Title: Homesick [Elf Children Series]
Author: Mayetra
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Timeline: AU after Tall Tales and the Tutor
Summary: The kids are suffering from a serious case of homesickness.
*~*
40 Yávië * 170 T.A. - Imladris
Haldir and the rest of the Lórien gang sat glumly in a gazebo deep within the gardens of Imladris.
"I miss the Mellyrn," Haldir commented to no one in particular. "Right now the trees will be getting their buds and soon the canopy will be filled with the pretty golden flowers."
"I miss fishing in the little stream with Lord Celeborn," Rúmil added. "Remember how much fun we had this summer?"
"Yes," Elladan replied, "and the nightly singing. There are no Elves on Middle Earth that can match the Galadrim's heavenly serenades."
Elrohir nodded silently. His eyes were misted over as he also thought of the trees filled with Elven voices.
"Hwest misses Lord Celeborn," Orophin added in a quiet voice.
Everyone present knew that it was the littlest Elfling among them that missed the Elven lord, but no one contradicted his statement.
"I miss Mama," Arwen said woefully.
"I miss our clubhouse," Legolas added to the list.
"I wonder who is dusting it," Arwen commented.
The boys just stared at her.
Rúmil chose to ignore her comment. "We will miss the Fall Festival this year."
"Do not remind me," Elrohir moaned.
"Yes, we have heard that this year a costume contest was planned," Elladan added.
"And we will miss the Lady Galadriel's story as well," Rúmil pouted.
Orophin sniffled and hugged Hwest. "I will not get to eat pumpkin pie with Lord Celeborn."
Legolas patted Orophin on the back in a comforting gesture. "I wish we could go back."
The rest of the Elflings nodded in agreement.
"There is no way that will happen," Rúmil said miserably. "After all the practical jokes, we are doomed to stay here forever."
"Unless we just go back on our own," Haldir said suddenly. "I mean they would have to let us stay then."
The children exchanged glances and then smiled.
*~*
Rúmil and Legolas crept down the hallway towards the kitchens. Each child had been assigned to collect certain items that would be needed on their journey. Legolas and Rúmil were in charge of the food. Arwen had argued that it was a poor choice since Legolas was likely to eat their supplies before they ever left, but the others overruled her.
The two boys flattened themselves on either side of the darkened archway. Legolas and Rúmil exchanged glances and then Rúmil looked around the corner into the pitch-black room.
"The coast is clear," he whispered.
The duo stole into the room and began to fill their sacks with supplies. They chose carefully taking nothing that would spoil too quickly. Soon their bags were crammed with bread, dried meats, and fruit. They left the room and made their way back to the secret hiding place the twins had shown them. It was a tiny crawlspace that could have been called an attic if you were only three feet tall.
Elladan and Elrohir were off on their own foraging expedition. They had been charged with finding blankets to take on the journey. Young Elves were more susceptible to the cold then adult Elves were. Since they were leaving in late autumn, they would most likely encounter snowy weather in their trip over the Hithaeglir*.
Elladan was just about to round the corner where the winter supplies were stored when Elrohir pulled him back. Before he could question his twin, he heard the sound of light footsteps. Nodding, he and his brother melted back into the shadows near a statue of an Elf maiden.
A few seconds later, two Elves rounded the corner holding hands. The twins exchanged glances and resisted the urge to giggle. Their unexpected company gone, the boys continued on their way.
Orophin had the important task of keeping Elrond and the other Elves of the household occupied. He accomplished this goal by asking Elrond to tell him the story of Gil-galad, the last King of the Noldor. He liked the story, and knew that it would keep everyone in the Hall of Fire for some time.
Arwen slipped from the Hall of Fire once her father had settled into his tale. Her objective was to obtain a map that would help them find their way. She hurried across the hall and entered her father's study. Moving past the tall bookshelves filled with books, scrolls and other pieces of parchment, she made her way to the map shelf near her father's desk. It took her several minutes, but she found a current map marking the various routes from Imladris to Lórien. She tucked the map into large map tube and departed the room. She must deliver the map and hurry back before her father noticed that she was missing.
Haldir had the most dangerous assignment of all. Once Rúmil, Legolas, and the twins returned from their assignments, he would lead them into the Warden's Armory for the weapons and other supplies that they needed. He had spent the last three nights watching the armory, making note of when anyone entered or left. He figured that they had a ten-minute window in which to get in, get what they needed and get out again. Thankfully, no one should notice anything missing until the next day. By then, they would be well on their way to Lórien.
There was a slight rustle of brush as the four other boys dropped down next to him.
"Are we late?" Rúmil asked softly.
Haldir shook his head. "Right on time. The next round of wardens should arrive in about five minutes. After they leave, we will make our move."
They sat quietly in the shadows and waited. As Haldir had said, four wardens appeared, went into the armory and then left again.
Haldir waited a minute before motioning the boys to follow him. They darted across the courtyard and slipped through the wooden armory door.
A few minutes later, the boys reappeared laden with their pilfered supplies and darted into the shadows.
*~*
It was still several hours before dawn when the children finally led four young horses from the stables. They crossed the courtyard under a pitch- black sky and without a backwards glance, passed under the arch that led to the bridge.
It didn't take them long to find a little traveled path where they mounted up. Rúmil and Legolas shared one horse, the twins rode together on another one. Arwen and Orophin were put together, while Haldir rode alone. He, however, was also carrying most of their supplies.
They rode single file down the path, Haldir in the lead, the twins bring up the rear. All around them the forest was waking up. The Elflings should have been exhausted, but the excitement of adventure gave them the energy they needed to continue.
It was close to noon when Haldir called a brief halt. They were in a small, sloping meadow covered with late summer flowers. It was surrounded by tall pine trees and in the distance; they could make out the snowy peaks of Hithaeglir.
"We will rest the horses a bit and have lunch," Haldir said. He pulled out the map and began to study it. "We are making good time, but we will need to pick up the pace if we want to make it to Lórien in time for the Fall Festival."
Arwen began to pull out their supplies and set about making lunch for all of them. Rúmil and Elladan tended to the horses, seeing that they were watered from the supply the children carried with them.
After a quiet lunch, the young Elflings remounted and began their journey anew.
*~*
Erestor entered Elrond's study. "Elrond," he said by way of greeting.
"Erestor," Elrond acknowledged him. He motioned for him to have a seat. "Is something amiss? Do you not have students this morning?"
"I do, and several are missing."
"Missing?" Elrond pushed aside the missive he had been holding. "Who?"
"Haldir and his brothers, Legolas, and your three children."
Elrond sighed, he should have known. "They are probably off in the gardens somewhere. I would not worry, they will show up for dinner."
Erestor did not look convinced. "I thought so too, but I asked around and no one saw them at breakfast. I have this feeling, Elrond. I can not put my finger on it, but something is very wrong."
Elrond was not one to take Erestor's 'feelings' lightly. "I will have Glorfindel look around for them."
Erestor nodded, but still looked worried.
"Go back to your students, Erestor. Glorfindel and I will get to the bottom of this."
Three hours later, Elrond was officially worried. Glorfindel and several wardens had searched the house and grounds thoroughly, but found no sign of the Elflings. To make matters worse, supplies were missing from the kitchen, the armory, and four horses were missing from the stables.
"Do you think they could have been so foolish and try to go back to Lothlórien alone?" Glorfindel asked worriedly.
Elrond considered this for a moment. "I would not put anything past them. Gather a party and find them."
Glorfindel cursed. He didn't want to think about the possible dangers the little heathens were getting themselves into.
*~*
The days melted together and two weeks after they set out on their journey, they had begun the climb up to the High Pass. The ground around them was covered with small patches of snow and the air was cold and crisp.
"How long do you think it will take us to get over the High Pass?" Legolas asked Haldir. They were riding two horses abreast during this part of their journey.
Haldir squinted looking up at the mountain. "Two days, maybe three."
"I hope we can find shelter during the night," Arwen moaned. "It is getting colder."
Haldir smiled reassuringly at her. "It will be fine, Arwen." Secretly, he was worried. Orophin was such a young Elfling and not used to such harsh conditions. Haldir was afraid that one morning he would find his youngest brother frozen solid.
They journeyed onward, and towards dusk began looking for any niche or cranny that would serve to shelter them during the night. The best that they were able to find was a small overhang. Heedless of the danger, Haldir built a small fire to keep them warm.
If he had been more experienced, Haldir might have realized that his tiny fire acted like a beacon in the darkness, leading all manner of creatures towards its flames.
The End
40 Yávië 170 T.A. - 10 September Hithaeglir - Misty Mountains (Sindarin)
Author: Mayetra
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Timeline: AU after Tall Tales and the Tutor
Summary: The kids are suffering from a serious case of homesickness.
*~*
40 Yávië * 170 T.A. - Imladris
Haldir and the rest of the Lórien gang sat glumly in a gazebo deep within the gardens of Imladris.
"I miss the Mellyrn," Haldir commented to no one in particular. "Right now the trees will be getting their buds and soon the canopy will be filled with the pretty golden flowers."
"I miss fishing in the little stream with Lord Celeborn," Rúmil added. "Remember how much fun we had this summer?"
"Yes," Elladan replied, "and the nightly singing. There are no Elves on Middle Earth that can match the Galadrim's heavenly serenades."
Elrohir nodded silently. His eyes were misted over as he also thought of the trees filled with Elven voices.
"Hwest misses Lord Celeborn," Orophin added in a quiet voice.
Everyone present knew that it was the littlest Elfling among them that missed the Elven lord, but no one contradicted his statement.
"I miss Mama," Arwen said woefully.
"I miss our clubhouse," Legolas added to the list.
"I wonder who is dusting it," Arwen commented.
The boys just stared at her.
Rúmil chose to ignore her comment. "We will miss the Fall Festival this year."
"Do not remind me," Elrohir moaned.
"Yes, we have heard that this year a costume contest was planned," Elladan added.
"And we will miss the Lady Galadriel's story as well," Rúmil pouted.
Orophin sniffled and hugged Hwest. "I will not get to eat pumpkin pie with Lord Celeborn."
Legolas patted Orophin on the back in a comforting gesture. "I wish we could go back."
The rest of the Elflings nodded in agreement.
"There is no way that will happen," Rúmil said miserably. "After all the practical jokes, we are doomed to stay here forever."
"Unless we just go back on our own," Haldir said suddenly. "I mean they would have to let us stay then."
The children exchanged glances and then smiled.
*~*
Rúmil and Legolas crept down the hallway towards the kitchens. Each child had been assigned to collect certain items that would be needed on their journey. Legolas and Rúmil were in charge of the food. Arwen had argued that it was a poor choice since Legolas was likely to eat their supplies before they ever left, but the others overruled her.
The two boys flattened themselves on either side of the darkened archway. Legolas and Rúmil exchanged glances and then Rúmil looked around the corner into the pitch-black room.
"The coast is clear," he whispered.
The duo stole into the room and began to fill their sacks with supplies. They chose carefully taking nothing that would spoil too quickly. Soon their bags were crammed with bread, dried meats, and fruit. They left the room and made their way back to the secret hiding place the twins had shown them. It was a tiny crawlspace that could have been called an attic if you were only three feet tall.
Elladan and Elrohir were off on their own foraging expedition. They had been charged with finding blankets to take on the journey. Young Elves were more susceptible to the cold then adult Elves were. Since they were leaving in late autumn, they would most likely encounter snowy weather in their trip over the Hithaeglir*.
Elladan was just about to round the corner where the winter supplies were stored when Elrohir pulled him back. Before he could question his twin, he heard the sound of light footsteps. Nodding, he and his brother melted back into the shadows near a statue of an Elf maiden.
A few seconds later, two Elves rounded the corner holding hands. The twins exchanged glances and resisted the urge to giggle. Their unexpected company gone, the boys continued on their way.
Orophin had the important task of keeping Elrond and the other Elves of the household occupied. He accomplished this goal by asking Elrond to tell him the story of Gil-galad, the last King of the Noldor. He liked the story, and knew that it would keep everyone in the Hall of Fire for some time.
Arwen slipped from the Hall of Fire once her father had settled into his tale. Her objective was to obtain a map that would help them find their way. She hurried across the hall and entered her father's study. Moving past the tall bookshelves filled with books, scrolls and other pieces of parchment, she made her way to the map shelf near her father's desk. It took her several minutes, but she found a current map marking the various routes from Imladris to Lórien. She tucked the map into large map tube and departed the room. She must deliver the map and hurry back before her father noticed that she was missing.
Haldir had the most dangerous assignment of all. Once Rúmil, Legolas, and the twins returned from their assignments, he would lead them into the Warden's Armory for the weapons and other supplies that they needed. He had spent the last three nights watching the armory, making note of when anyone entered or left. He figured that they had a ten-minute window in which to get in, get what they needed and get out again. Thankfully, no one should notice anything missing until the next day. By then, they would be well on their way to Lórien.
There was a slight rustle of brush as the four other boys dropped down next to him.
"Are we late?" Rúmil asked softly.
Haldir shook his head. "Right on time. The next round of wardens should arrive in about five minutes. After they leave, we will make our move."
They sat quietly in the shadows and waited. As Haldir had said, four wardens appeared, went into the armory and then left again.
Haldir waited a minute before motioning the boys to follow him. They darted across the courtyard and slipped through the wooden armory door.
A few minutes later, the boys reappeared laden with their pilfered supplies and darted into the shadows.
*~*
It was still several hours before dawn when the children finally led four young horses from the stables. They crossed the courtyard under a pitch- black sky and without a backwards glance, passed under the arch that led to the bridge.
It didn't take them long to find a little traveled path where they mounted up. Rúmil and Legolas shared one horse, the twins rode together on another one. Arwen and Orophin were put together, while Haldir rode alone. He, however, was also carrying most of their supplies.
They rode single file down the path, Haldir in the lead, the twins bring up the rear. All around them the forest was waking up. The Elflings should have been exhausted, but the excitement of adventure gave them the energy they needed to continue.
It was close to noon when Haldir called a brief halt. They were in a small, sloping meadow covered with late summer flowers. It was surrounded by tall pine trees and in the distance; they could make out the snowy peaks of Hithaeglir.
"We will rest the horses a bit and have lunch," Haldir said. He pulled out the map and began to study it. "We are making good time, but we will need to pick up the pace if we want to make it to Lórien in time for the Fall Festival."
Arwen began to pull out their supplies and set about making lunch for all of them. Rúmil and Elladan tended to the horses, seeing that they were watered from the supply the children carried with them.
After a quiet lunch, the young Elflings remounted and began their journey anew.
*~*
Erestor entered Elrond's study. "Elrond," he said by way of greeting.
"Erestor," Elrond acknowledged him. He motioned for him to have a seat. "Is something amiss? Do you not have students this morning?"
"I do, and several are missing."
"Missing?" Elrond pushed aside the missive he had been holding. "Who?"
"Haldir and his brothers, Legolas, and your three children."
Elrond sighed, he should have known. "They are probably off in the gardens somewhere. I would not worry, they will show up for dinner."
Erestor did not look convinced. "I thought so too, but I asked around and no one saw them at breakfast. I have this feeling, Elrond. I can not put my finger on it, but something is very wrong."
Elrond was not one to take Erestor's 'feelings' lightly. "I will have Glorfindel look around for them."
Erestor nodded, but still looked worried.
"Go back to your students, Erestor. Glorfindel and I will get to the bottom of this."
Three hours later, Elrond was officially worried. Glorfindel and several wardens had searched the house and grounds thoroughly, but found no sign of the Elflings. To make matters worse, supplies were missing from the kitchen, the armory, and four horses were missing from the stables.
"Do you think they could have been so foolish and try to go back to Lothlórien alone?" Glorfindel asked worriedly.
Elrond considered this for a moment. "I would not put anything past them. Gather a party and find them."
Glorfindel cursed. He didn't want to think about the possible dangers the little heathens were getting themselves into.
*~*
The days melted together and two weeks after they set out on their journey, they had begun the climb up to the High Pass. The ground around them was covered with small patches of snow and the air was cold and crisp.
"How long do you think it will take us to get over the High Pass?" Legolas asked Haldir. They were riding two horses abreast during this part of their journey.
Haldir squinted looking up at the mountain. "Two days, maybe three."
"I hope we can find shelter during the night," Arwen moaned. "It is getting colder."
Haldir smiled reassuringly at her. "It will be fine, Arwen." Secretly, he was worried. Orophin was such a young Elfling and not used to such harsh conditions. Haldir was afraid that one morning he would find his youngest brother frozen solid.
They journeyed onward, and towards dusk began looking for any niche or cranny that would serve to shelter them during the night. The best that they were able to find was a small overhang. Heedless of the danger, Haldir built a small fire to keep them warm.
If he had been more experienced, Haldir might have realized that his tiny fire acted like a beacon in the darkness, leading all manner of creatures towards its flames.
The End
40 Yávië 170 T.A. - 10 September Hithaeglir - Misty Mountains (Sindarin)