Chapter Text
–Elrond, stop.
Durin grabs Elrond's cloak, stopping dead in his tracks. The elf does the same, alarmed.
–What? What is it? –he says, looking around wearily.
Durin remains silent for a moment, the tension only interrupted by the sounds of the forest around them. After some time, Durin finally speaks.
–I think we’re being followed.
Elrond looks at his friend and then around, focusing on his hearing.
–I do not hear anyone else. It must have been the wind.
–Ah, the wind may rustle the leaves on the trees, but it won't break them once they're on the ground, lad. I tell you, there's someone 'ere –he brandishes his weapon, scrutinizing the foliage.
–How could you possibly have heard something I have not?
Elrond looks up at the trees. Warm light filters itself through the yellow leaves. Eventually, he resumes his pace.
–It is getting late, Durin. We should.
He freezes.
Durin looks up at him, raising his weapon instantly.
–What –no answer– Elrond.
–I believe you may be right.
–Ah.
–To the left –Elrond whispers. Durin nods.
Slowly, they both walk around the small clearing, forming a circle with each step. Elrond hides behind a tree. Durin does the same. With a gesture, Elrond signals Durin to make his move.
–Elrond? Where've ya gone, lad? –he purposefully raises his voice, stomping carelessly towards the direction the intruder must be hiding. As expected, a cloaked form soon moves away from its compromised position and silently flees in the opposite direction. Right into Elrond's grasp.
–Stop right there –Elrond commands, grabbing the stranger by the arm as he attempts to run away.
Durin joins him soon after.
–See? Why don't ya listen to me more often, ay? –he gloats, approaching the masked intruder– now, let's see what we're dealing with.
Before he can remove the hood from their head, the stranger kicks Elrond's shin and breaks free from his hold.
–Hey!
The stranger climbs over a rock. Elrond is quick to follow, with Durin hot on his trail.
…
With a yelp, the stranger trips over some exposed roots and falls on their side, painfully hitting their head in the process. Elrond slows down as he sees them not making any move to run again. The stranger slowly rises to their knees, wiping something from their face. As Elrond gets closer, he catches a quick glimpse of red on the palm of their hand.
–Why are you following us? –he asks with a severe tone, unsheathing his sword. No answer comes from the stranger. His body looks smaller and frailer than before. He gets closer– who are you? Speak, you shall not be harmed.
Now cornered, the stranger backs away almost in a crawl, clearly favoring the left side of his body. It is then that Durin arrives, catching up with the situation. Mumbling angrily, he crosses the distance between him and the hooded figure and yanks the cloak from their face.
The companions are met with an unusual sight. The mysterious stranger is but a young elven boy. His hair, blonde, is short and untied. His face is pale, perhaps because of the situation, he finds himself in. His nervous but sharp blue eyes dart from Durin to Elrond and then to Elrond's sword. His forehead shows a small cut that is probably bleeding more than it is severe.
–It's just a kid! What in Aüle’s sake are you doing here, laddie?
The elf doesn’t answer. Elrond approaches them. The elf grimaces as he backs away some more, trying to get up.
–Do not worry, we will not hurt you –Elrond says, putting his sword away– is there someplace nearby you call home?
–I am not lost if that is what you’re implying.
–Ah, so the spy speaks –Durin says, huffing.
–I was curious, that is all.
–Yeah, right. And how’d we know yer not working for him, huh? –Durin leans over him, menacingly.
The elf looks at him, nerves now replaced with evident confusion.
–I do not know who you’re referring to.
Elrond and Durin exchange glances for a moment. Elrond lightly shakes his head.
–Still don't see why he was lurking around like a fox in a hunt.
–I told you, I merely got curious. People do not usually walk these parts.
–So, you know this forest –Elrond says. The elf nods. A sudden pain seems to overtake him because he closes his eyes, grimacing. He wipes his forehead. Elrond reaches for something in his satchel– here, allow me.
–I am fine, thank you –he says, hastily– please, let me go. I will speak to no one of your presence.
–You are free to go, young one. I merely wish to help you.
The elf hesitates for a moment, then nods and allows Elrond to come closer. He kneels next to him.
–What do you call yourself, lad? –Durin says, sitting on a rock nearby.
–I do not know if you can be trusted with that information, dwarf –he flinches as Elrond wipes the blood from his forehead.
–Oh, that so? Please, refresh my memory, but who’s the one spying on who, huh?
The elf falls silent for a moment, eyes fixed on the ground.
–Hárin.
Elrond raises an eyebrow, still focused on his task.
–Strange name. Where do you hail from?
–You two ask a lot of questions.
Once the elf's face is free of blood, Elrond rises from the ground, dusting his tunic.
–There. All better –he extends a hand, smiling– forgive us, Hárin. We are curious, that is all.
The mentioned huffs, unamused, but takes the hand and pulls himself up. His legs wobble for a moment. Durin frowns.
–Ay, take it easy, kid
–I am no ‘kid’ –he replies, his face indignant– and I really should be going now, so…
–Going? Going where? Straight to the ground again? –Durin laughs.
Elrond smiles, placing a hand on Durin's shoulder.
–Pay no mind to my companion. We must be on our way as well. It was nice meeting you, Hárin.
With a small head bow, Elrond guided Durin away from the elf and back to the path.
–What're you doing? He clearly can't–
–Durin.
The mentioned frowns, looking back for a moment before understanding. Together, they disappear amongst the trees. They don’t have to wait long before they hear a small whimper behind their backs. They stop and look at each other. And then they hear it.
–Wait!
That was all they need.
Durin and Elrond emerge back to the clearing. He was back on the ground, in the same spot they had left him.
–You called? –Durin chuckles, crossing his arms. The young elf looks down.
–I need help.
–Yes, it would appear so –Elrond says lightheartedly, tossing his cloak aside and kneeling next to him– does it hurt when I do this?
–Ah, yes! Yes, it does –he yelps, gripping Elrond’s arm.
–Hm. It must be a fracture. Do you have a horse? –Hárin shakes his head. Elrond stands up, looking around– alright, then. We will get you home. Do not worry.
The mentioned's head shoots up.
–What? No, I can take one of your horses. Do you not have horses?
–You've been following us, lad. Have you seen any around? –Durin says. Hárin hesitates. Elrond notices.
–I assure you we have but the best of intentions, my friend. We only wish to help.
He offers his arm for Hárin to take, positioning himself by his right side while Durin stands on his left. Hárin sighs.
–Very well. Go back to the path. I will guide you from there.
Elrond and Durin exchange a glance as they begin walking, carrying most of the boy's practically nonexistent weight.