All That is Gold

 

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 4: The Storm Inside

Speak when you're angry,

and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.

-Lawrence J. Peter

******

"Elladan?"

Elladan's eyes fluttered opened half way in response to his name. Elrohir took in the slightly glazed look. At least he had heard him.

"Can you stay awake a little longer?"

Elladan gave Elrohir a small nod to signal he would try.

A soft knock at the door made all three heads turn in unison. Haldan already standing in front of the door opened it. A hobbit with brown curly hair entered and looked suspiciously from Haldan then to the others.

"Are any of you the ones who just stabled three horses, one including a roan?" asked the halfling in his childlike voice.

"We are," Aranel answered.

"Well the beasts refuse to be put in the stalls. If you wish them to stay in the stables I suggest you calm them down."

Aranel cast a glance and Elrohir.

"I will see to them," Aranel assured the halfling and followed him out of the room.

After the door closed Elrohir turned back to his brother who had shut his eyes again.

Haldan felt useless standing there. Master Elrond's healing skills were well known to the ranger and he was sure the elf lord's sons were probably trained by him. What more could he possibly offer? Well, actually, he corrected himself; there was something he could offer.

"Is there anything I can bring you, lord?"

Elrohir smiled at the ranger's use of 'lord' again. 'A polite one is he not?' he thought.

"Yes, actually, could you boil some water? And you do not have to call me that. My name is Elrohir and you are more than welcome to use it. "

Haldan nodded and silently went about his task and Elrohir told him which herbs to add when the water was ready. Elrohir turned back to the bed and kneeled on the floor.

"Elladan?" Elrohir said shaking his brother.

Elladan did nit stir.

"Come on Elladan, open your eyes."

Elladan was trying to comply with his brother's wishes and struggled against the overwhelming weariness. Most of his energy was spent trying to stay warm.

"Elladan, can you hear me?"

He could here Elrohir as he spoke, but he felt as if he were weighed down to the bed. He was just too weary to respond. Elrohir's voice sounded like it was came from father away the next time.

"Come on you stubborn elf, answer me."

Elladan mental yelled that he was trying. Getting his body to respond in the same way was just a bit harder. Something cool to the touch gripped his hand. Thoughts were getting harder to form for Elladan, but his slow mind still recognized it has his brothers hand. Elrohir's voice came faintly this time.

"I will force feed this to you if I have to. It would be a lot easier on the both of us if you would just drink this yourself."

A heavy fog slowly started to fill Elladan's mind and threatened to push all his awareness down into the darkness. He felt his head leaving the bed. Curious. He did not remember lifting it. He felt a touch to his lips and instinctively tried to drink what was offered.

It tasted horrible. What was ada giving him now? His teas had always been horrible...

Elrohir stopped his administration when Elladan stopped drinking. 'Well at least he got most of it,' Elrohir thought.

"Is there anything else I can do?"

Elrohir liked this one. With a twinge of sadness he realized the human had the same quiet and strong composure that Arathorn had. Elrohir pushed down the grief that threatened to surface. He might like him, but he did not yet know him and did not feel comfortable showing such an emotion to a stranger. Elrohir turned his head back to face his brother as he got his emotions under control.

Haldan did not expect the reaction he got when he asked if he could be of more assistance. Intense sadness had flashed in the elf's eyes before he turned away. Not knowing its cause the ranger mistook the reaction. He wondered if it was because the ill elf could not be helped. Was one of the sons of Elrond about to die? He did not know this, Elladan, but the idea profoundly saddened him. Both of these elves were known and respected by his people and it made his heart heavy to think about one of them dying. Also, Arathorn was known to travel with these two and he would be most grieved by this.

***

Elrohir, finally mastering his emotions, turned back to look at the ranger. He looked in confusion at the look Haldan gave his brother, until understanding dawned in his eyes.

Haldan looked up in confusion as he heard the elf chuckle.

"It is now you who misunderstands. I apologize if I confused you. That look was not directed at my brother, it was just a memory. I am afraid he will live to pester me further."

"I am much assuaged by that news."

"I apologize again, Haldan. I did not answer your question. No, thank you mellonamin, I can manage on my own. You have done more than enough already, hantale."

"As I said before, no thanks is needed. The inn serves late; perhaps you or friend would be hungry? I could have them bring you something back here."

Elrohir hide his smile. It seemed persistence was a required ranger quality.

"That would be great. Thank you."

Haldan smiled and left the room. Elrohir smiled and shook his head at the human. He turned back to Elladan and felt his forehead. Elrohir frowned. The herbs had lowered his temperature, but not as much as Elrohir would have liked. Well the fire in the room wouldn't help, as long his brother was still soaked. Elrohir took the peace to change Elladan and then himself out their wet clothes. He also changed the soaked bandages, Now dry he sat down in a chair next to the bed and waited.

He had assured Haldan that Elladan would be fine, but he stilled worried. It was true that his brother was weak and elves were susceptible to sickness when in such a state. True again that it could just be the weather and Elladan had only pushed to hard to soon. So, why wasn't he convinced that was the only cause? Four days. That is how long it took to get here. Elladan should be much stronger. He had also been too quiet and gloomy the past few days. 'He is only grieving,' Elrohir tried to assure himself. 'Along with other things.' Destructive emotions for an elf that Elrohir hoped Elladan would resolve soon.

Where was Aranel? Elrohir looked to the door irritably like that would make the other elf appear. He was only mildly concerned that his friend was not back yet, though. He was probably with the ranger and trying to stay out of his way. True he was knowledgeable in wrapping wounds, anyone who traveled or lived through wars learned that through experience, but the fair-haired elf was not a healer after all. His strengths lied elsewhere. The ghost of a smile lit Elrohir's face as a thought came to him. If anyone wanted to start trouble with that one they were going to be get a surprise if they thought the quiet, mild elf would be a push over.

Elrohir woke with a start as he felt his head tip down. Ai! Traveling the past four days while keeping a watch over an injured companion was more tiring, at least emotionally, than weeks of hard travel and, though he was loathe to admit it, he was tired. Elrohir leaned back in the chair and propped his head up on his arm. He only meant relax for a short while, but he was asleep in no time.

****

The same brown-haired hobbit servant from earlier walked merrily down the hall balancing a rather large tray of food with one hand and quite pleased with his skill at such a task. He stopped in front of the new comers' room and with a flourish brought his hand up to knock grandly on the door. Right before his hand made contact with the door it was gently, but firmly intersected and he looked up with a frown at the one he had fetched before. He had not heard the person approach. He glanced behind the stranger to see the ranger behind him. The hobbit sighed. Queer folk attract other queer folk he supposed. Birds of a feather and all that.

"I did not mean to startle you Master Halfling*, but there is no need to wake the whole town up. We will take it in."

The hobbit looked up at the stranger with another frown then shrugged his small shoulders and handed the tray over. He cast a frown at the ranger for good measure and went on his way.

Haldan had to hide a smile as the hobbit passed him.

"Not that I did not enjoy that, but why did you stop him from knocking?"

Aranel concentrated on the door once more before he answered.

"Because everything was and still is quiet behind the door. I would not have him unwittingly disturbing Lord Elladan."

Haldan hide another smile. It always amazed him how keen elven ears were.

Aranel, much more quietly than the hobbit intended, pushed open the door. The two peered into the room with the only light coming from the crackling fire and the open doorway. Elladan, already looking somewhat better, was sleeping peacefully on the bed and Elrohir was asleep, not so peacefully, in a chair next to his brother. It was as Aranel guessed, more of hoped actually, that they were both resting. 'Some more comfortable than others,' Aranel thought as he looked to Elrohir.

With every bit of elven grace he possessed Aranel silently entered and sat the tray down on the small table and left the room without waking either of the sleeping elves.

"Come, you shall come next door to my room and talk," Haldan said patting Aranel's back and ushering him towards the next door.

"Would you not prefer to rest?"

"Rest?" laughed the ranger; "I have gotten enough of that the past two days. What I do not get is good conversation, for that is difficult in these parts for one such as I. I will enjoy your company."

Aranel gave the ranger a knowing smile.

"Very well."

*******

Elrohir woke to the sound of gentle laughter. For a moment he thought he was back home and the mirthful elves of the valley were outside his door laughing about something. Elrohir lifted his head from the chair and grimaced as his stiff neck protested the movement. This was too uncomfortable to be his room and his grimace elicited another quiet laugh. Elrohir turned his head to find out who the culprit was and found it was Elladan laughing at him. Had he not been so pleased to find his brother awake Elrohir would have thrown something at him. Elladan was still lying where Elrohir had placed him last night, but his head was turned toward Elrohir and he was smiling at him. Elrohir got up and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How do you feel this morning?" asked Elrohir.

"Still more tired than I would care to admit," Elladan answered honestly.

"I take it we are at the inn?" Elladan said glancing around at his surroundings.

"Yes, we are. We were fortunate enough to run into one of the Dunedain and he helped us last night. His name is Haldan and his room is next door."

"Did he know Arathorn?"

"I do not know. I did not get a chance to talk to him last night and I did not think to ask. I see they have left us something to eat and I think you should."

Elrohir's last statement was more of a command than a request. Elrohir helped his brother sit up and brought the tray over next to them.

"Alright, my brother, but on one condition."

"And that would be?" Elrohir asked eyeing his brother suspiciously.

Experience made him wary of the gleam his brother's eyes. In truth, though, Elrohir was joyful to see it there.

"Nothing so drear as you think, Elrohir," Elladan laughed, "just, would you join me?"

Elrohir nodded and they talked lightly as they ate. Elrohir noticed that Elladan was more vibrant then he had been the last few days and they joked and teased each other. He wanted to believe that everything was well with his brother, but just underneath the glint a melancholy look still lay that defied Elladan's behavior. So in truth, Elladan was just good at hiding it. Elrohir waited until they were finished eating before he questioned Elladan, because he did not know how his brother was going to respond. Chances were that neither of them would be in a mood to eat after this, but he needed an answer.

"Elladan, what are you thinking about?"

"What do you mean?" Elladan answered slightly confused by the subject change.

"You have been pensive for the last four days Elladan. Except for now, you have not joked or smiled. You barely eat. And I have tended the wound Elladan. You are not healing properly; as a matter of fact you are barely healing. What I mean is - what is going on inside your head?" Elrohir demanded and his voice carrying an edge to it.

Elrohir saw the clouds build in his brother's eyes and he steeled himself to the argument about to ensue. He was experience enough to recognize the signs and he wanted an answer.

Elladan rose abruptly and started passing.

"What business is it of your?" Elladan asked angrily.

"What business is it of mine?" Elrohir asked angrily back.

"I am you brother Elladan and you would ask what business is it of mine? I care for you!"

"Then you can stop asking me foolish question and leave me in peace."

"You hardly seem to be at peace to me brother. Why will you not talk to me?"

"Because there is nothing to talk about, so drop it," Elladan's voice was rising in anger.

Elrohir came to stand directly in front of Elladan blocking off his pacing.

"I will not drop this! Do think I am so blind as to not notice what is happening?" Elrohir said not backing down.

"There is nothing happening. Now move out of my way!"

Elladan tried to step around his brother, but Elrohir blocked his path again.

"Nothing wrong? Look at yourself! You are usually more well mannered than this and more tolerant. And you do not even pace. Now answer me," Elrohir said evenly.

"Step out of the way Elrohir," Elladan commanded with his eyes flashing.

Elrohir held his ground and did not move.

"I will not budge until you answer me," his voice now rising in anger.

"I will ask only once more. Move out of the way," Elladan replied through gritted teeth.

Aranel and Haldan opened the door to check if the twins had arisen. The first thing they saw was both of them practically nose to nose and staring each other down with matching looks of fury. Suddenly the two wished they had the sense to knock.

It took Elladan and Elrohir a little while before they even realized anyone was standing in the doorway. When they did a tense silence hung over the room and Elladan gave his brother one last angry glare and Elrohir gave him a look that promised this wasn't over yet, then they turned together to face the door. The two in the doorway caught the exchange, but wisely said nothing.

"I apologize for interrupting, my lords. We merely wished to see if you needed anything," Aranel said quietly.

Elladan pushed the anger from his eyes and forced himself to calm.

"You did not interrupt anything important, mellonamin."

Elladan felt the tension leaving his muscles as his anger receded. Anger had lent him strength and now that it was gone so to was his energy. His legs felt weak, but he made himself walk over to the human beside Aranel.

"Mae govannen, Haldan. I hear it was your help that got me out of the rain. I am grateful, hantale." //well meet / thank you//

Haldan looked slightly embarrassed.

"As I told your brother last night, no thanks is needed. I am simply glad to see you are fairing better, for you seemed quite ill."

'And still am,' Elladan thought bitterly. His anger had used up all the strength he had and his legs barely supported him. The world dimmed briefly and he swayed. He felt a steadying hand on each arm as Aranel grabbed one side and Elrohir took the other.

"Maybe you should not be up so soon, my lord," Aranel said.

"Maybe you are right," Elladan said jokingly.

Elladan walk to the bed and sat down.

"It is alright everyone I can manage. I think I just need to rest."

Aranel and Haldan said their well wishes and left the room. Elrohir stood in front of his brother and crossed his arms.

"I said I could manage!" Elladan said testily and then lay down and brought his arm across his eyes to block out the light and his brother.

Elrohir would have argued further, but Elladan did not look well.

"Fine, but we are not finished!"

Elrohir stalked out of the room and stormed past Aranel and Haldan without even looking at them. Aranel and Haldan exchanged confused looks and shrugged. It was never a good idea to get between fighting brothers, at least if you valued your sanity anyway.

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