I'm sorry it took me so long to update.

Chapter III

Elladan couldn't say when he had dozed off. Despite their dire situation he was exhausted and the constant touch of Elrohir's hands fumbling with the ropes was somehow reassuring. The orcs were still there and they kept watch, but they let their prisoners be. Presumably this meant they intended to drag the elves farther and wanted them to be able to walk, but for now it offered them the chance to rest.

The attack came from everywhere. Suddenly the mist hanging heavily over the hills erupted with the sounds of fighting. The clattering of steel against steel was overwhelmed by screams of terror and gurgling cries of the orcs. The white, thick curtain seemed to fool the senses, muffling one sounds and accentuated the others.

Elladan stiffened. Beside him, Elrohir stopped working on the ropes, which he had almost managed to cut, and looked around in alarm, as if awaiting a blow. If he had succeeded... Elladan wished they could just use the commotion to vanish, but sadly his legs were still tied, and so was his brother. Whoever it was that attacked their captors, they could still prove to be hostile. Besides... The orcs had scattered around on the hill, trying to hide from the daylight as much as possible, so now they could be everywhere. Running blindly could soon end on the tip of a blade, but this was probably the best chance they were going to get.

"Go on!" he hissed, wriggling his left wrist to check if he could slip it. The ropes were much looser, but still not loose enough to let him free himself. "I can almost..."

Suddenly there were two elves leaning over them both and Elladan recognised Idhoron, one of Galadriel's guards who had led them to Karas Galadhon when they had arrived a month earlier. Eyes wide with surprise, he stared for a heartbeat or two.

Seeing that Elladan's hands were almost free, the elf leaned and swiftly cut the ropes binding his legs. Elladan was hauled up forcefully and another precise movement disposed of the bounds on his wrists. He clutched his wounded arm immediately, as the jolt sent burning spasms down to his elbow.

"Go there!" Idhoron gestured to where pines could be seen under the cloud of mist. "The passage is safe!"

Elladan moved obediently. His legs were stiff and his muscles sore, but they had to go while they could. Another guard had freed his brother, but at an attempt to help him up, Elrohir only wheezed and swayed, almost sinking back on his knees, had he not been held.

"Ribs," he gasped and pressed his hand to his side. The elf beside him turned around and saw a few orcs running towards them. He lifted his sword, placing himself between the enemies and Elrohir, who was trying to catch his breath and stay upright.

Elladan stopped to turn back for his brother, but Idhoron pushed him slightly. "I'll help! Go!" he urged. Seeing that he could be of no help, Elladan ran as fast as he was able towards the trees. Behind him, Idhoron forced Elrohir to do as much while his companion covered for them.

The shortest way led through the steep path of granites, now wet and slippery. Bruised as he was, Elladan chose the longer but safer one that went upwards, but provided some bushes as support. The clattering of swords neared, so he tried to hasten his steps, but as he climbed up and saw the fighting elves, Elladan stopped mid-step despite the order. He had never witnessed any battle. The orcs were slow and clumsy in comparison to the deadly precision of the Galadhrim. The elves used the advantage of the daytime and gave the orcs no time to wake or realise fully what was going on. Some of the Galadhrim charged forwards, while others were waiting on the opposite side to stop any orcs who would try to escape.

And there...

Elladan gasped. He had never seen his grandmother armed. Little was left of the Lady of Lorien, both ancient and girl-like, who had welcomed them at Karas Galadhon. A warrior she was and orcs fled before her as she used her blade with terrifying skill. She was clad in gray, practical clothes, like those the guards wore, her golden hair braided back. And she was terrifying.

Galadriel noticed the sons of Elrond and cast them a judging look. Her smile was cold as she hid her sword; her eyes remained distant and indifferent. Both brothers tried to straighten as much as possible under her gaze, but the Lady just turned her attention back to her people, who were making sure no orc escaped them.

"Sit down, I want to check up on you," Idhoron prompted him and Elladan snapped from his awestruck reverie. He turned around to see his brother sinking down on a large granite block that didn't force him to sit back on the ground. Elrohir was in no shape for running and Elladan wondered just how he could have helped him, had they succeeded in their attempt to escape. Then another thought struck him.

"Have you found Arwen?" he asked frantically and saw the same fright reflecting in Elrohir's eyes. He looked around the Galadhrim. "We told her to run and the orcs never got her, but-"

"Sit down." Galadriel didn't even turn from the guard who was reporting something to her. It was enough to make Elladan sink down obediently. He let Idhoron take off his shirt, hissing as he prodded his bruised back. The nauseous feeling that had tormented him at dawn was mostly gone and he didn't wish for it to return.

What came next wasn't any better. Idhoron moved to check on his shoulder and Elladan waited for a warning to brace himself for the unpleasant, but inevitable process of putting his arm back in place. He had experienced it once so far and he wasn't looking forward to it. It should have been done hours ago and the swelling was probably going to make the setting even worse.

He never got that warning. One moment the Galadhrim was examining the joint, the next he moved Elladan's arm and pushed it upwards. Elladan grunted and gagged, but then the pain lessened under Idhoron's touch and subdued to a dull ache. Elrond would have done so much more, he would have made the pain go away, but Elrond wasn't around... Elladan closed his eyes and tried relax all the tight knots in his back and shoulder, as Idhoron helped him dress back and immobilised his arm in a makeshift sling.

"There. The worst is done." Idhoron smiled encouragingly. "Take a moment, catch your breath," he suggested and tossed a gray cloak over Elladan's shoulders, then passed him a small canteen.

"Thank you," Elladan smelled the sweet scent of miruvor and smiled. He took a long sip and felt a pleasant warmth spreading through his body and dulling some of the pain and fatigue. He leaned forwards and rested his good elbow on his knees, and for a moment he simply watched someone take care of his brother. Elrohir passively allowed his companion to tend to his ribs, then to the cuts and rope burns around his wrists, but he no longer looked like he was about to faint.

"Ro, we need to get going," Elladan said when his brother too was given a cloak to keep him warm. "We need to find Arwen." He looked at the Galadhrim, who spread around to make sure they were alone.

"Give me a moment and I think I can get up," Elrohir sighed and took a generous sip of miruvor as well. "Just not so abruptly."

"There is no need for such rush." Galadriel appeared before Elladan, startling him. "Arwen is safe with us." The smile she offered was gentle and Elladan felt an enormous weight drop from his heart even before he followed her gaze and noticed his little sister led by one of Grandmother's elves.

"Ro! Dan!" Arwen let go of the guard's hand and broke into run as soon as she spotted them. She seemed dirty and tired, but otherwise unscratched. Elrohir was closer to her, so she simply threw herself at him, her tiny arms immediately wrapping around his neck. She seemed not to hear his painful groan and buried her nose in his neck, sobbing hysterically.

Not having much choice, Elrohir embraced her. "We're here, Arwen. Hush, it's alright," he whispered, trying to squeeze his arm between her and his ribs. When his attempts proved to be fruitless, he hugged her closer to stop her from moving. Rocking her was out of option, so Elrohir only rubbed circles on her back in an attempt to calm her.

Elladan, however, gawked at his grandmother. "How-? Where did you...?"

"I stayed behind to keep the little lady away from the fight," the guard replied and shrugged. "We came only now that it all is over."

Elladan quickly calculated the distance from Lothlorien borders to where they were and the realisation hit him fully. "No, but how come you're here?" To reach them this quickly, they must have left...

"Later, Elladan." Galadriel cut him off. She slipped her hand into a pouch she had by the belt and retrieved a lembas packed in fresh mallorn leaves. "Here, eat something and we'll be heading back. We don't know what else dwells around here and I'd rather we got back to a safer place before the night falls." She broke the bread in two and passed one piece to Elladan, then turned to the other twin. She noticed his pained expression at once. "Arwen, let go of Elrohir this instance. You are hurting him," she said sternly.

Arwen glanced up at her brother and cried harder. Upset as she was, Elladan knew she would not be convinced easily to obey simply because Galadriel told her to; she didn't know her well enough.

"Come here, Arwen," he moved closer to his brother and opened his arm invitingly. "Give me a hug too, hmm?"

Arwen looked at him and spotted the sling. "You're hurt!" she exclaimed and sobbed harder.

"It's alright, it's fixed now," promised Elladan, though he felt far from fine. "Elrohir is hurt too. And I want a hug from you."

Arwen reluctantly let go of one brother and nestled in the other's lap. Seeing that, Galadriel left with her guards and disappeared in the fog before Elladan could ask her again about her unexpected presence.

"Thanks," Elrohir sighed and leaned back, munching on his lembas.

Elladan wrapped his good arm around his tiny sister and covered her with the cloak. The relief that washed over him as Arwen's tiny hands clutched on his shirt and sling was overwhelming. They had not been taken after all. They were safe and so was Arwen. Safe.

"Dan, I want to go home," mumbled the girl. "I want Nana..." she demanded, then must have realised it was currently impossible, for she sobbed harder again. "Dan, take me hoooooome!"

"We can't go home now, Arwen, it's too far. We need to return to Lorien first, alright?"

"No..." Arwen snuggled closer. Her sobbing slowly ceased and she curled on Elladan's knees. Soon she dozed off, her fingers still holding his half-numb fingers. Now that she had silenced, both brothers used the moment to eat and rest, while the Galadhrim were checking the nearby caves.

It didn't last long, though; soon Galadriel was back. "Are you ready?"

Elrohir nodded hesitantly. Some of the colour returned to his face and his breathing calmed. Elladan wondered briefly if he himself looked as bad. If so, then no wonder Arwen had been so scared.

"We are," he confirmed aloud, then leaned as much as his back allowed him. "Wake up, little Songbird," Elladan gently caressed his sister's hair. "Wake up. We need to go back."

"Home?" mumbled Arwen and snuggled against him.

"To Lorien for now."

"But you said back!" Sleepy and confused, the girl was suddenly all teary again. "Back to Ada and Nana..." Arwen clang to Elladan and he cast his grandmother a helpless glance. There was no way he could get up with his sister hanging on his neck. His arm was all but useless and his back would surely object to carrying any weight.

"Enough of this, Arwen." Galadriel leaned and firmly grasped the girl's hands, prying them away from Elladan's shirt. "I'll carry you or you can walk with me if you wish. Elladan cannot take you now, nor can Elrohir."

Arwen reluctantly left her nest in her brother's cloak and stood aside as Elladan rose carefully. The cloak slipped from his shoulders. Before he could lean down, Galadriel picked it and fastened it around his neck without a word of comment. She made Elladan feel like an elfling, but he was too sore to really care.

"Thank you."

"There." Galadriel turned to help Elrohir get on his feet. "We will stop as often as you need, just tell me."

The twins nodded, none of them too thrilled with the prospect of moving. The elves around them were already forming a column, as much as it was possible on the hill. Idhoron and his companion who had freed the sons of Elrond joined the twins and promised to aid them, should they need it.

Galadriel cast one last glance to make sure everyone was ready and she knelt before Arwen. The girl was holding Elladan's hand and didn't look like she would let him go, but as her brother prompted her, she allowed her grandmother to pick her and rested her head on her shoulder. Galadriel motioned one of her elves to lead the party and joined the group in the middle, whispering something to her granddaughter. The twins followed.

Thank you for reading. What do you think?