Chapter Eight




Two and a half weeks later, Elladan staggered into Imladris in the very early morning. He stumbled up to the door, but never actually entered the house. His vision faded and went black as he collapsed across the entrance.

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Elrond rose late that morning. He opened his eyes and saw the sunlight streaming in the windows. Dressing quickly, he went outside to find Arwen. To his surprise, he found his eldest son sprawled in front of the door. Elrond knelt beside the younger peredhil. Elladan was unconscious. His arm was covered with blood and there was blood matted in his hair. Clutched in his hand was a wrinkled paper.

Elrond carefully removed the paper from his son's clasp. Unwrinkling it, the older peredhil read the note written on it. He paled at the words. Leaning over, Elrond picked up his unconscious son and carried him into the house.

Laying the young elf on a bed, Elrond called for Glorfindel. He washed the blood from his dear son's arm and cut Elladan's hair so he could inspect the head wound. Glorfindel entered the room at that point and Elrond sent him to bring Arwen.

Arwen came quickly and found Elrond sitting beside her brother. "Ada!" she cried. "What happened?" Her eyes flew to her wounded brother.

Elrond sighed and handed her the letter. "I would assume that they were attacked. This wound to his arm appears to have been made by an arrow. The head wound is not serious. He was probably riding at the time, was shot of his horse and hit his head," he murmured. "I need you to help me stitch the arm wound closed. I have already checked both injuries for poison and cleanse them."

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Sometime later, Elladan regained consciousness. Upon finding his father and sister by his side, he speedily recounted what he could remember of the attack. Elrond pondered on what he had just been told. One of his sons was injured, one was a prisoner and the other was likely in the place where his brother was being held. Estel would not be able to rescue both Elrohir and Legolas, who was undoubtedly also in Anganor, on his own. However, the young man could probably get them out of their prison and into hiding.

"Elladan, Arwen, I need to hold council with my captains. Elladan, stay in bed. Arwen, stay with your brother and make sure he doesn't get up," the elf lord said, rising and heading to the door.

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The next morning saw Elrond leading a small force of elves toward Mirkwood and Glorfindel leading a larger group of his people toward the grey havens. Elrond hoped that Giran would think that he was only going to Lothlorien to alert Galadriel and Celeborn to the need to leave Middle-Earth. Soon, he hoped to be with Thranduil, leading their joint hosts to rescue their sons.


The End