My Immortal
Before The Storm
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It had rained the day and the night through, leaving behind mud and saturation. The trees here did not whisper of the return of the Lady of Imladris. Her passage into the east could be remembered by nature fondly, but if she had tried to come back she had not made it within the woods before the High Pass. Leaning against a tree, watching his older brother drink from a water skin, Elrohir said, "It is going to rain again. Soon, too."
Elladan shrugged and remained seated upon the log he had claimed as his own. "You fixate on the weather. I find your habit irritating."
"I am only thinking of Naneth," the younger shot back, examining his fingers absently. He sighed and looked around at the wet brush. "Does it not bother you, the thought of her being lost? Storms change the land with such heavy rainfall. Tracks will be not as easily found."
Standing up and fastening the water skin to his horse's saddle, the elder prince retorted firmly, "I am not worried, for I know she endures. If she had passed to Mandos I would have known."
Elrohir nodded quickly. "Strange that you would have such an assurance and I would not."
Elladan eyed him with a stubborn expression. "Think as you will. I know I would have known. Nothing you say can change that." He pet his steed softly, not bringing his eyes off the shiny black mane. His tone lowered as he continued. "Why is that so unfathomable? You are so intent on believing the worst. Why?"
His twin sighed and ran his hands back through his dark hair. He shook his head as if trying to rid himself of troublesome thoughts. "It is not for want of it, I assure you. Never have we been faced with this, Elladan. We are blessed by having our mother and our father with us, and our little sister. I…I fear what could happen if we lost that."
"As do I, Muindor, but I do not dwell on it." Elladan approached his brother, putting his hand to his shoulder, seeing he was not comforted. "I know you are the more careful of the two of us, but never have I known you to be so troubled. Will you not tell me why? You are not one to look for the worst to happen."
His brother shook his head, laying his hand on Elladan's wrist and looking out across the wet road. "It is a thing I do not wish to say."
The elder's gaze became graver. "Then you are being unfair if you expect me to understand your fears and accept them. Tell me and have it off your chest." He had never seen his younger brother quite so rattled before and it filled him with unease of his own. They shared everything and he could not see why Elrohir was so reluctant now. They knew things of one another that no one else knew.
Looking pained and hesitant, Elrohir met his eyes with naked fear in his eyes. It was not terror, but a quiet thing as if he had born it for a long time and just now allowed it to surface. Giving his brother's arm a squeeze, he nodded, saying, "I will tell you, though you may wish I had not, for it may cause you unneeded doubt." He leaned his head back against the bark of the great tree they stood under, looking off as the thunder returned in the distance. "I believe I had a vision when I was but a child. It was not a happy one, Muindor."
Elladan knit his brow. "A vision? Does Ada know?"
Giving a wan, sorry smile, Elrohir shook his head. "I never told him, so badly it frightened me. And eventually I forgot anyway. Even if I thought of it, I deemed it nothing more than a dream. Now I am afraid I was wrong."
"What did you see?" Elladan pressed, swallowing back his growing disquiet.
His twin took a deep breath, his face sad and reflective. "I saw Ada. His eyes were wet with tears. 'Teli, ionath nin,' he said to you and I, leading us into his study. He told us Nana could not remain with us. He sounded devastated. I was so upset that the vision fled me before I could learn all that it meant. Now do you see why I fear?" Elrohir brushed back his hair, a gentle gesture that ignited a fire in the elder twin as he concluded, "What if it was a warning? What if we are going to lose her to Mandos?"
Come, my sons.
Taking his brother by the arm, Elladan gave a sharp tug, startling him. "Do not say such things!" he hissed, suddenly angry. "It was a dream! Just a dream! There is no reason to believe otherwise, for there is not a wound that a sword could deliver that our father could not heal."
"There are some," Elrohir said ominously, pushing his brother away with a frown. "You pressed me for the truth of my feelings. I warned you it would cause doubt."
"Understand one thing, Elrohir, I do not doubt she will endure," Elladan stated firmly, turning his glare on the grass beneath his feet. "I do not doubt."
The other's sigh made him feel him guilty, which was only increased when Elrohir came back to him, saying, "I am sorry, Elladan. I know you and Nana have a special bond. I should have used wisdom and remained silent. I do not want to believe those things I told you, but when I think on them my heart laments." Putting his hand to his brother's shoulder, he urged playfully, "Come, Muindor, you are my favorite brother and I would not have us quarreling."
"Favorite brother," Elladan scoffed, giving in. He pushed Elrohir's hand off him, the reached for his head, messing up his brother's hair. "I would say the same, but Arwen is more of a brother than you will ever be."
His brother sighed and shoved him on towards his mount. "One day you will say one insult too many and I will drag you in a public display at our home into the courtyard and give you the whipping of your life. Get on your horse."
Doing just that, Elladan mounted with a dubious grunt. In an exaggeratedly bored tone he retorted, "Your threat leaves intense fear in my heart."
He was aware of eyes on him, stalking his every movement as if he were a mere rabbit in a field. Folding his arms and taking a tentative step, he listened with keen ears, waiting for the inevitable attack. It would come. It always did, without fail and without mercy. Biting his bottom lip, the Elf prepared for what was to come, for he could almost sense the anticipation of the one stalking him.
There was a telltale footstep aimed in his direction. He tensed, not bothering to turn, resigned to his inexorable fate. She was relentless.
Her footsteps were becoming more trained, silent and pretty soon he would no longer be able to prepare himself for these little moments in life. Even still, however, he did catch the faint pitter-patter of tiptoeing behind him. Smiling, Elrond decided to give Arwen this one. He felt owed it to her after the mouse incident. Inhaling the fresh air and running his age-old wise gray eyes over the flowering gardens of his home, he leaned against a pillar and pretended that for all of Middle-Earth he believed he was completely and utterly alone.
Despite all of that when her hand came against his shoulder in a soft pet, her voice very smooth as she greeted, "Ada," Elrond gave a genuine start. He had not expected that.
Turning, he viewed his daughter and thought her expression a little too cheerful, a little too schooled. Raising an eyebrow, he reached behind him, feeling along his robe, mindful of her smirk. "What have you done to me, Arwen?"
Arwen bat her eyelashes very innocently. "Why, Ada, what makes you believe I have done anything to you?"
Elrond pursed his lips, turning his head and trying to view his shoulder. When he turned a circle his princess laughed at him. "What makes me believe that? Centuries of raising your brothers for one thing. Other past incidents of this nature for another. What did you put on me?"
Her blue eyes widened and her pink lips pouted at him for his accusation. "I did not do anything to you, Ada, except try to greet you. Would you rather I left you alone?"
"Of course not," he sighed, abandoning his back, now truly reconciled to the fact that either whatever she had done would fall off or that someone would notice and smirk, then hopefully remove it for him. Running his fingers through her hair, looking for the truth in her eyes, he added gently, "I suppose I will believe you. This time. Do not abuse my trust."
Arwen shook her head with a grave expression. "Of course not, Ada. Your robe is safe from harm." Her smile returned as she watched him and for a moment he reconsidered her claim, but if she had gotten the best of him this time, she deserved it, he supposed. His children were very fond playing these affectionate games and he was not always able to stay one step ahead. Besides, it was love that made them do these terrible things to him. That he knew. She leaned into his hand as he smoothed her hair from her face. "Do you think Elladan and Elrohir will be long?" she asked him in a more serious tone.
He had no answer that would satisfy either her. "I hope not." She looked so much like her mother sometimes.
"Did you see something, Ada? Something bad?"
Elrond had foreseen many things, like the fall of Gil-Galad just moments before it had happened. He had tried to run the battlefield to find his friend and King, but he had been too late. He had foreseen wars, pillages, even the birth of the child before him, but he could not fathom where his wife was. Perhaps that was a blessing for such a question as this. It was not his want to tell his daughter anything that would cause her pain. "No, I did not see anything. "
Arwen frowned and looked out across the wet gardens. Another presence came into theirs and Elrond looked up into the face of Erestor, who placed his hand on his breast and bowed. "My Lord Elrond, how do you fare this eve?"
Exhaling, the Lord of Rivendell nodded softly. "I am well. And you, old friend?"
Erestor's smile was wan, but encouraging. "I am well enough. I have things I need to discuss with you in private a little bit later." He offered Arwen a glance, smiling in greeting. "My Lady, you are looking well."
She bowed her head respectfully. "As do you, Lord Erestor. So, you have words for my father?"
"Indeed, my Lady," he replied solemnly, meeting the gaze of his lord. "At your convenience, Elrond."
Elrond pushed himself off the column. "Of course. I am at your disposal, Erestor."
The advisor gave the princess another look, a gentle expression crossing his usually stern features. "It is nothing that cannot wait until after dinner if you need time."
It was not commonly known that Celebrían was missing, but those that did know were very patient, very kind and Elrond appreciated every bit of it. Reflecting, he decided a nice dinner between father and daughter would be good for both of them. "Very well," he replied, watching for a moment as Arwen toyed with one of her curls absently. He offered Erestor a nod of thanks, then stopped him from leaving as he made for the hall again. "Ai, Erestor, I have a most serious question to ask you."
The advisor raised his eyebrow. "Yes, my Lord?"
Elrond turned around, peering over his shoulder. "Is there anything on my back?" Arwen rolled her eyes at him.
Erestor, who had glanced at the princess with him, smiled cunningly. "Not a thing."
Satisfied, the Lord of Rivendell nodded, then it occurred to him as Erestor walked away. "What about my hair? Was there anything in that?"
With distinctive amusement the advisor shook his head, laughing. "Relax, my Lord."
Elrond sighed.
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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 – Teli, ionath nin. – Come, my sons.
A/N: Thankie, thankie all!! sniffle Means a bunch! Hope you continue to enjoy! hands out chocolate covered Elves Dha, I know I'm late in catching up with yours, a thing I will rememdy tonight, sorry! hands you extra chocolate Elf ;)