Chapter Seven

Stronger Skills: Lessons learned

Someone shook his shoulder and he groaned. Elladan rolled over and pulled the blankets over his head. "Go away." He mumbled.

"Ella, we are late, get up!"

Elladan shoved the blankets down and quickly sat up looking out the window. "Oh, no." He moaned. He shuffled to the edge of the bed and jumped down. "How late are we?" He asked while hopping around from one foot to the other quickly dressing himself.

"Late enough." Elrohir raced to the door and shoved it open. "Come on hurry."

Elladan glanced at his brother and noticed that he was already dressed. He quickly pulled off his nightwear and scourged around for a tunic that would not be ruined in archery lessons. He pulled on an old gray one followed by dark gray breeches. He gathered his shoulder length hair back into a topknot and raced to the door where his brother was waiting impatiently. Both boys broke into a desperate run down the halls, and down the stairs leading to the great oak doors. Elrohir shoved them open and raced down the front steps, and waved to his brother before racing off to his right to the training field, while his brother turned left and ran to the archery grounds.

Elrohir sprinted down the small dirt path, his lunch pouch banging against his leg, and he glanced up to the sky to see just how late he was. He broke out of the trees and into the field, running up to the waiting group. Galathil frowned at him as he joined the other boys.

"You are late, Peredhil." Galathil murmured. "Now that we are all here, let us begin."

Elrohir felt heat rise in his cheeks. Embarrassed, he cast his eyes to the ground. He heard a snicker from behind him and he furrowed his eyebrows listening intently on the conversation behind him, instead of the instructions of his lessons master.

"I cannot believe that he gets away with so much." One boy muttered.

"We all know why, he is the lords son." Another snickered.

"It shouldn't matter." Another whispered. "I think he should have to stay afterwards, just as we do if we are late."

"We all know that nothing will happen to him as punishment."

"Perhaps we should teach him a lesson?" The third voice whispered, making no attempt to conceal his words from the young elfling.

Elrohir swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.

"I hope they take him out of these lessons soon, just like they did his brother."

The boys continued whispering to each other, while Galathil informed them of the day's lessons. Once he had finished he called out to the boys to start, but called Elrohir over to him.

"I hope that you have a good excuse for being tardy."

"I apologize. I slept in this morning." Elrohir whispered keeping his head lowered as was proper when receiving a lecture.

"That is no excuse. I am sure that you are aware that this tardiness will not be tolerated."

Elrohir nodded.

"Good, then I am sure that this will not happen again." Galathil said. "Now go to your lessons." He waved Elrohir away with his hand.

Elrohir quickly sprinted away from his lessons master sighing in relief. He was sure that his father would hear of this, and he would be properly disciplined for it, but he got off easy with Galathil. Elrohir entered the woods that littered the borders of the field and stopped when three boys stepped out onto the path, blocking his way. He turned around and found two others standing behind him, blocking his retreat. Confused, he raised his head high, and waited. The oldest boy and tallest of the five stepped forward and gave his shoulder a small shove.

"So, half elf. What punishment has Galathil raised for you?" He sneered.

"That is none of your concern." Elrohir said confidently. "What Galathil sets before me, is my business only. I will take what is thrown at me."

"Truly?" The boy smirked. "Then perhaps you won't mind a little teaching on our part."

"I do not see how you are qualified to teach anyone anything." Elrohir felt his heart flutter nervously.

The boy narrowed his eyes and gave Elrohir a powerful shove to the ground. Before he was able to get up one of the boys behind him grabbed his arms and held him down. Elrohir struggled but found it fruitless and stilled his movements.

The older boy smirked and leaned over to one of the other boys and whispered into his ear. Elrohir watched frightened. He did not know what plans they had for him, nor how far they would go to teach him their lesson, as they had put it. He silently waited, keeping himself calm and collected on the outside, while on the inside he was screaming with panic.

Elladan entered the archery field, and sighed relived that he was not the only one who was late. Two other boys and the lessons master had yet to show up. He quickly ran to the others and grinned at a boy he had quickly befriended.

"Talk about luck on your part, Elladan." The boy, named Hallaquelle. Elladan called him Halla for short.

"You are telling me. I cannot believe my brother and I slept in this morning." He glanced over his shoulder and looked around the field, which was littered with targets and stumps with bows and quivers of arrows on them. They stood and chatted for a few more minutes, when suddenly, Elladan felt an overpowering sense of fear enter his heart. He swallowed and gasped in surprise. He spun around curiously; ignoring the look that Halla gave him.

"What is it?"

Elladan shook his head scrunching up his forehead. "I-I do not know." He tried to shake the feeling off, but it kept getting more intense as the time passed. Elladan started to feel as though it were him that the fear issued from; when it suddenly dawned on him that something was terribly wrong. "Something is wrong."

"Wrong?" Hallaquelle glanced around and seeing nothing out of the ordinary looked back at his friend. "I do not see anything out of place."

Elladan felt his eyes widen. "Not here, with my brother!" He dropped his bag, bow and arrows and ran out of the field towards the fields his brother trained in.

Startled, Halla followed. They dodged bushes and rocks, and quickly made their way to the field, and saw the lessons master sitting sharpening his sword. He glanced up curiously, and surprised stood up seeing his former students.

"Elladan? Hallaquelle? What brings you from your training?" Galathil asked curiously.

"Where is Ro?" Elladan asked, the panic rising in his chest.

"Ro?" The lessons master furrowed his eyebrows.

"Elrohir!" Elladan gasped flustered. "Something is wrong!"

Startled with the urgency in the young elf's tone, he nodded towards the trees and led the way towards them. Elladan quickly darted around the lessons master and raced to the trees. "Elrohir!" Elladan shouted as he entered the trees. Elrohir bit his lip as his hands were tied behind his back and he was thrown against the base of a large oak tree. The eldest boy smiled seeing Elrohir's discomfort. "Now, what do you think we should do with him?"

One of the other boys frowned. "Haevásaion."

"You loosing your nerve, Imfana?"

The boy quickly shook his head and backed away.

"We could tie him up into the tree, and let him starve. Or we could strip him down and let the animals get him." Haevásaion sneered, seeing Elrohir squirm against his bonds.

"My father will hear of this!" Elrohir spat. "You will be punished for this."

"Your father will not hear of this elfling, for if he does, I will make sure that your brother will no longer be known as a twin!" He pulled out his small dagger for emphasis and held it against Elrohir's left cheek.

Elrohir gulped. He eyed the dagger then turned his gray eyes to the dark blue ones of Haevásaion. "What do you want?" He whispered.

"I want you to remove yourself from these lessons! I do not want to see you here again, nor do I wish to loose the favor I have with Galathil. One day I will be his apprentice and I will succeed him in his lessons." Haevásaion hissed. "I will untie you and you are to leave these grounds immediately. Do not return."

Elrohir nodded sadly, but agreed. Haevásaion grinned triumphantly and cut the rope that bound Elrohir. Sadly, he rubbed his arms and looked at the taller boy.

"You are not to mention this to anyone! Do you understand? Not even your brother." With that Haevásaion spun around and left the small clearing leaving Elrohir by himself.

Elrohir stood still, and silently watching the five boys exit the clearing. Once he was alone, he felt the strength leave his knees and he fell to the ground. He lowered his head to his hands in shame. He gave in to them, and he knew he should have fought. He should not have given in to those bullies. Finally, he stood up and lifted his head taking in a deep breath and made his way towards his father's house. He completely by passed the field and exited on the other side and slipped unnoticed into the great house. Silently and quickly he made his way to his room and shut the door behind him. There he lowered his brave face and burst into tears, throwing himself on his bed.

Elladan raced down the small dirt path, calling out his brother's name. He started to grow more and more concerned as he ran, but he felt relief enter his heart when he saw five other elves up ahead. He raced over to them and called out.

"Have you seen my brother?"

The taller of the boys turned and raised an eyebrow. "I did earlier, but I think he went home."

Elladan stopped, stunned. "What? Why?"

Galathil and Halla came up behind him and stood and listened at the exchange.

Galathil asked softly. "Haevásaion, why would he go home?"

The elf shrugged. "I am not certain, but he mentioned he was not feeling well."

Before the questions had been asked, Elladan had spun around and raced towards his home. Something was wrong, and he was going to find out what it was. He quickly ran up the stairs and through the great oak doors, running up the stairs to his brother's room. If he was not feeling well, he would be in one of two places. One his room, or two with his father. He entered the family quarters and slowed his pace. Once at his brother's door he turned the knob, but to his surprise it was locked.

He knocked and whispered. "Ro? Open up." Elladan whispered.

He received no answer. He knocked again, and whispered a little louder. "Ro, what is wrong?"

Still nothing. "Erhir?" He whispered desperately. "Please!"

"What are you doing?" A voice behind him asked sternly. "Should you not be at your lessons?"

Elladan spun around startled not hearing his father's approach. "I was, but something is wrong." He explained quickly.

His father raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

Elladan nodded and glanced back at his brother's door. Elrond noticed his elder son's discomfort and frowned. "Where is your brother?"

"I think he is in there. The door is locked, but he won't answer me."

Elrond took a deep breath and stepped forward. He knocked on the door, calling out his son's name.

"Haevásaion said he was not feeling well."

"Who?" Elrond looked down at his son, concern growing inside the pit of his stomach at the words 'not well'.

"One of the boys he takes his lessons with." Elladan said softly.

Elrond nodded and knocked a little harder. "Elrohir! Open this door now, please."

There was no response. "Elrohir Elrondion!" Elrond knocked firmly. Elrond tried the door, but true to his son's words, the door was locked. "Elladan, go to Glorfindel's chambers and see if he is awake. Tell him to come here."

Elladan nodded and raced down the halls turning the corner. Elrond watched silently and tried knocking again. "Elrohir, open the door." He waited, but heard no sounds coming from inside.

Elrond groaned, and waited impatiently until his son returned. His advisor, who was rubbing his eyes tiredly, followed him. "What is amiss?" Glorfindel asked curiously.

"I am uncertain. I believe my son has locked himself in his chambers. Would you know of a way inside?"

Glorfindel nodded. "Figwit." He stated matter of factly. "He can open pretty much anything, if he sets his mind to it."

Elrond nodded and glanced at his eldest, who nodded wordlessly, and quickly ran off.

"Why would Elrohir lock himself in his chambers?" Glorfindel asked curiously.

Elrond shook his head. Both stood there until Figwit arrived with Elladan. "You called for me my lord?"

"Can you open this door?" Elrond asked.

Figwit narrowed his eyes glancing at the small oval shaped lock. "Perhaps. I need a pin." He looked up and glanced at the elf lords.

Elrond unclasped his cloak and handed the broach to the dark haired elf. "Will this do?"

Figwit took the item and nodded. He pulled the clasp back and bent the metal, beginning his work.After what seemed like hours, the door clicked, and Elrond turned the handle, pushing the door open. He glanced over his shoulder and wordlessly told the others to remain where they were. Glorfindel held Elladan, who danced impatiently, back. Elrond closed the door behind him.

"Elrohir?" Elrond whispered into the darkness. The sounds of sniffles reached his ears, and he wandered to the bed, where the small figure of his son laid. Elrond sat on the edge of the bed, and touched his son's shoulder. "What is wrong, my son?"

Elrohir pulled away from his father's touch, and buried his head into his pillow.

"Elrohir." Elrond pulled his son onto his back, and saw the red tear streaked face, and the glistening eyes. "What is it? What causes you to cry?"

His youngest pulled away again and rolled over, trying to muffle his sobbing into his pillow.

"Are you ill?"

No response. "Elrohir Peredhil, I must know what ails you. Are you injured? Did something happen?"

His son sniffed and shook his head.

"Look at me." His son shook his head again. Elrond stood up and paced around thinking. He knew the stubbornness of his son's, but this was the first time he was at a loss of what to do. "Would you like me to leave?" Elrond asked curiously.

This time his son nodded. "Would you like Elladan to come in?" Again his son shook his head. Frustrated, Elrond exited his son's room. As he closed the door behind him, the three elves looked at him. "There is nothing I can do until he is ready to answer my questions."

"May I go in?" Elladan asked.

Elrond shook his head. "He does not wish to be around anyone at the moment, my son. Perhaps later, after your lessons."

"But-"

Elrond raised his hand. "No buts. He wishes to be alone. Now we must allow him that privacy. He cannot be alone for long.

Now off with you to your lessons." Elrond watched as his eldest hung his head and sulkily walked down the hall.

"I will be in my study." Elrond muttered and wandered down the halls leaving two confused elves in his wake.

"What do you suppose?" Glorfindel asked frowning.

Figwit shrugged. "Who knows."

Glorfindel looked at the young elf in front of him, then to the door. "Both twins like you, and your stories. Perhaps you could try to ease the young ones mind?"

Figwit widened his eyes. "Why me?"

Glorfindel smiled. "Because you are still young and the boys trust you." He cracked open the door and shoved the dark haired elf through the door.

Figwit stood inside the large room and glanced around him. This was the first time he had entered one of the twin's room. He took in the delicate images, and the candle bases, wall sconces, tapestries, and furniture that littered around him. Slowly and silently he walked forward. He heard a loud sob and turned his eyes to the bed. There lay the youngest son of lord Elrond. Frowning, he took in the elfling. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair tousled, the bed was a mess. Slowly he walked forward then sat in the small wooden chair by the bed.

"I see that you have a predicament." Figwit whispered softly.

Startled, the elfling rolled over and turned a tear stained face to the young elf. Elrohir sat up slowly wiping his eyes and nose on his sleeve.

Figwit smiled, and reached his hand out to grab a cloth that sat on the bedside table. He passed it to the young boy. "Perhaps this would aid you better, then your sleeve."

Elrohir took it and wiped his nose.

"Now, why the sad little face?" Figwit whispered again.

Elrohir turned his head away but remained silent.

"Alright. How about a tale?" He raised an eyebrow in question, causing Elrohir to turn his head back and nod.

Figwit leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and smiled. "Would you like to hear of a young elfling like yourself? One who had succumbed to tears, and sadness?"

Slowly Elrohir nodded.

Figwit began his story, earning the full attention of the small elfling on the bed.

Elladan raced home and entered his father's study quickly. "Has Elrohir come out yet? May I go see him? What was wrong? Is he alright?"

Elrond sighed. "One question at a time, my son. Elrohir is still in his room, and you may not see him just yet. As for what is wrong I do not know."

Elrond walked forward and gripped his son's shoulder. "How were your lessons?"

"I could not concentrate. I was worried all morning."

Elrond nodded and waved his hand over his desk pointing out the mass of papers. "So was I my son. Perhaps we shall go and see if Elrohir is ready to come out?"

Elladan nodded eagerly. He grabbed his father's hand and dragged him out the door. Elrond smiled and allowed himself to be led down the halls.

Figwit smiled as he finished the story.

"Why was he so sad?" Elrohir asked softly, speaking for the first time in hours.

"He was afraid of what people would think."

"Did you know him?"

Figwit smiled and nodded.

"Did he think no one would believe him? Or that he was making everything up?"

Again Figwit nodded. "He was afraid that his friends would never speak with him again, or he would loose his place among his family. But you know, the truth is freedom. Hiding from things never makes things better. It only causes grief and heartache."

"Who was he?"

Figwit grinned this time and leaned forward. "It was I. I learned that telling my elders what ailed me always set my worries at ease. Do you know why I chose this story?"

Elrohir slowly nodded. "Because I was crying."

"Do you wish to talk about why you were crying?" Figwit asked.

Elrohir shook his head quickly.

"Why is that?"

"I am not allowed to." The small elfling whispered so softly, Figwit had to lead closer to make out the words.

"Oh?" Figwit whispered back. "And why not?"

"Because."

"That is not an answer, Elrohir. What happened that caused you worry, and fear?"

Elrohir took a deep breath and shook his head.

"Will it help if I give you my word that I will keep this between you and I?"

Elrohir nodded, but whispered back. "You listen to my father, so you have to tell him what happened."

Figwit frowned and sighed. "Elrohir, I do not wish for you to be saddened by an event that happened. I only wish to understand what makes you upset."

"If I say anything I will no longer look like Ella." He whispered.

Figwit raised his eyebrows. "You will always look like Elladan. Nothing can change that."

Elrohir nodded. "Yes there is. If someone hurt me."

Figwit paused. "Who would hurt you?" He picked his words carefully.

Elrohir turned his head to the door when he heard a click, and he flopped onto his bed rolling over. Figwit groaned softly, looking over his shoulder. There stood Elrond with raised eyebrows at his young advisor.

Figwit glanced once more at Elrohir then stood up and walked out the door with Elrond. "You had to come in at that moment?"

"I was not aware that you were inside, Figwit." Elrond murmured. "Elladan has gone to change. What do you know about what happened to Elrohir?"

"Nothing more then before. He was about to tell me, when he heard you enter." Figwit grumbled. "He did mention something about not looking like his brother anymore, regarding someone hurting him, but I was unable to get anymore information."

Elrond looked at the door startled. "Someone hurting him?" He glanced at Figwit.

The dark haired elf shrugged. "I told him a story from my youth. It seemed to ease his mind a little. Perhaps giving me a bit more time I may be able to find out what troubles him."

Elrond frowned. "If someone has threatened my son, I wish to know who."

Figwit nodded. "As do I."

Both elf lords looked at the door silently their faces growing dark with concern, and worry. But also with anger and fear of the unknown. Elrond allowed Elladan to enter his brother's chambers and after a few hours of not seeing either of his children, he opened the door and saw them curled up together on the large bed, seeping soundly.

Elrond walked to his study and sat up thinking through the night, when suddenly a thought came to him. He got up and told a guard to summon Galathil, his son's lessons master. Perhaps he would know something more.