Rest

Altril Narmolanya

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Pernauriel- Thank you so much. I hope that you continue to like my story as I continue it!

Coolio02- Hahahaha! I thought that it would be a nice twist to have someone betray them. Guess that is just the evil part of me coming out. And I hope this is soon enough for you. I will have to slow down a little because I need to add some more to it! Lol.

Angry Furby- I hope that this chapter doesn't disappoint you. As I said before if anyone wants to beta for me I will be more than happy to accept help from them. Spelling is not my strong point. I can get the character's names and stuff like that, but words that sound the same that aren't are evil! Thank you!

Eccentric Beauty- I am glad that you liked my story. I would be cool if someone would beta for me and help me correct all my spelling mistakes and the like. It would be a big favor.

Alexis- I will get more up as soon as it is possible.

Hallagurthiel- I am surprised that so many people like this story. There are so many just like it out there. But I am glad that everyone does! Thanks for the encouragement. I am so sorry about the wait. Finals and stuff like that have been ruling my life for the last month. Grrr! Over break I should get some more work done on this story. Only two more days till the Return of the King! I get to see it at midnight and I am dressing up. Yippee!

Chapter Three: Part Two

Gilrain was awaked by loud shouts of joy and the clang of armor. Peeking out the window, she saw the vast expanse of Rivendell. The Imladris Guard was back and the people were out rejoicing that their loved ones had returned. A tinge of jealousy smote Gilrain's heart. It wasn't fair that the Orc's had taken her devoted husband from her, and a father from his son. Aragorn! Her jealousy vanished at the thought of her beloved son; the last hope of the Númenorian race. He lay sleeping on the bed they had shared last night. It wouldn't be much longer till he no longer wanted to snuggle. Gilrain lovingly brushed a piece of hair out of Aragorn's face. The little boy wiggled in his sleep then very slowly one eye opened, and quickly shut again.

"Bright, momma. 'Raragorn no 'wake," he raised his arms to indicate that he wanted to be picked up. "Up! Up! Pease?"

"Alright, my beautiful boy, momma will pick you up. Thank you for asking so nicely. That makes momma happy," quickly Gilrain ran a wet cloth across her sons face. Her spirits rose as Aragorn giggled at the feel of it.

"Momma, no tickle 'Raragorn. Not nice!" His tiny voice rose as his mother renewed her tickling onslaught. After a few more minutes of playfulness Gilrain got her son ready to meet the day. She was painfully aware that they had no fresh clothes to change into, but that could not be helped. At least now they were clean and clothed, but very hungry to say the least. Gilrain was wondering when or where they would find breakfast. With all the commotion going on, Gilrain reasoned, they had been forgotten. "'Raragorn, hungie! Me need somptin' for my tummy, pease?" He looked up at his mother with his big, mournful eyes.

"Oh," Gilrain had never been able to deny Aragorn anything, and his father had been worse, "Aragorn, momma's hungry also. Come here," she groaned as she hefted Aragorn to her hip. "You're getting to so big! Let's go find some food." So mother and son went down the long corridor in search of some breakfast.

Meanwhile Elrond stood on his balcony watching the troops file in. As soon as his sons came into view he let out a sight of relief. Elrond had been worried that he would never be able to tell his sons how much he loved them. Quickly, Elrond rushed to his office, because he knew his sons would report to there first. He had only managed to beat his sons by a few minutes.

Elladan came in first followed by his twin. They were both covered in the dust and blood of battle. "My lord," it smote Elrond's heart to have his son address him in such a manner. How had he let it come down to this? "My lord, are you alright?" Elladan's voice broke through his father's thoughts.

"Yes, thank you though. Ellahir, you're filthy! I know that you especially, Elrohir hate to be dirty. Get out of here till you are clean." Elrond had purposely surprised his twins by calling them by their hybrid name.

Both twins were surprised. It had been many years since their father had used their names. Not since their sister had gone to Lothlórien. "How did her remember that I hated to be dirty?" questioned Elrohir. "I can't remember the last time he called us by our names."

"The fact that he is our father might contribute to it somewhat. He's just trying not to show how disappointed he really is in me. Go take a long bath, 'Ro, I will do a quick wash then go explain."

"We were both at fault-"

"Go! I'm older so I will take the blame."

"We're twins. I will not always have you to protect me! Amazingly enough, I can take care of myself." Elrohir paused for breath. "Your pride holds me back! So go."

Elladan was taken back. Usually Elrohir was the meeker of the two. "'Ro, you know that is not what I-"

"Yes it is! Even when we were elflings you had to protect me. Not anymore. I don't need you anymore. Go away and leave me alone!"

Crushed by his brother's harshness, Elladan walked away dejectedly. When he reached his room, he let his broad shoulders droop. Never in his life had he felt so alone. When Arwen moved to Lothlórien Elrohir had been there for him, when their father had stopped being a father to them, he had still had Elrohir. Now Elladan was left alone with no one. Quickly he ran a wet cloth over his face. The grime of battle came off thick on the now dirty cloth. Elladan was now prepared to listen to the lecture he was sure to receive from his father.

The walk to Elrond's study seemed longer than ever before. Maybe, Elladan reasoned, it is because now I no longer have a best friend in whom I can confide. That was quiet a sobering thought. Finally after what seemed like eternity Elladan reached the door of his father's office.

Shortly after Elladan knocked a voice beckoned from within, "Come in." He slowly opened the door and closed it after him. It is true that most of Imladris is open with no doors, but Elrond had purposely made sure that he could have a private sanctuary for peace and quiet. "Where is your brother, Elladan?"

Elladan looked up and met the kind eyes of his father. Those eyes that could see into his very soul, but were soft and full of compassion at the same time. During his growing up years he had been able to tell his Ada anything, while Elrohir had been closer to their Ammë.

After a few moments of looking into his sons eyes Elrond knew something had happened between the twins. "Ionn-nin, something happened. You can tell me." Elladan, the strong warrior that he was, felt weak. For the first time in a long time he felt like his father really loved him. His jaw quivered for a moment. "Come here," Elrond opened his arms as an invitation to his son. Gladly Elladan clung to his father, loving the feeling of being held once again as if he were still a small elfling. "Its been too long since we have had a good snuggle, Dan." The joy of having his father call him by his nickname filled Elladan with complete happiness.

"Im mela lle Ada!" said Elladan as he tightened his grasp around his father's neck. "You are the only one."

"What about 'Ro, don't you love your gwador anymore?" Elladan avoided his father's gaze as he played with a strand of hair.

"Ada, what made you change towards me? I came here expecting to receive a lecture, but instead we had a nice little cry together. What happened to make you change seemingly overnight?

"To tell you the truth, Dan, it was a combination of things. Having Aragorn here has made me realize that I miss being a father, and Glorfy," Elladan made a funny snorting noise at the sound of the name he had dubbed Glorfindel when he was a child, "as I was saying, Glorfindel basically threatened to kill me if I didn't start acting like a father to you and your siblings."

"Speaking of Aragorn, where are he and Gilrain? Arathorn made me promise to give his wife this," as Elladan opened his hand Elrond saw a beautiful mithril broach with the Dúnadain insignia on it. "In my saddle bag I have the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil. He wanted Aragorn to be raised here, that was his last request to me."

Elrond quickly stood up, "I must go and find them. It is almost ten o'clock; they will be wondering when someone is coming to collect them for their morning meal."

Father ad son rushed down the hall, not wanted to make Gilrain and Aragorn wait any long than they had to. The morning meal had been served over two hours ago. "They must be hungry by now," commented Elladan as they reached the room.

Elrond shot his oldest a pretend glare then knocked on the door. There was no answer from within. "Hello? Gilrain, Aragorn?" Still there was no answer. Pushing open the door Elladan and Elrond stepped into the room. No one was there. "They must have gone to find food."

"But, Ada, Gilrain has never been to Rivendell before. She could be anywhere, depending on when they left. What are we going to do? Even here in Rivendell there could be some who do not wish the best for anyone of Isildur's lineage.

"There is only one thing for us to do. Go get Erestor and Glorfindel. Bring them back here and then we will split up and search for them."

"Yes, sir," with that Elladan sped off to find two of his mentors. Making a mental list of all the places to look for them, Elladan ran strait into someone. Recoiling from the shock he fell over backwards.

"Ellahir, will you watch where you are going?" Erestor used the hybrid name for the twins as he offered a hand to help the twin up. People had never been able to tell which was which so they had always been called 'Ellahir' when both were being addressed. "How many times have I told you over the years not to run in the hall? Sweet Eru, the boy is daft."

"No, Erestor, my father sent me to find you and Lord Glorfindel. Gilrain, the wife of the late Arathorn and her son, Aragorn, are missing. My father sent me so that you could help us look for them."

"Do you really expect me to believe that Elladan?" Elladan frowned, how had Erestor known how he was? "Your brother does not make up sorry excuses like you are apt to do. Why would Isildur's heir be here?"

Elladan let out a heartfelt sigh, "You obviously have not heard. A fortnight ago Arathorn the Second was pierced in the eye by an Orc arrow. His last request was for his wife and son to he kept safe here."

An expression of shock and disbelief showed on Erestor's face. "Where is your father, Dan?" Quickly Elladan explained and ran off to try and find the missing Elf Lord, Glorfindel.

"Go away and leave me alone!" Elrohir slammed the door in his brother's grief stricken face. At first a feeling of great relief flooded over Elrohir. For years he had felt trapped and smothered by his brothers over bearing personality. Elrohir stripped off his armor and padded into the bath. When he reached the large tub he took off his clothes and slipped gracefully into the warm water. The muscles in Elrohir's back became loser as he let the healing power in the water relax him. All the blood and dirt began to flake away as he lathered his body with soap, but as Elrohir came to his hair he encountered a problem. Usually Dan was there to help him get it clean and braided. "I don't need him."

"You don't need who, Ellahir?" Elrohir jumped at the sound of another voice.

"Glorfindel, what are you doing here?"

"Wouldn't' you like to know, 'Ro?" smirked the golden haired Elf. "Alright, I will tell you. Since I heard you were home I knew your brother would go see your father, and I wanted to make sure you had not sustained any major injuries as you are apt to do. Does this satisfy you?"

"Thank you for your concern, Glorfy. I managed to avoid injury this time. The worst are just a few minor scratches," replied Elrohir coolly.

Hum, thought Glorfindel, he makes no mention of his brother at all. Something is wrong. 'Ro's first concern is usually for Dan. "Tell me, Ro, how fare's Dan? I have not had the chance to see him yet."

"How would I know? I am not my brother's keeper." With that he turned his back to Glorfindel, symbolizing that he was done with the conversation.

"You may keep this anger towards your brother a secret from most people, but I know you all to well. Elrohir, your attitude disappoints me. I will get to the bottom of this. Of that you can be sure." Glorfindel turned on his heal and departed, leaving Elrohir to fester with his anger about Elladan.

After a few minutes of scrubbing his hair clean Elrohir got out and dried off. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he found a clean pair of breeches and tunic and slipped them on. Now comfortable and clean the youngest son of Elrond grabbed his favorite book off the shelf and lay down on his bed to read.

"Momma, tummy matin' funny noises," said Aragorn as he tugged on his mother's skirt. They had been trying to find the kitchen for over a half and hour. Gilrain knew her son was hungry, but she was at a lost of what do to. Truthfully Gilrain had not realized how big Rivendell really was.

"Oh, my son, Momma knows that you are hungry, but we must wait a little longer," as if to back her up Gilrain's stomach rumbled.

A giggle escaped Aragorn. Pretending to be shocked Gilrain's expression made her small son laugh even harder. "Momma tummy!" It made Gilrain happy to see her son smiling even at a time like this. Bending down to Aragorn's level she bestowed a loving kiss on his head, and received a kiss and a hug for it. She was rue to think about the time to come when this sweet little boy would no longer want hugs and kisses from his mother.

"Well good morning!" Gilrain spun around and her nose came into contact with the very solid chest of a very tall Elf.

Gilrain tilted her head up to get a better look at whom she had run into. Obviously it was an Elf, but he was taller than most Elves tended to be. He had beautiful golden hair, a masculine form, but kind silver eyes. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to run into you."

"Never mind that. It was my fault for startling you. I am called Glorfindel, and am I correct in assuming that you are the Lady Gilrain of the Dúnadain?"

A red blush started creeping up Gilrain's alabaster cheeks. How could she have been so dense as to smash into the famous Balrog Slayer's chest? "Oh, um, yes I am."

"Then this must be young Aragorn," said Glorfindel ruffling the boys hair. "I am sorry to hear of your lost my lady. My condolences to you and your son. Arathorn was a good man."

"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel," Gilrain started off again in her search for the kitchen. Then she realized that Glorfindel would know where the kitchen was. "Milord?"

"Yes?" A twinkle of merriment sparkled in Glorfindel's eyes.

"I was wondering….. could you direct my son and I towards the kitchen? Aragorn has not yet had his breakfast."

"It is now a quarter past ten. No one was sent to fetch you for the morning meal?" Both golden eyebrows arched, then came down into a frown.

"No, we were not summoned. Aragorn was hungry so we have been trying to find the kitchen for some time."

"Up!" Glorfindel looked down to find Aragorn tugging on his tunic wanted to be picked up. "Up pease? 'Raragorn hungie."

"Alright little one. Up you go," said Glorfindel as he lifted the child up. "Glorfindel will show you and your mamma the way to the kitchen."

"Glorfy show kitchen?"

Gilrain was horrified that her son would bestow such an embarrassing nickname on one of the most famous Elves in history. "Milord, I am so sorry. Aragorn… he didn't mean that-"

"Would you like me to show you the way to the kitchen?" Glorfindel inquired.

"Well, yes."

"Do me a favor and call me Glorfindel and stop apologizing."

"Yes mil- I mean… Glorfindel." Gilrain ducked her head and smiled.