Chapter Five

Stories and Disappearances

Elladan and Elrohir glanced at each other silently. One shook his head as the other nodded; both quickly climbed down and wandered over to the fire in the center of the room. The thunder had died down a little, but it still roared more furiously then it ever had before. The twins climbed up onto the brick foundation that surrounded the hearth, and they huddled close to one another grasping for the other's hand as another thunder rumbled through the household.

"Where do you suppose father and grandmother went off to?" One asked.

The other shrugged taking a quick peek around him. "I do not know. We should have asked mother."

"She would not have told us." The older twin murmured.

"She may have. We will never know, because we did not ask her." The youngest frowned.

"Ro?"

The youngest glanced back to his brother curiously. "What?"

"Why do you think this storm is so bad?"

"How should I know? Father will figure it out." Elrohir turned his head away from his brother's face and caught sight of one of his friends sitting with his parents in the corner. "I want to go say hi to-"

He was cut off just as the hall doors banged open causing the twins to grip each other's hands more tightly. There stood Glorfindel, and Haldir soaking wet. Celebrian stood up and questioned the elves that entered.

"What in Arda happened to you three?" She asked as Figwit came around the corner with a large bump on his head, and a nasty gash on his arm.

"Ask him." Figwit grumbled flicking his thumb over his shoulder at Glorfindel.

The blond shrugged his shoulders. "I was attempting to seal up the stables, but those two-" He indicated Haldir and Figwit. "Decided to help. However, Figwit here decided that he was going to try to become a part of the stables." He shook his head. "We no longer have a stable for the horses."

"All of you come inside and dry off before my husband gets back. I want you to sit and wait while I get you cleaned up." Celebrian pointed to Figwit who shook his head sighing.

"Yes, my lady." The young elf wandered over to where the twins sat, and smiled at their surprised faces. "Hello, little lords. How do you fare?"

The twins glanced at each other briefly. "Are we well?"

The youngest nodded his eyes bright and filled with excitement all of a sudden. "Will you read us a story?" Elrohir asked the young elf.

Figwit laughed. "If your mother permits it, then I shall, young one." He wasn't sure which twin he was speaking to but it didn't matter as long as they were together. "Now allow me to get cleaned up, then I will ask your mother. Perhaps a story from the Halls of Learning?"

Both twins nodded eagerly. They wanted some distraction from the tense air in the Halls of Fire. Both twins sat patiently, yet eagerly, while their mother cleaned up Figwit's arm, and washed the small cut on his head, then the question was asked. Both twins shouted with joy when they heard the answer, and caused the elves in the room to smile at them.

Elrohir jumped down from the hearth and danced around, soon joined by his older brother, who laughed, catching his brother's arms and both started a little dance of happiness.

"Which one is which?" Figwit asked Celebrian in a hushed whisper.

"Elrohir is in blue." She laughed at the question.

Figwit shook his head in wonder. "I wonder how you and Lord Elrond do it day after day. I have been around for many years, but every day I see them I have to start a new."

"Do not fret Figwit, these things take time, and having twins is an adventure in itself. Now go and read them their story before they start complaining." She stood up, followed by the young elf, and wandered over to Glorfindel and Haldir.

Figwit stretched his arm feeling the weight of the bandage, then held out his hands. "Well? Are you two ready for your story?"

The twins stopped their dance and ran over to the dark haired elf. The youngest elfling in blue took his right hand and the older dressed in green gripped his left. "Oh, yes." They chorused together.

The three elves made their way to the door, but before they could leave, the twin's mother spoke up firmly. "You two listen to what Figwit has to say, and you three behave yourselves." She raised one delicate eyebrow to emphasize her words.

The three bowed gracefully before escaping through the doors. "Now which story would you two like to hear?" Figwit asked looking down at his charges.

"One of a great battle." Elladan piped up.

"A story of adventure, and courage." Elrohir said.

Elladan shot his twin a dirty look. "Ro, a battle would be a good story for tonight."

"So would one of courage." Elrohir stuck his tongue out at his brother.

"How about I read a story with all three?" Figwit almost laughed at the two. "I know of a good story which has much courage, adventure, and a battle in it." He winked at them guiding them along the darkened halls to the great room, fondly known as the Halls of Learning.

"What is it called?" Elrohir asked, looking up at the elder elf.

"You will have to wait and see." Figwit grinned mischievously.

Elladan loosened his hand and raced down the halls turning the corner.

"Elladan wait for us." Figwit called. When he received no reply he quickened his pace, followed by Elrohir, who had scrunched up his face with worry.

"Ella?" Elrohir called out into the darkness.

No answer came, and caused Elrohir to look up at Figwit worried. They rounded the corner and came to the closed doors of the Halls of Learning. Figwit quickly opened the door and peered inside, his trained eyes searching the darkness quickly. Finding no sign of the young elfling, he turned and glanced at the youngest of Elrond's twin sons. Elrohir looked around him, his face turning dreadfully pale. Elrohir released his hand from Figwit's and let them hang at his sides.

"Ella?" Elrohir whispered into the dark halls. "Come out of hiding right now!" He called in their twin speech.

Silence filled the air.

Elrohir grimaced when his memories flooded back to those few weeks ago when his twin had gone missing. Their father had punished the man who had claimed to have not known about the abduction, and the other frightening man had been killed when he had attempted more hurt on the elven lord's sons.

Elrohir turned around in a complete circle scanning the halls with his yet untrained elven eyes, trying to catch sight of his second half. He gripped his arms in a sudden chill, as a feeling of fear over came him. "Figwit, where is Ella?" The young elfling whispered fearfully.

The dark haired elf drew his sword in the stillness searching both with his eyes and ears for signs of where the son of Elrond had disappeared. Gingerly he stepped forward, his soft leather boots making no sound as he inched forward. A small glitter caught his eye and he bent down and picked up the small broach.

Elrohir gasped and quickly pulled it from the elf's hands. "Ella and I found this. In the lake. Remember?" The youngest son of Elrond looked up and showed Figwit the small tarnished jewel. "We kept it for our collection."

Figwit wrinkled his brow, concerned. "I want you to wait in the hall, while I search for your brother." He pointed to the door and motioned for the elfling to go.

"Ella?"

"I will find him. He cannot have gone far, young one. Now go wait for me inside."

"Has he been taken again?"

"Elrohir, go!" Figwit commanded.

Startled the youngest twin backed up towards the door and slowly entered. He was alone again. He did not want to be alone while a storm grew outside, and he wanted to help find his brother. Elrohir wandered over to the table located at the center of the room, and sat down on the small stool. His heart ached as it did those few weeks ago, and he did not like that feeling. He closed his eyes and sighed. He should find his father. He would know what to do. Elrohir jumped off the stool and walked over to the door glancing out to see if Figwit was still there.

Seeing no sign of the older elf, he raced down the darkened halls and started his search for his father. He ran past a door, and felt his heart lurch into his throat. Confused and suddenly frightened. He stopped. He turned and slowly walked back to where the strange feeling had over come him.

Curiously, the young elfling caught sight of a small crawlspace behind a tapestry and peered into the blackness. He knelt back and glanced around his looking for a candle that would help his sight, quickly finding one on a small table, he ran over and picked it up. Kneeling once again at the dark hole, he slowly crawled in. The candlelight flickered a few times as the young elf inched forward on his knees and free hand. After rounding many corners, Elrohir came into an opening and his small flame flickered once, and then blew out. Suddenly in dreadful darkness, his heart jumped, and he softly gasped as something passed him. Seeing nothing but blackness around him he spun around in a circle his breath coming in quick gasps. He felt the evil passing around him as he spun. Frantically, he tried to will his eyes to focus in the black air.

Elrohir slunk down to clutch his knees, protecting himself as best as he could. His heart beat quickly, causing him to shiver with fright. Suddenly the evil drew away, but then before the young elf could cry out he was pinned to the hard packed ground. He felt claws dig into his shoulders as the heavy thing sat on top of him. Terrified, he heaved his lungs and let out a panicked wail. But he stopped when he heard a very familiar voice echo his own fears.

The claws withdrew from his shoulders and the beast let out a loud growl before dashing off towards his brother's voice. Elrohir quickly sat up, and cried out into the darkness. "Ella!"

"Ro?" A small voice called out, but a cry of fear followed, and a loud roar filled the darkness causing the younger twin to stand and race after the cries. He ran into something large and crashed down backwards. Feeling around in the black with his hands, he crawled forwards hearing the cries and wails of his brother getting louder as he went.

"Ella?" He whispered pausing as his brother's cries turned silent. "Ella?" He whispered again frantically. Quickly getting to his feet again he tiptoed his hands in front of him, trying to feel for barricades. His feet hit something soft and he tumbled down. He touched with his hands and felt a nose, and a small mouth. Closed eyes and soft hair. "Ella?" He hissed. He gingerly let his fingers move to the side of the face, and felt small pointed ears. "Oh, Ella!"

Relief flooded through his body as he leaned forward softly crying into the darkness.

"Ro?" Elladan moaned.

"Ella? I am here."

"Where are we? What was that thing?" Elladan's throat was dry.

"Did it hurt you?" Elrohir asked worriedly.

"I do not think so, it jumped on me after I heard you cry out. I think it frightened me more then anything."

"I cannot see anything." Elrohir whispered softly.

The twins huddled together lost, in both spirit and mind. They had no idea where they were, nor what beast lurked in the shadows, nor where the monster had gone. Or when it would return. They only had each other. For the time being, it was enough.