Midday sun poured over the woods of Imladris, coating the leaves in its golden hues. The small band of humans traveling through the elven lands barely noticed the passing of time, so intent were they on their progress.
Aragorn, in particular was not interested in the daylight's changing. His attention was captivated by the man that strode at his side. Halith had been a most pleasant traveling companion. The older man had many stories to share, but was more than willing to listen to anything the young ranger had to say.
The fact that Halith was keenly attentive to every detail Aragorn told of Imladris escaped the silvered eyed man. Eventually, Estel was doing all the talking, and the dark haired man only listened, his eyes intent and shrewd. He soon ceased to make any noise except to encourage his companion when it seemed the young man would stop.
Aragorn did not notice. Though he had been purposely vague when the subject of his name had arisen. Strider, he said was what he preferred to be called, and the elder man had not pursued the subject, respecting his companions reasons for not wishing his name to be known. The novelty of speaking to one who addressed him as an equal was exhilirating for Aragorn. Halith seemed deeply impressed when Estel revealed that he was one of the rangers and traveled with them frequently.
"I have heard of the rangers…" An apologetic grin flashed in Aragorn's direction. "Not always good things, but at least impressive. Very good at tracking so the stories say." The smile widened, but the dark eyes remained untouched.
Aragorn blushed at the praise. However, it was true. Little did Halith know how much so. He himself had developed his skill to the point of being able to find his brothers. No one else could even come close to hunting elven warriors.
"Look, Halith," one of the men touched their leader's shoulder and pointed. "Tracks. The thieves must have come through here."
"Surely you cannot be thinking of hunting them once again?" Aragorn asked incredulously. "After what happened last time?
"Not as we did before, no." Halith knelt by the tracks his man had noticed. "I should like to trail them though. Perhaps they will lead us to their base. Once we know where they are coming from it would be easy to return to our village and come back with more men." His lined face creased into a scowl. "Unfortunately, none of us are what you would call superb trackers…probably why we failed to notice we were hunting a good score of men last time…"
Aragorn chewed his lip gently. He could help these men. Of course, he was supposed to meet Legolas…but then, the woodelf would not be at their rendezvous spot for at least three days. At the earliest. More often, the prince was late. Aragorn knew his friend had many good talents, but had long ago learned that when given an estimate on when Legolas would appear, it was best to tack on at least a day or two.
"I have some time before I must meet my friend," the young man offered softly. "I can help you for a while at least."
The men eagerly agreed and fell in behind the ranger as he set off on the trail they had discovered. With his back to the other humans, it was only natural that Aragorn did not notice the sly smile pulling at Halith's mouth.
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Six days later----------
Tap.
Glorfindel's eyes looked up briefly to discover the source of the noise, but seeing only Elrond's dark head bent over a pile of parchment, swiftly returned to the scroll he was reading.
Tap.
The balrog slayer frowned. There it was again.
Tap. Tap.
Annoyed, the golden haired elf set aside his parchment. How was he supposed to concentrate with that noise?
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Rising soundlessly to his feet, Glorfindel slowly began to circle the room, his ears pricked for that dratted noise. Elrond did not seem to notice either the sound, or his seneschel stalking about his study as though he were in the midst of a hunt.
Taptaptaptaptaptaptap…
Glorfindel ground his teeth together in frustration. What was making that noise! His supposed it could be a mouse trapped within the walls…
Taptaptaptaptaptaptap.
Perhaps a branch against the window.
Tapatapatapatapatapa…
Maybe the Valar had seen fit to curse Elrond's study with a deranged woodpecker! Nearing the end of his patience, Glorfindel suddenly caught sight of the source of his annoyance. With a cry, he leapt forward…
…And brought his hand crashing down on Elrond's long fingers, trapping them against the desk's dark wood.
The dark haired elf lord actually jumped, his grey eyes wide with surprise. Obviously, his attention had been elsewhere. And one didn't have to possess foresight, Glorfindel thought darkly, to know where. It had been six days since Estel had left Rivendell, and Elrond had become more and more distracted with the passing of every hour. More than once Glorfindel had suggested he send the twins after the young ranger but each time the Lord of Imladris eyes grew dark and he would refuse. Something had happened. Glorfindel knew it. Elladan and Elrohir had words with Estel before he left and, the blond elf knew that their argument had somethingto do with Elrond now not allowing his elder sons to go after the younger.
Elrond's grey eyes went from his own hand, (still trapped under Glrofindel's) to his friend's face. "Is something wrong?" he finally asked, dark brows rasied.
"You have succeded." Glorfindel said blandly.
"What?"Elrond's voice was laced with confusion, and perhaps a suggestion that the reincarnated elf had taken permanent leave of his sanity.
"You have succeded," the seneschal repeated, grinning at his friend's bemused expression. "Obviously,"he elaborated, "your intent was to fray at the very edges of my nerves until you wore them completely away. I thought you would like to know you had succeded."
"Very amusing, I'm sure," Elrond said flatly, pulling his hand free as he spoke. As if traveling of its own volition, the slender appendage began to fiddle with the hem of the elf lord's long flowing sleeve.
"You are worried," Glorfindel stated flatly.
"I am not," Elrond snapped with unnecesary vehemence. The long fingers gave his sleeve an extra hard jerk. Even as he denied his worry, his grey eyes flew toward the large window. Glorfindel knew his friend well enough to realize that only his presence kept the dark haired elf lord from rising and peering out the glass to see if his son had arrived…
"It has not even been a week yet," Glorfindel reminded Elrond gently.
The grey eyes swiveled away from the window and fixed him with a look of such piercing intensity, that the golden haired elf wished he had not spoken. Elrond was impossible to speak with when he was worried about one of his children, almost more than normal with Estel. There was something very vulnerable about the human. Just the fact that he was mortal made him seem so much more likely to be injured.
With a sigh, Elrond looked away from his friend and turned his eyes toward his desk surface. The hand that had been tweaking at his sleeve began to twist one of the intricate braids of hair around its fingers.
"Legolas often arrives late," Glorfindel tried again. This time the only response he got was a low gutteral noise that sounded almost like a growl. If elf lords growled. A smile tugged at the corners of the blond elf lord's mouth. Perhaps it was something only a half elven elf lord could manage. "Do you remember the time when the Prince of Mirkwood did not appear until three weeks after his intended arrival date?"
"Glorfindel, this is not helping."
"I am just saying there is no need to be concerned."
"I would not be," Elrond looked up sharply. "Had Estel left with anyone other than that group of humans."
Glorfindel's teasing demeanor lessened somewhat. "They troubled you, didn't they?"
"Their leader troubled me." Elrond rose abruptly from his chair and strode toward the window. "There was something abut him…" before the elf lord could reach the glass panes, he was interrupted by a knock. "Enter."
The door opened to admit Elladan. The older twin's face was drawn, and clouded by the same worry that ate at his father. However, his message did not have anything to do with Estel. "Ada, there is a group of men just arrived at our gates. They have something very important to tell you."
0-0-0-0
Elrond was struck by an eerie sense of déjà vu as he paused in the doorway. Before him stood a group of humans, their clothing and air nearly identical to the men who had stood in their place only a week earlier. Elladan and Elrohir stood apart from the humans, their faces nearly as grim as they had been six days before.
The only major difference was that there was a lack of shrewd eyes darting around the courtyard. That, in and of itself made Elrond feel much more comfortable with his guests.
A man with light colored hair and a freckled face stepped forwards and bowed politely. "Thank you for receiving us, m'lord. My companions and I have been traveling for many days on the trail of raiders. They attacked our village a little over a week ago. Though we did manage to wound their leader, I am afraid they were succesful in their goal." The man's freckled nose wrinkled slightly. "There is not one home that has not had some valubles taken from it." Pale green eyes narrowed slightly. " Their path led into this valley, and we would like your permission to travel through."
Elrond felt his eyebrows raise slowly. Taking his time, the elf lord allowed his grey eyes to travel over the group. The men's faces were nearly as grim as his sons'. All were armed, and there had to be at least fifteen of them. "How many do you believe you are hunting?" They had wounded the leader…
The spokesman appeared confused at the questiong, but answered nonetheless. "Two dozen. Perhaps a little less."
A group of four attacked by twenty. The leader was wounded. Estel had left with them…
"Their leader." Elrond stepped forwards, his eyes fixed on the human before him. "What did he look like?" The elf's voice was taut. His gaze was practically burning a hole in the man's forehead.
Alarmed, the fair haired man looked as though he would very much like to step back, but didn't quite dare. "he was…of average height…dark hair…and strange eyes. I…I don't know exactly how to describe them…but I had the impression that he was taking everything in with those eyes."
Elrond felt as though his heart had exploded within his chest.
0-0-0-0
Legolas Thrandulion strode through the woods that marked the very edge of Rivendell's valley. The prince was not happy. He was late. Strider would kill him. A smile briefly curved the golden haired elf's lip at the thought of his friend's mock annoyance. Every time he came to visit, something would happen. Bad weather, avalanches in the mountains, bandits…once, he had even been attacked by spiders before he had left the shadows of Mirkwood's trees. The bite he sustained had delayed him nearly three weeks. Aragorn had not been pleased.
At least this time he had a very good excuse.
Stupid mountain goblins. One had not been so bad…but the entire hunting party had been tricky. However, he had escaped with minimal damage. His worst injury was a long cut down his arm, but he was fortunate. The wound was very shallow, and the little orc's blade had not been poisoned. A dangerous gleam in his eye made his smile look feral.
The goblin had not been as fortunate as the elf.
With a sigh of relief, Legolas stepped into the clearing where he was supposed to meet his friend.
There was no one there.
Legolas' blue eyes widened in shock. Had he actually managed to beat Aragorn to the rendezvous point? Shrugging, the elf sank to the ground and settled his back against a tree. A grin tugged at his features. He could not remember the last time it had not been him who was late. However, even as that thought crossed his mind, he felt a brief pang of worry. What could be keeping that reckless young human? As quickly as it had come, he brushed the unease aside. This spot was less than a day out of Imladris, surely nothing to dreadful could have befallen the ranger, even with his infamous bad luck. A smile re-emerged on the prince's fair face as he thought of how surprised his friend would be that he had finally managed to arrive before him. He would never let Strider hear the end of this.
Stretching his lithe body, the prince placed his arms behind his golden head and prepared to wait…
0-0-0-0
"Ada, saes!"
Elladan stared at his father, horrorstruck. He could not believe what he had just heard come from the elder elf's lips. He and his twin stood in their father's study. Both too agitated to sit, they paced in front of the desk like young lions. Elrond was seated, his eyes dark. Worry hung over his slender frame like a black cloak. The twins could see it plainly.
"I can not believe you will not let us go after him!" Elladan slashed his hand through the air as if to underline his words.
Elrohir forced himself to stand still, and lean against the doorpost. "Ada, we could leave tonight and be at the rendezvous point before morning."
"No."
The word was so calm, yet so forceful it brought even Elladan to a halt. For a short time. Elrond forced his fingers to stop playing with the hem of his robes, glad that they were hidden beneath the edge of the desk. For the sake of his reckless sons, Elladan in particular, he had to appear calm. "Estel will wait for Legolas, and he will return with him. It is not unnatural for Legolas to be one or even three weeks late, as we all know." The elf lord stood slowly. "Remember the argument you had with your brother before he left. Do you really think he will appreciate your coming after him?"
Without another word, Elrond departed, the soft sound of his long robes against the stones unnaturally loud in the room's stillness.
Many minutes passed before the dark haired twins sought to break the silence stretching between them.
Elladan merely resumed pacing. His dark brows drew together over stormy eyes. Elrohir could see that frustration that was building up in the elder twin's slender frame. "Dan…"
"Ro, we could find him!" The words seemed to explode from Elldan's mouth. "We could bring him back and make sure that he was safe!"
"But we have no proof that anything is wrong, Dan. He will wait for Legolas as he planned to. There would be no reason for the humans to attack him. He has no valubles. Nothing that they could desire. It would not make sense for them to harm him, especially since they know he is under the elves' protection!" Elrohir drew in a deep breath as he watched his twin stride across the floor. Elladan's dark braids flew out behind him as he spun sharply, pacing back and forth. There was a gleam in the depths of the young elf lord's eyes that Elrohir knew very well. With a groan, the younger twin reluctantly gave in to what he knew would be inevitable. "We wait until the day after tomorrow, Dan. If Legolas and Estel have not arrived by then, we will go to find them."
Elladan stopped and crossed his arms over his chest, a scowl plastered over his fair face. Obviously, he did not like the compromise.
"Be reasonable," Elrohir snapped, his patience coming to an end. Elladan was not the only one who was concerned for Estel. "Tomorrow is the very earliest we could expect Legolas to arrive."
Elladan opened his mouth to argue, changed his mind, snapped his lips tightly together and gave a single, short nod.
0-0-0-0
"Well done," Halith whispered excitedly. "We never would have found this on our own."
It was nearly dusk, and the small group of men were concealed in the thick forest undergrowth, looking out at a clearing that had obviously been used as campsite. A fire still smoldered in the ring of protective stones, and around its edges lay the remains of what had been someone's meal. Bones from some beast littered the ground, along with whatever meat that had not been eaten. Several crude tents had been erected. The bracken was flattened in places, showing where men had sat or slept.
Aragorn's eyebrows drew together in confusion. He could not put his finger on what was bothering him, but something about this layout seemed…aritficial. "I…do not like this."
Halith's eyebrows soared to the top of his forehead, and he glanced sideways sharply at the young man crouched beside him. Aragorn did not notice the look he received, so intent was he on the scene before him.
Concealing his surprise, the older human managed to keep his voice calm. "What do you mean?"
"I do not know." Aragorn slowly started to inch backwards, making as little noise as possible. "But I do not think we should linger."
Slowly, the group of men retreated, taking care to be as silent as they could. When they were a suitable distance away, Aragorn turned to Halith. "Here, I am afraid our paths must part. My friend will be waiting for me before I reach our meeting place."
Halith's face fell. "We could use a man like you. You are a good fighter, and an excellent tracker." The cunning eyes saw refusal in Aragorn's face, though the young man had not spoken. His tone became almost wheedling. "Please, accompany us. We can travel to our village and get help. Now that we know where their camp is we can return and take care of them once and for all! Our people will never have to fear them again…"
Aragorn chewed his lip uncertainly. The ranger stroked his chin, feeling the week's worth of stubble that had sprouted during the trip. They could use him…they could use a good fighter…but Legolas was waiting for him. "I cannot. My friend will worry if I am not there." Though if there were any way to assure Legolas he were all right, he would be sorely tempted to join Halith.
"Why not send a message?" Halith asked, obviously reluctant to let the young man depart. "One of my men could deliver it, and you could come with us." He smiled. "We'll need you to find our way here again." He could see Aragorn waver. "Strider, we could use your help."
A message. Yes, he could send a message. Legolas would understand. These people needed his help. Their village needed his help. Aragorn smiled. "Fine. That's what I will do."
The men greeted his descision enthusiastically, assuring the young ranger he had made the right choice. Halith, in particular, seemed extremely happy to have Strider along with them. And yet…
Somewhere deep down inside, Estel knew that he should go back. There had been a definite feeling of…wrongness that hung over the small camp they had discovered, and a little voice in the back of his mind kept pointing out that he was shirking his responsibility to his friend, and that his family would worry no matter what message he sent. But the feeling of being truly needed, not just put up with was strong and satisfying, and with a quick, internal shrug, the young ranger silenced his qualms and turned to follow the retreating men into the gathering gloom.
0-0-0-0
Ada, saes!- Father(daddy), please!0-0-0-0