Chapter IV: Searching For Hope

A/N: When someone is speaking Sindarin it will be in italics. Any translations (if needed) will be at the end of the story. Also someone's thoughts…it should be easy to spot the difference. What shall happen in this chapter? P.S. I don't mind questions about the story and any possible ideas on how we can have fun with Ravin and Estel.

Celebfán's group was not far now Rivendell. It was late afternoon and a rider on horse flew past with great speed. Celebfán called out to the rider, but the rider was already past. At first it seemed the rider had not heard him or even noticed but then the rider turned his mount around and galloped back, "Celebfán, Mae govannen!"

"Suilaid, Tathor! Is something amiss in the Valley?" Celebfán noticed the slightly disheveled appearance of the elven warrior.

"Aye, little Estel has gone missing. He is not to be found in the Valley and several of us have been sent out to search. Do any of you know anything?"

"I last saw Estel the day before we left to deliver the extra supplies to the villages. I saw him heading towards his chambers after we came inside from the rain," said another elf. Tathor looked at the others who shook their heads, "no."

"We shall be sure to lend our aid as soon as we get back to the Valley," said Celebfán. Tathor nodded briefly. He turned his mount around and continued down his way. The group of elves hastened their journey and reached the edge of the valley in the early evening.

Elrond was speaking with two search parties when they arrived. Celebfán left the group, striding up to the elf lord, he bowed as he said, "Hir nin, I have heard what has transpired and you have my deepest sympathies and my service to not stray from this task until your son is safe at home." The tired Peredhil placed a hand on Celebfán's shoulder.

"Hannon le," he smiled faintly, "Your help will be greatly appreciated." An elf was unhitching the horses as two others were removing the folded tarp and coiled ropes.

"Ai!" cried one of them when his eyes caught the sight of something balled up in a corner of the wain. He picked it up and shouted to Elrond. Elrond ran over and took the fabric. It was plainly a small cloak belonging to some child.

"Aye it is Estel's," he said as he held it. Estel had been on the wain all along, but where was he now? When Elrond confirmed that it was Estel's, Celebfán was on a horse within moments, bound for the Númenórean village before anything else could be said or done. Elrond ran into the house and returned with Hadhafang strapped to his waist. He leapt up on a horse an elf was leading from the stables to use and took off after Celebfán.

Ravin could see his house at the other end of the village. The few people that were outside this early in the morning as he strode silently to his house greeted him by his birth name. A name he detested, for like most of the Dúnedain, he had an elven name, Halgon, tall commander. No one is sure what made him hate the elves and everything to do with elves. Perhaps he blamed them for the state of his people. If you are if wondering if he was in league with Sauron, no he was not, that much was known. His wife was awakened by his entry into the house. After kissing her husband on the cheek she prepared a bowl of porridge for him. He sat down at the table and his wife set the bowl of porridge down in front of him. He took a few bites when the sound of horses and shouts came from the open window. He rose and stood looking out the window at the scene before him in the faint dawn. It was two elves on horseback. Ravin had never seen Elrond before and he guessed that this dark haired elf was he as he bore a striking resemblance to the twins. He strained his ears to try to hear the conversation but couldn't. The elves were talking with Dírhael who was in charge of the village. If the elf was Elrond, then the boy was telling the truth. It was apparent that the elves, especially the dark-haired one, were distressed about something. He was so concentrated that he did not notice his wife now stood beside him. "What ever is the matter?" The sudden sound of her voice startled him and he made an effort not to show it. His right cheek flinched slightly.

"It seems Lord Elrond's son is missing," he said coolly.

"Poor little dear. You'll be sure to help them won't you?" She patted his arm and then left to tend to her daily chores. His scarred hand grabbed his pack and his bow and quiver with the other. Ravin slipped out the door and from the village unnoticed.

Elrond caught up to Celebfán. They stopped a few times to rest their mounts for a time. Not daring to injure or kill them in their haste. They arrived in the early morning just as the sky turned a grey light. A shout went up and several people came to greet the elves. Elrond and Celebfán leapt from the horses before they stopped. "Lord Elrond, what has troubled thee that thou wouldst ride here in such haste?" a man stepped forward. He was an older man and Elrond knew he had seen him before but could not place him.

"My youngest son has gone missing. It appears that he came here, have you seen him?" he asked so quickly in Sindarin that Dírhael couldn't understand what he said.

"My pardon, Lord, but my elvish isn't that good. Whom art thou seeking?" he asked as gently as he could.

"Forgive me, what is your name?"

"Dírhael, Lord Elrond," he replied. Estel's maternal grandfather. Elrond had only met Dírhael once and very briefly. His eyes locked with Dírhael's.

"Dírhael, Hope is missing."

Helkawen walked back into the dinning room where she had left her husband. She was shocked to find the room empty and the bowl of porridge sitting abandoned on the table, hardly touched. A smile played at her lips as she picked up the bowl. He must have gone to search for the missing son of Lord Elrond. After setting the bowl down in the kitchen she walked upstairs. She paused by Halbarad's bedroom door, then went into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. She carefully pulled him into her lap and cradled him to her chest. Stroking his hair, she sat there thinking of her married life. It was an arranged marriage and as a ranger he was gone away from home most of the time. While they seemed to get along she could not say that she loved him. In fact they hardly talked to each other even when he was home. She didn't mind him being gone. Her children made her happy and she was never lonely but still she had to wonder why her parents thought he'd make a good match for her. "Mommy?" She started and looked down at the boy in her arms who rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

She smiled at him, "Your father came home this morning," his face brightened, "but he has already left," his countenance fell.

"Oh, why?"

"Lord Elrond of Rivendell, the one I have told you stories about, his son is missing. I think your father went to help search for him." Halbarad pulled away from his mother and went to his bedroom window. The elves were still there talking with Dírhael. He recognized one of them to have been one of the ones his friend Estel had come with. The other elf looked a lot like his new friend, "Is that Lord Elrond?" Helkawen rose and stood next to him.

"I believe so."

"Momma?" he gulped.

"Yes sweetie what is it?"

"You remember Rána who was here the other day?"

"Here," the woman in front of Estel held out a half burned biscuit. Looking at it his stomach growled, "Well are ya hungry or ain't ya?" Estel slowly took the biscuit from her. She walked away while Estel sat studying the biscuit before putting it to his mouth. He closed his mouth around it and tried to bite down. What was this biscuit made out of, rocks? He tried again. After several attempts and just about to give up and throw away or save it and use it as a weapon, he managed to bite apiece off. It made him cough and his mouth dry so he asked for some water. The woman rolled her eyes but did not make a move to do anything more for Estel. And the Mother of the Year Award goes to… Darryn got up after a few moments and brought Estel a small cup of water.

"So what's your name kid?"

"Estel," he said quietly staring down at the cup he held in one hand and the biscuit in the other as best he could with tied hands.

"Astal?" the man questioned, mispronouncing the word. Estel shook his head "no". "Well, ya got another name I can pronounce? I don't do well none with that elvish crap."

"It means 'hope'."

"'Hope?' That's a mighty queer name to name a body, but then again, I ain't your pops."

"No, you're not," Estel placed the biscuit and cup next to him on the ground and pulled his knees to his chest.

"Look kid, as soon as-" Blast it all, it ain't no use. Darryn shrugged and went for more firewood.

Estel woke shivering. The sun had just begun to rise and the cold dew covered the ground with an icy chill. He noted disdainfully that he was in much need of a bath and a change of clothes. He looked over at his captors who were still asleep. He sat there a moment looking at them when he realized he wasn't being watched. He rose up from the ground and crept towards the edge of camp. He stopped with his heart hammering in his chest when Darryn grumbled in his sleep and rolled over then lay still. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued. When he was clear of the camp he had decided to just run for it. He turned to start running and ran immediately into Ravin.

Ravin grabbed him roughly and dragged him back to camp. He shoved the boy forward. Estel's foot caught on a stone and he almost fell into the still smoldering fire. "Darryn!" Ravin shouted and cursed at him. Darryn bolted awake along with the woman and met Ravin with an equally icy stare.

"What in the blazes do want this early in the morning?"

"The kid almost got away from you while you were sleeping."

"Well, that is easily taken care of." Darryn grabbed a long piece of rope and tied it to a young tree. He motioned for Estel to come over there. At first Estel did not move but then Ravin started towards him and he did as he was told. He did not feel like any more bruises at the moment. Darryn tied the other end of the rope to the one that bound Estel's wrists. Estel looked at the young tree he was bound to. Are they serious? He could escape that easily. His brother had taught him how make and escape several different forms of knots and this was one of the easiest by far. However now that Ravin was back, he better just stay where he was. Ravin would probably catch him anyways and he didn't know why but he felt safe near Darryn. Perhaps it was because Darryn had stopped Ravin from killing him more than once now. His attention was diverted when Darryn spoke "Well what did you find out?" Darryn asked a bit gruffly from being woke up early in the morning.

"Elrond is indeed looking for the boy. Are you sure you want to challenge him?" Replied Ravin. Darryn didn't answer. "From the way he was distressed I believe he would pay a price for him." Estel walked as far as he could towards the men. He jolted to a stop when the rope went taught.

"Ada will never pay anything! He will find you and slit your gullets! You'll never get away with it!" Ravin grabbed Estel and pinned him eye level against the tree with his arm across Estel's throat.

"We'll just see about that," he said coldly although he partially believed it. "We could just kill you now." He slowly pressed his arm harder against Estel's throat. Estel fought for breath as spots danced before his eyes. The woman fled the camp saying she wanted no part of that. Ravin's eye's followed her darkly as she left.

"Ravin, that's enough!" Darryn warned him. Ravin released his hold on Estel who dropped to the ground gasping for air. "I have no plans of killing Hope. Not at this time anyway"

"What did you call him?" Ravin spun around and riveted his dark grey eyes on Darryn.

"The boy's name is Astal or some form of elven crap. Anyhow, he says it means 'hope' so that's what I'm gonna call him." Darryn responded nonchalantly. He turned and walked away with his hands in his air. Ravin stormed off in a different direction, away from the camp.

Silence deafened the camp with the exception of the usual outside noises. Estel watched as Darryn turned the three animals on spits over the fire. Ravin had returned with them around suppertime. Unusual blood splatter covered Ravin's tunic and didn't seem usual from cleaning and skinning the animals. Estel guessed that they were squirrels and didn't give it another thought. "So," Darryn finally broke the silence, "How old are you boy? Six? Seven?"

"Eight," came Estel's curt reply.

"You got a lot of spunk kid, I like that, but Ravin here doesn't take to that kind of stuff, so you'd best do nothing to cross him and make sure you do as you're told. Got it?" Ravin looked up from the arrow he was fletching and then back down, resuming his work. The "squirrels" were just finished when Ravin jumped up and hastily put out the fire, forcing Darryn to jump back with a shout of surprise.

"We need to move now," Ravin pulled a cloth from his pocket and went over to Estel. He tried to tie the cloth around Estel's mouth but Estel fought. The boy squirmed and bit him once. Ravin hit him in the back of the head with his fist and the gag went in. Ravin secured it tightly behind Estel's head as Darryn picked up the rest of the camp. Ravin untied the rope from the tree and hoisted the boy over his shoulder. They fled from the campsite towards the northwest, Ravin continually glancing behind them. He threw Estel to Darryn and swung up into a tree then reached down and pulled Estel into the tree. Darryn followed less gracefully as they moved several branches up and waited. Ravin held Estel tightly with his hand over the boy's mouth. A band of orcs passed underneath and off into the distance. Ravin cautiously removed his hand and Darryn breathed a sigh of relief. That had been too close for his comfort. Estel couldn't breathe a sigh of relief. The rag in his mouth that served as a gag was horrid. It smelled and had a foul taste to it and made it hard for him to breathe, as every time he took a breath he would smell whatever odors were on the rag.

"What would we do without you, Ravin?" asked Darryn lightheartedly. Ravin did not answer but waited impatiently for Darryn to climb down so he could take the boy from him. Darryn climbed down chuckling softly as if he had made a funny joke. Taking the rope binding Estel's wrists, he held Estel out into open air; then he lowered Estel down using the rope that had been tied to the tree. The strain hurt Estel's arms and the ropes cut into his wrists. Once Darryn had Estel, Ravin nimbly climbed through the branches and jumped to the ground. They made a cold camp under the tree. Darryn had managed to bring the meat he had just finished cooking and they ate that for dinner.

The next morning came colder than before. Estel was now regretting leaving his cloak behind. He wondered if his parents were looking for him at all. Ever since his first day of captivity, he had been thinking of what Darryn had said. It was the only way he could see his existence to be true, but he still just couldn't believe that Naneth and especially his Ada, doing something like that. Ravin was gone when he awoke and Darryn was awake and sitting upright holding the end of his bonds in his hands. Darryn said that he sent Ravin ahead to find someone that could take a message to Rivendell. They began to make their way to a village or town that Estel had never heard of before. The gag had thankfully been removed before they started and now hung loosely about his neck. Darryn still held the rope and walked ahead with Estel behind him. Estel was scared and miserable. He was cold, hungry, bruised, filthy, cut from the ropes that were bound around his hands, and he was bored despite the fact that he was with someone who threatens him. He almost liked Darryn though. If it hadn't been for the fact that Darryn was responsible for kidnapping him, he felt he would have liked

Darryn. One thing was for certain, he felt safer around Darryn than Ravin. As the day went on Estel grew only more bored. "Are we there yet?" he asked when the sun reached the center of the sky.

"No."

"Is it far?" Darryn shrugged.

"Do you think it will rain again?" Darryn shrugged again, "How'd you get that scar?" Darryn just kept walking, "Why do chickens lay eggs?…What are we having for dinner? Why is your hair falling out? Why does Ravin have those tattoos? Are your eyes brown or green? How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? How-?"

"Shut-UP!" Darryn tugged on the ropes as he yelled causing Estel to stumble forward a bit. Estel looked at his surroundings and sighed.

*Suilaid: hello, basically…or greetings….

*Mae govannen: well met.

*Tathor: Willow.

*Hannon le: Thank you. I've seen this a myriad of different ways and don't know which is correct so I'm sticking with this one.

*Hir nin: my lord

*Peredhil: half elf.

A/N: I know the woodchuck thing was pushing it, but funny right? So, Ravin is of the Dúnedain and Hal's father. Bet you weren't expectin' that. Elrond may seem slightly out of character to some and will certainly seem later on, just read the Hobbit, chapter 3 and it will list his traits. You may wonder why the other rangers have not noticed Ravin's behavior…well he's a ranger and probably knows how to hide that stuff pretty well. I plan on revealing that later chapters, but it could turn out completely different than what's in my head since it's not written yet. We will get more into Ravin's character and see a bit of Gilraen in chapters to come. Did Ravin kill the woman? Yes he did. All right enough babbling, if you have a question about the chapter talk to me. Next Chapter, Chapter 5: Ransom Note. Enjoy!