Chapter 37
Year 239 of the Third Age
" Ada, come on. It is a beautiful day. We just want to go on a small hunting expedition and we are past our training days. Will you not just let us go this once or do you wish to always keep us locked up in Imladris?"
Elrond looked up at two angelic faces. He gave a small sigh, leaning back. He looked up at them.
" Usually, I would say yes, but there is the small problem of there being orcs along our borders." Elrond sent them a silencing glance. " And Glorfindel has reported you two are slacking off while you should be learning."
" Ada, we have been learning from him for the past century," Elrohir plopped down in a chair, lifting a foot to rest on the side of Elrond's desk which Elrond quickly swatted off the wood. "Leastways, Glorfindel exaggerates. He always does. He thinks we cannot even wield a sword. Elladan has already beaten him and it took little effort."
An idea sparked in Elrond's head.
" Fine then." He rose. " Meet me on the training field in ten minutes. Bring your swords. They may be put to good use."
~*~
Celebrían followed her husband into a tiny room off to the side of their chamber. She waved a hand, coughing at the dust.
" Elrond, what are you doing? First you come in here and dress as if you are going to fight someone."
Elrond glanced back at her, blowing of the dust from a scabbard. He unsheathed a beautiful sword. Elrond looked at it.
" Ereinion gave it to me when I became of age. Tis a family heirloom to be given to the eldest."
Celebrían just raised an eyebrow, not as enamored with the sword and its fine edge. Her hands fell on her hips.
" Who will you challenge with the sword?"
Elrond looked up with a small smile.
" Our sons have grown restless of late, believing they own Imladris. I do not appreciate their arrogance. It will end today."
Celebrían sighed.
" Do you have to do this with a sword?"
Elrond nodded.
" It seems Elladan beat Glorfindel. Glorfindel never spoke of it, but if Elladan did beat Glorfindel, then it shall be a good match for me." Elrond sheathed the sword. " Elros is the only one to beat me and that was because of unlucky chance."
~*~
The twins sat on the cool grass, laughing about some joke. Glorfindel watched them warily. He glanced up, a smile forming when he saw Elrond.
" On your feet."
The twins leapt up, seeing their father. Elrond paused by Glorfindel, sending his seneschal a secretive smile.
" Which of you wants to go first?"
Elrohir gave a laugh.
" We already beat Glor-"
" Elrohir, then come on. We shall see how well Glorfindel has taught you."
Elrohir's eyes bugged as his father removed the ornate outer tunic and then unsheathed a sword. Elladan gave a snort.
" Have fun, brother."
Elrond raised his eyebrows pointing the sword at the eldest.
" You will be tested next, Elladan."
~*~
Glorfindel crossed his arms with a smile to watch. Neither twin could understand what they had just gotten themselves into.
*They must have bad mouthed me or finally irritated him enough to cause this. It has been many years since Elrond picked up his sword; and no less the sword Ereinion gave him.
Elrond allowed his son to test him out. Elrohir's confidence grew by the second. Elrond shook his head, eyeing his nearly winded son. Elrond himself was doing just fine. This was barely exertion.
" Come on, Elrohir. If you beat Glorfindel like this, then I need to reevaluate him."
Elrohir's cheeks flushed in anger and he began to fight back viciously.
Celebrían laid a hand on Glorfindel's shoulder.
" How is it going?"
Glorfindel gave a small shrug.
" Elrond will win. It is just a matter of when he is tired of letting his son try."
Elrond seemed to have tired. With a quick snap of the wrist, he held his son's sword. Elrond extended the sword towards his son.
" The next time you think that just because you are my son you can slack off, remember that I was brought up by Ereinion Gil-galad. I will not tolerate any less than superior from my sons," Elrond said sternly so that only Elrohir heard.
Elrohir took his sword with a mutter. Elrond shook his head.
" Elladan?"
Elladan held up a hand.
" Can I just say I have learned my lesson?"
Elrond shook his head.
" Afraid not, son. You were boasting at how you beat Glorfindel. Glorfindel has come close to beating me, never has, but-"
" That is a lie," Glorfindel shook his head. " Dagorlad, I saved that pretty neck of yours."
Elrond's face clouded for a moment and then he nodded.
" I guess you did."
Elladan circled his father warily. Elrond remained still, his gray eyes carefully watching his son. Elladan lashed out quickly, but Elrond simply stepped back before their swords clashed. Elrond could see how his eldest had bested Glorfindel. Elladan's feet moved quickly, darting in and out of the fight. Elrond did not need to worry.
*All his moving will tire him down more than I. They forget I have been in battle.
Elrond's face shadowed.
*I guess you learn survival there.
Elrond fell on his back. Elladan stood over him, but Elrond was not about to admit defeat. Elladan was driven back by the sheer force of his father's sword. He stumbled, watching as his father rose swiftly. Elladan felt his sword leave his hand and fell back on the ground panting.
" I have learned my lesson," Elladan muttered.
Elrond helped him up.
" And what is it?"
Elladan grinned.
" Never taunt your father with what you think are great skills."
Elladan ran a hand over his back with a grimace. Elrond was immediately aware.
" You should go lie down," Elrond advised.
Elladan waved it off.
" I shall be fine. Elrohir knocked me on my back this morning."
Elrond approached his wife. Celebrían only shook her head before looking up at him.
" I believe I have never seen you use a sword."
Elrond used his tunic to mop off his sweaty brow and then bound his hair back from his face.
" I have never had to before. We live in peace right now."
Glorfindel's face darkened a bit as one thought ran through his and Elrond's mind.
*For now.
~*~
Elrond returned to his study after dinner. His wet hair cast a shine upon a nearby relic as he sat. He looked up at the stars.
*I think Elros was the one always put in his place by Ereinion.
Elrond chuckled to himself.
*He always wished to test Ereinion.
Elrond's smile faded.
*Ereinion would have enjoyed the display today.
Elrond gave a small sigh.
*And yet both he and my father have left this land to ruin.
The Gil-Estel filtered in, but Elrond rose and closed out the light. He resettled in his chair, the room oddly dark. He glanced up, hearing his son's steps.
*I will have to tell Glorfindel to work on their stealth. They sound like a herd of orcs.
Elrond was surprised when only Elrohir burst in.
" Ada, Ada, you have to come now."
Elrond leapt up, following his son.
" What happened?"
Elrohir glanced up.
" Elladan fell."
~*~
Celebrían was already there, bent beside her still son. Elrond's heart froze again, forgetting a beat. He was surprised to find Elladan conscious.
" What happened?" Elrond asked gently and then glanced up. "Wait, can you stand, Elladan?"
Elladan opened his mouth and mimed one word: no. Elrond's brow furrowed.
" Why not?" Elrond looked up at Elrohir. " What happened?"
Elrohir bit his lip.
" We were walking, Ada. Elladan was walking backwards so that I could see his face." Elrohir looked down.
" What else?" Elrond demanded harshly.
Elrohir barely looked up.
" He tripped and he cannot move, Ada."