. Jalen growled and tried to slash at the half-Elf. To Elrond's surprise, the young man with brown hair from the street appeared and clashed swords with Jalen. Suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind and Elrond felt cold steel at his throat. "Stop! Or this world will have one less Elf to worry about!" yelled Dameon.
"Hold!" roared Glorfindel, his blue eyes ablaze. The Elves stopped fighting with the humans, slowly drawing back from the ones they were facing. Haldir lifted his bow and arrow but one of the twins stopped him, shaking his dark head. Although the Lothlórien Elf could probably make the shot without harming Elrond, his family did not want to risk it.
"Dameon," growled Meyana, stepping forward. "Don't be a fool!"
"It is you who are a fool, Lady Meyana," hissed Dameon. He moved Elrond back a little, standing by the pillar. "The greatest power on Middle-Earth at your fingertips and you do nothing!
Meyana shook her head. "The Angel is an unknown, Dameon. It's dangerous!" she exclaimed.
Dameon's eyes gleamed. "Dangerous for you! But I shall master it and thus rule! All will thank me when I have set the world to rights! I will be a King! A God even!"
Meyana shook her head, sorrow filling her eyes. "You have gone mad," she said with pity. Jalen suddenly roared and leapt toward her. Meyana's hand shot out and Jalen fell back with a cry, dropping his sword and clutching his arm where a sharp stiletto dagger pierced his flesh. "Back off, Jalen!" hissed Meyana.
Dameon chuckled, disregarding the fact that his son was injured. "Give me the key," he ordered. No one moved. Dameon growled and pressed the blade harder to Elrond's skin, causing a trickle of blood to appear. The half-Elf hissed at the sting and heard one of his sons call for him. Glorfindel hissed something in Elvish, the knuckles of his sword hand white. "I want the key!" yelled Dameon.
Elrond watched at Elladan stared to slowly come forward, the silver crescent in his hands. Dameon shifted his grip on Elrond and snatched the key out of his hands. "Finally!" cried Dameon. Quickly, he slammed the crescent into the slot.
"No!" yelled Elrond and Meyana. The crescent began to glow, becoming bright white. The earth under them heaved and Dameon and Elrond were thrown apart, the knife clattering away. Dust fell from the roof and choked them. The center pillar turned into a white glowing torch. Suddenly an answering glow appeared on the marble slab. Elrond looked up from the floor, ignoring the panicked yelling of the workers. The outline of the winged figure was glowing and then started to detach from the stone.
Dameon gave a triumphant cry and stood as the shaking slowed and stopped. Finally, the form of the winged person stood separate from the marble slab, shimmering white and black as if it could not decided which color to become. The features of its face were obscure and no sex could be determined from the shape of the entity. Suddenly, two pools of blue appeared on its face, around the area where its eyes should have been. A tiny wind was moving about the room, stirring dust, clothing, and hair. "Yes!" cried Dameon. The Angel's head turned toward him then. "Yes! I am your master! I am the one!"
"You fool!" screamed Meyana. "It doesn't care who put the key in! The Angel will choose its master!" The Angel turned its head away from Dameon, its pool like eyes drifting across the room.
"No!" yelled Dameon. "No! I am the one!" He stretched out his hand but the Angel paid him no attention. "NO!"
The entity continued to turn until she was facing Elrond and then she stopped. Elrond sat still on the floor, afraid to move or even breathe. The Angel took a step toward him, although no legs could be seen in the light. The shards of white and black danced around the entity's body, swirling together. There was a humming sound and then the white parts of the Angel seemed to brighten. "What is it doing?" asked Haldir breathlessly.
Meyana smiled grimly. "I think it just chose Lord Elrond as its master," she replied.
"Ada?" hissed Elrohir. The sound seemed to snap Elrond out of his daze and the half-Elf slowly stood from the floor. As they watched, the black shards faded from the Angel's form, leaving the entity completely white. Suddenly, a hand and arm detached from the main body and rose to hang before Elrond. The half-Elf stared at the proffered hand, no one daring to move. Slowly Elrond raised his hand and opened his palm. The Angel's hand opened over his and something fell onto the half-Elf's fingers. The Angel then lowered its arm and the limb disappeared back into the main body.
Elrond looked down at the object in his hand and a small smile formed on his lips. It was the mithril butterfly that his twin brother had given him so long ago, the one that he thought his kidnappers had taken. Tears sprang to Elrond grey eyes and he looked up at the Angel. "Thank you," he said. The entity's head bobbed and the figure brightened for a moment. Elrond swallowed and glanced around the room. "You don't belong here," he told the Angel hesitantly. "This isn't your home and you don't belong here." Of all things, the Angel cocked its head, seemingly confused. "Go home," ordered Elrond. The Angel hummed and flashed, starting to move away from Elrond. It turned and began to float backward toward the slab. Elrond spun on his heel and ran to Glorfindel, being caught in the blond Elf's arms.
Glorfindel dropped his sword on the stone floor and wrapped both arms around Elrond, feeling the half-Elf tremble. His buried one hand in Elrond's dark hair and pressed a kiss to his temple. Elladan and Elrohir came to stand on either side of them, laying their hands on their father's shoulders.
"You sent it back," said Meyana, awe in her voice.
Elrond lifted his head and looked at her. "No, I sent it home," he corrected.
Dameon suddenly let out a painful shriek and lunged toward the Angel. The entity flashed and its arm flew out to the side. The human seemed to be caught in some sort of energy pulse and was thrown to the ground. He let out another insane cry as the Angel sank into the slab and disappeared, becoming an outline again. As they watched, the outline and runes on the slab faded. Then the marble slab began to splinter and fell apart, seemingly aging thousands of years in those few seconds and becoming dust on the floor. A light shaking started and a large fissure appeared in the dome ceiling. "Run!" yelled Meyana as the shaking intensified.
The lady's cry caused the others to break their astonished positions and race for the opening. The Elves herded the humans to the left and up the path that Meyana had shown them, avoiding a return trip through the Old Forgotten tunnels and the ancient mound. Glorfindel snatched up his sword and ran from the room, pulling Elrond by the hand. Captain Nodin, with an annoyed grunt, pulled Dameon from the floor and pushed him forward. "I should just leave you here," the Captain muttered. Behind them, the small grotto collapsed on itself, a cloud of dust billowing outward. A mad dash through the large cavern and up the stairs followed. They heard the hanging stalagmites in the cavern start to fall, crashing to the floor.
Finally, they emerged from the tunnel and out into the churchyard. Meyana coughed, wiping dust from her cheeks. "Captain Nodin, take Lord Dameon and his company into custody," she ordered. The lady slammed the gate to the tunnels close. "Then have a new gate constructed for this passage."
Dameon hung limply in Captain Nodin's grasp, his eyes dull. "Yes, my lady," said Nodin. With the Elves help, he escorted all of the guards and the workers into the palace.
Meyana smiled and approached where Glorfindel, Elrond, and the twins were standing. She noticed that the elder half-Elf looked a little worse for wear, a dazed look in his grey eyes. "My house is at your service, my lords. Kirlad will show you to suitable rooms," she said. Kirlad nodded with a smile, leading them down the path. Glorfindel wrapped an arm around Elrond's waist and guided him away. Haldir instructed the last of the Elven warriors away, leaving Meyana alone. The lady grimaced at her hair, which was now a chalky white with the dust from the tunnels collapsing. She sighed and then waved halfheartedly at the sky. "I don't know if you're still listening, Valar, but thanks anyway," Meyana said. The ruler of Tancdor then disappeared back into the palace.
Dusk darkened the seaside city, the moon rising from the east and stars sparkling in the sky. The people of Tancdor whispered and gossiped around the dinner table, speaking of the insane magistrate that had caused the shaking of the earth that day. They muttered about the old stories and legends and speculated on who the new magistrate would be. But in one room in the palace, no such talk was going on, for they had been there.
The twins lounged against each other, each with a piece of cake. Across from them, curled upon a couch, were Glorfindel and Elrond. The half-Elf lay comfortably in the blond Elf's arms, freshly washed and wearing a white sleeping gown. Elrond's eyes were closed, signs of fatigue in the dark circles under his eyes and the pinched skin around his mouth. "So, does this mean the Angel is gone?" asked Elrohir.
Elladan shrugged. "The marble slab where it was is destroyed. So it must be gone. Whatever it was," he replied.
"Who do you think created it?" asked Elrohir, for it must have taken someone very powerful to create the entity. The twins spoke in hushed whispered but the both heard their father's soft words.
"The Angel was one of Ilúvatar's first thoughts, created even before the Ainur," said Elrond. A yawn crept out and the half-Elf opened his eyes slightly. "It was His first recognition between good and evil and that our choices and other outside influences are what tips the scales."
"Good and evil?" echoed Elrohir. "Is that why it had white and black lights in it?"
Elrond nodded and leaned into Glorfindel's touch when the blond Elf stroked his cheek. "When the Angel chose Elrond as its master, it turned completely good. It was Elrond's grace and his influence that allowed those scales to tip in our favor," said Glorfindel. Elrond blushed a little and buried his head in Glorfindel shoulder. Glorfindel smiled and ran his fingers through the dark hair. "I believe it was the Angel's conscious choice to pick Elrond as its master and thus become good. The ability to become good or evil is in all of us, if we make that choice. Outside influences, like events in your live, can tip that choice either way."
"What if it had chosen Dameon?" asked Elladan.
Glorfindel sighed. "I have no doubt that both would have destroyed the world,"
"If Ada ordered it away, where did it go?" asked Elrohir.
"I ordered it home, my son," answered Elrond. "I suppose it returned to Ilúvatar. The entity was never meant to be here in the first place. The world has become too complex since its creation." He yawned again.
"That's it," said Glorfindel. "Time for one half-Elf to go to bed. You need to recover from the tunnels." Elrond shivered, having already told them about the Old Forgotten and the murky tunnel entrance. Glorfindel soothed him with soft touches and purrs.
The twins stood and each kissed their father on the cheek. "I was so worried about you, Ada," muttered Elrohir.
"We're glad you're safe now," said Elladan.
Elrond returned their kisses and muttered goodnights to them. The twins left the room with their own farewells and went to the rooms that Meyana Trilee and her son had provided. Glorfindel stood and lifted Elrond up into his arms, taking him to the bed. "Wake me when the sun rises," muttered Elrond, as he was lain on the bed. "I must return to Dameon's manor."
Glorfindel frowned as he pulled up the blankets. "Why would you want to return there?" he asked.
Elrond drifted on the edge of sleep. "I have a debt to repay," he whispered, falling away into dreams. Glorfindel kissed his forehead and drew away from his sleeping form.
Elrond drifted on warm currents, curled under the blankets of the bed. Bright sunshine fell across the bed, heating the cloth and Elrond's skin. The half-Elf smiled in pleasure and buried his face in the cool pillow, feeling safe for the first time in many days. Suddenly, he sat up with a gasp.
Glorfindel, sitting at the window, looked up in concern. "Elrond? What's the matter?" he asked.
Elrond threw off the sheets and hurried to the window, looking out. The bright mid-morning sun fell over the city and the half-Elf cursed. "I told you to wake me up!" yelled Elrond, hurrying into the bathing chamber.
Glorfindel followed him to find the half-Elf quickly throwing on clothing and pulling a brush through his dark hair. "You were sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to wake you," said Glorfindel. Elrond growled at him as he pulled on a tunic and belted it. "What's wrong?" said the blond Elf.
Elrond swept his hair into a loose ponytail and pinned it with his returned butterfly clasp, many locks falling free about his face. "Glorfindel, you're a prince among Elves," said Elrond. He hurried to the archway and paused to kiss the blond Elf on his lips. "But you assume too much!" Glorfindel blinked as the dark haired whirlwind spun away from him and appeared by the door, pulling on shoes. "Come on, Glorfindel!" yelled Elrond, racing out into the hall. Glorfindel was forced to grab his boots and hurry after him.
Elrond raced out into the main courtyard and was almost out of the gate into the city when a familiar whicker made him pause. "Uial?" he muttered, looking around. Glorfindel sighed as Elrond changed his director and ran to the stables. There he threw his arms around the black horse, a cry of delight on his lips. "Uial! It is you!"
Glorfindel came up behind them and rubbed the stallion's nose. "Uial followed you all the way to Tancdor, leaving a trail so that we could follow. If it had not been for him, we may never have found you," said the blond Elf.
Elrond pulled back and kissed the horse's nose. "I thank you then, Uial. Extra carrots and apples for you." The black horse let out a happy whicker and nudged his master. Elrond laughed and pulled away the rope that tied Uial to the post. Gracefully, the half-Elf mounted Uial and then pulled Glorfindel up behind him. "Come! We have to hurry!" Laying his heels to Uial's sides, he ordered the horse out into the city.
"Where are we going?" demanded Glorfindel as he clung to Elrond's waist.
"To Dameon's old manor," replied the half-Elf.
Glorfindel frowned. "But why?"
"I told you! I have a debt to repay!" said Elrond. When they reached the manor, they found that Lady Meyana and Captain Nodin were already there. The house staff and the guards were gathered in the courtyard, the lady's own guards in green directing them. "Oh no," hissed Elrond. "I hope I'm not too late."
Elrond slipped from Uial's back and waded into the crowd. Glorfindel followed him, keeping close. "Too late for what?" he asked. Elrond didn't seem to hear, his grey eyes looking left and right. Finally, Glorfindel had had enough and grabbed Elrond's arm. The half-Elf yelped as he was dragged up to where Lady Meyana and Captain Nodin were standing.
Meyana blinked as the two Elves appeared out of the crowd. "My lords? Is something the matter?" she asked. Nodin was reading from a long scroll and talking with one of his guards.
"What going on here?" asked Glorfindel. Elrond was still scanning the crowd.
"We're questioning Dameon's old staff, Lord Glorfindel," answered Meyana. "I must know how far Dameon's plans went."
Glorfindel looked over the many people in red livery in the courtyard. "What will happen to them?" he asked.
Meyana smiled. "The house staff will probably stay to serve the new magistrate but the guards will probably lose their commission. They will most likely head for Minas Tirith, who requests more men everyday."
Elrond suddenly gasped and broke away from them. Glorfindel cursed and hurried after him, a curious Meyana following. "Young champion!" cried Elrond.
A young boy turned and his eyes brightened. "King Elf!" Elrond fell to his knees and embraced the boy. The woman and man behind the boy stared, an odd daze falling over the woman's eyes. "Are you well?" asked the boy.
"Yes, Avon. I am well," replied Elrond.
Avon beamed. "Then you were rescued!" he exclaimed.
Glorfindel stood behind Elrond, confusion on his face. "Elrond, who is this?" he asked.
"Glorfindel, this is Avon and his mother Iylle, whom I met while being a guest of Dameon Xavier." Elrond smiled at the woman and she blushed once again. "Avon, Lady Iylle, this is Glorfindel, my mate and rescuer."
Avon eyed the tall blond Elf and Glorfindel got the instinct impression that he was being measured in some way he did not understand. The boy then held out his hand and Glorfindel found himself automatically shaking it. "Nice to met you, Lord Glorfindel. About time you showed up." Glorfindel smiled; he couldn't help it.
"Why did you call him 'young champion'?" asked Meyana.
Elrond smiled and rubbed Avon's head, musing his hair. "Avon showed great bravery while protecting me in the manor and thus I call him 'my young champion," replied the half-Elf.
Avon winked his nose and flipped his hand. "Aw, told ya it was nothing. Theron has always been a jerk. He shouldn't have attacked ya," said the boy.
Glorfindel felt something go cold inside himself and knelt on the ground beside Elrond. "Attacked?" he whispered as he cupped one of Elrond's cheeks. The half-Elf covered the hand on his cheek with one of his own, leaning into the touch. Their eyes locked for an endless moment and the humans around them got the feeling that they were suddenly witnessing a very private moment. Meyana and Avon's parents looked away while Avon stared with wide eyes at the Elven pair. Finally, Glorfindel closed his eyes in seemingly pain and sighed. "It appears I also own you a debt I may never be able to repay, young Avon," said the blond Elf.
Elrond smiled, all shadows of memory falling from his eyes. "I have an idea. Why don't you and your family come back to Imladris with us?"
"With you?" squeaked Avon.
Elrond laughed. "Yes, with us! I have a young mortal son that is about your age. You two should like each other very much," he said.
Avon spun and took a hand of each of his parents. "Momma? Poppa? Can we? Please?" he pleaded.
Iylle and her husband exchanged glances and then looked at the Elves. "What use could you have for us?" the man asked.
Elrond stood and smiled gently, easily recognizing the man. "I have a use for anyone. We will find you a place in Imladris," he said. His eyes saddened. "I'm sorry for what happened in the cavern," he said to the man who had been stabbed.
The man touched the shoulder Elrond had healed and smiled. "I would never have known my shoulder was injured if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," he said. "Thank you. My name is Firen."
Elrond clasped his hand firmly and smiled. "Will you come back to Imladris with us, Firen?"
Firen and Iylle exchanged glances, also looking down at the pleading gaze of their son. "My lords, I believe we will," said Firen finally. Avon howled in joy and they laughed.
As they talked, Meyana tapped Avon on the shoulder. The boy looked at the lady and she bent down to whispered carefully. "You say the guard that attacked Lord Elrond was Theron?" she asked. Avon nodded. "Thank you," said Meyana. Avon watched as the lady left them, a dark look in her eyes. Avon saw the lady stop beside Captain Nodin and begin to whisper into his ear. With a small smile, the boy rejoined his family.
Birds sang joyful songs around them and the trees swayed in delight as the Elves past below. The horses walked lazily along, feeling no hurry or urgency in their riders. Upon one horse, a woman and a young boy sat. The woman appeared to have a rather pained look upon her face. "Say it again," requested the boy.
Elladan gave a patient smile. "Mae Govannen," he repeated.
"And that's your standard greeting?" asked Avon.
"Tancave," replied Elladan.
"What?"
"Means 'yes'."
Avon groaned and dropped his head into his hands. "I'm never going to get this," he lamented.
Elrond turned to look back at the human family. "Do not worry, young champion, it took Estel many years before he could speak Elvish," he said.
Avon pulled on his hair, frustration on his face. "Will you stop calling me that!"
Elrond laughed and faced forward, a smile on his face. Besides him, a blond Elf handed him a piece of hard candy. The half-Elf took it and slipped the candy into his mouth. "Glorfindel, are you trying to make me ill with sweets?" asked Elrond.
Glorfindel smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "No, just trying to see if I can make you any sweeter," he teased. Elrond smiled and kissed him again.
"They do that a lot, don't they," said Avon in childish disgust.
"Tancave," said Elrohir. The human boy sighed in annoyance and the twins giggled.
It was not much later that they past into the boarders of Lothlórien. Most of the Lothlórien Elves broke from the group, disappearing back into the forest while the rest of them continued toward Caras Galadhon. Elrond felt a cool brush against his mind and smiled. [Get out of my head, Galadriel.] Amusement and relief filled his mind and then faded away.
The trip to the inner tree city was done leisurely and they arrived just as dusk was falling. "Ada!" cried a small voice.
Elrond slipped from Uial and knelt upon the ground, catching a child with dark hair in his arms. He gently ran his fingers through the boy's hair and smiled. "I have missed you, my son," he muttered.
"Ada, I was so worried when you didn't come back from helping the others!" exclaimed Estel. "And then Glor and Ella and Ro came back and Glor had blood all in his hair! I thought he was dead!"
"Hush, Estel, hush," soothed Elrond, rubbing his back. "All is well now." Behind him, the twins helped Iylle and Avon dismount, Firen coming to stand beside them. They were rather confused for both Elrond and Estel were speaking Elvish. Elrond glanced over his shoulder and switched to the Common Tongue. "Estel, I have someone I would like you to met," the half-Elf said. He stood and guided Estel over to Avon. "My son, this is Avon. He's going to be living with us from now on. Avon, this is my son Estel."
Avon took a big breath and tried his best to repeat the words Elladan had taught him. "May Governnen." Behind him, Elrohir pinched the bridge of his nose and tried not to laugh.
Estel stared for a moment and then blinked. "First time speaking Elvish?" he asked. Avon nodded sheepishly. Estel smiled and then swung an arm around the other boy's shoulders. "Let me help you. You've got your vowels all wrong…"Estel led Avon off, no doubt to teach him proper Elvish. The twins lay their heads together and began snickering madly.
"Erestor is going to kill me," muttered Elrond, for it would be the adviser's job to teach the new arrivals to speak Elvish.
Glorfindel wound an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from the nasty Erestor," he teased.
Elrond rolled his eyes and patted the hand on his hip. "I'm sure you will," he muttered. He turned his head slightly and kissed the corner of Glorfindel mouth. "I'm sure you will…"