Opposition Upon Meeting: Part II

By: Mirfaen (Previously Amorous)

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Recognizable characters and places belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, all others belong to me.

A/N: The translation of the poem below is rough – it does not translate literally from Elvish to English, but this is the best I could get it to. You guys get the idea.

**

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,

Silivren penna míriel

O menel aglar elenath!

Na-chaered palan-díriel

O galadhremmin ennorath,

Fanuilos, le linnathin

Nef aear, sí nef aearon!

'Elbereth Star-Kindler,

White glittering slants down sparkling like jewels

From the firmament the glory of the star-host!

To a remote distance I have gazed

From the tree tangled middle-lands,

Fanuilos, to thee I will chant

On this side of the ocean, here on this side of the Great Ocean!

**

Actaeonis pulled his soggy cloak closer to his body as the wind and rain hit him from behind, blowing light hair into his face. Thunder rolled softly in the distance as he listened to the son of Elrond speak in front of him. The Rivendell Elf stood fixed, blinking rapidly in the rain and allowing his dark cloak to billow behind him and his black hair to fly back from his face.

"I do not believe we will reach our destination without stopping for food and supplies, though I am reluctant to do so," Elladan was saying, raising a slender hand to shield his eyes from the stinging raindrops. "Our purpose cannot be known anywhere near Nanduhirion, or the cause will be lost."

"I intended to turn my company north far before we reached the Dale," Actaeonis replied, raising his voice to be heard over the howling of the wind. "But our course can easily be altered - let us travel together to Nanduhirion. Our supplies shall be enough for both parties."

Elladan paused, considering this. "Was naught lost in the river?"

"Elvioldor and I carried the majority of the food and supplies and we were not hit. Only one pack was lost and its contents were not essential."

Elladan was about to ask the Captain if he was sure the supplies would be enough for both groups combined but decided against it, not wanting to insult him. Instead, he nodded his head and met the Wood-elf's eyes squarely. Thunder rumbled from afar as he laid a hand lightly on the other's wet shoulder. "Please accept my deepest gratitude. We would be hard-pressed to continue on without your aid."

"Think nothing of it." Actaeonis responded immediately, giving Elladan's shoulder a pat. "It is the least we can do in return for helping us tonight."

**

Isorfinduil felt the downpouring rain pound in on him from above and tipped his head, allowing the drops to hit his mud-streaked face and slide down his neck in cool freshness. Lightning flickered distantly as he stood alone by the river's swelled bank.

The Elves of Rivendell had set up makeshift tents out of blankets and cloaks to shield the injured from the elements and earlier Isorfinduil had spent a long while inside one of these with Theanil. Though Theanil's injuries had been tended to, he had neither woken nor stirred and would clearly need some time to heal.

Theanil's injuries were the worst of the lot, the only others being Armenelos with bruising and scrapes on his chest where the log hit him and Isorfinduil himself with deep bruises on his back and shoulders from the flailing of the horse's hooves underwater.

After sitting quietly next to Theanil for a long while, Isorfinduil's mind had begun to run with vivid thoughts and stirring emotions. His anger rose when images of that dark haired Elf from Rivendell sprung into his mind. He could still feel the warm, wet arms clenched around his chest and could see over and over the flash of brilliant lightning that revealed the other's defined face. Every time the anger would turn to worry and guilt and he would glance down at Theanil, blaming both himself and the other Elf for his friend's condition.

Not being able to stand it any longer, he had left Theanil in Elvioldor's care to walk alone in the storm. He detached himself just far enough to be solitary but reachable if necessary. The isolation he felt was calming to him and he stood still in the darkness simply listening to the sounds of the raging storm and the wild river.

**

Elladan lifted the flap of one of the small tents and found Faeren and Telsarnion working by candlelight with a Wood-Elf over a still form that lay on the soggy blankets. Elladan stepped inside carefully and knelt by the others.

The Wood-Elf glanced up and recognition flared within his pale blue eyes. "Elladan of Rivendell?"

"Yes."

The Elf dropped his head in a small bow, his chestnut brown hair falling over his shoulders in wet straggles. "It is an honor to meet you, Lord. I am Elvioldor, a soldier of King Thranduil's army. I know your brother well."

"And an honor to meet you, as well." Elladan returned immediately, dipping his own dark head in respect. "Your captain speaks highly of you."

"Thank you, Lord."

Elladan turned to the young Wood-elf that lay motionless before them. "How does he fare?" He asked the others as he laid a cool hand on the young Elf's bandaged brow.

Faeren looked up but said nothing, glancing uncertainly over at Telsarnion.

"His left ankle is severely sprained, nearly broken but not quite," Telsarnion began with a slight sigh as he sat back on his heels and looked over the person in question. "He took a hard hit to the head but I do not think he has a concussion. His ribs are damaged as well, most likely bruised."

Elladan nodded as he too glanced over the Elf's injuries. "What is his name?"

"Theanil." Elvioldor said, his pale eyes dancing. "He is one of our youngest. A trainee."

"He should be well enough to ride tomorrow." Elladan mused as if to himself. Then he gently examined Theanil's ankle, feeling the bones and muscles beneath his expert fingers. "This will need to be splinted if it is to be moved at all. Perhaps he should ride double when we set out."

**

"Isorfinduil? May I join you a moment?"

Isorfinduil recognized the smooth voice of Armenelos and nodded without turning. His blue eyes gazed distractedly at the loud, rushing water of the Anduin that ran wild before him. Only hours before he had been struggling for his life in its black depths and now he stood wondering whether he indeed would have perished had he been allowed back in.

A dark shape glided up next to him. With a glance, Isorfinduil saw that the other Elf's eyes were cast far off across the river into distant unknown lands. A moment of comfortable silence passed between the two Elves as they listened to the river and the rain. A ways behind them, Elves of both Greenwood the Great and Rivendell moved about in the darkness in the midst of their small ragged camp, conversing with one another and going about whatever business was needed.

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna míriel, o menel aglar elenath." Armenelos whispered in a far-off voice, as though he was watching even now the sun push through the dark storm clouds and shower the land in dazzling light.

Isorfinduil smiled, though in the darkness it was not visible to the other. Armenelos was one of the more poetic Elves that he knew, and spoke always with a mystic air of light and hope. His mere presence was known by many to be comforting and gently uplifting.

"Na-chaered palan-díriel, o galadhremmin ennorath," Isorfinduil added, familiar with the poem. He wondered for a moment whether Armenelos was aware of this, for it was one of his favorites and often times it brought to him a calmness of mind.

"Fanuilos, le linnathin," Armenelos continued, turning finally to the young Elf at his side with a gleam of light sparking deep in his eyes.

"…Nef aear, sí nef aearon."

The wind swept warm raindrops over their fair faces and for a moment it was welcome to them. The wetness seemed no longer like a plague but a pleasantry.

Isorfinduil closed his eyes and felt the rain water trickle mildly down his neck. A warm drop ran swiftly down his softly pointed nose before dripping off and falling to bounce into the muddy ground. His mind slowly relaxed, as though it was letting out a deep sigh of breath that had long been held tightly inside. His body eased and let out all the tension that had been building up over the past several hours.

Opening his eyes, Isorfinduil found Armenelos watching him with a softhearted smile. Isorfinduil sighed and returned the smile. He turned slightly to look behind them, his bright eyes flitting between the small tents that were scattered about and the Elves that wandered amongst them, carrying supplies and talking with one another.

"Theanil is in good care." Armenelos said beside him.

Isorfinduil dropped his gaze and turned back to the river. "I could have saved him some pain tonight, Armenelos."

"I know."

Isorfinduil looked at the other Elf quickly, his eyes questioning.

"Actions on land are oft seen by more than just the stars in the night sky," he replied to the unspoken question, looking away distantly. "I saw you at the bank."

That sparked something in the back of Isorfinduil's mind. The wind suddenly blew a lock of golden hair up to cling to his wet face and he reached up to remove it. "Thank you for pulling me out of the river, Armenelos. Forgive me for not saying it before."

The Elf simply nodded next to him in the darkness. Silence fell between them for a moment before Armenelos spoke up again. "There is something you must know."

He turned to look at Isorfinduil. "The Elf of Rivendell who stopped you at the river's edge - you must know who he is."

Isorfinduil gazed uncertainly back. "Why? Is he of importance?"

"Great importance."

"Who is he then?" He was not entirely sure he wanted to hear the answer.

"A son of Elrond Half-elven. He is Elladan, the elder of the twins."

Isorfinduil's blue eyes widened at the name and he could not help feeling a dash of awe. But it quickly turned to fear for how he had spoken to him at the riverbank. The young Elf shook his head at his own rash actions and looked at Armenelos dismally.

To his surprise, Armenelos grinned at his hopeless expression and laid a light hand on his soggy shoulder. "Fear not. You are aware of who he is now and I am sure you will think twice before speaking harshly with him."

**

"Captain, we cannot travel so soon!" Isorfinduil implored, watching Actaeonis as the Captain adjusted the saddlebags over his horse's back. "He has not had enough time to heal, his ankle is only going to get worse if it is moved now."

It was morning by this time and the sun had risen. The storm clouds had moved on to the south, leaving a partially clear sky. The wind did not let up but it was more of help than a hindrance, for with the sun, it began the process of drying out the Elves' clothes and supplies.

Isorfinduil stood on the sun-bathed grasslands watching as dark-haired Elves moved about him, rolling up wet blankets and taking down the few tents that had managed to stay pitched through the stormy night. He did not understand why they could not wait a mere day - even half a day - for Theanil to recover. Whatever their mission was, it certainly could not be so important that they risk crippling an Elf for life.

"Captain." Isorfinduil repeated as a warm gust of wind flipped his long golden-brown hair in different directions.

Actaeonis glanced back at him while placing a handful of arrows into the quiver on his back and adjusting his weapon belt. "I know the risk we are putting on Theanil. But if we don't move out quickly then we run an even greater risk."

"That those of Rivendell might not complete their precious mission on time?" Isorfinduil lowered his voice to not be overheard but spoke with vehemence. He was careful not to say Elladan's name, but he knew that this decision was mostly from him.

Actaeonis looked at him sharply and stepped close, his own voice falling and filled with fervor. "No, trainee. Both parties run now on what food and supplies we ourselves brought with us. They were going on nothing when we found them. If we do not leave now there will not be enough to last and we will all starve."

"One day, Captain! One day of recovery will not send us to the grave. They need the rest as much as Theanil needs the healing. I can go without food, give my rations of the day to them."

"Even if we were able to do so, your rations would not make any difference. Our supplies are now cut in nearly a third. We can't afford to lose any more time."

Isorfinduil shook his head incredulously as he stared at the older Elf in part bafflement, part sorrow. "You realize Theanil could lose the use of his foot if we set him on his horse merely hours after the accident? One too many jostles and it could easily break."

"Nonsense!" A new voice called cheerily and both Elves turned to see Theanil coming towards them. He was leaning heavily between Elvioldor and an Elf of Rivendell whom they knew now to be Faeren. Though he smiled, Theanil's face was strained and he was clearly in pain as he hopped on one leg, holding the other above the ground. The ankle was tightly splinted and though the bandage from around his head had been removed, there remained still a dried, dark red wound on his forehead.

Isorfinduil returned the smile, though somewhat sadly, and patted Theanil on the shoulder as they came near. "Fun night, hm?"

"The best." Theanil laughed half-heartedly and lowered his head. "I should have guessed something would happen. Even when Legolas is not here we seem to be the most danger-prone of the entire party." Then he lifted his head, his worrisome eyes searching over Isorfinduil's shoulders. "That reminds me, how are you? I heard you and Armenelos got some nasty bruising."

"It's not as bad as it sounds." Isorfinduil replied, unconsciously shifting his slender shoulders. Elvioldor immediately narrowed his eyes in skepticism, but said nothing.

Faeren was watching all this quietly, his dark hair bunching on his shoulders under Theanil's arm. He looked between the two friends as they spoke with obvious interest, for the three of them were of the same age and he seemed to be curious as to what a Wood-elf of his age would be like.

"So we are to leave this morning, then?" Theanil asked, gazing around at the Elves and horses that passed them by.

Isorfinduil looked over his shoulder at Actaeonis with raised eyebrows as though to say, Well? Go ahead and tell him.

The Captain shot a flinty glance at Isorfinduil, warning him to watch his rank, before turning to a confused Theanil. "We must, Theanil. Our food and supplies will not last unless we start now. It would be too dangerous to wait any longer."

Theanil stared at them for a long moment, then slowly nodded in acceptance. "Then let us be on our way."

**

Elladan stood amongst several of his men and horses and watched through weary and somewhat irritable eyes as the arrogant young Wood-elf from the night before readied his horse several yards away. Unaware that he was being observed, the young Elf laid his head on the grey mare's strong neck and rubbed her muscular shoulder with a hand. Then he moved about to her head and looked her in the eye, holding her face gently in his hands while speaking quietly in Elvish.

Elladan shook his head and walked briskly away from his group to check on the progress of the others. That Elf was clearly too prideful for Elladan's liking. He had met many rash young Elves in his years and they all seemed to run the same way - strongheaded and unwilling to accept orders. At the moment however, he was too travel-worn to care about such trivial things.

As he came nearby, Elladan felt the Wood-elf's eyes on him and he shot a glare in the other's direction to make sure he didn't try to start anything. Looks such as these he had learned from his father and he had nearly perfected the skill. In that split second that he held the eyes of the young Elf, he placed an amount of indifference behind his own gaze that showed clearly the other's insignificance.

The moment passed swiftly, however, and soon the young Elf was out of sight and out of mind. In his thoughts, Elladan was met abruptly with the larger troubles of his precarious situation. A glimmer of hope had been provided, thanks to Actaeonis and his willing band, and Elladan knew that he was greatly indebted to the Wood-elves. But there was still the same danger that had lurked before.

Elladan realized that he had pulled the Wood-elves into his problem and they were now in the same predicament. He now faced the possibility that the small amount of food that remained would run out and, because of him, the seven Wood-elves would perish along with his company before they could reach civilization.

Reaching the area where his horse Caridel stood ready to move out and faithfully waiting for him, Elladan let out a breathe and tried to clear his head of negative thoughts. He hopped up onto Caridel's dark grey back and sat there for a moment, watching as Hilreanil and Eruhîr rode past him at an easy canter.

Caridel suddenly and hastily lifted his head high, his long ears forward and twitching slightly. His eyes were roaming intently over the other Elves and horses as though searching for something important. Elladan had just leaned down to talk to the animal when a sharp cry of pain rang out from a ways away. The Elf gave his steed a quick pat on the shoulder and the horse was off towards the noise at a swift gallop.

In seconds Elladan was reining in next to a small group of Elves and found Theanil being carefully lowered from his horse, his face tight with pain. There were Wood-elves and those of Rivendell on either side of him, moving here and there briskly and trying to ease the process.

"Captain, I am telling you, we cannot ride today!" An angry and worried voice called and when Theanil was on the grassy ground once more, he moved slightly to reveal the Elf Elladan had intercepted at the river.

Theanil shook his head quickly and moved to hold onto the horse's back with a slight grimace. "No Isorfinduil, I was just not prepared for it. Let me try again. I do not wish to hold up the ride."

"Theanil!" Isorfinduil latched onto his friend's shoulder to stop him from attempting to mount again. "You should not even be on your feet yet, let alone riding. Captain, please. You can see what this will do to him, do not make him go through it."

Actaeonis looked torn and Elladan mirrored the feeling in his heart as he observed the affair from Caridel's back. He did not wish this pain on the young Elf. But could he risk the lives of his entire company? He lowered his dark head a moment as the choice gnawed at him.

Nearly every Elf in both parties was now present, watching with both interest and concern. The two bands had not yet gotten a sufficient chance to get to know each other and were relatively quiet.

"Theanil," The Captain started, looking the Elf straight in the eye and laying a steady hand on Isorfinduil's slender shoulder. "You must tell me the honest truth - do you feel you are up to this? We shall proceed only if you are able."

"He is clearly not able." Isorfinduil said, his eyes both angry and pleading.

Elladan felt a prick of irritation at the comment. He knew what it was to be a leader and so had no fondness for those who continually stepped over the line when it came to rank and position. Not only was this Elf doing so, but he was paying no mind to keeping his manners and was speaking when the discussion did not involve him.

"No, I am." Theanil said immediately.

"He would not say it if he wasn't - Captain you know this!" Isorfinduil returned as a burst of warm wind hit the group and sent their long hair and cloaks flying. Isorfinduil shook a golden-brown lock from his earnest face. "We cannot ride today."

"It is not your decision whether we ride or we don't." Elladan spoke up sharply. His anger had flushed to a point where he could no longer hold his tongue. All nineteen eyes turned up to him and he fixed his hard stare on Isorfinduil. The young Elf gazed back in a defiant yet strangely reserved way.

The son of Elrond glanced to Actaeonis in a silent request to continue and the Captain hesitated slightly before nodding his allowance. Elladan turned his gaze back to Isorfinduil, squinting slightly in the bright morning sun. "The decision belongs to your Captain, Theanil, and I. I trust Theanil shall be truthful with us about his condition, for there is no reason for him not to be. If he says he is able to move on then it is so and I will not question his honesty. Neither should you."

Silence descended on the group and for several seconds they stood still as they were under the bright sun. The wind blew over the plains and made a rushing noise as it passed through the many blades of long dry grass.

Theanil, along with Faeren, Eruhîr and several of the other younger Elves, were completely motionless and stood as though any move they made would shatter the delicate balance of the moment. The more experienced Elves such as Actaeonis, Hilreanil, Elvioldor, Telsarnion, and Armenelos were quiet out of respect, unconsciously knowing that it was not their place yet to address either Elladan or Isorfinduil.

Isorfinduil looked up at Elladan like he had a mind overflowing with witty replies and retorts but when he finally spoke, his voice was slow and calm. "I never question his honesty. Only the amount of selflessness in his heart."

"Then trust him when he says he is capable. Do not insult him by continuing to voice your belief of his inability." Elladan returned as Caridel moved restlessly beneath him.

Isorfinduil's bright eyes blazed. "I do not think him incapable or unable. Do not say such things of those who you don't know."

Theanil's eyes had lowered and he seemed to grow uncomfortable being the subject of the rapidly heating discussion. Elladan looked away over the lands and was reminded of their need for haste. The sun was steadily pulling her self upwards and every moment here was another moment wasted.

"I do not need to know you." Elladan said distantly, no longer appearing to be interested in continuing his talk. He took his grey eyes from the plains and laid them on Theanil. "Theanil, you are able to ride?"

The young Elf raised his head and nodded silently. Isorfinduil appeared completely miffed but managed to hold his tongue and glanced away rigidly.

"We must waste no more time then." Elladan rose his voice slightly and ran his gaze over the entire group. "We must ride swiftly to make up for our delay here. We make for Nanduhirion."

**

Fanfiction.net is finally letting me upload this! Yay!

Well, here's part two. I originally wanted it to be in only two parts all together, but it would be far too long if I tried to fit everything in here. Also, you guys would have to wait a lot longer to get it. So there will be a part three coming out sometime in the future. (Part three will be much more exciting than part two.)

Attention any of my regulars! Just a word of warning, I am also working on a new short story that is basically unrelated to anything I've done so far. It is for Cassia's new short story contest and it is due in by the end of February, so I have been spending most of my time trying to get that done. That will most likely be the next thing to come up and then after that will be another chapter of Into the Labyrinth. So stay tuned!

Also, James and I have been concocting something together that will not be up right away, but we have been spending a lot of time on…

Thank you all who have stuck with me, I know this chapter is not the most thrilling, but it is necessary. Special thanks to Lori, James, SushiiSquirrel, Anime Soccer Lobos, and Sara for reviewing Part One!

Reviews are always welcome! (Naturally…) I hope everyone has a great week!

Mirfaen