Disclaimer: I own the hideous mini-Koi, 15 bandits and a bag of peanuts


A/N:

'This is thought'

This in mind speech

'This is visions'

"" This is mind to mind Far Speak ""

To my Lovely Readers: THANK YOU!



Battle Lines

They had been tracking them for weeks now, every time the patrols got close to what they believed was the bandits' hideout, the tracks disappeared. Elladan was beyond frustrated by this time and nothing his twin could say helped calm the anger that simmered beneath the surface. He did not like being toyed with and that is exactly what the intruders were doing. Their Ada, Lord Elrond, continually searched the Vale using his ring of power and his foresight without success. The only intelligence they had gathered, so far, consisted of the bandits number, which was six individuals and the different track marks they made. They were concentrated in a small area of Imlandris' upper border, but their exact location still eluded the patrol. Trudging onwards, Elladan vowed to find them soonest.


The tracker watched the patrol move off. He was sure the ruse had worked yet again. That was one determined elf that followed their trail, but the bandits knew how to conceal themselves, as they had years of practice in doing so. Turning in the opposite direction of the patrol, the tracker set off at an easy pace to inform his leader of the patrol's location. A smirk slid across a fair face at the thought of the wild goose chase his leader was leading the stubborn Elves on. 'Serves them right! If it was not for them allowing those infernal hunters to trespass on our territory, we would have left all of them in peace! They are lucky we do them no harm, but if they push us, we may have to resort to more violent methods.' Sighing at the thought of possible blood shed, the tracker reached the cave's entrance and vanished quickly from sight.


Glorfindel paced the confines of Lord Elrond's study making huffing noises as he thought over the sparse intelligence that had been gathered so far. They were no closer to finding the intruders then they had been before the patrols were sent out, only the twins' patrol still combed the area and only due to Elladan's sheer stubborn willfulness. Glorfindel was itching at the bit to return to scouring the upper areas of Imlandris, but Elrond had recalled him to his side much to Glorfindel's displeasure. "Are you quite through with your fit my friend?" The soft words penetrated the pacing elf's thoughts, bringing the golden haired warrior to an abrupt halt.

Looking over his shoulder, Glorfindel took in the sight of his Lord leaning nonchalantly against the door frame with an amused look on his face. Sheepishly, Glorfindel grinned at Elrond before commenting ruefully, "Aye, I believe I am just about done. So what grave news do you carry that drags me to your office when intruders lounge happily in our Vale, basking in the glory of Imlandris without a care in Arda? Please tell me you have not called me here to go over reports or I may go mad as a rabid warg."

"No, my friend, it is not reports that bring you to my side but a contingent from Lothlorien. They will be arriving shortly to bring news from Galadriel and to escort Arwen back to Lorien for a visit. The lower path over the mountains has been blocked by a mudslide, so they will be forced to tread along the path that goes directly through the bandit's reported area of interference. I want you and my sons to keep the company safe to and from the Last Homely House. I want no harm to befall anyone! The bandits must be dealt with as soon as possible, but Arwen's safety is of utmost importance." Elrond replied as he stared unseeing out the balcony window.

"I will see to it personally! Mayhap that is why they are attacking the hunters and travelers," Glorfindel exclaimed suddenly, "along that stretch of border. If a mudslide has taken out the lower pass it would force both hunters and travelers to choose the high pass. We had no problems with any intruders until the path was blocked! I wonder just how long it has been since the intruders first inhabited that area of Imlandris. Mayhap they have been here far long then previously thought. We will have to take that into account and proceed as if they know the area as well or better then we do ourselves. I will inform Elladan of my thoughts when I go to meet the Lorien escort. We will find the culprits Elrond it is only a matter of time!" with that the golden haired warrior spun on his heels and left to prepare for meeting the new arrivals.


Clashing sounds could be heard echoing around the cave. It was mid afternoon and the younger bandits were in weapons training, with the leader overseeing the process. "Good Chapariel! Keep up your guard or you will lose that throat of yours! Araduil you are dropping your shoulder to the left! Watch how you move!" the leader snapped at the two combatants just before throwing a sword out to stop a downward sweep that would have ended in grave injury or possible fatality. "Do you not listen to anything I say? I should have just let you finish your move and then allowed you to sing the lament for the death of one you hold dear! I train you for all our protection. I will brook no slacking in your duties to me or our family. Now you two go back to basics and practice those for the next two hours." The menacing growl made the two now guilty combatants cringe in horror and self disgust at the near fatal mistake. Getting into formation as they had been taught, the two proceeded to go through the familiar drills they had been learning over the last three years.


A signal from outside alerted the bandits to the return of their scout. Striding to the edge of the cave weapons drawn, the leader smirked delightedly as her downward slice was halted midway by the scout's blade. "Very good Shadow, quick reflexes as always! What news do you bring my brother?" the leader said to the dark haired scout. Giving a mocking bow in the leader's direction, the scout made the mistake of sticking out his tongue. Shadow ducked at the last second, barely missing the hand trying to cuff the back of his head. "You are not being fair Fury! I slither around watching those vile Elves and all I get is disrespect! You should bow before me for the news I bring thee!" the lithe dark haired scout said mournfully.

A wicked grin flashed across the leader's fair face as a foot swept the scout's knees and dropped him on his back in front of the leader. "Show respect young one or I will have to beat it into you! Shadow report now or it will go ill for you!" Steely lavender-grey eyes peered down into the scout's dark green ones. With a sigh of resignation, Shadow filled his leader in on the days scouting trip and the direction the Elves were heading. A hard, cold veil drifted over the leader's lavender-grey eyes as a plan formed. This night they would declare their intentions of keeping their territory. Fury was determined to draw the battle lines quite clearly and in such a spectacularly, spooky manner as to frighten the Elves into believing they were indeed wraiths of old. The veil lifted as quickly as it had fallen. Now that a decision had been made, the leader turned back to the company in a state of anticipation.


Elladan called a halt for the night in a small clearing. The older twin went about helping to set up the camp while he pondered the lack of expediency in bringing the bandits to a swift end. It was a personal affront to him that these six intruders had taken over part of Imlandris. That the bandits were still eluding capture as well only made the situation that much more aggravating to the twin, and brought his normally quick temper to a shorter fuse. Dropping to a place by the fire, Elladan went over every small detail they had learned in the past few weeks. These bandits were very cunning, yet he knew they were no match for the Elves of Imlandris. He had finally come to the conclusion that the intruders were setting up false trails for them to follow. Tomorrow they would try a different tactic and Eru help the bandits when he caught them! Drifting off into reverie against a nearby tree, Elladan failed to see the worried eyes of his twin watching him closely.