Disclaimer: Everything associated with Middle Earth belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and his heirs. I own nothing, and I promise to put my toys away when I am done.
Arguments
A thorough search of the hall and the outlying buildings did not reveal either of the two elflings, much to the searchers' dismay. However, it did bring more clues to the searchers' attention. Glorfindel and Erestor trailed a distraught and driven Elrond into the armory while Glorfindel outlined his new findings.
"The head cook reports that the twins raided her kitchens earlier this morning, closer to dawn. It seems they took a goodly number of honey cakes while they were left cooling. Not entirely without the staff's blessing, however." Glorfindel reported dutifully, hastily adding the last detail to deflect any ire Elrond may feel towards his sons. He paused to collect his thoughts, and then continued. "Also, the twins' ponies are missing from the stable." That bit of information worried him. It greatly increased the twins' range, and thus the distance he would have to search. It also meant that the vigilance of the Border Guard would have to be increased even beyond the state he had left them earlier this morning. With the latest disturbing news from outside the valley, he would not have the twins wandering about in the wide world unprotected.
"And no one saw them leave?" Elrond asked incredulously. His sons may be adept at hiding, but to sneak past the entire stable crew with two ponies… that trick was beyond their skill. The fact that the ponies were gone disturbed him – the twins rarely rode anywhere alone, since most of their favorite play areas were well within an elfling's walking range.
"All were busy with a trio of fractious colts that were attempting to tear down their pens to attack each other out in the foal stables." Erestor explained hastily. The yearlings had just been brought in for training, and had not learned how to behave themselves yet. Elrond suppressed a shudder, and was terribly glad that he had made it perfectly clear to Elladan and Elrohir that they were to stay well away from the young unruly horses until they were calmed. He knew, at the very least, that whatever trouble the twins were in, they were not trampled under the hooves of those excitable horses.
"What of the Border Guard? Have they not seen my sons?" Elrond asked Glorfindel, giving Erestor a much-appreciated reprieve. When Elrond became focused in his questioning, it became rather nerve-wracking for the one being questioned. The blonde Vanya shook his head.
: "No news. I hold hope that the twins may yet be in the valley." Glorfindel answered calmly, firmly refusing the temptation to leap to the defense of his Guard. Elrond was just worried – he should know that if the twins were spotted they would be brought in immediately, especially if they were found so close to the edge of the protected valley.
The trio hurried into the armory. The armory was usually Glorfindel's haven and the gathering area for the Border Guard that Glorfindel trained. Bright weapons, all polished and oiled, gleamed in the flickering torch-light. The mingled smells of old and well-cared for leather, polish, burning pitch, and the horsy smell from the war tack filled the room. Glorfindel automatically picked up his favorite knife and sword, but gave Elrond a surprised look when the half-elf chose a knife as well, strapping the belt around his waist.
"Elrond… the entire Guard will be looking for them. I will be looking for them. You should stay here and comfort Celebrian." He suggested. He had already lost the twins – having to keep watch on Elrond's safety as well… It was not as if he did not trust Elrond to take care of himself, it was just that he had made a promise a long time ago, and he meant to keep that promise. Elrond favored him with a dark glower.
"My sons are out there, alone, on today of all days. I am going after them." The Lord of Imladris replied sternly. Glorfindel, prince among elf-lords that he was, was singularly unimpressed by this show of lordly power. Calmly he squared off against his liege-lord.
"If they are found by some other party, you would know faster if you stayed here, since they would be brought here immediately." Glorfindel pointed out calmly, blocking Elrond's path to the larger weapons. While Elrond may be the lord of this haven, Glorfindel saw no need for Elrond's will to hold sway when the half-elf wanted to do something he thought was particularly reckless. Erestor kept well clear of the pair, though he watched intently. He knew his way around a sword and knife – most elves that lived though the wars with Melkor and Sauron had learned one way or the other. However, he was a scribe and scholar by choice, and left militant matters to those better suited for it. That included facing down an angry, armed, and strong-willed father whose sons had gone missing.
"Stand aside, Glorfindel. I cannot simply stay here and let others do what I should be doing just to uphold your ideas of propriety. My sons need me." Elrond growled flatly, his bright grey eyes narrowing dangerously. He knew what Glorfindel wanted – he had known the valiant warrior for too long not to know of the duty Glorfindel thought he must carry out. He had been grateful for it more than once. It had saved his life centuries ago in the Last Alliance, it had protected his sons… but he simply was not capable of staying behind, no matter what Glorfindel thought. His frustration rose when his long-time friend did not budge an inch.
"What if they did leave Imladris, Elrond? Would you follow them then? Would you leave your people without a leader, and your wife without comfort?" Glorfindel asked brazenly, sternly forbidding himself the luxury of flinching at the harshness of his words. To his credit, Elrond did not lash back in anger. The worried elf-lord considered the question, and if he did so without his usual calm and logical manner, it might be excused.
"Yes, I would go. They are my sons, Glorfindel. You ask the impossible by wanting me to stay here where I cannot do either of them any good." Elrond finally replied, in a tone much more calm than previously. Unexpectedly, Glorfindel stepped aside, allowing Elrond passage. Both Elrond and Erestor looked surprised at that – they expected a more vigorous battle. Elrond did not fret about it, however. He stepped forward quickly, searching for his old blade amongst the well-cared for array of weapons. He was so intent on his search he did not hear Glorfindel step closer behind him, nor did he hear his old friend raise the pommel of his sword. Before Erestor could cry out a warning, Glorfindel tapped the heavy pommel against the back of Elrond's head, using only just enough force to knock the half-elf unconscious. Carefully he caught Elrond before the stunned elf-lord could fall to the ground, gently laying him out flat on the cool time-smoothed floor. His fair face wore a grieved expression as he checked Elrond's pulse and breathing, making sure Elrond was merely unconscious. Erestor hurried over, accusation in his eyes. Glorfindel saw the storm of reproach coming, and forestalled it with an outstretched hand.
"He could not come, Erestor. I do not know if I will find them, though I pray I will. He is strong and capable, I know… but his thinking is clouded when it comes to his family. He would not take care of himself if he thought recklessness would help find his sons. Take care of him." He ordered quietly before standing. He gave his friend one last regretful look, then strode out the door.
