“Ai! Elladan!” Elrohir threw his head back as Elladan filled him, stars dancing in his vision, feeling nothing but the ecstasy caused by having his brother deep within him and the feeling of completion it gave him.
Elladan smiled, delighting in his twin’s warmth, his hands locked in midnight tresses.
He continued sliding in and out of Elrohir, his face buried in his brother’s neck.
Their cries echoed around them, but they were alone here and at least for the moment, safe.
Elrohir arched up to meet his brother, drawing Elladan further and further in. His hands fisted in his twin’s hair as he screamed his release.

They had travelled along the base of the misty mountains for some weeks, carefully avoiding the borders of Lórien. They had travelled south, across the far edges of the mountains and were now at the western edge of Fangorn Forest.
They had remained on the edges of the great wood; they had heard too many stories of the evils within to risk venturing deeper.
Here it seemed normal, trees with pale green leaves towered above them, the late-afternoon sunlight falling in dappled rays upon the forest floor. Soft moss and grass carpeted the ground, providing a natural blanket for the twins.

Still, the trees would soon lose their colour, autumn was upon them and winter would not be long behind.
The twins knew it would be folly to try to continue their journey during the cold months when snow would cover most of the surrounding lands. Instead they had decided to try to reach Rohan and hopefully find shelter there, at least during the worst of the weather.
When spring came they would move on again, continuing towards Harad, their chosen destination.

Today however, such concerns were far from their thoughts. The secluded glade in which they were camped was the safest place they had found since leaving Moria and they had decided to stay there for a day or two and take a much-needed rest.
Their packs lay against a nearby tree, their clothes were scattered haphazardly around. In the far corner was evidence of the previous night’s fire, though that would be gone by the time they moved on tomorrow.

Finally spent, they lay together on the soft ground, enjoying the peace that they rarely had chance to enjoy.
“We were not so close to Lórien, I could stay here.” Elrohir murmured.
“As could I.” Elladan replied, kissing him lightly. “But perhaps we will find somewhere just as nice.”
Both knew there was no certainty to this, but it was hope that kept them going and they would abandon it no more than they would each other.

The romantic mood was spoiled somewhat when Elladan’s stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly.
Elrohir laughed.
“We had best eat, brother, or you will wake whatever is sleeping in these woods!”
Elladan blushed, but conceded the point.
Reluctantly separating himself from Elrohir, Elladan rose and wandered round the glade, collecting their clothes.

Handing Elrohir’s to him, they dressed quickly and while Elrohir prepared the rabbits he had shot earlier, Elladan went to get firewood.
They had adapted well to life in the wilderness, due in no small part to Glorfindel’s training and the skills learned from the human rangers who often stopped in Imladris.
Even Erestor’s teachings of geography were useful.

They often thought of those they had left behind, their mother, Glorfindel and Erestor among them, but never once did they consider going back. As much as they loved their family and friends, their love for each other was far stronger.

That evening was spent in pleasant conversation around the fire, Elladan resting his head comfortably in Elrohir’s lap. Both savoured the peaceful evening to its full extent, for they did not know when they would get another.
When at last they fell asleep, it was with arms and legs entwined, under the boughs of the largest tree.

Morning came all too soon and it was with great reluctance that they bade farewell to the peaceful glade.

*******************

Over the next few weeks, they travelled to the edge of the mountains and into Rohan.
The winds developed a cold bite and it seemed that autumn would be brief while winter promised to be long.

With this in mind the twins rarely tarried in any one place for long, they had heard that the Gap of Rohan was dangerous during the winter months. They would have to reach the outlying settlements to be even remotely safe. As a result they travelled almost constantly during the ever-shortening days, in hopes of obtaining their goal.

The fates can be cruel though and it was the first of the snow which put paid to their plans.
It had hit suddenly, in early afternoon. The sky had been clear that morning and the weather, though cold, had bothered them little. But shortly after noon, a great mass of grey cloud had arrived with a chill wind and before much longer had given way to a bitter snowstorm.

They had desperately tried to seek shelter, but the snow came down with such force they were almost blinded.
Gripping each other’s hands they pressed on, knowing that to stop would surely prove fatal.

They had been fighting through the storm for well over an hour, when a great dark shadow loomed in front of them.
“What is that?” Elladan yelled.
“I do not know! Elrohir called back. “Perhaps it is shelter, we should try to find out!”
“I agree!” Came the reply from Elladan. Gripping his twin’s hand harder, Elrohir led the way.

They seemed to be in luck, for it was indeed shelter. They were at the edge of the White Mountains and there were several large outcroppings of rocks, some of which had formed natural caves.
Relieved to get out of the bitter weather they hurried inside, pushing back the hoods of their cloaks and looking around.
“It smells strange in here.” Elladan murmured. “There may be another being in this cave, we should be careful.” Indeed, the cave stretched back some distance and could easily be inhabited by any number of creatures.
Elrohir nodded in agreement and they moved carefully to the back of the cave. As they got further in, the smell grew stronger. Elrohir stopped.
“Something lives here. We should go.”
Elladan was also feeling uneasy and quickly turned to go back the way they’d come. Hopefully they’d find another place to rest, but this was not safe, he was sure.

A low growl sounded throughout the cave.

Both stopped and turned to the source of the sound. From the far end of the cave something moved.
The twins slowly backed off as from the rocky shadows a huge bear emerged, freshly woken from hibernation and very angry.
“Ai, Valar…” Elladan whispered, his hand going to his sword. He had no wish to hurt the animal, but it did not seem to hold the same view of he and Elrohir.

Indeed, before they even had chance to run, the bear attacked, angered at being woken and finding intruders in his den.
Elrohir drew his sword, while Elladan reached for his bow. Nocking an arrow, Elladan aimed for the animal’s heart, hoping to kill it quickly and cleanly. But the bear moved and the arrow embedded itself in its shoulder, wounding it and angering it more. It lashed out and by sheer chance it’s paw struck Elrohir, who had been edging closer to try to strike at the bear’s neck.

The sharp claws ripped Elrohir's tunic, cutting deep gashes into his chest, while the force of the blow sent him crashing into the cave wall. His sword fell from his hand and he lay unconscious.
Elladan screamed as his brother fell. Abandoning his bow he drew his own sword and leapt at the bear. The great beast tried to bring him down, but fear drove Elladan and he dodged the deadly paws.
Stepping to the side as the animal swiped at him, he raised his sword and thrust it upwards, straight into the bear’s heart.
It let out a terrible bellow of pain and then fell dead on the cave floor.

Dropping his sword, Elladan ran to his twin. Heart pounding in terror, he slowly turned him over. His tunic was shredded and covered with blood, the nasty gashes cutting deep.
“Elrohir?” He whispered his twin’s name in abject terror.
A soft moan answered him and Elladan let out a sigh of relief. He grabbed his pack and pulled out a cloth, trying to stop the bleeding. Elrohir lived, but too much blood loss could still prove fatal. It was hard to remain calm but he forced himself, panicking would not help his wounded twin.

He gently removed the tattered tunic, apologising as Elrohir whimpered in pain. With infinite care he cleaned and treated the injuries then made Elrohir as comfortable as he could with the supplies they had.
All he could do then was pray to the Valar that Elrohir would recover.

******************

Three weeks passed. Despite Elladan’s best care, the poor conditions and blood loss caused Elrohir to become ill. He was feverish and often did not know where he was.
Elladan was in despair, not knowing what else to do for his twin. When he had been injured in the mineshafts of Moria, Elrohir had not been alone; the support of the dwarves had made all the difference. Here, there was no one to reassure him that his twin would live.

The carcass of the bear had not gone to waste; Elladan had dried much of the meat and made rich broths for Elrohir and stews for himself.
The fur had become much-needed blankets for both of them and during the long, lonely nights, Elladan had taken to bone carving, simply for something to do.

Luckily, the bear’s nest had provided enough kindling to keep a fire going the past weeks and the snow had provided water, meaning that he had not had to leave his brother’s side. But it was running out now and Elladan knew he would soon have to go out to try to find firewood in the barren winter land.

It was two days later when he finally decided to venture out. He was terrified of leaving his sick twin alone, but he desperately needed firewood.
Hoping that no harm would befall his brother, he left the cave in the first light of a winter dawn.

He trudged through the snow, searching the barren land. He found a few spindly trees, but there was nothing he could use. One bush he attempted to take branches from rewarded him with several thorns in his palm.

By noon he was torn; he was desperately worried about Elrohir, but they would not survive long without a fire.
After agonizing over his decision for some minutes, he decided to try looking for just a little longer before going back. If he found nothing he would search the other direction the next day.

However, as he entered a rocky grove, surrounded by more of the spindly trees, he got the sensation of being watched.
His hand drifted to his sword as he went further in. Was it his imagination? He tried to relax, but no, the feeling didn’t fade. If anything, it got stronger.
Finally, he could take no more.
“I know you are there!” He called out. “Cease your hiding and face me!”
For a moment there was silence, then a voice spoke behind him.
“You are very perceptive, young one.”
Elladan spun around – and came face to face with a dark-haired elf. He gasped, for they were nowhere near any elven territories.
“Who are you?” He asked. “Why are you here?”
The elf smiled. “I could ask you the same question.”
“My name is Elladan.” He responded. “Now who are you – and your companion? I know you are not alone.”
“Perceptive indeed.” Came another voice.
Elladan turned – and his heart skipped a beat. The new elf was as identical to the first as he was to Elrohir. Twins. Elven twins.

The first elf spoke. “My name is Eluréd. My brother is Elurín”

END CHAPTER 5

Eluréd and Elurín are canon. They were Elwing’s elder brothers, presumed dead (though this was never confirmed) after the attack on Menegroth by the Sons of Feanor. They are biologically the twin’s great-uncles, something that will come up next chapter!