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All That is Gold	By : shandrial Category: +Third Age > General Views: 1116 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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 List
- 1-The Third Arrow
- 2-Bitter Awakenings
- 1
- 2
Disclaimer: The conversation between Gilraen's parents comes from
�Appendix A� of The Lord of the Rings and was not written by me.

Authors Note: This is a long chappie full of thoughts. But I
felt that Elrond�s decision to bring Aragorn to Rivendell is an important one
in the LotR�s universe. It shaped whom the future King of men grew to be, after
all.

It has been awhile since I have been around an almost three year
old, so I am sorry if Aragorn's speech is a little more advanced than a normal
toddler. I had conversations with my one-year cousin when he was little,
though, as strange as that was.� Writing
children is hard for me even without trying to incorporate it into a non-humor
story.

Note: Italics denotes flashbacks or memories

-------------------

Chapter 2: Bitter Awakenings

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to
what lies within us.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

-----------------------

Earlier on Arathorn's fateful day Gilraen the Fair, daughter of Dirhael, was
preparing lunch and humming merrily to herself. Her long dark hair was tied
back with a leather tie and she wore a simple tunic and long skirt of wool. She
was still young among the women of the D�nedain and had not yet reached the age
at which her kinswomen were accustomed to marry and have a child. This fact,
however, did not daunt Gilraen the Fair and she hummed merrily because she was
happy. She had a good husband and a healthy, bright child and she was content.

As a crash resounded from outside Gilraen winced in surprise and narrowly
avoided cutting off her finger with the knife she was using to slice at a loaf
of bread. Speaking of a son, that was probably her very active ball of sunshine
now. She smiled warmly as she placed the knife firmly on the counter and headed
outside to investigate. Leodry was watching over Aragorn as she worked in the
kitchen. She suppressed a chuckle and shook her head. She was convinced that
men of all ages could use a chaperon once in awhile.

Gilraen stepped out of the house and shielded her eyes from the morning sun
with one hand.

"What in Middle Earth?" she asked out loud.

Trithen the horse's fence had a, well for lack of a better word, hole, in it.
The normally placid horse was breathing hard and staring at Leodry with the
utmost indignantly. Leodry's face was flushed and he was eyeballing the horse
with trepidation. Her two-year-old son and one of the older boys were
practically on the ground rolling with laughter.

What on earth?

Gilraen hurried over to the trio with her skirt fluttering around her ankles.
Aragorn stopped his laughter and called to his mother when he saw her coming.
Bypassing Leodry she went straight to the flustered horse and stroked his neck
to calm him down. When the horse appeared to calm considerably she turned to
face the two boys and one man. The older two lowered their eyes to the ground
under the motherly stare and Aragorn, not understanding if he was going to be
in trouble or not, imitated the other two. Trithen held his head up high,
beaming in triumph.

"What is going on here?" she asked fixing the full motherly look on
Leodry.

"Um, well, we... well, you see, it wasn't my idea..."

Aragorn, forgetting he was supposed to be looking sad, couldn't contain himself
anymore.

"Momma, momma! You missed it! Trithen broke the fence!"

Gilraen fondly looked at her son as he spoke and picked the excited child up
when he was finished. Her look turned disapproving as she turned back to the
other two. She held her hand up to cut off the string of explanations she knew
was coming.

"I do not want to know. Someone could have gotten hurt. Do you understand?
What if one of the boys had been sitting on the fence? It is time for Aragorn's
meal and nap. Fix that," she pointed to the fence, "quietly."

Gilraen started to head back to the house, but wheeled around after a couple of
steps causing the two men to jump back.

"And take care of Trithen, gently," she stressed the last
word.

With that final comment she left the one man and boy standing next to the
gloating horse. As soon as Gilraen entered the house Leodry and the boy sighed
in relief.

---------------------

Later that night, after Gilraen put Aragorn to bed, she sat tiredly down at the
kitchen table. She loved her son immensely and was fond of being a mother, but
why did two-year-olds have to touch everything? Between taking care of a little
one, keeping an eye on the boys repairing the fence, and trying to finish all
the normal household chores she was exhausted. As she sat there drinking her
tea, anxiety swept through her and she felt it to her very soul. She felt
panicky and short of breath. A memory pushed itself to the front of her mind.

Gilraen was straining to hear to her parents through the door. Arathorn, son
of Arador, sought her hand in marriage and, although young, she wished it to
happen. Her father was against it she could tell and she was wondering why. Did
he not think the future Chieftain of the D�nedain good enough for her? What
more could he ask for in a son-in-law than the leader of her people? Her
father's voice wafted through the door and she listened.

"Arathorn is a stern man of full age, and will be chieftain sooner than
men looked for; yet my heart forebodes that he will be short-lived."

Gilraen had to keep herself from gasping at her father's words. What did he
mean by that? She heard, Ivorwen, her mother speaking and quieted her thoughts.

"The more need of haste! 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;
but if they delay, it will not come while this age lasts."

Gilraen was not sure what her parents were talking about and hearing her mother
side with the marriage pushed it from her mind. Her mother would convince her
father to agree with it as well. She ran back to her room excited about the
days to come.

Gilraen's cup shattered when it hit the floor and she startled back to the
present. The wave of anxiety was passing and she forced herself to breathe
normally. She brought a shaky hand up to her chest as she forced herself to
calm down. Why had she just remembered that? The occurrence of that memory and
the sudden anxiety gave Gilraen a sense of foreboding. She knew with out a
doubt that something had happened to her husband and that whatever it was couldn�t
be good.

--------------------

Singing.

The first thing Elladan was aware of was singing. A velvet dream drifting
through the heaviness and illuminating the darkened maze. It was so familiar.
So comforting. For a long time Elladan was content to just stay there and
listening to the sweet melody. Even though he could not make out the words the
voice was still fair. As he listened the rest of his mind slowly awakened and
he recognized the voice. It sounded like his mother. A comforting voice he had
not heard in 400 years. But that was impossible.

Was he dead then?

He ruled that possibility out as well when he could, albeit dully, feel his
side throbbing. He also knew that his mother wasn�t dead either.

Still, it sounded so much like Celebr�an.

Elladan became panicked when the singing finally stopped. No! He
mentally screamed. He feared he would never hear the sweet sound again. A
mumbled voice replaced the singing and he faintly felt something touch his
shoulder. Unsure of what it was he tried to recoil from the sudden touch. The
single voice grew into many and his fear heightened. Who were they and why
would they not leave him alone?

Something forcefully grabbed a hold of his wrist and he tried to fight it off.
Then something held his chest down and he was stuck, with no way to move.
Another unseen foe touched his forehead and he felt a sense of calmness spread
through him despite the situation. One of the voices cut through the darkness
so strongly that Elladan understood the words.

"Elladan, listen to my voice. Follow it back to the light and open your
eyes."

The voice continued to talk and guide the elf from the darkness until Elladan's
mind finally pushed his senses to awareness. He followed the voice's command
and opened his eyes.

He was somewhat confused by the scene that presented itself. The room he was in
was dark and his father was bending over him with his hand touching his
forehead the other applying firm pressure to his chest. Elrohir was half
leaning over him holding his wrists down. As he continued to absorb his
surrounding he saw his sister standing patiently behind Elrohir with slight
trepidation in her eyes. All three of them where staring at him with matching
expressions of concern. Had he had the strength, Elladan would have laughed,
his father, however, was not laughing.

"Elladan?" Elrond asked sternly.

At the mention of his name Elladan's attention was drawn back to his father. He
was looking at him with a combination of concern, confusion, and that 'look' he
gave him when he had done something.

Elrond
looked him in the eyes and seemed satisfied with what he saw. Elladan saw him
nod to Elrohir and his brother released the grip he had on his wrists and
Elrond lifted his hand up. Elladan was confused by that brief exchange. Why was
his father and brother holding him down anyway? Right now he was sure he didn't
have the strength to even lift his head from the pillow.

Elrohir moved back giving Elrond room to sit beside Elladan. Elladan scanned
the room in confusion again before his tired gaze settled on his father.

"Ada, what..."

Elladan couldn't force the rest of his question past his dry throat. Arwen
suddenly appeared at his other side with a glass of water. She helped him sip
at it until he indicated he had had enough. Needing no words, he gave her a
look that expressed his gratitude and she smiled warmly back at him.

Elladan felt his eyelids becoming increasingly heavy and he forced them back
open to look at his father once more. He had not finished his question. Elladan
had to fight to stay awake even as he spoke.

"What...happened?"

"It is all right, my son. All will be answered when you wake. Rest."

Elladan's eyes closed again and he tried unsuccessfully to pry them open as his
father spoke. He felt a gentle touch on his forehead and a peacefulness settle
over him. The last thing he heard was the command 'rest' and the warmth that
word brought pushed him over the edge, and he sunk back down into the inviting
darkness.

-------------------

Elrond heard his son's breathing become light and regular signally he had
drifted back to sleep and he sighed.�
Granted, his son still slumbered in the exhausted state with his eyes
closed instead of open as they should be, but he was not overly worried. The
elder elf looked up from his son's pale features to his daughter sitting on the
other side of Elladan.

"Are you alright, Arwen?" he asked calmly.

Arwen smiled serenely at her father with a twinkle in her eyes that reminded
him she had grown to adulthood with two brothers.

"I am fine father. Elrohir came in soon after he began to struggle."

"What was that, father?" Elrohir asked from behind Elrond.

"His fever has spiked again and I believe he was not fully awake, so knew
not what was happening."

"I do not believe it is anything to worry about Elrohir," Elrond
added after seeing a look of worry enter his son's eyes.

"I will watch over him now. You two may head back to your rooms."

"But father, I am not tired," Elrohir argued.

"I will be fine by myself," Arwen said at the same time.

Elrond held up his hand to stay the arguments.

"Yes, my daughter I know you would be and Elrohir you have had a hard day.
I need time to think anyway and I can do that while I watch over Elladan.
Unless the two of you think me inept?" Elrond finished with a quizzical
smile daring them to argue.

"Nys, adar," Arwen and Elrohir answered together.

With one last reluctant glance Elrohir left the room. Arwen stopped just before
she passed through the door.

"You cannot carry the burden of the entire world on your shoulders,
father. Capable as they may be. You encourage us to talk about our grievance
and it is wise advice. Remember, I am only down the hall."

Arwen closed the door gently behind her as she left. No further words were
needed.

Elrond smiled to himself. It still amazed him sometimes that his children were
grown and could possess such wisdom. He quietly rose from the corner of the bed
and sat in the chair that Arwen had occupied minutes before. He had purged most
of the poison from his son's body, but small amounts undoubtedly remained. They
had given Elladan something to fight his fever already and Elrond did not think
it wise to take the risk of giving him more so soon. Such happenings were not
unexpected when it came to poisons and he did not believe it anything to be
concerned over. Still, it was his son and as a parent he could not help but to
worry, so he had decided to keep an eye on Elladan himself.

It was turning out to be a restless night for the Lord of Rivendell anyway.
Elrond sighed and looked out at the balcony to the green beyond. Arathorn had
been a friend and after living through six and half millennia, Elrond decided
that grief did not get any easier. He was pained by the loss, as was Elrohir.
He had spent the better part of the night convincing Elrohir that there was
nothing he could have done differently. He knew that when Elladan awoke, and
remembered what had befallen, he was going to have to go through this all over
again with his other son. Elladan was protective of others and one to put the
blame on himself, so his would be the tougher battle.

Elrond sighed again as a thought came to him. Gilraen was going to have to be
informed of what had transpired. He did not look forward to this task either.
The death of Arathorn left her and their small son alone. Her people would
undoubtedly help and try to protect them, but would it be enough? With the days
darkening Elrond was not so sure. The way yesterday's events had been foretold
led Elrond to believe the orcs had gotten who they were after. Could the enemy
have found out whom Arathorn was? More importantly, was someone still looking?

If that were the case then he doubted Gilraen's people alone could protect her
or more importantly, her son. They were too few in number. The little one was
now the sole heir of Isildur and was not old enough to even realize what that
meant. Elrond knew that the boy would need to be taken somewhere safe from the
reaches of the enemy. The two safest places were logically either Lothlorien or
here in Imladris. Elrond ruled out Lothlorien. It was well protected, even more
than most knew, but it was still too close to Mordor. Outsiders were not as
welcomed in Galadriel's realm because of that fact. The young one would be
alone there where travelers of all kind, including his own people, frequented
Rivendell.

His mind made up, Elrond decided that Isildur's heir was to be brought to
Rivendell as soon as possible. Elrond also felt obligated to help his brother's
descendants. And if anyone had found out about Arathorn, it would be best for
his son to disappear for a time. He would have to leave the name of Aragorn
behind until he was old enough to carry the burden. If the boy was too young to
understand whom he really was than he could be raised without anyone telling
him. He would be safer if he did not know until the time was right. Elrond
decided that if he was going to take on the responsibly of protecting the
little one than he could do it best if the boy was kept in this very house.

---------------

When Elladan opened his eyes everything was blurry except the moonlight that
was streaming into the room. Someone was singing softly in the direction of the
light. He squinted and concentrated on the bright doorway. After several
moments the picture he saw focused into clarity and he saw a figure illuminated
in the open balcony doorway. Arwen was standing there in all of her radiance.
Her long dark hair hung freely cascading down her back in a gentle curtain and
shimmered in the moonlight. She was facing the open balcony so Elladan could
not see her face.

The last thing Elladan remembered was spiraling down the side of a drop off and
scrambling over rocks behind Arathorn. The rest of his memories were unclear.
Obviously he had been brought home and, testament of the framed image of his
sister; his family was keeping a vigil over him. His arms and legs felt weak so
he must have been lying here for some time.

After several minutes the song ended.

"Oio naa elealla alassa', muinthel. I enjoy listening to you sing,"
Elladan said with a voice rough from unuse.

Arwen turned around at the sound of her brother's voice and gave him a radiant
smile. She walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and took hold of her
brother's extended hand.

"Hantale, muindoramin. Sut lle tyava?"

"A bit confused. How long have I been here?"

"Elrohir brought you back two days ago. You woke briefly yesterday, do you
not remember?"

"No, I am afraid I do not."

"Your fever had not broke and you were a bit delusional."

Arwen gave him an amused smile.

"I never thought one so ill could grip so hard," she said lightly.

Elladan's eye went wide as he realized what she was saying.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked alarmed.

Arwen gave a silvery laugh.

"As I told Elrohir, I have survived growing up with the two of you, I can
handle myself. But no, brother, you did not. Let us just say that I am glad
your reaction to my singing was less dire this time."

Elladan shared a mischievous look with his sister then arched his brow when a
thought struck him.

"Two days you say? Are you not supposed to be well on your way to
Lothlorien?"

"I was to set out to visit our grandparents two day ago, yes, that was
until my brother showed up on the doorstep barely alive. I have sent a
messenger to tell grandmother that I will be a few days late."

"Speaking of doorsteps, I do not remember how or why I was brought back
here. What happened?"

Arwen used all over her considerably control to keep her expression neutral.
She had not known Arathorn very well, but her brothers had. Father had warned
her that Elladan might not remember what had happened, but he would remember in
time. If not, he would break the news to Elladan himself. How could she not
answer him, though? She would not lie to him.

"Are you hungry?"

Although Arwen did not let her thoughts reflect on her face Elladan picked up
on the sudden change of subject.

"What is wrong?"

"Elladan, please don�t..."

"Arwen!"

"I am not the one to discuss this with, my brother. Now are you hungry or
not?"

Despite the frustration he felt Elladan smiled to himself. Arwen had that
gentle way of stopping further argument, something she had picked up from their
mother. Knowing that stubbornness ran in the family, he let it drop for now.

"Yes, actually I am."

Arwen sighed mentally.

"Very well, I will bring you something."

"No need Arwen," he said with a charming smile� far too charming for
Arwen.

"I will come with you."

It was Arwen's turn to stare at Elladan with wide eyes as he sat up.

Before he could swing his legs out of bed she placed a restrictive hand on his
chest.

"Father has not given you permission to go anywhere and you especially are
not getting out of bed on my watch."

"Come sister, what harm could it do? Trust me."

Arwen answered with the closest thing Elladan had ever heard as a snort from
her.

"I have heard those words from the both of you far too often over the
years. Do I look as if I have gone mad?"

"You worry far too much my sister," he answered with a glint in his
eyes, "besides what could be so difficult in just walking out to the
kitchen?"

"Absolutely not," she said firmly.

---------------------

Ten minutes later Elladan and Arwen crept silently down the hall. She had, with
much annoyance from Elladan, one arm wrapped protectively around him for
support. Both elves stopped as they approached their father's door. Why does
Elladan's room have to be at the end of the hall? Arwen thought with
another mental sigh. Moreover, why do I let them get me into such
situations?

She looked at Elladan and mouthed the words, "I can not believe you talked
me into this," as quietly as possible.

Elladan smiled with suppressed mirth and silently nodded his head for them to
continue. Elrohir and he were experienced at creeping by their father's door,
but Arwen had not had as much practice.

Arwen held her breath as they passed the door. Their father would be most upset
if he discovered Elladan out of bed and her helping, especially if they were
caught right in front of his door! She sighed in relief as they cleared the
entrance and turned the corner. As soon as they turned the corner she whispered
into her brother's ear.

"I feel like a guilty elfling trying to sneak out of the house to meet
someone in the gardens."

Elladan stopped walking and stared as his sister. At Elladan's incredulous look
she added with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Not that I know what that is like, of course."

They entered the kitchen and Arwen quietly shut the door. Elladan sat down at
her insistence and Arwen went about lighting one of the lamps. After she lit
the lamp she placed it on the table and sat down.

"You do realize father will be most upset if we are discovered?"

"Why sister, are you having fun?"

Arwen gave Elladan a guilty look and cleared her throat. She was spared
answering Elladan as the kitchen door swung open and the two elves sucked in
their breath.

Celaviel entered the kitchen to discover one of the young lords and lady
sitting at the table and staring at her as if she were the dark lord herself.
She almost laughed out loud at the looks of immense relief that crossed both
faces as they realized who it was. She could not, however, keep a merry smile
off her face.

"Why my young lord, I do believe you should be in bed, should you
not?"

She did chuckle at the matching guilty looks. Arwen answered first.

"Good morn, Celaviel. Elladan was hungry and I was just going to find
something for him."

Celaviel laughed softly.

"Do not worry Arwen; your secret is safe with me. If you get caught,
however, I will deny I was ever in the kitchen tonight."

Elladan and Arwen sighed in relief. Arwen stood went about preparing something
light to eat for her brother.

"What are you doing in the kitchen so early?" Elladan asked.

"I was just getting an early start in gathering a mixture of healing herbs
for Elrohir's trip to Eriador tomorrow."

At the mention of his brother leaving he looked sharply at Celaviel.

"And just why is Elrohir leaving for Eriador tomorrow?" Elladan asked
curiously.

Elladan did not miss the warning look Arwen flashed Celaviel. He looked from
one maid to the other and settled his gaze back on Arwen. They were not telling
him something and he did not know what, but for some reason he was filled with
a sense of dread. He stood and walked over to confront Arwen.

"Arwen?"

Elladan gave her such a pleading look that she could not continue to let him
guess.

"Elladan," she took a deep breath and continued carefully, "what
exactly do you remember?"

He saw the apprehension in his sister's eyes and his feeling of dread
increased.

"I remember getting caught in a rock slide with Arathorn and then
following him through the dark with Elrohir. The rest is a jumble of confusing
images," he said shaking his head.

Arwen gently took one of her brother�s hands and wrapped it in both of hers.

"The reason Elrohir brought you back here was because you were shot with a
poisoned orc arrow," she started, trying to prompt his own memory.

An arrow. An orc arrow� That triggered a memory and Elladan shut his eyes to
try and grasp it. He heard Arathorn's voice.

"Great, they have archers."

"We have to get out of here before we are encompassed," he heard
himself say.

Elrohir's voice echoed around his mind.

"I am sorry Elladan. I do not wish to leave him, but I can no longer save
him. I can help you, though."

Can no longer save Arathorn? Save him from what? 'Think,' he commanded himself.
Save Arathorn from what?

"Ed' i' ear ar' elenea!" he cried as he dashed over and knelt down.

Then the image he had been dreading came to him - Arathorn lying motionless on
the ground with an orc arrow piercing his eye and blood pooling around the
ranger�s head.

Elladan remembered.

He remembered everything from the rock slide, to watching the ranger kill the
orc who blocked their path, his brother pulling him down and being hit in the
shoulder, Aethaenyn bursting through the orcs, and then turning to find his
friend lying motionless on the ground.

Arathorn was dead.

Elladan felt his legs weaken and the sudden realization crushed him to the
ground and he felt himself collapse to his knees. It became increasingly hard
to breathe. A black wall of grief surrounded his mind and blocked out his
vision. Elladan's ears were ringing so loud that he couldn't hear anything
above the clatter.

His friend had fallen.

"These tracks suggest the orc was not alone. What could such a horde be
up to?" Arathorn had asked.

"Nothing good I can assure you. Whatever it is I suggest we inspect it a
little closer," He had answered.

It was all his fault they were following the orcs in the first place. The
orcs split into three bands.

"A trap do you think?" asked Elrohir.

"Mayhap, but how would they know we are behind them?"

Why did he not listen to his brother and turn around right then? Had he not
urged them on Arathorn might still be alive. Had he not told them to cross the
pass there might have been a chance they could have pushed through the group of
orcs on horseback. Many �what if�s� sprang to mind� but the fact was, none of
them would bring Arathorn back.

The memory of the rock slide and being shot made his shoulder and side began to
burn and throb. He had not given it much thought before lying in bed or easily
walking with Arwen's support, but now his injuries made themselves apparent.
The fierceness of pain finally snapped his mind back to reality.

Elladan was kneeling on the floor with his father kneeling in front of him.
Elrond had a hand on both sides of Elladan's face forcing the elf�s head to
look at his father. He glanced around with his eyes and saw Arwen was sitting
on the ground beside him. He felt, more than saw, her arm wrapped tightly
around him holding him upright. Elrohir was kneeling next to his father looking
for all the world, as if he might break down and cry. The ringing in his ears
died down to a hush and his father's voice floaded his ears.

"Elladan! Look at me! Can you hear me? Elladan! Elladan please answer me.
Elladan!"

His father's voice held a sense of urgency that he had never heard before.
Elrond was frightened. He swallowed trying to find his voice through the grief
and pain. Elladan couldn't think of anything to say so he placed his hands on
top of his father's to let him know he could hear him. He bowed his head in an
attempt to hide the tears that were welling up.

Elrond stopped his calling when Elladan looked at him with recognition and
grabbed a hold of his hands. He leaned in and touched his forehead to his
son's. He had to briefly shut his eyes and take a steadying breath to calm
himself.

Arwen tightened her hold and leaned her head on her brother's shoulder to let
him know she was there for him. Elrohir bowed his head and sighed as he leaned
forward onto his arms for support. Celaviel, who was standing out of the way
behind Elladan, gripped and leaned on the counter in relief.

No one in the kitchen moved for an entire minute. Elrond finally looked up and
broke the silence.

"Come Elladan," he said softly, "I think you should return to
your room and lay down."

Elladan felt Arwen's arm slip away to be replaced by Elrond's stronger one.
Elladan keep his head bowed for he could not stand to meet the concerned gazes
he knew were there and he was barely holding back the tears that burned his
eyes. He stood as his father slowly pulled him to his feet and felt Elrond's
arm tighten protectively as he swayed unsteadily. They walked all the way back
to his room like that, with Elrond half guiding and half supporting him, and
Elrohir and Arwen close behind.

After helping Elladan back into bed Elrond gave Elrohir and Arwen a look that
said he wanted to talk to Elladan alone.

Arwen walk over and kissed her brother on the forehead.

"Quel kaima, Elladan," she whispered.

Elrohir squeezed his brother's shoulder comfortingly and the two left the room.
Elrond sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Elladan, look at me."

Elladan meet Elrond with the same tear filled sorrowful look he had to endure
with Elrohir yesterday. The difference was that Elladan's eyes did not hold as
much denial as Elrohir's once did, but much more guilt.

"I know you cannot convince yourself now, but in time you will come to
realize that this was not your fault. Elrohir told me everything that happened
and there was nothing you could have done. It was the orc who was at fault and
not you. Such are the risk when one travels abroad. Arathorn knew the dangers
of such a life and accepted them as do you and Elrohir every time you venture
forth."

Elrond could see his son was not ready to open up so, after squeezing his
shoulder in much the same fashion as Elrohir, he stood to leave.

"Remember my son, when you are ready talk, I will always be ready to
listen."

Elrond walked to the door and was about to reach for the handle when Elladan
stopped him.

"Ada?"

Elrond turned back to the bed.

"Where is Elrohir going tomorrow?"

"Elrohir and Aranel are going to inform Gilraen about her husband and
bring her and her son back to Rivendell."

------------------

Elrond closed the door behind him and as expected he found Arwen and Elrohir
waiting in the hallway.

"He is grieving and I think it best to give him some time to sort his
emotions out alone."

Arwen and Elrohir nodded in understanding and went off to their separate rooms.

------------------

As soon as the door closed Elladan sat up in his bed and cried. He hadn't cried
since his mother left some 400 years ago, but he could not hold back the tears
now. Elladan vented his anger, grief, and guilt until his throbbing ribs made
him stop. He finally looked up and glanced out the window. The first pale
fringes of light were beginning to spread over the land. He did not realize he
had been weeping so long.

Elrohir and Aranel would be leaving for Eriador soon. He wished to go with
them, but he knew there was no chance his father would agree to that. He had
trouble finding the strength to walk unaided let alone travel. Still it was his
fault Arathorn was slain and there was no way he was going to let anything
happen to his widow or son. He owed it to Arathorn to make sure his family
safely arrived in Rivendell. Besides, Elrohir and Aranel were confident fighters
and elves healed quickly, so he had plenty of time to recover on the trip
there. The ghost of a smile graced his pale, fair features as he remembered the
phrase Elrohir and he lived by. If father does not know about it, he cannot
say no.

-----------------------

Elrond and Arwen looked up from their breakfast as Celaviel came bursting into
the dinning hall. She briskly walked over to Elrond and gave a slight bow.

"Your son is gone, my lord."

"Yes, he left a short while ago with Aranel..."

"Not that one," she interrupted, "the other one."

"Elladan?� Arwen asked, �that could not be. I checked on him before
Elrohir left and he was resting in bed.�

"Well he is no longer, my lady. I went to his room to change the bandages
on his shoulder and he was not there. Before you ask, yes, I checked the rest
of the house. He is simple gone."

Elrond rose and headed for his son's room with the two elf maids on his heels.
He arrived and pushed open the ornate door without bothering to knock.

It was, as he feared - empty.

Elladan's weapons were gone and he opened one of the closets to see his travel
things missing as well. He did not need to ask where Elladan was heading. There
was no doubt in his mind that he was following after Elrohir. Elrond slammed
the cabinet doors shut and turned with fierceness in his eyes.

The uncharacteristic and rare display of anger from the normally composed
Elrond made Arwen and Celaviel jump in surprise as he forcefully slammed the
closet shut. Elrond wheeled around to face them and Celaviel unconsciously took
a step back in fear. She had never seen her lord so openly angry.

"Senseless child! Is he trying kill himself?"

Elrond fumed toward the door and Arwen and Celaviel wisely sidestepped out of
the way to let the furious elf lord pass. Celaviel sighed in relief after he
stormed out of the room, robes swirling angrily behind him. She turned to face
Arwen.

"Your brother has done it this time. I have never seen him that angry
before."

Arwen had to agree. She had seen her father that way once before, only once
before. She looked to the other elf maid and smiled ruefully.

"It looks as though my departure will have to wait a little longer."

---------------------

Gilraen woke with a start and sat up in bed trembling. She forced herself to
breath deeply to calm her shaking body. This was the second night in a row she
had awoke from her sleep from bad dreams and a feeling of anxiety hanging over
her. Yes, something horrible had definitely happened. Deep down Gilraen already
knew what it probably was, but she would not let her mind express it. Besides
her son, hope was the one thing she had to hold onto and she would be damned if
she let either of them go.

TBC...
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All That is Gold