My Immortal
Strength

Wind whispered within the trees, covering any possible sound that he may have made with his footsteps. The mists sheltered him from any eyes that by chance could have seen him otherwise. Not that he was deliberately being covert, but he had a feeling tonight's mischief would need to be kept between the three of them. Legolas sighed as the stable came within view. He could see the light of a lamp glaring out from the open doorway. There within the dim a shadow stood saddling his steed.

Picking up the pace, Legolas trotted over to where Elladan was, seeing Elrohir tucked away further within the small building, his own horse out and being prepared. "What's this?" he asked, coming into the stable.

Elladan tightened the straps of his saddle, then stopped and fixed his friend with a stubborn look as if he anticipating an argument. "We're going on a little hunt. I was going to ask that you come, but my brother has stated certain concerns over your health, therefore I will not bring the question before you." Though his words betrayed that he agreed with the wisdom, his eyes suggested he wanted something altogether different.

"A hunt?" Legolas spoke in a puzzled tone. Nothing had been explained to him, no news of what Elrond had said. He knew something dreadful had to have happened to drive the twins out in the middle of the night. "Why? Where are you going?"

Looking up, Elrohir shook his head. "Perhaps it is best you do not know. Worry not, Legolas."

The Prince of Mirkwood had had just about enough of the mystery these two were weaving between them. Knitting his brow, he said sharply, "Worry not? You run off without telling me a word of what has happened and I am not to worry? You ask much of me. Too much."

"You are right," Elladan said grimly, gathering the reins into his gloved hands and pausing his work. He fixed Elrohir a look when his brother made to protest. When his twin was silenced he went on. "My brother and I go to hunt down Orcs within the Misty Mountains, for rest assured where there is one small gathering there are more. I will not let what has happened to my family happen to another if I can prevent it."

"What has happened?" Legolas persisted, shaking his head.

Elladan looked away from him, unwilling or perhaps unable to speak of it. As he mounted the prince looked to the younger twin for the answers he wished to have. Elrohir fixed grave, sad eyes on him as he said, "She is leaving. She is sailing to Valinor as soon as possible. Ada overheard her speaking to our grandmother."

The pain of that statement hit Legolas more than he had thought it would. His dark blue eyes trailed down to the floor. He had guessed already this was a trip for vengeance and could now understand why it had come so suddenly. They were losing her, in a manner of speaking. True, they would someday be able to see her again across the sea, but Legolas knew well the pain of missing that particular presence. It isn't the same, he told himself, trying to bury the screams as he always had. But the well of darkness within that so readily disappeared before seemed hard pressed to go away now. "Is there nothing that can be done? Will she not listen to anyone?" he whispered, blinking and tearing himself out of his reverie.

The elder shook his head, mounting his chestnut steed. "Nay. Nothing. Nothing at all. I spoke to her myself."

"She cannot take joy in life, therefore she seeks sanctuary away from this place," Elrohir supplied, mounting his own horse. He sighed and shook his head at their friend. "Take rest, Legolas. We will return shortly."

He felt frustrated inside, feeling with every fiber of his being that this was a bad idea. "No, you cannot do this. You are angry, hurting…"

"You're right!" Elladan raised his hand in a forestalling manner. "We are angry. There is nothing you can say that will change our minds, Legolas."

Legolas knit his brow, raising his voice. "This is dangerous!"

"Aye," he replied simply, but sternly. "It is dangerous. But it is not without due cause. If you are inclined to help then come with us."

Elrohir shook his head. "He is injured. We cannot ask…"

Elladan gave him a testy look. "Which is why I do not ask it, but nor would I turn away the help of a true friend if he offered. Come or stay, I am going to hunt those animals down." The Prince of Mirkwood stood a moment in indecision. Going along into the Misty Mountains would be highly dangerous, no question about it. Elladan was right. Where there was one small group such as those that had taken he and Lady Celebrían, there would be more of them. It took only one more phrase to tip the scales. "How many mothers will they take before we finally take the initiative to stop them?"

With him that well of darkness cried out for the justice his long years had denied him. He was tempted to embrace the anger he so carefully tried to repel and knew somewhere in his subconscious that should he go along with this he would move beyond temptation into falling. But he felt so hungry for it, more than he had in years. He had never dwelt upon his mother's death as he had these past few weeks and deep within he felt the demand of release in one way or another. And that is what ultimately saw him to the stall beside Elrohir's where Arwen's mare was kept and also what had cautioned him not to leave the House of Elrond without his bow and swords. Elrohir watched him seriously, then in acceptance he said to his sister's horse, "Sîdh, Baranloth. Sen no Legolas. Ho boe le."

As he led the mare from her stall Legolas gave her a soft, reassuring pet along the nose, then quickly saddled and bridled her. She made no protest as he mounted, sealing his fate to go along.

The three of them entered the night air quickly and made through the woods surrounding their home, avoiding the front gate. Moments of long silence passed, each lost to his own thoughts, their surroundings growing darker and the forest more dense, until Elladan stopped and looked to the other two. "There is no way we can leave here completely undetected. My father's guard is far too keen of eye and ear for that. But this path may buy us some time at least. It is rougher than the main road, but quick."

An hour passed before they broke free of the valley, taking a rocky path towards the main road that would lead to the High Pass. Once there the path was easier. The darkness seemed to enfold them and there was not a sound to be heard save the voice of nature. They relaxed a bit, but knew that by now someone would have reported their passage from Imladris. This knowledge kept their pace quick. It would be a demanding task to stay ahead, but Legolas did not doubt that they could manage to evade pursuit.

None of them perceived they were already being trailed.

He was only half listening to the voices that echoed sorrowfully from the Hall of Fire. His people gathered there now after having been told the news. They sang songs for their Lady's departure, recounted tales and shared memories. He could not bring himself to join them just now, so Elrond sat alone in the dining hall at his table, his hand wrapped around the stem of a goblet that contained wine he had scarcely touched. As the moments passed into a full hour after dinner he pondered life and its mysteries. He pondered the gift of foresight he had been given, how indiscriminant his visions seem to come. There seemed to be no reason or rhyme. Why had he not been given the knowledge needed to save her from suffering all that she had? Even Galadriel in all her power had been denied this.

In the end the gift went where it willed, giving what knowledge the Valar saw fit to give. This is what she had told him. Elrond let go of his wine cup and leaned back, running his hands through his hair. He removed his circlet and laid it down, closing his eyes as he tried to forsake reason, for apparently it had forsaken him in this instance. She was right. The gift told as it willed, not as he would always have it or even she. Spurning such things would be pointless. But his mind tracked the question again and again. Why? Why had this happened?

There was a quiet rustle at the entrance nearest to where he sat. Elrond perceived footsteps approaching him lightly. A dim, irrational hope that it was his wife, coming to say she had decided to stay, bloomed within his breast before dying in the shadow of the truth. "Elrond, naeg toba le. Avo chebi ha a no bell, egor gurin ionath lin dannatha nedh dúath."

"Have you seen this in my future?" he said softly to his wife's mother, opening his gray eyes to look into her wise, ageless face. Celebrían shared in her beauty and the similarities compelled him to avert his eyes as they moistened. "I will be strong. My sons will not fall into darkness."

Galadriel approached, gently holding her skirt within her hand, lifting the delicate materiel from the floor. She sat at his right and extended her hand, laying it on his forearm. "Ages ago when I first looked upon you I knew yours would be a life from which much would be asked. It is true, but do not forget all that you possess."

"To whom much is given, much is required," he replied in hushed tones. "This is almost too much to bear, however." He kept his eyes fixed on the table beneath his hands, his brow knit as he tried to reign in his grief. "I almost wish to join her across the sea."

Her hand tightened against his arm and she bent her head down, peering into his face until he looked up. "But you will not. You will be strong and remain. That is your path."

He was beyond asking why that must be his path. He had let go of that question the day after Elros had died. No amount of anger would change the path any man must walk. All there was left was to walk it for the greater good. So instead of asking he nodded, knowing he could do nothing less than accept it. His part was not done, his people and his children needed him. "I will remain."

For a long moment her eyes seemed to measure him, her blue depths glittering like starlight. He did not back down from it, nor did he doubt the truth of his own words. He knew he must go on, no matter the pain. Her hand let go of its hold on his arm and she sat back as another, more urgent presence entered into the room. The look upon the young guard's face did not promise the news would be good. Elrond composed himself quickly as he stopped before the table and bowed. "My Lord, I have something I must tell you. Your sons have left Imladris in the company of the Prince of Mirkwood."

Lord Elrond sat up quickly, his pulse suddenly racing. "What?" he said sharply, then offered the Elf an apologetic look. "Did they say where they were headed, Rinthir?"

Rinthir shook his head. "Nay, my Lord. They did not leave by the gate, but by the forest to the north. I did not think it was my place to question them, but considering the circumstances concerning the family I thought I should make certain you knew, if you'll pardon me, my Lord."

The Lord of Rivendell shook his head, shoving back his chair and coming to his feet. "You did well, for I did not know. What are they thinking, leaving now of all times?" He pondered it, then gave the guardian a speculative look. "The forest to the north, you say? Towards the Misty Mountains." Looking to Galadriel revealed nothing in those luminous, starry eyes of wisdom. She seemed to be watching his reaction to the news as if she had already guessed this whole affair would happen. Somehow he knew what he must do. "Rinthir, saddle my horse. I am leaving. Galadriel, will you…?" He did not have to voice his request that she stay and care for Celebrían. By her expression he knew she had already made the choice.

Rinthir rushed from the room, going to do his lord's bidding, and Elrond trailed after him towards the nearest hallway. Her still, strong voice halted him at the door. "Be strong, Elrond. Do not allow your pain to rule you, for what happens at the High Pass will determine their fates. Mandos calls for the Prince of Mirkwood and if he follows your sons will become lost in the bloodlust of revenge."

There was a certain gravity about the way she spoke that renewed his urgency. Knowing time was not on his side, he stepped over the threshold and reaffirmed his promise. "I will be strong."

Author: Ruse

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine and nor is Elrond, unfortunately, nor Legolas or Aragorn. No infringement intended.

Sindar:
1 -Sîdh, Baranloth. Sen no Legolas. Ho boe le. – Peace, Baranloth. This is Legolas. He needs you."
2 - Elrond, naeg toba le. Avo chebi ha a no bell, egor gurin ionath lin dannatha nedh dúath. – Elrond, pain covers you. Give it away and be strong, or I fear your sons will fall into darkness.

A/N: Sorry for the wait! I've decided to get the show on the road however. So I'll update every day/other day if I can help it. ;) Thanks for the reviews!