Posted: July 2003
Author: Iamme

*********
Chapter Two

Elrond was sitting at his desk going over the latest casualty report when there was a knock on the door. The elf lord looked up at the door wondering what could have happened now.

"Enter!"

An exhausted looking guard came rushing in. "Milord, Glorfindel found Councilor Erestor's horse."

Elrond stood quickly.

"Where is Glorfindel?"

"He is down searching for clues as to what might have happened."

Elrond sprinted down the stairs and out the door. Glorfindel looked at Elrond and then back down, sighing heavily and shaking his head. He walked over and handed Elrond the still sealed letter.

"Where did you find this?" Elrond looked down at the unopened letter.

"It was hidden on his mount. We found him on our way back. We are also still missing a whole party of guards as well; they seem to have vanished in to thin air.”

Elrond pressed his fingers against his temples for a moment before looking back up at his Seneschal.

"Send out a search party. Perhaps we are in luck and he has simply been injured and the guards were delayed for whatever reason. Tighten security, I do not want anymore unexpected disappearances with in our borders."

“Yes, Elrond right away.”

Glorfindel turned and began giving orders, as Elrond turned and walked back inside.

Elrond hurried down the hallway towards his office, his footsteps echoing off of the walls. He wanted to ride out and search for Erestor himself, but he knew it was folly. He tried not to think of the possibility that his friend had been captured. Not so close to home. He was simply out there. He was injured, they would find him and he would be able to heal him and after a few days rest, all would be well once again. But something told him that this one was more and he could not suppress the feeling of dread welling up inside of him.

“By the Valar, not another one." Elrond sighed and slumped into his chair burying his face in his hands. He needed to find sometime away from all this grief and tragedy yet there was no escape anywhere. Right now there was not even time for grief as a knocking commenced almost immediately. Elrond looked up at the red wood door and sighed.

"Enter!"

A messenger bearing the colors of Lorien entered.

"A message from the Lord Celeborn for you, Lord Elrond."

Elrond took the letter, breaking the seal and opening it; there were bloodstains and a hole in it. Just another testimony as to why this war had to end. Elrond read the note, eyes going wide for a moment before scribbling a message and sealing it, quickly standing and rushing past the messenger.

Lindir, Minstrel of Lorien was sitting on a marble bench writing a song as Elrond burst out the door. “Lindir, do you know where Glorfindel is?“

“Yes milord.“ Nodded the minstrel, setting down his lute as Elrond thrust a letter at him urgently.

"Please fetch Glorfindel for me. It is most urgent, give him this when you find him.”

Lindir hurried off to find the Seneschal and Elrond returned to his office pulling out maps and tallies of recent activities.

It was about 30 minutes later when Glorfindel knocked on the door to Elrond’s office.

Elrond looked up at the door, “Enter!”

Glorfindel walked in and had barely managed to get the door shut when Elrond started to speak.

"Lorien and Mirkwood are planning an attack Mor-Gur. We are to meet with them there and one week from yesterday at sunrise, we will attack. We must be swift though. One of the messengers who was on his way to Lorien from Mirkwood was captured. Let us hope he didn't know much."

Glorfindel nodded. "I will have everything ready, M'Lord."

"I have much faith in you, Glorfindel."

The warrior simply nodded before turning for the door. Glorfindel hated saying it but knew they had to acknowledge the truth of the situation.

"You know they most likely have him, right?"

“I know, Glorfindel.“

“Does he have information that can damage us?”

“Very much so, I just hope he can hold out, he will not break easily. I hate to think of what they are doing to him.”

“Shall I try to get him out?”

He hated leaving him there but he was not willing to sacrifice someone else. Elrond just shook his head, knowing the folly of such an action. Glorfindel nodded, knowing how hard the decision had been. He headed out quickly to carry out his lords orders

Elladan ran as fast as his 28 year old elfling legs could carry him to his room, slamming the door behind him as he entered.

"Elrohir!"

Elrohir jumped up, noticing the state of near panic his brother was in. "What is the matter Elladan?"

Elladan took a couple of deep breaths the announced, "Erestor is gone!"

"Yes, I know Elladan, Ada sent him on an errand remember?"

"No! He is gone, they do not know where he is!"

"Are you sure?"

Elladan nodded.

"They think the bad elves have him."

"They can not have Erestor! He's our tutor. Who will teach us? Maybe when they find out he is only a teacher, they will send him back,” replied Elrohir.

Elladan seemed to think on it for a moment.

"Maybe, but what would they want with him anyway? Unless they need history lessons."

"Come on, Elladan, these are big Elves. They already know all that stuff."

"You are right. He should be home soon... I hope."

They both nodded trying to reassure each other, knowing that their logic had to be right
________________________________________________________________________

Erestor had done his best to keep track of time since he had been left in his cramped prison. He didn't know why, though; he had heard that time here seemed to slow to a crawl. That was an understatement. It seemed to stop, leaving him locked in hell. The hell where, if he were lucky, he would die before his sanity left him.

He had seen one elf that had been freed from Mor-Gur. He couldn't remember his name but he remembered the pain in Thranduil's eyes when he had told the story. He had been a Guard for The Lady of Mirkwood. They were on their way to Imladris when they were attacked. The guard had stayed behind to give the rest of the party a chance to escape. The price was his life. After he was freed, he couldn't deal with life any longer. When Thranduil had asked him what he would like as a reward for his loyalty, he had asked for one thing. Death, it was the only way he could be freed from his torment, he had become quite insane from his time here, possibly in this very room, which he now found himself. Thranduil beheaded him himself. He had said that to force someone else to do it would have been a dishonor to the elf. He had served him and he would do what was asked, no matter how hard it might be.

Erestor was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of the door opening. The ominous sound of the squeaking hinges let him know that his time was up. Torches flared to life before he heard the lock click and the door to his prison opened. The torchlight seemed as bright as the noontime sun and he had to shield his tired eyes, as he was dragged out. He was pulled to his feet, which were numb from being in one position to long. His whole body was cramped and he shook from exhaustion that he could do nothing to remedy.

He watched as Morcorban walked in and closed the door; he heard a resounding click letting him know it was locked, the sound of his fate being sealed.

"You look tired, Erestor. If you tell me what I want to know, I will let you get the rest you so deserve." Erestor just stood looking at the dark elf. His eyes were defiant even though they were bloodshot and glazed. Never letting his eyes betray his emotions as he walked towards him, laying his leather-clad hand on his cheek, caressing him as a lover would. Erestor felt sick to his stomach.

"You know the effects of this potion are accumulative. The more you have, the longer it will last. You don't really want that. I have seen what it does and it is not pretty."

"If you care so much for my well being, then you would let me go." It sounded stupid even to him, but he was too tired to be overly witty at the moment. Cold fear curled in his stomach as he watched his inquisitor.

"Ahhhh... I do like you, Erestor. But this is war. We are just causalities of it, are we not?"

"Somehow I doubt that you lose any sleep over this at night, Morcorban."

"True, I no longer have a problem. It wasn't always so. I use to be a good Elf. Before I was needed to do this. But I gave up that part of myself to help this cause. I look forward to the day when I no longer have to listen to the screams of my victims." Erestor looked at him, confused.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You are a counselor, are you not? And you are my next victim, if I do not get what I need. You can keep your pride and honor. Or you can save yourself pain and keep your sanity. Which will it be, Erestor? Will you answer my questions and spare us both from the nightmares that are sure to follow? Once this happens we will always be a part of each other. You will always remember me and I you."
Erestor eyes the dark elf lord before him.

“Do you remember all of your victims?”

Morcorban frowned studying Erestor, “Yes Erestor I do and you will haunt my dreams this night just as surely as I will haunt yours for the rest of your days. So tell me Erestor what is your answer?
Erestor tried to force the lump from his throat, putting on his best look of defiance before answering.

"No."

Morcorban nodded.

"Then let us begin." He motioned to the elves holding Erestor, who quickly draped his chains over a hook in the ceiling, pulling him up till only the tips of his toes touched the cold stone. They put an earthenware cup to his lips as one of Morcorban's elves held his hair to keep him still, the other forcing his jaw open. When the cup was taken away, a bag was pulled over his head, enclosing him in the darkness once again. And then the nightmare began.

Erestor tried to adjust his body to remove just a little of the pressure from his poor wrists, but his body was to weak. He hung there, in the middle of the room, the still cooling sweat causing him to shiver. Tears ran down his face as he cried unashamedly. The bag over his head at least spared him from looking at his tormentor, and for that, he was grateful. Had he been able to see Erestor's eyes, he wouldn't have stopped. He had been so close to giving in. His throat was raw from screaming and his body weakening. He couldn't keep this up much longer. It felt like he had been here for days.

Erestor shivered as he felt a hand brush lightly over his naked back.

"I am going to give you a few minutes, Erestor. I want you to think about what I have asked you. When I come back, I want an answer. I am afraid that if I don't get what I want, then I will have to do something I know will loosen your tongue."

Erestor heard him sitting; he could feel him watching him. His mind was screaming at him to just give in, but he could not. There was too much to lose. But how much more could he stand? Not much, he knew he would give in and it hurt worse than the torture that had been heaped upon his body. He would fight till he could not. Every minute he resisted was another minute in their favor.

Erestor did not hear the approaching elf, only felt as that horrible leather clad hand as it stroked him. Snaking around from his back over his sides, moving slowly over a previously broken rib, it stuck out strangely, as it had healed improperly. Many of his bones would have to be rebroken to make them heal properly. Erestor tried to think on that unpleasant though. It was better than the reality of what was going on. He longed to be back in the cold dark confines from before.

The hand was still touching him everywhere. His muscles clenched and his stomach knotted in fear as the touches started to slide lower touching him in the most forbidden of places. His body began to slowly betray him, as he was lightly touched.

"I want you, Erestor. There is something intriguing about you. It would be so much better than your present situation. If you agree, all you have to do is tell me what I want to know. Then I can have you out of this prison. You'll have all of your needs taken care of: healing, food and water, sleep. Or you can stay here and rot slowly."

"I would rather rot here than grace your bed." Erestor steeled himself for the assault he knew would follow.

"Your body doesn't seem to agree with you. Well, my dear Noldo, suit yourself, I will ask you again in a month and see what you say then."

Suddenly he heard something fly through the air and land with a sharp crack, ripping the flesh on his back. Erestor could not stop the cry that escaped though he tried. It was just too much. Another lash landed, wrenching another cry from his body. He wondered why they always used whips. It was kind of cliché. But it did certainly work. Erestor almost found his thoughts amusing, a first in this hell.

Before he could think more on it, several more lashes fell, leaving his back torn and bloody. He twisted helplessly in the chains, trying to escape but only succeeding in causing the lashes to fall faster. He did not want to do it but before he realized it he was begging for it to end. He could taste the bitterness of failure as the whip fell, still the only sound was Erestor's sobs.

"You will tell me what I want to know then?"

Erestor bowed his head in shame before nodding. The questions came and he answered the ones he knew, which were far too many and yet not enough to save him from a few final attempts to wring every bit of knowledge from him.

Morcorban had left to take the information to his Lord, after having Erestor’s pitiful form dropped to the stone floor. He lay there, sobs wracking his body as he waited for the bastard to return. It seemed like forever that he lay there freezing. When Morcorban walked in, he could immediately sense the anger rolling off the elf.

"It seems you are in luck, Erestor." Came the biting comment. "My Lord has other needs for you. You are going to serve us." Suddenly the bag was lifted and a cup was pressed to his lips. Erestor wanted to fight but, the concoction smelled sweet and he was so thirsty, he couldn't help but swallow it. "I need you alive, Erestor, therefore, I am going to help you forget some of this. It will wear off in time; someday everything I did and all you have said will come rushing back, and you will wonder what you have done to those you care about. But, not before I need it to."

Erestor shook his head trying to disagree with the elf standing over him, tried to lock on to the words that were becoming useless drabble but, his head was spinning and he felt like he was falling. Suddenly he collapsed into unconsciousness.

Morcorban walked over to the table and began to prepare another potion. He then came back with a vial, pouring the contents into Erestor's ear letting it run down. He smiled as his captive whimpered in his sleep. Now he would be able to control Erestor's dreams and he would be able to get the information he needed to strike a painful blow to both Imladris and Lorien. Anger and pain would bring them to their knees. He slowly worked Erestor's mind, implanting images of how he had escaped.

Erestor was taken under the heavy darkness of night and dumped near the border of Imladris. A bloodied sword lay by his side and a broken arrow in his shoulder. He would be a hero and they would turn this unfortunate chain of events in to something beneficial to their cause, he would be remembered in songs telling about his escape and his strength of will for not fading. If only they knew the truth. He sat back smiling, waiting, knowing everything was falling neatly into place. Soon they would have the information, the war would be over, and Imladris and Erestor would all be his.

---

Chapter 3

Gildor was headed to Imladris from Mirkwood with an important letter for Elrond. He had ridden hard for over three days with no rest and it was starting to wear on him. That is why he thought he was seeing things at first as he saw the crumpled form curled up on the ground. Then it suddenly registered that the form was breathing. Coming to a halt, he jumped down, striding quickly over to the being laying on the ground. Gently he turned him over, gasping as he saw his friend lying there.

“Erestor? What are you doing out here. What has happened to you?”

Knowing he would get no answer from the unconscious elf, he lifted him gently as possible to his mount, trying to hold him still as he sat behind him. Gildor rode swiftly, occasionally pushing the stray wafts of his blond hair out of his face. He tried to take the easiest path, as it was obvious that Erestor was still in terrible pain. It was past noon when they rode up to the Last Homely House. As he had ridden in, a soldier went to stop him but then a shocked look crossed his face seeing Erestor and he quickly waved him on

Elrond was outside talking to Golradir about the best way to defend Imladris should anyone be insane enough to attack their inner defenses. He rushed over to Gildor, seeing he had an injured elf with him. It took a moment to register who it was he was helping and Elrond could not help but to stare in shock. Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to ask any questions as Erestor started screaming and struggling while they tried to help him. He was still asleep, and Elrond was afraid of him hurting himself worse. He did the only thing he could and tried to rouse the dreaming elf.

“Erestor! Wake my friend, you are safe now.”

Erestor’s eyes finally opened, staring at Elrond in disbelief. “Elrond?”

“It is I, Gildor found you, you are home now. We are going to take care of you.”

Erestor nodded, trying not to cry out as they carried him inside.

In all the excitement, they had missed the face peering out the upstairs window, watching as tears streamed down his face. Erestor’s cries had woke Elladan from his nap and he had made sure not to wake his brother as he moved toward the window, but now it didn’t matter. All he cared about was seeing his tutor. He ran to the door, and throwing it open, made his way hurriedly to the healing wing. In his haste and blinded by tears, he failed to notice Glorfindel, until he ran in to him. Glorfindel picked him up and wiped his tears away.

“What is wrong peneth? And where are you headed in such a hurry?
Elladan wiped his nose on his sleeve, taking a sobbing breath.

“Ere..Erestor.. i..is back and he..he is hurt.. I..I want..want to see him.

“I know, Elladan, but you cannot see him now. Your father is taking care of him, and it would be better if you were to see him later.”

The poor elfling had started to hiccup from crying so hard, making it hard for him as he tried to speak. “But I.. *Hiccup* I was cheeky with him the.. *Hiccup* last time he was teach.. *Hiccup* teaching us. The day before he…” Glorfindel put a finger to his lips silencing him, before picking him up.

“What happened to Erestor is not your fault. It is because there are people who are not very nice. Do you understand?” Glorfindel looked at him with sympathetic eyes as he carried him towards his mother’s room. He really was too big to be carried but it was comforting, and at that moment, he did not care what anyone passing by would think of his tears or the sight of him being carried by the Balrog slayer.

Finally, they reached their destination, and Glorfindel knocked on the door.

“Enter!”

His mother’s voice rang sweetly from the other side. As they entered, Celebrìan stood, seeing the tear stained face of her son. Glorfindel shook his head as she started to ask what had happened. He handed Elladan a glass of water to help with his hiccups, before pulling the Lady out in to the hall. He whispered to avoid Elladan from over hearing.

“Erestor was found by Gildor. I was on my way to tell you when I ran in to Elladan. Elrond didn’t want him to know yet, but it appears he found out somehow. He was on his way to the healing wing, it would not be good for him to see Erestor the way he is.

Celebrìan nodded in understanding. “I agree. He still has a crush on Erestor and it would shatter him to see him if he is hurt.”

Glorfindel nodded, “I know. Tell him I will take him to see Erestor as soon as he is well enough.”

“I will.” And with that, she turned and headed back inside, to comfort her son.

Glorfindel had made his way to the healing wing, where Gildor met him.

“I am sorry to interrupt you, Lord Glorfindel, but I need to deliver this message.” He handed Glorfindel the letter.

Breaking open the royal seal of Mirkwood, he began to read it, as Elrond would be busy for quite sometime. “Oh no! This can’t be true.”

Gildor nodded a tired sadness taking over his features. “It is.”

Glorfindel ran a shaking hand through his hair. “I will speak with Elrond and see what we can do. Go get some rest; you look like you haven’t slept in a week.” Slowly, the messenger turned and headed for his chambers that were always kept open for him and Glorfindel headed in to the healing room.

He stood there watching his Lord take care of Erestor, trying to delay the message. As if not saying it would not make it not true. Finally, he cleared his throat and in a shaking voice. “Lord Elrond, I have just read a message from Lord Thranduil.”

Elrond didn’t like the hesitation and sorrow he heard in the voice of his Seneschal. “What did he have to say?”

“He will not be able to command his part of the offensive we had planned. Apparently the Lady of Mirkwood was assassinated in her sleep a week ago. He will be sending one of his advisors, but as you can understand, his whole family is in mourning.”

Elrond nodded, swallowing hard. “I will write a reply as soon as I am finished.” Glorfindel nodded and turned for the door. “And Glorfindel.”

“Yes M’lord?”

“Send someone to watch over my wife.”

Glorfindel nodded. “Of course, M’lord.

And with that, Glorfindel hurried out to carry out his orders.

It was about an hour later that Elladan found himself sitting across a table from Elrohir, eating apples and honey biscuits while playing with their little wooden wardens. They had been a gift from their Attar on their 25th begetting day. On a normal day, it was one of Elladan’s favorite toys, but he just couldn’t shake the pained cries of Erestor. He hadn’t been close enough to see his injuries, save for an arrow wound. Elrohir kept trying to reassure him, but it wasn’t working.

“Look, Elladan, we both know that Ada can fix everything. I am sure that Erestor will be just fine.”

Elladan frowned, “You don’t understand, Elrohir, he is hurt really bad. Glorfindel wouldn’t let me see him.”

“You are only this worried because you like him like Ada likes Amme.”

Elladan looked up rage in his eyes looking like a miniature version of an angry version of Elrond.

“You take that back!!” He yelled, pointing a finger at his brother.

“Or what?” asked Elrohir, sure his brother wouldn’t do anything, when suddenly Elladan’s fist hit him in the nose, knocking him backwards. As soon as Elladan had done so, he jumped up and ran over to check on his brother, who had blood running down his face.

“I am sorry, Ro! I didn’t mean it!!!”

He helped his brother up to his feet. Elrohir looked at how upset his brother appeared to be and nodded. “I know. I am sorry I said what I did.” Elladan handed his brother a cloth to hold on his nose.

It was certainly not the first time they had covered up a fight between themselves. They were actually getting to be quite good at it. They agreed to try to behave themselves and sat down to finish their homework that Glorfindel would want to see in the morning. He was filling in for Erestor since he had been gone. Now both of the twins could not wait to have him back. Glorfindel had become too serious as of late. Even the Balrog Slayer couldn’t make all of elvish history interesting, and Erestor was better at explaining it to them. Apparently, he had had much experience when he had to teach their uncle Elros. They had even heard Erestor tell their Ada that they were easier to teach than he and his brother, and they planned to make life easier on Erestor when he returned.

It took several hours before Elrond finally finished working on Erestor. His Counselor should have been dead. Erestor had woken up once and they talked for a while before he would drink the tea to put him to back to sleep. Elrond had learned that Erestor did not remember everything that had happened and Elrond was grateful for it; he did not want to think about what his advisor had been through. He didn’t know what kept him here, but what ever it was, he was thankful for it. He was tired of losing friends and family. His thoughts were interrupted as the sleeping herbs started wearing off. Elrond sighed as he moved to hold down the injured elf as his mind was again wracked by the nightmares, causing him to struggle against unseen enemies. “Erestor, wake up!!” Once again tired eyes opened, taking a moment to focus on the face of his Lord, who reached over and picked up a cup and handed it to his patient, who refused to take it. “ We have been through this Erestor, you need rest.”

“I do not want to sleep, the nightmares….”

Elrond set the cup aside sighing; he couldn’t force him to drink it. “Just, do not get any ideas about leaving this bed.”

Erestor nodded.

“If the pain gets to be too much, and you change your mind, call for me and I will give you something for it. I wish I could stay but it is late and I am afraid I have a lot of things to take care of on the morrow.”

Once again, he nodded in understanding and closed his eyes, focusing on how nice it was to lay in a real bed with a pillow. He heard the door close, jumping as Elrond left. He tried not to think on the fact that he was actually afraid to be alone, how silly, he was a grown elf. He knew he had been through a lot but he did not really remember it. There was pain, and he remembered running. Mostly what he felt was guilt, but he could not remember why. Suddenly he heard the door open almost silently, causing his eyes to fly open. He swallowed his heart back down, seeing the rumpled elfling standing in the doorway with a stuffed horse.

“Elladan? What are you doing here?” He watched the youngster pad over to him waiting for an answer. “You should be sleeping.” He was not about to admit it but it was somewhat comforting to have the company, even that of an elfling.

Elladan held out the horse for him. “I thought you might be lonely so, I brought you something to keep you company.”

Taking the horse carefully, smiling for the first time in forever. “Thank you Elladan.”

Trying not to move too much, he placed it next to his pillow and patted the bed next to him. Elladan slowly climbed up in to the bed, carefully trying not to add anymore to the obvious pain of his tutor, as a silent tear slips down the boys face. Seeing the tears, Erestor quietly questioned his young charge.

“Why are you crying, Elladan?”

“Because even though Glorfindel says it is not my fault that you got hurt, I still feel like if I had not misbehaved, then maybe it would not have happened.”

“Do not cry young one. Glorfindel is right. There is nothing you could have done differently to change what has happened.”

Elladan sat up, doing his best to stop his tears. “Well, then I will watch over you to make sure it does not happen again.”

Erestor ran his fingers through the boy’s hair admiringly. “You, are very brave, Elladan, now lay down. I cannot sleep so let me watch over you while you rest. I am sure you have studies to attend to in the morning.” Pulling Elladan’s head down to his shoulder gently, settling the child against his side, Erestor listened to the soon rhythmic breathing of the sleeping elfling, never quite finding sleep himself.

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