Avion – Ah, there are many twists and turns to come… possibly, I haven't actually finished this story yet, so your guess is as good as mine on what happens next.

Aliceyoustolemyname – Err… sorry. Legolas is a bit meaner than usual, but all will be revealed… maybe. (See above)

Dragonfly – Trouble eh? What makes you think they'll get themselves into trouble? ;)

Tithen Min – Hah, you wouldn't dare abandon me. I'm here to entertain… Oh, and concerning your stories, I will be reading them in a couple of weeks so expect a couple of friendly reviews!

Celeblas Elentari Manwe – They will, somehow, some err… way, they'll be bestest fwends. Honest.

Lady Eleclya – Ah, if he sounds like you, then you can be my unofficial muse.

Mozart's Clone – Mozart's clone fancies an elf… ooh I don't think this is what god intended. Oo-er.

TigerLily713 – Why, thank you. I thought it was my worst but I'm glad you liked it.

Rhonda – Um… I was intending to.

Astronema – I hear they do exorcisms on shoulder devils now…

Shayarian Draakami – "They got stuck together in the woods with commands to 'play nice'? Heh- sounds like two little kids geting sent to time out." Didn't actually think of it like that. You learn something new everyday.

TrinityTheSheDevil – Yeah, I can picture them doing that. Oh, you're my 50th reviewer, thank you. No prize except for my fondest thoughts I'm afraid.

~*~Screams in the Dark~*~

"Do you think that was wise? We may never see them again." Elrohir asked his brother.

Elladan laughed. "I trust Legolas to watch over Estel, he will not let any harm come to him."

"That is not what I am worried about." His dark hair ruffled in the wind. "Father will kill us."

"Possibly." Came the casual reply, coupled with a twinkling smile. "But if it stops their petty feuding, then he will thank us."

"And if it does not?"

"Then we will have to try something else. I will not sacrifice our brother or one of our dearest friends because of a pointless squabble. He replied defiantly.

"It may be pointless to us, but they are both very stubborn. They are too alike for their own good, if you ask me. I fear neither will speak to us when they return." Elrohir grimaced. "Did you see Estel's face when we told them? He was heartbroken, this was supposed to be his birthday treat."

"I know; I feel terrible. He must learn not to fight though, we will take him with us next time."

"Estel is just a child, it is Legolas who must learn not to fight." He grinned, pushing away the defiant strands of hair that blew across his face. "On the other hand, if they do make up, we will have to grow eyes in the back of our heads. With Legolas' seasoned cunning and Estel's ability to concoct the most devious of pranks, they will plan something too terrible to imagine."

Elladan fell silent for a moment, glancing back ruefully at the specks on the hill. "I did not think this out very well, did I? Our dear brother is also in league with the wizard, I saw them plotting together last night. Is it too late to go back and stir up another quarrel?"

"I am afraid so. I do not think my ears can take anymore silly squabbling. We shall just have to face the consequences like grown men… or elves even." He conceded.

"I suppose so." His twin replied dejectedly. "Maybe we should take a detour and never return." Elladan remarked, looking into the distance.   

* * *   

Legolas watched in horror as his friends galloped away, leaving him with that. He looked over at the sullen youngster, their eyes meeting for a second, before both turned away in disgust. The crisp spring day was drawing to an end and the two riders were left in the sunset alone, their tempers reflected in the crimson skyline.

Estel rolled his eyes. "What will happen now?" He whinged, the hurt in his voice clear and disappointment at his brothers' departure obvious.

"It is up to you, either we continue to the hunt, although what use a human would pose, I do not know, especially one so ungraceful and loud, or we can head back to Rivendell and say everything is sorted between us." The fair elf replied frostily.

"Ungraceful? Loud? I snuck into your camp unnoticed, and you call me loud?" He growled, before smiling sweetly. "Perhaps I am and your senses are just inadequate."

The glimmer of smug satisfaction drained from Legolas' face and was replaced with a most unelven scowl. "I am far superior to you in every way possible." He said nonchalantly, trotting away slowly.

"Charming as ever." Estel followed and went to his side. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"I hate no one." He muttered, looking away.

The small boy couldn't help but laugh. "If you do not hate me then I fear for anyone who may eventually endure your vicious wrath at its fullest."

Legolas stared sternly at the giggling child. "You are a foul being. You are dishonest to your adopted family, and that is terrible trait."

"I am not dishonest." Estel cried.

"They do not seem to know that their foster son is an accomplished swordsman and that you disappear at night to fight goblins." He shot back.

"You know, I am neither forgetful nor deaf, you do not need to emphasise that I am adopted; I am fully aware of that fact." He raised an eyebrow. "Besides, I do not disappear to fight goblins! I just stumbled upon you and could see that you needed help. I would not wish to see an elf die."

"Stumbled? You just said you snuck into my camp before those creatures appeared."

Estel looked away. "I am sorry, I seek solitude in the forest at night sometimes and there you were. It started out as a game, but everything just..."

He watched the solemn boy for a moment. "Why do you wander through the forest at night? It is not safe." His harsh tone softened.

Estel remained silent and rode on ahead a little way to avoid the elf's piercing eyes. He frowned, unsure of how to deal with his reaction. Men were too complicated; this boy in particular had issues that Legolas did not wish to delve into.

"What do you want to do?" Legolas asked, his gentler tone remaining.

He shrugged. "I agree that two people would not achieve much if we were to hunt, I am inexperienced and doubt I would be of much use anyway." Estel grudgingly admitted.

"Ah, so you acknowledge that you are not gifted at everything."

"I never said I was. I do not know how to hunt and I am useless at archery. As far as I know, they are my only faults." He grinned. "But then, even the most gifted of archers are put to shame by you."

Legolas frowned. "Indeed."

The dark haired boy rolled his eyes. "That was my last attempt at being civil."

"And your first."

"I have tried several times, unlike you." He pouted.

Legolas glanced across at him and felt a pang of guilt.

Nightfall came quickly and all the land was swathed in a dark blanket that swallowed up the surrounding wild land. They had set up camp near the edge of a cliff with only a few trees as a barrier from twenty-foot drop. A few enormous boulders hung over it slightly and Legolas had settled there, one leg pulled close to his chest and the other dangling over the edge. A small fire crackled in the centre, keeping the spring chill at bay. The wind whistled through the tall trees around them, bitter and unfriendly. Estel looked across the plains, it was unnerving and a tad intimidating. He did not recall ever being this far from Rivendell and was in the company of the most disagreeable and disgruntled elf he had ever met. Legolas was a very strange thing, he thought to himself. All elves were proud beings, but this one was almost intolerable: cold and unforgiving. He understood Legolas' pride had been dented, but it was a secret between them and had no intention of telling anyone of their encounter.

Pulling his knees up close to his chest, he lent back against another large boulder that sheltered them from the breeze. He watched Legolas warily, studying him. "You are unusually quiet."

Legolas flinched and looked across to him. "I was hoping for some peace from your twittering." He muttered.

Estel frowned. "You did not answer my question earlier."

"Go to sleep, I am very growing weary of you." He dismissed.

"Why will you not answer me properly?" The young boy tucked his hair behind his ears, leaning forward as he spoke.

"I did."

"But that does not explain why you were so hostile toward me in the forest. Do you treat everyone who saves you like that?"

"No one has ever saved me." Legolas snarled under his breath.

Estel cocked an eyebrow in surprise. "We all need saving at some time."

"Not all of us are stupid enough to need rescuing all the time." He snapped.

"Needing help is not always a result of stupidity, Legolas. You were not stupid that night, just outnumbered. I am sure you would have triumphed if you had not been hit with such a cheap shot." His soft grey eyes met Legolas' as he spoke gently.

Legolas' frown softened a little. "Go to sleep, Estel. I have not the energy for this tonight." 

He opened his mouth to reply, but decided not to. As much as he wanted to press this matter with the stubborn elf, he was absolutely exhausted and knew there was little chance he would give any more away. Estel did not want to sleep though; he did not like to sleep. Doing his best to suppress a yawn, he watched the elf defiantly for a further hour but his numerous attempts to talk were ignored. Legolas, however, couldn't fail to notice how unwilling Estel was at the prospect of sleeping, but much to his relief, he eventually reluctantly drifted off. 

The hours drifted by slowly, the vast wilderness became so dark at night that it was almost impossible to see at all, even the sharp eyes of an elf struggled. The stars flickered like tiny candles and the breeze whispered through the leaves. Legolas looked down at Estel from the lofty height of a nearby tree. A strange thing, he contemplated, so cocky and full of spirit by day, but now that the sun had fallen, he had suddenly become vulnerable, pitiful even. He was not afraid of the surrounding dangers or of the dark, but he was definitely afraid of something.

He frowned; Estel did not sleep well, tossing and turning, mumbling to himself. His breathing had become ragged and panicked. It was clearly a bad dream, he watched with an almost morbid curiosity as the child burrowed his head into the spare tunic he was using as a pillow. Legolas bit his lip; the youngster was sweating and visibly distressed. As much as he disliked the insolent thing, Legolas' heart ached at his anguish. He climbed down silently and sat down beside the sleeping boy.

"It is alright, wake up." He said soothingly, rubbing Estel's shoulder reassuringly.

Estel didn't respond. His sleep was disturbed but deep, the dreams swirling heavily in his mind. Shaking violently, he whimpered and cried out, startling Legolas. He stroked the boy's clammy face, which woke him with a start.

"Calm down, little one. It was but a dream, you are safe." Legolas smiled gently.

Wild grey eyes, full of fear and anger stared back at him, unblinking in the moonlight. Tears had welled up but he bit them back furiously. Legolas looked at the trembling child and attempted to pull him into his arms. 

He shirked away. "Do not insult me with your pity." His cold voice was as ragged as his breathing.

The slender elf's brow furrowed with confusion and surprise. "I do not pity you, I was worried about you, that is all."

Estel snorted. "I bet it gives you great satisfaction to see me weep like a child."

"You are a child!" Legolas cried exasperatedly.

"You do not understand!" He shouted, his hands shaking. "No one-" He trailed off.

Estel fell silent and looked away, collecting his thoughts for a moment. Running a hand through his dark locks, he took a deep breath. Legolas watched the distressed boy with astonishment; he was still trembling, the distress unmistakable in his eyes.

"I need to be alone." He mumbled, backing away.

"You cannot wander into the night alone." Legolas replied anxiously, following him. "It is not safe for someone so inexperienced."

Estel spun around, sorrow replaced by anger in his features. "Why do you bore me with your false concern? Just leave me alone, I do not care to be around such an abominable being." He snarled.

Legolas clenched his fists. "Fine." He spat. "I care not for a despicable being deluded by Lord Elrond's pity and curiosity of mortals. One day he will see the light and cast you away."

The furious outburst stunned the both of them. Estel's eyes widened and involuntary tears rolled down his cheeks. His bottom lip quivered and his hands shook harder. Legolas had finally snapped and his grievances had finally been vented with vengeance and could see the boy's heartbreak at his harsh words.  

"Better some… project of Lord Elrond than to be so shut off and so pompous that you shun those who try to help." Estel cried furiously.

Legolas scowled and stormed away, leaving Estel alone.

The fuming elf stalked through the trees and climbed up a tall Beech tree with lush foliage. His regret at his vicious outburst was soon replaced by his rage. He clenched his jaw and kicked out, snapping a branch. Watching it fall to the ground, he sighed. Legolas looked out through the forest ruefully, running his fingers through his blonde hair. Rage soon returned to regret. He is an arrogant, obnoxious, cocky thing but he did not deserve that, he reflected. Regret over what he had said, evolved into regret that he had left an upset inexperienced little boy alone in the wild at night.   

He made his way down quickly, his step heavier than usual and dropped to the ground with a slight bump.

His anxiety multiplied when a scream pierced the night's tranquillity…

TBC…

Okay, so I'm a bitch. You didn't honestly think I'd only ever have one cliffhanger, did you? Mwahahahahaha.