Mending a Heart and the Tie that Binds

Special Notes: * indicate character thoughts.

A/N: Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed me. All of you are awesome! :)

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Chapter 6: Enmity in the Air


The afternoon meal went by quickly. Dace monopod mod most of the conversation, talking about Tialise endlessly and the pendant he had given her.

Legolas ignored his older brother’s discussion and watched the twins instead. They seemed to be having another one of their wordless conversations--staring at one another across the table and occasionally nodding or sighing. Something was amiss, and the prince couldn’t figure out what it was. It was obvious that the twins had a secret.

“Good afternoon, King Thranduil and Lord Elrond. Good afternoon, Glorfindel,” a servant said, bowing deeply as the three elves entered the dining hall. “Lord Celeborn is awaiting your arrival in the parlor, where a special meal has been prepared for all of you.”

“Thank you,” Elrond said, nodding his head in approval.

Thranduil looked around the refectory carefully. This was the first time he had seen this room. Elrond had told him that this was the northern dining hall and had explained that there was more than one in the manor. It was an enormous room, littered with at least twenty beech colored tables. Intricately woven wooden chairs flanked the tables on both sides and seven windows, which stretched from his waist to the ceiling, spread across the wall to his right and to his left. The transoms were decorated with long, wispy curtains that floated on the gentle breeze that wafted into the room. Finallys eys eyes settled on his sons and some other elves sitting at a table in the distance.

“Psst, Haldir,” Elladan hissed, “your ancient lover has arrived. Perhaps, if you ask politely, he will tell you about the formation of the moon. Since he is as old as the craters upon it, you would do well to listen.”

Haldir glowered at Elladan who grinned impishly.

“Elladan, my father and yours are coming this way. Glorfindel is coming, too. Please mind your manners in front of them,” Legolas whispered.

“Hello,” Elrond said, approaching the table and smiling at the elves there.

“Hello,” the elves chorused, rising to their feet out of respect for the king and the lord.

“Please sit and enjoy your meal. We will not be here very long. We only wanted to see how you are doing this day. Are the princes from Mirkwood and the marchwardens from Lórien enjoying their stay?” Elrond asked politely as the elves took their seats.

“Aye,” Makail answered, speaking on behalf of himself and his brothers. “The accommodations are very generous, as is the hospitality.”

Thranduil nodded his head in approval at the manner in which his second-born son had answered the question.

“We agree with Prince Makail’s sentiment, my Lord” Haldir answered for the Lórien brothers, bowing.

“Indeed?” Elladan said, giving Haldir a skeptical look. “That is not what you said earlier.”

Legolas felt his heart sink and hoped that Elladan would not jest in the presence of his father.

Haldir felt his heart nearly stop in his chest, but maintained his composure. “Surely you jest, Elladan. My stay here has been quite enjoyable.”

“Ah yes, but did you not say that you would love for Glorfindel to tell you about the moon? It is my understanding that he knows about many things and could educate you on countless matters.” Elladan remarked, smiling sweetly.

Elrohir coughed, trying to stifle his laughter while Legolas, Dace, Makail, Rúmil and Orophin watched in horror.

“I know not what you mean,” Glorfindel stated in confusion.

“Do not fret, Elder,” Elladan said, maintaining his charming disposition. “What say we all meet at your post after the afternoon meal. I can tell you how you can make Haldir’s stay a glorious one.”

“Very well,” Glorfindel said, furrowing his brow and looking at Haldir curiously.

Thranduil looked at the expression on Haldir’s face and noticed the longing and horror within his eyes. Of course, the look was intermingled with an intense loathing for Elladan at the moment. As always, the eldest son of Elrond was acting like a fool. The king then turned his attention to a very confused Glorfindel and smiled. Although he disapproved of Elladan’s scheme, the king understood what he was trying to do. “Well, we should take our leave now. Lord Celeborn is waiting for us.”

“Yes,” Elrond said, nodding his head slowly, still unsure of the conversation that had occurred between Elladan, Haldir and Glorfindel. “We will see you tonight.” With that, the elven rulers and Rivendell’s chief marchwarden swept from the room.

Suddenly, Haldir stood up so abruptly that the table nearly overturned. “Elladan you fool! What are you trying to do to me?”

Elladan looked at Haldir in shock and stood up slowly. “I am tryio heo help.”

“Help! Help? Help with what? Help me to look like a fool in front of the most respected elves in all three realms? Help me to look like a fool in front of the one… the one who’s opinion I would hold the most dear?”

“Nay,” Elladan said calmly. “I was jesting with you in an attempt to…”

“In an attempt to what? You would humiliate me for sport! Do you never think of anyone but yourself?”

“Be calm, Haldir,” Elladan said, grinning. “After all, because of me you will get to meet with Glorfindel later this day. You should thank me.”

“You are beyond reproach! You have no right to meddle in my personal affairs.”

“Oh, stop your whining,” Elladan said coolly. “You will get no sympathy from me. How long have you desired Glorfindel’s touch? Knowing you, it has been for a thousand years. You play the role of this fierce warrior but are really a coward!”

“What did you say?” Haldir asked, his face was red with anger. “I am a coward? Where were you after Glorfindel was hurt? Where were you when Galvannin fell? I am no coward! You are!”

“Hold your tongue!” Elrohir hissed, rising to his feet. “You will not speak about my brother in that way! Elladan was trying to help you, only you are too blind to see it!”

Dace and Makail exchanged looks while Rúmil and Orophin shook their heads in dismay. This argument was getting out of hand.

Legolas watched the argument in shock but his curiosity was peaked at Haldir’s words. Who was Galvannin? When did Glorfindel get hurt? He would speak to Elladan about this later, when they were alone.

Haldir leaned forward, tipping the table and causing plates, goblets and food to fall upon the floor. “My sight is perfect. In fact, it allows me to see that you muste toe to your brother’s aid when he is too weak to defend himself. What else do you do for him, I wonder? Alleviate his desire when the prince is not here?”

“How dare you!” Elladan said, lunging across the table at Haldir, but the Mirkwood princes were too quick; Legolas and Dace grabbed Elladan by the shoulders as a means of restraint and Makail placed his hand firmly on Elrohir’s sternum and shook his head in warning. Similarly, Rúmil and Orophin had their hands wrapped tightly around Haldir’s arms, just in case he decided to attack.

“What is going on in here?” Celeborn asked, quickly entering the dining hall. The Lord stopped abruptly when he saw that the Mirkwood princes were restraining his grandsons and that Rúmil and Orophin were hindering an attack by Haldir. The dining table was in disarray. Food, goblets, plates and eating utensils were on the floor, as if the table had been shifted abruptly. He sighed and walked toward the table slowly, stopping a few feet away. “What is the meaning of this?

Legolas and Dace released a red-faced Elladan. Makail, Rúmil and Orophin let go of their charges as well.

“Answer me!” Celeborn said sharply.

Silence filled the room and only the wind could be heard in the distance. The wind… Legolas hadn’t forgotten about it, about the visitor. He felt close… very close now.

“You have nothing to say? Well, perhaps it is for the best that you would bite your tongues, for anything that you would say to me would be of little importance at the moment,” Celeborn said. “Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir, come forward and stand before me.”

The twins and Haldir did as they were told, carefully avoiding one another’s eyes.

“I know not who is responsible for the dissension between you and to be quite honest, I care not.” Celeborn glared at his chief marchwarden. “Haldir, you and your brothers are guests here. You were invited to represent Lothlórien in the upcoming competition. Is this your repayment to me? That you would come to blows with my grandsons?”

“No, my Lord,” Haldir said, looking at the ground in shame.

“And you,” Celeborn said coolly, looking at the twins. “I have no doubt that this brawl was caused from more of your foolish jesting. You take things too far. You must not forget that your father is hosting this event here in Rivendell… that you are princes in this realm. Instead, you behave like untrained fools and it will not be tolerated. What if King Thranduil had seen your behavior? It is bad enough for the three of you to act like… like humans in front of my marchwardens, but to behave like fools in front of the Mirkwood princes? After years of separation from Mirkwood, the old alliances have finally been remade. Would you destroy the alliance that has been recreated? Would you?”

“Nay,” the dejected warriors answered softly.

“I could hear your raised voices in the parlor, at the end of the hallway. I thank the Valar that the walls are thick and that we could not identify what you were saying. Do you understand that both Elrond and King Thranduil were going to see what was amiss until I stopped them? I told them to eat, drink and be merry and that I would find out the cause of the disquiet. Then, Glorfindel offered to accompany me, but I refused him, asking him to enjoy his meal as he has border duty later this afternoon. What am I to say to them when I return? Should I tell them the truth? Should I tell the King of Mirkwood that the twin princes of Rivendell were in a grappling match with the chief marchwarden of Lórien? Both Rivendell and Lothlórien will be looked down upon. You have cast a poor reflection upon your realms this day… and I am ashamed of you.”

Haldir looked as though he had been punched in the stomach and Elrohir looked as though his shame would kill him. Elladan stared at the ground, breathing heavily.

“My Lord,” Haldir said hesitantly, “perhaps we can do something that will right this wrong. Maybe we could gain favor in your sight once again somehow.”

Celeborn folded his arms across his chest indignantly but then nodded his head. “Glorfindel mentioned that the lot of you would be meeting him at his post after the afternoon meal. I should disallow the three of you from going, but methinks that it will be a learning experience for you. You will go to Glorfindel’s post and answer to him while you are there. And if word reaches my ear that there was so much as one jest or a word of malcontent between you, the wrath and punishment that I will unleash will be unspeakable.”

The twins looked at one another in disbelief.

“You believe that I would try to deceive you? That I would not punish you?” Celeborn asked, seeing the looks on the twins’ faces. “Well, then let me tell you what I will do to you… so that you fully understand the level of my anger. If you fail me in this, you will not compete in the competition. In fact, you will not be allowed to stay in Rivendell. I will speak to Elrond and King Thranduil about your flagrant disregard for authority and will see if the King will allow me to send you to Mirkwood. From what I am told, Thranduil has no tolerance for foolery. Thus, you will be left in his care for no less than two years. You will be stripped of your titles and will work as servants in his kitchens. Neither me nor Elrond will recognize you, should you come to our realms. You will simply be put away in our kitchens and will be called upon to do our bidding when the need arises.”

“But Grandfather,” Elladan protested.

“You would be wise to keep your mouth shut,” Celeborn snapped, “since it is the looseness of your tongue that is often the source of your woes. I only ask a small thing of you – that you find a way to mend your friendship without doing further damage to the reputation of Lothlórien or Rivendell. If you can do this for me, I shall forgive your wrongdoing. Is that too much to ask?”

“Nay, my Lord,” Haldir said, bowing, “I will not fail you.”

“Nor will we,” Elladan said.

“Good,” Celeborn said, turning his attention to the princes from Mirkwood. “I sincerely apologize for your exposure to this. I hope that you will not harshly judge our realms based on those that would represent them wrongfully.”

“Do not fear, Lord Celeborn,” Makail said warmly. “It is not uncommon for warriors to argue every now and again –disagreements happen sometimes.”

“Yes,” Celeborn said slowly, hoping that Makail would understand his sudden silence.

“And as for my father… he will hear nothing of this from our lips. It has been forgotten.”

“You are most gracious, Prince MakaiCeleCeleborn sighed with relief then turned and left the dining hall.

The young warriors were left to face one another.

“I have never seen Lord Celeborn so angry in all my years,” Rúmil remarked.

“Nor have I,” Orophin said.

“I never thought that I would hear the Lord of our realm speak to me with such anger. My heart is full of sorrow and shame,” Haldir said, casting Elladan a caustic glance. “I allowed myself to become angry… to lose control. Now, I may lose so much more. Lord Celeborn may decide that he no longer entrusts the northernmost borders of Lórien to one who would throw it all away on a whim.”

“Haldir…” Rúmil said, placing his hand on his older brother’s shoulder.

“Nay,” Haldir said, stepping away from Rúmil and looking out of a nearby window. The breeze caught the marchwarden’s hair and swirled it about him. “I have nothing, Elladan,” he began slowly. “You are the son of a lord, you have a handsome prince to love and friends all around you. When my parents were killed, I took care of Rúmil and Orophin – I raised them. I did not have time for friends, for love. My time was spent on my duty… my duty to my realm and my duty to my brothers. I would not allow the Lord and Lady to help me. I wanted to succeed on my own. Nonetheless, they have always been kind to me and to Rúmil and Orophin. They gave me a place on the border patrol and eventually I became the chief marchwarden on the northernmost border of the Golden Wood.” Haldir turned to face Elladan; his face was tired, strained with emotion. “I do not regret my decisions. I am proud of my accomplishments, but… they are all I have.”

“You have us, your brothers,” Orophin said gently.

Haldir turned his attention to his brothers. “You are right,” he said, smiling faintly. “But both of you will marry. Soon, you will be too busy to burden yourself with me.”

“That is not true,” Rúmil said, moving to stand beside Haldir. “No one could come between us. And anyway, who is to say that you will not find love? Perhaps you will be the one to get married and leave us behind.”

Haldir scoffed. “That is unlikely. My heart was claimed long ago and my feelings have not been returned.”

“By Glorfindel?” Elrohir asked.

“Aye,” Haldir admitted, looking out the window once more. “I have known him for many years. He would always accompany Lord Elrond on his journeys to Lórien and my heart would leap every time I saw him… but… but he never saw me. In fact, he has never seen me. I am invisible to him; he does not know that I exist. I am a minion. I wish what you said was true Elladan… that he would tell me about the moon and the craters upon it. I wish that he would tell me about everyday of his life. I would sit for all of eternity just to hear him speak of all he has done and all he wants to do. If he never loves me, I would just like for him to smile at me… just once. But it is not meant to be.” Haldir turned and faced Elladan. “I am sorry for what I said… what I said about you and Elrohir. I was just angry. But, if I may say so, what you did was far crueler. I must go and face Glorfindel now, and… I don’t know if I can. You mock me in front of him for your own amusement, but you forget that my feelings are at stake. I will play the fool today and you will all be there to witness it.”

“You will not play the fool,” Elladan said. “I… I **was** trying to tease you about Glorfindel, but I was also trying to help you.”

Haldir scoffed.

“My method may have been faulty but my intentions were sin. I . I was trying to find a way to ensure that you and Glorfindel could spend some time together… that is why I suggested that we journey to his post after the afternoon meal. It was a ploy to encourage a conversation between the two of you.”

Haldir looked at Elladan for a few moments and sighed. “You speak the truth, don’t yo
“
“Aye,” Elladan said sheepishly. “But I am the cause of all of this and I will fix it.”

“Nay, Elladan,” Haldir said quickly. “You have done enough.”

“Please trust me Haldir. I know that I have given you no reason to do so, but let me make things right… with Glorfindel, with my grandfather… with me.”

“Very well,” Haldir said hesitantly.

Elladan smiled.

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Later, as the eight elves set out on their horsLegoLegolas felt an odd sense of enmity in the air. This tension was not caused by the hostility between Elladan and Haldir, but something else all together. The wind stirred, sweeping his hair about wildly as a feeling of terror swept through him. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t see; he wanted to escape. He had to escape.

“Legolas?”

“Huh?” He asked, flinching and looking at Elladan, wide-eyed. He had been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn’t realize that they had already arrived at Glorfindel’s post.

“What’s wrong?” Elladan asked, concerned.

“Nothing,” Legolas said, forcing a quick smile.

The newly arrived warriors dismounted from their steeds and allowed them to wander off a bit.

The prince observed his surroundings carefully. The woods unfolded endlessly into the distance. Although there were abundant trees and foliage, the woods were relatively clear, except for a few patches of thicket. He could see through the forest very well and kept his eyes focused on a clearing in the distance.

Elladan regarded the prince for a few moments, shrugged and turned his attention to Glorfindel and the other marchwardens who were spread throughout the woodland.

“Welcome,” Glorfindel said warmly. “I am glad that you came. Although… I must admit that I do not fully understand what it is thou wou would have me do, Elladan.”

Elladan glanced at Haldir for a moment and then set his eyes upon Glorfindel. “As you know, Haldir is the chief marchwarden of the Golden Wood. He also likes poetry and lore. You have much in common. I only thought that the two of you could get to know one another better… to become friends.”

Glorfindel scoffed. “That uiteuite cruel of you, Elladan,” he quipped giving the eldest twin a disdainful look.

Elladan’s eyes widened in fear. He wondered if Glorfindel had figured out his ploy. He looked at Haldir and felt his heart drop. The blonde warrior’s face was ashen in color and Haldir shifted his weight awkwardly.

Rúmil, Orophin, Dace and Makail exchanged nervous looks and wondered how Elladan would respond to what Glorfindel had said.

Legolas, on the other hand, ignored the conversation that was going on around him. Instead, he was focused on his surroundings and the feeling of unease in the air.

“Cruel?” Elladan asked calmly, after a slight pause. “Whatever do you mean?”

“It is very unkind of you to try and force Haldir to spend time with me,” Glorfindel scolded. “He is young and would probably prefer to spend time with his peers. You should not ask such things of him… putting him in a position where he cannot refuse.”

Elladan sighed with relief and smiled. “Nay, you misunderstand, Glorfindel.”

“I would like to spend time with you,” Haldir said quietly.

Glorfindel observed Haldir skeptically for a few moments and then nodded. “Very well, but please do not feel obligated…”

“Someone is coming,” Legolas said suddenly.

“What?” Elladan asked, turning his attention to the prince. “I do not sense anyone.”

“Nor do I.” Glorfindel stared at Legolas for a moment and then looked off into the distance.

“He… he is hurt,” Legolas said. “He is afraid.”

“Who is hurt?” Glorfindel asked, concerned.

Legolas didn’t hear Glorfindel. He looked out into the distance as though he wai waiting for something.

“What is it?” Elladan asked gently, walking toward the prince, placing his hand on Legolas’ left shoulder.

The marchwardens in the area exchanged perplexed looks as did the Lórien brothers, Elrohir and the two princes’ from Mirkwood.

When Legolas did not respond, Elladan moved in front of him, blocking the prince’s view. “Of whom do you speak?”

Legolas blinked forcefully and gave Elladan a bewildered look. “You do not sense it?”

“Sense what?” Elladan asked.

“Someone is coming.”

“Who is coming?” Glorfindel asked, moving toward the prince.

“I… I do not know,” Legolas responded.

“How do you know this?” Haldir asked. “I do not sense anyone nor do I see anyone.”

“I… I sensed it on the wind near midday,” Legolas said. “I could feel it.”

“Are you gifted with foresight like Lady Galadriel?” Glorfindel asked.

“Nay, although I do have a unique gift. Perhaps that is why I sense something… perhaps an animal is involved.”

“What do you mean?” Glorfindel asked.

“Legolas can speak to animals,” Elladan said.

“All elves can speak to animals,” Glorfindel remarked.

“Yes, but not like Legolas. His gift is far stronger than that of you or me. He has the power to speak to any beast; he can converse with them, just as I am conversing with you. He can summon them… command them. In fact, he saved Arwen’s life when he asked his steed Yon, and our steeds, Ellie and Eliad to encircle her during an orc attack. You remember when we traversed from Gaidon through the woods.”

“Ah, yes, I remember,” Glorfindel, remarked. “I also recall a time when Lord Elrond spoke of the prince’s gift, but I did not know it was so powerful.”

“Nor did I,” Legolas admitted. “My power has never been so strong before.”

“What do you think it means?” Makail asked.

“I do not know.”

Instantaneously all of elveelves attention turned to the forest.

“Someone approaches,” one of the marchwarden’s said.

Elladan looked in the distance and saw a horse, galloping wildly in the direction of Rivendell. “That steed makes great haste as it nears our borders,” he said uneasilSomeSomething is wrong.”

“Agreed,” Glorfindel said. “At the rate of speed in which that horse is traveling, it will be here shortly.”

“That is a human and a human’s horse,” Elrohir said, taking his eyes off of the approaching steed and looking at Glorfindel. “Whoever rides that stallion must know that Rivendell is near.”

“But Rivendell is concealed by magic,” Haldir said.

“That does not stop humans from trying to find it,” Glorfindel remarked, looking at Haldir. “I am sure that many a foolish mortal has tried to break through Lórien’s borders.”

“That is true,” Haldir said. “But they are sent on their way, should they get too close.”

“Aye,” Glorfindel said, nodding. “Which will be our plan of action this day.”

“That horse approaches with great speed, Glorfindel,” Elrohir said. “Methinks it will not stop upon entering the border.”

“It will stop,” Glorfindel said calmly, “or it and its master will perish.” He looked into the distance once again and saw that the horse had covered quite a bit of ground during the elves’ conversation. The steed and the human upon it would be upon them very soon.

“Mount your horses,” Glorfindel ordered, “all of you. We will form a barricade with our steeds.”

The elves mounted their steeds quickly and formed their horses into a line.

“Ready your weapons,” Glorfindel commanded. “I will push forward and greet this visitor. Should he pass me by, it will be your duty to stop or to kill him. Of course, I prefer that this go well… that no harm would come to this man, but I do not trust humans. If he does not come here kindly, then we must assume that he means harm to this realm.”

“Glorfindel,” Elrohir said, “Elladan, myself, the Lórien brothers and the Mirkwood princes have no weapons for we did not plan to fight this day. What would you have us do?”

Glorfindel paused for a moment and looked at Makail, Dace and Legolas. “This is not your fight. You are our most distinguished guests here and I would not want to put you in harms way. I am certain that the king would not want any of his sons to fight or to be put in danger without armaments. Perhaps you should journey back to your guest house.”

“With all due respect,” Makail said, “I would prefer to stay. Rivendell is not our land, but it is the land of our kinsmen. I would die to protect it, just as I would die to safeguard my own home. I cannot speak for my brothers on this matter, but if you will have me, I choose to remain here.”

“I, too, wish to stay,” Dace added. “I will fight under the banner of Rivendell. But perhaps we could form the barricade, since we are unarmed… and the marchwardens can take up the front line. That way, we will probably not have to fight, but will be ready, should the human survive beyond the first line of defense.”

“A sage suggestion,” Glorfindel said in agreement. “Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin, are you in agreement with this?”

“We are,” Haldir stated.

“Elladan and Elrohir?”

“Agreed,” they chorused.

Legolas bas barely aware of his surroundings. The breeze blew lazily across his face and he nodded. He knew what he had to do.

“Legolas? Legolas, what say you?” Glorfindel asked.

“That it cannot be this way,” Legolas said.

“What?” Glorfindel asked, dismayed.

“No harm can come to this human or his steed. I must ride out and meet them.”

“Legolas, have you taken leave of your senses?” Makail asked.

“Nay,” the youngest prince responded. “I have to do this. They need my help. I must go to them.”

“No,” Glorfindel said gently. “You could be seriously hurt or killed in this endeavor. Legolas, I cannot allow this.”

“You must,” Legolas said firmly. “Things are not always as they appear. This human is only a child. Would you kill a child? He means no harm to you or to anyone. He is terrified as is Unai, his steed.”

“How do you know this?” Glorfindel asked.

“There is no time to explain,” Legolas said hurriedly, moving Yon forward. “Trust me.”

Glorfindel nodded slowly in agreement. “But you must take one of my weapons with you.”

“I will not need them,” Legolas said, riding off into the clearing before Glorfindel could object.

Glorfindel turned his steed to face the warriors. “We will form a solid line, blocking entry into Rivendell. Should the human bypass Price Legolas I want all that are unarmed to fall back. Marchwardens of Rivendell, you know what to do.”

The elves formed a horizontal line and watched uneasily as Legolas galloped into the distance. Suddenly, the prince turned his steed to face them and waited.

Elrohir looked to his right and spoke to his older brother. “What does he mean to do?”

“I do not know,” Elladan said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.

Suddenly, the human and the horse broke through a grove of trees and galloped wildly toward Legolas.

The prince seemed completely unfazed and cantered toward the seemingly mad steed.

“What is he doing?” Dace asked. “That horse will run right into him.”

The elves watched in horror as the frenzied horse headed directly for Legolas.

“Legolas!” Elladan called, unable to repress his horror any longer.

In an instant, Legolas somehow managed to jump from his horse onto the human’s horse, squeezing himself in front of a young boy. The steed thrashed about wildly running at a frantic pace, but Legolas began to speak to it, attempting to calm the steed with his words.

As the horse moved closer and closer to the border, Elladan could see that a child, who was injured, was nearly hanging off of the large stallion. He looked as though he would fall off of the steed if it stopped forcefully enough. Elladan moved his steed, Ellie, forward.

“What are you doing?” Elrohir asked.

“If that boy falls off of his horse he could be killed. I am going to assist Legolas.”

“No you’re not,” Elrohir snapped. “**I** will help him.”

“Elrohir, now is not the time for your worries,” Elladan said firmly. “I am going.”

“Then I will go with you.”

Glorfindel was so preoccupied with the approaching horse that he did not hear the twin’s conversation. “Where are you two going?” He asked as they galloped in the direction of the frantic steed.

*Unai, you must listen to me. You are in grave danger. Do you see the barricade of elves before you? They will kill you and the boy if you try to pass them. Please stop. I will take care of you,* Legolas said in mind-speak to the horse.

Unai was only a short distance from the blockade of elves when he stopped suddenly.

The boy, who had been trying to cling to Legolas’ tunic, was thrown from the steed.

Elladan jumped from his horse and caught him, seconds before he hit the ground. The weight and force of the child’s mass thrust Elladan to the ground.

The boy stared at Elladan, wide-eyed, for a moment and slipped away into unconsciousness.

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TBC…