Chapter One

Preparations and Gifts

Elrohir woke to the sounds of chirping crickets and a low murmur beside him. Curiously he glanced to his right and grinned knowingly. There was his brother yet again sleeping soundly in his bed rather then his own. Shaking his head slightly, he gathered himself and slipped off the soft mattress. He quickly scampered to his wardrobe and pulled out a velvet robe. He wrapped it around his slim form and hastily pulled on his leather shoes. He breathed through his mouth and saw a faint mist emerge. "Valar it is cold." He whispered.

He knew elves were not succumbed to the mortal fate of feeling the chill or the heat of weather. But he knew that his feet did. Glancing back to the bed he smiled and slipped from the room. He wandered down the halls searching for the kitchens for a heated drink. Slipping silently down the steps he came across the faint aroma of cooking meal, porridge, freshly baked bread, and churning honey. He grinned broadly and pushed open the door. There stood his father's favorite cook, preparing the days meals. She glanced up and waved to the young elf lord.

"Come in, come in." Her name was Celóviel. "One or two plates this morn, my lord?" She asked placing items onto trays.

Elrohir cringed at the term, but uttered softly. "Two. I wish you would stop referring to me as my lord. I am my father's son, but not heir. Elrohir would suffice."

She frantically shook her head. "I could not possibly. You are my lords son, and therefore referred to as such." She handed him two platters filled with cheese and fresh bread, fruit, and two bowls of porridge. "What shall be your drink of choice this morning?"

"Two coffee's this morning to ease the chill out of he misty air." Elrohir smiled. Celóviel placed to steaming cups onto the trays and nodded and quickly waved him out of her kitchen. "Might you do me a favor later today?" He asked turning from the doorway to glance at her once again. She was tall and lean with long braided hair pulled back away from her face.

"What would that be my lord?" She asked kneading dough for more bread.

"Could you prepare lembas for Elladan and myself for a couple of weeks?"

She raised her head and glanced at him curiously. Her blue eyes shone with worry. "What would you need lembas for my lord?"

"It is not of your concern, but would you do that when you have a spare moment?"

She nodded and turned back to her work.

Elrohir carefully carried the trays up the stairs and returned to his chambers, it was still early morning, so no one else was about the halls. He pushed the door to his room open with his toes and slipped in silently; glancing at the bed he noticed his brother was still sleeping. Smiling to himself he wandered over to his small table and placed the trays down noiselessly. He seated himself onto his blue cushioned seat and pulled a tray forward and reached for the steaming cup. He added a little milk and some honey and sipped at it his tongue favouring the taste.

He thought back to yesterday when his brother had held a conversation with him. Tonight they would embark on their first journey. He was excited but also dreaded what their father would say when they informed him. Elladan and himself had decided to travel to Bree. They presumed they would be gone for a little over a month, which would allow them a small glimpse of the world of men. Elrohir wrinkled his nose thinking about the mortal kind. He remembered the guttural voices and the smell of sweat. That was only because he and his brother had helped their father with the healing of a mortal.

A sigh drew him out of his memory and looked over to his bed. There his brother was stretching and rolling onto his back.

Elladan sat up and sniffed the air. "Good morning, Ro." Elladan grinned from ear to ear.

"Good morning brother. I trust you slept well?"

Elladan quickly got out of bed and rubbed his arms. "Cold this morning." He muttered.

Elrohir nodded and looked over his shoulder to his wardrobe. "Grab a robe out of there."

Elladan all too happily obliged. Shuffling one over his form he quickly joined his brother at the table. "Smells good." He smiled. He reached over and gripped the cup of coffee waiting for him. "Were you going to let it get cold, instead of waking me?"

"Like you woke me the other morning?" Elrohir grinned broadly.

"I didn't want to disturb you, you were dreaming." Elladan protested.

Elrohir nodded sarcastically.

"I remember you mentioned something of a blond haired, blue eyed maiden." Elladan teased.

Elrohir picked up a bun and pulled off a corner and threw it at Elladan. He chuckled when it hit him squarely on the forehead. His twin's mouth dropped open.

"You stay out of my dreams." Elrohir grinned.

"I cannot help it when you mention things out loud brother."

Elrohir shook his head and stood up, walking to the large windows. He pushed aside the filmy silk curtains and glanced out. He stood there watching the leaves fall off the birches and beech trees. He glanced down and saw that others were up and about bustling about their morning tasks. He turned his head slightly when his brother joined his side.

"Did you ask Celóviel about the lembas?" Elladan asked sipping again at his coffee.

Elrohir nodded. "What do you suppose father will say when we tell him?"

Elladan visibly shivered. "Please do not mention him yet. I fear he will be displeased."

Elrohir nodded agreeing. "He cannot make us stay within the boarders now. We are of an age where we can make our own choices."

"I know, but he will come up with some wise saying. He will tell us that we need more training or need to explore life more first."

"Elladan, we are over five hundred years now. I think we are more then ready. We have been in training since we were seven. Have gone through the books of old, learned many languages, studied the ways of man, wielded sword and spear and bow. We are accomplished riders, and we are well trained at concealment."

"Easy, I am not against you. I agree with you on all that, Ro. The only thing we are not accomplished at is battle. We have never seen it nor have we been instructed on how to deal with it. We also have not been succumbed to grief, nor death."

"But close to it." Elrohir added softly.

Elladan nodded sipping his drink again. "I am going to start preparing to leave." With that Elrohir was left alone to gather up his hunting and traveling gear. He wandered over to his wardrobe and opened it to look for the traveling bag he had made years ago. He found it at the bottom of his wardrobe near the back. He pulled it out and shook it from dust. He wandered over to his bed and opened his chest pulling out fresh tunics, shirts, and breeches. He reached under his bed and pulled out a pair of leather boots, and woolen socks for travel. He folded them neatly and piled them into his bag. Leaving out a light blue shirt, and a pair of tan breeches. He left his boots out also, preparing to dress himself in them. He reached back into his chest and pulled out a small dagger, which he tied to his belt laying on the bed. Then he stood and unrobed himself readying himself for the day.

He stood there fully dressed thinking about what else they would need, and quickly snapped his fingers. He went back to his wardrobe and pulled out a dark mossy colored tunic and pulled it on over his shirt. He reached back in and pulled out an old worn quiver, filled with arrows. A knock came to his door and he called for the visitor to enter. He looked over his shoulder to find his father standing there. Startled he spun around almost tripping over his own feet.

Elrond glanced at the bed then at his son and shook his head. "Good day, Elrohir."

"Father." Elrohir nodded. Elrond wandered over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Before you leave come to my study." With that he turned and left.

Confused he frowned. "Strange."

After about an hour both twins stood outside their father's study both hesitating on knocking. They were ready, had their lembas, their traveling clothes and weapons. Both had long bows strapped to their quivers, unstrung.

Taking a deep breath Elladan lifted his hand and knocked lightly. Their father called for them to enter.

Elrond stood staring out the window when they entered, he had known about their plans for a while now, and had prepared a few things for them. He knew they would not be waylaid of this choice, nor could he convince them otherwise. He turned and saw them standing there nervously. "Place your weapons by the door, and come sit."

He eased himself into his large chair and watched as they placed their bows and bags in the corner.

"So you have decided?"

Both nodded anxiously and nervously, as they sat.

Elrond nodded and placed his cup down. He reached under his desk and pulled out a wooden box and placed in on his desk. Taking a deep breath he opened it revealing intricately designed swords that had been crafted by the best swords smiths in Imladris. He pulled out the first one and passed it to Elladan. "This is yours."

Elladan reached out and took it glancing at the leather sheath and pulled out the sword. On the bright blade held his title and his name in elvish. He looked up surprised.

"This one is yours." Elrond handed the other to his youngest.

Elrond placed the box back onto the floor and pulled something else out. They were leather bags with words of protection written in elvish. "These are for you." The twins reached for the bags and opened them to reveal the contents. Elladan gasped allowed when he saw the healing tools and plants inside. "Follow me."

The twin's followed their father out the door, grabbing their bags as they passed and silently followed their father down the halls. They reached the front doors and followed silently towards the stables. They entered and stood behind their father as he turned to face them. He reached into a stall and brought another box out. "These are tunics and vests. This." He pulled out another. "You mother had sent from Lothlorien. They are cloaks to keep you from unfriendly eyes. Light gray in the light, dark at night, and capable of changing colors with your surroundings."

Both twins gaped at their father wordlessly. Completely stunned and bewildered they silently watched as their father bestowed gifts upon them.

"These are from Glorfindel and Figwit." He pulled out new bows and quivers. "Strapped to new horses for you both are long swords, and food for travel." Elrond closed his eyes as they went to the stalls that held their horses.

He turned around and watched as they petted their necks. He walked slowly up to them. "Where will you go?" He asked softly.

Elladan turned and looked at his father. "We agreed on Bree. From there." He shrugged.

Elrond nodded and glanced at his youngest. "Be careful both of you. There is evil outside the borders, many willing to fool those who are not accustomed to that evil. Follow your hearts; do not stray from each other. Keep safe." He whispered. "Come back to me in one piece."

Elrond pulled his eldest into a tight embrace. "Keep watch over him." He whispered into his son's ear. Elladan nodded feeling the fear and emotion racing through his father.

Then Elrond turned to his youngest, and pulled him in for a hug. "Stay with your brother, and do not stray. Keep each other safe." Elrond released his son and looked them both over.

Elrond watched as his son's mounted their horses and smiled to each other excitedly. They nudged their horses forward and began their journey into the unknown.

"I cannot believe father. He let us go without a fight." Elladan grinned.

Elrohir nodded looking back towards their home. It had gone smaller as they rode their horses on the ledges above the valley. "He knew we were making preparations to go."

The twin's rode in silence as they followed the paths towards the Bruinen. It was well into midday when they reached the rivers edge and both stopped staring at it. Elrohir glanced across towards the forest on the other side and felt a smile draw on his lips. "Shall we?" He asked glancing at his brother.

They nudged their mounts forward and crossed the shallow part of the river to the other side. "Well, we are now out of Rivendell." Elladan grinned.

"Aye, and about to begin our adventure." Elrohir kicked his horse into a trot, followed quickly by his brother.

Elrond stood in his study looking out in the night sky. His twins were out of Imladris and he sighed sadly. He hoped their journey would be a safe one. He turned as a voice reached his ears.

"It will be quiet for awhile at least." Glorfindel smirked.

"That it will be my friend, that it will be." Elrond passed his friend a glass of wine and they sat down by the fire quietly listening to the night air. Elrond silently prayed to the Valar to keep his son's safe, and hoped that they found what they were looking for. He also hoped that they would not be disappointed.

Elrohir sat beside the fire in a small clearing watching as his brother stoked the fire. They were taking a rest and nibbling on some smoked fish their father had prepared for them. They would save the lembas for when it was really needed. He turned his head listening to the sounds of night, and whispered to his brother.

"The night air is different here then in Rivendell." Elrohir smiled

"Not as calm, can you feel the trees anxiety?" Elladan lifted his eyes to the trees around them.

Elrohir nodded. "They are wary of something."

They sat there in silence for the rest of the night, and watched the stars above as they twinkled. Elrohir smiled looking over at his brother.

Their journey had begun.