Fan Fiction ❯ The Sorrows of Tomorrow ❯ Secrets Everywhere ( Chapter 4 )

Title: The Sorrows of Tomorrow

Summary: Trouble brews deep in the heart of Mirkwood and the darkness thickens. Friends will be pitted against each other and only hope can save them.

Chapter 4: Secrets Everywhere

It was quiet in the meadow as the mortal stood with his head tilted back. His long white hair rippled in the breeze and his body was relaxed. The trees swayed overhead and thunder suddenly rumbled. Rain began to softly pelt down and soaked him to the skin. It felt rejuvenating to his weary and lost soul. He often wondered why he was even here or even stayed. Somehow he knew he was supposed to be somewhere else and not here. If only he could figure it out then perhaps he wouldn't be having theses troubling thoughts. A snapping branch nearby tore him from his thoughts and he opened his eyes. Gripping the pommel of his sword, he took a defensive stance and narrowed his eyes.

"What do you want Groto?" he snarled.

The Orc in question stepped out of the shadows and smirked at the mortal. He wasn't overlay fond of the human and didn't understand why the lady kept him around. Personally he would rather kill the man and be done with him.

"The lady wishes to see you Selamant."

The mortal slammed his sword back into the sheath and stalked away. He barely glanced at the Orc and disappeared into the forest. Groto watched him leave and wished he had leave to kill the boy. Something was unsettling about that one and it couldn't be good.

Selamant hurried through the woods and was curious as to what the lady wanted. He wondered if it had something to do with the cloaked one and his nightly visits. Lately the two of them had been meeting in secret and must be planning something big. Slowing to a walk, he entered the camp and nodded to the sentries. The two Orcs barely acknowledged him and he shrugged. A few feet ahead of him stood a huge grey mansion that was covered in vines and blended into the forest. Walking up to the door he opened it and entered. He stood in a large foyer and turned to his left. Heading down the corridor, he stopped at a door and knocked.

"Enter."

Opening the door Selamant stepped inside and closed the door. The lady stood behind a large oak desk and the cloaked one stood next to her. They were gazing down at a map and he wondered why. The lady glanced up and then beckoned him closer. Stepping forward he stopped at the desk and gazed down. The map was highly detailed showing roads from Rhun to Mirkwood. Different trails ran through the two forests and he was amazed by it.

"Do you know what this is Selamant?" Serutia asked.

"Mirkwood my lady?"

She nodded in approval and smiled at him. Selamant thought her smile cold and he didn't like the fire burning in her eyes. It was something evil and hate filled. Not for the first time, he wondered why he followed her or even if he should trust her.

The cloak one tapped the map and pointed at it. "And do you know why we are looking at it boy?"

"No."

"Because," Serutia purred. "You and a team of my Orcs are going there to capture the Prince of Mirkwood."

Silver eyes widened in surprise and he almost gaped at them. Why did they want him to capture an elfish prince? Going into Mirkwood theses days was risky and with much peril. Many Orcs had spoken about how the wood elves were relentless theses days and hunted down anyone considered an enemy. The one spoken about the most was the prince and how he seemed the worst of the lot. He wanted to refuse her but it was an order. To refuse it was to angrier her and that usually meant death.

"When do we leave?"

Serutia watched him for a moment and then turned away. "In the morning. You may leave."

Selamant bowed and left the room. He could feel cold eyes burning into his back and knew it was the wizard. Closing the door, he cursed his luck and went to his rooms.

The she-elf heard the door click and glanced at her companion. 'Do you think it to soon?"

The cloaked one shook his head and pushed the hood back. Grey hair shown in the light and he smiled. "No but he should be watched carefully. We wouldn't want our plans to be ruined."

"True." Serutia replied. "I will order Groto to watch him and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes and soon you will have the prince in the palm of your hand."

~

Galadriel gazed down into her mirror and grimaced. Things were unfolding at an alarming rate and it didn't bode well. Hearing footsteps coming closer, she glanced up and smiled at her companion.

"Events are unfolding faster then we thought possible, I take it?" Mithrandir inquired.

The lady gazed back down at her mirror and smiled warmly. "Yes, but we knew this might happen."

Taking a few steps forward, the Ishtar stroked his beard and looked down at the mirror. The water appeared calm and black for the moment. Gazing back up at the lady, he cocked his head to the side. "Is Elrond still trying to contact you?"

A smile formed on Galadriel's face and she nodded. "Yes but I have not responded so far and Elrond will wonder why. Sooner or later he will either come here or send someone."

Mithrandir stroked his beard in thought and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Hmm he was always the stubborn sort when it came to his family. Very overprotective if I remember correctly."

Laughter and sadness shown in crystal blue eyes and Galadriel smirked. "My daughter complained about him being that way but she enjoyed it just the same."

The Ishtar placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled. "All will be well my lady. We must believe in hope."

~

"Ada?" Elrohir knocked on the study door and stepped inside. He stopped in the doorway and could feel the tension in the room. His father and Erestor were glaring at each other, while Glorfindel watched in amusement. Something fishy was going on and he wondered what it was.

"What is it Elrohir?" Elrond glanced at his son before glaring at his advisor again. He was slightly irritated that Erestor was adamant about him not going off to Lothlorien alone. It wasn't like he couldn't defend himself for Valar's sake, he had been a herald and warrior to Gil-Galad. Just because he had become a healer and Lord of Imraldis did not mean he couldn't defend himself.

Elrohir looked at them curiously and asked. "You wanted to see me?"

Seeing the triumphant look in his advisor's eyes made Elrond suspicious. Just what was his evil advisor up too? Glancing at his seneschal, he noticed the smug look from Glorfindel and narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't summon you ion nin."

"No but I did." Glorfindel replied smugly. He watched his lord fume for a moment and then looked at Elrohir. The elfling had curiousity written all over his face and he had to stifle a laugh. Judging by the glare that Elrond was sending him, if looks could kill then he would be long dead and perhaps roasted.

"We wanted you and Elladan to escort your adar to Lothlorien." Erestor smirked at his lord's quiet huff.

Elrohir gazed at the three Eldar in puzzlement. "Why are you going to Lothlorien ada?"

Elrond glared half-heartedly at his two friends and gazed at his son. Once he told his sons about what his business entitled then there was no stopping them. Anything that had to do with Estel or even his name mentioned would pique then twins' interest. Saying a silent prayer to the Valar and wanted to murder his to friends, Elrond began to explain his suspicions to his son.

"The reason is because I want to see her in person and question her about your gwador Estel."

"Why?"

Elrond ran a hand distractedly through his hair before gazing at his son.

"Glorfindel pointed out that your grandmother did not seem upset or even concerned about Estel's death. At the time I was to grief stricken by his death to even notice it but now that I think back I do remember it."

Elrohir was confused and wondered what his grandmother could be hiding. Could she have known that Estel was going to die and have prevented it? It was well known among the elves that Galadriel could see into the future with her mirror. He didn't want to believe it was true though and glanced over at Glorfindel.

Glorfindel nodded at his friend and glanced at Elrohir. "It is true elfling. Your grandmother didn't even appear affected by Estel's death and neither did Mithrandir. They did seem saddened by it but not by much."

Elrond stood up and walked over to his son. Resting a hand on Elrohir's shoulder he gazed down into sorrowful grey eyes, and gently squeezed his shoulders in reassurance.

"I understand how you feel Elrohir and I don't want to believe it. But either way I will visit Galadriel and find out the truth."

"But wouldn't it be easier to just mind speak her?" Elrohir asked in question.

He watched as his father shook his head and the other two glance at the floor.

"She hasn't answered my summons so far and I am not to sure why." Elrond raked a hand through his hair in frustration. "It makes me highly suspicious and I have a feeling she is up to something."

A movement near the door caught everyone's attention and all eyes looked to the door. Elladan stepped inside and smiled at them. Walking over to his twin he glanced at him for a moment and then smiled at his father.

"Then we will journey to Lothlorien with you ada and aid you. We want to know as well why our grandmother is not responding and what she might know about Estel."

Elrond was about to protest but Erestor beat him to it. "Do not worry my friend Glorfindel and I will take care of Imraldis while you are way."

"Yes so you need not worry and focus on Galadriel." Glorfindel replied.

Looking around at his companions, Elrond conceded defeat. "Very well then we will journey to Lothlorien tomorrow morning."

The twins grinned with hope and raced out of the room. Elrond shook his head and ignored his two friends smirking faces. It was difficult enough to argue with his friends but add is sons into it and he would lose. Pushing that thought aside he hoped that Galadriel could answer his questions, but he couldn't shake off a horrible sense of forbidding that filled him every time he thought of Estel.

~

TBC

Man I hope this came out ok cause I wrote it all weird this time and unsure if it fits. Well no Legolas in this chapter but he will pop up in the next. Hmm secrets seem to be abounding everywhere and they will be revealed soon