Yay! Next chapter. Okay, in the FotR, it mentions that the twins go out on an errand for their father. But what's the errand? Just one that's very secret! So… yeah, here's my take on it. Read and review and I'll love you!! (not that I don't)

-A

Secret Task

            The council was long ended and the Fellowship of the Ring had been named, but they were not to be sent out so quickly. Already messengers were riding – news of the Nine was greatly needed. The hobbits remained in Imladris, as did Boromir and the Dwarves Glóin and Gimli. Legolas was to ride home and back again to deliver news. Aragorn had been appointed the task of leading the Dúnedain in the western search of the Nine with a company of Elves. Elladan and Elrohir despaired when they were told again that they would not be going. But the morning that Aragorn was to leave, the twin Elves received a message to ready themselves for a long journey.

            Elrohir gave his brother an inquisitive look as the messenger left. That had been strange, the herald from their father had told them what to do, but not why. Perhaps Elladan had been told more… but the shake of his brother's head dashed that. Nothing. 'Then I suppose we must do as we are told and meet with Adar in the main hall."

            It worried the younger that his twin only nodded and left for his own room to prepare. Elladan had said very little all morning. Elrohir shook his head, there was little else he could do to get an answer out of Elladan. Perhaps their father would explain more than the messenger had. He drifted into an adjacent room to change into his grey travelling clothes. It had irked him that their father had not chosen his own sons to go with the Fellowship. It had also made him a tad bitter that a Dwarf had been chosen instead of another Elf. And just when there had been two spaces left… Peregrin and Meriadoc had insisted on going. And now they had been told that they could not accompany Estel and the Dúnedain – their own foster brother and companions! Stop it Elrohir, you know better. Adar must need Elladan and I for something or he would have let us go, at least upon errand with Aragorn. The Elf scolded himself as he finished dressing. On his bed lay a pack, he already knew what it held – a cloak to cover himself with, food that would keep no matter what, the precious draught that Elrond brewed – miruvor – and a few other things that would be useful. Next to the pack rested a scabbard, slightly curved to conform to the shape of the sword it held, the long, two handed hilt embossed delicately. It'd been forged long ago along with Elladan's when the two first went into battle to defend Fornost. So long ago.. he could remember it clearly though. Elrond had been against their going, but had known they'd follow Glorfindel anyway. A bell tolled and Elrohir fixed the sword to his belt, the pack went on his back along with a quiver and finely crafted bow – gifts from his grandmother – it was time to meet in the hall.

            Elladan stood quietly against a pillar, Aragorn and a small group of Rivendell Elves were a few yards off, Elrohir joined them within minutes. All present stood up straight as Elrond made his way into the hall. First he instructed the minute group on what was to be done to the West and North of them and all left save Aragorn. If Elrond noticed him still, the half-Elf gave no indication of it as he turned to his twin sons. Both looked entirely the same, dressed in greys, swords at their hips and packs and quivers on their backs. The Elven lord sighed quietly, he wished that he did not have to do this.

            "Elladan, Elrohir…" Elrond's face grew grave and the twins' grew questioning. "I ask that you keep this task as secretive as you can, though no doubt your grandparents are aware of it already. You are to pass over the mountains and down the Celebrant, into Lórien for a short time. From there you will continue south and east. I need you to go to the Valley of the Wraiths."

            A shiver passed through both of the young Elves and Aragorn was in mild shock. Surely Elrond wouldn't charge his own sons with this task..? Then again, who else would accept it? The man watched as the twins looked at each other for a long moment, then gave an affirmative nod to their father.

            "We accept this task with our own free will." They spoke as one and in perfect synch – where once Aragorn had found it comical, now it was eerie. Elrond nodded slowly, though in his heart he was pained, wishing that he could send someone else – anyone else.

            "Then I bid you a safe journey and a swift return to your home. I ask that you bring whatever tidings you may here between this day and your return."

            Again the two Elves nodded, their faces grim. They could and would say nothing but assenting words, they couldn't. This task had been appointed to them and they would not fail it while they drew breath, though Elladan quietly wondered how long that would be should anything befall them in the Morgul Vale.

            It was not long thereafter that the sons of Elrond departed, Elladan and Elrohir to the south, Aragorn to the West. The Lord of Imladris stood fretfully watching his sons pass over the bridge from his place on a balcony. Would they return safely? Would they return at all? What doom had he sent his sons to face alone? As his troubled thoughts rambled on, Elrond did not notice his youngest and only daughter quietly approaching. Arwen was concerned to see her father so distressed. She had seen him leave to speak to Elladan and Elrohir in the main hall and she had seen him return to his study, but she had heard naught a word of what had taken place. Where were her brothers going in such haste and in so grave a manner? Quietly she shifted closer, reaching out to give her father's shoulder a gentle touch.

            "Ada? What troubles you so? Please, if only to share the burden, confide in me."

            Elrond turned his head slowly, meeting the worried blue eyes of his daughter, his undómiel. So much did those eyes remind him of Celebrían that it pained his heart and yet caused him great joy. The Master allowed a soft sigh as he spoke. "Do not let these events trouble your heart, Undómiel, these burdens are not for you to bear."

            "But they cause you grief and I would be privy to that, if only to share that grief with you and to lessen it. Please Ada, speak with me of what causes you such despair. I see it in your eyes, as I have seen it for the past few days since the meeting of the council. I feel the sway of the Shadow of the East grow day by day, but yet I hear no word from you or from even my brothers and it causes me sorrow." Arwen took her father's hand in both of her delicate ones, her voice and her eyes pleading as she looked into the stony grey depths of her fathers eyes. She saw the conflict there and she only wished to lessen it, to help in any way she could to give him peace at heart. But she knew deep inside that days of peace were over for some time and days of fear and unknowing lay ahead of them, lay in the east.

            Elrond held Arwen's hands carefully and finally gave a slow nod. "I suppose it will do little good to keep the going-on of the world from you, lirimaeramin. Come, we will talk where it is suitable to do so." He did not wish to give such dark information to his daughter, but he knew that if he did not tell her of it now, she would see it in her nightmares in the months to come. Such a sinister time is this, he thought, that the young ones of Middle-earth must hear of Sauron's terror and witness it as he rises again. Such dark times are these that their innocence is lost.

Sorry this chapter is a bit short, dealing with some writer's block. I'll try to have the next one out soon! Please read and review, I really appreciate it.

Translations:

Lirimaeramin –  my beautiful one