Sorry this is so short, work is killing me. This should get you through
the weekend and in case your wondering, enjoy it now, it's all downhill
from here. As always thanks to you all who review (and those who lurk and
read), whether I know you exist or not, you all mean the world to me. If
you feel like this chapter was too happy, by all means feel free to read
Guilt By Association. It's up on my site and is even completed. Enough
rambling, onward.
Estelless
Chapter 5 - Fleeting Beauty
Elrond had started to run after the vision of Estel that he had seen. He still wasn't sure if he was even real or just another figment of his own twisted memories. All he knew, was that he had to find out. In fact, he was nearing Imladris when something turned his head. It was a strange feeling laced with familiarity, drawing him away from the city. The sensation grew stronger and stronger until finally Elrond found the source.
The elf was leaning against a tree. His body rippling with tremors from being in the last stages of exhaustion. His whole being radiated with a grief so terrible that to name it would be to end the world. Slowly he slumped over and landed face down on the ground.
It was Elladan.
Elrond quickly pulled him up and rested his head on his knees. His hand traced his son's neck to check his pulse. His heart beat strong and Elrond released the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.
"Elladan? Can you hear me, my son?" He began rubbing the base of his neck, gently bringing him out of his unhealthy state.
Elladan's eyes flickered. "Father?" He whispered, his fingers reflexively gripping Elrond's sleeves.
"Yes, I am here. Can you stand?" Elrond helped Elladan to his feet. His eyes strayed down to Elladan's bloody knuckles and he swallowed hard. A real fear hit him so suddenly as he realized that in choosing to save Elrohir, he may have lost all three of his children. Elrond pushed this sensation down, burying it with all his other sins and aided his son back towards his home.
They made the journey slowly. Elladan didn't speak and leaned on his father for more than just physical support. Elrond hadn't dared to mention seeing Estel last night. Mixed with his vision of his twin and the black whirlwind, he didn't trust his own memory. Still as he watched the sun crest the horizon he was filled with a deep feeling that this nightmare would soon end. There is still hope, he pleaded with himself, Estel could be alive. Oh please, be alive.
********************************************************
Elrohir had been sleeping for hours as Estel watched the light slowly change and filter in through the windows. Estel sat on the side of his bed, unsure what else to do, knowing he couldn't go get Elrond and partly afraid of what would happen if he did anyway. He was nervous to reveal himself to the household, even to his own family. So he waited in Elrohir's room, watching him sleep, apprehension festered inside him like a disease. For Estel, the dawn brought with it no peace nor reprieve from his suffering. It only brought him closer to having to face that which he was terrified of facing.
"Father?" Elrohir murmured in his sleep and Estel turned slowly. The morning became a dream. Standing in the doorway, bathed in ethereal light stood Elrond and Elladan. Both crying openly, a vision of splendor the likes of which Estel had never before seen. Moved and shocked, Estel leapt up from the bed and ran into his father's waiting arms. He sank down with them as they all fell to their knees. Strength, love, blissful serenity poured out of their beings and into him. For those few moments, time held them close and Estel could sense the very air around him slow it's pace. It wasn't real. It couldn't be, it was too beautiful.
Estelless
Chapter 5 - Fleeting Beauty
Elrond had started to run after the vision of Estel that he had seen. He still wasn't sure if he was even real or just another figment of his own twisted memories. All he knew, was that he had to find out. In fact, he was nearing Imladris when something turned his head. It was a strange feeling laced with familiarity, drawing him away from the city. The sensation grew stronger and stronger until finally Elrond found the source.
The elf was leaning against a tree. His body rippling with tremors from being in the last stages of exhaustion. His whole being radiated with a grief so terrible that to name it would be to end the world. Slowly he slumped over and landed face down on the ground.
It was Elladan.
Elrond quickly pulled him up and rested his head on his knees. His hand traced his son's neck to check his pulse. His heart beat strong and Elrond released the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.
"Elladan? Can you hear me, my son?" He began rubbing the base of his neck, gently bringing him out of his unhealthy state.
Elladan's eyes flickered. "Father?" He whispered, his fingers reflexively gripping Elrond's sleeves.
"Yes, I am here. Can you stand?" Elrond helped Elladan to his feet. His eyes strayed down to Elladan's bloody knuckles and he swallowed hard. A real fear hit him so suddenly as he realized that in choosing to save Elrohir, he may have lost all three of his children. Elrond pushed this sensation down, burying it with all his other sins and aided his son back towards his home.
They made the journey slowly. Elladan didn't speak and leaned on his father for more than just physical support. Elrond hadn't dared to mention seeing Estel last night. Mixed with his vision of his twin and the black whirlwind, he didn't trust his own memory. Still as he watched the sun crest the horizon he was filled with a deep feeling that this nightmare would soon end. There is still hope, he pleaded with himself, Estel could be alive. Oh please, be alive.
********************************************************
Elrohir had been sleeping for hours as Estel watched the light slowly change and filter in through the windows. Estel sat on the side of his bed, unsure what else to do, knowing he couldn't go get Elrond and partly afraid of what would happen if he did anyway. He was nervous to reveal himself to the household, even to his own family. So he waited in Elrohir's room, watching him sleep, apprehension festered inside him like a disease. For Estel, the dawn brought with it no peace nor reprieve from his suffering. It only brought him closer to having to face that which he was terrified of facing.
"Father?" Elrohir murmured in his sleep and Estel turned slowly. The morning became a dream. Standing in the doorway, bathed in ethereal light stood Elrond and Elladan. Both crying openly, a vision of splendor the likes of which Estel had never before seen. Moved and shocked, Estel leapt up from the bed and ran into his father's waiting arms. He sank down with them as they all fell to their knees. Strength, love, blissful serenity poured out of their beings and into him. For those few moments, time held them close and Estel could sense the very air around him slow it's pace. It wasn't real. It couldn't be, it was too beautiful.