Title: The Message

Author: nautika

K+

Summary: A message from Mirkwood breaks Lord Elrond's heart. AU

Based on Exile and Return by Cassia & Sio. Cassia posted this story on the Mellon Chronicles site August 2005. If you've read my story Family Time, then you will find it originated with this fic.

Disclaimer: Love them, but don't own them, wouldn't know what to do with them if I had them. Definitely not making money from them. Constructive, not destructive, review appreciated. Please let me know if you like it!

Author's notes:
Adar/Ada translates as Father/informal for Father (I use Father now more than Ada or Adar, but this was written when I mixed Common and Elvish more frequently)
Dan & Ro are nicknames for Elladan & Elrohir (I know now that elves don't use nicknames, but I'm too lazy to update this fiction, which I wrote about 3 years ago.)
Ion nin meansmy son
Tolkien said that Aragorn's father died when he was young, he was raised in the house of Elrond, "and Elrond took the place of his father and came to love him as a son of his own." I've taken this to mean that Elrond's twin sons were like brothers to Estel/Aragorn/Strider. I've removed his mother from the fiction. I also have Estel/Aragorn/Strider and Prince Legolas of Mirkwood being friends before the "Fellowship."
Some translations will be in the body of the fiction and there are some flashback scenes. I hope the formatting isnt so thrown off that you cant tell what is happening. Please let me know if it is confusing and I'll repost it with corrections.
The word "ban" may be unfamiliar. Encarta defines it as: public condemnation of somebody or something (archaic)
I didnt have a beta for this fic, but I read and re-read, so I hope I caught everything.
We journey to the home of Elrond of Rivendell. It is not a happy place; so show some respect!

The Message
by Nautika

Chapter 1 Deliveries

Elrond, Lord of the elven realm Rivendell, was working in his study when a bell rang from the gardens in the back of the house. Smiling slightly, he stepped from his desk and walked outside. He stopped for a moment, closing his eyes and breathing in the scents of the garden before moving across to the stand of pigeons. Slowly, he reached up and removed the message band from the new arrival, speaking softly in elvish to sooth the bird. The message was not totally unexpected. His adopted son Estel had recently visited Mirkwood and become fast friends with that elven realm's Prince Legolas. Elrond shook his head slightly as he thought of his concern for his human son as he ventured out of Rivendell on his own for the first time. Men and elves had once fought side by side, but those days were long past and Elrond knew that humans had not been kind to the elves of Mirkwood. Prince Legolas himself had once suffered unspeakable treatment at the hands of men. He had tried to prepare his human son for rejection, but he knew Estel could not envision such a thing.

When Estel had failed to return from his journey, Elrond had sent his twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, out to look for their younger brother. They had found him in the home of King Thranduil of Mirkwood, recovering from wounds he'd received at the wrong end of an orc blade. It was an unlikely but friendship, but Estel and Legolas were becoming very close according to the twin elves. Elrond knew it would be good for both the young ones.

Now back in the house, Elrond paused to open the message. He wasn't concerned by it's arrival. Bad news would have been delivered by an elven courier. In all likelihood, his human son had decided to extend his stay in Mirkwood. Gently, he opened the small parchment.

xxx

Outside Elladan and Elrohir were practicing their archery. It wasn't something they'd admit openly, but their attempts to improve their skill in archery were due to the Prince of Mirkwood's expertise with the bow. They had become fond of the fair elf during their recent visit to his home where they'd found their human brother after he failed to return home when expected. Not only had Legolas saved their brother's life, but he treated him as though he belonged. That type of acceptance was something Estel had sought his entire life. The twins had been their brother's protectors ever since he came to Rivendell, even though he did not always appreciate it. They had spent a few days in Mirkwood assuring themselves of Legolas' intentions. By the time they departed, they were sure Legolas would protect him as fiercely Elrohir or Elladan. Their hearts had been light as they returned to report to their father. Now they looked forward to besting the Prince with their bows when he came to Rivendell to visit.

Elladan, the elder of the twins, stepped up to take his turn at the target. Just as he drew a steadying breath, a roar came from within their home.

They shared the same thought before fleeing to the house. "Ada!"

xxx

Never had the twins seen their father this angry. Never.

Upon bursting through the back door – bows drawn and arrows notched – they'd found him glaring at a small piece of parchment. His face was livid red, his entire body was tense and when he'd first looked at them in response to Elrohir's quiet "Ada?" his eyes had blazed and Elrohir, unthinking, had taken a step back.

Elladan didn't know who had infuriated their father like this – but a part of him, worried as he was – was grateful it wasn't him or his twin.

Seeing Elrohir recoil from him, Elrond closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. It was a mistake. The fire in his eyes was drowned by sudden unshed tears and the hand without the parchment reached to a nearby table to steady him as he swayed. The twins dropped their weapons and rushed to his side.

Elladan gently eased the parchment from his father's fingers while Elrohir helped him into a chair. Placing both hands on the elder elf's shoulders, the younger twin watched as his brother smoothed the parchment.

"Dan?"

Elladan swallowed. "It's from King Thranduil."

"And?"

Elladan's only response to Ro's plea was to drag his eyes away from the parchment and stare at his twin with a mixture of fear and horror.

Elrond's weary voice filled the silence. "Your brother and Prince Legolas have been exiled."

"Exiled?" Ro's voice was only a whisper. "I don't understand. Why? Who would…who could …do such a thing?"

"Thranduil." Elrond's voice was still devoid of emotion. Ro glanced at his twin to find him focused on their father's face. When Elrond said no more, Elladan summarized the message for his brother.

"It doesn't say why King Thranduil banished Legolas, but Estel asked to share his punishment. Against Legolas' pleading, the king granted Estel's request. He says it was selfish of him to do so and he is sorry to cause Adar the pain he must now bear." Elladan paused a moment to be sure his voice was steady. "Messengers have been dispatched to Rivendell and all other elven territories. I guess we'll learn more when they arrive."

Ro searched his memory. He and his twin were centuries old, but never could he recall an elf being exiled from Rivendell. Granted, conditions were harsher in Mirkwood, but still…"How could the King exile his own son? How could anyone do that to a member of their family?"

Elrond sighed. "It is not the first time Thranduil has banished family. His brother and a group of his followers were banished when Legolas was a young elf – very few know of it."

Elladan exploded. "Is Thranduil insane?"

Elrond's voice went very soft. "No, his brother was."

Elladan was not pacified. "Well, Prince Legolas is not!"

Elrohir moved toward his brother to calm him. "Father, maybe we should ride out and meet the courier." Surely anything would be better than doing nothing.

Elrond snapped out of his lethargic state and sprang to his feet. "NO!"

Again, Ro stepped back, this time tears filled his eyes, though they did not fall.

Elrond's eyes revealed pure agony. He reached out to both sons and pulled them into an embrace, leaning into their shoulders. When the elf lord stepped back, he held the connection to his sons by leaving a hand on each one's shoulder.

"Thranduil sent this message as a courtesy from one father to another. He has no way of knowing we received it. We are not bound by the information until the courier arrives. We must use that time well. We must find your brother and Prince Legolas before the courier delivers the ban."

"What exactly will it mean, Ada?" Ro had to know.

"If they are seen in any elven realm, their lives are forfeit. Any elf who aids them will share their fate."

Elladan was adamant. "Well, I will take exile!"

Elrohir nodded in agreement, but asked hesitantly, "Is there no way to reverse it?"

Elrond pulled his sons to him again. "I know not. I only know I will not abandon your brother or Prince Legolas. Take your most trusted companions and ride out in search of them. Do not tell them of the banishment. They should be able to say honestly that they did not know of it. It is for their protection."

The twins nodded. As they left the room, Elladan stopped and looked back at this father, who had eased back into the chair. "Will you be alright, Ada?"

"When your brother is found and told he still has family – then will I fully be alright. But you must focus on them my son. I will manage."

Elladan hurried back into the room, dropped to his knee before his father. "He will be fine, Father. Those two will take care of each other. They will not lose hope for Estel is hope."

Elrond kissed his eldest's head and placed a hand on it in blessing. Elladan rose and strode from the room.

"Valar, bless and keep them all." Elrond spoke in the empty room. "I love you, my sons."

xxx

With the twins gone and no pressing official matters to attend to, the elf lord spent his days on the balcony of his study, praying and watching for his sons and the prince to return. His nights were spent in Estel's room in a chair pulled up to his youngest son's bed as he had spent many nights when his human son was sick or injured.

He had one certainty. Estel would not reach out to them. No matter how sure he was of their love, he would not put them at risk. It would be up to his brothers to find him and persuade him to come home and bring Legolas with him.

Legolas. Elrond sighed. That would be another issue. The young prince was proud. Would he accept sanctuary against his own father's ruling? If he would not, Estel would not abandon him and Elrond could not fault his youngest for his loyalty.

Elrond placed fingers to his temples and rubbed in a circular motion, trying to relax. Finally, he allowed his head to touch the back of the chair. His eyes lost their focus and he drifted off to sleep.

Flashback:

"But, Ada, I feel fine, honestly."

"Your horse threw you, you fell over an embankment and into the river. You have a broken rib, a sprained ankle, six stitches in your hairline and a new collection of scratches and bruises. How can that be fine?"

Estel's eyes twinkled. "Because you are the best healer in Middle Earth."

Elrond was not amused. "This is not funny, Estel! You must be more careful!" The elf lord was tired. He had slept little since his son's horse had returned without him. All the human's medical supplies, food and water had been with his horse. The elven warriors that Elrond had sent out had found Estel painfully limping home. Since they had returned with him, Elrond had been almost constantly by his side, catching what rest he could while in the chair by the bed.

"Ada, it isn't as though I wanted to be thrown."

Elrond sighed. "I know that. But you don't exactly seem to try and avoid danger, either."

"All I know I learned from the twins", Estel teased.

"The twins are elves! They heal faster. They cannot get pneumonia from being thrown in the river!"

Estel paled. His father's voice had risen and the human suspected that all nearby elves were stunned to hear the elf lord's voice elevated. He lay back against his pillow, no longer smiling.

"I do not have pneumonia, Adar. My ribs and ankle are bound. My head no longer aches and my vision is clear. I have no fever, no sign of infection. Do you keep me in bed to punish me?"

It crossed Elrond's mind that he and his youngest had been too much together during this time. They were wearing on each other's nerves. Unfortunately, the twins, who normally would have shared in Estel's care – and provided entertainment for the human – had been in Lothlorien for several weeks visiting their sister. Elrond had seen no need to send for them, but now he began to question the decision. Closing his eyes he drew a deep breath, released it slowly, carefully sat down on the edge of his son's bed and rested a hand on his arm.

"I do it to safeguard you, Estel, not to punish. I fear for you, perhaps more than I should. All young ones think they are immune from harm, but you…" Elrond's voice faded to a whisper. "I would not have you go before your time."

Estel's hand covered his father's. "I know you only want to protect me. I am sorry I said otherwise. Forgive me. Please, try not to worry. I will be fine." Estel met his father's eyes. "You are the best healer in Middle Earth. And I love you."

The elf lord's eyes were moist. He placed a kiss on his son's forehead. "And I love you, ion nin."

end flashback

When a visiting bird on the balcony called the elf lord from his slumber, Elrond's eyes were damp. He went through his early morning routine and was at breakfast at the usual time. He would be of no use to his sons or Prince Legolas if he did not take care of himself.

He had just finished eating when horses hooves sounded outside in the courtyard. Glancing out the window, Elrond saw two elves dress in the colors of Mirkwood dismounting from their horses. His shoulders drooped for a moment before he pulled himself upright and went to the door. As he stepped into the sunlight, he pasted a smile on his face and moved forward to greet them.

"Good morning, friends. Welcome to Rivendell. I am Lord Elrond. How may I serve you?"

After only a moment's hesitation, one of the elves stepped forward, bowing low before Elrond. Straightening, he reached into a drawstring bag and withdrew a scroll. Dropping to one knee, he bowed his head and held the scroll out to the Lord of Rivendell. Behind him his companion had also gone to his knee with head bowed.

The genuine sign of respect touched Elrond. He was grateful the couriers' heads were bowed so they could not see the slight tremor of his hand as he reached for the scroll. The elf lord felt as though he were about to grasp a serpent instead of parchment.

"Hannon le." (Thank you.)

The couriers took Lord Elrond's thank you as a signal to rise. The one who had presented the scroll took a precise step back to stand beside his companion who now spoke. "King Thranduil of Mirkwood bids us tell you he regrets the ruling he was forced to make and the way your family will be touched it."

Elrond knew his face had lost all color. This was truly real now that he held the scroll in his hands. He forced words from his lips, hoping they did not sound stilted.

"Your King has long ruled Mirkwood with honor." Despite Elrond's best efforts he simply could not send his respect to Thranduil and he would not express support for his actions.

The riders from Mirkwood seemed to understand. The elf lord thought he might have glimpsed sympathy in their eyes. Silently, they mounted their horses and departed Rivendell – knowing they were leaving it a much sadder place.

Tears came to Elrond's eyes. Drawing a steadying breath, he turned. He would study the scroll in private. It spoke volumes that the ban had not been read aloud. Whether the decision was the King's or his couriers', Elrond would never know. At least for now, Estel's name had been spared public humiliation and that was all that mattered to his father.

xxx

After weeks of fruitless searching, the twins and their companions returned to Rivendell. There had been no sign of Estel or Prince Legolas. All the warriors were dirty, tired, disheartened and - in the twins' case – apprehensive. The news of Estel's exile had hit their father hard and they were worried of how he had fared in their absence. Now they were going to have to tell him they had failed. Dismounting, they handed their horses' reins to other warriors and slowly climbed the steps to their home.

The door opened and their father strode forward to meet them, pulling them into a quick embrace before pulling back and ushering them into the house.

"I've ordered food to be sent to your rooms. Go – wash up. I will be up shortly and we will talk."

"But, Ada…"

"Daro. Stop. You are tired and hungry. I would prefer you eat and rest before we talk, but I know you would not rest. So you will please your father by cleaning up and taking sustenance. Then we will talk."

The twins nodded wearily and climbed the stairs side by side. Their heads were down, their feet barely moving from one step to the next and each elf was holding on to a hand railing to steady himself.

Elrond watched them to the top of the stairs, then went to the kitchen. Reaching into a high cabinet, he took down a container of herbs and measured some out carefully. He took the teapot from a servant and stirred the herbs into the tea. The twins might be upset with him when they awakened, but they were obviously exhausted. If sedating them was the only way to see they rested, then that is what he would do. The elf lord nodded to the servant who took the tray upstairs, then returned to his study. There was no reason to stand on the balcony now. The twins were home and Estel would not come of his own accord. Elrond settled onto a couch, idly fingering the scroll delivered by the couriers weeks ago. Two of his children were home and safe. He thanked the Valar for that and tried not to think of the shortness of the lives of men.

tbc