Yay! Another chapter up. I tried to get the Elves tipsy but not too much so… I hope I did a good job, please let me know. I love all you reviewers!
-A
Songs and Sleep
O! What are you doing,
And where are you going?
Your horses have flown,
And still now you roam!
O! tra-la-la-lally
here down in the valley
O! What are you seeking,
And where to are you going?
The wine is now flowing,
So why go a-roaming?
O! tril-lil-lil-lolly
the valley is jolly
O! Will you be staying
Or will you by flying?
The wine is still pouring,
So why go a-roaming?
To fly would be folly
To stay would be jolly
And listen and hark
Till the end of the dark
to our tune!
The twin Elves' voices were sweet but loud and rowdy, their verses broken by their own laughter and joy. Elladan and Elrohir were in high spirits, having snuck down into the wine cellars to find a good something and then came across a treasure: Berdruskan Dark, it was heavy, sweet and burning, almost black in colour, with a high alcohol content - everything one could ask for, a fine elvish treat. And now between the two of them they'd finished a bottle and another half of one, the Dúnedain had kept to simple ale and malt.
Aragorn watched his foster brothers with a grin on his face. Both were getting tipsy as by now the entire tavern was aware. He'd seen them drunk once and it had been an experience to remember; now it looked like he would get to see it again. Despite the alcohol in their blood, their voices were still melodious and strong, if not broken with laughter. The people that were still sober cried for just one more verse. Aragorn knew the song well, or the tune at least, the verses were constantly changed or rearranged, but the intent was the same - Rivendell was home. Elladan and Elrohir waved off the requests for more verses and collapsed against each other before falling into the bench in the corner where the Rangers sat, laughing as they tried to catch their breaths.
"Done singing so soon?" Eymen grinned at the two Elves whom had finally calmed down, though Elladan was reaching for another glass of the dark wine. "Elladan are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Absolutely, now give it here Eymen."
The Ranger sat back with a smirk, holding the half bottle of alcohol. "I don't think so Elladan, you'll thank me for it in the morning."
"Oh no I won't." The elder of the two reached over, half laying across Elrohir and Farren, who were both laughing at the predicament.
"Elladan we're both bad enough all ready!" Elrohir grinned and shoved his brother weakly, but Elladan lost his balance enough to slip from the bench, but he managed to get his feet on the floor.
"We should at least finish it off... come now Eymen you're being unreasonable!" Elladan grinned and made a grab, falling back with the half empty bottle triumphantly. The entire table was near hysterics at the whole situation - tipsy, singing Elves that were very aware of the alcohol in their systems and still asked for more. At least they had no need to be off again in the morning, the two would need at least that long to recover.
Aragorn stole the bottle from Elladan before he finished it to pour himself and Farren a glass to end the bottle. He laughed softly, hearing a few of the people in the tavern trying to recreate Elladan and Elrohir's verses and tunes, some were doing fairly well, but there was no way the could match the silky voices and velvety tones. The elves toasted something or another, glasses clinked and the last drinks of the evening were downed. Aragorn became light headed with the first swallow of the Berdruskan, amazed by the taste and the alcohol; he couldn't believe the twins had already gone through a bottle and a half by themselves.
"Elrohir, where did you find this?" Farren questioned, looking just as happy as Aragorn with the taste and alcohol.
"Down in the cellar, it was hidden away quite well but there is no hiding a good Berdruskan from the sons of Elrond!" Elrohir cracked a grin. "Even in Imladris he could not hide it."
"You'd best hope Estel chooses not to rat us out, dear brother." Elladan grinned and leaned against Elrohir's shoulder – it was almost strange to see two faces so alike right next to one another.
"I'd do no such thing, Elladan, as I have shared drinks from Elrond's store with you and so I would only be condemning us all." Aragorn shook his head, chuckling at the many memories of roaming Rivendell with his foster brothers, exploring the great House – no nook was left unsearched. But he had a feeling the twins knew all the more than he did about their home.
Farren finished his glass of the draught and gave a shiver when the strength of it hit him. How had the Elves lasted so long? He knew little of Elves and he wondered if it was something in their blood that differed their tolerance to such things. That was not the question he planned on asking the twins, though, he had something else on his mind.
"Will you be returning to Rivendell soon, young Elves?"
Elrohir looked up with a smirk. "Hardly young by your standards - "
"And hardly old by the standards of the rest of Middle Earth." Elladan chimed in, his tone slow and languid, matching the idle smile and heavily lidded eyes. It seemed the Berdruskan was finally settling in his system and inducing the sleep that all alcohol did. "But to answer your question, yes. I think we will return home for a short rest in our wanderings. But fear not Farren, we shall be with you again before you know it."
"If we can root you out of the earth and free you from the Dwarves for a time."
Aragorn smiled, listening to Elladan and Elrohir. It seemed practiced; the way the two finished each other's sentences or continued a train of thought started by one. Almost uncanny, but in a way comforting. It let the Ranger know that though things in this world were changing, the twins were what they always had been - his brothers.
"Elladan, Elrohir, the night is growing late and if we wish to make pace tomorrow we should turn in." Aragorn spoke up, watching the brothers stand up carefully. He knew they would all be nursing headaches in the morning, but that could be easily dealt with.
"Yes, yes Aragorn. We flee to our soft beds but alas! We have but little time to spend in them." Elrohir grinned, steadying himself on his feet. "Quel nu, gentlemen."
"And for those we shall not see in the morn, aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle tenna' ento lye omenta." Elladan smiled and bid Eymen, Farren, and Haeranan a good bye, he knew they would be up as late as they could manage.
"Yes, lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva." Elrohir added before slinging an arm around his brother's shoulders as they turned to the stairs, pausing to wait for Aragorn.
"I shall be in the Wilds again after my short rest in Imladris, I'll see you again soon my friends." Aragorn exchanged a hug with Eymen and Haeranan, giving Farren a clap on the back.
"Fair travels until then Aragorn, and take care of those two." Eymen smiled as he sat back down and waved the three off.
Elladan and Elrohir both found one more song in their hearts, their voices calmer as the verses formed;
Sing all ye joyful, now
sing all together!
The wind's in the tree-top, the wind's in the heather;
The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.
Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together!
Soft is the grass, and
let foot be like feather!
The river is silver, the shadows are fleeing;
Merry is Spring-time, and merry our meeting.
Sing we now softly, and
dreams let us weave them!
Wind them in slumber and let us there leave them!
The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow!
Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow!
Sigh no more Pin, till the wind of the morn!
Fall Moon! Dark be the land!
Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash, and Thorn!
Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand!
They finished the song, another that Aragorn remembered; a lullaby of sorts sung during the summer months, usually under the full moon in the months of Lotesse and Narie, even as late as Urime or Narquelie. It was wonderful to hear their voices in the night. Even now, with only Elladan and Elrohir singing in the rowdy tavern, it was beautiful. It made Aragorn realize how sick he was for the home he once knew, for Rivendell. It only reaffirmed his decision to go back with the twins in the morning.
"Good night, Elladan, Elrohir."
"And to you, Estel, quel kaima." Elrohir and Elladan spoke at once and it was eerie when they did so, though it happened rarely. They all turned into their rooms, dreading the thought of waking in the morning.
†
The
songs used are from verses in the Hobbit, though some words were changed a bit
to suit the situation. Hope you all liked it! Please read and review!
Translations:
Quel nu – good night
Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle tenna' ento lye omenta. – May thy paths be green and the breeze be on thy back until we meet again
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva. – Sweet water and light laughter till we next meet.
Lotesse and Narie, Urime or Narquelie – May, June, September, October
Quel kaima – sleep well
