XIV

"Ada!" Elrond was in the middle of a discussion with Erestor when a cry sounded through the forest, and Arwen came charging into sight on Cessilwir, Elrohir's steed. She leapt off the white mare and Elrond saw that she was having trouble containing the splendid beast. The horse snorted and threw her head, while Liendan, the horse-master approached and attempted to subdue the stomping mare.

"Arwen, what is wrong?" Elrond said, noting that Arwen's tunic was torn and that there was a bruise on her left cheek.

"I was near the stables when Cessilwir started rearing. A few grooms were trying to calm her down, but she continued to be inconsolable. Gilmir lies in the healing houses with a concussion as a result. I then approached Cessilwir, and managed to mount her she took me to you!" Arwen cried. "I have not seen her behave thusly since the day Elrohir tamed her!"

Elrond drew in a deep breath and saw out of the corner of his eye that Liendan had managed to subdue the horse, and had tethered her firmly to a tree-trunk. Elrond tried to stop himself from letting his worry show.

"Calm down, Arwen," Elrond said, his gaze following where Erestor was now speaking to Liendan in a hushed voice.

Arwen sensed her father's distraction, and let out an impatient noise. "Ada, Elrohir's steed would never have reared and injured me ordinarily! Something is wrong!"

Elrond's attention snapped back to Arwen, a small amount of amusement rising in him despite his worry. As the youngest child, Arwen had been spoilt by her brothers, and could be demanding when she felt that others were not giving her their fullest attention.

"I am sorry, iell-nîn, I was merely trying to find out what the matter was."

"My Lord, perhaps you might like to step over for a moment," Erestor said, calm as always.

Elrond turned and smiled at Arwen and instructed her to wait, before he followed Erestor to where Liendan was waiting with Cessilwir.

"Lord Elrond, Cessilwir is highly distressed. It seems she believes some harm has befallen Elrohir and is adamant to go to his rescue," Liendan said, hoping Arwen would not overhear.

Elrond paled. He did not share Elrohir and Arwen's affinity with horses, but knew that the animals usually had instincts that surpassed that of the Elves'.

"Harm?"

"Yes, my Lord. Although she might simply be suffering by not having seen him in a very long while."

"Mayhap," Elrond said, and his sons' absence came crashing down on him all of a sudden.

"Shall I sedate her, my Lord?" Liendan said.

"Perhaps it is desirable that you do," Elrond said, before he returned to where Arwen was sat leaning on a tree-trunk.

She leapt up, trying to look like she had not been attempting to overhear their conversation.

"Might I remind you that your eavesdropping skills are far from that of your brothers'." Elrond said upon seeing her guilty look, making a half-hearted attempt to lighten the mood.

He regretted it as Arwen's face fell.

"How could you joke like this, Ada, when Elrohir is in trouble?"

"I am sorry, Arwen. We do not know surely that something has befallen him."

"Why? Why did you send him and Elladan away?" Arwen cried. "Do you not realise how dangerous the journey is? Are their lives worth so little to you that you do not think twice about sending them off on some stupid quest?"

Elrond drew in a deep breath; he had been excepting this confrontation for a while. Arwen had been upset at not having been sent away with her brothers, although he knew she had kept her misgivings -- until now.

Before he could reply, Arwen said, "It is not even safe here! Do you know what we are facing? Dwendolin died this morning, Ada!"

Elrond turned and looked away, refusing to meet his daughter's accusing eyes, so much like that of his sons'. His sons who might at this moment be in mortal danger, or even -- dead.

"My Lady, calm yourself," Erestor said.

"It was my fault, Ada! I rushed to tend to that braying cub, and returned to find Dwendolin unconscious, a huge blow to her head, and little Daniya missing! Farond tells me that there is still no trace of her!" Arwen cried, and flung herself into Elrond's arms, sobbing.

Elrond pulled her in close and said, "Iell-nîn, it was not your fault. We shall find Daniya, for she was taken only because another had a use for her -- alive."

"I am sorry, Ada; I am so worried!"

"Ai, do not fear, ind-nîn, it has been difficult for you. Elladan and Elrohir are more than capable of looking after themselves. If anything, I would say they possess double the skills of any, for they will be always moving as one!"

Arwen gave a watery smile at her father.

"Is that what you and Uncle Elros used to be like?"

Elrond smiled wistfully at the memory of his own twin. "Indeed, we were two halves of a whole, as are your brothers."

The two were so deep in conversation that they only realised that Erestor had left when he returned and whispered something into Elrond's ear, causing him to turn pale.

"Arwen, there is something I must attend to. Perhaps you should follow Eildan and bring Cessilwir back to the stables," Elrond said.

Arwen recognised the solemnity in her father's voice, and so did as told.

Once Arwen left, Elrond hurried after Erestor, back in the direction of Imladris. Erestor's face was grim as the pair entered the seldom-used building tucked just behind Elrond's house.

Erestor grabbed a beeswax candle from the side-board by the main entrance and followed the passageway into a massive room. Once in, he lit the sconces on the walls and the candles sitting on the long table in the centre of the room. All around were walls and walls of books and scrolls. Imladris's library of rare and ancient books was kept dark for the most of the time to preserve the ancient parchment. It was a veritable treasure trove, a place only frequented by scholars and loremasters of the highest standings. Many of its contents were in fact among the earliest known records ever kept by the peoples of Arda.

"The magic seal was broken here," Erestor said, indicating at the door.

Elrond bent down to examine it, face grim.

"What was taken?"

Erestor took a deep breath in before answering, "The Hikarnawen scrolls are missing. As is the Nanwë book."

"The Hikarnawen scrolls?" Elrond repeated in disbelief, "Even Mithrandir does not know about them!"

"A patrol came across Daniya's body three miles from Imladris this morning. It was desiccated, although her flesh was still warm. I fear that the intruder took her and extracted the protection you had bestowed upon her and used it to break the seal around Imladris. Elbereth knows how he managed to find out about the nature of magic that protects Imladris!"

"There is much our enemies know," Elrond said. "Especially now with the scrolls in their hands."

"My Lord?"

"The Hikarnawen scrolls are believed to have been written early in the First Age. They are the only written records of the experiment by the Valar that went awry; the only record of the fabled Makleni Gem."

The steward blanched upon hearing the news, but he struggled to remain respectfully silent.

"It seems that not only the Dyrian is interested in the Jewel," Elrond said.

"Are you sure of this?"

"The magic employed to break the seal originates from the Second Age. The Dyrian is far too old to have the command of such a power."

A long pause greeted his words.

"My Lord. Perhaps you wish to know that a thorough search of the city is taking place, but no further traces break-ins have been reported."

"I did not think that he would have any other business in Imladris."

Elrond let out a long sigh as quick footsteps sounded in the hall, and a knock presented itself on the door, bracing himself for more bad news.

"My Lord. We have discovered that the records on Eryn Galen have been stolen from your library!"

"I shall ride out to seek council with Thranduil. I fear much more has come to pass than we have ever realised."

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Iell-nîn -- my daughter
Ind-nîn -- my heart