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 5: A New Guide

I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

*******

Elrohir looked around and realized he was outside. He did not really consciously mean to come out here after leaving Elladan. At home after an argument he would generally head for the nearest balcony and he supposed his mind had steered him out here as a replacement. Elrohir sighed. Why couldn't he have a normal family? And why did his brother have to be so hardheaded?

Elrohir breathed deep of the morning air and resisted the urge to cough. How on earth do humans manage to live in a walled in cramped village? He decided that a walk around might help calm his anger and maybe the smells would not be so bad away from the buildings. Elrohir almost slapped himself in the head as he noticed he was not wearing his cloak. He refused to go back in there and get it, though. A smile found his lips as he thought that maybe stubbornness was a family trait after all.

Elrohir made sure his hair was covering his ears and left the doorway of The Prancing Pony. He received a few stares, but none significant, as matter of fact most could be called mildly curious at best. The residents of Bree, mainly humans and halflings, seemed accustomed to travelers. Elrohir, on the other hand, could not help but cast a few looks at the halflings. He had read of their existences, but he had never seen one before. He was slightly amazed at their short stature. He had been too worried last night to pay much attention to the little one that had come into their room and he could not help but look now. Elrohir knew he probably looked like an amazed child on his first trip away from home. He shook his head and wondered around looking at the buildings. The stone structures were made for efficiency only it seemed and not with any sort of openness to them. And the little one's homes were all one story with curious little round doors. 'Such an odd community,' Elrohir pondered.

Elrohir saw a little dark-haired girl of, he could only guess, about ten staring at him. She had a look of concentration on her little face and then something dawned in her eyes. She walked strait for him with wonder in her eyes. 'Great,' Elrohir thought. He had been walking around for quite some time now and not a single person, adult actually, had recognized him. It just took a child to take note of a stranger. Elrohir was not sure how to handle human children. Well, he admitted to himself, he was not used to any children, human or otherwise, so he just stood there and waited for her to come to him. He was a little nervous as he waited. How was one supposed to act around a little one? How advanced were humans around ten? He had only ever known adult humans and elven children could not be used as bases for comparison.

The little girl walked up to him and got right to the point.

"Are you an elf?" she asked.

Well human children were blunt anyway Elrohir mused to himself.

"What makes you ask that little one?"

The little girl smiled as he talked, like his question confirmed her suspicion.

"Yes, you have to be," she nodded.

"You never answered my question," Elrohir stated.

"Well you never answered mine and I asked first," she said.

Elrohir hide his smile. This was rather easy; it was just like dealing with his brother.

"But you already seem to know the answer to yours," Elrohir argued not quite containing his smile anymore.

The little girl caught the subtle answer and her eyes lit up.

"Really? Do you mean it?"

Elrohir knelt down in front of the girl and he purposely looked around conspiratorially. The girl looked around suspiciously and moved closer. Elrohir pulled back his hair on one side to reveal a delicately pointed ear. The girl gasped in joy and Elrohir smiled at her as he fixed his hair back down over his ear.

"I've never meet an elf before!" she said excitedly.

"Well you have now, my name is Elrohir."

"My name is Glelisa," she said holding out her hand.

"Mae govannen Glelisa," Elrohir said bowing over the girl's hand.

Glelisa giggled in delight at being treated like a lady. Elrohir saw her second response coming and answered her before she asked.

"I said well meet in my own language."

"Oh, well then, same to you Elrohir," she responded.

"Now that we have been properly introduced... you never answered my question."

"My grandma used to know elves and has told me stories about them. I knew you were either an elf or the prettiest man I've ever seen and when I heard your voice I knew I was right."

"You are very bright young one."

"Thank you. You've never been to Bree before have you?"

Glelisa did not wait for Elrohir's response.

"Of course not, come on I'll show you around," she said grabbing his hand and pulling him along chattering away, "not that there is much to see here mind you. I bet your village is much prettier. I would love to see it someday. When I am older I want to see other places than Bree, no matter what my mom says. I still say elves do not keep humans out of their villages. You don't do you?"

It took a second for Elrohir to realize that there was a question directed at him in the long string. He was going to tell her that sadly some elves do actually, although his home does not and elves do not really live in "villages", but before he could answer she went onto talk about something else. He just chuckled to himself and listened.

******

Elladan felt horrible, physically and emotionally. Had Aranel and Haldan not have come in he knew he would probably have lost his temper and hit his brother. Something he had not done in centuries, not that he did not feel like it sometimes though, but the behavior was inexcusable. Elrohir was right of course. He should really talk to his brother. The guilt and anger were too strong and he could feel the turmoil inside slowly, piece by piece, tarring at his soul. It overwhelmed his senses sometimes and drained his strength. The battle was taking its toll and his body was just too weary to heal itself. Elladan had seen elves simply fade away and die of such emotions and he recognized it now, as he guessed Elrohir also noticed the signs. Elladan swore he could feel the light within himself dimming over time and it frightened him terribly. It scared him, but he could not allay the emotions he struggled with. The only thing that made him fight it now was that he had made a vow to get Arathorn's family back to Imladris and he meant to do just that. After that though... what would happen to him?

Elladan removed his arm for he was no longer tired. He sat up gingerly and swung his feet to the floor. He paused long enough for the spell of lightheadedness to pass and stood up. Suddenly, even though he had just kicked everyone out earlier, Elladan did not want to be alone anymore. He already regretted yelling at Elrohir and wished he had not reacted so ungenerous with him. He just could not express his turmoil and fear yet. 'Pride,' Elladan sighed. It was going to kill him yet he realized darkly. He should at least apologize to his brother.

Still walking somewhat unsteadily Elladan left the room. Maybe his brother was with that ranger. Where was his room? Ah, next door. Elladan knocked gently on Haldan's door, but there was no response from within. Elladan sighed again. Why did they have to be someplace where he would have to walk to it? Elladan made sure his hair covered his ears and headed for the common room. He did not remember the direction to take, but he could only go one way or the other out in the hall and he thought he heard people talking in the direction he was walking. Keeping his hand lightly touching the wall for balance he ventured down the hall.

The hall opened up into a wide room lined with tables and a fireplace in one corner. A quick scan of the room revealed two hooded figures sitting in one of the less lit corners. Elladan smiled to himself. He could not see faces from here, but who else would look so suspiciously secretive than his companions would? He steadied himself and left the comforting support of the wall. Halfway across the room Elladan saw Aranel's surprised eyes lock onto him and, yes there it was, as expected the elf rose to meet and intercept him.

"Is something wrong, my lord," asked Aranel as he put a steadying hand on Elladan's arm.

"No, my friend, nothing is wrong. Do you know where Elrohir is?" Elladan asked.

"No, but I will find him for you."

"No, no, that is alright, it can wait," Elladan shook his head.

"If you feel up to it I would be pleased if you would join us."

Elladan accepted gratefully for he welcomed the company right now. They walked to the table with Aranel practically on Elladan's heels in case he should pass out. Elladan didn't think he looked that bad, but he did not argue. He smiled down at the ranger.

"Do you mind?" he asked indicating one of the chairs.

"Of course not lord," Haldan said smiling.

Elladan chuckled and sat down. He had to hand it to Haldan; the man was courteous.

"Not another one. Please mellonamin, call me Elladan."

"Alright. Another one?" Haldan asked.

"He means me," Aranel responded first.

"I have tried everything short of beating it into him that my name is Elladan, but the stubborn elf still insist on calling me by tittle."

Elladan and Aranel exchanged knowing smiles.

"What can I say? Glorfindel drilled formality into me first and to this day I dare not go against it."

"I understand. I shudder at the times I have been subject to his ire for doing, well, let us just say for doing something I probably should not have," Elladan said and the two elves shared a laugh.

Aranel noticed that even though Elladan laughed easily the mirth did not fully spread to his eyes. He attributed it to the fact that his friend was probably not feeling well yet.

The two elves and one human talked pleasantly, about nothing as friends do, for a long time.

"So tell me Haldan, where do you hail from?" asked Elladan.

"Just south of Bree, but I am more at home here further north. I have even been to your home once, though, regretfully you and your brother were not there. Lord Elrond was quite gracious towards us and I do not think I shall ever find a more beautiful or peaceful place ever again."

Elladan smiled warmly at the young ranger. He saw the look of content the human had in his eyes while thinking about his home.

"You are more than welcome back there anytime you know?" he said kindly.

"Thank you and I know, but there always seems to be something else to do after one task is finished for the amount of fell things such as orcs has increased," responded Haldan.

After his mother and now Arathorn Elladan knew that all too well. The thought brought the weight back to his chest making it hard to breathe. Not trusting himself to keep the grief from his face, Elladan closed his eyes and turned away as he tried to push the calm back to his features.

Haldan noticed the same expression he had seen last night in Elrohir's eyes cross Elladan's face now. The elf's breathing became visibly harder and he turned away from him. First one and now the other. Haldan felt horrible, he had managed to upset Elrohir and now the Elladan. 'And this one is ill you dolt,' he scolded himself. Lord Elrond had helped him and he wanted to help his sons to try to, although he never could, repay the debt.

Aranel on the other hand knew what nerve the ranger has accidentally struck.

"Lle keamerna?" Aranel asked quietly placing his hand on Elladan's arm.
        //Do you want to lie down?//

"Nys, hantale mellonamin," Elladan answered gaining control of his emotions, on the outside anyway. //No, thank you my friend.//

"Amin hiraetha," Haldan said honestly, "whatever I said tell me and I will learn to keep my mouth shut." //I'm sorry//

"You said nothing wrong Haldan, I was just thinking of something."

It came to Elladan that he should tell the ranger about Arathorn, after all he had been Haldan's chief. Perhaps he had known the man and in that case he deserved to know. He supposed it really was not a secret and through experience he had learned to trust rangers. Elladan had not had to tell anyone of his friend's death yet. Elrohir had told his father before he had woke and the idea of voicing it to Haldan now was a hard one.

"Haldan," Elladan started slowly, "do you know Arathorn?"

"Yes," the ranger nodded, "we have traveled together before. A very fine man."

Elladan swallowed. Well that made it harder, but the young man deserved to know. When he spoke it sounded to him like someone else was speaking.

"Haldan, I do not know how to tell you this so I am going to be forthright, Arathorn was killed six days ago. I am sorry for you to find out like this."

Haldan felt like he had been punched in the stomach. Arathorn was dead. It could not be. He had seen him less than a month ago.

"Are you sure?" Haldan forced the question past suddenly dry lips.

"I am afraid so. Elrohir and I were there when it happened. He... he was shot by an orc."

Elladan could not tell the ranger that it was his fault they were chasing the orcs in the first place and so he had led his friend right into a trap.

It made sense to Haldan now why his comment about the increase in orcs had saddened the elf. The three elves were probably on their way to inform Gilraen. Haldan felt sympathy for her. She was a nice woman that did not deserve to be widowed so early. What was she to do now?

"You are on your way to see Gilraen aren't you?" he asked quietly.

Aranel looked to Elladan when he did not answer. His friend appeared to be unable to. He caught Elladan's eye and he gave Aranel a slight nod that confirmed it was all right to tell the human.

"Yes, that is our destination. We are to inform Gilraen and bring her and her son back to Rivendell."

"Bring them Rivendell, but why?"

"It is my father's wish that they be brought to Imladris," Elladan answered.

"I must admit I do not understand the reason Lord Elrond would want to separate her from her people, but if he thinks it is for the best than I trust in his decision. I would like to help you if I could."

Elladan looked at the ranger thoughtfully. There was no reason to put the young man through the trying time ahead.

Haldan saw the doubt in the elf's gray eyes.

"Please consider my request. I have nothing to do for a while and Arathorn was a friend. The least I could do is to guide you to Gilraen's people. I know the surrounding land very well and I would be honored if you would allow me to at least take you to her."

Elladan could not deny the sincerity he saw. He was along for personal reasons as well, so how could he tell someone else no? Maybe the trip would alleviate some of the open grief he saw in the ranger's eyes. He gave the young ranger a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

"Well, it looks like the number of people escorting Elrohir keeps growing," Elladan said.

"Do you think he will object to me coming along?" Haldan asked.

"No," Elladan laughed, "I believe he likes you. We will find out when he returns for I am on borrowed time as it is."

"Borrowed time?" asked the ranger.

"Yes," Aranel jokingly frowned at Elladan; "Lord Elladan was not supposed to be going with us either."

At the human's confused look Elladan chimed in.

"He is right. Let us just hope that my father will be as gracious as you believe he is when I return."

"Here comes your brother now my lord," Aranel cut in.

Elladan and Haldan followed his gaze over to the door. Elladan was a bit surprised to see Elrohir enter with someone. Upon further inspection he was even more surprised to see that it was a little human girl.

Elrohir and the girl walked over to the table and the two elves, as was custom, stood up to greet them. Haldan stood as well feeling awkward as the only one sitting.

"Everyone this is Glelisa," Elrohir started, "Glelisa this my brother Elladan, Aranel, and Haldan," he finished indicating each one.

"You never told me your brother was a twin," she said excitedly.

Elladan smiled at the girl's amazement.

"Actually, I have never seen him before a couple of days ago, but he will not leave me alone and now he insists on calling me his brother," Elladan said seriously.

Glelisa giggled at Elladan's comment.

"Do not tell her that," Elrohir scolded, "we all know you are mad anyway, but you do not have to open your mouth and confirm it to out new friend."

Glelisa only giggled more.

"With such a cantankerous attitude Elrohir how did you manage to meet such a pleasant young lady?"

Elrohir only rolled his eyes while Glelisa laughed.

"I like you two, you're funny. You remind me of my bother and you look about his age," Glelisa said merrily.

'Not hardly,' Elladan thought.

"Oh, really?" he said out loud.

The little girl nodded happily.

"I should really get back now. I can't wait to tell my grandma about this, she'll never believe me! It was great meeting everyone, farewell!"

The four said their goodbyes and the girl practically skipped out of the inn. Elladan turned to Elrohir and lifted an eyebrow.

"What?" Elrohir asked.

"Nothing," Elladan said as he shrugged trying to hide his smile.

"What?" Elrohir asked louder.

"I did not say anything," Elladan answered.

Elladan glanced at Haldan and saw the ranger looking at him a bit nervously.

"Elrohir," Elladan started, "Haldan knows this area well and I think he would make an excellent guide, don't you?"

Elrohir looked to his brother a bit startled. Obviously the ranger had been told where they were going and why. Why not? Had he the chance earlier he would probably have told the ranger himself. As for the young one coming along though...

Elrohir caught Elladan's eye.

Elladan answered.

Elrohir looked from his brother to the ranger. Did he have a right to tell the ranger no? And, Elrohir admitted to himself, he liked this human and would not mind the company for that reason. Beside what harm could it do? Elrohir saw the slightly nervous look the young human was trying desperately to hide and hid a smile.

"I have to agree with you Elladan," Elrohir gave his brother a slight wink at the look of relief that crossed the human's face.

"Haldan," Elrohir said turning back to the ranger, "we could us your knowledge of the area if you would care to assist us."

"Yes, of course and thank you for the opportunity. I am honored for the chance to travel with the sons of Elrond."

Elrohir smiled smugly over at Elladan. Elladan just rolled his eyes at his brother. Elrohir just shook his head. It seemed the number of people to escort Gilraen was growing all the time. And for such a simple task too

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