Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Scarred Fate	By : Massanie Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 2051 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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- 44
- 45
CHAPTER 44: Trysts

CHAPTER NOTES

SCRIPTS:

'Thoughts'; ~visions~; **mind speech**; -l-Letters-l-

On the back of the large eagle Gandalf had rushed north, following the Forest River's path until only the previous day had outrun the five long boats that Thranduil had sent out.

They had been met with drawn bows, by grim soldiers and the eagles had turned again, giving the elves a moment more to realise what they had nearly shot. When both parties finally came together on one side of the river, there were only few sentences spoken in explanation, neither Thalion nor Gandalf wanting any further deferring. They had spoken later on, though, during their journey. It had been hard for Gandalf, to bear the unsmiling, hard glances of those who had seen firsthand what Brandon had done to Erestor, in what decayed circumstances the wizard had left his own son in. But there had at least not been any open accusations, for which Gandalf was grateful. His own conscience was heavy enough as it was.

With the help of the two eagles, the group had journeyed on much faster, having the five long boats tied together and pulled upstream by their strong eagle companions with astounding speed.

And now they were close, very close.

"Half an hour, I'd guess." Thalion said, turning to the wizard sitting behind him, his eyes blazing with an all-consuming fire. Once more Gandalf wondered how the frightened youth that Erestor had been when fleeing Mirkwood could have come to trust those men immediately. They were grim and reticent and they radiated danger.

But he was also aware that this might not be their usual behaviour. In those boats sat men on a revenge campaign. They still remembered Erestor's fear and they had taken him in, cared for him, comforted him when nightmares had plagued his sleep. And now they had set out to save the youth they had adopted as a brother four centuries ago.

Gandalf's gaze swept over the heavily vegetated river bench. Something was odd. He felt as if someone was observing them and he shifted his position slowly to watch around, mindful of the boat's balance. Suddenly he narrowed his eyes.

On their left side something was hidden in the bushes, he could definitely make out wrought wood.

Apparently one of his eagle companions had seen it also. "Olórin, there is something in the bushes!"

Letting go of the ropes with which they pulled the boats the two eagles gave the elves the possibility to direct their boats to the river bank, while they themselves landed on the huge branches of one of Mirkwood's dark but strong trees.

It didn't take long until one of the guards saw what the eagle had meant. Steering the boat to a bush that jutted into the river, he bent the plants apart. "It's a boat ..." he called to their captain "... but it's small. For two or maximal three men."

As his comrades held onto the bushes, the soldier climbed onto the river bench, to better observe the area. The other boats equally were directed to the benches.

Moments later the ellon appeared again, his mouth a grim line. "There are water flasks, packs of lembas and clothing in the boat. Someone hid it there in case he needed to flee swiftly."

"In case they needed to hide Erestor!"

The soldier nodded. "There is a path leading deeper into the northern woods. Thalion, I think we will find him there; but if we directly head for the camp, we will give them enough warning so they can bring him away."

Gandalf turned to Thalion. "We could use this to decoy them: let us go to the camp with two boats. The others wait here for Erestor's captors."

"Well then, Istar. You shall stay here with the great eagles and my brother Celairdúr. There is no need to let Brandon now that you have come here. I shall go and flush birds …"

Following their Mirkwood guide, Elrond and Legolas headed along the narrow elven path further into the thick forest, followed by the twenty Imladrian soldiers. They had not left anyone behind in the camp, not daring to split their – after all inferior – forces. If Erestor's kidnappers wanted to flee, they would and there was nothing that could keep the fifty soldiers.

But their path was a difficult one: narrow and overgrown and so even their elven eyes could just barely discern their way in the darkening forest, but they rushed on nonetheless with grim determination.

"How long?" Elrond asked tartly.

"Minutes ..." Came the short but calm answer.

'Minutes. Erestor has no minutes. Elbereth, let Glorfindel find him ...'

Elrond pressed his lips tightly together, he did not dare to imagine the hell his councillor was currently living through. If only he had told them ...

So intent were the elves on making good way that they did not notice the pair moving directly into their direction until all of a sudden and yet long being in coming, two dark haired elves appeared right in front of them.

"Ada?" came the astonished outcry from the one of them.

"Elrohír?" Elrond answered equally dumbfounded. "Elladan? What by all the fourteen Valar are you doing here? Are you hurt Elrohír?" The elven lord added concerned at seeing his youngest son favouring one leg and arm.

Deciding to ignore his father's second question, Elrohír answered steadfast "Following Erestor. He must be here somewhere, we heard him scream!"

Curiously and yet impatiently the other elves looked on between father and sons. It was their young guide, though, who disrupted them before the chance encounter could take up more precious time, time they did not have.

"Well, then you're searching in the wrong direction. Follow me."

And follow the blonde ellon they did, after Elladan and Elrohír had each gotten a weapon from their father's long after, the party broke into full run as another scream ripped the air, this time, much closer. And yet it was so different from Erestor's scream of pain that they had heard earlier. This was a death cry.

Soon the company of elves heard shrill screeching sounds filling the night and Legolas started to run faster. "Spiders!" He shouted as a warning to the Imladrian Elves behind him before he drew his bow and vanished in the woods.

CHAPTER END NOTES

ada ~ father

ellon ~ male elf
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Scarred Fate