Here comes chapter 16. Sorry for the delay, but I had to squeeze in a fic for a challenge :). Thank you all for reading and of course for reviewing (responses below as usual.
As always, my gratitude goes to San for editing.
Now enjoy!
Alina
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine
Of Fools and Fire
Rarely did it happen that Glorfindel, Balrog Slayer, hero of Gondolin and favourite of the Valar, was being ignored.
Yet this day, standing in the bloody snow next to the remains of a horse and two wounded young ones, life proved to him that it could be full of surprises even for one who had crossed centuries and the halls of Mandos.
The blond elf looked upon the scene before him with intense interest rather than anger. He took in the deep bond that enclosed the wounded elves, the way their gazes were bound to each other. Even though Legolas had his hands on Elrohir´s shoulders, clearly saving the younger twin from falling, he leaned upon his friend at the same time. Two sides of a scale keeping the balance. Two souls that had always been close seeking the other´s comfort. Glorfindel was touched by the almost desperate care that had seemingly turned him invisible.
"Man aen se?" (Where is he?)
Elrohir´s words were little above a whisper.
"Se aen tanc", (He is safe) Legolas replied gently, "ech isto im berion Hir Elrondionnath." (you know that I protect Lord Elrond´s sons.)
A small smile touched Elrohir´s lips, and Glorfindel was grateful that it further chased away the image of cold fury that had so solidly embedded itself upon the younger twin´s features during the battle. Despite the blood that covered him and the alarming transparency of his skin, Elrond´s youngest Elven son seemed to become himself again. His stubborn self.
"Man ean Estel?" he insisted, not satisfied yet with his friend´s answer.
Legolas seemed to find the same joy as the Balrog Slayer in Elrohir´s familiar behaviour, and he answered with a smile of his own: "Se dartha na adan Bowder. Benn gwestant berio den." (He stays with the human Bowder. The man vowed to protect him.) He soothingly trailed a hand down the twin´s cheek. "Se aen tanc."
"As safe as one valiant human couple can keep him during these dangerous times," Glorfindel remarked, "therefore I would recommend we call Estel and his new friends to the safety of Imladris until matters are solved. But first, it is you two that need saving."
Two pairs of slightly dulled eyes turned to him, clearly recognizing his presence for the first time. Glorfindel raised an eyebrow in an alarming imitation of Elrond, but seeing a new wave of fear forming on Elrohir´s face he swiftly abandoned all pretence of strictness.
"Do not despair, little one", he reassured the young elf, "your brother lives and will be safe. You protected him well once more."
The relief that flooded Elrohir at these words seemed to wash away the last remainders of the strength of fury that had held him upright for so long. His eyes fluttering closed, he sagged against his friend. The wood-elf caught him gently. "And aen post-cîn", (Long may be your rest) Legolas said quietly, "a pant sîdh minuial-cîn." (and your dawn full of peace.)
"So let us all pray", Glorfindel said darkly, kneeling beside Legolas to tenderly take Elrohir from him, "for peace does not seem close at hand."
Working efficiently, the Balrog Slayer sought out the younger twin´s injuries and bound them quickly. There was no time for subtleties. Even though death had withdrawn from them, he could still sense its presence near. The feeling of urgency that had lessened slightly when he had found the young ones began to weight on him once more, telling him that peril had not retreated. It had merely withdrawn to gather its forces.
While he worked, Glorfindel glanced up at Legolas. The young elf had not offered his assistance but merely sat beside him, looking stunned. And weakened.
Knowing the Mirkwood prince only too well, Glorfindel chose his words with care when he addressed him.
"You have proven an anchor in the storm for Elrohir today", the older elf said warmly, "I am sure that gratefulness will greet you in Imladris."
"None is due", Legolas answered seriously, "the debt I have to repay is far too great to ever be lessened."
"You know that I disagree. There is no debt among friends." Glorfindel finished bandaging the last of Elrohir´s wounds, casting a careful eye over his charge to make sure he had not missed anything vital. "But I am sure it will greatly relieve you to hear that those of your warriors who made it to Imladris alive were saved. All are accounted for now."
Legolas nodded at that, his smile even reaching his eyes. The tension in him did not leave, however. "I truly am glad to receive such news", he replied, "for it frees my mind for the duty I still have to perform to those that were lost. The raiders cannot be left unpunished."
Glorfindel stood, mentioning for his horse to come closer. Understanding what he meant to do, Legolas gathered Elrohir up in his arms, ready to hand him up once the Balrog Slayer was mounted.
"We all share that goal", Glorfindel agreed, "but you must not pursue it alone. There are many of the raiders, and their plans are veiled to us. Never have I seen so many of them invade these lands at once. There may be more behind this than we can see now."
Carefully reaching up so that the older elf could safely take Elrohir from his embrace, Legolas pressed his lips together. "You mean I am too badly wounded to fulfil this task by myself."
"I said no such thing." Glorfindel settled the younger twin in front of him and then turned a piercing glare to the prince. "Are you?"
Legolas winced inwardly, realizing that he had walked into a well-placed trap. He turned to the horse he had borrowed from Bowder, finding the faithful steed right behind him. "I am most surely not", he replied fiercely, mounting the mare in one graceful jump, "and rest will be allowed its due after duty."
"I hear your father in these words", Glorfindel commented dryly.
Colour rose in Legolas´ cheeks and he was about to make a sharp reply when suddenly a biting smell caught his attention.
The Balrog Slayer had sensed it too, and both elves turned in unison. Training their eyes westward, they could clearly see a column of smoke rising into the skies in the distance.
"By the Valar!" Legolas called out, "this comes from the direction of Bowder´s house! I left the little one with him..." He cast a look at the unconscious Elrohir. "I cannot fail him in this or he will never forgive me."
Not waiting for Glorfindel´s reaction, he pressed the steed into a gallop.
The Balrog Slayer felt almost physically torn. The thought of little Estel in yet more danger speared his heart, but he knew that leaving Elrohir unguarded would surely mean the young twin´s death. It was with great reluctance that he gave in to reason.
"Act with care, young one", he called after Legolas, "for I would not want to lose two princes to madness. Seek the safety of Imladris with the child!"
There was no reply, only the flying snow that was kicked up by the rushing horse´s hooves. "Be safe, brave young fool", the older elf breathed, "please be safe."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jumping down a dark well was a foolish thing to do, Estel decided. Very foolish.
Thankfully, he had not fallen deep and the river he had landed in had saved him from injuries. Even so, the water that now enclosed him was so cold that he almost wished himself back into the scalding heat he had just fled from.
Paddling wildly both to keep his limps moving and to reach the rocky shore towards the side, Estel could feel his strength waning. His clothes quickly soaked through, becoming heavy burdens instead of a protection from the cold. Sagging deeper, the small waves he himself created in his efforts slopped over his mouth and into his nose, making him sputter.
The child kicked his legs in sudden desperation and managed to get his head clear of the surface once more - only to be greeted by the sight of a very wet dog´s snout. Beakon´s black fur clung to his skull and seemed to enlarge the dark eyes that glared at the boy with something akin to accusation.
Instinctively grabbing the solid frame next to him, Estel felt himself being pulled along. "N- not m-my mistake", he breathed, "st-stupid hu-humans!"
The dog made no reply, not even a grumble, but kept swimming towards the edge of the river. As the cold further numbed him, Estel glanced about him in wonder. The tunnel that ran beneath Bowder´s house was high enough for a grown elf to stand in, and to both sides of the rushing stream there were rocky shores that could at least hold a dog and a child. Smoke piled in from the shaft above them, dancing in the air like wispy ghosts.
Thankfully, the river grew shallow towards the edges, and Beakon managed to drag both himself and Estel from their watery saviour. Once free of the water, the great beast sagged to the floor, breathing heavily. Steam rose from his mouth, making Estel wonder whether his animal friend burned from within.
How he wished for a fire now!
Estel turned his head with difficulty. Light streamed in from before them, and he could see that the tunnel reached the surface only a short way off. Trees swayed in the wind outside, causing the boy to shiver. It was cold in here already but he knew that the breeze would only make it worse.
Beakon had recovered somewhat, his breathing slowing a little. Following Estel´s gaze, the dog caught sight of the forest as well. The animal lifted his head with wet ears turned forwards and the boy could clearly read the animal´s intentions.
"N-no, st-st-stay..." The child had barely forced the words past his chattering teeth when voices reached his ears. Angry shouts, answered by a chorus of bellowed threats. It was easy to distinguish the deep grumble of Bowder, even though his words remained hidden in the jumble of noise and exhaustion.
Hearing his master, there was no stopping Beakon. The dog pushed himself onto his paws with a groan and slunk into the direction of the forest.
Estel´s eyes went wide. With every step the animal took he could feel the cold increasing. His already hurting hands grew completely numb, and he found that he could not open his fingers to let go of the fur he still clutched in his fists.
With icy strokes the cold caressed his hair, ruffling it. "Bea-k-k-...n-no! Ba-baw!" But not even the elven command to hold on could keep the dog from fighting his way closer to Bowder. Unable to do anything but hold on, Estel glanced over the animal´s shoulder, fearful that at any second he would see Marhen´s grinning face appear at the mouth of the tunnel.
It never came. Instead, there was the distinctive sound of men mounting horses. Being closer to the open now, Estel could clearly make out Bowder yet again, and this time his words were understandable: "You will not try me for treason in your village, Marhen! There is no fairness to be had with you!"
"Do not believe that we will turn to your unnatural elven friends for judgement!" the old man replied harshly, "we have the strength to follow our own laws, and you shall feel their sting for helping in the murder of my son!"
Bowder´s denial was swallowed by the thunder of hooves, and Estel could sense the humans´ presence receding. Beakon must have felt it too, for he let out a pitiful whine and doubled his efforts. Almost running now, the dog dragged the feebly resisting boy out into the bite of snow and wind.
Estel was barely able to follow their journey up a slope and back towards where the house had been. The pain he had felt was slowly melting into a comfortable blanket of exhaustion. He registered the roots his legs bumped against on their path, but with each passing moment, his own body seemed to withdraw from him.
Wondering sleepily why his vision suddenly filled with dancing red and yellow figures, Estel slumped to the ground for good, wet fur slipping through his relaxing fingers. From far away, he heard thunder approach him, making the ground beneath his head vibrate uncomfortably.
Please, no thunderstorm, Estel thought numbly. His ada would never forgive him for sleeping outside in a storm. He would scold him for such a silly act. His eyes slipping shut, the child inwardly asked his ada´s forgiveness for being a fool.
TBC
Review responses:
Elvingirl3737: Lol! Good thing Wallmart did not run out of minions - or fire extinguishers! I am sure Estel appreciates your help. Maybe now you could send your minion for some warm blankets...? Thanks so much for your fun reviews :)
GundamWingFanatic90: Thanks! At least Legolas is on his way now, he´ll be by Estel´s side next chapter (if the little one is not frozen to the ground by then...)
Ithe-valon: No, poor Estel sure has no rest. I strongly believe that because of his heritage, he has a certain gift of foresight and this is how it presented itself to him this time. And yes, the elves would do anything to protect him, if they could only get a hold of him...Thanks!
Neniel Sildurien: Thank you so much! I´m very happy that you enjoy this story and I hope the rest of it will not disappoint you, either.
Slayer3: Yes, go after those men! Get them and beat some sense into them - they sure deserve it!
Leggylover03: Not quite yet - but at least he will be reunited with Legolas soon (not that this particular elf knows much about healing a freezing child...)
Red Tigress: Yes, she actually did say that - amazing what a shock can do to you, isn´t it! I sure hope that Estel will not do something just as silly... We´ll see. :-)
Romen: Yes, he did take care of himself in a way, didn´t he! I guess saving himself must run in his blood, or he would never have survived to become king of Gondor :-)
Ashlyns: Of course your name is in the responses, I happily respond to all reviews! I´m happy you like the Elvish lines, I sure enjoy writing them.
HarryEstel: I hope so, too, but who knows what it will take these men to learn? Estel, however, sure holds his own.
Victorious Light: Hehe, poor Glorfindel, he really does have his hands full with these youngsters - he is a fun character to write, I truly enjoy it. I´m very happy you liked Estel´s escape route :)
Angel: Hehe - how did you manage to review twice? Did your bribe the system, too, or threaten it into submission...? Sorry the update took a while, but between RL and a story for a fic challenge I was a bit pressed for time. I am very, very happy that you enjoy this story so much. I know that I do take my liberties, especially (but not only) with the twins, but thankfully, Tolkien has left many doors open for us. I do try to keep the characters "themselves", so to speak, and I hope this works out. Thanks for your long review (and the attempted bribery, lol), I´ll try to update faster next time.
NightShadow131: Yes, what can I say? I hate prejudices of any kind, they blind people. Hehe, yes, Bowder did a good job, but now he is in trouble himself. You can be sure that Beakon is not the only one who will want to help him :)
Aranna Undomiel: Sharp objects? Where? glares suspiciously Ah well, now that I got Estel out I hope I´m safe - you don´t mind that the little one is freezing at the moment, do you? backs away slowly Erm, you don´t right? Thank you so much for your nice comments, I´m happy that I can keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you all - you are wonderful!