Hi!
Rather long wait again- sorry, but work can do that to you. Don´t worry, though, I´m working hard for regular updates!
I know that I am not being nice in this chapter - you do not get as much information as some of you might like. Things are not unravelled all at once, but we´ll get there.
Thanks yet again for your reviews - they are such a joy to read. So please, keep writing them! Responses below, as usual.
Now on for the story - let´s see what evil has in store...
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine
Anger and hate
"Man?" Who?The youngest elf finally broke the silence that had followed Glorfindel´s words.
The question hung in the room, weighting on all present. The twins had never met the creatures Glorfindel had referred to, but they had read about them. The thought that an evil so ancient should have reawakened in their midst sent an involuntary shiver down Elrohir´s spine and when he glanced at his older brother, he found the face that was so much like his own a mask of barely concealed tension. And anger. Deep, fiery anger. Elladan had inherited his father´s temper to a much larger degree than Elrohir, and even though he usually kept it on a tight leash there had been occasions when he had deliberately set it free to devour his enemies. The younger twin found himself praying that this would not be such a time.
Glorfindel turned from the window to face Elrond and his family. The distant look in his eyes had been replaced by one of thoughtful calm. "Im aliston." I don't know.The answer, finally given in a voice that betrayed no anger at the message it delivered, caught Elrohir completely by surprise. "But you battled it!" he exclaimed, "you were closer to it than any of us."
"Aye, I was close, and I could feel the creature´s lust for destruction, its hunger for power and blood." Glorfindel´s features darkened at the memory. "That is the core of any vampire, many forms though they may appear in. The soul of this one was well-guarded, yet I can assure you that neither the Dark Lord himself nor his winged enchantress have returned to haunt us. They were the most well-known of the blood drinkers, but by no means the only ones. Manyfold were the numbers of the souls willing to follow the dark path of hatred."
The warrior´s sharp gaze sought out the window once more. "They ride the wind. They may grow wings, may change their appearance. They lure their prey by sweet promises or the deception of beauty. They turn against you what is your greatest strength." At these words he threw Elrond a meaningful glance and fire leapt from the elf-lord´s steely eyes, their earlier argument rekindled by the subtle remark. Abruptly, Elrond stood and paced towards the fireplace in an obvious attempt to get a grasp on his frustration. Glorfindel watched carefully and paused as if inviting his friend to explain himself to his sons, but when the elf lord remained silent ,the Balrog slayer returned to his memories.
"The demon had not set its eyes on us when we challenged it on the plains. It was furious that we would come between it and its prey. Its attacks were unfocussed for it really yearned to be somewhere else and treated me as a mere obstacle in its path." He allowed himself a tight smile. "A serious misjudgement, to be sure, but also a blessing for us all."
Elrohir felt his blood run cold. He met his teacher´s steady gaze and knew that the battle had been a close call. A disaster only held at bay by their enemy´s mistakes. He held no doubt in his heart that the elder elf´s superior skills had ultimately lead to the demon´s flight, yet Glorfindel´s survival had depended just as heavily on his foe. The Balrog slayer´s eyes softened at the shock he read in the younger one´s face. "Did I not often tell you that the fortunes of a fight that leaves both combatants alive are determined by who has learned the most? Our foe has gained preciously little from the encounter, but I have learned that this vampire differs from all others that I know of. Its body was wind and water and bone, held together by its evil spirit. It did not possess a body of its own, only the pretence of one brought into the physical world by what it could steal from its victims."
He fell silent again, contemplating his own findings. Elrond had stopped pacing and now leaned against the fireplace to rest his weary body, yet clearly unwilling to sit down again. Elrohir felt his own thoughts race, trying to make sense of it all, and he threw a searching look at Elladan who had not moved an inch during the whole exchange. Neither had his expression altered.
The anger was now a steady fire in his clear eyes, turning them a deep shade that Elrohir had not seen in a long while. The older twin was watching his father intently, as if the answers were to be found with him instead of Glorfindel, and Elrohir´s instincts told him that this might even be the truth. He distinctly felt that the answers his twin was seeking were different from the ones he had in mind. The thought bothered him. Tentatively, Elrohir reached out and placed a hand on his brother´s arm, silently pleading for his attention, but instead of receiving it, his touch seemed to break the seal Elladan had kept on his thoughts so far.
"I bow to your strength in body and soul, Glorfindel", he said slowly, inclining his head towards his teacher in a serious gesture of acknowledgement, "and it serves us well that you could tell us what sort of demon has befallen our land. Even though it may have changed in the centuries it lay dormant, it is still a demon of old. One that has been slain before and can be slain again. I say that we collect our strength and do just that. We should not allow this evil to spread while we sit here and discuss subtleties. We may do so after the foe is destroyed."
Elrohir thought to catch a gleam in his father´s eyes at these words, a sign of understanding and even agreement that was starkly contrasted by the way Elrond now shook his head, albeit slowly. "It would be wrong to hasten into action, my son. Glorfindel is correct when he warns against decisions that lack proper judgement. We need to learn more..."
Elladan sighed in barely restrained annoyance. "And who should we ask, adar?", he broke in, "what wisdom will be revealed in turning over findings that not even Glorfindel can put in their proper place? Books cannot help us here. This demon preys on us within our own lands! Its evil travels our halls even now, putting all of us on edge, and its minions linger at our doorstep to devour us when we venture outside. Shall we allow ourselves to be imprisoned here while darkness gathers about us like a deadly storm? I say we should not allow our foe to draw together its forces!"
The younger twin gasped silently. His brother had clad into forceful words what he himself had felt ever since returning home, the sense of a home invaded and a peace shattered that had been meant to last as long as Imladris remained inhabited. Evil lingered close and coated everything he saw or felt with a filthy film of invisible darkness. He understood Elladan´s eagerness to clean their house and defend its soul, yet the fire of anger that burned in his twin felt just as out of place - and as dangerous.
Elladan had once again locked eyes with his father, daring him to answer, to prove him wrong. Pleading with him to offer another path out and at the same time begging him to align with him on the quest to reclaim what was theirs with as much right as the air they breathed. The older twin´s gaze slowly travelled to Elrond´s hand, the ring that it bore. Vilya. Their defence. Their strength. Their obligation.
Elrond carefully raised his hand and looked at the ring, then seeking out Elladan´s face, Elrohir´s and finally Glorfindel´s. Even though his own eyes remained on his father and he could not see the Balrog slayer´s expression, Elrohir easily read the defiance that sprang to Elrond´s features, darkening them dangerously. The air grew hot and heavy again at the silent battle that raged around the younger twin and he felt strangely left out. He knew he rather sided with Glorfindel, the powers of Vilya too closely laced to the great evils of the world to use them freely in their dangerous times. On the other hand every fibre of his body screamed at him to stand by his family and protect their home with every measure possible. Whatever the cost.
Elrohir did not feel his father backing down, but when he spoke again his words were delicately weighted as he addressed Glorfindel. "My son has made a valid point", Elrond said in a low voice, "one that I have made before and you did not yet receive the opportunity to answer the challenge. Where, then, shall we seek help in these matters that go even beyond your expertise? Tell me, who may help us within the short span of time that is left before the choice of battle will be taken from us? For we all feel the grip of evil tighten around us."
The younger twin turned to see the warrior´s face as he answered, noting that Elladan did no such thing but kept his eyes fixed on their father. Glorfindel stayed silent for a few heartbeats, not trying to conceal the way he choose his words carefully. He never looked away from Elrond and when he spoke, there was sorrow in his voice. "Im iston gost-cin, gwador. I know your fear, brother [in arms].It is your right. It is even a strength, one that our foe would only too greedily twist against us. Leave your greatest power as our last resort, I beg you."
Elrond´s gaze softened in a mixture of disbelief and doubt, listening intently as his friend continued. "There is one we may turn to yet for true advice, but who knows where the grey pilgrim wanders in the fading light of our times. I say send word to Mithrandir in any way possible, even though I fear his council may indeed come too late. Nay, we cannot trust on him to solve this predicament for us, and neither can the Lady of the Wood, even though I imagine that the force of her inner light alone might be the undoing of our adversary."
There was gentle admiration in Glorfindel´s voice, and a hint of longing that was shared by all in the room. Galadriel´s presence would have been more than a blessing, but she was far away and had her own realm to protect. Even Lothlorien would not be safe without her guarding strength, and Elrond knew he would have never found the heart to ask her for assistance, fearing that more could be lost than gained.
"Nay", Glorfindel emphasised, "we must draw upon the resources that are with us. You say I was close to the demon, Elrohir? Aye, I was, but so was Aragorn. His insight when he wakes may prove helpful. And then there is Legolas. There is no doubt in me that he is the one who experienced the vampire closest. There is a bond between him and the creature that is a mystery to me still. It may prove to be our foe´s downfall when used wisely."
The implications of his words stung Elrohir to the heart. He knew that there was a possibility that Legolas had fallen prey to the evil already, that it was only his body they had managed to save. He had chased that fearful thought from his mind, but now he found himself facing it again. He was aware that Elrond could only make sure his friend was still himself once he regained consciousness, and the wait was tearing him apart. For the first time since they had started their council he saw Elladan´s fierce anger break, washed from his face by a wave of fear and sadness that called forth a strong protectiveness in Elrohir.
He draped an arm around his brother´s shoulder, mindful of his injury and painfully aware of its source, and spoke to Elladan more than to the two elder elves in the room. "There is hope yet. It is true that both Estel and Legolas have drawn close to this evil and escaped from it. Let us wait for their council, if only to escape their wrath should they find out that we have left them out of a decision as crucial as this. Legolas is a prince, after all, and Aragorn a future king"
His rather poor attempt at a jest brought the shadow of a sad smile to Elladan´s pale face. Before Elrohir could renew his efforts to ease his brother´s heart as well as his own, distant shouts caught his attention. Four heads were raised in union, four fair faces tensed with anticipation. When they realized what was happening, they leapt to their feet as one, Elladan no slower than the others despite his weariness.
"Cyth na annon!" Enemies at the gate!Elrond all but snarled, his own exhaustion washed away by the heat of an anger which was finally free to flow. "Iaew-sin delw." Their derision [shall be] deadly.Time and place flew past Elrohir as they raced through the halls towards the yard and the gate beyond, and he would never remember where the sword had come from that was suddenly tightly grasped in his hand.
He would always remember, though, to hear Elladan´s angry defiance when Elrond ordered his wounded son from the battle. Elrohir had turned to see the deadly wrath in his brother´s eyes threatening to spill over, and he had grasped his arm with his left hand, forcefully bringing him to a stop when he tried to go after their father despite his command. "Im meathathon ammen" I will fight [for] us both, he had breathed fiercely, meaning every word, "anno daf-cin rhanc a magol-cin." Allow me [to be] your arm and sword.And Elladan had given his permission.
There were wolves of the kind they had killed so shortly before, but they were not alone. The scene that greeted them when they rushed past the gate was so grotesque it seemed to have leapt straight out of their worst nightmares. Humans screamed and fell amidst the ghostly swirl of bony creatures that assaulted them. Wolves that brought down their jaws to crush bones. Stags that charged with their heads held low. Wild boars whose tusks tore open flesh without mercy.
There was no order in the attack, no aim but to destroy, and Elrohir permitted his mind to unhinge when his sword found its way to its first target, his body and soul sickened by the sight of helpless lives crushed by creatures that bore but a slight resemblance to the animals that they had once been. He slashed through tight skin to find bone right beneath , he beheaded to see carcasses devoid of flesh crumble at his feet and he cried within.
The angry onslaught of the Imladris elves only lasted a short time, or so the humans would later tell them. Their foes fell beneath their anger like leaves in a storm, leaving a sea of destruction behind. Yet no matter how many they killed, no matter how quickly there was no neck left to hew, there was no sense of victory when they finally stood side by side, up to their ankles in death, to see their fears come true. To their horror they were not the only targets of this mindless evil. Everybody crossing their land was.
Elrohir would only later, much later learn that the humans were the remainder of a merchant´s track, travelling together for safety yet completely unprepared for the attack on elven land that would rip more than half of them from life´s embrace. He younger elf stood at his exhausted father´s side as they fought to preserve the lives of those that had made it to their gates, seeing the blood and the pain and the loss, and his anger grew.
Elladan sat quietly, attempting to occupy his mind to fight off the wave of sleep that threatened to close over his head and pull him under. He was utterly tired in body and mind, more so than he had been for a long, long time, and he had no wish to recount the events that had lead to his last visit to this state.
His anger had abated and all he could feel was an incredible sadness. He could hear the activity that pulsed through his home and sighed at the desperation that had brought it upon them. He had quickly realized that he would have been more of a hindrance than a help in the Houses of Healing, and it had been his own idea to appoint him guardian over his brother and friend. Elrond had quickly agreed, for they could no longer spare two healers to take care of the two.
Aragorn was in the far better state and so they had moved him carefully to a bed they had hastily placed into Legolas´ room. All had been glad that Elrond had decided earlier not to keep Legolas in the healing rooms but in the one he considered his own in Imladris. They had hoped to ease the prince´s fears when he awakened and did so still, but more than anything they were glad to keep the recovering elf separated from the sounds and smells of death and pain that would soon surround the healers.
Elladan stretched with a weary wince and sat up. He glanced at Aragorn and was relieved to see that his complexion was far better than it had been. Although not a healer as apt as his father he could tell that his brother would wake soon. He looked forward to seeing the sharp grey eyes fill with recognition again. He missed the human´s company and, strangely, his sometimes boiling temper. Elladan found that it was easier for him to keep his own outbursts at bay around Estel than around the more considerate Elrohir. Maybe the ranger was right when he jested that the older twin only wanted to prove Elven superiority in his presence. He smiled fondly.
A sharp breath from the other bed quickly redirected Elladan´s attention and he took Legolas´ hand, peering down at him in concern. The wounded elf was still heavily sedated to allow his leg to heal without causing him too much pain, but now and again bad dreams troubled him and Elladan was intent on calming him quickly. Any harsh movement would only result in further damage, maybe even moving the splintered bones that Elrond had so painstakingly arranged back into their natural order.
"Aelin, aelin" The lake, the lake, Leglas mumbled, oblivious to Elladan´s attempts to soothe him, "aelin aniro sereg, alsereg ulund..." The lake wants blood, no blood for the monster...Elladan´s brow wrinkled in bewilderment at his friend´s words, but he paid them little heed. He could tell that Legolas was working himself into a state of true distress and he quickly crushed more athelas into the bowl with hot water that had been placed beside the prince´s bed, hoping that the herb would once again work its magic.
Legolas seemed to calm momentarily when the gentle smell washed over him, but this time it was not enough to chase away the memories that haunted him. His breathing began to quicken when he spoke again. "Im tirmo, im tirmo, tirio cuil..."I am the guardian, I am the guardian, I [have to] protect life...Suddenly, a shock bolted through him. His eyes flew open and he tried to sit up. Elladan quickly wrapped his good arm around him and kept him down, his mind racing for other ways to calm his friend. Tears rolled down his cheek when he realized what memory was causing Legolas so much pain.
"Elladan, baw, alaglenno!" Elladan, no, don´t come closer!He once again tried to rise and began to fight the hand that was keeping him down. "Alaglenno aelin, gwador, albauglo nin degi le..." Don´t come closer to the lake, brother [in arms], don´t make me kill you...
The desperation, mingled with a determination that seemed to detest itself, almost made Elladan sob. "Im nev, im nev, im cuin" I am here, I am here, I am alivehe tried to reassure, but he could not penetrate the wall of sleep and pain that separated Legolas from him. At a loss what else to do, Elladan began to sing, low under his breath, without even thinking about it. The soothing melody that Elrohir had brought back to his awareness filled the air, easing even the older twin´s mind as he sang.
The effect on Legolas, however, was different from what he had hoped. The wounded elf had been distressed before. Now he began to panic.
TBC
Review responses:
Alexa: Yes, poor price. Not the awakening one might have hoped for...Hang on, though, he´ll get better (at some point)
Estel Elven Enchantress: Thanks! There will be more tension in the house of Elrond! Sweet pun - there´s no way I´ll main Legolas like that - not permanently, at least - I think...
Amy: You are very welcome! Sorry I let the information slip bit by bit - but that´s only because even our heroes have to find out more!
White Wolf1: I always thought that there was more to Elrond than calm and wisdom - he does have human blood in him, after all, and Elves can go pretty mean under certain circumstances...And that will mean trouble for the enemy, but for the Elves too.
Anglefire450: Thanks! You are so right that they all will need their strength - a lot of it! Sorry for the slow update :(
Iccle Fairy: Yes, "oh shit" sums it up nicely. I hope you have not held your breath since the last post?!
LinZE: Well, more trouble on the way, I´m afraid...Poor elf/ranger/elves
Red Tigress: Happy with the fight? Though it was not really random...Good that you have put the tests behind you!
Arwen greenleaf: Poor them, yes. And Elrond is up to seriously attack that evil - the question is "how?"
Alariel: Hey, that review was a story all in itself! I love your guesses, they are so good. I cannot give away too much without spoiling things. Let´s see - you are quite right about the city you mentioned - and the connection to the demon is off-canon (in the way that it was never described by Tolkien, not in the way that it would go against canon in any way). I hope that helped a little grin
SomeoneReading: Keep breathing!! Yes, it´s a tough one, isn´t it, but remember that Legolas is NOT alone - which does not mean that the things ahead will be pleasant.
Jasmine: Hey, sorry I did not wait any longer. My fingers "twitched" to update, I hope you are OK with that. If you are still interested and have the time I might send you another chapter? Glad that "smell" thing got to you - I imagined that would really bother the elves!
Ertia: Good that I could make your day happy. Sorry the next chapter took long again - but here it is! Yes, it is serious, and they are not done arguing! Glad you "liked" the evil!
Gah!: I´m not leaving it there, don´t worry. There is no chance I will ever abandon a tale.
Tychen: Oh, that´s sweet, thank you. But the only evil that got its claws on me was work - and that monster keeps chasing me! Hmm, interesting guesses - I cannot say too much about them yet, though LOLDon´t worry about Faun, he is anything but forgotten (and he still has a role to play). And no, garlic is not going to help at all, and neither are stakes. They´ll have to search for another way out! Keep your lights on, just to be on the safe side. I´m, glad you think Elrond and Glorfindel facing each other was scary - I sure did. I was all with the twins, I sort of hesitated to enter that study, too, and the tensions are not over yet.
Candidus-lupus-full Moon: Thanks! Please keep reading.
NightShadow131: Yes, there is rest, even though it may not bee too restful to all :) Glorfindel could not tell them too much because this form of evil is new to him, too, but at least they now know where to start from.
Deana: Yes, poor everybody! Keep reading, there will be more "poor them"...
Thank you all hugyou make my day!!
Rather long wait again- sorry, but work can do that to you. Don´t worry, though, I´m working hard for regular updates!
I know that I am not being nice in this chapter - you do not get as much information as some of you might like. Things are not unravelled all at once, but we´ll get there.
Thanks yet again for your reviews - they are such a joy to read. So please, keep writing them! Responses below, as usual.
Now on for the story - let´s see what evil has in store...
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine
Anger and hate
"Man?" Who?The youngest elf finally broke the silence that had followed Glorfindel´s words.
The question hung in the room, weighting on all present. The twins had never met the creatures Glorfindel had referred to, but they had read about them. The thought that an evil so ancient should have reawakened in their midst sent an involuntary shiver down Elrohir´s spine and when he glanced at his older brother, he found the face that was so much like his own a mask of barely concealed tension. And anger. Deep, fiery anger. Elladan had inherited his father´s temper to a much larger degree than Elrohir, and even though he usually kept it on a tight leash there had been occasions when he had deliberately set it free to devour his enemies. The younger twin found himself praying that this would not be such a time.
Glorfindel turned from the window to face Elrond and his family. The distant look in his eyes had been replaced by one of thoughtful calm. "Im aliston." I don't know.The answer, finally given in a voice that betrayed no anger at the message it delivered, caught Elrohir completely by surprise. "But you battled it!" he exclaimed, "you were closer to it than any of us."
"Aye, I was close, and I could feel the creature´s lust for destruction, its hunger for power and blood." Glorfindel´s features darkened at the memory. "That is the core of any vampire, many forms though they may appear in. The soul of this one was well-guarded, yet I can assure you that neither the Dark Lord himself nor his winged enchantress have returned to haunt us. They were the most well-known of the blood drinkers, but by no means the only ones. Manyfold were the numbers of the souls willing to follow the dark path of hatred."
The warrior´s sharp gaze sought out the window once more. "They ride the wind. They may grow wings, may change their appearance. They lure their prey by sweet promises or the deception of beauty. They turn against you what is your greatest strength." At these words he threw Elrond a meaningful glance and fire leapt from the elf-lord´s steely eyes, their earlier argument rekindled by the subtle remark. Abruptly, Elrond stood and paced towards the fireplace in an obvious attempt to get a grasp on his frustration. Glorfindel watched carefully and paused as if inviting his friend to explain himself to his sons, but when the elf lord remained silent ,the Balrog slayer returned to his memories.
"The demon had not set its eyes on us when we challenged it on the plains. It was furious that we would come between it and its prey. Its attacks were unfocussed for it really yearned to be somewhere else and treated me as a mere obstacle in its path." He allowed himself a tight smile. "A serious misjudgement, to be sure, but also a blessing for us all."
Elrohir felt his blood run cold. He met his teacher´s steady gaze and knew that the battle had been a close call. A disaster only held at bay by their enemy´s mistakes. He held no doubt in his heart that the elder elf´s superior skills had ultimately lead to the demon´s flight, yet Glorfindel´s survival had depended just as heavily on his foe. The Balrog slayer´s eyes softened at the shock he read in the younger one´s face. "Did I not often tell you that the fortunes of a fight that leaves both combatants alive are determined by who has learned the most? Our foe has gained preciously little from the encounter, but I have learned that this vampire differs from all others that I know of. Its body was wind and water and bone, held together by its evil spirit. It did not possess a body of its own, only the pretence of one brought into the physical world by what it could steal from its victims."
He fell silent again, contemplating his own findings. Elrond had stopped pacing and now leaned against the fireplace to rest his weary body, yet clearly unwilling to sit down again. Elrohir felt his own thoughts race, trying to make sense of it all, and he threw a searching look at Elladan who had not moved an inch during the whole exchange. Neither had his expression altered.
The anger was now a steady fire in his clear eyes, turning them a deep shade that Elrohir had not seen in a long while. The older twin was watching his father intently, as if the answers were to be found with him instead of Glorfindel, and Elrohir´s instincts told him that this might even be the truth. He distinctly felt that the answers his twin was seeking were different from the ones he had in mind. The thought bothered him. Tentatively, Elrohir reached out and placed a hand on his brother´s arm, silently pleading for his attention, but instead of receiving it, his touch seemed to break the seal Elladan had kept on his thoughts so far.
"I bow to your strength in body and soul, Glorfindel", he said slowly, inclining his head towards his teacher in a serious gesture of acknowledgement, "and it serves us well that you could tell us what sort of demon has befallen our land. Even though it may have changed in the centuries it lay dormant, it is still a demon of old. One that has been slain before and can be slain again. I say that we collect our strength and do just that. We should not allow this evil to spread while we sit here and discuss subtleties. We may do so after the foe is destroyed."
Elrohir thought to catch a gleam in his father´s eyes at these words, a sign of understanding and even agreement that was starkly contrasted by the way Elrond now shook his head, albeit slowly. "It would be wrong to hasten into action, my son. Glorfindel is correct when he warns against decisions that lack proper judgement. We need to learn more..."
Elladan sighed in barely restrained annoyance. "And who should we ask, adar?", he broke in, "what wisdom will be revealed in turning over findings that not even Glorfindel can put in their proper place? Books cannot help us here. This demon preys on us within our own lands! Its evil travels our halls even now, putting all of us on edge, and its minions linger at our doorstep to devour us when we venture outside. Shall we allow ourselves to be imprisoned here while darkness gathers about us like a deadly storm? I say we should not allow our foe to draw together its forces!"
The younger twin gasped silently. His brother had clad into forceful words what he himself had felt ever since returning home, the sense of a home invaded and a peace shattered that had been meant to last as long as Imladris remained inhabited. Evil lingered close and coated everything he saw or felt with a filthy film of invisible darkness. He understood Elladan´s eagerness to clean their house and defend its soul, yet the fire of anger that burned in his twin felt just as out of place - and as dangerous.
Elladan had once again locked eyes with his father, daring him to answer, to prove him wrong. Pleading with him to offer another path out and at the same time begging him to align with him on the quest to reclaim what was theirs with as much right as the air they breathed. The older twin´s gaze slowly travelled to Elrond´s hand, the ring that it bore. Vilya. Their defence. Their strength. Their obligation.
Elrond carefully raised his hand and looked at the ring, then seeking out Elladan´s face, Elrohir´s and finally Glorfindel´s. Even though his own eyes remained on his father and he could not see the Balrog slayer´s expression, Elrohir easily read the defiance that sprang to Elrond´s features, darkening them dangerously. The air grew hot and heavy again at the silent battle that raged around the younger twin and he felt strangely left out. He knew he rather sided with Glorfindel, the powers of Vilya too closely laced to the great evils of the world to use them freely in their dangerous times. On the other hand every fibre of his body screamed at him to stand by his family and protect their home with every measure possible. Whatever the cost.
Elrohir did not feel his father backing down, but when he spoke again his words were delicately weighted as he addressed Glorfindel. "My son has made a valid point", Elrond said in a low voice, "one that I have made before and you did not yet receive the opportunity to answer the challenge. Where, then, shall we seek help in these matters that go even beyond your expertise? Tell me, who may help us within the short span of time that is left before the choice of battle will be taken from us? For we all feel the grip of evil tighten around us."
The younger twin turned to see the warrior´s face as he answered, noting that Elladan did no such thing but kept his eyes fixed on their father. Glorfindel stayed silent for a few heartbeats, not trying to conceal the way he choose his words carefully. He never looked away from Elrond and when he spoke, there was sorrow in his voice. "Im iston gost-cin, gwador. I know your fear, brother [in arms].It is your right. It is even a strength, one that our foe would only too greedily twist against us. Leave your greatest power as our last resort, I beg you."
Elrond´s gaze softened in a mixture of disbelief and doubt, listening intently as his friend continued. "There is one we may turn to yet for true advice, but who knows where the grey pilgrim wanders in the fading light of our times. I say send word to Mithrandir in any way possible, even though I fear his council may indeed come too late. Nay, we cannot trust on him to solve this predicament for us, and neither can the Lady of the Wood, even though I imagine that the force of her inner light alone might be the undoing of our adversary."
There was gentle admiration in Glorfindel´s voice, and a hint of longing that was shared by all in the room. Galadriel´s presence would have been more than a blessing, but she was far away and had her own realm to protect. Even Lothlorien would not be safe without her guarding strength, and Elrond knew he would have never found the heart to ask her for assistance, fearing that more could be lost than gained.
"Nay", Glorfindel emphasised, "we must draw upon the resources that are with us. You say I was close to the demon, Elrohir? Aye, I was, but so was Aragorn. His insight when he wakes may prove helpful. And then there is Legolas. There is no doubt in me that he is the one who experienced the vampire closest. There is a bond between him and the creature that is a mystery to me still. It may prove to be our foe´s downfall when used wisely."
The implications of his words stung Elrohir to the heart. He knew that there was a possibility that Legolas had fallen prey to the evil already, that it was only his body they had managed to save. He had chased that fearful thought from his mind, but now he found himself facing it again. He was aware that Elrond could only make sure his friend was still himself once he regained consciousness, and the wait was tearing him apart. For the first time since they had started their council he saw Elladan´s fierce anger break, washed from his face by a wave of fear and sadness that called forth a strong protectiveness in Elrohir.
He draped an arm around his brother´s shoulder, mindful of his injury and painfully aware of its source, and spoke to Elladan more than to the two elder elves in the room. "There is hope yet. It is true that both Estel and Legolas have drawn close to this evil and escaped from it. Let us wait for their council, if only to escape their wrath should they find out that we have left them out of a decision as crucial as this. Legolas is a prince, after all, and Aragorn a future king"
His rather poor attempt at a jest brought the shadow of a sad smile to Elladan´s pale face. Before Elrohir could renew his efforts to ease his brother´s heart as well as his own, distant shouts caught his attention. Four heads were raised in union, four fair faces tensed with anticipation. When they realized what was happening, they leapt to their feet as one, Elladan no slower than the others despite his weariness.
"Cyth na annon!" Enemies at the gate!Elrond all but snarled, his own exhaustion washed away by the heat of an anger which was finally free to flow. "Iaew-sin delw." Their derision [shall be] deadly.Time and place flew past Elrohir as they raced through the halls towards the yard and the gate beyond, and he would never remember where the sword had come from that was suddenly tightly grasped in his hand.
He would always remember, though, to hear Elladan´s angry defiance when Elrond ordered his wounded son from the battle. Elrohir had turned to see the deadly wrath in his brother´s eyes threatening to spill over, and he had grasped his arm with his left hand, forcefully bringing him to a stop when he tried to go after their father despite his command. "Im meathathon ammen" I will fight [for] us both, he had breathed fiercely, meaning every word, "anno daf-cin rhanc a magol-cin." Allow me [to be] your arm and sword.And Elladan had given his permission.
There were wolves of the kind they had killed so shortly before, but they were not alone. The scene that greeted them when they rushed past the gate was so grotesque it seemed to have leapt straight out of their worst nightmares. Humans screamed and fell amidst the ghostly swirl of bony creatures that assaulted them. Wolves that brought down their jaws to crush bones. Stags that charged with their heads held low. Wild boars whose tusks tore open flesh without mercy.
There was no order in the attack, no aim but to destroy, and Elrohir permitted his mind to unhinge when his sword found its way to its first target, his body and soul sickened by the sight of helpless lives crushed by creatures that bore but a slight resemblance to the animals that they had once been. He slashed through tight skin to find bone right beneath , he beheaded to see carcasses devoid of flesh crumble at his feet and he cried within.
The angry onslaught of the Imladris elves only lasted a short time, or so the humans would later tell them. Their foes fell beneath their anger like leaves in a storm, leaving a sea of destruction behind. Yet no matter how many they killed, no matter how quickly there was no neck left to hew, there was no sense of victory when they finally stood side by side, up to their ankles in death, to see their fears come true. To their horror they were not the only targets of this mindless evil. Everybody crossing their land was.
Elrohir would only later, much later learn that the humans were the remainder of a merchant´s track, travelling together for safety yet completely unprepared for the attack on elven land that would rip more than half of them from life´s embrace. He younger elf stood at his exhausted father´s side as they fought to preserve the lives of those that had made it to their gates, seeing the blood and the pain and the loss, and his anger grew.
Elladan sat quietly, attempting to occupy his mind to fight off the wave of sleep that threatened to close over his head and pull him under. He was utterly tired in body and mind, more so than he had been for a long, long time, and he had no wish to recount the events that had lead to his last visit to this state.
His anger had abated and all he could feel was an incredible sadness. He could hear the activity that pulsed through his home and sighed at the desperation that had brought it upon them. He had quickly realized that he would have been more of a hindrance than a help in the Houses of Healing, and it had been his own idea to appoint him guardian over his brother and friend. Elrond had quickly agreed, for they could no longer spare two healers to take care of the two.
Aragorn was in the far better state and so they had moved him carefully to a bed they had hastily placed into Legolas´ room. All had been glad that Elrond had decided earlier not to keep Legolas in the healing rooms but in the one he considered his own in Imladris. They had hoped to ease the prince´s fears when he awakened and did so still, but more than anything they were glad to keep the recovering elf separated from the sounds and smells of death and pain that would soon surround the healers.
Elladan stretched with a weary wince and sat up. He glanced at Aragorn and was relieved to see that his complexion was far better than it had been. Although not a healer as apt as his father he could tell that his brother would wake soon. He looked forward to seeing the sharp grey eyes fill with recognition again. He missed the human´s company and, strangely, his sometimes boiling temper. Elladan found that it was easier for him to keep his own outbursts at bay around Estel than around the more considerate Elrohir. Maybe the ranger was right when he jested that the older twin only wanted to prove Elven superiority in his presence. He smiled fondly.
A sharp breath from the other bed quickly redirected Elladan´s attention and he took Legolas´ hand, peering down at him in concern. The wounded elf was still heavily sedated to allow his leg to heal without causing him too much pain, but now and again bad dreams troubled him and Elladan was intent on calming him quickly. Any harsh movement would only result in further damage, maybe even moving the splintered bones that Elrond had so painstakingly arranged back into their natural order.
"Aelin, aelin" The lake, the lake, Leglas mumbled, oblivious to Elladan´s attempts to soothe him, "aelin aniro sereg, alsereg ulund..." The lake wants blood, no blood for the monster...Elladan´s brow wrinkled in bewilderment at his friend´s words, but he paid them little heed. He could tell that Legolas was working himself into a state of true distress and he quickly crushed more athelas into the bowl with hot water that had been placed beside the prince´s bed, hoping that the herb would once again work its magic.
Legolas seemed to calm momentarily when the gentle smell washed over him, but this time it was not enough to chase away the memories that haunted him. His breathing began to quicken when he spoke again. "Im tirmo, im tirmo, tirio cuil..."I am the guardian, I am the guardian, I [have to] protect life...Suddenly, a shock bolted through him. His eyes flew open and he tried to sit up. Elladan quickly wrapped his good arm around him and kept him down, his mind racing for other ways to calm his friend. Tears rolled down his cheek when he realized what memory was causing Legolas so much pain.
"Elladan, baw, alaglenno!" Elladan, no, don´t come closer!He once again tried to rise and began to fight the hand that was keeping him down. "Alaglenno aelin, gwador, albauglo nin degi le..." Don´t come closer to the lake, brother [in arms], don´t make me kill you...
The desperation, mingled with a determination that seemed to detest itself, almost made Elladan sob. "Im nev, im nev, im cuin" I am here, I am here, I am alivehe tried to reassure, but he could not penetrate the wall of sleep and pain that separated Legolas from him. At a loss what else to do, Elladan began to sing, low under his breath, without even thinking about it. The soothing melody that Elrohir had brought back to his awareness filled the air, easing even the older twin´s mind as he sang.
The effect on Legolas, however, was different from what he had hoped. The wounded elf had been distressed before. Now he began to panic.
TBC
Review responses:
Alexa: Yes, poor price. Not the awakening one might have hoped for...Hang on, though, he´ll get better (at some point)
Estel Elven Enchantress: Thanks! There will be more tension in the house of Elrond! Sweet pun - there´s no way I´ll main Legolas like that - not permanently, at least - I think...
Amy: You are very welcome! Sorry I let the information slip bit by bit - but that´s only because even our heroes have to find out more!
White Wolf1: I always thought that there was more to Elrond than calm and wisdom - he does have human blood in him, after all, and Elves can go pretty mean under certain circumstances...And that will mean trouble for the enemy, but for the Elves too.
Anglefire450: Thanks! You are so right that they all will need their strength - a lot of it! Sorry for the slow update :(
Iccle Fairy: Yes, "oh shit" sums it up nicely. I hope you have not held your breath since the last post?!
LinZE: Well, more trouble on the way, I´m afraid...Poor elf/ranger/elves
Red Tigress: Happy with the fight? Though it was not really random...Good that you have put the tests behind you!
Arwen greenleaf: Poor them, yes. And Elrond is up to seriously attack that evil - the question is "how?"
Alariel: Hey, that review was a story all in itself! I love your guesses, they are so good. I cannot give away too much without spoiling things. Let´s see - you are quite right about the city you mentioned - and the connection to the demon is off-canon (in the way that it was never described by Tolkien, not in the way that it would go against canon in any way). I hope that helped a little grin
SomeoneReading: Keep breathing!! Yes, it´s a tough one, isn´t it, but remember that Legolas is NOT alone - which does not mean that the things ahead will be pleasant.
Jasmine: Hey, sorry I did not wait any longer. My fingers "twitched" to update, I hope you are OK with that. If you are still interested and have the time I might send you another chapter? Glad that "smell" thing got to you - I imagined that would really bother the elves!
Ertia: Good that I could make your day happy. Sorry the next chapter took long again - but here it is! Yes, it is serious, and they are not done arguing! Glad you "liked" the evil!
Gah!: I´m not leaving it there, don´t worry. There is no chance I will ever abandon a tale.
Tychen: Oh, that´s sweet, thank you. But the only evil that got its claws on me was work - and that monster keeps chasing me! Hmm, interesting guesses - I cannot say too much about them yet, though LOLDon´t worry about Faun, he is anything but forgotten (and he still has a role to play). And no, garlic is not going to help at all, and neither are stakes. They´ll have to search for another way out! Keep your lights on, just to be on the safe side. I´m, glad you think Elrond and Glorfindel facing each other was scary - I sure did. I was all with the twins, I sort of hesitated to enter that study, too, and the tensions are not over yet.
Candidus-lupus-full Moon: Thanks! Please keep reading.
NightShadow131: Yes, there is rest, even though it may not bee too restful to all :) Glorfindel could not tell them too much because this form of evil is new to him, too, but at least they now know where to start from.
Deana: Yes, poor everybody! Keep reading, there will be more "poor them"...
Thank you all hugyou make my day!!