AN: Eek! We have hit the 50 mark. Yay! Do you think we could try for like, 100? I really appreciate reviews. Tell me if I'm making the story too depressing. This chapter is kinda like that. Don't sue me. Just trying to make you feel sorry for poor Elrond…
Chapter 14
If you really call this living
The dark haired leader nodded at Aragorn's name.
" I am Halbarad, a ranger from the North. I was down here visiting and they asked me to lead a hunting party," the man offered his hand in a gesture of peace.
" How is the Elf?" a man nearby kicked Aragorn's foot, not hearing the soft conversation.
" I am fine, thank you," Aragorn raised his head from the makeshift pillow.
The man merely nodded, turning away. Halbarad leaned down.
" Be you careful around these parts. The town nearby is a hub for slave trade. That is the reason I came. I have reason to believe that my comrades have been sold into slavery," Halbarad said softly in Sindarin.
" Who?"
" We were supposed to meet months ago in Bree, but they never came. The twin sons of Elrond traveled through these parts," Halbarad answered.
Aragorn began to chuckle, but the Ranger did not find it funny.
" What is it?" he asked sternly.
" They are not here. They were part of my hunting party," Aragorn glanced around, " I am Estel, their foster brother."
Halbarad leaned back, his eyes relaying that he knew the name.
" They spoke of you often, Elladan mostly. He was proud of how well you trained," Halbarad said.
" Elladan trained me," Aragorn explained.
Some of the men looked at Aragorn, talking in hushed whispers. Aragorn's sharp ears picked up on parts, but their looks made him uneasy.
" Do not worry for your safety. Once you are well, I will take you to Imladris," Halbarad whispered, " It will be a long journey though for I have many errands to run before then."
" You can teach me your ways," Aragorn shrugged, " I will not be a hindrance, though I am at lack for weapons."
" You will get some," Halbarad reassured, standing, " Let us head back. Those orcs should stay where they are for a while. In the morning, we can see to them."
Aragorn's eyes turned.
*Eldar…sí (Eldar…here)
Aragorn sat up, hearing the whisper.
*Ennas…daro… ú-sí (There…wait…not here)
Aragorn slumped. They were gone.
~*~
" How I wish the times could have been better for our meeting," Círdan said softly, catching arms with Glorfindel, " How is he?"
The he they referred to sat staring at nothing upon his horse.
" Once he returns to Imladris and takes on the full workload again, I hope it will help," Glorfindel answered, " Either that or I may have to cross the Sea and bring back a certain silvery haired maiden."
Círdan chuckled.
" Have a safe journey back."
The twins joined the tiny group.
" Anything?" Elladan asked softly.
" Not today. We found an Edain camp, but they had nothing. Looked like they ran into orcs also. There was one there that looked to be wounded," Círdan answered, " I am sorry, but I do believe he is lost."
Elladan looked hurt.
" I do not believe you."
~*~
Halbarad watched Estel closely as the other men picked up the camp. He still had his doubts about the young Edain. Who was this man that could talk to trees? He had listened to Elladan's stories of the young boy he trained, but he had thought it to be an elvish boy, not one of them. Estel turned his head towards Halbarad.
" Why do you watch me? I mean no harm."
" You are not explained yet. I will take you into the town nearby and have a healer see to your shoulders," Halbarad replied, " They whipped you pretty good."
" I know. They thought me dead," Aragorn looked away into the woods, " Elves were here, you know? They watched you from over there for about 2 minutes before moving on."
" How do you know?"
Aragorn stood haltingly. He picked up 2 leaves that had been pulled off.
" The trees told me."
Halbarad chuckled.
" They speak to you?"
Aragorn looked up.
" They are alive. They hear every word you say. All of nature is alive. The rivers, trees, grasses," Aragorn sat back down.
Halbarad merely nodded.
" What do they speak in?" he asked curiously.
" Sindarin, Quenya, any language they know. They pick it up from their visitors," Aragorn answered.
Halbarad soaked in the information. One of the men motioned that they were ready to go.
" Think you can walk for a while?"
~*~
" Sir," a hand tapped Halbarad's shoulder.
" Yes?"
" Whatcha going to do with 'im?"
" Take him back."
" But you can't, you see. He's my property. I saw him first," the man said.
Halbarad's rare temper unsheathed itself.
" He is injured and his father is Lord Elrond. If you wish to begin a war worse than that of the Last Alliance, then by all means, take him, but know this, if you touch or hurt him in any way, you will have all the Elves wishing to skin your hides," Halbarad hissed.
The man paled.
" You can take him."
Halbarad shook his head as the man scurried away.
" I am just a piece of meat here, am I not?" Aragorn spoke from beside him.
" Sadly, yes. Come on; let's get you to an inn. I believe there is a healer somewhere around here."
~*~
Elrond stared out across Imladris vacantly like he did every day; every agonizing day for the last 3 weeks. He dreamed of seeing Estel ride up into the gates, and all be well. Elrond slumped against his chair. It would never happen. He stood, walking from his desk, his favorite book left without a second glance. Glorfindel trailed the lord silently. Elrond entered Estel's room. Glorfindel peeked in; assigned to make sure Elrond did not do anything drastic to himself. Such had already happened, scaring poor Elrohir to Mandos when he entered to find his father in a bath of blood.
Elrond's hands fell on Estel's furnishings, lighting upon an old stuffed animal. Glorfindel could not bear the state of the once-powerful lord of Imladris as Elrond pulled the animal to his chest, breaking down into sobs. Glorfindel entered, pulling Elrond close in a fatherly manner. Elrond reminded him of his son when he was hurt, merely crying. Elrond pushed Glorfindel away after a second.
" Let me be."
" Why?"
Elrond merely glared.
" We will find him, Elrond. To give up hope now is to give up on life," Glorfindel said softly.
" Which is exactly what I am doing. I can join him," Elrond replied coldly.
" And then what of your children? Do not even try the argument that Êlenrana and I can serve as parents or by Ilúvatar, I will deck you," Glorfindel warned.
Elrond shrugged.
" I do not care anymore."
~*~
Elrohir eyed his brother, lying on his bed, simply twirling an arrow between his fingers, staring vacantly at the ceiling. Legolas joined him at the doorway.
" Has he been like this the whole time?" Legolas asked in a hushed whisper as they turned away.
Elrohir nodded.
" It hurts, Legolas. Tis like half of me is slipping away," Elrohir looked up, " If something does not cure him, then the same will happen to me. I do not wish to simply fade away. It has begun with Ada and Grandmother Galadriel is keeping Arwen alive barely. We are all bound to this fate."
Legolas clasped his friend's shoulder.
" I will go."
" Where?"
Legolas shrugged.
" Estel is not dead. He is somewhere, but I will find him."
Elrohir smiled slightly.
" Thank you."
An elderly wizard appeared, just as Legolas began to walk away.
" Young prince, come here."
Legolas stiffened at the mention of his title, but turned anyways.
" I will go with you."
" Mithrandir," Legolas began.
" No, I will see if the Rangers have seen him and put them on guard for one by the name of Estel," Mithrandir interrupted, " And I will not slow you down. It will be you needing to keep up with me."
Legolas grinned slightly, nodding his head.
" Come then. I will go grab a year's worth of lembas from a cook," Legolas scampered off.
Mithrandir touched Elrohir's shoulder.
" Be strong. You do not have to fade. Tis a choice," Mithrandir said.
Elrohir nodded slightly.
Glorfindel came stalking down the hallway.
" Mithrandir, you must speak to Elrond or I will kill him myself and save time the trouble," Glorfindel said.
" What is it?" Elrohir asked worriedly.
Glorfindel's face and tone softened.
" He has locked himself in Estel's room," Glorfindel looked away, tears suddenly biting his eyes, " He has given up. He does not care."
Mithrandir's face turned grave.
" Legolas and I are leaving to check with the Ranger's and mortal communities to see if maybe we just missed him."
" Be quick about it or Imladris may not have its lord anymore, or I."
Mithrandir's hand clasped Glorfindel's shoulder.
" You of all people must be strong."
Glorfindel looked away.
" If anymore pass, I will fade also. I cannot take it very much longer."
" You must. Many die, but you are still living."
Elrohir looked at the solemn and still halls with a grim look, before looking up at his elders.
" If you really call this living."
AN: Quick word here. Anyone recognize Estel's ranger friend? Does that name sound familiar to anyone? Just wondering…