Story Name: Dark of Night
Pen Name: Elena Roan
Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, written purely for enjoyment.
Rating: M
Warnings: very dark
Summary: When Legolas journeys from Mirkwood to Rivendell seeking answers to his unease and troubling dreams, little does he realise what awaits him and his gwador.
Editor: Michelle
Timeline: III 2990 (Aragorn 59 years old)
Note: AragornStriderEstel

Chapter 2: Dark Foreboding

A soft footstep from the doorway stilled the movements of the two tending to their horses.

"Ada (dad)," one of them greeted the elf at the door softly.

"Any word?"

"No. He has not returned to base camp since they went out. But that is not unusual, none of the Dùnedain missions are standard or within specific time frames, many other Dùnedain have not reported back in yet either," Elrohir answered.

Elrond sighed at the news.

"What is it, ada (dad)?" Elladan asked, stepping away from his horse and moving to where he could look his father in the eyes.

Elrond smiled and shook his head. "Probably nothing more than the anxieties of an old parent fretting about his child."

"Do you truly believe that?" Elrohir questioned quietly, almost gently.

"No, but it is my hope."

"Well...we should ride out again and see if we can locate our Hope," Elladan responded, already looking around the stables for fresh mounts, his eyes pausing briefly on the young spirited stallion that Glorfindel was training before continuing on. The older twin would never think of borrowing that horse, the elven horse was already fiercely loyal to the Balrog Slayer.

Before any of them could get further in their plans and thoughts their attention was drawn by the sound of horse hooves in the courtyard. The three of them exited the stables just in time to see Legolas swing down from his mount.

"Mae govannen Hîr Elrond, Hîr Elladan a Elrohir (well met Lord Elrond, Lords Elladan and Elrohir)," Legolas said, stepping towards them and bowing slightly in the traditional elven greeting.

"Mae govannen caun Legolas (well met prince Legolas)," Elrond returned, doing the same. "What brings you here?"

When Legolas swallowed nervously, Elrond realised with a start that it wasn't a regular visit.

"Shall we go to my study and speak of it there?" he offered and received a grateful nod from the prince.

As Elrond motioned for the prince to precede him and his twin sons to join him, several servants appeared in the courtyard to take the horses and show the prince's rather puzzled escort to where they could clean up from their ride.

"Where is Estel?" Legolas asked as Elrond quietly closed the door to his study behind them.

"Still with the Dùnedain (rangers)," Elladan answered.

"Why?" Elrohir asked, following on so close to his twin's words that one almost couldn't tell that it had been a different elf who had asked.

Legolas sat down with a sigh and unconsciously ran his hands over his hair, tidying it uneasily.

"What troubles you, caun neth (young prince)?" Elrond questioned gently.

"A baseless dread and dark dreams," Legolas answered softly.

"About Estel?" Elrohir questioned intently, trying to keep his alarm out of his voice and face. The younger twin was spared having it exposed when the wood elf just nodded without looking at him.

The three dark haired elves sat there for a moment, then Elladan abruptly got to his feet and moved towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Legolas questioned, the action having startled him.

"To arrange for horses, it will take too much time to get there if we walk."

"Get where?"

"The Dùnedain base camp," Elladan answered as he disappeared through the door.

"Ion nín (my son), ask Glorfindel to accompany you," Elrond called after his vanishing son.

"Yes, ada (dad)," floated back through the doorway.

"What do you know that I do not?" Legolas asked intently, fixing his penetrating blue eyes on the remaining two elves.

"Not much," Elrohir replied, making a face, "but what we do know is that there are now two who have a nameless anxiety about Estel and therefore it is past time we went and found him."

"Who else?" Legolas asked, before answering his own question as the pieces fell into place. "Hîr Elrond (Lord Elrond)?"

The elf lord nodded in confirmation before speaking. "Knowing Elladan everything will be ready for you to depart very soon. You may wish to take some time to prepare yourself, Legolas, the base camp is not close and Estel is likely not close to the camp."

Legolas nodded and silently left the room.

"I shall go speak to the kitchen," Elrohir stated softly as he too rose and left the room, leaving the Lord of Imladris to his thoughts.