A/N: Ok... not too crazy about this chapter... I tried to put in some action, but something went terribly wrong... I guess I'll just have to practice and write more of it! *grin* Next one will be better (hopefully...)! R/R, saying if you *really* want me to continue! =D

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Chapter XI – Three Different Situations...

"Wait! Daro [Halt]! Something is not right..." Legolas bent down and studied the tracks for a moment, tracing imaginary lines with his fingers.

"What is it? I see nothing wrong. Alas, Legolas, we mustn't tarry!"

"We must have missed something on our way. Here, take a closer look at these. They are different. Only two horses there are here." Elrohir's demeanour changed completely and he joined the other on the ground.

"Yes, you're right, I see it too. They must have split up earlier and we missed it! What now? Which one has Estel? Should we part as well?" Concern was taking over Elrohir.

"Nay, mellon. Parting is not a good idea, we're only two and badly armed! If we decide to give chase to the two groups, then we would have no chance to resist, should we engage into a fight. I'm sure there are plenty more of them down the road."

"Then what?! How do we know where Estel is?!" The Rivendell Elf suddenly raised and started walking nervously around.

"Calm down, Elrohir! Keep a cool head! Distressing will not help us, nor Estel! You should know that, as a warrior!" The other sighed and kneeled back down, as sense got back into him. "Now, we must think and hope we make the right choice. If I were they, I'd keep Estel with the larger group. That way, he's best protected. That would be the most logical course for me."

"Maybe, Legolas. But what if Estel is with the lone rider and they split just to fool us?"

"I know, it is a risk we shall have to take. When Elladan comes, things will be easier. And either way, the two paths probably lead to the same place, in the end."

"Aye, agreed. Let us not linger any longer. They already have quite a distance ahead of us and it does not diminish, on the contrary, it's growing rapidly with every minute that goes by!"

The two Elves shared a small encouraging smile and started running again. The plain had a slight inclination to it and went up all the way, till it reached two steep hills. When they finally got to the end of the small plain, they noticed that the road, and the trail, went on through the middle of those two great slopes. They rose high, in their red coloured rock, and flanked the road. By the base of each one of the hills, lay eerie woods of tall, sinister-looking pine-trees, but Elrohir and Legolas kept running ahead. They could not afford to stop.

"Elrohir, where are we now?"

"We are still on the Eastern Road. This is only a small part of it. Soon, we'll be on the open woods again. Further on, North of the Road are the-"

A loud rumble interrupted the son of Elrond, as small debris fell on top of the two Elves. They looked up, and two things did they see. One, the missing rider, all dressed in black robes, and second, a great amount of rocks falling, and not just sand and pebbles, but large boulders too.

"We've been led into a trap!" Elrohir shouted, as he choked on the sand and dust falling on them.

~*~

Elladan ran as fast as he could. He hoped Legolas and his younger brother fared well until he was able to return with help. He made his way back to the clearing where they'd been earlier, this time, taking the easier and shorter path from where they had all came in the morning.

Eyes were upon him, he could feel their stares burying deep within his skin, that sense of heaviness on the back of his neck ever present. He knew they were hidden among the trees, for the birds' singing had died down and the wind's blowing sound had grown harsher in the midst of all that stillness. That and the fact that he could hear the earth being crushed under heavy feet, as well as the occasional twig snapping. But he paid little heed to it, for only the need for speed had place in his disturbed thoughts.

When he reached his destination, he let out a long, low whistle. As response, shortly afterwards, three horses came to meet him, approaching from the middle of the trees and along the water line. Elladan set their saddles, bridles and adjusted what supplies he could to them, not wanting it to be neither too heavy, nor wanting to take too much time.

As he leaned down to grab the weapons that had stayed behind, however, a dagger flew out of nowhere and buried itself in the dark tree-trunk just above the Elf. He took hold of his sword and prepared for any fighting that might ensue. None came. ~This is most disconcerting! Who's out there and why?!~

When he'd finished strapping the things to the horses, Elladan jumped lightly on top of his steed and galloped off by the good path to join the others, the other two horses following. He rode as fast as the terrain allowed it, for both thoughts of Estel and that unknown dagger were now on his mind. He wasn't so sure he really wished to meet whoever was its owner.

As he once again arrived at that small hill, from where they'd overlooked the strangers before, the sight was quite different. Four more dark-clad figures were there, and they'd seen him.

Slowly unsheathing their ancient swords in a single fluid motion, they took small steps towards him. Elladan let his blade shine in Anar's light, releasing it from the sheath on his belt, and braced himself for the eminent confrontation.

One of the figures gave out a vertical slash, while the others were moving to surround him. Elladan realised this, and as the stroke fell, he'd moven to the right of it and sent his horse ahead, thus efficiently escaping being encircled. But his foes were faster and in greater numbers.

Another, thrusted his sword forward. The Elf just had time to jump up to the low branches of a tree and kick out, hitting the other hard across the face. He was thrown back, but his companions replaced him. Elladan let himself fall into the waiting horse, and stood against the three remaining ones.

They fought for a while still, blocking blows and receiving near misses. Elladan's horse aided its master, occasionally kicking out and effectively hitting some. By the end, though, they had both Elf and horse trapped in the middle of a circle, and all had many scratches and cuts. Even with the horse advantage, Elladan was outnumbered. The strangers were rapidly overcoming him.

Just when he thought he could hold his stance no longer, two more opponents materialised from the trees, and, as they did, Elladan barely made out something in the wind, followed by a strange shriek that filled the air. The other foes immediately stepped back and Elladan's horse was overcome with blind panic, and nothing the Elf tried would soothe the usually gentle beast.

It kicked madly and, for more than once, nearly threw them both off the edge of the cliff, in its fury. Elladan held on fiercely to the reins and struggled to remain on the saddle. He did not understand why the horse acted so, not listening to him, for the troubling noise had ended already.

Now, even with elven balance and grace, to stay on top of such a powerful, irate beast was a near impossible task. Eventually, the silver horse gave a strong kick, lifting his back legs and deliberately producing an impulse that threw the Elf to the front, which, combined with a sudden swerve to the left, was simply too strong for the already off-balanced to resist. It sent Elladan indeed off the saddle. Unfortunately, the horse had also reached the edge of the small platform, and so, he fell off helplessly from the high ravine.

All the strangers did was to stare down and collect the horses, who still battled in fear, while one of them went down to look for the Elf.

~*~

"Estel? Estel! Come child, where are you hiding now?"

Gilraen looked all over the gardens, and still there was no trace of her son anywhere. She had already searched the entire house and nothing. And to top it all, no Elf had seen Estel yet, since the night before.

"My Lady, is there anything I can do for you?" The Elf came peacefully walking towards her with a caring smile on his face.

"Lord Elrond! It would seem I am unable to find my son! You would have not happened to have seen him, would you my Lord?" Elrond's face turned into a grave look.

"Nay, I have not. Not all day, in fact. Have you asked the other Elves? Mayhap someone else knows where he is."

"Yes, my Lord, I have! None has seen him and I've been looking around all day, since he did not come for lunch. I am growing more and more distressed by the second!"

Another Elf, Silima, came running to the Lord, a worried and urgent look clearly readable on her features.

"My Lord, you are needed with most urgency! Culnaur's party has returned bearing many injured ones! I have sent them into the house and given orders for them to be taken to some empty chambers at once!"

"What?! How can this be? Thank you Silima, you did well." He added with a warm smile on his face, trying to ease her. "Lady Gilraen, I apologise for the interruption. By your leave, Lady?"

"Certainly, go my Lord! I'll continue with my search, you have more important things requiring your attention."

"Silima, please come with me. I shall need help."

With that, Elrond and Silima hurried to the front of the house and found another Elf restlessly waiting by the door, pacing from one side to the other.

"My Lord! I'll take you to the injured ones!" He said, and, as they walked the small distance from the front door to the healing rooms, both him and Silima told the Elf-Lord of what to expect from the warriors.

Elrond took some time to tend to them, but, afterwards, talked and inquired the captain of the party.

"Tell me, my good Culnaur, what has come to pass?"

"My Lord, as you know, we were going West to help the Dúnedain, as was their request. As we were going through the Road, though, someone unexpectedly attacked us. I cannot tell you with certainty who they were, for none of us was able to tell, but they were most likely a stray band of Orcs. We had yet to reach Amon Sûl, when they stroke down on us. They had us well caught, and it was with difficulty that we managed to escape and return. My Lord, I request to you that you allow me, and perhaps some of those in this group, to go back and see to them."

"In time Culnaur. But these are unsettling news you bring, Orcs this close to Rivendell. For now, though, I want you to rest, in order to recover. In the meanwhile, let us hope they cause no more damage."