From The Ashes

One year after the War of the Ring, things seem to have settled until rumors surface concerning an army of darkness.  Determined to confirm or disprove these rumors, Legolas heads to Minas Tirith to counsel with Aragorn.  Meanwhile, from the ashes of Mordor comes someone long thought dead.  Elrond's mortal twin.

Note:  RPG fic, written by many authors, separated by post.

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Elros frowned as he stood. He had no business in Lórien and knew well who dwelt there. He had love binding his brother to him, but Galadriel was a stranger. Elros did not want that sort of scrutiny just yet. Not if he could help it.

"Marchwarden, I thank you for your attention, but I would prefer to make my own way. My path does not include Lothlórien. Perhaps..."

He could see Haldir's schooled patience, and through that his want that Elros should comply regardless. The half-elf raised his chin. "If you do not trust me, perhaps an escort to Minas Tirith or Rivendell would suit you. What have you to say to that?"

~

Haldir watched him silently for a few moments. He'd made a mistake in judgment, perhaps, assuming that this stranger had camped on the borders of Lothlórien because he was coming to see the Lady Galadriel.

After a few moments contemplation, he spoke up. "I will escort you." He didn't trust this stranger, that much was true, but he could
defend himself quite well. He turned, calling back one of the elves.

~

Satisfied and tired, Elros mounted his black horse. He was bone weary, but he would not display weakness before these Elves. Sitting straight, he looked to the young Marchwarden, saying, "Very well. I have interest in Minas Tirith. Follow me as far as you like."

He did not like this Marchwarden following him, would not take kindly to being led into Lórien if they went south towards the High Pass that led to
Rivendell.  Elros knew too little of the geography of these lands since his absence and could not chance it, so he deemed Minas Tirith a safer destination.  He could only hope this Haldir of Lórien did not stir trouble for him.

How little Elros trusted his own kind any more.  It touched a place deep within, but he buried it away beneath his purpose.

~

He was reluctant to leave the Golden Woods and Lothlórien, but something deep inside him urged that this was where he needed to be.  He watched the weary stranger mount his horse, giving his own a nudge in the ribs and starting towards him. "I'll follow you as far as need be," he answered as they rode on.  He fell quiet again, stoic.

~

Legolas sighed, hating to be the bearer of bad news after peace had reined for so long in Middle Earth. "Rumors were spreading through Ithilien of orcs to our north, so I decided to investigate," he told his friends.

A sigh interrupted his words, and he saw Faramir shaking his head, amusement showing on his face.

Aragorn looked ready to speak, but Legolas cut him off.

"Yes, I went alone." Shifting his position, the elf found that his body obeyed him easily, though his chest and arm pained him, as well as his head.  He was thankful that his injuries were minor; he did not plan to stay in bed for long. "I did not ride very far before I came upon a group of orcs.  I was able to escape them, obviously, and immediately rode here to inform you."

Aragorn and Faramir looked at each other, upset at the news, but neither of them looking very surprised.

Aragorn stood, and silently began pacing, having yet to say a word.

Legolas watched him, but it hurt his head so he looked to Faramir instead.

The man of Gondor had a concerned expression on his face, and opened his mouth to speak.

"I am fine," Legolas said, knowing what he was about to ask. "My injuries are minor, you need not worry for me."

Faramir looked amused that Legolas had guessed his question, and turned to look at Aragorn, who was still pacing...

~

Resolved that Legolas would not have him worry over his health, Aragorn changed tracks of conversation – however one sided it was.  "How many?" he asked, hoping for a small, easily managed number.

He halted at the doorway, standing beside his queen.  Of late he had learned that he needed her support more and more as he grew weary of councils and councilors who wished only to further the ring their pouches made as they walked down the street rather than the lives of the people of Gondor.  He depended on her to look after his duties in his absence as he rode to battle to remove the small opposition of orcs.  He depended on her to be his stronghold and his comfort, should he feel ever a single doubt or sorrow.  And beside her, he readied himself for whatever news his companion brought.

~

Time passed. The sky was still very black and their path visible only by the glowing orb of white above, and even that was obscured at times by clouds.  Elros had never been one to be content with silence.  He was the outspoken of the two, the outgoing brother while Elrond was quiet and restrained.  Graceful, everything an Elf should be while he was not.  His outgoing personality had fueled him through strife and difficulties and even days of peace when he was ruler of Numenor.

So the silence between he and this brooding stranger was less than comfortable, even given the circumstances. Rubbing his hand, Elros turned to face the Marchwarden.  "You know my br...Lord Elrond, do you? How is he?"

~~~~~~~

Characters Still Available! – Galadriel, Celeborn, Rumil, Rondy's twins and more!

Players Featured In This Chapter:
Elros - Ruse - Email: jedinineofnine@hotmail.com - AIM: Mirkwood Spider
Aragorn - Estel - Email: eriestel@covad.net - AIM: EriEstel
Legolas - Deana - Email:  Deana@fanfiction.net  AIM: Gimme Legolas
Haldir - Klutzy - Email:  ranger_girl34@yahoo.com   AIM: Klutzy34
Arwen - Silrean - Email:  watasillydanagrl@aol.com  AIM:  watasillydanagrl