Well here it is!!! Hehe, don't kill us!!! It clears up the cliffie!!!

*backs up slowly*

hehe uh enjoy?

*runs*

Title: Hope and Despair

Rating: ummm about PG-13 for violence and angst.

Disclaimer: Do we really have to say this? Ok, these characters do not belong to us, we just borrow them to torture for pleasure, not money and them give them back in (basically) the same condition we got them! *G*

A/N: Well this a first. Rhonda's first fic and my first co-authored fic. Hope everyone enjoys, feedback is always welcome!

Please Note: Much like Cassia and Sio, we feel that when Tolkien said that Aragorn was "raised in the house of Lord Elrond" he meant that Estel grew up in Rivendell with Elrond as his father and the twins as his brothers. Also in this fic (again like Cassia and Sio) we feel that Aragorn's mother died along with Arathorn, and she has no place in this fic.

Ok enough with the head's up!! On with the fic!

Chapter 4

Morning dawned beautifully around Imaldris. The sun was shining, the birds were all singing, and everything looked refreshed from a night's rest. However, there were three creatures, elves, who looked as if the night had done them no good, and they had seen little to no rest.

The twins looked like walking zombies, their skin was much paler than normal, and they both had black marks under their eyes. All of these things were VERY uncommon for elves. For elves seldom needed rest, but the fatigue in the two was not caused from a night of missed sleep, but from a night of worry, grief, and self recrimination.

If the twins looked bad, Lord Elrond looked horribly worse. His face was practically painted with worry, and self recrimination. He looked as though he hadn't slept in months. He resembled death warmed over.

All three were preparing their horses along with Glorfindel. They were all preparing to depart again to search for Estel.

Unbeknownst to them a lithe figure was watching their every move. 'Hmmm they are preparing to go out to search for that worthless echil again' Thaynes thought 'Perhaps I can show them that he is not worth their time, not that they would find him anyway.'

With those thoughts in mind Thaynes entered the courtyard and approached the elven lord's steeds.

"Suilad brannon nin" Thaynes greeted upon entering the courtyard.

All four Elf Lords looked up startled at the voice. They had been so wrapped up in preparation and grief they did not hear Thaynes' approach. For a moment it seemed as though no one was going to reply to Thaynes' cheerful greeting, but finally Glorfindel came to Elrond and the twin's rescue.

"Suilad young Thaynes. What brings you out here this early in the morning?" Glrofindel greeted politely.

"Just the bright sunshine brannon nin. Tell me what ails the lords Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir?" Thaynes asked looking at the three peculiarly.

"Estel is missing. Please, look for him around here, or send someone to find us immediately if he returns" Glorfindel answered, watching Thaynes closely. He sensed that something was not right here. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but something was undoubtably amiss.

"Oh what a shame. The poor little thing, I will keep an eye out for him. What did he do? Go for a walk and get lost in the woods?" Thaynes sneered. Then he recovered himself quickly "I will aid in the search for him here and keep an eye out in case he should return." he finished with unconvincing pity and determination.

Elrond, having finally managed to acknowledge his presence, nodded to the young elf. "Hannon le Thaynes" the elf lord said quietly.

As Thaynes headed out of the courtyard and towards the woods Glorfindel told Elrond and the twins of his suspicions about Thaynes.

"I think we should follow him brannon nin" Glorfindel stated. "He is hiding something, and I don't like it, or his expression and emotions when the subject of Estel was brought up" he finished.

"Do you think he knows where Estel is?" Elladan questioned, finally coming out of his stupor.

This grabbed the attention of the others as well.

"I don't know Elladan, but something is not right with that young one, and I for one think it is worth checking out." Glorfindel stated. "Brannon nin, you and your sons can follow him and see what he is up too, I will continue the search for Estel around Imaldris, that way if we are wrong in our assumptions about Thaynes someone will still be searching for Estel elsewhere." Glorfindel finished.

The others nodded and all headed in the direction that Thaynes had taken. He obviously was not worried about being followed as he left a very plain trail. They all followed it deep into the woods surrounding Imaldris. This was a part that was seldom used anymore.

Then in the distance the twins spotted a small shack. 'Wonder what that is doing all the way out here' they all thought. Suddenly, they all heard a sound that made their blood run as cold as ice water through their veins, it was screaming. Not just any screaming but a blood-curdling inhuman sound that made all of them freeze in their tracks, mainly because they all recognized that voice, even if it was full of pain now instead of the joy and laughter that usually filled it.

It was, with out a doubt, Estel. Then, perhaps even more disturbing than the screaming, was the dead silence that followed that sent all three elves rushing for the shack.

TBC........

Oops? Another cliffie, did I do that??? Bad Rhonda!!

Hehe, well, uh, r/r anyway!!!

*runs and hides*

Namaarie everyone!