Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings belong to J.R.R Tolkien, the only people I own are Alenor Talagand, Bréil, Sebastian and Victoria.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who gave me the push to continue. I would like to say, in response to a "disgruntled" review, that I LOVE writing these stories but I HATE it when I don't know if my readers are liking it or there is something they don't like. I write this partially for myself, but mostly for others to read, which is the basic root of why I was threatening to discontinue. But enough of me chattering, here's your reward, hope it's a good chapter for everyone.

Fate's Paths-Chap18-News in the Morning-

A soft winter breeze floated down from the Mountains. A pale dawn tinged the sky, lighting upon an Elven city, still sleeping.

The newly fallen snow, crunched naturally under his feet. Drawing his hood farther over his face, Elrond watched the dawn as he made his way down the spiral steps that led to the private resting place of his son. The snow was glimmering in the shades of morning happiness, but it did little to illuminate the shadow over his heart.

Elrohir hadn't returned. It had been months with no word on his well-being or his whereabouts. It had been months of worry. He still hadn't returned.

A blue jay fluttered from its proud perch as Elrond made his way across the shallow dell and to the great oak that dominated the center. A perfectly round piece of marble rested at its base, almost completely covered in snow. The headstone jutted out of the glittering white, proud and unbowed.

Sadness threatening to overwhelm him, Elrond made his way to the grave. Kneeling at its side, ignoring the wetness that seeped into his breeches, he loving brushed the snow away from the marble top. His fingers traced the familiar scenes that had been chiseled into the unyielding stone. They were memories of Elladan's childhood, happier times before sadness had consumed them.

"Elrond."

He had been aware of the footsteps trekking across the dell toward him. They had been painstaking in their effort to keep quiet, but Elrond would have recognized the tread anywhere. "I thought I told you to stay inside. I don't want that cold getting worse."

"Adar," Estel complained, a plume of mist parting his lips as he huffed. "I'm better."

Elrond raised an eyebrow under his cloak as Estel let out a rattling cough. "I see that you are better," he replied. "Why are you down here?" his hands rested on top of the marker, letting the barest touch of cold enter him.

"I think you should come up to your study," Estel replied cryptically.

"If it is more paperwork or Glorfindel, tell them to wait," Elrond replied, his tone hardly changing. "I want to remain here for awhile."

"It is neither. Elrond, please." He held out a hand, shivering. "I didn't come down here just to get a worse cold."

Elrond closed his eyes. "I thought you were still sleeping," he said instead, carefully skirting around the subject of what was in his office. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Everyone else is."

"I was so rudely awakened," Estel replied sourly. "Adar."

Sighing, knowing then that there was no way he going to get rid of the stubborn human, Elrond stood, letting his fingers linger as long as was able on the marble. "Do you miss him?"

Surprised by the question, Estel was forced to blink away the tears that had sprung instantly to his eyes. "Every day," he answered softly. He reached out and enveloped Elrond's hand in his own. "Come on up to the study."

Elrond shot Estel a look, but resigned himself to the fate of getting pulled along. "Did you take stubborn lessons from Glorfindel?" he demanded, his voice oddly calm despite the fact that he was demanding an answer.

"Adar, any lessons in stubbornness, I learned from you," Estel replied insolently, glancing sideways. He was disappointed when there was no flicker of a smile across his foster father's somber face. He sighed to himself, and kicked the snow away from his feet.

"So what is in my office?" Elrond asked, as he detected the sigh.

Reaching the stairs, he ushered Estel ahead of him, and quietly took up the rear, letting his fingers trail against the thin and wobbly rail.

"You shall have to see," Estel replied in a cryptic tone. Glancing back he picked up his pace, so he was taking the stairs two at time.

"Estel!" Elrond warned. "You're going to make the cough worse. Slow down." He winced as he heard a ragged, choking cough following by a weak, 'I swear I'm fine.'

Coming to the top of the stairs, Elrond shook his head as he saw Estel lying in the snow, struggling to get out of the deep drift. "My office?" he asked.

Estel nodded. "Elrond, help?" he asked weakly. "I tripped."

"I think you should get yourself out," Elrond replied. "I'll have Glorfindel come help you if you don't report to him in say….half an hour?"

"Adar!"

The howl followed the Lord of Rivendell as slipped in through an unobtrusive side door into his house. There were very few who knew about the recent addition of the door, and Elrond preferred it that way. It made traveling down to see Elladan so much more peaceful, people usually didn't see him.

Brushing back the hood from his face, Elrond let the melting snow slide off his shoes to run across the floor. The maids would have a fit later when they found the mess and they would complain openly. He would have to deal with it later though. Getting to his office, finding out what was in there, was on the top of his list.

A warm fire was crackling in the hearth, as Elrond pushed the door in a few minutes later. There was the restless activity behind him as a few early morning Elves stirred and wandered down the halls. In front of him there was silence.

Frowning, he closed the door behind him, looking for whatever Estel had talked about. He sure hadn't started the fire, but anyone could have.

"Adar."

Elrond jumped and turned around to see a shadow detach itself from the fireplace. The morning shadows were fading, but there had been enough to conceal the intruder from sight. "Who are you?" Elrond demanded, the voice who had called out was faint and tired.

There was a soft laugh as the intruder made his way to the desk. "So much for the hospitality Adar, remind me to come in by the front door next time."

"Elrohir?" Elrond gasped. He was across the room in three strides and tugging the hood away from his son's face, despite the shouted protest of surprise. "You're pale," he admonished, running his hands over his face frowning at Elrohir's pained look of suffering. "You have a fever! What happened? Are you injured?"

"Adar," Elrohir patiently captured his Father's hands. "It's been a long trip. I think I caught Estel's cold, that's it."

Elrond frowned suspiciously but stepped back to allow his son to breathe. He noticed he was the only occupant other then himself. "Alenor? You didn't find her?"

The cheeky grin and good humor fell away from Elrohir's face. His shoulders slumped and he sighed. "I tracked her as far as I could. I learned a few things, but I was never able to get close to her. I don't understand." He frowned. "It is confusing. In the Mountains there's a ring of sentries, I could not get past them."

It was startling news indeed. Sentries in the Mountains? Who would be living up there? "Then all we can do is wait," Elrond said instead, not letting onto his worry. He drew Elrohir close but the Elf struggled away.

"I want to see Elladan," he said softly, clasping his Father's shoulders. "The grave."

Elrond closed his eyes against the emotional pain. "We buried him in the dell you and him found when you were only Elflings. Remember the tree you had us plant there?"

"I remember it well," Elrohir replied calmly. He hugged his Father briefly. "I'll report to the Healers after. I promise."

"You will tell me more of the journey?" Elrond asked, stepping back reluctantly. The last thing he wanted to do with Elrohir now in his sights was let him go but he knew better. Trying to protect the Elf and shelter him would only lead to a worse road that would separate them. It was hard to step back, but he had to.

"Yes, I promise that to." A faint smile tugged across Elrohir's face, as he pulled his hood back up over his face, concealing it in shadows. "Don't work too hard."

"I won't." The shutting door echoed his words.

XxXxXx

"There is something wrong with him," Elrohir said, tracing patterns through the snow that coasted the balcony railing. His bare feet cooled against the floor and a dancing wind brushed his tousled black hair away from his face.

"Elrohir," Estel said through chattering teeth. "Get back in here and close that door!"

Elrohir glanced over his shoulder and smirked at seeing his younger brother curled up on the bed, and covered in an assortment of heavy quilts. "It is not that cold," he teased. It was, actually quite cool, but the Elf was not about to admit it. He had a fever, due to his own cold and was not enjoying the experience.

"Elrohir!" Estel screamed, ducking his head under the blankets.

Laughing, Elrohir made his way back into the room and shut the glass balcony doors behind him. Little mounds of snow were piled around the room, slowly melting down into water. "What is wrong?"

Estel's head poked owlishly from under the covers. "I'm freezing," he growled.

"Stop acting like such a child," Elrohir tossed back. He flopped down into an overstuffed chair, closing his eyes. It felt good to be home but it would have felt even better if Alenor had been there with him. The aching feeling of failure rose up inside him as he thought of her. Ruthlessly, Elrohir squashed it.

Estel stuck his tongue out but nevertheless stopped grumbling and to prove Elrohir that he wasn't childish, shed two of the blankets draped around his frame. He tried to stop his chattering teeth, but failed miserably, much to his brother's amusement.

"Estel, I can hear you all the way from the hall."

Estel shouted and jerked his head in the direction of the door.

"Glorfindel!" Elrohir greeted warmly as the Elven Lord closed the door behind him. "You must forgive Estel, he is not himself." He ignored the pillow that sailed over his head, narrowly missing him.

"Elrohir, its nice to see you back," Glorfindel smiled faintly. "Rivendell's been too quiet."

"Yes too quiet," Elrohir frowned and sneezed. He felt a blush creep up his cheeks as a round of sneezing overtook him. "Shut up," he managed to growl out as Estel doubled over in laughter.

Once the fit was over, he irritably rubbed his nose. "What do you need?" he asked Glorfindel, trying to ignore the slowly spreading grin on the Elf's face.

"I heard you were back, and came to see if was true," he replied with a small shrug.

"Its true," Elrohir answered. He didn't mention that a part of him wished he was still out there, struggling to return Alenor to her home. "Glorfindel, what is wrong with Adar?"

Estel and Glorfindel gave each other sideway glances. "Nothing," they replied together, a little too quickly.

"Don't lie to me," Elrohir snapped. "I know my Father. There's something wrong with him. He's more somber then usual."

Glorfindel sighed. "Elrohir, I didn't want to have to tell you, but Estel and I have been busy struggling with him. Your Adar didn't take Ellladan's….Elladan's…." he broke off as if unable to say the word. He grimaced.

"I know Elladan's dead," Elrohir said softly. "I saw the grave. It is beautiful."

Glorfindel nodded, taking a deep breath. "Elrond didn't take Elladan's death well. He was gravely hurt by it. He's been slowly fading; we've been keeping him off the brink by sheer will. We try to tell him but he just doesn't seem to realize. He's withdrawn too, hardly smiles, and doesn't joke. I'm sorry Elrohir."

Elrohir nodded and released his grip on the chair arms. "Maybe now that I'm back," he said quietly.

"We are hoping it will help," Glorfindel agreed. "Did you talk to him?"

"Yes," Elrohir nodded. "I didn't stay long." He stood up. "Maybe I should go speak with him?"

"Leave him for a bit," Glorfindel cautioned. "We've learned not to bother him in the Morning. It hurts worse then."

"This afternoon then," Elrohir agreed, not liking that he was being forestalled in seeing his own Father. He sat back down. "Then you might as well catch me up on the latest news.

"Gladly," Estel said.

Glorfindel shook his head. "Namarie," he said, and ducked out the room before Estel could drag him into the tale.

Elrohir let Estel's words wash over his head. Pieces he caught but it made little sense. He was aware that Estel knew his mind was elsewhere but was glad his brother understood that he needed a familiar voice to listen to. At the moment, his thoughts of Alenor had drifted away to be replaced by the urgent condition of his Adar. Only he knew how dangerous fading could be if you weren't aware of its touch.