|
|
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.
Chapter 3: Haldan
"There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared:
Twins."
-Josh Billings
********
Elrond Peredhel stormed down the hall towards his private study. As he passed
another elf, the maid called out merrily to her lord.
"'Quel amrun, amin..." she trailed off after noticing the deep from on
his face and the fact that he was not even paying any attention to her. //Good
morning, my...//
She glanced worried at the passing elf lord and then shook her head as she
continued down the hall. Shortly down the hall she saw the Lady Arwen walking
briskly with her white dress swishing around her feet coming from the same
direction. She decided to try again.
She opened her mouth to say a greeting, but Arwen beat her to it.
"Good morning Amthrala. Beautiful morning is it not?"
Arwen passed the elf not waiting for a reply. Amthrala sighed in exasperation.
Like father like daughter she supposed and with another shake of her head
continued on her way.
******
Elrond pushed the doors open and slammed them behind him. He unconsciously went
to the most remote place he could find which happened to be the balcony. He
walked outside and grabbed onto the rail.
Had his son lost all is senses? What on earth was he thinking? Elrond thought
about getting one of Rivendell's inhabitants to go drag Elladan back to here
immediately.
Elrond took a deep breath of the fragrant morning air to try and assuage his
ire. Bustling around the house was not going to change anything. Beside he
realized his anger was caused not so much by the fact that his son had left
without his approval, which did anger him, but mainly because of the worry he
was feeling. Elladan was not yet fit for travel. After all, he had only arisen a
short while ago. Elrond rubbed at his forehead to try and ease the pressure
building behind his eyes. He could feel that the trip to bring Gilraen and her
son back was not going to go as planned. Something was going to go wrong. He
just knew it. The question was, was it because of Elladan or could he perhaps
bring help to the situation? Elrond took another breath. Sometimes knowing
something was about to happen was worse than finding it out unexpectedly. Every
fatherly instinct cried to have his mending son brought back home, but for some
reason his rational mind told him both of his sons, for better or for worse, had
a part to play in this task. How did his son's acquire such an ability to
attract trouble? An ability they possessed since childhood that they had
mastered as adults.
Very well, he would not have Elladan dragged back, but he was not going to get
off that easy when he returned. The Valar would have to watch over his sons and
the ones that they were to escort.
As Elrond's anger resided, to be taken up again when he got of Elladan he knew,
he finally felt the presence behind him. He did not need to turn around to know
who it was. Three of the four people bold enough to venture in here unannounced
were not in Rivendell at the moment.
"It is alright Arwen."
He heard the faintest of noise as Arwen came to stand beside him on the balcony.
"Shall I have someone prepare to depart after Elladan?" she asked
calmly.
"No, my daughter, that will not be necessary."
Arwen turned questioning eyes to her father.
"You are to let him go then?" she asked somewhat confused.
Elrond sighed.
"With and against my better judgement at the same time, yes."
"You have seen something?"
Elrond smiled inwardly at his daughter's perceptiveness.
"Not exactly, I just have the feeling they are both needed. Come," he
said as he put his arm around his daughter and turned towards the doorway,
"we have not finished our meal together. Elladan and Elrohir have also
developed a skill to get out of trouble they create. We shall simply have to
wait, but do not think your brother will get off that easily when they
return."
*******
"Aragorn, put him down. Clothes were not made for dogs darling."
Gilraen giggled at the hopeful look the dog gave her. He looked absolutely
miserable in her blue scarf and one of Arathorn's nightshirts being half carried
and half drug by the little Aragorn.
"O.K." he answered wistfully.
Gilraen hide her smile as her son's shoulders fell.
"Here, why don't we take this off of him," she said kneeling down and
undressing the dog, "and after we eat mommy will take you for a ride. Would
you like that?"
Aragorn's small eyes lit up.
"Yea, I like riding horses! Can he come with us mommy?" Aragorn asked
pointing towards the dog.
The dog froze mid step and looked pleadingly at Gilraen.
"I do not think dogs like to ride horses honey. Besides he has to stay here
and watch over the house while we are gone. That is what dogs are supposed to
do."
Aragorn's face scrunched in concentration until he seemed to make up his mind
and nodded. The dog looked immensely relieved and trotted outside and out of
reach of the little one.
Gilraen took Aragorn's small hand and lead him into the kitchen. As they were
passing through the door Aragorn looked up at Gilraen.
"Mommy?"
"Mmm," she hummed as she looked down her son.
"How long until daddy comes home?"
Gilraen stopped her walk. She swallowed forcing her a smile to her face. She had
to hang on to hope.
"It should be any day now darling," she answered as she helped Aragorn
into a chair, although the lithe child hardly needed it.
"Do you think any elves'll be with him?"
"I don't know Aragorn," answered Gilraen distractedly.
"I hope so! I like elves mommy."
She smiled down at her son. Aragorn had only ever meet two before and he was
quite enamoured by them. After Arador's death the elves stopped visiting so as
not to draw attention to their family, only an occasional visitor came with
Arathorn. Oh, how she wished her husband would hurry home.
******
The roan could sense its rider's discomfort, so she tried to keep a smooth
gallop, but no matter how lightly the horse tried to run the bobbing was making
Elladan sick. Elrohir and Aranel were probably not traveling so quickly and
could not be far ahead. Elladan closed his eyes as a wave of nausea hit and
Arphenhiril stopped altogether.
"Maybe this is not such a good idea," Elladan teased himself.
"Ta naa lwe, Arphenhiril. Vora." //It is alright, continue//
The roan reluctantly pawed at the ground, but went on.
He briefly thought about hanging back or even better sneaking up on his brother,
but ruled those ideas out. He really didn't think he could sneak up on Elrohir
right now. It was an extremely difficult task to sneak up on that one. Elladan
felt some pride in his brother for that skill. After all, it had been the
centuries of living with him as a brother that had honed Elrohir's skill of
watchfulness.
Elladan pressed on and was rewarded a short time later when his brother and his
companion finally came into sight.
******
Elrohir rode in silence. He was not looking foreword to the task at hand. How do
you tell someone their husband is dead? For the first time in awhile Elrohir
actually wanted his brother with him. After so much practice with their father,
Elladan was usually better at breaking news to people. Arathorn's death was just
too sudden. Elrohir did not miss the disquieted looks Aranel cast his way.
Elrohir was to caught up in his thoughts to keep a watchful eye behind him.
"My Lord."
Elrohir looked over at Aranel and followed the fair-haired elf's gaze back down
the East-West Road. Elrohir's eyes went wide in horror when he saw his brother
riding hard towards them. He stopped, turned around, and rode back to intercept
his brother leaving a confused Aranel behind.
Elrohir rode up to Elladan and reined his horse to a stop. "Elladan, are
you still delusional, what are you doing here? Does ada know you are here?"
Elrohir did not need to wait for Elladan to answer. He could tell by the look in
his eyes that Elladan was here without father's consent.
"Oh, no, no, no. Turn right back around brother. Ada is going to have your
head and if I let you come he will have mine as well. There is..."
"Elrohir, please!"
Elrohir stared at his brother impatiently, but stopped his tirade.
"Elrohir, I..."
Elladan could not find the words. How could he express the guilt he felt? The
need to bring Arathorn's family safely to Rivendell? Or the anger he felt at
himself?
Elrohir's impatience melted away. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen
his brother speechless. Elladan didn't have to say anything, Elrohir could read
it all in his face.
"It was not your fault Elladan."
Elladan turned away from his brother to hide the tears that threatened to fall.
He reined in his emotion and looked back at Elrohir sitting patiently on
Aethaenyn.
"Maybe one day I will be able to believe that. I cannot explain it, but I
need to do this Elrohir. Can you understand that? Do not worry brother, I will
take ada's full wroth for this when we return."
Elrohir noticed Elladan's still pallid features.
"It is not ada that concerns me Elladan, it is you. It is nearly a two-week
journey to our destination and you have only just arisen. You should not be
traveling so soon and especially not so far. I worry about your health."
"The long ride will give me plenty of time to recover."
Not mention the fact that ridding was not agreeing with him right now Elladan
continued.
"Besides we are ridding, not walking. Look, if ada sends someone out after
me I will go back peacefully, but if he does not by the time we reach the ford
or raise the river to block me or drown me, ada has most likely chosen to let me
go, so will you consent then?"
Elrohir look at his brother skeptically. He was a healer, trained by the best,
and could easily tell Elladan should not be adventuring anywhere for any length
of time.
So why was he actually considering giving in?
Elladan was mad and so was he. That was it. He could not believe what he was
saying even as heard himself say it.
"Alright, but if you do anything else in this trip to injure yourself even
more I will drag you back home myself."
Elrohir wheeled the horse around muttering to himself about how this was the
worst idea he had ever heard and about how insane he must be to go along with
it. Elladan grinned as he followed Elrohir back to Aranel.
"Let us go," Elrohir said curtly.
Aranel's jaw dropped almost to the ground in surprise. Elladan and Elrohir
passed him and continued down the road. Aranel was supposed to follow lord
Elrohir, so he just shook his head and followed. He was sure with both twins
together the trip would not turn out dull.
******
The ford came and went and, despite Elrohir's constant watchfulness behind them,
they were not stopped by anyone ridding from Rivendell. Elrohir could not
believe it. Father had to know Elladan was gone and someone could have easily
caught up with them. Was he agreeing with letting his brother come with them
then? Elrohir knew how absurd that idea was, but no one had come to bring
Elladan back to Rivendell. Elrohir sighed. Well, it looked like Elladan was
coming after all. This was not a good idea.
Elrohir looked at his brother. He was expecting some sort of 'I told you so'
reaction from him as they passed the ford, but Elladan was silent. 'He is
brooding,' Elrohir thought. If he wouldn't except adar's assurance that it was
not his fault then Elladan wasn't going to except his. He would just have to
come to the realization by himself. Elrohir heard the distant rumble of thunder
from ahead and looked to the skies. The sky above was not yet darkening, but he
could see a storm forming in the distance. They were going to get wet and very
soon.
******
Elladan was brooding and anger and guilt were battling for first place. Elladan
was somewhat glad that the nausea had receded, but with every jounce of
Arphenhiril it sent waves of pain through his ribs and shoulder which wasn't
helping his headache. Elladan kept the pain to himself, though. He knew his
brother was probably not too happy with him at the moment. He heard the first
portents of a storm brewing. Great, that was he needed. Elladan had never really
minded getting wet before, but now the thought was extremely irritating.
******
Later the rain began to pour. The three elves pulled their hoods up to shield
their eyes from the rain. The rain was falling so hard that in no time the
East-West road became a muddy mess and the horses made sloshing sounds walking
through the muck. The sure-footed elven horses continued on through the rain and
the three rode on with the Trollshawes passing to the right.
Elladan, already in a bad mood, was highly annoyed at the rain. He felt soaked
to the core and completely miserable. What was worse was the perpetual damp made
him shiver with the cold aggravating his aching side. Elrohir was focusing on
the grim task ahead, so the fact that he was actually cold was not too hard to
hide.
They stopped later that day to rest the horses and eat a little. They pulled
into the eaves of the Trollshaws to block some of the rain off.
Elladan sat down next to a tree wrapped in his cloak. He did not feel like
eating anything and declined Aranel's offerings. All he really wanted was to be
dry and warm. Elrohir came over and sat down next to him.
Elrohir did not miss his brother's discomfort. Someone else might have missed
it, but he did not. He clearly saw the signs of pain in Elladan's eyes.
"Lle anta yulna en alu?" Elrohir asked. //Do you need a drink of
water?//
"Nys." //no//
"Malia ten' vasa?" //Care some food?//
"Nys."
"Lle tyava quel?" //Do you feel well?//
"Elrohir!"
Elladan would not admit it, but Elrohir could tell he was miserable. Elves did
not normally shiver from the cold. He was seriously thinking of sending Elladan
back home. The problem was his brother was difficult to persuade when he was
like this. And Elrohir did not know why, but he felt Elladan should go with him.
The thought that he was crazy again entered his mind.
"You have not eaten anything all day and I think you should."
"Elrohir, stop it. I am fine."
Elrohir seriously doubted that. Ada had not had Elladan taken back and there
must be a reason, so Elrohir would just have to push on with Elladan and Aranel.
"Lwe, lle desiel?" //Alright, are you ready?//
Elladan nodded his head in compliance. He waited for his brother to walk back to
his horse before he rose, so that Elrohir would not see him use the tree for
support to get up. Elladan's legs felt weak and all he wanted to do was get back
to Arphenhiril and share in the animal's warmth. He steeled himself and managed
to walk over to the horse.
The rain did not let up the rest of the day and the three elves camped before
they reached the Last Bridge across the Mitheithel. At Elrohir and Aranel's
insistence Elladan was spared form the watch.
The morning found only more gloomy weather as the rain still fell. Elladan had
to force himself to arise in the morning and get on Arphenhiril. He was plagued
with the cold and fatigue. All of which was getting harder to conceal. He forced
himself to eat a little, more to appease Elrohir that anything.
Near the end of the day they rode over the Last Bridge and into Eriador.
Gilraen's people still lied more than a week away.
All through that day Elladan felt horrible. The shivering became more pronounced
as the rain refused to let up. He spent that night in a fitful rest. Nightmares
of his friend's death forced their way into Elladan's dreams and he was unable
to fully relax. His body was trying to heal and fight off the elements at the
same time and Elladan felt the toll. That morning Elrohir insisted on looking at
Elladan's shoulder and after much fusing Elladan finally relented.
After unwrapping Elladan's shoulder Elrohir looked on in surprise. The wound was
not healing nearly as fast as was expected from an elf and what was worse it was
showing signs of infection. Elladan's body was not healing itself nearly as well
as it should. He tended the wound with herbs to stop infection and re wrapped
it. The problem was that if the infection had already spread they had nothing to
stop it. That morning Elrohir with the help of Aranel went in search of the
appropriate herbs, which were easily found by the two elves. After making
Elladan take them, all Elrohir could do was keep a watch out for signs of
infection in his brother. Doubt again entered Elrohir's mind about his decision,
but he could hardly sent his brother back by himself now. And the nagging
thought again entered his mind that they were both meant to go on this errand.
Elrohir was not assured when he had to help Elladan stand and walk back to his
horse or the fact that his brother was not arguing with him over the help. He
exchanged a worried look with Aranel. Elrohir kept a persistent watch on his
brother that day. Elrohir and Aranel speed up the pace considerably.
Sometime near dark Elrohir, sticking close to his brother, had to lean in and
steady Elladan as he swayed dangerously on top of Arphenhiril. Elrohir worried
as he could feel the heat radiating from his brother again.
Elrohir turned to Aranel.
"We have to get him out of the rain. If we ride hard we can make Bree by
tomorrow night."
Aranel gawked at Elrohir.
"It has been sometime since one of the eldar have stayed at Bree."
"Do you have a better suggestion?" Elrohir snapped.
"Amin hiraetha, Aranel," he said almost immediately after snapping at
his friend. //I'm sorry//
"I do not like being spoke about as if I am not here," Elladan chimed
in.
Elrohir turned to his brother.
"Very well, brother, can you make it to Bree?"
"Of course, but Aranel is right, do you not think we would draw attention
there?"
"If it will do you good, I do not care. Anyway, it is frequented by
rangers, mayhap we will run into one of them and, though it had been awhile, it
is not unknown for elves to pass through Bree."
"And if not?" Elladan asked.
"Do you really think any of the humans will pay to much attention to three
unknown travelers? Besides we can cut north-west from there to Gilraen's
people."
Elladan was about to disagree with going into Bree when a billow of
lightheadedness assaulted him. The world tilted crazily and he lost his grip on
the horse. His vision started to tunnel and he feared he would pass out. The
lapse passed quickly and he felt someone holding from toppling off the horse.
The moment had passed, but the weariness remained. Elladan looked up to see that
it was Elrohir keeping upright. His brother was giving him a look that dared him
to argue with his decision.
In the end Elladan, to tired to argue, relented. Elladan and Elrohir also had
another argument about Elladan riding on his own. As far as Elrohir was
concerned, Elladan was too weary for him to ride alone. Before Elladan could
sufficiently argue with that as well another wave hit and passed leaving him
leaning heavily on Elrohir.
"Do not be so stubborn Elladan. It is for your own good. I would rather
have you ride with me than have to constantly keep you from falling of
Arphenhiril."
A slight smile pulled at the corners of Elladan's mouth. Maybe Arwen had not
been the only one to inherit their mother's subtle way of ending further debate.
Not having any strength left to argue Elladan yielded.
As Elrohir helped his brother over he was fairly surprised it had been that
easy. They could spend entire hours arguing over extremely simple matters.
Elladan's compliant behavior and the fact that over the past three days he had
not so much as teased him once made Elrohir worry. Unless he was in one of his
rare bad moods Elladan was usually mirthful in behavior. To make matters worse
it appeared Elladan was becoming sick. As it stood Bree was now the shorter
distance than turning around and heading back to Rivendell. His brother was not
healing properly and he had a nagging suspicion as to why. Pushing such grim
thoughts from his mind Elrohir spurred Aethaenyn on with Aranel following close
behind. Arphenhiril needed no prompting to follow, for she would follow her
master wherever he went.
The three stopped for a few short hours during the night to rest the horses.
They were ridding again before the dawn, elvish horses easily keeping a tiring
pace. The night had brought some relief from the weather and the stars came out,
but as the day progressed the rain returned. It was not the downpour it had once
been and a steady curtain now blanketed the land.
After awhile Elladan was actually glad his brother had been so persistent
yesterday, because Elrohir's extra warmth helped some. The steady noise from the
rain and the extra warmth created a lolling effect and Elladan found it getting
harder all the time to keep his eyes open. Finally, he leaned further back
against Elrohir and closed his eyes.
Elrohir was becoming more concerned as he felt his brother leaning more heavily
on him and grew uneasy when he finally leaned back all the way. He was relived
to find that he was only sleeping. Something that had not come easily to Elladan
the past few days so Elrohir let him be.
"Quel esta, Elladan." He whispered.
*****
Shortly before dark they reached Bree and Elrohir and Aranel slowed the horses
to a walk as they entered the gate. With the rain falling and their hoods still
up they received minimal stares from the inhabitants who did not seem overly
concerned with travelers. Most of them were directed at the slouched form of
Elladan. Elrohir decided to wake Elladan to cut down the attention.
"Elladan," he said quietly.
After receiving no response he tried again.
"Elladan?" he said louder as he gently shook the elf.
Elrohir felt Elladan move as he woke.
"Manke naa lye?" Elladan asked.
"We are in Bree."
"My lords?" Aranel said as he reined his horse in closer to Elrohir's.
Both twins directed their attention Aranel.
"Have either of you ever been to Bree before?"
"No," Elrohir answered first, "we do not normally venture this
direction often and usually avoid it when we do. Mithrandir frequents this town
and has told us somewhat about it. There should be an inn here that is host to
all travelers."
Aranel said no more and kept the rest of his questions to himself. He did not
like the confined feeling the town possessed.
The three stopped in front of the Inn of the Prancing Pony and Elrohir and
Aranel lightly dismounted. Elrohir turned and helped his brother slowly
dismount. They lead the horses to the stable. The horses did not like such
confines and only after much assurance from the elves did they let themselves be
taken by the stable hand. They left the stable with Elrohir supporting his
weakened brother and approached the inn. All three stopped outside and looked at
the door with trepidation.
"Well, come on. Who wants to live forever?" Elladan teased.
Elrohir smiled slightly reassured by his brother's ability to mock and they
entered the inn. A fire blazed in one corner and three lanterns hung around the
large common room. Many travelers seeking shelter from the rain occupied the
room. They pushed through the patrons to the less crowded far wall and Elrohir
sat Elladan down at one of the empty tables.
"Esta sinome, muindoramin," Elrohir told Elladan who thought his
brother was looking even more pale than he already was. //rest here, my
brother//
Elladan simply nodded and sat miserably at the table. Elrohir turned to Aranel
and spoke quietly to the elf.
"Stay here with Elladan. I will get us a room."
Aranel nodded and Elrohir disappeared into the crowd.
*****
Haldan was sitting in the far corner of the Prancing Pony when Elladan, Elrohir,
and Aranel entered. When he saw them, although he could not see their faces, he
immediately noticed the light stride and lithe forms. He had not known many
elves and only ever traveled with a few, but there was no mistaking the gate of
the strangers he saw. 'What are three elves doing in Bree?' he mused. He frowned
when the answer presented itself. One of the three was leaning heavily on
another and appeared to be doing so more with each step. Whatever could weaken
an elf so could not be good. Haldan pushed the chair out and rose to intercept
the one that ventured off by himself. He smiled to himself as a thought came to
him. 'What a pair we make,' he thought as he shifted the hood of his dark green
cloak. A shady hooded stranger approaching a mysteriously hooded one.
Haldan came up behind the elf and was unsure of how to approach him. He reached
out and tapped the hooded elf. The stranger turned to face the human and Haldan
could see the bright glint of the elf's eyes in the dim room. The elf look at
him with that calm stare that only an elf could give, but he did not miss the
suspicion in it either. Deciding to through subtlety out the window Haldan went
for broke.
"Lle anta amin tu?" //Do you need help//
The briefest trace of surprise crossed the elf's face at his question, but he
was relieved when the elf's expression softened.
"Ya naa lle?" //Who are you?//
"My name is Haldan Dunadan Master Elf."
Elrohir inwardly sighed in relief. He did not recognize this ranger, but the
fact that he was one set his mind at ease.
"To answer your question Master human, my companions and I are in need of
shelter from the rain."
Haldan gave a slight nod in the direction of the other elves.
"One of your companions is not well?" he more stated than asked.
He did not know this person, but he felt he could trust him.
"Yes, my brother is ill."
Haldan arched his eyebrow questioningly. He may not know a whole lot about
elves, but he had learned from experience that they did not get sick.
"It is a difficult story," Elrohir said.
Haldan nodded his head not needing further explanation.
"I take it you have never been here before?"
At Elrohir's answer of 'no' Haldan continued.
"Very well. I can guess you do not wish to attract a lot of attention and
it would be best to take up our conversation elsewhere. There is a vacant room
next to mine and I will talk to the innkeeper about it for you. He thinks me
queer anyway and will pay no heed to you if he thinks you are with me."
"You have our gratitude mellonamin."
"None is needed. After what you kin did for my family I am honored to be of
service, but that is another difficult story," Haldan said cheerfully.
Haldan went to talk to the innkeeper and Elrohir went to await word with his
companions.
"Who was that, my lord?" Aranel asked as Elrohir came back.
"One of the Dunedain. He is going to talk to the innkeeper for us."
"And you trust this stranger?"
Elrohir frowned at Aranel.
"Why would I not? I do not know this man, but I have traveled often with
the rangers and I trust their kind." he asked the fair-haired elf.
"I am sorry, mellonamin, I do not doubt your judgement. It is just that
this stone town makes me uneasy and I wish to get out of this room."
"It is alright, Aranel, I know how you feel."
Elrohir leaned down to Elladan who was being far to quiet for how is brother
usually was.
"How do you fair brother?"
For Elladan time seemed to slow down. The noises from the loud crowd were
becoming too much and every shout or laugh resounded around inside his head.
They bounced around in a muffled roar and he barely heard Elrohir's question
over the commotion. The sound was by far not the worst part for Elladan, though.
The cold would not recede as they came inside. He still felt wet and chilled to
the bone. Even through all the discomfort he was still tired and all he wanted
to do was lay his head down on the table and rest. Whole sentences were too hard
to think about right now, so he answered his brother as best he could.
"Cold...tired..."
The broken speech was not lost on Elrohir and he brought his hand up to
Elladan's forehead. What he felt made him frown.
"Hang on Elladan, you can rest shortly," Elrohir tried to assure his
brother.
Elrohir looked up at Aranel and they shared a worried look.
A few minutes later Aranel spotted Haldan making his was through the people
towards them. He came to stand in front of Aranel who was standing protectively
in front of Elladan.
Elrohir was blocking Haldan view of the elves third companion and he could hear
him saying something to the ill elf.
"My lord," Aranel said as he touched Elrohir on the shoulder.
Haldan heard the elf address the one he had meet as 'lord' and suppressed the
urge to ask. They could talk later once they got the ill elf out of the common
room. When the elf he had talked to stood up, Haldan got a look at who the elf's
brother was. Haldan's eyed widened in shock. He had never meet them before, but
there was no doubt in his mind who these two were. As far as he knew there was
only one set of twin elven brothers around. These were Master Elrond's sons and
one of them, whichever one was which, looked very ill.
"You Lord Elrond's son's are you not?" Haldan asked, then winced
inwardly.
The question sounded stupid even as he asked it. Who else would they be?
"Is there a problem with that?" Aranel asked narrowing his eyes.
"No," Haldan laughed, "you take me wrong, Master Elf. I will
admit I was just a bit surprised. Well meet young Lord of Rivendell. Everything
is in order."
Haldan winced again. Young? They were probably older than he could imagine and
he calls them young.
Elrohir gave him an amused smile.
"Only our father goes by the tittle Lord of Rivendell, Haldan. But again
thank you."
Elrohir helped Elladan to his feet and held on tight. His brother could barely
stand. He tried to push the worry from his mind. They made their way past the
people with some difficulty and Elrohir and Aranel sighed in relief to be out of
there. They hadn't took more than two steps before Elladan's legs gave out and
he collapsed. Elrohir swept his unconscious brother up into his arms.
"Here this way," Haldan said as he stepped in front and led them down
the hall to their room.
Elrohir entered the room with Aranel on his heels and laid Elladan down on the
bed. Haldan sighed. 'Great,' he thought ruefully. He finally got to meet the
Lord Elrond's sons only to have one die before he even got to speak to him.