When least expected

Chapter eighteen fast rides

Anar was up at her highest point, basking the world in her warm, yet gentle rays. Animals were walking aimlessly around the temporal campsite where Glorfindel had insisted upon a rest. Elrond had reluctantly agreed, but only because Erestor had joined Glorfindel’s pleas for a rest.

Erestor looked at him troubled. /Maybe we should not have accompanied them? We could have waited for Galadriel’s party./ Lindir, always the cheerful one, sensed his dark mood and gathered his hands in his. “Don’t trouble yourself, Erestor. Elrond understands. He’s just troubled about the twins, as are we all. He understands we’d rather travel beyond our capability than with the lady. We’re Imladrian elves at heart. Glorfindel, you and I more so than anyone else. And they would have come with us too, had Glorfindel not denied them.”
“I hope they don’t hate us now that they have to go with”
“No, they wont, Erestor. They understand your desire to remain at our side, to come sooner. You two were always close to the twins.” Glorfindel had overheard their conversation and now joined them on the ground. “Aye, they’re probably grumphy about having to take orders from a stranger, but they and you are mistaken if you think Galadriel will be in charge. I’d wager she’ll put one of our own in charge. At least their fighting skills have not lessened as have those of the Galadhrim. Galadriel knows the danger of having incapable warriors lead the way.”

Elrond now joined them as well. Glorfindel smiled. “Úva ístëan navuvan të ná aira atan, meldir nín.”
Elrond laughed. “Then I look better than I feel, meldir. I guess it’s the insecurity. I’m dreading what I might find. That we’re too late.”
At once Lindir hurried to sooth the troubled lord. “Nay, my lord, do not think that. Celeborn is wise beyond his years, and they are many. I am sure he and the others will be able to keep Elrohir with us until we arrive.” Erestor sighed. “as long as he doesn’t shut out Elladan, they might. Do you think they went to ‘Lóriën because Elladan sensed Elrohir was, was, how do you say that?” “Not so cheerful and happy as he normally would be?” They all laughed at Lindireverever ending good mood and desire to see the silver lining.

Elrond grasped his shoulders. “You know, Lindir, if it wasn’t for the three of you, I would have lost my mind in Valinor. I don’t think I’ll ever wish to see that place again.”
Erestor chuckled, which got him a surprised look by all. “I was just wondering how many will say those exact words. I mean, I share your point of view, Elrond. I would have gone mentally insane had it not been for you three. And I find I look forward to meeting the twins again. Even though our reunion and our return to these shores has a dark reason, I welcome it. For without it we would still be holding on to our sanity in Valinor.”
Glorfindel suddenly roared with laughter. “Now I know why you and Lindir are such good friends, Erestor. you both stubbornly see the silver lining.” He sobered soon. “But I agree with you all. I am pleased to be back and have no desire to retrace my steps.”
Lindir snorted. “Well, some choice you three give me: stay here or go insane. Oh, well, I suppose I’ll manage in those trees. Just don’t expect me to be cheerful when I keep falling down.”

Suddenly the sounds of running horses invaded their ears. All four elves immediately rose and armed themselves. These lands had changed too much to take chances. As Lindir had the brightest eyes he walked a little ahead, scanning the area for the origin of the noise. When he had located the horses he lowered his weapons and called back. “Elladan nás, arwa elda ‘Lóriëno.”
The others wasted no time. Erestor quickly took care of the campsite whilst Elrond and Glorfindel prepared their horses. The three of them were done simultaneously and they rode towards Lindir who now jumped on his horse.

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Seeing Orophin make a sudden stop and rear his horse Elladan looked at him in anger. They had to find his father. Orophin merely pointed to where he saw the needed elf approaching. He smiled. They had found Elrond faster than he would have thought possible.
Elladan now saw as well and he was pleased to see his father wasn’t alone. A sudden urge to close the distance urged him on, instead of turning his horse around.

When he had reached the other party he unexpectedly threw himself at his father, who, unaredared for this movement, fell of his own horse, taking Elladan down with him.
The scene was accompanied with Lindir’s snickers. For some reason that elf always snickered when he was desperately trying not to laugh. Erestor stomped in the sides to make him stop.
Elrond released some joyful tears as he saw Elladan was in good health. It meant Elrohight ght still be with them. He pulled his son as close as he could, glad to be reunited with one of them.

Before either could say anything Orophin’s spoke. He had followed the twin when he had seen Elladan’s action. “Naernyes, nan rucin nas ú lú carë sin sí. Envinyaroa quentë met coluva adartya anrato.” Sorrow was in his voice for he felt bad for ending this happy moment. When he saw Elrond’s face contort he hurried to explain. “It’s lord Celeborn.”
Glorfindel growled, only now realising why their connection had been broken before. “Elrond, Elladan get on your horses. Let’s hurry. Orophin, lead the way.”

The six elves dashed away; the horses understood the need to go as fast as possible and they practically flew over the land, their feet barely touching the soil as they kept speeding up. Soon nothing but a flash of dark light with a shade of white and a golden glow indicated that they had just passed by. Nature cooperated with them and all animals made sure to be out of their way in time. The vegetation smoothed down to ease the horses’ path.

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“Don’t worry, Haldir, all will be well. Just keep him warm and comfortable.” Envinyaroa had a hard time getting through to the highly concerned warrior.
Celeborn had not yet reacconsconsciousness and the longer it lasted the more worried Haldir became. He forced back his tears as he kept patting his lover’s hair, constantly asking if everything would be all right.
Rielle, who had rushed to join them as soon as Rumil had delivered the message, now sat down beside him. “Haldir. Trust us. We know what we’re doing. Now please sit at his feet. These fumes might make you dizzy, and we don’t want to patch up two elves.” Haldir was about to shout when the healer interrupted. “Do as she said. The damps will aid his recovery, give him strength.”

He meekly did as he was told, but something felt horribly wrong. “What is happening? Last time he didn’t faint after far-speaking and he should be awake again. What is wrong?!”
Envinyaroa sighed. Haldir had the right to know, but he knew Rielle did not yet know. When he had told her to always keep certain herbs ready, he had made a story about Celeborn still being weak. He needed her help, but he felt it would have been unfair to both Celeborn and Haldir to tell her the real reason. /That’s that than. I can’t send her away for I need her here and I can’t not answer him or tell him lie. He deserves to know./

He took the warrior’s shoulders. “Haldir, I’m afraid Celeborn has been overdoing things lately. He should have been in bed, but that would have made him, well, not pleasurable to live with. I did not account this far-speaking session. I told him not to do it until the baby was born. I know, Haldir, that it was Glorfindel who made contact and I also understand why he did not break it. But I wish he had.”
Haldir glared at him. “What are you saying?” He had to urge to hit the healer on the nose, but kept in temper in check because Celeborn needed a fully concentrated healer. Not one with a broken nose.

For a moment the healer closed his eyes. The moment of truth was there. “He is still unconscious because he’s not strong enough to awake. He has to life for two now and right now he lacks the strength to do that. I am only glad his body has this natural defence mechanism to protect them both, otherwise we might have lost the baby long ago. As it is, it has a real change at life, at being born. Now, these herbs strengthen him, and on my request Reille has been mixing it with his food lately. And now we can only wait for him to get strong enough again. And when that happens I don’t want him to do anything. -At all.- I don’t care if he becomes a Balrog. I will not risk a repeater of this.”
He could read the doubt wor worry in Haldir’s eyes. “Aye, he is this weak. He’s been through a lot: almost successfully ending his own life, almost successfully fading. His body was still recovering from that when you made him pregnant, Haldir. And when that happened it triggered a defence mechanism. Three out of the five fertile males have this mechanism. Have you not read about it?” Haldir shook his head. Envinyaroa sat down beside him, letting Rielle tend to Celeborn. “It’s basically to protect the baby. A women naturally knows when something might be wrong and what she can do and not. But for a man it is more difficult, because it’s not our nature. That defence mechanism is the babyuffeuffer against dangerous situations. It started working when he became pregnant and one of it’s results is that his healing has slowed down tremendously. Once the baby is born his body will heal rapidly. But until then most of his energy goes to the baby.”

Haldir nodded. He understood now. “Why did nobody tell me? I would have..” But Rielle interrupted. “We all would have, we all should have. I understand your fear Haldir, but they’ll be alright. Without that far-speaking session, we would not even be here.” The healer nodded, pleased that Reille had already seemed to know, for she showed no surprise at all. He suddenly knew how to evaporate Haldir’s fears and worries. “I almost forgot; Elrond is on his way. His healing skills are great and powerful. He will be able to give Celeborn the energy he needs to maintain both his child and heal.”
“So we wait?”

Before Envinyaroa could answer Rumil burst into the room again, panting hard. “Elrohir is missing. Apparently he rode out, heavily armed, and with food and drinks, but I don’t trust it. I will track him, but I didn’t want to leave without you knowing.” He approached his brother. “Nás ainat polin carë?”
Haldir acedaced his brother, the sudden urge to feel a response to his actions stunned him. “Aye, bring Elrohir back while he’s still in this world.”
Rumil smiled. “I better hurry then. I will ask the trees to help me.”

He ran away, intend on finding the run-away as fast as possible. It all seemed normal but he had heard a voice that told him to find him, that something was wrong. /I’ve never been so sure about something so unsure./ It had never registered with him that the urging voice was female: Nienna’s voice and he did not give himself time to ponder it as he went in search of the missing twin.

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Elrohir looked around. It was a beautiful spot where his horse had led him to. He freed the animal of it’s gear. “Go, enjoy yourself. I will call you when I need you.” The animal doubted it. She didn’t like the way he was looking. He seemed almost empty and at she had wondered if she was carrying anyone at all. She did his bidding though, going into the direction where he send her, but silently promising to stay close. She would stay within range. If anything happened to her elf, she would come and drag him back, if needed.

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Rumil growled in frustration. On the soil before him he saw all the things Elrohir had taken with him: all but his twin daggers. He now knew his gnawing feeling was right and he so wished it hadn’t been.

It had taken him forever to find this spot and had lost track almost twice, but now he had no way of finding Elrohir’s path back. The twin had been prefect in covering his tracks. Rumil realised Elrohir had taken both the watery and the much to dry road, where no marks would be left. /How am I going to find him now?/
He looked around frantically and was torn in two. Part of him wanted to stay and search, knowing every second was precious now, and another part of him wanted to go back and get help. He kicked the trees in frustration. When he realised what he had done to them he quickly made contact and apologized.
‘Finally. We’ve been trying to get your attention for a while. The one you seek is in the vale not far to the West. You must hurry. His losing his life fluids fast.’

Rumil didn’t need more encouragement to jump on his horse and kick it in motion, but he quickly stopped, realising there was no vale in the West. He wanted to check with the tree he was standing close to, but then saw Elrohir’s horse speeding towards him. He quickly approached her and stopped her. “Massë Elrohir?” The horse turned and he followed as fast as he could, dreading what he might find.

End chapter 18
TBC

Translations:
Úva ístëan navuvan të ná aira atan, meldir nín means If I didn’t know better I’d say you were an old human being, meldir

Elladan nás, arwa elda ‘Lóriëno means It’s Elladan, with a ‘Lóriën elf

Naernyes, nan rucin nas ú lú carë sin sí. Envinyaroa quentë met coluva adartya anrato means
I am sorry, but I am afraid there is no time for this now. Elladan, Envinyaroa said we were to bring your father as soon as possible

Nás ainat polin carë? Means Is there anything I can do?”

Massë Elrohir where is Elrohir