Here is the revised version of the second one-shot in this series. It makes so much sense now that these one-shots are combined. We can read the full story now. :)

~o~

One-Shot:

Words of Caution

The moment the elven twins strolled across Imladris' stone bridge, they felt at peace. They were home, back to the valley they knew best. While danger lurked outside Rivendell, this retreat kept its safety in great numbers. Elladan was willing to stay in Rivendell, but Elrohir's cautious gaze reminded Elladan that they would have to leave again, in order to stop the onslaught of passing orcs and goblins. Elladan sighed, knowing this was right.

After they ascended the steep hill, Elladan and Elrohir were greeted by passing Elves, lords and ladies, before finding their father Elrond Half-elven, standing just outside the Last Homely House. Elrond looked ageless by his elven-fair face; he too had dark hair where sat a circlet of silver. His eyes were grey as the clear evening. When Elrond approached his twin sons, he embraced them with fatherly affection.

"Your time in the wilds was long indeed, my sons. You must tell me everything." Elrond said. He gestured to them to go into his house. As the trio walked, Elrond asked, "Are you hungry? Lunch is about to begin in the Hall of Fire."

"Yes Father." Elladan nodded.

"How is Estel?" Elrohir asked.

"He has grown a foot or so since your last visit." Elrond said. "He turns ten in a month."

"When can we see him?" Elladan asked, excitement dwelling inside his chest.

Elrond chuckled. "He will come when he wishes. Most likely, you will find Estel in the Hall of Fire with his mother and our kin. That is where we must head."

The three Elves joined their kin in the great feasting hall, where many fireplaces were ablaze. Elrond sat at his usual chair with the tall back. He gestured Elladan and Elrohir to the two empty chairs on his right, for Glorfindel had taken the spot next to Elrond, on his left. Glorfindel looked tall, straight, fearless, and young. His eyes were bright and keen. His voice was like a flowing song, while his hair was gold. The elven twins took their seats with Elladan on Elrohir's right, and Elrohir on Elrond's right.

As they ate the marvelous feast, Elrohir pressed the news to Elrond. "Father, orcs camped in a patch of woods near the Lone-lands, on the borders of Bree. They took a group of Dúnedain prisoners. The Dúnedain were traveling to Bree, when they were ambushed by these orcs. Elladan and I took out the orcs, and forced a group of stone trolls out of their cave."

"We brought the Dúnedain back to their small settlement in Eregion." Elladan said.

"Father," Elrohir spoke once again in Elrond's ear, "orcs grow more restless by the day. I fear they may travel across all lands. The Shadow is growing stronger as we speak. I did not think it would spread to Eriador or this region."

Elrond nodded. "Orcs have no reason to enter these lands. You have done well taking out one of their camps. Rest now, my sons. I fear you are needed in the wilds again." He added, "I have heard word from the Rangers of the North. They have need of your assistance in Rhovanion."

"Yes Father." Elrohir and Elladan said, also nodding.

"Elladan! Elrohir!" cried a boy with dark hair and grey eyes. This boy was Estel, but Elrond would wait until the boy was fully grown, before revealing his true name. He was so ecstatic to see his foster brothers that Elrohir picked him up and put him on his lap. Elladan clasped Estel's small hand in his, in a playful, calm manner.

Elrohir asked the boy, "And how is our little brother?"

"Well, brother," Estel said, exuberant. "I've been learning how to fight. Elrond promised I would use a bow and arrow in due time."

"Then let that promise be swift, Estel. Dark times are approaching." Elladan said.

Estel bowed his head. "Do they have to come so soon?"

"You are sheltered here. It won't be long before you too will have to fight." Elladan said.

"You shall accompany us, Estel. You will be a brother-in-arms and a cunning warrior." Elrohir said.

Elrond told Elrohir, "I have the gift of foresight, Elrohir. Remember your place."

"Yes Father." Elrohir bowed his head in shame. "I do apologize."

"Elrohir was giving Estel his blessing." Elladan defended his brother. "He became too overeager in the wages of war."

"I am swift with words, brother." Elrohir said, offended, "Sometimes my mouth runs away with me."

Gilraen, a woman with golden hair and a fair face, called to her son. "Estel, come and eat your food, before it goes cold!"

Elrohir grinned at Estel, releasing his foster brother. Estel called to Elladan and Elrohir as he ran. "I'll see you soon! I hope we have an archery contest later!"

"If you're a beginner, as you say, there won't be much of a fight!" Elladan called back.

Elrohir told his twin sons, "The boy is eager to train." He looked at Elladan with keen eyes. "Much like us, Elladan."

"True. I am better with a sword than with words." Elladan said. "You are the opposite."

"Both of you are capable of great deeds." Elrond said. "You fight well and give service to Imladris. Do not be troubled. Be at peace, my sons."

Elladan and Elrohir fell silent again. Maybe it was for the best.

.

The feast was enjoyed by all. When it was over, Elrohir and Elladan joined their father on the second-floor balcony. Elrohir looked pale, more distressed.

"Father, orcs have passed through the Misty Mountains. We've seen orc packs travel to and fro in the lands of Eregion. They are far away from the small settlement where we brought the Dúnedain." Elrohir said.

"More will come." Elladan said.

"The Dúnedain must be warned." Elrond said. "Have you—"

"We told the Dúnedain and other settlements of this encroaching danger." Elrohir said.

"Halbarad has wandered this far. He has grown into a skilled Ranger." Elladan said.

"It is good you are hearing tidings from the Dúnedain." Elrond paused. "Estel will learn of his true heritage when the time is ripe, or when he becomes a skilled fighter. I will tell him myself, but you must shoulder him when he is grown. There are dangers out there that not even you can face alone."

Elladan looked to his brother for guidance or reassurance. Maybe he sought both.

"We will, Father," said Elrohir.

"In the meantime, go and see Estel. You owe him an archery contest." Elrond said, smiling.

Elrohir and Elladan nodded, leaving the balcony in single file.

.

In the training room, Elladan handed Estel a training bow. It was a short bow, just Estel's size. Once Estel had a good idea how to use the bow and arrows, it was time for the archery contest. Elrohir went first, shooting his arrow at the target. The arrow smacked the red circle, close to the bull's-eye border. When it was Elladan's turn, Elladan shot his arrow at the target, smacking the bull's-eye. It was Estel's turn. He just managed a shot at the white circle, nowhere near the bull's eye.

Estel looked at the target with confusion and sadness. Elrohir clasped his foster-brother's shoulder. "Do not be troubled, Estel. I wasn't expecting a mortal to hit the bull's-eye on the first shot."

"You didn't hit the bull's-eye either!" Elladan complained.

"That's true," Elrohir said, raising an index finger, "but I was close. You were lucky, brother."

"After centuries of training, you still can't hit a bull's-eye!" Elladan said, cockily.

Elrohir was offended. "I've hit the bull's-eye thousands of times, Elladan!"

.

Elrond watched his twin sons and his foster-son from an open window. He stood there until Glorfindel met up with him. Elrond took one last look at the training yard, before accompanying the golden-haired elf down the passage.

"I came to watch my foster-son." Elrond said, pleased. "Elladan and Elrohir treat him well, as I expected from them."

"They are strong. They have a certain fondness for the boy." Glorfindel said.

"As have you, Glorfindel." Elrond said.

Glorfindel bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."

"Remember: while Elladan and Elrohir are gone, you too must look after the boy. Elladan showed him how to use a bow. Now, you must teach him proper." Elrond said.

"Some time, a man or an elf must learn how to wield a blade, as well as use a bow to hunt." Glorfindel said.

"Yes. That is what you must do from now on." Elrond said, calmly. "Can you do this, now that Estel is learning to use a bow and arrow?"

"Of course, my lord." Glorfindel said.

"Good. See to it when Elladan and Elrohir leave." Elrond said.

"Yes, my lord." Glorfindel said, bowing his head.

.

Elladan and Elrohir stayed in Rivendell for another week. Within this time, they made preparations to travel to Rhovanion. It was time the elven twins meet the Rangers, even though they were scattered.

Elladan told his brother, "I hope we meet Halbarad again."

"We will, brother." Elrohir clasped Elladan's shoulder. "Even the darkness cannot separate us from the Dúnedain. We must meet with them, as well as meet with Halbarad."

"Good." Elladan said, pleased to learn this news.

When they finished packing, Elrohir and Elladan met with Elrond at the entrance hall. There the elven twins said their farewells to Estel and the Lady Gilraen. Once goodbyes were spoken, the elven twin brothers left Rivendell on foot. They did not know when their next venture would lead them to Halbarad, but walking helped the brothers think. They discussed many things before they had left the valley entirely.

The Shadow was growing by the day. Elladan knew as well as Elrohir they needed to be on their guard, no matter what.

~o~

Thanks for reading. :)