Here´s the next chapter. It´s a bit of a transition, so bear with me. Chapter 13 will follow very soon.
As always, my warmest thanks to my readers, reviewers and my dear beta San (no German this time, though, lucky you, lol)
Now enjoy!
Alina
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine
Won and Lost
"Down, child!"
Legolas did not glance to the side to make sure his order was being followed, all his senses focusing on the closed chamber door. The bow rested lightly in his left hand, one arrow nocked to the string. Under normal circumstances he would have drawn already, training the point at chest height, but his wound had protested even when he had gathered his weapons, causing him to prop the quiver against the wall within easy reach instead of slinging it across his back. There was no use in straining himself for nothing.
He had backed away to the wall opposite the door. Thus, he felt secure that he would take down any foe before this enemy could reach him or the boy.
The humans had entered the front chamber of the house by now, but the quick steps heading in were suddenly stopped when heavier ones picked up their speed.
"Damn it, Bowder, out of the way!" There was a growl in the male voice and Beakon answered it with a low bark, making his position known. The great dog had retreated a few steps to stand directly in front of the bed, no doubt guarding the child that was hiding beneath it.
"This is my house, Marhen, and you will not shed blood in it." Even though calm on the surface, the elf caught the strong current of anger beneath the second man's voice. "I have offered both you and your son shelter. Take care how you repay my hospitality."
Legolas suddenly tensed when a third set of footsteps closed in from the outside. Then a female voice called out: "Marhen, drop that knife right now...!"
The elf had time for a short smile at the thought that a human considered defeating him with a mere knife, but then there was a shout and a curse followed by a heavy thud. The door flew open and an elderly man stumbled into the room, his glance fixed upon the bed.
Surprise and then shock registered on the wrinkled features when Marhen realized that the elf was neither lying down nor defenceless. He lifted his gaze only to stop cold when it met the arrow head which was aimed directly at him.
"Are you looking for me?" Legolas asked, never even raising his voice. "Make one false move and you shall make acquaintance with this arrow."
A growl from directly in front of him alerted Marhen to the set of sharp teeth that was bared less than a hand's width from his stomach. The man froze, the hand with the knife still poised as if to stab down upon the empty bed, his eyes darting frantically between the elf and the dog.
It was Bowder who removed Marhen from his misery only moments later, grabbing the smaller man by the back of his shirt and literally hauling him off his feet in the process.
"How dare you!" the tall man bellowed, all pretence of calm gone, "raising a hand against a guest of my house!"
He flung Marhen through the door into the main room where the old man landed at the feet of an equally upset Bethran. The sturdy woman had taken the poker from the fire and held it in her hand with all the air of someone who knew well how to defend herself.
"You shall have no more use of our hospitality", she spat, eyes ablaze, "do not expect these doors to open for you ever again, not even should all the dogs of Mordor be at your heels."
Marhen crawled backwards, anger replacing the fear on his face. "You allow your woman to order a fellow hunter from your house, Bowder? What sort of man are you?"
Hastily clambering to his feet as the massive man advanced on him, Marhen turned and ran even as Bowder answered:" One with a good taste in wives. And now be gone, coward, before I offer you to my dog´s teeth and my woman´s poker!"
From outside, Marhen´s hateful voice rang out once more. "Beware whom you befriend, wood-people! I shall have you for your betrayal, and that elf for driving my son into a winter´s night!"
Then he was gone; all that was left of him footsteps in the glittering snow.
Legolas lowered his bow slowly, consciously masking the pain he felt. Both Bowder and Brehan turned to him with concern, but while the woman´s expression stayed the same, the man´s quickly turned to one of shame.
"Forgive me", Bowder said, bowing his head, "I was distracted when my wife came in. I underestimated that vicious snake's stubbornness."
The elf returned the gesture with a small smile. He was glad that he could lean against the wall for support, allowing him to concentrate on his words. "There is nothing to forgive", he answered. "Indeed, I have to thank you for offering me a night's shelter and care. The prejudices against my people are widely spread amongst some of your kind. Do not burden yourself with a guilt that is not yours..."
He was stopped short when a small form slipped out from under the bed and ran for him. Before he knew it, two small arms had wrapped themselves around his waist and a dark head buried itself in his tunic, forcing the wince of pain from him that he had been trying to suppress.
Estel was oblivious to the distress he caused, his voice muffled yet excited when he exclaimed: "I have never seen anybody draw a bow so quickly! Elrohir was right about the strawberry. I should have known; he´s hardly every wrong!"
-
The young elf continued to stare at the ground, a curtain of black hair hiding his face. Glorfindel, however, knew his former student well enough to see how the slightly tilted head indicated intense attention. Any move towards either of the twins would cause an immediate reaction, one the Balrog slayer did not want to trigger.
He silently cursed himself for still not knowing who he was dealing with. It would ease the tension to address the young elf by his name. As it was, he had to try anyway.
"You fought well, my friend", he said quietly, "but now the battle is over. You may lower your sword and allow peace back into your heart."
No reaction was visible. Somewhere behind them a raider screamed in a rage, no doubt finding his escape route blocked by elves.
Glorfindel saw the dark-haired elf's grip tighten around the hilt of the weapon and knew his words had just been proven wrong. Towards his left, Erestor very slowly began to move, not stopping when the blond elf hastily gestured for him to halt. The advisor kept his distance to the twins, merely changing his angle to them.
The young elf before them shadowed Erestor´s path by turning his upper body. Even so, he kept his head tilted towards Glorfindel, clearly trying to keep both of them covered. The Balrog slayer understood what his friend was doing, but he also knew that they were walking a thin line. Once the distressed elf felt he could no longer concentrate on what he considered two opponents, he would surely attack.
Erestor could feel Glorfindel stare at him, willing him to halt. The farther he moved from the Balrog slayer, the more the tension grew, as if a thin rope connected them that was now tightening, ready to snap. Only a few more paces and he would be able to make out the fallen elf´s features. Only one more...
The advisor turned towards the twins. He kept his movements slow, his voice soft as he spoke, even though his heart raced in fear at the sight of Elladan´s pale face, his closed eyes.
"Peace, Elrohir. Peace."
At the sound of his name, the younger twin relaxed ever so slightly. He lifted his head, blinking beneath the cover of grime and blood.
"Be at peace, young one, for we will help you now. No more harm shall befall you or Elladan." With these words, Erestor began to move forwards, his steps measured but showing no hesitation.
Elrohir´s hand tightened around his sword's handle once more, and across from him, Glorfindel tensed, but then the younger twin slowly allowed the tip of his blade to sink to the ground. Disbelief and exhaustion showed on the drawn features, and the elf stumbled back the few steps that had separated him from a wall, leaning heavily against it.
Erestor already knelt by Elladan´s side, gently searching for a pulse. A sigh of pure relief escaped him and he whispered: "He yet lives. By the Valar, he lives, and his hearts beats steadily."
Glorfindel lowered his head for a moment, praising the Valar for their mercy, but a low sound of warning from Elrohir made him turn.
It was only a heartbeat later that he, too, heard the alarmed cries from the edge of the village. Horses neighed, and coarse shouts rang out in triumph.
Glorfindel brought his sword up just as five raiders rounded the corner, attempting to break through to the other side of the village. The first fell to the elven warrior´s throwing knife; the second to his sword, but he could not help allowing three of them to pass, quickly stepping back to protect Erestor and the twins.
As the horses brushed by him so closely that he could smell the sweat that clung to the beasts' skins, he saw a shadow move from the corner of his eye. One of the horses had stumbled and thus slightly changed its path, causing it to head for Elladan.
No more was needed to have Elrohir spring into movement. As if his former exhaustion had never existed, the young elf threw himself against the horse´s bulk, almost toppling over the surprised beast. Its rider kicked out at Elrohir, more in the attempt to pull free than in an urge to fight, and the elf dropped his sword and grabbed the man by the foot. With one violent jerk, he unseated the raider. The man's stunned form had not even hit the ground before the elf had mounted the confused steed, sword in hand once more, to race after the remaining humans.
"Elrohir, no!"
Even as he called out, Glorfindel knew it was useless. The young elf had not had enough time to call back his mind from the depths the battle frenzy had pulled him into, and the fresh attack had triggered his fighting instincts yet again.
He would not stop now until he had hunted down those whom he deemed responsible for his brother´s plight. Whole bands of orcs had fallen to the twin´s revenge after their mother had been taken by the foul beasts. Few things could quench this fire once it had been ignited.
The blond elf glanced at Erestor, and the advisor nodded shortly to indicate that Elladan was safe with him. Hesitating no longer, Glorfindel whistled for his steed and began to run, secure in the knowledge that his faithful mount would seen catch up with him. There was no time to be lost.
-
No sooner had Estel shown himself than Bethran´s motherly instincts took over again. To Legolas´ surprise, they extended to him also.
"The best thing after a scare in the morning is a healthy breakfast!" she announced and swept the boy into her arms. She threw the elf a critical look, then nonchalantly took him by the hand and dragged him along into the main chamber.
"I have set the table before all this insanity broke lose", she declared, "and now we shall sit and eat."
The child was enthusiastic at the prospect and quickly wriggled out of Bethran´s embrace to climb onto one of the chairs, but Legolas tried to decline as politely as possible.
"You are most kind", he said with a slight bow, trying to back away, "but I really must be on my way now. There are still raiders about..."
"Nonsense!" Bethran resolutely broke in, pulling back a chair and indicating the elf to sit. Legolas had little doubt that she would push him down if need be, so he complied with a sigh. "That´s much better", she said happily, "you were very ill last night, master elf, and that energy of yours needs refilling. Besides, look at you! Just skin and bones anyways. You need some good feeding or all my instincts betray me."
Legolas raised an eyebrow, quite unsure how to react. "I have travelled for a long while", he then said, feeling the need for an explanation.
Bowder chuckled as he slid into a seat. "No offence meant by my wife, friend elf", the man grumbled, "she has a natural urge to feed and nourish anything within her reach."
"Not that you have ever been one to complain!" Bethran remarked from the stove. Legolas had to admit that the smell that drifted across to them made his stomach grumble. In truth, he could not even recall when he had last eaten.
He settled back, giving in to the notion that his departure would have to wait. Maybe the slight dizziness he still felt would have abated by then. He knew, however, that he would have to leave soon. There was an urge in his heart to move on, a need for haste that could not be denied. Even he, though, knew that it would only cost him more time if he collapsed after a few steps.
Legolas suddenly realized that the child had been quiet for a long time, and he found the boy staring at him. The bright grey eyes shone with a mixture of expectation and - anger? The elf was puzzled.
"What are you unhappy about, little one? I take it that you enjoy a good breakfast?"
"You said that you wanted to leave", the child replied bluntly, "and I know that you want to leave me behind again."
These words caused Bowder to raise his eyebrow, but he said nothing, watching the exchange.
Legolas sighed inwardly. He had known that the young human would want to come along, but even the thought of a lengthy discussion with the boy drained his strength. And would it be wise to simply order the little one to stay?
The elf gazed into the soft, round features that bore so much strength already. More even than Bowder´s, even though he was a just and strong man in the prime of his years. No, Legolas concluded, this boy was not one to take orders. He was one to take responsibility.
The elf turned to his human host. "Would you mind if I explained my reasoning to the boy in Elvish?"
Another eyebrow was raised, but the bearded man simply shook his head.
Smiling his thanks, Legolas turned to the waiting child and continued in his native tongue. "I know you wish for your adventure to continue. And I am sure it will, but there is also something that you have to do for it."
The boy frowned and seemed to consider these words, but then he nodded. Fair was fair, as Erestor had said when Estel had complained to him that he had to take care of the pony that he got gotten as a present. And the advisor had added that gifts always needed to be repaid in their time, by love and work.
When he had the child´s attention again, Legolas continued: "I will go out and look for the raiders who killed my men. Do you remember that I am their prince? That means I am responsible for them, and I cannot turn away from that. You, however, are responsible to keep this house safe. Did you not choose it as our shelter?"
Estel nodded but replied: "I do not think that I can keep this house any safer than Bowder and Beakon."
"And Brehan, for that matter", Legolas added with a smile, "but I do not speak of fighting, child. You grew up with the elves, you have sharp eyes and good ears. I want you to by their lookout and warn them of any danger. Do not leave their side Do you think that you can do that?"
Inwardly holding his breath, the elf waited for a reaction. He hated the thought of forcing the child to stay behind, and he also dreaded the consequences. To his relief, though, a happy grin spread over the round face.
The boy straightened his back and nodded.
Legolas smiled. "We are agreed then. This house may lose one guardian when I leave, but it will win one in you."
Estel returned the smile. He would take his duty seriously.
TBC
Review responses:
Romen: Crabby? Legolas? Naw, he´s just a bit up-tight after all that´s happened ;-) Hehe, you really DO want the wine cellar story, don´t you? I´m sure Legolas will not relate it to Estel in this tale, but you may well hear it in a later story
Aranna Undomiel: Yeps, I agree, Elrohir did get a bit creepy. Personally, believe that elves can be extremely dangerous creatures when let loose. Tolkien hinted at the twin´s reaction after their mother´s abduction and the thought that even elves may "run wild" under certain circumstances is very interesting to me. Hehe, maybe you should really not read my stories after dinner - sorry about that ;-)
Po-Pla: Yeps, see them fly...And they are not done yet. You a quite right, not a good dream for little Estel, but then again, it´s not all bad either.
KeshieShimmer: Hehe, usually you are right, one shot one hit for that elf - but only when he really needs to kill. He may wish to have killed that man at some point, though :)
Harry Estel: I know the feeling! How many times have I tried to post or review and could not...Did you try calling up chapter ten and then simply exchanging "10" with "11" in the url? Might help should the problem arise again. I´m really happy you enjoy my story! Thanks for the support.
Elvingirl3737: Thank you! I´m gald you like the Ravens, I´m quite fond of the images they evoke myself. Yeps, poor Estel - but he´ll still get more of the adventure he wished for... Hope you like the coat, but the kid may need it back at some point, hehe
NightShadow131: So sorry to leave you with that cliffie ;-) I am evil, I know. And is Elladan alright? Not really. Is Elrohir alright? Not at all, I´m afraid. Is Legolas alright? Well, you know HIM... Hey, I really am bad, so sorry.
Red Tigress: Don´t you worry, more Legolas angst ahead (he always gets his share and then some), but I believe in dividing the load a bit ;-)
Roguish Smile: Thanks! You have a good idea there, of Legolas finding someone instead of being found - can you guess who it might be? ;-)
A big hug goes to all of you - thanks so much!