Silent Song

Note: The song in this chapter is taken from parts of 'Creek Mary's Blood' by Nightwish.

Note 2: Usually I put Rúmil’s thoughts in standard speech marks, ie: "He thought." This time I've decided to try putting them in slashes, ie: /He thought./ Please let me know which you prefer, I'm undecided!

Note 3: 'Punisher' has drawn me mazimazing picture for Chapter 1! See it here:
http://www.free-webspace.biz/rumils_talan/index.html
*Hugs Punisher* Thank you so much!

Chapter 8


Thaliatar and Mellachion were the two elves Glorfindel had assigned to accompany Lindir and the other minstrels. They were both experienced and respected members of the Imladris guard, though in this case they were mostly a token gesture, as no one really expected any trouble.

They had taken a walk round the town, familiarising themselves with the layout before heading to the accommodation they'd been provided with to get some rest. Suddenly, Thaliatar stopped. "Do you smell that?" He asked. Mellachion frowned. "There are many new smells here. Which one do you mean?" He replied.
"Dirt." Came the answer. "Many unwashed bodies. This is a good town - that smell does not belong here. Something is wrong, we should check on the others."

Mellachion wasn't convinced, humans were so different from them, but it was better to be safe than sorry, so he followed Thaliatar to the minstrel's quarters.

As they neared they saw that the door was open and that several large men stood inside it. Mellachion glanced at Thaliatar and saw his own look of concern mirrored on the other's face.

Without a word they both began to run, arriving just in time to see Lindir slump to the floor.
"Lindir!" Mellachion cried out and drew his sword.
He moved swiftly, Thaliatar close behind him, cutting down two of the men.
Thaliatar also cut down two more, but they were greatly outnumbered.

Mellachion lunged at one of the bandits, bringing his d dod down in a powerful blow.
It took the man's head clean from his shoulders, but as he moved to lunge at another, a sword bit deeply into his side.
He cried out, dropping his weapon and clutching his side.
"Mella!" Thaliatar tried to battle through the humans to reach the fallen elf, but there were too many in his way.
"No, Thal!" Mellachion called. "You must get help! Leave me!" But Thaliatar ignored him, determined to get through. He was ever aware of the sword hanging over Mellachion's head. Drawing his bow, he sent an arrow into the heart of the man holding the sword, buying Mellachion at least a little time.

"Thel, you must get to Imladris!" Mellachion cried. "Please, meleth nin, go!"
It was the endearment that stopped Thaliatar. Mellachion had never called him thus out loud before, they had always kept their relationship a secret as they worked so closely together.
Casting one last look at the elf he loved, he nodded briefly, then turned and ran. He hated to do it, to leave Mellachion, but he knew his lover wightight - there was nothing he could do alone. His mission now was to make it back to Imladris and get help.

The men gave chase as they saw him running, but Thaliatar was faster. Several arrows flew his way, one hitting his arm, but he ignored the pain. Fortunately the men were poor shots, though Thaliatar knew it would only take one lucky arrow to send him to Mandos hall and doom the others to the same fate.

Letting out a piercing whistle he kept going, getting closer to the edge of the village, knowing that the men were catching up.
The sound of hoof beats told him that his mount had heard his call and was coming, but he had to keep running until she arrived and hope that he didn't fall.

The elven-horse's hoof beats got closer, then she came easily alongside him, slowing a little to allow her rider chance to get on. Grabbing her mane, Thaliatar swung himself on the animal's back, of the still-moving animal. He shrieked in pain as an arrow embedded itself deeply in his calf, but clung desperately to his mount, riding with all haste to Rivendell.

**************

Helethir raged when he realised that the elf had escaped. "You fools!" He yelled. "If he makes it to the others they'll all be after us!" He kicked Mellachion, who was lying prone on the ground, making the elf moan softly.
"What shall we do with this one?" One of the men asked. "Finish him off?"
Helethir regarded the elf coldly. "No." He said. "Throw him in with the others. They can do nothing - let them watch him die."
The man laughed, then carelessly tossed Mellachion into the hut.

**************

Looking out of his window, Elrond saw Thaliatar riding through the gates. Letting out a cry of alarm at the sight of the injured elf, he ran out, calling to Glorfindel, who was down the hall, for aid.

Thaliatar had feared he would never reach Imladris. His horse was exhausted and so was he; the arrow wounds in his arm and leg were throbbing.
He was clinging to his horse by sheer force of will as he finally rode into the courtyard.

Glorfindel quickly answered his lord's cry and together the two elves rushed to the side of the injured elf, Glorfindel gently lifting Thaliatar from his horse.

The injured elf bit back a cry as his injuries were jolted, stopping Glorfindel's question as to whad had happened.
"We must get him to the healers." Elrond said. Glorfindel nodded, but Thaliatar reached out with his good arm, stopping him.
"M-my lord." He stuttered. "The others... they were attacked in the village... you must go after them!"
Elrond sucked in a sharp breath and looked at Glorfindel, who cursed softly.
"Was anyone hurt?" He asked. "Where is Mellachion?"
"They beat Lindir." He said soft"Mel"Mellachion - he fell - I don't know if he lives or not." He choked back a sob.

Glorfindel bit back a stab of guilt. He'd known the two were lovers; it had been his intent to give them some time alone together. As for Lindir - they had to save the minstrel and his companions. Glorfindel hoped he wasn't the one who would have to tell Rúmil.

*********************

Rúmil had spent most of the day alone by the river. Now as he returned to the house, he was surprised to see the amount of activity taking place. A large party of warriors were ready to ride out, Orophin and the twins amongst them. Confused and with a terrible fear growing inside him, he approached his brother, tapping him on the shoulder and gesturing around in confusion.

Orophin jumped at the touch. " Rúmil!" He cried, turning to face him. "Where have you been?" His brother gestured vaguely in the direction of the river, and then returned his attention to the confusion around him.

Shooting a worried look at Elladan, Orophin took his brother aside.
"Rúmil, Thaliatar returned a little while ago." He paused, knowing his next words might break his brother's already fragile heart.
"Bandits have attacked the town Lindir went to - they're holding him and the others hostage."

All colour drained from Rúmil's face. He stared in terrified horror at Orophin, shaking his head.
Pulling Rúmil into his arms, Orophin did his best to comfort him.
"Glorfindel is leading a patrol to rescue them. I'm going too, so are the twins. We'll bring him back, Rúmil - I swear it." He could not bring himself to tell Rúmil he knew that Lindir had been beaten - it would only make matters worse.
He lightly kissed his brother's brow and stepped back. "I must be going - try not to worry, all will be well." Then he moved to his horse and mounted, following the rest of the party as they rode out.

As they left, Orophin cast a last look at his brother.
"Lindir had better be alive." He said quietly to Elladan. " Rúmil won't survive without him."

*************************

Lindir moaned at the pounding in his head. Blinking as he tried to clear his vision, he forced himself into a sitting position, but closed his eyes as the world span around him.

"Here, drink this, it will help." Said a quiet voice beside him.
Forcing his eyes open, Lindir saw Ramiath, offering him a cup of water. Shakily he took the cup and drank deeply until all the water was gone. Then he turned back to the human, fixing him with a cold gaze.
"Why did you betray us?" There was no doubt in his mind that the human had allowed this.
"I am sorry." Ramiath said quietly. "Our request for your help was honest, but these men got wind of it somehow. When they found out they turned up here in force. They told us that they would destroy the village and kill us all if we did not help them. We have no warriors, but many women and children. There was nothing I could do - I had to protect my people. Now I am here with you because they do not trust me."

Lindir sighed, there was no malice in the man, but that would not help them now.
"Let us just hope word reaches my people before they take any further action."
"It may happen." Ramiath said. "I think one of the guards managed to escape."
"One?" Lindir asked. "What happened to the other?" Ramiath pointed to the corner, where Mellachion lay. He was wrapped in Ramiath's cloak and was deathly pale.
"They stabbed him in the side." Ramiath said, "But he took several down before they stopped him. I tried to stop the bleeding, but I couldn't."

Lindir got up and moved to the injured warrior's side. The other minstrels were still bound, but Linder knew he would have to see to Mellachion before he did anything else.
"Help me." He said to Ramiath as he got to work.

************************

Rúmil paced the rooms he shared with Lindir. How could this have happened? He knew he shouldn't have let him go! /Some guardian I am./ He thought bitterly.
/Standing whi while Orophin and Glorfindel ride off to save *my* lover!/

He looked out of the window; the rescue party had ridden off just three hours ago. He gripped the windowsill, hanging his head in despair.
/Lindir/
His lips formed the name he could not say. The gentle minstrel had done so much for him, shown him love and comfort and that he could still go on living after all he'd lost. It was Lindir whose presence had chased away the nightmares and who almost always knew what he was thinking, feeling or what he wanted. His despair and feelings of inadequacy diminished so much when the minstrel was around.

/Why is this happening?/ He thought. /Why must these humans continue to destroy my life?/ He didn't know if he could cope with losing Lindir. He'd had a few past relationships, but never anything like this. He loved Lindir more than he'd thought possible, but now he faced loosing it.

Looking round the room, his eyes fell on his weapons, placed neatly in the corner. Orophin had put them there, even though he knew Rúmil hadn't wanted them. It had been his hope that his brother would pick them up again someday.
As Rúmil stared at them, he remembered Orophin's words.
"Your hands have healed, what is the problem?"

/What *is* the problem?/ Rúmil wondered suddenly, looking down at his hands. They had healed perfectly; there was no trace of the crushing injuries inflicted on them just a few short months ago.

/They work fine.../

He stared at the weapons again, then back at his hands. Then he dashed forward, grabbing them and running out of the door full speed, not even slowing down to pull his quiver and knives onto his back.

He ran to the stables without stopping, ignoring any who looked at him. As he arrived a horse was just being led out for a waiting guard.
Shoving the other elves aside, Rúmil grabbed the animal and mounted swiftly, before urging it into a gallop. Paying no heed to the cries of protest from the surprised elves, he headed in the direction the rescue party had taken not long ago.

**********************

Lindir had tended to Mellachion as best he could, but he knew the other elf needed proper medical care if he was to survive. The makeshift bandage Ramiath had made out his cloak was already soaked though with blood. He did not have long.
The minstrel had no more time to dwell on it, however, for just then Helethir entered, followed by several others. He pointed at Lindir and two men came forward, grabbing him by the arms.
He tried to struggle but this only resulted in another blow to the head that sent him reeling.

Helethir came up to him, grasping his chin roughly and forcing his head up.
"I'm an old-fashioned man." He said. "I believe in making examples of those who defy me. "You'll do nicely as an example of what I'll do to the rest of your kind if they cross me again."

Lindir could not react; his head was still spinning from the blow he had just received. Nor was there anyone to help him, for Ramiath was too afraid and he had not had chance to untie his companions.

Helethir took his hand away and nodded to the men holding the elf. Lindir was dragged off towards a large pole that had been erected in the town centre, as the others watched helplessly.

Shoving him up against the pole the men produced ropes and lashed him tightly to it.
Blinking, Lindir tried to work out what was happening. All he knew for certain was that it would not be good for him.
But it wasn't until they began piling wood and hay around him that he realised exactly what they were planning to do - burn him alive.

*********************

Rúmil rode hard, stopping only when absolutely necessary to allow the horse to rest. The animal could sense the urgency and fear in her rider and had given the ride her all. Several hours had passed now, at the speed they were going they would soon catch up with the others. He was grateful that the village was not that far away.

As expected, it was less than an hour later when he finally caught sight of Glorfindel's patrol, going slightly slower than he, but still making good time.

Elladan had been worried about his lover since they left. Orophin's face was grim and he had said little on the way. Though Elladan knew he'd be the same in Orophin's place, he still worried about the burdens the Galadhrim carried. If harm had come to Lindir, Orophin would take it only fractionally better than Rúmil.

"My Lords!" A cry came from one of the riders near the back. "Another is approaching!"
Glorfindel quickly halted the party and they turned to see who was coming up behind them.
Orophin gasped. "It cannot be!" Not believing his eyes, he took another look at the rider. But it was - it was Rúmil riding towards them.

Rúmil rode past the warriors, coming to his brother's side, as Orophin stared at him in shock. Rúmil looked firmly at his brother, his eyes conveying all that he could not say. He was going with them; he owed it to Lindir.

A slow smile spread over Orophin's face. He reached out and squeezed Rúmil’s shoulder.
"Welcome back." He said softly. Rúmil returned the small smile, then inclined his head in the direction of the village. Orophin nodded and they headed off again, Rúmil in the lead.

******************

Lindir closed his eyes as Helethir came forward with the torch. He prayed to Mandos for a quick release and for someone to watch over Rúmil. More than his own death, he feared that Rúmil would not survive it.

Quietly, he began to sing softly, to calm and remind himself that death was not the end.

"Soon I will be here no more
You'll hear the tale
Through my blood
Through my people
And the eagle's cry
The bear within will never lay to rest."

Lindir did not know that Rúmil was even now riding towards him, along with a party of Imladris' finest warriors. Even had he known, there was nothing he could do now, except sing a quiet farewell.

"Wandering on Horizon Road
Following the trail of tears
Once we were here
Where we have lived since the world began
Since time itself gave us this land
Our souls will join again the wild
Our home in peace and war and death."

Raising his arm, Helethir threw the torch and the hay and wood around Lindir burst into flames.

End Chapter 8


*Looks at the angry people glaring at her*
Um, yes, that was a bit evil, wasn't it? Heh heh... excuse me...
*Runs*