3: Elladan

-o0o-

The day outside was sweltering and Elladan was grateful to have a valid excuse for not joining his brother in his training session. Their sparring match in the morning had already felt uncomfortable, the rocky confines of the valley still holding onto the heat of the previous days even though the sun had not yet risen above the peaks of the Misty Mountains then. He could only imagine how hot it was now on the archery range, where no shade was to be had.

No, being inside the Last Homely House, discussing patrol schedules with Glorfindel and his father was bound to be the better assignment. At least within the house's walls the temperature was somewhat bearable, though he missed the slight breeze that might be had outside.

"Nelledir is set to return the day after tomorrow," Glorfindel was saying, "I suggest that Elladan and Elrohir ride out on the next patrol, while Berandir can take over at the southern border."

"A fortnight rotation?" Elladan asked. Glorfindel nodded, and Elladan pressed. "Has something happened?" Taking both his and his twin's warriors on a patrol was a considerable number of elves, a show of strength. What had happened during Nelledir's turn along the border?

Glorfindel sighed, glancing briefly at Elrond. Elladan noticed only now the grim look on his father's face. "There have been reports of unrest at our northern borders. Increased goblin activity, at least. Cadwar reported that they spotted signs of uruks as well, bearing the sign of Gundabad."

That could not be good, no wonder he had been asked to attend the discussion even though Glorfindel usually arranged to guard roster himself. His father and commander wanted to make sure he and Elrohir were prepared for what they might find. But, contrary to their concern, Elladan felt strangely eager at the prospect of finding those uruks. It had been too long since he and his twin had ridden out on a hunt. It was almost convenient that the orcs were coming to them for once.

He gave a resolute nod. "We will be prepa-" He broke off as sudden unease struck him.

"Elladan?" His father asked, "What is it?"

"Elrohir." He straightened and turned towards the door, half expecting his twin to barge through it, explaining the frantic sense of peril that flooded their bond, but there was nothing. His disquiet only grew. There was no window in the council chamber, and so Elladan made for the door, knowing without having to turn that Glorfindel and his father were following behind him. He had to know what was wrong.

He hurried through the corridors, something inside him screaming for him to move faster, to act, to protect! But what against? What danger had his trouble-prone twin found on the archery range of all places? By the time he reached the entrance hall he was almost running, descending the steep steps two at a time. It was a miracle he did not collide with the front door when it was suddenly flung open.

"Lord Elrond!" Faeron stood there, panting, his bow still clutched in his hand though he had no arrow with him. "Fire! On the meadow… Estel… Estel is there."

Elladan heard the silent gasp of his father, felt the same fear, but what of his twin? He took Faeron by the shoulders, supporting the still wheezing elf. "What of Elrohir?"

"He went after Estel."

Of course he did. Elladan cursed. He had known the answer before even asking the question, his bond with his twin singing with worry and dread, and something else - pain. His chest felt suddenly tight, and his hands and face too hot.

"By Illuvatar," his father's voice carried in through the open door, silent though his despairing whisper was. He had not waited, had pushed past Elladan and Faenor, desperate to look outside. When Elladan followed him he saw why his father had evoked Eru's name. Half the lower meadow was on fire, thick smoke rising towards the heavens in billowing clouds, blocking his best attempts at piercing them. Where were his brothers?

The air around him changed, thrumming with sudden power, with irresistible force. He looked to his father instinctively, following the sense of raw might, his gaze drawn to the twinkle of blue on Elrond's finger. He was calling on Vilya. Thank the Valar.

The wind picked up, tearing at his braids, and clouds, dark and low, rolled over the house in moments. But on the meadow the smoke was cast aside for a brief second, blown to the side by the wind, and Elladan gasped. Then he ran.

Leaving his father in the capable hands of Glorfindel he raced down the steps, across the courtyard and the gardens, past the archery field and to the edge of the meadow beyond. Keenly aware that with every step he took the fire advanced on his brothers, both of them, trapped amid a sea of flames.

Pain lanced up his leg, breaking his stride, but he shoved it into a corner of his awareness and pushed on. When he reached the edge of the meadow and was finally close enough to see beneath the billowing smoke, the hillock amid the meadow was empty - and entirely swathed in flames. No! Despair suddenly choked him, thicker even than the smoke that tore at his throat. His breath hitched.

Then a drop of water splashed onto his hand. And on the hillock his twin rallied, stood - and jumped into the flames. Elladan did not hesitate to do the same. The flames about him sputtered, sizzled where new raindrops were falling on them, fighting the raging beasts. Thicker and thicker the water fell, drenching his clothes, keeping the resisting flames at bay as he made his way across the meadow, angling for the old oak. That was where his brother was headed. It must be. The tree still stood, untouched by fire, a ring of grass around it like a haven of safety.

Elladan reached it first.

He turned towards the hillock, his gaze questing over the dancing, flickering flames between it and him. The rain continued to fall, impeding his sight, even as it slowed the fire. It spluttered and fought, but the flames were slowly dying down, slowly burning lower - allowing Elladan to see a solitary shape outlined by the light of the fire stumbling towards him, faltering, falling. No!

Elladan jumped into the flames, ignoring the heat that crawled across his face a second time, gritting his teeth against the pain that sprung to life. He reached Elrohir in moments, still crouched, curled protectively around the still form of Estel in his arms. He grabbed his twin beneath the arms, dragging him back to his feet and then pulling him along, through the dwindling flames and towards the oak. Only once they were past the blazing ring of fire did he allow his twin to collapse, noting only now that the outline of flame he had thought around his brother was actually his healing energy channeled into their little brother.

Elladan knelt across from Elrohir, gently cupping his twin's cheek with his hands, willing his unfocused eyes to see him. It was only when he moved his hands lower, trying to disengage Estel from Elrohir's protective hold that his brother responded. Elrohir's eyes snapped to his, his momentary confusion quickly replaced by recognition and relief. The glow around him faded as he opened his arms to let Elladan take Estel, an exhausted smile on his face. Elrohir turned his face towards the heavens, closing his eyes, letting the drops of heavy rain wash the soot from his face.

"The rain came," he murmured, almost too silent for Elladan to make out.

Then he fell back, landing heavily on the wet grass. Unconscious.

-o0o-

tbc…