Redemption

A Final Fantasy 7/ Lord of the Rings crossover

Standard disclaimers apply.

Lasthas and Orolon are mine, I made them up.

By: Lazeralk

Part 6

0o0o0

Cloud walked with his head bowed, the weight of his swords resting comfortably at his back. A somber Elrohir walked beside him, casting annoyed glances at the blonde every now and again. The three silver haired brothers had already reached their destination and Kadaj turned to beckon to them playfully. Cloud watched him and nodded, but it seemed beyond his ability to smile.

Earlier, Elrohir had found the blonde in his father's garden, his giant sword held with one hand as the ex-SOLDIER had effortlessly slid from stance to stance in a deadly and beautiful routine. The elf had been impressed with the grace of his movements, but ultimately worried when he saw the tormented state of his blonde guest's eyes. It had taken him a good half hour before he'd talked the blue-eyed man into coming to the Hall of Fire for supper. Cloud had wanted to forego the evening meal to avoid his brothers, but Elrohir was adamant. How were they ever going to be a family if they never saw each other?

Still brooding quietly, Cloud missed the way Elrohir's eyes narrowed with curiosity at a pair of elves that passed them in a hurry to reach the Hall. When he finally entered with Elrohir, he made his way quickly over to his brothers and nodded to them. He sat beside Kadaj, and gave him a small smile before helping himself to some fresh bread and roast venison.

"Ne, Ni-san, where were you?" whined Kadaj, turning impossibly huge green eyes on his stoic brother. Yazoo watched the pair suspiciously while Loz stuffed his face beside him.

"Training." Was Cloud's grunted reply, slowly smoothing butter over his slice of bread.

"Oh! That's a good idea Ni-san. We should all train together! Ne, Aniki, Onichan, don't you think it's a good idea?" said Kadaj, leaning an elbow on the table to prop up his chin.

"Sure, we could use the work out. All three of us against Ni-san?" said Loz amiably, watching Yazoo's scowl with some concern.

"Don't cry when we beat the shit out of you." Muttered the middle child, sullenly chewing on his own dinner.

"Actually Yazoo, I was thinking that you should probably conserve your bullets as much as possible." Said Cloud, flicking a glance at the long haired teen.

Yazoo glared at him, but nodded slowly. "Ah. Replacing them won't be easy here."

"Hm. Your Velvet Nightmare takes a special .24 caliber round. Each bullet would have to be custom made. Loz needs a new weapon also. If we got Loz some sort of gauntlet, then Yazoo could have both gunblades."

"Yeah! I could use gauntlets! Here Yazoo." Said Loz, smiling brightly as he handed his gunblade over to his brother. Yazoo took the gun and automatically checked it. He noticed the curious glances of the elves and scowled, tucking the weapon away quickly.

Kadaj pouted cutely at being left out of the conversation he'd started and bumped Cloud's shoulder briefly with his own. The blonde froze but took a deep breath and held still. He cast a glance at his youngest brother and returned the gesture, a tiny, struggling, smile on his pursed lips. Kadaj instantly brightened and went back to eating happily. It was a start.

Elrohir watched approvingly as the blonde interacted with his brothers, still tense, but trying. He smiled as he thought of his own brother and was sorry for the missing camaraderie in the four strangers. He couldn't wait to introduce them to his twin, who was scheduled to arrive sometime this evening from boarder patrol. He glanced along the high table, catching his father's eyes and returning his smile and nod. The two elves that had rushed passed them earlier were seated at the table beside Glorfindel and Erestor, chattering quietly. Neither elf was personally known to him, but they wore the grey of Lorien and so must have come from the Golden Wood. It was not so strange that they were here, with the Fellowship already departed, but his anxiety at their arrival could not be denied. Had something happened to Estel? Or the hobbits?

While Elrohir was concerned for all the members on the dangerous quest, and though he knew Estel could take care of himself, he still worried for his baby brother. As an elder sibling, it was his right to worry, no matter how old Estel grew.

Glorfindel suddenly stood from the high table, pushing his finished supper plate away from him, and headed in his direction. Elrohir eyed the blonde as he approached curiously, but the mighty Balrog Slayer just smiled at him.

"Your father requests that you show our guests to his office after you've all finished eating. We've urgent news from Lorien." Said Glorfindel, his easy smile betrayed by the much more serious look in his eyes. Elrohir nodded and hastily finished his own meal. Having overheard, the silver haired trio and the brooding blonde followed suit, making quick work of their meat and bread.

Curious elven eyes watched them covertly as they stood as one and followed Elrohir down the twisting halls of Imladris. When they arrived at Elrond's study, Glorfindel opened the door without knocking and strode in. The other's entered on his heels, but the elf Lord was not there, having not yet left the Hall of Fire. Another elf was waiting, seated on the chair Elrohir had occupied when the Advents had last been to this room. Kadaj turned to Elrohir, intent on asking who the new elf was, when their guide suddenly cried out with delight and rushed into the waiting embrace of the other elf.

Cloud's eyes widened as he took in the two smiling faces of the embracing pair and he shook his head with a rueful smile. This was bound to cause trouble.

"My friends! I would like to introduce to you my twin brother Elladan. El, the blonde one is Cloud, the tall one with short hair is Loz, the one with the longest hair is Yazoo, and the smallest one is Kadaj." Said Elrohir, beaming joyfully as he clung to his brother's side.

"Pleased to meet you all." Said Elladan, giving a short but graceful bow.

"Nice to meet you too." Said Kadaj pleasantly, a bright smile on his face. Yazoo and Cloud gave stone-faced nods while Loz echoed his youngest brother's smile with one of his own. At that moment, Elrond strode through the door and embraced his recently returned son fondly.

"Welcome home Elladan."

"Thank you Ada, it's good to be back. What's the news from Lorien? Has something happened to Estel?"

The Lord of Imladris smiled and waved his hands at the waiting chairs, taking his own seat behind the desk.

"Estel is fine Elladan. The fellowship has arrived in Lorien relatively unscathed. However, the Lorien scouts have reported an army on the march to Rohan. We believe that the fellowship will also be in the Mark by the time the enemy reaches them."

"Adar, we must go to help!" said Elladan, coming to his feet.

"I though you might say that. Elrohir?" asked Elrond, watching the younger twin carefully.

"If Elladan is going, then so am I."

"Elrohir, you have other responsibilities here." Reminded Elrond with a quick glance at the seated and curious Advents.

"What responsibilities? El?" asked a confused Elladan and he turned to look at his brother.

"I've been charged with the guardianship of these four brothers by the Valar. They are great warriors, if they would but join us…" replied Elrohir, turning to gaze at the Cloud and the Advents.

Cloud sighed and shifted in his seat, casting a glance at the silver-haired trio at his side. Kadaj looked at him expectantly, hopeful and trusting. Loz watched Yazoo uncertainly and Yazoo just scowled at the floor.

"War huh? What sort of enemy would we face?" asked Cloud.

"Orcs, goblins, Uruk-hai. All sorts of nasty beasts." Answered Elrohir.

"Great. Just like boot camp then." Muttered Cloud. He signed and raked a hand through his hair. If people needed his help, then he should give it to them. Never mind that this was just the sort of thing that got him into so much trouble last time.

"Count me in too then." Said Cloud, thinking that at least he'd be able to wear his own clothes (and shoes) without offending anyone. He could use the exercise too, being cooped up in this place after a lifestyle of aimless traveling was driving him stir-crazy.

"We'll come too Ni-san." Said Kadaj, smiling brilliantly, excited to go on an adventure with his new brother.

"We need weapons. Knives for me and gauntlets and stuff for Loz." Said Yazoo bitterly, accepting that he was getting dragged along whether he liked it or not with a rebellious scowl.

"Anything you might need we will provide for you." Assured Lord Elrond. "You will leave tomorrow, as early as possible. Our Lorien guests, Lasthas and Orolon, will accompany you to the Golden Wood. If you travel quickly, you may catch the fellowship before they leave Lorien. If not, then you shall have to travel to Rohan."

The elf lord turned to his sons, his face set in grave lines, as the four SOLDIERS filed out of the room.

"Elrohir, Elladan please stay a moment. Our Lorien guests have brought grievous news of Mithrandir."

0o0o0

Cloud stood by the horse that would be his for the journey, already packed and dressed in his own clothes and boots. He'd had a seamstresses add a single long black sleeve to his turtleneck to replace the one he'd lost in Midgar. He felt more like himself with his outfit complete again. The two white-blonde elves that would be their guides to Lorien were sitting astride their mounts, checking their bows and waiting for the twins and the Advents. They had been polite enough to not comment on his clothes, or the large set of swords that rest comfortably at his back.

It was Elrohir and Elladan who emerged first, giving fond hugs to their father and sister, who had been quickly introduced to them that morning. The twins gave identical nods and identical smiles to both Cloud and the Lorien elves. Lasthas and Orolon returned them before their eyes widened, staring at the three silver haired warriors that were striding towards them. The Advents were dressed in their black combat leathers, silver buckles and zippers gleaming in the morning sun.

Kadaj had added a pair of black-hilted Elven long-knives to complement Souba, crossed against his back. Yazoo carried both gunblades plus equipped materia on his hips, a pair of long-knives strapped to his thighs, smaller daggers sticking out of his boots, and a pair of throwing knives attached to his each of his forearms. Loz wore heavy iron gauntlets over his hands and forearms, a large broad sword on his back and a pair of knives on his hips. Even Cloud had to admit that they looked impressive.

Materia had been redistributed the night before, and Cloud was carrying his maximum in First Tsurugi plus an extra Restore, Summon and Speed Plus in his pocket. Because Loz didn't have any weapons with slots, he was forced to carry his materia and then equip it to himself once they reached the battle field. Souba had two slots, and each gunblade had one, all fully equipped with materia that complemented each Advent's fighting style. Yazoo and Kadaj were both carrying extra materia to equip to themselves later. Cloud nodded to himself, knowing that they were as prepared as they were going to get.

"All set?" asked Elrohir, nodding in greeting to the approaching Advents.

"Yep!" said Kadaj, waving happily at the assembled party.

"Off we go then." Said Elladan, swinging up onto his own horse.

"Safe journey my sons, my friends." Said Elrond, one hand raised in farewell.

"Safe journey and a swift return home." Said Arwen, her eyes lingering on her brothers.

Anxious to get moving and not fond of goodbyes, Cloud mounted quickly, and spared a frown for his missing Fenrir. Kadaj urged his horse over to Cloud's, a curious smile on his face as he leaned over to peer into his brother's face.

"I wish I had my bike." Grumbled Cloud, shooting Kadaj a look. The youngest Advent smiled widely and echoed the sentiment.

Orolon led them out of Imladris at a walk, Lasthas taking up the rear.

"This would be a lot easier if we flew." Grumbled Yazoo as he sat atop his horse, his face hinting at a scowl.

"Flew? However would we do that?" asked Elladan curiously, eyeing the long-haired Advent.

"Bahamut." He answered simply, glancing at Kadaj.

"Wasn't that the one with the scales?" asked Elrohir, earning a short, quiet chuckle from Cloud.

"Riding is fine, we'll get to see more of the countryside this way." Said Cloud lightly to Yazoo, already much happier to be on the road again. He'd deliberately ignored the topic of Bahamut, not sure how the elves would take the fact that they could summon and control a monstrous dragon at will. He'd also quietly borrowed some hand-drawn maps from the library and was fully prepared to take the journey's lengthy travel time to question the elves about the history and geography of the place instead. As far as he was concerned, they were due some information from the elves in return for spilling their guts the day before.

"So Elrohir, tell me about this place we're going." He said, slowing his horse to walk between the dark haired twins.

"Well, Lothlorien, which means Golden Wood, is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the remaining Elven Kingdoms…"

End part 6