Man, it has been too long since last I updated! I am so sorry for the wait! I have plenty of excuses but they don't really matter. Here is the next chapter and I promise to update more frequently.
Estel and I blinked, glancing at one another before returning our gaze to the men who sat before us. "I feel that this is a trick." I remarked and Estel agreed, nodding his head.
"There is no way they would allow us to do that."
"This is no trick." the man who sat above the others assured us, smiling slightly at our reactions.
"You...would actually allow us to go camping- alone?!" My twin and I chimed, feeling it was too good to be true.
"Yes." he laughed softly. "And you can bring any friends you wish to take. The both of you have grown much over the years and are no longer the children you once were. It is time for you to see more of the outside world." I whooped and Estel cheered as we sprinted up the few stairs leading to the throne and tackled the King into a hug, which he gladly reciprocated, chuckling once more as he ruffled our hair.
"Hannon le, Ada!"
"I do wish for you to be very careful and to tread cautiously." he said and we nodded after pulling away.
"Where are we going?" Estel inquired.
"And when?" I added.
"That is up to you to decide." Ada replied.
"But we would recommend that you do not go too far from Minas Tirith." Faramir spoke up.
"Yes!" Estel and I clasped each other's hand in the air, beaming like little children. Elrudan and Eldarion, who sat in Faramir's and Legolas's laps looked up at us.
"Weavin'?" Elrudan repeated in a tiny voice and Estel and I immediately lost all the happiness that we had felt before. We had never left Elrudan and Eldarion for a long period of time. We had always been close and we were always there when Ada and Nana couldn't be. Leaving the two would be hard for the both of us.
"It will only be for a little while." Estel assured our younger siblings with a small smile. The two looked ready to break down crying. I knelt down and opened my arms.
"Come here, you little monsters." They leaped off of Faramir's and Legolas's laps and rushed into my arms, clinging to me as though they would never see me again. "Estel and I are just going to take a little trip. We will return and when we do, guess what?" They looked up to me, sniffling. "We will have some little treats and presents for you." They brightened a bit but refused to let me go.
"No weevn'." Elrudan stated, sitting firmly in my lap and crossing his tiny arms. Eldarion only nodded in agreement, not quite sure how to speak yet. I looked to Estel to help me but could see he was struggling with the fact that we would be away from them for some time.
"When we return, we will do anything you want." Estel tried and the two snapped their heads towards him and we could see in their eyes that they were planning something.
"I do not like that look." I murmured.
"That is the same look Dan and Ro get whenever they plan a prank of some sort." Ada informed us and we groaned. Hopefully, the little ones wouldn't come up with something as mischievous as our Uncles. They were quite the troublemakers, even though Eldarion was just learning to walk correctly. The doors opened as a voice sounded,
"What was that, Aragorn?" Everyone turned to see Elladan and Elrohir walking in followed by a taller, more radiant, Golden Elf and a mysterious, dark, Elf. Aragorn, Estel, and I blinked, not believing who we were seeing.
"Lord Glorfindel? Lord Erestor?" Aragorn slowly stood, descending the stairs in disbelief. Glorfindel smiled widely upon seeing Aragorn and even Erestor cracked a very tiny, but evident, grin.
"Aragorn, what have I told you before about the titles?" Glorfindel gently reprimanded as he embraced the fully grown man.
"Forgive me. It is just..." Aragorn trailed off, a flicker of forgotten pain flashing in his eyes. Glorfindel understood the pain and shook his head.
"We have never held it against you, Estel." To this, I looked over to Estel in confusion. What did that mean? Aragorn gave a relieved grinned then turned to face Erestor, who had been studying him as he and Glorfindel interacted. Aragorn knew he was being silently interrogated by the silent Elf and hoped whatever it was Erestor was searching for, he passed. A few seconds later, Erestor gave an approving nod.
"You have done well, Estel." Aragorn tilted his head in bewilderment but said nothing, pleased that Erestor had approved of whatever it was. Glorfindel rolled his eyes at the Counselor. Estel turned to look at me.
"I continue to forget Ada's childhood name was 'Estel'." he whispered.
"What is this anyways?" I accidentally wondered aloud, drawing attention to myself.
"What do you mean, iell-nin?" Aragorn asked.
"Everyone seems to be suddenly knocking on our door, Ada." I explained. "Is it some sort of family reunion?"
"Family reunion?" Glorfindel turned to Aragorn. Legolas and Faramir smiled.
"Ever since they heard Aragorn's childhood stories involving the Twice Born Warrior and the fearsome Chief Counselor, they have accepted you as family, proclaiming you are their great uncles." Legolas informed them.
"Fearsome Chief Counselor?" Glorfindel glimpsed over to the dark Elf, who was eyeing him. "It fits him well." Erestor glared, huffing softly but saying nothing. Glorfindel then approached Estel, Elrudan, Eldarion, and I. When his shadow fell over us, Elrudan and Eldarion slowly raised their heads, eyes widening when they saw the powerful being standing before them. Even I felt slightly intimidated by the Balrog Slayer. Anyone could sense his powerful yet gentle aura surrounding them.
"Awaaa..." Elrudan drew out my name with the something-is-wrong tone as he and Eldarion shrunk closer to me. Glorfindel knelt down before me, understanding the cause of their fear.
"Hello there, little ones. I have heard much about you." His eyes went over to Elladan and Elrohir. "Aranyth and Estel...Valar you have grown much since last I saw you." he remarked. "You have both taken after your Father greatly." I beamed at this. I will admit, I was a daddy's girl.
"Thank-you." we chimed and he blinked.
"Twins." he muttered, shaking his head. "It must run in the family. There are too many!"
"And more on the way." Legolas smirked. Estel and I froze before turning to Ada.
"More?" Ada gave Legolas a look, to which the Elf ignored, before answering.
"We were to announce it this evening," Aragorn stated. "Your Naneth is expecting twins."
"Seven-no eight little Elessars?" Glorfindel could not believe it. Elladan and Elrohir snickered at his reaction.
"Valar, Aragorn!" Legolas was even surprised by the news. "Another set of twins? Are three not enough?"
"Indeed, Aragorn." Faramir agreed and Ada raised his hands in surrender.
"Do not look at me! We were expecting one..." he trailed off. An awkward silence resumed before everyone in the room- excluding Erestor and the youngsters- burst out laughing, Elrudan and Eldarion looking at everyone as though we had grown two heads.
-Nescit Cedere-
"A camping trip!" Estel leaped onto my bed, causing for me to go flying upwards a few inches before falling back against my pillows.
"I never thought this would happen!" I couldn't help but smile at my twin's contagious demeanor.
"How did Ada ever get Naneth to agree?" Estel flopped back into the fluffy covers. I rolled over to lay on my side, propping my head up with my hand.
"He said we could invite anyone we wished. Have you anyone in mind?" I asked my brother.
"I have. Thranduin," he stopped after saying the name, discreetly looking my direction to see my reaction. I gaped at my brother, grabbing a pillow and whacking him with it.
"How could you, Estel?! I have told you before and I will NOT tell you again, I do not fancy that cursed Elf-boy!"
"Ah! Aranyth! Enough! I understand!" Estel's muffled cries rang out as I continued to attack him with the pillow.
"You said that last time!" I struck him again and Estel covered his head for protection. I stopped. Estel relaxed and slowly straightened, lowering his arms.
"Are you certain that you really do not fancy Thranduin?"
"ESTEL!" I swung my pillow with even more force that it sent my brother toppling over the side of the bed and onto the unforgiving floor.
-Nescit Cedere-
For a while, we sat in the darkness, neither of us daring to pierce the silence that hung o'er us. I could sense Estel glancing towards me every once in a while as I glowered at the wall.
"Ryn?" he timidly called out, using my old childhood nickname.
"What?"
"...Nevermind." Estel sulked, hating it when he angered me. This is foolish. Estel was only teasing, Ryn. No need to get irritated. I sighed and turned to look at my twin.
"What is it, Estel?"
"Are you...Still angry?" He peeked at me through his hair that fallen over his eyes. I inhaled deeply, about to reply but he cut me off.
"I did not mean it, Ryn. I was only teasing, I did not know it would offend you so! If I had known I wouldn't-"
"Estel!" I sharply interrupted him and he flinched at my tone. I growled at myself, taking a deep breath to calm myself down. "It's fine. I know you did not mean it. I am just annoyed because Naneth does the same."
"I know." he murmured.
"What is it that you want?" He looked at me intensely, wondering whether I was still angry or not. After determining that I was not, he bounded back onto the edge of my bed.
"The camping trip." I rolled my eyes. Of course.
"What about it?"
"Who should we invite?"
"Who did you have in mind? Beside Thranduin." I asked.
"Elrudyn would want to come along knowing him...Perhaps Théodred. Did you have anyone you wished to come?"
"Faramina and Aarya. Also, I thought perhaps Arathorn could join us." Estel looked at me.
"Arathorn?"
"Of course. He is almost fifteen, Estel."
"Very well." Estel conceded. "That makes eight of us." A thought crossed my mind and I snapped my fingers.
"Théodred can't come. Remember he is visiting Angmar?" I reminded my brother, who whacked the bed covers.
"Valar, you are right! Seven of us then."
"I say that is enough." Three girls and four boys. I thought to myself. "At least we can all hold our own."
"Agreed." Estel said, knowing what I meant. Every one of us knew how to fight and how to hunt. We had been trained in tracking ever since we were young. Elrudan was going to learn soon and Ada decided he would test Estel and I by having us teach him. "When should we leave and for how long, do you think?"
"I say we wait until we are certain the seven of us can all go, meaning we will have to speak with Éowyn, Faramir, Elladan and Elrohir, Ada, and Legolas."
"Tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow." I affirmed.
"Very well. Goodnight, Gwethil-nin." Estel stood and headed for the door, blowing out the candles whilst doing so.
"Goodnight, Gwador."
-Nescit Cedere-
The next day, Estel and I spoke to Faramir, Ada, and our Uncles. Faramir agreed to allow Faramina to go, Elladan and Elrohir said yes to having Elrudyn and Aarya join us, and Legolas believed it would do well for Thranduin to be free for a while. Right now, Estel and I were standing before Ada, who was, at the moment, contemplating whether or not Arathorn should be allowed to go.
"Arathorn is capable of taking care of himself, Ada," Estel attempted to persuade Aragorn, who was seated in his office, overlooking many papers on his desk.
"Estel and I will be sure to watch him closely." I added.
"I know you will, Aranyth, it is just...I have a feeling-" He shook his head. "What am I saying? I was allowed to hunt when I was fourteen. I suppose Arathorn can go." Estel and I smiled and hugged our Ada.
"Hannon le, Ada!"
"But you must promise that you will be very careful. There are still packs of Orcs crossing these lands-" Estel and I rolled our eyes.
"We know, Ada." He smirked at us, knowing exactly how we felt before growing serious.
"That is not all." Estel and I, noticing his tone, turned to face him.
"What is it, Ada?" Ada looked out of the window before replying.
"There are other things out there...unnatural things." He became lost in thought, no doubt remembering something from his younger years. Even though Ada was about a hundred six or so, he still looked to be in his thirties.
"Ada?" Ada blinked, coming out of the reverie he was in.
"It is nothing." He told us, but we weren't convinced. There was a slight tone of pain in his voice that neither of us missed and it concerned us greatly.
"What is it, Ada? Something ails you." I said, kneeling by his side, Estel moving to stand to his left. Ada sighed, setting down his pen and covering his face, shaking his head, exhaling deeply before sitting up once more.
"It is nothing to worry over, my children. Now go, Arathorn is at the Healing House." Estel and I knew we were being gently dismissed but were hesitant to go. Had we brought up some unpleasant memories?
"Goheno-nin, Ada." (Forgive me) Estel and I apologized, bowing our heads before leaving. We had just closed the door when we heard Ada whisper,
"It reminds me of...her."
-Nescit Cedere-
"What do you think Ada meant?" Estel asked me as we walked through the streets to the Healing House.
"I am not sure." I admitted, mulling over what Ada had whispered when we left. "Who could he have been speaking of?" From the way he had acted, it was someone close. "She must have passed." The thought had hit me just as I said the words. Estel was silent.
"Do you think Uncle Dan and Uncle Ro would know?"
"Possibly, but I do not think it would be wise to ask them." We had now reached the Healing House and entered, greeting the medics who were rushing about to help their patients. We searched for the room we knew we would find Arathorn in. Arathorn was very skilled in healing, having taken after Ada's side of the family in that skill. He was fascinated by everything he learned that had to do with the arts of healing and the different herbs that could be used when aiding a patient. Most of his time was spent in the Healing House, experimenting and searching for ways to better treatments and medications. When we entered the room, we found Arathorn working on yet another experiment, overlooking the many different herbs he had combined together in a glass. We remained silent as Arathorn straightened, sighing and shaking his head in disappointment.
"Nothing." He whispered, flipping through a few pages in the book beside him. "There has to be a way I can enhance the strength...No, that won't do." he closed the book, huffing as he placed it on the shelf nearest him.
"Arathorn." My voice startled the young teen and he dropped the vial he had been holding. Estel lunged and caught it just as it was about to hit the floor, the colorful liquid it held splashing about.
"Estel! Aranyth!" Arathorn blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here? I highly doubt you are merely visiting your younger brother..."
"We spoke to Ada earlier today," I started.
"What about?" He asked.
"Ada is allowing Aranyth and I to go camping along with a few friends." Estel continued. Arathorn's shoulders visibly dropped.
"Oh. So you are leaving then?"
"Well, actually, we were wondering if you would be willing to come?" Arathorn raised his head, blinking a few times in disbelief.
"I can...Are you...Ada agreed to this?" he managed to say and Estel and I nodded, smiling at our brother's expression.
"Ada said you can come."
"Can we go hunting?" he excitedly asked.
"Of course we can." Estel replied and Arathorn fist-pumped the air, an odd habit of his. Anytime Arathorn succeeded in something or he learned something that pleased him, he would raise a fist into the air to celebrate.
"This is unbelievable! When are we going?" he asked, putting everything he had set out away.
"Aranyth and I decided we would leave in three days at most."
-Nescit Cedere-
It was the day before we would leave and Faramina, Aarya, and I were rushing about checking to ensure we had everything we would need.
"I cannot wait for tomorrow!" Aarya giggled, spinning in circles as we ran down the eastern corridor.
"Neither can I." I said, dancing around a maid who was holding a tray in her hand.
"But where are Thranduin and Elrudyn?" Faramina asked us. "I have yet to see them."
"Who knows?" I realized Faramina was right. Uncle Elladan and Uncle Legolas were here but Thranduin and Elrudyn were nowhere to be found. I could see Estel and Arathorn training in the courtyard with Glorfindel. Glorfindel was as skilled as Ada and everyone had said. When Estel and I were first trained by him (the day he had arrived), we were awed by the Balrog Slayer. He was very kind and also a bit mischievous. But when he and Erestor were together, it was a whole other story. The two were almost the equivalent of Uncle Dan and Ro when they were up to their usual antics but it was more amusing. Glorfindel, we found, could be quite childish when he wanted to. We ran outside. "I say we-" I yelped when I collided into someone, ones, sending the three of us tumbling down the stairs and landing in a heap on the ground. "Ow..."
"Ryn! Are you alright!?" Faramina squeaked in concern, rushing down to my side. Aarya just laughed.
"I'm fine..." I groaned, lying still.
"Aranyth...You are crushing me." A melodious voice sounded beneath me and I whipped my head up to see I was lying on top of a young wood-elf with white blonde hair, oceanic blue eyes, wearing faded blue clothing.
"Thranduin!" Oh, this is embarrassing!
"She is crushing you? The both of you are crushing me!" Another voice below us wheezed.
"Elrudyn!" I had to admit, we were quite the comical sight. Elrudyn shifted and I heard Estel say,
"You are on my leg, Elrudyn! Do be careful!"
"Well, you are lying on my back!" Arathorn growled at Estel.
"And all of you are lying on top of me!"
"What in Middle Earth happened here?" We froze, slowly looking up to see Ada, Faramir, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, Glorfindel, and Erestor standing in front of us, gazing down at us with different expressions. Aarya laughed a little louder at our faces. Estel glared at me.
"We tripped." I answered, causing everyone beneath me to stop moving and look at me. I gave them a look and they wisely chose to remain silent.
"Can you get off of us, Ryn?!" Arathorn hissed.
"And what if I do not want to?" I snapped back, earning a glare. Estel gave me an I-knew-it look, which took me .2 seconds to figure out why. "Estel! You have three seconds to run!" Estel quickly disassemble himself from everyone and shot off with me close behind. Thranduin stood, dusting himself off as he helped Elrudyn who in turn helped Arathorn.
"Will Estel be alright?" Faramina inquired, watching a murderous Aranyth chase after Estel across the courtyard.
"Estel won't escape unscathed." Arathorn answered and Aragorn shook his head.
"Children."
-Nesict Cedere-
Estel, as Arathorn had said, had not escaped unscathed. He sat beside me at the dinner table, glaring at his food while rubbing his sore jaw. He now had a cut shaped like a crescent moon above his eye, just below his eyebrow, and a colorful bruise forming on his arm where he had fallen. I had absolutely nothing to do with these injuries. Ada didn't even attempt to lecture us, knowing it wouldn't mean anything to us, having learned this from Dan and Ro. After dinner, everyone who was going on the camping trip gathered together to get everything ready. After finally gathering everything, we sat in silence, staring at the city of Minas Tirith. Everything was calm. Too calm for my liking. My eyes narrowed as I felt a small ounce of darkness penetrating my mind. There was a storm brewing on the horizon...I could sense it.
-Nescit Cedere-
Aragorn sighed, slumping back into his chair, rubbing his forehead with his hands. He could not help but feel anxious. But what about? Everything had been going smoothly in Minas Tirith. They had managed to form a treaty with Harad, so there was nothing to worry about there. Orcs had become scarce since the Fall of Mordor. Sauron was dead...Then what was he worrying over? He straightened and peered out the window. The children were going camping... His eyes slightly widened. That was what it was! Anytime he thought of this camping trip, he could not help but feel something would go terribly wrong. He thought of the vision he had had when Legolas arrived. Now that he thought about it, he had noticed that where he had found Estel and Aranyth...there were signs of an encampment. They had been camping when he had found them! He abruptly stood, leaving the room immediately, seeking out his children.
-Nescit Cedere-
"What is it, Estel?" I asked when I heard the door to my room open, only to look up and see someone else standing in the doorway. "Ada?" Ada came over and sat on the edge of my bed. "Is something wrong, Ada?" I asked, noticing his troubled expression.
"Aranyth, do not go to Lithlad." I looked at my Ada in surprise.
"How did you...?" I then shook my head. Ada probably had a vision.
"I have spoken to Estel. Do not go anywhere near Lithlad, do you understand?" I was a bit upset about this, Lithlad would have been interesting to see but if Ada had seen something, then it was probably wise to not go.
"Yes, Ada." I nodded and he seemed relieved.
"I will meet you at the gates on the Lower Level in the morning before you leave. Sleep well, iell-nin." he kissed the crown of my head, ensuring that I was well-covered before leaving. I sighed once he left. If we couldn't go to Lithlad, where would we go? Dagorlad would be amazing, the land where the both battles before the Black Gate took place. I suppose I would have to wait for tomorrow to decide with the others.
-Nescit Cedere-
I know this chapter may be a bit boring but it should get better (Hopefully)! It was finals week so my brain's feeling a bit fried but I promise to update soon!
-Juliette Morbu.