Fan Fiction ❯ Demons in the Dark ❯ Chapter 10

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Italics indicate memory or dreams.

Commonly used Sindarin words:

Ai: Oh!
pen-neth: young one
muindor: brother
gwador: sworn brother, not those by blood
Ada: dad
melethron: lover
a'maelamin: lover
ernil-nín: my prince
ion nín: my son
*~*~*

Elladan found Estel asleep in his chambers, a cold compress resting over his face. Rather than wake him, he continued on to his own rooms to freshen up for the evening meal. He could hear Elrohir likewise moving around his own bedchamber, the doors to the common room ajar.

"Have you seen to Estel?" Elrohir asked, stepping through the door.

"He was asleep," Elladan said, fumbling with the catches on his tunic. His right hand was stiff and sore, though the knuckles had healed, the bruising was deep and took longer to heal

Elrohir came to his aid and fastened up the shirt and then the over-tunic. The twins had chosen similar attire of cream colored long sleeved undershirts and sleeveless tunics that fell almost to the floor. Elladan had chosen a deep blue tunic to go with the clip he used to hold his hair back out of his face. Elrohir's tunic was a dark burgundy with fine silver embroidery.

Without words, they left Elladan's room and headed for the dining room. They passed Estel's room on the way, and the Man ducked out into the hallway just as the twins strolled past. Estel's unshaven face was a mess of black and blue, spreading across the bridge of his nose and under his eyes. He was clothed similarly to the twins, though in darker tones of earth and forest.

Elrohir whistled appreciatively at the marks on Estel's face. "Those are good colors for you," he teased with a smile.

"Ai, Estel," Elladan breathed at seeing the injuries to his foster-brother. "I'm so sorry."

"You broke my nose," the Man pointed out as they walked, showing no initial signs of forgiving the older twin.

"Again, I'm sorry," Elladan said. "I shouldn't have hit you. You didn't deserve to bear the brunt of my anger. You didn't do anything to cause it. I'm sorry."

"Hmph." Estel grunted. "I accept," he said grudgingly.

They entered the dining hall to find Glorfindel and their father already seated, glasses of wine at their places. Estel took the seat next to Glorfindel, who sat at Elrond's left; Elladan took the seat to Elrond's right with Elrohir next to him.

"What has happened, Ada?" Elladan asked, seeing the grave look upon his father's face.

"There has been an attack," Elrond said quietly. "One rider, Glorfindel believes, was befallen by Orcs, sometime before dawn."

Elladan felt his blood run cold. There were few that dared to ride out alone, and those who did, whether by choice or duty, did not follow the main road. "Legolas?" he whispered. He felt his twin's hand on his shoulder.

"I could not determine," Glorfindel said, "and at the time, I knew not the Prince was missing. We did not search too far from the scene so that we could make our report soonest."

"We must go search, Ada," Elrohir implored.

"Not tonight, ion nín," Elrond said gently. "I will not risk a venture after dark. Glorfindel will lead a party at sunrise."

"But -" Elladan tried.

"No, Elladan," Elrond said firmly. "I know you are worried. I am too. But I will not risk more members of this house when a few hours more wait will provide a measure of safety."

Elladan had no reply to the logic of his father's words, and as the kitchen maids placed his dinner in front of him, he found he had no appetite. His brother must have sensed his unease, for his hand squeezed Elladan's shoulder and was removed. "Excuse me," Elladan said softly, rising from the table.

He left the room without waiting for a response and wandered around the manor, not seeing where his feet carried him, or who he passed as he went. Eventually he arrived at his own rooms. The fire was lit in the common room dousing the room in a comfortable glow. Elladan settled in one of the chairs and stared into the flames.

Elladan was aware that it was likely that the rider had been his lover. But even knowing that the possibility existed didn't make him receptive to the idea. Legolas was a strong rider, and an accomplished warrior. He was more than capable of defending himself. But at the same time, Elladan knew the Orcs were growing bolder as a shadow crept further over the land. They had traveled closer to the borders of Imladris in recent years, and only the regular patrols under the command of Glorfindel and his second kept them at bay.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called, and he was unsurprised to see his father enter bearing a tray.

"You should eat something, ion nín," Elrond counseled, setting the tray on the table at Elladan's elbow.

"I cannot," he responded. The thought of eating turned his stomach, though he knew he needed nourishment, especially if he was to ride out in the morning. "Not right now."

Elrond seated himself on the ottoman, settling his robes around him. "Elrohir mentioned I should look at your hand. How does it feel?" he asked.

"It's sore," Elladan admitted, submitting to his father's examination. "Elrohir thought the bruising might go deep." Though they both spent time on the border guard and abroad hunting Orcs, Elrohir had an innate talent for healing, and if he spent more time in the practice of it, he would be as good as their father one day.

Elrond raised one eyebrow. "You did punch a marble wall last night, pen-neth," he said dryly. "And an innocent young Man earlier today."

"I know, Ada," Elladan sighed. "I don't know what happened."

"Did you apologize to Estel?"

"I did. I'm not sure he appreciated it, but I did," Elladan said.

"He will come around," Elrond said good-naturedly.

"I hope so," Elladan replied dryly. "He has before, so there is still a chance for me."

"You have done worse things to him, ion nín," Elrond said with a smile. He released Elladan's hand. "Elrohir was right; the bruising goes deep, but it will heal in a couple days. Try not to hit anything in the next few days, nay?"

"Yes, Ada," Elladan grumbled.

Elrond rose. "You should eat something," he repeated his earlier advice as he moved toward the door. "And try to rest. Glorfindel plans to ride out at sunrise."

"I will," Elladan said. "Ada?" He looked over his shoulder.

Elrond stopped just in front of the door and turned to face Elladan.

"Do you think he's okay?"

"I don't know," Elrond admitted. "I hope that he is - I have long thought of him as a member of this family. But I know that no matter what has happened, he does love you, Elladan. Whether something evil has befallen him, or he is safely on the road to Mirkwood, you will work things out between you. Legolas will return, ion nín. His heart lies here."

"I hope you're right," Elladan sighed.

"Get some rest," Elrond repeated, letting himself out.

Elladan sat in his chair, losing himself in his thoughts until Elrohir roused him sometime later.