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Sorry for the delay, I'm trying to spread out posting so when I run out of chapters the delay won't be too bad while I write! At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Enjoy!
Away with You - Chapter 4
Elladan dropped to his knees by the edge of the shaft, Elrohir next to him.
“Norin! Rundin!” He called out to the dwarves, hoping that they might somehow be alive. There was no reply. He cast a worried look at his twin and scooted forward further. “Can you hear me? “Norin! Rundin!” There was only silence.
Elrohir shook his head in denial. He couldn’t believe that they were dead, not after all the dwarves and Norin in particular, had done for them. He wrapped his arm round Elladan who slumped miserably into his embrace.
“It’s not fair.” He whispered, burying his head in his twin’s shoulder.
“I know.” Elrohir replied and held his brother close.
“Damnit!” Lîm cried. “Damnit all!” She moved forward to usher the twins away and almost drowned out the faint cry.
“Help! Help us!” Two pairs of sharp elven ears picked up the faint cry and Elladan leaned over the shaft once more.
“Rundin! Where are you? Where’s Norin?” He called out, his heart beating fast.
“We’re stuck about halfway down!” Rundin called. “Norin is hurt, he’s unconscious!”
Elladan cursed quietly, this wasn’t going to be easy.
“Just hold on!” He shouted back. “We’ll get you out!” He sat back and turned to face Elrohir. “But how?”
Lîm came over and peered down. “We can’t dig them out. The whole thing will collapse.”
“We can’t just leave them there!” Elladan cried.
“I was suggesting no such thing.” Lîm replied. “But we will have to find another way of freeing them.” She sighed. “If only we could get down there. But the opening hole isn’t wide enough.”
The twins exchanged looks. Though the hole was too small for the heavily-built dwarves, it was just big enough for their slender elven frames. Elladan turned to Lîm.
“I need rope.”
She frowned, but motioned to one of the other miners who uncoiled a length from around his waist. He handed it to Elladan who tied one end round his waist and handed the other end to his twin.
“Be careful.” Elrohir said, worry creeping into his voice.
“I will be.” Elladan pressed a gentle kiss to his twin’s lips and then moved to the edge of the hole. Carefully he slipped inside and down into the darkness below. He quickly examined the hole from underneath and began to push at a large rock, solid from the top but weaker from his position. If he could move it, then the hole might just be big enough to get Norin and Rundin through. Placing his legs on the wall he pushed against the rock, willing it to move. He felt his muscles protest, as an elf he was not built for such things. But he kept going, unwilling to give up on his friends.
Suddenly the rock moved, not a lot, but enough for the dwarves above to get a grip and remove it.
“That should make it wide enough!” Lîm called, pleased.
“Good!” Elladan called back. “I’m going to get them.” Without another word he descended down the shaft.
Darkness seemed to consume him as he went further down. He was eternally thankful for his elven glow; it provided just enough light to stave off panic.
“Rundin!” He called out. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes!” Came the reply. “You sound so close!”
“I think I am! I should be with you in a moment!” He continued to ease himself down, ignoring the sharp rocks digging into his hands.
Just a few minutes later, when he was beginning to fear the rope would not be long enough, he dropped lightly into a tiny hollow where he found Rundin cradling an unconscious Norin in his arms.
“How is he doing?” He asked, looking with concern at the bleeding head wound and the arm held at an odd angle. Rundin shook his head rather slowly and Elladan noticed that the young dwarf’s ankle was very swollen. He was also in pain.
“Not good. I can’t get him to wake up.”
That greatly worried Elladan, but there was nothing he could do while they remained trapped.
“We managed to move one of the rocks at the top, it should be wide enough now. You will go up first, I will follow with Norin.” He quickly tied the rope around the younger dwarf’s waist. “Try to keep any pressure off that ankle if you can. The shaft isn’t very wide, you should be able to lean on the other side.” Rundin nodded and carefully stood.
“Thank you.” He said. Elladan smiled.
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get out of here.”
Elladan called out and a moment later Rundin started his assent, aided by Elrohir and several dwarves. He watched until the dwarf was out of sight then listened until he heard what he’d been waiting for – Elrohir’s cry of “Safe!”
As soon as he heard it he called for the rope again and hoisted Norin on to his back. He knew it was going to be a tight fit getting them both up there and fervently hoped that they wouldn’t get stuck.
He tied the rope around himself and began to slowly pull them both up. He was grateful for the assistance at the other end.
It was slow going, there was almost no room to move and he feared causing Norin further injury. Several times he pressed himself against the rocks rather than injure the dwarf, causing several nasty lacerations on his face and arms. He never stopped though, wishing to get himself and his companion out of the darkness as soon as possible.
It was with great relief that he finally saw the flicker of torchlight, indicating that he was approaching the top. Norin’s weight was becoming unbearable.
Minutes later, though it seemed an eternity to Elladan, gentle hands were lifting Norin from his back. He smiled and reached out for Elrohir’s proffered hand.
Their fingertips had barely touched when the rock beneath Elladan’s feet suddenly gave way.
Elrohir screamed and tried to grip Elladan’s hand, but in vain. The elder twin noted his brother’s terrified face before a blow to the head sent him into darkness.
******************
The first sensation was pain, all over his body from the pounding in his head to the throbbing in his right foot. He groaned and tried to open his eyes, more than a little startled to find that they had been closed.
“Elladan?” The shaky, hopeful voice brought him to full awareness.
“Elrohir?” His own voice came out cracked and dry as he turned his head to look at his twin.
Elrohir could not stop the tears that began to fall.
“Oh, thank the Valar!” He cried. “Oh Elladan, I was so worried.” He took a long breath to steady himself. “I thought I’d lost you.” His voice had dropped to a whisper, but Elladan could sense his twin’s overwhelming fear. He was a little confused though.
“What happened?”
Elrohir looked shocked.
“Do you not remember? The shaft collapsed as we tried to pull you out! You’ve been unconscious for three days.”
Memories slowly returned as Elladan cleared his cloudy mind.
“Three days? Ai, I’m sorry, I had no idea.” He smiled. “But I’m fine now.” He looked down; saw the bandages that covered much of his body. “Or I will be.”
Elrohir nodded, better now that Elladan was awake. The past three days had been a living nightmare.
“Yes, you will be. Your right leg is broken in two places, your left wrist is badly sprained and you have a concussion as well as dozens of cuts and bruises but you were actually quite lucky.”
“Ai, I am.” Elladan murmured with a smile. He reached out with his good hand and pulled Elrohir into a tender kiss.
Elrohir responded eagerly, taking comfort from the kiss, an assurance that Elladan was back and would heal. Then he pulled away, ignoring the indignant look on Elladan’s face.
“I can not risk doing you further injury. You must rest.” He said when Elladan went to argue.
Elladan grumbled under his breath but stopped as he saw Elrohir’s hands, both covered in bandages. He gave a small cry and gently took the injured hands in his.
“Elrohir! What happened?”
“He tried to dig you out with his bare hands.”
The twins turned to see Rundin limping into the room, supported by a cane.
“Rundin!” Elladan smiled. “How are you, how is Norin?”
The dwarf grinned and sat on a chair near the bed.
“I’m doing just fine. Norin is too; apart from that blow to the head and a broken arm he was uninjured. You saved our lives, I can never thank you enough.”
“You are welcome.” Elladan replied, before turning to his twin. “But what is this I hear about you digging me out with your bare hands?”
Elrohir looked abashed and did not answer, so Rundin spoke instead.
“When that shaft collapsed taking you down with it, he went berserk and tried to get you out. We had to drag him away and sedate him, but he’d already torn his hands on the rocks.”
Elladan looked sadly at his twin and pulled him close again.
“Oh, my brother. I am so sorry.” He realised just how Elrohir must have felt, knew he would have done the same if their positions had been reversed. The thought of losing his twin was unbearable.
Elrohir wrapped his arms around Elladan’s neck.
“It’s alright.” He mumbled into his twin’s hair. “Just heal now.”
Elladan rubbed Elrohir’s back with his good hand, making Elrohir relax, the soft caress gradually becoming more intimate.
Rundin smiled and got up, leaving as quietly as he could. Let them have their time together. Aulë knew they’d earned it.
**************************
Elladan’s recovery was slower than it should have been, due in part to the lack of exposure to fresh air that was such a big part of the lives of elves. He was a terrible patient, despite trying to behave himself for the dwarves. His long-suffering twin threatened to sedate him several times and slipped sleeping herbs into his tea on more than one occasion.
It was almost two months until Elladan was fully recovered. In the latter stages of his recuperation the dwarves had been able to let him outside again and this had helped a great deal.
It was shortly after this that the twins heard the news they’d been waiting for. Elven patrols on both sides of the Misty Mountains had significantly decreased.
The brothers had initially been shocked to discover that their father had realised that they would try to cross the mountains and had contacted Lórien. Had they not fallen in with the dwarves they would almost certainly have been caught.
Now however it seemed that the search had been called off. They were free to leave Moria and make their way in the world.
So it was that after the long trek through the mountains, they stood at the gate; bidding farewell to those that had become steadfast friends.
“I do not know how we can ever repay you.” Elrohir said. “If not for you our future would be dark indeed.” He reached out and squeezed Norin’s shoulder. “We will never forget what you have done.”
“It was our pleasure.” Norin said. “I hope that one day our peoples can be united as we have proven they can be.”
“That is our wish as well.” Elladan replied. He looked over his friends once more, Norin, Rundin, Bifur, Lîm and Bror. In his heart, he knew he would never see them again.
“I wish that we had something to give you, as a token of our gratitude.” He said.
“It is of no importance.” Rundin replied with a grin. “But we have something for you.” At the twin’s shocked looks, Bror stepped forward and pulled a long package from under his cloak. He unwrapped it to reveal two mithril swords with jewel-encrusted hilts. He gave the one with sapphires to Elladan; to Elrohir he gave the one with emeralds.
“We cannot accept these!” Elrohir cried. “They are far too splendid!”
“It is our wish that you have them.” Norin said. “Despite what you may think, you have given us much. Rundin and I both live because of you. Please take them and may the blades serve you well in the path your lives will follow.”
Both twins were touched beyond words. They gratefully accepted the gifts and bestowed tight hugs on the surprised dwarves.
It was with heavy hearts that they turned away; leaving the place that had become so dear to them to start another chapter in their ever-changing lives.
END CHAPTER 4
Enjoy!
Away with You - Chapter 4
Elladan dropped to his knees by the edge of the shaft, Elrohir next to him.
“Norin! Rundin!” He called out to the dwarves, hoping that they might somehow be alive. There was no reply. He cast a worried look at his twin and scooted forward further. “Can you hear me? “Norin! Rundin!” There was only silence.
Elrohir shook his head in denial. He couldn’t believe that they were dead, not after all the dwarves and Norin in particular, had done for them. He wrapped his arm round Elladan who slumped miserably into his embrace.
“It’s not fair.” He whispered, burying his head in his twin’s shoulder.
“I know.” Elrohir replied and held his brother close.
“Damnit!” Lîm cried. “Damnit all!” She moved forward to usher the twins away and almost drowned out the faint cry.
“Help! Help us!” Two pairs of sharp elven ears picked up the faint cry and Elladan leaned over the shaft once more.
“Rundin! Where are you? Where’s Norin?” He called out, his heart beating fast.
“We’re stuck about halfway down!” Rundin called. “Norin is hurt, he’s unconscious!”
Elladan cursed quietly, this wasn’t going to be easy.
“Just hold on!” He shouted back. “We’ll get you out!” He sat back and turned to face Elrohir. “But how?”
Lîm came over and peered down. “We can’t dig them out. The whole thing will collapse.”
“We can’t just leave them there!” Elladan cried.
“I was suggesting no such thing.” Lîm replied. “But we will have to find another way of freeing them.” She sighed. “If only we could get down there. But the opening hole isn’t wide enough.”
The twins exchanged looks. Though the hole was too small for the heavily-built dwarves, it was just big enough for their slender elven frames. Elladan turned to Lîm.
“I need rope.”
She frowned, but motioned to one of the other miners who uncoiled a length from around his waist. He handed it to Elladan who tied one end round his waist and handed the other end to his twin.
“Be careful.” Elrohir said, worry creeping into his voice.
“I will be.” Elladan pressed a gentle kiss to his twin’s lips and then moved to the edge of the hole. Carefully he slipped inside and down into the darkness below. He quickly examined the hole from underneath and began to push at a large rock, solid from the top but weaker from his position. If he could move it, then the hole might just be big enough to get Norin and Rundin through. Placing his legs on the wall he pushed against the rock, willing it to move. He felt his muscles protest, as an elf he was not built for such things. But he kept going, unwilling to give up on his friends.
Suddenly the rock moved, not a lot, but enough for the dwarves above to get a grip and remove it.
“That should make it wide enough!” Lîm called, pleased.
“Good!” Elladan called back. “I’m going to get them.” Without another word he descended down the shaft.
Darkness seemed to consume him as he went further down. He was eternally thankful for his elven glow; it provided just enough light to stave off panic.
“Rundin!” He called out. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes!” Came the reply. “You sound so close!”
“I think I am! I should be with you in a moment!” He continued to ease himself down, ignoring the sharp rocks digging into his hands.
Just a few minutes later, when he was beginning to fear the rope would not be long enough, he dropped lightly into a tiny hollow where he found Rundin cradling an unconscious Norin in his arms.
“How is he doing?” He asked, looking with concern at the bleeding head wound and the arm held at an odd angle. Rundin shook his head rather slowly and Elladan noticed that the young dwarf’s ankle was very swollen. He was also in pain.
“Not good. I can’t get him to wake up.”
That greatly worried Elladan, but there was nothing he could do while they remained trapped.
“We managed to move one of the rocks at the top, it should be wide enough now. You will go up first, I will follow with Norin.” He quickly tied the rope around the younger dwarf’s waist. “Try to keep any pressure off that ankle if you can. The shaft isn’t very wide, you should be able to lean on the other side.” Rundin nodded and carefully stood.
“Thank you.” He said. Elladan smiled.
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get out of here.”
Elladan called out and a moment later Rundin started his assent, aided by Elrohir and several dwarves. He watched until the dwarf was out of sight then listened until he heard what he’d been waiting for – Elrohir’s cry of “Safe!”
As soon as he heard it he called for the rope again and hoisted Norin on to his back. He knew it was going to be a tight fit getting them both up there and fervently hoped that they wouldn’t get stuck.
He tied the rope around himself and began to slowly pull them both up. He was grateful for the assistance at the other end.
It was slow going, there was almost no room to move and he feared causing Norin further injury. Several times he pressed himself against the rocks rather than injure the dwarf, causing several nasty lacerations on his face and arms. He never stopped though, wishing to get himself and his companion out of the darkness as soon as possible.
It was with great relief that he finally saw the flicker of torchlight, indicating that he was approaching the top. Norin’s weight was becoming unbearable.
Minutes later, though it seemed an eternity to Elladan, gentle hands were lifting Norin from his back. He smiled and reached out for Elrohir’s proffered hand.
Their fingertips had barely touched when the rock beneath Elladan’s feet suddenly gave way.
Elrohir screamed and tried to grip Elladan’s hand, but in vain. The elder twin noted his brother’s terrified face before a blow to the head sent him into darkness.
******************
The first sensation was pain, all over his body from the pounding in his head to the throbbing in his right foot. He groaned and tried to open his eyes, more than a little startled to find that they had been closed.
“Elladan?” The shaky, hopeful voice brought him to full awareness.
“Elrohir?” His own voice came out cracked and dry as he turned his head to look at his twin.
Elrohir could not stop the tears that began to fall.
“Oh, thank the Valar!” He cried. “Oh Elladan, I was so worried.” He took a long breath to steady himself. “I thought I’d lost you.” His voice had dropped to a whisper, but Elladan could sense his twin’s overwhelming fear. He was a little confused though.
“What happened?”
Elrohir looked shocked.
“Do you not remember? The shaft collapsed as we tried to pull you out! You’ve been unconscious for three days.”
Memories slowly returned as Elladan cleared his cloudy mind.
“Three days? Ai, I’m sorry, I had no idea.” He smiled. “But I’m fine now.” He looked down; saw the bandages that covered much of his body. “Or I will be.”
Elrohir nodded, better now that Elladan was awake. The past three days had been a living nightmare.
“Yes, you will be. Your right leg is broken in two places, your left wrist is badly sprained and you have a concussion as well as dozens of cuts and bruises but you were actually quite lucky.”
“Ai, I am.” Elladan murmured with a smile. He reached out with his good hand and pulled Elrohir into a tender kiss.
Elrohir responded eagerly, taking comfort from the kiss, an assurance that Elladan was back and would heal. Then he pulled away, ignoring the indignant look on Elladan’s face.
“I can not risk doing you further injury. You must rest.” He said when Elladan went to argue.
Elladan grumbled under his breath but stopped as he saw Elrohir’s hands, both covered in bandages. He gave a small cry and gently took the injured hands in his.
“Elrohir! What happened?”
“He tried to dig you out with his bare hands.”
The twins turned to see Rundin limping into the room, supported by a cane.
“Rundin!” Elladan smiled. “How are you, how is Norin?”
The dwarf grinned and sat on a chair near the bed.
“I’m doing just fine. Norin is too; apart from that blow to the head and a broken arm he was uninjured. You saved our lives, I can never thank you enough.”
“You are welcome.” Elladan replied, before turning to his twin. “But what is this I hear about you digging me out with your bare hands?”
Elrohir looked abashed and did not answer, so Rundin spoke instead.
“When that shaft collapsed taking you down with it, he went berserk and tried to get you out. We had to drag him away and sedate him, but he’d already torn his hands on the rocks.”
Elladan looked sadly at his twin and pulled him close again.
“Oh, my brother. I am so sorry.” He realised just how Elrohir must have felt, knew he would have done the same if their positions had been reversed. The thought of losing his twin was unbearable.
Elrohir wrapped his arms around Elladan’s neck.
“It’s alright.” He mumbled into his twin’s hair. “Just heal now.”
Elladan rubbed Elrohir’s back with his good hand, making Elrohir relax, the soft caress gradually becoming more intimate.
Rundin smiled and got up, leaving as quietly as he could. Let them have their time together. Aulë knew they’d earned it.
**************************
Elladan’s recovery was slower than it should have been, due in part to the lack of exposure to fresh air that was such a big part of the lives of elves. He was a terrible patient, despite trying to behave himself for the dwarves. His long-suffering twin threatened to sedate him several times and slipped sleeping herbs into his tea on more than one occasion.
It was almost two months until Elladan was fully recovered. In the latter stages of his recuperation the dwarves had been able to let him outside again and this had helped a great deal.
It was shortly after this that the twins heard the news they’d been waiting for. Elven patrols on both sides of the Misty Mountains had significantly decreased.
The brothers had initially been shocked to discover that their father had realised that they would try to cross the mountains and had contacted Lórien. Had they not fallen in with the dwarves they would almost certainly have been caught.
Now however it seemed that the search had been called off. They were free to leave Moria and make their way in the world.
So it was that after the long trek through the mountains, they stood at the gate; bidding farewell to those that had become steadfast friends.
“I do not know how we can ever repay you.” Elrohir said. “If not for you our future would be dark indeed.” He reached out and squeezed Norin’s shoulder. “We will never forget what you have done.”
“It was our pleasure.” Norin said. “I hope that one day our peoples can be united as we have proven they can be.”
“That is our wish as well.” Elladan replied. He looked over his friends once more, Norin, Rundin, Bifur, Lîm and Bror. In his heart, he knew he would never see them again.
“I wish that we had something to give you, as a token of our gratitude.” He said.
“It is of no importance.” Rundin replied with a grin. “But we have something for you.” At the twin’s shocked looks, Bror stepped forward and pulled a long package from under his cloak. He unwrapped it to reveal two mithril swords with jewel-encrusted hilts. He gave the one with sapphires to Elladan; to Elrohir he gave the one with emeralds.
“We cannot accept these!” Elrohir cried. “They are far too splendid!”
“It is our wish that you have them.” Norin said. “Despite what you may think, you have given us much. Rundin and I both live because of you. Please take them and may the blades serve you well in the path your lives will follow.”
Both twins were touched beyond words. They gratefully accepted the gifts and bestowed tight hugs on the surprised dwarves.
It was with heavy hearts that they turned away; leaving the place that had become so dear to them to start another chapter in their ever-changing lives.
END CHAPTER 4
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 12:38 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-02-27 02:22 am (UTC)From:Yeah, Elladan's just fine... for now... heehee!
no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 03:46 am (UTC)From:*dashes off to finish bloody project that's eating up his out-of-class time -- all of it*
Punisher
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Date: 2005-02-24 07:57 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 11:41 pm (UTC)From:*Lots of hugs*
(Sorry, wrong LJ!)
no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 07:57 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-02-27 02:22 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 02:11 pm (UTC)From:Love this,
PeeK
no subject
Date: 2005-02-27 02:25 am (UTC)From:I've loved the dwarves and am sad to see the twins leave Moria, but I had to move the story on!
As for the possible loss... heehee no comment!
More soon!
no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 08:20 pm (UTC)From:*is an angst h0r*
no subject
Date: 2005-02-27 02:26 am (UTC)From:I *will* review your fic, I promise!
no subject
Date: 2005-02-26 08:44 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-02-27 02:27 am (UTC)From: