Chapter 5 - Family
Preparations for the search had begun immediately. Elrond's first move had been to send Glorfindel off to catch up with the Rangers and bring those willing to help back to Rivendell. Estel had asked to go with him but, of course, Elrond had refused. Instead, Estel had been put in charge of looking after their new guest. The Mirkwood Elf was exhausted from his journey and barely said a word as Aragorn lead him too his new chambers.
"Would you like some more food or drink? I can have the servants bring up some hot water if you would like."
"That is kind, hannon le, but I am too weary." Celussë murmured as he followed Aragorn into one of Rivendell's spacious guest rooms. Aragorn lit the lamp and it illuminated a pleasant room with a bed, table and balcony, under wooden beams delicately carved with ivy leaves. He walked over and placed it on the table, his mind filled with bitter thoughts of his father's fussing yet again. He turned back to see the Elf sink wearily into a chair and then raise his head and look at the human intensely. Again, Aragorn felt that sudden and inexplicable sense of recognition. The eyes though; they were not quite right. But the feeling faded before he could pin it down.
"So you are Estel." The Elf said softly. "Legolas used to speak of you a great deal. How are your brothers? And your beautiful sister, the Lady Arwen?"
"My brothers are very well, thank you." said Aragorn absently. "I have never met my sister for she has been staying for many years with her kin in the Golden Wood, but I believe she is well."
"Then you have missed a great deal, mellon nin! For they say in her face lies the likeness of fair Luthien Tuniviel who was lost long ages ago."
"So I have heard!" replied the man, smiling. "My father and brothers miss her greatly. I hope I shall get to meet her soon. But for now, I shall go and leave you to your rest."
"Hannon Le." Murmered the elf again, Aragorn bowed and quietly left the room.
As he walked down the hall, Aragorn thought about his Elven family, and the human family he had never known. How different would his life have been if his real mother and father had survived? Maybe better? Maybe worse. Estel gave himself a mental shaking. No, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir and his mysterious sister were all he would ever want. They were his family now and if given the choice, he would never choose another.
He knew how upset the twins would be when they found out about Prince Legolas. Estel knew they used to be best friends many years back. As his thoughts drifted over the conversation he had just had, he suddenly remembered what the blonde Elf had said.
"Legolas used to speak of you a great deal."
Legolas knew him? How was that possible, when he had never ever seen the elf before (and maybe never would if Celussë's fears proved grounded). Surely there was a mistake. Aragorn turned and dashed back to the guest room, knocked and entered without waiting for an answer.
"Celussë, how is it that - " he stopped. The Mirkwood Elf was lying fast asleep, curled up on the blankets. The man quietly backed out of the room, closed the door behind him and walked thoughtfully down the stairs.
The Rangers rode into the courtyard late the next morning with Glorfindel at their head. Elronds twin sons leapt from their steeds and strode quickly into the house.
What's happened?" Elladan demanded the moment he saw Elrond. The Elf Lord paused for a moment.
"What has Glorfindel told you?" Elrond asked as he slowly crossed the hall toward his sons.
"Hardly anything," began Elladan, "only-"
"-that Legolas is missing." ended Elrohir.
"Yes." said Elrond quietly as Glorfindel walked up to stand with the group. "Missing and…presumed dead. I am sorry."
The twin's expressions hardened into identical masks of shock and anger and fear.
"I think," said Elrohir, "that you had better tell us exactly what has happened."
Elrond had called an immediate meeting in his study, and had sent Estel off to wake the Mirkwood Elf, thinking it would be better for the twins to hear the story from his mouth than a retelling of it. Half an hour later, five elves and one human sat in the bright study; Elrond in his usual chair behind the desk, his hands rested on the carved arms. Elladan and Elrohir sat side by side, seeming to draw strength from each other but Glorfindel stood alone by the window with his arms folded, looking out over the bright, beautiful, sunlit garden as he listened to dark tidings. Celussë sat opposite the twins, the sunlight glinting off his golden hair speaking out to the room in a clear voice, despite the exhaustion still lingering in his eyes. Estel was sat on the floor leaning against the wall, his long legs stretched out in front of him. After leading the Elf to the room, he had been ignored, so he had sat in the corner with the hope of being over-looked and being able to listen in on the discussion.
The blonde Elf finished his story and silence fell across the room. The sounds of the world drifted in through the open windows; birdsong and treevoice, distant laughter, and the deep, distant roar of the Bruinen echoing through the valley. At last, Elladan broke the silence.
"Elrohir and I will ride out with the Rangers to Mirkwood on the morrow."
"Split into groups-" supplied Elrohir.
"-probably fours-"
"-and each take an area to search."
"That way we can cover the most ground-"
"-in the shortest amount of time." they ended together.
Glorfindel and Elrond nodded in agreement, but the Mirkwood Elf stared at the twins in shock. Estel grinned to himself. It always scared people when his brothers finished each other's sentences or spoke at the same time. They had tried to explain it to him once, their bond that was so strong they could tell what the other was thinking and speak to each other in their minds. Even though he had grown up with it, he could understand why people still found it a little spooky.
Elrond nodded. "I shall organise provisions immediately. How many Rangers are there?"
"33 including ourselves" answered Elladan.
"And how long will you be gone for?"
There was a silence.
"Until he is found." Said Elrohir softly. Celussë bowed his head.
"Elrond," said Glorfindel stepping forwards. "I will also go and help. The Prince must be found"
Elrond nodded. "Naturally." Then to the Mirkwood Elf he said; "I assume you will also be joining them?"
"Of course."
"Then it is decided." Said the Elven Lord. "Let us waste no more time with talk. Tomorrow you must be gone."
Suddenly Aragorn stood up. Everyone looked at him in surprise, having forgotten he was there.
"Father, I ask also to be allowed to go on this search and give my aid, such as it is."
Elrond looked at him blankly. "Of course not. Don't be foolish." He turned back to the map he was studying.
Estel went red with embarrassment, and sat back down heavily.
"Why not?" said Elladan suddenly.
"What?" answered Elrond in confusion, looking up again.
"Why can't Estel come?"
"Because it's far too dangerous, that's why."
"He'd be with us and Glorfindel," returned Elrohir, siding with his brother. "We'd look after him."
"I said no, Elrohir! I can't stop you and Elladan running back and forth across Middle Earth after orcs and trolls and Valar knows what else, not seeming to mind whether you are stabbing or getting stabbed and impaling every creature unfortunate enough to cross your path, but I can stop him, and I will!"
There was a faint smile on Celussë's lips.
Suddenly Glorfindel spoke up, cutting off the irate Elven Lord's tirade. "I agree with the twins, Elrond. Estel's not a child anymore. It's time he had to face some responsibility, or it will be too late for him to learn anything."
Elrond glared at his friend.
Then, surprising all, Celussë joined in. "He would make up the numbers. Besides, he has the stance of a swordsman and the look of a warrior about him. I think he is capable."
Aragorn stared around at them all in surprise. He had never thought he would get such unexpected aid from Glorfindel and a stranger!
Elrond threw his hands in the air. "Fine! As you all seem set against me, what can I do?" He pointed an accusing finger at his elder sons and his counsellor. "But may the Valar protect you if he returns to my door step with a single scratch on him.
The twins gulped and Glorfindel smiled.
"Now out, all of you! Go find something useful to do. There is plenty of work still to be done before tomorrow."