Hello all! A new chapter already!!! How speedy was that ;) Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm really glad you're likin' it!
Thanks for the suggestions Rae, my first ever reviewer! I'm trying to improve the chapter length, but it's always hard to find sensible places to end chapters! As for keeping Thranduil evil for ever…ah well, that'd be telling
I'm glad you're enjoying it, aknightofni. Aww poor ole Leggie! Glad you liked the elvish touches, I'm a novice at that too!
Glad you're likin it eep!Here's your update!
Yes, sielge, the start is good but the rest is better :D
Sorry bout the typos Jopru, it didn't like me typing … for some reason. Who knows why? Modern technology.
The next chapter is now, silvertoekee my friend!! And as for them meeting…you'll have to wait and see…
Yo fyrheafoc, me matey. Thought you'd like the dedication!
blushes aww, thanks LalaithoftheBruinen, your kind comments were so encouraging! Hope you like the following chapters too. I promise to feed the bunnies lots of lettuce
Yes, you are dead right SirNotAppearingInThisFilm, in my opinion the most enjoyable characters to read and write about : )
Oh and by the way, I love Tolkien and all of his works and read them obsessively but I don't claim to be an expert! If I have made any errors, please bear with them!
Chapter 3 - Missing
Evening was gently falling across the dusky valley as Estel rode in through the gates, the dying sun drenching the land with red-golden glow like the blood of a thousand warriors. Estel paid no head to this wonder as his mind was mostly filled with thoughts of the telling off he was about to get. He dismounted and led Mithren to the stables, absentmindedly brushing him down and storing away the saddle and tack, a task he always took upon himself. Rivendell seemed peaceful and strangely empty now that the Rangers had left again. As the young man walked back across the quiet courtyard he unbuckled his sword belt. None were permitted to wear weapons inside the Last Homely House, not even the son's of Elrond. Of course, this sword was not TheSword. Estel had been given a fine blade by his brothers for his 14th birthday, and that was the sword that he was now wearing. The Sword of Elendil stayed safe inside Rivendell, and would remain there, he imagined, for many years to come. Although he was aware of his heritage and his destiny, Estel tried his best to pretend that he wasn't.
Just as he reached out a hand to open the door from the courtyard, he heard a horse ride in through the gates behind him. Puzzled, he turned, and saw a golden-haired Elf jump down from saddle of a Palomino mare. The Elf looked around and noticed him standing in the shadows.
"Mae Govannen!" he called.
"Elen sila lumenn omentielvo." Aragorn gave the proper reply without thinking, and stepped forward towards the strange Elf. He was clad in green and brown, and looked weary, as if he had been travelling hard. His hair was golden, not dissimilar to Glorfindel's, but this Elf had more pointed features, looking altogether younger and more wary. Suddenly, a glimmer of half-recognition flickered in Aragorn's mind but he quickly dismissed it. He had never seen this Elf before.
Meanwhile, the Elf was looking at Aragorn in surprise, obviously not expecting to see a human in Imladris. The boy must be one of those 'Rangers' that stayed occasionally. However, his mission was urgent and he did not have time to ask questions.
"I wish to speak with Lord Elrond, immediately."
Estel frowned, confused. Something important must have happened to bring this Elf here with such haste. From where did he hail?
"Of course. I shall lead you to him," The man replied. "Are you hurt? Would you like some food first?"
The Elf shook his head vigorously. "No, I am fine. But I must speak to Elrond Peredhil."
"Okay." Aragorn quickly led the stranger's exhausted horse into the stables, handing his care over to a stable hand. He was actually quite surprised at the Elf's name for his father 'Peredhil'. No-one has called Elrond that for many years. Beckoning to the elf, the pair of them left the stables and entered the Last Homely House. As they walked along the hall, Estel was about to ask the stranger his name, when he noticed that the Elf seemed consumed with some worry. He twisted his fingers together anxiously, his head bowed. On second thoughts, Estel decided to leave the Elf to his musings, and led him on without a word.
Elrond sat at his desk with a stack of parchment before him, and a quill in his hand. Re-writing and ordering his herb records was a tedious job, but one he would entrust to no-one else. Many of the documents were centuries old, and had been collected from all over the world. As such, they were invaluable to Elrond and his healers. It was also a good opportunity for him to record all of his knowledge onto parchment so it would never be forgotten. His older sons had a basic knowledge of healing, but had always been more interested in stabbing things than healing them. Estel, however, was showing increasing talent in this field, and was capable of recognising and administering most of the herbs used in day-to-day medicine.
The sun had now set, dyeing the clouds with a deep orange pink that reflected across the valley and seemed to set all the walls of Imladris aflame. Elrond sighed. He understood that Estel was upset with him. He did feel slightly bad about refusing the young man permission to go with the Rangers again. In truth, his arm was not yet completely healed, and Elrond was sure that he was too young to be a Ranger yet anyway. 20 years old! An elf would still be clinging to his mother's skirts at this age, never mind welding a sword! Mortal lives were so swift and fragile. He could not bear to lose another loved one, never mind the destruction the boy's death would cause for all hope of peace for Middle Earth. Yes, he was acting in Estel's interests, even though Estel himself might not see it. And he should definitely not have ridden off without telling anyone. That was going against everything Elrond had been trying to prevent in the first place. As soon as he returned home, Elrond would have to have words with the headstrong young man. It was time Elrond began to involve him in some of Imladris's political dealings. Maybe that would help shake some sense into the lad, and also would be useful later on in his...career.
Elrond turned back to his work.
The herb Rámaiwë (named for the distinctive shape of the leaves) is widely used to treat this condition, namely, the leaves are made into a poultice and applied to the affected limb. However, it has also been discovered that drinking a solution made from the plant's root is efficacious as a cough cure. The method of making a drinkable solution from the root is similar to that used for the root of the plant Lapattëstál. The healer-
Suddenly, there was a quick knock at the door and Estel entered the room. Elrond threw down his pen and was about to begin rebuking his youngest son, when he realised a tired, travel worn Elf had entered the room behind him.
As he entered, Estel saw Elrond's expression become stern, and he quickly stepped aside to allow the strange Elf to enter. Elrond's expression changed immediately, and an unreadable look came into his eyes. His eyes flicked back to his son as if for an explanation. The seriousness of the blonde Elf's tone had left Aragorn with a deep sense of foreboding, but he formally introduced the Elf with as many manners as he could muster.
"My Lord, this guest has just arrived. He begs immediate audience with you."
Elrond rose and the two Elves elegantly bowed to each other. Elrond gestured to a seat, and the stranger fell wearily into it.
"Estel, will you have someone fetch some refreshment for our friend? Then come straight back here again please."
Aragorn nodded and, with a curious glance over his shoulder, left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
The man raced down to the kitchens, his mind buzzing with questions. He had never seen an Elf quite like this before. Different Elves often visited Imladris, most of them being from the sea port at the Grey Havens, or from the Enchanted Wood. However, the Sea-Elves were dark haired and grey eyed, they sung quiet, sad songs of lost ages and dressed in the greeny blue of the waves of the Sundering Sea. Lothorien Elves were mostly blonde, but a paler, silvery blonde, not this rich gold. Well then, this stranger had to be from Mirkwood. Where else was there? Estel could never remember meeting an Elf from the Great Wood before. His father had told him that in resent years, relations with the King of Mirkwood, though once good, had deteriorated. Visits and messengers came less and less until about 18 years ago when they had stopped all together. Now, there was barely any communication at all between the Elven refuges. Apparently, Elrond had not approved of the way The Elven King was handling a family problem. In return, Thranduil hated and distrusted other races, and did not like Elrond "dealing in their affairs". From the tone Elrond had used, Aragorn was pretty sure that those affairs were something to do with himself.
Less than 2 minutes later, Aragorn was again standing in Elrond's study.
"Sit down, Estel."
Aragorn cleared a pile of books from a chair, and sat on it, wondering why he had been told to return. The golden-headed Elf gave him a wary glance.
"It's all right, mellon nin. This is my adopted son, Estel. You can say before him anything you would say before me." The Elf nodded vaguely. Aragorn decided he was either too tired to care, not listening, already informed about him, or a highly skilled actor. He had never yet met an elf that had had no reaction to the news that Elrond had adopted a mortal son. Most elves were shocked speechless. A once in a lifetime event. Unfortunately.
Aragorn leaned his elbows on the desk, earning a glare from Elrond, which needless to say he ignored. "Please, begin mellon nin."
The Elf took a sip of water and then spoke. "Hirath nin, I am a warrior from the Elven court of Taur-nu-Fuin. My name is Celussë. I have been sent by King Thranduil, to ask for your assistance."
Elrond did not reply, but raised one eyebrow questioningly.
"You see, it is Ernil-o Taur-e-Ndaedelos Legolas Thranduilion. He is missing."
TBC...
translations: Mae Govannen - wotcha! (Alright, it means Well Met)
Elen sila lumenn omentielvo - A star shines upon the hour of our greeting
Peredhil - Half Elven
Mellon nin - my friend
Hirath nin - my Lords
Taur-nu-Fuin - Mirkwood (Forest under Gloom)
Ernil-o - Prince of ...
Taur-e-Ndaedelos - Mirkwood (Forest of the Great Fear)
I know absolutely nothing about herbs or plants so I made up some names that sounded vaguely herbish, based on an imagined leaf shape.
Rámaiw - Little bird's wing
Lapattëstál - Hare's foot
Thanks to all who reviewed, you made my day. Remember; reviews feed my imagination monster : )
namárië ar sérë, híninya
Nienna
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