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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.
Chapter 8: Separate Paths
"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it."
-Groucho Marx
********
“Gilraen wake up.”
Gilraen woke up with a start to see someone hovering over her. She sat up quickly before she realized it was only Haldan.
“Get up and get dress quickly then ready the little one to go,” he said urgently.
“What is it? What is wrong?” she asked already rising from the bed.
“Orcs are coming to attack this place, now please get ready, I will be waiting in the kitchen for you.”
Gilraen gasped when the ranger mentioned the orcs, but she stayed quiet and did as he asked.
**********
A few minutes later, son in arms, she followed the ranger outside. To her surprise there was a group of close to forty people outside her door, apparently the elves had woke everyone in the village up as well. They were all looking at the elves with a mixture of wonder, suspicion, and fear of what was to come.
“Everyone listen,” Elrohir began, “there is a horde of orcs not more than a league from here and they are intent on attacking this village tonight. You must all leave right now.”
“Flee? From orcs?” one man asked.
“Taren is right, why should we run from just orcs?” a woman asked.
“Because there is not just orcs, but a lot of orcs. Your village is greatly out numbered,” Elladan answered.
“That may be, but every man hear is worth more than a few of them.”
“I do not doubt that,” Elrohir began, “but what of the others, the children and the elderly?”
“We will protect our own,” one man said determinedly.
“You should know that the creatures will go strait for the women and children, they are not interested in you,” Aranel stated.
“What?” the same man asked stunned.
“Our companion is right, they are coming to slaughter every woman and child they can find. And though I do not doubt you would fight bravely you are still outnumbered. Will you simply let them go after your wives and your children?” Elrohir asked.
“We will send the women and children into the hills then and the rest of us will stay and fight,” Taren said.
“Don’t you realize that if the orcs discover there are no women and children in the village they will not bother to stay and fight you, they will go looking for them?” Elladan asked.
“It would not be permanently, just until the orcs leave the area,” Elrohir chimes in.
“We must do something, but we will not leave our homes,” Taren said angrily.
“Then you will die in your homes,” Elladan snapped losing his temper.
“Elladan please that is not helping,” Elrohir said to his brother quietly.
“No Elrohir, I am tired of listening to this, if they will not take our word then there is nothing we can do.”
“Why should we take your word?” someone shouted.
Elrohir winced at the question and saw his brother’s eyes narrow. This was not going well at all. He could tell his brother was exhausted and these people’s doubts were seriously pushing Elladan’s already frayed emotions. In short he was quickly losing his control.
“What?” Elladan asked quietly clenching his fist.
Elrohir recognized that tone and put a calming hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Dina, tanya farnuva,” Elrohir said. //be silent, that will suffice//
Elladan saw the pleading look in his brother’s eyes and calmed somewhat.
“Amin n'rangwa edanea,” Elladan replied. //I don't understand these humans//
“Do you even know who’s word it is you are questioning?” Aranel asked defensively.
“Aranel is right.”
Everyone turned to see that it was Leodry who had spoken.
“It is one of the sons of the Lord of Rivendell’s word that you are questioning. Besides Taren, have you forgotten who your forbearers were? Has the day finally come that even we treat the Firstborn with suspicion?”
Taren looked thoughtful for a while before he spoke.
“Forgive me Lords for I did not know who you were, but Leodry is right, it shouldn’t have mattered. I do not doubt your word, it is just that we have never abandoned the village before.”
“I think I know a way you wouldn’t have to,” Gilraen spoke up.
All eyes came to rest on her and she felt herself flush, but she remained resolute.
“We all know who it is they are after,” she said glancing at the child remaining quiet in her arms, “if we weren’t here the orcs would have no reason to attack this village.”
“Is that why they are going to go after the women and children? They are after Arathorn’s child then?” asked Taren.
“Yes,” Gilraen stated, “you might as well know now. My husband was slain by the very creatures now coming after us.”
Gilraen’s proclamation caused some gasps from the gathered villagers.
“As we said before, we will protect our own, you do not have to leave,” one man chimed in.
“Thank you all, I am more grateful than you could know, but what I am saying is that I was going to leave anyway.”
“But why, were would you go?” Taren asked.
“Lord Elrond has invited Aragorn and I to come and stay in Rivendell and I believe it is where we should go. The village will be much safer without us away,” Gilraen explained.
Leodry looked shocked for a moment and then walked over to stand in front of the woman.
“Is that what you really want lass?” he asked.
Gilraen gave him a sad smile and nodded.
“This child will be pursued his whole life my friend. Do you understand that? I believe he will have a chance to grow up in peace in Rivendell before he must face his past and future, and so that is where I will go,” she explained quietly to her dear friend.
Leodry nodded his head in understanding.
“If that is your decision then we will support it,” he said for everyone to hear.
“Aye, we will miss you Gilraen, but we will help you in anyway we can,” Taren stated.
The statement elicited ‘ayes’ from all around. Gilraen smiled at them all as she fought to hold back the tears. It meant a great deal to her that the whole village was willing to support her even though she was to leave them and it saddened her at the thought of leaving this place.
“What do we have to do then?” Leodry asked.
“Aragorn and I will leave immediately,” Gilraen suggested.
“I’m afraid it is not that simple,” Haldan finally spoke up.
Gilraen and the townspeople looked at the ranger questioningly.
“He is right my lady,” Aranel began, “you see the orcs probably do not know what you look like, so they will be instructed to kill every woman and child they see.”
“We cannot even flee then, they will pursue us wherever we go,” Taren said.
“Is there a way to let them know we have already left the village so they will not look for us here?” Gilraen asked.
“We couldn’t just send the whole drove after you!” Leody said fiercely.
“How well do you think orcs can track?” Taren asked.
“Well orcs aren’t creatures to notice detail, but they still seem to find their prey somehow,” Haldan answered.
“What if we leave the village, but a few of us go separately. Maybe the creatures will think that it was Gilraen who has fled in a different direction and we can draw them away from her. You can all go with the rest of the village, we will do our best to protect Isildur’s heir,” Taren suggested.
“Supposing that works, what will the few do once the creatures start pursuing them? Have any of you ever tried to outrun orcs before?” Elladan asked.
“My brother is right, those abominable creatures can move quickly. It could be the death of any who volunteer,” Elrohir said.
“That does not matter as long as it works. What is important is that Isildur’s heir makes it to the safety of your realm,” Taren said with the villagers nodding in approval.
“I’m honored you would take such risk, but I cannot let you do that,” Gilraen said shaking her head.
“Let us decided what is too much of a risk and what is not,” Leodry began, “besides we have no other options.”
“He is right, we have stood around too long already,” Taren said.
Gilraen looked to the elves and ranger pleadingly. Elladan and Elrohir looked to each other. They did not have any better suggestions. Gilraen saw the exchange.
“You cannot let them do this, they could be killed.”
“Believe me I do not like this idea either Gilraen, but I do not have any better suggestions,” Elrohir explained.
“Do not worry Elrohir and I will accompany them,” Elladan said.
“But my lord…” Aranel started.
Elladan held up his hand to stop his protest.
“I want you to stay with Gilraen and Aragorn,” Elladan said.
“Shouldn’t Aranel and I do that and the two of you go with Gilraen?” asked the ranger.
Elladan knew what the young man was suggesting, since he had been ill that he should take the less strenuous of the task. For a moment anger flared in the elf as his stubborn elvish pride took the concern as an insult, but it was short lived. He realized that he had been tired before his little trek into the woods and he was in reality exhausted. He also realized with some amusement that it must have been really showing in his posture if the ranger could pick up on it so easily. The elf looked up to see all four of his companions looking at him with trepidation and hid a smile. Elladan supposed he had been a bit cantankerous of late and they where all afraid of how he would take the suggestion
“Very well,” he said simply.
The dark-haired elf hid another smile as he saw the two elves and ranger visibly sigh.
**********
Twenty minutes later Gilraen and Aragorn along with the villagers were well on their way with the twins escorting them. They were heading to the closest village two and a half leagues to the north.
Haldan and Aranel set off with Taren and three others leaving a visible trail that even the densest orc could follow.
The companions made plans to meet back at Bree in four days.
Fate always did have a sense of humor.
**************
The group had been moving for the better part of three hours now and Elrohir made wide arches around the back of the group to keep an eye out for any sign of whether the orcs had taken the bait or not. If not they would all be running until the dawn.
Sometime later Elrohir materialized from the darkness right next to Leodry startling the old man who had not heard him approach. Realizing what he had done the elf hid a smile and apologized before he moved to catch up with Gilraen and Elladan.
The two turned to look at Elrohir as he trotted over to the woman and elf. Although Elrohir appeared calm, Elladan could tell something was wrong by the look in his eyes.
“They have not fallen for it have they?” Elladan asked with the first trace of worry in his voice Elrohir had heard in a long time.
“Yes and no.”
Gilraen and Elladan simply looked at the other elf in confusion.
“Everyone stop,” Elrohir called out to the villagers.
He waited for the crowd to stop and gather closer so they could hear.
“Most of the orcs have split and are heading in the direction that Taren has lead them. Unfortunately not all of them have followed and a sizable amount look like they have reached your village and will no doubt follow us shortly.”
“What are we to do then?” someone asked.
“I would suggest run,” Elrohir answered.
“You said before we cannot out run them,” one woman pointed out.
“That is true, but Taren has bought us time, more precious than he may know. It undoubtedly took the group of orcs time to figure out what to do and we only have to outrun them until dawn or until we reach the village, whichever may happen first. The group following us is a lot smaller and I do not think they would have the nerve to fight you and the villagers from the next abode combined,” Elrohir answered.
“Do you think we can make it before they overrun us?” Leodry asked.
“We have a good head start, but we would be cutting it close to say the least,” Elrohir answered.
“Do you think the other villagers will rally to your aid?” Elladan asked.
Leodry looked thoughtful for a brief moment then answered.
“I believe so, our two villages have always been on good terms and they hold no more love for orcs then we do.”
“We could send a runner ahead of us to the village. If they are willing to assist you then they could send help out to you. They might even get to us before we reach the village,” Elladan suggested.
“That would seem our best choice, who is the fastest rider you have?” asked Elrohir.
“That would be Sarnor here,” someone motioned and a young man of no more than sixteen stepped boldly forward.
“I will go,” he said without hesitation.
“I am sure you would, but you do not realize the danger,” Elrohir said.
“If by that you mean I am young then yes, but I am old enough to realize that I may be our only chance and I am not afraid to go. Besides the orcs lie behind me and not in my path.”
“Amin weera yassenho,” Elladan said unexpectedly. //I agree with him//
“Lle lakwenien?” Elrohir asked. //Are you joking?//
“Mani?” Elladan asked defensively. //what?//
“Look,” he began calming down, “do you have any better suggestions?”
“Nys,” Elrohir sighed, “amin uuma.” //no, I don’t//
Elladan turned back to the boy who was looking a bit uncertain at not knowing what they were saying of him.
“It is settled then, you must ride hard,” he told Sarnor.
Sarnor simply nodded. Elladan let out a shrill whistle to the two horses that where following the group patiently. The gathered villagers looked surprised when a moment later the roan showed up in their mist.
Arphenhiril walked over to her master calmly and waited for instructions the white patched in her coat glowing softly in the moonlight that trickled through the trees. Sarnor had spent all his years around horses and considered himself well versed on the subject, but the horse in front of him had a feel to it he had never felt before.
“Creoso Arphenhiril, tula sinome.” //welcome/ come here//
The roan walked up and rubbed her nose against Elladan’s chest and he stroked her forehead. As he stroked the horse he talked to her quietly in elvish until she finally moved slightly away from her master.
Elladan turned to Sarnor who was looking at the horse in deep appreciation. He smiled at the young man and motioned him to come stroke her.
“Sarnor this is Arphenhiril, it means noble lady in our native tongue.”
“She was well named,” the boy said stroking the horse’s neck.
“She will carry you to the village much more quickly than any of the horses your village has.”
Sarnor took no offensse from the elf’s word for he knew it to be true. Then he looked at the elf in amazement. He could not believe he was going to get to ride the magnificent animal.
“But…”
“It is alright,” Elladan began, “she will bear anyone I ask her to and she seems to like you. Do not be afraid, she will not let you fall if she can possibly help it.”
Sarnor nodded and mounted the horse looking like a child going on their first ride. He was instructed on the path the rest of them would take and then he rode off towards the next village.
“Everyone else, I suggest we run,” Elrohir said.
“We should send Gilraen away with you two,” Leodry suggested.
“No, absolutely not,” Gilraen stated.
“Listen to me lass. There is a chance those orcs back there will catch us before help arrives. If they do they will finish what they came here for and we cannot allow that. All of our future might depend on the boy in your arms, are you willing to risk the future of men by staying here?”
“But you have risked so much for us already and I cannot abandon you now, besides the orcs might still catch us,” she argued.
“Mayhap, but they may not and if they do we can handle ourselves. I seriously doubt the presence of the three of you will make a difference either way. Perhaps it might even be safer without you,” the older man said.
He knew his words were harsh, but they could not take a chance that the orcs might catch them with little Aragorn still with them. He had a feeling her and the boy would be safer away from the main group and he knew no other way to get her to listen.
“Please Gilraen. Too much rides on your son getting back to the elven haven. He must get there, do you understand that?”
“Of course I know of the importance my son may have, but it is just not right.”
‘It not fair,’ she thought. Why was all this happening to them? Aragorn was a sweet child and did not deserve such. Which is why he must make it to Rivendell, her mind answered. Why did orcs have to exist? Why did innocent people have to suffer to protect the future? It all just wasn’t fair!
Gilraen turned to look to the sons of Elrond for advice on her indecision. The looks she received from the two where sympathetic, but she could not read anything else from them.
“What am I to do?” she asked simply.
“They are right, we probably would not help your companions much if attacked by orcs, except to fuel their rage,” Elladan stated.
“And it is true that they might not catch the group before help arrives,” Elrohir said.
“That is not much help, I know both of those already,” she said in frustration.
“The decision lies with you,” Elladan suggested.
“We will protect you either way,” Elrohir said.
“I am making the decision for you,” Leodry said harshly, “go, now, and take you son with you. If a fight is necessary it will be easier without you two here to worry after. We will send you word of our victory later. Go!”
It hurt Leodry to say such things to the lass, but he was firm in his feeling that she must leave with the elves. It was for her and her sons good that it had to be this way.
“Perhaps he is right, we may be more of a distraction,” Elrohir said.
“Are you suggesting I leave then?” she asked quietly.
She knew what the older man was trying to do and was not angry. Against her heart she knew his words to be true.
“I am not suggesting anything Gilraen, I simply point out what he says to be true.”
Gilraen closed her eyes. This was all simply wrong. One should never abandon friends in a time of need, but how could she ignore the promise for the future her son could bring? A memory came to her then, her mother’s words echoed around her head. “The days are darkening before the storm, and great things are to come. If these two wed now, hope may be born for our people…” Hope… what she had considered her son when she had feared Arathorn dead, her hope, the future’s hope. She had no right to deny everyone that, but this still did not help her decide which path to choose. ‘What should I do?’ she mentally screamed.
“You must hurry and make up your mind Gilraen,” Elladan’s voice cut into her thoughts.
That was it! She opened her eyes to look at the twin elves staring back at her with those annoyingly calm elven gazes. Why else would they be here if she was not to go with them? Should she take that to mean that she was to go with them now away from the group? So much depended on her making the right decision here.
“Go girl, it’s the right thing to do,” Leodry said gently this time.
“Should we take the horses?” she asked and the old man breathed a sigh of relief.
She couldn’t tell the elves feelings for they made no reaction to her decision but for Elrohir to call his horse over. Right now she dearly wanted to hear one of the elder beings tell her she had made the right choice. With a sigh she turned back to her fellow villagers and said her good-byes trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to hold back the tears.
Elrohir and Elladan rode on Aethaenyn while Gilraen and Aragorn went on Trithen. Even though Aethaenyn carried two Elrohir still had to hold the horse back so Trithen could keep pace. Elladan left the message with Leodry for Sarnor not to worry and that Arphenhiril could find her way home when the time was right. Gilraen rode with silent tears falling down her cheeks and hugged Aragorn tightly. The frightened child could tell his mother’s sadness and let her clutch him in hopes that it would make her happy again.
Sometime later the small group halted and Elrohir dismounted to go scout ahead while Elladan stayed with mother and son.
“Did I make the right choice or have I simply abandoned my friends and doomed us?” Gilraen asked quietly.
Elladan did not answer right away and she began to think that he was ignoring her, but finally he spoke.
“What do you believe?”
“That is a question Elladan and not an answer,” she responded.
“Haven’t you ever heard that elves answer questions with one?” he asked.
Despite their situation Gilraen found herself smiling at the dark-haired elf. She became serious again and thought about what he had asked. For some strange reason could not explain she believed she had made the right choice and all would be well for everyone.
“Yes,” she finally said and the elf nodded at her.
She noticed Elladan turn and focus in the direction behind her and turned to see Elrohir emerge.
“You are just the bearer of bad news tonight aren’t brother?” Elladan teased.
“We will have to go through the orcs on our current path,” Elrohir said nodding.
“We couldn’t possibly,” Gilraen exclaimed.
“Tis alright lady, they do not appear to be too spread out and we have a good chance of going around them completely. It will just take a little more time, but the more time we can by until the dawn the better.”
Gilraen did not protest anymore and made a silent prayer to the Valar as she followed the two elves. Although their calmness could be slightly annoying at times she greatly appreciated it at a time like this.
The small group made it about an hour before they started to hear the sounds of orcs in the woods near by. Gilraen gasped and clutched the child in her arms.
“Easy Gilraen, just stay quiet,” Elrohir whispered.
“Here they come,” Elladan said calmly.
The words barely left the dark-haired elf’s mouth before a couple of the creatures ran mindlessly into view.
The group would have bolted, but Trithen, unaccustomed to such vileness froze and nothing Gilraen could do would make the horse budge. The twins acted as the orcs gave a whoop and ran for the mother and son. Elrohir in one fluid motion drew his bow and started to fire at the creatures while Elladan nimbly slid off Aethaenyn and dashed to the frightened Trithen’s side as the horse was threatening to rear with its riders. Gilraen couldn’t help a yelp as the horse started to rear and she struggled to hold onto both the horse and Aragorn. The little one who had managed to stay relatively quiet so far began to cry.
Elladan grabbed a hold of Trithen’s reins to keep the horse from bucking its rider and began to speak soothingly to him as he shielded the animal’s eyes from the sight of the orcs. Elrohir easily felled the two orcs and Trithen started to calm down with the creatures dead and Elladan speaking softly in its ear. Fearing more orcs would hear Aragorn, Gilraen rocked the frightened child while trying to quiet him down. The trembling boy stopped his loud whales for a quieter sobbing.
“Trithen has never tried to throw us before,” Gilraen said with a voice that only shook slightly.
“He is simply frightened,” Elladan said.
“He’s not the only one,” she said quietly.
Elladan gave her a supportive smile and Elrohir walked Aethaenyn over to the others. The twins looked at each other and came to an unspoken decision.
“Gilraen, let Aragorn ride with Elrohir and I will guide Trithen,” Elladan instructed.
Gilraen’s eyes went wide at the thought of not being able to protect her son and have him close by.
“I understand your indecision, but listen to me please. Trithen might respond to one of us better and you do not have to worry, Elrohir is a better rider than I.”
Gilraen knew what that meant. They would put Aragorn with the better rider on the swift elven steed so that should the worse come to pass, Elrohir could carry the boy away swiftly. She was not offended by the idea, as a matter of fact the thought that her son could get away no matter what set her slightly more at ease. As the noises increased she suddenly wished the elf would do just that right now and forget about her.
“Aragorn,” she said soothingly as the boy looked up at her with large eyes, “remember how you wanted to ride on of the elven horses? Well, you are going to get a chance now. Elrohir is going to let you ride with him.”
“But I want to stay with you,” the little boy protested.
“It will be alright darling, I promise. You still want to ride the horse don’t you?”
“Yea,” he said timidly.
“Well then, here is your chance,” Gilraen said forcing herself to smile reassuringly at Aragorn.
This seemed to put him a little more at ease and he looked to the elf with slightly widened eyes.
“Do not be afraid little one, I will not let you fall,” Elrohir said gently.
Gilraen handed her son over to sit on front of Elrohir and she practically had to force her hands to let go once the boy was situated.
“You have been such a big help to mommy tonight and I want you to be just as good for Elrohir, alright?” she asked forcing a smile again.
“All right mommy,” the little one said happily, already forgetting his fear in his excitement.
“You are a very brave woman,” Elladan said softly to Gilraen.
“Thank you,” she whispered back.
Elladan gracefully swung up in front of Gilraen after he gave her another reassuring smile.
As the group rode on the sounds did not relent and Elladan had to constantly keep the horse calm. They approached a narrow ravine and the tinkling sound of water could be heard coming from the depths below. Elrohir rode to the edge and looked down.
“It is not that far down,” he informed them, “and I believe even Trithen can make this narrow jump.”
Gilraen’s eyes went wide at the word ‘jump’ and she unconsciously gripped the elf in front of her.
“We are not going across that are we?” she asked voice trembling this time.
Jumpin. Why did have to be jumping? She hated heights and, despite what Elrohir thought of as ‘not that far down,’ the thought of going across a high expanse on a horse was terrifying.
“Why Gilraen, you wouldn’t be afraid of high places now would you?” Elladan asked lightly.
How could elves joke at a time like this? At the moment the woman did not appreciate the jest and in a motherly gesture, she cuffed the elf in front of her. Elrohir almost broke out in laughter and barely bit back a giggle.
“Hmph,” Elladan huffed in mock dignity, “I should let you jump the horse across by yourself.”
At the mention of having to do it herself she practically clutched the dark-haired elf.
“Easy my lady, I am only joking. I would never assume to let you do it by yourself.”
“We must hurry,” Elrohir cut in, “I hear a group wondering behind us. If we jump across we can escape them without a fuss. You can even go fist,” he explained to Gilraen trying to hide his smile at her look about going fisrt.
She looked at the elf and then down to her son in the front and felt a pang of jealousy. Aragorn was sitting there calmly and as she looked she noticed that he even seemed kind of excited about jumping on the elven horse. She took a deep breath and not trusting her voice to not betray the utter terror she felt, simply nodded.
Elrohir and Elladan guided the horses back for a running start and as Elladan was turning Trithen around he muttered something in elvish that even Gilraen didn’t understand, but she got the gist as she finally heard the orcs getting closer which made her heart pound even more. The horse started to prance at the sound and laid its ears back. The elf in front of her talked soothingly to Trithen and he calmed down somewhat. Elladan turned the horse around and Gilraen felt her heart leap into her chest as she said another prayer to the Valar. The woman snapped her eyes closed and clung to the elf for dear life as she suppressed the urge to scream in terror as she felt the elf kick the horse into a run.
The three almost made it to the edge before an orc popped out right near the ledge by accident with a look of surprised amazement stamped on its face. The sudden appearance surprised the already frightened horse and the animal stopped dead in its tracks sending both riders lurching dangerously as the horse pranced nervously at the edge of the drop off. Gilraen couldn’t hold back the scream of fear this time as Elladan struggled to calm the animal. Even the soothing effect of the elf could not calm the animal and the horse reared at the orcs as he regained his wits and charged the trio.
Temporarily ignoring the crying child in front of him, Elrohir focused on the creature through the tangle of arms and hooves and shot the orc before it ever had the chance to raise its weapon at the two defenseless riders. The orc lurched as the arrow hit it squarely in the side and it grabbed a hold of the horse’s reins as it fell causing the animal to stumble when it landed from its reared stance. The jolt combined with Gilraen’s weight tore at Elladan’s injury and the searing pain made his arm go numb. The elf lost his hold with that hand and the two fell sideways off the horse to smack into the ground with a grunt amongst the chaos of hooves and flailing orc.
Elrohir’s eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen and he charged the horse forward. In the commotion no one noticed as the orc’s companion entered the scene carrying a bow.
The second orc raised the bow, took aim for Elrohir, and fired. Luckily for Elrohir it was just as he rushed forward and the arrow only grazed his sleeve. Trithen was not as lucky as the arrow smacked directly into the horse’s eye (I know…ouch). Elladan saw the horse get hit and rolled on top of Gilraen and continued rolling with her as the horse staggered. Gilraen let out a cry of surprise and sorrow as she watched in slow motion as her dear horse staggered and fell over the edge dragging the orc with it.
Elrohir promptly turned on the horse and shot down the orc who had fired at him. He brought the horse over to Gilraen and Elladan and jumped down as they were picking themselves off the ground.
“Are you two alright?” he asked quickly.
Both nodded yes although he could see that Elladan’s shoulder was rapidly become soaked in blood and Gilraen was rising shakily.
The sounds of her and Aragorn’s screams and the horse’s whines would have been heard for some distance she knew. Panic threatened to grip her as she tried to think of what they would do now.
“What are we going to do?” she asked almost franticly.
“Aethaenyn is a strong and practiced jumper. He can make it more than once easily. I shall simply take you and Aragorn across fist and come back for my brother,” Elrohir said calmly.
“No,” she said quickly, “take Aragorn and go now. I beg you.”
“I will not leave you alone,” Elrohir protested.
“She will not be alone,” Elladan answered.
Elrohir looked at his brother with pleading eyes.
Do not make me do this, Elladan heard Elrohir’s voice in his head.
It is not our choice brother, he answered.
“You can get Aragorn out of hear if the worst happened right, was that not the reason he rode with you? You can ride much faster without me for Aragorn is extremely light. Now as his mother I am begging you to get him away from these foul monsters,” Gilraen said close to tears.
The sounds of a large amount of the creatures was rapidly coming closer, a choice had to be made right now. A choice Elrohir realized sadly that was not his. If Gilraen would not come with him right now then he could not make her albeit kicking and screaming and like that even Aethaenyn would have trouble running.
“Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?” he asked miserably.
“Yes, nothing else really matters does it?” she answered serenely with a strange sense of calm.
Elrohir closed his eyes and sighed. Why did no one ever listen to him? More of, why did he always give in? Without a word he swung up behind the trembling child.
Gilraen hugged Aragorn good-bye and made him promise to listen to Elrohir while he went on a ride with the elf.
“Until Bree then,” Elrohir said quietly to the two.
In all honesty Elrohir knew that the two would be in no more danger than he and the boy where riding into and that their other two companions headed into grater danger earlier. He assured himself that his brother was very resourceful when he needed to be and that Gilraen would do everything in her power to get back to her son and that the two would be much less conspicuous on foot. He also told himself that his father had let Elladan come for a reason and that might have been that they where all destined to walk different paths back to Rivendell. As he gave in and jumped the horse, why then, was leaving them the hardest thing he had ever done?
The horse cleared the distance and then some easily and Elrohir turned the horse to look back at Gilraen and Elladan. He met the woman’s eyes and the sheer amount of hope they held for him getting her son away was heart wrenching. The amount of trust in him they held was almost frightening. He then met Elladan’s bright gaze and he could see that his brother was of like mind as he, not quiet sure if this was the right thing, but resolute to obey Gilraen’s wishes. They exchanged small smiles and then Elrohir wheeled Aethaenyn around and rode away.
********
Unknowingly for Elrohir and Aragorn they rode towards a group of the stragglers from the main group that split off from the horde following Haldan and Aranel.
********
“It is a little late now, but are you absolutely sure this is what you want?” Elladan asked.
“What could a mother want more than a chance for her son to get away without being hurt?” she asked.
“You know, you are beginning to sound like an elf?” Elladan commented.
Gilraen looked at the dark-haired elf curiously.
Elladan let out a small laugh before he answered.
“You just answered my question with another one,” he explained.
Despite herself Gilraen chuckled at the observation.
“What are we to do now?” she asked seriously.
“Well, since we are stuck over here, we must still cross the ravine,” he answered dryly.
Gilraen started to apologize until she realized he was teasing her again and she smiled back.
“You can swim right?” he asked lightly.
“Of course, but I have no intention of taking the fast way down if that is what you are implying.”
“Come,” Elladan said suppressing a smile and heading for the edge, “it is not to steep to climb down.”
Swallowing her rising panic of heights again Gilraen nodded and slowly walked over to the elf. It was only after she finally got close enough to the elf to see him clearly that she finally noticed the wetness of the elf’s tunic.
“How did that happen?” she asked her voice full of concern.
“It is alright,” he answered, “that happened before tonight.”
“You came after Aragorn and I wounded? Knowing it might be dangerous?” she asked taking on a motherly tone again.
“Unless you want the orcs close by to hear you,” Elladan answered calmly back, “I would suggest you keep your voice down and start climbing.”
Gilraen blanched a bit as she wondered which might be worse, facing all of the orcs right here or climbing down the ravine. Taking a ragged breath she turned toward the ledge, but spun back around to face the elf in the same way she had done to Leodry only days before.
“Alright, but we are not finished,” she said testily and turned back to the ledge.
Elladan had to fight to keep from laughing at the thought of a girl centuries younger than he lecturing him like a mother. He figured it just must be natural for Gilraen.
“Wait,” he called suppressing his mirth, “I will go first in case you fall.”
Gilraen simply narrowed her eyes at the elf. She was going to tell him that just because she didn’t like heights that it did not mean she couldn’t climb until she saw how easily, even wounded, the agile elf seemed to effortlessly hop over the edge. For the second time that night Gilraen was jealous at how easy some people seemed to take heights. With a sigh and without an argument she slowly lowered herself over the edge.
*********
The climbing went slow, the woman knew mainly because of her. Just for the fact that she was actually doing this, she was quite proud of herself though.
The movement made Elladan’s shoulder ached more than he let on and he felt himself becoming light-headed. The elf just wanted to reach the bottom quickly, but he would not leave Gilraen to climb by herself, so he did not complain. Elladan stopped and clung to the side willing his mind to clear. He almost smiled at how ironic it was that minutes ago he had been teasing the woman about climbing too slow and clinging to the ledge and now here he was doing the same thing.
After the torture she had endured in the beginning from Elladan the fact that he had stopped moving was not lost on the woman. She almost started to tease him about the same thing, but she held her tongue when it sunk in that it must be the elf’s injury starting to affect him. She stopped in fear at the thought of possibly having to help him down. She couldn’t do it; she was barely containing her terror as it was and he was supposed to keep a watch over her as she climbed! ‘Stop it!’ she mentally yelled at herself closing her eyes. She realized she was letting her fear get the better of her and drew an unsteady breath.
“Elladan?” she managed to say.
Elladan’s head was beginning to clear after the brief pause to be replaced by the nagging headache he had gotten used to over the past few days. He heard Gilraen call his name questioningly and could feel the barely contained fright in it. His sudden stop must have unnerved the woman. He looked up at the Gilraen to see her muscles trembling; something that was not good when you needed them to cling to rocks steadily. Gritting his teeth he climbed up beside the human, secured his hold with his uninjured arm, and placed a supportive hand on her back.
“I am sorry I frighten you, all is well. You are doing a beautifully job my lady, but you must keep climbing,” the elf said gently.
Gilraen swallowed again. To hear a calm voice right now helped to calm her a great deal and she opened her eyes. The woman quickly composed herself and began to climb again.
Gilraen just began to lower herself when a shout from above startled her and she cried out as her hand slipped. Elladan looked up sharply to see an orc peering over the side at them. He should have felt the thing’s presence and mentally curse himself as he reached out to grab hold of Gilraen’s wrist before she slid. Grabbing onto her with his injured side the elf barely managed to keep the both of them anchored to the rocks. Gilraen quickly tried to regain her hold with that hand, but suddenly her palms were moist with sweat and her hand would not obey her commands to cling to the side. Breathing raggedly she scrambled frantically trying to get a hold of something, anything.
“Gilraen calm down,” the elf’s voice was stern, “I have you, but if you keep struggling you are going to dislodge us both.”
Still shaking, the rational side of her mind made her stop scrambling.
“That’s it,” he instructed his voice tight from the strain, “now simply take a hold of the ledge.”
As Gilraen secured herself, Elladan looked grimly up to the top. The orc’s frantic calls had attracted a few more of the vile things. The elf cursed himself out loud this time as his sharp gaze saw a bow point down in their direction. He was already covering the woman as he helped her regain her hold, so all he could do was duck his head down and hope for the best.
“Keep still,” he said urgently and Gilraen stiffened and stopped.
Elladan winced as he heard the crack of the arrowhead hit the rocks near to them.
“Gilraen let go,” he said quickly.
“Are you mad?” she yelled her eyes frantic.
“We were lucky that time and they are just going to keep firing until they hit us, just trust me.”
“I do, but I can’t let go,” she said tears streaking down her face.
They both winced this time as an arrow ricocheted near Gilraen’s head followed by excited shouts from above.
“Trust me in that if any of those arrows are poisoned it will be far worse than going for a swim.”
“I’d rather swim. I am trying, I just can’t,” she practically stuttered, “You must help me. Pull me off! ”
Elladan grabbed a hold of the woman’s wrist to dislodge her.
“Looks like we are taking the short way down after all,” he said lightly as he jerked her free.
He kicked out to try and clear them from the rocks as they started to fall and kept a firm hold on the woman’s wrist at they plunged down.
The elf and human hit the water with a smack that knocked the air out of the both of them. Elladan’s guess had been right, at least, that the river was deep enough so they wouldn’t hit the bottom. It was quite cold, though.
Elladan managed to keep his hold on Gilraen and pulled them both to the surface before he let go. The river was deep, but not terribly fast moving and it was not too hard to swim to the shore. After the strenuous climb, the impact of the water, and the swim to shore combined with the whole infernal night Elladan’s head was spinning. He made it to shore and barely noticed when he dropped down to all his hands and knees as he fought to stay alert.
Gilraen came to the surface sputtering. She was eternally grateful that Elladan had kept a hold of her as they fell. Hitting the cold water snapped her out of her panicked stupefied state and she swam to the shore as soon he let go of her. She reached the shore and dropped to her knees to let her heart stop its frantic pace. Had she not been so scared she might have laughed at their dip in the river. When her heart slowed its racing she looked around to find out where her companion had went. Since the river was set down in a ravine the bluffs blocked out a good deal of the moonlight and it was fairly dark down where they were. She might not have saw Elladan at all if not for the soft glow the elf gave off. Her heart speed back up when she saw him lying on the shore nearby. She could hear the orcs calling on the ridge above and wondered if they could see them down here in the gloom.
Gilraen picked herself up and scrambled over to where her companion still lay.