Slave to Hope
Chapter Three: Security, Comfort, and Love
"Ha, Ha, Ha, very funny Elhoir. Do start acting your age and not your bow size, for a change." Elladan sneered at his brother who was draped over his horse laughing hysterically.
"You should...should have seen...yo....your face!" Elhoir gasped out between fits of giggles. "I thought....ha ha...you were going...."snort"...to...to wet your pants."
That morning much to Elladan's dissatisfaction he had woken up to discover his bag was filled with spiders.
But it hadn't been nearly as simple as that.....
The elder Perendil twin had risen early to make breakfast. He had set to retrieve his provisions, sticking his hand inside his bag, without looking, ending with quite a shock.
Elladan's arm began tingling causing the elf, much to his future embarrassment, to scream out in surprise, waking the rest of the camp in the process.
To make matters even worse in the elder elf's attempt to free his hand from his new found enemy; Elladan had nearly toppled into his newly made fire. If was only by the grace of the Valar and his father's quick elven reflexes that he had managed to escape a ruined pair or pants and a very sore bum.
Elladan glared darkly at his twin promising retribution of the worst kind, but Elhoir paid his brother's look little heed still caught up in his own amusement.
However Lord Elrond, currently riding between his two wayward sons to prevent any fighting between the two, couldn't help but notice the twinkle of mischief sparklingly in his eldest son's eyes.
The elf lord knew that look all too well and resisted the urge to shudder, at the impending doom it foretold.
"I'll not have you retaliating on your brother Elladan ... understand!" Elrond barked out.
"But ada he..." Elladan began to protest.
"He will be on his best behavior also. Isn't that right Elhoir?" Elrond directed his stern gaze to his youngest causing Elhoir to immediately drop the smile off his face. "You will not pull any of your pranks while we're in Mirkwood. Our relations with the wood elves are tentative at best as it is and I would not be pleased to spend the remainder of my immortal life in the Mirkwood dungeons."
"Oh ada you exaggerate." Elladan taunted. "Perhaps a few centuries at best. I'm sure we'd find a way to escape eventually."
"We are Noldor elves after all." Elhoir chimed in smugly with his back suddenly erect and his head hung arrogantly in the air. "Those wood elves won't even know what hit them."
"Elladan! Elhoir! Don't make me repeat myself or by the Valar you will live to regret it, as short a time as the case may be." Elrond's eyes burned dangerously causing his two sons to shrink back on their horses lest they be burned alive by their father's gaze alone.
"Yes ada." The twins mumbled in unison, identical pouts falling on their faces shrouding the small party in a rare bout of silence.
Elrond found his mind wandering in this unexpected, but not unpleasant lag in chatter.
He thought back to the camp this morning and found a familiar twitching at the corner of his lips. He had to admit Elladan's face had been simply priceless. The poor elf had looked near to joining Mandos in his halls, and the elf prince had refused to go anywhere near his bag claiming some devilment had taken it.
Elladan had refused to see reason until his brother had shown him the travel bag was indeed not possessed, but the "evil spirits" were actually nothing more than spiders.
Elrond was quite sure after that little mishap that Elladan had every intention of throwing Elhoir in the fire to take the elder elf's place, if he hadn't intervened that is.
The elf lord shook his head in exasperation. He didn't know how those two managed not to kill each other when he wasn't around to keep them in check.
Elladan and Elhoir stopped suddenly and began to look warily around the forest pulling lord Elrond from his own thoughts as he tried to determine the reason for this unexpected halt.
"The forest has gone silent." Elladan whispered as he stared intently out at the forest expanse, gripping his bow tightly at his side ready to be notched at a moment's notice.
Elrond mimicked his son's searching gazes and sought to determine the cause behind the forest's disturbance, chiding himself for not paying attention in the first place.
A dark part of his mind couldn't help, but admonish how he, a great elf lord, had managed to survive all this time without his sons due to his inattentive nature.
Elrond had never liked that cynical part of his mind. No, not one bit. It sounded strangely like his advisor, Glorfindel, which only made it all the more annoying.
"I hear something over that way." Elhoir replied after a few minutes, directing his gaze to the south.
Elrond and Elladan followed suit quickly picking up on the scurrying noises that seemed to emanate from the deep recesses of the forest.
"What is it?" Elladan asked.
"It's too quiet to be an orc or a warg for that matter. Too noisy to be an elf." Elhoir commented.
"Whatever it is it seems to be alone." Elladan added.
The three elves continued to ride foreword slowly, scanning the forest cautiously, for any potential threats.
A scream rang out bringing a sudden stunned halt to the riders and leaving a deafening silence within the forest.
"It sounds like a wounded animal." Elladan whispered after a few tense moments.
"No not a wounded animal." Elrond replied hesitantly. "A child...a wounded child."
Elrond's twin sons turned wide eyes on their father at this unexpected pronouncement. With unspoken communication between the three elves they spurred their horses onward towards the origin of the distressing cry.
"Ada I see something." Elhoir called out as he squinted through the think foliage and past the slowly abating rain that slightly hindered his eyesight. "It looks like a young boy. You were right ada."
"He looks injured. He's moving too slowly and is that...an arrow in his shoulder." Elladan added as he strained his eyes trying to make out a scarcely perceptible form stumbling recklessly through the forest.
"Yes I'm afraid it is, but not is not the ti..." Before Elrond could finish his response he caught sight of another blurry form seemingly following behind the wounded child.
As the elf lord and his sons approached ever closer the image slowly solidified and Elrond concluded the second form was that of an elf...much older than the first.
Seemingly in slow motion Elrond watched the second form suddenly stop in its track and unsling a bow off it's shoulder. The mysterious elf retrieved an arrow out of the quiver located on his back and took careful aim before firing in a graceful motion.
Elrond held his breathe as his eyes slowly followed the path of the flying arrow, a pattering of fear fluttering in his chest as he suspected where the arrow would land.
The elf lord was sure his heart had jumped straight into his throat as he watched with horror filled eyes, as the arrow plunged itself into the young child's leg, yanking a whimper from the small child's lips, as he went crashing to the forest floor.
"Ada he...he shot that child." Elhoir cried in astonishment.
"But why?" Elladan whispered turning sad tear strained eyes to his father, trusting fully in his horse to keep him safe. "He is just a child. He is not threat to that elf. Why should he wish to shoot the boy?"
Elrond rotated to look at his eldest son in turn seeing the obvious pain and confusion reflected in the young elf's eyes.
"Now is not the time for questions my sons. We must make with all haste. Come." Elrond gently nicked his own steed encouraging the horse to run faster with a few gentle words of elvish, to which the faithful companion was more than happy to comply.
Elladan and Elhoir performed similar actions quickly following on the heels of their father.
Elrond paid his children no mind, as his eyes remained firmly fixed on the escalating scene before him. The elf lord watched the unknown elf stalking effortlessly towards the struggling boy.
Elrond caught a glint of something instantly in the elf's hand.
A knife!
Elrond Perendil gulped down his rising fear and spurred his horse to go even faster, intent upon getting close enough to stop this atrocity.
Why didn't the elf hear them? Surely they were making more than enough noise at this point? Why wouldn't this frustrating creature just turn around?
Stop moving Elrond willed with silent pleading Let me make it in time. Don't let this happen
"Please...Please don't do this. I'll be good. I won't escape again. Please don't hurt me." The child's pleas stung at the elf lord's ears.
Elrond's heart tore at the child's tearful words, and prayed to the Valar he would be able to save the boy. Something told him that if the young one should die all would be lost.
"Stop." Elrond shouted out at the elf as he maliciously laid his dagger against the boy's neck.
The anonymous elf turned at the unexpected shout surprise clear on his face at seeing three horses nearly barring down on him. Firithgalad had become so distracted by the task at hand he hadn't even heard the elves approach.
Estel used the distraction to his advantage frantically grabbing up the first weapon that came to hand, which appeared to be upon later inspection a rough palm sized rock. With a strength born of pure terror Estel slashed out with his make shift weapon scrapping roughly across his tormentors cheek leaving a line of red in its wake.
Firithgalad screamed in shocked pain as he grabbed his cheek trying to staunch the flow of blood now pouring down his face.
Estel forced himself to unsteady feet supported by the tree behind him. A wave of dizziness sent black spots before the young boy's eyes nearly sending him to the ground once more if he had not been leaning heavily against his tree companion.
Shaking his head resolutely Estel started to drag himself into the forest, ignoring the pain that jarred up his spine with every movement and the blood pounding angrily in his ears. He was seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
He jerked his head up suddenly as he started to come out of his dazed haze. He became paralyzed with fear as ears heard the unmistakable pounding of hooves. His eyes widened in fright as he followed the sound to three horses galloping at full charge towards him scarcely minutes away from crushing the unsuspected child.
Estel tried to jump out of the way of the charging horses, only managing to twist his ankle, as he slipped on the muddy ground and fell painfully, on his broken wrist.
He gritted his teeth as the arrow in his leg snapped off at the end while its tip was lodged further into his leg scrapping agonizingly against the bone.
Estel curled in on himself placing his hands protectively over his head as he waited for the inescapable trampling that might potentially end his young life.
The boy could feel the ground shake beneath his haggard body as the horses fueled by momentum charged ever closer, and he tensed for the inevitable, closing his eyes instinctively, in the process.
He heard the sound of a horse screeching and looked up hesitantly to see the horse towering over him, it's hind legs raised, trying to prevent the child from falling under it's powerful hooves.
Estel said a quick prayer of thanks to the Valar as he rolled out of the way using the extra momentum to pull himself into a standing position once more.
He limped quickly towards the forest, hoping in the distraction perhaps the new comers would forget about him, and he could thus make good his escape.
As much as his body ached him and his strength fled him, Estel refused to just give up and wait around to see what would become of him. To give up would spell death, and he was not yet ready to accept this fate.
Elrond forced his horse up hard, watching with grim detachment how the horse's own momentum still carried it ever foreword, towards the prone child. The horse reared up, in a last ditch effort to prevent the inevitable, while Lord Elrond closed his eyes sadly, unable to bear the failure. He could not watch the boy die, not after all this.
After what seemed an eternity to the elf lord, the horse lowered itself back to the ground, with a resounding thud, nearly throwing Elrond off. Only sheer will power kept the elf lord seated.
He opened his eyes resignedly, preparing himself for the crushed and broken child he expected to find, but to his immense relief and confusion the ground before him was completely empty.
Elrond looked around the area frantically and sighed in relief as he spotted the boy dragging himself further into the dark recesses of the forest, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
The boy was certainly injured, but at least he was alive.
Elrond cast a calculating glance towards the unknown elf, still clutching at his bleeding cheek, ignoring his new guests, as he mumbled dwarvish curses under his breath.
Elrond felt a moment of indecision. Should he go after the boy or confront this anonymous elf? He feared if he went after the boy, this unknown elf would make his escape, and than the elf lord would never know the full story over what had occurred here, but the boy looked badly hurt. As a healer, Elrond was obligated to see to the boy's safety first.
Elrond finally came to a decision and turned to his sons who waited passively for their father to tell them what to do.
"Elladan, Elhoir, follow the boy and tend his wounds as best you can till I get there. I will speak with the elf; "Elrond nodded his head indicating the wounded elf. "and join your shortly."
"Ada are you sure that wise?" Elladan voiced his concern as he cast a suspicious and loathsome look at the bleeding elf.
"Yes, I will be fine. I can take care of myself well enough. I am an elf lord after all." Elrond smiled gently at his overprotective son, trying to reassure him. "Now go my sons. I fear the child may not be long from this world. I won't be far behind."
"Yes Ada." The twins nodded their heads solemnly, conceding to their father's orders, as they turned their horses around and galloped after the retreating boy.
Elrond smoothly dismounted from his own horse patting her gently on the nose in a sign of thanks, for all her help and patience, to which the horse nuzzled the elf lord gently, showing love and acceptance, for the kind elf.
Elrond cautiously approached the injured elf, fingering lightly the small dagger he kept tucked up his sleeve for emergencies. He did not know the elf's intent, but he fully intended to find out and would be prepared for the worst.
"Who are you and what is your business in King Thranduil's realm?" The mysterious elf glared testily finally acknowledging the elf lord's presence.
Elrond remained calm and unfazed by the other elf's threatening manner, except for his eyes, which glinted dangerously back at the insolent elf.
"I am Lord Elrond or Rivendell and my business is with King Thranduil alone."
A look of shock washed over the injured elf's face washing away the previous look of disgust. The elf rose quickly to his feet, bowing clumsily, to the elf lord in his haste.
"Forgive me Lord Elrond." The elf stuttered out in a very unelven like manner. "I did not realize."
"And who are you?" Elrond demanded cutting off the elf's diatribe.
"Firithgalad my lord. I am one of the palace guards."
"And what are you doing outside of the palace gates than?" Elrond asked brusquely, in no mood for this sniveling fool for an elf.
"Disciplining a slave my lord."
A slave? Elrond thought a bit astonished. So the child was human. He had thought the boy an elf. He had seemed to have some elvish quality about him. Strange the elf lord mused. Either way, be he human or elf, neither deserved such treatment.
"Disciplining." Elrond asked with disbelief clear in his voice. "You shot him with an arrow and it looked as though you were intending to slit the boy's throat before we arrived, and that of a child no less."
"He is just an edain." Firithgalad replied darkly his subjective demeanor instantly dissipating as his actions came into question. No one told him how to do his job, even an elf lord.
"And what did an edain do to deserve such treatment?" Elrond persisted, ignoring the dark glares the elf guard continuously shot at him.
"He was trying to escape."
"Escape...and this is a crime punishable by death?" Elrond asked impetuously, a look of clear disbelief on his face. How could a human child have possibly gotten out of the palace gates, past all of the king's own guards. It was preposterous. And the elf lord did not like to be lied to.
Firithgalad fidgeted slightly under the elf lord's intense gaze, averting his eyes from the lord's cold piercing ones unable to hold the powerful elf lord's gaze.
"As I thought." Elrond muttered irritably as though having found the answer in the other's actions. "Return to the palace and tell the healers to prepare for my arrival. The boy will need medical attention when I arrive."
"As you wish my lord." Firithgalad mumbled eyes still downcast as he bowed stiffly to the elf lord before turning abruptly and heading back towards the palace.
"As you should wish as well Firithgalad. I don't think your king will be too pleased to see how his guards have been treating his slaves. And I promise you I shall make him fully aware of the situation. If the boy should die I promise you the consequences will be grave indeed." Elrond's eyes burned dangerously making clear this was not a threat, but a promise.
"Ye...yes my lord." Firithgalad stuttered out as he felt the elf lord's full power burning into him.
"Now do as I've commanded." Elrond demanded with distaste as the elf continued to cower before him like a scared elfling. He was just too angry at the moment to care that he was obviously frightening the elf guard, and it was only by the grace of the Valar he hadn't ripped the elf limb from limb, for his cruel treatment.
Elrond turned his back on the elf, walking back towards his waiting horse, coldly dismissing the elf guard without another word.
The elf lord gracefully remounted and with a few tense words of elvish sent his faithful steed galloping after his sons, praying to the Valar to spare the human child, if he could help it.
Elladan couldn't help it!
He felt frustration overtaking him. At the moment he wanted nothing more than to hit something. How could anyone be so heartless as to hurt an innocent child? An orc was one thing, at least you knew they were heartless monsters, but this was an elf, one of the firstborn, one of the people of peace and light. How could an elf be so cruel? It was unthinkable.
Elladan silently vowed he'd teach that fiendish elf a lesson about harming defenseless children. One he wouldn't soon forget either.
If that was how all Mirkwood elves behaved then Elladan concluded he had his fill for a lifetime, and he'd be quite content if relations between their two kingdoms, Mirkwood and Rivendell, such fail.
He couldn't get the image of the frightened child from his mind. It was forever burned into his psyche like a scar, ever to haunt him. The boy's screams still rang in his ears perhaps to never escape, from the maze of his eardrum, always there echoing in his mind, tormenting him.
Elladan felt uncontrollable anger pulsing through every fiber of his being. He had never hated an elf so much, and he contended himself with images of how he would seek out vengeance on the spiteful elf that had so grievously harmed an innocent, disgracing the name of elf.
"Brother over here." Elhoir called out a bit ahead of him. "I think he went that way." The younger twin pointed to a clearly visible trail of crushed foliage, and more disturbingly blood droplets, easily creating a path to follow.
Elladan paused a moment, cocking his ear to the side, and was pleased to pick up the child's heavy breathing and ragged movements. The elf prince was certain they would be able to overtake the boy easily, though he did admit he was rather surprised how fast the child was moving, considering he was so gravely injured.
Elladan couldn't help, but feel a strange sense of pride for this brave child who must obviously be in a great deal of pain and yet continued to walk onward.
"Ro why don't we go on foot from here?" Elladan suggested as he eyed the tightly packed foliage. "The boy is not far off and the foliage is a bit dense here. It might be a bit rough on the horses to navigate. Besides if we go stampeding towards him we might just frighten the child further. After all the boy did almost get trampled a few moments ago."
"Alright Dan." Elhoir consented as he lithely slid from his horse, patting the faithful animal as he waited for Elladan to also dismount.
"I'll travel through the trees. It will be quicker and I'll be able to get ahead of him before he journeys too far. You can follow his trail so he doesn't double back and we'll trap him between us." Elhoir proposed.
"Very well brother." Elladan conquered. "I will see you soon. Do be careful. I'd hate to tell ada you were injured in a fatal tree accident. He'd probably think you did it on purpose and that I helped you or some such nonsense." Elladan replied deadpan, though a sparkle of amusement was clear in his eyes.
"You tell me to be careful? It I recall it was you that fell from the tree overlooking our balcony." Elhoir protested playfully, at his brother's overprotective nature.
Elladan blushed at the crude reminder. "We were scarcely elflings then and you were distracting me at the time." The elder twin tried to defend.
"Distracting you!" Elhoir answered aghast. "I was already on the ground acting as lookout. I didn't even realize you had fallen until I heard the crash. How could I possible have been distracting you?"
"We can argue about this all day. Elladan replied testily as he hastily tried to the change the subject. "But by the time we're finished the boy will either be half way to Gondor. Or the way things are going at the moment; he'll have most likely have nearly bleed to death. Or if the Valar has a particular nasty sense of humor perhaps he will throw in some orcs and wargs to keep us all entertained, seeing as the boy was foolish enough to run off alone into the forest a few hours before night fall."
Elhoir immediately sobered at his brother's unintentionally harsh words, and was drawn to the blood droplets painting the ground before them...a cruel reminder of the boy's fate.
A pained expression cross the younger twin's face, replacing the carefree fun loving facial cast he typically wore.
Elhoir envisioned, in his mind's eye, the young boy, lying broken and bleeding on the forest floor, slowly fading away, feeling lost, scared, and forgotten. Elhoir shuddered fiercely at the impromptu vision as his tender heart cracked at the heart wrenching images.
Elhoir's heart truly bled for the boy and he felt sure he would be hopelessly crushed if the boy should die. The younger twin couldn't explain it, but he felt connected to this child somehow. He had always believed strongly in the intertwining of fates, more so than his brother, and he felt destiny had perhaps meant for them to find this child...to protect it.
Elladan watched the sadness that filtered across his compassionate younger sibling's face, causing him to immediately regret his cruelly unthought words.
His brother had always had such a big heart. The suffering of others wounded him so terribly.... just like their mother. Elladan found his mind turning to his mother at that moment and was nearly overcome with the grief that accompanied the image. The Perendil family had lost her hardly a century ago and the memories were still so painfully raw....
"Forgive me brother." Elladan whispered mournfully as he squeezed Elhoir's shoulder in apology and comfort. "I did not think before I spoke. My words were cruel. Do not worry we shall find the boy in time this I promise you if it costs me my last breathe to achieve it." Elladan promised solemnly.
Elhoir smiled weakly in return. "I know brother...we have to." The younger twin's eyes glazed for a moment after this mysterious pronouncement as though he was far from this place, but just as quickly he returned to the present with a look of resolution. "Come we have wasted too much time already."
Elhoir smiled once more at his elder, squeezing his brother's shoulder in a return gesture of affection before lifting himself skillfully into the nearest tree. He quickly blended into it's leafy branches completely disappeared from Elladan's searching sight.
"Don't worry Dan. We'll save him. We won't fail him like mother." Elhoir whispered from the treetops before he headed off swiftly through the forest, not waiting for a reply.
"How does he always know what I'm thinking." Elladan mused. Because he's your twin. His brain readily supplied. "And he's right. We will find the boy. We won't fail him like we did mother. I'll make sure of that." Elladan spoke allowed to the empty clearing, not caring that anyone was there to hear his words.
Then the elder twin now filled with a renewed sense of determination also set off into the forest, intent upon saving the child who had stolen his heart, and Elladan didn't even know his name.
Estel felt the adrenaline wearing off, from his previous near death experience. Well his two near death experiences, he amended.
He suddenly experienced the urge to fall to the ground in a fit of hysterical laughter as panic began to creep into his psyche. It wasn't everyday you nearly got killed twice. And now after all that he was finally free. After all those failed escape attempts the one time he wasn't even trying to escape he succeeded. He was beginning to think the Valar might have a bit of a perverted sense of humor.
Estel's legs throbbed mercilessly as well as his shoulder, his wrists, and just about every other single inch of his body. How he longed to just rest. He didn't know how much longer he could go on. He was starting to feel dizzy again and he couldn't stop the trembles that periodically wracked his weary body.
Yet he dared not stop. Not yet. It wasn't that he was particularly worried about the elves following anymore. After all they could easily have caught up to him by now if they intended to. Their suprising absents seemed to indicate they had either forgotten about him and no longer cared for what became of him.
His greater concern, however, was the foul creatures that roamed these forests. He did not have survival skills, but his father had told him these forests were not safe at night. There were all kinds of unsavory creatures that wandered these woods when the sun faded, set to pounce upon the unsuspected traveler.
He cast a wary glance to the sky deciding it was certainly getting dark and here with the tree covering it would be getting dark even sooner. He probably had less than a few hours, at best, to find shelter. But he had no idea how to spot safe shelter.
So he continued wearily on hoping perhaps he might find a cave along the path or something of the soft if the Valar was willing. At least it wasn't raining anymore. Unfortunately the ground was still slick with mud making movement difficult nearly sending the injured boy tumbling to the ground on several occasions.
Some inexplicable instinct suddenly flared to life, causing Estel to jerk his head up and look frantically around for the cause of his unease.
Taking Estel quite by surprise, a blurry figure jumped from a tree, its knees bending as it impacted with the ground. As the lithe creature slowly rose Estel had an opportunity to see what had put his senses on high alert.
He gasped in surprise and unsettling fear as his eyes locked with none other that an elf!
On first appearance, the young boy couldn't be sure if it was indeed an elf or not. Perhaps his eyes were deceiving him. For the creature before him did not bear the pure golden strands of hair characteristic of elves, but rather his hair was brown like the fresh soil of the forest instead.
But the eyes gave the elf away. They were so terribly soulful that one could nearly get lost in their silver oceans much like his own silver storm clouds, though he didn't know it. But Elhoir did. The younger twin found himself instantly mesmerized and entranced by the boy's own cloudy silver oceans.... so calm and yet so stormy.
The two, elf and boy, stayed locked in a staring contest for several minutes; neither willing nor able to break this strangely powerful eye contact.
And then Elhoir forced himself with much resistance out of his trance state, shaking his head as though to clear it.
The only indication Estel had come out of his own entrancement was the slight widening of his eyes. The boy started to slowly back away, retreating from the unfamiliar elf.
Elhoir calmly followed the boy's retreating form with his eyes, but made no effort to retrieve the child. He respected, for the moment, the child's need for space. He was frightened. Elhoir could not say he would not feel the same if a stranger had jumped out right in front of him.
Estel cast one last suspicious look at the bizarrely serene elf, raising his own eyebrow in a startlingly similar impression of Lord Elrond's own famous "look". Perhaps what was most bizarre about this was the mere fact that Estel had never met Lord Elrond, to pick up such a habit.
After Estel decided he was far enough of a distance away from the unknown elf, he turned quickly and started heading in the direction from which he had just come.
Perhaps it was not the best plan. He didn't want to run into Firithgalad again if he could help it. But he had no intention of just standing there and letting that unfamiliar elf have him, and if the elf had no intention of following, which seemed likely at the moment, that was just fine too.
However Estel couldn't understand why? What was the elf's intention? Why had he come after Estel in the first place if he didn't want to recapture him? After all he certainly was no match for an elf in or out of his current injured state. The elf could have taken him easily enough, so why didn't he?
Estel was suddenly yanked from his thoughts as warning sensors again started going off in his brain. A movement appeared out of the corner of the boy's downcast eyes and he jerked them up, while at the same time trying to stop his own momentum from causing him to crash into what lay ahead. Whatever it was had come upon him without him even noticing, which did nothing to ease the boy's fears.
Estel reluctantly locked eyes with what was impending his path and couldn't stifle another gasp, this time not from surprise, but rather astonishment. It was the elf! Not just any elf, but the one he had just run into. How had he gotten ahead of him so quickly? Elves were fast, but surely not this fast?
Estel backed frantically away from the elf who didn't appear outwardly hostile, merely regarding him with curiosity.
But it didn't matter. He wasn't going to stay here. He had to get away. He couldn't fail now. He was much to close to give up...too close to freedom.
"Stay away...leave me alone." Estel choked out, trying to appear brave, but failing miserably as his own trembling body betrayed him. "Please just leave me alone." He finished a bit more meekly his strength failing him.
Elladan smiled in part amusement, part reassurance as he observed the boy. He was obviously trying to be brave and Elladan found he admired the child for it. The boy was obviously very weak and yet he continued to stand his ground upon an unknown and much more powerful enemy.
But the elder Perendil twin immediately sobered as he evaluated the boy's various injuries. It was amazing the child had managed to stay on his feet this long. The boy's face was flushed with fever and his eyes seemed slightly glazed with pain. The young one trembled visibly and yet still seemed wholly, even stubbornly, determined not to give into his weakness.
Elladan found his admiration only growing for the child before him. The elder twin was intrigued by the boy and hoped to have an opportunity to learn more about the child as a wave of protectiveness washed over him.
But now was not the time to examine such feelings. If the puddle of blood pooling at the boy's feet was any indication of the seriousness of the situation. The boy was fading quickly and needed help soon or he would indeed be visiting Mandos halls way before his time. And Elladan would do anything to see this didn't happen.
Elladan stepped confidently foreword as concern overruled common sense for the moment and he began to advance on the boy. Once he had positioned himself within reaching distance, the elder twin reached out his hand trying to still the boy's backward motion.
But all did not go quite as Elladan had planned or expected.
Estel spurred out of terror slashed out at the elder twin, without even thinking about what he was doing. After retreating from Firithgalad's clutches, it appeared the boy had managed to miraculously retain hold of his faithful rock weapon throughout his escape and was now making good use of the make shift weapon once more.
Elladan gasped in surprise as the sharp rock edge cut acrossed his forearm leaving a fair sized laceration in its wake, immediately producing a pool of blood upon his arm.
Elladan instinctively grasped hold of his wounded arm, holding tightly to stem the flow of blood. He gritted his teeth to hold back the screams of pain that wanted to break forth from his throat and instead contented himself with mumbling out a string of curses, that had Estel paralyzed in his own fear at the mere ferocity of the words.
"Now none of that brother." A voice chided, in elvish, before an identical elf appeared out of the tree expanse. "The boy did tell you to stay back, polite about it and everything." Elhoir laughed in amusement at his elder brother's predicament. "Besides it serves you right for charging the boy like that. He must have thought you were attacking...you'll have him frightened witless running around like an orc."
"I didn't charge him and I'm no orc." Elladan growled out defiantly. "I was just trying to help." He muttered in a slightly lighter tone as he saw the effect his words seemed to be having on the trembling boy before them.
"Yes brother, but you need to be more gentle. He was nearly killed moments ago. Why should he trust us or anyone for that matter?" Elhoir reasoned as he made his way to his brother's side.
Estel watched the two figures before him both engaged in some headed debate all in their own language. The boy's eyes widened as he took in the two identical forms and he rubbed at his eyes thinking he must surely not be seeing straight anymore. And yet as the child lowered his eyes the image of the two startling similar elves remained unchanged and the boy concluded he must surely be going mad. How could there be two of them? Exactly alike?
As the elf's conversation started to filter into young Estel's mind he felt annoyance starting to creep up on him. He was being talked about like he wasn't even there. It wasn't like as a slave and a child that hadn't happened more than enough already, but that didn't make it any less irritating, perhaps even more irritating now that he had started to get his mind around the idea he was free now and was to be treated as such.
Yet he swallowed the angry words that lay in his throat. He dared not say anything to garner their attention. Perhaps while they were so distracted amongst themselves he could slip away undetected.
After all he couldn't just remain here...not anymore. It was one thing to attempt escape or break a few vases, but quite another when it garnered injuring an elf. Attacking an elf was a death penalty in itself and probably a very slow and painful one at that. Estel certainly didn't have anything left to lose by attempting escape now...but perhaps he never really did.
Estel backed away slowly eyeing the two arguing elves warily as he continued his retreat. His hand still clenched protectively over the rock that had so far been the soul object to keep him from recapture. As he scuttled further back, starting to meld with the dark trees behind him, he chanced a quick look at his lifesaver.
The rock was ordinary by any standard, except for the bright red blood that coated and dripped precariously off its tip. Blood tinged with a tinge of silver, an indicator that it belonged to an elf rather than a human or other creature of middle earth.
Estel was stopped in his tracks as he gazed with horrified realization at his blood stained weapon. What had he done? Twice now in the span of an hour he had caused injury to two elves. He had never hurt anyone before, not even a small animal.
A drop of the elf blood slid down the rock settling against Estel's already too pale skin and he felt immediately nauseous.
He dropped the rock from instantly weak fingers creating a loud clunk as it collided with the ground, ignorantly giving away his location.
The two identical elves snapped their heads up at the noise, instantaneously locking eyes upon the quivering child.
Estel's knees seemed even wobblier then before and his vision was starting to blur. He couldn't keep standing up like this. He needed to rest...just rest for a bit. But no! He had to keep going...keep fighting. Estel shook his head resolutely trying to clear away the debilitating dizziness that clouded his mind and fed his despair.
He took a few more stumbling steps backwards, but was stopped from further advancement as his back pressed up against an immovable tree.
Estel felt himself sliding down the coarse bark before his mind even registered what was happening and soon found himself sitting on the forest floor leaning heavily against his tree support, breathing hard as weariness overtook him.
It was hopeless. He could run no more. His strength was gone. Estel felt despair creeping into his heart as each wave of hopelessness and helplessness washed over his fatigued frame. He couldn't even move his legs anymore. The boy had no more energy left. This day had been too much...
He had no more to give...no more will to fight.
Estel slowly, painfully forced his legs to curl up protectively in front of his chest and bowed his head exhaustedly upon them as he hung his head in defeat.
He silently prayed, to the Valar, to be merciful and make his death as quick and painless as possible. He had no illusions about why these elves were so persistent in finding him. They would take his life this day and his only hope was that they would spare him too much unnecessary pain and end it all quickly.
Elhoir and Elladan silently watched the frightened boy backing away from them, like a trapped animal, before it seemed his injuries had become too much and he was forced to rest, much to the child's obvious distress. The twins watched sadly, as the child's shoulders seemed to slump in despair, never knowing quite what dark thoughts invaded the innocent boy's mind. For if they had it perhaps would have been too horrifying for their own carefree spirits to bear and may very well have sent them to the undying lands far too early.
Elhoir satisfied that the boy wasn't going anywhere, for the moment at least, decided to first tend to his brother's injury and then he could begin to coax the frightened boy from his shell.
For even thought he boy looked so utterly lost, Elhoir had a feeling a fire lay dormant behind those silver orbs just waiting to be sparked to like should he be provoked.
The child was like a wild animal trapped and thus extremely unpredictable, as any elf in the same situation would be. And like a wild animal the boy was bidding his time, waiting for an opportunity for escape...a key instinct of survival.
Elhoir intended to be very cautious and patient with this young spirited child. He had no intention of being burned, bitten, or cut as the case may be, unlike a certain twin brother he knew.
The younger twin focused his attentions on his brother's bleeding arm, casting a quick experienced gaze on the cut satisfied it looked much worse than it actually was. Elladan always was a bleeder.
"I'm sorry brother, but all my healing supplies are with the horses, as I suspect yours are as well." At a confirmative nod from Elladan, the younger twin resignedly tore a strip of cloth from his own clock eyeing it was a rather forlorn expression.
"Another cloak you've cost me Dan. I fear if ada discovers I have destroyed another cloak he shall forbid me to have another for the next century or more." Elhoir sighed morosely.
"You think you have problems? This was my favorite robe and now look at it. It's utterly ruined. The sleeves all stained with blood. I'll never get that out. And this is my fourth robe this month. Once ada is done with us we may end up walking around with nothing but our underwear on." Elladan whined unhappily as his brother further torn the offending sleeve to better see to his injury.
"Until you find a way to ruin our underwear too." Elhoir mumbled under his breath. "I suppose the only reasonable solution is to make sure ada never finds out."
"Find out what?" Elrond asked as he made his way into the clearing, his approach undetected by his sons. His faithful horse, Naurhun (fire heart), trailed loyally after his friend, bearing the elf lord's healing bags.
Elrond had come upon the twin's discarded horses, but decided to bring Naurhun along to help him bear his burdensome medical supplies. He had a feeling he would be needing a lot and as he surveyed his apparently injured son he hated to admit he was right. Could those two never stay out of trouble?
"How is it that he always seems to show up right when we're trying to hide something from him?" Elhoir asked his brother.
"It looks like we better get us to walking around naked in the near future." Elladan replied morosely.
Elrond was tempted to ask what exactly they were trying to hide, but he decided it was best to remain in a blissful state of ignorance where his sons were involved.
He eyed Elladan's bound arm, wrapped up with a piece of dark gray cloak. No doubt Elhoir's. Another ruined cloak. Elrond sighed in exasperation. The seamstress would have a fit about having to make a new one. He was tempted to let his wayward sons run around naked for a few weeks. Perhaps they would learn to take better care of their clothes and themselves in the process.
"What happened to your arm?" Elrond asked, asking himself if he really wanted to know at this point.
Elhoir suddenly fell into a hysterical fit of laughter, seeming to barely be able to stay on his feet, while Elladan glared daggers at his manic twin, looking as though he had bitten into something a bit too sour.
"Oh ada...he...he...got himself...sta....stabbed." Elhoir managed to squeeze out through bouts of laughter.
"Stabbed? Why that's not funny at all Elhoir." Elrond replied in confusion at his youngest child's amusement as he eyed the surrounding forest warily. "Who stabbed you Elladan?" Elrond fingered the small knife still wedged carefully in the sleeves of his robe as he stood protectively in front of his sons.
"w....with a rock." Elhoir snorted continuing his rant as though he had heard nothing his father had just said. "By the...by the elf....elfing. Ha. Ha. An Elfling. Elladan got stabbed by an elfling."
"I think he gets it Elhoir." Elladan groused out crossly at his brother.
Elrond had tuned himself out to his son's bickering as he thought over what they had said.
Elfling? What elfling? Elrond was starting to become confused. The elf lord looked around the small clearing and finally caught site of the young edain child staring curiously and openly back at the new arrival. So this is the elfling? Elrond smiled in amusement.
Elrond returned the boy's stare and was quite surprised to see the child continue to hold his gaze evenly, thought it was certainly obvious the poor child was absolutely petrified of him. But after all the poor child had been though who could blame him?
Elfling indeed! His sons would be in for quite a surprise when they figured it out. Perhaps he should tell them? But it would be so much more fun to watch they discover things for themselves. Where do you think his sons got such a wicked sense of humor?
His sons had seen more than their fair share of humans, but this one did have an unmistakably elvish quality about him. It would have been easy for anyone at first glance to mistake the boy's heritage. Perhaps having grown up around Mirkwood elves for the past 8? 9? 10? Years had somehow contributed to the boy's inexplicable elvishness. Or perhaps it was something a bit more as well?
The boy was skinny and lithe like an elf...too much so for one of human stature. A human body was not made to bear such little weight. Their race needed more nourishment then those of the first born and it was readily apparent the boy was not getting this nourishment. The child was scarcely more than skin and bones...as though he was starving to death. And his skin was so pale....much too pale as though he hadn't seen sunlight in weeks or perhaps months.
The elf lord felt anger threatening to disrupt his cool composure as he looked upon this mistreated young child. How could anyone treat a child so poorly? What torments had the boy been through that his eyes could look so terrible old and so terrible sad? It pulled at the elf lords heart stings and he wanted nothing more than to take the child in his arm and confort him, but he suspected the young one would not appreciate the elf lord coming any closer at the moment.
Elrond decided to give the boy a few moments to get use to his presence before approaching and decided he would tend to his eldest son first, who would no doubt be the more willing patient.
As he turned to his son he was quite surprised and pleased to find his son was already at the task. The youngest twin had generously helped himself to his father's medical supplies and was in the process of re-bandaging Elladan's injured arm.
Elrond nodded his head in thanks for Elhoir's help, who nodded in turn indicating his father should see to the injured child.
"Be careful ada. The boy is like a wounded trapped animal....dangerous and unpredictable. It you get too close I fear he may strike out like he did with poor Elladan. Be wary of him...I would not see you injured as well." Elhoir replied worriedly.
"Do not worry my son. I shall be cautious. I will go speak to the boy, try to calm him a bit if I can. Perhaps assess his injuries if he will let me. When you are finished with your brother bring me my bags if you will."
"Of course ada." Elhoir replied as he returned to his work, while Elladan continued to keep a close on his father, lest he become endangered.
Estel look up as he heard a new voice enter the clearing. This new elf also bore the same dark brown hair as the boy's two identical assailants. He also bore a remarkable resemblance, but fortunately there were also obvious differences. If the elf had looked identical to the other two, Estel was sure it would have driven him utterly mad.
The elves seemed to know each other quite well and carried on a conversation in their strange form of elvish. Estel could tell quite easily that the new elf was in charge of the group...a leader of sorts.
Estel figured that he did look a bit older than the other two as well, which would make it only sensible he would be giving the orders. It was hard to tell an elf's age, for they all seemed eternally young, which for the most part was entirely true. Perhaps it was the grande sense of nobility that radiated off the older elf that made him seem so much older. Estel felt an undesirable sense of awe and reverence towards the strange elf and hated himself for it. These were his captors. He should hate them, not admire them.
The elf lord suddenly turned towards the boy as though sensing Estel's scrutiny.
The elf lord's eyes were an identical silver color like the other two elves and held the same soulfullness. And yet his eyes also told of unsurpassed wisdom worthy of the greatest minds of all middle earth, as well of as a compassion for life that spoke of great love and great hardship.
Estel experienced amazement at his own abilities to hold the elf lord's gaze for so long without flinching. The elf's gaze revealed a great power and inner strength that left Estel feeling weak. He was entranced and could not seem to pull his eyes away, lost in those mesmerizing eyes that appeared to be staring straight into his soul, leaving him feeling naked and vulnerable, but at the same time safe and protected in ways he could not explain.
Before the elf finally, mercifully, averted his own gaze, Estel caught a glint of something in the elf lord's eyes. Some unconcealed emotion...sadness? For whom? For me? Why would he feel sad for me? Perhaps he is upset about having to kill me? Maybe Firithgalad ordered him to or... Estel shuddered at the thought....perhaps the king.
Perchance, the boy thought hopefully, the elf will be beneficent and make it quick instead of torturing me more. His eyes aren't cold like Firithgalad. Please no more torture...no more pain The boy silently pleaded.
As the elf lord turned back to his companions, Estel lay gasping as though under the older elf's piercing gaze his lungs had been unable to function. He was utterly drained from staring the elf lord down. The boy laid his head weakly against his knees breathing in quick shallow breaths, tuning out the elf's talk.
He could easily have eavesdropped on the elf's conversation, for even though most of it was spoken in elvish he was quite fluent in the language, thanks to his mother's tutelage and his own natural abilities. It was a form of elvish he was not familiar with, which confused him slightly, but the gist was understandable enough. Many of the words were similar so he could detect the majority of what was being said.
However Estel tuned out the elf's banter preferring not to know what they had planned for him.
H let his mind drift to happier times when he was with his parents of nana, smiling or laughing, happy to be alive on those few rare precious occasions. How he longed to be with nana now, listening to her tell a story or sing a song like his mother use to. He wondered if she was well and prayed to the Valar that is beloved nana still lived. He hoped she would forgive him for getting himself killed. He had tried so hard to live...to escape, but he had failed just as she feared he would. He had failed her as much as himself and she would mourn his passing. He would cause her great pain and it hurt him terrible, for he was powerless to soothe her. Estel wished he could at least say goodbye...
He sat reliving all the happy memories of his childhood while his life slowly faded away from him, and wept for he knew he would never live to see another happy memory.
Elrond cautiously approached the wounded boy his sharp elven ears distinctly picking up the child's quiet sobs, muffled by his head being buried in his knees, as the human's breathe hitched sporadically nsync with the boy's trembling body.
Elrond's heart broke to see the child so utterly desolate and the elf lord wanted nothing more than to hold the boy, wiping away the hopeless tears, while offering a much needed sense of security, comfort, and love.
Elrond placed his hand gently on the boy's shoulder hoping perhaps a friendly touch would ease the boy's tearful heart, but unfortunately the contact had the directly opposite effect.
Estel flinched as he felt the light pressure applied to his shoulder as though he had been scalded. The boy trembled even more as full-blown sobs were pulled from his wracked hurting body. He felt overwhelming shame pulling him deeper into despair as he was powerless to stop the cruel debilitating tears from falling from his ears, showing his weakness and fear. Pride and hope were all he had left and both seemed to fall away like sand through his fingers leaving him broken.
"Please...please don't hurt me." Estel whispered brokenly through his tears, nearly so quiet Elrond barely caught the silent plea for mercy.
Elrond felt his own set of tears burning his stubborn eyes, at the child's heartbroken words, wounding more deeply than any blade ever could.
"Do not be afraid young one." Elrond gently lifted the boy's chin so he could lock eyes with the boy's cloudy gray. "I promise you so long as I am here you will be safe."
The boy seemed reluctant to believe him, but silenced his tears staring at the elf lord with wary apprehension.
"Here ada...here are your supplies." Elhoir replied breaking the silent tension between elf lord and human.
Estel jerked his head up as the younger elf's words were processed in the young boy's mind and gut wrenching realizations became known.
Ada....father. Ada meant father. The two identical looking elves must be the older one's sons that meant. Estel felt his heart rate increasing sporadically and his breathe became more choppy as the edges of panic started to take him over once more.
There would be no mercy for him here. No father would allow one who had injured their child to come away unscathed. The older elf would not give him a painless death and now he would suffer more. He should never have ran, never have lashed out at the strange elf, if it had been accidental or not, for now his end would be far worse. And for what? Some futile hope for freedom. There was no hope.
Estel buried his face in his knees to fight back the stinging tears that demanded realize from already swollen eyes. He had finally stopped crying, and now all he wanted was his tears back to cry all over again. He no longer cared if it was shameful to display such weakness. He had no pride left. He was stripped of all hope...all happiness. Only despair remained.
"Please...please." Estel mumbled from his crouched position as he rocked slightly back in forth chanting over and over the single word.
"What is wrong with him ada." Elhoir backed away slightly in startled concern. "He was so calm but a moment ago. Has my presence upset him so much?"
"I do not know." Elrond sighed wearily. He had thought he had finally gotten through to the boy, assured him of their good intent. It was a hard concept to understand a child being so distrustful and the elf lord found himself deeply saddened.
What had the poor boy endured in his young life that he would see an offer of help as a potential threat?
"Please....I didn't mean to hurt him. I...it was an accident." Estel whimpered helplessly. "Have mercy. I beg of you...make it qu...quick."
Elhoir crinkled his forehead in confusion at the strange words.
Elladan also reflected a similar confusion as he caught the tail end of the boy's diatribe having joined his family when it seemed no progress was being made.
"What is he talking about Ada?" Elladan asked as he stared with open curiosity at the distraught child. "Who didn't he mean to hurt? And make what quick?"
Elhoir turned to gawk at his brother with ill-concealed annoyance. "What do you mean what did he mean who didn't he mean to hurt?" Elhoir asked with absolutely disbelief clear of his voice.
"Could you make that sentence anymore confusion Roe. I think with a few thousand years that Gandalf might still be able to decipher it." Elladan taunted.
"You know what I mean Elladan. Quit changing the subject. It's obvious he was referring to you." Elhoir replied exasperated.
"How do you know he isn't referring to that other elf...he did slash him on the face after all. He only knicked me arm." Elladan protested.
"Nicked! I did not realize a nick entailed so much blood." Elhoir flabbergasted. "Dan how can you possible be so dense? Perhaps ada dropped you on your head as a baby. That elf shot the boy, twice might I add. I don't think at this point the child is going to feel remorseful about the damage upon him at the moment."
"Enough both of you." Elrond commanded becoming quite fed up with his son's quarreling. "We have more important maters to attend to at the moment."
Elrond turned his attention back to the boy, gently lifting the young one's chin up.
"Make what quick young one." Elrond asked with sincere curiosity trying to understand the boy.
"M...my death. Please make it quick. I have no wish to suffer anymore. No more torture.... I beg of you." Estel replied earnestly no longer caring if he begged. He had no pride left. He only wanted it to end. He could feel his life ebbing away already and just wanted the pain to stop.
Elhoir and Elladan both gasped in shock at the boy's admission. The twin siblings stared wide-eyed at each other looking for answers, trying to understand how one o young could ask such a think....beg for such a thing....think of such a thing.
The two younger elves turned to their father hoping he could explain such a mind-boggling concept, but Lord Elrond himself was baffled by such a request.
The elf lord sat paralyzed, overcome by silent horror at the child's heart wrenching words.
Estel, taking the elves silent stares as refusal, jerked his head from the elf lord's grasp, handing his head in shame.
He had forsaken his pride for nothing...
Elrond snapped out of his daze as the boy jerked away from his touch pulling him back to reality. As the elf lord looked into the boy's two stormy gray eyes, for but a brief moment, he was given a glimpse of a soul unbarred. He looked upon such unrestrained agony...such long-held pain that the Elrond's breath was momentarily halted in mid-inhalation.
Without a second though Elrond gathered the boy into his arms, pouring all his love into the simple embrace.
At first, Estel fought desperately against the elf lord's hold---Frightened and left uncertain by this strange rare act of compassionate that he though it some cruel trick. But young Estel was far too weak to effectively offer much resistance and soon ended his useless struggles graciously accepting the elf lord's love like a dehydrated man to water.
"I promise you young one by all that is good and pure, I will never lay a hand against you. I will protect you and keep you safe if it is in my power to do so. You have nothing to fear from me or my son's." Elrond whispered soothingly as he gently rocked the boy in his arms.
"Ada is right young one. We will never harm you. We are nothing like the elf from the clearing. We do not harm the innocent. We do not seek you life." Elhoir implored, nearly begging the child to see the truth of his words.
"Yes we wish only to help you. No one should treat another as that elf has and he shall be punished. This I promise you." Elladan added.
One way or another he will receive justice...even if I have to give it to him myself Elladan silently vowed as he watched the frightened child.
Estel nodded his head slightly into Elrond's chest willing to accept the elves promises for now...wanting nothing more than to believe their kind words...so eager to hold onto the wisps of hope before him.
Elrond ended the embrace holding the child at arms length, smiling as he saw a bit of light shining in the boy's eyes...those gray clouds slowly starting to part and let the sun through.
"May I tend your wounds now young one?" Elrond requested patiently.
Estel simple nodded his head, words escaping him at the compassion he saw upon the elves faces...each willing to offer him love and protection without reservation. It felt wonderful to be loved so freely even if it couldn't last. No good thing ever did.
Estel leaned back once more against a tree regaining his waning strength as he silently watched the elder elf pull different items from his bag; herb jars, a water flask, some bandages, and finally a small surgical knife.
Lord Elrond displayed each item on the ground beside him, within easy reach before at last selecting the small surgical knife from his assorted goods.
He turned back to the young child gently reaching for the boy's already tattered shirt causing young Estel to flinch away...his eyes firmly locked on the small knife glinting eerily in the dying sunlight.
"You...you said you wouldn't hurt me." Estel whispered meekly, as distrust and fear began to erode away his new found calm.
Elrond looked quickly from the child following his gaze to the tool in the elf lord's hand and offered a hasty reassurance. "Forgive me child...I was being thoughtless. I should have explained myself. I merely intend to cut your clothes away so that I may remove the arrow from your shoulder. It will not hurt. I will be gentle." The elf lord soothed slightly easing the boy's tense posture. "Is that alright?"
"No pl...please don't. I'll get in tr...trouble if I damage a piece of clothing. It's aga...against the rules." Estel implored to worn out to contemplate that his clothing at this point was already beyond repair or rescue.
"I shall take full responsibility." Elrond answered gallantly. "You will not be in trouble, I assure you. All will be well." As the boy relaxed further Elrond reached out to cut the shirt away once again, but Estel weakly gripped the elf lord's wrist halting further motion.
"I d...don't want you to get into tro...trouble either." Estel rasped out.
Elrond smiled at the child's selflessness. It was truly touching gesture that
"You needed worry young one. I will not be in trouble either. I am a guest in this fair kingdom, which in and of itself given me diplomatic immunity, and secondly this is a unique situation. I'm sure the elves of Mirkwood surly wouldn't begrudge you one pair of clothes to save your life." Elrond answered good naturally as he smoothly detached the boy's hand and proceeded to gently cut away the blooded tatters of clothing.
"I don't know about that." Elladan muttered darkly under his breath, to his brother. Thus far the Mirkwood elves didn't seem to be the most compassionate of creatures.
Elhoir simply nodded his head at his brother's comment, a similar dark look marring his features, indicating he too was thinking the same thing.
At his father's bidding Elhoir positioned himself gently behind the boy and helped slip the boy's now ruined piece of clothing off his good arm before working on the weaker arm.
Noticing the boy's slight shivers Elrond called his eldest son, whom at the moment was standing quietly in the background knowing his injured arm would make him of little help at the moment. "Elladan will you please go retrieve a blanket from my horse. I should have one stuffed in my saddle bag somewhere."
"Of course Ada." Elladan acquiesced pleased to have some task to perform, which of course was part of Elrond's intention for asking him. Elrond knew how important it was for his compassionate children to feel like they were doing something to help. They were not the type to be content with discussion and planning, but preferred action.
Estel watched through bleary eyes as Elrond communed with his sons, only catching a few words here in there through the his foggy mind as his injuries started pulling him towards sweet oblivious unconsciousness. It was only sheer determination that kept the young boy conscious still, for he still did not yet entirely trust these unknown elves.
Estel watched with a strange sense of detached interest as Elrond gently lifted the second half of shirt off his body, knife posed to smoothly cut the remaining shreds of fabric away from the arrow wound.
But Elrond halted in his task as he briefly glimpsed a strange discoloration on the boy's chest. The elf lord pulled the ripped piece of shirt further away squinting his eyes slightly at the strangely made discoloration. It was a pale ivory white color nearly identical to the boy's flesh. Only if one was looking for it, or one with keen eyes could have made out such a marking. And it seemed to form a shape...like a tree....a white tree!
"No it couldn't be." Elrond backed away slightly in astonishment. "Only one could bear such a mark."
"What is it ada? What mark? What are you talking about?" Elhoir asked curiously, unable to see what drew his father's attention as he held the young boy trying to offer the poor child as much warmth and comfort as possible.
Estel seemed to snap out of his dazed state, perhaps a mechanism of self-preservation, as a warning signal rippled up his spine pulling him back to full alertness. Something was not right!
Estel forced his unsteady eyes to focus on what was happening around him and caught the elder elf kneeling in front of him silently staring.
What is he looking at? Estel wondered. He followed the elf lord's gaze to his chest and gasped as realization hit him. His mark was revealed.
The human grabbed his scrap of shirt out of the elf lord's unsuspecting grip, and with a renewed sense of vigor clumsily recovered the strange birthmark.
"It is nothing." Estel answered hastily to Elrond's inquiring gaze. "Just an old scar. I...I was burned as a child. It never fully healed."
Elhoir seemed complacent was the child's explanation and simply nodded in understanding.
However Elrond was not so easily convinced. That was no scar. The elf lord had seen enough in his days to know the difference between a scar and a birthmark. And this child bore a birthmark. He would bet his entire kingdom on it. And not just any birthmark, but one handed down through the generations of the boy's forefathers. It was the symbol of Gondor...the white tree of Gondor to be more precise. And only the land's heirs could bear the mark and would bear the mark from the day of their birth to the day of their final rest.
Before him lay the heir of Gondor...Isuldur's long lost descendent.
But how much did the boy know about his own heritage? He seemed to understand the importance of keeping the mark hidden, but did he know what it stood for? It's importance? Who he was even?
"Do you know what that mark symbolizes?" Elrond asked the boy point blank, hoping to put him off his guard.
"I...I don't know what you're talking about. It's just a scar." Estel quickly denied, panic dancing in his eyes.
"Nay young one. That is no scar. I am a trained healer and have seen many a wound in my lifetime. And that is no scar, as well you know. That is a birthmark." Elrond eyed the boy in a calculating manner, seeing how the child would react to such a forthright answer.
The boy tensed under the elf lord's searching stare, but after a few minutes of tense silence, allowed himself to relax heavily against Elhoir, too tired to negate the elf lord's accusation.
"Please don't tell anyone. They will hu...hurt me if they find out. It's suppose to be a se...secret." Estel cast imploring eyes upon Lord Elrond, begging him to protect the child's identity. For divulging such a secret would cost the boy his life.
How could anyone resist a look like that? Elrond mused. He must give his parents quite a handful.
Elrond looked foreword to meeting the boy's parents as he came to discover this must be Arathorn's son. The elf lord had always wondered where the ranger king had ended up all those years ago when he had went missing. It has always been assumed that the head of the rangers had been killed by orcs or some other foul creature. And thus the line of Isuldur had been thought ended, for at the time of Arathorn's disappearance he had pledged himself to no other and had yet to bear offspring.
It was truly a blessing from the Valar himself that Arathorn had managed to survive a life of slavery, in Mirkwood no less. It was quite obvious that there was no lost love between King Thranduil and the heir's of Isuldur.
It was fortunate that most of middle earth believed Isuldur's line had died out long ago, for if the king had ever suspected this line of kings still lived he would have went to great lengths to see it broken. And if he had found that which he despised the most Elrond shuddered to think what vengeance the elf king would have reaped.
Because Arathorn had born an offspring though was a telling sign that Thranduil knew nothing of this ranger's identity and merely enslaved him like so many other humans. If the king had known this young boy and his family would have all been executed.
"Ada what is going on what is it you are speaking of. I do not understand what is going on?" Elhoir gazed at his father curiously as he watched the strange conversation between human and elf lord.
Elrond cast a wary eye over the young trembling human boy and saw how injuries, anxiety, and excessive blood loss had taken a hazardous toll upon the young boy's mind and body.
"Now is not the time my son. This young one needs our help desperately. I fear his life is fading." Elrond answered allowing healer mode to make his answers blunt and his resolve firm. They must see to the child first before they did anything else or all would soon be for naught.
Estel begin to chatter his teeth slightly as cold seemed into his bones.
Elrond cast the boy one final assessing glance before turning to his tools, measuring out some strange herbs that he then poured generously into a canteen, filled with water no doubt.
Estel grasped weakly at the elf lord's hand, halting his tedious movements.
Elrond turned towards the quivering boy, raising an eyebrow in silent question, unable to keep the worry from shining in his eyes. The boy was fading fast. So little time was left.
"So....so cold." Estel rasped out fighting the darkness leaking into his vision. "Am I...am I going to d...die?" The young boy whispered fear leaking from his voice, while tears of pain and fear danced in his eyes.
"No child. By all that is good and pure upon this earth....by the Valar himself I promise you will breathe to see the morrow." Elrond answered in all sincerity.
The elf lord nodded to Elhoir, indicating the younger elf should slightly lift the boy up and then Elrond placed the canteen gently against the boy's lips.
Estel sniffed a strange odor lingering from the canteen and instinctively turned his head away, refusing to drink the strange concoction.
"Come young one." Elrond insisted sternly. "You must drink so I may tend to your wounds. It will ease your pain and help you rest so your body may grow stronger."
"No...no." Estel whimpered panic rising in his voice as he frantically avoided the insistent canteen.
"Come, why will you not drink?" Elhoir asked as he rubbed the boy comfortingly. "It will help you."
"It is...it is poison." Estel cast gleaming eyes at the elf lord, filled with accusation and fear. "If you intend to poison me than please just tell me. If I am to die, I have the right to know." Estel demanded as a sense of betrayal made him momentarily forgo his fear for bitter hurt.
As the gut wrenching accusation burned in the air silencing the elves and human alike a low hysterical laugh broke out behind the still figures.
Elladan walked up to the silent group bearing a handful of blankets, laughing heartily at the boy's defiant words.
"Oh Ada. It seems the reputation of your tea precedes you." Elladan chuckled merrily, pleased for once to not be on the receiving in of the foul liquid.
Elhoir did not join in brothers's merriment, but did offer a weak smile as he remembered their own many experiences with the unpleasant drink.
"Small one you have nothing more to fear from ada's little concoction than a bad aftertaste in your mouth and some much needed rest. My brother and I have had this particular elixir forced down out throats on more than one occasion...perhaps more than was needed in my opinion." Elladan teased easing the mounting tensions.
Elrond wagged his eyebrow back at his chortling offspring, a look of displeasure making the elf lord look as though he had swallowed something sour. "If I recall broken bones and arrow wounds have always called for some much needed rest. Perhaps it is not that you have had more than was needed, but rather you have both gotten yourself far more injured than was ever needed, more than any elf your age has want to. Perhaps if my tea tastes so awful you should refrain from injuring yourselves so often. I have enough gray hairs on your accounts as it is my two reckless sons." Elrond answered with a glint of light amusement in his eyes mixed with fatherly worry.
Estel smiled wanly at the elf's playful banter. In Mirkwood such displays of affection were rare among the elves, considered undignified to display so openly and even his fellow human slave's lacked such playful affection. Slavery with or without chains tended to leave a person seem empty.
Estel felt a secret longing building up inside, reminding him how very lonely he was and how very alone.
Perhaps the elves sensed the boy's disheartenment for Elhoir gripped Estel gently and lord Elrond turned to the boy with a fatherly look of love and acceptance.
Estel sucked up this offered inclusion like a man of the desert to water and felt his sense of hope spark as the love strengthened him, and his fear eased though he still bore a weary apprehension.
Lord Elrond reflected the boy's precious smile hoping to dissuade the child's fright.
The elf lord tentatively offered the canteen again raising a questioning eyebrow. He would not force the tea on the boy and break the fragile trust he was starting to develop.
At Estel's hesitation Lord Elrond added, "I promise you the tea has no ill-effects except perhaps as my sons have pointed out a slightly unpleasant after taste. I ask your trust. I swear to you I will not let any harm come to you."
Estel felt the sincerity in the elf lord's words and found himself trusting and believing the elder elf. There was something so terribly open and honest in the words and the elf lord's eyes shone so imploring Estel was certain the elf lord truly did care about him. They all did. He felt safe here among these strange elves, for reasons he could not explain. He had not felt such comfort in so very long and embraced it whole-heartedly.
Estel nodded his head slightly accepting the elf lord's words and the unpleasant concoction.
The young human gripped the elf lord's arm like he was the child's very life line as the elf lord gently poured the cold healing drink down the boy's parched throat.
Estel could not prevent a look of disgust from crossing his face as he registered the taste, which seemed to highly amuse the two younger elves.
After only a few moments Estel started to immediately feel the effects as drowsiness started to cloud the corners of his vision.
He leaned deeper into Elhoir's embrace accepting the added warmth, comfort, and reassurance the strong elven arms offered.
Estel leaned his head against the youngest elf's shoulder at the elf's gentle invitation and felt tears string the corners of his eyes at such whole-hearted and unexpected kindness.
"Tha...thank you." Estel whispered out between numbing lips as he embraced the healing darkness.
Elhoir gripped the young boy tightly and leaned down slightly to catch the softly spoken words upon the breeze.
"What did he say?" Elladan asked curiously as he stared openly at the sleeping youth.
"He said "thank you," Elhoir offered simply refusing to remove his eyes from the sleeping form, as though taking his promise as protector quite seriously.
All three elves remained in contemplative silence as the tended to the wounded child's wounds. Each elf was lost in their own thoughts trying to understand this small miracle that had come into their lives, this strange child that they immediately loved without restraint.
All elves bear a compassionate nature, and are innately pained by the suffering of any creature, but this care went much deeper. It was not just the detached affection for life, but an unbreakable bond between them. The boy seemed a part of them.
Elrond was astonished at the various wounds and injuries he came upon as he diligently worked. Not only did the child have two arrow wounds with accompanying blood loss; he had an infected wound upon his leg, a broken wrist, and more cuts and bruises in various stages of healing that little skin could be considered healthy.
The elf lord was amazed at the boy's stamina. With these injuries the boy should have been unconscious and probably even dead before now. It was pure determination that had kept the boy going and Lord Elrond found himself admiring the boy's strength and spirit. Someday he would make a good king of this lord Elrond was certain.
Elladan offered his twin a blanket and the youngest twin wrapped up the young boy tightly before gently lifting him in his arms.
No words needed to be spoken between the close nit family. They had did all they could here, they needed to get somewhere where they could better tend the child's wounds. And the closest place was Mirkwood palace, even if they all were loath to go there now.
Elrond accepted the frail-sleeping boy into his arms as Elhoir helped his brother to mount.
Estel stirred in his sleep curling tightly into the elf lord's chest with an absolute sense of trust that belabored the boy's wakeful distrust.
Elrond felt a full-blown smile erupt across his face at the boy's gesture.
"I will see you safe heir of Isuldur." Elrond whispered. "You will not be harmed again of this I vow by the blood in my veins. This is my promise and my pledge."
Estel smiled in his dreams, perhaps on some level hearing the elf lord's promise and then snuggled deeper into the elf lord's arms.
Elhoir quickly mounted his own steed and offered to take the young boy.
Elrond steadily offered the young boy up into Elhoir's waiting arms and the younger elf settled the sleeping child snuggly against his shoulder before spurring his horse on towards Mirkwood, fully expecting his father to follow.
Elrond gracefully mounted his own horse and with a slight tap of his legs against the horses flank sent the faithful creature following the retreating horses.
As the elf lord came upon the palace gates rising in the distance he couldn't help the rising apprehension. He wondered if it was the lamb walking into the lion's den, or in this case riding into the lion's den.
The elf lord saw his sons unconsciously going ridged in their seats as the palace came into view. Elhoir held the boy protectively to his chest daring any to come to close at the risk of a blade in their chests.
Nobility seemed to ooze from his sons on this rare occasion. Where the twins were notorious pranksters and miscreants they looked every bit the royalty they were at the moment. The princes of Imadalis in every way.
No not lambs walking into the lions den, these were tigers. Elrond thought with pride. And they were coming in with claws barred.
Authors Note: (Author hides behind Legolas and Aragorn) Okay okay I know you were expecting Legolas to be the hero and save the day. He was, but then he had a hair appointment come up, he couldn't just cancel he's had this scheduled for months...lol. Don't worry I'm not neglecting Legolas. He'll be saving the day soon enough. Just give it some time.
I apologize for not responding to my reviewers this time. You have all been absolutely wonderful and I can't think you enough for all the wonderful responses I've received. I couldn't write without your encouragement. I'm a very self-conscious writer and it means the world to me when I see that my writing has some meaning. I will make sure to add the reviews I haven't responded to yet at the end of my next post so all of you faithful readers look for those next time. And thanks again for being so awesome.