Chapter Two

Stubborn Problems

Elrohir groaned and rolled over on his bedding. The chirping birds, and the smell of fire drifted over to his senses causing him to scrunch his features in annoyance. Taking a deep breath he sat up and rubbed his eyes. He spotted his brother beside the fire poking a stick into the embers. It was early morning, and the sun had still yet to rise above the horizon. Only the faint orange hue surrounded the sky.

Elladan turned his head, beaming a bright smile over to his younger twin. His smile widened seeing the frown his brother shot at him. "Good morning, Ro. Sleep well?"

Elrohir groaned again and flopped back onto his bedding. He liked sleeping late, and waking before the sun never appealed to him much.

"I will take that as a yes." Elladan smirked. "Come on, get up, we have a long road a head of us, and I want to start early."

"Early indeed." Elrohir muttered. He rolled onto his side and laid his head on his left arm. "Why so early? We have lots of time, unless you have an appointment to make?"

"None that I am aware of." Elladan lowered his head looking into the burning embers. "Oh, come on Ro! I am eager to reach Bree, and see as much as I can."

Elrohir sighed and sat up again. "I am eager also, Ella. But I do not want to rise before the sun each and every morning while we are out here. I get enough of that at home."

Elladan laughed merrily. "Have a cup of coffee, it will kick your tired bones into motion."

"Tired?" Elrohir exclaimed. "Hardly." He stood up and stretched, then walked over to the fire and took the cup from his brother's hands. He sat down beside his brother and glanced at him. "Where do you think we will go today?"

"I thought heading up stream. I figure we will decide as we go. This is not only a journey to Bree, but one of adventure also." Elladan shrugged. "Following the river might cut a few hours off our journey at least."

Elrohir nodded. "The rapids are strong this time of year. We will need to keep our wits about us."

"Don't we always?" Elladan grinned.

Elrohir snorted. "Oh, indeed. Who gets me into trouble when brilliant one comes up with new ideas?"

Elladan frowned. "Me?"

"Congratulations, you win this years award for outstanding brilliance." Elrohir smirked.

Elladan reached over and pushed his brother over, causing him to fall over sideways into the dirt.

Elrohir pushed himself back up onto his feet, in a crouching position. "You know I am right. Besides, I am old enough now to take my own rap for what I do."

"Well yes, but it is so much more fun having you share my punishments with me. Do you know how boring they are when you are alone?" Elladan poked his stick into the embers again.

Glowering, Elrohir nodded. "We should think about heading out. I believe that we will get into Bree in record time."

Elladan nodded and stood. He pursed his lips and let out a low whistle. He smiled and stood beside his brother. Both twins heard the nicker of their horses and the soft sound of the hooves on the ground. The horses came around the corner of a tree and walked up to their masters neighing. Elrohir grinned and reached out his hand for his mare and petted her neck. She butted his shoulder with her nose and pushed slightly, causing him to laugh in delight.

"Will you stop flirting with your horse and pick up your stuff?" Elladan smiled shaking his head.

"Alright! Alright!" Elrohir grumbled. He walked over to his bedroll and started to pack his belongings.

Elladan glanced over to his twin who was bent over his bag. He snickered silently to himself as he watched the precarious position his brother was in. Grinning impishly he raced forward and tackled his brother from behind.

Crying out in alarm Elrohir twisted and rolled over pinning his brother to the packed earth. Elrohir smiled and winked. "Give up?"

Elladan snorted and brought his leg up around his brother's neck and pushed him over backwards. "Not likely."

Elrohir narrowed his eyes and used his hands to push Elladan's face into the dirt. With his older brother pinned sideways, Elladan squirmed like a fish on dry soil. "Now do you give up?" Elrohir chuckled.

"Yef, now ge'off." Elladan muttered into the dirt.

Elrohir smiled triumphantly and rolled off his brother and reached his hand down to aid him into an upright position. Elladan smiled wickedly and pulled his brother down again rolling him over onto his stomach and sitting on his back. He quickly pinned both his arms behind his back and leaned over and whispered into his ear. "You silly elf, why did you do that?"

Elrohir snorted into the dirt and caused the dry mud to fly into his nose causing him to cough. "Opps, sorry brother."

Elladan helped his brother up and patted his back until the coughing fit subsided. Tears ran down Elrohir's face and he glared at Elladan. "How many time does that make it now?"

"Make what?" Elladan asked dusting off his leggings.

"That you dug my face into the mud?" Elrohir asked wiping the tears out of his eyes.

Elladan shrugged. "Why else would the family call you the mud monster?" Elladan quickly dodged his brother's swat and he laughed shouldering his bag.

Elrohir narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "I'll get you back."

Elladan nodded. "I have no doubt of that." He smiled broadly and jumped nimbly onto his horses back. "But you will have to catch me first!" He cried racing from the clearing.

Cursing Elrohir ran over to his horse and quickly mounted her. "Come, let us catch my wayward brother before he stumbles into a tree." His horse neighed and cantered out of the clearing after the light tanned horse.

Elladan held his hand up, and quickly dismounted his horse and walking over to the stream they had been following for more then half the day.

Elrohir leaned back and his horse stopped pawing the earth. His simple movements were enough to let the horse know of his wishes. Without the aid of men's bridal and saddles the elven horses had come accustomed to the smallest tightening of the legs or the whispered words from their masters.

"What do you see?" Elrohir whispered softly in elvish.

Elladan shook his head and held up his hand for complete silence.

Elrohir silently watched his brother approach the racing river, and kneel down and touch the rocks at the edge. He glanced around him frowning. His senses did not detect anything out of place, and he glanced back to his brother curiously. He slowly dismounted and silently walked to his brother's side placing a hand on his shoulder. They silently spoke to each other, regarding wariness and worry. Elrohir nodded and stood reaching his horse and remounting her quickly. His brother followed suit and both set out carefully. Once in the trees to their left, both brother's got off the mounts and sprang to the trees for concealment.

It was Elladan who broke the silence. "Something passed this way not too long ago." He whispered.

Elrohir nodded.

"Not made by men or elves."

Again the younger twin nodded.

The twin's remained in the trees for sometime allowing what had passed earlier to gain more of a distance before they descended the trees back onto the solid ground. "Come we have remained still too long."

Elrohir whistled for his horse and jumped onto her back. "Lead the way."

Elladan nodded and nudged his horse forward, following the tree line. It was almost dusk when they exited the protectiveness of the trees and came out into a large field. Elrohir gasped at the awe that overwhelmed him. Elladan felt his eyes grow wide with fear. He nervously glanced at his brother who sensed the fear and frowned.

"What is it?" Elrohir whispered nudging his mount next to his brother's.

Elladan felt his mouth go dry unable to answer right away as his eyes scanned the field, which appeared peaceful. The grass, the white flowers, the looming trees in the distance, the ever-flowing hills. He swallowed hard. His mind could not comprehend what he saw, only the growing uneasiness and fear that threatened to take over all reason.

Elrohir placed his hand on his brother's shoulder, and whispered again. "What is it, Ella?"

"The fields from my dreams." Was all he could muster with a steady voice.