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Greenleaf & Imladris 22-Bereth:To Have and To Hold	By : MPB Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 3363 -:- 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.

Chapter List
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Chapter III: Conundrum

The scouts returned with reports of more mysteriously slain victims in the northern reaches of the forest and on the less travelled trails that skirted the borders of Greenwood. All bore the same lack of discernable marks that might indicate the cause of their deaths.

The messengers returned from the eastern settlements, the south of the forest and Dale and Esgaroth with letters of acknowledgement. None knew anything of such strange slayings and were therefore all the more grateful for the Elves’ warnings. But the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain had a different reply and it was delivered personally.

“Gimli!”

Legolas delightedly and rapidly approached his friend as soon as he entered the great hall. Gimli immediately stiffened defensively.

“Keep your distance, Elf!” he exclaimed in alarm. “I’ll have no confounded hugging for a welcome!”

The Elven prince laughed out loud and came to a stop before him. Chuckling, he laid an affectionate hand on the Dwarf’s shoulder. In turn, Gimli grinned and patted the Elf’s arm warmly.

“You have not changed at all, Gimli, thank Eru,” Legolas smiled. “But what are you doing up north? Last we heard you were delving a new hall at Aglarond.”

“You’re not the only one who misses kith and kin on occasion,” Gimli retorted. “But if you must know, my father has been somewhat poorly this past year and I thought to spend time with him. He is quite old after all.”

Legolas nodded. “Aye, but still a most redoubtable Dwarf nonetheless.” He eyed his friend curiously. “You did not come here just to pay me a visit.”

Gimli shook his head. “I bear tidings that may have much to do with the warning you sent my people.”

“Indeed. Then you must speak of it at once to my father. Come, my friend.”

Gimli’s tale was indeed much related to the Elves’ grisly discoveries. As he recounted it to the Elvenking, his sons and law-sons in Thranduil’s study, the others were seen to shift uneasily in their seats as the eerie story unfolded.

Just a few weeks past, a party of Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain had stumbled across two of their fellows on the scarcely used road that wound its way around the foothills of the Ered Mithrin. There was seldom any use for the old road nowadays for few cared to brave the perils of orcs and bandits who made the Grey Mountains their haunt. But Dwarves still traversed the path that led them close to one of their former homes. It was more sentimentality than anything else though a Dwarf would rather perish than admit to this. And being of a hardy race, they were not easily cowed by the dangers posed by orkish or human brigands.

Thus, they had been startled by the appearance of the two travelers. Both had looked more dead than alive, their eyes strangely vacant, their bodies oddly drawn, as if something had been drained from them. And they had babbled incessantly and incoherently about their assailants. Human women. What these women had done to them was not clear but they had somehow managed to escape with their lives still flickering though severely diminished. Both had since lost consciousness and now slept, if one could call such unfeeling, undreaming oblivion sleep.

Careful questioning of the Dwarf-lord elicited the information that neither victim had been propositioned as the human victims consistently were. They’d apparently been attacked as they made their way along the road. And, no, it had not been a large group that had waylaid them. Their ramblings seemed to indicate two women at most.

The Dwarves had not known what to make of the outlandish babbling of the two until Thranduil’s warning arrived. Realizing that the incident might actually be but part of a string of several and recent occurrences, they had sent Gimli to discover what he might from his Elven friends.

Silence reigned for several minutes as the Elves pondered his news. At length, Elrohir spoke.

“Curious,” he murmured. “If your kinsmen were waylaid by the same creatures that slew the victims we have thus far discovered, ‘tis puzzling why they did not succumb but were merely – drained as you put it.”

“Aye, that is indeed a puzzle,” Gimli agreed. “Might it have something to do with our being of another race?”

“It might,” Thranduil mused. “Your kindred is stronger and more enduring than human-kind. Mayhap you are more resistant to whatever means they employ to kill their victims.”

Elladan glanced at his brother. Elrohir had risen to walk to the map that graced one wall of the study. It was a beautifully and accurately rendered map of Middle-earth. The younger twin began to trace a path with his finger along the northernmost reaches of Eryn Lasgalen all the way to the deserted road by the Ered Mithrin.

“What is it, gwanneth?”—younger twin?—he asked.

Elrohir stared at the map for a few seconds before looking back at them. “All the incidents occurred in the north, whether on the forest paths or open roads, and all involved travelers moving between the eastern settlements and Dale and Esgaroth. No attacks have happened deep within Eryn Lasgalen or in the heart of the towns and cities.”

“Meaning?” Brethildor inquired.

“It would seem they are yet limited in number that they hesitate to invade populous communities.”

“Aye, that is an idea,” Elladan said. He joined his brother before the map. “But where do they conceal themselves? Whatever they may be they must have a haven to retreat to.”

“Might these killers hide themselves amongst their kindred?” Gimli suggested.

“Possible,” Thranduil remarked.

“But improbable,” Elrohir said. “There has not been a single incident outside of this specific area, which is already a fearsome distance from other human settlements. Yet there are plentiful byways to the west and east wherein to ambush unsuspecting wayfarers. Nay, our slayers have confined themselves to this particular region as of now. It stands to reason therefore that they also conceal themselves in the same area.

Legolas glanced from one twin to the other. The brethren had directed their grey gazes at one focal point on the map.

“The mountains?” he said sharply. “Do you believe they hide themselves in the Ered Mithrin?”

Elladan nodded. “No one now enters the mountains for any reason other than concealment as the orcs and brigands do.”

“Though there has been a dearth of banditry in recent years,” Elrohir quietly put in. “And the disappearances of women have ceased as well.”

There was a concerted gasp. “You think those two events are related?” Thranduil said.

“I cannot claim anything with certitude,” Elrohir replied. “But it seems too much of a coincidence that soon after these disappearances should stop that these killings should begin. And both cases involve women. The first as victims, the second as predators. Couple this with the sudden halt in incursions by the human outlaws who long frequented the Grey Mountains and one might surmise that there is a connection somewhere.”

“The outlaws may have been the first victims,” Melthoron choked. “Ai, that is a sound conjecture, gwanur.”—kinsman.

“And a frightening one,” Thranduil said grimly.

*******

They continued to discuss the matter during the noonday meal. After explaining the situation to his wife, Elladan joined his twin in analyzing everything they’d learned so far while Legolas and Gimli contributed their own ideas now and anon.

At length, Elladan noticed the odd gleam in Elrohir’s eyes. “What have you got in mind?” he queried.

Elrohir pursed his mouth musingly. “I believe a trip to the Ered Mithrin is warranted,” he replied. “We knew the mountains long ago, gwaniuar.”—older twin. “Best we put our memories to good use now.

Nimeithel frowned. “You would dare so perilous an undertaking?” she objected. “Hervenn!”—husband!

Elladan clasped her hand but before he could speak, Elrohir forestalled him. “I did not say we would both go. I will do this alone.” At Elladan’s indignant protests, he added: “Nimeithel is very near her time. She will need you close by, tôren.”—my brother.

Elladan snorted. “And what good would I be worrying about you and the possibility that whatever evil is out there may reach out to harm my wife and child?” He looked seriously at Nimeithel. “Melethril” —lover—“I do not desire to leave your side but neither can I allow Elrohir to go alone. Not when this mystery needs solving and soon. We must not allow more lives to be claimed if we can help it.”

Nimeithel bit her lip then nodded resignedly. Legolas, however, covered Elrohir’s hand with his and declared: “I will go with you.”

Elrohir shook his head. “I would not put you in such danger, Legolas,” he said. “You already faced almost certain ruin when you left on the Quest. No one should embark on such an endeavor twice in his life.”

Legolas’ eyes flashed warningly. “You would ask me to let you face danger without me?” he retorted. “I cannot, Elrohir. I will not endure lurking in craven safety while my mate stalks evil and possible death.” His grip on Elrohir’s hand tightened. “My path lies with you, Aduial, even unto the end of life. I will go with you.”

Elrohir gazed at him in some surprise. Such displays of the prince’s love for him had grown so increasingly infrequent that any took him quite aback. And touched him so deeply his heart and soul willingly set aside whatever misgivings they harbored. He caught Elladan’s dubious expression and chose to ignore it.

“Thank you, Calenlass,” he softly said with a gentle smile. For some reason, it made Legolas blush and he wondered anew at his mate’s mercurial moods.

Gimli harrumphed at this point. “Well then, when do we leave?”

Legolas looked at him with upraised eyebrows. “We?”

Gimli turned a pugnacious countenance upon him. “You need someone to keep an eye on you young ‘uns.”

“Young!” Legolas nearly choked on the word, caught as he was between mirth and umbrage.

“Well, not in years perhaps,” Gimli declared. “But sometimes you give me cause to wonder if you’ve ever really grown up!”

Nimeithel burst into laughter at her brother’s patently offended mien. Elladan smirked with just the barest trace of malice while Elrohir grinningly squeezed his discomfited mate’s hand.

They informed Thranduil of their plans immediately after the meal. The Elvenking was not overly pleased but, being of a practical bent of mind, he also knew he could not dissuade them and that he should not. They needed answers and if these were to be found in the Grey Mountains, then that is where they would have to go. Not that he cared to sacrifice his son or sons-by-law in the process but, as they, he knew and accepted the burdens of duty and honor. And so he gave them his blessings however grudging the giving may have been in his love and concern for them.

Later when he and Legolas returned to their chamber, Elrohir was surprised anew. He was reaching for his weapons to ready them for the journey when the archer stopped him. He glanced at Legolas questioningly.

“Why did you think I would agree to be left behind?” the prince queried. “Since when have I cared to be parted from you?”

Elrohir gazed at him for a space before answering. Such declarations from the archer further cemented his conviction that whatever drove Legolas to behave otherwise at other times was not something he was fully cognizant of. Hence, Elrohir’s never faltering love for him even when he yearned at times to put distance between them.

“I once watched you walk into gathering darkness,” he quietly replied. “I do not wish to do so again.”

Legolas frowned. “I am as much a warrior as you,” he reminded his spouse. “Neither of us can refuse our duty even if it should demand our very lives.”

“But I am also a bereth, a spouse, and I cannot deny my heart’s desire to keep you safe and happy,” Elrohir gently pointed out.

“That is absurd, Elrohir,” Legolas said, his voice taking on a slight edge. “I will not have anyone shield me, not even you.”

“Yet shield you I will, whether you wish it or not, seron vell”—beloved —Elrohir replied. “I cannot help myself anymore than you can stop breathing.”

Legolas opened his mouth to retort. But he suddenly saw Elrohir’s eyes change from open to wary and became aware that the Elf-knight was readying himself for a verbal battle. The prince flushed uncomfortably. Contrary to general opinion, he was not wholly oblivious of the strain in their relationship or that he was oft responsible for it.

“I suppose you are right,” he muttered. He turned away abruptly to see to his own preparations. But he did not turn away swiftly enough to avoid seeing the pensiveness return to Elrohir’s eyes.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, he paused and looked back at the warrior. Elrohir had abandoned his initial intent to bring out his weapons and had walked onto the balcony instead. He was staring down at the cold-withered gardens, obviously attempting to regain his composure. Legolas bit his lip. He had not meant to be so sharp in his reaction. It was just that he so disliked being coddled in any manner.

A flutter of fear hit the pit of his stomach. He was always uneasy when Elrohir drew away from him as he did now. He’d been keeping secrets from his binding-mate and knew that this had contributed to their present troubles. Yet proud as he was he could not bring himself to speak of the matter that had upended all his notions of his very self. It was simply too discomfiting a thing to admit even to his beloved Elf-knight.

Sighing, he followed Elrohir and, coming up behind him, wrapped his arms around the warrior and pulled him back against him. To his intense relief and thankfulness, the twin did not resist or pull away but relaxed into the embrace.

“I can take care of myself, Aduial,” he murmured. “Surely you know that.”

Elrohir half turned his head to regard him sideways. “I do,” he said softly. “If I desire to protect you, ‘tis because I love you. I cannot bear seeing you take any hurt no matter how much I esteem your prowess.” He hesitated then plunged on. “Why can you not accept this from me, Legolas?”

He felt the lean arms around him stiffen and he steeled himself for yet another confrontation. But then Legolas perceptibly forced down his tension and pressed his lips against his neck. The sensation made him shiver involuntarily.

“I will try.”

The offer was muted and oh so reluctantly made but that it had been made at all was cause enough for Elrohir to smile. He still did not know what had altered Legolas’ demeanor these past few years. But moments such as this buoyed his spirit enough to strengthen his resolve to uncover the reason behind his mate’s waywardness and, the Valar willing, heal whatever ailed him and their relationship.

He turned in Legolas’ arms and sealed his lips to the archer’s, catching him by surprise. After a few heart-stopping moments, he drew away and peered into Legolas’ now darkened eyes.

“And now whither?” he archly inquired.

Legolas’ eyes deepened into indigo.

“Bed,” said he and promptly pulled Elrohir back into the privacy of their chamber.

******************

Glossary:

Calenlass - Greenleaf

Aduial - Twilight

To be continued...
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Greenleaf & Imladris 22-Bereth:To Have and To Hold