Of Sands and Time

Ah, yes. I am back. After a rather rough time I have managed to write a bite more and even made this chapter a rather long one.

From now on I will post more regulary again and I am eternally grateful for patience and support.

On with the story......

Chapter 10


The twins had left quickly after Elrond had given the bandaged a quick check and had sent them off home. On the way to their horses, they had agreed to tell Legolas and Haldir that it happened during the archery practise. Another young elf who had just begun his training had handled his arrows badly and while he wanted to put them into his quiver, had by accident stabbed Amanhír in his arm. Thus they would not get into trouble for snooping around.

But concerning the journey their fathers were going to undertake, the last words hadn’t been spoken yet. Maybe they could let Gimli in on their plan to go with them.

But first they wanted to get home and see what Legolas and Haldir would tell them.


Haldir glanced sideways at his husband and wondered what was going on in his head. He knew that somewhere inside Legolas had already made his decision but on the outside he was still looking as if he was still contemplating the situation.

“Love?” he asked carefully. But Legolas didn’t answer him. He just rode on, never looking left nor right.

When they had reached their home, the blond elf moved inside and up the stairs without having said a single word. Haldir followed him and found him sitting on their large bed, his face buried in his hands.

“Why?” Legolas muttered form behind his fingers.

Haldir crouched before his mate and pried the slender fingers from the sad face. “Why what?”

“Why couldn’t we just have the peaceful life we were always dreaming about? Why does this have to happen to us?”

“Only the Valar know, my love. But we are together in this time of need and we will get through it. I promise. Tell me. I guess you have already made up your mind. Will we sail?”

Legolas lifted his tired eyes to Haldir and nodded slowly. “I need to know what is going on and I need to be myself again. The darkness that overtakes me more and more often is slowly driving me mad. And I want my old life back. I want our life back. Haldir, we always wanted a big family. I want more than just the twins, but how can I think of becoming pregnant again when this threat is hanging over us?”

“We will tell our little ones then?”

“Haldir,” Legolas smiled “as you already told me so many times. They are not so little any more. But yes, we will tell them. And tomorrow I will ask Gimli to look after them while we are gone.”


Amanhír and Thaurdae watched their fathers carefully that evening and after they had told them their story about how Amanhír had been injured, everything seemed to relax and at ease. Still the tension within the house was reaching critical limits. Legolas kept running his fingers through his hair, a very unusual thing for him and Haldir cleared his throat every other second. Suddenly Legolas got up from his chair and without another word left the room and hurried upstairs.

The twins looked at each other and then at their father silently asking him to explain. When nothing happened Thaurdae gathered up all his courage and addressed Haldir.

“Father, tell us what is going on? Why is Ada so upset?”

Haldir looked at his sons and felt a pang of regret. They were going to leave them here not knowing if they would ever return. The twins had become adults and were soon facing their becoming of age. They would fall in love, maybe marry and hopefully have families of their own. And he and Legolas might not live to see it.

With an expression of utter defeat he spoke “Legolas and I have to leave for Middle earth. Your Ada is somehow tied to the happenings there and if he doesn’t go he might loose his mind or die. I will of course accompany him. I cannot let him go on his own.”

Thaurdae and Amanhír looked at each other and nodded. “Then we will go with you.” They chorused.

“Nay!” Haldir nearly shouted. “You cannot. You mustn’t. It might get far too dangerous and we will not risk your lives. We will ask Gimli to look after you, while we are gone.”

“Look after us?” Amanhír looked shocked. “Father, we are old enough to look after ourselves. And I am well trained with the sword and bow. I could be of use to you on your journey.”

“No, Amanhír. Neither of you will come. Even if you could come with us, where would this leave your brother?”

“I am well versed in many languages!” Thaurdae protested.

“No!” Haldir shouted and went after his husband.


Amanhír turned to his brother and arched an eyebrow. “So they think they can just leave us here, do they?”

Thaurdae studied his twin’s face and knew immediately that behind the dark blue eyes a plan was forming.

“What will you do?” Thaurdae asked his brother.

“Well if they think we will just sit here and wait, they are wrong. We will talk to Gimli, I doubt that he will sit back idly either. Together we might come up with a plan how to convince them to take us along.”


Haldir found Legolas up in their bedroom, sorting out things they would need on their journey. His movements were agitated and his hands seemed to be trembling.

“Love?” Haldir asked and placed his hands on Legolas’ shoulders from behind.

Legolas’ voice shook as answered “I don’t want to leave my children, but we cannot take them along. But what if we never see them again?”

“We will see them again. Of that I am sure. And even if the world should come to an end, we will always meet again in Mandos’ halls.”

Legolas leaned his head back onto Haldir’s shoulder and sighed. “Actually that is not a very comforting thought.”

“I know but it is the best we have.”

“I know.” The prince closed his eyes briefly and then squared his shoulders and turned around to his mate.

“Come on, we have to pack. I want this to be over as soon as possible. And we will have to talk to Gimli as well before tomorrow afternoon.”

“He will not let us go willingly either, you do realise that, don’t you?” Haldir had to smile despite the gravity of their situation.

Galadriel had informed them that a ship was already waiting and was being loaded with supplies and food. They would have to acquire horses themselves as soon as they would have landed in Middle earth. She had given them a large bundle of scrolls with all the information she had been able to gather about Gondor and surrounding countries as they were today. The language had not altered much, but the habits and traditions.

Since they were no elves left, Haldir and Legolas would stick out and she had suggested a few changes in their appearance like hairstyle and clothes. But Legolas had immediately rejected the idea of having his hair altered in any form.

Haldir watched his husband silently as they packed only the most necessary items and Legolas beloved long bow and knives. He had to confess, that a small part of him did look forward to this challenging new adventure, but it pained him to leave all the people he loved behind.


Downstairs Amanhír and Thaurdae were writing their parents a short note, explaining that due to the news Haldir had given them, they wanted to take a walk to clear their heads. In truth, both broke into a run as soon as the door closed behind them. If they were able to keep up the speed they would reach Gimli’s cave in only half an hour.

Gimli paced the cosy living area of his large and delicately shaped cave with determined strides and cursed frequently. From what he had heard at the counsel Haldir and Legolas were to leave Valinor and return to Middle Earth as soon as possible. And he was not to be going with them. To put it mildly, this enraged him to no end. Sure, the Lady had made it perfectly clear, that it would most likely not be possible for him to return to Valinor if he would choose to go with the elves and that Middle Earth had changed as had its people, and that they would not know dwarves anymore, but how could he let them leave alone?

He had always made it his duty to protect Legolas and his children. Didn’t they understand that he simply had to go with them?

A sudden sharp and somehow desperate knock on the heavy oaken door halted the dwarf’s step. He had not quite turned towards the door, when somebody knocked again. This time even louder.

“Hold your horses. I am coming!” Gimli bellowed and stormed to the entrance door.

The dwarf flung open the door with a curse on his lips, but when he saw two slightly flushed and panting elves before him, the words died on his lips.

“Amanhír , Thaurdae? What in the blazes are you doing here, and why by the Valar are you so out of breath. Did you race each other here?”

Amanhír shook his head and took a few steadying breaths. “No, but we must speak to you. Urgently. Before Haldir and Legolas will come here. And they mustn’t know about it.”

Gimli narrowed his eyes but stepped aside to let the two young elves inside. He watched them taking seats beside each other on the wonderfully carved wooden bench beside the fireplace. Thaurdae, without consciously noticing it clutched one of the many cushions to his chest.

The dwarf watched them for a few silent seconds, quietly tapping his foot against the hard ground, before he addressed them in his usual gruff manner.

“So what is it that you two could want from an old dwarf at this time of day?”

The twins shifted nervously and looked at each other for reassurance. After a few seconds Amanhír took a deep breath and turned to Gimli. “Haldir and Ada will be going to leave for Middle Earth and they want us to stay with you. You are supposed to look after us, and what if something happens to them and we are here and anyway, we want you to help us. We want to go with them.”

The last words had come out in a rush and Gimli had to concentrate hard to understand the young elf. At a time like this he cursed the soft elven language. Hurried and angry words were so much easier to utter in Khazud. Still what Amanhír had just told him made his stomach clench. He had known that the Lady Galadriel needed Legolas for some task, but how could they even think of leaving him here on Valinor and go without him? He understood perfectly well why they wanted the twins to stay, but hadn’t he been through the whole ordeal of the ring war with them?

Suddenly he noticed the two elves staring at him intently. “Gimli?” Thaurdae queried gently.

“Ah, well yes. Now listen you two. I think that your fathers are right to want you to stay here. We don’t know what dangers might await them and just imagine what they would feel like if something would happen to one of you? You are much better of staying here and you will see everything will be alright and they will be back in no time at all. But I wont be here to look after you. We will just have to ask your grandfather to take up that duty. I will most definitely not be staying here. These two lovebirds need me. They will not ignore me!” Gimli finished with a determined look.

“Gimli!” Amanhír cried out in dismay. “We wanted your help! We didn’t come here to get lectured by you. We thought we could all go together. So you would be able to look after them as you say and we wouldn’t be left behind.”

“No. It might be far too dangerous for you. We don’t even know what Middle Earth is like now. What dangers await them and they will have to do once they get there.”

“Hey, we are not infants anymore. I am good with my bow and sword!” Amanhír protested. “I could be an asset you know?”

“Maybe. But what about your brother. Do you think that playing the harp will help them?” the dwarf had placed his hands on his hips by now and tried to glare at the boys.

“Playing the harp?” Thaurdae looked outraged. “I am well able to do more than that. I am good with languages, Lord Elrond even told me that I have a diplomatic talent. By the time all you brainless warriors have figured out how to say ‘welcome’, I could be well into some important talks, you know!”

The dwarf sighed deeply and closed his eyes. Inwardly he knew that further discussions were going to be fruitless. The twins were too stubborn for their own good. Also he was unsure if he really could convince either Thranduil or his favourite couple to follow his own plans. Most likely Thranduil would put up a fight himself, demanding that he’d go with them as well. Maybe it was best to do as the twins suggested and come up with a plan to, on the one hand assure Legolas and Haldir that he would look after their children and on the other hand go and hide on the boat and follow them to Middle Earth.


Two light blond heads and dark red curls were bend close together and a soft murmuring could be heard throughout the cosy chamber when suddenly a shark knock came from the entrance door. All three heads shot up and Thaurdae whispered apprehensively “Ada and Haldir!”

“Are you sure?” Gimli looked unsure.

“Yes.”

“Go hide. No better leave through the back garden. Stay in my bedroom for a few moments and then leave quietly. We’ll meet again in about two hours. Now go!” Gimli ushered the elves to the room that lead to the vast garden behind his cave.


When the twins had vanished the dwarf turned to the door and opened with a welcoming smile on his face. “Legolas, Haldir? What honour brings you here?”

Legolas’ face looked drawn and tired. Haldir managed to smile halfway reassuringly and steered his husband into the living room of the dwarf. “We have something to discuss with you.”

Gimli waited until his visitors had seated themselves, smiling as he noticed that they had chosen the exact same places as the twins had. “So, you said you had something to discuss with me?”

Legolas swallowed visibly “Maybe you have heard by now, that the Lady is sending me back to Middle Earth. We hope that I can solve my problems I have been having for a while now, there. As it is, we will be leaving the day after tomorrow and we are afraid of taking Thaurdae and Amanhír with us. We would like you to look after them while we are away and make sure that they continue their studies.”

Gimli immediately knew that Legolas didn’t tell him all there was to it, but restrained himself from asking. Instead he nodded knowingly and kept his thoughts to himself.

Haldir and Legolas stayed for about an hour longer, talking about none essentials and the upcoming winter. When the elves took their leave off Gimli, both bend down low to take him firmly into their arms. All three knew, even though no one had uttered it, that it was unsure if they would ever meet again.


Amanhír and Thaurdae had waited in Gimli’s garden and when Gimli’s head appeared in one of the windows they rushed back inside. Now was the time to make plans quickly. The most important question was how to hide on board of the ship. From experience they knew that those boats were rather small and that wouldn’t leave much space to hide. Another question was where and how to get enough provisions for the crossing. They couldn’t risk to be found before they had landed on Middle Earth. The possibility that Legolas and Haldir would actually turn back to get them back to Valinor was more than likely.

It was already early in the morning when the twins made their way back to their home, both exhausted but also excited and a little bit apprehensive.


Haldir tried to be as quiet as possible and slipped from the bed he shared with his husband, silently he pattered out of the room and headed straight to the back of the house. Sleep had eluded him that night and more than once Haldir’s thoughts had circled always around one subject. Would they have to use their weapons? He was sure that Legolas’ arrows would still find their aim without problems, but he wasn’t so sure about himself. The bow had never been his favourite weapon. He had always favoured the sword and sometimes a long, thin bladed knife. But truth to behold, his last practise seemed ages ago, and it always one thing to spar with a partner or hack at lifeless objects or to be involved in a real fighting situation.

Haldir knew full well, that practising now, here tonight was not about to change anything, but it might help him to relax and sort out his thoughts.


The sudden emptiness of the large bed woke Legolas and he felt his heart flutter with anxiousness for a second before he calmed himself and slid out form beneath the satin sheets. Haldir’s every day clothes were gone and so was his sword, which he had already placed beside the rucksack he had packed during the late evening.

Legolas quickly pulled a gown around himself and went in search for his mate, hoping to find him merely sharpening or polishing his weapon. As soon as he had entered the kitchen area that also led out into the back garden, he could make out harsh breaths, faint grunts and from time to time an elven curse. He carefully opened the delicately carved door that led to the outside and beheld the slightly glistening body of Haldir, going through various moves, thrusts and lunges with his long sword. His naked upper body showed a fine sheen of sweat and the satin trousers clung to the shapely legs as he moved.

As much as Legolas enjoyed watching the fluid grace and perfect balance of his mate, he truly hoped that there would be no need for it.


Thaurdae leaned wearily against the window frame in his room and kept a sharp watch out. Haldir and Legolas were supposed to meet the Lady today one last time for some further information and as soon as they would leave, the twins were going to meet with Gimli. They had agreed to make their way to the grey ship during day time. In their opinion it was far less suspicious to carry things, their things to be precise, to the boat than during the night. They would simply tell anybody who wanted to hear it, that they were only helping and since their fathers had to meet with Galadriel again before leaving, they wouldn’t be able to get everything on board alone.

The twins even had agreed to load other things, such as barrels, sacks and blankets onto the boat as well, so not to raise any suspicions. Meanwhile, Gimli was supposed to stay under deck and prepare their hiding place. Hopefully nobody would notice that in the end neither the twins nor the dwarf were leaving the little ship.


They had said their farewells to their fathers this morning, everyone apart from Thaurdae trying to hold back their tears and had promised each other that they would reunite soon. Very soon. Even though Thaurdae had known that he would follow Haldir and Legolas and would never have to be parted from them, a large lump of despair had manifested itself in his stomach this morning. What if they found out and made them leave the ship again, what if terrible things were going to happen to them, once they came to Middle Earth? Well, at least they would all be together.

Suddenly a sharp, short whistle pulled him from his reverie and he quickly moved to his bed and pulled his already packed rucksack out from underneath. Amanhír was already waiting impatiently for him downstairs and tapped his foot against the floor.

“Come one, hurry. We have to get Gimli and down to the harbour as quickly as possible. At least Thranduil wont be there, I am sure he will be at Galadriel’s as well. Just imagine him by the boat. We would never have a chance to hide then.” The more sturdy twin grinned and open the main door.

Thaurdae merely nodded and took a deep breath before he followed his brother. He threw a last glance at the hall and adjourning living room before he closed the door from outside, briefly wondering when they would see their house again. If they would ever see their house again.


The twins and Gimli managed to load the boat more quickly then they had anticipated and while Gimli was still under deck improvising their hide out, the young elves stayed on the upper deck, carefully holding a watch out for anyone coming near the ship.

Just seconds before they heard Gimli’s short and powerful bellow from below, they saw a rather large group of people coming down the hills towards the harbour, led by four gleaming blond heads.

“There they come.” Amanhír whispered, even though no one was there to hear him and pointed in the direction of the group of elves. “I’ll bet that ‘s Ada, Haldir, Thranduil and Galadriel in the front.”

They hastened down below and slipped behind the small wooden wall that Gimli had built, integrating perfectly with the rest of the boat. And since there were many barrels and crates piled up in front of it, hopefully their fathers wouldn’t get suspicious.


Shortly after the three stowaways had closed the wooden wall and settled down, they could hear footsteps from above. Three pairs of eyes kept glancing upwards, holding theirs breaths until a soft rocking motion told them that they had actually cast off.

A collective sigh escaped them and all they had to do now, was to lean back and wait.

Up on deck Haldir and Legolas stood side by side, arms wrapped around the other ones waist continuously staring at the slowly vanishing shore of Valinor. Legolas felt torn between a certain amount of tingling excitement and overwhelming guilt for leaving his children, father and friends behind. He fastened his hold on his husband as if to draw strength and support from him and suddenly felt a soft kiss against his cheek.

This was it, they had actually left and were now sailing towards an unknown future and hopefully a cure for Legolas’ illness.


t.bc.