Disclaimer: Full disclaimer on first page.
Thanks to Alida-Fruit for her editing.
Chapter Six
Aragorn reeled back in shock, expecting the elf to attack him. But he was immediately confused when the elf just stood there.
"Estel? It is you! What are you doing back? Father said it would take you at least a week!" The elf charged forwards, and Aragorn gasped in shock as he recognized the elf.
"Elrohir!" He embraced his adoptive brother, and then pulled back when he remembered he had more urgent business to tend to. He had forgotten that they had told him when he left with Legolas that they were going to go hunting a couple days after.
"Elladan! It's Estel!" Elrohir shouted into the shady trees that surrounded them. Another elf dropped into sight, and Elladan came up to greet his brother.
"We can't stay here! I must see Father!" Aragorn said. Elladan and Elrohir then noticed his wound, as well as his exhausted state.
"What has happened?" Elladan asked angrily, and Aragorn explained about the elves in the mountains and how one was still after him.
"You say one of these elves still tracks you?" Elrohir asked uncomfortably.
"Yes and a great big wolf with him." Aragorn said, swaying slightly as he stood between his brothers. Both elves tensed, laying their hands upon their sword hilts.
A shape could be seen lurking in the shade and as it shifted they could discern the shadow as an elf.
Teysrol was watching curiously and apprehensively as the ranger met the two elves, who obviously knew him well. They were twins, which meant they were more than likely to be the sons of Elrond. With a silent curse, Teysrol backed off. He would not engage battle with another elf, and particularly not the sons of Elrond. Who knows how the Lord of Rivendell would react if he were to hear that his sons had been slain by a rogue elf? Teysrol did not even want to think of it. The Lord Elrond was powerful, and Teysrol did not want to mettle with that power.
He drew backwards, but the movement made him noticeable to the three standing out in the clearing. He stiffened, and since he had been seen, he stepped forwards.
Watching the elf step out of the trees, the three were fully expecting a fight. They were surprised when the stranger held his arms out, open and easily.
"I shall not engage the sons of the Lord Elrond into battle. If it is your will to have the ranger, answer me one question, and I shall leave," Teysrol said, hoping they would have an answer for him.
Now completely confused, Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other before answering.
"Very well then, but first you must tell us why you were following Estel in the first place," Elladan said, anger coloring his voice. Teysrol inclined his head, and thought of how to phrase his answer.
"We seek a treasure, known as the Mornelithe. We were ordered by our leader to follow and question the elf and ranger who wandered into our midst. I followed the ranger." Teysrol figured that honesty would serve him best in this and he saw no reason to lie.
"We know nothing of the Mornelithe, be that what you really seek. We have lived in Rivendell all of our lives, and have heard nothing," Elrohir answered.
Teysrol sighed, and seemed to slump in defeat. He cursed under his breath, though the three did not know what he was saying. He looked up and locked eyes with Elladan.
"For your knowledge, my two compatriots and I do not agree with what is happening. We consider the Mornelithe a waste of our time." With a low bow, he turned and vanished into the shadows.
His words were sincere enough to have Elladan and Elrohir believe him.
"Come, we must tell father of what we have heard," Elladan said, and they turned and went down the path.
~*~*~*
Legolas's wound had been tended too, and though many of the elves in the camp gave him black stares and snarled threats, he was unharmed and no one had made any serious moves against him. He saw the dangerous looks that were passed between the two groups. There were twelve elves total in the band and three backed Rilian while four backed Tivadar. The last three were neutral, and took no side.
Legolas had a plan; all he had to do was decide when to launch it. The sky was darkening when a shouted greeting from the sentry warned the camp of Teysrol's approach. Fearing the worst, Legolas looked and expected to see Aragorn being dragged along behind. To his immense relief, Teysrol was alone other than his wolf.
"Well? Where is the ranger?" Rilian raged at his younger brother, while Teysrol bore it all in a stoic manner.
"The ranger has no knowledge, so I saw no reason to continue my attack. We must forget the Mornelithe, for orcs are roaming the rocky slopes and I barely passed without a fight. They may have followed me, so we need to be on guard," Teysrol answered to his angry brother sharply, cutting off any more rebukes and scolding he might receive.
With a mocking bow, he went over to Savarre and Sirithiliel. Legolas drew back slightly, and decided this was the best time to launch his plan. He stood and as the three elves turned to look at him, chaos suddenly broke out.
Two elves, Fenyes and Syrivald, erupted into a fight, their swords flashing in the firelight and other elves running to join in.
Then torches flared up on the cliff ridge and scores of orcs proceeded down the mountain to confront the elves, who grouped together and turned to meet them.
Legolas leapt to the side and ran flat out towards the cave direction. He twirled to avoid an orc, but found himself facing many of the creatures. Arrows began to fly over his head, and from behind him Sirithiliel ran forward under the cover of Teysrol's arrows. She whipped her blades out and fought along side Legolas.
The arrows stopped and Savarre ran up, followed by Teysrol. They leapt into the fray beside the Mirkwood elf as well.
Legolas had no clue why they were helping him out right now, but he did not stop to question them. They managed to cut their way up the slope until they were on the mountain path that went along side the cave that led to Rivendell. Without hesitation, the three renegade elves fled down it. Savarre stopped and turned to the confused elf prince.
"Well? Come along!" he shouted. Legolas was still reluctant to go with them, but he heard whoops and jeers from behind him and he turned to see a score of orcs running towards them, slavering in anticipation. Without another word, he turned and followed Savarre.
~*~*~*
Aragorn relaxed in the soft chair, having finished telling Elrond his story. His adoptive father sat back, steepling his fingers and his brow furrowing in thought.
"Well, take a select group and go out and find him. I know that Galafrone, Donalitu, Trasone are looking for something to do. Elladan and Elrohir should go too," Elrond said finally. He did not want Aragorn to go out, but he knew it was pointless to try and stop him. He might as well send willing companions with him, for added protection.
"Thank you, I shall inform them and we should head out as soon as possible," Aragorn said, standing to leave.
"Aragorn," Elrond said, stopping the ranger. As Aragorn turned to look back, Elrond stood and embraced him. "Be careful, my son," he whispered. Aragorn nodded and left.
~*~*~*
"May I ask why you are helping me?" Legolas asked as Teysrol stood watch while they took a brief rest.
"Because after what our band tried to do to you and your ranger friend, we felt we should at least make sure you get back alright," Teysrol called down from his perch.
"And because we have nothing to go back too, we felt we should finish this last duty," Savarre said, cleaning his broad sword, but its tip was stained with the dark blood.
"What do you mean by that?" Legolas asked, curious about the words.
"Meaning that the orcs came upon our camp quickly, and I doubt if any survived. Our camp was set in that ring of boulders, and that is a perfect ambush site. No one could have survived that," Savarre answered bitterly, completely at a lost with what to do.
Legolas had noticed the weakness of the camp's placement, but he just now realized how dire that weakness was.
Even though they had been his captors for a while, he couldn't help but feel a flash of sympathy for them - for if nothing else they were his elven kindred.
"I say we move to Rivendell at once," Sirithiliel said, speaking up for the first time since the attack. She had been close to Rilian, closer than Savarre and Teysrol, and his death hit her harder than them.
"Agreed, we shall go," Teysrol said, sliding down and walking over. With a grim nod they stood and left.
Thanks to Alida-Fruit for her editing.
Chapter Six
Aragorn reeled back in shock, expecting the elf to attack him. But he was immediately confused when the elf just stood there.
"Estel? It is you! What are you doing back? Father said it would take you at least a week!" The elf charged forwards, and Aragorn gasped in shock as he recognized the elf.
"Elrohir!" He embraced his adoptive brother, and then pulled back when he remembered he had more urgent business to tend to. He had forgotten that they had told him when he left with Legolas that they were going to go hunting a couple days after.
"Elladan! It's Estel!" Elrohir shouted into the shady trees that surrounded them. Another elf dropped into sight, and Elladan came up to greet his brother.
"We can't stay here! I must see Father!" Aragorn said. Elladan and Elrohir then noticed his wound, as well as his exhausted state.
"What has happened?" Elladan asked angrily, and Aragorn explained about the elves in the mountains and how one was still after him.
"You say one of these elves still tracks you?" Elrohir asked uncomfortably.
"Yes and a great big wolf with him." Aragorn said, swaying slightly as he stood between his brothers. Both elves tensed, laying their hands upon their sword hilts.
A shape could be seen lurking in the shade and as it shifted they could discern the shadow as an elf.
Teysrol was watching curiously and apprehensively as the ranger met the two elves, who obviously knew him well. They were twins, which meant they were more than likely to be the sons of Elrond. With a silent curse, Teysrol backed off. He would not engage battle with another elf, and particularly not the sons of Elrond. Who knows how the Lord of Rivendell would react if he were to hear that his sons had been slain by a rogue elf? Teysrol did not even want to think of it. The Lord Elrond was powerful, and Teysrol did not want to mettle with that power.
He drew backwards, but the movement made him noticeable to the three standing out in the clearing. He stiffened, and since he had been seen, he stepped forwards.
Watching the elf step out of the trees, the three were fully expecting a fight. They were surprised when the stranger held his arms out, open and easily.
"I shall not engage the sons of the Lord Elrond into battle. If it is your will to have the ranger, answer me one question, and I shall leave," Teysrol said, hoping they would have an answer for him.
Now completely confused, Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other before answering.
"Very well then, but first you must tell us why you were following Estel in the first place," Elladan said, anger coloring his voice. Teysrol inclined his head, and thought of how to phrase his answer.
"We seek a treasure, known as the Mornelithe. We were ordered by our leader to follow and question the elf and ranger who wandered into our midst. I followed the ranger." Teysrol figured that honesty would serve him best in this and he saw no reason to lie.
"We know nothing of the Mornelithe, be that what you really seek. We have lived in Rivendell all of our lives, and have heard nothing," Elrohir answered.
Teysrol sighed, and seemed to slump in defeat. He cursed under his breath, though the three did not know what he was saying. He looked up and locked eyes with Elladan.
"For your knowledge, my two compatriots and I do not agree with what is happening. We consider the Mornelithe a waste of our time." With a low bow, he turned and vanished into the shadows.
His words were sincere enough to have Elladan and Elrohir believe him.
"Come, we must tell father of what we have heard," Elladan said, and they turned and went down the path.
~*~*~*
Legolas's wound had been tended too, and though many of the elves in the camp gave him black stares and snarled threats, he was unharmed and no one had made any serious moves against him. He saw the dangerous looks that were passed between the two groups. There were twelve elves total in the band and three backed Rilian while four backed Tivadar. The last three were neutral, and took no side.
Legolas had a plan; all he had to do was decide when to launch it. The sky was darkening when a shouted greeting from the sentry warned the camp of Teysrol's approach. Fearing the worst, Legolas looked and expected to see Aragorn being dragged along behind. To his immense relief, Teysrol was alone other than his wolf.
"Well? Where is the ranger?" Rilian raged at his younger brother, while Teysrol bore it all in a stoic manner.
"The ranger has no knowledge, so I saw no reason to continue my attack. We must forget the Mornelithe, for orcs are roaming the rocky slopes and I barely passed without a fight. They may have followed me, so we need to be on guard," Teysrol answered to his angry brother sharply, cutting off any more rebukes and scolding he might receive.
With a mocking bow, he went over to Savarre and Sirithiliel. Legolas drew back slightly, and decided this was the best time to launch his plan. He stood and as the three elves turned to look at him, chaos suddenly broke out.
Two elves, Fenyes and Syrivald, erupted into a fight, their swords flashing in the firelight and other elves running to join in.
Then torches flared up on the cliff ridge and scores of orcs proceeded down the mountain to confront the elves, who grouped together and turned to meet them.
Legolas leapt to the side and ran flat out towards the cave direction. He twirled to avoid an orc, but found himself facing many of the creatures. Arrows began to fly over his head, and from behind him Sirithiliel ran forward under the cover of Teysrol's arrows. She whipped her blades out and fought along side Legolas.
The arrows stopped and Savarre ran up, followed by Teysrol. They leapt into the fray beside the Mirkwood elf as well.
Legolas had no clue why they were helping him out right now, but he did not stop to question them. They managed to cut their way up the slope until they were on the mountain path that went along side the cave that led to Rivendell. Without hesitation, the three renegade elves fled down it. Savarre stopped and turned to the confused elf prince.
"Well? Come along!" he shouted. Legolas was still reluctant to go with them, but he heard whoops and jeers from behind him and he turned to see a score of orcs running towards them, slavering in anticipation. Without another word, he turned and followed Savarre.
~*~*~*
Aragorn relaxed in the soft chair, having finished telling Elrond his story. His adoptive father sat back, steepling his fingers and his brow furrowing in thought.
"Well, take a select group and go out and find him. I know that Galafrone, Donalitu, Trasone are looking for something to do. Elladan and Elrohir should go too," Elrond said finally. He did not want Aragorn to go out, but he knew it was pointless to try and stop him. He might as well send willing companions with him, for added protection.
"Thank you, I shall inform them and we should head out as soon as possible," Aragorn said, standing to leave.
"Aragorn," Elrond said, stopping the ranger. As Aragorn turned to look back, Elrond stood and embraced him. "Be careful, my son," he whispered. Aragorn nodded and left.
~*~*~*
"May I ask why you are helping me?" Legolas asked as Teysrol stood watch while they took a brief rest.
"Because after what our band tried to do to you and your ranger friend, we felt we should at least make sure you get back alright," Teysrol called down from his perch.
"And because we have nothing to go back too, we felt we should finish this last duty," Savarre said, cleaning his broad sword, but its tip was stained with the dark blood.
"What do you mean by that?" Legolas asked, curious about the words.
"Meaning that the orcs came upon our camp quickly, and I doubt if any survived. Our camp was set in that ring of boulders, and that is a perfect ambush site. No one could have survived that," Savarre answered bitterly, completely at a lost with what to do.
Legolas had noticed the weakness of the camp's placement, but he just now realized how dire that weakness was.
Even though they had been his captors for a while, he couldn't help but feel a flash of sympathy for them - for if nothing else they were his elven kindred.
"I say we move to Rivendell at once," Sirithiliel said, speaking up for the first time since the attack. She had been close to Rilian, closer than Savarre and Teysrol, and his death hit her harder than them.
"Agreed, we shall go," Teysrol said, sliding down and walking over. With a grim nod they stood and left.