When Elrohir arrived back at Imladris, he received more than a few curious glances. All of them were put quickly in their place by an icy glare by two mithril daggers. Elrond summoned his youngest son to his private chambers before dusk. There he informed both of the twins, Elladan having come back from his short absence, that the Dunedain had been mustered and they would be leaving within the next couple days.

The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead. Was the message Elrohir was told to relay to Aragorn upon finding him. The younger twin did not need any help remembering it, the words alone were frightening enough to stay clearly in his memory for much longer than it would take him to find his mortal brother.

He had been preparing his things when Erestor had come to him. The ebony-haired advisor had stood on the other side of the room, staring at him from under his long, jet black lashes. Elrohir almost laughed, thinking he was probably the only person in Arda who had longer eyelashes than his sister. Erestor's dark, emerald eyes held him in sway. His father's advisor had always unnerved him. Whether it was the frighteningly knowing eyes that seemed to see into his soul, the crimson lips nearing to black, or the pale, ivory skin framed by the curtain of midnight, Elrohir was not sure. All he knew was that Erestor had always been a mystery to him, even as a young elfling. All the more reason to stick chicken feathers in honey on this Lord's seat. He thought sourly, it had been his only plan that had ever gone truly awry, the victim ending up being Cirdan the Shipwright rather than Erestor. Elrohir remembered being in a very similar situation, all those years ago.

"Lord Elrohir."

"My lord."

"You leave in two days to ride with the Dunedain."

"Aye." Elrond's son said suspiciously, he hated the way the advisor always made each statement he announced seem like a prophecy. The man's very voice echoed like the footsteps of Doom.

"You will not return."

Elrohir eyed him warily. "I will be killed." It was more of a statement than a question.

The emeralds darkened to shadows, making him seem more chilling than ever. "The man who returns will not be the son of Elrond." His words puzzled the peredhil. As if sensing his confusion, Erestor continued. "A secret shall be told, an oath shall be made, and another shall be broken. You will return, but you will be only a shadow."

"I do not understand."

"Then perhaps you can cheat Doom. Though it is unlikely. If you stay blind and wander in the darkness, you are just as likely to come again to the light."

Then he turned, his dark green robes swishing about his feet. Their velvet matching the color of his eyes. Once he was out the door, Elrohir wandered out to the balcony that overlooked Rivendell. The cool night had descended on the valley, and the moonlight shimmered on the waters as they ran through the great city. The sound of the splashing river rose up from below him, the tumultuous waters leaping over rocks and down waterfalls. The mist which rose from it formed small droplets on his skin.

"Elrohir! Your father told me you could be found here!"

The peredhil jumped and, turning, saw his friend Halbarad striding towards him. "I ride with you tomorrow." Said Elrohir, turning his back to Halbarad and facing the night.

The Ranger stopped in his tracks, his dark grey eyes flashing. "To what purpose?"

"I desire to go to war, as does my brother."

The tall man thought on the information quietly for a second before responding. "Something ails thee, I can tell."

"Tis only something the advisor said."

He heard his friend snigger behind him. "You two do have a rather interesting friendship, aye?" Elrohir groaned. "Worry not, he has me quaking in my boots too, you are not alone."

At this Elrohir laughed aloud. "You? Quaking? I doubt it."

Halbarad walked up and set his hand on Elrohir's shoulder. He reminded the peredhil so much of his brother, Estel. Except Halbarad was of a stronger build, and slightly shorter. "Of what did he speak?"

"You know Erestor. It was Doom, Fate, and Shadows, as always."

Author's note: I hope you like it. Updates will come quicker with reviews. I know Erestor is kinda freaky here ;) Review and tell me what u think!