Disclaimer: The following characters which I have already used in previous
chapters without permission belong to Cassia and Sio: Celeboril, Taradin,
Garith, Ranien and Trelan.
Part 7 of a story that still doesn't have a name
Gandalf bent down again. He could just barely make out the faint imprint of a boot, most likely belonging to the ranger, he thought. He was still tracking the three elves and human and had become rather bemused at the number of glades they had come across and had apparently turned down.
When he looked up he caught sight of a piece of rope hanging from a tree close to what Gandalf guessed was a glade as he couldn't see it clearly. He pulled on the rope and saw that it had been wrapped tightly round the branch. It appeared someone had tied the tree's bough's back.
He immediately thought of Aragorn, but shook his head. Even the ranger wouldn't do some thing as stupid as that. Would he? The wizard shook his head again. He pushed his way through a rather large bush and finally had a clear view of the small dell. When he did he couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
At the far end of the open space was a half collapsed tent, the contents spilling out of the flap. In the middle was the remains of a small fire, the ashes scattered around it, a sword lying across it, appearing to be the source which put it out. There where hundreds of footprints crisscrossing over each other and adding to the confusion. He could see several arrows sticking out of the ground and trees and a small ivory handled knife lying carelessly on the floor.
Mithrandir stooped and picked it up. He recognised it at once as being one of the twin knifes Prince Legolas of Mirkwood always carried. He frowned and pocketed it, meaning to return it to its rightful owner as soon as possible. He also sheathed the sword, recognising it as the one Aragorn used.
On a closer inspection of the ground Gandalf could make out the prints of a scuffle that had obviously taken place. As far as he could make out, there had been four members of the camp, obviously Lord Elladan, Lord Elrohir, Prince Legolas and Aragorn, when they had been attacked and captured. One of them had been held kneeling on the ground, two more held standing up to the side, and a fourth being held by two men. He could also make out that there had been another man standing at the edge of the glade most likely during the fight.
He couldn't help feeling rather disturbed at these new findings. It appeared that Lord Elrond had had reasons to worry after all. He had another quick look round the rest of the camp, making sure he hadn't missed anything, before picking up the trail again and heading off back into the woods.
Garith glanced at the door of his small room again. Where is he? he thought frustrated he said he'd see me as soon as he came back. YESTERDAY.
He got up and went to the door, his hand resting on the cool, metal handle, when he heard a voice outside. He recognised it to be that of the barman. He was talking to someone.
"There ain't been any elves in this part that I can remember. 'Less they been sold for slaves. But if any one can help ye it be Taradin, I heard he be friends with a few of them, even the elf lord in that little valley yonder."
Frowning, Garith threw open the door, he wondered who would be looking for his father or his friends. He almost laughed at the surprised expression on the barman's face who had been about to knock. But his attention was quickly turned to the man standing next to him.
"Mithrandir!" He cried.
"What are you doing here?"
"Why does everyone say that" Gandalf muttered, walking past the boy and into the small room. He glared at the barman who was still standing at the door, clearly surprised that the young boy had recognised the old man in the cloak, and said man quickly drew it shut. Gandalf sat down on the bed, looking pleased at the reaction to his stare, and laid down his withered staff.
Garith pulled a chair over to Gandalf and sat on it, expecting Gandalf to explain why he was in Frisdan. But it appeared that Gandalf enjoyed making the boy wait as he didn't speak for a few, long minutes. Finally he opened his mouth and spoke in his deep voice.
"Where is your father, Taradin, for I wish to speak to him about a rather urgent matter" Garith sighed at the reply, obviously Gandalf had no intention of responding to his question. At least not yet.
"He has gone to see a stranger at the old watchtower on the hill. He should have been back a day ago."
"Hhm" Gandalf frowned. After finding the empty camp yesterday, he had managed to follow the tracks to an old crumbling building about 7 miles away, most likely the watch tower Garith had mentioned. He had come to the town of Frisdan to see if some how one of the four had made it there or if anyone had seen anything.
He hadn't ventured into the watch tower on his own as he had no idea how many there were or how armed and skilled they were. But no one had noticed anything, and now it seemed that the only person that may have been able to help him had also been captured. Turning back to Garith he asked,
"Did your father take any one with him?"
"Yes, one man, Aneol. Why? What's wrong."
Gandalf was silent for a moment, wondering if he should tell Garith all he knew. Finally he decided to tell the boy only what he needed to know.
"You remember Strider, don't you? And his three friends, the elves."
Garith nodded.
"Well, I think they have been captured by a group of men for some un-known reason and are being held up at the watch tower. And I think that your father has now been captured as well"
Garith gave a small gasp and sat back in his chair.
"What are we going to do?"
"I am going to get some men together and go rescue them. I will leave tomorrow."
"I'm coming with you!"
Gandalf raised an amused eyebrow.
"And do you really think I am going to let you"
Garith narrowed his eyes and sat back down, having leapt up when the wizard had denied his coming. He knew he was beaten. Unless... With a secret smile he nodded to the wizard who gave him a satisfied smile and left the room, heading for his own quarters.
"Lord Elrond, as your chief advisor, I advise you to stop pacing as you are wearing the carpet thin. Lord Elrond!"
"Very well" Elrond grunted. The elf lord, who had currently been stalking up and down over the rug in his bedroom, stopped ,walked over to his bed, and pulled out a small pack from beneath it and began stuffing clean tunics into."
"My Lord I can not let you go." Glorfindel argued, knowing what Elrond planned.
"They are my sons, not to mention Prince Legolas. I do not want the wrath of King Thranduil upon me."
"That is all very well but who will look after Rivendell in your absence." Elrond merely raised an eyebrow and stared at the elf warrior.
"Oh no. I will not. And you are not going."
"You can not stop me from trying to find and possibly save my sons."
"No, I can not. But I know a certain lady from Lorien who can. If I can not prevent you from leaving, the Lady of the Woods will."
Elrond sighed and dropped down on his bed, the picture of defeat. Unknown to Glorfindel's eyes, Elrond gave a secret smile and nodded. The Balrog- slayer gave him a satisfied smile and left the room, heading for his own quarters.
As soon as he had disappeared Elrond leapt back to his feet and hurried down the corridor in the opposite direction, heading for the healing rooms. From past experience with the four friends, Elrond knew to pack as many bandages, cloths, potion's and herbs as he could fit, and be prepared to get more.
Elladan suddenly stilled, his hand frozen over his brothers head, who was asleep in his lap. The sounds of many pairs of feet could be heard rushing past them and up the stairs at the end of the passage. As the sounds faded, Elladan became aware of the presence of a lone human outside his cell. His eyes narrowed in hatred as he recognized the hunter who stepped boldly into the dark hole he had been forced to call his home for the past weeks.
Doulgil smiled as he saw the fire burning in the elf's eyes. He walked slowly forward until he was only a few feet in front of his captives. There, he spoke,
"I have brought you news of which you should be very happy. We have found the man we have been looking for. That means I have no more use of you. If you play right, you may even leave here alive. It's just unfortunate the other two brats didn't have as much will power."
Doulgil grinned gleefully at the look of pure shock and horror on ther elder elf's face. He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise and carried on.
"Didn't you realise why we moved you. Even I would not allow you to sleep with the dead. Although you may soon."
He gave Elrohir a rough kick to his ribs, most of which Doulgil knew were broken. It was true; Elrohir was finding it harder and harder to go on. His pale skin was covered in bruises and lacerations, most of which he had received over the last few days to replace the fading old ones. It was getting more and more difficult for him to breath, and Elladan knew that it was only a matter of time until one of his twin brother's lungs was punctured.
The light in the young elf's eyes was slowly dimming, and he was growing weaker each day. He needed the fresh air and the stars as much as Legolas did. Neither elf could last long without them. It was beginning to take its toll on Elladan to. It had taken a lot out of him to care for the younger elves and human. He had his own wounds that needed looking after, but he was always putting others first. It was both his strongest and weakest characteristic.
"Well?" Doulgil demanded, he was still expecting more of a reaction.
Elladan didn't know what to do. He couldn't believe that his brother and friend were dead, yet why would Doulgil lie. And what about Elrohir, he was failing his younger twin too. He had sworn on Arathorn's death that he would protect his son, and he had sworn to his own father that he would protect the younger twin. And what about Legolas. He had lost the Prince and undoubtedly broken the friendship that had once again been building between Mirkwood and Rivendell.
He lowered his head until it was just touching Elrohir's. Doulgil noted with pleasure the way the once proud elf's shoulders slumped, and became the picture of defeat. He turned back to the door as he heard a low whistle. Ahh, so Taradin was returning. Without giving a backwards glance at the grief ridden elf, he strode powerfully through the door, slamming it behind him.
Far away in his own little cell, Aragorn heard the faint echo of a door being thrown shut, before his attention was drawn back to the groaning elf in his arms. With a deep breath, the human began once more to clean the wounds. The ointment was working.
Elrond winced as the stair let out a low creak. He glanced nervously up at the landing, expecting Glorfindel's bedroom door to be flung open at any second. He breathed a sigh of relief as several moments passed and nothing happened. He carried on down the stairs cautiously, although he couldn't help wondering what his sons would say if they saw him sneaking out of his own home.
I must be mad he thought worriedly I'm actually scared of getting caught by my advisor. He shook his head before back tracking quickly as he realised he had passed the armoury. He stuck his head round the thick door to check it was empty of any elves, before silently fitting himself up with a sword, its sheath, and a bow and arrow, just in case.
In a matter of seconds he was in the courtyard, pulling the door softly shut behind him. He knew where he was heading as Gandalf had sent back the horse he had borrowed to track the young friends back when he had reached Frisdan, with information of his where abouts. Elrond stood in the cold courtyard wondering whether or not to take a horse with him. On upon deciding to, he headed towards Wessalden stall.
He gave her a quick pat as he slowly led her out of the stable, walking backwards. He started suddenly as he walked into something hard. Something hard with long, blonde hair. He winced as he realised that the only elf that lived in Rivendell with golden hair was Glorfindel. How had he managed to catch him. Taking a deep breath he spun round and looked down into the face of...Trelan?
He raised an eyebrow as he saw a very guilty looking Ranien standing behind the short warrior. Both were holding horses.
"What are you doing?" Elrond demanded, trying to look stern, and trying to hide the fact that he was also leading a horse.
"What are you doing?" Ranien and Trelan said at the same time, failing just as dismally at looking innocent.
Elrond narrowed his eyes and looked from side to side. Finally he looked at the two elves in front of him.
"Won't tell if you don't"
Ranien and Trelan raised their eyebrows at each other.
"Agreed"
The small group vaulted onto their horses and quickly trotted out of the courtyard and into the thick woods. They rode in silence for a few miles before lord Elrond spoke.
"So, how were you planning to find your friends. Were you going to do the same as Mithrandir and just track them."
"Oh...er..." Ranien licked his lips nervously.
"We, erm, over heard you reading the message Mithrandir sent you on Narquelie and decided to go and help him."
"Indeed" Elrond smiled slightly as he looked over at the two friends. Their friendship reminded him strongly of the one that had grown quickly and strongly between his son and Legolas.
His eyes clouded slightly as his thoughts rested on his sons. What had happened to them. He jerked suddenly and his horse pulled to a stop. Elrond's eyes became hazy as he gazed into the trees, although they were not what he saw.
The visions flashed before his eyes, showing the possible future. He saw a dark room with a lone figure slumped in the corner. The scene changed. It was the same man, being beaten. The man holding the whip suddenly stopped and grasped the captive by his chin, reviling his face...
It changed again. It was another cell, this one holding two, identical prisoners, clasping each other, their blood mingling together. Elrond gasped, but the images carried on.
He saw Aragorn, dirty and beaten, singing softly and heart wrenchingly to his best friend who lay still and broken in his arms. He saw the door being thrown open and Mithrandir stumbling in, clasping a bloody arm to his side, glimpsing Garith over his shoulder, supporting his father. A strange man was behind them, fighting away the other men, helping them.
And then they were gone. Elrond looked up and heard Ranien calling his name, while Trelan supported him, keeping him from slipping off his horse. He held up a hand to stop the flow of worried questions coming form Ranien mouth, and balancing on his horse again.
"What did you see" Trelan queried, he knew about the elf lord's foresight.
"It does not matter, but we must make haste. Noro lim" he urged his horse faster, as the trio galloped through the woods, dodging the trees as the spend swiftly through them, determined to reach the town before day break in a couple of hours.
Gandalf stood at his window, gazing down at the street below. He frowned, he was not sure how he would get help. He did not know any men in Frisdan, so was not prepared to ask for help from them. Yet he didn't want to send for help from Rivendell as he had no desire to worry Elrond ,as he did not yet know in what predicament the four were currently in.
He barely noted the sounds of three horses clattering through the cobbled street under his window. He didn't even notice the three cloaked figures that passed through the doorway to the inn, although they saw him.
A few moments later the door to his room was thrown open as the Lord of the Last Homely House strode in, followed closely by two younger elves, one noticeably shorter than the other.
Gandalf raised an amused eyebrow as he saw Elrond adopt a look that he knew very well. It was the one he always wore when he was about to get into a large disagreement, and one that he was determined to win.
Gandalf shook his head before Elrond could speak though.
"Lord Elrond, I assure you that I am not about to object to your, rather timely, visit here. Indeed it is actually something of a good fortune. I believe I know of the whereabouts of your son's and the prince."
A look of relief passed over Elrond's face, maybe his vision had been wrong after all.
Gandalf sighed as he saw the fleeting look.
"I am afraid there is more yet. They are, I believe, being held captive in the watchtower on the hill. Taradin is there also."
Elrond closed his eyes. It all fitted in. He had saw Taradin being beaten, he had seen where his sons were, where Legolas was. The vision was coming true. Elrond's eyes took on a steely glint. He was going to stop this now. He would not let any more come true.
He sent Ranien and Trelan downstairs to gather more supplies from the barman. As they left, Elrond told Gandalf what he had seen. Mithrandir nodded when he had finished.
"Then it is essential that we set out as soon as possible" Gandalf walked over to the door and looked back at Elrond,
"And that is now"
Glorfindel stalked angrily through Rivendell, storming into each room and demanding the occupants of any information that they had on the whereabouts of Lord Elrond. He couldn't believe the elf had disobeyed him. When he got back...
Glorfindel took a deep breath to calm his self. The way he was acting was un-seemly of an elf lord. He marched back to his study and sat down at his desk, finding a clean piece of parchment and his pen and ink well. He did not make idle threats. Lady Galadriel would not be pleased.
Trelan stopped again. He was sure he heard it now. Stepping up to Ranien he whispered something in his ear. Ranien gave him a surprised look but nodded. Trelan took a quick look round before ducking silently into the undergrowth to his right, soon hidden from sight. The small company had decided against horses and were now travelling towards the watchtower swiftly on foot.
As the rest of ther group moved quickly out of sight, Trelan stayed behind, waiting. And sure enough, after only a few minutes a small boy came into view, trying to move as quietly as possible, and therefore treading on every twig he came across. Trelan frowned as he realised that the boy was following his friends. He sheathed his sword as he now new the sounds he had heard were no real threat, but he moved up silently behind the spy.
In one swift movement he had the struggling boy tightly in his arms. He spun him round so he was facing the elf.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Garith" he answered, scowling.
"Let me go, I'm doing no harm"
Trelan answered his mouth to reply, before Mithrandir, Elrond and Ranien came into his sight once more, having heard the noise and knowing that Trelan had stayed behind to 'check something out'.
As Gandalf caught sight of the short elf holding the once more struggling boy, he let out a deep laugh.
"You can let him go now Trelan, he is Taradin's son." Trelan looked just as much surprised as Garith did relived.
"Now, what do you think you are doing, following us?"
"I came to help my father"
"I told you not to come"
"But...well...uh" Garith looked down, he was sure Mithrandir was going to send him back.
"Hmm, well, I suppose you will have to come with us then, it's too late for you to go back now. But don't think you're not in trouble, although I will leave the punishment to your father"
Garith's looked back up. He grinned at the old wizard. As long as he wasn't being sent back. Gandalf nodded and looked up at the sky. There was not much light left of the day now, they had to hurry if they were to reach the watch tower before the night.
"Come now, we must move swiftly"
Garith sped up to keep time with Gandalf.
"Do you have a plan for tomorrow"
"Yes, and you are in it"
Everyone moved closer to the wizard so the could all hear the course of action for the next day. The main idea was to take the tower by surprise, after they had got a vague idea of its occupants. All in all it was very risky and Elrond could only pray that it worked. The life of his children and the life of the prince of Mirkwood rested on it.
TO BE CONTINUED
Part 7 of a story that still doesn't have a name
Gandalf bent down again. He could just barely make out the faint imprint of a boot, most likely belonging to the ranger, he thought. He was still tracking the three elves and human and had become rather bemused at the number of glades they had come across and had apparently turned down.
When he looked up he caught sight of a piece of rope hanging from a tree close to what Gandalf guessed was a glade as he couldn't see it clearly. He pulled on the rope and saw that it had been wrapped tightly round the branch. It appeared someone had tied the tree's bough's back.
He immediately thought of Aragorn, but shook his head. Even the ranger wouldn't do some thing as stupid as that. Would he? The wizard shook his head again. He pushed his way through a rather large bush and finally had a clear view of the small dell. When he did he couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
At the far end of the open space was a half collapsed tent, the contents spilling out of the flap. In the middle was the remains of a small fire, the ashes scattered around it, a sword lying across it, appearing to be the source which put it out. There where hundreds of footprints crisscrossing over each other and adding to the confusion. He could see several arrows sticking out of the ground and trees and a small ivory handled knife lying carelessly on the floor.
Mithrandir stooped and picked it up. He recognised it at once as being one of the twin knifes Prince Legolas of Mirkwood always carried. He frowned and pocketed it, meaning to return it to its rightful owner as soon as possible. He also sheathed the sword, recognising it as the one Aragorn used.
On a closer inspection of the ground Gandalf could make out the prints of a scuffle that had obviously taken place. As far as he could make out, there had been four members of the camp, obviously Lord Elladan, Lord Elrohir, Prince Legolas and Aragorn, when they had been attacked and captured. One of them had been held kneeling on the ground, two more held standing up to the side, and a fourth being held by two men. He could also make out that there had been another man standing at the edge of the glade most likely during the fight.
He couldn't help feeling rather disturbed at these new findings. It appeared that Lord Elrond had had reasons to worry after all. He had another quick look round the rest of the camp, making sure he hadn't missed anything, before picking up the trail again and heading off back into the woods.
Garith glanced at the door of his small room again. Where is he? he thought frustrated he said he'd see me as soon as he came back. YESTERDAY.
He got up and went to the door, his hand resting on the cool, metal handle, when he heard a voice outside. He recognised it to be that of the barman. He was talking to someone.
"There ain't been any elves in this part that I can remember. 'Less they been sold for slaves. But if any one can help ye it be Taradin, I heard he be friends with a few of them, even the elf lord in that little valley yonder."
Frowning, Garith threw open the door, he wondered who would be looking for his father or his friends. He almost laughed at the surprised expression on the barman's face who had been about to knock. But his attention was quickly turned to the man standing next to him.
"Mithrandir!" He cried.
"What are you doing here?"
"Why does everyone say that" Gandalf muttered, walking past the boy and into the small room. He glared at the barman who was still standing at the door, clearly surprised that the young boy had recognised the old man in the cloak, and said man quickly drew it shut. Gandalf sat down on the bed, looking pleased at the reaction to his stare, and laid down his withered staff.
Garith pulled a chair over to Gandalf and sat on it, expecting Gandalf to explain why he was in Frisdan. But it appeared that Gandalf enjoyed making the boy wait as he didn't speak for a few, long minutes. Finally he opened his mouth and spoke in his deep voice.
"Where is your father, Taradin, for I wish to speak to him about a rather urgent matter" Garith sighed at the reply, obviously Gandalf had no intention of responding to his question. At least not yet.
"He has gone to see a stranger at the old watchtower on the hill. He should have been back a day ago."
"Hhm" Gandalf frowned. After finding the empty camp yesterday, he had managed to follow the tracks to an old crumbling building about 7 miles away, most likely the watch tower Garith had mentioned. He had come to the town of Frisdan to see if some how one of the four had made it there or if anyone had seen anything.
He hadn't ventured into the watch tower on his own as he had no idea how many there were or how armed and skilled they were. But no one had noticed anything, and now it seemed that the only person that may have been able to help him had also been captured. Turning back to Garith he asked,
"Did your father take any one with him?"
"Yes, one man, Aneol. Why? What's wrong."
Gandalf was silent for a moment, wondering if he should tell Garith all he knew. Finally he decided to tell the boy only what he needed to know.
"You remember Strider, don't you? And his three friends, the elves."
Garith nodded.
"Well, I think they have been captured by a group of men for some un-known reason and are being held up at the watch tower. And I think that your father has now been captured as well"
Garith gave a small gasp and sat back in his chair.
"What are we going to do?"
"I am going to get some men together and go rescue them. I will leave tomorrow."
"I'm coming with you!"
Gandalf raised an amused eyebrow.
"And do you really think I am going to let you"
Garith narrowed his eyes and sat back down, having leapt up when the wizard had denied his coming. He knew he was beaten. Unless... With a secret smile he nodded to the wizard who gave him a satisfied smile and left the room, heading for his own quarters.
"Lord Elrond, as your chief advisor, I advise you to stop pacing as you are wearing the carpet thin. Lord Elrond!"
"Very well" Elrond grunted. The elf lord, who had currently been stalking up and down over the rug in his bedroom, stopped ,walked over to his bed, and pulled out a small pack from beneath it and began stuffing clean tunics into."
"My Lord I can not let you go." Glorfindel argued, knowing what Elrond planned.
"They are my sons, not to mention Prince Legolas. I do not want the wrath of King Thranduil upon me."
"That is all very well but who will look after Rivendell in your absence." Elrond merely raised an eyebrow and stared at the elf warrior.
"Oh no. I will not. And you are not going."
"You can not stop me from trying to find and possibly save my sons."
"No, I can not. But I know a certain lady from Lorien who can. If I can not prevent you from leaving, the Lady of the Woods will."
Elrond sighed and dropped down on his bed, the picture of defeat. Unknown to Glorfindel's eyes, Elrond gave a secret smile and nodded. The Balrog- slayer gave him a satisfied smile and left the room, heading for his own quarters.
As soon as he had disappeared Elrond leapt back to his feet and hurried down the corridor in the opposite direction, heading for the healing rooms. From past experience with the four friends, Elrond knew to pack as many bandages, cloths, potion's and herbs as he could fit, and be prepared to get more.
Elladan suddenly stilled, his hand frozen over his brothers head, who was asleep in his lap. The sounds of many pairs of feet could be heard rushing past them and up the stairs at the end of the passage. As the sounds faded, Elladan became aware of the presence of a lone human outside his cell. His eyes narrowed in hatred as he recognized the hunter who stepped boldly into the dark hole he had been forced to call his home for the past weeks.
Doulgil smiled as he saw the fire burning in the elf's eyes. He walked slowly forward until he was only a few feet in front of his captives. There, he spoke,
"I have brought you news of which you should be very happy. We have found the man we have been looking for. That means I have no more use of you. If you play right, you may even leave here alive. It's just unfortunate the other two brats didn't have as much will power."
Doulgil grinned gleefully at the look of pure shock and horror on ther elder elf's face. He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise and carried on.
"Didn't you realise why we moved you. Even I would not allow you to sleep with the dead. Although you may soon."
He gave Elrohir a rough kick to his ribs, most of which Doulgil knew were broken. It was true; Elrohir was finding it harder and harder to go on. His pale skin was covered in bruises and lacerations, most of which he had received over the last few days to replace the fading old ones. It was getting more and more difficult for him to breath, and Elladan knew that it was only a matter of time until one of his twin brother's lungs was punctured.
The light in the young elf's eyes was slowly dimming, and he was growing weaker each day. He needed the fresh air and the stars as much as Legolas did. Neither elf could last long without them. It was beginning to take its toll on Elladan to. It had taken a lot out of him to care for the younger elves and human. He had his own wounds that needed looking after, but he was always putting others first. It was both his strongest and weakest characteristic.
"Well?" Doulgil demanded, he was still expecting more of a reaction.
Elladan didn't know what to do. He couldn't believe that his brother and friend were dead, yet why would Doulgil lie. And what about Elrohir, he was failing his younger twin too. He had sworn on Arathorn's death that he would protect his son, and he had sworn to his own father that he would protect the younger twin. And what about Legolas. He had lost the Prince and undoubtedly broken the friendship that had once again been building between Mirkwood and Rivendell.
He lowered his head until it was just touching Elrohir's. Doulgil noted with pleasure the way the once proud elf's shoulders slumped, and became the picture of defeat. He turned back to the door as he heard a low whistle. Ahh, so Taradin was returning. Without giving a backwards glance at the grief ridden elf, he strode powerfully through the door, slamming it behind him.
Far away in his own little cell, Aragorn heard the faint echo of a door being thrown shut, before his attention was drawn back to the groaning elf in his arms. With a deep breath, the human began once more to clean the wounds. The ointment was working.
Elrond winced as the stair let out a low creak. He glanced nervously up at the landing, expecting Glorfindel's bedroom door to be flung open at any second. He breathed a sigh of relief as several moments passed and nothing happened. He carried on down the stairs cautiously, although he couldn't help wondering what his sons would say if they saw him sneaking out of his own home.
I must be mad he thought worriedly I'm actually scared of getting caught by my advisor. He shook his head before back tracking quickly as he realised he had passed the armoury. He stuck his head round the thick door to check it was empty of any elves, before silently fitting himself up with a sword, its sheath, and a bow and arrow, just in case.
In a matter of seconds he was in the courtyard, pulling the door softly shut behind him. He knew where he was heading as Gandalf had sent back the horse he had borrowed to track the young friends back when he had reached Frisdan, with information of his where abouts. Elrond stood in the cold courtyard wondering whether or not to take a horse with him. On upon deciding to, he headed towards Wessalden stall.
He gave her a quick pat as he slowly led her out of the stable, walking backwards. He started suddenly as he walked into something hard. Something hard with long, blonde hair. He winced as he realised that the only elf that lived in Rivendell with golden hair was Glorfindel. How had he managed to catch him. Taking a deep breath he spun round and looked down into the face of...Trelan?
He raised an eyebrow as he saw a very guilty looking Ranien standing behind the short warrior. Both were holding horses.
"What are you doing?" Elrond demanded, trying to look stern, and trying to hide the fact that he was also leading a horse.
"What are you doing?" Ranien and Trelan said at the same time, failing just as dismally at looking innocent.
Elrond narrowed his eyes and looked from side to side. Finally he looked at the two elves in front of him.
"Won't tell if you don't"
Ranien and Trelan raised their eyebrows at each other.
"Agreed"
The small group vaulted onto their horses and quickly trotted out of the courtyard and into the thick woods. They rode in silence for a few miles before lord Elrond spoke.
"So, how were you planning to find your friends. Were you going to do the same as Mithrandir and just track them."
"Oh...er..." Ranien licked his lips nervously.
"We, erm, over heard you reading the message Mithrandir sent you on Narquelie and decided to go and help him."
"Indeed" Elrond smiled slightly as he looked over at the two friends. Their friendship reminded him strongly of the one that had grown quickly and strongly between his son and Legolas.
His eyes clouded slightly as his thoughts rested on his sons. What had happened to them. He jerked suddenly and his horse pulled to a stop. Elrond's eyes became hazy as he gazed into the trees, although they were not what he saw.
The visions flashed before his eyes, showing the possible future. He saw a dark room with a lone figure slumped in the corner. The scene changed. It was the same man, being beaten. The man holding the whip suddenly stopped and grasped the captive by his chin, reviling his face...
It changed again. It was another cell, this one holding two, identical prisoners, clasping each other, their blood mingling together. Elrond gasped, but the images carried on.
He saw Aragorn, dirty and beaten, singing softly and heart wrenchingly to his best friend who lay still and broken in his arms. He saw the door being thrown open and Mithrandir stumbling in, clasping a bloody arm to his side, glimpsing Garith over his shoulder, supporting his father. A strange man was behind them, fighting away the other men, helping them.
And then they were gone. Elrond looked up and heard Ranien calling his name, while Trelan supported him, keeping him from slipping off his horse. He held up a hand to stop the flow of worried questions coming form Ranien mouth, and balancing on his horse again.
"What did you see" Trelan queried, he knew about the elf lord's foresight.
"It does not matter, but we must make haste. Noro lim" he urged his horse faster, as the trio galloped through the woods, dodging the trees as the spend swiftly through them, determined to reach the town before day break in a couple of hours.
Gandalf stood at his window, gazing down at the street below. He frowned, he was not sure how he would get help. He did not know any men in Frisdan, so was not prepared to ask for help from them. Yet he didn't want to send for help from Rivendell as he had no desire to worry Elrond ,as he did not yet know in what predicament the four were currently in.
He barely noted the sounds of three horses clattering through the cobbled street under his window. He didn't even notice the three cloaked figures that passed through the doorway to the inn, although they saw him.
A few moments later the door to his room was thrown open as the Lord of the Last Homely House strode in, followed closely by two younger elves, one noticeably shorter than the other.
Gandalf raised an amused eyebrow as he saw Elrond adopt a look that he knew very well. It was the one he always wore when he was about to get into a large disagreement, and one that he was determined to win.
Gandalf shook his head before Elrond could speak though.
"Lord Elrond, I assure you that I am not about to object to your, rather timely, visit here. Indeed it is actually something of a good fortune. I believe I know of the whereabouts of your son's and the prince."
A look of relief passed over Elrond's face, maybe his vision had been wrong after all.
Gandalf sighed as he saw the fleeting look.
"I am afraid there is more yet. They are, I believe, being held captive in the watchtower on the hill. Taradin is there also."
Elrond closed his eyes. It all fitted in. He had saw Taradin being beaten, he had seen where his sons were, where Legolas was. The vision was coming true. Elrond's eyes took on a steely glint. He was going to stop this now. He would not let any more come true.
He sent Ranien and Trelan downstairs to gather more supplies from the barman. As they left, Elrond told Gandalf what he had seen. Mithrandir nodded when he had finished.
"Then it is essential that we set out as soon as possible" Gandalf walked over to the door and looked back at Elrond,
"And that is now"
Glorfindel stalked angrily through Rivendell, storming into each room and demanding the occupants of any information that they had on the whereabouts of Lord Elrond. He couldn't believe the elf had disobeyed him. When he got back...
Glorfindel took a deep breath to calm his self. The way he was acting was un-seemly of an elf lord. He marched back to his study and sat down at his desk, finding a clean piece of parchment and his pen and ink well. He did not make idle threats. Lady Galadriel would not be pleased.
Trelan stopped again. He was sure he heard it now. Stepping up to Ranien he whispered something in his ear. Ranien gave him a surprised look but nodded. Trelan took a quick look round before ducking silently into the undergrowth to his right, soon hidden from sight. The small company had decided against horses and were now travelling towards the watchtower swiftly on foot.
As the rest of ther group moved quickly out of sight, Trelan stayed behind, waiting. And sure enough, after only a few minutes a small boy came into view, trying to move as quietly as possible, and therefore treading on every twig he came across. Trelan frowned as he realised that the boy was following his friends. He sheathed his sword as he now new the sounds he had heard were no real threat, but he moved up silently behind the spy.
In one swift movement he had the struggling boy tightly in his arms. He spun him round so he was facing the elf.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Garith" he answered, scowling.
"Let me go, I'm doing no harm"
Trelan answered his mouth to reply, before Mithrandir, Elrond and Ranien came into his sight once more, having heard the noise and knowing that Trelan had stayed behind to 'check something out'.
As Gandalf caught sight of the short elf holding the once more struggling boy, he let out a deep laugh.
"You can let him go now Trelan, he is Taradin's son." Trelan looked just as much surprised as Garith did relived.
"Now, what do you think you are doing, following us?"
"I came to help my father"
"I told you not to come"
"But...well...uh" Garith looked down, he was sure Mithrandir was going to send him back.
"Hmm, well, I suppose you will have to come with us then, it's too late for you to go back now. But don't think you're not in trouble, although I will leave the punishment to your father"
Garith's looked back up. He grinned at the old wizard. As long as he wasn't being sent back. Gandalf nodded and looked up at the sky. There was not much light left of the day now, they had to hurry if they were to reach the watch tower before the night.
"Come now, we must move swiftly"
Garith sped up to keep time with Gandalf.
"Do you have a plan for tomorrow"
"Yes, and you are in it"
Everyone moved closer to the wizard so the could all hear the course of action for the next day. The main idea was to take the tower by surprise, after they had got a vague idea of its occupants. All in all it was very risky and Elrond could only pray that it worked. The life of his children and the life of the prince of Mirkwood rested on it.
TO BE CONTINUED