Please see chapter 1 for disclaimers and other information.
Chapter 2
"There is no counter spell," groaned Elrohir. He sank down into the chair in front of his desk and smacked his forehead. "Why is there no counter spell? There is always a counter spell!" The younger twin had looked all through the spell book but he couldn't find anything that told him how to undo the obedience spell he had placed on his brother.
Elladan was just standing in the middle of the room, staring blankly at the wall. It was starting to creep Elrohir out. He was so still and quiet; it was unnatural. Elrohir yanked at his hair in frustration. "Do something for Valar's sake!" he cried. Elladan didn't move; not the Elrohir had expected him to, that command had not been specific enough. A devious smile spread across Elrohir's face. "Elladan, clean my room," he ordered.
Elladan turned and walked over to the bed, starting to smooth the sheets and tuck in the blankets. He then fluffed the pillows and tied back the bed curtains. "And don't break anything," Elrohir quickly added. Leaning back in his desk chair, Elrohir smiled and watched his brother begin to dust the furniture. "I could get used to this."
About the same time Elladan had begun to sweep the floors, Elrohir's smile faded and he sighed. "Ada is still going to kill me." The younger twin turned and laid his head down on his folded arms. "What am I going to do?" he moaned. Suddenly, he felt his chair lift and yelped. Quickly, Elrohir snatched up the book as Elladan began to move him across the room. "Put me down!" he yelled.
Elladan promptly dropped him. Elrohir felt his teeth rattle and the chair moan under him at the treatment. Elladan went back to the desk and continued his sweeping of the floor where Elrohir had been sitting. The younger twin growled and jumped to his feet. "Stop!" ordered Elrohir. The broom clattered to the floor and Elladan returned to his wooden statue position.
"That's it!" hissed Elrohir. "Ada may kill me but it's better than having a walking danger zone loose in Imladris!" He walked over to Elladan and made sure they were eye to eye, clutching the evil book that had started this mess in his hands. "Stay!" Elrohir ordered sharply. "As in, do not move from that spot." Elrohir stared into Elladan's face but couldn't tell anything from the mask of stone.
Elrohir sighed and dropped the book onto his desk. "I'm going to go find Ada. He'll know what to do about this," muttered the younger twin. The door clicked sharply as it closed behind him.
Silence filled the bed chamber, the broom laying on the floor and the desk chair sitting in the center of the room. Suddenly, a shadow separated itself from the balcony corner and entered the room. A black cloak covered the figure completely as it silently walked over to the desk and picked the small, gold accented book up from the surface. Pale grey fingers paged through the book for a moment before the person made a pleased sound in their throat. "Come with me," ordered a female voice, the book disappearing into the cloak. The woman then turned and exited the room, Elladan following behind her.
Bird song filled the bright garden, sounds of a softly splashing fountain a backdrop for the pleasing music. A playful breeze twirled around the grass, picking up leaves and flower petals and tossing them into the air. Elrond sat under the shade of a leafy tree on a small bench, a book in his hands holding his attention. A few stray petals decorated the half-Elf's dark hair and the breeze would often caress his cheeks fondly.
Approaching footsteps caused Elrond to look up and a welcoming smile spread across his face. "Elladan," he greeted. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Ada," answered Elladan a little stiffly. "Are you doing anything right now? I have something I want to show you down by the river."
Elrond placed a ribbon between the pages of his book and shut it, tucking it under one arm. He stood and smiled at his son. "I would love to go on a walk, ion-nín. Is something amiss or have you found something interesting by the Bruinen?" asked Elrond. The pair began to walk down the stone path of the garden.
"Nothing is amiss, Ada," answered Elladan with a wooden smile. He gently took his father's arm to lead him down the left path and stairs. "I just think you'll find it interesting."
[No!] yelled Elladan. [No, Ada! Don't go with him! I mean me! I mean…] Elladan growled in frustration and beat furiously at the walls around him. It was so hard to keep things straight watching himself go about doing thing without his will behind them. [Something is amiss, Ada! You're in danger!] By the Valar, what did that demon plan to do to his father? Such hate had been in her voice when she had given his body the order to lure Elrond down to the river. [Ada, go tell Glorfindel that you're going down to the river. He'll know something is wrong with me. Go tell Glorfindel; you know he worries about you if he can't find you.] Elladan beat against the wall again and then slid down to the floor, sobbing. [Please…no.]
The river babbled happily along its path as Elrond and Elladan walked upon the bank. The silver beech trees cast a cool shade along the riverbank and it was pleasant to walk there. Elrond picked a small twig up off the ground and idly played with it, his book still tucked under his arm. The Elf lord smiled at the wide river and then turned toward his son. "So, Elladan, what did you…?" Elrond stopped as he saw a tear make its way down Elladan's cheek and concern filled his silver grey eyes. "Ion-nín? What is the matter?" he asked, reaching out to wipe away the tear.
"Peredhil," hissed a voice behind them.
Elrond spun, dropping his book and the stick he had been holding, and narrowed his eyes at the speaker. It was hard to pick out any details beyond the cloak but Elrond saw that the person was female and holding a small, gold book. "Who are you?" the Elf lord demanded.
"Strike him," ordered the woman. Elrond was about to speak again when pain exploded in his skull and the world tilted before everything went dark.
Elrohir pushed open the doors to the Library and peeked in. He was looking for his father, really he was. But he wasn't too swift to receive the punishment that would be sure to follow when they got Elladan back to normal. The younger twin walked forward, crossing the long bars of colored light that shone through the tall stain glass windows. He carefully scanned the many desks and tables that people were sitting at, looking for his father's distinctive mithril coronet and russet robes. He had already looked for his father in his Study, in the Hall of Fire, in the Hall of Healing, and in his favorite garden spots but could not find him. The Library was Elrohir's last hope.
Elrond was not among those sitting in the Library but someone almost as useful was. Elrohir quietly crossed the large room, dodging furniture, and tapped a dark haired Elf sitting at a small desk on the shoulder. Dark brown eyes looked up at the twin and one curved eyebrow rose in question. Erestor was never one to waste energy on unnecessary things; like greeting people. "Councilor Erestor, have you seen Ada anywhere? I can't find him," asked Elrohir quietly.
Erestor's gaze dropped back to the parchment on the desk and he dipped his quill into some ink before continuing to write. "Lord Elrond is in the garden reading, Elrohir. He wanted to finish a text before the noon-meal," answered Erestor.
Elrohir sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of his eyes. "I have looked in the garden, Councilor, and in his Study and both the Halls. He is not there and I really must speak with him. It is quite urgent."
"He told me he would be in the garden," repeated Erestor calmly. Elrohir felt like pulling his own hair out at this point. What a time for his father to disappear! "I suggest, young lord, that you seek out Glorfindel. He would know where Lord Elrond is. He should be in the west yard this time of day."
Elrohir sighed and bowed a little to the other Elf. "Thank you, Lord Councilor. I mean Lord Erestor. I mean…" Elrohir huffed as he saw Erestor fight a smile. He never knew what to call the other Elf. "I give up!" hissed the younger twin, quickly hurrying away. Elrohir tried his best to ignore the quiet chuckle that sounded behind him.
Elrohir broke out into a sprint toward the west yard, eating up the distance. Of course he should have sought out Glorfindel earlier. Glorfindel was like a bloodhound when it came to father. Probably the fact that Elrond and Glorfindel had been Bonded lovers for many centuries allowed them a special connection. Glorfindel often boasted that the Valar had sent him back just to protect and be with Elrond. The blond Elf really was too full of himself. Of course, Elrond never protested such a claim.
Elrohir slowed as he came to the west yard and began to weave his way between the soldiers and guards that crowded the area. The younger twin exchanged a few quick greetings with some friends and sparring partners but his sights were set on reaching Glorfindel. Finally, he reached the inner ring and found two young Elves sparring and Glorfindel overseeing the pair. Elrohir carefully edged around the circle until he was in Glorfindel's line of sight and then tried to get the blond Elf's attention while not detracting the two fighting Elves. Those practice swords weren't the sharpest things in the world but they still hurt if you got hit.
Finally, Glorfindel's gaze landed on him and Elrohir made a frantic 'come here' gesture. The blond Elf walked over to him, keeping one eye on the sparring pair and one eye on the young twin. "What is it, Elrohir?" he asked cheerfully.
"Have you seen Ada lately? I can't find him and I really need his help," asked Elrohir, a little anxious. How long had he left his older brother standing in his room?
"I haven't seen Elrond since we parted this morning, Elrohir. Why? Is something amiss?" asked Glorfindel. The blond Elf had tensed, thinking something was wrong with his lover.
Elrohir sighed. Well, he supposed Glorfindel was just as good as Ada. They were both going to kill him either way. "It's Elladan," Elrohir admitted weakly.
"What about Elladan?" asked Glorfindel, bending to bring his nose level with Elrohir's and looking him in the eyes.
"I put a spell on him," muttered Elrohir. The younger twin braced himself for the outburst he was sure would come but Glorfindel only stared at him.
After a moment, the blond Elf pulled his face away and straightened, letting out a long sigh. "Dismissed!" roared Glorfindel suddenly. Everyone jumped, including Elrohir. Glorfindel then grabbed Elrohir behind the neck and spun him around, pushing the twin toward the house. "Let's go find your father. My job description says I work with swords, not sorcery," grumbled Glorfindel. Elrohir tried to give a weak laugh at the joke but failed as Glorfindel pushed him up the stairs and through an archway into the house.