A/N

Finally everything is starting to come together! I am soooo sooo sorry for how late this is, but I got caught up in everything else :/ For those of you who asked, there will still probably be a couple more chapters. Probably. Thank you to anyone who read this!

Chapter 10

Captain Lucien scowled at himself. No matter how hard he tried to push the young human out of his mind, the more sympathetic he felt. He was forever wrestling with himself on if he should help the ranger or turn a blind eye.

He paced back and forth indecisively. How was he even pondering this? His family was at stake. His wonderful, beloved wife and son were at risk. How could the fate of one irritating dúnadan possibly be equal to that of his family? It was a simple choice. And yet, in so many ways, it wasn't.

"We are leaving again in a few minutes, Captain Lucien."

Lucien flinched, whipping around to see his Commander looking at him. Lucien stared back at Donngal, letting his pride show in his unwavering gaze. The Commander's watery blue eyes glinted cruelly. Donngal seemed to look straight through him, as if somehow Lucien's thoughts were suddenly exposed to him.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Lucien carefully shifted his gaze, pretending to look behind Donngal where the company was preparing to get back on the path that would lead them to Rhûn.

Against his will, Lucien's eyes flitted back to meet his Commander's gaze. Donngal was studying him, a suspicious expression on his obnoxious face.

"Is there something you wanted to tell me, Captain?" Commander Donngal's voice drawled unpleasantly.

Mentally steeling himself, Lucien tried to shake the feeling that his Commander could see his thoughts.

"No, Commander, I was just thinking of the ranger. He is in quite a pitiful condition. Perhaps he should be treated before we set off again. I am sure if he were to die, Lord Elrond would not take it so well. I would hate to disappoint King Melehta by showing up with a grief-stricken, uncooperative Elf Lord."

What happened next unsettled Lucien greatly.

The Commander tilted his head slightly, a subtle smirk spreading across his marred features. A small smile that seemed almost… triumphant.

"I would say, Captain, have you have grown a bit of a soft spot for the ranger."

Sneering at his second in command one last time, Commander Donngal pushed past Lucien, leaving the Captain to ponder what the meaning behind that conversation really was.

"Back to the road! We are to reach Rhûn before dawn tomorrow!" Donngal shouted to the company.

Lucien turned around gravely to watch the men gather their cavalry and prepare for what was going to be a long, long night.

Lord Elrond clenched his jaw in fury when orders to continue riding were shouted throughout the ranks. He was barely wounded but incredibly exhausted, and the thought of more tedious hours of traveling between a pair of Morcion's unreasonably gruelling soldiers was more than he could take. Against his will, his mind drifted back to his sons and Legolas. Valar, he hoped Legolas and the twins had opted for the wise choice and stayed out of trouble, but to him, the odds were slim. And Estel… poor, poor Estel. The Ainar seemed to take out all their frustration, spite and pure inquisitiveness on his precious, innocent foster son. Well… maybe not so innocent. The mischievous ranger had done some things that weren't quite above suspicion, but of course, nothing that was deserving of this punishment.

And that brought Lord Elrond's thoughts back around in a vicious loop. Morcion. Donngal. At the moment, all of the disasters that Rivendell and Mirkwood had been dealing with could be traced back to them. If only his hands were free, and he still had a weapon with him… Morcion's throat would be slit faster than anyone else in this cursed company could react. But, unfortunately, Elrond's 'helpless' façade had been seen right through, and the beautiful gilded dagger that was gifted to him by Galadriel, which he kept concealed in his boot had been taken from him.

The Lord of Rivendell returned to his surroundings. He had never been given the liberty to dismount his horse in the first place, so he looked along in annoyance at the semi-refreshed soldiers who were returning to their saddles.

Once again, the group had formed a single file, except for the pair of guards at each prisoner's side. And that's what caught Elrond's attention.

Up ahead, the Half-Elven's keen eyes caught sight of a massive black stallion, a horse that could only be an elven breed. Atop the huge steed, he spotted a limp figure, the lithe, fragile figure of a wavy haired man who could only be Estel.

Elrond's heart sped up. He wanted so desperately to call out to his son, to see if he was alright. But from the sight of it, he wasn't, and common sense kicked in. If he drew more attention to the completely helpless ranger, or somehow enraged the guards around the young man, he was afraid it would result in him being injured even worse.

No. For now, all he could do was sit and wait, and pray to all the Valar that he didn't lose sight of his son. And if those damned guards hurt him, he would see to it personally that they wouldn't be alive much longer…

Elrohir's white mare crashed through the undergrowth. Rochiril galloped as fast as she could, sensing how urgent the situation was. Elrohir goaded her on as best as he could, being careful not to tear the stitches Elladan had sewn into his stomach.

Elrohir couldn't focus. His mind was whirring with thoughts about Estel, his seemingly realistic dream, his father, the new trail they had found, and his throbbing wound. And of course, how he was leaving the battle scene, his brothers, and his friend behind.

Legolas and Elladan had tried to convince him that his task was vital to the rescue mission, but deep down, the youngest twin of Elrond knew he was just running away.

Nevertheless, he galloped towards Rivendell at top speed. He wasn't about to let anything get in the way of a chance of saving his brother.

Elrohir's eyes streamed with angry tears. It was so unfair. One moment, Estel had been happy, playing pranks, waiting for Legolas to arrive. And then, because of the cruel heart of another cursed elf, Estel was caught up in a fatal dilemma, suffering for something he didn't deserve in the slightest.

He should have been there; he should have helped the young ranger when he was attacked. Elrohir's entire demeanour softened, his eyes becoming redder by the second. No. He couldn't fall apart now, not when the stakes were so high. He had to reach Rivendell.

He wished Elladan was here to help him through this little guilt trip, but alas, he wasn't. But now wasn't the type for regretting past actions. Now was the time to take a better action. And he wasn't going to achieve that by breaking down before he reached Glorfindel with news of what had happened.

His stomach throbbing was worsening, and a severe headache began to grow at the front of the youngest twin's head. He gritted his teeth. Of course, with his luck, his wound was probably infected. He hardened his resolve. That was only another reason why he needed to reach the sanctuary of his home as soon as he possibly could.

Leaning down towards Rochiril, he gave the hard-working mare a reassuring pat on the neck. Not far now…

Legolas quietly laid down one foot after the other. Looking back behind him at Elladan, he gave a reassuring smile. They had been following the track for a few hours now, and it was only recently that they had stopped sprinting and began to track more cautiously. They both doubted they were near enough to alert any of Morcion's group, but they weren't about to take any chances before help arrived.

Pushing back a strand of his own blonde hair, Legolas vaguely wondered how this whole thing was going to turn out. Of course, he would like to think that he, the twins, Elrond and Estel all got out of this preferable unscathed and unharmed, with Morcion either dead or out of the way. But it was time to be realistic.

Although Legolas and Estel had made some extremely spectacular escapes together, it might be different this time. According to Morcion's note, this particular attack had been planned out thought out for a long time. It was no spontaneous, dangerous attack like they were so used to. It might not be that easy this time.

Of course, one of their largest reliance was on Elrohir and Rochiril. The sooner Glorfindel could be warned and build up an army, the better. As of now, Legolas and Elladan planned to trail the company and keep an eye on them until help arrived. But then a thought struck the young prince. What if it didn't come?

"Elladan," Legolas said haltingly, "I don't really want to dwell on this, but what if we need another plan?"

Elladan's strained face hardened. "What do you mean?"

Legolas felt nothing but sympathy for the oldest son of Elrond. All in the span of a week, Elladan had lost his youngest brother and his father, and he didn't know if he would ever get them back. Additionally, not three hours ago, he had been forced to send his twin away, hopefully to safety, but with the Peredhel family, the chances were it wouldn't be so safe. But he knew Elladan wouldn't want his sympathy, so he swallowed his pity.

"You know as well as I do that the chance Glorfindel will manage to bring an army out here by tomorrow morning is slim. And if we do end up alone, we will need another plan." Legolas stated firmly, but softly.

Elladan stopped in his tracks, giving his fair-haired companion an exhausting, commiserative look. His cheeks were streaked with grime and blood from healing Elrohir, and his eyes were gaunt and sunken from lack of sleep. Legolas pitied his friend, although he knew he didn't look any better.

"Legolas, tomorrow morning, I am charging into that camp, with or without an army. Two of the people I hold dearest in this world are in there, and I will not stop until I either get them back, or die trying. You know I have no other choice, mellon-nin."

Elladan sounded close to tears. He looked at Legolas with swollen, drained silver eyes, which had none of their usual mischievous glimmer.

"Of course, Elladan," Legolas whispered solemnly. "And I will charge with you."

Elladan nodded slowly, and together, the two elves ventured on their path, carefully tracking the way towards Estel and Elrond.

TBC…

Ok! Chapter 10! Again, I am soooo sorry about how late this update is. Please let me know what you think ;) Also, leave some suggestions about who else you would like for to be injured, because, lets face it, you are all a bunch of sadistic LOTR crazed fans (so am I, its ok).

Thank you!

Dúnadan – Man of the West, ranger

Ainar – The Valar, 'Powers of the World'

Peredhel – Half-elven

Mellon-nin – My friend