Disclaimer: Tolkien's sandbox, I just stick my toes in it.

Game and Set

Chapter Two: A Future

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way ;

But to act, that each to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day.

-Longfellow, A Psalm of Life

Imladris, TA 2885

Rian watched as Elladan and Elrohir rode out again. Glorfindel had finally deemed the twins skilled enough to ride out on their own, with no others to guard them or help them. Rian could not voice her own worries in the face of the twin's excitement. Elladan had assured her they would not be foolish with their safety, but that was little comfort when the twins were not even certain of their destination. They had made mention of ridding with the Rangers, but there was also the small matter of Gondor, recently attacked.

Rian, despite the jests of her friends, was not one to dwell on the what-ifs and the might-have-beens. Even as an elf, she did not see the need to waste her life on such a thing. Occasionally though, especially with Elladan heading out to unknown places of conflict, she did feel the twinges of regret. She did fear one day he would ride out never to return. She felt regret for the time they were wasting. They were still in an uncertain state, a limbo, between flirtatious friendship and a deeper, more intimate, more official relationship. They were both to blame for the hesitancy. Elladan knew well his own fears and Rian would be a liar if she did not admit to the pebble of resentment in herself in regards to those damning words Elladan had uttered all those years ago. Surprisingly it was Eluialeth who had helped her move on from her anger toward the eventually forgiveness of Elladan. Eluialeth had told her, "You have seen him at his worse and you have survived it, all while still feeling a deep affection for him. All while feeling his pain as your pain. There is hope there, Rian."

Rian smiled as she thought about hope. Something so easily lost, and yet something one clings to with everything they have when all but hope is lost. Hope, something so small and yet so powerful. Rian looked out, her eyes going beyond the borders of Imladris. Sometimes hope was the only thing but sometimes only having hope was not so bad.

Glorfindel watched as Rian lost herself in thought. Her face had gone from worried, to anger, to slight despair, to hopefulness. "I wonder what she is thinking about?" Glorfindel asked as Morwen wrote in the annual book for Celebrian.

The books had become a bit of their own phenomenon. Many had taken to writing their own notes in the annual book, to the point where Morwen had begun to purchase two books with each new year, one for everyone else to write in and one for Morwen to write in her more detailed and complete accounts. Glorfindel often wrote in Morwen's book, penning long letters to Celebrian and only sometimes telling things Morwen only glossed over.

Morwen finished her page, letting the ink dry. Her eyes briefly flittered to the balcony Rian was standing at, "It is not what, Glorfindel, it is who. She thinks of Elladan"

Glorfindel turned to Morwen, "How can you be so sure?"

Morwen smirked, "Those emotions often cross my own face when I think about my dear Elladan."

Morwen laughed at Glorfindel's mock glare, "The twins have just rode off with no exact destination in mind. She is allowed to worry about Elladan."

"Are you worried?" Glorfindel asked.

Morwen shrugged, "Not consciously. I stopped purposefully worrying about the twins long ago. They have always found a way to survive and to get their own aims completed. If I were to worry whenever they rode out or took on another harebrained scheme I would do nothing but worry and only about them."

Glorfindel made his way over to the Morwen's desk, watching as she turned to blank pages and started to write again. It had been one of his secrete pleasures, even when she was young, to watch Morwen write. She always become so involved in what she wrote, not the letters or the words themselves, but the meaning those letters and words conveyed. She was more concerned with getting the memories or the information down as correctly as possible, than how dainty she was to appear with a quill in her hand. Despite Manberuon's and Celebrian's best intentions and attempts, Morwen had never taken to the graceful and haughty writing style adopted by the ladies of the court. No, the unnaturally straight back and the slow, dainty, precise movements of their quills were never for Morwen. She knew dainty and precise letters meant little if no information could be gleaned from them. Dainty and precise was for art and appearance, not for accounts. After a marvelous argument with Manberuon on how a proper she-elf should act (Morwen had informed Manberuon books were for reading not for balancing on heads and that if she wanted to know how to sew an outfit on her own she would have become a seamstress) Morwen had declared herself a future scribe and gladly moved under the sole tutelage of Erestor.

Glorfindel smiled at the memory, it had been quite scandalous at the time. No female of the court had ever taken a position so lowly as a scribe. The female councilors of Imladris had come from Lindon and were already quite respected when they arrived in the river valley. Morwen had always been different.

That spirit, the intensity Morwen put in her work, was why Morwen was usually seen with ink stains on her hands, her clothes, and occasionally her face. Even to this day, when she resumed her scribe duties for various occasions, she cared little for her appearance. Often her hair would come undone due to her vigorous movements as she moved from page to page, consulting various sources to make a valid account in her notes. It was an intensity Glorfindel had only seen equally in his warriors. Erestor and Elrond had always been equally intense in their scholarly duties, but Glorfindel had always assumed it was their warrior backgrounds. He had learned, of course, dedication to duty went in many different directions. Eluialeth had followed both her father and Morwen's example when it came to her work. She also gave herself over to the writing, something so apparently simple and yet so far from it.

Morwen stopped her work and regarded him with a curious look, "Am I doing something wrong?"

Glorfindel bit back a laugh; she had asked him that very question when she had first caught Glorfindel studying her as a scribe.

"No," Glorfindel gave her a sweet and quick kiss, "as always you are doing everything just as you should. Just as is right for you."

Elladan turned to his twin, "Well, where should we go, left or right?"

Elrohir shrugged as he patted his horse's mane with a calming hand, "I do not know. Do we wish to help Gondor?"

"They may not want our help. The last time we tried to help them we were near on thrown out of the city." Elladan said.

Elrohir nodded, "There is that. Though, they still may be in need of the aid, whether they want it or not."

"Glorfindel said Rohan was sending aid." Elladan said.

"Should we go with the Rangers, then?" Elrohir asked.

"They may need our aid more. Their people are still traveling and I know some of their women are due to give birth soon." Elladan said.

Elrohir smirked, "Birth, you say? Then we must go to Gondor. It would not do well for the Rangers to see you faint at the sign of the afterbirth."

"Oh, but my dear brother, knowledgeable in the skills of healing, I assumed you would be the one doing such a thing. Since you are, as you told that one elf-maiden, a much better healer than I shall ever be." Elladan smiled at his twin.

Elrohir ducked his head and cleared his throat, "Let us go to the Rangers. I do desire to see Arador again and to ask him why he has decided not to send Arathorn to be fostered in Imladris."

Elladan said nothing of his brother's attempt to change the subject, he simply nodded and said, "The Rangers it is."

Having lost their kingdom and all sense of settlement, the Rangers had done remarkably well for themselves. Elladan personally found some of them more able to survive than the elves he knew. They had done all they could to keep their people together, but living a dangerous and nomadic existence often did not make such a thing possible. There were pockets of survivors from the North Kingdom scattered throughout Arda, some hiding who they were, others trying their best to blend in with the other lines of the Second Born. They were not elven and they were not the normal race of human, they lived somewhere in between. Elladan had often wondered if that was how Elros felt when he made his choice. As if he knew he was not elf enough, and better to be too much of one, than too less of the other.

The Choice.

Elladan did not like to think about the choice. His brother was the "elf knight" while he was the "elf man" and yet, Elladan knew, Elrohir was not the one most likely to make the choice for immortality. Elladan, at least, had many things to tie him to his elven side. There was his family, of course, and there was Morwen, who would in all likelihood demand he stay an elf, most likely claming she did not put up with him for all of these years just to see him lie down and die, but there was also the sweet uncertainty of Rian. Yes, Elladan felt compelled to the elf in him to choose that side if only to still have the ability to chase that sweet uncertainty.

Elrohir, though. Elladan shuddered at the thought.

Elrohir certainly appeared in grace and manner to be more of an elf than his twin. He was close to his family, but often hid his true thoughts from all. Elrohir had stated, more than once, he admired Elros for the choice he had made, having turned down the offer of an immortal life. Elrohir did not have such a strong tie of the heart to the elven side either. Elrohir's heart, to be honest, was more guarded than his decision regarding the choice.

"If you think any harder you will hurt yourself." Elrohir said from Elladan's side.

Elladan flinched at his twin's voice, having not felt his approach. "Funny." he said.

"I thought so." Elrohir slung an arm around his brother's waist and pulled him close, "Whatever you are thinking of, you must stop it. It is not good to go into a birthing with such a serious look on your face, new mothers tend to be concerned when they see such a thing."

"I just have worries that occasionally take up residence." Elladan said.

"Put them from your mind. It is a new day, the sun is shinning, and a new life is about to join us. There are all things to rejoice, Elladan, not to worry about." Elrohir stated.

Elladan smiled, as they made their way over to the birthing tent, "You are correct."

"Of course I am." Elrohir said, as he held back the flap and gestured for his twin to enter. Three women of the Dunedain were due to give birth in the coming month, but only one had begun her labor pains thus far. She was currently in the bed, doing her best to control her pain. A midwife stood next to her, checking her progress while the mother of the woman bathed her forehead. The women turned to the twins, all smiling. The midwife smiled at the soon-to-be-mother, "You are very lucky, to have Lord Elrond Hafelven's sons at your labor."

"We are always glad to help." Elrohir said as he made his way over, checking the progress and the health of the woman.

Elladan stood back and watched his brother go to work, dedicating himself to healing as deeply as he did to errantry.

"Have you given her any tea with blue cohosh?" Elrohir asked the midwife as he pressed a soothing hand to the woman's brow.

"Yes," the midwife answered simply as she went to wash her hands. "Only a few drops, of course."

"Of course." Elrohir agreed, "any more and she would be quite sick." Elladan noted that Elrohir did not out and out say 'anymore and the child would abort' which was true. And was another reason why their father had such a high demand for precision when handling healing herbs. He had seen one too many novices make near on fatal errors, only Elrond's own power being able to resolve them before it was too late.

"Where is the father?" Elladan asked.

The midwife gestured to the other side of the tent, where a small tent was connected. "He is pacing with worry, while all the women laugh at him. As is the custom. Really, it is not as if women have not been producing children for years. It is a tricky business, but we certainly know better than any man…."

Elladan smiled as the midwife continued to rant and as he watched Elrohir quietly coach the woman through her labor, as if his soft words were urging the child to be kind to its mother.

Elrohir was, of course, right, there were many things to rejoice about.

Elrohir sat next to his twin, smiling at the still green tinge of his complexion. No matter how old he grew, no matter the carnage he had seen, Elladan could not handle the afterbirth.

"At least you did not faint this time." Elrohir told his twin.

Elladan gave him a dark look as he took a pull from one of flasks passed around to all in celebration of the successful birth and the newest member of their community.

"How does the mother fare?" Elladan asked as he passed the flask to his twin.

Elrohir took a pull, "Quite well, her bleeding is at a normal rate. All of the afterbirth came out as well, less risk of infection. All indications she will be fine, though we are giving her some relief for the after pains."

"Why do you enjoy it?" Elladan asked, shuddering as he obviously thought of what he had witnessed.

Elrohir smiled, "I would not say I particularly delight in it. I just feel, more…..I just enjoy healing. It is as if with every life I take, I can restore my honor a bit when I help to bring a new one into this world."

Elladan grasped his brother's hand, "When you take the lives of those orcs and sometimes even those men, you are doing it to save the lives of others."

"Are we?" Elrohir asked. "Or are we not driven on by revenge for what they did to our mother?"

Elladan sat back as he pondered the answer. Elrohir watched as his eyes took to the sky, tracing the stars.

"We were killers before mother was taken." Elladan said. "We were killers long before she was attacked and then we did not doubt our motives. Now, now I do not think we can deny we are urged on by the attack on our family, if only to make sure it happens to no one else." Elladan looked at his brother, "I do not, however, think revenge is the sole reason. We do protect our people, Elrohir."

Elrohir shrugged still not sure. His momentary melancholy was broken as Arador came into the clearing, carrying his son Arathorn II, though simply called Arathorn. Arathorn ran over to the twins.

"Father gave me a new dagger!" he exclaimed in childish delight as he scrambled up to where the twins sat, eager to show them his new prize.

Elrohir smiled, "All of twelve years old and already he has three daggers."

"He is quite blessed." Elladan agreed. "How goes the archery?"

Arathorn smiled, "I am improving. Father said what you showed me the last time has certainly helped my aim."

"Yes, well, we have seen what happens when people with bad aim attempt to used bows and arrows. It is not pretty." Elladan said.

"Though never tell Morwen we told you such a thing." Elrohir warned.

"Morwen?" Arathorn asked.

"A councilor of Imladris." Elladan said. "You may one day meet her."

"If you ever come to Imladris." Elrohir muttered.

"And she is in residence." Elladan said.

"What tales are you telling my son now?" Arador asked as he came over to them, handing Arathorn a glass of water.

"Simply telling him about Morwen." Elladan slyly stated, much enjoying the blush that stained Arador's cheek at the mention of his first boyhood crush. His second had been Arwen, though Elladan and Elrohir had been sworn to secrecy never to reveal such things to Arador's wife.

"How is she?" Arador choked out, much to the amusement of the twins and the confusion of his son.

"She is well." Elrohir answered, mercifully stopping the teasing. "She is set to travel to the Havens again in a few years time. If you are willing to escort her…"

"I am sure Glorfindel can handle her..it…er." Arador took a sip of wine to stop himself. His first boyhood crush had been shattered when he had come upon Morwen and Glorfindel in a warm embrace, nothing obscene but the intimacy the two shared quite obvious. Arador cleared his throat, "And how fares Rian?"

Elrohir chuckled as Elladan tried to hide himself, "Elladan is still taking his time." Elrohir said.

"They are still not together?" Arador asked in disbelief.

Elrohir smiled, "Still dancing around the issue."

"Who is Rian?" Arathorn asked.

"Oh, the she-elf Elladan is hopelessly in love with." Elrohir said.

"Are they married?" Arathorn asked.

"Oh, no, no where's near." Arador laughed.

"Why not?" Arathorn asked.

"Indeed." Arador said.

"I cannot marry until I am in Aman, it is a pact with Morwen, who in turn has a pact with Glorfindel, who in turn has a pact with Ecthelion. So, therefore, I cannot marry until I am in Aman." Elladan turned to Arathorn, "And do not repeat anything you just heard, even to your mother."

"About what?" Arador asked.

"Good boy." Elrohir said. Laughing along with the others at Arathorn's bewildered face.

Imladris, 22 September, TA 2890

Morwen grumbled as she took her stacks of currently ruined papers down to the fire pits to be burned. Elladan and his new pet, Snowkicker the bunny, had wreaked havoc on many of her papers and now they were so damaged they could not even find use as scrap. To be fair, the bunny had not made its personal opinion of Morwen known as it had done to Rian, who was now nursing a bit finger and demanding Elladan personally wash all the clothing the bunny had passed opinion upon.

Morwen would not be surprised if rabbit somehow ended up on the dinner menu. She made her way down the hall, stopping as she spied Lord Elrond pressing a hand to his stomach.

"Indigestion, Lord Elrond?" Morwen asked, smiling as Elrond whirled around to stare at her.

"Morwen?" Elrond asked looking around, "How long have you been there?"

"Not long. Are you well?"

"Yes, I…what happened to your papers?" Elrond eyed the messy stack.

"The agent of evil known as Elladan's new pet." Morwen stated, silently cursing Thandrog and his claims that since Elladan had been responsible for the deaths of the rabbit's parents, he must now care for the bunny.

Elrond nodded in understanding, "Yes. Erestor has banned the bunny from his office after he used a box full of quills for his amusement."

Morwen grimaced, Erestor did not like his quills touched by others, much less chewed on by rabbits.

Elrond pressed a hand to his forehead causing Morwen to ask again, "Are you well?"

"Yes, yes, just a feeling." He stated.

"A feeling." Morwen said.

"Yes, a feeling. Something certain has just occurred, something that will have an impact on the future, no matter all the roads that lead from it." Elrond muttered as he studied the sky.

Morwen nodded, "You just had a vision."

Elrond nodded, "Yes, well, you know how foresight goes."

"Actually I believe I have the gift of, well, hindsight. And not so much the gift as the Valar needing to amuse themselves in someone's dreams." Morwen said.

Elrond smiled, "This is true. They have been kind to you, you have not had a…."

Morwen held up a hand, halting his speech, "Do not say it. If you say it, I will be visited again, and I have meetings coming up. I cannot perform my duty as I lie in bed trying to convince my brain that my skull is actually quite a lovely place to live."

"Yes, the headaches can become a bit much." Elrond agreed.

"How do you…" Morwen started.

"Cope? Well, you know when it will happen. There is a certain taste in the air, all sound begins to fade, times seems to slow and suddenly all you can see is what you are meant to see."

"Why is it that Galadriel gets a mirror and you get visions in your head?" Morwen asked, having desired to ask such a question for years.

Elrond let an undignified smirk cross his face, "Galadriel put up much more of a fuss than I did."

Elrond began to move out into the hall, "Are you going to the fire pits?"

"Yes," Morwen said, "I cannot even use these as scrap they are so ruined."

Elrond chuckled, "The wrath of the bunny rabbit." He walked with Morwen, guiding her way, giving nods to all they passed.

"Have you heard form Arwen?" she asked.

"Not recently. She, like many others, tends to lose all sense of time while in Galadriel's realm. She does love to be under those trees. I fear they are more a home to her than Imladris."

Morwen shrugged, "I think it is more, Arwen can simply be Arwen while in the Golden Wood. Here, she is Elrond's daughter or the twin's sister or now, the Lady of Imladris. There she has a certain level of freedom."

"And that galadhrim she adores." Elrond muttered.

"Not so much, not anymore. I fear the relationship has been waning." Morwen said.

"Oh, how sad." Elrond muttered, much to Morwen's amusement.

Morwen laughed. She was silent for a moment then asked, "So, this feeling you had? Why are you so…"

"Certain it is certain?" Elrond asked. "Some things just are. As hard as it can be to predict the future due to how important little decisions are to the outcome, some things have an indubitable impact on the future. This, this feeling is definite."

"And what was it?"

Elrond smiled, "I am not sure. I just know, something happened today that will have a great impact on the future."

Morwen nodded silently and kept walking with Elrond.

West of Imladris, in a realm full of haflings, there was rejoice over a new birth. In a hobbit hole, called Bag End, Bungo Baggins and his wife Belladonna Took welcomed their first, and what would be their only, son. He was called Bilbo Baggins and he was of the Shire.
A/N 1: While I am not an herbalist, from the very little research I have done Blue Cohosh has been mentioned to help labor pains, though in very small doses. In large doses it can be lethal. So, you know, don't go out and try it or anything. You have professionals these days, use them.

A/N 2: Thanks: Nima, glad to know you enjoyed the chapter! Yes, poor Rian, but she is made of some tougher stuff. Morwen and Glorfindel, well, the way will not be easy but it will come to a good end. And thank you for the good wishes, hopefully we will have a good time.

Renna, trust me, I understand the need for schoolwork above fun stuff. And there will be a few more chapters of this story..then we go into the whole Estel thing. Trust me, there will be a heck of a lot more from these characters.