The Crosses Enigma

-�The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can�-







The joyous sounds of Hobbits singing echoed through the eves and pathways that lead to the hidden Elven city of Rivendell.

Two of the Halflings, sitting astride fat and sassy ponies, trot along the path. They were close and this was a reason for singing. Then again, with Hobbits alot of things were a cause for celebration.

Meriadoc Brandybuck, Knight of Rohan, smiled as he finished his verse. Turning his head and dramatically dipping his hand, offering the next part to his companion. Perigrin Took, Knight of Gondor. Both despite their tittles, they were Hobbits none the less, and that was an excuse to be happy.





-�Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? Roll in Bails of HAY�-





Perigrin, better known as Pippin snickered loudly as Meriadoc, otherwise known as Merry, sent him a scathing glare. But Pippin paid him no mind, he was quite proud of changing that last line to hay instead of the intended closing phrase "I cannot say". And no one could tell him the otherwise.

But despite trying to be stern and disapproving, Merry slowly added the chuckle of his own.

Both Hobbits were happy to be taking a trip to Rivendell. They had been awaiting this for a very long time, as each had been so busy with helping restore the Shire...they had not had time to think about making any trips.

Taking trips of any sort outside the Shire was a very un-Hobbitish thought indeed, but Merry and Pippin were not like other Hobbits. And their was no need to pretend the otherwise. They had seen to much and done to much to forever stay in the confines of their homeland. No matter how comforting it was to do so.

Sometimes, it was more comforting to know that you were about to visit friends you haven't seen in a good long while.

The last time either had seen any other than Gandalf and the other Hobbits who had joined the Fellowship, had been at the Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.

Before they departed they had been spoken to of one last thing to be done before the Ring bearers departed this land. And a few short weeks ago Gandalf had left, but not before he offered the Hobbits to join them in Rivendell. Speaking that the last thing to be done would require a few able bodies, and even Hobbits.

Merry secretly thought that the only reason Gandalf would care to relay this information, was because he could see how very bored they were becoming. The shire had been much missed, harshly so, but it was hard to go back to normal when you've tasted adventure.

And so set out Merry and Pip together on their own little mission to Rivendell, or so they fancied.

It had of course interested Sam, who too had seen adventure and was just a tad bit craving it. And wished badly to see the Elves once more, this time under happier circumstance. Yet he was a new Husband now, and would not leave his Rosie.

As for Frodo, he was not well. Merry frowned at the thought, as sometimes Frodo would become quiet and withdrawn. Sometimes more than others. Sam would tell him that sometimes he would be stricken with a great pain...and Merry knew that being the Ring Bearer had not done well for Frodo in the long run.

So neither had joined in the travel, but Merry and Pippin were happy to go.

Soon the familiar path leading to Rivendell came into view, they were close. Pippin turned smiling eagerly at Merry, thinking the same thing.

They rode halfway down the long wooded path and slowed down. "Hullo there fair friends" Merry called out, and was rewarded by the lovely sounds of Elvish laughter.

After a moment, a few Elves of dark hair begun to appear. They were Rivendell Elves, and friends.

"Well met friend Perian. I welcome you in your return." Said the handsome brunette elf that Merry recognized as Elrohir. The only way he could tell him apart from his identical twin brother, was the fact that Elrohir was more prone to smiling, and Elladan not.

Or was this the other way round.

"I should like you to meet someone" he said, walking alongside the Hobbits ponies as they continued towards Rivendell. The other elves bid them goodbye, and returned to the trees with no effort at all.

Only one other Elf remained, walking on the opposite side next to Pippin's mount.

"This is Corandril, he is my son in by marriage." Elrohir stated motioning towards the brown haired elf. He smiled in a friendly manner, his hand upon his breast as he bowed his greeting. Pippin could tell that he would like him instantly. "It is well to meet you, for I have heard much about you." He said, and his voice was very fair to the Hobbits ears. It made Merry think of warm fires and happy times.

Merry said a polite hello to the new face, then looked back at Elladan (or was it Elrohir), still not sure which twin it was exactly.

"Where is your brother?" He asked, hoping the question wasn't two obvious.

"Ahh, Elladan is down another path with another scouting party. They await Aragorn�s company" Merry nodded, glad that had been cleared up. He would have to find another way in telling the Twin sons of Lord Elrond apart.

It hit him after a moment and he looked back at Elrohir. "Did you say son-in law? I didn't know you were Married Elrohir" he stated. He truly didn't know the elf lord that well, but he was sure it would have been mentioned at least once before.

"Aye, I was. And yes, I have daughters, I believe you have met the lady Adara, she serves her Grandsire as his Aid in his Healing abilities. She serves him as we speak."

Something passed through the Elves cobalt blue eyes and Merry glanced at Pippin, who had also noticed it. Neither Hobbit asked of what it meant that he 'had' a wife, as they could guess it was not a joyful tale. And any questions of any other Daughters, as he did say daughters and not daughter, were also pushed to the back of their minds.

Something told them to let it be, and ask Gandalf later on.

Much later...

Soon the Valley that held Rivendell came into view, and they all paused to take it in. It was as lovely as ever, and it was hard not to be in awe of it every single time you came upon it. Weather you were an inhabitant like Elladan, and Corandril.

Or if you were a returning friend...






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It had been an uneventful journey from Gondor to Rivendell, and for this all in company were grateful. It seemed a rarity that nothing out of line should happen when members of the Fellowship were involved.

They came nearer to the pathways that joined the valley that encompassed Rivendell, and Aragorn held back a smile.

He knew this place better than all with the exception of Gandalf.

Riding beside him was the said Wizard, behind him Gimli holding of for dear life, and his Captain to his left.

The few soldiers that rode with them were beginning to become curious, many of them had never been out of Gondor itself. None of them had ever been this far away from home, and they were both apprehensive and curious.

They would learn, Aragorn knew.

He held up his hand suddenly and the Captain called for a silent halt. He looked warily at his King, not sure what would bring this sudden pause.

Gandalf turned his head slightly to hide his smile.

Aragorn looked up, smiling as he recognized the familiar presence and the fact that they had been following instead of revealing them-self.

He was being tested and he finally knew who it was.

"Tolo edo lin dolen dor, Elladan nin muindor" Aragorn called clearly, and Romir looked to his king, wondering at such strange behavior.

Suddenly several Elves appeared seemingly out of nowhere at all. They seemed to mesh with their surroundings as they appeared. From the brush, and from the trees.

The soldiers were uneasy, having had no sign that they were surrounded.

"Peace Romir, they are dear friends" Aragorn said, and though he was still unsure Romir managed to turn to his men and bid them stand down.

One brunette elf dropped directly from the high branches directly above them and landed silently upon the ground before them. Aragorn�s smile was wide and Romir recognized him slightly.

To him it was difficult to tell Elves apart.

"Mae Govannen tithen muindor, le sui mae Mithrandir." Elladan said nodding to both.

Not that Elladan cared, but he did not see the stunted one among them. He thought Legolas had claimed he would arrive with Aragorn and Gandalf.

"...a i naug?" he asked finishing his search of the small company, his eyes settling on Aragorn. To his surprise the Dwarf in question popped his head from behind Aragorn. Elladan had not seen him at all.

"Right here Master Elladan" he said in his peculiar accent and gave him a defiant look. It made him uneasy that one he so quickly was learning the Elven tongue, and two that he could tell him apart form his twin. He raised an eyebrow but thought it best not to say anything of it.

"Very well, that we are all here. Elrohir goes to retrieve the Periannath, and Legolas has already arrived."

"That is well, Romir a horse for Elrohir." A horse was brought forward and Aragorn turned and asked the saddle be removed.

When Elladan was mounted, his horse sitting quietly with ears facing backwards to listen to his Elvish rider, all began to ride ahead.

The Elves remained behind, saying their farewells to their friends and newcomers and returned to their posts.

Elladan moved his horse between Roheryn and Shadowfax and looked at the Wizard.

�As soon as you arrive, father wishes a word with as soon as you Mithrandir." he commented cryptically. Gandalf nodded, seeing it was something of much importance.

Aragorn wondered what.

"Let us move forward Romir" Aragorn said, ready to be there. And they started a fast trot towards Rivendell.

It had been a most joyous meeting of old friends that evening. Men, dwarf and Hobbits. But one had been missing.






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"Where is that Elf" Gimli muttered to Aragorn. It was not like Legolas to be absent from their arrival. It was more like him to be here to greet them, always the Prince.

But he had not been, and this made Aragorn wonder.

After he settled his guard he left the curious men, shaking his head at their awed faces. They would leave tomorrow morning and return to Gondor with Elladan and Elrohir, and for that Aragorn was grateful. That would mean he would be able to breathe free air once again.

And Gondor would not be lacking even a few of her protectors.

He left Gimli behind with the Hobbits, heading to the dining hall to partake in a late meal. The Hobbits had come to greet them, and happily went back for another.

Aragorn assured them that after he met with Elrond, he would go after Legolas.

"And bring him to me so I may question him of that empty head of his" Gimli said with an amusing scowl and smiled, following the Hobbits.

He watched them go and when he was finally alone he took a deep breath. Better to get it over with now.

He would be lying if he said he did not Miss Elrond, as he did.

But what he missed more was the old bond they once had, of father and son. It was no longer quite like that, now he was more the human who had taken his precious immortal daughter. Who had condemned her to death away from her kin.

Aragorn almost groaned at the thought, it had been Arwen�s decision, he had even attempted to convince her he wished to separated from their bond.

But he had not fooled her and their love was yet strong and held. And now she was his wife, and his Queen. Though to say that he was much looking forward to this meeting was also saying allot.

He had not been alone with Elrond much since the wedding, they had not spoken as they once did. And Aragorn secretly dreaded that Elrond blamed him completely for her decision. Though he accepted it.

He made his way to the Elven lord�s library and knocked softly on the open door, only pausing for a moment before he entered.

Elrond had been sitting in his favorite chair, reading or doing some research. He stood as Aragorn entered, and there was something strange in his eyes that Aragorn could not read.

"Mae Govannen, Estel" Elrond said walking to him. Aragorn blinked, had he just called him Estel?

Elrond had not called him this since before the final WR.

"Suliad..." he did not know what to call him. Deep within him he yearned to call him Adar again, but long ago he had made himself address him properly as Elrond or my Lord.

Both men, rulers among their own kin stare at each other.

Elrond wished to speak all he had thought, but now was not the time as he heard someone approach and knew whom it was before they entered.

"I do not interrupt something I hope" said Gandalf, leaning upon his staff a glint in his eye.

"Nay, I must speak with you anyway Mithrandir." Elrond stated, the tension breaking somewhat between Elrond and Aragorn.

The human turned and look round him, as if he had not been in this room a million times before.

"Well then, as long as I�m not" Said Gandalf, retrieving his pipe from an inner pocket. He knew he had interrupted something, but to get either Elrond or Aragorn to admit it was like getting a Warg to play nice.

"I shall find Legolas" said Aragorn and departed before Elrond could speak any other word.

As he left he could hear the sound of Gandalf speaking, and Aragorn swallowed and sighed.

That had not gone quite as he wanted. He began to climb a set of stairs that lead to the wood.

"Where IS that blasted elf?" he repeated Gimli's inquiry to himself.








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For all of him, Aragorn had not managed to find his friend. And he knew instantly, Legolas was avoiding him.

But why he knew not. And this made him worry more than ever.

It had been long since Legolas had been so distraught that he chooses to stay away from Aragorn. It was simply not like him...when he was troubled, it was usually Legolas who sought the company of the King.

Though it would take subtle prying to get the Elf to clearly speak of what troubled him so, he would eventually reveal it to the confidence of Aragorn.

This was always the nature of their relationship. And when Aragorn was much troubled, he would seek out Legolas as well. Though in the same way they often would not speak of the troubled thoughts at all, just the simple silent presence of the other would be enough to help him clear his mind.

His guard had departed that morning after a meal.

Romir was wary of leaving his King without protection, but would not question his league. He looked at the two elves on either side of him, identical in every sense.

One wore dark blue, and a similar cape upon his shoulder. Making him look both royal and formidable, and the other...wore almost the same exact garb. Except he chose a slightly lighter blue shade, but he looked no less noble and no less deadly.

"Do not worry for me Romir, I shall be in safe hands here. Almost as safe as in your loyal guard." Aragorn smiled at the look upon the Gondorian Captains face. He was very loyal, brave and humble, Aragorn liked him very much.

"Elladan and Elrohir will guide you home from here, Elladan and Elrohir are family. I�m counting on you to see that they arrive safely..." Aragorn said, nodding his head to each of the Elves as he stated their names. Romir was quite thankful for this, at least now he could tell them apart.

"Worry not brother, Elladan and I shall be safe in the hands of your Captain. We will send our love to our dear sister for you" Elrohir said with a mischievous smile and Aragorn rolled his eyes.

"Yah, yah" he murmured much to the twin�s amusement as they turned and rode out and away from Rivendell.

Aragorn watch them, arms crossed in amusement. //Valar help Gondor when those two arrive// he mused, turning to return inside.

He stopped before he made a step, staring straight at Legolas.










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Translations:

"Tolo ed-o lin dolen dor, Elladan nin muindor"=Come out from thy hidden place, Elladan my brother

"Mae Govannen tithen muindor, le sui mae Mithrandir."= �Well met my brother, thee as well Mithrandir.�

"...a i naug?" =and the dwarf (stunted/dwarf)


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