A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews. They really do help me write faster, knowing that someone is waiting for the next part. So here it is. No warnings for this part, though maybe for the next part, for more blood.

Part 3:

The trees of the forests outside Imladris whispered rumors to each other. Lord Elrond rides to battle, they said to one another. A glorious sight indeed, not seen since Gil-Galad himself asked Elrond to carry the banners of the Last Alliance. The whispers silenced themselves as the small procession rode beneath the branches of the gossiping trees. Elrohir, looking proud and dangerous in his shining mail, led them through the trees. Glorfindel rode with him on his steed Asfaloth, tracking the orcs through the forests with an expert eye that missed nothing and ears sharper than any blade. Behind them rode Lord Elrond, clad in armor that hadn't seen the light of day in many a long year. His skills were still sharp, however, kept honed by training two warrior sons and a belligerent daughter. Members of the guard of Imladris followed in the wake of the elf lords, fearing only for the terrible justice the three ahead would bring down upon the orcs.

"Here, Father!" Elrohir's clear voice rang out. He pointed down a small hill to a group of caves carved into the side of a cliff. Glorfindel dismounted and crept closer to the edge of the hill, shading his eyes against the afternoon sun.

Elrond joined him, handing the reins of his horse over to Elrohir. "If we are to attack, it would be best to do so while there is still light," Glorfindel suggested. "We could flush them out with fire, but I know not how extensive the caves are, or where Elladan would be."

"I would not have Elrohir with us when we find Elladan," Elrond said to his friend. "He has suffered much guilt already over what he could not control."

Glorfindel nodded. He understood that it just may be too much for the twin if he found his brother seriously wounded or—Elbereth help him—dead.

"If we can draw the majority of the orcs out, then you and I can go in after Elladan," Glorfindel reasoned. "Elrohir could lead the attack, and two can move faster through the caves than many."

Elrond agreed to his captain's plan. Elrohir had much practice at flushing out hoards of orcs, and they would expecting him to come back to avenge his brother. They returned to the group to explain their tactics. They prepared quickly, as they only had a few hours' sun left in the day.

Elrohir rode to the mouth of the cave, bearing fire brands. He cast them into the cave's entrance, which soon filled with smoke. "By Elbereth, if you have harmed my brother I will have your heads and the head of every orc in Middle Earth before I am done with you!" Elrohir's cry echoed off the mountains. His horse reared and whinnied, echoing the challenge as Elrohir drew his sword.

Orcs stumbled through the mouth of the cave, frightened by the fire and blinded by the smoke. They drew their weapons, thinking Elrohir came alone to avenge his brother's death. Elven arrows felled them before they could clear the smoke out of their eyes. Still more followed, brought out by the sounds of battle and screams above the roar of the flames. In the confusion, the orcs took no notice of the two elf lords as they slipped in past the flames, into the caverns beyond.

Elrond and Glorfindel hid around corners and in side passages as groups of orcs swarmed out of the caverns to face the attacking elves. They crept silently down the stone passages, passing farther and farther into the dark.

"Perhaps it would have been wiser to bring Elrohir. The twins have always been able to find each other with uncanny ease," Glorfindel commented.

"Yes and no," Elrond replied. "It would be shorter work, for their bond is indeed strong, but for that reason, I would not have him here."

Their conversation was cut short as a band of orcs hurtled around a corner, directly in front of the elf lords.