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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.

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Feud
www.feud.shadowess.com
by erobey, robey61@yahoo.com
Beta'd by Sarah AK

Disclaimer: The recognised characters and settings used in this fiction were created by JRR Tolkien. The words, other characters, and ideas here surrounding them belong to erobey alone. No infringement is intended or monies earned through this work.

Gwanun Ûl Gâd (The Twins Catch the Scent)

It was an exquisite autumn dawn of whispery golden gleam twinkling through dewdrops, breaking the skies from darkness with startling abruptness, showing off all the magnificence of Iluvatar's design with a clarity that superseded vision and settled succinctly within the soul, lifting the heart, making one's spirit sing for the beauty of the world and being connected to it. The kind of morning that caused new appreciation of all that was so perfectly symbiotic within nature, a jubilant realisation of the harmonious balance within the unchangeable variation of Arien's journey through the heavens.

Anor's light always seemed clearer during this part of Arda's cycle of seasons, the air easier to inhale, sweet without the intoxicating qualities lent by spring flowering, cool without the bite of winter's frigid breath, temperate and mild, lacking the harshness of summer's alternately dry furnace and unbearably stifling humidity. What was green receded from the landscape while the bold shades of flame and gold and bronze displayed by the deciduous members of Yavanna's creations garnered attention. Grass had gone the colour of citrine and the deep rich emerald and dark viridian of holly, fir, pine, and yew would soon dominate wilderness and settled lands alike.

Within this pristine inauguration of Anor's hours the party from Lorien arrived at the main road into Imladris and poised upon the foot bridge overlooking the softly tumbling falls of the Rhossoll (Rustling Stream), a small tributary that boiled out of the highlands of Hithaeglir and joined the Bruinen at the Ford on the Great Road. From this vantage the broad sweep of the valley's gracefully rolling meadows looked like any other river's floodplain, for the dwellings of the elves and the Last Homely House were obscured by a barrier of orchards and woods.

Yet even from this distance away the sounds of Elrond's protected realm were audible to the keen ears of his sons and their comrades, and that is why the four were halted, staring in disturbed foreboding at the silent expanse of grasslands and weald opening at their feet. There was no one singing in Rivendell, not even the birds.

Whatever the twin Lords made of this they shared only with one another, but their agitation was easily communicated to their horses and the pair sped away across the downs, the Lorien couple close behind. The sentries did no more than whistle a salute as the entourage galloped by; there would not even be time to send word ahead of the group's arrival. The guard did, however, signal a warning to Elladan and Elrohir of fell news awaiting them.

Into the elegant formality of the central courtyard of Elrond's house thundered Nirmë and Namië, their raven-haired riders more concerned now than ever as no one came forth from within to greet them. The look that passed between the brothers exchanged dread for determination as they dismounted in unison and hastened up the marble stairs into the foyer of the palacious abode. They halted there; suddenly feeling as though they had barged into some stranger's home so intense was the sense of alienation that hovered over their hearts. Not since returning from the Mithlond without their mother had the Last Homely House seemed this foreign, this unfamiliar, this unwelcoming.

Orophin and Dambethnîn hurried after, catching the twins' dark mood and clasping hands to fortify their flagging hopes. Again the quartet's entry was unremarked and this caused Dambethnîn to sigh sadly, for normally Erestor was present to greet all visitors to the Lord's home. Elrohir half-turned and laid his hand upon her arm, squeezing gentle encouragement and sympathy as a grim smile uplifted the corners of his lips, for Erestor's friendship was dear to the gwanun (twins) as well.

Elladan led the way through the halls; certain everyone must be collected in the Council Chamber. The warriors encountered none of the household's staff en route and no voices were discernible in any direction. It was as if the whole valley was deserted, and while Elladan knew this to be false he could not prevent an instantaneous vision of Imladris, forsaken and in ruins, from flashing through his mind.

Elrohir sucked in an unsteady breath and this time Dambethnîn reached for him, though she could not share the frightening image spanning the brothers' conjoined intellects. The four turned the corner leading to the vale's seat of governance and yet no sounds of conversing or discussion met them. Elladan looked back to share his displeasure and mounting concern with Elrohir, who shook his head, for they had arrived to find the double doors to the room thrown wide and no one within.

"This is ominous indeed," said Orophin in a low voice. Normally, there would be lively activity inside, whether from a delegation of a foreign realm petitioning either aid or alliance, or local inhabitants of the valley seeking the insight of their Lord to end some dispute.

"Adar's study," spoke Elrohir, solely for the benefit of the Galadhrim, as he turned about and jogged away into the family's private suites. At last the murmur of serious words met their hearing and in their haste the group nearly ran down a trio of surprised elves laden with trays on which were piled dishes and glasses and the remains of a half-consumed repast. Without bothering to knock the younger brother shoved open the door to his father's sanctuary of books, maps, paintings, and plants and halted just over the threshold. His companions crowded up behind him, jostling to peer beyond the rigid set of his broad shoulders that conveyed annoyance, relief, and worry all at the same time.

Seated before the arched fireplace in his favourite chair was the Lord of Imladris, Glorfindel in the corresponding armchair to his right with Galdor and Lindir occupying the comfortable settee. The intrusion initiated a cessation of their discussion as one group surveyed the other.

Elrond stared at Elladan and Elrohir, seemingly shocked to see them there, and said nothing for several seconds as his gaze travelled between the mirrored emotions in his children's eyes. He was searching for signs of disgust and rage; hatred and abhorrence, shame and remonstrance but all he could see was their fear for his welfare and their distress over the trouble that had fallen upon their lands. The Lord of Imladris exhaled in immense relief; clearly they knew nothing. Galadriel has not learned the truth, then. With a shaky smile he rose and took a step toward his sons, immediately finding himself sandwiched between their crushing embrace as both rushed to close the distance, reciprocally reassuring each other of their respective health and wholeness.

"Iyn, iynen (Sons, my sons), welcome home," Elrond whispered and kissed each upon the forehead as they relinquished their squashing hold and let their father breathe. "I will not pretend that this reunion is joyous, for I know why you have come, yet I am gladdened for your presence."

"Aye, Adar, Miny'adar (First-father, grandfather (Quenya)) sent us. He is on his way to Mirkwood to try and mitigate this dreadful charge," began Elladan.

"And would not let us join his party for fear we would do some violence to the Elven King," finished Elrohir. "We have brought Orophin and Dambethnîn here, for they seek news of their bond-mate."

"Please, Lord Elrond, do you have words for us?" Now that the twins had made their presence official Orophin could no longer wait to learn what had become of the seneschal. He and Dambethnîn stepped further into the room and stood expectantly, impatiently, for Elrond's response. To their surprise, it was Glorfindel who replied, rising swiftly from his place and approaching the pair.

"We know little of his fate at the present moment, I am afraid, and it is one of the greatest concerns of this situation," he said solemnly. "Come and be seated, for surely the journey was trying and you came with all speed possible to reach us." He ushered them to his own chair and Orophin sat, pulling Dambethnîn onto his lap as she crumpled up in despair, wheezing out little whining whimpers as she hid her face in her husband's hair. Orophin did not miss the deadly glare Glorfindel bestowed upon his Lord as he moved away to pour out a serving of Miruvor for the distraught visitors.

"I cannot imagine that anything productive will be accomplished this day," said Galdor tersely, "and it has barely begun! Indeed, these last five days we have done naught but argue over the means of settling this contention, with no accord reached. I must go and attempt to relay some form of encouragement to our citizens, even if I do not feel any myself." He rose and tapped Lindir on the shoulder, signalling him to follow, and moved toward the door, stopping only briefly to share greetings with the Orc-slayers as he exited.

"I shall see what I may do to help," said the minstrel but his sorrowful voice betrayed his own lack of faith in achieving anything positive along those lines. He smiled, a sore-hearted curvature of grim lips, in response to Elrohir's questioning glance and shook his head a little as he passed from the room.

The brothers took the advisors' places on the settee as their father returned to his chair. Glorfindel pressed Dambethnîn to take a sip of the cordial and retreated to lean against the mantel when she had calmed down a bit. The silence was broken by Elrond.

"Glorfindel, perhaps you should take our guests and settle them in suitable quarters. I would like some time to speak with my sons alone."

"As you wish. Orophin, Dambethnîn, I will answer as many questions as I am able. Please, come with me." The Balrog Slayer helped the female warden rise and led the two disconsolate elves away, sending another harsh grimace in his Lord's direction as he left.

"What happened?" Elladan demanded as soon as the door shut behind them, for he was alarmed at the open hostility between his father and their most esteemed councillor.

"It is difficult to explain, but I will try. In turn, you must hear me out and withhold judgement until all is revealed."

"Valar! Is it as bad as that? Is Erestor truly in danger?" asked Elrohir, for he could see no other reason to send the Galadhrim away.

"I do not believe Erestor will suffer physically," Elrond's words were tinged with wry sarcasm the nature of which the twins found inexplicable. "However, our situation is most uncomfortable. Thranduil has reason to be angry but to go to this extent to exact revenge is excessive. Nonetheless, we must deal with him officially now."

"Perhaps not. Miny'adar may be able to reason with him as they are kin," Elladan hopefully interjected.

"Nay, I believe Celeborn will fail in this," said his father and forced a bitter laugh from his lungs.

"Adar, we are waiting," reminded Elrohir. "Why were you there and why has Erestor not returned with you?" How I long for Miny'ammë's gift at such times! (First mother, grandmother (Quenya)) he thought and Elladan inaudibly affirmed that. It was some minutes before any response was rendered.

"I was in Southern Mirkwood with Erestor, attempting to learn something of the activities of the Wraiths in Dol Guldur," Elrond said at last. He paused and rubbed his eyes wearily. Now that it came to it, he did not know if he could actually speak of this with his sons.

"Oh," said Elrohir with disappointment, looking not at his father but into the dancing flames within the grate. "I had thought you were there for Legolas."

Upon hearing these words Elrond went stone still and all colour drained from his countenance as his eyes slowly turned to examine his younger son in disbelief. "What? Why would think that?"

"We assumed you went to aid the Wood Elf in his dire fate because of your connection to his mother. Is this true?" Elladan spoke for his brother.

"Yes, Adar; there is no need for the pretence regarding Ningloriel and her child any longer. Had you shared your intention, we would have assisted you and the venture might have been a success," added Elrohir.

Elrond frowned; he had thought Elrohir would have outgrown these foolish fantasies long centuries ago. It would not help matters that the younger son still harboured a gentle image of the Wood Elf in his heart. For so long Elrond had kept these two facets of his life separate, his illicit affair and his respectable family, controlling each with masterful handling, never allowing either to connect or cross over upon the other. The concept of Elrohir defending the fallen forest prince, treating even the vague notion of him with brotherly concern was galling. An astoundingly realistic vision of his son holding the wild elf in a protective clasp while Elladan stood guarding over them sizzled into his consciousness, and within it his sons' distress and repugnance for their father fairly radiated like heat from the sun. That I will not abide!

"Exactly how do you see the situation between me and Ningloriel, Elrohir? Are you among those who believe I sired Thranduil's cast-off prince?"

"Aye, Ada; what else is there to think?"

"And what is your opinion, Elladan?"

"I have not the firm convictions of my brother, yet I will not discount the possibility exists."

"I see." Elrond got up and paced to the end of the room and back, incensed. "I am astonished that either of you could entertain such a concept! That I would father a child and then abandon it, that is how you view me, Elrohir? That I would leave an elfling of my own flesh and blood in the care of that Sindarin upstart?"

"Ai! Adar, you are too harsh! Never did I imagine any of that!" protested Elrohir.

"And what were we to think, then? You would never speak of it to us," Elladan defended his brother's romantic heart, wrapping an arm around his shoulder to calm him. "We assumed you could not be sure, or that Ningloriel would not have the child removed from Greenwood, wanting her son to rule their people someday. I thought you feared to alienate us, or rather Arwen, because of this second family. I also felt you were ashamed of it all."

"We invented many scenarios, but none in which you would knowingly wrong one of your own. Ada, surely you understand that we will support you through this, whatever the errors involved may be," concluded Elrohir.

"Good, good, that encourages me greatly," Elrond smiled darkly at his oldest son, shocked at how near Elladan was to the truth of the feelings that swirled through the memories of the years with Ningloriel and the subsequent encounter with her son. Aye, shame and fear, that is all the spiteful inu gave to me. I should have abandoned her and taken her son while she was still here.

He resumed his seat with a heavy sigh and rubbed his forehead. His sons would never understand this. Could they remain at his side once they learned the extent of his vindictive malice? "Let me assure you both that Legolas is not of our lineage. Remember that in the time to come; it is most important that you never lose sight of that fact."

Elladan and Elrohir did not feel anything like reassurance, however; instead a weighty sense of doom collected in the air of the room and they were deeply concerned for what the truth could be.

"Why? Why is this so vital? You have told us nothing and I fear whatever you are hiding more than any legion of Orcs I have ever faced. Speak!" implored Elrohir, unable to contain his emotions longer, leaning forward and slipping from beneath the shelter of Elladan's arm. Instinctively he reached for the hand at its end, entwining their fingers tightly.

"I did go there to find Legolas, but not for any reasons involving rescue from his punishment. I sought him to use as a spy upon his own, for he seemed likely to bear them ill-will, were he anything like his mother."

"Then Thranduil has more than reason to be angered, he has just cause for his charge; you truly did this. How came the plans to failure?" Elladan's tone was bleak and brimming with disappointment. "Indeed, how could such a plot succeed? What possessed you to undertake such a scheme? Did Glorfindel know of it?"

"Nay, he was as shocked and worried as we on learning of their disappearance," Elrohir reminded him. "Legolas has obviously remained loyal to his own. I do not suppose I can blame him for that."

"Loyal!" Elrond snorted in derision. "I would not want that one as an ally! Deeply do I regret ever setting eyes on him! Fealty and faithfulness he does not comprehend. He is too much like his mother!"

What does he mean by that?

I know not, but I dislike the rancour in his tone, as if this was something personal rather than a failed attempt at espionage.

Aye. It is personal. He would never do something so, so irrational otherwise. What use is a condemned exile in gathering information? He is lying to us.

Nay, to himself. It is not that he distrusts us, rather he is, is…Ai! I understand this not!

The twins shared these thoughts and waited, saddened deeply. They perceived that they would have to discuss the whole ugly situation again with Glorfindel in order to get at the underlying motives here.

"Adar, he has never been beyond his country's borders and by your own words had no reason to suspect kinship to you. Why would you assume he would accept alliance with you and turn on his own? Ningloriel was entirely devoted to her Nandorin subjects, if that is what you meant by likening them one to the other." Elladan attempted to draw Elrond back into discussion even as a new thought occurred to him. "Unless he did believe you his father,"

"Or did not know who you were," Elrohir spoke with sudden insight as well. "Did you not reveal yourself to him? That would explain why he would turn you over to Thranduil's guards."

"Ah, both," Elladan nodded and looked bleakly to Elrohir. "The gossips in Lorien put it forth that Ningloriel believed Adar was her child's father. She must have shared this with him."

Elrond listened to this exchange with increasing irritation, his brows drawing together and creating deep creases of displeasure across his forehead as his eyes pivoted from one to the other in turn. As before, the nearness to the truth the two approached was alarming. They will have it all figured out in minutes.

"Valar! I do not understand your obsession with justifying that outcast's actions!" he snapped. "What difference does it make whether he thought I was his father or not? Why do you care for him to have behaved honourably? It is not in his character to do so!"

"Obsession?" Elrohir was surprised.

"We wish to understand how you made the decision that such an undertaking was feasible. You are not being very forthcoming, Adar." Elladan growled.

"All right, perhaps I over-react," Elrond took a steadying breath. "This situation is most trying. I will answer your queries, then. No, I did not tell him who I was for the subterfuge could not have worked that way. I feared what you suggested, Elrohir, that Ningloriel had told him such lies regarding his paternity, if for nothing else than to spare him the dishonour of his true parentage. His mother kept another lover, her guardsman Maltahondo, and that elf is the fallen prince's sire."

"That is unfortunate," murmured Elrohir, feeling for Legolas low estate. Something about this explanation still does not set easily within reason's bounds.

"Aye, but I still do not understand what use he would be to you or why you found it necessary to lie about your identity," prodded his brother. I agree, Adar is not lying but is skirting around the truth carefully, as when crossing an ice-bound river. There is something he dreads to reveal to us.

"I thought he might tell us something of the contents of his King's vaults. I have long held the suspicion that Thranduil possesses Isildur's Bane. I needed to secure his trust in order to hope for any such revelation."

This did not seem to startle his sons, and Elrond both admired them for having concluded this possibility on their own and worried for how flimsy his rationale for the actions he took would seem to them.

"Well, if he thought you his sire, that would seem sufficient motivation! Why the secrecy?" Elladan asked directly. Valar! What can be so damning?

"Aye, and I thought the White Council had assigned Dol Guldur and Mirkwood to Mithrandir's methods. I cannot believe he would know the Ring was there and do nothing." Elrohir added. Betrayal. He betrayed Erestor and fears to tell us so.

"Mithrandir's methods, as you call them, have produced nothing," Elrond ignored Elladan's remarks and answered Elrohir instead. "Erestor and I decided to recruit the Wood Elf and sought the aid of Maltahondo to take the proposal to him. When that failed, we went to seek him out ourselves."

"So where is Erestor? Did Legolas send word to his people of your intentions? Has our seneschal been taken captive by the Woodland King for these crimes? Is this what you are trying so hard not to tell us; that you were forced to leave him behind to make good your escape?" Elladan hoped Elrohir was correct and this was it. Such was certainly horrible, but could be forgiven, for he truly believed that circumstances must have forced his father to take such a course, if indeed this had transpired.

Elrond inhaled a startled breath to hear such reasoning from his oldest. It was so tempting to accept these ready made alibis and excuses, so easy would it be to bend the truth around such concepts and thus reclaim their admiration and respect, their forgiveness for this folly. It could all be Legolas' fault. If only I had not confessed everything to Glorfindel! He exhaled slowly.

"Yes and no. Erestor is indeed in Mirkwood, and I feel certain he is within the stronghold. I do not believe he is in physical danger. Thranduil is no fool; he will not dare to spill a drop of blood from my House.

"It is true I left him, but it was Erestor's free choice to remain. He went looking for Legolas; he has foolishly become enamoured of the cursed outcast," he said this hesitantly, cautiously and waited for their reaction to such a statement.

It could work; they would never actually meet Legolas, and Erestor's reputation for philandering was against him. The only problem was Glorfindel and he could be ordered under his oath to Manwë to withhold the more personal revelations Elrond had made to him. He had already agreed to do this regarding Lindir, Galdor, and the population at large. As long as he has not told the Galadhrim, all will be well.

Elrohir and Elladan sat back and tightened the grip one another's hands, disturbed. They could not tell where the truth ended and the lie began, for all of what had just been said rang with the same noble tones they were accustomed to hearing in their father's voice. Yet never would they have thought to hear him disparage their friend and countryman thus.

"You do realise, Adar, that you have just called Erestor a traitor to Imladris as well as to his bond-mates?" asked Elladan quietly. He squeezed his brother's fingers harder as Elrond nodded solemnly, meeting each of their gazes steadily.

"I do, but you must understand he is not himself. The Wood Elf is very alluring and Erestor cannot help his fascination."

He believes this.

Undoubtedly, yet it cannot be so. Erestor would never betray Imladris.

Then he has sundered his bond to Orophin and Dambethnîn?

Nay, I cannot accept that either. He loves them. Ada has misunderstood.

Elrond sighed. He could see it in their eyes; they rejected this idea completely. Still, they are my sons and they will not gainsay my words. This ruse may yet succeed; I must be more specific.

"I saw him with Legolas."

"What do you mean?" asked Elrohir, knowing already exactly what he meant, hoping fervently to be proved wrong.

"With him, Elrohir, as in consorting with him, laying with him, shoving his cock up the hecilo's arse, spilling his seed down the bastard's throat, fucking that cast-off reprobate in as many ways as experience and the dissipated creature's stamina, which apparently is quite prodigious, will allow!"

The twins gasped at the unhidden virulence of their father's obscene words, the seething anger and disgust, his unadulterated jealousy and anguished sorrow, all of it was plain to their ears. They stared, aghast and helpless in the face of this raw and oozing wound in Elrond's flawless character. For several heartbeats they could not even muster rational communication between themselves, trading only their aggrieved horror to see this kind of baseness exposed in their father.

"What of it?" Elrohir blurted angrily. "Erestor has been with many elves and never betrayed a trust. You know this, Ada." He desires Ningloriel's child for himself?

"You are," Elladan swallowed before trying to go on, encouraged by the strong pressure imparted by his counterpart's palm. "You are very disturbed by this, Adar." As if he and Erestor became rivals for the Wood Elf's affection.

"Of course I am disturbed by it!" the Elf Lord scoffed. "How do you think I should respond to some bastard of common silvan blood stealing Erestor away from his home, his loved ones, his mates?" He uplifted his arms to underscore his exasperation over Elrohir's refusal to comprehend reality, dropping them back to his knees with a slap as his palms connected there.

"Stop," pleaded Elrohir and looked away from his father. Aye and Ada lost.

"Nay, it is time for you to dispel the fantasy of Legolas from your thoughts and replace it with the truth. Elrohir, he is just like her. He let me fuck him after but two days spent in each other's company and with little more coaxing than a meagre compliment or two. He thereafter let Erestor bed him, using sex to lure our seneschal into a compromising situation within Thranduil's stronghold."

"Far!" (Enough) Elladan shut his eyes and held up a hand to emphasise his distaste for this topic. "I have no wish to hear this." Elbereth! He has lain with that elf!

"You bedded him? He let you?" Elrohir could not encompass the concept. Nay, Adar would not take his lover's child as his next bed partner! "Why would you do such?"

"Let me? He demanded it! The second time was of his offering as well. After that he seduced Erestor. He left us and Erestor refused to come back with me. Legolas is unworthy of your regard, Elrohir, and the sooner you accept this the easier the days ahead will become."

"I will listen to no more!" Elladan stood and tore his hand free from Elrohir, stalking toward the door. "None of it makes any sense. I must mull this over in solitude, Adar."

"Wait!" Elrohir was on his feet and at his brother's side before the handle of the door could be turned. "We will speak again later, Adar," he called over his shoulder as they exited the study, leaving behind an irate and dissatisfied Elf Lord.

Elrond knew he had not convinced them. If they went to Glorfindel now they would realise the full extent of the deception he was attempting. I cannot let this happen. They must not ever know! With that to spur him, the Noldor Lord sprang from his seat and fairly bolted from the room, seeking his Master-at-Arms, hoping the twins would feel the need to discuss the matter between themselves before approaching the Balrog Slayer for his counsel.

Tbc.
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