Disclaimer in chapter 1- Welcome, my Lords…

You won't believe how sorry I am for being so late for this chapter! :( Sorry to everyone! I will hopefully upload another in the next couple of days :)

GreenleafUndómiel - Sophie xxxx

Ea na qwiil, mellon-nin

Chapter 14 – The deep breath before the plunge.

"Lle pe-channas!" *You idiot!*

Elladan shouted as he grabbed Aragorn by the collar, almost lifting his foster brother into the air. He paid no heed to the cries of his twin brother, asking him to stop this madness but Elladan couldn't care less. "What have you done?!" He shouted again, bringing his face close enough to feel the ranger's breath against him "Answer me, Aragorn!"

Aragorn said nothing. He kept his eyes on those of his brothers; fear slowly began to grow within him as the eldest twin's eyes reminded him so much of that of Elrond's. He felt like he was a child getting scolded, as he looked into those, strong, stormy, grey eyes.

With a cry of rage, Elladan balled his fists and landed a punch on Aragorn's face. He cared naught as he watched his foster brother fall to the ground, a hand flying straight towards the cheek he had just received the punch from. "Do I have to beat it out of you, for you to answer me?!" He shouted, ignoring the sounds of footsteps that hurried towards the open door leading into Legolas' room.

Elrohir watched his twin with wide eyes. Had anger really consumed his brother? He looked towards the door as he saw, Gimli and Éomer, along with that of Théodred, halt there steps as they came storming into the room, their own eyes widening as they saw Elladan towering over Aragorn. He quickly ran to bloke the path of the Dwarf as he heard Gimli cry out in anger "No! You must stop, Master Dwarf!" The youngest twin yelled, extending both arms out to bloke the Dwarf from getting any closer to his twin brother.

Gimli looked up at the Elf and growled "What is the meaning of this, Master Elf?" He asked, his eyes narrowing as he gazed into those of Elrohir's worry filled one's. The Dwarf never received an answer when he got distracted by what Elladan did next. He watched as the usually calm Elf, grabbed the ranger by the collar and lifted him back to his feet rather roughly.

"When will you learn?" Elladan growled, raising his fist once more to punch his mortal brother.

"Elladan!" Elrohir shouted as he the turned and ran over to his brother, catching the fist before it could land on Aragorn's cheek once more. "You must stop this! You are doing the thing that Ada hates the most! Do not succumb to this rage. Try and sort this out peacefully." He pleaded hoping his brother would understand.

Elladan continued to glare at Aragorn. Both their eyes, the rangers and his own, never left each other's. He was so filled with rage that he couldn't listen to reason. After a few short minutes, Elladan released his hold on the ranger's collar, giving one last push so that the future King stumbled back, a hand going to his cheek once more as the pain still lingered from the first and last punch. "Why can't you understand that some people to not wish to know the truth?" He snarled, his eyes still like daggers still ."Did you once even think about how Legolas felt? Were you so blind that you could not see that he was listening to everything you were saying to that foul being? You are a fool, Aragorn."

Elrohir flinched when Elladan ripped his hand from his hold, the identical eyes looking at his with so much rage that the youngest twin couldn't help but gasp. He watched as his brother left, pushing past those of the Dwarf and two men, who wore confused expressions at what they had just witnessed. Elrohir turned back to face Aragorn, a hand extended out towards him for the ranger to take hold off "Here."

Aragorn smiled the slightest and took his brother's hand, nodded his thanks and then walking over towards a small chair near the fireplace. Once he was sat down, he buried his faced in his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly as sobs escaped his mouth, his whole ordeal with Elladan had shook him pretty badly and much too deeply.

The youngest twin sent Aragorn a saddened look and then turned back towards the Prince on the bed. He did not like the look of Legolas' form. The Prince was still, his breathing coming quickly but his chest rose slowly. He was pale, however, when Elrohir walked over, placing a hand on the Mirkwood Elf's forehead, it was hot to the touch; so hot in fact that Elrohir had to pull away. He faced those of the two men, noting the Gimli had gone over towards Aragorn, and asked "Would one of you get me a basin, filled with cold water and some cloths?"

Éomer nodded and ran out of the room, receiving weird looks from some of the guards that had arrived with him, Gimli and Théodred. The Rohan Prince also went towards the door but instead told the guards to go back to their posts. He closed the door and then walked back over towards the two Elves. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked, sitting down apon a stool that was beside the Elf Prince's bed.

"We need to get him out of his clothes. He is too hot for my liking." Elrohir stood and started to undo the Prince's tunic, with help from Théodred, and both we soon able to removed it from the Prince's body, the same with that of his under shirt and leggings.

Once they had finished un-dressing the Prince, Elrohir pulled the sheets up to the Prince's navel, covering the lower half of his naked body. Both looked over as they heard the door click and the Marshall of the Riddermark walked in, kicking the door behind him. Éomer placed the basin and cloths near Elrohir and then left the room, going in search for the March warden, Haldir; for he knew that the Lothlórien Elf would help calm the eldest twin.

Elrohir and Théodred soaked a few cloths and then placed them over Legolas' body making sure they did not soak the bandage that covered the Prince of Mirkwood's stab wound. A small cry left Legolas' mouth but the two continued, wanting to cool the archer's body as quickly as possible. Every so often, Elrohir would look over at his mortal brother, watching as Gimli mumbled soft words to ease the ranger's being. He knew that the ranger had tears falling from his eyes, for he could hear the small sobs escape his mouth, his shoulders shaking from seeing his elder brother so enraged.

Déjà vu swept through Elrohir's form as he saw a slight flicker in the image before him. Aragorn sat in the same positions as he was but Arwen was beside him instead of Gimli. On the other side of the bed, was his father instead of Théodred. The room didn't change by much. The walls were replaced with white stone instead of dark wood. The furniture changed from being a rusted copper colour to that of cream. Elrohir shook his head and then turned back towards the Prince, placing the last wetted cloth on Legolas brow.

Gimli lifted his head from where he had been speaking gently with the ranger. He smiled at the two beings tending to his Elven friend and look towards a small window on the far side of the room. He had no idea that the time of night had already approach, the moon showing a small part of its light as it made its way over the mountains in the distance.

"It's going to be a long night." The Dwarf mumbled, placing a small hand apon that of Aragorn's shaking shoulders.

Gandalf stood looking out across the plains of Minas Tirith and to that of the mountains that surrounded Mordor, the home of the dark Lord Sauron. The skies had darkened much too quickly and the stars that twinkled above, were becoming less and less visible the further he looked towards a great black cloud that left half of the Pellenor fields before him, pitch black, no light being able to penetrate through it.

The white Wizard coughed as he blew out some smoke from the pipe he breathed in. He was thankful to the captain of the tower guard, Beregond, to have given both himself and Pippin a shared room, two beds opposite that of each other. They were within the very highest level of Minas Tirith and Gandalf could not help but look over at the loud rumbling in the far distance from the volcano of Mount Doom.

Pippin folded a corner of his sheet over gently, preparing himself for his sleep. He removed his outer tunic and scarf, folding them and placing them on the bedside table of the bed he had chosen on first entering the room. He was glad that he had finally met that of Beregond, and was pleased with the response he got from the captain. Just like most men, he had shoulder-length brown hair, chestnut in that fact, and his eyes were a deep brown, almost black in the lack of light.

The Hobbit furrowed his brow when he heard the Wizard cough again and decided he would do something to help ease the coughs. He walked over to a table situated in the corner of the room, fruits and breads already lay apon it and picked up a pitcher containing water. He poured the water into a cup, standing on his tip toes slightly at the height of the table, and then brought the cup over towards Gandalf.

"Thank you." Gandalf took the glass as he smiled, patting the small being on the shoulder as he drunk greedily from the cup.

Pippin returned the smile but it soon faded as he looked up at the skies, his mouth opening slightly as he could see so little of the stars above. He found it horrifying that such a sign of hope and beauty was slowly beginning to disappear. He was brought up under the stars and had slept under them too. He could remember him, Merry and Frodo, when they were all but sixteen years of age, laughing and singing until the light of day shone over their homes and onto their beloved Shire.

"I see you have noticed it as well." Gandalf sighed as he once again turned his attention to the Stars above. Little by little, the stars were beginning to fade. The darkness from the cloud that covered half of the Pellenor fields before them had grown within a couple of minutes, reaching to that of very walls of Minas Tirith's first layer.

"Is it time?" Pippin asked, looking up at the white Wizard fearfully.

"Yes." Gandalf looked down at the Hobbit, making Pippin's fear grow the ever more from his one word.

Pippin walked forwards and placed his arms on the stone balcony, his face was brightened by those of the colours from Mordor. He narrowed his eyes slightly as the light caught his face. The Hobbit wondered whether it was dark magic that seemed to let the light from Mount Doom reach that of the City of King's. He had never been so close to a Volcano before and did not know about the amount of light they would give off when they were near to erupting, or so the Hobbit thought. "It's so quiet, the City that is."

"It's called: The deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf said, placing the mug to the small outside table beside him, as well as that of his pipe. "All of Minas Tirith are silent for they know what is about to come. Children and Women are crying silently, while their husbands try to calm them, telling them that there is nothing to be afraid of." Gandalf walked over to the Hobbit, leaning against the small wall of the balcony as well.

"But there is." Pippin voiced, fear and sadness within it for the amount of lives could be lost due to the blindness the Stewards had. He thought at first that the Steward wouldn't be all that bad as Gandalf made him out to be. He was Boromir's father and the Gondorian man was so Kind, until that of the Ring made him mad, that he thought the father of Boromir would be just as nice. Pippin had learned that day, that the Steward was a mad man; rage and obsession cloaking his grief that was eating away at his heart.

"You are truly right, Peregrin Took, but the men of this City have a duty and that is to fight in this war, not only to protect their families but also that of their King's return." Gandalf glanced to the Hobbit, to the quite streets below. Small lights shone from those of the guards patrolling the city as well as that light from the homes of many that were in much fear of sleeping this dark night.

"I don't want to fight…" Pippin's small voice made the white Wizard face him again. "…But waiting on the edge of one I cannot escape is even worse." The Halfling paused, waiting for the rumble from Mordor to pass as the Volcano roared again. "Is there any hope for us, Gandalf…?" Pippin whispered as the rumble faded "…For Frodo and Sam?"

"There never was much hope..." Pippin looked at the Wizard, his eyes wide wear disbelief at Gandalf's words. Gandalf smiled gently down at the Hobbit, his eyes filled with much sadness "…Just a fool's hope." The Istari blinked slowly as he faced the mountains that surrounded Mordor once more, the many colours of red's and oranges that filled the skies around the black lands "Our enemy is ready. His full strength is gathered. Not only Orcs, but men as well."

Pippin furrowed his brow "Men?"

"Yes. Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call." Gandalf then stood, walking back into the room. Pippin turned back to look at the Istari but did not move. "This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest." The old Istari sat apon his bed, he turned his head as he looked out at the darkened skies before him, one last time. "If the river is taken, if the garrison of Osgiliath falls…"

Pippin looked towards that of a, what it looked like, ruin in the distance. It fit the small description the Wizard had given him. There was indeed a river and what he hoped was that of Osgiliath, instead of that of a ruin, right before his eyes. He wondered how he had never seen it before, he probably was to engrossed by the lights from the Volcano behind the mountains that kept the inside of Mordor hidden. Smoke could be seen rising from some parts of the city, the tiniest of lights from fires could be seen as well.

"…The last defence of this city will be gone."

"Is he okay?" Merry asked as he poked his head round the side of the door, looking into the room that was occupied with just Elrohir and Legolas.

"We can only hope he will be." Elrohir answered as he turned back to look at the small Halfling, motioning the Hobbit to come inside and sit beside him. His gaze fixed back down onto Legolas' still form, who wore a painless expression. The younger twin was glad that the Prince was feeling better once more, or so he thought. He knew all to well that Sauron was now explaining to Legolas about what happened in his past, trying to get Legolas to understand what happened.

Elrohir smiled as Merry sat down beside him. Both then entered an uncomfortable silence, there own thoughts and worries for the Prince rushed through their minds. Merry sighed, his head lowering so that he could look at his hands as he said "Why is it always him?"

Elrohir closed his eyes slowly and wrapped an arm around the Hobbits small shoulders. "Many of us ask the same thing." Elrohir thought. He reopened his eyes and smile weakly down to the Hobbit "Do not be saddened, Merry. ." He replied simply, trying to get the Hobbit to think of other things besides the thing he just said.

Merry nodded and lifted his head to look at Legolas' sleeping one. He saw, for the first time, that Legolas' eyes were closed. He could only think of what Bilbo had told him while he was just a small child:

"The Elves are a very pure race. They can withstand any type of weather, weigh as much as a feather, immune to all types of mortal illness's and sleep with their eyes open. But, you can always tell if an Elf is in pain. Their eyes will be closed. That is the only sign you will know if these peaceful creature are injured, sick or dying. Only the most experienced healers can tell what is ailing them for Elves are very good at hiding an injury."

His eyes then began to trail down to the Elf's exposed body and came to rest apon a bandage that was wrapped around Legolas' mid-section. "How is it, the wound?"

"With the whole ordeal with Sauron, the stitching stretched the tiniest bit but it was already healing when I went to check it after, Aragorn, Gimli and Théodred had left." Elrohir explained. He placed a hand on his head, his head lowering as he said next "I will never understand what is going through that monsters mind. First, he plays games. Seconds, those games turn into some sort of blood-shed and Thirdly, he then heals them. It is all just so confusing."

Merry nodded and felt the youngest Twin's arm around his shoulder fall. Merry caught it and held Elrohir's hands within his, turning to face the sorrowful son of Elrond Peredhil. "Maybe..." The Hobbit began, almost fearful at what he was about to say "...Maybe he acts like thus because he was treated like this in the past. My Dad told me once, that the parents that beat up their children, usually were beaten as kids. Maybe Sauron was beaten by his parents and is only doing it to Legolas because he feels that he will just wither away if he didn't."

Elrohir could not believe what he was hearing. As the Hobbit spoke, he lifted his head slowly and stared at the Halfling, his eyes slightly wide as he expressed what he was thinking. "You...You may be right." Elrohir stuttered. But then, he thought back to the story he had heard from Aragorn. "Part of what you were saying may be wrong, Master Hobbit."

"Well, I was only saying what I thought but what do you mean exactly?" Merry furrowed his brow, looking into the eyes of the youngest twin.

"If I remember correctly, Aragorn told me that Sauron's parent's loved him. I do not think they were the ones who would beat there child." Elrohir explained, his hand that was previously on his head, moving down to rub his chin.

Merry watched as the Elf before him, thought about a story he did not have any knowledge off. He knew that Strider had told the twin all that had happened, however, when Merry had asked as well, the ranger refused to tell him. He could only think that Aragorn did not want to worry him with something he did not understand fully. A click of some fingers brought Merry back from his thoughts as he saw Elrohir's face light up.

"That is it!" The younger twin smiled but it soon faded as he looked down at the Hobbit, both hands were placed on Merry's shoulders and Elrohir then sighed "Merry, I am about to tell you something that you may find a bit, disturbing, and slightly fearful."

Merry gulped but nodded his understanding.

"Alright." Elrohir smiled at the Hobbit and then breathed in deeply before starting "Aragorn told me that Sauron was, in a similar way to Legolas, captured by Morgoth, his master and the true dark Lord. He was tortured and taught dark magic and soon, after finding the death of his father, he could only turn back to Morgoth for he had no-one else to rely on. Now, with your thoughts on what could have happened, it could be that Sauron thought Morgoth to be some sort of father like figure to him when he had no-one and because of the constant beatings and so on, he is now doing it to Legolas to try and make our Prince feel what he has been feeling all his life."

"So, Sauron believes he is being some sort of father to Legolas?" Merry questioned, a nod as a reply made his eyes widen and mouth fall open "But...Why would he think that?"

"Sauron has been part of Legolas since he was born and at a later part, the age of two in mortal years." Elrohir explained.

Merry looked up at the Elf and saw the expression the youngest twin had. "You feel sorrow for him. You feel sadden by what has happened to Sauron."

Elorhir looked away from the Hobbit and to that of Legolas, a small smile gracing his face once more "Aye. I do feel sad for him. Legolas does not know the reason and now that we have come to some sort of understanding and conclusion, that may just be right, it may be hard for him to come to terms with." He replied. His ears caught a small gasp from Merry but he only chuckled lightly in return "After hearing such a story from Estel, my thoughts have completely changed...

...Maybe Sauron isn't as bad as he seems."

Sorry! I am still so sorry for the lateness :( I hope you have all liked the chapter and I send you all my deepest apologies D:

There is nothing, hopefully :)

Reviews;

Jasperslittlesister; Sorry, I couldn't make the chapter come out quicker! I will hopefully next time though :) Yeah, I sometimes feel that way. Mixed emotions for Sauron all the time, even though he is so awesome! :D Very true...But who said it was going to be a dagger? ;)

Fantasystardreamer7; Ahaha, as I was reading it, I thought the same thing xD "...K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." Thought I would finish some part of the little song you had ;) What about Galadriel?! :O Tell mehhhhh! ;D Sorry, about the long update! D:

LightsCDark; That was back in his innocent days ;) It's amazing at what some people can do ;D Everyone hates/loves him...It's cause he is so mean and evil yet, awesome and coolisko (I made the word up ;)) Thank you, for pointing that out for me! :D Yay! I am glad you did :3 Yep, a lot of danger is going to happen to the two of them now ;)

Nardhwentheelf; Ahaha I will be sure of it...Ah, just did... He just giggled ;) That's alright! :) Ahaha nice one! Sorry about the long update! :o

BrightWatcher; I love sparkles :3 Heehee. I am so evil, I know ;) I love them as well! ;D Makes me want to actually write a story involving the two of them actually in love ;) Will try! :D

ArwenElf16; Thank you! :D Ahahaha :') Aww young love ;) Yeah, right! Would have been an awesome story! ;D Aww thank you :') I don't think I made him proud this time though :( Awesome! Hope you have enjoyed this chapter! :D

Calemireth; I know! He was so much cuter when he was younger! :( I keep flicking me as well, right on my forehead -.- One day, we will both get a hug from him...Even if it's the last thing we do! ;D I am glad you do :D But that will be for later ;D Here is your long awaited update! ;D

Nightrunner144; Ahaha I think everyone was xD Thank you! :D

Frodo, please, wait!

Frodo: Do you know how long people have waited for this?! You have angered me, Sophie.

I am so sorry! :( I was so busy and...

Frodo: ...I want none of your excuses! *Runs away, followed by Sam and Gollum.*

Wait, Frodo... I can change! D':

Legolas: No you can't.

AH! Oh, my...You scared me! :o

Legolas: Good... *grins evily.*

What are you... *See's knives raised* You're still chasing me? *Gulps*

Legolas: *Nods*

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *Runs like a moose.*

Namarië!