Thanks you four! hugs Yeah, I understand what you mean Erusel, I'm an Erestor/Glorfindel shipper myself.
J-mercuryuk, you're right, but I will solve this problem somehow.
Chapter 7
He shivered, trying to block out the cold as the pounding in his head slowly became less vicious. Trying to curl up into a foetal position he tried to warm himself somehow but something prohibited him from moving. Slowly he opened his eyes, the pain in his head almost instantly doubling. Something growled nearby and he froze at once.
"You're
awake. Good," a cruel voice rasped out, "Master wouldn't like
damaged goods."
Elrond's eyes were wide with shock as he saw
the creature. Swallowing the lump in his throat, lying still for fear
of what his strange captor might do if he moved too much. Quietly he
stared.
The creature was black and looked like something between an orc and a firedrake. The orc-part seemed to be the stronger side, though.
"Here," the creature grabbed Elrond by the shoulders and lifted him, settling the elven lord against a tree as if he were no more than a rag doll. "You stay here or you'll be sorry."
Elrond nodded, apprehension washing over him as the creature suddenly picked up a rope and tied him to the tree, a wicked smile on his face.
The peredhel breathed a sigh of relief as the creature disappeared into the dark shadows of the trees around them.
"Glorfindel! Erestor!" the twins yelled, rushing into the library. Erestor flinched as the door slammed shut.
"What is the matter?" Glorfindel was looling around wildly, hand on the handle of his sword.
"Adar has vanished!"
"What?" Erestor sat down on one of the chairs, his voice wobbly, "Please tell me that this is a joke."
"No," Elladan desperately shook his head, staring pleadingly at the two councilors, "We looked for him everywhere and asked all servants but no one has seen him since yesterday afternoon."
"Please," Elrohir's eyes weere brimming with tears, "We have to find him, at once. What if…" he gulped, "If he is no longer in Imladris? There are so many orcs out there…"
"Fear not, pyn-neth," Glorfindel wa already striding out of the room, "I shall organise a search at once. We will find him."
"We're coming with you."
"No!" Erestor determinedly placed himself between the twins and the door, "You don't. You have no idea where your father is and what danger may be awaiting you and…"
"And that is exactly why we have to go," Elrohir finished, trying to stare the black-clad advisor down.
"No, it's why you are going to stay. You are the heirs of Imladris and if something really happened to your father, then we need you here, not in some unknown danger."
Slowly Elladan nodded at Glorfindel, taking hold of his brother's shoulder, "Erestor's advise is sound, brother," he said, "Let Glorfindel and his men ride out to find our father while we check the Last Homely House again."
Reluctantly and with a deep sigh Elrohir agreed.
He slowed his horse, wearily glancing about. Something was very wrong. He had reached the borders of Imladris yesterday evening and camped close to the road, counting on meeting the Imladris guards soon. However, no one had turned up. And he had not seen anyone else today either. Bellmaethorion shuddered as the gates of Rivendell came into sight.
The valley seemed to be deserted but at least the foul smell he had noticed yesterday was almost gone-
Sighing he made up his mind and urged his mount on, through the gates.
Lindir had been on his way to the healing houses when the stranger arrived, but stopped as soon as he noticed the stranger. He had never seen this particular elf before. Mesmerised he stared as the blond warrior jumped from his horse, walking directly towards him.
"Forgive me," the stranger said, greeting Lindir with a slight bow, I am Bellmaethorion, seneschall at Thranduil's court."
"Mae-govannen," the silver-haired minstrel gulped, bowing deeply, "I am Lindir, a minstrel of Imladris."
"Well met, Lindir," Bellmaethorion smiled, "If your song is only half as beautiful as you are then it must be worthy of the Valar indeed."
"You flatter me," Lindir blushed furiously, avoiding the other's gaze, "Please allow me to lead you to chief advisor Erestor. We were not prepared for your arrival."
"Please do so, lirimaer;" Bellmaethorion grinned, deciding that he liked the somewhat shy minstrel, "I have urgent matters to discuss with the lords of this valley."
Elrond shivered as the cold slowly seeped into his body and pressed back against the tree. The day had still been young when the creature had left him but it was already getting dark again. Something rustled nearby as his stomach gave a low rumble.Once more he tugged at the rope but to no avail.
"Stop it," the creature growled as it ssuddenly stepped out of the thicket, "I will not harm you if you do as I tell you."
"But… why?" Elrond stuttered, hoping that the creature would say something important if he kept on talking, "And what are you?"
"Because," the creature grinned, or rather displayed a cruel mimickry of it, "The master wants you. You and that thing there."
"Vilya?" Elrond asked, as he noticed what the creature was pointing at, "But why? The one ring has been destroyed and the others are growing weaker day by day! They will be useless soon!"
"For you," the creature said coldly, "But not for my master."
"Who is your master?"
"Trust me, elf," the ceature growled, "You do not want to know."
"Tell me!" Elrond demanded, receiving no answer as the strange creature turned and rummaged through some sort of bag.
"Eat this." It said, throwing a piece of bread at the half-elf.
Growling it stalked over to the tree, freeing Elrond's arms but making sure that the rope was still securely tied around his waist.
Elrond glanced suspiciously from the bread in his hand to the creature in front of him and back again.
"The bread is not poisoned," the creature growled, returning Elrond's glare.
"Why aren't you eating then?"
Birds flew up in shock as the creature's cruel laughter echoed through the woods. "I have been born by magic," it bellowed, "And from magic I live."
Elrond's gaze dropped to the ring on his finger. Vilya was still glowing, indicating that evil lingered nearby but the blue glow had dimmed.
"Exactly," the creature grinned, "Your ring is what feeds me right now. Oh, don't worry, there are other sources of magic nearby, I can live of the land as well."
"Where are we?"
"Close to the river Anduin."
"Anduin? We already crossed the Hithaiglin? The Foggy Mountains?" Elrond stared at the creature in shock, "How long have I been unconscious?"
"Some weeks I guess," the creature shrugged, "I'm not quite sure, time passes differently for me."
Erestor frowned as the door opened, startled by the sound of footsteps unknown to him. "Who is your companion, Lindir?" he asked, easily identifying the minstrel's steps.
"Please forgive the intrusion," Lindir said formally, "We have a visitor."
"A visitor?"
"Aye," Bellmaethorian answered, chuckling as the advisor looked up, dark brown eyes wide with wonder, "I am looking for someone and had hoped to find him here."
"Bellmaethorion?" Erestor asked "What are you doing here?"
"Excuse me?" Bellmaethorion asked tentatively, "Do I know you, mylord?"
"No, no." Erestor said quickly, "Forgive my confusing you. I have heard of you and recognized you from these tales. What brings you here?"
The seneschall glanced suspiciously at the advisor for a few more seconds but then bowed and went on. "As you probably know, I am seneschall at Thranduil's court."
Erestor nodded graciously, filing away the information for later.
"My liege sent me to find his son, who has been missing for quite some time now. I had hoped to find him here."
"I am sorry," Erestor shook his head, "But I must disappoint you. We have not seen prince Legolas for several years. Why is Thranduil looking for him?"
"I believe they had some sort of… quarrel…," Bellmaethorion said reluctantly.
"It seems that Legolas is not the only elf missing," Erestor said cautiously, "But we will talk of that later. You must be tired from your journey."
"Aye, I am but…"
"No buts," Erestor decreed, "It will make no difference if we look for him now or tomorrow but it will be better if we are well rested." the advisor returned his attention to the papers on his desk, "Please assign quarters to our guest, Lindir."
"As you wish." Lindir nodded and motioned for Bellmaethorion to follow him.
"What was the meaning of that?" Bellmaethroion asked as soon as the door had closed behind them.
"I don't know," Lindir answered honestly, "But I know that it is useless to contradict Erestor when he is in a mood like this. Follow me," he said, "Erestor is right, you will feel better when you're rested."
"Your sight is enough to make me feel better," Bellmaethorion grinned, enjoying teasing Lindir into blushing again, "But I will follow you anyway."
Elvish Translations:
Lirimaer lovely one
Mae-govannen well met
