Hi there!

No, the ground did not swallow me and neither did I abandon writing, but work is just a hectic mess at the moment and there´s very little time (plus, a certain site would not let me post for a day or two...).

I would like to use this opportunity to let you know that I might not get to write (and post) at all through June, as work will be at its worst and I´ll have a wonderful house guest who does not speak the language here, so she´ll need me a lot.

But I promise, once July arrives I´ll update a lot faster! Please bear with me. This story will get done in the not-so-far future and then I´ll tackle the sequels I´ve been talking about ;-)

That being said, on with the fic. Thanks to all who read and of course my dear reviewers. You so make my day - every single comment is truly cherished. A big hugto San for editing((hugs))

Alinah

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: Not mine

The Storm gathers

The grey skies had turned to lead, pressing down on the lands as darkness crawled up from the hollows among the hills. Even the blanket of snow that gently covered the earth could do nothing to prevent the impeding veil that would soon embrace the rest of the world. The wind had picked up, sending chilly gusts across the frozen grounds.

The small village that lay nestled by the ice-covered stream might have seemed a welcome sight to any traveller coming upon it that night; yet an eerie silence lingered over the thatched roofs. Tension rippled along the dirt-packed allies, and the horses that stood within the shadows of the buildings pawed the ground nervously, creating the only sound that emanated from the still dwelling.

Elrond walked the darkened paths wreathed in even deeper shadows, for his heavy heart weighed on his troubled soul. He could sense both elves and men stirring upon the roofs around him, betraying the seeming emptiness of the streets as a ruse. He could smell the oil that had been poured into barrels and then buried into the earth. If an attack came, the elves would set the oil alight to aid their human allies see their foes.

No, Elrond corrected himself, not if the attack came. When it came. There was no doubt in his soul that this night would be tainted in red, bringing forth yet another morning filled by sadness. Yet endure they must, for he knew that their failing would result in more death to follow soon after. Many would not just lose their bodies but their souls too, as they were turned into ghastly creatures of darkness.

To his left, a shape suddenly disengaged from a still roof. It melted upwards gracefully and stood for a moment, gazing towards the east. Even in the pressing darkness of this evening Glorfindel´s shape seemed to possess a light of its own. And when the blond elf lightly jumped to the ground beside his friend, the lord of Imladris felt his mood lift.

"How are the young ones?" the Balrog slayer asked in a quiet voice, for he knew where Elrond had finally allowed himself to go.

"Restless." The healer sighed. "Calen told me of a warning they uttered, never even waking. They spoke of darkness and death."

Glorfindel placed a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder. "They have inherited their father´s gift, even if it does not run as strong as your own. Yet fear not for them, for they have also inherited a brave heart." The elf frowned when he sensed a light shivering that travelled the other´s lithe frame and added with an undertone of reprimand: "And a stubbornness that has no measure. You have used much of your strength to heal them."

Elrond could not help a chuckle at his friend's tone of voice. "I am still standing, mellon-nin, and I will remain so through any battle that may lie ahead." His words darkening, he continued: "The constant worry for them would have weakened me more than even the most tiring act of healing. They have not yet wakened, but I have given them all I could spare to at least offer them a chance should our defences be breached."

Glorfindel nodded in understanding but replied: "Our defences shall hold, my friend. Seldom have I felt a determination as strong as the one that surrounds us now. Rangers and villagers are just as willing to sacrifice themselves to our cause as the elves are. Such bonding cannot be overestimated. It has blocked the path of darkness before."

"Aye", Elrond agreed, but then both elven lords lifted their heads in unison and ceased speaking.

All around them, they could feel elves grow tense, sending shivers through the still air. No sound was to be heard as the horses froze where they stood, nostrils wide as they drew in a faint scent that travelled towards them upon the chilled breeze.

"Dartha meth." /The wait is over./

Nothing was left in Elrond´s voice now but calm strength. Glorfindel nodded at his side, reaching for his sword.

"Sain nev." /They are here./

x x x x x x

The shadows were lengthening, bringing with them a fresh wave of cold that even an elf could feel. Yet it was not the darkness of night that urged Erestor of Imladris to spur his horse to even greater speeds, causing the trees beside him to fly by. It was the darkness that had grown eyes beneath the whispering branches. The darkness that was moving along with them on soft paws.

The small group of elves had made haste after the advisor had sensed betrayal closing in on both Legolas and Estel, and once they had reached the remains of Bowder´s house they had lingered just long enough to read the tracks, only to swiftly ride on. They had followed the single horse´s trail into the woods, yet now Erestor knew they would not be able to go on lest they would lead death itself to the child and the prince.

The elven lord sensed the woods opening to a small clearing before them and drew his horse into a more measured pace to collect his warriors around him. Knowing that those shadowing them possessed keen senses and some might even understand the elven tongue, he said little, yet enough to make his plan clear, simple as it was.

"Costo rhinn, berio dain-lîn." /Fight in a circle, protect each other´s back./ The silent nods around him could be sensed rather than seen, and a heartbeat later the elves fanned out into the clearing and Erestor raised his voice for all to hear.

"Gûr gyth-mîn!" /Death to our foes./

His answer was a snarl that chorused from many a dark throat and then a shadow shot out at him from beneath a tree. Erestor slipped down his steed´s side, holding on to the horse´s neck with his left hand while his right brought his sword up in a wide semi-circle. He could feel the blade connect with fur and flesh and instinctively turned his face away when blood rained down on him.

Pulling himself upright as the wolf slumped to the ground in a heap, Erestor had one heartbeat to take in the sight of battle around him before his steed suddenly reared and then kicked out viciously. There was a crunching sound and a yelp behind them, followed by a snarl.

The advisor forced his horse to turn on its hind legs. The wolf lay on its side, its back obviously crushed by the hooves that had caught its spine. And still the beast's teeth were bared, glowing eyes fixes upon the blade that swiftly descended upon its neck, before finally glazing over in death.

"Hîr Erestor, ennas!" /Lord Erestor, over there/

The advisor quickly glanced towards the fighter who pointed into the trees and the dark-haired elf cursed under his breath when he saw the dark shapes that swiftly raced past them. His heartbeat began to catch when he noticed his mistake. There were far too few attackers, leaving his warriors unscathed but for a few minor injuries yet also allowing some wolves to flee.

"Rhinc, rhinc!" /A ruse, a ruse/ Erestor´s shout carried in it all the anger he felt towards an enemy that would run from a honourable battle, as well as towards himself for not expecting them to. "Faro sain, dego sain, dego sain!" /Hunt them, kill them, kill them/

Not turning to make sure his orders were being heeded, the advisor forced his steed into a gallop. A wolf blocked his path but the horse sensed its riders intent and jumped the foul beast, leaving Erestor one swing with his blade that merely grazed his foe´s flank. It did not matter, for he knew that the beast would be taken care of by those behind him.

Racing along beneath the trees, the advisor sheathed his sword and retrieved his bow. Guiding his horse through the maze of wooden trunks with nothing but gentle touches, he sought out the darkness that was deeper than night and aimed at the first shadow with fear clutching his heart. He prayed to the Valar that his fault would not have dire consequences.

x x x x x x x

"Come, child, or do I have to drag you here?"

Estel stood by the stream, the clean cup in his hand. He gazed at the harsh man in a fright that he had never felt before, not even when the raider had threatened his life. He cast an uncertain look around himself, seeking help. Right now he wanted nothing more but Legolas by his side.

"Now, boy!" The horse flinched when the man called loudly right beside it and reared, forcing its owner´s attention away from the child. With a curse the man took the reins and slapped them angrily across the neighing animal´s head. "Stand still, I stay!"

Estel´s had meant to use the diversion and run for the camp, but the horse´s panicked shrieks made him turn. Casting the cup aside he suddenly found himself running for man and beast, even though a tiny voice inside himself yelled out warning after warning. "Daro!" /Stop/ He did not even realize he had spoken Elvish but the man immediately obeyed, letting go of his horse and stepping aside.

The boy reached the animal before it could bolt and ran a soothing hand down its neck, not even reaching for the reins to restrain it.

"Dinen, dinen..."/Steady, steady.../ He had lowered his voice as much as was possible for him and continued his gentle stroking. "Algost, mae roch, mae roch." /Don´t be afraid, good horse, good horse./ The animal let out a shaking breath and its muscles relaxed when it lowered its head to huff at the small human´s dark hair.

The boy grinned and tenderly turned the soft snout away from his head. "Al-medo lhaews, daer ûn." /Do not eat my hair, big brute./ He kept his tone soothing and so the beast did not mind the insult but brushed its head by the child´s cheeks instead, puffing air from its nostrils.

Estel turned proudly, having forgotten his fear of the man until he now faced him once more. Piercing eyes that seemed almost red in the darkness were trained on him, yet a thoughtful expression lingered on the harsh face. "A human who speaks the Firstborn´s tongue." There was a subtle threat in the man´s dark voice. "Tell me how that has come to pass, boy."

Estel´s heart began to beat against his chest so forcefully that he feared it would jump from his ribcage any moment. Never before had he hesitated to announce his home or his foster father, but now his tongue was tied.

"Well?" The man made a step into his direction and the boy backed away into the horse which was now growing restless again behind him. "Will you not answer such a simple question, or are you not smart enough to understand the language spoken by your own race?"

Heat began to collect in Estel´s cheeks and an angry reply jumped to his lips, yet his tongue would still not obey him, stubbornly refusing to do its work.

The man frowned and moved closer, but suddenly he stopped. His face turned into an expression of surprise, smug satisfaction - and then anger. A snarl escaping his mouth he swirled around, his coat flapping behind him, and disappeared amongst the tree so quickly it almost seemed he had vanished into thin air.

Estel stood frozen beside the equally upset horse, his breath coming in heaving gasps. He could not understand the intense fear that still rippled through him in intense aftershocks. The man had looked a lot like Léod in his clothing. He had had sweat on his forehead, just like Leana by the fire. And still he had been a fearful sight, one the boy did not want to ever see again.

He wanted to curl up beside Legolas and sleep and make it all go away.

The horse tenderly nudged him, its warm snout rubbing against the boy´s back. Tears rose in Estel´s eyes when he turned and walked towards the path. He stumbled in the dark and fell to his knees, scraping them against rough stones that peaked through the snow and he could not help but cry now, not for the pain but for the confusing misery of it all.

The horse stayed by his side, eyeing him questioningly, but then the beast suddenly whipped up its head. It neighed nervously, and then Estel could hear it too - the sound of splashing water. The steed neighed loudly and bolted, racing for the camp.

Almost at the same time shouts began to ring out from the trees around him and only a few feet away from him a man jumped to the ground, a bow in his hands. "Come, boy!" he ordered harshly, glancing over his shoulder as he spoke. When Estel did not respond immediately he raised his voice. "Come, I say! Move!"

And move Estel did then, as fast as his legs would carry him. The man let out a shout of surprise behind him but the child paid him no heed as he ran for the stream and then stepped into it. The cold current gripped his legs and he gasped but moved on, keeping close to the shore. There was nothing he wanted more but to get away and never be found by these men. He dimly hoped that Legolas would be able to follow his trail in the river even if the humans could not.

"No, come back here!" There was fear in the man´s tone now. A curse followed and then Estel could hear the melody of an arrow taking flight. In a panic he ducked his head and stumbled on, the cold quickly numbing his legs and feet. The splashing he had heard before grew louder.

Feeling his strength waning, the boy clambered up the shore once more, sobbing at his weakness. He pulled himself into the half-revealed roots of a tree whose earth was being washed away by the stream and curled into a tight ball, hugging his frozen legs to himself. His eyes sought out the stream once more and his breath hitched when he heard the splashing closing in on him.

There were more shouts, and to Estel´s confused mind it seemed that Elvish mingled with the human tongue. More arrows sang, and twice there was a thud and a yelp as one tip of steel found its target. Yet the splashing did not cease and now it was accompanied by a growl. Estel could see the drops of water flying past his small hideout, the sound of laboured breaths mingling with the growls. He could not bear to look any longer and squeezed his eyes shut, but at the same time his right hand sneaked to his belt and drew his knife.

More shouts rang out and an arrow hissed close-by, causing a yelp right before the child´s shivering form. Still the growl remained and Estel could feel hot breath scathe his wet legs. Without even looking he allowed his hand to lash out with his knife, feeling the resistance when the small blade hit true and sank in to the hilt. Warm liquid welled over the child´s fingers and he let go when there was yet another yelp and the weapon was ripped from him.

A snarl began the rise, filling the small cave beneath the tree. But then an arrow took flight again, shortly followed by a second, and two thuds could be heard, followed by a splash as if something heavy fell backwards into the water.

"Estel! Man na ech?" /Estel! Where are you/

A sob broke from the boy at the sound of his name, and only a heartbeat later he was gently pulled from his hiding place into the strong arms of an elf.

Estel buried his head into the robed shoulder, breathing in the scent of Imladris as he did, and cried all the harder.

"Ai, Estel, alnîr, tithen thalion." /Do no weep, little warrior./

Erestor tightened his arms around the crying child, wrapping him in all the love and protecting he could offer.

"Estel, hantale Valar. Le cuin, le cuin..." /Estel, praised be the Valar. You are alive. You are alive.../

The boy heard the words and his sobbing ceased, soothed by the hand that tenderly stroked his hair and by a sense of home and safety that he had not felt in a long time.

TBC