Okay... please do not try to kill me, I told everyone why I wasn't able to post anything up, and I hope that kinda didn't make you too disappointed? Anyways, here's the next chapter, and I'm going to apologise in advance, not much happens in this chapter, but something significant does. I'm in the process of writing the next one right now, so that should be up tomorrow or Thursday.
Chapter 12: Only Half the Nightmare Sorted
Disclaimer: Check out Chapter 1.
Throwing himself down to his knees beside his father, not caring of the pain it brought to his leg, he intertwined his brothers hand in his and wept.
With his free arm, Elrond encircled it around his weeping son's shoulders, slowly, mutely pulling Elrohir towards him. A soft jolt on his shoulder told Elrond that Elrohir had finally approved of his gesture. Leaning his head slightly on top of Elrohir's, he whispered words of comfort, always trying to get away from the reality that was taunting him.
Numbed, he truly didn't know what he was going to do. He was going to lose another kin to darkness, from some ailment he couldn't revive them from. Just like Celebrian. Just like Celebrian. Taking in a deep breath, and slowly letting it loose from slightly parted lips, Elrond let painful memories over take him.
Like the grace of tale old butterflies, Autumn worn leaves fell from the tree tops and landed around their feet. The sun was about to complete another journey across the azure sky, leaving teasing hues of oranges, reds and golds wavering on the water's surface.
Though no matter how beautiful the world outside looked, the world inside him was crumbling, was falling. A dim darkness increasing. Overtaking.
He finally took his eyes of the stony floor, and locked them into the eyes he would not see for a few ages. Distant, yet warm blue eyes greeted him, he melted into the gaze they gave off, letting himself be taken in their tantalizing depths. She blinked. Cutting off his thoughts, and when the lids reopened, the gaze was not fixated on him, but to the sea.
He took a step backwards, shaking his head. He didn't see himself reflected in the no more. But the waves, the gulls. The boat.
He wasn't sure what was happening when soft, warm hands grasped his in affection. Their fingers locked in undying love. Grasping as hard as he dared, not to hurt the already broken maiden's hands before him, he kissed them tenderly, brought his arms around her waist, drawing them nearer.
So near they were he could feel her faltering warm breath against his ear, and smiled. She was still alive. Salty tears spilled over his cheeks, and with the final strength he mustered, Elrond drew his wife into a hug he knew he would never have again… until he passed.
Elrond could hear her crying, her shoulders shaking. Drawing her back slightly, gazing once more into watery, forgiving eyes, he took her chin in his hands, and brought their lips together until they melted into one.
It was like he was in heaven, floating on clouds again, all the pain shut away. This was the passion he was saying goodbye to.
His raven haired wife gave him something he never dreamed of seeing… a smile, though it was small, it was still a smile. Giving a grin back, he etched a mental image of her ethereal beauty. Silver robes donned her curves, neatly embroided with silver stitch in the shape of leaves and vines. A simple sash tied at her waist, completing the outfit.
Her hair, gently swaying in the breeze was no longer tied into regal shapes, but was just hung in a loose braid, wisps of hair daring to play in the wind. She bowed her head, and headed over to where her children stood, who leant on one another, craving for each other's strength.
Elrond watched as Celebrian stopped in front of their identical twins and uttered a few simple words; 'Thank you, both of you, my body has been saved, yet my spirit is lead elsewhere. But do not despair. I will still live in you, in here'. She placed her outstretched hand on the twins broad chests, indicating their hearts. She then pulled from underneath the neckline of her robes, two silver necklaces, though the pendent which dangled from the chain was split. One half for each brother. Placing them gently in their hands and closing their fists around them, Celebrian stood on her tiptoes as high as she could, reaching over the twins shoulders and with all her strength brought their heads together. 'Protect them as you have me. I love you both'.
She sighed as the twins gave her warming hugs, gently melting into their embrace. It was weird, she was usually the one they would seek refuge in and now, the tides had turned. Giving them each a tender kiss on their brow, and wiping the tears from Elrohir's eyes, shaking her head at Elladan's revered stubbornness, she fell back onto her feet. Smiling once more, she edged her way over to the Evenstar.
She was not a strong as her brothers, tears continuously falling from her bright eyes, making them glitter even more in the dimming light. Arwen was protectively tucked under Elladan's arm and clinging to his waist like a frightened elfling trying to avoid her mother's gaze.
Celebrian gently pried Arwen from Elladan's body, enveloping in her in her arms, letting unshed tears fall into her chest. Through hiccups Celebrian heard Arwen whisper, 'Please, do not forget me, I miss you already and you haven't even left. Naneth…I don't want you to go'.
Celebrian pulled Arwen in closer to her bosom, gently rocking her she replied; 'I didn't want a lot of things to happen. Though think of this my daughter, if it was not this then it would have been something else. Had that come a reality I may not be standing before you now'.
Arwen shook her head in defiance, ' I daren't think of things like that. Please, just promise me you will not forget us, promise me that you will be happy, be safe'.
Gently smiling, Celebrian agreed that she would be safe, and with tears of her own, took one last look of her daughter, letting Elladan take Arwen once more in his arms, coaxing her.
She returned back to Elrond's side, cupping his cheek in her hand. Once more she planted her soft lips on his, leaving a warm felling behind. 'Promise me Elrond, to protect my children. Do not let them fade to darkness. Please, do not blame yourself for what has become. Not even you or I, or even my mother could have foreseen this day'.
Nodding his head with eyes closed Elrond answered, 'Of course, I love you.'
That was the last he ever saw of his wife. The last image of her bruised, battered, spirit-less, but still, she was the Celebrian he had fallen in love with. As the last ivory sail of the boat fell behind the horizon and the harsher chills swept across the land, Elrond and his Children began the agonising trip home.
Inscribed on his mind though was his wife's final plea, 'protect our children'. That was what he was going to do.
The familiar room soon materialised into focus once again. Clearing his mind, and becoming attentive to all his surroundings: the sounds of pleas of one son that fell on deaf ears, the feel of the cold winter air, flowing through the window, the touch of dampened skin all registered to him. Elrond had to act fast, or ever suffer his conscience, knowing that what he could have prevented, he didn't .
Looking down at his ashen child, he noticed the shining sliver chain resting around Elladan's neck, still pristine, still there. If his son, still a mere child to him was able to keep a promise, then of course he could.
Smoothing Elrohir's hair slightly, claming him down. Elrond pointed from his position on the floor to the chair Elrohir once occupied. With the healer look Elrond always gave his children either when he was busy with someone else, or morally frustrated, Elrond sighed when Elrohir nodded his head, gave his brother a quick hug, and still wiping tears from tired eyes and settled himself into the soft chair once more.
With that done, Elrond gathered the oldest twin in his arms, marvelling out how light he was and gently settled him on the bed again. Draping a few blankets of the heated body and cushioning Elladan's head on a few pillows, the Lord set to work.
With his head peeping through the door, and his body floating outside of it, Estel took in the scene before him once again. He didn't know whether to be angry, upset or afraid. It had never occurred to him that Elrohir would be so rash. If he remembered correctly, Elrohir was the one who would quieten down the rows and arguments, always showing inner calm and peace. What confused Estel was his sudden outburst.
Drawing back, as he watched his supposed father rush out the door, taking the steps up to the library, the ghost dared to enter as silently as he could. But even as a ghost he was still to noisy for his Elven brother.
Elrohir's head snapped to the side as his ears picked up a strange noise. Turning to the disturbance, he frowned, his eyes narrowing in slits. To any stranger you would have thought that this elf before you was mad, not to be trifled with, but to Estel, he could see his brother's chest fall and rise in erratic paces, tears still rested at the base of eyes, both of which red raw and slightly puffy from previous sorrow and tear stained cheeks, still told him that unshed tears were to fall soon. Still told him that this elf needed comfort.
Estel dared a few steps forward until Elrohir's croaky voice spoke; 'please, don't come no nearer'.
'Elrohir, brother… just let me explain. What I said, what you thought said wasn't me being selfish, I was trying to save him'. Estel's gaze floated over to where his eldest brother lay, noticing how prone the elf looked now, wrapped in blankets like a newborn, eyes closed and face clenched in hidden suffering, pale, withdrawn, fragile. 'He tries so hard'.
'Tell me, will he die?' Elrohir was looking towards his mirror image, well not so look alike no more, not even taking his eyes off his brother, as if this was the last moments he was going to see him. He didn't even think Estel even heard his question it was so hoarse and quiet.
Estel almost jumped when Elrohir's eyes suddenly fixed on him. So many emotions flashed through them, pain, torment, regret, anger. 'So? Will he? You said before that he will. Just tell me one more time. Will he…for sure?'
The ghost took another daring glance at the dying kin before answering. Gulping nervously, he replied, 'In all honesty Elrohir, he may… or he may not. I can't foresee things'.
'But the things you have told be before were right. Maybe this will be too'. The young elf lord threw up his hands, paced a little while before striding over in front of the being.
'Please, tell me, just tell me everything you know!'. Elrohir was desperate, he needed Elladan back, one just so he knew everything was going to be okay and two, so then Elrond could focus on bring Estel back then.
'That's all I know, honestly. We're all just going to have to wait, its not like we want to but…'. Estel was stopped when the elf in front of him started laughing, but drew back instinctively when he came right up to his face again.
'Wait! You expect to just sit here and WAIT?' Elrohir thrust his arm over to where Elladan lay, stressing his point. 'How can I just sit here Aragorn? How? My brother, My twin for Eru's sake is lying there dying, and you seem to know things about it, and YET… yet you won't tell me what you know. Why? What have we done?'
Trying to get ahead of this whole situation and praying that Elrohir wouldn't do anything too drastic, he began to explain. 'Nothing, believe me you haven't done nothing wrong… but, I'm not sure what's wrong, I'm not sure what I know is right. What if the things I know ends up taking a turn for the worst. That's why I won't tell you! You think I don't care? Hell Elrohir, he's my brother too.'
Estel calmed a little when the shoulders of the defeated elf slumped and his head fell forward to his chest. From under the raven hair Estel could hear Elrohir mumble. 'I just can't do this alone. I don't want too… I'm afraid.'
Taking a step forward as the elf rose his head, Aragorn dared to speak. 'We're all afraid 'Ro, but I can't think of no one better to step in and take charge, I'd place my life on the line for yours. Don't doubt yourself'.
Elrohir smiled to himself, 'You always knew what to say Gwandur', and with that Elrohir placed a hand on the ghost's shoulder. Immediately Elrohir drew his hand back and clutched in his other hand, staring at it like it had just set alight.
Quite bemused Aragorn looked around and with a questioning look, he mutely asked for an explanation. Though the one he got wasn't the one he expected.
'Aragorn, I can touch you now, well without sinking through you that is'. Demonstrating, Elrohir once again placed his hand on Aragorn's shoulder and almost leapt for joy. 'Does this mean… does this mean you're going back to your own body or something?'
Not believing his eyes, Estel just stood there, and for once with tears in his own eyes, and feeling some sort of eradiating warmth coming from the slender hand, he laughed with a sigh. 'I think so, maybe. Half the nightmare is finally finishing, but why?
Their answer was given soon enough, in the most devastating blow any of the Peredhils could have imagined.
Edomir clutched the sheets from where he sat, knuckles turning white under his fierce grasp gently rubbing his forehead and cursing the slowness of elves, and attempted to recompose himself.
'How dare he. I was merely asking and then I get attacked by that stubborn elf…again? Surely, I thought elves are meant to be the noble ones, were the ones not to act out in rage or revenge. What a whole load of hoo ha. I should enact my revenge. HE ALMOST KILLED ME! And that damned ranger still has my gold coin, if he finds out the powers to that thing…. I'm ruined (N/A: Can't remember what I'm going on about? Check out Chapter 2 'k?)
Edomir stood up and calmly walked over to the mirror and winked at himself, with a cocky grin he formulated a plan.
'Aye, you handsome devil you, why are you so clever'. He pointed at the mirror…obviously 'complementing' himself, cocked his head to one side and gave out a short laugh.
'Obviously, if that troublesome elf is here, and then that human must be also. They seemed rather close in that bar, either brothers…or should I dare to think lovers… So that must be where my coin is, somewhere in this grot of a place well… tonight, my property is mine, even if I have to pluck it from that dirty man's cold fingers, or if I have to turn this place upside down and kill all those who stand in my way'.
Grabbing his aged and ripped jacket from the chair beside him, he threw it over his shoulder, winked at himself once more, sorted his hair into a parting and quietly opened the door in front of him. This was going to he his night.
'Oh come on Elrohir, you can't just stop there!', Rúnya thought it was just getting to the good part, and then the stupid Elf just stopped.
'Oh, sorry Rú didn't think you enjoyed the story much, you were scowling earlier on about how stupid and boring it is. I just thought that I'd check with Kirwen and Táridur if it was okay if I stopped, since Elladan Has somewhat fallen asleep'.
Elrohir scowled slightly when he noticed his brother had fallen asleep, left Kirwen wondering what had happened to him, thinking that he was dead, as she kept constantly poking him, but his brother didn't seem to bothered at all, had his hands behind his head, leaning back like there wasn't care in the world.
Elladan heard the stern and tense notch in his brother's voice rise a little, so cheekily opening one eye, and grinning, he replied in a mischievous and arrogant manner, 'Elrohir, how can I be sleeping?' He paused for a little, just to stretch out and annoy his little brother even more. 'If I was sleeping, my eyes would be open, as if it hadn't occurred to you at all that…hello, I'm and elf, and if I remember correctly we sleep with our eyes open and relax with them shut….'
A sudden oomph echoed the halls and a few colourful grumblings followed that when Elrohir decided to throw a pillow at his brother to shut him up once and for all. 'You're an indignant git, Elladan.'
Said brother had just removed the cushion from his face, mimicking his brother, much to Elrohir's irritation. 'Right, before I consider to strangle your thin neck Elladan, I'm going to get a quick drink. Anyone coming?' Táridur yawned and shook his head, Kirwen was too busy pulling on Elladan's top to get his attention to be bothered with Elrohir's question, and Rúnya slowly got up and stood beside Elrohir.
A look of pure surprise and confusion plastered Elrohir's face at that moment and without even asking anything Rúnya quickly butted in 'Don't worry, I'm not taking a liking to you at all, I'm just thirsty that is, and if anything was to attack you, I could save your poor sorry arse'.
Elrohir shook his head and patted Rúnya back, heartily laughing and wiping a fake tear from his eye.. 'If only Rúnya, if only'. Elrohir began to make his way out of the hall, shouting back a command, 'Elladan, see if you can handle two little elflings for me, or are you incapable of even achieving that?'
Merely sticking his tongue out at Elrohir's back and ushering Táridur over, he let the elflings settle down around him.
Kirwen was about to nod off, before her head shot up and began to frown. Yanking on Elladan's braids and making him cry out in either pain, anger or surprise, she began to fire questions at him.
'Why did you die? Why did you leave me? Don't you love me? What did I do? Am I boring? Why did you die? Aren't you an elf though? Elves don't die'.
The last thing Elrohir heard, before he shut the grand doors behind him and Rúnya was Elladan's growl and a firm, 'Shut the hell up Kirwen! I'm not freaking dead! And I'll show you if you want!' A high pitched giggle and a scream told Elrohir that Elladan was doing something that would embarrass him and most probably all those around him.
Elrohir quickly apologised and waved off any questions Rúnya was about to ask and pulled the elflling down the halls to the kitchen.
When Elrohir reached the front door, he stopped, spun Rúnya around so he faced him and kneeled down to get to Rúnya's height and asked, 'Now, Rúnya what did you really want to ask me?'
The look he received told him that Rúnya wasn't expecting the Elrohir to even think that he had anything to ask… 'I..er…'
So? What you think? Good or bad? Need redoing? Let me know, and a massive thankies to all of my reviwers...I love you all!