Underneath it all

Chapter 18 - The snowstorm.

I rode out from Rivendell. I had hoped this tranquil numbness that was spreading through my body would include my mind too, but to my grief it did not. What if they caught me? Would they punish me for being a horse thief? Would they just take their animal and leave me to myself out here?

But as I rode further from Rivendell, my thoughts began to circle around the journey in it self. I had been in such a hurry that I had not even brought a weapon. What if I was attacked? I frowned at the thought of encountering orcs, or even hostile Mirkwood soldiers?

I urged the horse to move faster as I heard hooves behind me, but in the last second I turned the stallion and hid us both behind some trees. I held my breath and carefully watched the road, when I suddenly saw a rider in a dark blue cloak riding his poor horse as fast as it could. As I watched them I noticed the horse nearly stumbled more than once. The rider leaned over and whispered in he horse's ear. This was most intriguing, and as I saw the horse and rider sweep past me, I recognized the pale freckled face I knew so well. Elrohir! What was he doing here?

I could have hit myself. Of course he was looking for me. I had been wrong, and I spurred the horse out on the road once more, anxious to gain his notice. "ELROHIR!" I yelled, but the rider didn't look back or even seem as though he heard my words.

If he was not looking for me, what was he doing here?

I proceeded in a more relaxed pace. I was truly puzzled at Elrohir's wild ride. Had he really ignored the word of his sire? He had to; otherwise I could se no logic in what he was doing here. And he was heading towards Mirkwood.

Mirkwood.

I would have to face my father, and Elladan had perhaps been more right than he knew, I would have to beg and plea for him to not kill me. I did not even dare to hope that he would let me in as his son, and no trumpets would announce my arrival. Perhaps I would be greeted with hushed and whispered remarks.

I sighed. How I wished I had Haldir with me. I needed his strength and his support.
I rode on, trying to come up with something to tell my father.

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Night had crept up on me, and I decided not to stop. I had no weapon to defend myself with, and I really wanted to reach Mirkwood as fast as I c. I . I estimated that if I kept riding though out the night I would be home tomorrow afternoon. But my stomach growled and my bottom hurt from this rather uncomfortable ride. I chided myself for being so rash and leaving without some food, but at least I did not feel the cold.

I pulled my hood up more, for snow kept getting in my eyes. When had it begun to snow this much? How long had I just been riding in my own thoughts? I turned my head and looked around. I was not even able to see the path anymore. Perhaps I should really seek shelter, if not for me then for the horse.

I turned towards some trees hoping to find shelter there when I suddenly heard a whistling sound. I shook my head, telling myself it was the wind in the trees, but when the horse wouldn't move from the spot no matter what I did I was alarmed. "Please move," I begged the horse.

But instead it turned and walked out in the snowstorm again.

/NO!/

My heart sank as I saw a group of what could only be elves riding towards me. The whistling sounded again, and the horse speeded up, all I could do was cling on to the horse and hope for the best.

To my horror I recognized the face of one of the elves. Glorfindel. This would mean that it was a Rivendell party. The horse came to a halt next to another with an elf on it. The elf turned his head and looked at me, "You're safe," he said.

"Prince Elladan?" I said and hung my head. I could not see his face for his hood hid it, but I would recognize his voice anywhere. "I saw Elrohir," I said.

"Where!?" Elladan said in a strange voice as though he were crying.

"Riding his horse to its death towards Mirkwood," I said and bit my lip, expecting another slap from the tempered prince. But instead he just turned in his saddle barking commands to his men.

"You, you, and you, ride with me to Mirkwood. The rest take Legolas home to Rivendell."

Then I heard Glorfindel's voice over the storm. "No prince Elladan, you will take your party and ride back to Rivendell with Legolas. I will ride to Mirkwood after Elrohir."

Elladan let out a disappointed sound but something in Glorfindel's voice left no room for discussion, so the elder prince of Rivendell just nodded. The huge golden elf must have seen my terrified expression, for he smiled reassuringly to me. Elladan took the reins of my horse and turned us so that we were heading back to Rivendell.

To my surprise he found his way easily through the snow, and even helped me from the horse when we arrived to the last homely house. He turned and yelled for one of the soldiers that had been with us, "Go fetch Erestor." I must have looked absolutely dumbstruck. The Elladan I knew would just push me aside and leave me for gutter trash. Why this sudden concern?

He looked at me and smiled an odd smile before he swept past. I sat down on a crate and waited for Erestor. When he finally came I could have kissed him, just for not letting me stay here all night. The dark clad advisor smiled warmly and helped me to my feet before he embraced me tightly.

"Promise me you will never do that again," he whispered.

I just smiled and gently pushed Erestor away, more than puzzled that the normally cold advisor would display such feelings on a public place. I opened my mouth to ask, but he must have read the confusion in my eyes.

"Haldir still wept as he galloped out of the stables, don't even scare him like this again." Erestor smiled sadly, "He loves you very much you know."

I nodded and made a move to get away from him.

"Let us get you into a warm bath and some dry clothes," he mumbled and followed me to my chambers.

Once we reached the chambers the servants made me a hot bath, so Erestor left me for fetching some warm tea and plenty of food. I had almost fallen asleep in the tub whe ret returned and gently shook my shoulder before handing me two towels. "Its a dangerous business, falling asleep in a tub," he said.

"Yes," I mumbled and slowly, after much struggling, got up from the tub. I dried myself and put on some clothes Erestor had left in the bathroom for me. As I entered the chamber I saw him sitting on the bed.

"Erestor?" I said softly and sat down on the other side of the bed, drying my hair.

"Yes?" he asked and looked up.

"Thank you for your gift." I blushed slightly.

The advisor just smiled and removed his black leather gloves, placing them on the bed next to the tray, before he poured tea for us both.

"What kind of punishment did Elrohir receive?" I asked him. I must have looked immensely worried, for Erestor smiled warmly.

"He was locked up in his rooms," he answered. "It was not so harsh."

I let out a sigh of relief. "I had thought something really terrible had happened to him."

Erestor looked stern as he shook his head. "But it was, he was robbed of the possibility of seeing you. " He took a sip of his tea. "He was very upset with Elrond, and properly said some things to his father he should not have."

"Oh," I said and blushed of shame. I had not even considered that he would defend me to his father.

Erestor sat down his cup. "Elladan told me it sounded as though he had destroyed all of their furniture."

"Oh my," I gasped.

Erestor lowered his voice and leaned in towards me, "Your child has the best father it could ever wish for. He will treat it better than any of the biological ones I am sure. Elrohir is my protégé and I know his mind. He loves you Legolas, both you and the unborn child."


-TBC-

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another MPREG :/ I think this revenge of the male
species is getting a habit for me. I would like to thank Bersa for
the encouragement. Esteliel for being such an inspiration, Morgana for making me love Haldir.
And of course to Milly for just being there, helping me along the way with the plot *smiles*
Avalon deserves a hug or two as well, for keeping me in the fire. And to Kharessa Bloodrose for inspiring me to my favourite version of Erestor. Thanks you gals!
- This is Betaed by Steph, thanks for coming through for me sweetie
I want feedback - as always *smiles* Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?!?! *Bats eyelashes*


Az.

*And a extra hug to Sorissa for all the wonderful FB when I needed it the most*