So, here we are, the last chapter for The Ghost Of Estel. Hopefully you'll enjoy this one. It was hard to write, and I hope I got everything okay. Thanks to all that have reviewed in the past, and hopefully I'm praying to get 100 reviews by the end of the year. A bit optimistic, but hey!
So enough of me blabbering on, here's the last installment.
'Arwen?' Elladan stepped back once, afraid of what was about to happen. His sister's arrival, and the fact that she was an obvious hostage to the man behind her, came of quite a shock to him. He just froze, unable to do anything, and for the first time in his lifetime, he had never felt so venerable and so alone. He had to save his sister, and try not to kill himself in the process. Just as the Elf was about to step forward to act, the hooded man carelessly cast aside Arwen, letting her delicate body collide into a nearby wardrobe.
He followed her movement, hastily dodging a unknown flying object, watching as it flew into the window, and before he could even turn his head to look back to Arwen, something hit him, hard.
Arwen gaped. 'No, no, no! He's not supposed to be here alone. By the Valar! How did this go so wrong?' From being determined and stern, a feeling of pure guilt and disbelief washed over her. She supposed her brother thought the same, as he backed off a little, afraid of what was going on, and, she gathered, his limitations. Their survival didn't look promising.
She stared right at her brother and shook her head, letting it fall, sharing a wordless apology. She daren't struggle for the reaction her captor would give.
For a moment, everything to her froze, no one moved. Not even her older brother, which she would have supposed he would have done something by now, if he could. 'What have I done?'
Before she could look up, she felt herself on the wings of air, before her flight ended with a dull thud. Shakily she returned to her hands a knees, only to watch as her captor, threw off his cloak, unsheathed his hidden sword and charged, fully armed at her brother.
Prior to even reaching his prey, Edomir grabbed a book from the desk a threw it, just missing the Elf by inches, and watched casually as the object tore through the window, almost as if was made of tissue paper. Deciding that wasn't going to work, he charged once more.
'Elladan. NO!' The Elf maiden started forward, jerking higher and tried to give all the help she could from her position but crumbled when Edomir reached her brother. Arwen fell forwards again, unable to keep up her own weight. Slowly loosing the battle with consciousness.
The wind left his body in an abrupt whoosh, as the human brought down the hilt of the sword into the Elf's chest. Elladan tumbled backwards a few paces and collided into the bottom of the chair. The Elf gave an agonised groan before cracking his eyes opened and achingly looking above to seek his attacker.
Elladan was pretty sure his mind was playing tricks on him. There was no way that human should be in here, right now. He watched as Edomir crouched down in front of the injured Elf, tapping the blade into the palm of his gloved hand, a smug grin plastering his face.
'Ai, now I didn' expect ye to turn up'. Edomir brought his face closer towards Elladan's, only inches apart, his toothless grin growing. The Elf tried to recoil from the smell the human was giving off, but couldn't. 'Time for a little payback for ye humilatin' me in them woods, huh?'
Edomir was just pulling out from his crouch, when Elladan kicked his legs upwards, catching the human in the stomach and sending him back towards the doorway. This in turn was good, but rather a bad idea. Edomir saw four beings bounding up the stairways, and deciding that he had enough of running away, bolted the door shut.
He glared daggers at the Elf, before swinging his sword in his hand, then running forward, bringing the sword down.
Elladan ducked the next attack, holding back a yelp as his chest radiated pain. 'Something's damaged in there'. The sword came inches away from the Elf's head, catching a few strands of hair on its path. 'Damn human'.
Anticipating Edomir's next swing, Elladan shifted over to the table, and using it as a support, brought himself upwards. He spun around the table edge, just as Edomir brought his sword down once more, denting the table. Elladan swiped off a three pronged candle holder, from the table, and jumped back, just avoiding being impaled.
Bangs at the door, made both warriors turn towards the interruption. Through the hard oak, voices rang, but all were to inaudible to hear.
Edomir being the first one to ignore the noises, vaulted over the table, then used his thick arms to drive the sword downwards. Catching the movement with a side glance, Elladan brought up the candle holder with both hands, stopping the swords descent immediately.
But with the power of the attack and his current strength failing, combined, made the Elf fall to his knees with a grunt. Edomir used his advantage, and pushed downwards more, causing Elladan to bend down further. Both fighters struggled to break the stalemate and get the upper-hand.
'Goddamned Elf, give it up, ye can't win'. Edomir moved forward, and watched as Elladan tried to lean backwards and keep the candlestick up.
'How about …no?' Elladan jeered back immediately after the human spoke, provoking the situation even more. He knew it was a stupid act, but right now, he couldn't care. The edan needed to be taken care of as soon as possible. The brunette closed his eyes a took a deep breath before swinging his whole body sideways, loosening the sword from the prongs, and sending the weapon from the Edan's hands, to the other side of the room. Along with it went the holder.
Enraged; as he watched his weapon soar, the human pounced on the Elf, grabbing his forearms, pinning Elladan's legs underneath his own body. Edomir then straddled him, effectively pinning Elladan to the floor. The Elf gritted his teeth together, and adjusted himself to get into a more comfortable position.
Elladan screamed when Edomir increased the pressure on his forearm. To begin with the pain was tolerable… to an extent. Now it was blinding. Tears accumulated in his eyes, and he tried to struggle his arm free from the merciless grip.
Edomir wasn't as stupid as he appeared, and smirked with an brash scoff. He moved his hand slightly, and stared into the Elf's eyes before twisting his fingers into the incision in Elladan's arm. He watched coldly, as Elladan thrashed underneath him, hissing through clinched teeth, eyes shut tight.
Blood trickled through the wound, leaking into the floorboards. An idea sparked in the man's head and quickly removing the glove with his teeth, he flexed his fingers, admiring his jagged nails, and using them like a pin, he drug them through the torn skin, plucking away. His captive cried out, and unexpectedly the banging against the door ceased.
Acknowledging his toy was soon to be rescued, he twisted his hand in Elladan's collar and heaved him upwards, taken aback at the Elf's weight and trudged over to the window, and waited for the inevitable.
Elrohir was sure he was going crazy, and in his frustration, kicked the door. It seemed to like hours they had been trying to open the blasted door in front of them. Twice he heard his brother scream, just like a few nights ago, and now everything was silent.
It was killing him inside. His brother stood to his side, and by the look on his face, he was concocting some sort of plan.
From behind him he heard the shuffle of feet, and from around the corner, a scrawny looking, and quite exhausted Elf appeared. He turned and awaited the messengers speech, occasionally glancing at the door, biting down on his lip. He had to look twice, when he saw Aragorn tapping at the door lock with a short dagger, obviously taken from the sentinel. He seemed to be chiming away like a clock, like time, time they didn't have. 'We're too late'.
After a few seconds, when the blonde Elf hadn't spoken, and the tapping was grating on his last nerve, Elrohir flipped and growled. 'By the Valar, what is wrong? This isn't a tea party.' The addressed Elf glanced up nervously, still gulping air, eyes wide.
From beside him he saw his father jump and turn with a speed, and glare warningly. Elrohir stared back at his father, unfazed. Both Lords halted their face off as soon as the squeaky voice of the messenger broke through the ticks.
'My Lords, come quick, Lord Elladan is hanging from the window.' Elrond whitened at the statement and turned to Glorfindel. The blonde raced off down the stairs, being followed by the messenger. Even Aragorn had stopped his hacking.
Elrohir's already heated mood, flared up even further, and with the astonishment of his family and even himself, he pivoted on his left foot, and with the all force he could muster be kicked out at the door, snapping off the lock.
It swung open as if in slow motion, and all watched as the forms of Edomir and Elladan materialised in front of him. The human grinned at the three new occupants, and cocked his head to the side.
'I was a'wonderin' when you would turn up'. His tightened his grip on the Elf's shirt, glancing down at the coutyard. 'Tis a mighty drop'. He mentioned casually, eyes fixing on Elrond.
'Ai, what a gentleman I'm not', he pointed with a crooked finger, with his free hand, to the furthest wall. 'I's forget to tell ye about that one.'
Aragorn's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. A fire grew inside of him, and he stepped forward. Edomir noticed the advance, and leant further out the window. 'I wouldn't be doing that if I were you'. Estel glared, and watched as Elladan tried to hang on tighter to the human's arm.
Elrohir took a daring foot forwards, and spoke out. 'What do you want?'
'Ye blasted Elves are stupid! I'll be saying this for the last time and last time only. Ye give me what's mine back, and I give this one back'. He jostled his arm slightly, causing the Elf on the receiving end gulp uncertainly and peer down. Tightening his grip on the humans arm.
Elrohir growled at the threat, but nodded none the less. 'Just name what it is and we'll give it to you'.
Edomir rolled his eyes but held back the urge to say anything. 'Me coin. The one that whelp took back the pub'. All eyes settled on Aragorn, Elrond raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
Elrohir, rummaged through his back pocket and pulled out the coin, flipping it over once in his hands. The human's jaundice eyes lit up with desire, and he looked as if he was about to drool. Before Elrohir came forward to give back the coin, the young Elf made his demands clear.
'Before you even touch this coin, Edomir, you bring my brother back in through the window'. Edomir shrugged, and walked in towards the room, and dumped Elladan on the floor as if he burnt his hand.
'There,' he held out his bloody hand, and Elrohir threw it to him, disgusted. The man awed at the thing, before turning to the matter at hand. Two of the three had rushed to the maiden's side, and he was faced with the twin of his captive.
He breathed slowly, before giving the two finger salute, picking up Elladan and without a second thought, cast the Elf out into thin air. Elrohir ran forward and skidded to a halt outside the window and glanced down, seeing everyone beneath him hustle around like ants that had just found discarded ice cream. When he couldn't see his brother he feared the worst.
He turned around and watched as Edomir fled for the door, and gripping the window ledge, leaned out further to look. The almost silent crumble of dust caught his attention, and he bent around the ledge, to find his brother trying to get a firm hold of the wall. Legs kicking out, one hand seemingly useless, the other the only hope of life, clutching onto a brick, the grip so deep, his knuckles were turning white.
Elrohir reached out and wrapped his hand around his brother's arm, not bothering to even wince as the broken glass still fixed in the window frame bit into his flesh.
''Dan, grab my arm, I'll pull you up, okay?'
Elladan hissed in reply, and in a croaky voice replied. "Ro, grab my wrist, not my arm…please'. Elladan glanced upwards, and Elrohir saw the pain contained in them. Inside he berated himself in his foolishness and became aware of whose blood was on Edomir's hand. 'Here's what happens when I think optimistically'.
'Elrohir! I'm slipping'. Not even a second past, and true to his brother's word, Elladan's grip faltered, and had Elrohir not been holding onto his brother's arm, Elladan would have fallen to his death.
Elrohir felt the weight of his brother pull him slightly, and using his other arm, readjusted his hold, feeling Elladan's hand encircle his arm. Bracing himself against the wall underneath the window, Elrohir looked down and getting a quick nod and a frightened glance to the floor, heaved his brother's body upwards.
Elladan bit his lip in attempt to ease the pain, which wasn't working much and using his legs as an extra push, he eventually saw his bedroom once again.
Elrond turned from Arwen for a few seconds and watched with relief as both twins fell into the room entangled and with a bang. Considering Elladan was in safe hands for the moment, he continued his attempt to awaken Arwen.
Elrohir shifted, and slipped out from underneath Elladan. He took his brother in his arms and gave him a quick hug, before leaning his mirror image against the wall, and with a quick once over, got back up and raced to where Aragorn and Edomir were rolling on top of each other.
Aragorn leant over his beloved and sighed. This wasn't getting any better. He looked to his left and watched as Edomir literally dropped his brother out the window. He jumped up, about to run over there, but in torrent of wind and speed, Elrohir was there before he had straightened. He watched in horror as Elrohir leant over the side and came back in empty handed. It was at that moment that he saw Edomir run off, attempting escape.
Deciding that he had to put a right to this, he threw himself forward, catching the enemy by the legs, sending both men to the floor. The coin in Edomir's hand rolled out the open door and down the stairs. The human underneath him growled and struggled. It took every bit of strength to keep him down.
He heard a thump from behind him and the beating of his heart slowed slightly. His short lapse in ho,d was everything Edomir needed. He rolled to the side, throwing Aragorn off balance and too the floor. Edomir was up in a flash and made for the door once again.
Aragorn made his way upwards and saw Elrohir coming his way. Grabbing Edomir by his jacket, he didn't expect him to turn around and shove him backwards. Edomir cursed before sliding past Elrohir and grabbing his sword once again.
Though the Elf wanted to, he had no way to stop the human, as his adopted brother came bumbling backwards into him, and accidentally smacking his elbow into the unexpecting Elf's nose.
Aragorn fell forward after the contact, and jumped when his brother behind him yelped and fell down. Aragorn spun around just in time to glance at Elrohir pulling his hands from his nose, blood trickling down his chin. That was the last he saw o his brother as Edomir stepped casually over the Elf, kicking Aragorn forwards slightly, and off balance, bring his sword down.
Elladan sat there, clearing his head. He watched in amazement as Edomir took down both of his brothers in one move. Then Edomir ran towards the wall and picked up his sword, Elladan pushed himself off the wall and up to his feet. He made up his mind then and there and looked around for the waepon, spotting his daggers gleaming in the light above him.
Elladan grabbed his short knives from the wall, and with all the strength he could muster, raced forward, leapt forward and down, effectively shoving the ranger out of the way, falling onto his side hard.
He let out a sharp yelp, not realising that it would have hurt so much, and quickly twisted onto his back, thrusting both knives above him, defending himself from Edomir's clear attack, and almost being physically sick at the result.
Edomir had lunged at Aragorn, cursing him all the way, but just as he was about to bring his sword down the ranger flew forwards, and was replaced by an Elf.
From that moment everything slowed. He watched as Elladan's cold and malice filled eyes turned and burned into his, the scowl that twisted into shape told Edomir all he needed to know; he was going to die.
The next thing the human knew, he was falling through thin air, the power he had used to drive his sword into the victim was too much, he couldn't stop. Through disbelief and worry, he let the momentum carry him into two awaiting Elvish knives.
A scream of shear agony. The sharp crack of bone entered the room, cutting and echoing. A that blade sung its last swing, was abandoned by a limp hold. But it was the squelch of flesh being pierced and ripped by Mithril that made 'Dan turn his head and shut his eyes. He used everything in his power to keep his arms up, his grip faltering on the hilt. The human wasn't exactly light.
Blood spilled forward, gently oozing down the blade, twisting around the Elf's arms, eventually forming into a crimson puddle beside his ear. Like a corrupted waterfall, the descent magical, but the end swift and lonesome. Elladan gulped and looked upwards, seeing through the human.
He feared death, he feared his calling into the next world. It was simple to see, but beyond the fear was pure disappointment, failure, departure. Edomir had lost.
Elladan's muscles shook through adrenaline and exertion. He hadn't intended to kill, but instincts won. Subconsciously, Elladan had wanted this from the beginning, and now it was over. His breaths were coming out fast and uneven, and as he looked upon the dying man above him, two blades piercing two lungs, he couldn't help but feel sorry.
The man jerked, his body's last resort to overcome the pain. His eyelids, came together, never to be parted again. The body slipped down the knives further until the tip of blade came out through the back, hilts buried into his chest.
Elladan was merely a hairsbreadth away from the human's face. Elladan couldn't believe what he had just done. Sure, this man had attempted to kill all of his family, over what, a blasted coin? It just didn't seem right. Now, only now, was he having second thoughts. 'How come we always have second thoughts of doing things, after its happened?
Suddenly the weight was pulled off him, and Elladan looked up to see Edomir rolled off him by his father. Elladan let go of both blades, sick of hearing the blade tackle flesh, shaking his hands as if poison were on them.
From behind him he felt two soft hands push him upwards and into awaiting arms. Turning his head around he caught a glimpse of Arwen, finally smiling. He spun around and gathered him into her arms in a fierce embrace.
Arwen pulled back, and wiped a few tears from her eyes, and stood. Elladan smiled back. He knelt there staring at the cerise spots, dotting his fingers. A hand was shoved into his face, and upon noticing that it was Elrohir, he accepted the help upwards, sagging slightly.
No one had said nothing to this point, all of which were just happy to be intact. Elrond's regal voice rang out.
'Elladan, it always amazes me how, when you are your brothers are together, you make such a mess'. Everyone glanced around the trashed room, and both the twins shrugged.
'Ada, it wasn't my fault…' Elrohir moaned in a nasally tone
'If Edomir hadn't thrown that thing….'
'Then my window won't be broken…'
'And maybe, had it not been for the blasted human, then the table would not be…'
'So dented?'
'No Elladan, so… so…'
This time instead of the twins finishing each others' sentences a new voice spoke out.
'Intact?'. The four elves turned to see Aragorn leaning against the wall. The ranger shrugged and continued. 'Honestly, that thing needs to be restyled. It looks really old'.
Elrond gave his youngest son a stare, but with a soft smile. 'I'll make a note to change that little one. Now', the old Elf clapped his hands together and looked around the group. 'Let's get you lot patched up shall we?'
Elrohir followed Aragorn and Arwen out, teasing them, and telling them to get a room. Elladan on the other hand stood there, transfixed on the dead body. A comforting hand was placed on his shoulder with a light squeeze.
'You did what one had to Elladan, we all make decisions. Some turn out the way we want to and others don't. That is the price of having free will'. Elladan nodded and sighed.
'But all for a stupid coin Ada, all for nothing.'
Elrond shook his head and gently pushed Elladan towards the door, 'You'll see in time how intersting that 'coin' was, my son. Now, come Ibelieve I have just discovered a cure. Elrond looked down at the arm and shook his head. Of all the simplest things.The poison hardened in the wound. All they had to do was take it out, after the Purist had done what it should have. Edomir had given them a start.
'Not all people are what they seem'.
He turned on his heel without a second glance back, shutting the door behind. Besides it was so cold in there.
'After that, everything turned back to normal, we had Elladan's room cleaned out, the window fixed and Edomir sorted. After a few weeks of healing Elladan was back to normal and playing his usual pranks. Estel managed to scare everyone with his sheet over his head. I never knew my dearest twin had such a girly scream. In revenge? Elladan turned Aragorn's skin white, and with it, all his clothes. His excuse was that Estel fitted the colour'.
Everyone lay silent for a few seconds before Táridur's started to speak.
'Elrohir?'
Said Elf looked upwards from peering at the floor, and nodded. 'Where is Aragorn anyway? I thought he'd be here. He usually is following one of you two'. Elrohir shrugged.
'May be about somewhere with Arwen. That human never stays still'.
Aragorn sniggered from his place behind the sofa, he peeked around the edge and spotted Elrohir gazing at the floor again. Without another thought, he jumped over the sofa, and started to sway about.
'Whooooooo, a boogga bogga'.
He watched as Elrohir jumped, and the two little ones diving into Elrohir with a scream. His other brother stirred from his position and on noticing the white Aragorn with blurry eyes, yelled and ran behind the chair, knocking a sleeping Kirwen from her spot.
He couldn't help himself no more, and he flopped down onto the sofa kicking his legs out, laughing out loud and clutching his ribs. 'Oh…. Valar…. You should… you should have seen…your faces'. Aragorn paused before dissolving into another fit of laughter.
Elladan grabbed the top of the chair and pulled himself up, sharing a miffed look with his brother. Both Peredhils creeped forward and tackled their brother sending the sofa backwards and three brothers into a dust storm.
Kirwen, Táridur and Rúnya both looked on with confused and amused faces.
Something about them three wasn't exactly right.
Upon hearing the screaming Elrond and Telpëalata dashed into the Hall to only find Elrond's children fighting and Telpëalata's staring on in amusement. Both of the parents shrugged at each other, too tired and too much Miruvor in their system to care.
As they parted Telpëalata looked to Elrond. 'If you do not mind me asking my Lord, but why has Elladan dyed a fraction of his hair white?'
Elrond stopped dead, with wide eyes. 'He did what?' With that he ran back to the Halls with Telpëalata hot on his trail.
This indeed was going to be a very interesting Winter Solstice. As long as no one drunk all that heavily.
There we are, the end. (cries) The end? I can't believe it! Well tell me what you think, just clikc the little blue button and even its just a word tell me. Thank you to all my Valar blessed reviewers, you relly helped me finish this, I love you all. Massive mention to Viresse, she kept me going all the way and helped me loads.
But you all rock. I'll be back in a few weeks with the beginning of my new series 'Beyond Shadow'. See ya'll there.
Dae.