Warrior | By : mirasaui Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 1367 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Title: Warrior
Author: Mirasaui (mirasaui@aol.com)
Website: celandine.net
Type: FPS
Cast: Lindir/Erestor, Elrohir, Elladan
Rating: R
Beta: Lalaith Nienóri and Larienelengasse.
Archives: Archive of Our Own, Of Elves and Men, Library of Moria, Fanfiction.net, others are welcome-just let me know
Disclaimer: The Characters are Tolkien's creations, not mine. This is all just for fun.
Summary: Elrohir searches for one who is lost and Erestor finds there is more to life than work. Loosely based on the concept of a child's imaginary friend.
A/N: This story was written for the Secret Friend Challenge of the Lindir Yahoo Group. My friend, Nafaerala (Sarah) requested a pairing of Lindir and Erestor.
The Sindarin translation of "Maethor" is "Warrior" [Hisewelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]. Other Sindarin phrases and translations thanks to Orchyd Constyne. The names of the two non-canon characters are from the name generator on the "Council of Elrond" website and from "The Argonath" website. Mystery and romance, mild slash.
Warrior
Chapter One: Elrohir
It was one of those nights. No matter what Elrohir did, he could not sleep. He tossed and turned and arranged his pillow countless different ways, but it did not help; sleep would not come. A beam of moonlight illuminated his brother in the other bed. Elladan was already in the land of dreams, and had been since he was first tucked in. Every night they would brush their teeth, wash their faces and put on their nightshirts. Then they would climb into bed and wait for their naneth. Celebrían would walk through the door carrying a large book, their favorite one, the one with pictures. For the next half-hour, her soft voice would lull them to sleep as she read their favorite stories.
Usually, they were deep in reverie before she finished, but tonight was different...at least for Elrohir...Maethor was missing!
Elrohir was worried. He had been afraid to tell his naneth, for he did not wish to be scolded. The last time Maethor was lost, he had been severely punished. He had intended to tell his parents that day after lunch that Maethor was missing, but in the excitement of play, he had forgotten. When he had finally remembered, chaos ensued. All of Imladris had joined the search until Maethor was located. That night Elrohir's parents had lectured him about responsibility and care. It was not enough to love someone, they said, you must also look after them, make sure they are safe. To reinforce that lesson, Elrohir had been sent to his room, grounded. While Elladan played in the sunshine the next day, Elrohir had only been able to watch from the window. And now, Maethor was missing...again!
Maethor was his best friend, but there were times the old warrior liked to be alone and Elrohir respected his wishes. Elrohir thought today was one of those days, for Maethor did not seek him out as usual. He was sad, but he knew Maethor usually came home for dinner; but by dusk, Maethor had not returned. Elrohir sighed. He could not help but worry about his warrior. He had known him a long time, ever since he first remembered.
Warrior's hair was not as shiny as it used to be, and his legs were crooked, so he had a hard time walking. Lindir said that was because he was old and old elves sometimes wore out. Elrohir hoped that it would be awhile before *he* wore out. He said so to Lindir, but Lindir only laughed. Lindir was his and Elladan's music tutor, and their best friend. Lindir was neither stuffy like Lord Erestor, nor stern like Lord Glorfindel. Lindir was nice and always, always happy. He had the most beautiful voice in the whole world and he could sing like a nightingale. At least that was what their naneth said. Elrohir had never heard a nightingale.
Tears filled his eyes. Warrior used to be fierce and brave, but as he aged his body betrayed him and he lost many of the skills he once had. When Elrohir first met him, he had a finely carved bow. But one day the bow disappeared. Elrohir and Maethor looked for it everywhere, but could not find it. Warrior was very upset; even Elrohir could not comfort him. Ada said Warrior would not get another one, and that made Elrohir sad. And now tonight, Maethor was out there in the dark with no weapon for protection. What if he were attacked by orcs or carried away by wargs? What if he had fallen in a chasm and could not climb out? The more Elrohir thought of the dangers that warrior could face, the worse the scenario became. Warrior lying injured, calling out for help with no one there to hear him.
Elrohir jumped out of bed and ran over to Elladan. "Elly, wake up...Warrior is missing, we must find him!"
Elladan moaned sleepily, "W-What?"
"Warrior is missing, please, you must help!"
"Go back to sleep 'Ro," Elladan replied, still half asleep, "We will look for him in the morning."
"No, Elly, we must find him...now! Please?"
But Elladan had turned over and gone back to sleep, and try as he might, Elrohir could not wake him. He began to cry. He had to tell someone about Maethor; it would be his fault if the warrior was hurt or injured! Lindir was the only elf he could think of, maybe the minstrel would not tell his parents that Elrohir had again waited too late.
Elrohir crept from his room and walked silently down the hall. Opening the door to Lindir's room he peeked inside. Lindir was still dressed and was kneeling against the bed, his long white hair undone from its braids and...he was crying. Lindir's whole body shook with his sobs and Elrohir silently backed away and slipped from the room. It had to be Warrior, he thought. Something had happened to him...that was why Lindir was crying! Something bad has happened and it is my fault! I should have told someone, I should have told Ada!
Elrohir cried for Maethor and for himself. He knew he was in trouble again and would be punished. It would be ever so much worse this time! Why had he waited? What if warrior was dead! Elrohir ran back to his room, grabbed his pillow and blanket and crawled underneath his bed. They would not find him here; he would be safe. He prayed to the Valar, "Please let Maethor be all right". Curling up into a ball, he hugged his pillow tight and cried himself to sleep.
Chapter Two: The Search
Morning dawned bright and sunny and Elladan
awoke with a yawn. "Ro," he asked, "are you up?" There was no answer. Turning over Elladan realized his brother was not in bed. That was unusual; Elrohir was normally the last one to wake. Rising from his own bed, he put on his slippers and robe and looked in the adjoining bath. Elrohir was not there. He smiled, sometimes his brother hid under the bed. Dropping to his knees he peered underneath, but no Elrohir.
Elladan did not think he had overslept, but just in case, he hurried through his morning toiletries, then walked as fast as he could to the dining hall. The only elves present were the servants readying the table for breakfast. "Have you seen Elrohir?" he asked one of the maids.
"No, Master Elladan, perhaps he is with Lord Erestor, he was in here earlier."
"Thank you," Elladan replied, turning around and heading towards Erestor's office. He stood in front of the door and knocked.
"Come in," Erestor called out, and Elladan poked his head around the door.
"Lord Erestor, h-have you seen Elrohir?"
"No, Elladan, I have not. He is not in your room?"
"No, my lord, I even looked under the bed. One of the maids said she thought she saw him with you."
Erestor rose from his chair and walked over to Elladan. He put his arm around his shoulder. "Come, pen-neth, I shall help you find him."
After searching the wing that housed the family members and senior staff, and checking all of Elrohir's usual hiding places, Erestor began to worry. Elladan was usually the impulsive one, not Elrohir. What reason would the youngster have to run away? He did not want to cause undue worry, but it was time to notify Lord Elrond that Elrohir had disappeared.
Soon Glorfindel, Elrond, Celebrían and Lindir plus many of the household staff had joined the search. Every inch of the Last Homely House was covered but Elrohir was nowhere to be found. They decided to split into teams and search the grounds. Elrond and Celebrían paired together, Glorfindel went with Elladan, and Erestor searched with Lindir.
"Did you and Elrohir have a fight?" Glorfindel asked Elladan as they searched around the stables.
"No, my lord, we did not fight. Nana told us a story and we went to bed. When I awakened, 'Ro was not there."
"Was Elrohir upset before he went to bed?" Glorfindel asked, trying to think of what could have caused the young elf to run away.
"No, my lord" Elladan replied. "'Ro was not upset. He would have told Nana if he was."
Glorfindel nodded and directed Elladan to search the stalls on one side of the barn while he searched those on the other. Together they opened every door, but the only occupants they found were the horses. They looked in the tack room, but Elrohir was not hiding behind the blankets or various other items that were hung from pegs or draped over wooden supports. Nor was Elrohir in the room where the stable lads and grooms sat and drank tea or told stories in their spare time. They checked in the sleeping quarters, but each bed was neatly made, there was no Elrohir hiding under them. Glorfindel climbed the ladder to the loft. He looked behind every hay bale and into any space he thought a young elf could possibly crawl into, but again, no Elrohir.
Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrían were checking the garden and the trees near the house. They looked in and under bushes, up through boughs and branches, in the gardener's shed; Lord Elrond even dug through the compost heap, but there was no sign of their wayward elfling. They searched through the herb garden, the vegetable garden, ducked under and around the clothes hanging on the lines outside the laundry room, but he was not there either. They looked in the bathhouse, peering into each pool, wardrobe, dressing chamber, even clothesbaskets, but there was no Elrohir to be found. Celebrían grasped Elrond's hand. It was too early to panic, but where could her youngest son be?
"We must find him, Elrond, he could be hurt!" she said, her eyes telling her husband she was more upset than she cared to show.
Elrond put his arm around his wife. "We have everyone out looking, he will be found soon, try not to worry." But even he had a feeling of dread inside his stomach.
Erestor and Lindir were checking the paths through the nearby woods. Erestor was becoming more and more concerned. Hunger should have driven Elrohir in by now. He looked at his companion. Lindir's eyes were red and swollen and Erestor could tell the minstrel had been crying. "We will find him, Lindir, he is just an elfling, he cannot have gone far."
Lindir nodded. "I hope you are right, Lord Erestor. I have grown very fond of the twins and Master Elladan will be frantic if we do not find him soon. They have never been separated for more than a day."
It was true. Lindir was fond of the twins, having been chosen by Celebrían as the ideal elf to watch over her sons when she was busy. Lindir had a rapport with the young ones and they trusted him. But although he cared deeply for Elrohir and was as upset over his absence as the others, that was not why Lindir had been crying.
For the past fifty years, Lindir had been courted by one of the Imladris guardians; a tall, congenial, brown-haired elf named Cirith. Six months ago, they had discussed their future and Cirith had given Lindir a silver betrothal ring. Lindir had been one of the happiest elves in Imladris. But yesterday that had all changed. Cirith had told him it was over, that he had found someone else. Poof, just like that it ended. Lindir still did not believe it. He had made it through the rest of the day, through dinner, but that night in his room he had cried and cried. At least now, in front of Lord Erestor, he had an excuse for his red eyes and swollen lids.
The search continued all morning. Cries of "Elrohir!" could be heard all throughout Imladris, but by noon, he had still not been found. Celebrían was in tearful conversation with Lord Elrond, and members of the household staff were preparing to check the manor again. A grim looking Glorfindel was organizing a mounted patrol to search the deep woods, while Lindir and Erestor planned to continue looking in the woods closer to the house. The kitchen staff had provided cold food that could be easily carried, and once it was distributed, everyone went back to the search.
Chapter Three: Lost
"Maethor! Maethor!" Elrohir cried, "Where are you? Why do you not answer me?" Elrohir was so tired. He had awakened in the night and decided to look for his friend. But he had been unable to find him. What could have happened to Maethor? He had been to all their favorite places: the pond with the ducks, the apple tree, the bench where they would sit to feel the spray from the falls, but Maethor had not been in any of those spots. He had been to the cairn on the hill that Maethor often visited, where the old warrior would pick wild flowers and stand them between the stones, where sometimes a tear or two would trickle down his cheeks and he would let Elrohir wipe them away.
He had been to the stables, where they would talk to the horses and warrior would tell him about the flat plains of Rohan or the tiered city of Minas Tirith. The apples they had picked would disappear in minutes into the mouths of the great beasts. Elrohir would laugh as the horses' lips tickled his palm, for Maethor had taught him to hold the apple in the flat of his hand. That way the animal would not bite his finger when it took the treat.
Elrohir had gone to the river and walked along its banks, making sure that Maethor was not clinging to a rock, waiting for someone to pull him from the water, for Maethor could float but had never learned to swim. Relieved that his friend had not fallen into the river or drowned in its currents, he had sat for a while and listened to the night sounds, trying to imagine where an old elf like Warrior would go.
Glorfindel had told him that Warrior fought in the Great War. That he had been a captain who held the respect of all his soldiers. He said Maethor and his archers had kept the enemy at bay until all their arrows ran out and they had to use their swords. He also said Maethor was very brave and had come home a hero. When Elrohir asked Glorfindel why Maethor was no longer a captain, he said that eventually warriors got tired of fighting and wanted to spend time with their families. Elrohir could understand that. But the only family Maethor had was a brother and they argued a lot. Then one-day Maethor's brother went away and did not return and Maethor was sad.
Elrohir had been about to return to the Last Homely House and tell his Ada about Maethor, when he remembered something else that Glorfindel had told him. They had been talking about Lindir's parents and Glorfindel said that sometimes when elves were tired of living in Middle-earth they felt the call of the Sea and boarded a ship and sailed to the Undying Lands. Elrohir remembered talking with Warrior about the great ships and about Círdan, the shipwright, and Warrior had said he would go there one day, that at times the Sea called him.
So either Maethor had been carried away by wargs or had gone to the Grey Havens. Either way, Elrohir was determined to find him. So he left the river and headed for the path that went through the woods. He had been scared at first to enter the forest, but the moon's light shone through the trees and it was not as dark as he had expected. When his courage failed he remembered that Warrior was also alone, so he sucked in his stomach and kept on the trail. At one point, he thought he heard Warrior call his name, so he left the path and ran through the trees, yelling to Maethor that he was on his way. But he must have been mistaken, for he did not find his friend.
And now he was tired and discouraged. He hung his head and walked back the way he had come. He had made much better time when he stayed on the path. The longer he tarried here, the further behind Maethor he would become. He walked quite a ways before he realized he should have reached the path much sooner. He must have gone the wrong way in his haste. So he turned and began walking in the other direction. The sun had just begun to tint the sky when Elrohir admitted to himself that he was lost. Added to the tears for his friend, were now those for himself, for he did not know how to get home. He cried for his Ada and his Nana and called out to them, but they did not hear him. Tired, footsore and very miserable, he crawled inside the trunk of a hollow tree, pushing the leaves inside into a makeshift bed. Then he lay down amongst them and fell into a deep sleep.
~~~~~ TBC ~~~~~
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