The young guard bowed respectfully, his eyes showing both his sadness and discomfort at being given the duty to escort the twins -who had once saved his life during a skirmish with a band of orcs- to their awaiting doom.
Elladan and Elrohir looked kindly at the elf, though both experienced a pang of bitter regret as they now faced what all in Imladris had already surmised to be their inescapable fate. But the feeling swiftly passed for they, too, had come to fully accept their destiny. And so they reached towards each other, the strengh of their bond surging through their clasped hands, their handsome faces set in calm resolve as Elladan addressed the guard.
" Lead the way."
In silence, they walked down the shadowed halls of the Last Homely House and then out into the night, following a winding path through the gardens as soft elven voices sang a haunting song of lament all around them. Until they came to the beautiful archway that marked the entrance to the outdoor forum.
There, they stopped.
The young guard bowed once more, then quietly took his leave. But they did not notice the departure, for their eyes had become fixed on the scene awaiting on the other side of the entry. Directly across from them, on the far end of the forum, the grey-clad form of Mithrandir stood upon a slightly raised dais. To his right, along the curve of the low wall, Elrond, Arwen, Glorfindel and Erestor sat stiffly in their elaborately carved chairs. While to his left, Galadriel, Celeborn, Cirdan and Thranduil did the same. Following a break at the end of each row of these foremost elves, sat those chosen to bear witness to the proceedings. Thus did Melpomaen, Ja-zel, Lindir and Aragorn sit for the side of Imladris. While Saelbeth, Galdor, Calenorn and Hallaorn did likewise for their respective realms.
Such was the sight beheld by the twins as they stood, framed under the archway, awaiting to be summoned within.
" May the blessings of Elbereth shine down upon us all, for the hour of trial is nigh and justice is called to be tendered."
So did the ancient wizard intone the words that formally signalled the begining of the Council of Judgement. His inscrutable eyes swept along both sides of the forum, as if taking full measure of those seated, before finally settling on the two figures at the entrance.
" Elladan Peredhel. Elrohir Peredhel. You stand accused of a most grievous transgression against the laws of the Eldar race. Laws, which have been written in accordance to the tenets set forth by the Valar. Are you now ready to face this charge?."
" We are." The twins answered, in unison.
" Then enter...and be judged."
One more step and they were inside. One step, to change the course of their destiny. With their heads held high, they walked to the two remaining chairs and thus closed the circle. From her own chair, Arwen's eyes showed her love and support, even as the twins also felt her emotions through the threads of their sibling connection. And their own gazes softened, as they sent back their reassurances and comfort, in hopes of calming the distressed beating of her heart.
{ All is well, Lissi-Elen. We are at peace. } Is what their feelings told her.
Then Mitrandir began to speak again and the three younger peredhil returned their attention to the proceedings.
" Who calls for the Council of Judgement?." The wizard asked.
Deep green robes rustled softly as Thranduil stood, the large emerald set at the center of the mithril circlet he wore about his brow, sparkling under the light of the lanterns.
" I, Thranduil Oropherion, King of Taur e-Ndaedelos do so, on behalf of my people."
As he spoke, the powerful King turned his gaze upon the twins and they were surprised to find in those depths, the unguarded show of regret.
{ He did not wish for this!. } Elrohir sent to his brother.
{ Nay, gwenneth. But those in his realm did. } Elladan sent back.
While the twins communicated, Thranduil sat down, his face again showing only severity, as Mithrandir's voice rose once more in question.
" And who brings forth the charge?."
The night seemed to come to a standstill for Hallaorn, now that his moment was at hand. He felt the fingers of his uncle Calenorn come to rest upon his sleeve and he suddently had an almost overwhelming urge to slap them off, then to run out of the council and keep running, until he found a place to hide in the deepest part of the forest. His eyes darted frantically around before alighting upon those of the Lady Galadriel and there, they seemed to become trapped by the enormous power of her enigmatic gaze. Oddly, all his panic ebbed away, to be relaced by a renewed sense of determination. He could do this. He would do this. As he had all of his life, he once more covered his fragile heart with a mantle of haughtiness and when he rose, his voice gave clear answer.
" I, Hallaorn Baranornion, do so."
" Then come forth." Mithrandir said. " And speak what you will before the council."
And with his chin tilted high, Hallaorn did just that...
His account of what he had witnessed that night in the halls of the Last Homely House was completely dispassionate, betraying nothing of the churning emotions he had felt. And by the time he finished in the telling, no trace of doubt remained as to the nature of the twins' relantionship. When he was finished, Hallaorn walked back to his seat with a proud, if stiff gait that was caused by a supreme effort to keep his shaking legs from collapsing. His discomfort was not noticed, though none present had failed to mark the curious fact that through out the entire time the haughty elf had stood before them, he had not once looked at the two he accused.
Then, it was the twins' turn to speak in defense of their actions.
They offered none.
Instead, they stood up and with the soft glow of their mated bond surrounding them, simply told of their love, much as they had to Elrond on that morning when they first came upon him and Lindir. Long did they speak and when they were done, all of those gathered in the council looked moved to tears. All, but two. Hallaorn just sat staring blankly at the floor, while the features of his uncle Calenorn, Chief Advisor to King Thranduil, gradually became an incensed mask of disgust. Scarcely had Mithrandir bid the twins to again be seated, that Calenorn came to his own feet with an imperious cry.
" We have heard it from their own mouths!. They not only freely admit to commiting this abomination, but are completely unrepentant of their actions!."
Erestor rose to his feet as well. " Yet it is obvious that their situation is unique!." He countered, his voice barely restrained from a growl.
And with that, the floodgates opened.
Back and forth the elves argued. Yet all paths taken seemed to come back, inevitably, to the law. Then Saelbeth stood.
" Might it not be possible for the accused to set sail for Aman and there, seek the will of the Valar?." He asked.
" They will not be granted passage, while they remain toguether." Lord Cirdan answered. " But perhaps if only one were to go and seek the dissolution of this unlawful bond..." He trailed off.
Upon hearing those words both Elladan and Elrohir, who had thus far sat in silence as their fate was argued, bolted up.
" Nay!. We will not be parted!." Elladan cried.
" You cannot sunder us!. You cannot!." Elrohir echoed, with the same desperation.
At that point, Mithrandir held his hands up for silence.
" Elladan, Elrohir. If you cannot abide a parting, then this council is left with but one choice."
The wizard's face was lined with sadness, for he had known both since the hour of their birth. And so, his normally stern voice gentled, as he continued. " Yet I would ask. What road will you seek, ere you are banished?."
The twins looked at one another, for they had already decided on their course.
" We will take the doom of man, as it is our choice to make, and then we will seek to live the rest of the time remaining to us among our distant kindred to the north." Elladan answered for them both.
Two identical pairs of grey eyes then turned to their foster-brother. And though pained beyond ken by the decision he had just heard them make, Aragorn also stood up and looked back at them with fierce love, as he spoke.
" You will be welcomed with open arms, my brothers. I, Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Chieftain of the Dunedain, so declare."
A solemm silence fell over the council then. And it seemed that even the lanterns dimmed with sorrow. At that moment, the eyes of the Lady of Light locked with those of the Lyoness. Their mental communication lasted but an instant, then Ja-zel sent a message to her mate.
{ My love, the time has come for me to speak. Will you support me in what I am about to do?. }
{ Always, beloved. } Erestor sent back.
Upon the dais, Mithrandir reluctantly readied to pronounce the twins' doom. Elrond put a comforting arm around the shoulders of his disconsolate daughter, his own face a grim study of grief as he heard the wizard speak.
" Elladan Peredhel. Elrohir Peredhel. Hear now the will of the council."
But before he could continue with the words of sentencing, Ja-zel rose from her chair.
" There is another choice." She said.
TBC...