Chapter Five
(AN- Thanks to all who reviewed! I really appreciate it when you point out what could be improved and what lines you specifically liked. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like I've just read a story filled with hobbity-cuteness!)
The following day after breakfast, Elladan caught up with Gilraeth as he was heading outside to explore the lands of Rivendell. The boy seemed slightly worried, yet he attempted to hide his true feelings from the Elf by acting nonchalant. Together, Elladan and Gilraeth strolled along a well- worn path within the forest, enjoying each other's company and the sounds of nature.
Finally, Elladan broke the silence. "So, Gilraeth, what was your reason for coming to Imaldris?"
Gilraeth hesitated, glancing up at Elladan with nervous brown eyes. He did not exactly want to reveal his troubles to the Elf, who seemed burdened enough. Also, his trust was not fully placed within Elladan's hands, which was not uncommon for Gilraeth. After realizing his mother could no longer be trusted, he seldom went to anybody for support, allowing himself to be his own best friend.
"It's not a matter of importance," Gilraeth finally replied, which was a downright lie.
Elladan frowned. "Of course it is. Your situation back at home was obviously desperate enough that you would not find shelter from the rain in your own house."
"I was lost," Gilraeth answered. "I tried to find my way back when I saw the storm coming but instead got myself even more out of place."
"Do you take me for a fool, Gilraeth?" Elladan asked.
"Of course not," the boy answered, glancing up in startled puzzlement.
"Then why do you lie?" the Elf asked, perhaps a bit too imploringly for the child. Then again, Elladan hadn't dealt with children for many, many years. He did not remember their sensitivity or fragileness, how literally they took words.
"Why is it your business?" Gilraeth snapped, stopping along the path. His brown eyes were defensive and cold, but Elladan did not notice. He wanted to find out about Gilraeth in order to understand the boy better.
Elladan said, "If I do not know why you were running from home, I will not be able to help you."
Gilraeth slowly backed away, not understanding the meaning of his words as he nearly shouted, "I don't need your help! I don't need anybody's help! It is not your concern! Leave the matter alone!"
With that, Gilraeth turned and fled from a very bewildered Elf.
"I just don't understand," Elladan muttered for what had to be the tenth time that afternoon.
He sat at the desk in his quarters, his hands in front of him, head bowed, shoulders slumped. The boy had defeated him, this time, and Elladan wanted to make sure that it would not happen again. It wasn't that he wanted to dominate Gilraeth, but to simply overcome his emotional barriers and find out about his past.
His father sat upon Elladan's bed, staring at the slouched figure of his son. While he, like Elladan, had not dealt with children for quite some time, he remembered what he and Elrohir were like at that age, and understood Gilraeth's point of view completely.
"Give it time, Elladan. The pen-neth has only just arrived. His trust belongs to no one at this time."
"It's so difficult. He's been hurt somehow, and I want to know who and how and when."
"He's young, and afraid," Elrond replied gently. "Young ones like him are fragile. I would not ask him again for awhile. Build his confidence. Be with him often."
"He does not want anyone's help. He said so himself."
Elrond smiled and stood, walking over to his son. He placed a strong hand upon Elladan's shoulder.
"He did not mean it, Elladan. Little ones often do not know the power or the consequences of their words. Let him calm down, and then make amends, at the least."
After a moment of silence, Elladan finally straightened and turned to look at his father in admiration. "How do you know so much, adar?"
Elrond grinned broadly. "After suffering through you and your brother? I'm an expert!"
(AN- Thanks to all who reviewed! I really appreciate it when you point out what could be improved and what lines you specifically liked. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like I've just read a story filled with hobbity-cuteness!)
The following day after breakfast, Elladan caught up with Gilraeth as he was heading outside to explore the lands of Rivendell. The boy seemed slightly worried, yet he attempted to hide his true feelings from the Elf by acting nonchalant. Together, Elladan and Gilraeth strolled along a well- worn path within the forest, enjoying each other's company and the sounds of nature.
Finally, Elladan broke the silence. "So, Gilraeth, what was your reason for coming to Imaldris?"
Gilraeth hesitated, glancing up at Elladan with nervous brown eyes. He did not exactly want to reveal his troubles to the Elf, who seemed burdened enough. Also, his trust was not fully placed within Elladan's hands, which was not uncommon for Gilraeth. After realizing his mother could no longer be trusted, he seldom went to anybody for support, allowing himself to be his own best friend.
"It's not a matter of importance," Gilraeth finally replied, which was a downright lie.
Elladan frowned. "Of course it is. Your situation back at home was obviously desperate enough that you would not find shelter from the rain in your own house."
"I was lost," Gilraeth answered. "I tried to find my way back when I saw the storm coming but instead got myself even more out of place."
"Do you take me for a fool, Gilraeth?" Elladan asked.
"Of course not," the boy answered, glancing up in startled puzzlement.
"Then why do you lie?" the Elf asked, perhaps a bit too imploringly for the child. Then again, Elladan hadn't dealt with children for many, many years. He did not remember their sensitivity or fragileness, how literally they took words.
"Why is it your business?" Gilraeth snapped, stopping along the path. His brown eyes were defensive and cold, but Elladan did not notice. He wanted to find out about Gilraeth in order to understand the boy better.
Elladan said, "If I do not know why you were running from home, I will not be able to help you."
Gilraeth slowly backed away, not understanding the meaning of his words as he nearly shouted, "I don't need your help! I don't need anybody's help! It is not your concern! Leave the matter alone!"
With that, Gilraeth turned and fled from a very bewildered Elf.
"I just don't understand," Elladan muttered for what had to be the tenth time that afternoon.
He sat at the desk in his quarters, his hands in front of him, head bowed, shoulders slumped. The boy had defeated him, this time, and Elladan wanted to make sure that it would not happen again. It wasn't that he wanted to dominate Gilraeth, but to simply overcome his emotional barriers and find out about his past.
His father sat upon Elladan's bed, staring at the slouched figure of his son. While he, like Elladan, had not dealt with children for quite some time, he remembered what he and Elrohir were like at that age, and understood Gilraeth's point of view completely.
"Give it time, Elladan. The pen-neth has only just arrived. His trust belongs to no one at this time."
"It's so difficult. He's been hurt somehow, and I want to know who and how and when."
"He's young, and afraid," Elrond replied gently. "Young ones like him are fragile. I would not ask him again for awhile. Build his confidence. Be with him often."
"He does not want anyone's help. He said so himself."
Elrond smiled and stood, walking over to his son. He placed a strong hand upon Elladan's shoulder.
"He did not mean it, Elladan. Little ones often do not know the power or the consequences of their words. Let him calm down, and then make amends, at the least."
After a moment of silence, Elladan finally straightened and turned to look at his father in admiration. "How do you know so much, adar?"
Elrond grinned broadly. "After suffering through you and your brother? I'm an expert!"