Author's Note: Hello again! Thanks so much for the reviews, they really
help me out and keep me going, especially the constructive criticism. And
once more I apologize if this has been done before, hopefully I can put new
spins in it. And no, I'm still not Tolkien and gain no profit at all from
this.
Chapter 2
Elrohir's breath caught in his throat at the guard's words. He looked over at Elladan, hoping that he had heard wrong and his brother would clear things up for him. But Elladan was standing stock still, his face drawn and his eyes narrowed. Elrohir swung his eyes back at the guard, he knew he had not heard wrong.
Before either of the brothers were forced to say anything more, the door to their father's chambers swung open and Elrond stopped in mid-step, almost surprised at the contingent standing outside of his door.
"We will be sending out a search party immediately," Elrond said aloud to those waiting. "Gather the rest of the guard and ready the horses."
As the elves started to disperse and see to what preparations needed to be done, Elrond stepped out into the hall.
"Father?" Elrohir asked as Elrond walked right past them.
The older elf did not even pause in his stride.
Elladan and Elrohir turned to follow. "Father!" Elrohir tried again, louder.
This time Elrond stopped and spun on his heel. His pinpointed gaze seemed to spring open as if he was seeing them for the first time. "My sons," he said softly.
Elladan and Elrohir paused for a moment, uncertain. There was never a time they had ever seen their father be anything less than carefully controlled, and when he had first come from his chambers he had seemed the same way, unaffected and searching for the quickest solution. But now that he was confronted only by his sons, his manner faltered, and Elrohir could pick up the slightest flickers of confusion and anxiety that Elrond could not quite keep under control.
The instant was fleeting, one that left Elrohir unsure as to what he had just seen, and Elrond pulled himself up to his full height. "My sons," he said again, "something has happened to your mother."
"We know," Elladan spoke up, "the guard told us. How was she captured?"
Elrond closed his eyes briefly. "Her party was ambushed by orcs and they were scattered. Many bodies have been recovered already, but your mother's was not among them."
"That means she's at least still alive," Elrohir said.
Elrond took a breath. "Yes. We have that to hope for."
The older elf's sentence was left hanging in the air and the two brothers waited for him to say something else. But all he did was turn back around. "I have to oversee the preparations for the search party," he said as he began to walk away.
"Wait," Elladan said and stepped forward to catch up. "Let me and Elrohir go."
Elrond did not break his stride. "No, I cannot allow such a risk."
Elladan almost stumbled in his surprise at the rebuke. "What? No, there is no risk. Elrohir and I will be the best suited for such a mission, you know this. We have traveled many times with the rangers, we know these lands and the ways of the orcs."
Elrond finally stopped. He spun to face Elladan and the younger elf had to pull himself up short to avoid running into him. Elrond allowed a few moments of silence to pass between them before he finally spoke. "I said no. Your mother is already out there, I do not need to suffer the added stress of having you two run off as well."
Elladan's mouth dropped slightly. "But father," he tried again.
"No."
Elrohir winced from where he stood watching the exchange. He knew Elladan was on dangerous ground, Elrond did not take kindly to his word being challenged.
Elladan knew it as well, so he was confused when he saw a sudden look of apprehension and compassion pass over his father's face. Elrond placed a hand lightly on Elladan's shoulder, "Please, just stay here."
Elladan stood still as Elrond removed his hand and turned to walk away again. This time Elladan did not go after him.
Elrohir stepped away from the wall he had been standing next to and came to his brother's side. He spoke quietly, feeling a need to reassure his brother. "He has his reasons for wanting us to stay. Though he will not admit to it, I know he is worried over mother."
"All the more reason to let us go after her," Elladan snapped, turning to face Elrohir. Elrohir stepped back before he could help himself, not expecting the burst of anger from his brother.
Elladan picked up on Elrohir's reaction and sighed, turning away from him. "I know that we would be able to find her first. He cannot expect us to stand idly by. Does he not know that we are worried as well?"
"He is only doing what he thinks would be best," Elrohir said lamely. Even as he heard the words coming out of his mouth, he did not believe them.
Elladan looked askance at his brother. "Yet that is not what we believe to be best. And father always taught us to follow our own instincts, even if they are against what others say."
Elrohir recognized what Elladan was thinking. "No, he did not mean situations like this. You know he hates it when we go against his word."
"And I hate it when I ignore my instincts," Elladan said starting to walk back down the hall.
Elrohir felt panic raising within him and he followed his brother. "Where are you going?"
"We have to get our own provisions," he said simply.
"No, we cannot, father will have our heads for this," Elrohir tried to reason with his brother.
Elladan said nothing and only walked unerringly to the room that the two of them shared. He walked to the large bureau and started to pull out clothing they reserved for hunting parties.
"Elladan, we cannot!" Elrohir protested.
Elladan stopped pulling clothes out and looked over his shoulder at Elrohir. "I cannot just stay here," Elladan said quietly, "I will not be able to rest knowing in my heart that our mother is out there by herself. I am going either way, all you have to do is decide whether you will come with me or not."
Elrohir could not tear his eyes away from his brother's and he felt his conviction in following his father's word melting. He did not want either of them to go, but Elladan was obviously bent on going after their mother. And he could not possibly let Elladan go by himself, what if he were to get hurt and need help himself?
Elrohir finally sighed and dropped his gaze. "Fine. I shall go with you."
Elladan found himself smiling despite the situation. "I knew you would," he said quietly.
"You are likely right," Elrohir answered. "I will go find us food and water then."
Elrohir turned to exit the room but was stopped when he heard his brother call out to him. Elrohir looked over his shoulder to see his twin standing still in the center of the room. "Thank you," Elladan said.
Elrohir felt something tear at his heart. This was not like his brother at all. There was hardly ever a time when both of them were serious. "I cannot just let you go and get yourself killed," Elrohir tried to joke.
Elladan let a small smile pass over his face before bringing his attention back to clothing and other equipment that could be found in the room. Elrohir took his leave and went in search of food and water.
When Elrohir finally came back, having found sufficient supplies of lembas and filled four water-skins with water, he saw that his brother was waiting impatiently for him.
Elladan had already changed his clothes, donning dark breeches and tunic and a grey cloak. His weaponry was readied as well, a sword at his hip and a longbow with a full quiver slung over his shoulder. He gestured impatiently at similar items he had laid out for Elrohir and Elrohir dropped the packs he had placed the food and water in and hastily changed.
While Elrohir changed Elladan finished their packing by placing rolled blankets and rope into their packs. "Let us go then," he said when Elrohir was ready.
Elrohir only nodded and followed his brother out of the dark room and into the dim hallway. There were no sounds or lights to be seen within the great house, and the brothers had little wonder at that. They knew that word had traveled fast already and nearly all of the occupants of Rivendell would be either at the stables or helping to gather provisions for the company that would ride out to search for Celebrian.
All but one resident.
"I knew that you two would be going out," said a female voice from behind the brothers.
Elladan and Elrohir turned as one, recognizing the voice immediately. Their younger sister Arwen stood in the shadows of the hall and now she stepped out towards them. "And I know there is little I can say to persuade you to stay."
The two only regarded their sister at first, noting the sharp contrast between her dark hair and white gown.
Elladan was the first to step forward. As he came closer, he could see the tears shining in his sister's eyes and practically sense her fear. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "We will be fine. The only reason we go is to find mother as quickly as possible."
"But father is sending out a large enough search party, not to mention those already out and scouting. What more can you two do?"
"We cannot simply sit around and only wait for word about mother," Elladan said.
Arwen turned her eyes to Elrohir who had yet to say anything. "You cannot just leave me here by myself. I am worried and frightened as well and will be even more so with you two running off."
Elrohir shifted his weight, her argument sounded just like Elrond's. "You will not be alone," he said, "father will stay and comfort you."
Arwen sighed. "You know as well as I that father stays only because he has to. If it were up to him he would be one of the first out and searching. His thoughts will stray to little else until mother is found."
"We have to," Elrohir said after a small pause. Even as he said it, he wished they had a better reason to go, but truly they did not. It was only some deep instinct that was driving them out there.
Arwen heard the conviction in his voice and knew that there really was nothing she could do to keep them there. "Do you even know where her party was ambushed?" she said.
Elladan and Elrohir blinked at her question and then looked at each other. As much as they hated to admit it, the thought had not even occurred to them. All they knew was that their mother had been traveling to Lothlorien and had been waylaid at someplace between Rivendell and there.
"I overheard some guards speaking of it," Arwen said, not waiting for them to answer, "and the fight between the party and the orcs took place at the Redhorn Pass. They assume that the orcs must have a lair around there, and that might be where mother is."
Elladan embraced his sister. "Thank you," he whispered in her ear. He pulled back and looked her straight in the eye, "We will not be gone long."
When Elladan stepped back Elrohir stepped forward to hug his sister as well. "I will be sure to watch and see that he does nothing foolish," he said. Arwen laughed lightly at the small joke and Elrohir smiled.
"We have to hurry before somebody sees us and tells father," Elladan said. Elrohir nodded and with one last glance at Arwen the two identical brothers turned and hurried off down the hall.
Arwen remained where she was, watching until they rounded a corner and were completely lost from her view.
"May the Valar protect you," she whispered before turning to go back to her own room by herself to await further news.
Chapter 2
Elrohir's breath caught in his throat at the guard's words. He looked over at Elladan, hoping that he had heard wrong and his brother would clear things up for him. But Elladan was standing stock still, his face drawn and his eyes narrowed. Elrohir swung his eyes back at the guard, he knew he had not heard wrong.
Before either of the brothers were forced to say anything more, the door to their father's chambers swung open and Elrond stopped in mid-step, almost surprised at the contingent standing outside of his door.
"We will be sending out a search party immediately," Elrond said aloud to those waiting. "Gather the rest of the guard and ready the horses."
As the elves started to disperse and see to what preparations needed to be done, Elrond stepped out into the hall.
"Father?" Elrohir asked as Elrond walked right past them.
The older elf did not even pause in his stride.
Elladan and Elrohir turned to follow. "Father!" Elrohir tried again, louder.
This time Elrond stopped and spun on his heel. His pinpointed gaze seemed to spring open as if he was seeing them for the first time. "My sons," he said softly.
Elladan and Elrohir paused for a moment, uncertain. There was never a time they had ever seen their father be anything less than carefully controlled, and when he had first come from his chambers he had seemed the same way, unaffected and searching for the quickest solution. But now that he was confronted only by his sons, his manner faltered, and Elrohir could pick up the slightest flickers of confusion and anxiety that Elrond could not quite keep under control.
The instant was fleeting, one that left Elrohir unsure as to what he had just seen, and Elrond pulled himself up to his full height. "My sons," he said again, "something has happened to your mother."
"We know," Elladan spoke up, "the guard told us. How was she captured?"
Elrond closed his eyes briefly. "Her party was ambushed by orcs and they were scattered. Many bodies have been recovered already, but your mother's was not among them."
"That means she's at least still alive," Elrohir said.
Elrond took a breath. "Yes. We have that to hope for."
The older elf's sentence was left hanging in the air and the two brothers waited for him to say something else. But all he did was turn back around. "I have to oversee the preparations for the search party," he said as he began to walk away.
"Wait," Elladan said and stepped forward to catch up. "Let me and Elrohir go."
Elrond did not break his stride. "No, I cannot allow such a risk."
Elladan almost stumbled in his surprise at the rebuke. "What? No, there is no risk. Elrohir and I will be the best suited for such a mission, you know this. We have traveled many times with the rangers, we know these lands and the ways of the orcs."
Elrond finally stopped. He spun to face Elladan and the younger elf had to pull himself up short to avoid running into him. Elrond allowed a few moments of silence to pass between them before he finally spoke. "I said no. Your mother is already out there, I do not need to suffer the added stress of having you two run off as well."
Elladan's mouth dropped slightly. "But father," he tried again.
"No."
Elrohir winced from where he stood watching the exchange. He knew Elladan was on dangerous ground, Elrond did not take kindly to his word being challenged.
Elladan knew it as well, so he was confused when he saw a sudden look of apprehension and compassion pass over his father's face. Elrond placed a hand lightly on Elladan's shoulder, "Please, just stay here."
Elladan stood still as Elrond removed his hand and turned to walk away again. This time Elladan did not go after him.
Elrohir stepped away from the wall he had been standing next to and came to his brother's side. He spoke quietly, feeling a need to reassure his brother. "He has his reasons for wanting us to stay. Though he will not admit to it, I know he is worried over mother."
"All the more reason to let us go after her," Elladan snapped, turning to face Elrohir. Elrohir stepped back before he could help himself, not expecting the burst of anger from his brother.
Elladan picked up on Elrohir's reaction and sighed, turning away from him. "I know that we would be able to find her first. He cannot expect us to stand idly by. Does he not know that we are worried as well?"
"He is only doing what he thinks would be best," Elrohir said lamely. Even as he heard the words coming out of his mouth, he did not believe them.
Elladan looked askance at his brother. "Yet that is not what we believe to be best. And father always taught us to follow our own instincts, even if they are against what others say."
Elrohir recognized what Elladan was thinking. "No, he did not mean situations like this. You know he hates it when we go against his word."
"And I hate it when I ignore my instincts," Elladan said starting to walk back down the hall.
Elrohir felt panic raising within him and he followed his brother. "Where are you going?"
"We have to get our own provisions," he said simply.
"No, we cannot, father will have our heads for this," Elrohir tried to reason with his brother.
Elladan said nothing and only walked unerringly to the room that the two of them shared. He walked to the large bureau and started to pull out clothing they reserved for hunting parties.
"Elladan, we cannot!" Elrohir protested.
Elladan stopped pulling clothes out and looked over his shoulder at Elrohir. "I cannot just stay here," Elladan said quietly, "I will not be able to rest knowing in my heart that our mother is out there by herself. I am going either way, all you have to do is decide whether you will come with me or not."
Elrohir could not tear his eyes away from his brother's and he felt his conviction in following his father's word melting. He did not want either of them to go, but Elladan was obviously bent on going after their mother. And he could not possibly let Elladan go by himself, what if he were to get hurt and need help himself?
Elrohir finally sighed and dropped his gaze. "Fine. I shall go with you."
Elladan found himself smiling despite the situation. "I knew you would," he said quietly.
"You are likely right," Elrohir answered. "I will go find us food and water then."
Elrohir turned to exit the room but was stopped when he heard his brother call out to him. Elrohir looked over his shoulder to see his twin standing still in the center of the room. "Thank you," Elladan said.
Elrohir felt something tear at his heart. This was not like his brother at all. There was hardly ever a time when both of them were serious. "I cannot just let you go and get yourself killed," Elrohir tried to joke.
Elladan let a small smile pass over his face before bringing his attention back to clothing and other equipment that could be found in the room. Elrohir took his leave and went in search of food and water.
When Elrohir finally came back, having found sufficient supplies of lembas and filled four water-skins with water, he saw that his brother was waiting impatiently for him.
Elladan had already changed his clothes, donning dark breeches and tunic and a grey cloak. His weaponry was readied as well, a sword at his hip and a longbow with a full quiver slung over his shoulder. He gestured impatiently at similar items he had laid out for Elrohir and Elrohir dropped the packs he had placed the food and water in and hastily changed.
While Elrohir changed Elladan finished their packing by placing rolled blankets and rope into their packs. "Let us go then," he said when Elrohir was ready.
Elrohir only nodded and followed his brother out of the dark room and into the dim hallway. There were no sounds or lights to be seen within the great house, and the brothers had little wonder at that. They knew that word had traveled fast already and nearly all of the occupants of Rivendell would be either at the stables or helping to gather provisions for the company that would ride out to search for Celebrian.
All but one resident.
"I knew that you two would be going out," said a female voice from behind the brothers.
Elladan and Elrohir turned as one, recognizing the voice immediately. Their younger sister Arwen stood in the shadows of the hall and now she stepped out towards them. "And I know there is little I can say to persuade you to stay."
The two only regarded their sister at first, noting the sharp contrast between her dark hair and white gown.
Elladan was the first to step forward. As he came closer, he could see the tears shining in his sister's eyes and practically sense her fear. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "We will be fine. The only reason we go is to find mother as quickly as possible."
"But father is sending out a large enough search party, not to mention those already out and scouting. What more can you two do?"
"We cannot simply sit around and only wait for word about mother," Elladan said.
Arwen turned her eyes to Elrohir who had yet to say anything. "You cannot just leave me here by myself. I am worried and frightened as well and will be even more so with you two running off."
Elrohir shifted his weight, her argument sounded just like Elrond's. "You will not be alone," he said, "father will stay and comfort you."
Arwen sighed. "You know as well as I that father stays only because he has to. If it were up to him he would be one of the first out and searching. His thoughts will stray to little else until mother is found."
"We have to," Elrohir said after a small pause. Even as he said it, he wished they had a better reason to go, but truly they did not. It was only some deep instinct that was driving them out there.
Arwen heard the conviction in his voice and knew that there really was nothing she could do to keep them there. "Do you even know where her party was ambushed?" she said.
Elladan and Elrohir blinked at her question and then looked at each other. As much as they hated to admit it, the thought had not even occurred to them. All they knew was that their mother had been traveling to Lothlorien and had been waylaid at someplace between Rivendell and there.
"I overheard some guards speaking of it," Arwen said, not waiting for them to answer, "and the fight between the party and the orcs took place at the Redhorn Pass. They assume that the orcs must have a lair around there, and that might be where mother is."
Elladan embraced his sister. "Thank you," he whispered in her ear. He pulled back and looked her straight in the eye, "We will not be gone long."
When Elladan stepped back Elrohir stepped forward to hug his sister as well. "I will be sure to watch and see that he does nothing foolish," he said. Arwen laughed lightly at the small joke and Elrohir smiled.
"We have to hurry before somebody sees us and tells father," Elladan said. Elrohir nodded and with one last glance at Arwen the two identical brothers turned and hurried off down the hall.
Arwen remained where she was, watching until they rounded a corner and were completely lost from her view.
"May the Valar protect you," she whispered before turning to go back to her own room by herself to await further news.