Winter Tears

(A/N) Just for something different compared to my last marathon fic. How long this is depends on it's appeal to the readers, so just take a looksie and then tell me what you think. Also the pairing is unspecified for a reason, cause as usual the cliffhanger queen has returned with vengence..... Hope you like the begining few chapters....
Enjoy:)

EDIT 1/10/05 Disclaimer - You've heard it all before so here it goes again, I don't profess to own any of the characters or plot co incidents with the Lord of the Ring series written by JRR Tolkin, contained within this story. All dirt, sex and other profanity is made from the sick genius of my own and while I use for my own and others amusements the character of Tolkin's stories, I do neither profit monetarily or legally from anything contained within these pages. All relative warnings related to this story are clearly indicated and should you be reading this story and take offence I accept no responsibility having warned you thoroughly before undertaking the project. If you sue, you won't make a dime so don't bother. RIFFRAFF.
Winter Tears

Chapter 1

The great library of Imladris was silently bathed in the light of Ithil. The roof high stacks of books creating long shadows across the polished wooden floor. A fire burned low in the pit its orange flickers barely making their mark in the all but darkened room. Dust clung to every surface settling as the last movements of the day died as the inhabitants of Imladris lay slumbering in their beds. While the entire valley slept there was one lone figure who remained at their post.

On the oak desk by the window he sat, surrounded by parchment and dust harbouring books, muttering to himself as he continued to scribe. The last maid of evening had brought him a heating stone from the fire, which he had now placed at his feet warming his toes. A glass of warm fey wine lay forgotten and cooling by his side, his mind to preoccupied with the task at hand to bother with it. For three day’s straight he had been working religiously at his desk, hours after hours devoted to meticulously scouring the documents that had been presented to him by his lord.

Trade agreements were always tricky diplomatic events, which required skill and a cool head to make them work. That was why they always landed on his desk and no one elses. Unlike other trade agreements he had overseen in the past this one in particular was supremely significant, the first of its kind to be constructed since the debacle of the last alliance. A trade route for materials passing between Gondor, Rohan and the elvan realms of Lorien and Imladris was being established. Grievances of the past had been momentarily pushed aside for the creation of a trade route that would benefit both sides. The agreement had been reluctantly drawn up after weeks of negotiations in Gondor with the high king, Elrond having returned with the paperwork in hand. Now however he had to sought through it, finding the weaknesses, and items of contention that might adversely affect Imladris and its people. It was a tedious job but it was a job he knew well and was thus content in doing so till all hours of the night.

Thank-fully he was coming to the end now the last documents noted and collated in a small pile on the end of the desk ready to be signed by Elrond in the morning. Sitting back finally from the last of the parchment he carelessly allowed the quill to drop onto the leather-writing pad, ink squatting up onto his already covered hands and onto the front of his black robe. Cursing in elvish he tried uselessly to rub the ink spots from the robe but in the end fatigue and frustration finally got the better of him and he slumped back wearily into his favourite chair. Picking up the now cold glass of fey wine he closed his eyes and drained it dry, his thirst raging after thoroughly forgetting to neither eat nor drink during his day at his desk. A rumbling low in his stomach was a small reminder of the two missed meals and with slow deliberate movements he rose from his desk and stretched with a yawn.

His bed called to him from the idoridor as he closed and secured the tapestry entrance to the great library for the night. All of Imladris was silent only the night guards standing stoically at their posts around the house. Deciding on a quick snack from the kitchens before bed he slowly made his way down the familiar winding passages of his home, smiling every so often at the view of the moonlit valley he caught from the windows and balconies he passed on the way. Imladris was beautiful at night and he had often found himself enjoying the slow quiet evenings far more than the busy days. Passing the last of the night maids in the lower house he finally arrived at the kitchens, a place usually buzzing with activity and vibrant smells now lay dormant and eerily empty. Stepping quietly around the stone benches and up to the larder he quickly set about making himself a small meal of some salted meat, a few dried fruits and a warm glass of goat’s milk that had been warming by the fire. Goat’s milk was always reserved for newborn elflings and the injured in the healing house. Elrond had often spoke of the healing benefits of the milk and thus kept the meagre amounts of the milk for the most needy members of the household, the young and the sick. Yet with no one around to chastise him he had helped himself to a small amount of the milk in the hopes it would make sleep come easier when he finally made it to his bed.

Quietly he supped by himself in the corner of the kitchens, wishing that all of his meals could be passed in quiet solitude. His was was as far fetched as a wish could be and so he merely savoured the meal alone in view of the doors, which lead out into the vegetable garden and fruit grove. It was while he was staring out into the shadows of the garden that he saw it. A flash of pale naked flesh and dark auburn hair ran passed the balcony doors at such a speed. Stunned at what he’d thought he’d seen he stood up quickly from his seat and walked swiftly over to the doors to see if he could confirm the vision he’d just glimpsed. No sooner had he reached the doors than another figure ran passed the window, a mirror image to the finger he’d just seen. Shocked by the suddenness of the sight he jumped back from the doors a little before edging his way cautiously back to the doors. Curious as to what was going on at this time of night, he pushed open the doors and stepped out onto the small set of steps that led down into the vegetable gardens.

Allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness he quickly scanned the surrounding . In. In the darkness it was hard to see anything let alone the two visions he’d glimpsed a moment ago. Knowing all to well the dangers that still lurked in middle earth he slowly eased the concealed blade from out of its holding beneath his robes as he slowly descended the stairs into the gardens. Admittedly he was tired and the visions might have been hallucinations from fatigue he hhe had to be sure. Still scanning the darkened gardens his eyes took in every shape and shadow in careful scrutiny until finally he decided that he had indeed been seeing things. Shaking his head in repute of himself for such foolishness he turned back to return to the kitchens but upon doing so came face to face with two very familiar young elves trying to sneak past him and up into the house.

“Lord Erestor!” The two twins skidded to a halt in front of the advisor who was now recovering from his shock and was automatically folding his arms into the sleaves of his robe. With a suspicious scowl Erestor raised an eyebrow in questioning of the two young elves.

“Well, Elladan and Elrohir. Why did I not suspect it was you two?” Slipping easily back into his cold, ruthless demure Erestor looked pointedly down at his two young students, who now stood before him as naked as the day they were born. Elrohir the youngest of the two twins stepped immediately back behind his brother, hiding his blushing face in the shoulder of his elder brother. Elladan however was neither bashful nor ashamed of his position and merely stood in front of his tutor awaiting the furore that would come from the incident. Elladan had always been the most headstrong of Elrond’s two sons, taking it upon himself to look after his younger brother. Elladan was like his mother, a warrior and a fighter who took on challenges with just as much vigour as one possessed. Elrohir was far more like Elrond, his talents reserved for chemistry and geography apposed to swordplay and horse riding. While both twins were accomplished in their particular fields of interest they both shared a common fear of the r whr who now stood before them. “Well is there to be an explanation or am I to wake your father and have you explain to him why you are scampering about Imladris in nothing but your bare behinds?” Erestor’s authoritative tone range out across the quiet gardens and both twins seemed to shrink further back into themselves as they realized what they had done. Out of both their tutors it had, had to have been Erestor they had run into. Lord Glorfindel would have scolded them for such foolishness but might not have punished them so severely as Erestor now would.

“We went for a swim in the……” Elladan spoke first his nervousness showing through the feeble attempt at confidence he tried to portray. The twin didn’t finish his sentence before Erestor quickly cut him off with the sharp, ton tongue he was known for.

“A swim at this time of night? Try again Elladan and do not lie to me.” Elladan swallowed around a sudden lump in his throat as Erestor’s cold gaze pierced him straight through like the sword of an enemy. They had learned before that lying to Erestor was impossible the tutor having a way of seeing through even the most well thought out ideas.

“It is true in part.” Trying to defend the last shred of a hope they had to clear their names Elladan folded his arms awkwardly across his body, feeling more naked than he had previously under Erestor’s unwavering stern gaze.

“Aye we only went to have a look……” Elrohir spoke up softly from behind his brother but instantly shut his mouth as Elladan glared at him from over his shoulder.

“A look at what dare I ask?” Erestor saw the exchange between the two twin brothers but did not question it when Elladan groaned and rolled his eyes at his brother’s foolishness.

“The maidens from the kitchens.” Elladan paused and sighed heavily as he realised there was no way out of what Elrohir had just said. It was bad enough they had been caught let alone that they had tried to cover it up. Erestor raised a smooth knowing eyebrow at the two s als already predicting what was to come. Of late the twins had become more aware of the attractions they had to other elves, a sure sif thf their majority that loomed a mere few seasons away. Erestor had avoided the topic during their lessons finding the idea of talking about such things, encouragement for their experiments. Elrond’s son’s had a duty to produce heirs to their fathers realm and Erestor was not going to be the willing party that encouraged their tempestuous behaviour. “They were bathing in the springs and we spied on them.” Elladan hung his head against his chest as his explanation trailed off into a mere whisper.

“Only to see if they were talking about us, like they had been in the kitchens earlier.” Elrohir spoke again this time in quick defence of their actions. Erestor was unmoved and Elladan merely lowered his head further to his chest as he continued.

“We lost track of time and it was late so we decided to take a quick dip ourselves so we were clean to get into bed….” Elladan paused this time flushing the same shade of pink his brother had been earlier. “They must have known we were there spying on them,se wse when we got into sprisprings they came and took our clothes and ran away…” Elladan went to continue but Erestor silenced him with angry hiss.

“I’ve heard enough.” Erestor sighed heavily and turned his gaze away from the twins who both now hung their heads in shame. “This incident will not go unpunished, your actions were careless and foolish, not to mention your ignorance at invading the privacy of the kitchen hands.” Erestor paused again as he began up the stairs leaving the twins to stare shamefully after him. “At the moment however I am too tired to deal with you. Both of you will return immediately to your rooms for the night, then tomorrow morning you will both report to your fathers study, where you may inform your father of this and face what punishment is to be delivered, is that understood?”

“Yes Lord Erestor.” In unison the twins replied respectfully to the elder elf who merely glanced one final time at them before pointedly urging them to follow him back into the house. Almost immediately the two twins ran into the kitchens and darted from sight leaving Erestor to finish his meal and return to his own bedchambers. While the two twins had not quite reached their majority they were close enough that Erestor had hoped for a little responsibility but as it turned out they were both still playing foolish games. Foolish games which Erestor had often attributed to Glorfindel’s easy tutoring style and leniency, which he allowed their two entsents.

Finally Erestor made it back to his sparsely furnished bedchamber and slide effortlessly from his robes before slinking under the soft sheets. It had been a long three days and with the agreement now finished he hoped that there would be a few quiet weeks ahead of him….

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>