-Seeking Hope-
9-12-04

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: As much as I want to I don't own any LOTR characters, places, monsters or anything else created by Tolkien, but I do own the characters and places, which I have invented or will invent or introduce. If you wish to use any of my characters or places, email me first.

Read the first chapter for additional notes and other information.


Elrond sat in the hall of fire reading while a warm fire blazed nearby. His two sons lay sprawled across the rug, dozing lightly. Glorfindel had gone out to look for any sign of Estel again after dinner, but this cursed rain would wash away and tracks or clues. Looking out the window the sky was growing darker and the heavy rain sang its secret melody as it hit the roof.

Leaning back in the chair, Elrond worried for Estel. Elves didn't feel the cold, but humans did, and it was very cold outside tonight. He recalled one winter where the twins had thought it smart to bury a five-year-old Estel up to his head in snow and leave him there. Poor Estel had the worst cold for weeks afterwards, and all the other elves avoided him because they were afraid of catching this mortal illness.

It was then the great wooden door burst open to reveal a soaked and angry Glorfindel. The twins jumped up at the sudden noise and hit each other's heads rather hard. Glorfindel didn't take notice of this but instead threw his cloak over a spare chair.

Elrond was about to ask if he'd found any sign of his son but Glorfindel shook his head, reading Elrond's mind. "No," He said, making his way towards the warm fire. "I didn't find any trace of Estel. The rain's turned the tracks to mud. But I did run into some wargs, which was why I took so long. And no Elrond," He added, seeing Elrond starting to rise from his chair. "I didn't receive any injuries. There was only three." Reaching the fire, he sat down in front of it and made himself comfortable.

Sitting himself back down, the elf lord returned to his book. "Hold on Estel." He muttered under his breath. "Hold on for a few more days my son. Please."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Estel walked along on foot, his hood drawn around his head and his shoulders slumped. Never had he known so much rain to fall in so little time. His remaining food was ruined and he was drenched. He was beginning to regret leaving Rivendell, but he couldn't go back. If he did, the elf children would tease him even more.

Suddenly, Vorimaer gave a frightened neigh as his front legs disappeared beneath the mud. Estel ran over to assist his friend, but there was no need. Vorimaer pulled himself out of the hole, but not before spraying Estel with muck and slime. Estel shook his head at the false alarm, a small smile flashed across his wet face. As he began to shake the muck off the rain began to fade away, and in a few minutes was gone.

"Finally!" Estel said, glad that the rain at least had lifted. Vorimaer gave a nicker to show he too was glad the rain had finally moved on. From further down the path, another horse answered that nicker. Not knowing weather the horse's rider was friend or foe, Estel quickly pushed Vorimaer behind a large pile of boulders as the sound of hooves came within mortal hearing range. The hooves came closer and closer, and then stopped around ten metres from his hiding place. Taking a deep breath, Estel cautiously peered around the jagged rocks to glimpse the horse.

The horse was a black as midnight on a moonless night, yet its shinny coat reflected what little light there was. Estel gasped when he saw the horse's master. The rider was clad in black robes and looking around for something. Leaning out a little further to get a closer look to confirm his suspicions his foot made contact with a loose stone, which shifted. The rider's head turned instantly in his direction. Estel didn't dare breath. He knew what that figure was.

A nazgul! His brothers had dressed up as two dreaded nazgul late one dark night and tried to scare him. It was working until Ro tripped on the hem of his robes, sending the twins crashing down the stairs and waking the whole house.

The black rider nimbly jumped of his horse, his booted feet landing silently in the soft mud. The sound of his metal sword being drawn from its sheath broke the silence that covered them. Estel knew he was done for. All he had was his dagger. The man of darkness turned to face him one last time before creeping silently in the other direction, disappearing into the dense forest.

Letting out a sigh of relief and gratitude, Estel relaxed. It was then that Vorimaer gave a shrill neigh in distress. Spinning around to see what had frightened his horse, Estel saw a warg about twenty metres to his left, and its glowing eyes lock onto him. Backing up slowly, he silently wished he'd stayed in Rivendell. Suddenly, his back met rock. The warg saw this and its eyes gleamed with hunger and evil as it pounced on its prey.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Elrond was woken rudely for the second time that day by something hitting his window. Figuring it was just a tree branch; he rolled over and stared into nothing, once again trying to drift back into dreams. Then something began tapping the window. It sounded like a metal object or something similar. Heaving himself out of the warm bed, the Lord grumpily yet gracefully walked to the window and opened it. A face full of black feathers met him.

Elrond wasn't impressed, and nether was the crow. It dropped a note on the floor then, with one last evil look at the elf, rustled its feathers and flew into the darkness. Plucking out a stray feather form his hair, Elrond bent over and picked up the letter. It was damp and dirty, and had been written hastily. Opening it, he saw a handwriting he knew only too well.

Elrond:

Might be delayed for a few days. While riding Mornsuifuin I came across a set of horse tracks and what remained of a campfire. The rain's washed the tracks away but I can still hear the horse from where I am now. Sorry for the delay.

P.S. The bird was the only one around. I don't normally use crows because of their lack of intelligence. If he breaks a window bill me when I arrive.

P.P.S. I think the walker's human, but I'm not 100 sure. I'm southwest of Rivendell in case you want to contact me.

Hope rose in Elrond's heart. All the riders from Rivendell had returned long ago, so that only left one other elf. Estel couldn't have a better person find him. Slipping back under the covers, the Lord fell into a peaceful sleep, now knowing that there was hope of finding hope alive.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Estel dodged the mad warg by rolling to the side. His dagger flashed as he swiped at the massive hairy beast, but it was too fast, avoiding the blade and sinking its teeth into the child's leg. Estel cried out in pain, but the warg wasn't done yet. It spun around and threw him hard against a thick tree. His vision became blurred when his head made contact with the trunk. His dagger lay a fair distance away from him, and his leg was bleeding heavily, staining the ground red. The warg circled, mocking him.

His attention was turned to Vorimaer as the stallion kicked out at the beast. All that did was make the warg's teeth clamp down hard on the horse's hind leg. Unable to support his weight the horse fell to the ground defeated, waiting for the inevitable as the warg's teeth gleamed. It was then an arrow flew from the trees and hit the warg's back, burring itself deep into the flesh. Howling in rage, the wounded animal turned to face this new threat.

A nimble figure leaped from a tree and landed in front of the horse. Estel realised it was the figure he'd thought to of been a nazgul. Close up however, he saw that the cloak was dark green, and only looked black because of the mud and other stains that covered it. The hood was up, so Estel couldn't see the figures face, but a few stray strands of blond hair were visible, fluttering in the breeze. He must be an elf! Estel thought.

The warg also assumed this newcomer was an elf. Knowing he couldn't win against such a powerful creature, he decided to settle for killing the human. Without warning, the huge wolf spun around and charged at the boy. The elf was faster, leaping over the warg and landing on one knee in its path. In one graceful movement, the figure's sword slashed the warg's throat, spraying him with black blood. He heard the elf mutter to himself as he cleaned the silver blade "U I puig ned gwanath." (-Not the cleanest of deaths.-)

It was now that Estel realised how tired he was. As his vision faded and he just could make out the elf walking over to him. "Man le?" (-Who are you?-) The elf asked. Estel was too tired to answer. Closing his eyes and ears to the outside world, the young human leaned back against the tree and went senseless to his surroundings. Vorimaer gave a frightening neigh at this but the elf spoke words of calm and reassurance that his master would be all right. Moving the human to a dry spot underneath some trees, the elder made his way to his horse, muttering words of annoyance in elvish then proceading to dwarvish curses for making him late.

NOTE: My new information tells me that Arathorn was killed by an orc arrow to the eye. Does anyone know which one? Thanks jacquelinestel and wackoranger for that, and grumpy too!

Person who work's out what Mornsuifuin means will get the next chapter dedicated to them. Today I'm very happy cause I finally got my braces off! You guys have no idea how straight my teeth are now! (Well, maybe Castra13 does.) Enough of my life, on to responses:

BabeyRachey: Rain isn't the worst that Estel will have to endure, but that's all I'm going to say. As for 'shadow of the east wind' you'll find out soon. Very happy it's not disappointing.

Grumpy: Thanks for that infomation, but jacquelinestel and wackoranger beat you to it. Yes, rain. Glad you're looking forward to the next chapter, or should I say this chapter.

HarryEstel: I hope to update every three days, depending on my mood and the number of reviews. Glad you like it so far. Wargs don't go well with anything do they? Review this one, and tell me what you think.

jacquelinestel and wackoranger: First thing, nice name! Thank you for pointing that out about how Arathorn was killed, and no, you were the first to tell me. As for the broach thanks for reminding me about it. I'd forgotten all about it, so thanks again.

WildBlackWolf: Not much to reply to, but I disagree. Estel isn't an idiot, he's just young and confused, although that can mean the same thing.....

Stroy suggestions: If your looking for a long and funny story filled with action read 'out of the frying pan and into the fire', I laughed myself stupid. As for short stories about the fellowship, look up James8. Worth reading.

Well, gtg, brother's go on the computer, not that I really care, but I have been on here for a few hours playing runescape and writing. Review please, although I shouldn't have to ask you. Till next update, basilisk330.