Against all odds

Chapter six rescued

Elladan and Elrohir felt their worry grow with every second. The orc’s had grown in strength and whits. They had lost the trail. Sort of. They stood at a junction with three possible directions, all of them carrying orcprints. They had no way of telling which was newest.

About to split up and check them all out they heard screams. They all knew it was Erestor. “It’s coming from over there.” Elladan pointed straight ahead.

New screams urged them into high speed. Almost flying across the land they hurried into the right direction.

They all wondered why they weren’t attacked yet, this was open field and they should have been spotted by now.

When they came to the trees they saw why. The orcs were sitting in a circle and were watching as another took Erestor. Their anger was fuelled. Without any order the elves attacked as one.

They completely surprised the orcs. All arrows had hit target and new ones flew. None dared shoot the one near Erestor. The orc could use him as living shield and they did not come here to get him killed.

The orc leader saw his men fall. He saw the elves attack. He knew they came for the one at his feet. He would make sure they did not get him alive. He raised his knife, ready to drive it into Erestor’s heart. But an archer saw the danger and, exchanging bow for sword, attacked the orc. He successfully drove the orc away from Erestor and then killed it.

When all orcs lay dead on the ground they took in Erestor’s state. The counsellor looked horrible. Naked and covered in semen and his own blood. But mostly blood. Some archers threw up at the sight.

Elladan took control. “Burn the corpses and then follow us home. Elrohir, help me make him comfortable on the horse. And we have to hurry home.”

He knelt next to the counsellor whilst his twin made some alterations to the saddle on Elladan’s horse and brought it closer. He first cut the bonds on Erestor’s legs and hands. The arms fell limply to the side. Carefully and fearfully he turned the wounded elf around. If he was shocked at what he saw he did not show it. His voice was filled with warmth when he addressed Erestor. “Erestor? Can you hear me? It’s me, Elladan. The orcs are dead. We’re taking you home.”

Looking around Erestor saw the archers prepare a fire to burn the dead orcs.

“Elladan.”, he remembered they had wanted to take Elrond. He might die and they needed to know. Elladan leaned in closer. The counsellor’s voice was very soft. “they wanted Elrond.”

That news startled Elladan, but he refused to get emotional now. He had to stay clear-headed for Erestor’s sake.

He was grateful to see Erestor pass out. This way he would not feel the pain of being lifted on the horse. He bd Erd Erestor to remain unconscious till they got home.

Elrohir and he carefully lifted Erestor on the horse and Elladan mounted behind them.

“Elladan. Look, he doesn’t have his eyes closed. That’s a good sign isn’t it?” Elrohir’s voice was laden with hope.

They took of at high speed, the faster they got Erestor to the healer’s the better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond groaned as he awoke. He saw Glorfindel sitting beside him.

He extended his hand for another of those awful concoctions. Why is it that something so beneficial tastes so awful?

But Glorfindel shook his head. “According to the healers you are sufficiently healed. No more potions. But no work either for a long while.”

Elrond was baffled. How could he be healed already? That was impossible. “Healed? What are you talking about. I don’t heal that fast. I am half-elven remember?”

“You didn’t break your leg as we feared. You strained it. Badly. You’ve had herbs for that and the athelas took care of the cold. Although the leg will still hurt for a while.”

Elrond carefully got himself to his feet and found he indeed did not feel much pain anymore. Just exhausted. And worried. But determined to make the blond pay for his lack of brain. It was Glorfindel’s fault Erestor had gone out, so it also was Glorfindel’s fault Erestor had been caught. And if Erestor died, he would take it out on the blond.

He walked to his rooms with Glorfindel close behind. He seated himself behind his desk.
Glorfindel knew this posture. Elrond always adopted it when he was about to scold someone. And now Glorfindel found himself the recipient.

He figured Elrond rather had Elladan and Elrohir here. “Elrond, I know you’re mad at me for sending the twins after Erestor, but going myself would have been unwise. They’re the best orc-trackers alive, you know that. And the sooner Erestor is found, the better it is for all of us.”

“They would not be looking for him had you not lost him.” Elrond was fuming. He was glad his sons were searching for his secret love. It was the only chance Erestor had and that alone kept him going.

“Lost him? I did not lose him. Elrond, no one had any idea he would do that. If we had, we would have stopped him.” Just then Glorfindel remembered Erestor had already left when they had been informed on the precise road Elrond had taken. “Elrond? I don’t know how Erestor found you? I mean, he did not know what road you took, but he found you quick none the less.”

“Erestor uses his head. You should try that sometimes.”

Glorfindel cringed. Elrond was sounding like Erestor now. Those two definitely spend too much time together. “Why did you take that road, Elrond? In that weather? Why not the more safer one?”

Glorfindel’s remark brought Elrond down. It hit him in the heart. The blond just made him realise it was his fault Erestor was in peril. If he hadn’t been in such a hurry to get back none of this would have happened and they would all be sitting around a fire now. Tears flew freely from his eyes. It was all his fault. If Erestor made it through this, he would have to keep his distance. He could not endanger him further.

Glorfindel understood Elrond well, he realised the guilt he must have triggered, but not the extend of it. “Elrond? Listen to me. It is not your fault.”

But Elrond did not hear. He cried like he had never cried before. Glorfindel let him, pretending to read a book. That way he could remain close and give his friend the required privacy.

When fast hooves were heard he threw down the book and dragged Elrond along. The twins were back. A quick look out the window told them they had Erestor.

They hurried down the stairs. Elrohir was about to break down again and Elladan didn’t look any better. Even Glorfindel looked lost when he saw the state Erestor was in. Elrond, no longer crying, acted immediately. “Glorfindel, help Elrohir with the horses. Elladan, you help me. To my rooms, quickly.”

Elladan carried Erestor to his father’s rooms where he gently lowered the injured elf on the large soft bed. He looked at his father for new instructions. He was glad to be occupied. Elrond understood and asked Elladan to get water, towels and bandages.

When Elladan hurried to carry out his orders, Elrond inspected Erestor and poured some sleeping tea in the mouth.

The amount of blood covering the body scared him. He hoped Erestor had not lost too much, blood transfusions was something he knew only by name. And he would not want Erestor to be the guinea pig.

When Elladan returned they carefully cleaned Erestor’s body. Elladan started on the feet and his father on the face. Elrond could hardly keep his hands steady.

They hissed when the blood had been cleansed. Now the damage the orcs had done was visible. Cuts that went over his torso, scars on the face, a half broken ear and bruises all over.

When blood seeped from the mouth Elladan jumped in fear. Elrond wiped it away and hovered his hand over Erestor’s abdomen. “Oh no, there’s much internal damage. If we don’t heal that fast, we will lose him for sure.”

He knew he had to do that himself. Neither of his sons were strong enough to handle that. But he would pass out and there was more to do. He addressed Elladan. “Quickly, tell a servant to fetch Glorfindel and your brother. They can help you with Erestor whilst I’m out. You know what herbs to administer and how.”

He laid his hands on Erestor’s abd and and let his healing begin. His energy seeped into Erestor, aiding him. He concentrated on the internal damand fnd felt how tissue was being mended. When the session was over he collapsed.

Elladan was just in time to catch him, just as Elrohir and Glorfindel walked in. He had admired his father for this. The light Elrond possessed had shone brightly, showing the healing to take place.

Glorfindel took Elrond from Elladan and made sure he was comfortably resting on couccouch before returning to aid the twins.

Elrohir and Elladan were a little lost, even though they knew which herbs to apply they were unsure of where to start. They looked at the blond for guidance.

Glorfindel had seen Elrond work many times and he knew how to proceed and he told the twins what to do. “Elladan, apply some salve to those bruises and cuts on Erestor’s body and face: you know which herbs to use where. Elrohir, you take a look at his ear. I don’t like the look of it. I will apply the bandages when you’re done.”

Elladan shuffled on his feet. The blond did not yet know how they had found Erestor. And he hadn’t dared come close to Erestor’s private parts.

Glorfindel saw Elladan’s trepidation and cocked his head, a sign he was wondering about someone or something.

The elder twin sighed. He just did not know how to voice this. But Elrohir had sensed what Elladan wanted to address and informed Glorfindel instead, already tending to Erestor’s ear. “We didn’t get in time, Glorfindel. They had already…..” Elrohir couldn’t finish his sentence; a lump had formed in his throat at the remembrance of Erestor’s suffering.

But Glorfindel immediately understood. “They forced him? By the Valar.” Tears welled in his eyes. Erestor had paid dearly for his courage. He decided Erestor had to be cleaned and checked for injuries as well, but he feared the raven-haired advisor might wake up.

Elladan saw the look in his eyes and quickly told him Elrond had made Erestor drink sleeping tea. Erestor would be under for a while longer. Glorfindel was glad the counsellor would not wake up during the tending.

After they were done, they sat themselves down. They all looked troubled.

Elrohir started crying. He couldn’t handle it anymore. Elladan wanted to take his brother to bed, but he didn’t want to leave either. He knew Elrohir was afraid of losing Erestor and so was he. They already had lost their mother to those creatures and now they might lose Erestor too.

Glorfindel saw the looks but could not voice any reassurances. He was troubled himself. He remembered feeling angry with the counsellor for numerous of occasions, but now all those arguments seemed insignificant and without reason. He so much wanted to say he was sorry for going against everything Erestor said, just out of principle. But what had that principle been? Nothing. He had not wanted to be brushed aside by a mere scholar. But today had thought him Erestor was more. Where he hadn’t had the guts to go out, Erestor had conquered the storm and now, after all this torture he was still alive.

Elrohir’s voice shook him out of his misery. “Will he live?”

Glorfindel looked at the other with warmth. “I think so, pen-neth, Erestor had proven himself stronger than any of us thought possible. Besides, the cold of Mandos’ is not in him.”

“How do you know?” It had sounded harder than Elladan had intended, but he too was too shaken up. Glorfindel knelt down in front of them. “I’ve been in Mandos’ halls, remember, and even though I have no memories of the place, I can still recognize it’s cold. Erestor feels warm.”

That, more than anything, assured the younger twin.

But Elladan wasn’t convinced. Celebrain hadn’t showed the cold either, but they had still lost her. “We will lose him. To Valinor.” He spit out the name in venom.

But Glorfindel thought different. “No, you wont. Erestor is a fighter. We now know that. He will fight. And he will have all of us to help him.”

“But what is he locks us out?” Elladan still wasn’t convinced. Their nana had locked them out as well.

Again Glorfindel tried reason. “He might try, but we mustn’t let him. We must allow him distance, but we must also assure him we still love him. No matter what. The coming time will be hard on us all. And if my guess is right, Erestor will welcome your friendship.”

Elladan caved. What Glorfindel said sounded logical. He’s never known Erestor to have friends. If they could show him they were his friends he had something new, something nice, something to keep him here.

Glorfindel enveloped both twins in a tight hug. “Why don’t you go to sleep, I am sure this chair will do for now and I will wake you all up when Erestor awakens.”

Although he doubted he needed to do that. He was fairly sure Erestor would do that for him. The advisor was bound to have nightmares, and for a long time too. He would probably scream everyone awake.

End chapter six
TBC

Translation:
Pen-neth à young one.

Note:
I have not read about Elrond healing, so I have no idea if this is how he does it, but it sounds like the elven way to me. I’ve read many fanfics, concentrating on the way of healing, trying to figure it out. Everybody has a different way, so don’t kill me either, please.
Valinor as many will know is where elves go to if they sail West. Also known as the Blessed Realm.
I just found out (in the same book I refer to in the extra notes) that Peredhil is plurial and Peredhel single (Just one elf as opposed to more) I didn’t know that and I apologize if I used it wrongly. From now on I will watch it and I will check all previous chapters on it when I have the time.

Extra notes:

I found the meanings of some names and thought to put them down as well, just in case you are interested.
I got it from the Tolkien lexicon.

Celeborn:
Tree of silver. Rather nice don’t you think.
And he’s a the most powerful Sindar, apparently. Good. I can sure use that. I also found his lineage and decided to use that as well. It will pop up somewhere.

Elladan:
I’ve read two different meanings to Elladan’s name; one being manperson and the other man of the stars. Sme for Elrohir: Starrider of manrider. I don’t know which is actually the correct one, but I think if you pick, you need to be consequent. I mean for both to have the man or star in the translation, not one man and the other star.

Elrond:
Stardome. Rather nice name I’d say.

Erestor:
I couldn’t find anything on him, only that he is Elrond’s counsellor. It doesn’t even say he’s the chief counsellor. But since everybody says he is, I guess he is.

Galadhrim:
Here I’ve seen two possible meanings. One is followers of Galadriel, the other people of trees. I am going for the first, not only because I have better use for it, but also because it’s the first one I’ve read.

Galadriel:
In Quenya it would be: Altariel. It means Shining wreathed virgin.

Glorfindel:
Golden haired.
In case we were doubting his hair colour I suppose.

Haldir:
The book does not give a translation. Me crying here. If anyone can figure it out, let me know. There is, however, mention of a Haldir, son of Halmir of Haladin. The Haladin are the People of Haleth, the second home of the edain and also the least violent one.
So maybe our Haldir is named after this one.

Lindir:
Means ‘one who sings’ and according to the book he was probably a Rivendell bard. So that’s what he’ll be in When least expected. A minstrel.

Orophin:
I had no luck tracking this name. Can anybody figure out it’s meaning? Diolla le.

Rumil:
Again no translation is given. Pity. But just like Haldir Rumil might be named after another. Either that or they both a reborn elves. Ain’t that nice. Things we can do with that, ne?
But the elf Rumil might be named after is Rumil of Tirion. The first great poet. He has supposedly written the Ainulindalë, but he has also created the tengwar, before they were reorganized by Fëanor. Ainulindalë (Quenya) means ‘music of the Ainur’ and it’s the mythe of the creation.

Ps, all names are apparently in Sindarin.

Oh, one more thing.
Arien is actually one a female Maiar, the one chosen by the Valar to guide Anar (the sun) on it’s heavenly course. But since everybody continuously translates it as sun, I do so too. But I just wanted to inform everybody of the mix up.
And I have found another fault. Ithil isn’t the moon, but Isil. I’m not going to change it. We’re all used to Ithil and that makes more sense too. (Ithilien, Ithildin and so on) And in case you’re interested: Isil (Ithil if you please) is guided by Tilion. Another Maiar
Now, either we have all got it wrong, or this book is at fault here.

And I also couldn’t find a transon fon for Thranduil’s name. Shame.


PPS:
THANKS FOR REVIEWING AND SORRY FOR THE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG NOTE.