For one moment in time

by Nuredhel

Adelyn is a rather unusual Young lady. She is paralyzed from her waist down and dependent on the help of others. Little does she know that she is something unique, that her fate was shaped by Eru millennia ago, to tip the scales of Destiny in the right direction at one exact moment in time where evil may win the Battle. How will she cope With being tossed into middle-earth?

10. Fire of a different kind

Next chapter folks: Here goes; Thranduil arrives and comes to blows with Adelyn, they are a bit like cat and dog I think. Elladan and Elrohir has some serious problems to sort out, Elladan gets a taste of his own medicine, Glorfindel is oblivious to the weird game they are playing behind his back and then Elladan has a potentially good idea and does something terribly terribly stupid!

This chapter is definitely mature in nature, it is a bit explicit, you are warned

Chapter Ten: Fire of a different kind

Of fire so much can be said

Cause there are so many types

The warming fire of things burning is but one

The flames of a loving heart another

And then there is the most dangerous fire of all

The consuming flames of one's carnal desire.

The night was rather quiet, the elves were experts at staying hidden and they took their turns at standing watch. Adelyn and Glorfindel was allowed to sleep undisturbed and Aragorn spent some time discussing the situation with the twins. They both were eager to just do something but they had to wait until they had real information to work with. The scouts Aragorn had sent out had all told of a very unusual atmosphere and a valley that was way too peaceful. It was as if there never had been orcs there and it spoke of magic and lots of it. Aragorn understood that the enemy probably had a mage or wizard among them and that could spell extra trouble. They would have to be aware of magic.

The morning light was soft and came slowly creeping above the mountain peaks, it would be a very beautiful day and Aragorn just hoped that it would end well. Adelyn and Glorfindel woke up and Adelyn felt well rested and very ready to do something useful. Glorfindel kissed her good morning and disappeared into the bushes to release some pressure. He wasn't nauseous anymore but his bladder was full. He returned looking a bit confused and Adelyn could sense that something bothered him, she could pick up his emotions now and he started to get his armor on just to think of something else. She grasped his hand. "Something is bothering you my dear?"

Glorfindel blushed, he looked down and kept his voice low. "I think I got sicker than I thought I was yesterday. "

She frowned.. "Oh? How?"

He leaned over and whispered to her. "I usually wake up with…you know, a morning hard on? But not today!"

She giggled. "Don't worry dear, I am sure it is the stress and everything, and the fact that you were rather sick yesterday. "

He just sighed. "When you say so."

The other elves had prepared some breakfast and they ate in silence, Adelyn could see the restless energy that was being pent up in the twins. They acted as if they had ants in their pants and Aragorn had to grin watching them. They did have a map over the area but it was a bad one and much was either forgotten or just ignored and it was in fact more or less worthless, it only made them more confused.

Adelyn sat there with a cup of wine while the ellyn talked about the possibilities they had. If there were an orcish stronghold within the mountains there were just a few methods they could use. She tried to understand what they were saying but failed and she got a bit bored until she suddenly felt a vibration in the ground, the others stopped talking and gathered and stared at the path. A group of riders appeared on steaming horses, the animals looked exhausted and Aragorn clenched his teeth together. "Mirkwood has arrived, I count thirty riders in all."

Adelyn got up, she stared at the group that was approaching, they all wore armor in a strange mix of brown and golden colors that would make them very hard to spot among the trees and shadows of a forest. It looked almost leaf like and she liked the design. Every rider carried a huge bow, a quiver full of arrows and two long knives and some even carried swords in addition to that. Adelyn stared with huge eyes at the Mirkwood elves, they had a sort of reckless energy and she did understand that these were guerilla warriors more than anything else. That could come in handy. Then she did notice a very tall ellon sitting on a huge grey horse, he wore a dark armor and there was something regal and a bit menacing about him.

Glorfindel whispered to her. "That's the king, Thranduil."

Adelyn cocked her head and watched the elf with narrow eyes. He was gorgeous and extremely majestic looking but she sensed the anguish and fear within him and also a dangerous temper. He was desperate enough to do stupid things and had to be held under control. The elves dismounted and Elladan and Elrohir walked forth and bowed in front of the king. Thranduil sent the two a swift smile that didn't reach his eyes at all and it was rather apparent that he was used to have his will obeyed and followed without questions. "So, where is the orc filth? Have you made it speak yet?"

Adelyn heard the calm deep baritone and she did also hear the slight shivering within it, he was angry and terrified at the same time. He was desperate to find and save his son and she did understand him although she feared that he would ignore the advice of Aragorn and the others. Elladan shook his head. "No my lord, we decided to wait for your arrival. We should all hear what it has to say. "

Thranduil looked rather dangerous there and then, the blue eyes were ice cold and Adelyn noticed the two long slender blades he carried. He was probably a true master with them. Glorfindel stepped forward and Thranduil saw him and a grimace of reluctant respect slid across his fair face. "Glorfindel, I did not expect a warrior of your reputation to take part in such a mission."

Glorfindel just smiled. "I volunteered my lord, to kill some more orcs. "

Adelyn felt nervous but she walked over to her mate and took his hand. Thranduil hadn't noticed the female until now and his eyes grew large, he just stared with his mouth a bit open and it made him look rather silly. "Thranduil, this is Adelyn. She is my bond mate, my wife."

Glorfindel was very calm and the king swallowed a couple of times, he couldn't take his eyes away from her. Adelyn sent the king her sweetest smile and he still looked as if he had seen a ghost. He did take her hand very politely and kissed it but she felt that his hand was shaking and he was breathing shallowly. Glorfindel watched the scene with narrow eyes, he had understood her gift better than anybody else, what Thranduil saw wasn't what other elves saw. Thranduil did see that she was beautiful and sensual and tempting, he wouldn't have been male if he didn't, but he saw power first and foremost. Raw power with a destructible potential beyond what anyone could imagine. He saw something which could turn the tides of war and darkness and he was left in awe and a huge portion of mixed terror and anticipation too.

Glorfindel grinned. "She is going to do the interrogation, I don't think the orc will be able to keep any secrets from her."

Thranduil was still staring, he felt weak compared with her and that immediately kicked his instincts into action, he didn't want to appear to be bending to the will of a female and he was subconsciously fighting to maintain his male ego. "A female? Why would an orc tell her anything? I doubt that she can be of any use."

Adelyn just smiled, her eyes getting narrow and her teeth showing. The king took a step backward, it was a mere reflex and it revealed that he indeed was a bit intimidated by her. He saw something akin to a Maia or Vala and knew that he should submit to her will but he couldn't. "Just wait and see your majesty. I think that you will be surprised!"

She walked in front of the small group over to where the orc was being held and it spat and cursed and shouted insults at them. The king looked very disgusted and Elladan and Elrohir had a glimpse of grim determination within their gaze. The orc sneered and the elves just stood there, staring at it. Adelyn stepped forth and it immediately started screaming again in utter panic. It was desperately trying to escape and Aragorn grasped it by the short tufts of hair and held a blade to its throat. "Now, speak you piece of dung or else I will let her do whatever she wants to with you."

The orc howled, it was shivering like a leaf in the wind, the defiant attitude was gone and it was panting and sweating. "No, no, I speak, I speak!"

Adelyn got closer, she smiled, a slow and rather vicious grin. "First of all, where is the prince, is he alive?"

The orc hissed. "Alive yes, not much fun left in him, master not pleased."

Thranduil was shivering and his eyes wide with anger and pain, he was barely able to control himself. "Where is he! Tell me or I will rip your head off with my bare hands!"

The orc hissed and appeared to have grown bolder again. "The princeling is deep down, deep deep down."

Thranduil couldn't take the taunting tone and the expression within the orcs small red eyes. He kicked it right in the gut and the creature growled and fell onto its side. Adelyn sent the king a rather angry glance before she caught the orc's gaze again. "You will tell us everything you know, everything of which we ask you."

The orc sneered. "And if not she-elf?"

Adelyn backed away and suddenly fire was dancing around her hands, slithering around like living snakes of pure flame. "I will let you burn you piece of rotten meat, slowly. I will feed upon your life."

The orc squealed and closed its eyes, the fire frightened it and it started talking in a frenzy and the elves just stood there and listened. Adelyn grinned again and Glorfindel caressed her shoulder with a pleased expression. His plan had worked. Someone made notes too and the orc was so scared it didn't try to withhold anything, it told them everything they wanted to know and the result was a bit chilling. It was a city within the mountains, a huge settlement which the orcs had invaded and made their own and there were a huge number of orcs there, and worse creatures too. The orc was the servant of a mage and that information made them a bit nervous, they didn't know how to fight magic and they could only hope that they would manage to create a diversion of some sorts. They had to act fast, be stealthy and avoid getting detected too early. The orc even made a sort of primitive map and Glorfindel stared at it with narrow eyes. "The best entrance is the one on top of the mountain, behind the waterfall. They will not anticipate an attack from that direction."

Thranduil nodded, but all he could see was the area that contained the cells where his son probably was being held. Glorfindel sighed and snapped his fingers, the king jerked and stared at him and Glorfindel gave him a stern nod. "You have to keep focus mellon, don't let your feelings betray you."

Thranduil almost sneered but he knew that Glorfindel was right, he could not let himself be dictated by his own worries now. If they were to save Legolas they had to cooperate and nobody could go on a one man rampage without risking the lives of the others. Adelyn pressed her jaws together and stared at the simple map. It didn't reveal more than the main parts of the underground complex and there could be countless corridors and halls of which they had no knowledge yet. And the number of orcs down there was also anybody's guess. The prisoner had no concept of numbers, he only knew many from a few and was thus a less than trustworthy informant. The mage on the other hand was still a thing they all worried about, Adelyn had no idea of what sort of powers such a creature could possess but she felt confident that she could stop him no matter what. "I can take care of the mage, leave him to me if we come face to face with him. "

Thranduil turned around with an eyebrow cocked, he looked extremely arrogant at the moment. "How? If he is anything like the witchking of old he will kill you as easily as one would crush a fly!"

Adelyn realized that the king yet had been unable to understand her powers, he had only seen some flames and it could have been an illusion. She stared straight back into those ice blue eyes and didn't even blink. "If I meet him believe me, it will be his demise!"

Thranduil didn't blink either, he stared back and refused to budge. "I see only an overconfident little elleth with a death wish!"

Adelyn sneered, she liked this elf less by the minute. "Oh but you will see my true self soon enough Your HIGHNESS!"

Thranduil was feeling a bit amused by her spirit and spark. "You are one insolent little thing, you may endanger us all with that recklessness of yours"

Adelyn growled and her eyes got very narrow, Glorfindel saw what was coming but had not time to respond. "Reckless? Oh you darn…."

She just reacted and Thranduil was suddenly sitting on the ground leaned up against the trunk of a tree covered with frost. His eyes were the size of tea cups from sheer shock. She flung herself forward, leaned towards him with her face mere inches away from his. "I have not been thrown out of my own world to be insulted by some over dressed diva! I have seen your son, and I know what has been done to him!"

She forced the images she had seen into the stunned king's mind and he jerked and moaned, dared not look her in the eye again. What he saw was beyond terrible and he started to realize that he had been very wrong about her. Glorfindel offered him a hand and helped him up, Thranduil brushed frost off his armor and cloak and he was still pale and shaken. "I should have warned you, she is really a bit like a dragon, tread too near and she will burn you!"

Thranduil could only nod and didn't notice that the twins had turned their back to the whole scene to avoid that the king saw their desperate attempts to stifle fits of giggling and chuckling and their tear filled eyes.

Glorfindel shook his head and smiled. "We will make our move tomorrow morning, Aragorn and his men will make a distraction of some sorts while the twins and the king and I, my two friends and Adelyn go for the prince. The Mirkwood archers will be split in half, one half will wait on the outside in case we are being followed when we return, the other half will follow us."

Thranduil just sighed, he didn't dare to oppose again but he sent Adelyn some quick glances filled with disbelief. Aragorn pointed at the map. "I have seen a very promising method of catching their attention already. "

Glorfindel and Thranduil stared at him and the twins stared at the map not really understanding anything. The ranger grasped a stick and made a drawing in the muddy ground. "Here is the city, and the river that comes from the mountains, there is a glazier up there. When we did some reconnaissance I did notice a small lake up there. There was a dam there and it was old and very frail but still standing and right in front of it a sort of tunnel. I think it leads down into the city."

Glorfindel grinned, a very vicious grin. "You think of breaking the dam and flooding the city?"

Aragorn nodded, a stern expression in his eyes, he looked very determined. "If the map isn't completely wrong it will flood the northernmost part of the city and I guess that this is where the most of the orcs stay. Some million gallons of water should keep them occupied."

Thranduil sniggered and he had an almost childish expression upon his face, he obviously liked the idea very much. Glorfindel sent the ranger a wry grin filled with mischievous glee. "And we all know how fond orcs are of bathing, it will be such a wonderful sight."

Aragorn nodded. "Then it is settled, my men will break down the dam at dawn, then we will keep watch at every exit on the map. Any orc trying to flee will end up as a pin cushion."

Elladan was holding his stomach, trying not to laugh too loud. "A good metaphor indeed."

Elrohir raised his hand and hawked. "Ah, not to disturb you my lords but the orc did mention something I didn't understand. He said that the mage spoke of one resting deep within the bowels of the mountain? "

Thranduil made a grimace. "Probably a troll of some sorts, I bet we will encounter a lot of those if this so called city really has been turned into a future fortress."

Adelyn turned to Glorfindel. "Trolls? In my world they are just myths, how do they look?"

The warrior grinned and made a sort of gesture as if to describe something rather large. "Well, mostly large, ugly and clumsy and rather devoid of intelligence. Very fond of food, they will even cook dwarves."

Thranduil made a nasty grimace. "Dwarves! Yach!"

Glorfindel sent the king a quick glance filled with sarcastic mirth. "Still not forgotten the incident with the guest you managed to lose?"

Thranduil sent Glorfindel a gaze filled with daggers in return and Glorfindel sniggered and looked at Adelyn who stood there with a puzzled expression on her face. "You see, he suddenly had to play host to thirteen dwarves and a hobbit some years ago, but they found the wine cellar and some empty barrels and apparently dwarves has an affinity for barrels and watersports"

Elrohir and Elladan were laughing so hard they had collapsed onto the grass and Aragorn stood there with a face like carved from stone but a muscle was twitching like crazy at the corner of his mouth. "Well, it ended in a rather terrible mess, enough said. Just remember, trolls are very strong but stupid."

Adelyn saw that the king looked as if he was about to explode again and she didn't understand where Glorfindel found the courage to taunt the elf like this. He obviously didn't like being reminded of the incident.

Glorfindel turned to the other elves. "Prepare your weapons, rest and eat. Tomorrow we invade this place of filth and abominations."

Thranduil was still angry and felt like he had been made fun of. "I still cannot see the use of bringing her with us!"

Adelyn turned around and suddenly she felt extremely angry, that attitude was one she had met so many times before while she was paralyzed and now it just became too much for her. She saw that the prisoner still sat by the tree it was tied to and she reacted out of sheer frustration. "You don't think I can be of any use in spite of my powers? You sexist moron, let me show you what I can do!"

She just pointed at the orc and felt a surge of rage rush through her, reaching a peak as she released it all and the orc made a terrible screech before it jerked violently and the chest exploded in a mist of frozen meat and bone. Thranduil gasped and backed away from her and now there was a hint of fear in his eyes, he hadn't really believed that she was capable of killing anything cause she seemed so civilized and innocent but now he realized that he had been wrong. She was as vicious as any she-dragon. Glorfindel touched her cheek lovingly but there was a silent warning in his eyes. "Don't let yourself get too used to that my dear, it is not good for you."

She just nodded. "I know, but I just got so angry."

Aragorn had sent some of his warriors out to hunt and the Mirkwood elves had set up camp already. They had put up a tent underneath the canopy and Adelyn made a wry grin, so the king was that spoiled? Aragorn sent some elves up to the dam to investigate it further and see if they could find a way to break it down easily. Adelyn felt restless and still a bit shocked by her own actions, she really didn't like the idea of killing anything but she was smart enough to realize that it had been needed, the king would never have respected her without a real demonstration of what she could do. Glorfindel offered to spar against her again and she agreed, she needed to lose some aggression and they found a small meadow and he removed the armor and tied up his hair before they practiced the techniques she had taught him. Before long they had a lot of spectators including Thranduil who was staring at the two with reluctant respect. The moves were amazing and he found it fascinating. He had never seen that style of fighting before and had to admit to himself that she was capable of far more than he would have anticipated when he first saw her. Glorfindel and Adelyn kept sparing for a couple of hours, at the end they both were drenched in sweat again and the ellyn that surrounded the meadow were applauding and several asked if she could teach them too those techniques whence they had saved the prince.

They had no baths to turn to here but they had the river and since it was freezing cold it became a very rapid session of washing. Adelyn had never taken a quicker bath ever and she was shivering when she returned to the camp. She curled up by the campfire and Glorfindel was swearing and trying to get the tangles out of his long hair. She helped him and they just sat there and got the heat back into them and it felt kind of nice. Elladan brought them a cup of wine each bragging a lot about the sparring he had watched and Adelyn just blushed and felt a bit embarrassed. Elrohir did also brag about her skills when he came with two bowls of soup and she started to realize how exotic her fighting techniques really were. She had been able to break wood and bricks with her hands and feet but she could not do that now, she needed to train a lot first and harden her hands and feet again. Right now they were too soft.

Glorfindel finished his soup and pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders, leaned against her and they just sat there, enjoying the company and safety. She embraced him and placed her chin on his shoulder and felt at peace in the moment. The other elves were preparing for the next day by preparing their weapons and splitting into groups. It was rather silent there since they couldn't risk getting detected by the orcs and she was stunned by how efficient they were and how little sound they were making. Even the horses were silent and she knew they could disappear out of sight in a matter of minutes. They were so much more in tune with nature than humans and she knew that Kim would have loved this place. Glorfindel just sat there with his eyes closed and relaxed and she kissed his cheek and he smiled and caressed her hand. She stared at the tent the Mirkwood elves had erected and she could see that an ellon brought some soup and a bottle of wine over to it. "He doesn't eat with the others now does he?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "No, but believe me, it is not because he doesn't want to. He would stay with his warriors if he wasn't dictated by rules. As a king he has to follow certain codes and keep up his façade no matter what."

Adelyn just grimaced. "We have had that sort of system where I am from too, for many centuries. But he must have been their leader for a long time?"

Glorfindel sighed and leaned back until he had his head resting in her lap. He stared up into her face with a soft smile. "For almost an age, he was probably thinking that he never would be king and if I am to be honest I think he didn't want to either. But his father did fall in the battle of the Dagorlad and so he was made king and has done a marvelous job ever since, even though he is a bit of a reclusive, he doesn't keep that much in contact with the other realms. "

Adelyn frowned. "Why not?"

Glorfindel just shrugged. "That is a long story, but he is much more powerful than one might expect, and much smarter too."

Adelyn let her fingers run through his hair and Glorfindel hummed with pleasure, his eyes closed in bliss. "Is there a queen too?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "No, she died, not long after Legolas was born. Little is known of her outside of his realm but the marriage was supposedly an arranged one and not very happy at all. She was of good family and I bet Oropher chose her because her mother had five children, you know, good breeding stock. "

Adelyn scoffed. "I didn't know that elves could marry for any other reasons than love?"

Glorfindel sighed and looked up at her, caressed her face with his hand. "Usually we don't yes, but arranged marriages are not entirely unheard of among the ruling families, although it has been more or less stopped happening now. I think his marriage was the last one I have heard of. "

Adelyn just nodded, it was hard imagining these creatures allowing themselves to be trapped in such an unnatural relationship. She continued to stroke his hair and he closed his eyes again and relaxed.

Elrohir watched his brother out of the corner of his eye, he had spied on Elladan and his suspicion had been confirmed. Elladan had added a little something to Glorfindels wine and Elrohir had hurried to add something to the soup, just to even things out. But he was rather angry and wanted to teach his brother a lesson. He knew the herb Elladan had used and he just waited for an opportunity to give him a taste of his own medicine.

The elves Aragorn had sent into the mountains to check the dam returned and Aragorn sat down with them to discuss what they had found and in his tent Thranduil was pacing back and forth feeling extremely restless and nervous. He had to find Legolas, he just had to. The plan was good, it was the only possible solution to the problem but he didn't like to depend upon others. He just prayed that they wouldn't be too late.

Shugrum had tried to put the spell back on the elf more than ten times by now but it never worked and he was getting extremely frustrated. The elf was unconscious and didn't wake up and the mage was starting to fear that his plans would crumble around him like a house of cards in a storm. He felt doubt and it wasn't a good feeling, nor a very productive one. He was trying to make sense of the book and he also used some of the more basic spells he knew to put some fear into the orcs again but basically he was losing his grip and he started to wonder if it perhaps was a good idea to just run and flee the scene. He could try to assume a new identity and serve the dark lord again somewhere else. He had a lot of belief in the master and was sure that he would be on the winning side if he stuck to this dark lord. The orcs were restless and some spread rumors of enemies gathering, of the elves coming to reclaim the prince. Nobody had seen anything but orcs are cowards and he didn't think there were any dangers. The city was well hidden, nobody knew where the hidden entrances were. The thought of his missing servant did cross his mind but he was rather certain that the orc had fallen into the rapids and drowned like a rat. No, he had to either flee the scene before the master discovered that he had failed or do something to turn the situation around to his benefit. He was smart, he should be able to do that rather easily. He sat down to do some heavy thinking and hoped that the master didn't send the one after him.

Some of the Mirkwood elves joined the small groups of Imladris warriors to familiarize themselves with the terrain and the atmosphere had become tense and filled with nervous anticipation. Adelyn felt it too, she just wished to start so they could be done with the whole thing. Glorfindel sighed and held her close, she did sense that he was nervous too. She buried her face in his silky locks and he whispered something to her which she didn't understand. She did notice something new about him though, he seemed to become increasingly restless and was shifting around a lot, as if in discomfort. Adelyn feared that he was getting sick again and looked at him with a frown. "Are you alright?"

Glorfindel made grimaces, groaned and shifted his weight again. "No, it is weird really."

She looked a bit fearful. "Don't tell me you are nauseous again?!"

He shook his head. "No, nothing that simple! I…"

He took a look around as if to check that nobody was within hearing range and whispered into her ear. "It is just that…this is embarrassing…I feel as though I could carry you off into the bushes right now and do very bad things to you until the cows come home and yet my body seems to disagree. No reaction down below if you catch my drift…"

Adelyn had to giggle, but she saw the expression within his eyes and knew that he was worried. After all, what male wouldn't be? And with his reputation the shock of not being able to rise to the occasion had to be even greater. She caressed his cheek gently. "Perhaps it is for the best, we shouldn't think of such activities right now, it is unwise."

He hissed. "I know! And that's why it is weird, I am usually quite capable of forgetting about such needs in situations like this but I can't stop thinking about…having my way with you"

Adelyn found it a bit hilarious in spite of it all. "It could be that we bonded you know? And we haven't gone all the way physically yet."

Glorfindel sighed and pulled her even closer to him, she could hear his heart beating in a rapid rhythm and he trembled ever so slightly. Perhaps something was off after all? He was such a controlled person and she didn't doubt that he could switch his feelings on and off whenever he wanted to. "Maybe we should ask Elrohir? It could be that he knows what the problem is?"

Glorfindel rolled his eyes and groaned. "Are you nuts? I can't tell him about this? I have known him since he was a newborn damn it"

Adelyn just shrugged. "Suit yourself then, but he is the only really good healer we have here right now, Elladan is nowhere near as skilled or as wise when it comes to healing."

Glorfindel had to grin. "You are damn right about that, Elladan does his best to avoid his father's lessons. He has even faked an injury to be excused from a lesson in herbal lore."

Adelyn giggled. "That doesn't surprise me, they are after all a bit different although they look like two drops of water."

Glorfindel had to chuckle. "Oh yes, not even their father can tell them apart when they really try to confuse others. Oh the situations they have created, it could fill many books I am sure."

Adelyn giggled and Glorfindel made a sort of moaning sound, underneath the blankets he had managed to get his hand up underneath her tunic and he was caressing her breasts with shivering fingers. Adelyn winced and had to choke a squeal, it was disturbing to say the least and he was leaning towards her, his lips caressing her neck and his warm fast breath spread shudders through her. "Fin? Not here and not now!"

He pressed himself against her, groaning in frustration. "Oh Eru damn it Adelyn, I can't help it. I want you so bad, it is like I am on fire but it seems to have no interest in anything of that kind right now."

She did understand that he found that peculiar, she saw the burning lust in his eyes, normally he should have had quite a hard on right now. He shuddered and groaned and she felt sorry for him, she really did. And she was getting worried too, could it be that something really was physically wrong? She took a decision, if he was too darn embarrassed to ask Elrohir then she would do it, as soon as the chance presented itself. This could not continue. He was in real trouble and she hated to see him in such a state of confusion and discomfort.

Meanwhile the others sat by the fire and Elrohir had watched as Elladan prepared some tea for everybody, he had noticed that his brother had slipped something into one of the cups and knew that it was destined for Glorfindel. He hid his vicious grin as he caught his brother's attention and got him to turn around for a second just to refill the kettle with water. It didn't take Elrohir more than the blink of an eye to switch the cups and Elladan carried the cups around so that everybody got something hot to drink. Afterwards he sat down again to drink his own cup and Elrohir had to hide his face behind his long black hair to conceal his wry smirk.

Adelyn sat there for a while before she excused herself and went out into the bushes to answer to the call of nature and then she grasped onto Elrohir as she returned. Glorfindel was sitting there staring into the fire and didn't notice that she spoke to the healer and she quickly explained the problem and Elrohir felt how anger started to seethe within him but he didn't reveal his feelings at all. He was truly pissed at Elladan, his twin had probably used a rather large dose of the herb for Glorfindel to feel the effect in spite of the herb he had administered to counteract it. Elladan was endangering them all with this idiotic idea, yes, he too had similar thoughts but at least they didn't hurt anyone. Being painfully aroused when facing a battle situation is no smart move and he gathered his wits and smiled at Adelyn. "Oh, I bet that is a bit terrifying yes, but I am sure it is a side effect of the sleeping herbs he got yesterday, it can sometimes wreak havoc upon a body and it could possibly have interacted with the herbs in the food too. Don't worry, if it doesn't stop before dusk talk to me again, I have something that can give him some ease I am sure."

Adelyn sent the peredhel a rather confused glance, she could see something in his eyes that reminded her of anger but his voice was smooth and calm and she just grinned and returned to Glorfindel to tell him of the information she had gathered. She hoped that Elrohir was right, Glorfindel could not fight like this.

Elladan was sitting by the campfire staring into the flames with a drowsy look in his eyes, he was bored and wished that they could have entertained themselves with some singing and stories but they had to keep quiet to avoid detection. He watched how the king got a huge bowl of stew brought to his tent and envied him the servants and warm clothing. Then he tried to see if Glorfindel did react to his small surprise but he just sat there with Adelyn by his side and they appeared to be talking, nothing more than that. He made a grimace, it had to work, he wouldn't admit defeat ever! He tried to drift off into sleep just to escape the boredom but he felt a bit warm all of a sudden. And then he felt a weird stirring within, heat pooled within his groin and he felt his heart and breath speed up. What the heck?! Then it hit him, he had taken the wrong cup! No wonder Glorfindel was as cool as a cucumber, he himself had drunk the spiked tea! Elladan went a bit pale and groaned, by Morgoth's balls. This was just his usual luck, and there were no females there except Adelyn and she was off limits. Elladan was not stranger to sharing his bed with another male, he had had male lovers too over the centuries but he did favor females and he

did doubt that any of the warriors there would want to sleep with him or even give him a helping hand. He felt sweat pouring down his back and he was shuddering, he had used a rather large dose and now he regretted that, terribly.

All he could think about was sex, he remembered almost every encounter he ever had had of that kind and sat there shuddering from head to feet caught by a desire so burning it became an agony. After half an hour of sheer torture he got on his feet and disappeared into the forest bent forward with a most peculiar gait. Some of the other elves stared at him with disbelief, what had gotten into the peredhel? Did he suffer from acute arthritis? Elladan was swearing like a sailor, he had never felt that stupid in his life and he waddled into the forest on shaking legs and sank down onto his knees next to a huge tree. There he managed to unlace his pants with shivering hands and he started stroking himself rather desperately.

He didn't last more than a few seconds and had to bite his lower lip to prevent himself from screaming out loud, it actually hurt! He was such a moron, what had he been thinking about? He didn't wish something like this to happen to even his worst enemy, and absolutely not a good friend like Glorfindel. He deserved this humiliation fully, how could he have been so blind? Glorfindel was his hero, his idol. And he had wanted to put him through something this terrible? He regretted not having paid attention to his father's lessons now, then he maybe would have had second thoughts before he actually went ahead and spiked that tea. He had probably caused the balrog slayer's nausea yesterday too, oh he was terrible! Such a looser!

He had to repeat it again and again and at the end he was sobbing, shivering and barely able to stay upright and he was still feeling unbearably horny but his gweth had gotten sore, his balls hurt almost as if he had gotten kicked in the groin and he had spilled himself completely. The ground in front of him bore clear evidence of that and he whimpered and leaned against the three. He had to ask Elrohir for help but how? He had to reveal the whole damn mess to him then and he was dead sure that his brother would feel more than a little cocky afterwards, and probably even tell Elrond of the whole darn thing.

Elrohir had seen his brother disappear into the woods and he sniggered and rubbed his hands together, this would be good indeed. He wasn't going to reveal the fact that he knew of Elladan's little devious plan at all and watch his brother squirm a little. For he would come asking for help, of that there were no doubt. If the tea had been spiked with enough of the herb to affect someone of Glorfindel's size and build it would turn poor Elladan into a wreck rather fast. Elrohir just sat there and waited and pretended like nothing was happening at all, he chatted a little with Aragorn about the plans, sent a bottle of wine around and was completely relaxed and of course utterly oblivious to his brothers problem.

He didn't have to wait for long, Elladan returned with his blanket wrapped around him and he was pale and sweaty and there was a strange grimace on his face that told of both pain and mental anguish. Aragorn looked shocked and immediately got on his feet, staring at the oldest twin with wide eyes. "Elladan, are you alright? You are not hurt in any way?"

Elladan just made a vague gesture that could indicate anything really. "No, I…I'll be fine Estel, don't worry. Just some herbal tea…with the wrong herbs in it….Need to speak to….Elrohir"

Aragorn was more than puzzled by Elladan's strange behavior and it was very clear to him that his friend was in agony but he knew that Elrohir was a skilled healer and moved out of the way. Elladan sat down and Elrohir managed to look just as shocked as Aragorn but on the inside he was chuckling like mad. "Dan? What the heck is wrong with you?!"

Elladan moaned and closed his eyes. "Ro, I have been an idiot, the biggest there is or ever were."

Elrohir cocked his head, oh this was gonna be good indeed. "Alright, explain please? You are obvious in pain?"

Elladan nodded. "I am damn it, ah, it's about the bet"

Elrohir leaned forward. "The bet? How can a bet make you ill? You look as if you have taken a poisonous arrow or something, and why are you shuddering like that?"

Elladan groaned and his eyes rolled, the herb had such a terrible effect on him that he actually kept coming every now and then and only a slight movement was enough to trigger it, and it wasn't at all enjoyable, it was sheer torture. "I tried to cheat alright? I admit it, I confess, dear Eru I am a despicable elf!"

Elrohir frowned and managed to copy their father's most stern expression to perfection, it made Elladan sob slightly. "You tried to cheat, now why doesn't that surprise me, but what does that have to do with your condition? Which by the way is?"

Elladan squirmed and looked down, tears were hanging in his long thick eyelashes and Elrohir did actually feel sorry for him, for a few seconds at least. "I have drugged myself Ro, by accident. I tried to drug Glorfindel with that herb ada told us about last year but I took the wrong cup and now I am so horny I can't bare it. Oh gods it hurts!"

Elrohir stared at his twin with a very serious look upon his face before he slapped Elladan across his head with his flat hand. "Dan, you are an idiot, have you no idea of how dangerous that could be? How is Fin going to be able to fight when in such a state? Have you lost whatever brains you have left? Ci 'ben-ind Dan?"

Elladan just whimpered and tears were starting to flow down his cheeks. "I know, I know, please forgive me! I just wanted to win!"

Elrohir sighed and stared at his twin. "It is not me you should ask for forgiveness, you will have to tell of this to Glorfindel sooner or later."

Elladan cringed. "Oh sweet Eru no, he is gonna want my head on a mithril platter I am sure!"

Elrohir put on a rather angry face. "Maybe, but you deserve punishment."

Elladan groaned and closed his eyes again. "Isn't this punishment enough? Sweet Eru, it hurts!"

Elrohir cocked his head. "Don't tell me you went into the bushes and…well…tried to take care of it by yourself?"

Elladan nodded. "Yes? So what?"

Elrohir rolled his eyes and just knew that his brother never would have made it into becoming a healer no matter what, he never paid full attention to anything. "Well, maybe you do remember what ada said about that herb and its effects? "

Elladan blinked a couple of times and looked a bit confused. "I remember him telling us that it made people feel horny?"

Elrohir just let out a huge sigh. "And that was where your attention veered off wasn't it? You failed to hear the rest of it."

Elladan stared at his twin, looking rather nervous. "Ah what rest?"

Elrohir did a face palm, he just couldn't believe it. "The part where he carefully explained that someone who has ingested that herb never under any circumstance should try to act upon the need it awakens. It cannot be dampened that way, it will only get worse if you touch yourself. It creates a snowball effect. What you should have done was trying to ignore it and asked for my help right away."

Elladan squeaked and rolled his eyes."Darn, I didn't know. That explains that I can't seem to find any satisfaction."

He looked as if he was in severe pain still and Elrohir took a deep breath. "Alright, let me see what damage you have done to yourself."

Elladan went beet red, he was usually never shy around his brother, after all they were identical but this time he felt very self-conscious. "I prefer not to."

Elrohir grasped his brother by his ear and held him rather firmly. "No excuse, show me."

Elladan yelped and held the blanket a bit out, unlaced his pants and Elrohir got a glimpse of a very sore and abused bodypart that didn't look very happy at all in spite of its rather protruding state. "Damn it Dan, you will need some ointment for that. "

Elladan cursed. "No shit, tell me something I don't already know, now what do I do about it?"

Elrohir sighed once more and got up. "Wait here, I'll be right back"

Elladan just sat there, feeling like a nitwit while Elrohir mixed herbs and found some ointment. He sat down next to Elladan again and gave him a cup, he had mixed a huge doze of the medicine and knew that it would take care of the problem rather fast. "Here you go, drink it up. It will work in a few minutes and then you can apply the ointment. It will ease the soreness right away."

Elladan drank the entire cup with obvious gratitude and Elrohir stared at him. "Now, have you learned anything today?"

Elladan looked down, still blushing. "Yes, to never cheat."

Elrohir nodded. "And to pay attention to ada's lessons. I leave it to you to make it up to Glorfindel again, I bet you have used that trick on him earlier today too right? Or even yesterday?"

Elladan just nodded and Elrohir slapped him across his back head once more, just to get his point out. "Don't you ever do something that stupid again, ever!"

Elladan sighed and cringed as a new spasm rushed through him. "Aiii, nidh, I hope this works fast."

Elrohir sent him a glance filled with a mix of anger and a bit of compassion too. "It will, just relax."

Elladan saw his brother leave to go and talk to Adelyn and Glorfindel and he feared that he would reveal the whole mess to the balrog slayer. He didn't want Glorfindel to know about the bet before it had been either won or lost. He felt a cool sensation spreading throughout his body and whimpered lowly with sheer relief, it worked. His body eased down and he waited until he was normal before he applied the ointment and laced himself back up. Gods, that felt wonderful, he was close to tears. He would never use that herb on anyone again, ever. Or wait a minute….He suddenly got an idea, he had responded very violently to it, it had been impossible to do anything whilst in the grasp of that herb, what if that effect could be used against their enemies? He felt as though he should make amends for what he had planned on doing, that he should pay for it somehow. What if? He went over to his saddle and checked his saddlebags. He had a whole bag of the ground powder, that should be enough to create quite a lot of havoc shouldn't it? He started giggling, a low sound that made him shake. Oh yes, he could prove himself this way and rinse away the shame he had brought upon his own name. Orcs would certainly react to the herb too and be unable to do much when it came to fighting.

He couldn't tell anyone of this plan of his, they would certainly stop him but he didn't fear getting caught. The orcs didn't anticipate visitors and he would camouflage himself rather well. Oh yes, this would be sweet. He would go in there and be out again in a flash and thus help his brethren in their fight. He stared at the fire ahead of him with narrow eyes, he couldn't wait for too long but he knew just what to do and where to go. He just had to wait for the others to go to sleep. He pulled his blanket up and went through it all in his mind, yes he had to use everything he knew of being stealthy but it would be a nice challenge. And the result hilarious for sure.

Elrohir went over to Glorfindel with a dose of the herb he had used on Elladan and made sure that the warrior drank it all, he didn't reveal anything about the bet or the fact that Elladan had drugged him. Elladan would have to explain that on his own when the time came.

Glorfindel felt better right away and Elrohir just made up something about weird reactions to certain herbs and so on and so forth and it appeared that the balrog slayer swallowed it. Adelyn was just happy that her mate was back to normal and they curled up together to sleep. She felt nervous when thinking about the next day but she knew that she would do whatever she could to ensure that they emerged victorious and with the prince. She felt safe sleeping next to Glorfindel and trusted that he would protect her whenever she couldn't look after herself.

A warrior took a round to wake everybody up some time before the sun would rise and Adelyn and Glorfindel got their clothes back on and got ready. Elrohir stretched and yawned and saw that his brothers bedroll already was rolled up and empty. Weird, Elladan was normally the last of the two to get up in the morning? He got his clothes on and started looking around for his twin, he was getting increasingly worried, he was nowhere to be seen and he asked a few of the others, including Aragorn who hadn't seen him either. He returned to the bedroll and saw a piece of parchment laying on it, he bent down with a feeling of increasing dread and lifted the note up but before he had time to read it a terrible sensation shot through him. A feeling of intense fear, of pain and confusion and he heard Elladan's voice calling out his name in utter despair. Elrohir fell to his knees, screaming too. The twin bond was so strong he felt Elladan's pain and he knew that his brother was in serious trouble. The others came running startled and shocked by the peredhels sudden scream. Aragorn kneeled down next to him, shaking him almost violently. "Ro, what is wrong? What is it?"

Elrohir took a look at the note, he shivered and knew that his brother had done something terribly terribly stupid. "It is Dan, he is hurt. He has gone into the city alone, to drug the orcs, something has got him!"

He stared at the faces around him and saw the dread on their faces and he leaned forward, whimpering in fear and shock. "Oh Dan , how could you do this to us? How could you be so stupid!"

Cliffhanger folks, muahahaha! Oh yes I am eeeviiillll Damn this story is getting more complex by every chapter, I wonder where it will end at last? I have my ideas

Gweth: Penis. sindarin

Nidh: owtch(it hurts) sindarin

Ci 'ben-ind?: Are you insane? sindarin