Title: Taken
Fandom: The Silmarillion
Rating: K+
Length: 306 words
Content notes: N/A
Author notes: N/A
Summary: Celeborn is told just enough to keep him safe, because how to explain everything else? The Dark Hunter takes who he wants.



“Ignore her,” Elmo said, pulling Celeborn closer to him. “You must ignore her.”

“But she’s lonely.” He tried to pull free. “She just wants to see me again. Why wouldn’t you let me see my mother? Why?”

Elmo hoped Celeborn didn’t notice how much his hands were shaking. “Because she’s injured. Remember how when Olwë fell we left him alone sometimes? Your mother needs that too.”

Tears welled up in Celeborn’s eyes, but he eventually nodded. “I’ll leave her alone.”

“No more running out of camp to try and reach her either, do you understand?” Elmo ordered.

“Yes, Grandfather,” Celeborn nodded again.

“Good boy,” he smiled and kissed Celeborn’s forehead. “Now, go play with the other children.”

Celeborn finally ran off after drying his face, leaving Elmo behind.

“Does he understand?” Olwë grasped his brother’s shoulder briefly before letting go.

“He understands that he is to leave her alone and not try to follow her out of camp.”

“And the rest?” Olwë pressed.

Elmo sighed. “How could I explain to him that his mother was taken by Him? There is no good way.”

His brother nodded briefly, glancing over his shoulder at the edges of the camp.“She’ll keep haunting us until she’s driven away,” Olwë said.

Elmo smiled tiredly. “Is that your hint that you want me to drive her away?”

Olwë paused, looking over his brother. “Not now. You need rest. If she becomes a more serious issue, I’ll drive her away myself.”

Elmo smiled again. “Thank you.”

“What are brothers for?” Olwë grasped his brother’s shoulder again. “If you need anything, tell me or send someone to tell me. It’s unfair for you to shoulder everything.”

Elmo nodded, but didn’t speak, only nodding as his brother left and he took up his watch of the darkened tree line once more.