JRR Tolkien - The Sons of Elrond, Fic #45: Temperature, 067: Snow
Title: Temperature
Author: Eressë
Fandom: JRR Tolkien - The Sons of Elrond
Characters: Elladan and Elrohir
Prompt: 067. Snow
Word Count: 772
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the wizard of storytelling himself, JRR Tolkien and/or his estate. No offense is intended or profit made in my use of them.
Summary: Warmth is as much of the heart and mind as it is of the body. Part 35 of Prior Claim.
Temperature
Elladan cursed under his breath as the icy breeze managed to penetrate the thickness of his cloak and clothes. He glanced at Elrohir who kept stoic vigilance beside the growing pile of wood by the mouth of the cave after depositing the armful he’d manage to gather before the cold got the better of him.
The height of a north Middle-earth winter was hardly the best time to go on patrol even for the hardy Elves. But numerous reports of banditry and rapine east and northeast of Imladris had forced Elrond to send companies of his warriors to relieve the towns and villages that had come under siege.
It had been wholly unexpected that any brigand whether man or orc would venture forth in freezing weather. But then perhaps that was the point of the unlikely timing. The scoundrels probably thought Elrond would not trouble to give aid at this inhospitable time of the year.
The scoundrels had paid dearly for their assumption and their deeds if one went by what was left of one band after the brethren’s company was done with them. Now Elladan and Elrohir were heading back to their valley realm with as much speed as their horses were capable of.
The Elves under their command were little troubled by the cold and so were their Elf-horses. But the twins were as much made of mortal stuff as of elven. Hence, their greater sensitivity to the hostile climate.
It was not the cold per se that hampered them but the cutting wind. Thus they had sought a sheltered spot that would permit them to build a roaring fire over which they could cook as well as boil water for a warming and fortifying tea. Even the pureblooded Elves of the company looked forward to a nice hot meal.
The company pitched their tents around the entrance of a low cave delved out of the side of the small hill that lay on one end of the glade. The cave was too shallow to accommodate the group for a night’s sleep. But the Elves would be comfortable enough in their tents so long as they secured the entrances against the wind and wrapped themselves snugly in their cloaks and blankets.
Elladan now returned to the tent he shared with his brother, having forgotten his flask of miruvor in his pack. The cordial of Rivendell was known for its warming effect and both twins had taken flasks of the liquor with them to share around the fire with their warriors.
The older twin cursed once more as a particularly glacial breeze caught him before he could duck into the tent. He all but dove inside, eager for the relative comfort of its confines.
* * * *
Elrohir swore as he left the warmth of the blazing fire and the shelter of the cave and headed for the tent he shared with Elladan.
It was now twenty minutes since the older twin went to retrieve his supply of miruvor. The Elf-knight could not believe his brother would dawdle in their tent when there was a roaring blaze and hot food and drink to be had in the cave.
“Elladan!” he called out as he approached the tent. “What is taking you so long?”
A horse neighed to his right, startling him. As far as he knew, their mounts were tethered to the trees at the other side of the glade.
Glancing wonderingly in the direction whence the sound had come, he said, “The stew is steaming and the tea is done. And if you can’t find the miruvor, rest assured I have more than enough to go around.”
When still no response came, Elrohir reached out a hand to part the flap of the tent entry.
“Elladan?”
“You keep warm your way, Elrohir,” Elladan suddenly replied, his voice oddly husky. “It is hot enough in here for me, thank you very much.”
Elrohir stared at the tent entrance, the beginnings of a puzzled frown creasing his forehead. A throaty laugh emanated from within. Elrohir’s frown faded away along with his bafflement and he laughed as well.
“It appears we need to talk to our sentries about the state of their alertness,” he remarked with a grin. “Well then, just take it slow, brother. Remember, we face a whole day in the saddle tomorrow.”
A snort was his answer followed by a sharp gasp and a low chuckle.
Rolling his eyes, Elrohir was about to return to the cave when he thought of something else.
“And you had better pitch a tent for me when you are done with him, Glorfindel!”
Table of Prompts & Table Links
Author: Eressë
Fandom: JRR Tolkien - The Sons of Elrond
Characters: Elladan and Elrohir
Prompt: 067. Snow
Word Count: 772
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the wizard of storytelling himself, JRR Tolkien and/or his estate. No offense is intended or profit made in my use of them.
Summary: Warmth is as much of the heart and mind as it is of the body. Part 35 of Prior Claim.
Temperature
Elladan cursed under his breath as the icy breeze managed to penetrate the thickness of his cloak and clothes. He glanced at Elrohir who kept stoic vigilance beside the growing pile of wood by the mouth of the cave after depositing the armful he’d manage to gather before the cold got the better of him.
The height of a north Middle-earth winter was hardly the best time to go on patrol even for the hardy Elves. But numerous reports of banditry and rapine east and northeast of Imladris had forced Elrond to send companies of his warriors to relieve the towns and villages that had come under siege.
It had been wholly unexpected that any brigand whether man or orc would venture forth in freezing weather. But then perhaps that was the point of the unlikely timing. The scoundrels probably thought Elrond would not trouble to give aid at this inhospitable time of the year.
The scoundrels had paid dearly for their assumption and their deeds if one went by what was left of one band after the brethren’s company was done with them. Now Elladan and Elrohir were heading back to their valley realm with as much speed as their horses were capable of.
The Elves under their command were little troubled by the cold and so were their Elf-horses. But the twins were as much made of mortal stuff as of elven. Hence, their greater sensitivity to the hostile climate.
It was not the cold per se that hampered them but the cutting wind. Thus they had sought a sheltered spot that would permit them to build a roaring fire over which they could cook as well as boil water for a warming and fortifying tea. Even the pureblooded Elves of the company looked forward to a nice hot meal.
The company pitched their tents around the entrance of a low cave delved out of the side of the small hill that lay on one end of the glade. The cave was too shallow to accommodate the group for a night’s sleep. But the Elves would be comfortable enough in their tents so long as they secured the entrances against the wind and wrapped themselves snugly in their cloaks and blankets.
Elladan now returned to the tent he shared with his brother, having forgotten his flask of miruvor in his pack. The cordial of Rivendell was known for its warming effect and both twins had taken flasks of the liquor with them to share around the fire with their warriors.
The older twin cursed once more as a particularly glacial breeze caught him before he could duck into the tent. He all but dove inside, eager for the relative comfort of its confines.
* * * *
Elrohir swore as he left the warmth of the blazing fire and the shelter of the cave and headed for the tent he shared with Elladan.
It was now twenty minutes since the older twin went to retrieve his supply of miruvor. The Elf-knight could not believe his brother would dawdle in their tent when there was a roaring blaze and hot food and drink to be had in the cave.
“Elladan!” he called out as he approached the tent. “What is taking you so long?”
A horse neighed to his right, startling him. As far as he knew, their mounts were tethered to the trees at the other side of the glade.
Glancing wonderingly in the direction whence the sound had come, he said, “The stew is steaming and the tea is done. And if you can’t find the miruvor, rest assured I have more than enough to go around.”
When still no response came, Elrohir reached out a hand to part the flap of the tent entry.
“Elladan?”
“You keep warm your way, Elrohir,” Elladan suddenly replied, his voice oddly husky. “It is hot enough in here for me, thank you very much.”
Elrohir stared at the tent entrance, the beginnings of a puzzled frown creasing his forehead. A throaty laugh emanated from within. Elrohir’s frown faded away along with his bafflement and he laughed as well.
“It appears we need to talk to our sentries about the state of their alertness,” he remarked with a grin. “Well then, just take it slow, brother. Remember, we face a whole day in the saddle tomorrow.”
A snort was his answer followed by a sharp gasp and a low chuckle.
Rolling his eyes, Elrohir was about to return to the cave when he thought of something else.
“And you had better pitch a tent for me when you are done with him, Glorfindel!”
Table of Prompts & Table Links