Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters I
used in this story. It was written for pure fun and no money is/was made with
it.
Genre: General/Drama
Rating: PG
E-mail: kaeera@yahoo.de
Summary: When the twins fight too much, Elrond and Celebrian decide to
separate them for a few months…How will Elladan and Elrohir find life without
each other?
Notes: And another chapter! The progress of this story is very slow, probably because the chapters are so short...*sighs* I'm sorry, but longer chapters would take even LONGER to write, and I'm sure you don't want that. Ahh...the twins are far too stubborn for their own good. I have the suspicion that it will take a while until they realise that they belong together. *sighs and glares at the twins*
by Kaeera
Part Four: Staying in Imladris
Elladan was lying in the grass, his arms crossed under his head as the sunrays
tickled his face. Since Elrohir's departure three days ago, and much to his
annoyance he hadn't been able to fully forget his twin. The weather was
wonderful, it was warm enough to go for a swim and he had spent the last few
days running around with the other children in Rivendell. Still, he always
caught himself thinking things like: "'Ro would have liked this', or 'If 'Ro
were here…"
This annoyed him to no end! He wasn't missing his brother! He certainly could
manage a few days without his twin…he should enjoy it! After all, it was always
Elrohir who slowed him down, who warned him of the consequences when he was
doing something stupid.
Elladan could do stupid things all day now, and there wasn't anyone who could
prevent him from it.
Well, Elrond of course.
And maybe Glorfindel.
And his teachers. And all the other adults elves in imladris.
The elfling scowled as he realised that his situation really wasn't much better.
He had hoped that maybe he wouldn't have to study while his brother was away,
but he had been wrong. The last few days he had suffered through two horribly
boring history lessons. His teacher had told him they would continue their
lessons because Elrohir would be taught in Lórien as well.
Unfair. It was so unfair. Why did he have to attend lessons when Elrohir, the
only one of the twins who actually liked reading, wasn't here? Elladan would
have rather preferred to train with his sword, but no…
Sighing deeply, he plucked grass out of the ground and threw it away, observing
how the green blades sank slowly to the ground. The morning had actually been
quite interesting, they had played hide-and-seek and Elladan had won.
Unfortunately the other children had to go back to their families and Elladan
was now alone in the gardens, waiting for them to go outside again.
Of course, he could have gone to his father, but that would show that he was
bored, and he didn't want that to happen. It would only harden their parent's
assumption that they couldn't live without each other, and Elladan was
determined to prove them wrong. He was *not* bored…he was simply resting a bit.
Still, he needed something to do, or he wouldn't convince his father at
all…
Elrond had the uncomfortable habit of appearing right when the elflings
didn't want him to appear, and if the Lord of Imladris stepped behind him this
very moment, Elladan wouldn't have known what to say. After all, everybody knew
that he was not the type to sit down and think.
He frantically looked around, searching for his father, but fortunately, he was
nowhere to be seen. Elladan stood up and frowned, trying to come up with
something to do.
Playing pranks was only fun when there was someone to watch, or so he thought,
so that wasn't a possibility. And for all the other games he knew, he needed at
least one other person. Being alone was no fun!
He quickly scampered off, eager to find something to do. He could always watch
the guards, but he had to be careful that he didn't appear there more than
usual, and since he had already visited them this morning, this was not a
possibility.
He could go inside and do his homework…nay, Elladan immediately shoved this idea
away. Even when he was bored out of his wits, he would never do his homework
voluntarily (A/N: He's not the only one, people . *guilty look*)
He started running to see how fast he could go then stopped when he reached some
trees. Thoughtfully the dark-haired elfling glanced up, pondering if he should
climb up or not. Since there wasn't anything better to do at the moment, he
voted for climbing and grabbed the lowest branch.
Since the twins had been little, they had climbed trees with joy, and it was one
of the rare things they both enjoyed – and they both were good at. Somehow, it
was pleasant to be able to look over the others, especially when one was smaller
than the rest of the people.
Elladan climbed to the highest branch and lowered himself into a sitting
position, glancing over Imladris and feeling like a Lord himself. He could hear
the singing of the birds and the occasional talking of elves who walked by, but
they didn't notice him in the high branches.
A wicked gleam appeared in Elladan's eyes; if he just had something to drop
down, maybe a bucket of water, that would surely startle the elves…especially
since they always appeared so formal and stiff, with no dirt marring their
perfect clothes. But he would be caught, for there was no way to escape the tree
fast enough. So he shoved the idea away, saving it for later, when the chance to
flee was greater.
There was rustling in the tree, and Elladan looked up, startled, only to realise
that he wasn't alone in his high place anymore. A small blackbird had joined
him, eyeing the big thing which was sitting in its tree closely.
"Hello little one!" whispered Elladan, not moving, for he was afraid to scare
the animal away. "Come to visit me? I won't harm you, I promise."
Satisfied that the elven child wasn't intending it any harm, the blackbird
settled down on a branch and started singing its song, with an attentive elfling
listening. Both twins shared a fondness for animals, although Elrohir usually
managed to tame them easier, since he had more patience than his impulsive twin.
Elladan chuckled slightly and leaned his head against the tree, watching the
blackbird. It reminded him of the songs his mother had sung to them when they
had been little. Every evening, she would sit down with her sons, looking out of
the window while she sang the soft elvish tunes that told of the love and
merriment from nature and the Valar.
It was a lot later when Elrond strolled through the gardens, searching for Elladan. He had assumed that his oldest son would be together with the other children, but they had told him they hadn't seen the twin since morning. He hadn't appeared in his study, either.
Now it was evening and Elrond was quite
curious as to what his son was up to. Elladan wasn't the type to play alone, and
if he wasn't with the other children, what was he doing then?
Maybe he was sitting in a corner, brooding because Elrohir wasn't here…although,
thought the Elf Lord inwardly sighing, that would probably never happen. It was
beyond his understanding how his sons could be so stubborn. He himself had never
been like that!
Well, at least not that often.
All right, maybe a few times.
He walked slowly over the grass, enjoying the evening sun which sent its golden
rays over the area. Not far away he could see a tall tree and smiled slightly as
he discovered the little elfling in the branches. Elladan had his eyes
half-closed as he listened to a bird who was chirping only a few meters away
from him.
Elrond stopped and watched this rare sight, the smile never leaving his lips.
"Elladan?" The Lord called softly, startling the child out of his dream-like
state.
The twin looked down and frowned lightly as he discovered his father. "Yes,
Ada?"
"I haven't seen you all day." It was more of a statement than a question, but
still Elladan felt that he had to answer.
"I was playing." He said defiantly. "I don't like being inside when the weather
is nice. I forgot the time."
"Wasn't it boring without your brother?"
Elladan eyed his smiling father suspiciously. Elrond was not usually fooled by
words, but was able to see into one's heart and recognise the truth. He scowled
slightly, not wanting to admit the truth. "No, I wasn't bored at all. I am
perfectly able to play on my own and I don't need Elrohir." The stubborn look
appeared once again on his face and he evaded his father's gaze.
Elrond suppressed a chuckle. It was more than clear that Elladan had been bored
and that he missed his brother although he didn't want to admit it, not even to
himself. The Elf Lord wondered how long it would take the elfling to realise how
much his twin meant to him? What a close bond they shared?
It was actually quite amusing. Elrond himself could remember several fights he
had had with his own twin brother, Elros, and he also could recall the terrible
feeling he felt every time when each of them was too stubborn to give in. No
doubt that Elladan felt the same, as well as Elrohir. It was only a matter of
time until Celebrian returned with a bawling Elrohir…
Alas, Celebrian. He sighed as he thought of his beautiful wife. She hadn't been
away for long, but he missed her dearly, wanted to hear her lovely voice. But it
was necessary, and it had to be done – complaining would help matters.
"Come on, let's go inside." He said in a soft voice and Elladan silently
scrambled down the tree, choosing wisely not to reply.
They both walked down the corridors of Imladris, Elladan staring firmly at the
ground, until the soft voice of his father startled him once again. Elrond had
stopped beside a window, gazing outside at the beautiful sunset.
"You know, sometimes we don't know how dear something is to us until we lose it.
And then it is too late." He kneeled down on the ground in front of his son. "Do
you understand me?"
Elladan gnawed on his lower lip, but didn't reply. The fire burning in his eyes
told Elrond that the twin was still angry and being stubborn. He sighed.
"I don't appreciate your behaviour, Elladan. And I don't appreciate Elrohir's
behaviour either. You both are acting inappropriately, and I thought you knew
better. You have the rare gift of having a twin who shares your life, who will
always be by your side. Don't throw that away. Don't destroy your unique bond by
stubbornness."
"I never wanted to be a twin." Elladan replied sullenly and crossed his arms. "I
never asked for this bond, it was simply given to me."
Elrond groaned inwardly, but kept a patient expression. "Don't ever say such a
thing." A touch of coldness entered his voice. "For it could come true sooner
than you'd expect it. And if something happened to Elrohir, you would never
forgive yourself."
"He's safe in Lothlorien, nothing will happen to him!"
"Oh yes?" Elrond raised an eyebrow. "And what if they are attacked on their way
home? What if orcs or wargs or even wolves decide to attack their group, and the
soldiers aren't strong enough to defend your brother?" He felt sick at the
thought of telling such brutal things to his oldest, but he felt that Elladan
needed a mental slap.
The tall elf drew closer to his son and stared right into Elladan's grey-blue
eyes while whispering softly. "What if your brother dies and never comes back?
And you haven't even said goodbye to him?"
A long silence ensued and Elrond observedhow the face of the older twin paled
rapidly. Satisfied that his stubbornness didn't reach so far, he stood up and
nodded. "Think about it. And when you have thought enough, come to me!"
He walked away, his long robes flying around him, leaving a very confused
Elladan standing beside the window.
"If Elrohir dies…" the elfling repeated and tried to imagine a life without
Elrohir. Elrohir, who would never return, Elrohir, who wouldn't glare at him,
Elrohir who would simply not be there…for always.
Strangely, he couldn't imagine this at all. It was impossible.
"But…he should apologize," he whispered. Some of the conviction in his tone,
however, had disappeared.
To be continued...
Erothwen – Well, I don't like Elrohir and Elladan being apart, either, but I think something like this would have been likely to happen…after all, I know how much my sister and I quarrel (although we aren't twins, thank God!). And they ARE missing each other – they are just too stupid to admit it. *g*
Iawen Londea – Right now Elladan isn't up to anything…I think he misses his brother greatly, although he doesn't want to admit it. And he's bored…don't you just hate boredom?? I do!
xsilicax – Ah well, of course they are missing each other. Honestly…but they are stubborn. STUBBORN in capital letters! *smirks* And so it will take a while for them to admit what they are feeling…maybe they'll need a drastic event, I don't know…*g*
Araya Arwen – Glad that you like it that much! I try to update as fast as possible, but it's difficult with my full schedule…
arabella thorne – Yes. Elrohir has some friends! I think he's usually shyer than his brother, thus not making friends that easily, that's why I gave him some. He shall enjoy his time^^
Silverfox –I'm not a lazy bum…well, at least not all the time. Eheh. I'm just stressed…uh…WHAT? Jo the flie has died? OH NO! One of my most faithful reviewers! Jo..I WILL MISS YA! *sobs*
FF-Net Admin: Please ignore the ramblings of the author. She's not quite sane.
Kaeera: WHAT?
FF-Net Admin: *scrambles away*
Kaeera: *snorts* That's better.
Well, I'm really sorry for the delays between chapters, but right now I'm working eight hours every day and when I come home, I'm too tired to write…
hoellenwauwau – In England? Da wollte ich auch immer hin…Aber uns haben sie ja alle Studienfahrten gestrichen, also kann ich das wohl vergessen. Argh. *frustriert sei*
Naja, ich bin wahrscheinlich der Meinung, dass alles ohne eine ordentliche Portion Drama lahm ist – aber da kommen noch mehr solche Kapitel. Hach, was sind die beiden auch so dickköpfig. *grummel*