Ch 13 Aftermath

As the six were exiting the cave, they could hear a deep rumbling sound. There was a sharp CRACK, and a plume of dust was rolling down the hall.

Legolas had Aragorn, holding him by the waist, and assisting him to walk. Aragorn was trying to walk, but with little success. The strain of the fighting and his wound had taken their toll.

Finally, all were clear of the cave. As they looked back, the ground trembled, and the rocks tumbled down the mountainside, burying forever the entrance. Even the vines were gone, crushed beneath the rubble.

The horses came at their masters’ bidding. Legolas took Aragorn with him on his steed.

“Lean against me, mellon nin. Rest, we will be at camp before you know it,” whispered Legolas into Aragorn’s ear. The young man too exhausted and in pain to speak, merely nodded.

At last, they reached their camp in the hidden glen. Elladan helped Aragorn to dismount, then tenderly laid him on the bedroll Glorfindel had put down.

Elrohir, in the meantime, had gotten a small pot of water and was heating it over the fire. Elrond then retrieved some athelas leaves, crushed them, and added them to the water.

The sweet smell drifted through the glen, soothing pain and easing their weariness.

Supper was hurriedly prepared and eaten. Soon, all were ready for sleep.

Elrond looked at the younger elves and his foster son with compassion and love. “You have acquitted yourselves very well ions nin. I have not fought alongside such admirable and unselfish warriors as I have this day. You have made me glad to have you as my sons, all of you. Glorfindel, mellon nin, it was as of old to draw swords with you again. Diola lle. Now, rest. We will be staying for a few days, until Estel has healed enough to ride. As we will be here for a while, there is one promise I must keep, and that is to tell you the story behind rúdh.”

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow at Elrond’s words, but said nothing to gainsay him. He sighed; knowing the twins especially would be teasing him about it after hearing it.

“I will take the first watch, then Elrond, then Legolas, if that is satisfactory,” said Glorfindel.

“I do not get to stand watch?” complained Estel. “I am fine.”

“NO!” came back from five voices. Estel just smiled, and closed his eyes, drifting into sleep quickly.

Elrond looked down at the future king of Gondor with a sad smile. He knew there would be dark days ahead. He thought back to the fighting in the cave, seeing again the wounds of friends and sons, and hearing the screams of the wraiths. He bowed his head, grateful that his sons, and friends, were still with him.

The Lord of Imladris smiled, knowing he would stand watch all night, leaving the others to rest. He watched as Isil climbed the sky, and Eärendil sailed through the firmament, savoring the feeling of peace.

He also knew the four friends would be demanding the story of rúdh when they awoke.

Translation:

Diola lle: Thank you