A/N: Here is Chapter two. For full disclaimer: go to chapter one.
And thank you to my wonderful beta Liz!
Chapter 2 Secrecy
The golden twilight sun was slowly sinking behind the trees, casting long shadows over the earth. Two gray stallions could be made out in the distance walking ever closer to the forest. Their coats were matted with dried sweat and flecks of foam were around their lips from mouthing the smooth snaffle bits in their mouths. Elladan and Elrohir were concentrating hard on the ground that they were walking on, looking for the slightest indication that they were even on the right track. They had been looking for hours trying to find a sign of the Dunedain but with no luck. Both the riders and the horses were showing signs of weariness. Although it was hard to get an elf, or his horse for that matter tired the long hard ride of the day most certainly had. Elrohir was just about to suggest to his brother that they stop to make camp when Elladan's horse stooped abruptly, ears pricked and pawed the ground.
"Man le trasta, Aurella? Man cenich?" (What troubles you, Aurella? What did you see?)
Elladan had pulled up his mount as well and looked hard into the trees. A sense of foreboding took over his senses and he was immediately alert to all his surroundings
"Elrohir, nad no ennas"(Elrohir, something is out their)
They carefully drew their horses off the path to hopefully avoid confrontation with whatever it was that was stalking them until they knew just what they were up against. They watched from the relative cover of the shrubs and listened carefully hands resting on loosened sword hilts. They didn't see or hear anything.
"Well well well, what have we here? A pair of hiding elves is it?"
A flicker of recognition spread across the twins' features, only one man they knew could sneak up on them, or any elf for that matter.
Mae govannen, Arathorn! Elladan exclaimed as he turned to face his would be 'attacker'
Elrohir's eyes were shining as he stepped out of the shrubbery leading his tired stallion.
"We have been searching all day and found no indication whatsoever as to where your camp was!" Elrohir stated as he gracefully mounted his horse.
Arathorn looked past the twins and whistled, they heard the sound of light quick hooves and saw a honey chestnut gelding canter up to them from where she had been hiding.
The twins looked at their friend, puzzled looks written across their features.
"What is the need for all this secrecy?" Elrohir asked
"We will speak of this later, Le aphadar aen." (You are being followed)
Elladan's eyebrows rose at this remark but he remained silent
Had it been that long since they had last seen Arathorn? It couldn't have been more than two years. They had spent time among Halbarad protecting the area between the old forest and Anor. If their had been a catastrophe among the captain of the Dunedain's band then they would have heard about it from Halbarad, wouldn't they?
As the ride progressed, the twins were even more confused as to where they were going; they didn't even appear to be going in a straight line! To their dismay, they were heading straight to the base of an impenetrable precipice.
The twins saw Arathorn's horse stop, in front of what appeared to be a solid wall of thick granite. Arathorn dismounted and waked up to the cliff face; pausing at the base he reached his hand through a curtain of tangled thorny vines. He seemed to pull on something and the scraping of metal on stone could be heard. A small, heavy door that looked exactly like the rest of the granite façade was pulled open. Gaping at the newly apparent entrance, the twins dismounted, as the door was just big enough for a hose to walk through if he bowed his head.
The chestnut gelding walked in through the door and the gray stallions nervously followed behind. It was not in their nature to go into such a tight space but at their masters bidding they would do what was asked of them anyways.
The twins looked at each other a look of surprise passing between them. Never before had they heard of this place, and they had been traveling with the Dunedain for a very long time. Such a well-kept secret surprised them.
They entered the passageway which was only 5 feet wide and 6 feet high, just enough for a horse to get through, if that even. The tunnel appeared to dead end after just 15 feet, but that again was another trick. Another door lay to the side of the tunnel, and this time it was guarded by an attendant.
Daro! Man eneth lín? (Stop! do I know you?) A gruff voice commanded the approaching intruders.
Annon Dunedain edro hi ammen! (Gate of the Dunedain, open for me!)
The door was opened; an elderly man with lively eyes greeted them on the threshold.
Welcome back my lord. Ah you have found the lords of Rivendell as well, well the day is getting better and better.
Arathorn's eyes laughed merrily. If only I could get some warm food and decent sleep I think the day will be all but perfect indeed Endas!
Hiland has taken your horse to his stall, and escorted the two elvish studs as well
Elladan and Elrohir nodded weakly that that was well. Fortified villages, secret entrances, and passwords in a language that most men did not even speak! All ominous signs that something had changed in the past two years, something big.
The three travelers entered the final door and saw a large valley, hidden to all but those who knew how to enter. Cobblestone pathways wound their way through the peaceful valley. Elrohir had to step aside quickly to dodge a child who was shrieking with laughter and carrying a ball with six other youngsters chasing him.
The houses that lind the cobblestone paths were small but sturdy. Elladan followed the path of the smoke winding it's way up to the heavens. It dissipated before it ever reached the top of the mountainous walls.
It was a very well hidden place. The walls of the surrounding granite kept all sound and no one in the outside world was any the wiser. A living valley, not unlike their own. Except everything about this valley spoke protection, not peace like Imladris.
How's Gilrean? Elrohir asked as he remembered the last time they had spoken Arathorn had taken her as his wife not one year before.
She is well, but before we get to our home, you had asked for the reason for the security that had been, shall I say increased over the past year and some? The twins' curious looks almost begging him to continue on with his story.
Almost two years ago, my wife and I had a child, a son. His name is Aragorn. The twins Looking over at Arathorn however it was quite apparent that he would not divulge any more information than that.
The twins were confused, why had Arathorn changed the topic of conversation? Surly they were to be trusted. Looking around at the deserted path they were walking on he wondered who he was afraid would hear. They walked in silence until they came to a small house, Arathorn turned to his guests.
Well this is home he said shifting uncomfortably. He was worried, he didn't know how the twins were going to react to his son, how he looked, and behaved.
The twins walked up the path and Elladan reached the door first. A woman opened it as he reached it. The woman had wavy black hair and blue eyes. She was a stunning young woman.
"Mae govannen Gilrean" Elladan and Elrohir said at the same time.
"Mae govannen Lords of Imladris," Gilrean replied inclining her head in a welcoming gesture.
The lady Gilrean had always liked the lordly twins, but something about them always seemed detached, distant, they always had such a deadened sadness in their eyes. She always wondered what those gray eyes had seen that haunted them so.
They retired to the living room where the candles burned brightly, illuminating the room. Darkness had crept around them and the moon was high in the sky.
Dinner will be ready in a few minuets, assuming you are all hungry after your travels?
The three men looked at Gilrean with obviously grateful expressions at the mention of food. Laughing, the young woman went off to finish preparing the meal.
Within minuets the three were deep in conversation about the issues of the Dunedain and of Imladris
"The problems of protection have been dire of late, I will not deny that we are very glad to see you come here. Warriors of your experience and talent are few and far between these days." Arathorn looked worriedly at the staircase.
The twins suspected that there was something in this settlement the Dunedain were protecting that meant a lot to them, or a lot to the enemy, or both.
A/N: Gee I wonder what it could be… As always, the little purple button in the corner is your friend! Reviews make stories better (however flames help no one)
