Darkness still clung heavily in the air even as the morning sun rose steadily higher. It cast a faint glow of red over the surrounding area, still left in slumber. The soft flow of the rivers wove their own music within the early morning, in their never-ending journey to the ocean.
Lord Elrond watched all of this from the balcony. His sons had already left hours ago to continue their search to find Aragorn and Legolas. Wrapped in a long black robe he lowered himself into one of several chairs.
He and the twins had often sat here with Celebrian, watching the ivory moon hang in the sky before they left for bed. He could hardly remember a time that they had sat out here again since her leaving. But Lord Elrond's thoughts were elsewhere.
Time and time again he caught himself remembering the fight he and Aragorn had a few weeks ago. He knew that in the ways of man Aragorn was an adult, but he still saw a child in his youngest son, the same child that was brought to him that one night, years ago.
He remembered that Elladan and Elrohir had been gone for some time, which wasn't unusual. He knew his sons well, and trusted them…for the most part. So when news came to him that his sons were returning and in need of aid, fear heightened inside him. Both Elladan and Elrohir were well skilled in medicine, learning well from their father. The last time they had required aid from him was many years ago.
They had been crossing the mountains when they crossed a hoard of Orcs. Somehow they had made it home, but in the condition they arrived in; Elrond wasn't sure how they managed it. The same memory crossed his mind when the news arrived. But nothing could prepare him for what happened then. Both his sons had traveled in, riding on their horses. He could easily see the fatigue and pain in their eyes. However Elrond could see no visible injuries, despite minor scratches and bruises.
It was then he noticed the bundle Elladan carried in his arms. It was then their lives changed, with a new child in their home. Some things had been difficult, a lot of nights spent with the child convincing him that he was safe, and the painful details of explain what death meant, and that it was permanent.
Aragorn had never spoken of it openly since his youngest years. Sometimes Elrond wondered if his foster son even remembered his real parents. It was saddening to lose a loved one at such a young age, but in Aragorn's case, he had lost two.
Elrond sighed, letting his head fall into his hands. In the beginning he was afraid to come to love the young boy so closely. Humans died so easily and quickly. He remembered the time years ago, when Estel had only been with them shortly over a full year. His own sons had grown attached to Estel quickly; it was obvious that they loved him as if he was indeed their own flesh and blood.
That winter Estel had fallen ill, Elrond assumed now it had only been a fever, but at the time Elrond and the twins were naïve in the ways of humans. Elrond was almost certain they were going to lose the child. The young boy refused to eat and was left trapped in feverish dreams that he could not escape, not even with the comfort of his new family.
Elrond could not remember sleeping at all during that time. Estel's voice was weak, often interrupted by a fierce hoarse cough. Every remedy Elrond tried proved useless, the fever that held him would not relinquish its hold. As a last resort, Elrond created a fragrance of wild flowers in the room, the same kind his mother had loved, hoping the scent would at least settle the young boy. It had worked, but there was nothing more Elrond could do but wait and hope. This procedure continued for three long agonizing days before Elrond began to see improvement.
It had taken weeks for a full recovery, but Estel had amazing strength. He was able to save him, now he only hoped now that it was not too late to save his youngest son again.
*~*~*~*~*
At first, Aragorn wasn't certain what had woken him, the past days events seemed like a dream. But the pounding in his head and fire in his arm told him that it had been real. He could hardly see in the darkness, nor could he hear anything, and was uncertain of what had woken him from his deep slumber. After a few moments of allowing his eyes adjust to blackness of the cave he could identify a slender outline moving slowly along the wall that once was the entrance.
"Legolas?" he queried, watching the form move.
The Elf jumped at his voice, only to calm himself with a long low breath and a few muttered curses under his breath.
"By the Valor Strider, you frightened me." Aragorn could hear an irritated yet relieved edge to his companion's voice.
"What are you doing?"
Legolas grunted, acting as if the human had just asked a child's question. He turned back to the wall, running his fingers over it carefully. "Trying to find a way out."
"We looked all over that area last night, there is no way out," Aragorn told him calmly, fighting off a yawn.
"We came in this way, we will leave this way," Legolas told him with a matter-of-fact voice. If Aragorn could have seen the Elf any better he would have noticed that his hands were red with blood, laced with various cuts from the sharp rocks. The Elf had ignored the pain throughout the night and early morning, but now they had began to cramp and swell.
Even as careful as he was to avoid further injury to his battered hands a hidden rock sticking further out than its companions could easily dig into unsuspecting flesh. He had already crossed one rock several times. It was clear to him hours ago that there was no way out, but he wasn't willing to give into defeat. He cursed as another rock cut into his hand, interrupting his thoughts.
"Legolas, are you well?" Aragorn asked, getting to his feet.
"I'm fine," Legolas snapped, "Leave my matters alone."
Aragorn was taken aback by his latest comment, wrinkling his brow. "I beg your pardon if I was only concerned for you."
Legolas sighed, letting his head rest on the wall carefully. He was irritated and his body ached from weariness; his last remark surprised him greatly, he normally had fair control over his emotions.
"I'm sorry," he stated quietly. "I have no right to speak to you in such a manner. Can you forgive me?"
Aragorn laughed, surprising the Elf who lifted his head to turn and glare at the human.
"My brothers were right, you are odd."
"What? I am not odd, you take that back!" Legolas demanded, stepping toward the human.
"I didn't say it, Elladan and Elrohir said it…well actually Elladan said you were odd and Elrohir agreed," Aragorn said after a moment's pause.
"Well then," Legolas replied, shaking his head, "I believe I can change their minds…once we get out of here."
"We'll have to go further in, there's bound to be another way out somewhere."
Legolas turned to the sound of his voice, "Further in?"
Aragorn nodded, though he doubted Legolas could see him. "Unless you wish to spend the rest of your days in here, I don't."
"Fine then," Legolas said, embracing himself. "You lead."
TBC Firnsarnien- It is a real update! Amazing…Yes I know I've been behind, don't remind me, but I'm trying to make up for lost time…during painting the house, laying down new flooring, putting up new curtains, driving school, driving practice and getting ready for school to start, which will bring up hectic hours of band, preparing for concert, pep assmeblies, homecoming parade, football games and Disneyland Auditions in which most happens within the month of September…I really don't know how much time I will have…but I will make time! And I didn't make you wait long either! I'm so proud of myself. Balthasar&Owl-Is it safe to leave you two alone unsupervised? Kidding, I think it is… who's not a goat? Where did that come from?
I'll think of something to write about with Elrond and the Wolf, may take some time but I'll think of something, humor isn't my best subject…
Yes you are making sense…ah no, I'm starting to understand you two! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Okay so I'm not sane, not yet…I'm getting close though, that's the scary part. I can't go sane, just think of what will happen to me……..
Um yes, where were we? Yes, with the twins, they are searching for them, but I have my reasons for them not searching very well…all in good time… Umm, the Elvish was something like… "Even in death" along those lines, I was originally going for that, but I could find the Elvish translation for Even, and I can't remember what I substituted for it. Hope you enjoyed it!