Chapter Twelve
The Wrong Plan of Escape
888888888888888
Haldir glanced back at Elrohir, who rode not far behind him. They had both maintained a mutual silence since they had come within a day's ride of the Palace again.
Haldir bore two letters with him. One that would help them bluff their way into the castle, and the other would help them get past obstacles…like trying to get back out. But despite all of Aragorn's reassurances, he felt extremely nervous, as if there was something happening just beyond his natural perception…something bad. But he tried to ignore the feeling…he needed to get Elrohir into the palace, and back out before anyone could tell that there was anything the matter.
They reached rode out of the forest towards the citadel's gates. Haldir could see from where he sat the amount of guards atop the walls. Haldir was thankful for the silence, for he doubted he could say anything. His nerves ate at him despite the fact that they held papers that would ensure their safety…he had seen to many of his comrades murdered to not be nervous.
They were at the gates within minutes, and the guards halted them, looking them over with more than a little suspicion.
"Where do you think you are going slave?"
Haldir kept his eyes low, avoiding eye contact with any of the three guards that now flanked them.
"My master has sent us back with tidings for his father." He said holding out the one letter, which was sealed.
"Really?" asked the guard, examining the letter, but not opening it. "And who might your master be? And why is he not with you?"
"My master is the Lord Aragorn, who is away in Rohan…"
The guard's demeanor changed almost instantly.
"Of course…go right in, but make sure you secure another letter from the King to get back out…"
"Yes my lords…"
The doors creaked open in front of them, and they rode into the city.
They went through much the same process at every gate, until they were finally at the palace again. They went to the stable master and stored their horses, and asked for at least three more to be prepared for their exit. The gruff looking elf just nodded, examining the pair closely as he did.
Haldir entered the palace cautiously, Elrohir right behind him. They may have been in familiar territory, but he doubted that they could be in any more danger.
88888888888888888
Elladan walked towards his master's rooms, messages in one hand, and his master's newly laundered cloak in the other.
He was glad to have escaped Boromir's clutches, and was grateful he had received so kind a master, but all the same, he longed to be able to throw his burdens down and run as far away as he could. But he knew he could not. There was no hope of escape…
8888888888888888
Haldir pushed open the door to the servants' quarters, and was greeted by an excited squeak, and a sudden flurry of movement, as Remrethreil practically threw herself at him, knocking the wind out of him.
(You're okay! You came back!)
She embraced him tightly, as if she would never let him go. He laughed, and hugged her too, then lifted her up and carried her into the room.
He sat her in one of the chairs, still smiling at her enthusiastic greeting.
(Of course we came back…we could not leave you here all by yourself…)
He smiled, rubbing her calloused fingers between his own, and then he frowned slightly.
(We are leaving again soon, and I want you to come with us Remrethreil .)
(Where are we going!)
He rubbed the rough surface of her hand softly again, then looked her straight in the eye.
(To a safe haven where you will be able to live forever, and be at peace…and these beautiful hands of yours will be soft and smooth again, like they are supposed to be.)
She smiled at him again, then embraced him warmly, her pleasure at the thought of being able to go away evident.
Haldir let her go a moment, and look up at Elrohir.
He stood stock still, staring across the room at the doorway to the sleeping quarters. Haldir followed his gaze, and caught sight of Arwen, who was standing just as still, staring back at her brother.
88888888888888
Elrohir could not believe his eyes. There stood his sister, whom he had not seen since they were first sold, alive and well. He felt ashamed that he did not recognize her when he had first arrived, but he had not seen her in so long…
(Hello Arwen.)
She stood for a moment, tears staring to stream down her face. She half laughed as she answered.
(Hello Elrohir…I have missed you.)
Elrohir did not wait another moment, but practically ran the few steps separating them and swept her up in his embrace, twirling her about as he did.
(I still cannot believe it is you…) he said, coming to a stop, and setting her down.
She brushed a few strands of his hair out of his eyes, a bright smile on her face.
(It is…oh I …you are alive, your alive…)
He laughed slightly as she pulled him into another hug, nearly cracking his ribs with its strength.
(I always have been.) he said, laughing for a moment before becoming very quiet.
(What? What is the matter Elrohir?)
He looked down at his sister's concerned face.
(What if I told you that I know where Elladan is?)
(You know…)
(He is here in the palace, not to far from here.) said Haldir rising from where he had knelt before Remrethreil.
(That is one part of why we are here…to free the two of you, and him, if it is possible.)
She looked from Elrohir to Haldir, a grim determination coming over her.
(We will save him, and ourselves, and return to our people, even if we have to die trying.)
888888888888888
Elladan sat, his head in his hands. He had returned, to find that the lord Faramir was not there, so he had left his dispatches lying on the desk, and then returned to his room.
He had never felt so alone in his life. His friend was no longer there, but off escorting his master to Rohan. His sister and his brother, the two people dearest to him, had been dead for years…or so he had heard it told…so in the end he was alone…totally alone…
(Elladan?)
He looked up to see a rather striking dark haired elf standing in the doorway of the servants' quarters, a small smile on her face.
(I am sorry my lady,) he said, looking back at the ground, (but the lord is not in right no…)
He felt his eyes go wide as slow dawning realization came upon him…he looked back up at the elf, a strange look on his face.
(What did you call me?)
(Elladan…)
(How do you know that?)
She smiled again, and knelt in front of him, a kind expression on her features.
(I have know your name since we were small…)
Elladan studied her for a moment, looking deep into her crystal clear blue eyes…then it clicked.
(By the Valar,) he whispered, (Arwen, my god, Arwen, it's you…)
Her smile broadened, and she embraced him tightly, holding him to her for a moment. Then she pulled away from him, rising and pulling him up with her as she did.
(Come, the others are waiting.)
(Others?)
She smiled at him as she walked out of the room.
(You didn't think I was the only one who came for you did you?)
He looked at her confused as the entered the next room, then stopped moving. There was something there…a feeling like he had not felt in years…but he had not forgotten it.
He looked up slowly into the familiar face of his brother, his missing half.
(It's good to see you Elladan.)
He walked up to him, still in slight disbelief, and studied him for a moment. Then he threw his arms around him, holding his brother close.
(I thought I would never see you again as long as I lived Elrohir. I never thought I would see you again…)
(But we are together again…)
Elrohir pushed him back a bit so he could look him in the eye.
(…And I will make sure that we are never apart again.)
Elladan nodded as the tall elf behind him began to speak.
(Elrohir, we need to get moving…Faramir could be back at any…)
Elladan heard the door click, swinging open before the newcomer to the party. Faramir
looked up from his papers and froze at the sight of the congregation in front of him.
(Moment.) finished the tall elf, a look of pure exasperation on his face.
8888888888888
Faramir stared in disbelief at the group of slaves in front of him, only one of which he recognized…
"What is going on here?" he asked suspiciously, starting towards them with an air of superiority that usually would make the slaves bend to his wishes. He was surprised when no one answered. Instead they stood there, shocked looks on their faces. He stood glaring at them for a moment, then dropped his papers on a chair next to the door.
Finally one of them, the one he recognized as his slave, stepped forward.
"I am sorry sir, but my family has come for me, and I regret to tell you that I am leaving."
He looked at the boy with a skeptical eye, then sighed.
"I am sorry to hear that you think that…" he reached for the bell chord next to him. "I really am, but I cannot allow that."
Right before his hand could close around the rope, a dagger went flying by his face, and pinned it to the wall, making it so he could not summon anyone. He stared at the cord, and then looked back at the slaves. One of them, one he recognized as Aragorn's slave, Varin, rising from a fighting stance, the weaponry concealed beneath his livery cloak now revealed. He could see the glint of an all too familiar insignia on his shoulder…
"You are rebels." He gasped, trying desperately to reach around to the now closed door…a strong hand whipped him back around and slammed him against the door, and he was face to face with the one who had thrown the dagger…
"And you are dead."
Faramir could feel the cold steel press up against his neck, and closed his eyes in preparation of the coming bite…
"No! Wait!"
Faramir opened his eyes again to see his slave with a restraining hand on his comrade's shoulder.
"This man has been kind to me…he protected me from some of the worst harm, and sheltered me when he could have just sold me off…spare him, please."
"There are only two ways too deal with him, either he dies…"
Faramir felt the blade push closer for an instant, but then it was gone, and the rebel was putting the blade back.
"Or he comes with us."
He felt the shocked silence all around him, and the eyes of the other rebels watching him intensely.
"So what will it be, my lord?"
Faramir gulped silently, then looked at the one with the dagger again.
"I will go with you."
8888888888888