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Disclaimer:
Any recognizable characters and places associated with the Lord of the Rings
are creations of J.R.R. Tolkien and property of Tolkien Enterprises. No money is
being made off of this story, it is for entertainment only.
Rating: Pg
Warnings: Character death
Author's note: Thank you to Hobbit-eyes from ff.net for the idea behind
this story! It was a most superb suggestion and I had to act on it. So
Hobbit-eyes...this story is for you. ;)
Chapter
1: The Third Arrow
Year 2933 of the Third Age
******************
I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived.
- Willa Cather
*******************
Thud. The arrow took the orc in the throat and it fell to the ground with a
gurgle.
"Not bad for an old man," teased the dark-haired elf.
"Old man indeed," replied the lone human.
The human huffed at the elf, slung the bow over his shoulder, and slipped off
his horse leaving the still smiling mounted elf behind. The human carefully
walked over to another dark-haired elf while scanning the ground. The signs were
clear to him, but habit made him ask.
"Mani naa ta, Elladan?" // What is it?//
Elladan, who was kneeling down, looked up in response to the human's question
and a smile spread across his face.
"Why do you still ask, ianter?" //old one//
The human rolled his eyes and sighed. Why did they always have to get into these
moods when he was traveling with them?
Elladan noticed the frown on his friend's face as he stood.
"I apologize Arathorn if I have offended you, for you are still young for
one of your descent."
Arathorn was a bit shocked. It was rare indeed for either son of Elrond to
relent that easily.
"No, mellonamin, you have not. But him," he said with a twinkle in his
eyes and a slight nod towards the mounted Elrohir, "on the other
hand."
Elladan's eyes lit up as he caught on. He shook his head sadly.
"I know what you mean. He has been that way for years, ever since the
oliphant incident...I shall gladly help you redress your grievances."
"I heard that," the afore mention elf called dryly.
The two shared a devious smile until Arathorn turned series.
"These tracks suggest the orc was not alone. What could such a horde be up
to?"
Arathorn saw Elladan's eyes smolder at the question.
"Nothing good I can assure you. Whatever it is I suggest we inspect it a
little closer."
"Very well, my friend."
*****
The three companions followed the orc tracks and occasionally dismounted to make
sure of the trail.
The three stopped and Arathorn, being his turn, dismounted to inspect the
tracks. He bent down for a closer look and frowned. Two groups of orcs had split
off from the main band. He rose and walked back to his horse. The sons of Elrond
could easily see the signs off worry on the ranger's face.
"What is wrong?" asked Elrohir.
"Two smaller groups have split from the main one and have headed off in
opposite directions."
"I do not like the signs of that."
Elrohir looked at his brother and raised an eyebrow.
"A trap do you think?"
"Mayhap, but how would they know we are behind them?"
"Elladan is right. It is unlikely that they would know we are here. I
suggest we continue following the main group."
Elrohir still looked skeptical.
"I am not so sure, Arathorn, but if you wish to continue on I will come
with you."
Elladan, Elrohir, and Arathorn continued to follow the main group. They came up
to a narrow trail with a short drop off on one side and a rock outcropping on
the other. All three halted as a sense of uneasiness swept through them.
"The tracks continue across hear and they look fairly recent. They could
not be far ahead of us now."
"I do not like the looks of this place at all," whispered Elrohir.
"Me neither. Arathorn, Elrohir I think it is time to turn around."
"I do not believe it. Even for the most obvious mishaps, I have never seen
either of you turn around, but I have full faith in the both of you. If the sons
of Elrond feel a foreboding, it is good enough for me."
Elladan was not paying any attention to Arathorn. He was staring intently behind
them.
"I believe it is too late for that."
At his brother's word Elrohir turned his head and listened in the direction
Elladan was staring.
"I believe you are right brother."
Arathorn could not yet hear anything, but he trusted in his companions' senses
enough to know that something or more precisely many somethings were
approaching.
"How many?" he asked.
Elladan turned to him and smiled roguishly.
"You probably don't want to know. Across the pass!"
Elrohir, in the front, seemed to agree with taking the risk and wheeled his
horse around. He rode carefully over the loose rocks with Arathorn behind him
and Elladan in the rear.
Elrohir was just about to reach the end when he first heard it. With no room to
turn around he pushed his horse to clear the ledge and turned just as the rocks
began to fall. Elrohir reached for Arathorn who was right behind him. He managed
to grab hold of the human's hand and held tight. Having a hold of the ranger he
glanced up and watched as Elladan and his horse, seemingly in slow motion, were
swept over the side and disappeared. Reassuring himself that everything would be
all right somehow, Elrohir focused on the task at hand. Arathorn's horse was
loosing its footing. A large boulder crashed down heading for Arathorn and
Elrohir pulled on the ranger's arm with all of his strength. He uprooted the
ranger, but his horse was the quicker. The horse saw the danger coming and
decided to try and save itself and its master. He reared in the air to give the
rock room to pass in front of it without grazing it or its rider. The sudden
movement ripped Arathorn's hand out of the elf's grasp and Elrohir was thrown
backwards to go skidding in the dirt while Arathorn was carried over the side.
******
Elladan felt a sharp pain in the side as he was struck by a rock and knocked
from his horse. Knowing his horse was probably right behind him Elladan tried to
roll clear of the animal as he fell and somewhere in the back of his mind it
registered that, at least he wasn't crushed. More rocks assaulted him, though,
as he tumbled to the ground below to land hard stunned amongst the pile. Elladan
groaned as he hit the ground and instinctively brought his arms up to cover his
head as dirt, pebbles, and rocks fell around and on top of him. It took
Elladan's mind a moment to realize that he wasn't cart wheeling downward anymore
and he took a deep breath, which only sent him into a coughing fit as he inhaled
dust.
*****
Arathorn desperately tried to grip Elrohir's hand back. He was taken off guard
when his hand was suddenly ripped away and he found himself without a horse
underneath him. He bounced and rolled down over the ledge and down to the ground
below. A battered ranger shook his head to clear it and shakily pushed himself
onto his knees. He looked up to where he had just been a second ago and said a
silent thanks to the Valar that he was caught just at the fringes of the
rockslide and not fully in it. He also told himself to thank Elrohir later for
keeping him from being swept away just long enough to avoid the worst of it,
although, it would seem his poor horse wasn't as lucky. Arathorn held his breath
as the fact struck him that Elladan had been behind him. He frantically scanned
the area with his eyes. His eyes spotted movement and he heard coughing.
Arathorn scrambled over the rocks and came to a halt next to Elladan who was
unsteadily getting to his feet. He helped the ashen, dusty elf up and supported
him with his am around Elladan's waist while trying to scan him for injuries.
"Elladan are you alright?"
Although Elladan couldn't stop coughing long enough to answer him Arathorn was
somewhat relieved when he did give him an incredulous look. He smiled inwardly,
couldn't be too bad then.
Their attention was diverted when they both looked up to see Elrohir half
running and half sliding down the side of the bank towards them and waving his
arms in the air. Above Elladan's hacking they could hear him yelling for them to
stop gawking and move, because they were here. The whom part was answered as an
orc burst clear of the trees to come running toward the stunned elf and ranger.
Arathorn drew his sword to defend his friend, but the creature lurched backwards
as an arrow slammed into its chest. Elrohir leaped the remaining distance and
landed lightly next to the ranger and his brother.
"As I was saying, we are about to be beset. Move it!"
Elrohir supported his brother while casting him a concerned look and Arathorn
took the lead. Arathorn could now here the sounds of the orcs coming towards
them and the three headed back the way Elrohir came.
"Elrohir, you can let go," Elladan rasped out through a dusty and dry
throat.
Elrohir smirked at his brother, but did not relinquish his hold.
One of the orcs appeared in front of them. He seemed more surprised to be this
close to his prey than they did. He brought a bow up to fire at the three.
Arathorn, never giving it a chance to fire, sprung at the creature and split its
bow in half with his sword. After breaking the bow the ranger reversed his swing
and sliced through the orc's throat. He turned to face the twins behind him.
"Great, they have archers," he stated grimly.
"We have to get out of here before we get surrounded," Elladan said
meekly.
Elrohir nodded in agreement and gave a shrill whistle. Elladan looked to his
brother.
"Your horse cannot carry us all, brother."
Elrohir nodded again and Elladan noticed the look he and Arathorn were giving
him.
"Oh, no, I am not leaving the two of you here alone. Are you insane?"
Arathorn put a comforting hand on Elladan's shoulder.
"We may very well be mad, my friend, but you are injured and I believe more
so than you let on. We can run from here where you cannot. Go."
Elladan was about to express every type of argument that he could think, logical
or not and in every language he knew when he was interrupted by the sounds of
orcs to the right. Three orcs attacked and released a volley of arrows. Elrohir
reflexively dodged trying to pull the other two with him. He managed to loosely
grab Elladan and tugged him halfway out of the way before he hit the ground.
Elladan, slowed from injury, couldn't react as fast. Elrohir saved him from
being shot in the head and the arrow narrowly missed him and ricocheted off of a
tree. One of the arrows didn't miss, though, and thunked into Elladan's right
shoulder. Pain seared through his side and down his arm making his vision sway
briefly. Gritting his teeth through the pain Elladan made himself try to rise.
With orcs close by there was no time to lie on the ground. Elrohir and Elladan
recovered and rose to face the orcs.
The orcs had the advantage and they knew it. Matching malicious smiles broke out
on the three faces as they raised their bows to fire again.
Those smiles turned to looks of alarm as a piercing whine sounded behind them.
Before they could turn around to face whatever terror was behind them Elrohir's
horse Aethaenyn plowed through the middle of the three. One went sprawling into
the ground face first and Aethaenyn trampled another. Elrohir used the diversion
to act and in the blink of an eye shot the orc still standing. As the orc that
was pushed out of the way started to rise Elrohir ran over to it and finished it
off. When he was done he felt a playful nudge in the side and turned to see
Aethaenyn's head right next to his.
"Hantale, mellonamin," he whispered as he stroked the horses neck.
//Thank you, my friend//
******
After Elrohir felled the first orc Elladan was confident his brother would get
the other one as well. He smiled slightly as he realized his slowed reflexes
weren't going to be of much help right now. Soon to be even slower he knew, for
the wound didn't really hurt, it burned, and Elladan was knowledgeable enough in
healing to know what that meant. Ignoring that for now Elladan was wondering
where their witless ranger had went. He stopped mid tirade and froze in place as
soon as he turned around.
"Ed' i' ear ar' elenea!" he cried as he dashed over and kneeled down.
//By the sea and stars//
Elrohir heard his brother cry out and rushed over.
Elladan was kneeling over a prone figure and Elrohir's heart skipped a beat. As
he came up beside his brother Elrohir saw what had made Elladan cry out and he
dropped to his knees also. There had been three orcs. Three arrows fired. Why
did he not stop and think about where the third arrow had gone? The third arrow
was plainly visible now. The third arrow was piercing the eye of an honorable
human, a fine man, and a dear friend.
Elrohir shut his eyes in grief. How could this have happened? It was too sudden.
Too unexpected. As anger and grief burned inside him he wished he had known
before he finished off their attackers. They did not deserve such a quick death.
Elladan wanted to block the image out, but he could not force his eyes to look
away. Logically he knew the arrow had probably pierced beyond the ranger's eye
and there was no hope of him surviving it. He knew that, but for some reason he
could not stop himself from reaching out to make sure. He checked the human's
pulse and...nothing. He knew there wasn't going to be one. Elladan placed that
hand upon his friend's chest and bowed his head. He knew he should be far more
upset than he was. The rational part of his brain that told him he was slowing
down and that he knew there would be no pulse and that he should be sorrowful.
Odd. Why wasn't he? Maybe it was just because he was so tired. That was probably
it.
Elrohir's sharp hearing picked up the sounds of more orcs. The sounds were
coming from all sides now. Just their luck, he sighed. He was going to suggest
they get moving and opened his eyes in time to grab hold of Elladan as he nearly
swooned foreword. He gripped Elladan's shoulders, mindful of the arrow, and held
him upright. 'The arrow you dolt,' he scolded himself. Despite the sounds around
them Elrohir did a quick look over. Besides the obvious arrow it was difficult
to tell without further examination if there were any internal injuries from the
rockslide. He could see that his brother was pallid and although he was sitting
with support it didn't look like he was going to be able stay awake much longer.
Elrohir could feel the heat radiating off his brother and that meant one thing.
He was poisoned. Elrohir didn't know what the poison was, but it must be potent
to work so quickly on an elf. He needed to get him home and fast. For the first
time Elrohir was never so glad to be near the Misty Mountains. All he need do is
cross them and he would be home. Father was not going to be pleased, but right
now he didn't care as long as he made it in time.
The orcs were getting closer, so he wouldn't have time to tend to the wound
until they put some distance between them and here.
"Aethaenyn, tula sinome," he called to the horse. //come here//
"Elladan," he said firmly as he gently shook his brother.
He could have laughed when Elladan looked at him, with only slightly unfocused,
eyes.
"Come on, my brother, we are going home."
"But...we cannot... leave... Arathorn."
Elrohir noticed his brother's speech beginning to slur and had to take a deep
breath to calm himself. Elrohir removed a ring from his fallen friend's hand. He
knew someone that would want that.
He looked at his brother with regret in his eyes, but never stopped his motion.
He swung Elladan's uninjured arm around his shoulder, grabbed him around the
waist, and stood up. He tightened his grip when he felt Elladan almost crumble
back down.
"I am sorry Elladan. I do not wish to leave him, but I can no longer save
him. I can help you, though."
With some difficulty Elrohir placed Elladan on his horse and sprung up behind
him to keep him from toppling off.
"Forgive me for leaving you. I shall treasure your memory and friendship
until the end of Arda, my dear friend. May we meet again, namaarie."
With one last look Elrohir spurred the horse off with all haste.
******
Elrohir stopped a short time later as the sun was rising to tend to his brother.
He removed the arrow and as much of the poison as possibly and cleaned the
wound. Too much poison had already been absorbed and he was unable to drain
much. He just hoped it would buy enough time. Elladan for his part was still
conscious. Elrohir contributed it to pure stubbornness. After Elrohir did all he
was able they continued on.
Shortly after their brief pause Elladan went completely slack in Elrohir's arms
and he rained the horse in as fear gripped at his heart. He held his breath as
he felt for a pulse and released it when he felt one. He clutched his brother
tighter, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He felt his hope dying and his
brother slipping away.
"We nearly lost our mother in these mountains and now we have lost a good
friend near here. I will not lose you here as well," he stated
determinedly.
"I am sorry Aethaenyn, but there is not much time left. I must ask for
more, my friend."
The elven horse pawed at the ground determinedly and Elrohir managed a smile.
Aethaenyn took off at a strong pace and refused to let himself slow down.
*****
The world had been going by in a steady blur for Elrohir couldn't tell how long.
He wasn't really paying attention where he was going. He just let instinct and
his horse guide him through the mountain trails. Elrohir snapped out of his
reverie when he realized he was coming down the trail out of the mountains and
nearly home. As he drew close to the house his hope began to renew.
"Ada! Ada! Tua! Ada!" //dad, dad, help, dad//
******
When the Lord of Rivendell walked out the rear door to enjoy the fine day the
last thing he expected to see was a horse barreling toward The Last Homely Home
and to hear Elrohir calling out like a mad man. Still, expect it or not, the
situation wasn't surprising. Homecomings like this were not rare when his sons
were traveling and especially together.
Master Elrond tried to wait for Elrohir to ride to up to the door with some
semblance of calm. When the horse got close enough to distinguish that someone
was slumped in the front it became increasing hard. Since Elrohir was doing all
of the hollering Elladan must be in need of care immediately.
"Sweet Eru what have they gotten into now?"
Elrond glanced behind him as someone approached. Celaviel bowed her head as she
came up behind her lord and friend.
"It would appear your children are home, my lord. Shall I prepare one of
the young lords chamber with the appropriate healing herbs and supplies?"
Elrond smiled warmly at the elf maid.
"Yes, Celaviel, I think we are going to need it."
Celaviel gave a quick nod and disappeared through the door. Elrohir rode right
up to the porch and Elrond ran down to meet him as he rained the horse to a
stop. When Elrond laid eyes on Elladan it took a good bit of effort to remain
composed. His oldest son by minutes looked like he already had one foot at
Mandos. Elrohir lowered his brother down and Elrond grabbed his son. He turned
back for the house carrying Elladan with Elrohir on his heels.
"What happened Elrohir?" Elrond asked with a calm voice that he didn't
feel on the inside.
"He was poisoned, shot, I mean poisoned from being shot. It was an orc
arrow. He almost collapsed minutes after being hit and he has been unconscious
for hours now."
Elrond carried Elladan into his room and laid him down on the bed. No sooner had
Elrond laid his son down than Celaviel and another entered. He leaned over,
placed his hand on Elladan's forehead, and briefly closed his eyes. He turned
around to see three sets of worried eyes staring back at him.
"The poison has spread far, but you made it back in time Elrohir."
Three sighs of relief followed the statement and Elrond smiled inwardly to
himself. He looked into Elrohir's eyes and noticed something else besides worry
in them. Something akin to the look they held for sometime after Celebrian had
left. Elrohir looked as if he had been; no still was he corrected himself, in
emotional turmoil.
"Elrohir go get cleaned up and eat something."
Elrohir's eyes went wide.
"But ada..."
"Elrohir that is not a request. You may return after that."
Elrohir sighed too tired to argue, nodded his head, and left the room.
After Elrohir had existed Celaviel lifted her eyebrow questionably at Elrond.
"He needs a break," Elrond answered simply and returned his attention
back to his other son.
******
Although Elrohir hardly felt like eating anything he had to admit he felt a
little better after following his father's orders. He approached Elladan's door
and hesitated. He did not hear any sounds coming from behind the door so he
knocked quietly.
"Come in my son."
Elrohir entered the room and closed the door. The curtains were closed and the
room was fairly dark. Elrond was setting on the edge of the bed close enough to
be able to reach Elladan's face as he checked his temperature. Elrohir came up
behind his father were he could see Elladan. His brother still looked deathly
pale and his eyes were closed, but he seemed stronger now.
Elrond turned to face his other son.
"Sit, Elrohir. It is all right, my son, Elladan will not wake for some
time."
Elrohir smiled inwardly. He was fully aware how he knew his brother wouldn't
wake for awhile. He had been given the same herb many times himself.
"What else happened Elrohir?"
"I guess I pushed it to the back of my mind. I was so preoccupied with
trying to get Elladan back here in time."
Elrond was concerned when he noticed Elrohir was holding back tears. Neither of
his sons was usually one to cry over matters. Elrond didn't need the gift of
foresight to know he was going to dread hearing this.
Elrohir reached into his pocket and pulled out something.
"Elladan and I, we...we were traveling with Arathorn ada. When Elladan was
shot with an orc arrow so was Arathorn, only..."
Elrohir had to stop and take a breath and Elrond put a comforting hand on his
son's shoulder.
Elrohir looked at Elrond with such sorrow it made Elrond's heart ache. Elrohir
held out his hand and dropped the object into Elrond's hand as he continued.
"Elladan was shot in the shoulder, but Arathorn was pierced in the
eye."
Elrond looked down at what his son had given him. He held the ring of Barahir.
Elrond closed his eyes and his hand around the ring. Arathorn had been a friend.
Now he understood what was making his son so distraught. Isildur's heir was
dead.