Chapter Ten: New Awakenings
Somehow the path seemed familiar to him. The long, narrow gravel path stretched on in front of him. It was flat, and shaded. Trees loomed overhead shading the path, somehow making it seem cooler then it really was. Smiling in wonder, there seemed to be only a few things missing from this shady solace, which he could not quite place his finger on.
He glanced around him, taking in the beauty of the place. The grass appeared to be greener then he remembered. Frowning, he wondered why green seemed to be the many shades before him. There was a particular shade that caught his eyes, and he contemplated as to why this was. It was a dark mellow shade, which seemed to erase the confusion from his rattled brain. Smiling again, he realized the purity of the colour. It was warm, and comforting, that the other colours around him did not appear to bring. Laughing heartily, he came to the conclusion that it was now one of his favourite colours.
He tilted his head back and took in the great blue of the sky. He wondered why this colour brought love, and warmth also. It seemed slightly cooler then the greens of the forest around him. Shaking his head, he squinted his eyes to look at the various shades of this blue, and he pursed his lips wondering how he knew the names of all the objects that seemed to surround him in every direction.
Again he contemplated how these things came to him when he could not quite place his full name upon his lips. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued on down the path not knowing where he was going, nor really caring why he didn't know who or what he was.
Cire glanced up from the roaring fire, anxiously waiting for news from his hunters. The young elf groaned from his position, but did not stir once. There was no twitching, or frantic tossing of his head. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, signalling a raging fever that refused to diminish with the mounds of herbs that had been administered to the elf. No comprehensible words escaped the elf's lips.
The man took a deep breath and tried to think of what more he could do to help Elrohir. Cire sighed with defeat. Only one thing remained that could possibly be done, and that was to get the young elf to his homeland, as quickly as possible. Standing uneasily, Cire started to gather his belongings, to prepare for the journey to this elven realm. Perhaps there Elrohir would have a chance of survival, amongst his own people, and maybe an elven healer.
He stopped suddenly, when he realized what was missing from his perfect stroll. There was no sound; nothing came to his ears. Tilting his head to the side, he could not pick out a whistle, a rustle, or a squeak from any living thing around him. 'Strange.' He thought silently. 'Forests should be full of sounds.' Shrugging his shoulders, he continued on down the familiar path. His heart beat wildly, but he figured it was because he was unsure of who he was.
True he knew his name, Elladan. But Ella also felt familiar on his lips. He continued to form the name upon his lips; over and over again trying to determine which one was his true name. The only one that felt right to his heart was Ella, but the other dratted name kept tugging at him as though perhaps both were his. The elf growled in aggravation, the sound caused the birds in the trees to flock silently away.
A sense of dread filled his heart causing him to stop abruptly on the path and spin around anxiously. Startled at the darkness that covered the path behind him, he twirled around and sprinted from the ever-growing darkness following his footsteps. Fear clutched his heart, and panic filled his mind as the trees seemed to come alive and loom closer. Some even appeared to reach out for the fleeing elf. A single wail escaped his lips, but fell on deaf ears. There was no one around to hear him or heed his pleas for help.
He sat up letting out an ear-piercing cry, causing the men around the fire to jump startled. It was the first time in days since the elf had moved, and the cry chilled their blood. Cire scrambled to his feet and raced to the elf's side. Elrohir was now sitting upright but in a trance of sorts. The elf shivered once then fell back onto the bedding with a thud. Reaching out a shaky hand, Cire felt for a pulse, and found one beating erratically in the elf's chest. It was beating so quickly it felt as though it was about to beat through the elf's chest.
Cire stood quickly and gathered his packed bag and called for one of his men to help him with the elf. Mounting his horse, the man passed the unconscious elf to him and helped Cire tie him to the saddle securing the elf from slipping off. With a nod of the head, Cire kicked his horse and raced off into the darkness. With any luck he could reach Rivendell by morning, if there were no surprises on the path ahead.
Elrond sat behind his desk sipping at his glass of wine in silence. His feet were crossed at the ankles sitting on a small log that had been shaped into a stool. The elf lord's gaze was directed at the night sky, where his father and mother would pass by in an hour or so. He smiled lazily, true to his advisor's words, Rivendell was quieter without the twins around, but he missed his son's dearly. Silently praying to the Vala, he hoped their journey was a safe one.
"They should be in Bree by now." A voice uttered from behind him.
Nodding his head at his friend to take a seat, he smiled passing a glass of wine over to him. "Aye, Glorfindel. They are probably-" Elrond froze, his glass slipping from his numb fingers crashing to the ground with a loud clang.
Glorfindel paused in mid sip and watched, as Elrond's eyes grew distant and dilated. Smirking into his wine cup he took a sip but didn't swallow as the colour drained from Elrond's face. Alarmed, Glorfindel swallowed his mouthful and placed a hand on his friends shoulder. "What is it?"
"Something is wrong." Elrond whispered, his face turning into an unreadable mask.
Glorfindel raised an eyebrow but didn't push the matter. "How so?"
"My son's never reached Bree. Something-" Elrond stood quickly knocking over his chair. "Something is wrong. Glorfindel, get a search party together, we must find the twin's."
"Should we be racing after them when this is their coming of age trip?" The advisor asked quietly.
"Glorfindel!" Elrond barked. "They are injured!"
The advisor got to his feet quickly and raced out of the room. "Never argue with an irate elf lord." Glorfindel muttered to himself. Without further argument, he burst into the stables where Figwit and his night guard were cleaning. "Get a few items together, we leave by mid eve."
"Leave?" Figwit asked bewildered. "Where are we going?"
"To find the twin's." Without another word, Glorfindel whistled for his mount, and around the corner came a beautiful cream coloured mare. His beloved Ashfelhur.
He pushed aside the branches that swarmed at his face and clutched at his clothing. His clothing was now being ripped to shreds as he raced away from the horrible darkness that seemed to follow his every step. The elf jumped out of the way of a log that rolled towards him almost causing him to loose his footing. Startled, the elf turned off the path and down a steep slope. Perhaps the trees would leave him alone and the darkness would cease to follow him.
Cire pushed his mount hard. He had a general idea as to where he was going, but never being to Rivendell he was unsure as to where the exact location was. The man cursed to himself wishing the young elf was awake rather then in a fever sleep. However, luck was not on his side as he pushed his mount harder then he had ever done before.
Cire glanced to his right as sounds of hoof beats reached his ears, and he slowed his mount hoping that someone approaching would know the direction of Rivendell. To his relief, a party of riders arrived around the bend and he stopped his horse waiting for the riders. Still too far off for him to see them clearly, he hoped they were elven and would know how to help the youth in his arms.
He sighed when the riders saw him and shouted something incoherent. Cire assumed it was elven, and he nodded as a rather furious elf approached his side. The tall blonde haired elf glanced down into his arms then raised an eyebrow in question. The man gulped nervously.
"Do you speak common?" He asked hesitantly.
"What do you think?" The elf asked bitterly. "Speak quickly and tell me what happened, and it had better be convincing."
"My name is Cire, I stumbled across this youth about a week ago, he was injured and I was able to help him, but now it seems he has fallen into a fever sleep, and I was heading for Rivendell for aid."
"How do you know of Rivendell?" The elf asked, the stern mask slipping off his face.
"This elf told me. He is Elrohir. I have scouts looking for his brother."
"I am Glorfindel of Rivendell, and I know the boys well. I was sent out by their father to search for them." The elf reached out a hand and touched the neck on the pressure point. "He is alive, but he is fading. Come we must hurry." Glorfindel reached his hands out for the boy, but Cire hesitated.
The man glanced down at his young charge unsure as to whether he could trust this elf or not. Elrohir looked so frail, seemingly that if he were moved roughly, he would shatter into a million tiny pieces. Cautiously he handed the elfing over to the blond who sat upon his horse looking rather peeved.
With a sharp command, Glorfindel raced off towards the Bruinen, not caring if the mortal could keep up or not. His first and foremost concern at the moment was the life of his lord's son. With all haste, care shoved aside; he galloped towards the raging river guarding the Last Homely House.
Elladan stopped briefly to cast a wary glance over his shoulder. The darkness seemed to fade momentarily, then quickened as he bent over and panted for breath. Startled, the elf stood straight and raced off again down the rocky path.
Stunned, the elf stopped and turned around. He was now heading towards the darkness rather then away from it. Shaking his head confused he turned away from the ever-growing ire that approached him. Stopping once again, he winced as he saw the darkness up ahead of him yet again. He clutched his head and fell to his knees letting out an ear-piercing cry that caused even his own heart to flutter anxiously.