Hey, hey. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews!! I've enjoyed them all so much! Sorry for a bit of a way, it's been a busy life as of late. Hey, no cliffie this time, but that's not to say about future chapters.

Firnsarnien-

Well it took a little while to get this up, and the wargs are still nice, rather lazy if I say myself. They like the little Warg treats though.

Hope you enjoy

Elladan-

They are a little ways from the house, about a few hours, maybe a little less. So not to far.

Anita-

Well in the city I suppose, but little Ro and Dan can't go to the city by themselves. You'll find the extent of Elrohir's stories in future chapters. I have at least two, maybe three left.

Goblz-

Well, you will find answers to most of your questions in this chapter. No cliffie this time though!
Chapter 8

The indents in the freshly fallen snow were barely perceptible, but they were there. The wind played with soft wet powder, throwing it here and there, covering the faint tracks even more. Elrond frowned as he ran his fingers over them gently. They were not Elrohir's tracks. They were larger, not by much, but larger just the same, and they did not follow the same pattern as before.

Elrond already knew whose they were, the tiny outlines of the soft shoes stood out easily enough in his memory. With a sigh he looked up into the wind, small clutches of snow landing on his face. "Elladan," he breathed his eldest son's name softly.

He had a feeling Elladan would not stay. He could only hope that his son was safe, and that Celebrian was not too worried. Elrond's gaze drifted downward again, following Elladan's prints in the fresh snow. As long as he a trail, he would follow. He could only hope for the best as he strode off, pulling the hood over his head to keep the wintry chill out.

*~*~*~*

Elrohir clutched Elladan's jacket near him, burying his face in the dry lining. He felt so cold and tired. Fatigue and hunger nibbled inside him, and he was slowly realizing that he was thirsty as well. He sucked the water droplets that clung to his hands and arms, desperate for a little comfort. The movement caused something to fall from the jacket, clattering on the stone floor.

Elrohir smiled as he picked up the whistle with frozen fingers. He was glad it had not been lost. He shook the water from it before placing it against his lips and blowing softly. A weak tune came forth, broken by the Elfling's shivering. His frozen fingers barely moved and he could play no more than a few different tunes before hanging it around his neck.

Burying his head in the warm cloth once more, Elrohir closed his eyes as sleep slowly overcame him.

*~*~*~*

Celebrian limped over the window, ignoring Glorfindel's efforts to keep her on the couch. She had just found moments ago of Elladan's disappearance, it wasn't to hard to figure where the child had gone. The sun was beginning to set, signaling the ending of another day. Two days had passed now, and both her sons were lost. Seating herself on the edge of the sill she let out a sigh, speaking quietly.

"I fear for them Glorfindel. And I feel so helpless that I can do no more than sit here and pray."

Celebrian pulled her soft blue robe around her small frame, leaning against the wall. Glorfindel shook his head softly as he took a seat on the couch. He pondered his words carefully before speaking, knowing how dear both the twins were to his friends. He loved them with his all his heart, and yet he was not even their father. How could he understand the pain Celebrian and Elrond were feeling?

"Sometimes that is enough," the soft voice startled the two of them, and they turned to see Aiwëvana coming into the sitting room. She pulled her dark hair behind her head, standing behind the couch.

"I know I have no say in this, my child is safe, my thanks goes out heavily to Lord Elrond. But for that you two may loose more than I can ever repay."

"None of this is your blame my lady," Glorfindel said softly, rising from where he sat. Celebrian nodded in agreement.

"Glorfindel does speak the truth. My children will be safe, I can feel it. You needn't worry. Go, take your rest, the hour draws late."

*~*~*~*

Elladan had gathered a neat little pile of firewood, ignoring the pain in his feet and hands as the cold bit at them. He was trying his best to hurry, but just finding the wood proved to be difficult. Most of it were large sturdy branches high in the trees. Very few limbs were around, but a few hours of searching was beginning to pay off.

He was slowly making his way back to the cave when he stopped, a faint voice playing on his ears. A grin suddenly split across his face as he recognized the voice, dropping the timber where he stood. He ran fleet footed across the snow, headed toward the stray voice.

"Atar! Atar! Im si! Im si Atar!" (I am here! I am here father!)

Elrond turned at the cry, smiling with relief at the small form that raced toward him. Elladan grabbed his hand when he arrived, the small Elfling breathing heavy. He was not injured from what Elrond could see, but was barefoot, his feet turning red in the cold snow. He attempted to pick his eldest son up, but Elladan wriggled from his gasp.

"Come on Atar, Elrohir's hurt, you need to help him!"

Elrond nodded and let his son lead him back to the cave, his heart beating in his chest with both relief and worry. Elrohir was alive, but injured. How badly he did not know. They arrived only moments later, and Elrond had to stoop to enter. It was dark and he nearly missed the small form curled in a ball.

Elrohir was not moving, and Elrond pushed his Eldest son away as he knelt on the ground in front of Elrohir. Elrond reached out with a trembling hand to check for a pulse, but suddenly Elrohir stirred, blinking several times at the forms in front of him.

"Atar?" he muttered, his voice soft and broken.

"Oh Elrohir," he whispered, pulling the wet child into his hold. Elrohir half climbed and half fell into his father's grasp, snuggling against the warmth of his chest. Elrond wrapped the shivering Elf in his tunic, turning to Elladan. He opened his arm, inviting the Elfling into his arms.

Elladan quickly scurried in, realizing how cold he really was. Elrond held his sons against him, grateful that both were alive, but he needed to get Elrohir home, the young Elf was shivering violently in his hold now.

"Let's go home," he whispered quietly.

TBC