Disclaimer: This all belongs to Tolkien, however, I do own Talagand, Alenor, Sebastian, Victoria, and Breil.

Fate's Paths-Chap5-When, Not, If,

"I must praise you on your ability to listen, gwador-nin. Halbarad tells you to keep out of trouble while he's gone, and you go rolling down a sheer-sided ravine just to spite him. I mean, it's not as heroic an ending as fighting Orcs single-handedly, but it definitely fits in the stupid category. Which, as we both know makes for a few great stories."

Elladan groaned, realizing that he had received the worst form of a wake up call that had ever been invented; his brother, mocking him.

"Elrohir! Shame on you!"

"Sorry Adar."

The groan became a slow-spreading grin as Elrohir meekly replied to his Father's rebuke. With an effort Elladan pried his eyes open to see Elrohir and his Father bending over him, concern alight in both their eyes. He carefully ignored it. "What happened?" he demanded groggily. He wondered why his head was pounding so fiercely, He knew he was missing something important in the scheme of things but couldn't fit the missing pieces together.It hurt too much.

"You had your first flying lesson," Elrohir replied teasingly. This time Elrond did not punish him. "And you scared Talagand to death, the poor Elf. I'm sure there are a few grey hairs on his head now."

Instantly memories flashed past Elladan's head and he struggled to sit up. "Tinúviel! Midnight! Are they alright?" In his blind panic, he barely registered the hand that had descended onto his shoulder.

"Elladan, Elladan, relax and lie down this instant," Elrond's voice cut through his panicked mind like a sharpened knife. "Elladan, right now! Or I'll have you mucking out the stables as soon as you get better!"

Giving up, Elladan sunk back onto the mattress, with a soft sigh. His eyes wanted to close, but with an effort his eyes searched out his Father's. "How bad is the injury?"

"Well, you looked like a corpse," Elrohir supplied, smirking. "Does that help?"

"Elrohir, curb your tongue, you're not helping!" Elrond glared at his younger son, though a trace of a smile graced the corner of his lips.

Elladan did not smile in turn, he didn't even see Elrond's face, his eyes were now locked upon Elrond. He had caught the flickering undertone of worry in their voices, something was terribly wrong. "What happened? Tinúviel is she dead?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice.

"No, no, Alenor is alive," Elrohir assured, his words coming a little too quickly and a little to maturely. He bent down, brushing Elladan's shoulder with his fingers. "The search party found her. Alenor, Tinúviel, will be home soon."

"You lie," Elladan said accusatorily. "What is it that you are not telling me?"

"Elladan, you're in no condition to be hearing any of this right now," Elrond broke in, gently pushing Elrohir back. "Elrohir is not lying. Go to sleep."

Elladan's eyes darted frantically between Elrohir and his Father, aware that Elrond was reaching for a cup that was situated on the bedside table. "You lie!" he insisted. "I am not some Elfling who does not know the difference between right from wrong! What is going on?"

For a long moment, Elrohir hesitated, indecisiveness flickering across his features, gazing toward Elrond for an answer.

At last Elrond sighed, lifting up the cup with one hand, his other shielding its bottom. "You might as well tell him Elrohir," his voice was heavy with defeat. "As long as you take the sleeping draught when the tale is finished. Promise?"

"Yes Adar," Elladan replied dutifully. His eyes returned to Elrohir. "Tell me, I need to know."

Elrohir reached out and took Elladan's hand. "Gwador-nin," he breathed softly. "Midnight was not killed by the fall." He paused for a moment, making sure that Elladan had processed the information. "It was an Orc's scimitar that ended his life. His throat had been slit... the blade was found not too far away, along with the Orc's body, crushed under a pile of rock. It killed itself trying to get back up the steep hills."

Elladan closed his eyes, as the headache pounded mercilessly behind his lids. A pained grimace flashed across his face, and he lifted his head to brush the back of his head with the fingers of his free hand. He found exactly what he had been looking for, a deep gash that lay beneath a thick padding of a bandage.

Taking a deep breath he opened his eyes. "Then the Orcs took Alenor?" he was surprised at the deadpan certainty of his voice, it was as if some inhuman part of his mind had already cruelly come to understand that he would lose Alenor like he had his Naneth. Despairingly, he let himself sink further into the pillows, staring listlessly at the pattern on the ceiling.

"Yes they have her," Elrohir responded with difficulty, giving Elladan's hand a comforting squeeze. "But we have every search party out there looking for her. Don't worry. She will come home safely."

Elladan didn't respond his mind turning over the recent news. He couldn't think clearly, as the headache pounded with an intensity to rival the drums of a thousand Orcs.

"Elladan," his twin's voice brought him from the teetering edge of insanity. "I have to go now and look for her."

"I slowed you down," Elladan murmured, his eyes traveling toward Elrohir, seeing the concerned look in his eye. "We'll never find her."

"Hush, hush," Elrohir shook his head. "Every search party has been set out; I'm the last one to leave. But you must promise me something. Elladan, can you still hear me?"

Elladan nodded sluggishly, wincing as his head moved across the pillow. "I hear."

"Elladan I want you to get better," Elrohir said urgently, searching his twin's eyes. "Adar is going to take care of you but I want your promise."

"I promise," Elladan whispered.

Elrohir nodded his head, and glancing one more time at his Father he turned and left the room, not looking back, as if fearing to do so would cause his heart to break.

"Elladan, look at me, you need to take the sleeping draught now."

Elladan gazed at his Father, offering no word of resistance. His mind had turned blank, turning restlessly over the known fact that he was going to lose Alenor, like his Naneth. He felt himself being lifted off the pillow, and a cup being placed against his lips. Wordlessly he drank and the haven of sleep came almost as a welcome relief.

XxXxXxXx

"My lord!"

Elrohir jumped, and turned to see Talagand separating himself from the shadows of the wall. Shaking his head, Elrohir placed a hand over his heart. "Eru, Talagand you scared me."

"I'm sorry my lord," the young Elf replied, bowing his head, a shade of red crept across his face. "It was not my intention. The Lord Elrond would not allow me within the sickroom, and I am worried about the Lord Elladan's condition..." he trailed off, his gaze coming up sharply and hopefully.

Elrohir sighed, glancing towards the closed wooden door. "He will recover," he lied with an effort, knowing his brother's condition was worse then Elladan or Talagand were allowed to know. "But I would like you to do a favor for me Talagand."

The Elf snapped to attention. "Anything my lord."

Elrohir smiled faintly. "I would like you to keep watch on this door. Your loyalty to my brother is well placed. Watch over him and call attention to any Healer if you notice anything that you feel is wrong."

"Yes my lord," Talagand bowed. "Let me know if you find Alenor. She is missed."

"Not if Talagand, when," Elrohir replied, determination steeling his voice. Without waiting for any type of response, he strode down the hall, his boots clicking lightly, disrupting the reign of silence. His hunting cloak swirled behind him, his sword slapped gently against his side. Not if, when. We will find Alenor. We will save her. There is no if in this.

Presently Elrohir reached the stable, and smiled to see the fourteen men of his command waiting diligently for him. The horses stamped their feet, feeling the nervous restlessness of their Masters' mood. "Is Sunrise saddled?"

"Do you really think we would be so as heartless to keep you waiting?"

Shouting an oath, Elrohir spun around to face the man who had snuck up behind him. "Estel," he exclaimed shortly, glaring as he heard the muffled snickers of his command behind him. "Don't do that!"

"What happened to your hearing?" The Ranger asked, a hint of arrogance peeking into his voice as he stood between two noble-looking horses, his hands holding their reins. "I thought Elves' hearing was superior to other beings."

"Yes well," Elrohir said grumpily, reaching forward and taking Sunrise's reins. "Stop looking so smug Estel, it's only the second time you've ever scared me." He stopped, realizing that something was out of place. "You are back sooner then you said you would be."

The Ranger's face fell as he glanced around him. "A sense of urgency hurried me home," he said at last, his voice low. "I arrived just a few minutes ago, and heard of Elladan's condition. I am deeply worried."

Elrohir raised a hand minutely, warning Estel to go no farther. He followed his Father's wishes about keeping the worst of Elladan's condition a secret. "As we all are," he replied. "Why don't you go see him?"

"Not yet," Estel replied, shaking his head. "There are other important matters. I heard Alenor is missing, possibly taken by Orcs." He waited only for Elrohir's confirming nod before continuing. "I've been away for some months now, in the higher reaches of the North, and I bring with me some ill tidings. Orcs have been moving steadily south to hide in the hidden caves of the Misty Mountains. Their numbers are multiplying faster then we ever anticipated."

Elrohir felt shock cross his face. "Have you just learned this?" he demanded, taking a threatening step forward without realizing it. The implications that Estel set before him stated that finding Tinúviel, would become more difficult, to the point of impossible.

"Unfortunately yes," Estel replied softly. "I'm sorry. If I had known this sooner, I would have come."

"No, no, it is not your fault," Elrohir shook his head, looking upon the young man. "Will you come with us Estel? I'm afraid that you know the movements of these Orcs better then us."

For a moment Estel stood there undecided, his gaze traveling back to the Last Homely House, his mind riveted on being there for Elladan. Finally, he turned to look at Elrohir. "Alenor is dear to you, I can feel that clearly. I have only met her on two occasions and briefly but I feel that it would better for Elladan if she were there at his bedside. I will come."

"Thank you muindor," Elrohir murmured, leaning forward and hugging the Ranger. "We will have use of you."

"No, not 'we'," Estel said, a jab of hopeful humor in his voice. "Just you, Elrohir. In any case, we'll probably have to dig you out of a snow bank, because you were chasing after ghosts."

The clear, high sound of Elven laughter echoed across the Valley of Rivendell. It was the last sound of joy the valley would hear for many months to come.