Title: One Change

Author: washow

Rating: T

Disclaimer: This was written for entertainment purposes only; no money is being made from this project.

Summary: Our lives are a series of events. What happens if the outcome one of those events is changed? Elrohir finds out first hand the consequences of changing a past event.

Author's note: This story was inspired by last months TEITHO theme: Turn back time. However, due to the primary characters used and my lack of time to finish it this piece never made it to the contest. You should be aware that this story is AU, and does not stick to the books. Also this story is very different from my usual fare in that it is darker and has some fighting scenes (a first for me). The story is six chapters long and is complete so I will post a chapter a day. Please be gentle in your reviews, if you have constructive comments bring them on but do so in a positive and supporting tone or they will be ignored.

Chapter 1: Changes

Elrohir was astonished, just a moment ago he had been laughing with his companions and now they were fighting for their lives. The younger twin was forced out of his thoughts by a large orc who tried to cut the elf in half. The elf spun around full speed and forcefully swung his sword removing the orc's head. Elrohir was now facing his companions and could see his brother fighting anorc while Arathorn was battling two.The younger twin paused for a moment, something just did not seem right to him. The orcs were fighting the elves, yes, but they seemed to be focusing on the human: why was that? Elrohir was just moving to help his human friend when an orc charged into the elf, knocking him to the ground. He was momentarily stunned but quickly gained his senses, jumped to his feet and threw his dagger into the creature's neck, killing it instantly. He was just pulling his dagger out of the foul creature when he saw a sudden movement on the cliff. As cautiously as he could Elrohir turned his head to see what was happening up there and spotted an archer aiming at the human. The younger twin knew he had to do something fast, so he tried to yell a warning but the human was unable to hear him above the sounds of battle. Left with no other option, Elrohir started running and was almost to his friend when he saw the arrow released. Thinking fast the elf did the only thing he could – slammed into Arathorn and knocked him off his feet. As he fell Elrohir momentarily felt the arrow enter his flesh, but quickly lost any feeling as his head connected with the ground and all went black.

The sun had set long ago and everyone in the ranger camp was fast asleep, all except for a lone figure who sat near the bed of another. The man was as still as a statue and it was only when the body under his hand moved that the man opened his eyes and smiled down at the elf in the bed. The elf tried to speak but found his throat too dry to make a sound. Seeing the elf's trouble Arathorn gently slid an arm behind him and lifted so the elf could drink the water that was being offered to him.

Elrohir took a drink then turned his head away, singling he wanted no more. "You . . . alright?" Elrohir croaked.

Arathorn smiled and sat on the edge of the bed so the younger twin could see him easier. "I am fine my friend – thanks to you. It is you who is injured and all because you wanted to save me – fool elf."

Elrohir smiled and gently shook his head, "Not a fool, I did not want Aragorn to grow up fatherless."

Arathorn smiled again and turned his head to look at the lump that was lying next to the younger twin. Elrohir narrowed his eyes and started to roll over on his side, but found that movement extremely painful and had to resort to biting his bottom lip to keep himself from crying out in pain. Arathorn quickly rolled his friend onto his back and gripped his hand until the elf could handle the pain, "Careful my friend, that wound in your shoulder is not deadly but it is painful; you should try to move as little as possible."

Elrohir did not have the strength to talk so he nodded in understanding. Just as the elf was regaining his bearings and was about to ask what his friend had been gazing at, the lump suddenly shifted and sat up revealing the aforementioned boy. The little one rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and crawled to the elf's side, "You all right now?"

Arathorn gently grabbed his son before he could start crawling on the elf, "Not all right but he is getting better." The father smiled at his child, "You must be careful little one, Elrohir is still hurt. We want him to get better do we not?"

Aragorn seriously nodded his head and struggled until his father finally released him on the bed. The boy gently moved to the elf's side and took his large hand in his small one, "Thank you for saving my daddy."

Elrohir smiled at the little one, "It was my pleasure, master human, and I will do it again if the opportunity presents itself." The little human seemed satisfied with that answer and put a wet kiss on the elf's forehead before curling up next to him and drifting off to sleep.

Elrohir smiled at the boy's father, "So much like you, only better manners of course!"

Arathorn covered his son with a blanket and glared down at the elf, "I would remember your manners, master elf, you are in my care until morning."

The comment seemed odd to Elrohir and he suddenly noticed his twin was not in the room, a fact that caused him to try to sit up. Arathorn noticed the stricken look in his friend's eyes and gently pressed him down into the mattress, "What did I just tell you about moving? Elladan is fine; he is just resting." Elrohir looked at his human friend with mistrust in his eyes, "All right," the human conceded, "he did not rest on his own, but it has been two days, Elrohir, and he needed the rest – I had to do something!"

Elrohir smirked at him, "So you drugged him?"

Arathorn blushed, "Well not me exactly, I mean I mixed the drink but I knew he would never take it from me, so I." Here Arathorn found he could not admit his actions to the younger twin and started fiddling with the ring on his finger.

Elrohir smirked and reached out to still the human's hands, "Barahir has much prestige associated with it but it is not a magic ring and will not cause you to disappear. Just tell me who you had drug my twin."

Arathorn looked at his hands, "I had Aragorn do it."

Elrohir chuckled, "Using your child – that is low Arathorn."

Arathorn's head came up, "I knew he would not take it from me but, I also knew he could not refuse the child so I used the tools at hand. Aragorn admires you both very much; just before he crawled up here he was sleeping with Elladan. Get used to him Elrohir I have a feeling that he will always be in your life."

Elrohir gently touched the child's head, "and we in his Arathorn – you have my word that we will protect him and you as long as we live."

It was several weeks later when the twins left the ranger camp to visit their father with tidings of their travels and news from the rangers. After an unremarkable journey the twins entered the courtyard of their home to see the same sight that had always greeted them upon their return – their father at the top of the stairs. Elrohir and Elladan exchanged a knowing smile and dismounted, handing their horses off to the waiting grooms. "Ada" Elladan greeted.

Elrond smiled warmly at his offspring and after descending the stairs engulfed the two in a warm hug. After holding the two for a moment he pushed them away and looked them over with a critical eye, "The two of you are well?"

Elrohir eagerly nodded his head, "Yes, ada very well."

Elrond narrowed his eyes at the quick response of his youngest, "But it was not always that way." This was a statement not a question, Elrond knew his sons and knew when one of them was trying to hide something from their father.

Elladan smirked at his twin, "No ada, it was not. Elrohir took an arrow meant for Arathorn and it took him two days to wake up."

Elrohir shook his head at the smug look on his twin's face, "So it did, but I am well now. It was not a life-ending wound and I am glad to have taken it for it meant that Arathorn came to no harm.

Elrond nodded, pleased that his sons had told him the truth, "How are Arathorn, Gilraen, and little Aragorn? When will they be sending the little one to stay with us?"

Elladan shook his head sadly, "I am sorry adar, but Aragorn will not be fostering with us."

Elrond looked stricken, "What so you mean, my son? Do they wish to postpone the arrival year?"

Elrohir sighed; he could not believe this was happening, it just felt so wrong. The younger twin knew the elven lord cherished having the fosterlings because it allowed him to reconnect with his long dead brother's line and, Elrohir thought, made the absence of Celebrìan easier to bear. Yet, despite how unpleasant the task was Elrohir thought his father deserved the truth, "Ada, Aragorn is never going to foster here." The younger twin paused and swallowed hard, he could not believe the words that were coming out of his mouth, but yet he went on, "Gilerian does not want him to leave the settlement. She believes that he will learn more by being among his people."

Elrond stared at his son, "Does she not understand that we will teach him the ways of Middle Earth? Does she not understand the importance of him being protected? He is vulnerable there at his age."

Elladan exchanged a look with his twin then knelt in front of his father, "Nay, ada she does not. She believes the rangers will protect the chieftain's son." The elder twin took a deep breath, "That is why Elrohir and I must spend much of the next few years with the rangers – to protect Aragorn when they cannot."

The twins knew this revelation would hurt their father and they regretted it greatly. For his part, Elrond showed little emotion only bowing his head in resignation and motioning the twins into the grand house.

TBC

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