Here is chap two. I have to give credit to Osetto even though he will probably never read this. His breakfast scenes inspired me to write my own.


The sound of birdsong rang clearly over the wild lands. The sun was just beginning to peek her head over the horizon. The clear sky shone a brilliant gold. The rays of fresh sunlight forged wide trails over the expanse. They always reminded Galathil of pathways to the heavens. He absent mindedly wondered what was really up there in the sky. He turned onto his side and looked at the surroundings trying to take in the beauty of the morning, all the while letting that former thought grow for a second then fade. Droplets of mist clung to the newly green shoots of grass. The scent wafting over the lush plains was just glorious. It was wet and fresh and smelled of all things spring. New life. Galathil loved being in the plains during this time of the year. It was almost therapeutic –

A loud snore emanated nearby from Galathil's right hand side, breaking his silent meditations. His brow furrowed and he looked at his brother. Thranduil lay opposite, on the left side of Galathil. It couldn't have been him who had - Another snore. This time, it assuredly came from Celeborn. Growing mildly frustrated with this interruption to his beautiful morning, Galathil gently pulled back his blanket and gave his brother a hard stare. He didn't want to get up. He was so comfortable. Celeborn once again filled the air with another noisy exhalation. Galathil couldn't take it anymore. He shoved his leg out, giving Celeborn a solid kick to the side.

Celeborn jolted upright with a loud cough and abruptly brought a hand to his side. His gaze immediately fell on his younger brother, who was looking up at him as if nothing was wrong. In fact, he looked happy or perhaps relieved? "Why did you do that?!" He asked irritably, though quietly so as not to wake Thranduil.

Galathil shrugged. "Your snoring was getting annoying, and it was interrupting an otherwise beautiful morning… It didn't hurt too badly?" His brother's face carried a slight hint of worry now.

"Well, getting kicked is annoying," he said rubbing his side tenderly. "But…" he sighed and looked around. It was a beautiful morning. Galathil was lucky that it made Celeborn feel merciful. He decided to relent. "No, it didn't hurt me too badly. It is lovely..." He gave Galathil a sudden glare. "Wait! I don't snore!"

That sent his brother into a laughing fit. "Yes you do, muindor! I heard it with my own two ears!"

Celeborn rolled his eyes. "You're half deaf or something. I don't snore. Perhaps it was an animal not far off or more likely… your imagination."

Galathil was now the one holding his side. "I know what I heard, Cel." He sat up and reached to place a hand on his brother's shoulder. "It's okay." He shoved a thumb in the direction of Thranduil's sleeping form and lowered his voice. "He talks in his sleep. I laid awake all night listening to his stories." Galathil began to count on his fingers as he named all the things that he had heard Thranduil mumble in his dreams. "The winter, a beaver, an elleth! The road, a sticky substance…"

Celeborn raised a hand to silence his brother. He was glad that the conversation had turned to Thranduil, but his brother could go on like this for a long time. "It sounds like he was having a very eventful dream, he said dryly.

Galathil nodded. "Yes, it did. He is strange."

"Who is strange?" A groggy, deep voice asked from behind the two brothers.

Celeborn and Galathil both looked at Thranduil, who was now sitting up, watching them both. He did not look too happy with the fact that he was being talked about. Sometimes Thranduil could be so serious. Celeborn decided it would be best to speak first, before Galathil responded with a witty remark. "Good morning, Thranduil. How did your night fare?" Celeborn asked.

Thranduil gave a somewhat wary glance to Galathil, but quickly turned his attention to Celeborn. "It went well enough, thank you. How about yours?"

"You are welcome. It went well also," he answered.

"Good," Thranduil replied.

A moment of awkward silence passed, but that was soon broken by Galathil trying to move on. He really did get uncomfortable around Thranduil sometimes. He needed to loosen up. Galathil made a mental note to help Thranduil do that. "Does anyone want breakfast?" He asked

There was silence for a few more seconds then both elves nodded. "That actually sounds like a good idea," Celeborn said. He leaned forward and shoved his younger brother teasingly. "Probably the best idea you have come up with since the beginning of this trip."

Galathil sniffed. "Please. My ideas are always good… well most of the time…" He rose and stretched, his joints popping loudly. Celeborn also rose; followed closely by Thranduil.

"What do you want to eat? Any suggestions?" Galathil continued. He surveyed the surrounding plains. "There isn't much out here."

Celeborn nodded as he began to straighten out his hair. The blasted locks always tangled while he slept. He briefly entertained the idea of maybe one day cutting it. No, there was no way he would ever cut his hair. Unless some strange occurrence forced him too. He almost had to chuckle out loud as he realised what line his thoughts were taking. Galathil must have been rubbing off on him. He turned his attention back to his brother, who was now rummaging around in his pack.

"Let's see… We have bread!" Galathil held out a small loaf of bread. Celeborn noticed Thranduil's face fall out of the corner of his eye.

"Did you not bring something other than bread, muindor?" Celeborn asked patiently. In his own pack, he had a couple of apples, some cheese, and a few crackers. Celeborn silently cursed to himself. He should have taken some lembas…

"No. Why didn't you bring some of your 'magic' bread?" Galathil said, still bending down searching in his pack.

Celeborn felt his face begin to redden, luckily, he was spared the embarrassment of admitting he had forgotten by Thranduil cutting in. "I have a few wafers of lembas that we can split."

Celeborn faced Thranduil. "Ah, then let us split one."

Thranduil reached into his own pack, taking out the leaf-wrapped biscuits. Galathil stood. He carried in his hand a loaf of bread and a small flask of oil. Celeborn decided to add his cheese to the meal and a bit of dried fruit to complete it. And so, they sat around the remnants of their campfire and began handing out portions from their respective supplies.

They ate quietly for a while then Thranduil spoke, "So, where are we heading? Further north?" His tone was somewhat wary, as if he expected a bad answer.

Celeborn looked up from his piece of bread dressed with oil and a few crumbles of dried cranberries. "If that is what everyone agrees on then, yes. I for one would not mind it." He turned to Galathil. "How about you?" He knew what his younger brother would answer, but he had to be certain. In all honesty, he knew not why his brother was so enamoured of the Mountains of Terror. Perhaps he had heard to many frightening stories about them on all of his travels and he wished to test them, or perhaps it was just his natural impulsiveness. It could be the lull of adventure… Whatever the reason, Galathil had a strange attraction towards Ered Gorgoroth.

His brother finally answered, "I would like going further north. We may find more game in the more mountainous regions."

Celeborn nodded then faced Thranduil. "There is your answer. We will set out as soon as we finish eating."

Thranduil looked uncertain, but nodded. "Makes sense. All right."

"If you don't want to go further north, you can just say," Celeborn said noticing Thranduil's behaviour.

The blonde-haired elf changed his countenance immediately into something bolder. "I am fine with going further north. I just wished to be certain of where we were going."

Celeborn did not believe him, but pushed the topic no further. Galathil wisely followed suit. "All right. Well, now you are certain," Celeborn said finally.

Thranduil forced a smile and took a bite of a piece of cheese. "Yes, I am."

XxX

After the short breakfast, the three of them saddled their horses and set out northward. They talked little for a long while and enjoyed the silence of the plains. As the horses trod through the dark earth, the only noise was heard from the soft wind hissing in the tall grass of Dor Dínen, or the sound of wild fowl, who occasionally interrupted the stone quiet. It was a serene environment.

Celeborn closed his eyes trying to enjoy all that the experience had to offer. The sounds and the feel of the warm, afternoon sun shining down with kindness upon their fair faces. The smell of slightly damp fields newly watered by the dew. The gentle caress of the breeze.

The breeze was one thing he missed in Menegroth. Beneath the earth in the Thousand Caves, one seldom if ever felt the naked breeze and her dainty touch. He opened his eyes and beheld the waves of grass undulating like ocean currents. It was beyond beautiful. He briefly wondered to himself if this was how Valinor looked all the time. He heard a sigh escape his brother's lips. Celeborn spared Galathil a look and broke the silence as well. "It is quite beautiful. I now partly understand why you wander, muindor."

Galathil flashed a smile and moved his horse closer to Celeborn's horse. "Ah, yes, but this is only one region among countless many! There is so much more one can experience!"

Celeborn nodded in acknowledgement. "I only said partly understand you. I cannot fathom anything else or why you can't appreciate the beauty of now. You know… You are a mystery."

Galathil grinned again. "I know. Am I not?" He flicked his golden tresses back behind his shoulder in one quick movement. Celeborn rolled his eyes.

"You are full of yourself."

"It is better than being full of other things," Galathil countered.

Thranduil finally joined the light banter, much to both of the brothers' surprise. "Oh, you're full of other things, Gal."

Galathil sniffed. "Oh yeah? Maybe things like intelligence, cunning, courage…"

Celeborn broke him off with a fierce laughing fit. Thranduil himself chuckled deeply. Galathil growled deep in his throat menacingly. "Whatever. You guys are just jealous."

That comment sent both of the elves into full on guffaws. Galathil rolled his eyes, but was striving to contain his smile. "You two think you are so smart don't you?"

Thranduil wiped his nose with the back of his hand as he replied. "That is what my father tells me all the time! And, besides, look who is talking!"

Celeborn continued laughing. It was good to see Thranduil finally loosening up and enjoying Galathil's company. He had worried that the more sedate elf would be thrown off by Galathil's pompous behaviour and brash demeanour. Celeborn finally brought his laughter under control just in time to hear Galathil growl once again, but the sharp remark forming on Galathil's lips was brought to a sudden halt as a flock of birds erupted out of the tall grass. Both horse and rider startled. The three elves fought to get them under control.

"What was that all about?!" Galathil shouted as he struggled to soothe Lumredhros.

Thranduil snorted as he himself got his own horse settled down.

Celeborn, who had been the first to get his horse calmed, now looked back at the group of birds. "We must have frightened them." He pulled a straight face and glared at his brother. "You two and your loud mouths."

This time it was Galathil's turn to snort. "Well…" He had no answer for that. He shot daggers at Thranduil, who was smirking in the most irritating manner. He nudged Lumredhros on. "We can keep going," he said finally. He knew he was beaten, but he would get them next time with a really good comeback.

Celeborn chuckled. He had known he had won that. Sometimes it was just too easy. He moved to follow Galathil. Thranduil followed as well, still smirking.

XxX

They travelled for well over an hour after that small event. Galathil acted somewhat offended for a few minutes, but was soon back to himself, however, he now kept his remarks short, if only for the sake of the hunt.

As they continued on, the land slowly evolved from quiet, open plains to silent, mountainous foothills dotted with trees. The three of them had been steadily growing more wary as the region changed. The winds were starting to pick up marginally. They whistled through the gaps between rocks and trees in an almost hypnotic manner, muttering what sounded uncannily like words or names. They sky had darkened the closer they approached the Mountains of Terror. A spring rain seemed due to break out any moment.

Celeborn kept his eyes sharp for game. He could tell that Thranduil and Galathil were as well. He actually did not feel at all bothered by the fact that they travelled at the foot of Ered Gorgoroth, but the strange whispers on the wind were getting to him somewhat. He tried to keep an optimistic mind, however, that was easier said than done as the trip was taking a disappointing direction. They hadn't caught sight or sound of anything in all this time.

Finally, Galathil called a stop. "I think I need food again," he complained.

Celeborn kept his chuckle to himself. His brother always had a way of lightening the moment. "We can break if you need it." He glanced at Thranduil. "How about it?" He questioned.

Thranduil nodded. "I think it is a good idea." The tall elf dismounted his horse. Galathil and Celeborn did likewise. "Where do you want to set up for lunch?"

Galathil looked up at the sky. "More like supper… but I think that this is fine. We could go up further into a rockier area if you like. It would be less open."

Thranduil shook his head "We can stay here. This seems like a good spot."

Celeborn nodded in agreement. "Okay then." He unstrapped his pack, placing it on the ground.

Thranduil scanned the surroundings. "Does anyone think it strange that we have not found any game yet? Not even a sign of wildlife?"

Celeborn caught the hint of anxiety in Thranduil's question. He tried to keep his own tone light. "Relax, Thranduil, we will find something."

Thranduil dipped his head slightly. "I know, but it just seems odd to me."

Celeborn met the elf's gaze tenderly. "It is a bit odd, but you must remember that we have only been out for a day." He did not mention the winds whispering. It was just a trick anyways... He was sure.

"You have a point." The son of Oropher looked only slightly consoled, but gave an understanding nod.

Celeborn smiled and faced his brother. "Now, what shall we eat…again."

Galathil flashed a knowing smile towards his brother. "We will eat some fruit and cheese and -"

His list was cut short by a large crash echoing from deeper in the stony foothills. The harsh sound of trees snapping violently immediately followed the rumbling crack. Everyone stood abruptly, surprise and fear evident on their faces.

"What was that?!" Galathil exclaimed. His voice was laced with curiosity and awe. All thoughts of food had effectively vanished from his mind.

Celeborn shook his head. "I don't know."

Thranduil looked to the sky. "Maybe it was a lightning strike?" He pointed further into the hills. "It sounded as though it came from that direction."

Celeborn and Galathil followed Thranduil's finger. Galathil nodded. The noise had been hard to pinpoint due to the echoes caused by the hills, but Thranduil's observation did seem about right.

"It didn't sound like thunder," Celeborn stated. It couldn't have been thunder. They had not seen a flash. "Perhaps it was an earthquake?" He suggested.

Galathil lightly touched his sword, which he always carried on his belt or close by. "Let's go check it out." His voice was curious, but also cautious.

"I thought you wanted to eat?!" Thranduil asked incredulously.

"Not anymore!" He moved to his horse and jumped on. "Come on!"

Celeborn sighed. "Wait at least for us, Gal!" His brother would go alone if no one went with him. He looked at Thranduil. He felt bad having to keep dragging the elf into things on Galathil's whim. "You want to come along?" he asked.

Thranduil gave an uncharacteristic grin. "Why not? It may be fun…"


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