Chapter 2 – Two goals, two paths.
In the distance screams could be heard. Immediately Erestor froze up; that sound would never leave her mind. It was heavily emblazed in her head. Even though she heard the screams, she thankfully couldn't see what Thranduil saw. The sight shocked him so, he couldn't move. They lived near a port, and so usually many ships where docked there. Their were many ships docked, but they were on fire. On fire from the rioters, who had gone insane now- insane to find the last two remaining children of Feanor and Nerdanel. While the followers of Feanor were repelling, just out of the reason because they became their enemies, since they would not follow their commander.
On this night, Thranduil knew for sure, the high elves were doing nothing, but just watching in horror, on the events that were taking place.
"Thranduil, we have to leave! We have to get to Doriath!" Cried Erestor, terror within her anew.
Looking around him, Thranduil knew exactly where the ships to Doriath were, but he also knew that these were the ones that were ablaze.
Pressing that they should leave for Doriath, Erestor was starting to cry.
"Thranduil we can't. The ships there…the ships are…" Thranduil couldn't tell her, he didn't want to shock her further.
Tired however on waiting for an answer, Erestor looked over her brother's shoulder. Shocked from the sight so much, she let out a loud cry.
Hearing this Thranduil, turned around dropped her and covered her mouth with his hand.
At this exact moment a group of elves passed. They dropped on the ground around the same time, Thranduil did.
It took a couple of minutes before one of the elves lifted their head slightly and looked around.
"Do you see anything Cirdan?" Whispered a small voice to the elve that had popped his head up.
"I don't know?" Whispered Cirdan back.
Sensing possibly that these elves weren't one of the rioters coming after them, or one of the followers of his father, Thranduil told Erestor to be quite and started to crawl up the small gentle sloop.
Looking over the long grass blades, but remaining hidden, he was able to a face to the voice he had heard.
He saw Cirdan; he was mid-young man, who had silver almost white hair and deep sea grey eyes.
Before long however a near by ship blew up, due to the fires intensity. This caused both parties to raise their heads into views sight.
Raising her head from the shock of the explosion, Erestor spotted Cirdan, before he saw either Thranduil or Erestor.
"THRANDUIL LOOK!" Screeched Erestor pointing at Cirdan.
Swirling his head around Thranduil meet eyes with Cirdan, who had gotten up, was in shock, causing the others in his party to reveal themselves.
"Who…Who are you?" Asked Thranduil weary of all the travelers. Behind his back, he waved his hand to Erestor, indicated that if they aren't as friendly as they want to appear, she should run for it.
"Who are you? Why are two children alone by themselves?" Asked one of the people in the group with Cirdan.
"We ask first! Either you give us questions or make your way, separate from ours!" Threatened Thranduil, Erestor was clinging onto his side, staring wide eyed at the strangers.
Even though startled by this child's attitude, Cirdan sensed that something must have forced him to build up a mistrust, especially against Cirdan. Many people and children knew Cirdan, and most people were not generally irate with him.
"Alright, Alright. I and my friends are trying to escape this riot. We are on nobody's side, we just want to life. Now to our question. Who are you, and why are you by yourself?" Cirdan replied earnestly.
"We are…we are the children of maid that lived in the Feanor household. She worked as a stable maid, so she spent most of her time with horses. We were in the stables helping out, when the riot begun." Thranduil prayed they would buy the story, even if they claimed to innocent escapees. The events from earlier still burned too hard in his head, for him to start trusting anyone except himself and Erestor.
Sensing his clever trick, Erestor nodded slightly, making it appear as if her life as the daughter of a simple maid had taken a great turn, for the worse.
"Do you want to come with us?" Asked Cirdan offering them his hand.
"Are you going to Doriath?" Replied Thranduil back in business like fashion with a cold tinge, sounding a lot like his father, when he dealt with people he couldn't bear to have in his presence.
"No. we're not. Were heading towards middle earth." Answered Cirdan back, wondering why they wanted to go to, Doriath.
"Haven't you heard what happened in Doriath?" Asked another member of the group, startled.
"What happened!" Yelled Erestor, this time, surprising Thranduil.
Trying to silence his comrade, Cirdan stood in front of the young woman, but failed. There was a reason he didn't want the children to know.
"Rioters and warriors in Feanors army sailed in that direction hours ago. Some have fled here from hither saying it's alight with screams of mercy and fire. Just like or port and city here." Getting hysteric, the woman nearly tripped over one of her comrades, trying to back off.
Alarmed by the news Thranduil and Erestor stood silent. Now where would they go? Both knew very well why they were supposed to go there. New problems developed for the two siblings. For Thranduil they were worst. His responsibility was to look after Erestor. Following his mother's instructions was as far as it went. Now he truly felt as the responsibility was his- it's only now where he understood what his mother said; when she said- make sure she has a good live.
"Do you want to come with us?" Inquired Cirdan once more.
"Erm…where is your ship?" Asked Erestor, she could see how confused Thranduil was.
"Just down the slope over there." Pointed Cirdan, sensing perhaps that he had convinced the children to join them.
"Alright." Said Thranduil, picking up Erestor again and sitting her on his back.
The whole group then ran together; halting once in a while for a look-out to give the OK. It was a dangerous road. The bloodbath hadn't ended, and several times the group and to drop on the floor and not make a sound, in fear of getting discovered.
Plenty of times Cirdan had to help Thranduil get up, since Thranduil would not let his little sister off his back.
It was during this run for freedom and their lives, that both Thranduil and Erestor witnessed the horror's the blade can bring other living beings, they witnessed the hatred one person can pour forth among others, witnessed the screams and pleas for mercy being answered by strokes of cold steal, silencing innocent words and covering all colors with one color-red, blood red.
The company was close to the hills ending at the top, when they were discovered.
It was then that most in company panicked; however Thranduil paid them no heed, he had spotted the hidden ship on the banks below.
Running for it, Thranduil suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.
Looking around he heard a small child's scream. Little Erestor had been stabbed from behind, by someone. In spite of this Thranduil didn't have long to look their attacker was- all he could see, was that it was a elve who had blonde hair and sky blue eyes; Cirdan had pushed him down the hill though from behind when he saw him coming for the two little children.
The blade had been driven so deep inside Erestor chest that it went straight into Thranduils right shoulder.
He wasn't interested in his pain, at that moment Erestor was starting to black out.