Imladris Revisited
By: DLR 2002
Disclaimer: Characters owned by JRR Tolkien
Elrond/OFC
Rated: PG
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Chapter 23
The morning sun woke Elrond and he rubbed his eyes. Culurien was still asleep, her head on his shoulder. He looked over at Elrohir, who was awake, watching them.
Elrond smiled. "Welcome back from the Halls of Mandos."
Elrohir's eyes widened. "I died?"
"For a few minutes. How do you feel?"
"My shoulder aches, of course," Elrohir said, "but I cannot understand why my chest hurts so much. It is difficult to breathe."
"Ah." Elrond smiled more widely. "I would not be surprised if you had a cracked rib or two."
His son was puzzled. "I do not remember any injury there."
"Let us just call it part of your return to the living," Elrond said mysteriously.
"If you say so, Adar." Elrohir gave him a long look. "Is Elladan here?"
"Not that I have heard." He paused. "Why were you not wearing a mail shirt? Do you have a death-wish?"
"Do not reprimand me, Adar."
"That is the privilege of my position."
"I have been taking care of myself for many years," continued Elrohir, becoming angry.
"You seem to be confusing good judgment with good luck. It is extreme folly to ride with such recklessness against the Nine. This first encounter could have easily been your last. Simple precautions are all I ask."
Elrohir began to look sulky.
"Who and what are the Nine?" Culurien asked, suddenly.
Elrond jumped. "I did not know you were awake."
"How could I not be, with you two harping at each other?" she replied. There was silence for a moment.
"The Nine are the keepers of the Rings of Power given to men," Elrond explained.
"Why did they get nine and we only got three?"
"In this instance quality has more weight and power than quantity."
"So, one keeper of an elven ring is more powerful than several of the Nine?"
"Just so." He gave her a pinch of warning to drop the subject.
She did not, however, do so entirely. "These keepers of the Nine-."
"Úlairi," said Elrond.
"Ringwraiths," she repeated, thinking. "They are no longer living?"
"That is correct," said Elrond. "They are a shapeless evil entity, existing by the will of their master alone."
"Even the least of our people possess power of a sort. Can one of us match one of them?"
"Certainly, if he or she is an elf lord of great lineage and power."
"Then why do you fear them so?"
"They are the worst and most terrible of all the servants of the Enemy. Save for Sauron, himself, there are none more evil in all of Middle-earth. When they are collected together, their strength multiplies. Very seldom will you find one alone. If they were to besiege Imladris and even if they were all nine together, our combined power could surely defeat them.
"But a single elf, out on horseback, with no mail shirt, taking on three at once? Foolhardy," finished Elrond, with his eyebrow raised at Elrohir.
Elrohir started to laugh, "Ouch!" he winced, raising a hand to his chest.
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Elrond paused. He looked gravely at the faces of the elves sitting in front of him. "Now you know what has transpired thus far and you have been given your assignments. You have been chosen for your strength and your experience with the servants of Sauron. Unfortunately there are not enough of you to stay in groups, for much ground must be covered, so you will each be alone. Even should I send out a company with each of you, it would be of little use, serving only to attract the enemy like flies on dung. Your best chance lies in secrecy.
"I fear you will find the enemy waiting on our very doorstep, hoping to ambush the hobbit. Divide them; scatter them by any means necessary, although none of you is to face all Nine together." Elrond smiled grimly. "I want very much to see all of you back safe, once more. Tir aen Eru Ilúvatar or le," he said, dismissing them.
"Adar," began Arwen, who had been listening.
"No."
She looked at him, exasperated. "I am as powerful as any of them, and a better rider as well."
"You have no experience with Úlairi."
"I do not fear them."
"You have not seen them, or you would."
Arwen remained obstinate, protesting.
"Undómiel, every one of those I sent out was present at the siege of Mt. Orodruin. They know what to expect. You do not."
She opened her mouth to speak.
"That is my final word," he said, quietly, turning and leaving the chamber.
I am not a child. She sat there a long time, deep in thought.
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Elrond crushed the paper into a ball, his hand clenched. "When did you find this note?" he asked Culurien through gritted teeth.
"Just now, of course."
"When did you see Arwen last?" he continued, somewhat fiercely.
She shrugged. "It has been two days, surely."
"Mandos!" Elrond scowled. "I pray to Eru that she is as good as she thinks she is."
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Elrond looked up as Lindir knocked discreetly and then opened the study door.
"A new arrival, Lord," said Lindir, stepping to one side.
Elrond stood. "Mithrandir!" he exclaimed with relief, embracing him quickly. He stepped back, frowning. "Events move swiftly, where have you been?"
"All in good time, Master Elf," said Gandalf, his eyes twinkling. "Where are your manners, will you not offer a weary traveler something?"
"Forgive me," said Elrond, pouring a drink into a glass from a decanter.
"Ah, miruvor. The cordial of Imladris, how I have missed it."
Elrond waited while he drank, but not with any patience. "Well?" he asked, his arms folded in front of him.
Gandalf contemplated him for a moment, his bushy eyebrows coming together. "I suggest you maintain some semblance of restraint. I am no errant child, needing to be scolded."
Elrond lowered his arms, placing his fingertips on the desk, his head bowed. "Forgive me, Mellon-iaur,"* he said quietly. "I am beside myself with worry."
The wizard touched his shoulder. "As am I."
"Talk to me, please," whispered Elrond. Gandalf reached for his pipe. "And do not smoke that foul thing in here."
Gandalf sighed. "I take it Frodo has not arrived?"
"Nay, and obviously he is not with you."
"When I returned to Bree, he had departed already, but good news." Gandalf paused. "Aragorn is guiding him."
Elrond closed his eyes. "Thank Elbereth."
"I have seen Glorfindel and also Erestor on the road," continued Gandalf. "They have heard no sign of Aragorn and Frodo, but they have both been harassing the Enemy, keeping them busy. I, myself was attacked on Weathertop, some two weeks back."
"What of Arwen? Have you any news of her?"
"No, indeed," said Gandalf, raising his eyebrows. "You are becoming more liberal minded as you grow older."
"She is the errant child that needs scolding." Elrond frowned. "She went forth without my blessing."
"Errant, maybe," said Gandalf. "But a child? I think not."
"Hmph," snorted Elrond and fell silent.
"At any rate I saw nothing of Frodo on the road; Aragorn is wisely keeping to the woods although it is rougher going. Nazgûl, however, I did see, at least three of them, not far from the ford."
"It seems we will need to prepare a strong defense," murmured Elrond, thinking.
Gandalf was surprised. "An army?"
"Nay, that is not necessary. I will simply bar the ford* once the hobbit is across."
"Ah." Gandalf's eyes twinkled. "Perhaps I may be of assistance in this matter?"
Elrond smiled. "By all means."
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*Old Friend
*Author's note: I am sorry, Arwen movie fans, but she simply does not have the power to control the river. And yes, there are some aspects of the film that I have incorporated into the story. *runs, hides*