Chapter 4 - Miracles happen
Estel’s
jaw dropped. “Excuse me?” He said in sheer disbelief.
He was sure he had heard wrong.
“I’m not Elladan.” The elf repeated. Estel
stared and his eyes narrowed.
“Is this some sort of joke Elladan?” He said slowly.
“Because it is not funny.” The elf shook his head.
“It is no joke.” He replied. “I...”
Before he could go on, Estel had started speaking again.
“Well, who are you then?” He asked, his voice laced
with suspicion and sarcasm. Because you look Exactly like Elladan.”
Two seconds later, the implications of that statement sunk in.
Exactly like Elladan. Then that would mean he could only be
– but no it wasn’t possible! He was dead! Long dead!
Wasn’t he? In a voice he didn’t recognise as his
own, he whispered one word.
“Elrohir?”
The elf nodded, a slight smile playing about his face. “But
you – they said – Elladan he – You’re
dead!” He blurted accusingly. The elf – Elrohir
– laughed.
“Aye, by all rights I should be dead! But the Valar had
something they needed done and said that I was the best one
for the task. In return, I was allowed to live.” At Estel’s
confused look he added, “It is a very long story. I will
explain it all in time. For now I can only ask you to take my
word for it. I am Elrohir and I am alive.”
Estel didn’t reply, he couldn’t. He simply stared
in shock at the impossible reality before him. His muddled mind
tried to make sense of the million thoughts and emotions running
through his brain.
The elf he’d rescued and tended wasn’t his brother.
No, he corrected himself, technically it *was* his brother,
just not the one he’d thought it was. But then, he’d
never ever thought to meet Elrohir. He had always been a fantasy
figure, the lost twin, the missing half of Elladan’s heart.
Elladan. “By the Valar!” He thought suddenly. “If
this is truly Elrohir, then we must find Elladan as soon as
possible! At last, I can end his suffering!” He dropped
down besides Elrohir.
“Look at me.” He commanded gently. “Look at
me and tell me who you are.” Elrohir looked up and locked
his eyes with Estel’s.
“I am Elrohir Elrondion, twin to Elladan and brother to
Arwen.” He spoke without hesitation or doubt.
His words and his gaze struck Estel to his very core. In that
moment, he knew beyond a shadow of doubt that this truly was
Elrohir. He grinned.
“Ai, I cannot wait to find Elladan! He’s missed
you so much, grieved for so long.” Elrohir sighed.
“I knew he would. I was so scared that the severing of
our bond would cause him to fade. It lightens my heart to know
that he lives. But not until I re-establish the bond between
us will we be complete. The distance severed it and my brother
closed off his heart. He needs to open his heart before I can
reach him again.” A look of unbearable pain filled the
younger twin’s eyes.
Estel moved and wrapped his arms around the elf. No matter that
this was not the brother he had grown up with, this was still
his brother and everything he’d ever wanted.
Elrohir was a little startled but strangely touched by the sudden
embrace. It was obvious that this ranger, this Estel, knew his
brother well and cared deeply for him. He knew there would be
many questions to ask and be answered in the coming weeks, and
all he really wanted was to get home. Still, there was one question
he wanted answered now.
“You obviously know my brother well and you have an elvish
name as well as speaking it as one born to it. How is that?”
He asked. Estel smiled.
“I was brought to Rivendell as a child after my parents
were killed. Lord Elrond took me as his son.” He looked
to Elrohir to see his reaction.
Elrohir let out a small gasp. “His son? Why, then that
would make us brothers!” Estel grinned and nodded.
“Yes. Elladan has always been that to me. I would be delighted
to call you brother also.” It was not only his resemblance
to Elladan that caused him to say this, something about the
lost twin called to him. He shared Elladan’s soul he was
sure. In just a few minutes of meeting him, he knew he would
trust Elrohir with his life.
The elf grinned. “I hardly know you – but I am happy
to call you brother.”
“I’m glad.” Estel said. “As for getting
to know me - there will be plenty of time for that on the way
to Rivendell!” Elrohir’s stomach rumbled then, causing
them to laugh. “But right now I will get you that food!”
Estel laughed and disentangled himself from his newfound brother.
********************************
Elladan
traipsed wearily through the gates of Imladris. He had been
forced to abandon his plan to visit Mirkwood when an encounter
with a band of human bandits had left him with a broken wrist.
He smirked, despite the pain. The humans were far worse off
than he. All six of them.
“Elladan!” He looked up to see Glorfindel hurrying
towards him, a horrified expression on his face. He smiled weakly.
“What happened?” Glorfindel asked.
“Human bandits tried to get the better of me.” Elladan
said casually. “They failed, not to worry.” Glorfindel
looked at Elladan’s wrist, held to his chest by a makeshift
bandage.
“Not entirely it would seem.” He said, slightly
reproachfully. Elladan looked away and Glorfindel sighed. “Come,
let us find your father and tend to your injuries. We will talk
later.”
Elrond
carefully bandaged Elladan’s wrist. The break was clean
and would heal within a few days, as long as he refrained from
using it.
“I wish you would be more careful.” Elrond said
carefully. “Surely you know how much I fear something
happening to you?” Elladan could not meet his father’s
eyes.
“I know.” He muttered. “I know this Ada. But
I – I am sorry.” Elrond sighed and placed his hand
under his son’s chin, gently forcing him to meet his gaze.
“Stay home for a while. Please, I miss you.” Elladan
knew his father was lonely. Bad enough that he should lose his
wife and son to tragedy, his eldest wandered constantly, his
adopted son was rarely home and he hadn’t seen his daughter
in years.
Elladan thought about Arwen for a moment. She was home even
less than he, spending all her days in Lorien. The last time
she’d been in Imladris was 1000 years ago for her brother’s
funeral. She had come, grieved as was proper, then returned
to Lorien, much to her father’s disappointment. Elladan
sighed. He didn’t hate his sister, he just didn’t
know her. Estel was more a sibling to him than she had ever
been.
He took a deep breath and looked at his father.
“I will stay.” He said. “For a while.”
Elrond smiled.
“Thank you.” In truth, he was deeply proud of his
son. He knew the pain that Elladan felt in his heart and the
strength it took to live through that. Sometimes he wondered
if it would have been kinder to send Elladan to Valinor, but
after the accident that had claimed Elrohir’s life, he
had been unable to give up on his remaining son. He was glad
Elladan had stayed on Middle-Earth.
Elladan reached out and hugged his father with his good arm.
“I’ve missed you too.” He said simply.
*****************************
“He
what?!” Estel and the rangers with Elrohir were heading
back to Rivendell. He was taking the time to get to know Elrohir
and was discovering quite a bit about Elladan in the process.
It would seem that his brother had been even more of a mischief-maker
than Glorfindel had said. He laughed as Elrohir related another
tale from their youth.
Behind them, Calendil watched the two with a smile. The revelation
of the elf’s identity had shocked them all and there had
been more than a few sceptics, but they had accepted him, knowing
what his return would mean to his twin and the elves of Imladris,
among others. Though most of them would only be truly convinced
when they saw the brothers side-by-side. Despite Strider’s
reassurances, they wondered if Elladan had finally lost his
mind and believed he was his dead twin.
Elrohir for his part was greatly enjoying Estel’s company.
The ranger intrigued him and was able to fill him in on at least
some of what had happened while he’d been gone. Yet he
would not truly stop worrying until he saw his home for himself,
until he saw Elladan and finally renewed their bond.
A
sudden smell washed across Elrohir’s nose. He halted so
suddenly that Estel almost crashed into him. “What is
it?” The ranger asked, sensing something was wrong. Elrohir
took another sniff of the air before facing the ranger.
“Wargs. A lot.”
No sooner had he spoken than a hideous howl rent the air. A
moment later a huge pack of wild wargs came into view. There
was no time to prepare for battle, the beasts were upon them
too quickly and they were left on the defensive, fighting for
their lives.
Estel’s sword flashed as it carved at the animals trying
to savage him. Elrohir was to his left, his presence comforting,
reminding Estel of the many times he had fought side-by-side
with Elladan. Slightly further away, Calendil fought with several
other rangers, their swords slicing and hacking as they defended
themselves against the creatures.
Surrounded in a sea of blue-grey fur and gnashing teeth, Estel
tried to remain focused, to not let the whirling, savage beasts
catch him unawares. Plunging his sword through the throat of
a warg, he looked quickly for Elrohir. He found him amidst a
group of wargs several feet away. He let out a cry as he saw
his brother charged by several of the animals at once. Fear
shot through him, a terrible vision of seeing Elrohir killed
before he got him home, before he healed Elladan’s heart.
“Elrohir!” He called the elf’s name as he
charged, barrelling through the animals carelessly, determined
to get to him.
Suddenly he tripped over a dead warg, his sword flying from
his hand. As he looked up he saw a warg pounce on Elrohir, who
fell and was lost under several of the evil beasts. “No!”
He cried, but could do nothing as his faced his own problems,
caught on his hands and knees, unarmed between four wargs.
**************************************
Elladan
tossed and turned in restless slumber. Visions of his brother
plagued his dreams, Elrohir fighting what seemed to be a hundred
wargs, calling, reaching out. To who? To him? Blood then, running
red and swiftly. Whose blood was that? He wondered. Elrohir’s?
Or someone else’s? Then he saw his brother’s eyes,
wide, grey and full of fear. So much fear…
“Elrohir!” He woke with a start, gasping for breath,
his heart pounding in his chest. He blinked as his surroundings
became clear. “A dream.” He breathed. “Just
a dream.” He put his head in his hands. “Of course
it was a dream Elrohir. Always a dream, my brother.”
Knowing he would sleep no more that night, he rose and dressed.
The sun would rise in a couple of hours anyway. He decided to
walk to the gardens and spend the time under the weeping willow.
He wanted more pleasant images of his brother to think of; as
opposed to those he had just dreamed.
**************************************
Estel
tried to get to the small knife he kept in his boot. Perhaps
it would be enough to let him escape and help Elrohir. He was
desperately worried about him, knowing that few people, human
or elf, could survive a warg attack. As he moved his hand to
his boot, all thought left him as the warg charged. He raised
his arms in a futile attempt to protect himself from the razor-sharp
teeth.
Closing his eyes, he prayed to the Valar for a quick end and
waited for the bite that would end his life. It never came.
Hearing a soft ‘thud’ he opened his eyes. The warg
that would have ripped out his throat lay dead on the ground,
an arrow protruding from its throat. Instantly the others turned
to face the new threat.
Before they had even fully turned, another arrow shot through
the air and a second warg fell with an arrow in its chest. An
elven arrow.
When the warg had pushed Elrohir to the ground, he’d had
the presence of mind to pull his knees up to his chest. When
the beast had gone for his throat he’d planted his feet
on its torso and pushed hard, sending it flying off of him and
into two of its companions. He’d used the moment that
had given him to spring to his feet and draw his sword. He’d
swiftly killed two trying to surround him before dispatching
the three that were still stunned from his previous move.
He’d turned just in time to see one of the largest wargs
he had ever seen lunging at Estel. In a split second he’d
drawn his bow and sent an arrow through the animal’s throat.
The wargs turned their attention to him instantly and he wasted
no time in shooting another.
Deeply relieved to see Elrohir alive and in one piece, Estel
grabbed his sword and hacked the head off the third beast as
a thrust from Elrohir’s sword ended the life of the fourth.
There was no time to speak though as they found themselves rushing
to the defence of the rangers who were still fighting off at
least a dozen of the creatures.
By the time the battle was over there was not a single one of
them who was not covered in warg blood and utterly exhausted.
Many were injured Estel realised, as he saw Calendil limping
towards him, blood flowing from a nasty gash in his leg. Others
were even worse off, one ranger having lost two fingers to warg
teeth. Luckily, it was not his sword arm.
“Looks like we have our work cut out for us.” Elrohir
said, stepping up beside the ranger. He gasped as he was suddenly
caught up in a bone-crushing hug. “Estel? I can’t
breathe!” He gasped, trying to loosen the human’s
hold. Sensing the elf’s discomfort, Estel released Elrohir
and placed his hands on his shoulders as he looked at him critically.
“Don’t you ever do that again!” He all but
yelled, surprising Elrohir who had not seen the outburst coming.
“Do what?” He asked, confused. Estel shot him a
withering look.
“Almost get yourself killed before we get back home! What
would I tell Elladan? ‘I discovered your brother alive
after 1000 years, but a warg ripped his throat out on the way
here!’? He was red in the face but Elrohir could see the
fear behind the anger. The human had truly feared his death.
“I’m sorry.” He said softly. “I never
meant to scare you. I swear we will get home safely! I will
not die after all I’ve been through!” He smiled
comfortingly and pulled the fraught ranger into a comforting
embrace. Estel sighed and relaxed, calmer now that he knew the
elf was all right.
Then Elrohir released him, inclining his head to the injured
rangers.
“Come. Let us tend to them and then continue on our way
home.”
***********************************
“Glorfindel!”
The warrior stopped at the sound of his name. Elrond was hurrying
after him.
“Good
morning Elrond,” He greeted him cheerfully. However, the
smile on his face died as he took in the Lord’s concerned
expression. “Elrond?”
“Have you seen Elladan? I cannot find him.” Glorfindel
frowned.
“Nay, I have not seen him.” A look of horror crossed
his face. “You do not think he has returned to the wilds?”
“He promised me he would remain here for a time.”
Elrond said. “I do not believe he would intentionally
lie to me. However, I fear what action he might take in a fit
of poor judgement.” Glorfindel sighed.
“I will look for him. Let us hope he is still within the
boundaries of Imladris.”
Elrond sighed. He still hadn’t found his son. An examination
of his rooms had shown that he had taken neither weapons nor
provisions. He could not have gone far. He ran his mind over
all the places his son might be. He’d checked them all.
All except one.
“Could it be?” He murmured. Elladan rarely went
there anymore. It was too painful for him. Still, it was the
only place he had not been to. Without further ado, he hurried
off, praying he would find him there.
He walked back into the house, his feet taking him to the place
he sought. Past his rooms, past Glorfindel’s and Erestor’s
rooms, to the end of the long corridor. The airy corridor had
two doors at the end. One room was Elladan’s, the other,
connected by a now-sealed passage, had been Elrohir’s.
Slowly, he pushed the door open and looked inside for the first
time in almost 1000 years.
The room had been lovingly preserved, cleaners and servants
caring for it if the young lord was still among them. Everything
was still exactly as it was the last time the younger twin had
been here. The only difference was his eldest son, fast asleep
on the soft couch under the window.
Elladan had spent some hours under the weeping willow. However
the strange dream had shaken him more than he cared to admit
and the tree did not offer it’s usual comfort. As the
sun had begun to rise he had made his way back to the house,
intending to return to his rooms. Instead, he had found himself
outside Elrohir’s door.
He had hesitated at first, not sure if he was willing to confront
all the memories that dwelt in that room. But he was in desperate
need of something of Elrohir’s that he could touch, something
that could connect him to the past.
He’d stepped inside closing the door behind him. Instantly,
he was almost overwhelmed by memories of times spent here. He
walked around the room slowly, running gentle fingers over his
brother’s hairbrush, lingering on a stray strand that
was still attached to the bristles. He went to the table and
picked up the papers that lay there. A half-written poem was
at the top, a work that Elrohir had never gotten the chance
to finish. Placing the paper down his eyes caught a small silver
flute by the bedside table. He’d never mastered the instrument,
but Elrohir had delighted in playing it. He fingered the beautifully
crafted flute, remembering all the times his brother’s
talent had created beautiful melodies. He could still hear his
favourite tune in his mind.
All the memories soon became far too much for Elladan. He sat
wearily on the couch and simply observed the room.
As the sun rose higher, filling the room with warmth, pleasant
memories filled Elladan’s mind and before he knew it,
sleep had claimed him.
Elrond watched his sleeping son. Elladan looked more peaceful
than he had done in centuries. He stood at the doorway, simply
looking at the peaceful form. If he didn’t know better,
he could almost believe it was Elrohir asleep in there. Almost.
Glorfindel came up behind him and went to speak, but Elrond
silenced him with a wave of his hand. He pointed into the room
and Glorfindel had to smile at the slumbering elf, bittersweet
though the scene was.
“Let him sleep.” Elrond whispered and the two eldar
left, closing the door quietly behind them.
************************************
The
rest of the journey was thankfully uneventful. Those who had
been injured were healing well and only needed rest before they
would be truly on form again. The ranger who had lost two fingers
was in the worst shape, suffering from mental trauma as well
as the physical injuries. However, both Estel and Elrohir were
confident that Elrond would be able to help him.
However, as they approached Rivendell’s borders, Elrohir
became quiet and withdrawn. He stopped speaking and spent hours
lost in thought. After three days, Estel was deeply worried
and took the elf aside.
“What is wrong?” The ranger asked. “I thought
you would be happy to be going home.”
“I am.” Came the quiet reply. “But I fear
it also. I tried so hard to get back sooner, but I simply could
not. The Valar would not allow it. Do you think they will understand?
Do you think Elladan will understand? I’ve caused him
so much pain.” He tried to hide the tears that rose unbidden
in his eyes.
Estel was slightly shocked. He couldn’t believe that of
all things, Elrohir feared rejection. “Don’t you
know?” He asked incredulously. “Elladan has grieved
a thousand years for you, as has your father. You are so loved,
they will be overjoyed to have you returned to them!”
Elrohir did not seem convinced.
“But when they find out that I was not dead, that they
need not have grieved, will they not be angry?” Estel
sighed.
“Do you truly believe that?” He asked. Elladan is
your twin; surely he will be able to see that you have also
suffered. He has never shown me anything but kindness, nor spoken
of you with anything less than deep love.”
Elrohir could not meet Estel’s eyes. “I am sure
you are right.” He whispered. “But I cannot help
my fear, it has been so long and so much has changed.”
“Indeed it has.” Estel agreed. “But much has
not changed. Fear not, you will be welcomed home with great
joy, I am certain.” Elrohir smiled.
“Thank you Estel. You have eased my heart some. Let us
press on; I am anxious to have my fears proved unfounded. The
ranger grinned and nodded as he and Elrohir rejoined the rest
of the rangers, now only a few days from home.
****************************************
Elrond
took a deep breath of the cool night air. The sun had set some
two hours ago and the stars were twinkling brightly in a perfectly
clear night sky. He had not wished to sleep on such a beautiful
night and had opted to go for a late walk instead.
He was deep in the gardens, near a small pond containing a myriad
of brightly coloured fish, their scales reflecting the moonlight
and causing the water to take on the appearance of a shimmering
rainbow. It was a peaceful and tranquil setting and he felt
the burdens of the days work begin to lift from him.
A gentle rustle made him aware of the presence of another. He
turned to see the newcomer. When his eyes fell upon the figure
before him, he could not believe his eyes.
Unlike
many, he had long been able to distinguish between his sons.
Though the figure in front of him bore an uncanny resemblance
to his eldest, he knew it was not Elladan who stood there. However,
he found himself doubting his age-old skill, for in all his
days he had never again expected to lay eyes on the younger
twin.
“Elrohir?” He whispered, suddenly more afraid of
the answer than of anything else in his long life.
Elrohir nodded. “Aye Ada.” He said softly. “I’m
home.”
END
CHAPTER 4
TBC!
I love those three letters!
*Evil grin*
Review please!
