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Disclaimer: I do not own the character or places associated with the Lord of the Rings or Middle Earth. They are the creations of J. R. R. Tolkien and the property of Tolkien Enterprises.
A/N: So the title isn’t so
confusing, remember Emlin means yellow hammer and Malentuilinn
is a yellow swallow.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I believe in getting into hot water. I think it keeps you clean.”
~ G. K. Chesterton
***********
By the time Legolas finished wrapping the ranger’s shoulder, Aragorn’s right arm was completely useless. The elf looked at his friend with concern in his eyes. The young man’s features were completely flush and he could hear the raggedness of Estel’s breathing. Why? Why did the young man have to put himself in the way? He understood the ranger’s willingness to protect others even at the cost of his own life, but had Aragorn stayed still he might have gotten to the thief before he reacted. Even if he hadn’t the poison would not have affected the elf as quickly as the young human. Legolas was not sure if he could have held out as long as Lord Elrond, but he probably would have had at least a good three or four hours before it brought him down. Legolas sighed as he finished tying the bandage. If only did not help the situation.
“I can tell what you are thinking, but I just couldn’t let it happen mellon nin,” Aragorn said.
“Iston,” Legolas replied helping the man to his feet. //I know//
Legolas reached down and picked up the dagger and tucked it securely away.
Aragorn gripped the elf’s arm as his world stopped spinning. Legolas said nothing, but held supportively onto the human. Although Legolas would never say anything, his pounding head spun briefly when he stood also. The important thing now was to get Estel back to Rivendell. What exactly they would do then he did not know, but at least Glorfindel and Mithrandir would be there. They would know what to do.
“Come on Estel,” Legolas said helping to support the ranger as he walked.
“You know that thief, assassin, whatever he is, is still out there somewhere? What are we to do if he tries to stop us?” Aragorn asked.
Legolas was very aware that the detestable human was out there in the darkness somewhere. The elf’s anger flared at the thought of him. The elf saw past the thief’s actions. The way the human had acted he knew exactly what Aragorn would do and his actions showed it. He had not even made a slight move in Legolas’ direction. In effect, the thief had hit his original target all along. The whole situation had been a ploy to strike at the human without retribution from his elven companion. Vocyn had wanted to pick them off one at a time starting with whom he perceived as the weakest. The question was did he think that Aragorn would simply drop immediately from the poison, or did he plan on using the ranger as a pawn of control? Either way the thought made Legolas’ fists ball in anger. Such intrigues were inexcusable when it came to the life of others.
“Legolas?” Aragorn asked slightly out of breath.
“Do not worry about Vocyn my friend. He will harm you no more. I will take care of him personally.”
Aragorn was taken back at the open hostility in his friend’s tone, but decided to say nothing. It took to much energy to just keep walking.
***************
Laurelin dropped the bow and charged at Elrohir with her sword. She put all her weight behind a thrust as she reached the dark-haired elf. Elrohir deflected the blade with his own sword and tried to redirect the maid’s weight with his other arm. His left arm would not support the weight, though, and gave out causing Laurelin to crash into him. They both hit the ground with a grunt and reacted quickly, each rolling away from the other. They both came up facing each other, but no one struck right away.
Laurelin had not missed the fact that Elrohir could not push her away with his left arm. She had suspected as much by the way he was holding it and her move, although brash, had confirmed her suspicions. The question was, now what? Would it be fair to fight him injured? On the other hand, Elrohir and his brother were quite resourceful and flexible. Both were used to fighting with injuries. She knew because she had treated them on many of those occasions. And more importantly, did she have a choice? Len would cut her down if she saw how much she was hesitating over the issue. This was Len’s score after all. Swallowing her bitterness over the whole affair Laurelin attacked again.
Elrohir saw the female hesitate after they had sprung up. What could she be thinking? Her heart seemed for and against the situation at the same time. He didn’t have time to wonder about it any farther as she charged him again.
Laurelin came on in a viscous mixture of parries and thrusts. Elrohir had all he could do just deflecting all the blows. Forcing his left arm into action he punched out at the maid. She blocked the blow easily with her free hand, but the brief distraction was all Elrohir needed. He drove her sword up high with his, catching the hilts together, and pulled. Laurelin’s sword was ripped from her grasp and for one horrifying second she lost all hope, but then her mind started to work again. Using all of her elven grace and a female’s agility she grabbed a hold of the dark-haired elf’s tunic, dropped straight down, and rolled in towards Elrohir.
The unexpected move caught Elrohir off guard and he went crashing towards the ground. He hit the ground already rolling towards his feet in expectation, but the female was already gone.
Laurelin sprang up several feet from the other elf. Elrohir now held both of their swords but the female came up in the vicinity of her dropped bow. Both of their eyes locked onto the weapon at the same time. Elrohir knew he was never going to make it there in time to stop her and if she reached it first he would be doomed. Laurelin dashed for the weapon and at the same time Elrohir took aim with her sword.
She jumped for the bow at the same time he threw the sword at her.
The outcome depended on which one would miss.
*************
The three men in camp stared at Glullyn with their mouths agape. Surely he must be joking. They had faith that their leader would not choose an elf over them.
“Well, I said who wants to play first?” Glullyn reiterated.
Elladan even stared at the human with his mouth open, but snapped out of it quickly. He untangled himself from the ropes and nimbly grabbed his sword as he stood up beside the swarthy man.
“Well does anyone have the brass to attack me?” Glullyn asked getting frustrated.
“You’re serious?” one man asked.
“Do I look like I’m jesting?”
Matching looks of anger came across the three men’s faces.
“You’ve taken that deceitful elf’s word over our money?”
“Well,” another man began, “the she elf did say to kill this elf if he tried to escape. I guess we’ll just have to kill them both now.”
With affirmative nods from the other two the three men stalked forward.
“I always knew you were soft hearted,” the same man said as he approached Glullyn, “just never thought you’d choose a pretty boy over us.”
With a shout the man charged Glullyn. Steel rang out against steel as their swords clashed together.
The other two men circled around the elf. Despite the throbbing pain in Elladan’s head, a wry smile came to his lips.
“What are you smiling about elf?” one asked.
“Do the two of you really think you can take me down?”
“And why not? You are outnumbered.”
Elladan simply chuckled.
This angered the two men and they both charged at the elf. Elladan caught and held one of the men’s swords with his own and quicker than the eye could see he side stepped the other one, grabbed a hold of his tunic, and sent him crashing into the other man. The two humans smacked into each other with a grunt and stumbled apart. The dark-haired elf deftly smacked the hilt of his sword against the closest one’s head and in one fluid motion, before the other man limply hit the ground, brought the point around to rest against the other man’s neck.
“By all means, if you want to continue strike again, but I will not be merciful this time,” the elf warned the human.
The man gulped and dropped his weapon.
The elf glanced to the side just as Glullyn disarmed his opponent.
The pair tied the three guards up securely to a tree to be taken care of later.
“You did not kill him, why?” Elladan asked casually as he finished the last knot.
“I don’t know,” the man answered shrugging his shoulders.
“You have made two very big steps toward a new life tonight,” the elf said giving the human a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“That doesn’t even matter anymore,” the human shrugged it off, “what does matter is that we set this whole thing right. So, do we head back to your home or try and hunt down your friends?”
“Do you know of the other Laurelin spoke about?”
“No, Master Elf, I’m afraid none of us do.”
The human looked thoughtful for a moment then anger clouded his face.
“That little rat,” he mumbled.
“What?” Elladan asked.
“Some partner. I think I know who may have the identity of the traitor your after. If I’m right then one of them will have your antidote. But we must hurry before he does anymore damage.”
With as much time as Vocyn had already been gone, the mercenary worried that they were already too late.
***************
A soft knock at the door brought the elf and wizard out of their respective thoughts. Celaviel peaked her head in the door and smiled before she entered the room. The maid walked lightly into the room with the candlelight reflecting off of her golden hair.
“I just thought I would check up on everyone and see if you required anything.”
“No, thank you my friend,” Gandalf answered.
“Has there been anymore word on Laurelin’s whereabouts?” Glorfindel asked.
“No, there has been no word and she has not been spotted for hours. Do you think she is the one responsible?”
“We will not know until we can talk to her or to one of the young ones, but unfortunately it does not bode well for her,” Gandalf said looking up into the blue eyes of the maid.
“But I have known Laurelin ever since she came to Imladris and I cannot believe she would be capable of such a heinous act,” Celaviel said confidently.
“I would hardly believe it of the girl either, but we will not know until we get word from someone,” Gandalf said gently.
Celaviel nodded and went over to check on her lord again. There was nothing she could do and she sighed in frustration.
She rose quickly and without a word left the room.
***********
“What by Varda are you doing here Vocyn?” the golden-haired elf hissed.
“You could ruin everything if you are spotted you idiot.”
The blonde man folded his arms across his chest in irritation.
“You said to keep you informed,” he protested quietly.
“Only when something drastic has happen,” she hissed quietly and then her face went blank, “what happened?”
“One of the dark-haired elves may be heading back here as we speak,” he whispered.
“What?” she asked barely containing her voice to a whisper.
“One of the twin sons is still held by Glullyn, the blonde elf and human escaped, and the other twin took off,” he explained.
“Then what by the Valar are you doing here?” she asked angrily.
“Don’t worry about blondie and the ranger. Their moving is slowed for I wounded the human with the dagger you gave me and soon he will be going nowhere at all. As for the elf, I will finish him soon.”
The golden-haired elf looked thoughtful for a moment, then laughed quietly before she spoke.
“Very well, that fits even better into our plans. Even were Elrond awake he would choose death over curing himself and letting his fíreb hên die. What of his other son? You just let him go?”
“Come now Len, I don’t think even I could catch an elf in full flight. What was I supposed to do? Besides Emlin went after him.”
“Which one was it?” she asked.
“What?”
“Which twin did she go after?” she asked again more forcefully.
“How in Middle Earth should I know? The one that wasn’t unconscious when I swung by the camp.”
“Idiot that is not what I asked you. Alright,” she said taking a calming breath, “ the one left in camp, did he wear a blue or a black cloak?”
“The blue one I believe,” the man answered.
“That would be Elladan. Then it was Elrohir who escaped, damn it all.”
“What is the difference? I trust Emlin to catch the male and I’m sure she’s capable.”
“Not if she is unwilling to kill him.”
“Why would she not?” the thief asked confused.
“Fainthearted girl, I knew something like this would happen. Very well, I will not be missed for sometime. I will make sure my osellë* finishes the task.” //quenya - sworn sister//
“Do you want me to come with you?” the procurer asked hopefully.
“No,” she answered with a sneer, “finish what you have started and quickly this time.”
Vocyn looked disappointed and folded his arms again.
“But how often do I get a challenge? I would have liked to pay back one of the dark-haired ones, but I’m flexible.”
“Listen to me thief, do not play around on this. You are not used do dealing with elves and the elf you seek is no easy prey. If you foul this up I will personally hand you over to the wrath of the prince’s father.”
“Very well,” the blonde mumbled, “I will take care of them.”
“No, let the sick boy make it back.”
The golden-haired elf sighed as the procurer slipped silent as death from the room. Between dealing with weak humans and her timid osellë this was becoming more complicated than originally planned. She knew these types of situations would have to be dealt with when she had the girl study healing. Sighing again she followed the thief’s path of death, for she was going to kill someone tonight. Whether it was Elrohir or Laurelin was up to the girl.
************
As luck had saved Elrohir minutes ago it now granted the same favor to Laurelin. The gentle and steady winds picked up ferocity and knocked all three, Laurelin, Elrohir, and the sword, down. The gust was short, but enough to cause the sword to fall short of its intended target.
Laurelin gave a short shout of triumph, while Elrohir gave a clipped curse, as she rolled to her target, grabbed the bow, and stood in one fluid motion. Elrohir tried to push himself up quickly, but he had landed hard on his left arm and the pain of the impact almost made him swoon and he just could not get up any faster.
Before Laurelin realized what she was doing and before Elrohir could dodge behind a tree the golden-haired elf strung the bow and fired.
The arrow hit Elrohir with enough force to lift him off his feet and drive him backwards. The dark-haired elf fell to the ground with a thud.
*************
Legolas and Aragorn moved slowly and steadily through the trees of the valley where the Last Homely Home sat cradled against the mountains. They had been walking for an hour, plus extra time the ranger had needed for short rests, and, considering the circumstance, Aragorn thought they were making a good speed. The ranger was beginning to think, more of hope, that maybe the poison did not affect humans as much as elves.
That hopeful thought lasted until fate laughed at his naivety.
The first ill effect of the Rathrae hit like a tempest and Aragorn knew his folly. One second the ranger was looking ahead of him at the dark forest then the next thing he knew everything went dark. Pain exploded from nowhere throughout his head and he vaguely felt his muscles tense with the shock. He barely managed a weak gasp of pain and pitched foreword.
Legolas caught the ranger has he stumbled foreword and guided his friend to the ground. The human was shivering violently and his eyes were scrunched in obvious pain. Anger again flared in the elf for the thief. Pushing that aside for now Legolas did all he could do and cradled the human.
“If you can hear me Estel, know that I am with you,” Legolas said soothingly to the young human in his arms.
Aragorn was aware of Legolas holding him, but he could not react. The blazing pain ruled the world he was trapped in. No memories of a better time would come to his call. All his painful memories and worst fears dominated the rangers mind causing it to withdrawal further.
Legolas looked down into the blanche face of his dear friend and he became afraid. Could it be that the poison would bring his friend down suddenly and quickly? If so, they would never reach Imladris in time. No, Legolas refused to believe that nothing could be done.
“We will make it on time Estel, you must simply push past the first wave.”
Somehow Aragorn knew this was not right. Nothing could be this dark. He became more aware of the presence of the elf beside him. He latched onto this feeling and he could almost feel the pure light of the elf beside him burning through the darkness around his mind. He reached out for the light even more and the darkness and pain began to ebb. Aragorn’s head and body still ached violently, but it became almost bearable. The ranger slowly cracked open his eyes to see the relieved bright blue eyes of his friend.
“See that was not so difficult now was it?” Legolas asked quietly.
“You helped didn’t you?” Aragorn asked, his voice rough with pain.
Legolas nodded and smiled at the human.
“I merely gave you a push, you did the rest.”
“I am afraid this will only get worse and I will eventually not be able to fight it.”
“By that time, we will be back to Rivendell. That is if you decide to get up off the ground because I am not going to carry you,” Legolas finished lightly.
Aragorn began to mutter about elves and how they could always jest at the most inopportune times, but with Legolas’ help he did indeed get up. Legolas smiled at his friend’s words for they both knew the elf would carry the ranger all the way back at the slightest sign of weakness, but Legolas’ words were not only to lighten the situation. He wanted to keep Aragorn moving for as long as he could so he could keep him awake for as long as he could. From observing Elrond, he knew the ranger would have a much more difficult time of it unconscious than he would awake.
Aragorn’s muscles shook from the exertion of just standing.
“I do not know how far I can make it,” he said miserably.
“You will make it all the way mellon nin,” Legolas assured him.
Legolas swung the ranger’s uninjured arm around his shoulders, grabbed the human around the waist, and pulled him closer so that the elf was supporting most of the human’s weight.
“Twill be alright Estel, just lean on me,” Legolas stated firmly.
Aragorn did not really have a choice if he wanted to keep moving. The pain was almost intense enough to drag him back into his mind, but staying close to the elf helped him to push it back. Nodding weakly he gave in and leaned over.
The elf had been so intent on helping his friend and lending him strength that his senses had suffered during the battle and he did not hear the approach of a dark clad figure.
************
Vocyn couldn’t believe his luck. As he approached he had noticed the look of deep concentration on the elf’s face and could just tell the elf was not paying attention. By the time the elf had finished he had managed to get fairly close to the pair, close enough to see how drained the elf’s fair face had become. He had found them pretty quickly for they where not that far from their destination. Too bad they would never get there, the procurer thought with a sly smile.
He supposed he should just kill the elf now, quickly and from a distance like Len had instructed him, but this was just too tempting. He had said he would kill him, but he never said how exactly.
The friends had taken several steps before a strange sensation came to Legolas.
************
Laurelin stood there; bow still raised, hair blowing in the wind, for a few tense moments. By the Valar she had not meant to fire yet! It was more of a reaction to being chased than anything else. She felt a wave of sadness at the thought that despite her efforts she might have just killed Elrohir. She tried to reconcile herself with the fact that he had just tried to kill her and only the wind had saved her life. Why then should she care if she just ended his? Because he was only protecting his family, she answered herself.
To the abyss with Malen’s plan, she mentally cursed herself as she rushed foreword.
*************
Aragorn felt his friend tense suddenly and looked up with bleary eyes.
“Mani naa ta?” the human asked barely speaking. //what is it?//
He knew the elf’s hearing would pick up the question.
“Someone is out there,” Legolas whispered.
“Vocyn?”
“Considering I can feel him, but not hear him, that would be my guess.”
Anger burned within the elf. The detestable human was nearby and Legolas already knew what he wanted. The procurer would never allow them to reach Rivendell. Despite the being hiding somewhere in the shadows, that was exactly where he was going to take the ranger and if he needed to go through the human to do it, so be it.
“Can you walk on your own Estel?” Legolas asked quietly.
“I believe so,” he answered breathing heavily.
“Then head back to Imladris as fast as you may. I will be along later.”
“I couldn’t leave you to face him alone,” Aragorn protested.
“You have no choice boy, now do as I say,” Legolas said in the same tone he had used earlier, the one that brooked no argument.
The ranger sighed weakly. He really did have no say in the matter. He understood his presence would hamper his friend and did not wish to put him in danger. Without a word Aragorn nodded and half stumbled, half walked on by himself.
Legolas turned to bar the path between his friend and where he guessed the human to be. The elf drew the only weapon he had, the poisoned dagger he retrieved from Aragorn’s shoulder.
“Come human. This is what you wanted was it not?” Legolas called into the dark.
Legolas heard a low chuckle and turned to find its source. The blonde human slid out into the open from surprisingly close by and Legolas had to mask his astonishment.
“So it is,” Vocyn answered merrily.
“You did not have to poison Estel,” Legolas said coldly.
“Would you rather I have hit him in the throat then? I can correct my mistake right now if you like and kill him quickly. We both know he is in no shape to fight.”
“Monster,” Legolas hissed, “if you wish to touch Estel you will have to go through me.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” the blonde human smiled wickedly.
************
Aragorn stumbled blindly through the trees, the poison thoroughly coursing through his blood now.
He knew he had to get back home, for what reason even he wasn’t sure of anymore. He just had to keep walking. Walking… so simple of an act, yet so difficult right now. The blinding pain in his head made it hard to focus on anything except moving, which he was fairly certain he was doing since he could not see the ground below him. He could still see the trees moving past him, though, and if they were real then he was moving.
He let out a weak moan as an intense wave of pain pounded through his head and he stumbled foreword to land shaking on his hands and knees. The pain and confusion threaten to overwhelm the ranger as he crouched there panting.
Wasn’t Legolas close by? Where was he? He really needed the elf right now.
Aragorn looked around at the deathly quiet and dark area and could not understand why he could not find his way. He had grown up here after all, why did he not know the way?
In the gloom of despair the young ranger began to panic.
************
White-hot pain seared through Elrohir as the arrow slammed into him and knocked him from his feet. The arrow had dug into his already tender shoulder muscles causing the experience to be even more painful than he remembered compared to other times he had been shot and it actual brought tears to the blue eyes. He was alive though and that was really all that mattered. He could feel his blood already soaking through his tunic and dripping down his side. Struggling to stay alert he looked down to quickly inspect the injury. A few more inches and the arrow would have taken him in the heart and he would not have had to worry about the pain.
He was glad to still be alive, but that did not help his situation any. There was a mad elf trying to kill him and now he had a grave injury to deal with. This just wasn’t his night, Elrohir thought somberly.
If he did not get moving it would probably be his last night.
Elrohir gritted his teeth and tried to push himself up. Just as he managed to get to his elbows a figure above him blocked out the starlight.
“Thank the Valar, you are still alive,” Laurelin said as she dropped down beside Elrohir.
Elrohir was quite confused by her statement. She had just shot him, so why by Elbereth was she glad to find him alive?
“Let me see.”
She pushed him back down and began to inspect the wound.
Elrohir felt like he had been knocked senseless. What was going on here? Weren’t they just trying to kill each other?
The she elf grabbed the arrow shaft suddenly causing a jolt of pain to go down Elrohir’s side as she deftly cut the shaft. He looked up into her bright green eyes and saw profound sadness there, along with something else he could not read. Her gaze switched to one of remorse when she saw him looking at her, as if in apology for what was to come.
“Amin hiraetha,” she whispered. //I’m sorry//
Too late the dark-haired elf saw the soft green orbs harden with determination and he had no time to react before the maid shifted her weight and bore it down on the arrow lodged in Elrohir’s chest.
************
“Stop,” Elladan instructed the human mercenary.
Glullyn looked confused, but stopped nonetheless.
“What?” he asked.
Elladan listened for a moment then turned to his new companion.
“I hear two things. One is the clash of steel off in the distance and the second is a number of men close by. I would say it was the second group that went searching for my brother and Legolas. The group is too small to be the main one.”
“Vocyn is most likely not with the men. Do we go around them or through them?” Glullyn asked.
“I dearly want to get my hands on that human, but the rest of the men will need to be dealt with sooner or later, for they will inevitably find one of us if they search long enough.”
“You go on then, find that rat. I will take care of them,” the mercenary suggested.
Glullyn cut the elf off just as he opened his mouth to protest.
“It’s alright. Someone needs to catch up with the thief and you know this forest better than I do. Don’t worry, I earned every gnarled scar I have and I still have some fire yet in my veins.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Elladan smiled.
“Be careful around Vocyn,” Glullyn warned, “my partner is good at what he does and he is trickier than you could imagine.”
“Thank you,” Elladan said to the warning.
The two nodded at each other and went off separately into the night.
****************
Malentuilinn was well named for her swift gracefulness that could almost be described as flight. She glided through the trees with a speed and grace that would impress even Glorfindel. Although still considered a maid she was by far an elfling. The title was more of a courtesy she knew because the golden-haired beauty sported experiences from no less than two of Arda’s ages, a little earlier and it would have been three. The she elf still looked as young and vital as maids half her age. Her long golden hair hung full and bright around her delicately sculpted elven features and deceptively small body. The maid’s bright green eyes, the color of which only her osellë could match, bore into the night ahead as she ran determinedly through Rivendell’s woodland. She looked every bit the huntress as she silently stalked through the trees.
Where in the world could that girl be? She just knew that when it came down to it the girl would not be able to kill anyone. After all, the original plan had been for Laurelin to poison Elrond and not her, but the young one could not do it. She had every belief that the girl could handle the situation she was given if nothing became out of control. Unfortunately their situation seemed to be rapidly escalating in that direction and she could not let that happen. She would slay everyone out here that was causing even the slightest complication if she must, her allies included.
Movement, very loud movement, caught the elf’s attention. She stopped suddenly, grabbed a hold of a branch, and nimbly sprung up in the tree. She skirted the trees for a minute or two until she found the source.
Elrond’s mortal son was apparently alone and having a tough time of it. Malen listened into the night, and yes, there it was, the sound of steel clashing. That must be Vocyn and the young prince. She balled her fist at the noise. Did she not tell him to finish it quickly? Idiot. He should have struck from a distance. Malen sighed again and looked down. The human had just dropped to all fours. She looked at his pale face intently and wondered if he would be able to make it back to his home or not. A wry smile came to her fair face as she considered her options.
The she elf dropped to the ground noiselessly and stalked over to her next prey.