AN: Can't update on Friday or Saturday, so I'll go ahead and give you this chapter. Updates won't be coming so fast anymore. School starts on Tuesday. Sorry. Anyways, Estel's coming home…
Chapter 16
Entua an i calaGaladriel watched Glorfindel stride out. She turned her eyes to Êlenrana who was desperately working.
" Êlenrana you know as well as I do that it is not his or Elladan's time."
Êlenrana looked up guiltily.
" I cannot, m'lady. I am forbidden to use my powers. I am like you here," Êlenrana shook her head, " I am sorry, but my vow to Ilúvatar is higher."
" Then at least heal Elladan," Galadriel pleaded, " Just one."
Êlenrana shook her head, her eyes full of tears.
" My power is not even good until the object of their grief is in my grasp. Estel is not here."
~*~
Aragorn whimpered, pulling his blanket closer to him. No outside elements bothered him, but mental images were playing over again.
Flashback" You are a pretty Elf. Been sometime before we have had one of you to…play…with."
Aragorn tried to struggle, blocking out the pain…the humiliation…the unwanted pleasure… He struggled even more. A whip was brought down on his shoulders over and over again until bone was close to showing. Aragorn could still feel the pain; the sticky blood pouring down his sides…the pressure where it should not be…the hot tears on his cheeks…
End FlashbackA harsh shaking shook his from his nightmare. Legolas' worried face came into vision.
" What is wrong? You were screaming," Legolas said softly, " Or maybe just crying normally. Mithrandir did not wake though."
Aragorn pulled his knees to his chest in a childish gesture. His gold eyes were no longer so beautiful. They lacked the innocence… Legolas' eyes widened.
" Estel, they-"
Aragorn buried his face in his arms, the side effects finally catching up with him. He had ignored the pain for months, but now with friends he could not hide it. Legolas pulled the boy (by Elvish standards) close in a brotherly gesture.
" Shh, shh," Legolas whispered, before beginning to sing the song of Varda to dismiss any other nightmares lurking in Aragorn's mind.
~*~
It was all black. It never faded nor moved. He turned, or thought he did at least.
" Hello?" his yell echoed.
" You need not yell, Elrond Peredhil," a low gravelly voice came from nearby.
Elrond spun around, but no one was there, only the unfailing darkness.
" Where am I?"
" Do you not know? It has haunted your dreams ever since Ereinion came here. This place of death and judgment has always frightened you."
Elrond breathed in slightly.
" I am dead then."
" Not yet, but you will be soon. You and your sons are forever trying to visit my halls," a hand fell on his shoulder, " Can you not tell them and you not to grieve so over one whom is alive? Do you think we would save Estel all those years ago just to kill him now? Answer me, o wise lord of Imladris."
Elrond could feel the scorn and winced slightly.
" He is my son."
" Foster son. And what knowledge pains me even more is the fact that you would mourn more over him, than any of your children."
Elrond began to protest.
" You know its true, Peredhel. You have a choice now to live or die, but trust me when I say you would rather live. Your judgment if you die now will not be lax."
" How do I know if I have chosen?"
A low chuckle came.
" You will know."
" But-" Elrond could not feel that presence anymore.
A soft hand found his shoulder.
" Elrond, my little boy, Ereinion will not be happy with you," she whispered.
" Nienna?" Elrond whispered back.
" Your destiny has not been fulfilled yet. What Ereinion fought for has come about again and you must be there to give wisdom."
" But he-"
" Ai, when did the son of Eärendil become so hardheaded? He is not dead. Now get you back to the world of the living."
~*~
Arwen hugged herself as she stared across the forests in front of the gate. She caught onto hooves, but did not care. A tear streaked down her face. Everyone was leaving her. They would not last long. She smiled, seeing Mithrandir entering. Maybe he could help them. Another horse, one with Legolas and… Her heart stopped. She ran down the stairs.
~*~
Estel began to dismount. His feet touched the ground and someone nearly bowled him over.
" Estel."
Aragorn smiled fondly down at her. She hugged him close.
" Are you ok? You are not hurt badly are you?" her eyes took on a worried look as she brushed a strand of hair from his face, " You have scared us all to Mandos."
Glorfindel strode out, lines in his face that did not become the regal lord.
" Êlenrana asks that you come immediately to the healing house. Elladan is almost gone. For some reason, Elrond is fighting back. She does not understand it."
Arwen refused to release Aragorn, keeping one arm around his waist and holding him close to her. Her eyes were glued to his profile. Aragorn looked down at her with a smile. Arwen leaned up, pulling his chin down as their lips met for the first time. Legolas shook his head from where he walked behind them.
" Ai, none of that now," he stepped between them.
" Annoying wood Elf."
" Dear, dear daughter of Elrond."
~*~
Elrohir stared at his brother's face. He could fell the life draining from his own body as well. This was his twin. They were connected. He slumped in his chair, trying to hold back his tears in the presence of Êlenrana and Galadriel. Feet came and he did not bother to look up.
" What is going on?"
His head snapped up and his jaw fell.
" Estel?"
~*~
Aragorn heard his name whispered, but his eyes were fixed upon the lifeless bodies, side by side. Arwen touched his shoulder.
" Estel? Are you a ghost?"
Aragorn looked towards Elrohir.
" Nay, gwador, I am real," Aragorn embraced him.
" They are leaving us. Grief was so thick," Elrohir whispered.
Êlenrana stood.
" All leave save Galadriel and Estel."
Elrohir turned to protest. Glorfindel took his arm.
" You should listen to her. As of now, she is the only other hope you have to have your family back."
~*~
Êlenrana bent beside Elladan, beckoning Estel to her side.
" Stay here," she looked at them both seriously, " You are not to say a word of what I do here."
Both Estel and Galadriel nodded. Galadriel leaned forward, her curiosity aroused. Êlenrana closed her eyes with a sigh.
" I have never done this, only heard Estë speak of it," she whispered, and then was silent.
Aragorn shifted slightly, not understanding any of what they were doing.
" Cela i ando andollo Mandosto. Mapa i anna cuilieo. Entua an i cala*," Êlenrana whispered.
Aragorn could feel something, but what it was, he could not discern. Elladan let out a loud groan.
~*~
Elrohir heard the groan. He turned towards the door.
" Êlenrana let me in."
Glorfindel snatched him away from the door as if he were a child.
" Êlenrana has more knowledge than any here, Elrohir. Do not doubt her," Glorfindel said in a low voice.
" That's my brother in there," Elrohir struggled still.
Glorfindel struggled to put the flailing twin onto the cot. 2 tunics strewn on the floor served as bonds to keep him there. Arwen caressed her brother's face softly.
" Elrohir," she whispered, before beginning to sing softly, " Dîn nîn hen glaer dorn meleth ú-cara hûl lagor le lúthathon na olosî îdh a rîn sen aerlinn a im an-le ur le lothag.**"
Elrohir unwillingly closed his eyes, slowly drifting into sleep. Arwen looked up at Glorfindel.
" What do you mean?"
" Êlenrana is not just an Elf. That is all I can say."
~*~
Music, the most beautifulest of all sounds. He began to walk towards it, deeper into the darkness. Suddenly he paused. It was turning into screams and wails.
" Cela i ando andollo Mandosto. Mara i anna cuilieo. Entua an i cala*."
The familiar voice came from behind him. He turned, seeing a beautiful light. A hand was extended to him.
" Tula, Elladan.***"
He took her hand trustingly as a child might, letting her lead him towards the light.
~*~
Elladan opened his eyes with a painful gasp. He put a hand to his stomach, looking up at Êlenrana as a child might.
" I am hungry."
Êlenrana chuckled.
" Elladan, he is ok?" Aragorn came into view.
Elladan tried to sit up, but Êlenrana and Galadriel held him down.
" You are still weak, Elladan. Do not attempt to stand or sit until we get some food for you," a weary Êlenrana said.
" Estel, you are really alive," Elladan was busy ignoring her.
Aragorn took his hand.
" Aye, but I was afraid you were not."
Elladan looked up at him.
" Why did you not tell us you were still alive? It's been 4 months," Elladan asked.
" Halbarad sent letters to Lothlorien, but it seems that the messenger did not want to go there," Aragorn explained, " I was not well enough to travel alone, so Halbarad waited for me to heal before moving on."
Elladan nodded, then turned his head to Êlenrana.
" What happened?"
Êlenrana smiled slightly.
" I believe you have been to that place before. You were in the middle lands. You heard the sweet call of death and walked towards it, towards Mandos. Another step and you would have been beyond my reach."
" That was you then that took my hand and led me away?" Elladan asked.
" Yes, I am slightly learned in dream walking. A very…wise and powerful woman taught it to me," Êlenrana answered.
" Who?" Galadriel asked, " Twas a strong power omitted."
" The lady Estë. I lived there, remember?" was the only answer Êlenrana gave.
Elladan turned his bright eyes back up to Estel.
" Does Ada know you are here, yet?"
Silence fell.
" Elladan," Galadriel began.
Elladan looked at them with horrified glances, looking over at the figure on the other bed.
~*~
AN: I was too lazy to put in the translations above, so forgive me. Everything in this chapter is from my own mind, so do not copy without asking, blah, blah. Doubt you'll copy it anyways, but good to put it in there.
~*~
*-Translation to: Cela i ando andollo Mandosto. Mapa i anna cuilieo. Entua an i cala (Away from the gate of Mandos. Receive the gift of life. Return to the light) (Quenya)
**-Trans. to: Dîn nîn hen glaer dorn meleth ú-cara hûl lagor le lúthathon na olosî îdh a rîn sen aerlinn a im an-le ur le lothag (Silence, my child, lay still, love, don't cry, soon you'll be enchanted by dreams. Sleep and remember this lullaby; and I am with you when you dream.) (Sindarin) This is my own. It's called Varda's lullaby. Read Ereinion and the Angel, chapter 6 to find out its history.
***- Tula –come (Quenya)
PS: Anyone got any ideas for the next chapters? Estel's home, but he can't stay there. Where/What should he go/do? You tell me. I seriously have no idea this time.