Disclaimer: Tolkien. Tolkien. Tolkien. I'd kill to own Legolas, Glorfindel (I will feature him soon! And he will stay featured forever once I feature him!), Elladan, or Elrohir (I do not think he would like to be owned by me though...Wonder why?) But I don't. Damn!
IMPORTANT A/N: Well, most of it is important. The beginning of this chapter was inspired but the song "Guernica" by Brand New. I would have used the lyrics for the first part, but they do not have phones, batteries, or wrist-watches in Middle Earth. And symbolism would have been just too confusing for such an important chapter. However, that does not mean it would not be the perfect thing to listen to whilst you read the first half! To understand a lot of the things you were meant to know by the end of this chapter, you need to remember minute details from the last chapter, so if you have any doubts at all about how well you remember it, rereading is recommended. I hope you all enjoy this beyond vital chapter! It is the second to last chapter in this instalment of the story, and once I think of a title for the next instalment, and an overall name for this little trilogy, I will post it! As always, reviews are much appreciated. Big thanks to my beta Michelle and her perfect grammar! Keep in mind that I wrote this chapter from a paragraph before the song with a hundred and one temperature, so if it seems a bit weird – that's why. Thanks to everyone reviewing this, you guys are truly awesome, and inspire me SO much!
Deana: Thanks! Yeah, poor elves. You'd think being adored by me would have some perks...Yes, scary nightmare, creeped me out in the least...my muses are jerks. Here's 8! Hope it was soon enough! Oh, who am I kidding, it was so not soon enough, but it's here!
Mysticheero: This chapter should be doing a lot of out-of-dark-bringing. Exams...Yech. 15 mins. yech. Hope you didn't get stuck in traffic! Here is "the honey"! Hope you enjoy!
Empath89: Thanks! That is such a sweet review! Compliments are always appreciated. I'm so glad you like it! Here is the next chapter!
Hyperactive Forever: Yes, dreams. Creepy. They won't come true...just my scary OC who you guys know nothing about as of yet showing her strength! Me, kill the twins? Now what makes you think I would ever do something like that? Like Elladan angst, do you? This story was made for you...just one more chapter after this, and you'll know why. Here's the update!
WildBlackWolf and Viva: Yes, elves do need some sleep...laughs sinisterly Isn't that wonderful...Here's the next chappy!
Joslin(Whomever you may be): Here's the update!
Chapter 8: As I Say/Numb
Elladan stared at the wretched figure on the bed. This could not be his brother. This could not be the twin he cherished. The face he stared into looked nothing like his own. Silver eyes were tightly shut, a fair face etched with pain. Even unconsciousness seemed to offer no escape from the agony. This could not be his mirror image.
The elder twin felt stern silver eyes bore into his skull. He knew the intense gaze well. Not turning his raven head, the grieving elf spoke. "What is wrong, Ada? Three times anor has risen and set and he shows no sign, for better or for worse. If he were to die, he would have left us now. If he were to live, he would have shown some improvement. What is wrong?"
"Ion-nin, that is what I have come to speak of. As I have said, the assailant's arrow slightly injured his left lung. The damage to his lung is mild, though his breathing still needs to be monitored. But he has lost much blood. Elrohir has survived worse. Something is keeping him from healing. There is a bind of sorts stopping him from escaping to Mandos or recovering."
Silver eyes flashed with rage only Elrond's eldest was capable of showing. "Then I shall take this bond upon myself and then proceed to kill whatever casts it." A fair face held iron resolve. Nothing could possibly stop him now. The Lord of Imladris was powerless to change his mind.
"Adar, I know that you have the knowledge required to cast whatever binds him to me. Do it," the younger elf snapped.
Power, leadership, and willfulness filled those misty eyes. Elrond knew that his oldest cared not what he said. Elladan would save his brother. No matter what the cost. If he did not cast the bond between whatever had injured his youngest and Elrohir to him, the willful being would find a way to do it himself. 'No' would not be taken for an answer . There was only one thing left to say, "Yes. I know, ion-nin. And I shall."
"Good," the young Peredhel replied, "Tell me what to do."
"Put your hands on his heart," the half-elven lord instructed, "I will do the rest."
Elladan obeyed, gently placing his hands on just the right place of his brother's chest, "I am ready."
Elrond placed a hand on his younger son's forehead, and suddenly, Vilya became visible. The Ring of Water flashed brightly and a brilliant light consumed the Peredhel.
Almost instantly, pure agony overtook the elder twin. It was like white fire rushing through his veins. A scream tore through his throat and filled the halls of the Last Homely House. Blue bolts of lightning ricocheted through his flesh and Elladan was wrapped in a ball of electricity. Long raven hair snaked through the air as if on its own accord, and the hands on his brother's chest twitched, but did not slip away. The slim elf was pulled into the air, nothing but his hands making contact with anything. Agony...it was the purest. A halo of violet lightning crowned him, and then he fell to the waiting floor.
The power of the bond left the mighty Lord of Imladris dazed and engulfed in the light of his ring. For a moment, he stood motionless and vulnerable, unable to help his son.
Elladan lay on the ground, slender form still writhing in agony as the bond took hold of its new host. His long, dark hair fanned out on the intricate rug beneath him, and graceful hands clenched, frantically seeking something – anything – to hold on to. After several moments, he stopped thrashing and slowly struggled to his feet, "Ada?" the young half-elf asked softly, dazed from the sheer physical pain he had just suffered.
His son's feeble voice broke the spell. "Ion-nin! Are you alright?"
"I am just fine. That was just...a little worse than I anticipated, that's all." The raven-haired Noldo smirked.
His elder nodded knowingly just as the door burst open and a fair-haired elf flew in.
"The arrow!" Legolas exclaimed, "It is hollow! There is a message inside!"
"What does it say?" the eldest twin whispered excitedly.
"'Fate fulfilled,'" the Mirkwood Prince darkly replied, "'Fate fulfilled."
"Fate fulfilled! I'll fulfill fate! I'll tear the creature that did this to shreds with my bare hands!" the raging warrior proclaimed, "I want vengeance."
"Then claim it. Please," a new voice pleaded, this one was high, silvery – it almost seemed translucent. The melodic tone suited the golden-haired female, it allowed expression perfectly. The soft sound gave birth to the green-eyed, creamy-skinned, dark maiden's lies. It was the honey masking the true form of her serpent's tongue. "Please. Kill it. For Elrohir. Go and destroy this beast. Tear it limb from limb. Go! Track it! Go back to the place it committed its darkest crime and find where it disappeared into the trees! Go! The three of you, all so dear to him. A father, a brother, a friend. I beseech thee!" For a second, her celadon eyes turned a dazzling, all-consuming emerald. The power within the two orbs was infinite, the true wisdom and the pain that comes with it definite. And kindling was added to the fire of vengefulness of two young souls.
The Lord of Imladris opened his mouth to protest, and Melime's pale eyes once more filled with a being that was not her own. The stubbornness of two beings contested with that of one. After a long and futile struggle, the mighty Peredhel heard the mistiest voice he could imagine in his head, "Descendant of Finwe, do not fight me. I am older and more powerful than you, with all your years and wisdom can fathom. I am beyond the reach of even the likes of you, bearer of Vilya." A few more moments, and Lord Elrond succumbed to superior will.
"But what of Elrohir?" the elder twin shakily asked, "Who will look after him?"
"I shall care for my young lord. My healing knowledge may not be fabled, but it is existent," the blonde simply quipped, "I leave the vengeance for you." And then, in her thoughts, she added darkly, 'And your brother, I keep for myself.'
"So it is decided," Elladan firmly stated, "We set out within the hour."
And set out they did. A row of gaunt, silent figures leading horses into the forest through a silver dawn. Though in their state they could not see it, the beauty of the morn was great. The sky was still a pale, cloudy abyss of grey-tinted white. Grass, leaves, and flowers alike shone with a radiant, silver dew that was set aglow in the pale light. All was silent but the occasional chirping of morning's last cricket and the gentle rushing of a shimmering creek.
The three elves stood out in the new-born morn's fair gleam, their green and brown tracking clothes were dark against the pallor of dawn. But as the minutes faded one by one, so did they. The newly-reached forest's lush leaves and dark bark hid them from sight.
Dawn was over and true golden morning sent rays of bright light filtering through branches and cast a brilliant play of shadow and light on the entire wood. The resilient rays that snuck past the canopy illuminated wild flowers and stalks of fresh Spring grass. The stern row of elves wove their way through the awakening surroundings and closer, towards the glade where a battle had not long ago been fought.
'Perfect,' Melime thought as she surveyed the now-bright surroundings. 'Three hours. By the time Elladan learns to understand the bond and knows it is me, I'll be long gone. And Elrohir will be gone with me.' She looked around warily, 'But no. Better to be safe than sorry. Once they are further, I will be safer. In about four hours, the preparations for the funeral services of my victims begin – then, I will remain unnoticed.'
The silent hours passed as the three elves reached their target. Amongst dead monsters, they searched for the path of an arrow that had flown not long ago. Though the blood spirits were not darkened, a hilltop higher than most singled out. Upon it lay only one thing, a black feather wet with the rain. Tied to it was a soggy piece of wood, upon it were carved only two words, 'Guess who.'
Elladan's eyes darkened as suddenly, the bond opened to him, and the feelings of the creature he was connected to were known. Never had the elven royal felt such nothingness. A heart with no love, a mind with no dreams, and a soul with just darkness. The emptiness began to seep into him as realization's window was opened, but the raven haired Elf was oblivious to opportunity as he struggled to keep the blackness from bleeding into him. His only hope at retaining his feelings and sanity quickly found, Elrond's eldest grappled to find out who it was that his soul was chained to.
Whatever this thing called itself, it was robbing him of soul, of sanity. He could loose his brother, his twin, his other half. And he felt nothing but murderous need for vengeance. And he knew, he knew that not all of the lust for crimson retalliation was his own. Not even that of the monster bound to him. Some other creature, something much, much bigger than himself.
The bond was still new to him. How much of the other's mind could he invade without being conquered? When he closed his eyes, he envisioned himself on a clif, edging towards doom step-by-step. And then, just as he was left with the futile remains of balance, he knew.
Sense suddenly returned to Elladan as he fully and completely knew what was happening at that exact moment. As his agony returned, silver eyes widened and the young lord simply crumpled to his knees, black feather clutched to his chest. "'Tis Melime," he whispered, horrified, "She's the one who killed the Ellith, and she is taking Elrohir." (elf maids)
The eyes of his friend and his father filled with the horror his held, and Elrond's eldest regained his strength and resolve. Almost in a single motion the three elves mounted the steeds they led and galloped into the woods.
It took little time to reach the elven refuge on horse-back, but by the time they reached Imladris, the whole palace was a blur of commotion, and Elrohir's sick-room was empty. It took every bit of Legolas's lighting quick elven reflexes to catch Elladan as he collapsed. And for the first time in centuries, the raven-haired elf sobbed.
A/N II: Sorry for the lateness, but everything in the world has tried to stop this from going up. Being grounded, moving, illness, internet not working... Basically, everything short of the world itself ending. Good news though, it's here and plus, the world didn't end! YAY! Please, please, please review, it kinda bugs be that I'm on the author alert of people who have never reviewed anything I've written, I wanna know who you are! And remember – all feedback is invaluable! And...just for the heck of it, a chocolate Legolas to anyone who reviews this. Bye 'til next chapter! And after that...well...if you thought THIS instalment had any angst...sinister laugh fades into the distance