To Rescue An Elf
Part 21
Posted: February 15, 2008
Title: To Rescue an Elf
Author: Inwë Sáralondë
Summary: The elves continue their search.
*****
Startled, yet still rhythmically chewing grass, the two goats looked up as the group of elves thundered past on their horses, leaving clouds of dust in their wake.
A mare and her foal were the next to see the elves pass, followed by a crow who cawed in indignation as they came too close to his roosting spot on the top rail of the fence, flapping his wings to keep his balance.
The elves were oblivious to their surrounds; their only goal was to catch up with slavers and Lothvaen. They pursued relentlessly, relying on the information they had received some days ago from the farmer, though they had not crossed paths with any other humans since then to provide further confirmation. Occasionally the falcon would return to Glorfindel, seemingly communicating something to the seneschal before flying off again, and always heading south.
The twins especially were bemused by this. They had never seen the falcon before, and certainly not with Glorfindel, so how the two came together was a mystery to them, but not as much a mystery as to how Glorfindel managed to communicate with the bird. And when the twins tried to ask him, the warrior merely smiled, leaving them even more puzzled.
Yet, despite their heading steadily south, there was no sign of their quarry. Haldir was becoming more than frustrated, for he sensed in the still tenuous connection he had with Lothvaen that his little scribe was withdrawing into himself, with less and less of his emotions flowing through. They were well into Rohan now, and were coming close to the border with Gondor. The elves knew they had precious little time to find Lothvaen: the further south he travelled with the slavers, the more difficult it was going to become for the elves, for they would soon be heading into enemy territory. So it was becoming imperative that Lothvaen be found sooner rather than later.
Haldir reined in his horse. The others did the same, and they silently surveyed the land before them.
“Mayhap one of us should ride ahead to Minas Tirith and see if there had been any sight of a dark-haired elf with two men,” Rúmil said, looking at his brother.
“Providing they travelled towards Minas Tirith in the first place,” Elladan countered. “My suggestion would be to try Osgiliath first; ‘twould be easier for the men to go through there.”
“I do not think the slavers would be so foolish to go to either,” Glorfindel said. “There would be too many people who would readily remember seeing an elf with two men. Elves are a rare sight in these troubled times this far south.”
“They could just as easily disguise him in some way,” Haldir said quietly. “I think it will be more down to luck than anything else now.”
“And they will need to replenish their supplies at some point,” Elladan pointed out. “They may think that by going to a city such as Osgiliath that they will blend in more easily as there are more people about, especially if they do disguise Lothvaen.”
“We *will* find him, tôren, I am sure of this.” Rúmil’s voice was emphatic. “Surely you do not give up hope?”
Haldir turned his gaze to Rúmil, his eyes hard. “Never,” he avowed. “Not while I can sense that Lothvaen is still alive. And I know he is, for I feel it in my heart.”
“The slavers will not kill him,” Elrohir said. “He is too valuable. However, we can not afford to tarry for too much longer, for I fear that what Haldir says is true – that we will need to rely on luck.”
“Nevertheless, we can stop off in Osgiliath, even if it is for supplies ourselves. But it would not hurt to ask any questions – there may be some who may have seen something on their travels,” Elladan said. “Despite the shadow that grows from Mordor, there are still many who travel to Osgiliath. Mayhap luck will be with us.”
“Agreed,” Glorfindel said, spurring Asfaloth into a canter, and the other elves followed in kind.
*****
Elvish translations:
tôren – my brother
*****
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