Disclaimer: I don't own them, just wish that I did… sigh. They belong to the wonderful professor named J.R.R Tolkien…

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Chapter 7

All the palace of Mirkwood was quiet, except for one room. Servants and other elves, passing near the door of one of the guestrooms, startled when shouting voices were heard.

"I'm asking you, why wait? The longer we wait, the more chance those foul beasts have at getting away!" Elladan said heatedly to his twin and Glorfindel, pacing the floor of the room in frustration.

Glorfindel stood with crossed arms near the bed, thinking over what Elladan had said. Elrond had been busy with Estel, whose life was still in the balance, though the elf lord also wanted to go after the orcs. He was still a warrior in his heart and it shouted at him for retribution. "Orcs have been sighted several leagues from here. Their number is many and we need to raise a hunting party. We can't take them all on our own!"

"Well, let's start! The sooner one is formed, the sooner we can leave." Elladan said.

Elrohir, who sat quietly in one of the chairs, looked pained. "My heart feels torn..." He whispered.

Two pairs of eyes turned to him. Elrohir looked his brother in the eyes and then turned to Glorfindel. "I must know if he'll be alright, but my heart yearns for revenge. I want to hunt those orcs, but…" He hit his fist on the armrest and rested his head in his hands.

Elladan knelt in front of the sitting elf and tipped his head up. "Ada will do everything he can to cure our little brother, you know this."

Teary eyes looked up. "But will it be enough? He's so weak…"

Glorfindel walked over to the pair and rested his hand on Elrohir's shoulder. "Your brother is right, young one. You can do nothing for Estel; Elrond helps him as does Handil, but it is up to Estel now."

He was about to say more, when there was a knock on the door. Bidding the person to enter, they watched as Thranduil entered the room. "How are you faring? I wanted to see personally if there is anything you need…"

Elladan stood up and walked over to the king. "We're frustrated my Lord. We want to go after the orcs who hurt our little brother. Glorfindel tells us of orcs spied several leagues away and says they are many. We'd like your best warriors to accompany us on a hunt, with your leave."

Thranduil rubbed his thumb over one eyebrow, thinking. "The spiders have grown bolder these past times and there is more trouble brewing. I need good warriors to fight them off. I can spare no more than ten warriors to accompany you, will that do?"

Elladan smiled. "Thank you, my Lord."

Thranduil nodded. "All right, I'll send my warriors to the stables. Meet them in an hour. I will check on the human while you prepare." He slowly shook his head. "Legolas is a good fighter, but I think his mind is more with his friend than on fighting. That and Estel seems to find much comfort in him- therefore I will bid him stay here."

"That's all right. We'd like for someone he trusts to stay with him. Our father and Handil are still resting and the other elves are not so familiar to him…" Elladan trailed off.

"That does not mean we do not want to stay with him!" Elrohir hurriedly interjected.

"However, we feel useless since there is nothing we can do for him here. So we'd rather go after the ones who did this." Glorfindel finished.

Thranduil smiled. "I know, I wish you good hunting and will tell Legolas what you are planning. Till next we meet." With that, the king of Mirkwood turned around and walked to Legolas' room.

Elladan looked at the others. "Well, let us prepare for the hunt!"

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TBC