Title: You Are Still The One.
Author: Morgana
Email addy: morganalebeau@yahoo.com
Website; http://www.avalon.cobweb.nl/
Pairing(s): Glorfindel/Erestor, Elrond/Elros
Rating: R
Summary: Elladan happens upon an injured half-Elf with amnesia and Elrond
volunteers to care for the poor soul. Elladan is determined to find the
perpetrators and endangers his own life/safety in doing so.
Disclaimer: These characters are all Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU.
Author’s Note: Beta read by Aduial, thanks so much! And a thank you to
Ilye, for her help.
You Are Still The One.
Part 5
Elladan felt nauseous. The blow that had been delivered to his head was
causing sickness and vertigo, and he tried to move about as little as possible
so he wouldn’t draw attention to his person. Through half-closed eye slits, he
scanned his surroundings and found that five Imladris’ guards were nearby. They
were bound as well, bloodied and battered, but at least they were alive. The
fact that he had been placed apart worried him though. Did the pack know he was
the leader? If they did, they would try to break him first. /Where are you,
Estel? You should have been here by now!/ Or had Erestor merely given him false
hope? No, he was certain his former tutor would never mislead him.
“So you decided to wake up?”
Elladan realized he had been found out and opened his eyes. Above him,
an Orc and a Man stood, grinning evilly at him. What worried him the most was
the fact that the Orc had a knife in his hand -- a very sharp and long knife.
“I am awake.”
“Oh, it talks!” the Orc growled, studying his prisoner.
Elladan never knew what hit him; suddenly he was on his knees, his throat
being squeezed shut by the vile creature. His eyes almost bulged from their
sockets and he struggled to draw in just the tiniest amount of air.
“So pretty… But not for much longer.” The Orc, panting softly from
excitement at this point, placed the sharp tip of his knife against his
prisoner’s cheek.
Elladan instinctively knew what was going to happen and mentally
prepared himself for the pain. But when the tip dipped beneath his skin, he was
still stunned by the intense pain, and moaned softly. The metal buried itself
deeper beneath his skin, and was then moved downward, cutting deeply. Warm
blood oozed down his face and dripped onto his clothes. Trying hard to hold on
to his composure he managed to hide his pain from the monster.
“Now you’ve ruined his face,” said the Man in a mocking voice, grinning
darkly.
Unexpectedly the Orc released him and Elladan dropped onto the forest
ground, blood quickly dripping onto the green grass. Panting hard, he drew in
as much precious air as he could.
“I want to kill him,” announced the Orc. “Slowly… painfully.”
Elladan forced himself to remain calm and once more searched his
surroundings. Was there really no way out for him? Was he really going to die
here? Now? In such a dishonorable way?
“Charge!”
Elladan’s eyes widened with recognition. “Estel, I am here!” The Orc
reacted at once, burying the tip of his heavy boot in his stomach area. Elladan
gasped for breath and tried to protect his vulnerable areas, but the bonds
wouldn’t allow it. He was helpless and his only hope lay therein that Estel
reached him in time.
Estel had heard the yell and now fought himself a way to where Elladan
lay. Seeing blood drip from Elladan’s face urged him to fight harder. He had to
reach Elladan before the Orc could finish what he had started!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erestor regained consciousness a few minutes after Glorfindel had left
and forced himself into an upright position. He waited for his head to clear
and then considered his options. He *should* inform Elrond straight away, but
wasn’t inclined to do so yet. The half-Elf was already sick with worry for
Elladan; telling the Lord of Imladris that his oldest son had been captured and
that his youngest was now out there was well would only cause Elrond more
distress. No, he would wait a little longer before telling Elrond.
“My Lord Councilor?”
Erestor recognized Lindir’s voice and released a relieved sigh. “Come
inside, my friend.” He thanked the Valar for sending Lindir his way. He needed
help!
Lindir opened the door and stepped inside. “Erestor?” In public he
insisted on addressing his friend properly, but in private he had done away
with titles. Surprised at finding Erestor in bed at this time of the day, he
hurried toward the raven-haired Elf. “What is amiss?” He sat down and quickly
steadied the swaying advisor. “What has happened here?”
Erestor lifted his eyes and made eye contact. “I farspoke with Estel one
time too many.”
“Farspoke?” Lindir’s brow furrowed. “But should you be doing that? Farspeaking
is draining.” Erestor had never told him the details of bringing Glorfindel
back to Arda, but he knew the advisor had paid for that return with his very
life force. Supporting his friend, he placed a hand against Erestor’s brow.
“You feel cold today.”
“I always feel cold,” said Erestor in a clipped tone. “But I don’t have
the time to give into this weakness. I need your help, Lindir.”
Lindir nodded once. “Of course. What do you need from me?”
“I need to know Elrond’s whereabouts. What he is doing, where he is
going. That sort of thing.”
“Why?”
Erestor knew he could trust Lindir, and confided in him. “Elrohir has
left Imladris as well. The twins are out there and Elladan is injured. He was
captured by Orcs.”
“And you don’t want to tell Elrond,” said Lindir, blinking once. Yes,
this was bad news, but why didn’t Erestor want Elrond to know?
“Elrond is already in a weakened state and I don’t want to worry him
until I know anything for certain. Estel is close to Elladan and should be able
to free him. I don’t want to worry Elrond over nothing.”
“He deserves to know his oldest son is in grave danger,” said Lindir,
thoughtfully, “but at the same time I understand why you are hesitant to tell
him just yet.”
“Go, find Elrond and make certain he doesn’t find out Elrohir and
Glorfindel have left.”
Lindir still felt a bit reluctant to comply, but then relented. “Elrond
made you Chief Advisor for a reason, so I will put my trust in you.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Erestor forced a smile onto his face. “And now
go.”
“Will you be all right alone? Or do you want me to send in a healer?”
“No healer can help me,” said Erestor, sighing. “Stop stalling and go!”
When Lindir finally left, Erestor leaned back and collapsed back into the
pillows. His ordeal wasn’t over yet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond nuzzled his patient’s skin, deeply inhaling the other Elf’s
familiar scent. /If you really are Elros, why come back to me? And how is it
possible for you to return to me in the first place?/ Oh, how he had missed his
twin! When Elros had chosen mortality Elrond had cried bitter tears and, in his
anger, had cursed his twin for damning him to this half-life. Without Elros he would
never be complete again!
“You… are… troubled…”
Elrond’s eyes narrowed, hearing his charge’s upset voice. “I am worried
about you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. I wonder why you can’t remember who you are.” His charge
tensed in his arms, but Elrond continued nonetheless. “I understand that you
are locking out the painful memories, but why your identity?”
Elrond frowned. “You never knew? How is that possible?”
/I remember what they did to me -- vaguely -- / he added apologetically,
sensing Elrond’s displeasure for not telling him that before. /I don’t want to
remember./
“I can understand that, but…”
/You see, I have no memories prior to that attack. To me it feels like I
woke from nothingness and suddenly these cruel creatures loomed over me. It is
almost like my life started then and there. But such a thing surely can not
be?/
Elrond’s frown deepened and the half-Elf momentarily blocked
“Did I… upset you?” Speaking the words caused the ache in his jaw to
awaken, but he wanted to reach out, and the only way he knew how to draw
Elrond’s attention was by using his voice -- addressing him aloud.
Elrond decided to risk it all. “Can I ask you something personal?”
/I will try to answer./
“What is your true name?” Elrond held his breath, feeling his charge
fall asleep in his arms.
/Elros?/ A wave of recognition washed over him. /Aye, I think so…/ But
sleep claimed him before he could properly end his thought.
Elrond closed his eyes at hearing that answer. /It is true, then. It
must be true!/ He *was* holding Elros in his arms. His beloved twin, who he had
loved and lost, and who had now been returned to him!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elladan released a pained ‘UFF’ when Estel dragged him to his feet and
then unceremoniously draped him over a shoulder. “What are you do --” His words
were cut short when the Orc attacked. Estel had had the moment of surprise on
his side, but now the foul creature launched an attack. /What are you thinking,
Estel! Put me down! You can’t fight like this!/
/I can, and now kindly be quiet so I can focus!/ Estel raised his sword
and with the help of a fellow Ranger disposed of the Orc. Eager to take Elladan
to safety, he left the fighting to the remaining Rangers, who steadily gained
the upper hand.
“Let me down! I can fight!” Elladan kicked, trying to free himself, but
the movement caused a burning sensation in the pit of his stomach, and now that
Estel was moving the vertigo returned as well, making his world spin. /Please,
put me down… I might throw up all over you if you don’t./
Estel sensed the seriousness to Elladan’s words, and as they were now
surrounded by his Rangers and safe, he placed the half-Elf slowly onto the
forest ground. /I should examine you!/
Elladan turned his head away from Estel and emptied his stomach -- not
that much was inside anyway. /Give me a moment…/ Elladan managed to calm
himself down, and peeked at Estel, whose expression was caring and worried. /I
will be fine, don’t worry./
/But I *do* worry!/ Estel brushed back the long, raven hair and examined
the half-Elf. He couldn’t remember when they had first realized they could
speak to each other in their minds, and he had never managed this with anyone
else. It was something that only worked with Elladan. “There is so much blood.”
Using the tip of his sleeve, he began to remove the blood.
“Why don’t you untie me first?” Elladan rolled onto his back, staring at
the sky and presenting his bound wrists to the Ranger. His eyes involuntarily
closed when another wave of nausea rose inside him.
Estel was already busy untying the half-Elf and immediately noticed the
closing eyes. “You need to let me examine you, Elladan.”
Elladan waited for the nausea to lessen and then opened his eyes.
“Estel, I am a seasoned warrior. A little nausea and vertigo won’t hamper me
for long!” He tried to push himself upright now that his hands were at his
disposal again, but Estel pushed him flat onto his back again. “Let me up!”
“Not until I am certain that you are fit to stand.” Estel hid a smile,
remembering past times during which Elladan had taken care of him. He had grown
up in Imladris, as Elrond had named him his foster-son. Elladan and Elrohir had
been adults at the time and had acted as his example in many ways. /I even had
a childhood crush on Elladan./ He didn’t know if the half-Elf had ever realized
the attraction, and if he had, Elladan had never done anything to embarrass
him. For which he felt grateful. He still hadn’t outgrown that crush, but had
learned how to carry himself when Elladan was close.
Elladan resigned himself to the situation. “Be quick about it!” He
didn’t fancy lying here with all these Rangers gathering around him and giving
him concerned looks.
“I won’t be rushed,” said Estel calmly. He had learned much of the art
of healing from Elrond, and much like the Lord of Imladris he also called upon
an inner strength to heal the wounded. ‘The hands of a healer’ Elrond had remarked
once, though the meaning of that phrase had been lost on him back then. That
had happened before Elrond had revealed his true heritage -- and his destiny to
him.
Elladan gnashed his teeth, allowing Estel to examine him. The touch of
those fingertips was remarkably soft, but then again, Estel had always been a
mystery to him. There was much of a warrior in Estel, but there was more -- so
much more. /This is not the time to surrender to these musings!/
Estel momentarily stopped with examining Elladan to give orders. He told
the Rangers to find a suitable spot to make camp and start a small fire, as he
didn’t want to stay here, surrounded by corpses. Continuing to examine his
patient, Estel searched Elladan’s eyes and was relieved to find them clear. “You
were extremely lucky this time, Elladan. If Erestor hadn’t reached me in time
to enlist my aid, you might have become Orc food.”
“Orcs and Men… They were working together,” said Elladan, who finally
felt more comfortable under Estel’s probing touches. “It is just a cut.”
“Yes, but it continues to bleed. I need to put in stitches.” Estel
smiled, ruefully. “You might even carry a scar away from this encounter.”
Elladan’s features briefly contorted, but his cheek stung and his face
straightened out again, becoming relaxed. “Elrohir will be jealous.”
“It is good to see that you still have your sense of humor,” commented
Estel, dryly. One of the Rangers moved closer and told him that they had set up
a temporary camp. After thanking his fellow Ranger, Estel looked at Elladan.
“Do you think you can walk?”
“You aren’t carrying me again! Not in such an unbecoming manner!”
Elladan struggled to his feet, but in the end he needed Estel’s assistance.
“Thank you,” he whispered softly, grateful for Estel’s steadying arm. Then he
remembered something and cringed. “How worried did Erestor sound when he
farspoke with you?” He didn’t remember much of his own conversation with the
advisor.
“Very worried,” said Estel, who now steered Elladan toward the horses. “He
contacted me twice…” Estel helped Elladan mount the horse and then slid into
the saddle behind the half-Elf. “But I worry more about Elrohir than Erestor.”
“Elrohir…” Elladan’s head slumped forward. “He must have felt my pain.
He must be so worried.”
Estel gently pulled Elladan closer to his chest and wrapped an arm
around him. Making sure they traveled at a slow speed, he whispered into
Elladan’s ear, “I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he is on his way here.”
Elladan nodded, suddenly realizing his head rested against Estel’s
shoulder. “That’s very well possible.” The connection they shared as twins was
close and tight, and Elrohir would try to reach him as quickly as possible. “I
can only hope he will be careful.”
Estel smiled, seeing his fellow Rangers had even erected a temporary
shelter, made from branches, leaves and their traveling blankets. It would
shelter Elladan and keep him warm until the half-Elf had fully recovered again.
It wouldn’t be long before the healing sleep would set in, enabling Elladan to
rebuild his strength and the half-Elf would need watching over during that
time. Elladan slumped against him, the half-Elf’s body growing relaxed against
him. /The healing sleep has already set in. Sleep tight and recover, my dearest
friend. I will watch over you in the mean time./
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fatigue and exhaustion had nestled in Erestor’s every bone and a cold
sweat had formed over his whole body. He had long reached his limits, but was
determined to reach out again. He had to know if Estel had already reached
Elladan. Until now he had postponed informing Elrond, but he couldn’t keep
stalling. Wringing his hands, he drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
/Estel, hear me!/
Lying on the forest ground, beneath the shelter his fellow Rangers had
erected, Estel’s eyes widened. /Erestor?/
/Quick! Have you reached Elladan yet?/ Oh, the connection was so weak
and he had such little strength left! He was killing himself continuing to do
this!
/Elladan is safe and he is here with
/Glorfindel and Elrohir are on their way to you./ Erestor’s breath came
shallow and in slow gasps. His body was telling him that it couldn’t take much
more, that it was already balancing on the edge.
/Rest assured, my friend; Elladan is asleep beside me. He is well./
Estel tucked a blanket around Elladan’s body and stroked the back of the half-Elf’s
right hand. /I will leave for Imladris tomorrow. Elladan will return home
within the next two days./
/Thank you… I must leave you now…/ He managed to finish that thought,
but then his heart did something odd. It missed a beat… and another… and another.
His eyes widened and he struggled for breath. Had he really demanded too much
of himself and was he going to pay the ultimate price just after finding out
that Glorfindel returned his feelings? Rapidly losing consciousness, a tendril
of his still wandering thoughts reached out for Glorfindel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glorfindel gasped, as an invisible force almost swept him out of the
saddle. He doubled over; the fear, pain and longing that washed over him were too
much to bear. The thought which then reached him made him fear the worst.
/Glorfindel… Help!/
Glorfindel clung to the saddle and buried his fingers in Asfaloth’s
mane. “Erestor?”
Elrohir stared at Glorfindel with surprise and questions in his eyes.
“What is amiss?”
“It is Erestor… The Valar help me, but I have to turn around and go
back!” Erestor had told him to keep a close eye on Elrohir! The advisor had
practically thrown him out to make sure the half-Elf wouldn’t leave alone. He
couldn’t go back now! But the fear… the pain… the longing that had sounded in
that thought worried him. And what worried him even more was the fact that
Erestor had gone quiet. /Erestor? Answer me, Erestor! Don’t do this to me!/ But
Erestor remained quiet and worry for the advisor’s well-being got the better of
him. “Elrohir, I can’t accompany you. Something has happened to Erestor.”
Elrohir managed to push his own worries aside and nodded once. “Then go
to him. I will be extra careful until I meet up with Estel and my twin.”
Glorfindel’s heart was breaking in two, torn as he was between his love
for Erestor and affection for Elrohir and Elladan, who he had helped raise.
This was the worst dilemma he had ever experienced.
“Go,” said Elrohir, calmly. “I can take care of myself. You trained me
well.” Elrohir asked his mare to walk on and didn’t look back to see what
choice Glorfindel had made, hoping that Glorfindel would return to Imladris.
Glorfindel felt guilty for deserting Elrohir, but Erestor calling out to
him like that had scared him. Turning Asfaloth around, he squeezed with his
heels, and the stallion understood. Taking off with high speed, Asfaloth
hurried back to the Last Homely House.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His charge was still soundly asleep and Elrond decided it was time for
an ‘escape’ attempt. Although he would have loved to stay at the other Elf’s
side, he also knew work was piling up on his desk. If he was to spend most of
his time here, Erestor had to know so the advisor could take over his duties
for the next few days.
Looking at the half-Elf in his arms, Elrond realized he was growing more
certain that he *was* Elros with every passing minute. A younger version of
Elros, judging by the lack of wrinkles on his forehead that showed above the
bandages. But there were still similarities between their facial structures.
Why hadn’t he seen that before? Probably because he had been to busy cleaning
up the damage those Orcs had done. And there was still a considerable amount of
swelling left, obscuring the real facial features. /Will I ever know for
certain if it is you, Elros? How can I possible be a hundred percent sure?/
Aye, his heart told him that this was his long lost twin, but his head still
argued that it couldn’t possible be. Why would Ilúvatar remake Elros?
Elrond realized he was driving himself insane with these questions and
focused on slipping out of bed without waking his charge. The other Elf moaned
at the loss and his hands reached for him, but Elrond was quicker and pushed a
pillow into his patient’s hands. That seemed to soothe him and his charge
returned to a more peaceful sleep. Sighing, Elrond straightened out his robes
and walked toward the doorway. Before leaving the room however, he looked back
over his shoulder and smiled. /You *are* Elros and I don’t need any proof./
In the next room, he encountered a healer and he asked him to sit with
their patient. The healer quickly obliged and went into the little sick room to
keep an eye on their charge. Reassured that ‘Elros’ was in the best possible
hands, Elrond turned around and decided to head for his study first and then
for Erestor’s rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrohir didn’t know what to make of this development. First, Glorfindel
had been determined to stay with him to keep him safe, and now the Captain was
speeding back to the Last Homely House because something was wrong with
Erestor. Had the advisor farspoken with Glorfindel then? Erestor must have; how
else would Glorfindel know something was wrong? Damn it, now he was worrying
about his former tutor as well. /I do hope you are all right, Erestor./
But he couldn’t afford to spend more time worrying about Erestor when it
was his twin he needed to worry about. Focusing on the connection that had tied
them together since the day they were born, Elrohir let it pull him in the
right direction. He reckoned reaching Elladan would take him less than a day.
That same connection also told him Elladan was alive and that was the very
thing he would cling to until he finally buried his twin in his arms again.