Not All Those Who Wander
PG-13 Angst
Twin Fic No Slash
Ok yes, I took me forever to write up this one. I just couldn't get it right. Excuses, excuses I know. Well here it is at least. Hmm, I was just looking at the titles of my chapters and of the fic itself . . . and I really don't know why I've used them. O well. Maybe they will make sense eventually.
Thank you to Sarah (Siofra1) for the beta read. With out you all my sentences would be . . . well really bad. So thank you. And everyone enjoy.
It's all Tolkien's.
// = Indicates thought.
Chapter 2
An Elf's Pride
~***~
Elrohir asked to have a minute to regain his senses and sat with his back to his brothers. Displaying weakness was not something an elf took well too. After falling from the horse Elrohir spent some time on the ground not moving, seeming to be in quite a lot of pain. He complained of being dizzy and his stomach was completely empty by now. After the spell passed Elrohir outwardly appeared to have recovered for the most part and Aragorn and Elladan were quietly chatting some paces away, giving Elrohir the space he asked for. They still kept a close eye on him.
"One day," Aragorn frowned, "One day is to soon."
"Aragorn?" Elladan inquired.
"You are aware, having been sick before after being infected with orc poison some years ago, that it takes several days for the symptoms to appear." Aragorn looked very puzzled, "It's only been about a day since he was infected. This means one of two things: the poison is either inadequate or very much the opposite."
A look of serious understanding formed on Elladan's face, "We will have to get him to Mirkwood then to be sure. There at least he can rest properly."
"We will have to ask him to ride." Aragorn concluded.
Elladan nodded in agreement and walked over to his younger brother. "Ro?" Elrohir was still sitting legs crossed on the ground with his back to Elladan. He sat down next to his brother, mimicking his stance.
"How do you feel?"
"Better," Elrohir said quietly but rigidly, "I'm not dizzy anymore."
"That's excellent." Elladan watched as his brother touched the wound with look of frustrated confusion in his eyes, "How do you feel about riding?"
"Fine. I can ride. In fact, I feel much better." He paused and considered, "My arm still feels slightly numb."
Elladan sighed and decided to stand up. He gracefully got to his feet and stared at his mirror image skeptically, "Ro?"
The two knew each other too well. Elrohir already knew the question. Elladan already knew the answer.
"Ro, you aren't weak." Elladan continued speaking aloud. Elrohir made to get up but only make it half way before gravity took hold of him. Elladan quickly caught him under the arm and helped him stand upright. His brother's face raged red with anger and embarrassment.
"One day Elladan! One!" He said angrily, "And I can barely stand."
"Elrohir, we don't know what was on that arrow." Then Elladan smiled out of the corner of his mouth, "Well, at least your mouth is of working condition."
Elrohir smiled at that then thought for a moment, frowning, "Dan, something isn't right."
"Aragorn and I have discussed it and we think that it might be a different new brand of poison. Something we have not encountered before." He considered for a moment. "I have never seen an orc of that breed."
Elladan glanced at Aragorn, who was leading the horses over to the twins. "Ro, we have to ride. We need to get to Mirkwood as soon as possible. If you think you can ride then we must take advantage of that."
"Of course I can. I told you that." Elrohir replied. Elladan nodded to Aragorn, who now approached them handing the reigns to the pair and mounted his own horse.
Elrohir walked to his horse fine, but his attempt to mount the horse was in vain. Elladan walked over to his brother and helped him on his horse and after a minute Elrohir was situated on his horse clearly annoyed with himself. Elladan then quickly hopped onto his own steed. The three headed off going at the fastest speed they dared. Making good time was key at this point. None of them knew how much longer Elrohir would be able to ride a horse. For all they knew, today was the worst of it; it could also only be the beginning.
They finished out a long day of riding with out Elrohir getting sick again, and morale and hope was high among the three. Elladan asked to stop three times during the day after keeping a close eye on his brother. He knew Elrohir would not speak up when he was tired. Dinner was made and the conversation was light. Elrohir only picked at the food for fear that he would throw it back up instead. He told the others that he was just not in the mood to eat. Aragorn volunteered first watch and the twins hurried off to sleep. They would be rising at first light in hopes that Elrohir would still be fit to ride.
Elladan's eyes wandered, exploring the environment. He could just barely see the stars through the canopy of the forest. The air was considerably closer in Mirkwood and it almost seemed like the darkness was trying to overtake the light of the small fire. None of this was unfamiliar to him though; they had traveled to Mirkwood many times. He briefly glanced over at his brother. Elrohir must have been exhausted because his eyes already had that unfocused gaze within minutes. He was not surprised he was dreaming so soon, it was a long day. Elladan had also under estimated just how tired he was and he too was soon dreaming.
~***~
"You can't catch us Estel! You are far to slow!" Elladan shouted behind him.
The twins were racing through the gardens dressed in their formals. The three of them were late for dinner and Elrond had some important guests over. He would not be happy.
"I am not," called a voice from behind them, "You two just have longer legs!"
The two of them laughed. Besides the fact that they were Elves, they were also taller than him. Aragorn was only 15 and looked it. Though, both Elladan and Elrohir were impressed that he was able to keep up to a point. Estel almost reached their height but still fell short of their stance by almost 4 inches. He had practically grown that many over the past two years.
"Aragorn hurry dinner will be over by the time you reach the hall!" Elrohir added to the taunting.
The two passed the stables and went around the mud by the water trough. Reaching the marble steps leading into Imladris they turned to watch Aragorn running after them.
Aragorn's concentration on the twins kept him from looking at the ground in front of him. The twins watch in disbelief as Aragorn suddenly wasn't running any more, but skidding. Both twins cringed as he fell face first into the mud. Not because of the pain, but because he too was wearing his formals. With out a moment to spare the twins dashed inside.
~*~
"Estel?!" Elrond said astonished.
Aragorn was covered from head to toe with mud. The twins just barely contained their laughter. Suddenly something very unfamiliar happened. Aragorn walked straight up to Elladan and shoved him.
"Wake up."
Everyone one in the hall looked as if what he was doing was normal and no one took notice of it.
"Elladan wake up!"
Right before the world twisted he glanced at his brother sitting besides him, pale and writhing in pain in his chair.
"Elladan, it's your watch." Aragorn nudged his side again. Elladan blinked his eyes back into reality and glanced around and then looked at his brother. He looked to be sleeping calmly, but Elladan immediately raced to his side.
"Ro?"
TBC
REVIEWS
Iawen Londea: Well then I suppose I should look in to hiding places. Hmm, I guess it will all depend on my mood. Maybe if I am presented with something uber cool (like cookies) I will be in a better mood. ;)
Siofra1: HA! Yes, I do have a death wish for you. Took you long enough to get the hints. Hmm, get your next chapter out so I can review for you!
Araiyan: Thank you for that advice. I had no idea I had it on only signed reviews. I have changed that.
Well aren't I just a mean one. Cliffhanger. *wicked grin*
Well if I didn't do it whom would come back for more?
Please review *bribes everyone with Elrohir plushies and Band-Aids*
