Usual Patrols
No words were spoken between the three. They went about their tasks in a manner that conveyed centuries of close work and companionship. Solidarity that would be expected from twins, working as one, finishing each others tasks and starting anew without the unnecessary communication that was required of normal siblings.
Glorfindel was an entirely different story. He had been watching the pair since their youth and had been working alongside them from the time they were old enough to handle adult tasks. Spending that much time with an individual on such a personal level, one is bound to pick up certain habits and work ethics. The three were captivating to watch.
Recent additions had made this team even more intriguing. Legolas, who was much younger than the twins and lived some distance away, had quickly been taken under wing by the raven haired twins. Much to the chagrin of the King of Mirkwood, the young prince had learned to become quite the little prankster.
Then the surprising arrival of Estel had thrown all of their worlds off kilter. A new addition to the Imladris family hadn’t been expected but the child had been in their home for less than an hour before snatching all of their hearts and becoming a natural son and brother. The only thing worse than having to put up with the antics of Estel and the twins was when Legolas came to visit. Elrond would jokingly order windows boarded up and food supplies rationed, the terrible foursome was a force to be reckoned with and Glorfindel and Elrond always seemed to be fighting to stay one step ahead.
Now, as Elrohir watched the winged messenger soar up over the trees and vanish to the east, he had an unfamiliar desire to be the target of Estel’s and Legolas’ mischief. Waking up saturated in honey or finding oneself face down in a puddle of mud would have been much more welcome than the sight that greeted him that morning. Never before had Elrohir seen Estel look the way he did, fighting a cold or a little stomach upset was one thing, being carried in half dead was entirely different.
As he descended the marble stairs and headed toward the stables, his twin and Glorfindel on his heels, Elrohir couldn’t help but become frustrated over the mystery that had presented itself with the dawning of the sun. A brother severely injured and a friend missing was not, generally, how the dark elf liked to start his day.
Whispered prayers had been sent up all day and the hopes that the Mirkwood Prince had just returned home was in everyone’s hearts. It would take roughly three days to get a response back from Thranduil and Valar only knew how long until Estel would be able to answer any questions. In the meantime, the three elf lords would try and solve this enigma.
Twelve elves sat atop beautiful elven horses awaiting their patrol leaders. Three riderless horses mixed amongst the others stood patiently awaiting their riders. "Usual patrols?’ Questioned Elrohir.
"I think it best if you, Elrohir, head east and you, Elladan, head west." Answered the blonde elf Lord. "I will follow Estel’s tracks as far as possible. We will meet back here at this time on the morrow."
Elrohir watched as Glorfindel swung up on his horse, he then turned to Elladan. Their eyes connected and much was said in that moment of contact though no words were exchanged. The two broke their connection and each swung themselves up onto their respective horses. The group of fifteen sat in silence for a few seconds contemplating the importance of their mission.
"All will be well." Elrohir broke the melancholy silence. "Estel will wake and Legolas will be found. We must not lose hope."
Quick nods and smiles were exchanged and the three patrols exited the stables and separated just outside the gates of the Last Homely House.
Elrohir generally enjoyed patrols, he liked being out in the woods surrounding his home with the other warriors, protecting the things that he loved. It felt, to him, that he was doing something of importance. Since losing his mother, the twin had yearned for ways to settle his soul. Hunting orcs was fulfilling to an extent, but eventually he needed healing in a more positive way. It was, of course, his responsibility, as the son of Elrond, to command and protect the elves of Imladris, but if he could feel that he was making a difference while doing his job than he was all the more happy to be doing it.
Guiding his horse eastward along the parameter of Imladris, Elrohir cautiously scanned his surroundings, searching eagerly for any sign that the Prince had passed through. He wouldn’t admit it to the warriors riding with him, but he was scared. He was scared that Legolas would not be found alive, that he would lose one of his dearest friends before his time. He was scared that Estel would not recover and would pass before his destiny was fulfilled and leave them all with broken hearts.
The troupe moved in complete silence, the warriors under Elrohir’s command knew that quiet was expected when they were on patrol. Unnecessary communication was frowned upon and could cost one their life. Even their horses made little noise as they traveled the trail at a measured pace and they also seemed to be looking for clues.
Oranges and pinks painted the sky as the sun began to sink below the horizon, but the five elves were too engrossed in their task to pay it any attention. Normally Elrohir would have sat and watched as the warm colors would spread across the sky and eventually disappear all together, but tonight he had far more important things to do.
Frustration was exuding from each of the elves. They had found nothing. There was absolutely no sign that anyone or anything had passed through this portion of the forest in the past day. Mostly this was because of the rainstorm that had passed through the night before but some had to do with the fact that there were no signs to find.
"We camp here tonight." Elrohir’s voice rattled with frustration and he jumped off of his horse and set about unpacking his supplies without any further words. He forcefully untied his bedroll and dropped it to the forest floor.
This is not happening again. I can not lose another I love.
Reaching up to pull his pack off of the horses back the dark elf twin noticed that his hands had begun to shake. He stopped and held his hands in front of him, staring at his pale trembling fingers. Anger began to well up inside him and he clenched his hands into tight fists and took a large, deep breath. Elrohir rested his forehead against the side of his horse and closed his eyes.
Valar help us find him. Valar help Estel.
A gentle heat began to warm Elrohir’s back and he turned to see a small fire had been made several yards behind him. The other warriors had set about doing other tasks, tending the horses, heating water and checking the perimeter. Elrohir used his foot to push his bedroll to the base of a large tree, then grabbing his bow and checking his sword he stepped out of the camp and into the trees.
"I will take first watch. Get some rest."
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Angrod stood stiffly in the office of his king. He had been summoned first thing that morning by Thranduil and had that not been a common occurrence, he may have been nervous. As it was, the dark haired wood-elf had served the royal family for many years and was accustomed to spending time in their presence. That Angrod was a close, personal friend of the Prince of Mirkwood and had been since their elfling years, might have helped as well.
He stood there at attention awaiting the arrival of King Thranduil and his mind started to wander. He remembered when he had first met Legolas. His mother had been surprised when she had found the two elflings sitting in a mud puddle, dumping pails of sludge over each others heads. She had nearly gone into shock when she had discovered who the golden haired friend of her son was and realized that she would have to return the filthy elfling to her King and Queen.
A small smile spread over Angrod’s face as he remembered his mother’s face, she still tensed up when she was asked to recount the story.
The smile fell from his face when the heavy, ornate, wooden door to Thranduil’s office swung open and a very upset looking King of Mirkwood flew in, a piece of parchment clenched tightly in his hand.
"Sit Angrod." The King’s voice was so commanding and Angrod found himself instantly within a chair across from Thraduil’s desk. "Has my son returned to Mirkwood without my knowledge?"
Angrod’s brow furrowed in confusion. " Nay my Lord. Legolas would have come to you first had he returned."
Thranduil dropped into his own chair and stared blankly at the surface of his desk. He made no motion or sound for several minutes and Angrod found himself becoming increasingly uncomfortable and confused.
"My Lord, is something amiss?"
Thranduil lifted his gaze and looked heavily at the royal guard of Mirkwood. A large sigh slipped from his mouth and he leaned back in his chair. "Legolas is missing."
Angrod could have sworn that his heart stopped. He felt his breathing begin to increase and he also found himself staring blankly at Thranduil’s desk. Legolas was with Estel and Angrod knew that the two would protect one another.
"Forgive me my Lord, but I do not understand. Legolas is traveling with Estel. He is not missing"
"I assure you that he is Angrod." Thranduil slid the piece of parchment across the desk and Angrod apprehensively accepted it. "This arrived early this morn by bird."
Angrod’s head snapped up at those words. Messenger birds were rarely used and only in emergency. He slowly lowered his head again and opened the wrinkled parchment. He read through the words slowly, then he read them again. He paused and taking a deep breath read them a third time, they didn’t change.
"I will go to Imladris at once. I will find him and bring him home." Angrod rose slowly from his seat and handed the distressing message back to Thranduil.
"Thank you Angrod. You will leave at once and send word as soon as you learn anything." Thranduil grasped the parchment and crushed it in his fist. "Please find him Angrod. I do not have to tell you how much I value him."
Angrod gave a quick bow and then sped out of the office and through the palace halls. Thranduil did not have to tell the dark elf how much Legolas was worth to him. He had seen the two interact with each other on so many occasions that it was obvious that the two had a great love for one another. If Angrod did not find the Prince then the King would perish. The Princes fate was important to the whole of Mirkwood.
Absentmindedly Angrod packed up his horse and swung up onto it’s back. He couldn’t remember a time when he had prepared and departed on a journey in such a hurry. But then again, he couldn’t remember a time when the journey was to accomplish the most important mission of his life, of his King’s life and of his Prince’s life.