Disclaimer:
Again. Do not own anything…..
Rating:
R – to be safe
My thanks to the Reviewers! Again, please see bottom of chapter! !!!
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Legolas?
Elladan glared up at Legolas in shock, eyes wide and fierce. The archer stared down at the twin with equal intensity, ere his gaze slid across the earth toward the limp body of Elrohir.
No...
Legolas' eyes, if possible, widened further at the sight. The elf twin's lips were parted, blood dripping from a gash slit down the side of his face, eyes squeezed shut as he rasped painfully. His ankle had been ensnared and bled crimson rivers, though it was the letters that had been carved into the elf's stomach that caused Legolas to fall back a step. The mortal had obviously been interrupted and had not finished etching his foul message into the twin's chest. He snapped his gaze back to the man, who now cradled his swollen jaw, still snickering
Staring down at the man, Legolas' eyes hardened. Elladan frowned, utterly confused, though far more angry. Tearing his sleeve free, he rose to his feet, still holding the dagger. Legolas flicked his eyes to the twin, whilst the object of their torment laughed bitterly, though the man's foul sniggers not reach his ears as he stared at Elladan.
The elder twin did not even spare a second glance at Legolas and gripping the hilt of the dagger firmly, he swooped to stab the laughing mortal, only to have Legolas's blade deflect the blow. A loud clash sounded in the forest as their blades struck. A growl of anger left the twin as he stared at Legolas, his eyes wild and filled with rage.
"Rinc!" he snarled, attempting to swing the blade toward the man, only to have Legolas block the hit once more.
The archer pushed forward, stepping over the mortal by means to apparently protect the man from a fuming Elladan.
"Have you truly lost your mind?!" Elladan hissed.
Legolas did not reply. He had already heard the mortal scramble to his feet and stumble his way toward the safety of the woodland. Ere the man could vanish beyond the trees, Legolas startled Elladan by snatching the blade from the elf twin's hand and whipping around to hurl it toward the mortal.
The blade sank into the back of the man's knee, causing him to buckle and grunt in pain, whilst a curse flew from his lips. The mortal impressively managed to pick himself up and limped onward, crashing loudly through the woodland.
Elladan, vengeance and rage still fuelling every fibre of his being, made to run after the mortal, only to have Legolas block his path, blue eyes wide in warning.
"RINC!" The dark-haired elf demanded.
Elladan's face was awash with shock, betrayal and undeniable anger, though a whimper from his brother drew his attention and all three of those emotions vanished, replaced by fear and concern. Utterly torn between dispensing justice on the mortal and helping his brother, he shifted on the spot, his mind screaming several orders at him.
Legolas glanced at Elrohir briefly.
"Go to your brother, Elladan." Legolas' calm, though detached voice murmured.
The dark-haired elf stared at the archer angrily, though the second time that Elrohir's breath hitched in pain, he was at his brother's side in an instant, throwing all thoughts and care of the mortal's fate to the wind.
With Elladan preoccupied, Legolas stared down at the snare that held the young elf. Now it was he, who felt torn.
Elrohir was losing blood, fast. Perchance the snare had sliced an artery by the amount of scarlet that was pumping from the wound. Torn.
The mortal or Elrohir…
Make a choice! Do not hesitate!
His heart throbbed in his chest. Once, he would never have thought twice about such a thought and would have been at the young twin's side in an instant.
Then he heard it, the distant sound of movement…Elves. As he raised his eyes, he saw them moving through the trees, some upon horse back as they came. Glancing down at Elladan, who stared up at Legolas with wide, pleading eyes, he crushed the emotion in his heart.
He turned, gripped his bow and fled.
The cry of the twin fell deaf upon his ears as he vanished, just as the Elves of Rivendell burst into the clearing.
Elrond rubbed his temples, lost deep in thought as he stared out of the window of his study. A strange feeling had gripped his heart and he was suddenly extremely concerned for his sons. It was not an emotion he could question. He had not felt it this strongly for a long while.
The twins were rarely at home, spending most of their time with the Northern Rangers; he had learnt to deal with their absence. Estel usually caused him more concern, though now he was unable to discern just which son his heart called out to. The twins were careful, he reassured himself; they had learnt to be cautious in hunting orcs, which was everlasting hunt for justice resulting from the torture of their mother…
Justice…The word caused him to frown. There was no justice.
Glorfindel stood across the room, half seated on the desk, hands folded as he stared quietly at Elrond.
"What do you suppose it means?"
It took a moment for the Lord of Rivendell to compose himself ere he spoke, understanding that the blond was speaking of Legolas' dead horse.
"Exactly what it says." Elrond replied, lowering his hand, "However deluded the intentions are."
"This man shall be found. Our sentinels are already searching the forests."
Elrond cast his friend a sideways glance and nodded, "If it is even them that find him."
Glorfindel inclined his head, though ere more words could be exchanged, Elrond sharply turned his attention toward the doors, moments before they burst open.
Erestor, hands braced on either door stared wide eyed at the Lord of Rivendell, chest rising and falling in his struggle for breath.
"Lord Elrond, you are needed in the healing quarters, immediately!"
Glorfindel rose from his perch, glancing between the other two elves. Elrond's brows furrowed in concern and deep within, that strange emotion that had haunted him twisted. He knew.
"What is-"
"Elrohir." Erestor need not have spoken even one more word.
Having torn the blade from his leg, he lumbered on, agony twisting in the back of his wounded knee, slowing him down. He would endure this, he had endured far worse. An amused snicker left his lips, even as he pressed onward, driven by his misguided thoughts, long twisted with bitterness and hatred. He stumbled.
He did not get far.
An arrow cut through the air, sinking into the thick cloak he wore, pinning him to the earth momentarily. Footsteps, so light, barely audible as the elf approached.
Legolas dropped his eyes to the man, who snarled up at him through bloodied teeth. The archer frowned and took a step forward. He placed aside his bow and drew his elven blade, his eyes narrowing.
Legolas stooped low, finding strength in his limbs once more as he hauled the mortal upwards and shoved him back. The man landed on the leafy earth with a thud. Legolas stepped forward, his eyes no longer fierce, instead they held doubt and confusion as he stretched out his arm, blade pointedly lingering above the man's heart.
"Why?" he whispered.
The man laughed, a hollow sound at that, "Why?"
"Why do you hate with such passion?"
"Passion? Ah, just like the filthy creature you are." The man snickered, "Enjoyed your punishment did you?"
Legolas bristled, though he clamped the emotions down, willing himself to hold to his control. It was slipping. The man continued his ramblings.
"And I would do far worse." He vowed, "Your race sicken me. So high above us do they think themselves that they can allow hordes of orcs to slaughter my people!"
Legolas' face contorted into a mask of utter bewilderment, "I do not understand."
"No, I don't suppose you would." The man spat, "You and your kin, you took them from me!" he roared, lunging toward Legolas in a graceless leap.
The elf merely stepped back as the man hit the earth, a hysterical wreck as he choked on sobs and manic laughter.
"And you dare look down upon us!" he snarled, "You believe what befell you was dire? It was no less than what you deserved, after what they did to my Diera…and my children…Gods my children."
The man buried his head into his hands and a keening wail escaped him.
Legolas stared in dumbfounded shock at the man. A man utterly twisted with hatred and grief. Driven mad by whatever had befallen his family. Why would he place the blame on the elves?
"And you did NOTHING!" the man roared, "Swept them out of your lands and into ours…You shall pay, all of you shall pay…just as my Diera and children paid, body and soul!"
Legolas barely registered the words, confusion and doubt laced his mind. His violation was vengeance in the name of a man's wife and children? Of his village people?
He would never understand mortal grief…He shook his head to clear his vision and his mind, utterly unable to accept that this blubbering man was the fierce predator who had stalked and attacked him. Defiled and shamed him, all the while screaming obscenities of vengeance…power, the power he had lacked in protecting his family, his people.
In that moment whilst the elf was lost in his muddled thoughts, the man took his chance and lunged again, taking an unprepared Legolas by surprise.
Footsteps echoed down the large hallways as Elladan paced outside of Elrohir's chamber, his heart thundering in his chest. It was he who had suggested they split up; ignoring the surprised glance his brother had cast his way. It was he who had not ridden fast enough…why did the ones he love suffer? His mother, Elrohir, Legolas…even his father, though Elrond hid it behind a mask of indifference.
Must I always find myself this way? Useless…
Suddenly the elf came to an abrupt halt, just as the door to Elrohir's chamber creaked open. Erestor emerged, his face pale and drained. Elladan instantly rushed up to him, eyes wide, seeking answers. The eldar met the twin's eyes, though he said nothing and stepped aside, allowing Elrond's son into the room.
Elladan frowned slightly, though he did not waste time and instantly took the invitation, stepping quietly into the room. Erestor closed the door behind him with a sigh. He turned to meet the eyes of Glorfindel, who stood leaning against one of the pillars, his arms folded, eyes searching for answers from the dark-haired elf.
Erestor merely shook his head.
The first thing Elladan's eyes fell upon, was the form of Elrond, who was cleaning blood from his hands, rubbing them with a wet rag before submerging them into a bloody basin once again.
"Adar?" Elladan's voice was almost a whisper.
Elrond snapped his head toward his son and in the depths of his father's eyes, he saw the extent of Elrond's fear, if only for a moment, ere it was gone. Even so, his father looked weary.
"Elladan." Elrond pulled his hands from the basin, wiped them on another cloth and stepped over to his child. His eyes immediately swept over his eldest son, checking for wounds.
Blood stained the older twin's clothing and Elrond's gaze darkened with concern, however, Elladan held up a hand to ward of the questions and fears.
"It is Elrohir's." he explained, hating the quiver in his voice.
Elrond's eyes flickered. Then he nodded, relieved. The elf Lord then turned, glancing behind at the youngest twin. Elladan's eyes widened, as now he had a clear view of his brother. He flew to the side of the bed, causing Elrond to take a step back as he stared down at his two sons.
Elrohir's eyes were closed but at the sound of his brother's voice he cracked an eye open and a whimper caught in his throat.
"Elrohir?" the brother whispered, trying to smile.
"Elladan." The young twin rasped, eyes staring blankly at the blurred figure.
"I am here."
"I can barely see you." The youngest murmured, stretching a hand out rather blindly.
At those words, Elrond closed his eyes painfully, clenching his jaw tightly. Elladan blinked in shock, eyes wide as he gripped the extended hand.
"Just rest, Elrohir." he murmured, his eyes moistening.
The twin did not object and his eyes fluttered shut in the nature of elven healing. Elladan bit his lip to keep from speaking and quietly slipped his hand out of Elrohir's limp grasp, ere rising and turning to meet his father's eyes.
"Why can he not see?"
"He can." Elrond replied, "With difficultly, his eyes are not focusing correctly."
"Why?" Elladan demanded, his heart twisting in his chest.
"Poison. I am not sure how long the effects shall last…" the elf lord trailed off.
Elladan dropped his eyes to the floor, feeling utterly useless. He could sense an underlying doom in those words…
Valar, why? Would it were that it had been me…
"Elladan..."
The elder twin could not quite meet his father's eyes and he clenched his fist tightly.
"I failed...again...I-"
"Never say that!"
Elrond's voice was a boom in the room and Elladan started in shock. Even Elrohir stirred at the aggressive sound ere settling into sleep once again. Elladan turned his head to look at his father, brow furrowed. It had been a long while since Elrond had shown such open, unguarded emotion.
Elrond took a step back, "Stay with your brother."
"Adar..." Elladan was about to rise, only to be stayed by the next command.
"Stay with your brother." An order. "I must speak with Estel"
Elladan lifted his head just as his father turned toward the door, eyes wide.
Elbereth...Estel.
He had nearly forgotten that Aragorn had joined them in their search, having chosen his own path.
"When did he return?" Elladan asked, surprised.
Elrond froze.
Slowly, he turned to face his son, "Estel did not return with you?" he demanded more than asked.
Elladan's blanched. Fear gripped his heart and his hand fell from where it rested near Elrohir's. Elrond's eyes widened and the breath fled his lungs.
Aragorn....
Many thanks to the reviewers! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
xxXxx
Sindarin Elvish Translations
Rinc – Move
Adar – Father
Reviewers!:
Deana – Hannon le, Deana for your review! Yes, thank the Gods that Elladan arrived in time! LOL as always, thanks so much for your encouragement!
IMTrinity – Aaaw, you poor dear! Still not enjoying yourself in NY? Hannon le so much for your review! I'm glad that you found the last chapter suspenseful. Lets hope that my muse doesn't die on me – fickle little buggar that it is! Lol! Aaaw! How is your little nephew?! What is his name? I hope all's well with your sister
Irish Anor – [laughs!!] Oh man, your review made me laugh! Especially the whole "Dude…Dude…" lmao. I happen to love "Finding Nemo"! Fear not, for I too, am easily amused, meldir! Lol! [grins] And the idea of Glorfindel tossing his hair over his shoulder and going in search of his trailer brought a grin to my face! You should write LOTR parodies my dear! LOL! I see Boromir still needs to be trained, bring out the whip – whoa, that might sound a bit :S LOL! Hannon le so much for your amusing and encouraging review! It never ceases to bring a smile to my face!
Ashaselle – [grins] Hello again! How are you? I'm so glad that you are continuing to enjoy this story, Ashaselle! Thanks so much for the great feedback, I really appreciate it. Hannon le!
Jade – Hannon le, Jade for your review! There aren't too many more chapters to go now, about 4-5? It'll soon be over so then I can continue work on the sequel I've posted up which is kinda hanging until I finish posting this! LOL! I shall have a look for those sites for you and send you them via the e-mail you left on the review! Hannon le (thank you) again!!
Ghemstone – Ghemstone!! [big smile] Greetings Meldir!! How are you!? How wonderful it was to receive your lovely reviews! Thank you so much! As always, you come bearing encouragement and muse refreshment! [hands you Elladan for extra special hugs and attention] [grins] Yes, FIAH returns. The psycho in love with his disturbing cloak. He needs to get out more. [smiles] Ah yes, the Elvish becomes familiar after a while, yet saying that I'm still as inept at it as I ever was! LOL! It goes straight over my head sometimes and its like, "what the hell did I just write?" As always, Meldir, hannon le so much!