My Immortal
Comissioned
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Thunder rolled in the distance and the air was moist with the coming storm. The soft curtains moved to the rhythm of a flowing, chilly breeze. Prince Elladan was acutely aware of the eyes on him as he stuffed a dagger into his pack. He did not particularly relish being under such scrutiny at this time. "Not now, pentithen. I have something to do."
Pentithin - Little one.
Arwen bit her lip, eyeing her brother seriously. "But you're leaving Imladris. How long will you be gone?" Her blue-eyed gaze was sad.
He stopped packing long enough to mess up her dark tresses, winning a slap in the arm. "Hopefully not long. Ada just wants Elrohir and I to do something. I promise, as soon as I return, I will take you riding into the wilds. If you're good, I may even take you to Bree." Her gaze widened at that prospect, but she was not easily diverted.
"Is it a secret?" she asked, folding her hands delicately before her. "You and Elrohir are the best. Ada only sends you when it's very important."
Her questions made him sigh. Pretty soon they would not be able to protect her at all. He recognized it and knew if he did, their father did. Turning his head to look at her, Elladan stopped his packing. "It may be nothing more than a short trip to visit our grandparents, Arwen. Come here, please."
Instantly on her feet, the princess came to him and he took her hands in his. "What is it, Elladan?"
"You're growing up," he observed, smoothing her hair back. "I want you to do something, Muinthel. Something only a grown up princess could do. Think you can handle it?" Arwen nodded gravely and he gave her a wan smile. "Take care of Ada while we're gone. I know you want to know what's going on, but I do not want you asking him while we are away. You know him. He is protective. Let him be that to you while he can."
Muinthel – Sister.
She seemed to understand, but that did not stop her mind from wondering. "Did he see something terrible?" she whispered, her gaze glued to him. Often their father saw things, snippets of the future. It happened indiscriminately, without warning and often foretold things that were scarcely avoidable. Some things he did not see.
Elladan looked away for a moment, letting out a tense breath. Her questions were just of a young lady her age, but he always saw the little Arwen barely two feet tall who called him 'Dan'. He wanted to protect her perhaps as much as their father sometimes. "Honestly, I don't know. He has not said so. He just worries."
Arwen bit her lower lip, looking out the window as a few flower petals breezed in. The rain had begun slowly, misting the curtains and dragging them down. "About Nana?"
That was precisely what he did not want her to linger on, but he would never dream of lying to her. In his view there was nothing to worry about, in any event, so he nodded and batted at her hair. "He only wants to know where she is. Now, Arwen, I forbid you to fall to the same devices. Do not worry. All is well, I promise. You know his ways."
"I know," she agreed, looking up with a soft smile.
Elladan grinned and poked her sides. "He has more human blood that we do. You know that makes him crazier than us."
Laughing, she fended off his tickles and gave him a chiding glare. "Elladan! Be respectful!"
"This from a little princess that tried to feed him a rodent," he scoffed, playfully pushing at her shoulders, trying to knock her off balance. "Elrohir told me you did not drop that part of the plan as I had been lead to believe you would."
Arwen collapsed to the bed and looked up at him with pursed lips until his expression of shock made her giggle. Shaking his head, he grabbed his knapsack and slung it over his shoulder, then collected his quiver and bow. "Elladan," she called as he made for the door to the hall. He turned back to her. "If all is well, why do take so many weapons?"
For a moment he was at a loss, then stuck his tongue out. "Prudence, Ada, prudence. I told you not to worry. Come and wish Elrohir farewell."
Together brother and sister abandoned the bedroom in haste, chasing through the last homely house, laughing and skimming past Elves until they were at the front. The main entrance of the great mansion stood open, revealing the growing deluge outside. That being as it was, Elrond did not leave the entrance hall to see off his sons outside as was customary. The farewell would remain indoors this time.
Elrohir gave Arwen's head a swipe, brushing her hair back as she ran past. The princess drew herself up regally and trotted to their father's left to be welcomed at this side with a pet to her shoulder. Side by side, bantering about Elladan's tardy arrival, the twins stood and waited as Elrond moved to embrace them, accepting his eldest first. "Be swift, my sons," he said in a quiet way, standing back to look at them both.
Elladan smiled confidently, meeting his father's eyes. "As swift as the wind, Ada, we promise. I will convey your love to Nana." Gratefully, Elrond nodded his thanks and gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"Be careful," he added gravely, giving them both a pointed look. The twins exchanged glances, grinning at one another. Elrond withheld a longsuffering sigh. "I am serious."
Elrohir pushed Elladan out of his way and wrapped his father into a hug, saying in his ear, "I will keep him out of trouble."
Their father grunted at that, stepping back with an upraised eyebrow. "Indeed? The blind leading the blind, then?" When Elrohir made a face he made up for his jest with a warm smile. "Namarie, my sons."
"Namarie, Ada," they replied together.
A little cough from behind Elrond signified that Arwen would not let herself be forgotten. Right away the twins embraced her, teasing her with tickles and pokes to make her feel better about this so sudden business. But too soon the time came for them to leave. Before they stepped out into the rain, the elder brother gave her a knowing glance and she slipped her hand into their father's, watching them leave.
Winds and rain greeted them as they abandoned the warmth of their home and claimed their horses, setting out to the task at hand. Finding their mother. Mounting, Elrohir looked with squinted eyes into the sky. "This is only going to get worse, you know?"
Already atop his steed, Elladan shrugged. "What does that matter?"
His younger brother grunted. "Only you would not see being drenched as an irritant."
The elder rolled his eyes as they nudged their horses on towards the main gate. "Whoa to the Elf that melts away beneath the fierce pummel of a cruel spring shower," he retorted smartly. "What is really bothering you?"
"I am certain I know not of what you speak, Muindor." Elrohir pushed his dark hair out of his face as the wind swept some of the damp strands before his vision. They approached the gate, nodding to a guard entering the city.
Once they were well down the road, out of earshot, Elladan threw his twin a deciphering look. "Complaining about my lateness, complaining about the rain. Next you'll be ordering me to straighten my room."
Elrohir snorted, his gaze lost ahead of them. "Hardly. I never ask a man to perform beyond his capabilities."
The elder shrugged, then sighed. "Be that as it may, you are bothered. Who would you tell what troubles you except me?"
"Oh, all right," Elrohir agreed tartly, awarding his brother's shoulder a rough shove. "It is this business with Nana. She has been away a long time."
"She visits with Edwenaneth." He was unwilling to accept anything other than the obvious. Their mother had long been away from her parents. Why should she not want to stay long now that she had returned to her home?
Edwenaneth – Grandmother. (Second-Mother)
Elrohir frowned at his twin. "Edwenaneth says Nana left her company already. Ada spoke with her through Vilya. Why do you think he sends us?"
Still, Elladan stubbornly refused to think the worst, scoffing, "She is merely wrapped up in the Golden Wood, bidding her home farewell."
For a long moment his younger brother fixed him with a hard stare, then sighed, giving in. "Perhaps you are right."
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Author: Ruse – jedinineofninehotmail.com
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine and nor is Elrond, unfortunately, nor Legolas or Aragorn. No infringement intended.
Sindar:
1 – Pentithen. – Little one.
2 – Muinthel. – Sister.
3 – Edwenaneth. – Grandmother (Second-Mother)
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! Another round of fluffies, in a more serious light. :O ;) More Legolas and Celebrían coming up next!