The Misadventures of Caladriel and Rinnalaiss
By Ellie in ElfPajamas
Starring: Caladriel, Legolas, Thranduil, Rinnalaiss, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Halbarad, and an Elf named Faelon Beriorgan.
Okay, major no-no here, Rinnalaiss is an extra daughter to Elrond, Caladriel is Legolas' younger sister. Rinnalaiss might be adopted, I'm not real sure, but her older brothers Elladan and Elrohir dote on their tomboyish little sister. She's the baby of the family sort of, although older than Estel in years, she is still quite childish. Caladriel is not allowed to be the tomboy she wants to be, and is only Legolas' half sister. This is preLotR, Estel is only about thirty or forty. Why all this guessing? This is a transcribed dream, that's why. Oh, and a groom in this story is not a groom in the sense of bride and groom, a groom is actually someone who takes care of the horses.
And this switches from Third person to first, usually Caladriel's POV. I kinda dreamed it as an onlooker that they didn't see, but sometimes I was in her head. Couldn't think of Gondorian names, I have a list of Elvish names, but I wasn't able to locate a Gondorian and Numenorean name generator.
Chapter six: Return to Sender.
Legolas was preparing to leave, Glorfindel and Erestor, their minor injuries for the most part healed, would escort him to Mirkwood, and then go on their hunting trip. Legolas was surprised at how stong and regal Erestor looked on the back of his horse and in his hunting clothes. He'd never though of Erestor as anything more than an advisor. The dark haired Elf's smoke gray horse pranced, happy to be going out on a hunt. Glorfindel was dressed in his hunting clothes too for the first time in a long time. Legolas could feel the undercurrent of excitement that was making Erestor unusually cheerful. Glorfindel scowled at his best friend, pretending to be mean and stern like Erestor usually was. Halbarad and some of his men were riding out with them for a distance, then they would go their separate ways. It was a merry party that was setting out, and hopefully an equally merry one would return. Legolas was almost sorry to be leaving, but Glorfindel had made it quite clear that no one was going with him except Erestor, because that would defeat the purpose of getting away.
Legolas threw the wither bags over his horse's back and mounted. The riders set out, as Calad watched from the center of the courtyard. Her brother had apologized that morning, and they were reconciled. Calad waved good bye to the party and went inside.
Calad sat in Elrond's library that evening, curled up with a good book. It was so very quiet without Glorfindel and Erestor. Faelon was a lot better now, but not doing much yet, so she was enjoying the library as he had advised. Of course, she was reading one of Erestor's favorite texts, a history of the First Age. It was kind of dry, but she wanted to know the history without it being distorted. Some of the history books in her father's library differed greatly from these accounts. Calad's long hair spilled over the arm of the chair and onto the floor. She was abusing the furniture, much like Elladan and Elrohir did, lying across the chair in the wrong direction. Elladan came in to get a bottle of ink for his father. He wrinkled his nose at Calad's reading material.
"Want me to wake you in an hour?" he asked.
Calad laughed softly.
"I happen to like this, Elladan. Just because you can't pay attention to your history doesn't mean I am incapable of it." Calad teased.
"My, my, what would Faelon say to his little bookworm about this?" Elladan teased. "He can't very well marry a maiden who is smarter than he."
"Actually, Elladan, your father lets me read the books in his library often." Faelon piped up from the doorway. "I already started my second reading of the volume she's working on. Did you even make it through it once?"
Elladan looked at the pale half-Elf in surprise.
"You're not supposed to be down here! If ada knew you were out of bed you'd be in deep trouble." Elladan said.
"You're changing the subject. I asked if you'd finished that book." Faelon said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the door jamb.
Elladan stuck to his protests that Faelon should not be up.
Faelon sighed, walked into the room, and appropriated a chair. He swiped a thick volume on arms and armor and started to read.
He gave Elladan a pointed look. Elladan got the message; either read or find something better to do than watch me and make fun of me.
Calad stole a glance at Faelon, who was abusing the furniture as well. His legs didn't quite fill his leggings like they used to, and his shirt hung looser than before, but it was nice to see him out of bed and back at what he liked to do. He was thinner, and not as strong as before yet, but he'd be well soon. Faelon was quickly absorbed in his book. Elladan decided to leave before Elrohir could sneak in and find him reading.
Faelon found a particularly interesting passage on Elven marksmanship and read it carefully. He loved books and histories. Perhaps because he had a strange lineage, and he wanted to learn all he could about both races to whom he was related. The Elves, though they seemed so peaceful and noble, had a marred past, and the past of the Numeoreans was not spotless either. Perhaps it was because of their shared blood that he was so fond of Elendil's heir.
The Elves of Mirkwood were not entirely accepting of men, and that was one of the reasons that Legolas disliked Faelon. Half-Elves had tainted blood. Elrond of course did not share this viewpoint, he himself was half- Elven, so Faelon had always been welcome in his halls and always would be. Faelon himself knew little of his own history beyond the fact that his father was from Mirkwood and his mother was the daughter of a Ranger. Halbarad and the others had not seen fit to inform him of the particulars. He was curious of course, but he'd never pressured them. Legolas saw Faelon as inferior, and thus did not appreciate that, though honest and good, Faelon had risen to a high position and rode in the presence of his sister. In his mind, Faelon the half-Elf servant shouldn't have risen so high. He also didn't like the fact that Calad so highly esteemed the servant.
Though in trade a servant, Faelon was not born one. Elrond knew this, knowing now he had found the missing child. Elrond had known of a half-Elf child many years ago, and how his parents had gone missing, but it had never occured to him that this child, now grown, had been right under his nose the whole time. Elrond sat in his study, contemplating this. He wondered if he should tell Faelon his story just yet. It might be too much of a surprise. Elrond got a gut feeling that Faelon had gone more than long enough without knowing, and went to tell him.
The half-Elf was not in his bed. Elrond was immediately concerned. Faelon should not have been wandering around yet! Elrond started searching the massive house for him. Just once, Elrond wished that he hadn't let Glorfindel and Erestor go with Legolas. They could have helped him look. He didn't bother to ask his sons, they would be little or no help. Calad! Faelon was probably with Calad! Elrond asked Elladan where Calad was, and raced into the library.
Faelon looked up from his book in dismay. He was in trouble, and he knew it. He gave Lord Elrond a humble, subordinate look. Elrond felt unnerved by it, knowing the young Elf's lineage. Though Faelon was younger and not nearly as high ranking, he wasn't a servant. He was higher born than Erestor, but he had never known it.
"Faelon, I need to talk to you." Elrond said.
Faelon went to get up and put the book away. Elrond put up a hand to stop him. Faelon naturally froze.
"Calad, would you go find something to do?" Elrond asked, but more or less commanding.
Calad got up to leave. Faelon's face obviously showed that he thought he was in deep, deep trouble. That was not the reaction Elrond wanted. He sighed.
"Never mind, Calad, don't go anywhere." Elrond said.
Now Faelon looked really confused. He'd been told to sit down in the presence of an Elf Lord, the lady he served had been told to leave and then to stay, and he wasn't quite sure where he fit into this.
"Faelon, do you know who you are?" Elrond asked.
Faelon arched an eyebrow.
"Well, last time I checked, yes, I was Faelon Beriorgan. I don't understand, my lord, what is it you mean?" Faelon asked, puzzled.
"That's your name, but do you know *who* you are?"
"My lady Caladriel's groom."
"That is only half true. Did the Rangers never tell you the truth?"
"I suppose not, if that is not the truth."
"Your father was a lord. Your mother was a Ranger's daughter, and I'm sure you know that, but your father was a noble from Mirkwood. I didn't know you were the child that had gone missing, or you would have been told this before. You should not have ended up a mere horse-groom." Elrond said, slowly and deliberately. "Legolas must not have known this, or I am sure he would not have been so hostile toward you."
Faelon looked greatly surprised.
"My lord, surely there must be some mistake." he protested.
"No, there is no mistake. I knew it when you came in injured. The similarities between you and your father, Eruvyr Beriorgan, are striking, as long as I factor out your dark hair and ears. You have his face." Elrond said. "You have your mother's eyes, but in your father's face. You are one of the Beriorgans of Mirkwood, a noble family, and they have searched without seeing for many long years. They didn't know you had dark hair, your mother was blond, and somehow you are not, so it never occured to me that you were the child they sought. Your face should have given you away, I should have known from the first."
Faelon dared not speak. He had never felt lordly, and he really didn't feel lordly in the presence of Lord Elrond. He was not the kind of person to act lordly, either. Calad was looking at him, open mouthed. Faelon's face didn't show the confusion within or the conflicting emotions. For a moment, Elrond saw the little boy who had been lost for so long, and then he saw the young Elf-Lord that was. Faelon looked down, deep in thought.
"What am I heir to, Lord Elrond?" Faelon asked quietly. "I can handle just a title, I would like that best, in fact."
"No, Lord Faelon, you are heir to lands and fortune. Your father never returned, thus you are his heir." Elrond said.
"He's dead." Faelon said, with quiet certainty. "He and my mother have been dead for a very long time."
Dark, clear emerald green eyes met silver gray ones as Faelon looked to Elrond. Elrond looked slightly shaken.
"What would you have me do, my lord?" Faelon asked.
"Take possession of your lands and let your relatives know you live." Elrond said.
"Then that is what I shall do." Faelon said, rising.
Elrond could feel the power that this lord, once a groom, had. He was heir to many things, not all were riches or titles. The blood of the Dunadain joined to the blood of the Elves was not weak. Estel radiated power and strength, why should this half-Elf not do the same? Elrond appreciated the Numenoreans even more in this moment. Their calm, quiet, self assured attitude made telling Faelon about his past easier for Elrond, it would have been difficult if Legolas had been in the same situation. Faelon paused in the doorway and looked at Elrond again.
"I knew I had a hidden past, thank you for helping me to find it." he said. "I just wish it had not been kept back from me for so long."
Calad got up to follow Faelon. Elrond held her back.
"No, Calad, leave him be. He is not your servant anymore." Elrond said.
"No, he is not, and I have never treated him as such, either." Calad said. "He has long been dearer than a brother to me."
The flash of her blue eyes made an impact on Elrond. She was stong- willed, but she had never tried to bend Faelon to her will. She had thought of him as something to be left untamed. Something best left wild, and cherished for its very wildness. Elrond let her go, feeling her intentions were good. She was probably going to be a comfort, not a curse.
She came back about twenty minutes later.
"I can't find Faelon anywhere! Please help me look for him!" she pleaded.
Elrond sighed. He went to get his sons.
Estel was missing too.
"This is not good! That boy is not allowed to ride yet, he could get hurt!" Elrond declared when he saw that Shadow was missing. He swung up onto Elladan's elegant little mare and took off to look for Faelon and Estel. The mare was not very strong, but she was as swift as an eagle and nimble as a falcon. She could not bear anything greater than Elrond's weight, and he was lucky she could bear him at all.
Elladan was downcast, he loved that little mare almost as much as a sister, he didn't want anything to happen to her. He'd been there at her birth, he'd raised her when her dam died, and he'd nursed her through foalhood illnesses. Elrohir led Whisp, his little grey horse, out of the stable and offered her to Elladan. Both twins rode compact, swift horses, favoring them over the larger, slower horses. Many of the Elves had long taunted them about their choice in horses, saying the twins were afraid to ride anything larger than a pony. Both WhisperingSilver and WindDancer were barely over 14 hands(four feet, eight inches to the withers), very small next to the other horses in the stables. Elladan declined Elrohir's offer, but accepted Calad's offer of MithrilArrow. He didn't want to injure Whisp and have to tell Elrohir later, Mithy was sturdy and swift, he wasn't worried about the tall silver stallion.
Mithy and Whisp galloped out of the courtyard with their twin riders, tiny Whisp matching huge Mithy stride for stride.
"Elladan, I think we should breed the mares to Mithy, he's rather swift for so large a horse." Elrohir said.
Elladan nodded, surprised by the stallion's swiftness and agility.
"We'll consult Faelon, he's quite the horsemaster." Elladan called back to his brother. "We might need Shadow to diversify the bloodlines."
Elrohir agreed. Both twins knew that they were only trying to keep their minds off of what could happen to Faelon and Estel. The Rangers were not in the area, and thus it was not safe to be riding out like that unarmed. Both brothers had reflex short bows slung over their shoulders and quivers on their backs. The Elven long bows were practically useless on the back of a horse. Mithy's neck was stretched out as his stride leveled out into a smooth, thundering gallop. Elladan bent low and close to the horse's neck, aiding Mithy in lengthening his stride. Elrohir began to drop back, a surprised look on his face. Whisp was running all out, but the big stallion was simply faster, his stride was longer, swallowing up the distance at an amazing pace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond was catching up, he knew it. He could see the dust kicked up by Shadow and Ashdod's hooves. Faelon wasn't spurring Shadow on very fast, Shadow was at a casual canter, neck arched, tail raised and streaming out behind. Ashdod looked like he was out for an evening ride with Arwen. Elrond was surprised, he'd thought Faelon was going out to do something, but it looked like he was only out for a ride with Estel. Mithy flashed past Elrond and WindDancer on the righthand side. Elrond watched his older son's hair mingling with the stallion's mane and felt a prick of pride. Elladan and Mithy were truly one. Mithy's nostrils were flared wide, his ears flicking back and forth from Elladan's voice to the road ahead. Elladan was talking to Mithy constantly, the wind singing past them, Mithy's big dark eyes almost closed, so trusting was he of Elladan's instructions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Faelon looked back over his shoulder, saw Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir, and reined Shadow down to a walk, turning the restless stallion toward the oncoming Elves.
"Hail, Lord Elrond, why are you riding Dancer so hard?" Faelon called.
"We were worried about you! Why didn't you let us know you were going? You shouldn't be out riding yet, you could fall and hurt yourself!" Elrond cried.
"I could fall and hurt myself anytime, hîr nín ." Faelon laughed. "Shadow badly needed exercise, I didn't want him to tear up your stable. Besides, Estel was with me, and we are both armed, we were in no danger."
Elrond sighed. Young Elves! Always thinking they're invincible!
"Elladan and Elrohir will ride with you now also." Elrond said.
Faelon looked disappointed.
"Please, Lord Elrond, just let Estel and I ride alone." he asked, his eyes doing the pleading.
"Why?" Elrond asked suspisciously.
"We need to talk without Elves around for once. I'm not really an Elf, he is a mortal, and we both have things we want to talk about without your lordship's presence." Faelon said, sitting tall and straight on Shadow's back as the stallion nervously mouthed the bit.
Elrond found himself giving in, feeling the bond and council of cousins might do more for both Estel and Faelon than he could do for either one. He turned Dancer back toward Rivendell.
"Just be back before sunset, Faelon, Estel." Elrond said, then nudged the little mare to a trot.
Elladan and Elrohir followed their father, watching Faelon and Estel disappear into the woods at the side of the road. They knew both were struggling to accept what their futures held. Lands and a title for Faelon, kingship and a kingdom for Estel. It must have been hard for Faelon and Estel to find out so much had been kept from them for so much of their lives, Elladan and Elrohir couldn't imagine it.
Elladan looked back over his shoulder, to see Faelon and Estel walking their horses, in a serious conversation. He hoped they would both be able to handle their futures, and live up to what was expected of them.
By Ellie in ElfPajamas
Starring: Caladriel, Legolas, Thranduil, Rinnalaiss, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Halbarad, and an Elf named Faelon Beriorgan.
Okay, major no-no here, Rinnalaiss is an extra daughter to Elrond, Caladriel is Legolas' younger sister. Rinnalaiss might be adopted, I'm not real sure, but her older brothers Elladan and Elrohir dote on their tomboyish little sister. She's the baby of the family sort of, although older than Estel in years, she is still quite childish. Caladriel is not allowed to be the tomboy she wants to be, and is only Legolas' half sister. This is preLotR, Estel is only about thirty or forty. Why all this guessing? This is a transcribed dream, that's why. Oh, and a groom in this story is not a groom in the sense of bride and groom, a groom is actually someone who takes care of the horses.
And this switches from Third person to first, usually Caladriel's POV. I kinda dreamed it as an onlooker that they didn't see, but sometimes I was in her head. Couldn't think of Gondorian names, I have a list of Elvish names, but I wasn't able to locate a Gondorian and Numenorean name generator.
Chapter six: Return to Sender.
Legolas was preparing to leave, Glorfindel and Erestor, their minor injuries for the most part healed, would escort him to Mirkwood, and then go on their hunting trip. Legolas was surprised at how stong and regal Erestor looked on the back of his horse and in his hunting clothes. He'd never though of Erestor as anything more than an advisor. The dark haired Elf's smoke gray horse pranced, happy to be going out on a hunt. Glorfindel was dressed in his hunting clothes too for the first time in a long time. Legolas could feel the undercurrent of excitement that was making Erestor unusually cheerful. Glorfindel scowled at his best friend, pretending to be mean and stern like Erestor usually was. Halbarad and some of his men were riding out with them for a distance, then they would go their separate ways. It was a merry party that was setting out, and hopefully an equally merry one would return. Legolas was almost sorry to be leaving, but Glorfindel had made it quite clear that no one was going with him except Erestor, because that would defeat the purpose of getting away.
Legolas threw the wither bags over his horse's back and mounted. The riders set out, as Calad watched from the center of the courtyard. Her brother had apologized that morning, and they were reconciled. Calad waved good bye to the party and went inside.
Calad sat in Elrond's library that evening, curled up with a good book. It was so very quiet without Glorfindel and Erestor. Faelon was a lot better now, but not doing much yet, so she was enjoying the library as he had advised. Of course, she was reading one of Erestor's favorite texts, a history of the First Age. It was kind of dry, but she wanted to know the history without it being distorted. Some of the history books in her father's library differed greatly from these accounts. Calad's long hair spilled over the arm of the chair and onto the floor. She was abusing the furniture, much like Elladan and Elrohir did, lying across the chair in the wrong direction. Elladan came in to get a bottle of ink for his father. He wrinkled his nose at Calad's reading material.
"Want me to wake you in an hour?" he asked.
Calad laughed softly.
"I happen to like this, Elladan. Just because you can't pay attention to your history doesn't mean I am incapable of it." Calad teased.
"My, my, what would Faelon say to his little bookworm about this?" Elladan teased. "He can't very well marry a maiden who is smarter than he."
"Actually, Elladan, your father lets me read the books in his library often." Faelon piped up from the doorway. "I already started my second reading of the volume she's working on. Did you even make it through it once?"
Elladan looked at the pale half-Elf in surprise.
"You're not supposed to be down here! If ada knew you were out of bed you'd be in deep trouble." Elladan said.
"You're changing the subject. I asked if you'd finished that book." Faelon said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the door jamb.
Elladan stuck to his protests that Faelon should not be up.
Faelon sighed, walked into the room, and appropriated a chair. He swiped a thick volume on arms and armor and started to read.
He gave Elladan a pointed look. Elladan got the message; either read or find something better to do than watch me and make fun of me.
Calad stole a glance at Faelon, who was abusing the furniture as well. His legs didn't quite fill his leggings like they used to, and his shirt hung looser than before, but it was nice to see him out of bed and back at what he liked to do. He was thinner, and not as strong as before yet, but he'd be well soon. Faelon was quickly absorbed in his book. Elladan decided to leave before Elrohir could sneak in and find him reading.
Faelon found a particularly interesting passage on Elven marksmanship and read it carefully. He loved books and histories. Perhaps because he had a strange lineage, and he wanted to learn all he could about both races to whom he was related. The Elves, though they seemed so peaceful and noble, had a marred past, and the past of the Numeoreans was not spotless either. Perhaps it was because of their shared blood that he was so fond of Elendil's heir.
The Elves of Mirkwood were not entirely accepting of men, and that was one of the reasons that Legolas disliked Faelon. Half-Elves had tainted blood. Elrond of course did not share this viewpoint, he himself was half- Elven, so Faelon had always been welcome in his halls and always would be. Faelon himself knew little of his own history beyond the fact that his father was from Mirkwood and his mother was the daughter of a Ranger. Halbarad and the others had not seen fit to inform him of the particulars. He was curious of course, but he'd never pressured them. Legolas saw Faelon as inferior, and thus did not appreciate that, though honest and good, Faelon had risen to a high position and rode in the presence of his sister. In his mind, Faelon the half-Elf servant shouldn't have risen so high. He also didn't like the fact that Calad so highly esteemed the servant.
Though in trade a servant, Faelon was not born one. Elrond knew this, knowing now he had found the missing child. Elrond had known of a half-Elf child many years ago, and how his parents had gone missing, but it had never occured to him that this child, now grown, had been right under his nose the whole time. Elrond sat in his study, contemplating this. He wondered if he should tell Faelon his story just yet. It might be too much of a surprise. Elrond got a gut feeling that Faelon had gone more than long enough without knowing, and went to tell him.
The half-Elf was not in his bed. Elrond was immediately concerned. Faelon should not have been wandering around yet! Elrond started searching the massive house for him. Just once, Elrond wished that he hadn't let Glorfindel and Erestor go with Legolas. They could have helped him look. He didn't bother to ask his sons, they would be little or no help. Calad! Faelon was probably with Calad! Elrond asked Elladan where Calad was, and raced into the library.
Faelon looked up from his book in dismay. He was in trouble, and he knew it. He gave Lord Elrond a humble, subordinate look. Elrond felt unnerved by it, knowing the young Elf's lineage. Though Faelon was younger and not nearly as high ranking, he wasn't a servant. He was higher born than Erestor, but he had never known it.
"Faelon, I need to talk to you." Elrond said.
Faelon went to get up and put the book away. Elrond put up a hand to stop him. Faelon naturally froze.
"Calad, would you go find something to do?" Elrond asked, but more or less commanding.
Calad got up to leave. Faelon's face obviously showed that he thought he was in deep, deep trouble. That was not the reaction Elrond wanted. He sighed.
"Never mind, Calad, don't go anywhere." Elrond said.
Now Faelon looked really confused. He'd been told to sit down in the presence of an Elf Lord, the lady he served had been told to leave and then to stay, and he wasn't quite sure where he fit into this.
"Faelon, do you know who you are?" Elrond asked.
Faelon arched an eyebrow.
"Well, last time I checked, yes, I was Faelon Beriorgan. I don't understand, my lord, what is it you mean?" Faelon asked, puzzled.
"That's your name, but do you know *who* you are?"
"My lady Caladriel's groom."
"That is only half true. Did the Rangers never tell you the truth?"
"I suppose not, if that is not the truth."
"Your father was a lord. Your mother was a Ranger's daughter, and I'm sure you know that, but your father was a noble from Mirkwood. I didn't know you were the child that had gone missing, or you would have been told this before. You should not have ended up a mere horse-groom." Elrond said, slowly and deliberately. "Legolas must not have known this, or I am sure he would not have been so hostile toward you."
Faelon looked greatly surprised.
"My lord, surely there must be some mistake." he protested.
"No, there is no mistake. I knew it when you came in injured. The similarities between you and your father, Eruvyr Beriorgan, are striking, as long as I factor out your dark hair and ears. You have his face." Elrond said. "You have your mother's eyes, but in your father's face. You are one of the Beriorgans of Mirkwood, a noble family, and they have searched without seeing for many long years. They didn't know you had dark hair, your mother was blond, and somehow you are not, so it never occured to me that you were the child they sought. Your face should have given you away, I should have known from the first."
Faelon dared not speak. He had never felt lordly, and he really didn't feel lordly in the presence of Lord Elrond. He was not the kind of person to act lordly, either. Calad was looking at him, open mouthed. Faelon's face didn't show the confusion within or the conflicting emotions. For a moment, Elrond saw the little boy who had been lost for so long, and then he saw the young Elf-Lord that was. Faelon looked down, deep in thought.
"What am I heir to, Lord Elrond?" Faelon asked quietly. "I can handle just a title, I would like that best, in fact."
"No, Lord Faelon, you are heir to lands and fortune. Your father never returned, thus you are his heir." Elrond said.
"He's dead." Faelon said, with quiet certainty. "He and my mother have been dead for a very long time."
Dark, clear emerald green eyes met silver gray ones as Faelon looked to Elrond. Elrond looked slightly shaken.
"What would you have me do, my lord?" Faelon asked.
"Take possession of your lands and let your relatives know you live." Elrond said.
"Then that is what I shall do." Faelon said, rising.
Elrond could feel the power that this lord, once a groom, had. He was heir to many things, not all were riches or titles. The blood of the Dunadain joined to the blood of the Elves was not weak. Estel radiated power and strength, why should this half-Elf not do the same? Elrond appreciated the Numenoreans even more in this moment. Their calm, quiet, self assured attitude made telling Faelon about his past easier for Elrond, it would have been difficult if Legolas had been in the same situation. Faelon paused in the doorway and looked at Elrond again.
"I knew I had a hidden past, thank you for helping me to find it." he said. "I just wish it had not been kept back from me for so long."
Calad got up to follow Faelon. Elrond held her back.
"No, Calad, leave him be. He is not your servant anymore." Elrond said.
"No, he is not, and I have never treated him as such, either." Calad said. "He has long been dearer than a brother to me."
The flash of her blue eyes made an impact on Elrond. She was stong- willed, but she had never tried to bend Faelon to her will. She had thought of him as something to be left untamed. Something best left wild, and cherished for its very wildness. Elrond let her go, feeling her intentions were good. She was probably going to be a comfort, not a curse.
She came back about twenty minutes later.
"I can't find Faelon anywhere! Please help me look for him!" she pleaded.
Elrond sighed. He went to get his sons.
Estel was missing too.
"This is not good! That boy is not allowed to ride yet, he could get hurt!" Elrond declared when he saw that Shadow was missing. He swung up onto Elladan's elegant little mare and took off to look for Faelon and Estel. The mare was not very strong, but she was as swift as an eagle and nimble as a falcon. She could not bear anything greater than Elrond's weight, and he was lucky she could bear him at all.
Elladan was downcast, he loved that little mare almost as much as a sister, he didn't want anything to happen to her. He'd been there at her birth, he'd raised her when her dam died, and he'd nursed her through foalhood illnesses. Elrohir led Whisp, his little grey horse, out of the stable and offered her to Elladan. Both twins rode compact, swift horses, favoring them over the larger, slower horses. Many of the Elves had long taunted them about their choice in horses, saying the twins were afraid to ride anything larger than a pony. Both WhisperingSilver and WindDancer were barely over 14 hands(four feet, eight inches to the withers), very small next to the other horses in the stables. Elladan declined Elrohir's offer, but accepted Calad's offer of MithrilArrow. He didn't want to injure Whisp and have to tell Elrohir later, Mithy was sturdy and swift, he wasn't worried about the tall silver stallion.
Mithy and Whisp galloped out of the courtyard with their twin riders, tiny Whisp matching huge Mithy stride for stride.
"Elladan, I think we should breed the mares to Mithy, he's rather swift for so large a horse." Elrohir said.
Elladan nodded, surprised by the stallion's swiftness and agility.
"We'll consult Faelon, he's quite the horsemaster." Elladan called back to his brother. "We might need Shadow to diversify the bloodlines."
Elrohir agreed. Both twins knew that they were only trying to keep their minds off of what could happen to Faelon and Estel. The Rangers were not in the area, and thus it was not safe to be riding out like that unarmed. Both brothers had reflex short bows slung over their shoulders and quivers on their backs. The Elven long bows were practically useless on the back of a horse. Mithy's neck was stretched out as his stride leveled out into a smooth, thundering gallop. Elladan bent low and close to the horse's neck, aiding Mithy in lengthening his stride. Elrohir began to drop back, a surprised look on his face. Whisp was running all out, but the big stallion was simply faster, his stride was longer, swallowing up the distance at an amazing pace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond was catching up, he knew it. He could see the dust kicked up by Shadow and Ashdod's hooves. Faelon wasn't spurring Shadow on very fast, Shadow was at a casual canter, neck arched, tail raised and streaming out behind. Ashdod looked like he was out for an evening ride with Arwen. Elrond was surprised, he'd thought Faelon was going out to do something, but it looked like he was only out for a ride with Estel. Mithy flashed past Elrond and WindDancer on the righthand side. Elrond watched his older son's hair mingling with the stallion's mane and felt a prick of pride. Elladan and Mithy were truly one. Mithy's nostrils were flared wide, his ears flicking back and forth from Elladan's voice to the road ahead. Elladan was talking to Mithy constantly, the wind singing past them, Mithy's big dark eyes almost closed, so trusting was he of Elladan's instructions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Faelon looked back over his shoulder, saw Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir, and reined Shadow down to a walk, turning the restless stallion toward the oncoming Elves.
"Hail, Lord Elrond, why are you riding Dancer so hard?" Faelon called.
"We were worried about you! Why didn't you let us know you were going? You shouldn't be out riding yet, you could fall and hurt yourself!" Elrond cried.
"I could fall and hurt myself anytime, hîr nín ." Faelon laughed. "Shadow badly needed exercise, I didn't want him to tear up your stable. Besides, Estel was with me, and we are both armed, we were in no danger."
Elrond sighed. Young Elves! Always thinking they're invincible!
"Elladan and Elrohir will ride with you now also." Elrond said.
Faelon looked disappointed.
"Please, Lord Elrond, just let Estel and I ride alone." he asked, his eyes doing the pleading.
"Why?" Elrond asked suspisciously.
"We need to talk without Elves around for once. I'm not really an Elf, he is a mortal, and we both have things we want to talk about without your lordship's presence." Faelon said, sitting tall and straight on Shadow's back as the stallion nervously mouthed the bit.
Elrond found himself giving in, feeling the bond and council of cousins might do more for both Estel and Faelon than he could do for either one. He turned Dancer back toward Rivendell.
"Just be back before sunset, Faelon, Estel." Elrond said, then nudged the little mare to a trot.
Elladan and Elrohir followed their father, watching Faelon and Estel disappear into the woods at the side of the road. They knew both were struggling to accept what their futures held. Lands and a title for Faelon, kingship and a kingdom for Estel. It must have been hard for Faelon and Estel to find out so much had been kept from them for so much of their lives, Elladan and Elrohir couldn't imagine it.
Elladan looked back over his shoulder, to see Faelon and Estel walking their horses, in a serious conversation. He hoped they would both be able to handle their futures, and live up to what was expected of them.