A/N: This is the fourth story of my series Following an Oath. It's recommended that you have read the third part on this series (Races Against Time) since many references will be made  from it in this one.

Woe and Worry

By: Karine

Rating: PG-13

Feedback:

Legolas306@yahoo.ca

 

Summary:
When a messenger from King Thranduil arrives at Rivendell saying that it's time for Legolas to come home, the twins and Estel along with Glorfindel decide that they are going with him. After a nearly uneventful trip, they reach the border of Mirkwood. There they get attack by both orcs and spiders and something goes horribly wrong.  While trying to protect Estel, Elladan get taken by spider and Elrohir is taken by orcs. Estel, Legolas and Glorfindel must decide what to do and quick before Estel looses both his brothers...

For somebody, the fear to lose a loved one is always present. For Estel, thing are different since his family and friend are all
elves. But how would he react when, in one night,
 he could loose both his brothers.

WOE AND WORRY

CHAPTER ONE

A message from Mirkwood

One month had passed since Estel had nearly died and he was now fully recovered; there was only a small scar left. It served him as a reminder though, not of the orcs that had done it, but of all the people that had fight to ensure that it did become a scar. This small mark will always remind him that people cared about him, which was why it was near his heart. 

Estel, deciding that it was time to go to breakfast, dressed himself and walked toward his door. He was nearly knocked to the floor by it when Legolas came rushing through.

"Estel, hide me!" Legolas said while trying to steady his breathing.

Estel pointed his wardrobe and Legolas quickly hides himself in it. He then rolled his eyes and sat on his bed waiting for what was chasing his friend.

Soon his brothers appeared on his doorway and asked.

"Did you see Legolas this morning brother?" Elladan asked.

"Legolas?" For a couple of seconds, Estel seemed to ponder what to say. "No I did not" He said smiling at his brothers.

The twins exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing, their brother was sounding way too innocent. They advanced toward him and Elrohir said with a menacing air.

"If you do not tell us, we'll have to get it out of you."

"I'd like to see you try." Estel told his brother.

Both twin lunged at him and began to tickle him mercilessly. Still Estel said nothing, only his fit of giggles could be heard. Since the attention of the twin were not on the wardrobe, Legolas got out soundlessly and threw a cushion on each twin. He then dashed out of the room followed by Estel who had been forgotten by the twins when they received the cushion. They both ran to the dining hall where Elrond would surely be there and they would be safe around him.

When they arrived there, they sat on the table grinning and greeted Elrond. The twins arrived moment later and sat while glaring at Legolas and Estel.

The meal went smoothly and at the end of it Glorfindel enter the dinning hall.

"A messenger just arrives with a message for Legolas from Mirkwood."

"Let him enter then." Elrond said.

The messenger entered the hall, bowed his head to Elrond then gave his message to Legolas. The prince took the message and read it.

                Dear Legolas,

                  

                   It has come to my attention that you had quite an adventure two months ago. You did the right thing in helping this maiden and her child and I'm very proud of you.

On another matter, the son of my prime advisor is getting married and I want you to be here for the wedding. It's in three week, so it should give you enough time to come home even if you get a little side tracked.

Regards,

Thranduil

Seeing that his friend had an annoyed expression, Estel asked him what was his father saying in the message.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, there is a wedding in Mirkwood and my father wants me to attend it." Legolas answered sounding all but thrilled at the idea.

*********

Legolas had been sulking in his room all day when Estel finally got tired of it and went to see him with the twins.

"Legolas, it's really not fitting for a prince to be sulking for a day you know." Elladan said grinning while Legolas threw him a dark glare.

"Well Legolas, while you were sulking, the twins and I decided that we would go with you at the wedding." Estel said cheerfully.

Legolas seemed to brighten up at the idea and soon all were talking about the trip.

*********

"The numbers of spiders and orcs have increased in Mirkwood and I do not like the idea of them going there. Not when we nearly lost Estel a month ago. But sending Legolas alone will be folly and beside, I could not force Estel, Elladan and Elrohir to stay, they would go no matter what I say." Elrond said concerned.

"Would it ease your mind if I went with them Elrond?" Glorfindel proposed.

"It would, thank you my friend." Elrond answered relieved. "That way you could maybe prevent them from rushing into trouble."

"NOTHING can keep them from getting into trouble my friend, it always follows them!" Glorfindel said chuckling.

*********

So it was the next morning that a Balrog Slayer, two twins, a prince and a human boy left Rivendell for Mirkwood. Only Illuvatar Himself knows what trouble they'll encounter on their way.

TBC

A/N: Thanks to Trin for the beta reading of this chapter.