Chapter 7
" I am leading out my search party at noon." Glorfindel announced.
Orodlin nodded.
" I shall follow in the morning."
Glorfindel bowed and turned away. The bottle had come up clean and by some strange fate, the glasses had been broken into a million different pieces. Glorfindel waved to his sister, saluting her with a somber look. She nodded back. A letter had been sent to Círdan. If Ereinion's body was found and he indeed was dead, she would not linger upon the shores. Glorfindel turned his focus to ordering his men about.
*And I pray I will not lose her again.
~*~
He found her staring forlornly at her harp. She seemed to not even have strength enough to lift a hand to play a single note. He knelt before her.
" When I return, I will have Ereinion with me."
She nodded.
" Come back to me alive, Glorfindel. I could not bear to lose you again."
He hugged her.
" I cannot die this time, love. I am invincible."
Celebhiril did not smile nor laugh.
" Bring me back you in one piece please."
Glorfindel rose, kissing her cheek.
" I have fought a Balrog, dear sister. Surely the son of Orodreth is no worse than that."
Celebhiril managed a smile before encasing him with a hug.
" May Eru keep you safe; lady Varda guide your steps and Tulkas grant you your hunt."
~*~
Ereinion put a hand to his stomach when it grumbled loudly. Elrond shot him a weak grin, though it was obvious that he was as hungry as Ereinion. Their provisions had ended last night and their water supply was on the brink of dry. They stared at the end of the charred wasteland and could just make out the beginnings of Lindon if they squinted. Ereinion sighed happily, leaning against the tunic tied around his waist to keep him on the horse.
" I will be glad to be home."
Elrond did not reply.
" There is a band on the horizon."
Elrond glanced over at Ereinion, but the King had once again lapsed into oblivion. Elrond sighed.
*I guess I will be the one defending us alone.
~*~
Elrond lifted Ereinion off the horse. They had the perfect defense. Elrond lifted the canteen, offering the fevered and delirious Ereinion the last of the water. Elrond then gazed at the swollen wound mournfully. There was not any water to clean it out.
He squinted, noting that the band was approaching rather quickly. He drew his sword and pulled up his hood, standing on wobbly legs. He cursed his weakened state before moving forward.
*By my life or death, I swear he will get to Lindon.
~*~
Glorfindel and Celeborn pulled down their hoods as they approached the sword drawn hooded figure warily.
" Good Elf, may we speak with you?" Glorfindel called.
" Glorfindel?" The Elf gasped.
The hood was pushed back.
" Elrond!" Celeborn slid of his horse, supporting the undernourished Elf.
" Where is Ereinion, Elrond?" Glorfindel demanded.
Elrond shook his head wearily, causing many hearts to fall.
" He was shot and poisoned. He is delirious and feverish, back there."
Elves quickly moved in that direction. Celeborn handed Elrond a piece of lembas.
" Eat it slowly."
Elrond forced himself to slowly chew the luxurious bread. He sighed happily, closing his eyes in pure bliss.
Celeborn bid the young lord to sit and then began inspecting the festering stomach wound. Celeborn glanced around nonchalantly before speaking.
" What happened?" He asked in a low voice.
Elrond swallowed the last bit of the lembas and then sighed.
" We were attacked by Elves. They hunted us before trying to kill us both. We had to defend ourselves." Elrond's voice cracked and he closed his eyes. " We had to kill them so we could live."
Celeborn laid a gentle hand on Elrond's shoulder, understanding the pain at killing their own people.
" Go on."
" They had shot Ereinion first, hoping to take him down first and then have only I left to kill, but he did not fall. They plunged a poisoned dagger into the wound and it has haunted Ereinion these past days. The surviving Elves burnt the forest, knowing that Ereinion was already weak. Only by the grace of Varda, did we escape and begin our journey back."
Celeborn rubbed his chin, beginning to bind the wound after placing some salve on it. He leaned in, speaking softly.
" Galadriel too was poisoned and nearly died."
The only outward indication to Elrond's surprise was his quick drawn breath. His face revealed nothing.
" Who?" Elrond asked.
Celeborn licked his lips.
" Orodlin sent the wine. It came up clean when they tested it for any poison."
Elrond's face darkened.
" DO you think he possibly is…"
Celeborn nodded seriously.
" I believe he wants the throne." Celeborn leaned in. " Ereinion trusts him only because the Elf is family. He will never believe us." Celeborn handed Elrond another piece of lembas. " His back will need extra watching."
Elrond took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.
" Orodlin has thought this through carefully. We will have to watch his comings and goings and visitors." Elrond's mind was already fast at work, devising a strategy.
Celeborn admired the Peredhil's quick mind, now seeing why Ereinion had chosen the young Half-Elven as his herald.
" You take your new job quite seriously."
Elrond nodded, obviously still mulling over the new information.
" He will be incapable for a few days with that shoulder. I will not have him fall on my watch."
~*~
Glorfindel rode like lightening with the King before him. His men followed just as quickly, feeling the same urgency in returning. The group was met by gasps and whispers. Glorfindel dismounted before he and Celeborn began to carry the King towards the healing houses. Celebhiril met them there, falling to her knees beside his bed. Tears fell down her cheeks at his weakened state.
" The wound is poisoned." Celeborn said softly.
She nodded, rising to prepare an antidote. Celeborn began to unbind the wound for her.
Galadriel entered, supported by a few healers. She closed her eyes, sighing in relief when the still body groaned, arching in pain. He was still alive.
" Saes (Please)." He whispered.
Celebhiril returned to his side, wiping her tears away as she gently wiped the black area on his shoulder.
" Gil-galad, melmenya, I must see to your wound."
His eyes opened a fraction and a dreamy smile crossed his pain-lined face.
" Celebhiril?"
She gently nodded, before uttering a soft sleeping spell. His eyes closed again and he was free of pain. Celebhiril glanced over her shoulder at the crowd.
" Please give us some peace to try and work."
~*~
Orodlin paced in his room, fuming.
*He is alive. That Elf just will not die.
He glared at his second-in-command.
" He is still breathing."
The Elf only shrugged.
" They only think they have the antidote. There is no known cure."
Orodlin grabbed him by the collar.
" Elrond has an uncanny talent for finding cures. I want the Peredhil dead. Now!!"
~*~
Glorfindel stood beside Celeborn.
" I am sending Elrond to bed. He is over weary." Celeborn said.
Glorfindel rubbed his chin.
" I will go with him. I fear that his life may also be in jeopardy."
Celeborn sent him a guarded look, remaining silent as a few healers passed by.
" What do you mean?"
Glorfindel shrugged.
" If the alleged culprit, who's name I shall utter, truly wants the throne, Elrond must be either killed or shipped across the Sea. Elrond is the heir. Ereinion was tight-lipped about naming an heir, but he did, in case there are no children."
Celeborn then leaned his head back.
" Does Orodlin know this?"
Glorfindel shook his head.
" I think Orodlin fears Elrond's knowledge. The Peredhil is unnaturally wise for his few years."
Celeborn then nodded.
" Guard Elrond with your life then. I believe you. This is not over yet."
~*~
Elrond protested as Glorfindel took his arm.
" I am fine."
Glorfindel steadied the Elf as Elrond blinked harshly, trying to stay awake.
" You are already half-asleep." Glorfindel began to lead him out. "Celeborn is remaining by Ereinion's side, as if Celebhiril. You do not think she will let anyone try and hurt him, do you?"
Elrond did not answer. Glorfindel glanced down. The Peredhil was already asleep.