Ellawyn leaned back in her saddle to slow Vorondil's pace. The 'clip clop' of his hooves on the cobblestone courtyard echoing in her ears. With one hand she swiped the hood of her grey cloak from her head, allowing her long braid of chocolate brown hair to sway freely down her back. Vorondil finally reached a halt although he continued nervously side stepping, the adrenaline of their dash still present in the two of them. Leaping down from his back, the elf gave him a good scratch before placing a calming hand between his eyes, murmuring words of solace and thanks to the stallion. Letting out a great snort, Vorondil relaxed under her touch, savoring the attention he was getting from his friend.
With no time to waste, once she felt her horse relaxing, Ellawyn glanced around the courtyard. As she did, her eyes caught two young ellons descending the stairs leading to the massive house. She turned quickly in their direction as they approached, swiping her hands across the front of her tunic and thighs to rid herself of some of the dirt accumulated during her travels. Standing tall, she surveyed the two that walked smoothly in her direction. She studied the one on the right first, he was very tall with long ebony hair, braided simply out of his face. His facial structure was strong, jaw wide with piercing silvery blue eyes that seemed to study her in return. Hesitantly she looked to the other elf who looked…. The same? Ellawyn blinked hard, blaming her exhaustion from the hard ride for seeing double. However, she had not been mistaken. No. The second elf was an identical copy of the first. The only differences being in the clothing that they wore. Both were clad in expensive looking, fine tunics and leggings, shiny leather boots making very little sound on the cobblestones as they drew nearer. While one elf wore mostly green, the other was clad in different shades of grey. Brothers, she assumed. Probably twins. They stopped in front of the traveler, two pairs of steely eyes looked her up and down before one of the spoke,
"Mae g'ovannen. Welcome to Imladris." A small smile graced his pink lips. She nodded her head, surprised at the difference in greeting this elf was giving her in comparison to the elves of Mirkwood.
"Mae g'ovannen. I come as a messenger for Radagast the Brown. Has he arrived?" She queried.
"No, the brown wizard has not visited Imladris in many years." This time it was the second elf to answer her. Worry flooded Ellawyn as she looked around the courtyard, as if Radagast would emerge from behind one of the elegant fountains or pillars. She focused on the elf in green once again as he continued,
"Mithrandir arrived here not two days ago with a company, he had spoken to your wizard friend it seems and informed us of your pending arrival. Ellawyn is it?" Her eyes became puzzled at the news he gave her. She searched the two identical faces suspiciously before nodding her head. The grey-clad ellon placed his hand on his breast, extending it to her in what she guessed was an elven way of greeting. She copied the movement, opening then closing her mouth again, unsure of what to say.
"My name is Elladan and this is my brother Elrohir, Lord Elrond is currently occupied but we will show you to your rooms in the meantime." So she had been right about them being twins. She could not help but feel an uncomfortable sense of familiarity in the warm smiles they gave her as another elf approached from behind her.
"I shall take care of him, My Lady." The elf gestured to Vorondil's reins still held tightly in her hand, and she nodded, relinquishing her hold on the stallion to the strange elf before her. Casting one last look towards her friend, she turned towards the two ellons before her. Looking once more at their fine clothing and simple silver circlets that sat proudly upon their identical heads, she decided that they were likely respected Lords or Advisors. Deeming it safe to confide in them, rather than the Lord of Imladris, she spoke warily.
"As I crossed the Bruinen into the borders, I was ambushed by a large group of orcs from the North-East. It seemed to me that they were lying in wait. They did not cross the Borders into this land but they appear to be watching-" She paused thoughtfully, "or waiting for something."
The elves in front of her, Elladan and Elrohir they had called themselves, shared a cautious look with one another before motioning for her to follow them.
"Do not worry for the safety of the valley, My Lady, although you bring ill news regarding their presence, they will not cross into Imladris," said the one she thought had introduced himself as Elladan. She nodded once even though they could not see her.