Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places
thereof
Saera: Wow, that is frightening.
Knows All Too Well: Hey, keep it up! Way to go! And no, not Elrond, though that is an idea. You'll see. Mwuhahaha.
SecretScribe: Nope, not forgotten, I just have a lot of stories on various pen-names right now and am working on. . .too many. Yes, they do know.
*****
For two weeks Estel was naught but a wraith. For two weeks he copied the motions of life. For two weeks he waited, unsure, then laughed if someone else did, to seem healthy and normal. For two weeks, Estel would lie awake at night and stare into the darkness, wondering what the purpose was in it all, and hoping and praying that he would not wake up the next morning. For two weeks Estel awoke the next morning.
And then one day, about a week after the bandage had been removed from Estel's hand, it rained. It started as just a drizzle, then the wind rose and howled. Heavy droplets splattered everything they could, everything unprotected. By afternoon, the sky was darkened with clouds and the rain fell in buckets. Elrond had spent the first part of the day in his study alone, at work, and was still there, but now his sons were with him. Estel had been the first to arrive, just after the rain switched from drizzle to rain, and sat down before the fire. By the time the rain began to pour, Estel was stretched like a cat on the hearth, Elladan sat by his head drawing, and Elrohir sat opposite his father at the desk, offering his assistance.
Suddenly Estel realized, no, knew that today was the day. He knew, the knowledge all at once in his head, that today was the day his fate was decided, the day all of it ended, for good or ill. Estel sat up, yawned, and said, "I am going to take a nap." He did not add that he would see them all at supper, nor did he add any good-byes. Estel wished himself to have bade no good-byes, for he would likely have not a purpose in them. There was a chance.
As if in a dream and yet sharply aware, Estel left the room and turned left, towards the river, in the opposite direction of his room. Elladan watched him go, then returned to his work. In a moment he had finished his drawing. He too stood and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" Elrond asked, curious.
"I wish to show Estel my picture."
"You ought not disturb him, Elladan, I think he may be ill," Elrond cautioned. "Go, but with a care."
"Yes, Ada," Elladan replied. He left the study, and turned right, heading towards Estel's room. When he reached it, he was surprised to find the door open. That was odd; Estel preferred a closed door. Ah, well. Elladan went in, quiet, so as not to disturb Estel. There was no purpose, he saw that quickly, for Estel was not in his room at all.
Elrohir looked up as Elladan stormed back into the study. "Elrohir, get up," Elladan said.
"What--"
"I need to talk to you, get up," Elladan repeat. Elrohir did, curious, and followed Elladan into the corridor.
"Elladan, what--?
"You said not to interfere," Elladan hissed. "Well, Elrohir, Estel is not in his room. Where is he? I know you know. Tell me, where is he?"
"Elladan," Elrohir replied, "I suspect he is only searching for a lost item, or perhaps his pyjamas. You know how forgetful Estel can be, there is no need for alarm."
"Yes. . .yes, you are likely right," Elladan replied. Elrohir nodded, and Elladan continued, "But we both know that you suspect he is elsewhere. Where, Elrohir? Tell me. Tell me how you know all of this, and tell me everything you know."
Elrohir was torn. He realized then how his twin cared, how desperate Elladan was. Long ago Elrohir had sworn himself to secrecy, but there were little things, perhaps. . .things that would not be breaking his swear. "Come on," Elrohir said, taking Elladan's wrist and leading him right out into the rain.
When Elladan and Elrohir stopped they were beside the river. Elladan looked across the water, much to his horror, he saw Estel. He was perched on the opposite the twins, at a particular place where the shore dropped away, and there was a sheer drop of about six feet to the churning waters below. Estel stood, focused to a disturbing degree. He was not wearing his cloak or jacket, and the rain was washing over him, but he seemed to take no notice.
Before Elladan could cry out, Estel bent his knees--and jumped into the water. And then Elladan did scream, as Estel plummeted six feet and broke into the water. Elladan screamed all of his fear and his anger and his denial. He was frightened that Estel would not survive or that he would be hurt; he was angry with Elrohir for not bringing him here earlier; and he denied--a part of him denied--that any of it was truly happening.
Estel broke through the surface into the water. It shocked him, suddenly, and his eyes flew wide open. The sun shone through the clouds into the water, bright despite rain-laden film, and as Estel drifted downwards he watched that light. It occurred to him, on some level, how strange it was that all the violence above was deleted below, and that he found such peace down here. A rushing sound filled his ears, but a lazy rush. He knew extreme peace. Estel closed his eyes--and all of a sudden, he wanted to live. As he drowned, Estel decided that he would rather live.
"I'm going after him," Elladan said, beginning to unlace his boots.
"No," Elrohir said.
"Yes, Elrohir, I am!" Elladan insisted, continuing to unlace his boots. He lost patience and kicked them off, then ran to the river. Before he reached it, Elrohir grabbed him from behind and held him. "What are you doing, Elrohir? Do you want our brother to die?" Elladan shouted, already soaked through with rain.
"If he needs to!" Elrohir shouted back. Elladan drew away from his brother, staring in shock. "Estel is challenging himself, Elladan. He has taken to the waters now. If instinct kicks in he will live, and he will be well again. If he climbs out of that river, he will tell Ada what is wrong and he will fight it. If he does not climb out of that river, well, Elladan, in that case he has found another peace."
"How do you know all this?" Elladan asked, tears running down his cheeks. He would not go after Estel. His heart now stirred him against it. "You told me that you do not!"
"I do not," Elrohir replied. "But, Elladan. . ." Elrohir began to twitch uncomfortably. "I have had my own little swim," Elrohir said, and rolled up his sleeves to reveal scars Elladan never knew he had. They were faded, but still visible with Elven eyesight. Elladan gaped at his brother, feeling betrayed. "It has been centuries," Elrohir said.
"'Ro. . ."
"Elladan, look!"
The boy hit the bottom of the river and propelled himself back upwards, kicking up a cloud of dirt and silt. Estel pumped his arms behind his head and kicked hard with his feet, making for the surface. This was it. He could feel it. His lungs were burning, but he knew he was going to make it! Estel's head clashed with what felt like a brick wall--and he felt raindrops falling on his face. He had done it. He was still alive, and everything was going to be all right.
But Estel had forgotten the rain. The river waters swelled and thrashed him about, throwing him this way and that. Looking about, Estel saw that there would be no ascending those steep banks. Seventy or so yards down there were no more cliff-like drops, and there Estel might exit. He gulped in a breath of air, and ducked back under the water, fighting to swim. It took all of his strength, and seemed as though there was no hope-- but Estel did not give up. He took another breath and dipped under the water for another bout of swimming. His muscles burned, but he ignored it and kept on going. This was his life he was fighting for.
Elrohir had seen Estel's head bobbing up and down, and the twins ran to the river. "Estel!" they cried. "Estel!" But to no avail; he could not hear them over the storm. They ran alongside the river until they came to a thicket of bushes too thick for them to run through, and they had to carefully pick their way around them to avoid getting any nasty cuts from the thorns. When they broke through the thicket, it was to be greeted with the sight of a soggy edan child pulling himself from the river, struggling to stand, stammering about on the lowest bank. Elladan ran to him, and caught Estel as he fell.
"Elladan," Estel gasped. "I--"
"Hush, Estel. We already know; quiet now."
"But--"
"Shh. Come on, Estel, we are taking you back to Ada now." Elladan lifted Estel into his arms and began to make his way back to the Last Homely House.
Saera: Wow, that is frightening.
Knows All Too Well: Hey, keep it up! Way to go! And no, not Elrond, though that is an idea. You'll see. Mwuhahaha.
SecretScribe: Nope, not forgotten, I just have a lot of stories on various pen-names right now and am working on. . .too many. Yes, they do know.
*****
For two weeks Estel was naught but a wraith. For two weeks he copied the motions of life. For two weeks he waited, unsure, then laughed if someone else did, to seem healthy and normal. For two weeks, Estel would lie awake at night and stare into the darkness, wondering what the purpose was in it all, and hoping and praying that he would not wake up the next morning. For two weeks Estel awoke the next morning.
And then one day, about a week after the bandage had been removed from Estel's hand, it rained. It started as just a drizzle, then the wind rose and howled. Heavy droplets splattered everything they could, everything unprotected. By afternoon, the sky was darkened with clouds and the rain fell in buckets. Elrond had spent the first part of the day in his study alone, at work, and was still there, but now his sons were with him. Estel had been the first to arrive, just after the rain switched from drizzle to rain, and sat down before the fire. By the time the rain began to pour, Estel was stretched like a cat on the hearth, Elladan sat by his head drawing, and Elrohir sat opposite his father at the desk, offering his assistance.
Suddenly Estel realized, no, knew that today was the day. He knew, the knowledge all at once in his head, that today was the day his fate was decided, the day all of it ended, for good or ill. Estel sat up, yawned, and said, "I am going to take a nap." He did not add that he would see them all at supper, nor did he add any good-byes. Estel wished himself to have bade no good-byes, for he would likely have not a purpose in them. There was a chance.
As if in a dream and yet sharply aware, Estel left the room and turned left, towards the river, in the opposite direction of his room. Elladan watched him go, then returned to his work. In a moment he had finished his drawing. He too stood and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" Elrond asked, curious.
"I wish to show Estel my picture."
"You ought not disturb him, Elladan, I think he may be ill," Elrond cautioned. "Go, but with a care."
"Yes, Ada," Elladan replied. He left the study, and turned right, heading towards Estel's room. When he reached it, he was surprised to find the door open. That was odd; Estel preferred a closed door. Ah, well. Elladan went in, quiet, so as not to disturb Estel. There was no purpose, he saw that quickly, for Estel was not in his room at all.
Elrohir looked up as Elladan stormed back into the study. "Elrohir, get up," Elladan said.
"What--"
"I need to talk to you, get up," Elladan repeat. Elrohir did, curious, and followed Elladan into the corridor.
"Elladan, what--?
"You said not to interfere," Elladan hissed. "Well, Elrohir, Estel is not in his room. Where is he? I know you know. Tell me, where is he?"
"Elladan," Elrohir replied, "I suspect he is only searching for a lost item, or perhaps his pyjamas. You know how forgetful Estel can be, there is no need for alarm."
"Yes. . .yes, you are likely right," Elladan replied. Elrohir nodded, and Elladan continued, "But we both know that you suspect he is elsewhere. Where, Elrohir? Tell me. Tell me how you know all of this, and tell me everything you know."
Elrohir was torn. He realized then how his twin cared, how desperate Elladan was. Long ago Elrohir had sworn himself to secrecy, but there were little things, perhaps. . .things that would not be breaking his swear. "Come on," Elrohir said, taking Elladan's wrist and leading him right out into the rain.
When Elladan and Elrohir stopped they were beside the river. Elladan looked across the water, much to his horror, he saw Estel. He was perched on the opposite the twins, at a particular place where the shore dropped away, and there was a sheer drop of about six feet to the churning waters below. Estel stood, focused to a disturbing degree. He was not wearing his cloak or jacket, and the rain was washing over him, but he seemed to take no notice.
Before Elladan could cry out, Estel bent his knees--and jumped into the water. And then Elladan did scream, as Estel plummeted six feet and broke into the water. Elladan screamed all of his fear and his anger and his denial. He was frightened that Estel would not survive or that he would be hurt; he was angry with Elrohir for not bringing him here earlier; and he denied--a part of him denied--that any of it was truly happening.
Estel broke through the surface into the water. It shocked him, suddenly, and his eyes flew wide open. The sun shone through the clouds into the water, bright despite rain-laden film, and as Estel drifted downwards he watched that light. It occurred to him, on some level, how strange it was that all the violence above was deleted below, and that he found such peace down here. A rushing sound filled his ears, but a lazy rush. He knew extreme peace. Estel closed his eyes--and all of a sudden, he wanted to live. As he drowned, Estel decided that he would rather live.
"I'm going after him," Elladan said, beginning to unlace his boots.
"No," Elrohir said.
"Yes, Elrohir, I am!" Elladan insisted, continuing to unlace his boots. He lost patience and kicked them off, then ran to the river. Before he reached it, Elrohir grabbed him from behind and held him. "What are you doing, Elrohir? Do you want our brother to die?" Elladan shouted, already soaked through with rain.
"If he needs to!" Elrohir shouted back. Elladan drew away from his brother, staring in shock. "Estel is challenging himself, Elladan. He has taken to the waters now. If instinct kicks in he will live, and he will be well again. If he climbs out of that river, he will tell Ada what is wrong and he will fight it. If he does not climb out of that river, well, Elladan, in that case he has found another peace."
"How do you know all this?" Elladan asked, tears running down his cheeks. He would not go after Estel. His heart now stirred him against it. "You told me that you do not!"
"I do not," Elrohir replied. "But, Elladan. . ." Elrohir began to twitch uncomfortably. "I have had my own little swim," Elrohir said, and rolled up his sleeves to reveal scars Elladan never knew he had. They were faded, but still visible with Elven eyesight. Elladan gaped at his brother, feeling betrayed. "It has been centuries," Elrohir said.
"'Ro. . ."
"Elladan, look!"
The boy hit the bottom of the river and propelled himself back upwards, kicking up a cloud of dirt and silt. Estel pumped his arms behind his head and kicked hard with his feet, making for the surface. This was it. He could feel it. His lungs were burning, but he knew he was going to make it! Estel's head clashed with what felt like a brick wall--and he felt raindrops falling on his face. He had done it. He was still alive, and everything was going to be all right.
But Estel had forgotten the rain. The river waters swelled and thrashed him about, throwing him this way and that. Looking about, Estel saw that there would be no ascending those steep banks. Seventy or so yards down there were no more cliff-like drops, and there Estel might exit. He gulped in a breath of air, and ducked back under the water, fighting to swim. It took all of his strength, and seemed as though there was no hope-- but Estel did not give up. He took another breath and dipped under the water for another bout of swimming. His muscles burned, but he ignored it and kept on going. This was his life he was fighting for.
Elrohir had seen Estel's head bobbing up and down, and the twins ran to the river. "Estel!" they cried. "Estel!" But to no avail; he could not hear them over the storm. They ran alongside the river until they came to a thicket of bushes too thick for them to run through, and they had to carefully pick their way around them to avoid getting any nasty cuts from the thorns. When they broke through the thicket, it was to be greeted with the sight of a soggy edan child pulling himself from the river, struggling to stand, stammering about on the lowest bank. Elladan ran to him, and caught Estel as he fell.
"Elladan," Estel gasped. "I--"
"Hush, Estel. We already know; quiet now."
"But--"
"Shh. Come on, Estel, we are taking you back to Ada now." Elladan lifted Estel into his arms and began to make his way back to the Last Homely House.