Author's Note: Sorry it's shorter than usual, (and probably not to your liking) but I needed to fill in a few minor gaps, and since I don't have a lot of time to write lately, you'll have to survive on this until next weekend.
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It was well before sunrise when Elrohir emerged from his room to find Elladan strolling up, a worried look on his face.
"Riesha has gone. She is not in her room," Elladan said quietly, so not to wake any Elves who might still be walking the Paths of Dreams.
Elrohir raised an eyebrow. "And what were you doing in her bedroom at this early hour of morning?"
A small smirk lit Elladan's face before he remembered that because Riesha wasn't there, he hadn't been able to… "What does it matter? We needed to wake the Ladies up at this time anyway, if they are to accompany us to Lothlórien. But Riesha has gone!"
"Perhaps she could not sleep and went for a walk?" Elrohir suggested. "I will help you find her once I have awakened my Lady."
Elrohir went to move on, but was stopped by Elladan, who put a hand on his chest to stop his younger brother. "You seem much happier than you have been since you first laid eyes on Ellie. Less than a few days ago, you were at the height of melancholy. You have turned that around in the space of a single night. What happened?"
Elrohir couldn't help smiling proudly. "Our first kiss…never had I imagined it as sweet as it was in reality. Our love ran high along with our other emotions- we shared them all. If not for Glorfindel, I do not know what else might have occurred last night."
Elladan smirked. "Much later than I had thought you and she might take, but you progress far in such short time…"
Elrohir returned his twin's smirk. "And from what I hear, yourself and your Lady are moving into matters that might leave you a father sooner than any marriage arrangements can be made."
Elladan grinned. "Nay, the Lady is a maiden still."
"I doubt for long," Elrohir teased. "Fear not, your Lady will not have strayed far. Never without first telling yourself and her sister, and neither of her confidents would allow her to leave without their protection."
Elladan nodded his thanks. "I will meet you in Ellie's room with breakfast. Hopefully, Riesha might have returned to her own room by then."
Elrohir inclined his head in acquiescence and was finally allowed to pass, strolling the halls of Rivendell to Elaírha's apartment.
Elrohir knocked softly on Elaírha's door, in case she might already be awake. When he heard no reply or movement from within, he opened the door and walked in, his Elven feet making no sound at all. He shut the door and peered in the dim light at the figure lying on the bed. Outside the night sky gave way to the lights of dawn, though the sun was yet to make an appearance. Stepping closer, Elrohir realised that the woman sleeping there was not Ellie…
He grinned and chuckled. Ellie had obviously argued with her sister and won; for it was Riesha who slept in Ellie's bed. But then where was Ellie?
The tranquil sound of the waterfall became obvious to Elrohir and he stepped out onto the balcony, where Elaírha lay on a blanket looking up at the sky. For a moment, Elrohir wondered if she too had her mind on the Paths of Dreams, but remembered that humans did not have that ability as she turned her head to look at him. "Morning," she greeted softly.
Elrohir sat next to her, stroking her cheek. As always, her deep red hair was pulled back in a tight bun that seemed as though it would never let her hair fall onto her shoulders. "Elladan comes soon, carrying breakfast. No doubt he will find it amusing that Riesha has spent the night hear under your wary vigilance. He was worried when he could not find her in her own room."
Ellie smiled, reaching out to guide his face down to hers for a kiss. "It seems my astute sense of duty and propriety are much stronger than hers…and Elladan does naught to encourage to be like that."
"My brother loves her…he intends to marry, though when I cannot say, but I would not think much later than a few years, since you and she are Mortal…"
Elaírha sighed, sitting up. "That's going to be a real problem, isn't it?"
"I would not say so- the children of Elrond are all counted among the Half-Elven; we have a choice, and until now we have chosen to live among the Eldar."
"It's more than that Elrohir. But speak of it no more- I do not want it to spoil this day."
Elrohir kissed her once more before helping her to her feet and inside where Elladan was just walking in with a large tray of assorted foods. He saw Elrohir and Elaírha, then looked over to the young woman sleeping on the bed. "Riesha!" he exclaimed.
Riesha awoke instantly, seeing Elladan put the tray on Ellie's desk and then join her on the bed.
Elaírha surveyed the passionate Elf and woman rolling on her bed as they kissed, oblivious to all else. "Should we save them some breakfast in case they decide to come up for air?" she asked Elrohir, passing him a peach from the tray before taking one herself.
Elrohir grinned. "I think perhaps for them, food is not necessary for survival so long as they have each other."
"I don't like the idea that Elladan's going to eat my sister."
"Well, Riesha's doing a fairly good job of eating my brother."
"If their faces start turning blue, tell me, so we can separate them before they suffocate each other."
"Indeed," Elrohir remarked, sitting down in the chair at Elaírha's desk. "I'm beginning to think about what you said earlier- about your sense of duty? I had originally thought that was because you were the elder sister, but apparently my elder brother does not feel the same way, and I have in his stead taken up this sense of responsibility."
"Will you please be quiet!" Elladan requested sharply, but resuming his attention to a smug-grinning Riesha.
"It is my room!" Elaírha protested. "If you want to continue your business, do it elsewhere- I have to bath and dress appropriately for the ride."
Riesha sighed, regretfully. "She does have a point, my love. The sooner we are away, the sooner we can be at Lothlórien and we can pick up where we left off."
"So long?" Elladan whispered seductively, claiming yet another kiss.
"Well…before then if we can be out of Ellie's watchful eye for long enough…" Riesha grinned wickedly, as Elladan lifted her from the bed and they headed out the door.
Elrohir and Elaírha watched them go. Ellie looked to Elrohir. "Keep an eye on them for me. I don't trust their judgement of trouble."
Elrohir nodded in agreement, before taking his leave.
Celebrían eyed her twin sons waiting helping Riesha and Ellie attach their bags to the packhorse. She was struck with wonder whether either of her sons might try to propose to his chosen Lady once they reached the beautiful, and highly romantic Elven kingdom of Lothlórien. She looked back to Elrond, who was also watching them, impassively. She kissed him. "We do not have to worry about our sons…they will make their choice, and we must support
Ellie turned around, an excited smile on her face; but it faded. Her face paled, and she appeared suddenly afraid and her face twisted in pain. She cried out as curved her back as though some great force had hit it, falling to her knees. Elrohir caught her in his arms before she collapsed completely.
Riesha swung round to her sister. "What is it?"
Elaírha whimpered, and the screamed again, writhing painfully in Elrohir's arms. "Abigail…" she sobbed.
"You can feel it this far away!?" Riesha exclaimed.
"She's nearer…somewhere…a northern village." Elaírha moaned, her face red with tears.
"But I didn't see anything!" Riesha protested. "If it is danger- why haven't I Seen anything?"
"Go!" Elaírha shrieked agonizingly. "Ride! You will See…ah!"
Riesha swallowed hard. Tears welled up in her own eyes as she watched her sister's pain, and wondered what could be happening to Abigail to make it hurt so much, and at so far a distance…Riesha turned to Elladan. "I have to go," she whispered desperately.
Elladan glanced at his brother holding his Lady.
"Take the horses," Elrond commanded of his eldest son, interrupting the shock of the situation. "Help as you can. Your mother will wait here."
Araglas and Arahad appeared, mounting their horses also, as Riesha and Elladan obeyed the Master of Rivendell.
"A northern village," Araglas repeated what information Ellie had been able to give them.
"I don't know where," Elaírha whispered apologetically, shaking her head. Her lips trembled. "You must hurry- they will kill her!"
Riesha looked like she was going to be sick, when she turned to Elladan. "I think I know where now…and Ellie's right. If we do not reach her soon; they will kill Abigail."
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