-Seeking Hope-
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.
Glorfindel closed the door behind him and waited. Sure enough, after a few minutes the twins and Estel slumped against the walls, deep in sleep. Turning around, he noticed Elrond's face didn't show worry, or fear, rather a look of concentration and something else that he couldn't identify. He'd managed to stop the bleeding, but wasn't bandaging or stitching the wound closed.
The elf lord calmly glided across the room to an old oak cabinet and pulled open one of the drawers. Glorfindel moved closer to see what he was looking for, but stopped when Elrond pulled out a small knife. Glorfindel didn't understand what was going on.
"Elrond?" He asked cautiously as the elf moved back to Tarveth, who was still unconscious, but had stopped shivering. Elrond didn't seem to hear him; instead he brushed Tar's golden hair away from the arrow wound and took a firm grip on the knife.
Glorfindel crossed the room in three great strides and grabbed Elrond's arm.
"What are you doing?" He shouted yet trying to keep his voice down. Elrond tried to move his arm out the steel grip but only made Glorfindel grasp tighter.
"Do you remember last time Tarveth was injured?" Elrond said quietly.
Glorfindel remembered only too well the incident that almost claimed her life seven years ago. A rather sly hunter had ambushed her and the twins, and she'd been the one to getthe arrow in her shoulder. She'd left after she was well enough to walk to seek revenge, just before Gilraen turned up with Estel.
"Well," Elrond continued, feeling the blond elf loosen his grip slightly. "I think that a piece of that arrowis still in her shoulder, that's why she's faded so quickly. Her body's been fighting thehunter's own poison from the arrow for seven years, but had to divert it's attention to the new poison." He sighed as he pried Glorfindel's fingers from his arm.
"Understand my friend, if I don't remove that cursed fragment of the arrow, she'll die from the poison eventually." The elf lord said sternly, his piecing gaze fixed on Glorfindel.
Glorfindel nodded in understanding before turning and exiting the room. Listening, Elrond heard him pick up one of his sons and take him next door. "I'll bet its Elrohir, he always gets the worst of it." He muttered to himself.
"No, Estel's taken his place." Piped up a weak voice. Elrond didn't know whether to praise or scold the blond elf lying in front of him. "He was bitten by a warg, but it wasn't that deep."
Tarveth's green eyes were open, but glazed. She'd been conserving energy, but had still been awake all this time. Shaking the smile from his face, Elrond calmed himself before narrowing his eyes and saying in an ordering voice, "You should have told us, you could of died. What would have happened if you hadn't made it in time?"
Tarveth tried to shrug her shoulder like she usually did when being lectured, but her wound made a sharp hiss escape her lips instead. Blinking a couple of times to regain focus, she locked eyes with the lord and said impatiently, "You can lecture me after you remove this dam arrowshard. It's been driving me mad. I couldn't remove it myself because you need two hands to do it."
'Rhun elves, always making excuses.' Elrond thought to himself as he bent over the elf. He paused for a moment to make sure he would be cutting in the right place. Tarveth rolled her eyes and let out a groan of impatience at his hesitation.
"Would you rather have me cutin the wrong placeby mistake?" Elrond asked. Tar didn't reply, instead put her head back and put on a blank face, eyes staring at the ceiling, letting the elf lord work in peace.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
When Estel woke it was morning, for the wide windows were open, flooding the healing room with light. After stretching a little he tried placing weight on his leg. It was painful, but bearable. With a noticeable limp the young human shuffled across the room, trying to reach the water jug that was residing on top of the table opposite him. He failed miserably.
Then he remembered last night. "Tar!" He exclaimed, suddenly panicking.
"Is fine, but your father thinks otherwise." Came a voice from across the room. Sure enough, there sat Tarveth, a smile dancing across her face. The only indication of the events of the last few days was the sling holding her left arm.
"But, but-" Estel didn't understand. "Last night you were-"
Tar chuckled slightly so not to aggravate her injury. "Young Estel, you've been asleep for two days, as have your brothers." Then she suddenly became alert and quickly added, "If they burst in here, I've been here all night, ok?"
Estel was about to ask why when a scream of fright echoed down the halls, followed by two sets of footsteps running this way. Estel shot a confused look at Tar. Seeing this, she mouthed 'I was here.'
At that moment the door flew open, and two identical elves burst in. Estel was struggling to stop the stupid grin spreading across his face, nor the laughter that threatened to make him have a fit. Tar's seemed not to notice, but her eyes showed her amusement.
Glaring at them were the sons of Elrond, wearing looks that could stop a river. Estel could understand why. Both twin's hair was now blue with yellow highlights. Their eyebrows were also coloured in a similar fashion, right blue and left yellow. It didn't stop there, for their clothes were now a brilliant shade of purple.
Both twins looked ridiculous, but that didn't stop them glaring at Tarveth like two hungry hounds that had cornered their prey.
"I'll, I'll-" Started Ro, but couldn't find the right words, but Dan could.
Dan's fists were clenched so tight his fingernails were almost drawing blood. "You little, sneaky, lying, filthy, son of a-"
Tarveth was as cool as ice. She spoke as if she was at an important meeting facing lords, not two enraged elves. "As much as I find the situation humorous, I must point out the fact that I've been here with young Estel all morning, so unless someone can be in two places at once I suggest you leave and try to clean yourselves up."
The twins turned their murderous stares towards him. Estel quickly nodded, not being able to open his mouth for fear of laughing.
Sending one last glare at Tarveth the twins left, shutting the door behind them. As their footsteps died away Estel and Tarveth began to laugh themselves stupid, both ending up on the floor, clutching their ribs.
"That was fun." Tar finally said between gasps. Standing up, she took a few deep breaths before pouring a glass of water from the jug. "So, Estel." She asked. "Who's side will you be on in the upcoming war? The twins, or mine?"
Estel shrugged. "Depends." He said after careful thought. Tar just shrugged slightly, drained the glass and began walking over to the door.
"Hurry and make your mind up." Tar commented as she turned the doorhandle. "The war's already begun and-"
She was cut short by a shower of cold water being dumped on top of her. Estel heard the words 'kill, twins, pay, wish they were dead' as the elf ran down the hall after his brothers. Not wanting to miss the fun, Estel quickly tried to run after her, but could only manage a slow hobble.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Lord Elrond watched his colourful sons being chased by a dripping Tarveth from the safety of his balcony. Tarveth, who'd thrown off her sling, quickly caught up to them and tackled Elrohir, bringing both of them down. After watching his brother get pinned by a female, Elladan joined in, and soon Tarveth was trapped underneath the two. Cries of triumph came from the twins, but Elrond knew it would be short lived, for already Tarveth was getting ready to throw them both off her.
"My Lord?" Turning, Elrond saw a Mirkwood runner standing at his door. "I bring news from prince Legolas." The elf quickly gave him a letter bearing the prince's seal before bowing and departing.
Opening the letter, Elrond groaned. Legolas was coming over to stay the winter in Rivendell. Usually this would be a joy, but when the twins, him and Tarveth get together they became a magnet for trouble. No doubt they'd drag Estel into one of their 'hunting' trips as well.
Elrond placed his head in his hands and groaned again. From the garden his sons gave a
sudden yelp as Tarveth kicked them both off her. This would be one long and eventful winter, he was sure of it.
Well, what you people think? Good, bad, somewhere in the middle?
Sequel is about half done, and I'll put the first chapter up in a week. So I didn't kill off anyone, but don't fret. Many more stories to come, and many more opportunities to get rid of an annoying elf or human. Anyway, here's a preview for the next story in the series.
Raiders From Rhun.
Starring Estel, the twins, Legolas, Tarveth and Glorfindel.
After three weeks of being held prisoner by Elrond while their wounds heal, the twins, Estel and Tar are allowed to ride out and meet Legolas, who's coming to Imladris for the winter. Just after they leave Elrond receives word that a patrol was attacked and all the elves except one was captured by slave traders from Rhun. Unfortunately, the slave traders' last known position is very close to our heroes camp site……
Lots of fights and hopefully some elf torture as well as one or two new friends and a new foe. Character death, maybe or maybe not, you'll have to read to find out.
I need a name for the stories, do any of you guys have any ideas? I was thinking the league of something or the adventures of something but all suggestions considered.
Ok, last chapter I was rushed so here's the responses from chapter 7:
Aspenniel: Just two words: Merry Christmas.
HarryEstel: Sorry for making you wait so long. On Xmas day 'Santa' gave me a MP3 thing, but cause we were running late I got to put 12 songs on. For two bloody weeks that's all the music I've had, so I'm really annoyed. Glad you liked it again.
Lily Took: Yes, a new reviewer. Merry Xmas, I hope you enjoyed it. My family drove for an hour into the middle of nowhere to visit our uncle and aunt. We crashed at their place for ages then camped at a beach. No computer anywhere. This is the last chappie but next story up in a week. More action cause I don't have to introduce another character till later on.
Responses for chapter 8 now:
CrazyCatLover: Thanks for reviewing. Very happy that another person likes the story so far. I've been reading you story about Zefron and I like it, although at times it's a little confusing, but that's just me. Review again, please.
HarryEstel: Hope you'll at least read the first chapter of my next story, up in a week hopefully. Tar doesn't deserve your sympathy, she's actually quite dark as you'll find out in coming stories, but won't say anymore except thanks for your continues reviews.
JEWK: The horse never did anything to you, so leave him alone. Pick on someone else like, um, oh I don't know. Again, thanks for reviewing so often, and with such humour. Did you read my points on why Tar's not a mary sue? Anyway, give a final review on the whole story and everything please.
Well, that's my first story completed anyway. Review and give me your thought on the whole thing. They will be answered in the first chapter on the next story, Raiders From Rhun. Till then, I take you leave and say goodnight.
Basilisk330, the thorn upon the rose.