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-Rising Storm-

Part 2

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"You son of an orc!"

Lord Elrond peaked a fine eyebrow at the hissed curse of his youngest – by minutes – blood son, Elrohir. Estel had made the unwise call of referring to the elf’s role in the race which Elrond was now just hearing about at the four’s return.

"…As I was saying, Elrohir provoked me into defending my horse’s name. As you so well know Father, I would never simply race for my own title or elevation of rank from my lowly state…"

Elrohir turned red in agitation, "Lowly state, provoked? I merely stated an observation!"

"Either way," Elrond cut in, "You know how I feel about wearing your horses out without need. And," He remarked louder when Aragorn’s mouth opened, "And I do not see that simply defending your pride as a dire need."

Legolas discreetly covered his mouth with a hand. Not wishing to draw attention to himself with the grin beneath.

Unfortunately, the eyes of the elven lord were too keen, "And you son of Thranduil, how were you involved in this, escapade?"

The elven prince shook his head, "I was simply a unimportant variable."

"A simple variable that beat the pride-defending human," Elladen muttered.

"Excuse me? It is not my pride I needed to defend. At least I have pride to guard if need be."

"Estel, there is no need to get upset," the elder elf sighed. "I’m not mad about the race, or anything else for that matter. I just would rather not see your death be the result of your false idea that you need to prove yourself."

"Aye, that would be a shame."

The three younger elves and human turned at the familiar voice that sounded behind them. Elrond smiled, "Ah, Mithrandir, you have come!"

The grey wizard laughed at the openly surprised expressions on Elladen, Elrohir, Aragorn and Legolas’ faces, "Yes, yes. I hope I have not interrupted anything, important."

"No," interjected Aragorn hastily, "We were merely setting straight a misunderstanding."

Gandalf nodded slowly, his bushy eyebrows peaked. Elrond shushed the young human then beckoned for Gandalf to walk with him, "I had a feeling you would drop by presently, though I knew not when."

"Why did you not tell us Father?" Asked Elladen indignantly.

"The young need not know all that is about in their elder’s minds," Elrond shared a knowing look with the wizard.

Gandalf’s lips twitched with a faint smile, "As I said earlier, I hope my arrival has not come at an inopportune time," the lined face turned serious. "But I have need to speak with you Lord Elrond."

Elrond was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Well then, I would see that you have a meal first and rest if need be. As it were, we were already preparing to join for the noon meal."

"That would be a welcome diversion."

"Has your horse been tended to?"

Gandalf shook his head, "There is no need to trouble yourself with that, he has already found himself comfortable with his kindred."

"And well that is," Elrond eyed the four tag-alongs wryly, "I would be loathed to have my charges care for your horse when they seem to be incapable of caring for their own," It took only a well practiced flash of warning in the elven lord’s dark eyes to silence any argument.

Elrond gestured to a large, open doorway, "Please my friend, make yourself comfortable."

The meal held much laughter and insight into the minor happenings of neighboring lands, but Gandalf would give no word of the main intention of his visit. Afterwards, Elrond and Gandalf excused themselves from the lavish table where Aragorn, Elrohir, Elladen and Legolas were still enjoying themselves.

The afternoon had turned out to be cool. A slight breeze shifted through the fallen leaves upon the old pathways which wound through the plentiful gardens. For awhile the two old friends walked silently under the fall-touched boughs.

Gandalf broke the silence, "The shadow is lengthening."

The statement was not a surprise to Elrond, he had felt it himself as most elves had, though unlike the common population, he knew of what it foreshadowed. "If only it could wait," He wondered aloud wistfully.

Gandalf stopped, "Why?"

Elrond remained silent for a count, collecting his thoughts, "It is Estel. He is not ready. He needs more time to…to understand."

"You know you cannot protect him forever. He is an adult now, and no matter how much you guard him from the atrocities of the world you can not change that truth." The Istar paused, "I am not a father as you are. So I cannot say that I can relate in the same sense you do, but the desire to protect the younger generation is natural. You have done all you can for him. Given him a home where he is loved and you have also explained his heritage. It is now up to him to accept it. Only time and experience will tell of his readiness for what is to come."

Elrond’s eyes remained distant as they passed into an open room, simply furnished, "Your words are true. They are the words I would say myself, but advice is always harder to take than give. I have never known anything more difficult than letting your son leave the protection of the fold."

The wizard came to stand beside him at the rail of the balcony overlooking the magnificent waterfall. "That brings me to the reason of my visit. You know of the darkness growing in the dead lands, but it is effecting more than just orcs. The Dunlendings, you also know, have always been a wild sort, blood enemies of the Rohirrim, but they are becoming more than just wild. I have received word from one of my order that they are terrorizing and slaughtering neighboring villages as far as into the borders of Edenwaith."

Elrond’s brow creased, "Why do the people of Edenwaith not retaliate?"

"They have not the strength, I have not told you all yet. When I have you will understand. The Dunlendings are not only turning savage because of the lust for power, but worse yet is with whom they have allied themselves." Gandalf took a breath, "Mountain orcs."

There was a long pause, it seemed the birds had even quieted. Such news had not yet reached Elrond.

"Surely this is dark news you bring to me Mithrandir." Elrond’s demeanor darkened considerably, "Such tidings carry with it much horror, yet I feel you have not yet told me all." The elven lord of Imladris fixed the wizard with a piercing stare.

"Yes, you perceive right, even darker will this news be when I conclude. There has been much dissension among the order of the Istari, for good reason as well. I would say this bluntly simply because I wish not to drag this out longer than need be. There is evidence to believe that the leader of this dark scheme is within our order. An Istar Lord Elrond," He added to clear any confusion.

Elrond sank into a chair, his jaw clinched. The very thought of a traitor from within the honored and respected order brought with it fear that even struck deep inside the strong elven lord's heart, "Who do they believe this traitor is?" Elrond asked numbly.

Gandalf seemed to grow older before his eyes, "The wrong one." He shook his head in disgust, "Saruman believes it to be Fasse currently of Dunland, and with him the few others of the order. Indeed it is an understandable mistake for those who do not know him simply because he is residing in that undesirable territory, but I know Fasse far to well. Any such betrayal is far below him, he is as noble as he is shaggy." Mithrandir smiled faintly at the thought of his simple friend and fellow Istar.

"It seems your tidings only grow graver with every word. Evil alliances, betrayal, false accusations…" Elrond trailed off pondering all that had been presented to him, "I tremble to ask how Aragorn is to be involved in this as you implied at the start of this doomed conversation."

"Do not be so glum my lord," Gandalf’s eyes twinkled with mirth. Elrond found it a wonder how abruptly the wizard could change in demeanor. "I but wish him, and another, to take a letter to Fasse in Dunland, warning him of this turn. No more."

The elf eyed him suspiciously, "You expect my son to follow your ordinances while there is possibly something he can do to stop this madness? If so, you know nothing of Estel."

Gandalf only smiled.

"You mean to give him the mandate, not to become involved, for my sake."

"No, my friend, I would not mislead you so. But as you said before, he is too just in his causes to simply deliver a letter and return without have done anything, useful," Gandalf said.

Elrond, with a heavy sigh, leaned out over the balcony again, "In the way you word it, you make it sound as if you would wish him to become ensnared in this."

Gandalf took the seat Elrond had just vacated, "Nay, of course not, but you have raised him well. The statutes of right and wrong are now ingrained upon his heart. He will not stand idle while innocents are being killed."

Elrond nodded, he stared out at the sweeping autumn touched valley, but the beauty was lost upon him, "Aye, I suppose." He turned to look at Gandalf, "But you understand my reluctance?"

The wizard nodded his head, "Here is a comfort for you. Aragorn will have to come back. Without him, the race of men will be doomed."

The elf stared unbelievingly at the straight-faced Istar, "You would say that that is a comfort to me?"

Gandalf laughed suddenly taking the elven lord by surprise. Elrond could not help but smile, "I will never understand you my old friend."

"I wouldn’t expect you to. Wizards are not meant to be understood, just taken for at their word," Mithrandir rose.

"If only the young would heed that." Elrond let out a long breath, "You spoke of two to take this letter. Who would you suggest?"

"Is it so hard to guess? Who is his closest companion?"

Elrond’s brow furrowed, "But he is an elf, you know of the animosity between Dunlendings and the elves. To send him would be an unneeded danger, not to mention that King Thranduil would most likely object to allowing his son to leave."

"You need not worry about that. I have already spoken with the block headed king," Gandalf scowled. "It is obvious from which side Legolas inherited his stubbornness. But never-the-less, he agreed."

"But what of the…"

Gandalf raised a hand, "I will see to it that Legolas is aware of his danger. He is a prudent elf and will not be given to brash action. That is why he must go with Aragorn, he is young yet, but he is still an elf and will counsel him to patience."

The elven lord turned from the view of the waterfall. He bowed his head, "I will call them."

---

"Get off me!" Elladen pushed himself up off the grassy lawn, sending Aragorn tumbling off his back.

Legolas and Elrohir were lost in a fit of snorting laughter, clutching their sides at Elladen and Aragorn’s antics as they wrestled and generally pummeled each other in rough play. Their romp had taken them rolling through a stream, bumping into rocks and trunks. The result was sodden grass-stained, dirt-ridden half siblings.

Aragorn fell beside Legolas. He watched with a large grin pasted on his face as Elladen, his combatant, pulled himself off the grass. His face was the picture of disgust, as he unsuccessfully tried to brush his fine elvish clothing off.

"You’ve got that feint down pat Estel, got him head first into the stream," congratulated Legolas as he tried to stay his uncontrolled laughter. Both he and Elrohir had tears streaming down their cheeks as their raucous laughter nearly choked them.

Elladen glared at the elven prince, "That was not fair."

"Why are you always complaining about fairness. Father’s told you enough that…"

"…Life isn’t fair. Yadda, yadda, yadda," Elladen finished, with a roll of his eyes, he sat beside Elrohir.

"Well it’s true. Because if life was fair, I would have won that race this morning," Aragorn elbowed Legolas in the ribs hard.

Legolas held up his hands in a defensive gesture, "Now wait, I am not getting dragged into this."

"Dragged into…"

"Estel, Prince Legolas, the lord Elrond would like to speak with you."

Legolas and Aragorn looked up at the sudden appearance of Glorfindel. They glanced at each other, the two twins began to snicker. "Someone’s in trouble," Elrohir whispered.

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow. "Hardly," then turning his attention to the Aragorn and Legolas, he nodded for them to follow.

"Glorfindel, what’s this all about?" queried Aragorn, slightly perturbed.

"You’ll see."

Inside the large house, the elder elf guided them to the closed doorway of Elrond’s personal chambers. Glorfindel knocked once then opened the door for them. As Legolas and Aragorn stepped inside, the door closed quietly behind them. Elrond was standing with his back to them while Gandalf smiled at their appearance, "Ah, good, I am glad that you were not far in finding."

Elrond turned. Aragorn could see that his face was shadowed by some tidings that the wizard had brought. "I see you have been enjoying yourself?" he asked referring to Aragorn’s disheveled state. The scowl did not bode well with Aragorn, whether it was pointedly direct at him or just a result of whatever news, he wasn’t sure.

"I have a favor to ask of you both, and I will not waste time with much explanation. Legolas," he turned to the elf, "You have felt a, foreboding, have you not?"

Legolas nodded, he had spoken to Aragorn of this feeling that had grown during the past month. He had not known at the time of what it prophesied.

"I thought as much. Your fellow elves have felt it also, though not many know of what it speaks. Pardon if I am blunt, but time is an issue. The shadow in the dark lands of Mordor is darkening," Gandalf did not allow them time to let this sink in before he recounted shortly of what he had told Elrond.

After all that was needed to be said had been revealed, Gandalf continued, "The favor I ask of you is to take a letter to this Fasse of Dunland I have told you of."

Elrond stepped forward and spoke for the first time, "But I do not want you to get involved. Do you understand me Estel?" He asked pointedly.

Unlike Legolas, Aragorn missed the amused look that was directed at Elrond from Gandalf. Aragorn narrowed his eyes, "But, Father, we cannot stand back and allow this evil to continue…"

"You will not question me on this, Estel. I will not be there to hold you back from any foolish choices you make, so I can only be firm with you now. What actions you take in Dunland will, unfortunately be up to you. We will speak no more of this." Then turning to the younger elf he said, "Legolas, I could not send you off without your own warning. You may know of the Dunlending’s animosity towards the elven race. If possible, avoid any contact with the people. You would only be stirring a viper’s nest."

Legolas nodded seriously, both to the spoken command and the unspoken mandate to keep the young human out of trouble.

"You will leave immediately," Gandalf continued. He handed a sealed letter to Aragorn, "I am giving the letter to you, Aragorn because you are less of a target. I hate to refer to you Legolas as a target, but if the Dunlendings see you as an elf, they will focus on you." He offered Legolas an apologetic look.

The air was heavy in the room despite the open windows and verandas. Legolas sighed in an effort to lighten the mood and said to Aragorn, "Well, my friend, it appears that I will be missing quite a few more meals now."

It had the desired effect. Aragorn smacked Legolas in the arm, leading only to more playful bickering.

---

Three figures stood in council in the dark room of stone. One, an orc, hideous in shape, bent and wrought with vileness, and the other a man, straight and strong, dark of hair and skin. And one, a man in appearance, robbed in blinding white. The last of these, tall and regal, stood out starkly against the backdrop of black.

"I have received word, from a certain, grey, friend of mine that two, adversaries, will be poking about your land, Chief Borlanon."

"What kind of adversaries my lord," the Dunland chief asked.

"A man and an elf."

The already wrathful features of the Dunlending hardened at the mention of one of the Firstborn. His callused hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.

"I want them, disposed, of."

A nasty grin twisted the mutilated face of the orc while a raw, predatorial gleam crept to the eyes of Borlanon.

"But, do not go about it in your usual manor. I want this done, neatly, meaning no evidence. Use your best assassin. Ghâshronk will work with him." The white figure referred to the orc, "Do not believe this to be a simple task. They will not simply be bumbling messengers." He took a menacing step closer to the two, "I want no mistakes."