Chapter 3

January, Third Age 2968, Roots of the Misty Mountains

Traveling alone, while not always the safest, was something that Elrond tended to enjoy. It gave him the time to muse and ponder many things without the interruption of his daily responsibilities. The solitude was especially welcome after traveling part of the way from the Woodland Realm with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn's company.

While he had the utmost respect for his in-laws and held them in high regard, he had never exactly come to be relaxed in their presence. Their approval, to this day, still mattered a great deal to him, same as when he first started courting their daughter.

Now alone, he felt he could finally breathe without fearing a stray thought would leak through or that an idea might be met with some gentle disapproval. He had much to think on, for their conversations had circled around the knowledge that Sauron would undoubtedly surface once more and what that meant for the world. Heavy, depressing and wearying conversations they were that left him worried, irritable and tired.

The peace they had, the quiet in the world was so fleeting. He did not need the gift of foresight to know that darkness was coming.

His horse blew out a long sigh, sensing his shift of mood and breaking him from shadowed thoughts.

"I am sorry, old boy." He patted his faithful steeds neck. "A cheery song, perhaps?"

Not waiting for an answer, Elrond began to sing softly about the springtime and coming of light. He had not journeyed far when his horse suddenly slowed, peering at the road up ahead. Moments later, Elrond spotted a tall, burly man step out of the trees. His height and telling features marked him as a Beornling.

"Hello there, traveller!" The man called as Elrond approached carefully. These days it was always wise to be cautious. "You wouldn't happen to know how far from the next village we are? I tried to take a shortcut and I fear it turned me around. Not used to traveling in the winter months so much as when it's warmer you see…"

"A few miles back." Elrond told him, studying the man sharply. He was young, though not so terribly young that he was new to adulthood. His eyes were clear and honest, but wise and troubled.

"Thank you." He hurried to pass and go back the way Elrond had come. "Sorry, in a bit of hurry. Safe travels to you!"

"And to you. May your feet take you on safe paths." Elrond nudged his horse forwards, looking to the darkening skies and wondering how much further they would make it today before the skies broke.

"Wait!" The young man had stopped and was staring after him. "Are you...no...you are an elf, are you not? Are you by chance skilled at healing?"

Elrond paused, turning on his horse to study the young beornling. The skinchanger must have caught his scent on the wind, for his hood was well up over his ears. "I am. Have you need of a healer?"

"Not for myself...my youngest daughter...she is barely four...she's been ill with a fever for days. Her mother is the healer and midwife for our small hamlet, but she was called away earlier this week to help in the neighbouring village. Multiple women about to give birth...they needed more hands you see…" The man twisted the marriage band on his finger as he rambled. "I don't know when to expect her back and my daughter...I fear for my child…I left her with her brothers and was going to try to fetch my wife...but I have a bad feeling...the fever has a strong hold on her."

Having turned his horse at the first mentions of a child, Elrond rode back towards him and held out an arm to the young man. "Ride with me. We are closer to your home than we are to your wife. I will help your child if I can."

Elrohir was just about ready to turn around and go back to Rohan.

"All I am saying is that you walk louder than I do, and the historical statistics speak for themselves."

Elladan sounded sure of himself as he guided his horse along behind his brother's up the rapidly steepening mountain trail.

His twin rolled his eyes and tried to ignore him. Since leaving their 'little brother' Estel on the borders of Rohan, they had none but each other's company and it was beginning to wear on them both.

"Your silence only tells me that I have won the argument." Elladan told him smugly.

Unable to help himself, Elrohir muttered, "I may be the louder walker, but you cannot keep your mouth shut to save your soul."

"Hah. And you cannot let me win. Ever! At anything!" Ellandan laughed, taking annoying pleasure in his brother's bad mood. It made things more interesting.

"At least I do not have a quick temper."

"Oh yes, because you are the Lord of Patience."

"I should have left you with Estel and come home alone."

"You don't mean that."

Elrohir remained silent, hoping that his brother would give up. Sensing his master's mood, Elrohirs' horse pinned his ears and gave a warning kick at Elladan, forcing his mount to back off and give them more space. A small smile graced his face when he heard Elladan swearing because he'd had to duck into a branch to avoid the hoof coming for him.

"Teach that beast some manners! Really-"

Elladan was cut off when they both spotted the unmistakable signs of orc mischief up ahead. A mangled oxen carcass lay in the middle of the road, still relatively fresh.

"That would have come from a farmers' field." Elladan whispered. Peering around for signs of trouble.

The horses stamped uneasily.

"There are a few small settlements nearby, the outliers of Beorn's clan." Elrohir replied just as quietly. "We should scout the area, ensure the beasts have moved on or have been dealt with."

Elladan nodded in agreement, all traces of good humor gone as both brothers adopted terrible expressions of ice and stone.

They followed the tracks swiftly as hounds on the scent of a rabbit. They were fresh and led towards a tiny grouping of farms near the base of the mountains.

The smells and sounds of battle reached their senses. Orc voices spurred them forwards with vengeance coursing through their veins, the hooves of their horses thundering on the ground and promising doom upon any who tried to stand in their way.

As they broke through the trees, they saw the skirmish between the skinchangers and the orcs. Some were in their bear form, while others fought with sword and bow. They were losing ground against the hoard, driving backwards towards the homes and barns.

Hatred and rage blinded the twins, and their songs blended together as they shared the remembrance of what these creatures had taken from them.

The orcs screamed, surprised when the elf lords flanked them from behind and began to dispatch them with deadly force. Nothing could stand in their way, for it was as though no force in nature could touch them.

The battle was short, for the arrival of the elves rallied the farmers and they surged forwards with courage. The orcs tried to flee uselessly as one by one they were either cut down, shot or mauled by bears.

Once satisfied that all had been exterminated, the Lords of Rivendell rode back to the hamlet to offer their services in healing the wounded. Their help was accepted with gratitude and eagerness.

Elrohir got to work instantly, checking over the worst of the wounds before them and instructing the villagers on how to triage for him, barking out orders as only Elrohir could.

Elladan moved to the youngest of the wounded, a boy for about fifteen who had been unlucky during the fight. His leg had a terrible gash and he was shocky.

"It's alright, lad." Elladan told him as he crouched next to him and rummaged through is healing kit. "Take a few deep breaths for me...what is your name?"

"I'm Jade." He managed to gasp. "Please...please…"

"I know. It hurts. Give me a moment and I can give you something to-"

"No. You don't understand." Jade groaned and labored out his next words. "My little sister is sick...really sick...she and my little brother are hiding alone in the cellar...hid them when the orcs came...s'not good for her to be down there...it's too cold...promised I would fetch them whe..safe….please..it's just that house...there!"

"I need to take care of you first, Jade." Elladan told him quietly. "You are losing a lot of blood. Just let me-"

"NO! She needs help! They NEED TO BE SAFE!" Jade cried angrily as he tried to stand. He promptly passed out and collapsed into Elladan's waiting arms.

"Water!" Elladan barked to another young lad standing in a daze nearby. He hopped to it, and stumbled over to Elladan with it.

"Is he going to die?" The boy asked as Elladan washed his hands. Other than dirt and the trauma of battle, this lad seemed healthy enough.

"No. Not if I can help it. Hold this, pull it tight...TIGHT," Elladan tugged the boy's hands so the tourniquet was properly bound. "Good. Now hold this for me. Good."

He worked quickly to clean the wound, stemming the bleeding and stitching it swiftly, thanking the small mercy that Jade had passed out already.

"Do you know how to properly dress a wound?" He asked the boy. He was relieved when he nodded. "Perfect. Finish for me."

Elladan rose and scanned the group of wounded. His heart pulled when he glanced back at Jade, hearing the echo of his peas for his sister in his mind.

Crossing the field to his brother, Elladan assisted with setting a broken arm before pulling Elrohir aside for a moment.

"There are two children hiding in the cellar of that house, the brother and sister of a lad I treated, Jade. He said his little sister was very ill..." Elladan rubbed at his chin. "I know it sounds backwards, considering that there are still wounded out here, but I need to check on them."

"Say no more." Elrohir waved him off. "You know better than to ignore your instincts. Go. I have enough able bodied people here to help me and no one is at death's door. We will manage. Just be careful and fetch me if you need help."

"I will be swift." Elladan promised. Elrohir didn't bother telling him not to make promises he couldn't keep. Children were always a weakness of theirs.

Sprinting easily to the house, Elladan circled round the side and threw open the cellar doors. No sooner had he done so did he heard a youth gasp followed by the telling twang of a bow string.

The poor aim of the child was what saved him harm as he turned easily to the side just in time to catch the arrow out of the air, preventing it from hitting anyone else.

"I am no orc!" He called. "Your brother Jade sent me to check on you. It's safe now."

"Who are you?"

Elladan's eyes adjusted quickly to the gloom of the cold cellar and he spotted the boy still holding the bow and a fresh arrow in shaking hands. He didn't have this one drawn, but he looked frightened enough to do so if Elladan didn't take his time.

"My name is Elladan." He told him, descending the set of stairs slowly with his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "My brother and I were passing through when we saw signs of the orcs. We came to help."

"You look strange." The boy told him bluntly.

"I suppose I do."

The next demand fired from the child's mouth quickly and nervousness making him look younger than the twelve years that Elladan guessed he was. "Where do you come from? Where is Jade?"

"Rivendell is my home, on the other side of the mountains. Jade was hurt in the battle, but I have helped him and he is resting with the other wounded." Elladan told him patiently. Peering around the cellar, there was no immediate sign of a second child. "Child, your sister...is she safe? Where is she? Jade told me she was very sick."

Stunned, the boy stared at him. "Riven- WAIT! Are you an ELF!? That's wonderful!" The bow and arrow clattered to the floor as the boy sprang towards a pile of sacks, dragging a few back to reveal the small girl child curled up in a blanket on the cold floor. "Can you help her? Elves are really great healers, aren't they!?"

Seeing he had the trust of the boy now, Elladan hurried forwards, setting his hand on the younger childs' forehead and feeling her pulse with his other hand.

"I will do what I can…" He murmured, not liking what he found. She was burning hot, her breathing fast and shallow and he could hear the rattle of congestion in her lungs. "What is her name?"

"Tabitha, but we just call her Tabby…"

"And your name, young man?" Elladan asked as he gently lifted the girl child from the ground, hushing her when she whimpered.

"I'm Cal."

"It is good to meet you, Cal. Please, show me where I can lay your sister…"

"Follow me!" Cal bounded up the stairs, his fear forgotten until he saw the carnage outside, the wounded and the bodies of the orcs. He stopped short, staring wide eyed until Elladan nudged him along. "Th-This way. We can go in the house and put her in her bed...is...is everyone ok? Did anyone…"

"No one was lost. They fought bravely and valiantly." Elladan reassured him. "My brother is helping those who were hurt."

"I could hear them...those orcs...it was…" Cal trailed off as he stared at another corpse.

"Look not on them, Cal. They are not worthy of your gaze, child." Elladan ushered him along again towards the house. He could see parents doing the same with other children that had been hidden in various places. "You were wise to stay hidden, and you were a noble protector for your sister."

"I was so scared." Cal whispered, looking up at the tall elf with tears gathering.

"It's alright that you were scared. I am often afraid too, but it doesn't make us any less courageous."

Cal was quiet as he absorbed this thought and pushed the door to his home open, leading Elladan through the cozy lodging.

"Where are your parents?" Elladan asked as he gently lay the girl down on her little cot in the back room.

"Mama is away in another village...she's a midwife. They needed her help. Papa went to fetch her so she could help Tabby...he hasn't come back yet…" Cal looked out the door, catching sight of the wreckage and the pile being made for burning the bodies. "Do you suppose…"

"You must not give up hope that he was far from here."Elladan finished the thought for the boy. "Cal, I need you to go and find my brother. Ask him for Athelas and tell him I will be a while."

"What does he look like?" Cal asked, eager to be of use, but anxious to get it right.

Elladan grinned. "Exactly like me. We are twins. Big, tall, handsome. You can't miss him."

Cal smiled, just as Elladan hoped he would and hurried out the door.

"Well, miss Tabitha." Elladan murmured, placing his hand on her brow again and closing his eyes as he slipped into a healing trance. "Let's see if you will heed my call."

He plunged into the heat of the child, sorting through confusion and pain as he fought to find her song. The poor child was near finished with exhaustion, weakly fluttering amidst the decay around her. Surging forwards, Elladan wrapped around the child's song like a wave of cool water soothing a burn. He expected her to be afraid, yet she just rolled into him with relief as he held the torrent of pain at bay, her song winding around his instinctually.

Knowing it wasn't a permanent fix and that he could not stay long, Elladan worked to douse the flames of the fever around her, while sending tendrils of healing to her lungs so her breathing was eased. The infection was fierce. It would drain him if he did not pace himself.

Tabby...I cannot stay here, but I will return.

Don't leave me alone! She wailed. Her song twining around him even more tightly. I'm scared! It's so hot…

I will be right beside you singing so that you know you aren't all alone, child. I have fought back the fever for now, you should have less pain at least until I can give you some medicine to make you better...alright?

Promise me you won't leave me! I don't want you to leave! Please! Stay here with me!

Elladan could feel himself growing dangerously weak, and yet he couldn't bring himself to leave just yet. She was just so pitiful.

It will be alright, Tabby…

A wave of the fever took advantage of his weakened state, breaking the chain he'd had over it and would have maintained had he left sooner. He fought the urge to curse. Tabby cried out in fear, clinging to him.

Fear caught at his heart.

He couldn't untangle them, not quickly enough when she was so weak already. But he could not stay either. Frantically, Elladan looked around the flaming landscape of her song, searching for a way out for them. The smoke from her infected lungs began to tighten his chest.

Tabby cried and Elladan felt them both sinking into the flames of her fever.

Just then, an enormous wave crashed over them and it's master drove back the heat further than Elladan had been able to. A sweet, pure and cleansing scent filled his lungs and he sighed as Tabitha's song quieted, loosening its hold on him and tumbling peaceably into the healing song of the other fea.

The tendrils of the newcomers' song brushed over his, like a mother gently checking over her child after they had fallen down.

Ada?

Abruptly he was dragged from the trance and he collapsed backwards into Elrohir's arms.

"Elladan!" Elrohir gasped. "Thank goodness! I couldn't reach you...if it hadn't been for ada...what were you thinking?! You know better than to let yourself get that tangled during a healing trance! This is the third time this has happened! Whenever will you learn!?"

Dazed, Elladan searched the room until he spotted his father across from him, bent over Tabitha and singing while bathing her in the fragrant Athelas water.

Elrohir set him right and crouched before him, concerned etching his face. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yes...I don't know what happened…"

"I do. You got too close. You always do when it's a child. You should have left her to me. Why didn't you send for me?!"

"I thought I could handle it." Elladan clenched his hands and relaxed them, fighting the tremors that rolled through them. That had been too close. "How is it that ada is here?"

"Tabitha's father met him on the road and asked him to come help Tabitha." Elrohir passed him a flask of water. "Lucky for you he did. I don't know if I could have dragged you out without harming the child."

Elrond broke from his trance and brought the song to a gentle hum as he moved to pull a mortar and pestle from his bag along with some herbs. He handed them to Elrohir, putting him to work.

"Elladan," Elrond paused in his humming to brush a hand across the damp brow of his son. "I think perhaps you need to spend more time assisting me in the healing wards when we get home. You seem to be getting rusty again."

"Yes, ada." Elladan meekly replied. "Thank you. Is she going to be alright?"

"Indeed, she is. It seems that despite putting yourself in danger, you saved her life. I should be able to manage the infection and she will be set to rights in a few days time." Elrond paused. "Fortune, it seems, has smiled on this tiny hamlet, for I would not have arrived in time to save either the villagers or the child."

Elladan and Elrohir nodded soberly.

"Therein lays the lesson, my sons." Elrond told them softly as he took the herbs Elrohir crushed and mixed them into a tea for Tabitha. "Chance, you might say, brought us all here, but chance it was not. Even amidst the evils that stole upon these good people, there was yet hope and deliverance for them. Perhaps there is hope for the rest of the world to be delivered too, one day."

"As Estel would say," Elrohir murmured, "There is always hope."

A comfortable silence followed as the three lords took a minute to breath before tackling whatever else needed to be done.

"You really can't not have the last word…" Elladan said suddenly.

"Oh, would you just-" Elrohir moved to smack his brother, but stopped when his father gave them 'the look'. Never would it matter how old they were, their father could always silence or stop them with merely a pointed glance.

Elladan grinned at him innocently and Elrohir really couldn't bring himself to be irritated.

They were all alive. They were well. And that was all he could want at the moment.

AN: Drop a review if you have a minute. Today is my darling baby girls first birthday after all ;)