In Twilight
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
21
Views:
8,139
Reviews:
47
Recommended:
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.
Path to Rohan
A/N: And onwards this story continues! Another thank you to Ilye for beta reading, and a grand thank you to all you faithful readers out there.
The next chapter will be delayed at least a week as I am driving down to Orlando on Sunday (Orlando, FLORIDA, the place not the person; someone almost had a heart attack cause they thought I meant the person). I'll be working on more chapters while I'm there, but they won't be beta'd and uploaded for a bit. Please be patient! ^_~
/ / denotes thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~ denotes changes in scene or POV.
Chapter 15: Path to Rohan
Summary: On the way to meet Aragorn in Rohan, Elladan speaks with his brother on the matter of their mortality, and what is to be done once the war is over.
The path before the riders was clear of obstacles, though vision was obscured. Of the group of thirty, only two were able to pick their way through the darkness with ease; as such, they acted as guides to the rest of the company. Different were they from the others, tall and fair-skinned, their hair dark and their faces identical. The twin sons of Elrond rode in silence, heads covered by the thick material of their cloaks, stormy gray eyes scanning the open plains before them. They rode slightly ahead of their Dunedain friends, and close to each other‘s sides to share a whispered conversation or two.
The group made for Edoras, the seat of power in the land of Rohan. There they were to meet with Aragorn and accompany him wherever he should choose to go: these were the instructions they had been given in Imladris. They also carried messages from both their father and sister to the future King of Men. The twins had opted to travel with their Northern companions and see through the battles yet to come; it was their calling in life, and they answered it without question. But, it was not the up-and-coming battles that weighed heavily upon the twins’ minds. It was something else.
“How much further do you think?” Elrohir asked his brother in a whisper meant only for Elven ears. Elladan rode quietly for a moment as he judged the distance before answering. The plains opened before him, tall grass gently swaying in the night breeze. Other than the horses trotting through the grass and the soft breathing of the steeds and their riders, there was no other sound to be heard. The sky overhead was clear and the weather fair, allowing one to glimpse the stars for miles, though their light helped little; it seemed as if something darker kept the lands of the horse lords hidden. Unless the dark forces should otherwise conspire against the riders, they were making good time through the lands of Rohan.
“Another day’s ride or so. I believe we can reach Edoras by tomorrow evening, but we will need to rest soon for the night. The horses need to be unburdened for a time, and our friends could do with a little sleep and some food. We too could do with a little rest.”
Elrohir nodded in answer, and, for a time, the brothers rode on in companionable silence. Behind them they could hear the Dunedain riding quietly, keeping pace with the twins; occasionally they stole whispered conversations with one another as they traveled the plains. “Gwanur, there is something we must discuss,” Elrohir finally said.
Elladan sighed deeply, closing his eyes momentarily. “Aye, I know. We cannot put this off for much longer.”
“Ada will be leaving with the others, there is no doubt about that. Once the war is over and peace has returned, he will take ship and sail for the Grey Havens. There is no question that Arwen will be staying; our sister’s heart belongs to Estel, and she will not leave these shores while he yet resides here.” Elrohir paused for a moment while observing his brother nod in response. “So then, what of us? What would you decide?”
“I know not. And I shall not decide until I know your heart.”
“I know not my own heart at this time.” The silence that settled in was not comfortable. There was a slight tension in the air as each twin tried to seek out his soul’s wish. “I do not want to be separated from you, Elladan,” Elrohir finally spoke.
“Nor do I want to be separated from you. We are twins, Elrohir. We share a soul and a mind; we are linked, and forever will be, though we may be different people. We have our own lovers, who we shall follow if they ever travel to Mandos’ Hall. But I fear I will also seek the Halls of Waiting should you journey there before I.”
“I too am of the same mind, gwanur. Whatever we decide, we must make the same conclusion.” Elladan nodded in agreement but said nothing more on the matter as he called a halt. The Dunedain reined their horses to a stop, dismounting and making camp in a near silence. Out in the open, they knew they were vulnerable to an attack should it come, but they did not plan to tarry long.
Throughout the night the twin Peredhil kept watch, one sometimes slipping into the realm of dreams while the other relieved his brother. They spoke no more on the matter concerning their mortality; they first needed to search the depths of their hearts before they would be able to voice their convictions.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next night passed much the same as the first, though much clearer, allowing the twins and the Dunedain to make better time in their travel. Thus the Northern Rangers were allowed to ride almost side-by-side with their elven companions, but the sons of Elrond afforded themselves a little pace ahead for some means of privacy. They had things to discuss that did not require the input of their mortal friends, no matter how much they were loved. Again, it was Elrohir who broke the silence between the brothers, though his question was of a slightly different nature that night.
“Has the Lord Thranduil spoken about whether or not he will take ship?”
Elladan arched a delicate eyebrow at the question. “Not that I have heard. I do not know whether or not the King of Mirkwood will sail with our father and grandmother, or if he will delay his departure if he journeys at all. Why do you ask?”
“A simple reason, gwanur. Legolas might very well choose to stay and rule his people should his father and brothers choose to sail to Valinor. Will that not make your decision more difficult?”
“So it shall. But what of you? I find it highly likely that Orophin will take one of the first ships. I know your feelings for our Galadhrim friend, Elrohir. You care for him, love him deeply. You will surely pass from this world should you be separated from him for an eternity.”
Elrohir sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Our decision is not an easy one. Why must we decide at all?”
“We are the Peredhil, gwanur,” Elladan’s lore master side reasoned in a calm and even tone. “Our grandmother made her choice; our father and uncle made theirs, as did our sister. It is now our turn to choose which race we wish to be counted amongst.
“The blood of three races of Elves, of Men and the blood of a Maia courses through our veins. We are unique among the races, exotic compared to others. But, really, we are no different. We are family, we have lovers, we live our lives as we see fit. True, this choice before us is more life-altering than any we have had to make up to this point. However, it is nothing more than that: a choice. The only difficultly is, what will we choose?”
“I do not wish to be separated from you,” Elrohinfesnfessed. “Nor do I wish to be separated from Orophin, for you are the other half of my soul, yet he holds my heart. You are in the same situation since Legolas holds your heart.
“Thus, I see this dilemma: should Orophin sail and Legolas not, you and I will be torn since we will not separate ourselves. Yet, should they both sail, I am reluctant to join them until our foster-brother and sister have lived their lives and passed from this world.”
“Aye, I too came to the same conclusions. Yet there is another thought I have had that you might have missed. Legolas is in love with the woods and the forest now, but the future is uncertain. It is said that once the Sindar hear the call of the Sea, they can no longer deny it. Grandmother‘s message to the prince troubles me.”
“I have thought of that, though you may not have realized it, Elladan. I believe grandmother is foretelling his leaving of these shores.”
“Then we are of the same mind.” As with the previous night, silence fell upon them. “Elrohir?”
“I am thinking the same, gwanur.”
“Immortality then?”
“Aye. Our hearts shall sail over the Sea, and we shall follow them.”
“But not before we have seen our sister and brother live their lives to the fullest. That shall be our last remaining task once this war is over.”
Elrohir nodded as the pair gazed up at the stars and, together, spoke the words their father spoke years before.
“I ónoni Elrondo Pereldarioní, cilmmë nótinë míca Eldar sin nório. Nan cilmmë erin falassellon Ardo, tuluvammë nossëmma m' i nórí Valaron.” Overhead, the stars brightened after receiving their admission; whispers sounded behind the twins as the Dunedain noticed the change and remarked upon it. The twins shared a smile, their hearts feeling lighter now that their choice was made. They would sail to the Undying Lands when their time came, not sooner, not later. For now, though, they had another task at hand.
“Edoras is near,” Elladan remarked over his shoulder. “Let us join our brothers-in-arms before the night is out.” A quick, answering shout from the Dunedain was heard before the party urged their steeds onward. The alliance against the Dark Lord would be strengthen before the night was out, and with them would ride the sons of Elrond, strengthen in their resolve and decision. They would not falter nor fail in their quest. They would see it through to the end.
Translations:
Gwanur-Brother
Ada-Father
I ónoni Elrondo Pereldarioní, cilmmë nótinë míca Eldar sin nório. Nan cilmmë erin falassellon Ardo, tuluvammë nossëmma m' i nórí Valaron-We, the twin sons of Elrond Peredhel, choose to account ourselves among the Firstborn of this land. Though we choose to tarry longer on the shores of Middle-earth, we will join our kindred within the land of our makers (Quenya)
The next chapter will be delayed at least a week as I am driving down to Orlando on Sunday (Orlando, FLORIDA, the place not the person; someone almost had a heart attack cause they thought I meant the person). I'll be working on more chapters while I'm there, but they won't be beta'd and uploaded for a bit. Please be patient! ^_~
/ / denotes thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~ denotes changes in scene or POV.
Chapter 15: Path to Rohan
Summary: On the way to meet Aragorn in Rohan, Elladan speaks with his brother on the matter of their mortality, and what is to be done once the war is over.
The path before the riders was clear of obstacles, though vision was obscured. Of the group of thirty, only two were able to pick their way through the darkness with ease; as such, they acted as guides to the rest of the company. Different were they from the others, tall and fair-skinned, their hair dark and their faces identical. The twin sons of Elrond rode in silence, heads covered by the thick material of their cloaks, stormy gray eyes scanning the open plains before them. They rode slightly ahead of their Dunedain friends, and close to each other‘s sides to share a whispered conversation or two.
The group made for Edoras, the seat of power in the land of Rohan. There they were to meet with Aragorn and accompany him wherever he should choose to go: these were the instructions they had been given in Imladris. They also carried messages from both their father and sister to the future King of Men. The twins had opted to travel with their Northern companions and see through the battles yet to come; it was their calling in life, and they answered it without question. But, it was not the up-and-coming battles that weighed heavily upon the twins’ minds. It was something else.
“How much further do you think?” Elrohir asked his brother in a whisper meant only for Elven ears. Elladan rode quietly for a moment as he judged the distance before answering. The plains opened before him, tall grass gently swaying in the night breeze. Other than the horses trotting through the grass and the soft breathing of the steeds and their riders, there was no other sound to be heard. The sky overhead was clear and the weather fair, allowing one to glimpse the stars for miles, though their light helped little; it seemed as if something darker kept the lands of the horse lords hidden. Unless the dark forces should otherwise conspire against the riders, they were making good time through the lands of Rohan.
“Another day’s ride or so. I believe we can reach Edoras by tomorrow evening, but we will need to rest soon for the night. The horses need to be unburdened for a time, and our friends could do with a little sleep and some food. We too could do with a little rest.”
Elrohir nodded in answer, and, for a time, the brothers rode on in companionable silence. Behind them they could hear the Dunedain riding quietly, keeping pace with the twins; occasionally they stole whispered conversations with one another as they traveled the plains. “Gwanur, there is something we must discuss,” Elrohir finally said.
Elladan sighed deeply, closing his eyes momentarily. “Aye, I know. We cannot put this off for much longer.”
“Ada will be leaving with the others, there is no doubt about that. Once the war is over and peace has returned, he will take ship and sail for the Grey Havens. There is no question that Arwen will be staying; our sister’s heart belongs to Estel, and she will not leave these shores while he yet resides here.” Elrohir paused for a moment while observing his brother nod in response. “So then, what of us? What would you decide?”
“I know not. And I shall not decide until I know your heart.”
“I know not my own heart at this time.” The silence that settled in was not comfortable. There was a slight tension in the air as each twin tried to seek out his soul’s wish. “I do not want to be separated from you, Elladan,” Elrohir finally spoke.
“Nor do I want to be separated from you. We are twins, Elrohir. We share a soul and a mind; we are linked, and forever will be, though we may be different people. We have our own lovers, who we shall follow if they ever travel to Mandos’ Hall. But I fear I will also seek the Halls of Waiting should you journey there before I.”
“I too am of the same mind, gwanur. Whatever we decide, we must make the same conclusion.” Elladan nodded in agreement but said nothing more on the matter as he called a halt. The Dunedain reined their horses to a stop, dismounting and making camp in a near silence. Out in the open, they knew they were vulnerable to an attack should it come, but they did not plan to tarry long.
Throughout the night the twin Peredhil kept watch, one sometimes slipping into the realm of dreams while the other relieved his brother. They spoke no more on the matter concerning their mortality; they first needed to search the depths of their hearts before they would be able to voice their convictions.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next night passed much the same as the first, though much clearer, allowing the twins and the Dunedain to make better time in their travel. Thus the Northern Rangers were allowed to ride almost side-by-side with their elven companions, but the sons of Elrond afforded themselves a little pace ahead for some means of privacy. They had things to discuss that did not require the input of their mortal friends, no matter how much they were loved. Again, it was Elrohir who broke the silence between the brothers, though his question was of a slightly different nature that night.
“Has the Lord Thranduil spoken about whether or not he will take ship?”
Elladan arched a delicate eyebrow at the question. “Not that I have heard. I do not know whether or not the King of Mirkwood will sail with our father and grandmother, or if he will delay his departure if he journeys at all. Why do you ask?”
“A simple reason, gwanur. Legolas might very well choose to stay and rule his people should his father and brothers choose to sail to Valinor. Will that not make your decision more difficult?”
“So it shall. But what of you? I find it highly likely that Orophin will take one of the first ships. I know your feelings for our Galadhrim friend, Elrohir. You care for him, love him deeply. You will surely pass from this world should you be separated from him for an eternity.”
Elrohir sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Our decision is not an easy one. Why must we decide at all?”
“We are the Peredhil, gwanur,” Elladan’s lore master side reasoned in a calm and even tone. “Our grandmother made her choice; our father and uncle made theirs, as did our sister. It is now our turn to choose which race we wish to be counted amongst.
“The blood of three races of Elves, of Men and the blood of a Maia courses through our veins. We are unique among the races, exotic compared to others. But, really, we are no different. We are family, we have lovers, we live our lives as we see fit. True, this choice before us is more life-altering than any we have had to make up to this point. However, it is nothing more than that: a choice. The only difficultly is, what will we choose?”
“I do not wish to be separated from you,” Elrohinfesnfessed. “Nor do I wish to be separated from Orophin, for you are the other half of my soul, yet he holds my heart. You are in the same situation since Legolas holds your heart.
“Thus, I see this dilemma: should Orophin sail and Legolas not, you and I will be torn since we will not separate ourselves. Yet, should they both sail, I am reluctant to join them until our foster-brother and sister have lived their lives and passed from this world.”
“Aye, I too came to the same conclusions. Yet there is another thought I have had that you might have missed. Legolas is in love with the woods and the forest now, but the future is uncertain. It is said that once the Sindar hear the call of the Sea, they can no longer deny it. Grandmother‘s message to the prince troubles me.”
“I have thought of that, though you may not have realized it, Elladan. I believe grandmother is foretelling his leaving of these shores.”
“Then we are of the same mind.” As with the previous night, silence fell upon them. “Elrohir?”
“I am thinking the same, gwanur.”
“Immortality then?”
“Aye. Our hearts shall sail over the Sea, and we shall follow them.”
“But not before we have seen our sister and brother live their lives to the fullest. That shall be our last remaining task once this war is over.”
Elrohir nodded as the pair gazed up at the stars and, together, spoke the words their father spoke years before.
“I ónoni Elrondo Pereldarioní, cilmmë nótinë míca Eldar sin nório. Nan cilmmë erin falassellon Ardo, tuluvammë nossëmma m' i nórí Valaron.” Overhead, the stars brightened after receiving their admission; whispers sounded behind the twins as the Dunedain noticed the change and remarked upon it. The twins shared a smile, their hearts feeling lighter now that their choice was made. They would sail to the Undying Lands when their time came, not sooner, not later. For now, though, they had another task at hand.
“Edoras is near,” Elladan remarked over his shoulder. “Let us join our brothers-in-arms before the night is out.” A quick, answering shout from the Dunedain was heard before the party urged their steeds onward. The alliance against the Dark Lord would be strengthen before the night was out, and with them would ride the sons of Elrond, strengthen in their resolve and decision. They would not falter nor fail in their quest. They would see it through to the end.
Translations:
Gwanur-Brother
Ada-Father
I ónoni Elrondo Pereldarioní, cilmmë nótinë míca Eldar sin nório. Nan cilmmë erin falassellon Ardo, tuluvammë nossëmma m' i nórí Valaron-We, the twin sons of Elrond Peredhel, choose to account ourselves among the Firstborn of this land. Though we choose to tarry longer on the shores of Middle-earth, we will join our kindred within the land of our makers (Quenya)