When the Snow Falls Red
Chapter 21: Seeing Double
Don't own.
-- -- -- --
Two Days Later…Lólindir was awakened when Elrond was shaking his shoulder gently. His eyes cleared, and he looked up. The carriage had stopped. Lólindir looked out and saw the beautiful scenery of Rivendell before his eyes. He sighed in great relief. Elrond looked to him and smiled a little, then ordered Valandil to be carefully taken to the House of Healing. Elrond then climbed out of the back of the carriage, and motioned for Lólindir to follow. He did, and Elrond led the way to the Last Homely House, a place that Lólindir had only heard stories about.
When they arrived, Lólindir was surprised at the number of people there. He knew that many of the elves of Rivendell had left to cross the seas, but there was still a number of them who had remained behind.
Elrond led Lólindir down some halls, then he stopped at a door. "This will be your room. Rest. I will take care of Valandil. If you are hungry, ask anyone where the kitchens are. Everyone knows where everything is. If you have any questions, ask anyone. After you are fed and well rested, join me in the House of Healing." Elrond told him. Lólindir nodded, and Elrond left him. Lólindir went into his room.
He was surprised at the large contrast of this room from the one he had in the palace in Mirkwood. This room was white and open, with only a filmy white curtain separating his room from the rest of Rivendell. It was also made of white colored stone, rather than the gray stone of Mirkwood. The room had an overall warmth to it that no room in Mirkwood could compare to. There was a large double bed in one corner, a large desk and chair, and another, more cushioned chair in another corner. There was a bookshelf beside the desk that held various books in various languages.
Lólindir crossed the room to the bed, and threw himself on it. His body sunk down into the comfort and warmth of the bed. He took one of the pillows and hugged it to his chest while his eyes gazed over and he fell into sleep.
A Few Hours Later…When Lólindir woke, his room was dark save for a single candle burning on the desk. Someone must have lit it while he was sleeping. He rose from the bed and started to the door, but he passed a mirror and saw his reflection. His face was dirty, and his hair was knotted and astray. He looked around the room, then saw the door leading off the room. He pushed it open, and found that it was a private washroom. He sighed in relief, and stepped in, closing the door behind him.
When he emerged a little while later, he was happy and clean, with his dark hair smooth out and arranged in the braids of a novice healer. He had found clean clothes in the washroom as well, so he changed into those. It was a simple white cotton robe with long sleeves. It was warm and soothing against his travel worn skin.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he deemed himself much more presentable, and he left the room.
Looking left, then right, he realized he had no idea where to go. It didn't look as if anyone was around either. He was about to start off wandering around the halls when he heard laughter. He turned back to the left, and saw two older elves round a corner. He blinked. They looked exactly the same. They were even wearing the same outfit and their hair looked the same. A moment later, the twins spotted him, and they stopped talking and approached.
"Could you tell me where the kitchens are?" he asked quietly, shyly. The twins looked at each other, then back at Lólindir.
"You're the one from Mirkwood, aren't you?" One of them asked. He nodded.
"He looks like a wood elf." The other commented. His companion raised an eyebrow.
"And you look like a fool." He said.
"Then that would make you look like a fool as well, since we are the same."
"You know Elladan, I still owe you a beating for that last time."
"No, because I was getting back at you for the archery contest, Elrohir." Elladan said.
Lólindir was watching and listening to this conversation, completely lost. Luckily, Elladan noticed and smiled at him.
"Sorry. My name is Elladan, and this is Elrohir, my brother. What's your name?" Elladan asked.
"Lólindir." He replied simply. The twins nodded.
"You wanted to know where the kitchens are?" Elrohir asked. Lólindir nodded. "We'll take you there." He said, and the twins turned and led Lólindir through the halls to the kitchens.
The kitchens were large and open, with plainly dressed elves running around making various dishes and then cleaning dishes. Elladan strode up to one of the cooks and spoke with him briefly. The cook nodded and Elladan returned to Lólindir and Elrohir. "He says to go to the dining hall and he'll bring food in." Elladan said. Lólindir smiled and thanked him quietly.
The twins led him to the dining hall. A few minutes later, the cook arrived carrying a plate piled high with food and a goblet of wine. He placed it down before Lólindir. "Would either of you like anything?" He asked the twins. They shook their head, so the cook bowed and left the room.
Lólindir looked down at the plate and smiled. There was a lot of his favorite food there. He started eating, and was unaware that the twins were watching him intently.
When he finished, he looked to the twins who were sitting on either side of him. "Thank you very much." He said quietly.
"You're welcome, Lólindir." They said together.
"I have one more thing to ask." He said. They looked at him and smiled. "Could you show me to the House of Healing?" he asked. The twins nodded.
"Sure. Come alone." Elladan said, leading the way from the kitchen. They walked through some more halls, and soon came to a large open door. Lólindir followed the twins into the room. There were several pallets around the room, and a long wooden table against one wall. The table was covered in different plants and herbs, vials and containers, wooden bowls and other such things.
On one of the pallets was Valandil. Lord Elrond was standing over him, changing the bandages. "Evening Adar." Elladan said from in front of Lólindir. Lólindir looked up at his guide. These two, the twins, were the infamous twins of Lord Elrond? He had heard stories from Aranel, Náessë and Legolas about them and the pranks they pulled as elflings.
Elrond looked up and smiled. "Hello you two. I see you brought Lólindir here." The twins nodded and moved aside. Lólindir was now in view of Elrond. The elf lord smiled and motioned for him to join him by his side. "I hope my sons didn't give you too much trouble." Elrond said calmly, holding Valandil's wrist in his hand.
"None, Lord Elrond." Lólindir said obediently. Elrond let out a small laugh.
"That is good." He said, then fell silent. Lólindir watched him, then looked up and saw the twins talking with each other, then they silently left the room.
"How is he, if you don't mind my asking." Lólindir said quietly. Elrond looked to the novice healer.
"The good news is he will live, but the bad news is that I don't know how long his recovery will take."
"What do you mean?" Lólindir asked.
"I mean, it would take weeks, months… maybe years, but that's doubtful. I know how much he means to Thranduil and the others, and I would hate for them to suffer, worrying about him." Elrond said.
"But he will live, and that's all that matters." Lólindir said. Elrond glanced at him.
"Yes, I suppose you're right…" Elrond said, though Lólindir noticed a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
-- -- -- --
Yay! Another chapter finished! And on to the next one! I hope you all are still enjoying this!
Did you know being able to drive is the greatest thing ever? Haha.
Later all-
Blue September Rain