Wild Justice

Chapter 23: The Nomads


Yenearisa was the perfect excuse for two nomadic Elves to journey into Imladris with the intention of celebrating the Winter Solstice. With no realm to call their own, they were readily invited to partake of Imladris' hospitality. One Lord Erestor had subtly questioned them in order to determine their allegiances and past habitation, but upon finding nothing untoward they were granted leave to stay and enjoy their time in the Elven Lands.

Of course, these two elves had been sent to Imladris. Sent by the very half-elf the guards and higher-ranking officials had been warned about. Sent with the intention of catching sight of a certain blond-haired, pregnant, runaway prince and, depending on circumstance, remove him from the clutches of Lord Elrond and return him to his homeland, and one Lord Ahearn. All means save from death and permanent disfigurement had been encouraged in order to complete their mission.

The first part of their plan had been ridiculously easy to complete, one of the Elf's to watch for had practically been handed to them by the Valar themselves, for after their discussions and agreements with Erestor, they had been permitted to take their horses to the stables where they could be fed, watered, and rested. And whom did they find upon their entering the stables? Ah, but one of the Lord of Imladris' son's himself. One of the twins, though unknown to them which one it was, they had looked upon this occasion as being most auspicious to their deeds.

"Excuse me, my lord, we have been given leave to stay in Imladris by one Lord Erestor and wish to stable our two horses."

The dark-haired elf looked them over critically. Despite his mucky clothes and dishevelled appearance, one could still tell by the expensive fabric his outfit was made of that he was part of a noble family. Lord Elrond's family to be precise. Even though his face was smudged with dirt and sweat, there was no disguising his aristocratic features.

"Good morning, strangers," Elladan finally spoke, "If you will follow me I shall get you sorted."

They followed the young lord to a back stable, large enough for two horses to share. He led the animals in and supplied them with water and grain before turning back to the two strangers.

"Was there anything else?"

The elves shared a look before one of them stepped forward to speak.

"Pardon me for asking, but you are one of Lord Elrond's son's are you not? I ask only because we have never seen one of nobility doing a, well a servants job."

The Elf before them scowled slightly, but it was not directed to them. "My father has seen fit to punish my brother and myself. So, naturally, he designated to us the tasks we dislike the most."

Elladan watched the two carefully. There was no sense in withholding the information that his brother and he were being punished, the gods knew everyone in Imladris already knew about it. The news would get around to newcomers soon enough, especially those who dropped their steeds off at the stables.

The two elves nodded. "Well, we thank you for dealing with our horses, I know stable work is a most unpleasant job myself."

Elladan nodded in understanding before he enquired as to where they were from. They recounted their tale of being nomadic and that they knew about stable work due to the need to pay their way from place to place via work.

"You wouldn't happen to know if Imladris is willing to take on anyone? At least for over the winter period?"

Elladan shook his head a little. "If you speak to Lord Erestor, I'm sure he could find you something. I have no doubt that at least one of you will end up here." He grinned toothily when they groaned a little. "Say that Lord Elladan sent you and he will see you straight away, Valar know I could use a little hand here."

"I thank you, my lord, we shall do so right away." They were just about leave when Elladan called out, requesting their names. "Forgive us, my lord, I am Feoras and my companion is Timur."

Elladan nodded once before returning to his work as if they were no longer there, it was a polite dismissal, but one that still showed his status as being above theirs at the same time. Feoras shared a knowledgeable look and quick smirk with Timur before they both left the stables.

All in all, a good start to the day.

Of course it would be just there luck that after finding themselves suitable employment in Imladris, that nothing out of the ordinary should happen to point them in direction of their goal. For just over a week now, the two "nomadic" elves had been at work, Feoras in the stables of Imladris, subtly grilling and gaining inane information from Elladan while Timur was set up in the kitchens as a cleaner, keeping an ear open for any gossips about a the Prince of Mirkwood.

So far however, both elves had come up with nothing out of the ordinary. In fact there was no mention made of anything out of the ordinary at all.

No one said anything when the Lord of Imladris himself had entered the kitchens for food for two although it was clear from the moment he stepped foot into the kitchens that it was not an everyday occurrence. Timur had managed to find out later that Elrond had not eaten with any of his confidants or upper clansmen of Imladris.

No one said anything about the lone horse in the stables. When many of the other guests in Imladris made it a point to check up on their animals, to brush and groom and exercise them, no one came for that one horse, which was grudgingly looked after by Elladan until Feoras so graciously took over the task, at least for a day before it was moved to the more permanent lodgings for Imladris' own horses. The mare had looked quite familiar.

It was little things like this that kept Imladris' two visitors vigilant; vigilant and on the alert until the one day their waiting finally paid off.

-

It was a frosty morning, but with the sun shining its morning light down upon the realm of Imladris, one could tell that though the day was to get slightly warmer, the chill in the air would stay. Timur had finished his morning work and was not required in the kitchens again for a few hours yet. He was in the stables with Feoras and Elladan, conversing lightly with the two elves.

As with every other morning in Imladris, there was nothing to suggest that anything uncommon should occur. Not even when a stranger, covered and hooded in a heavy, yet tattered and travel worn, black cloak walked past the stables and headed in the direction of the surrounding woodland. Feoras and Timur would have brushed it off as nothing more than another Elvish guest wanting to commune with nature.

They would have forgotten about the passing stranger as well had it not been for the curiousness of Elladan's actions. The son of Elrond had briefly looked up at the figure and made to turn back to shovelling hay, but instead he froze. His eyes narrowing at the passer by, brow furrowing. His eyes followed the stranger's movements until he was hidden amongst the branches and trunks of trees. The dark-haired elf scowled slightly before turning away.

Feoras shared a look with his companion, making a gesture with his hand. Timur nodded and slipped silently away.

"My lord?" Feoras called, waiting until Elladan looked up before continuing. "Something troubles you?"

Elladan's face was now guarded, but his eyes flickered towards the pathway the stranger had disappeared down. Feoras followed the path of Elladan's eyes.

"The traveller?"

Elladan scowled again. "An acquaintance."

"Oh?" Feoras filled a nosebag with grain, "What happened?"

"Nothing," Elladan replied shortly.

"It does not seem like nothing."

Elladan turned a sharp look on him; Feoras put his hands up in surrender, bowing his head politely. "Very well. Shall we converse on something other?"

Elladan nodded briefly, but for a long while after there was only silence between them, and the workings of Feoras' mind as he thought the encounter over. It could be nothing. It could be something. Either way, Timur would have an answer for him when he returned from tracking the cloaked figure.

-

To Be Continued…?

If you want to read more, check out one of my Yahoo!Groups (links on my profile!)

Here you will find all current chapters of Wild Justice archived in the Files Section. My groups get first updates of everything that may not be posted elsewhere for weeks.

Peace,
CS WhiteWolf