AN: I do NOT own any of Tolkien's wonderful characters, much as I might wish to (Legolas especially!). :) A big "Thank you!" to all those wonderful people who have reviewed, followed or favourited me or my writing, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Elrond gazed out the wide, wide window, savouring the view of his beloved Imladris. The white foam of the River Bruinen, the flame-clad trees whispering in the breeze, the deafening rumble as the western valley wall crumbled into oblivion. The slender Elf lord leaped to his feet in alarm. "What in the Valar just happened?" he whispered, the cold feeling of dread settling into the pit of his stomach. The light patter of running footsteps sounded outside his door, followed by the door being flung wide open as his sons cannoned into his study. "Ada!" the nearest twin – he thought it was Elrohir – exclaimed. "The whole western-" "Ada," Elladan – no, Elrohir – interrupted. "When is Thranduil due to arrive?" Elrond stared at his son in confusion, wondering why Elrohir was so wound up. "Around mid-day," he answered slowly. "But why-" "Ada, look at the sun." Suppressing a sigh of exasperation, the Lord of Rivendell glanced up at the sky and froze in horror. As if on cue, the noon-bell chimed. Fighting down the rising tide of fear that threatened to claim him, Elrond turned to his sons. "I want you both to ride out to where the cliff collapsed," he commanded. "Yes Adar," the twins chorused, bowing hurriedly and darting for the door. Pausing to rub his aching temples – to think he'd never so much as heard of a headache before having children! – Elrond strode out in search of Glorfindel.
He found the Elf in question perched on a limb of the ancient tree which shaded the practice fields. Elrond hesitated at the foot of its trunk, mentally debating whether to scale the tree himself, robes and all, or to abandon all dignity and holler up at his friend. Fortunately, the decision was made for him when Glorfindel glanced down and caught sight of his lord. He gauged the distance between his perch and the ground, before dropping lightly down to join his friend. "What is the matter, my friend?" the golden-haired Elf asked. Elrond deliberated momentarily on how best to describe the situation, before settling on honesty. "Thranduil and his party were due to arrive within the next hour or so, but I fear they may have been delayed," Elrond admitted. "I sent the twins to go and investigate, but I'm not sure how much they can do..." His words trailed off into silence; Glorfindel placed a comforting hand on his friend's arm. "I'll send out some patrols. Don't worry, Elrond. We'll find them and bring them back safely." He paused, eyeing his friend. "You should probably let Celebrían know." Elrond nodded and, somewhat reluctantly, strode off in search of his wife.
Unsurprisingly, he found her in the nursery, Arwen cradled in her arms. The tiny elfling had probably drifted off to sleep to the sound of her Naneth's soft singing – Celebrían had always loved lulling their children to sleep with her voice. He paused in the doorway, running his words over in his mind, but his plan was foiled when she glanced up at his entrance, the worry in her silver-grey eyes barely masked. Settling their littlest child in her cradle, the Lady of Rivendell turned to her husband. "What happened?" she asked. "Is Thranduil-" she broke off. Elrond reached out to gently cup her face in his hands. "I do not know, meleth nin," he admitted. "The twins have gone to investigate, and Glorfindel has sent out patrols to guide them here, just in case." She nodded, the fear in her eyes lessening at his words. "I hope no-one was caught in the landslide," Celebrían murmured absently. His blood ran cold at the thought. "I'm sure everyone would have had enough sense to keep away from the edge," he replied. Then he froze – any adult Elf would be wise and experienced enough not to have been caught out by the collapse, but an elfling was another matter altogether. Elrond knew that Thranduil's son, Legolas, was only a few centuries old and was travelling with his father. Silently, he prayed to the Valar for Legolas' safety, but as you must be thinking, it was already too late.
Glossary:
Ada = Daddy
Adar = Father
Meleth nin = My love
AN: Sorry these chapters are so short, but I just want to get these posted ASAP! I know what I am going to do in the next chapter, but if any of you have an idea you would like me to use, feel free! I'm not making any promises, though. I also love feedback, so if you have ANY comments, that little grey button is calling you. Also, I'm stuck for the name of this chapter and if you have any ideas, they would be very welcome! Thank you so much for sticking with me and enjoying Legolas' adventures, although I must admit that not much has happened yet!
- Gabrielle Greenleaf