-Dead Inside-

-ElvenHope-

Disclaimer: Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Celebrían, Glorfindel… all Tolkien's. The only one I own is the horse. Written with all respects to J.R.R. Tolkien, I am making no money from this and it is simply for my enjoyment. The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien estates and his heirs.Please do not use original characters or situations without asking first - if there are any.

-Series-

(Yes I have a series XD)

When Great Treasures Are Lost

(You don't have to have read the other story to understand this one, you may want to though).

-Translations-

Adar/Ada - Father/Dad

Naneth/Nana - Mother/Mum

Caradhras - Red Horn Pass

Penneth - young one

Muindor - Brother

Imladris - Another name for Rivendell

A/N: I studied the maps excessively in this book 'Journeys of Frodo' by Barbara Strachey and have come to the conclusion that Celebrían would have taken the same road the fellowship took to Eregion, and then continued through Caradhras (the red horn pass) on to Lorien. (Most people already knew that, but I thought that Caradhras and the red horn pass were too completely different places until now). I decided that this meant Elladan and Elrohir would have probably taken their mother to Lorien, rather than riding back over broken country to Imladris with her already half dead. Then again they may have decided to go back to Imladris as only their father could heal her -- this is something which caused me a bit of a dilemma, but I think I have figured everything out.

Also, according to the Encyclopaedia of Arda Elladan and Elrohir were born in the year 130 of the third age and Celebrían passed across the sea in the year 2510 of the third age, this would mean that the twins were 2380 - which in human years is 17 (going by the Imladris calendar). I don't know whether this is right or not, but I decided that I would write them at this age seeing as it was the only explanation I could find.

There are mixed opinions on what colour Celebrían's hair is, I'm keeping it as gold, seeing as that's the way it was in my first story.

Apologies for any spelling, canon or date errors, though I do like to think I know my way around Tolkien's world, I don't believe I am an expert (and also I have no spellchecker).

I apologise for the very long and boring authors note, I hope you enjoy the story!

:o:O:o:

Part One

It was the deepest watch of night and all the occupants of The Last Homely House slept peacefully - save one. The youngest son of Elrond tossed and turned madly in bed, caught in a nightmare he couldn't escape. He moved feverishly murmuring distraught words, his hands clutching at the bed clothes, his movements becoming more and more frantic until he jerked upright in bed and screamed loudly.

"Nana! Nana! No!"

Elrohir looked around panting desperately; sweat damp on his forehead then buried his head in his hands sobbing. He had been having this nightmare for weeks now - ever since his mother had left - and every time it became worse, stronger. Something bad had happened to her, something terrible and this recurring nightmare was becoming more and more frequent.

The door was thrown open and a disheveled Elrond walked in carrying a lighted candle which he placed on Elrohir's bedside before sitting down on the edge of the bed nearest his son.

"Elrohir, what is it?" Elrond asked his silver eyes filled with worry. Elrohir didn't answer; instead he flung himself into his father's arms sobbing into his shoulder. Elrond stroked his son's hair comfortingly, not yet knowing why he was in such a state, though he could guess. Elrohir's dreams had been bothering him a lot recently, and he often woke up shouting in the middle of the night.

"What happened?" Elladan asked racing into the room looking at his father shocked.

"I think Elrohir had a nightmare," Elrond answered still stroking Elrohir's hair soothingly shushing the inaudible whispers. The elder twin came around to sit down on the other side of the bed looking at Elrohir worriedly his forehead creased in an imitation of his father.

"What was it about Elrohir?" Elladan asked looking at his twin, wondering what could have caused him to become so distraught.

"Naneth," Elrohir mumbled into his father's shoulder. He pulled away suddenly, looking into his father's eyes with his own shining silver ones. "Ada there is something wrong, she's hurt! You have to find her!"

"Nothing has happened to your mother Elrohir, it was just a dream, she is safe in Lörien," Elrond tried to reassure his son thinking that he was still half asleep. Elrohir had always had a habit of talking in his sleep, ever since he was little, something which everyone found rather amusing. It was not so amusing now however, he had woken to Elrohir shouting for the past week and he needed desperately to know what was causing such bad dreams.

"No, no she's not in Lörien, she's in the Red horn pass," Elrohir whispered heart racing. His nightmares had been terrifying shooting directly to the core of his being. He hadn't seen clearly, everything had been distorted, but he had heard his mother screaming, he knew that she was in trouble and he couldn't help her! Fresh tears sprang to his eyes just at the thought and he buried his head in his hands again. "You have to save her, please Ada, please before it is too late."

Elladan looked at his father questioningly, confused and frightened by his brother's words. When Elrond shook his head dismissing the fact that Elrohir's dreams could possibly be truth he turned back to his twin still uncertain. Elrohir was so adamant that his dreams were real, how could his father know that they weren't? "Elrohir it was a dream."

"No," Elrohir shook his head choking through his tears before burying his head in his hands. "No it was real, I saw her, I heard her, it was real, please Ada, save her!"

"Ssh," Elrond whispered pulling his son to him, stroking his hair again, the movement almost a reflex. "I'll watch over you tonight alright, you just go to sleep, we can discuss this in the morning."

"But-"

"It was a dream 'Ro," Elladan said to his brother trying to comfort him.

"It wasn't," Elrohir whispered swiping at his reddened eyes. He allowed his father to guide him back into the bed though, and lay down watching Elrond with teary eyes. "Adar, please-"

"It was a dream Elrohir," the Elven Lord whispered. "Nana hasn't ever been away for so long before; you're just worried about her and its perfectly natural. Just like she worries about you when you go hunting."

"But, but it was so real-"

"Dreams are like that sometimes 'Ro," Elladan said agreeing with his father's theory far more quickly than his brother's. Elrohir always had strange dreams and nothing ever came of them, why should this one be any different? Elrohir had an active imagination that was all; nothing could have happened to his mother, it wasn't possible. He recalled that Elrohir used to sleep walk when he was younger and their mother went to Lörien without taking them, it was probably just anxiety, just like his father said. Besides Elrond was the psychic in the household, how could Elrohir have seen something and not his father? Then again, Elrohir was more in touch with their mother's feelings - but Elrohir and he normally shared dreams - especially strong ones...

The more Elladan thought about it the more it made his head hurt so in the end he decided it was best to side with his father. He was too tired to think and he couldn't comprehend the idea that something had happened to his mother.

It was just a bad dream. Elrohir tried to tell himself that, but no matter what he couldn't believe it. He fell into a disturbed sleep shortly after his head hit the pillow, comforted by the familiar prescience of his brother and father, but his dreams still haunted him and he woke in a cold sweat at dawn to find that there was no one there.

"Ada?" He asked looking about the room worriedly pace quickening. Had the dream of his mother been a dream in another dream itself? He clambered out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown and wandered out of his room down the halls of his house in search of his father and brother.

It was barely light, the pale sunlight filtered through the windows giving the world a cool and fresh feeling. Worry ran through him, making him feel sick when he wondered on the nature of his dream again. His parents had always told him that the sunlight would make those nightmares go away, but for some reason it didn't. He padded on down the hall, his feet bare searching all the rooms he could think of for his brother and father.

He found them eventually in Elrond's study. When he opened the door they looked up at him with grim expressions, his father holding a letter in his hand with a seal of Lörien. Elrond's forehead was creased as he squinted at the paper whilst Elladan fidgeted in his chair biting his lip.

"Adar?" He asked quietly, worriedly, the air in the room was so thick with tension it felt as though one could cut it with a knife.

Elrond looked up, his silver eyes troubled. "Elrohir, I am sorry that I did not wake you, I thought you needed the sleep."

"Oh," Elrohir said sitting down not knowing what else to say. "I didn't know whether I dreamt all of that or not."

"You didn't 'Ro," Elladan said his voice shaking. Elrohir's eyes flicked to his brother worried, but Elladan wouldn't look at him his chin rested on his hand, his fingers worrying his lower lip. Something was obviously bothering him and Elrohir's fear increased when he realized that his brother was shaking.

Elrohir looked between the pair of them confused. "What has happened? Is it something to do with Nana? Ada, tell me!"

The Elven Lord put the letter down on his desk, looking across at his son over steepled fingers managing to stay calm despite the fact that inside he was as worried as Elladan – if not more so. "Elrohir, a letter has come from Lörien..."

There was a silence for a short while before Elrohir prompted, "and...?"

"Your mother never arrived there," Elrond said unable to meet his son's gaze. "It would seem that your dream was correct ion-nín, your mother is indeed in grave danger."

Elrohir gasped, raised a hand to his mouth. "That's not true, it was just a dream."

"I wish it were," Elrond said sadly eyeing the parchment. "But we have no other explanation."

"But-"

"It wasn't a dream 'Ro," Elladan said stiffly. "I am sorry I did not believe you."

"We have to go find her," Elrohir exclaimed standing up, amazed that his brother and father had not already gone after her. When neither of them moved he cocked his head, looked at them quizzically. "What are you waiting for? Come on-"

"Elrohir-"

"What?" Elrohir asked cutting his father off.

"I-"

"Ada is refusing to let us go after her," Elladan said sulkily, glaring at his father, his hands folded across his chest a defiant light in his eyes.

"What! Why?" Elrohir turned on his father. "Why can't we go and find her?"

"If your mother is already in danger I will not let the pair of you risk your lives as well," Elrond said remembering the nasty experience his sons' had had with orcs only a few years ago. "I will send out a patrol."

"We could go with them," Elrohir suggested hopefully. He knew they couldn't take on a pack of orcs by themselves, despite how much he wanted to, but if they went with a patrol then nothing bad would happen to them. Why was their father being so stubborn?

"No," Elrond said flatly. "I forbid you to leave under any circumstances, I should have believed you sooner Elrohir, when these dreams first started, but I didn't and I would not forgive myself if you got killed."

"We are old enough to look after ourselves," Elladan said furious standing up and storming over to his father's desk, leaning over it and looking him in the eye. The elder twin had both hands leant on the desk and was trying to look intimidating, but the fact that he was shaking slightly ruined the effect. "You cannot tell us what we can and cannot do! Nana could be dying-"

"Which is why you two are staying here," Elrond said leveling his son with his stern gaze. "You know what those creatures are capable of I will not have the pair of you getting yourselves caught as well."

"But-

"Ada-"

"That is final," Elrond said stopping both of his son's mid-sentence. "Go to your rooms now both of you, I have to think."

"Whilst you are thinking Naneth could be dying," Elladan hissed. "I will never forgive you if she's dies Adar, not when you are wasting valuable time and we may never be able to say goodbye to her because of you."

Elladan stormed out then followed by Elrohir who looked a little too stunned to speak. Elrond held his head in his hands, speaking softly as the door slammed shut. "I know ion-nín, I would not be able to forgive myself."

Elrohir followed his brother silently knowing that it was not a good idea to get on his Elladan's bad side when he was angry. The younger twin knew that Elladan was going to deliberately disobey their father without a second thought, without even considering the fact that Elrond might be right, like he normally always was.

When the elder twin reached his room he turned on Elrohir, "get dressed," he ordered sharply, "quickly." Then Elladan left Elrohir standing out in the hall before the younger elf could even try and reason with him.

Elrohir did as his brother had told him to, knowing in his heart that he was going to go with Elladan - if they weren't caught, and at the same time weighing up everything his father had said. What if they did get caught? It would simply make matters worse. The memory of his mother's scream flooded his memory suddenly and he blanched half way through braiding his hair, gripping onto his wardrobe door with a white knuckled hand until the memory faded. He swallowed hard pushing away tears. His dream had been terrible last night when it had been just that - only a dream. But now it wasn't; now it was real and the idea stung him to the core.

He checked his brother's room a few minutes later to find that Elladan had already left. Hurrying back to his own room and grabbing his weapons he headed down to the stables as quietly as possible. They were lucky it was still morning and that most people were still asleep.

Elrohir entered the stable cautiously; he knew Elladan was in there, he also knew that his brother was in an incredibly bad mood. He did, however, have a perfectly good reason for it and they both knew that. The idea that their mother had been taken by orcs drove right to the core of both of the twins, and the mention of orcs made Elrohir physically sick. He had had nasty experiences with those creatures and it looked like they were about to have another one.

"Elladan where are you going?" He asked even though he already knew the answer.

"Where do you think?" Elladan asked tightening the girth on his saddle a little too sharply for his horse who gave a disapproving whiny.

"You are going to find Naneth," Elrohir answered slowly before protesting. "But Elladan Ada said that we couldn't..."

"I don't care Elrohir!" Elladan snapped turning on his brother. "I'm going, are you coming with me or not?"

"I don't... I don't know," Elrohir said running a hand through his hair. "We could wait for the patrol and go with them."

"Ada won't let us, you know that," Elladan said glaring at Elrohir, although the younger twin knew that his brother's anger was directed at his father - and that was for unjust reasons. "Look I'm going now and you can do what you always do Elrohir and behave for Adar or you can come with me now!"

Elrohir was silent contemplating what his brother had just said. Elladan often got angry with his brother when he didn't take his side over his parents; it had happened a lot when they were younger and in the rebellious stage of growing up.

Elladan looked at him an odd glint there that Elrohir couldn't quite place. "She's our mother Elrohir, and she's out there somewhere. What if orcs have her? What will you do then? When it's too late? You'll feel guilty for not helping her and I will not feel one bit of pity for you because you brought it on yourself. You know what those creatures can do Elrohir, you know. What if she's dying somewhere in a cave? She could be fading for all we know or those wretched creatures could be-"

"No!" Elrohir shouted suddenly the idea of what could be happening to his mother too much to bear, memories of his dreams that he didn't even know he had waking within him. "Shut up Elladan!" The younger twin turned to go, feeling ill and confused when Elladan grabbed his arm.

"If you leave now Elrohir, if you leave Naneth when she could be dying then I don't know you anymore," Elladan's gaze was fierce and Elrohir was stunned for a moment. "Well, are you coming or not?"

Elrohir was taken aback by his brother's sudden outburst and jerked out of his brother's hold. "How can you talk to me like this Elladan?" He asked angry at his brother's obvious selflessness. "I am just as worried as you are, Ada is too, but unlike you I am clever enough not to run into something when it could just risk Nana's life! At least I am thinking about it!"

Elladan stayed silent, seemingly ignoring him, but Elrohir could see that his twin was shaking again and suddenly felt a rush of guilt.

Elrohir sighed. He knew what the right thing to do was, despite the fact that he would be betraying his father's wishes, but at the same time he didn't really know if he wanted to find her. He wanted his mother home alive with them now, but if when they found her it was too late then he didn't think that he could bear it. The idea made him blanch and he leaned against the side of his horse's stall, feeling physically sick. Elladan looked at him questioningly. He had that same odd defiant glint in his eyes, mixed with the emotion that before Elrohir had been unable to place until now. Fear. His brother was frightened, and Elrohir knew who the fear was for. He felt the same way although he was certain that his emotions were far easier to read than his brother's. Elladan could turn all emotions into anger - just like he was doing now.

"Elrohir are you coming," Elladan said brusquely silver eyes fixing on his, staring at him, boring into his mind, his soul making the younger twin want to shy away.

Elrohir swallowed, answered finally. "Yes."

"Good," Elladan said turning away quickly concentrating on readying his horse once again. "I have saddle bags packed for you over there." He nodded absentmindedly over to a bench behind Elrohir.

Elrohir's lip twitched in the beginning of a smile, as he looked back at his brother with narrowed eyes. Elladan had always known that he couldn't leave his mother, even if he himself hadn't. Then again, he thought wryly, he had known, why else would he have gone back for his sword and bow?

They prepared their horses quickly, checking them over - for the mountain paths were treacherous at this time of year and they could not afford to loose a horse, or be delayed by injuries.

"This is the right thing to do Elrohir," Elladan said seeing that his brother was worrying again as he tried to tighten the straps on his quiver.

"I know," Elrohir said sharply. "I'm just worried about Ada, and I don't know how we're going to get out of the valley without being spotted. You can see the road out of Imladris from Ada's study!"

"The sun will rise over the mountains and the road will be shadowed until later," Elladan answered calmly. "And Adar should be worrying too much about Naneth to concentrate on the road, so stop worrying."

"I can't," Elrohir said softly. "I never can and if I did then we'd probably be dead by now."

Elladan gave his twin a wry smile. "You're right; I need someone to worry for me."

"I wish you'd just think ahead for once in your life-"

"You sound like Adar," Elladan mocked.

"That's not necessarily a bad thing," Elrohir said quickly, "he is wiser than you would like to think Elladan. And he happens to rule the one Elven realm that has never been in open war."

"And you would think that after all this time he would learn to trust his instincts. He wants to go after Nana too, I can see it, but he's too worried about leaving Imladris."

"He has his reasons," Elrohir argued.

"It does not matter Elrohir, I could not care less certainly ones family should come before all else," Elladan said crossly. "We do not have the time to talk about this now anyway Elrohir, it will take us a fortnight to reach Eregion - it's a distance of forty five leagues between here and there, and the horses will slow us down. Then we will have to travel along the old road between Dimrill stair and back until we find her, and I do not know how long that will take."

Elrohir rolled his eyes, his brother had always shown some skills in cartography, something which he knew he would never master. "Lead the way 'Dan."

Elladan took his Lowyth's reigns walking the mare towards the stable doors when he pulled up sharp.

"What is it?" Elrohir asked worriedly, but a second later his question was answered as Glorfindel entered the stable eyeing the twins suspiciously.

"And where exactly are you two going?" The Balrog Slayer asked folding his arms across his chest. He did not wait for an answer fixing Elladan with a hard stare deciding that this must be the elder twin's doing. "Your father has told me what happened, and he asked me to keep an eye on you and make sure you stay in Imladris."

"Well we're not and neither you nor my father can tell us what to do," Elladan snapped. "Now move Glorfindel or my horse will trample you."

"I can't let the pair of you go gallivanting off after orcs by yourselves, you won't stand a chance, you may not even find them," Glorfindel reasoned.

"Either way that is a risk we are prepared to take," Elrohir said quickly moving forwards to his brother's side.

"And what happens if you get killed?" The elder elf asked, his voice was sharp, yet there was a reasoning undertone to it, his eyes determined, but compassionate underneath. "Your Adar will have to deal with three deaths instead of one."

"You think it is already too late for Naneth don't you?" Elladan asked hotly although there was a tremor of fear in his voice.

"I don't know pen-neth," Glorfindel replied. "But if the worst comes to the worst and you stay in Imladris there will only be one death in your family. If you go like this the worst possible outcome is that all three of you will die."

"We don't have a choice," Elrohir said quietly. "I know how much we are risking Glorfindel, but can't you understand? Out mother is dying, and I've seen it all in my sleep for the past two weeks, I've heard her screaming and crying for us and I won't be able live with myself if I don't try to save her."

Glorfindel studied his face for a moment quizzically, taking in Elrohir's glassy silver eyes, filled with tears and an odd mixture of defiance and desperation. He sighed, shook his head slowly.

"I'll give you a day," he said slowly. "Then I'm telling your father."

A small smile spread across Elrohir's face. "Thank you Glorfindel, you will not regret this."

Glorfindel shook his head wondering what in Arda he was doing. "I hope not."

"Tell Ada we hit you," Elladan suggested grinning.

"I don't know Elladan," The Balrog Slayer gave him a wry smile. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

Elladan moved first, leading his Lowyth out of the stable. Elrohir followed him and simultaneously mounting their steeds the twins galloped over the bridge across the Bruinen and down the curving track to the ford, away from Imladris.

Critique encouraged, reviews welcome!