And again, I write to Dobie Grey. "I wanna get lost in your rock and
roll..." :) I'm such a freak.
Sorry this took so long and its a week or so after I promised I'd have it out. I did a total rewrite, and then my computer did strange things and lost the rewrite, so I rewrote the rewrite. *looks back on that last sentence* Uh, yeah...
So, I'll be a tad nice and recap chapter seven in, like, two sentences. Rabryn's still caught, and Legolas, Aragorn, and Elrohir get mixed up in the mess. Elrohir's on the wrong end of his own arrow, thanks to Burly, and Jamyn looks to be about to cleave Aragorn's head from his shoulders. All in all, we didn't leave our heroes in very good positions. We are evil.
Stolen
Chapter Eight
Rabryn hit the ground hard enough that colored spots danced before the child's eyes. He'd rolled when he landed, not entirely of his own volition, but fortunate nonetheless. Horse's hooves pawed and stamped anxiously too close for his comfort. Rabryn tried to roll away, but, trussed as he was, found it more difficult than he thought.
Someone stepped over him and Rabryn started. The boot planted near his head looked nothing like the shoes the slavers wore. Rabryn craned his neck around to look up and found the blond elf smiling down at him.
"Hello," Rabryn chirped.
Legolas rolled his eyes and shook his head. He shouldered his bow and picked up the child, on long dagger in his hand. As he turned, his gaze caught a sight that slowed his blood. He froze, almost dropping Rabryn. He tried to warn his friend as he saw Jamyn start the fatal swing, but his breath caught.
Rabryn looked up when he felt the elf falter. Horrified eyes saw what Legolas had seen and he cried out, not in warning, but in fear and despair.
It was enough to gain Aragorn's attention. He whirled, swinging wildly and somehow managed to catch Jamyn's blade. The force behind Jamyn's swing couple with the Aragorn's awkward stance tore the broad sword from the Ranger's hands. It fell into the brush, landing out of sight with a muffled thud.
Aragorn, now favoring a bruised hand, faced Jamyn quickly. The slave trader was already moving for the kill.
"Don't." There was no hint of pleading in the tone; it was one of pure command and that was how Legolas intended it. The sword stopped only inches from Aragorn's throat. "There is an arrow trained on you," Legolas continued, "and I do not miss."
"Neither do I," Jamyn replied and moved the sword closer.
Aragorn barely kept from flinching. He fancied he could already feel the bite of the cold steel. He looked at Legolas. At Jamyn's movement, the prince moved and rattled his bow just enough to make a little noise. "Put it down."
Jamyn grinned. "You first."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrohir moved as soon as he sensed Burly letting the arrow go. They were too close, though, and the arrow imbedded itself deep in Elrohir's shoulder. The force of the blow spun the elf around and he caught himself on his uninjured arm, grunting as he jarred the new wound.
He could hear Burly laughing as the man came closer behind him. Annoyed at himself and in a great deal of pain, Elrohir held his breath and narrowed his eyes. He waited for just the right moment and, praying to the Valar that he was right, kicked behind him. Elrohir's foot caught Burly in the shin. The man stumbled and the arrow he'd been holding dropped.
It never made it to the ground. Elrohir caught it and, ignoring the pain it caused, surged upward. Burly gasped and Elrohir pushed him away. The man fell backward, Elrohir's arrow firmly imbedded in his chest. He landed with a small cry and Elrohir noted that his eyes were already glazing over.
Elrohir sighed and found a sturdy tree to lean against. His vision swam a little and he clutched at the wound. Before long, he was falling, but strong and gentle hands caught him. Elrohir shook off the cloud of dizziness, forcing himself to coherency and looked around.
"That was graceless."
"Shut up, Elladan," the younger elf muttered. "I could have used your help."
Elladan shrugged. "I was held up." He perused Elrohir's injury. "If we get you to Ada soon enough, you will be fine."
"I am sorry."
Elladan paused, concern marring his features. "Whatever are you apologizing for?"
"I'm an idiot," Elrohir mumbled, his speech becoming less and less clear.
Elladan rolled his eyes, smiling a little in spite of the situation. "Elrohir, I already know that. Now, be still so I can look at this."
"What took you?" Elrohir questioned. "Worried."
"Sorry about that, brother. I found someone following us." He paused. "Well, trying to follow something." He shook his head. "Enalaen snuck out of Imladris, apparently. I tracked her. She has some skill or she's just lucky. She came this way, but managed to avoid the slavers. Perhaps its something she could teach you."
"Wondered where Rabryn got it."
Elladan chuckled. "Hold still."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Enalaen had stopped just before coming into the clearing. The sounds of fighting had halted her steps and it was a most forunate thing. Mere seconds after she'd stopped, a broadsword sliced through the air, thudded and skid along the ground and stopped mere inches from her skirt. She stepped back, wide-eyed. She looked down at the sword and back into the clearing, trying to see exactly what was happening. When she found the sight she both longed for and dreaded to see, her eyes narrowed and she set her jaw. Without conscious thought, she took up the sword and strode through the bushes.
She found herself coming to stand over her son. Narit looked up as the tip of the sword came to a stop a foot from his chest. Slowly, he took his hands off Rabryn's ropes.
"You can't habe him," Enalaen said, her voice shaking slightly as she suddenly realized what she was doing, but still full of rage.
Narit eyed the tip of the sword as it wobbled slightly. He swallowed. "Put it down, woman," he ordered.
"I won't let you take him," Enalaen answered, her voice turning shrill.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jamyn turned slightly, distracted by Enalaen. Aragorn ducked and Legolas let loose his arrow. Without watching the slaver fall, Legolas immediately had an arrow aimed in Narit's direction. When Narit lunged for Enalean, Legolas didn't hesitate.
Narit's momentum carried him forward, and he fell, pulling Enalaen down under him. As if having an arrow in his back wasn't enough, Aragorn's sword, still in Enalaen's grip, sliced across his chest. A horrified Enalaen tried to scramble out from under him, inadvertantly kicking her own son.
By this time, two strong pairs of hands were lifting Narit's form off of her. As Aragorn shoved Narit away, Legolas cut Rabryn's ropes.
"You must be Enalaen," Aragorn said as he helped her sit up.
She nodded, eyes already on Rabryn. Rabryn lept forward with a cry and, knocking his mother back down, wrapped his arms around her neck. Both had tears streaming down their cheeks.
Aragorn smiled at Legolas. The elf raised an eyebrow when the smile suddenly slipped. "What?" he asked.
"Elrohir!" Aragorn scrambled to his feet and turned in the direction he'd seen his brother fall.
Legolas stood and moved a few steps to follow, but stopped suddenly. With a worried glance in Aragorn's direction, he fingered his bow. He sighed and turned back to Enalaen and Rabryn. He couldn't leave them alone, and if Aragorn needed him, he'd call. Legolas impatiently tapped his fingers against his leg. It didn't make waiting any easier.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrond knew he shouldn't have been patient. He should've sent the scouts as soon as he'd discovered his sons had gone out alone. He shook his head, stopped the lecture he was giving himself. He'd save that for his sons. And Legolas. The prince was going to get away unscathed when it came to Elrond's ire.
Sighing, Elrond told himself that at least they had all come home in almost good condition. The elf snorted. It was a sad thing indeed when "almost good condition" included a deep arrow wound, rope burns, deep bruises, a tramatized child, and a family still missing a father and husband. The thing that surprised Elrond the most was the fact that Aragorn and Legolas had come home unscathed for the most part. The elf prince's wrists had not been pretty, but cleaned and bandaged, were well on their way to healing. Aragorn had a shoulder so bruised it hurt Elrond to look at it. Aragorn hadn't said a word about it, but Elrohir had said something about falling out of a tree. Elrond, considered one of the wisest of the elf lords, had said nothing when he saw Aragorn's piercing gaze on Elrohir.
Even Elrohir, who had taken the most greivous wound, was recovering nicely. The elf was exhausted and sore, but he had received good treatment soon after the injury.
Elrond sighed and turned from the view of Imladris he was not really seeing anyway and made his way to the Hall of Fire, where his sons, including Elrohir who couldn't be made to sleep, Legolas, Rabryn and Enalaen had gathered.
They were going to figure out what to do with Enalaen. Elrond strongly suspected she would not leave her husband to his fate, not after what she'd been through for Rabryn. Elrond shook his head. The woman dearly needed rest. They could help her find her husband, but Elrond wanted everyone well before they started on the next stage of rescuing Enalaen's family. There was no doubt in his mind that they would help her, but he wanted it to be one his own terms.
Elrond entered the Hall, already prepared to answer her rebuttal to his offer of sanctuary. Enalaen sat on on end of a couch, Rabryn sprawled next to her with his head in her lap. Legolas, at Rabryn's insistence, sat on the other end of the couch, near Rabryn's feet and looking decidedly uncomfortable. Elrond smothered a smile. While the rest of them were at ease with Rabryn around, the prince of Mirkwood had no experience whatsoever with children and it showed in his tense posture. The elf looked ready to do battle with a platoon of orcs instead of sitting near a child next to a fireplace.
Aragorn was sprawled in a chair near them, eyes closed. When Elrond came in, he opened one eye and saw Legolas' countenance. "Relax, Legolas. It's a child, not an orc."
Elladan, next to a decidedly weary Elrohir, laughed as Legolas stiffened.
Elrond held up a hand. "Peace," was all he said. While Legolas' situation was certainly amusing, Elrond was not in the mood to be amused. "Enalaen," he continued, "we will discuss your situation in a moment. Stay, though, while I speak to my sons and their friend."
Elrond's sons, foster and elf both, winced. Legolas promptly forgot about the terror of having a child near him when he realized he was included in Elrond's lecture.
"Elrohir said it quite succintly and clearly not too long ago," Elrond stated, "so I will repeat it and let it be at that. But, so help me, if you repeat a stunt like this, I will not be so lenient. That goes for you as well, young prince of Mirkwood." Elrond paused, letting his words sink in. "Going off by yourself." He shook his head. "In Elrohir's words, you are idiots. The lot of you."
Aragorn shot an accusing glance at Elrohir, who shrugged one shoulder indifferently. Elrond watched the exchange and decided that Elrohir was indeed getting a dose of that special tea soon. The younger twin needed rest, but refused. Elrond held back a sigh. Elrohir was stubborn, all right. Almost as stubborn as Elrond himself.
"Sorry, Ada," Elladan said quietly.
"Never mind it," Elrond said, waving a hand. He knew that it would make no difference in future endeavors. They would do what they wished without thinking first. "We have more pressing matters to discuss. Enalaen?"
The woman looked up. During the elves' exchange, she'd tried to be as unobstrusive as possible by seeing to a half asleep Rabryn. "Yes, my lord?" she asked quietly, hoping that the imposing lord didn't have a lecture for her prepared.
Elrond sat down in a chair opposite the couch. "We are prepared to offer you sanctuary here in Rivendell for your recovery." Elrond paused, suddenly unsure of how to proceed when he saw the torn and sorrowful look in Enalaen's eyes.
"My lord, I have a home elsewhere."
"From what Fiwen told me, though, a home, but no family."
"There is one."
Elrond nodded. "I know."
Enalaen stroked Rabryn's hair for a moment before saying anything. "I do not know what I should do, my lord."
Elrond sighed. "I cannot answer that for you, Enalaen. What you do next is for you to decide."
Enalaen looked up. The firelight glinted off fresh tears that made their way down her face. "It would be different if he had been killed outright. It would be different if I knew he still lived. This uncertainty of even where he is..." She trailed off. Enalaen sighed, her breath hitching. "How can I even begin? I can't leave him to his fate, but if I can't find him..."
Elrond nodded slowly. "Enalaen, look at me." She did, hesitantly meeting his eyes. "Stay in Imladris for the time being. Fiwen would be more than happy to help you here. She has taken quite a shine to young Rabryn. Recover your strength here."
Enalaen nodded hesitantly. She opened her mouth, but closed it again, afraid to question Elrond.
"We will pool our resources. Perhaps with our expertise and with your first hand accounts, we can discover your husband's fate. If you are not willing to give up on him, we will not either."
Enalaen tried to thank him, but found her voice gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The night was half gone. Legolas had long ago slipped quietly out of Elrond's house and into the courtyard. He stood still in the center of one of the many pathways, looking up at the stars and smiling. They shone brightly tonight, seeming to lend their light to the hope in Imladris that night. All was quiet but for a gentle breeze barely rustling the leaves and the far off sound of water.
It had been decided earlier in the evening that Fiwen would be called in the morning to see to Rabryn while arrangements were made for Enalaen and Rabryn's impending stay. The small family had been sequestered in one of the many guest rooms, and one of the servants had reported that Enalaen slept soundly within minutes of retiring. Hope had seemed to give her rest this night, and for that, Legolas was glad.
The blond elf stopped, listening to the night again, smiling when he caught another sound behind him. "Good morning, Estel."
Aragorn looked up at the sky. "This is morning?" he asked.
Legolas shrugged. "The stars shine bright as day tonight."
Aragorn looked around, trying to peer through the shadows. "Not quite."
Legolas turned to face his friend. "Not able to sleep?" he asked.
"You woke me up."
"I did not."
Aragorn grimaced. "All right. Maybe you didn't, but still...what are you doing out here?"
"Enjoying the night."
Aragorn sighed. "I'm going back to bed."
Legolas smiled. "I am thinking, Estel. Just thinking."
"Thinking what?"
"What happens now?"
Aragorn shrugged. "That's up to Ada, now, I suppose."
"Not entirely," Legolas countered. "Enalaen would seem to have a say in the matter. This is about her family."
"She's not in her right mind as of now."
"She seemed coherent to me."
"You obviously don't know human women."
Legolas countered this with a glare. "Oh, and you do?"
Aragorn sent Legolas a withering glance. "She doesn't know what to do next. That much is obvious."
"Do we?"
"What?"
"Do we know what to do next?" Legolas asked. "What is the next step?"
"We should try to reunite this family, if her husband still lives."
"How?"
"That I do not know." Aragorn frowned. "And I just made your point for you, didn't I?"
Legolas nodded, smirking.
"Funny. Very funny, elf."
Legolas started chuckling.
"I am going to bed."
"Good night, Strider."
"You are going to stay out here?"
Legolas nodded.
"Keep thinking?" Aragorn asked.
Another nod.
Aragorn turned to walk away. "Let me know what you come up with. I'd really love to know what's to be done."
"Aragorn." The call halted the man. He turned to face Legolas. "Have hope for them."
Aragorn smiled. "I have to. It's my name."
"Funny, Estel." Legolas caught up with his friend. "I'll walk you."
"Done thinking already?"
A noncommittal sound was his only answer.
"Oh, I understand. You need my protection."
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"
"You are afraid another child will come out of the darkness upon you, and you need me to protect you from the fell beasts that roam the shadows."
"I will not even acknowledge that with an answer."
"I was right, though, wasn't I?"
"Just go back to bed, Estel."
Aragorn clapped a hand to Legolas' shoulder. "I will protect you with my life. I will not let the children get you, mighty hunter of Mirkwood."
"That is it. I am staying out here the remainder of the night."
Aragorn stopped in mock dismay. "No, my lord! You cannot! The children. They might come upon you this night."
"One the other hand, I think I will retire to my rooms and lock the door."
"A most excellent idea!" Aragorn exclaimed. "That way they cannot get to you."
"That way you cannot get to me."
The friendly bickering continued as they made their way into the house. The stars still shone brightly behind them, illuminating the night and making the dark seem like day. They seemed to make known the fact that all would be well on the morrow, and that rest would be easy tonight. Hope prevailed.
THE END
Ok, see the sequel...still in progress, obviously, but up shortly! Thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoyed the ride!
("Gimme the beat, boys, and free my soul!") I have got to stop that. I just need to write a songfic to get that out of my system. LotR to Dobie Grey? That could be interesting...:) Or just weird!
Cheers, Kellen
Sorry this took so long and its a week or so after I promised I'd have it out. I did a total rewrite, and then my computer did strange things and lost the rewrite, so I rewrote the rewrite. *looks back on that last sentence* Uh, yeah...
So, I'll be a tad nice and recap chapter seven in, like, two sentences. Rabryn's still caught, and Legolas, Aragorn, and Elrohir get mixed up in the mess. Elrohir's on the wrong end of his own arrow, thanks to Burly, and Jamyn looks to be about to cleave Aragorn's head from his shoulders. All in all, we didn't leave our heroes in very good positions. We are evil.
Stolen
Chapter Eight
Rabryn hit the ground hard enough that colored spots danced before the child's eyes. He'd rolled when he landed, not entirely of his own volition, but fortunate nonetheless. Horse's hooves pawed and stamped anxiously too close for his comfort. Rabryn tried to roll away, but, trussed as he was, found it more difficult than he thought.
Someone stepped over him and Rabryn started. The boot planted near his head looked nothing like the shoes the slavers wore. Rabryn craned his neck around to look up and found the blond elf smiling down at him.
"Hello," Rabryn chirped.
Legolas rolled his eyes and shook his head. He shouldered his bow and picked up the child, on long dagger in his hand. As he turned, his gaze caught a sight that slowed his blood. He froze, almost dropping Rabryn. He tried to warn his friend as he saw Jamyn start the fatal swing, but his breath caught.
Rabryn looked up when he felt the elf falter. Horrified eyes saw what Legolas had seen and he cried out, not in warning, but in fear and despair.
It was enough to gain Aragorn's attention. He whirled, swinging wildly and somehow managed to catch Jamyn's blade. The force behind Jamyn's swing couple with the Aragorn's awkward stance tore the broad sword from the Ranger's hands. It fell into the brush, landing out of sight with a muffled thud.
Aragorn, now favoring a bruised hand, faced Jamyn quickly. The slave trader was already moving for the kill.
"Don't." There was no hint of pleading in the tone; it was one of pure command and that was how Legolas intended it. The sword stopped only inches from Aragorn's throat. "There is an arrow trained on you," Legolas continued, "and I do not miss."
"Neither do I," Jamyn replied and moved the sword closer.
Aragorn barely kept from flinching. He fancied he could already feel the bite of the cold steel. He looked at Legolas. At Jamyn's movement, the prince moved and rattled his bow just enough to make a little noise. "Put it down."
Jamyn grinned. "You first."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrohir moved as soon as he sensed Burly letting the arrow go. They were too close, though, and the arrow imbedded itself deep in Elrohir's shoulder. The force of the blow spun the elf around and he caught himself on his uninjured arm, grunting as he jarred the new wound.
He could hear Burly laughing as the man came closer behind him. Annoyed at himself and in a great deal of pain, Elrohir held his breath and narrowed his eyes. He waited for just the right moment and, praying to the Valar that he was right, kicked behind him. Elrohir's foot caught Burly in the shin. The man stumbled and the arrow he'd been holding dropped.
It never made it to the ground. Elrohir caught it and, ignoring the pain it caused, surged upward. Burly gasped and Elrohir pushed him away. The man fell backward, Elrohir's arrow firmly imbedded in his chest. He landed with a small cry and Elrohir noted that his eyes were already glazing over.
Elrohir sighed and found a sturdy tree to lean against. His vision swam a little and he clutched at the wound. Before long, he was falling, but strong and gentle hands caught him. Elrohir shook off the cloud of dizziness, forcing himself to coherency and looked around.
"That was graceless."
"Shut up, Elladan," the younger elf muttered. "I could have used your help."
Elladan shrugged. "I was held up." He perused Elrohir's injury. "If we get you to Ada soon enough, you will be fine."
"I am sorry."
Elladan paused, concern marring his features. "Whatever are you apologizing for?"
"I'm an idiot," Elrohir mumbled, his speech becoming less and less clear.
Elladan rolled his eyes, smiling a little in spite of the situation. "Elrohir, I already know that. Now, be still so I can look at this."
"What took you?" Elrohir questioned. "Worried."
"Sorry about that, brother. I found someone following us." He paused. "Well, trying to follow something." He shook his head. "Enalaen snuck out of Imladris, apparently. I tracked her. She has some skill or she's just lucky. She came this way, but managed to avoid the slavers. Perhaps its something she could teach you."
"Wondered where Rabryn got it."
Elladan chuckled. "Hold still."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Enalaen had stopped just before coming into the clearing. The sounds of fighting had halted her steps and it was a most forunate thing. Mere seconds after she'd stopped, a broadsword sliced through the air, thudded and skid along the ground and stopped mere inches from her skirt. She stepped back, wide-eyed. She looked down at the sword and back into the clearing, trying to see exactly what was happening. When she found the sight she both longed for and dreaded to see, her eyes narrowed and she set her jaw. Without conscious thought, she took up the sword and strode through the bushes.
She found herself coming to stand over her son. Narit looked up as the tip of the sword came to a stop a foot from his chest. Slowly, he took his hands off Rabryn's ropes.
"You can't habe him," Enalaen said, her voice shaking slightly as she suddenly realized what she was doing, but still full of rage.
Narit eyed the tip of the sword as it wobbled slightly. He swallowed. "Put it down, woman," he ordered.
"I won't let you take him," Enalaen answered, her voice turning shrill.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jamyn turned slightly, distracted by Enalaen. Aragorn ducked and Legolas let loose his arrow. Without watching the slaver fall, Legolas immediately had an arrow aimed in Narit's direction. When Narit lunged for Enalean, Legolas didn't hesitate.
Narit's momentum carried him forward, and he fell, pulling Enalaen down under him. As if having an arrow in his back wasn't enough, Aragorn's sword, still in Enalaen's grip, sliced across his chest. A horrified Enalaen tried to scramble out from under him, inadvertantly kicking her own son.
By this time, two strong pairs of hands were lifting Narit's form off of her. As Aragorn shoved Narit away, Legolas cut Rabryn's ropes.
"You must be Enalaen," Aragorn said as he helped her sit up.
She nodded, eyes already on Rabryn. Rabryn lept forward with a cry and, knocking his mother back down, wrapped his arms around her neck. Both had tears streaming down their cheeks.
Aragorn smiled at Legolas. The elf raised an eyebrow when the smile suddenly slipped. "What?" he asked.
"Elrohir!" Aragorn scrambled to his feet and turned in the direction he'd seen his brother fall.
Legolas stood and moved a few steps to follow, but stopped suddenly. With a worried glance in Aragorn's direction, he fingered his bow. He sighed and turned back to Enalaen and Rabryn. He couldn't leave them alone, and if Aragorn needed him, he'd call. Legolas impatiently tapped his fingers against his leg. It didn't make waiting any easier.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrond knew he shouldn't have been patient. He should've sent the scouts as soon as he'd discovered his sons had gone out alone. He shook his head, stopped the lecture he was giving himself. He'd save that for his sons. And Legolas. The prince was going to get away unscathed when it came to Elrond's ire.
Sighing, Elrond told himself that at least they had all come home in almost good condition. The elf snorted. It was a sad thing indeed when "almost good condition" included a deep arrow wound, rope burns, deep bruises, a tramatized child, and a family still missing a father and husband. The thing that surprised Elrond the most was the fact that Aragorn and Legolas had come home unscathed for the most part. The elf prince's wrists had not been pretty, but cleaned and bandaged, were well on their way to healing. Aragorn had a shoulder so bruised it hurt Elrond to look at it. Aragorn hadn't said a word about it, but Elrohir had said something about falling out of a tree. Elrond, considered one of the wisest of the elf lords, had said nothing when he saw Aragorn's piercing gaze on Elrohir.
Even Elrohir, who had taken the most greivous wound, was recovering nicely. The elf was exhausted and sore, but he had received good treatment soon after the injury.
Elrond sighed and turned from the view of Imladris he was not really seeing anyway and made his way to the Hall of Fire, where his sons, including Elrohir who couldn't be made to sleep, Legolas, Rabryn and Enalaen had gathered.
They were going to figure out what to do with Enalaen. Elrond strongly suspected she would not leave her husband to his fate, not after what she'd been through for Rabryn. Elrond shook his head. The woman dearly needed rest. They could help her find her husband, but Elrond wanted everyone well before they started on the next stage of rescuing Enalaen's family. There was no doubt in his mind that they would help her, but he wanted it to be one his own terms.
Elrond entered the Hall, already prepared to answer her rebuttal to his offer of sanctuary. Enalaen sat on on end of a couch, Rabryn sprawled next to her with his head in her lap. Legolas, at Rabryn's insistence, sat on the other end of the couch, near Rabryn's feet and looking decidedly uncomfortable. Elrond smothered a smile. While the rest of them were at ease with Rabryn around, the prince of Mirkwood had no experience whatsoever with children and it showed in his tense posture. The elf looked ready to do battle with a platoon of orcs instead of sitting near a child next to a fireplace.
Aragorn was sprawled in a chair near them, eyes closed. When Elrond came in, he opened one eye and saw Legolas' countenance. "Relax, Legolas. It's a child, not an orc."
Elladan, next to a decidedly weary Elrohir, laughed as Legolas stiffened.
Elrond held up a hand. "Peace," was all he said. While Legolas' situation was certainly amusing, Elrond was not in the mood to be amused. "Enalaen," he continued, "we will discuss your situation in a moment. Stay, though, while I speak to my sons and their friend."
Elrond's sons, foster and elf both, winced. Legolas promptly forgot about the terror of having a child near him when he realized he was included in Elrond's lecture.
"Elrohir said it quite succintly and clearly not too long ago," Elrond stated, "so I will repeat it and let it be at that. But, so help me, if you repeat a stunt like this, I will not be so lenient. That goes for you as well, young prince of Mirkwood." Elrond paused, letting his words sink in. "Going off by yourself." He shook his head. "In Elrohir's words, you are idiots. The lot of you."
Aragorn shot an accusing glance at Elrohir, who shrugged one shoulder indifferently. Elrond watched the exchange and decided that Elrohir was indeed getting a dose of that special tea soon. The younger twin needed rest, but refused. Elrond held back a sigh. Elrohir was stubborn, all right. Almost as stubborn as Elrond himself.
"Sorry, Ada," Elladan said quietly.
"Never mind it," Elrond said, waving a hand. He knew that it would make no difference in future endeavors. They would do what they wished without thinking first. "We have more pressing matters to discuss. Enalaen?"
The woman looked up. During the elves' exchange, she'd tried to be as unobstrusive as possible by seeing to a half asleep Rabryn. "Yes, my lord?" she asked quietly, hoping that the imposing lord didn't have a lecture for her prepared.
Elrond sat down in a chair opposite the couch. "We are prepared to offer you sanctuary here in Rivendell for your recovery." Elrond paused, suddenly unsure of how to proceed when he saw the torn and sorrowful look in Enalaen's eyes.
"My lord, I have a home elsewhere."
"From what Fiwen told me, though, a home, but no family."
"There is one."
Elrond nodded. "I know."
Enalaen stroked Rabryn's hair for a moment before saying anything. "I do not know what I should do, my lord."
Elrond sighed. "I cannot answer that for you, Enalaen. What you do next is for you to decide."
Enalaen looked up. The firelight glinted off fresh tears that made their way down her face. "It would be different if he had been killed outright. It would be different if I knew he still lived. This uncertainty of even where he is..." She trailed off. Enalaen sighed, her breath hitching. "How can I even begin? I can't leave him to his fate, but if I can't find him..."
Elrond nodded slowly. "Enalaen, look at me." She did, hesitantly meeting his eyes. "Stay in Imladris for the time being. Fiwen would be more than happy to help you here. She has taken quite a shine to young Rabryn. Recover your strength here."
Enalaen nodded hesitantly. She opened her mouth, but closed it again, afraid to question Elrond.
"We will pool our resources. Perhaps with our expertise and with your first hand accounts, we can discover your husband's fate. If you are not willing to give up on him, we will not either."
Enalaen tried to thank him, but found her voice gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The night was half gone. Legolas had long ago slipped quietly out of Elrond's house and into the courtyard. He stood still in the center of one of the many pathways, looking up at the stars and smiling. They shone brightly tonight, seeming to lend their light to the hope in Imladris that night. All was quiet but for a gentle breeze barely rustling the leaves and the far off sound of water.
It had been decided earlier in the evening that Fiwen would be called in the morning to see to Rabryn while arrangements were made for Enalaen and Rabryn's impending stay. The small family had been sequestered in one of the many guest rooms, and one of the servants had reported that Enalaen slept soundly within minutes of retiring. Hope had seemed to give her rest this night, and for that, Legolas was glad.
The blond elf stopped, listening to the night again, smiling when he caught another sound behind him. "Good morning, Estel."
Aragorn looked up at the sky. "This is morning?" he asked.
Legolas shrugged. "The stars shine bright as day tonight."
Aragorn looked around, trying to peer through the shadows. "Not quite."
Legolas turned to face his friend. "Not able to sleep?" he asked.
"You woke me up."
"I did not."
Aragorn grimaced. "All right. Maybe you didn't, but still...what are you doing out here?"
"Enjoying the night."
Aragorn sighed. "I'm going back to bed."
Legolas smiled. "I am thinking, Estel. Just thinking."
"Thinking what?"
"What happens now?"
Aragorn shrugged. "That's up to Ada, now, I suppose."
"Not entirely," Legolas countered. "Enalaen would seem to have a say in the matter. This is about her family."
"She's not in her right mind as of now."
"She seemed coherent to me."
"You obviously don't know human women."
Legolas countered this with a glare. "Oh, and you do?"
Aragorn sent Legolas a withering glance. "She doesn't know what to do next. That much is obvious."
"Do we?"
"What?"
"Do we know what to do next?" Legolas asked. "What is the next step?"
"We should try to reunite this family, if her husband still lives."
"How?"
"That I do not know." Aragorn frowned. "And I just made your point for you, didn't I?"
Legolas nodded, smirking.
"Funny. Very funny, elf."
Legolas started chuckling.
"I am going to bed."
"Good night, Strider."
"You are going to stay out here?"
Legolas nodded.
"Keep thinking?" Aragorn asked.
Another nod.
Aragorn turned to walk away. "Let me know what you come up with. I'd really love to know what's to be done."
"Aragorn." The call halted the man. He turned to face Legolas. "Have hope for them."
Aragorn smiled. "I have to. It's my name."
"Funny, Estel." Legolas caught up with his friend. "I'll walk you."
"Done thinking already?"
A noncommittal sound was his only answer.
"Oh, I understand. You need my protection."
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"
"You are afraid another child will come out of the darkness upon you, and you need me to protect you from the fell beasts that roam the shadows."
"I will not even acknowledge that with an answer."
"I was right, though, wasn't I?"
"Just go back to bed, Estel."
Aragorn clapped a hand to Legolas' shoulder. "I will protect you with my life. I will not let the children get you, mighty hunter of Mirkwood."
"That is it. I am staying out here the remainder of the night."
Aragorn stopped in mock dismay. "No, my lord! You cannot! The children. They might come upon you this night."
"One the other hand, I think I will retire to my rooms and lock the door."
"A most excellent idea!" Aragorn exclaimed. "That way they cannot get to you."
"That way you cannot get to me."
The friendly bickering continued as they made their way into the house. The stars still shone brightly behind them, illuminating the night and making the dark seem like day. They seemed to make known the fact that all would be well on the morrow, and that rest would be easy tonight. Hope prevailed.
THE END
Ok, see the sequel...still in progress, obviously, but up shortly! Thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoyed the ride!
("Gimme the beat, boys, and free my soul!") I have got to stop that. I just need to write a songfic to get that out of my system. LotR to Dobie Grey? That could be interesting...:) Or just weird!
Cheers, Kellen