Starry Sky

A/N: Left you all on a cliffhanger on this one. Don't worry though, it all gets resolved. But, it'll take two chapters to clear up the trauma. ^_^ Enjoy!

/ / denotes thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~ denotes change in scene or POV.

Chapter 5: To Arms
Summary: Orophin, Haldir and Elladan become alarmed when their respective brothers do not return for the night. Along with the help of the Mirkwood princes, they seek out the missing elves.

All was quiet and calm within the borders of Lorien as evening approached, Arien sinking past the horizon for some much needed rest. The elves of the Golden Wood went about their business quietly as they prepared for the evening festivities. Lean figures garbed in gray seemed to glide over the grass ghost-like, as they moved to and fro, whispering to one another in hushed tones. Nothing at all seemed to be amiss…until a rather loud cursing drew the attention of nearly evinhainhabitant.

“Calm down, gwanur-nîn. A little backache isn’t going to kill you, after all the other messes you‘ve been through.”

“Says you! Would you please be a little more gentle next time you try to, so call, ‘help me?’ ”

“I would if you would stop fidgeting and squirming around like a child. Besides, this is all your fault. You should have paid more attention to your surroundings when you were wrestling with that apprentice. You are the March Warden after all. Falling down a hill while sparring, indeed.” Haldir rolled his eyes at his elder brother, gingerly fingering his lower back as the two re-entered the city. A giggling sounded behind them; the two patrol guards turned to find Nimriel desperately trying to contain her amusement at their bickering.

“I suppose you find this all terribly funny, princess?” Haldir asked with a scowl. He didn’t enjoy being the object of someone’s amusement.

“Very much so,” Nimriel replied. “I do have three elder brothers if you remember, March Warden. I always found entertainment in their bickering.”

“Well, thank you very much for the compliment, sister dear,” Celeron said in mock excitement as he appeared with Arondil and Celeborn. The eldest prince of Mirkwood and the Lord of Lorien tried to hide their smiles, which only seemed to fuel Haldir’s unsettled mood.

“Personally,” Arondil said, as Galadriel and her handmaidens joined them, “I always found the bickering that goes on between Celeron and Nimriel the most amusing.”

“Hear hear!” The group turned as Legolas and Elladan appeared around a large mallorn to join them. “I have particularly found the arguments as of late the most entertaining,” Legolas said with a grin. “What say you, Arondil?”

“I must concur. They have been more animated as of late. I do believe even Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel have found them of some entertainment. Whyremeremember the lord of Imladris stifling some laughter just the other day. I think he surprised Lord Erestor, and I do believe that is a rather difficult task to accomplish. I must offer my congrats to the both of you.” Laughter flowed freely through the gathering as Nimriel and Celeron flushed a furious shade of red.

“Has anyone seen Elrohir?” Elladan asked, looking around for his twin. “I thought he’d be back with Nimriel by now.”

“Oh, I released him from our engagement,” the princess explained, calming down from her embarrassment. “Elrohir seemed rather bored of late. I had thought he wouldn’t be too enthusiastic about joining me today. So, I excused myself and went on a walk with the Lady Galadriel.”

“I believe,” Galadriel continued, “that Elrohir went off to find Rumil. They must have gone on patrol together.”

“That would explain it then,” Haldir commented. “Rumil isn’t due back from his patrol for another hour. I wouldn’t worry too much, Elladan.” The March Warden quickly shot his brother a look, as if in an attempt to calm any worries Orophin might have had as well. “They’ll be all right. Elrohir and Rumil are both adults, and warriors at that. They can more than take care of themselves. Let’s just wait; I’m sure they’ll return soon.” Elladan nodded. He briefly cast a glance at Orophin, noting the slight anxiety in the Galadhrim’s eyes despite his calm exterior. Orophin was clearly worried about both Elrohir and Rumil, but knew there was little he could do until they returned.

“In the meantime,” Celeborn said, interrupting the uneasy silence that had settled in. “Let us proceed to the evening meal. It will do us no good to worry for now. Let us try to relax and await their return.” The others readily agreed. They were eager to place their minds elsewhere as they left the clearing they had gathered in, and made for the inner parts of the city.

~~~~~~~~~~

Three hours had passed, and there was still no sign of either Elrohir or Rumil. The patrol that had gone out with them had long returned, but none of them could remember seeing either elf for the last few hours. Elladan was beginning to worry, and he wasn’t the only one. Haldir and Orophin were also worried, for their brother and friend. Likewise, Elladan’s rising anxiety was rubbing off on Legolas and his siblings, as well as Celeborn and Galadriel.

“I can’t stand it anymore,” Elladan said, nearly jumping out of his chair. “It’s been too long. Even if they had been delayed, they should have returned by now. Something has happened to them. I can feel it, and I don’t like it at all.”

“We should begin a search for them,” Haldir suggested. “Most of the Galadhrim have returned, and are in need of some rest before they are able to set out again. You, Orophin and I can set out for them right away, Elladan.”

“We’ll go as well,” Legolas said, standing. He gently reached forward, cupping Elladan’s hand in his own to reassure his lower. “Six will be better than three. More eyes to see, and more ears to hear.” Arondil and Celeron nodded in the affirmative to their brother’s suggestion. A faint smile of comfort passed over Elladan’s face as he gently squeezed Legolas’ hand gratefully. The Peredhel felt ready to fall apart at the knowledge that his brother had gone on patrol and had not come back. The twins had long vowed that if one fell, the other would shortly follow; nothing would tear their strong bond apart.

“We should leave soon,” Arondil said. “The light is gone, but the moon is clear. However, if Elrohir and Rumil are taken, whoever their captors are, they have a great lead over us. The distance we must cover to retrieve our friends and kinsmen will be great. I do not wish to imagine what could have happened to them in the time spent.”

“Yes, go quickly,” Galadriel said as the hunters began to set off. “If they happen to return, we will send someone to inform you. But make haste, and return quickly with them.” Elladan nodded before he, Haldir, Orophin and the princes of Mirkwood left to search for their missing kinsmen. He prayed to the Valar that Elrohir and Rumil were all right. If not, he swore their captors would not last long at his hands. Indeed the thoughts of Orophin and Haldir ran on a similar path, with those of the princes of Mirkwood not too far behind.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was good that Elrond’s sons had spent many a year traversing the lands of Middle-earth in the company of the Dunedain of the North. The rugged Rangers knew from an early age which trails led somewhere and which didn’t, which signs were genuine and which were falsified. Such skills, accompanied by the keen senses of the elvish race, had worked well in the past for Elladan. He hoped they would not fail him now.

The Peredhel searched the ground before him, crouching low to the moss to spot even the faintest of signs. Small droplets of perspiration collected at the edge of his brow as he knelt in deep concentration. He strained his senses to see and hear in the dark. Behind him, Elladan could hear the light footsteps of Legolas and Orophin as the two searched the surrounding area. Haldir had taken Arondil and Celeron a few yards ahead of them to scout the area. The search had been slow up until this point, the only signs they were able to make out were those of elves.

“Anything, meldir?” Orophin’s voice whispered into Elladan’s ear. It was becoming increasingly more difficult for the usually stoic Galadhrim to hide the discomfort in his voice. Elladan could sympathize. Orophin, too, had lost a brother, as had Elladan. As well, the guardian had also lost a lover, and a potential bonding partner. The dark twin could only imagine what turmoil this added distress coue cae causing Orophin; Elladan had always pushed the thought of losing Legolas far from his mind.

“I can only make out signs made by elves,” Elladan replied in a calm voice. “Even if Elrohir and Rumil had been abducted by elves, which I highly doubt, there would be signs of a struggle. But, I cannot see one here.” He sighed deeply, passing a hand over his tired eyes. A gentle hand came to rest on his shoulder; Elladan tilted his head, brushing his cheek across Legolas’ knuckles. The flaxen-haired prince gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Up ahead, a footfall sounded before Celeron appeared in their view.

“Elladan, Orophin, Legolas,” he called, his voice sounding a little grim. “You had better come and see this.” Legolas frowned, disliking the sound of his brother’s voice. He helped Elladan to his feet before the three elves followed Celeron back to where Haldir and Arondil waited.

It was not much further ahead where the March Warden of Lorien and the first prince of Mirkwood awaited their friends and brothers. Arondil leaned on his bow, looking out over the grounds around them; he seemed alerted, as if waiting for something. A frown creased Haldir’s sharp features, the frown deepening when he caught sight of Celeron returning with Elladan and the others.

“What did you find?” the Peredhel asked, dreading the answer. He drew some small measure of comfort from Legolas’ nearness at his elbow, and tried to give Orophin that same comfort. However, his face fell when he saw what Haldir presented him. The knife’s edge glimmered in the moonlight as it rested in the guardian’s palm; a flash of deep red showed where blood had dried on its edge and tip.

“We found it hidden in some overgrown moss beneath that mallorn,” Haldir said, pointing to a tree just behind Elladan. “It wasn’t taken, or damaged, soan oan only speculate that it was dropped and forgotten. We also found this.” Thus he produced Rumil’s bow, the slender instrument intact, but its string broken, the two ends dangling from the bow tips. “It was some way up ahead, dropped likely as well.”

“It’s not Orc blood on the knife,” Arondil commented quietly. “I very much doubt either one of them would have struck down an elf. So, then it must be…”

“Humans,” Elladan finished as he knelt down, plucking a handful of bloody moss and a patch of brown fabric.

“But who?” Legolas asked. “Not men of Gondor or Rohan, and certainly not the Dunedain.”

“Easterlings, maybe?” Celeron suggested. Elladan shook his head.

“Its some men from the tribes cast out by the Rohirrim. I can’t imagine why they would attack elves. No man dares to walk within the woods of Lorien. Except for the Dunedain, who are elf-friends, all men seem to think the Lady of the Wood will cast a spell upon them for entering.”

“Only starving men dare to enter Lorien,” Haldir said. “They must have been hunting when they ran into Elrohir and Rumil. We should follow their tracks quickly, before anything happens.” Elladan nodded and took the lead, searching the ground before him for more tracks. The others followed with feline grace, none making more sound than the other. Orophin kept close to Legolas, who was right behind Elladan ever step of the way. To say the Galadhrim was worried was an understatement. To say he was both terrified and enraged was closer to the mark.

/By the Valar and all that is good on Arda, please let then be alive and well./ He silently ran the prayer through his mind over and over as the search continued by the moonlight.

~~~~~~~~~~

An hour had passed since the search party had found the weapons and left the woods. They were in the open now, heading southeast. The tracks were becoming easier to read; the men left clear markings of their footsteps in the soft moss. Elladan read the signs easily, leading the others along an almost straight path. Soon, they came within sight of a thatched roof house, quickly constructed from some fallen trees and sitting near the edge of a small forest. The interior was lit by some candles, casting shadows upon the walls.

“Is that it?” Celeron asked in a whisper, as the elves crouched in the thick grass. Elladan nodded.

“How many are there?” Arondil asked.

“No more than a dozen,” the Peredhel replied, glancing around the make-shift shelter. “There are seven tracks leading from Lorien. They meet up with three other tracks near the door.” Gray eyes narrowed, peering into the darkness. Elladan pointed to a spot towards the left of the house. “There are three graves over there.”

“Must be the three men Elrohir and Rumil cut down before they were taken.” The elves perked up as their ears caught the shouts of some voices from within the house. Haldir and Orophin instantly recognized the voice of their brother, shouting out Elrohir’s name. A heavy blow was heard being struck, followed by Elrohir’s own voice calling out.

Silently, and with the same thought and intent, the party drew knives, swords and arrows. They crept towards the house in complete silence. Elladan motioned Arondil, Celeron and Legolas to stand guard on either side of the door to cut off anyone escaping. He nodded once to Haldir and Orophin, before the March Warden stepped forward. With a quick kick, Haldir had the door open, the force of the action blowing out the light and plunging the area into darkness and chaos.

Translations:
Gwanur-nîn-My brother
Meldir-Friend