HEY! I'm back, finally. I'm sorry for leaving you guys hanging like that for so long, but as it says in my bio, we moved, and been very busy and have had no computer at all for about two months. This update is short, but I'll will try and update in a day or so, when I have time to write that is. R2R is at the bottom

Chapter 10

Snow began to fall again, though from where Elrond could not tell. The sky above seemed perfectly clear, each star shining brightly than the next. The Elf Lord however was not concerned of this matter, his attention drawn elsewhere.

Elrohir shivered in his arms as the heavy breathing of the Orcs echoed in his ears, fearing that they would be found. It was then that a shout arose from the darkness, seemingly agog at its findings.

"There, in the tree!"

Elrond grasped his sword fully, tightening his hold on his youngest son. Peering out from his hiding spot the Elf Lord could see the Orcs searching where the first had pointed out. One of the larger beasts grasped a rock, half buried by snow and flung it into the tree branches above.

Elrond began to move out, drawing his sword from its sheath. The scraping of metal was silenced by the cries of the Orcs. At that moment, the branches above shook as a form took flight into the night air. Elrond slipped quickly behind the tree again as the attention was drawn elsewhere.

"An owl!" one Orc sneered. "That's what we've been searching for, an owl!

"But I saw eyes!" the second cried.

"You lying scum you-- "

The conversation was cut short as sword was drawn free. Elrond could easily hear the metal bury itself deep within flesh, and the staggering of the being as he fell.

"You die here," the first snarled. "Let's move out."

Elrond could barely contain a sigh of relief as the monsters marched onward. He waited until their footfalls were silent before moving out, stepping around the Orc's body. As he looked into the trees a voice chuckled, drawing his attention to the Orc.

"So…there were…Elves…"

The creature sighed as his head fell backward into the snow, releasing his last breath of air. Elrond said nothing but motioned into the tree for Elladan to come out. Elrohir gazed onward at the Orc that lay in the snow, a gaping hole in his chest where the sword had gashed him.

He turned his head back to Elrond as the Elf Lord helped his twin down. "Atar, Why are they like that?" he pondered, turning his eyes back to the corpse.

Elrond followed his gaze, the question held in abeyance. "A lesson for another time my son, though very well asked. Let us go home."

*~*~*~*~*

From the House of Elrond in Rivendell, Celebrian watched the sun rise from the window. A layer of fresh snow had fallen earlier, and the skies had cleared, allowing the sun's rays to shine through. The morning birds sang high in trees and snow hares jumped lightly over the ground, searching for traces of food.

But she could not find happiness within this tranquillity. For the last day and night she had been hoping for the best, but as the hours stretched onward, she found herself losing hope. She began to fear that she would never be able to hold her sons again, to see their bright smiling faces as they accomplished something, or to tell them stories before they fell asleep.

"Do not worry my lady, Elrond will return soon, with the two of them."

Glorfindel had told her this many of times over. But she could no longer see how. She ran her hands through her hair; her blurry eyes searched the empty horizon before her.

"Valor please," she whispered, "Please bring them home safely."

"Atara!"

The young voice startled her, and she barely had time to turn before Elladan was fully in her lap, hugging her tightly. She returned the embraced, almost afraid to believe that it was really him. Glancing upward she met eyes with her husband, her smile disappearing on sight of the bundle he held in his arms.

"Elrohir?" she queried, uncertain if she truly wanted to hear the answer.

Elrond smiled as he sat down next to her, drawing the coat from his son's head. His eyes were open slightly, his chest rising and falling as he slept easily.

"Is he…" Celebrian started.

"He has some frostbite and some other wounds that need tending to, but he is well." Elrond reassured his wife.

Celebrian smiled, drawing her fingers through Elrohir's wet hair with her free hand, while holding Elladan with her other. The young elfling stirred under her touch but did not wake. Elrond lifted him carefully, making way into the bedroom; Celebrian trailed behind slowly, holding Elladan's hand as they followed.

Glorfindel had been watching from the hallway, and smiled as she walked past. "Did I not tell you he would being them back?" he wondered.

Celebrian only smiled as she went by. She looked at her eldest son, who was walking in perfect step.

"Let us get you into dry clothes, then we shall check on your brother."

Elladan nodded, yawning as he leaned against her as they entered his room.

TBC

Salogel: I see you're your usually self. When am I going to see you put up a story HUH? I'll bug you later about it. BTW what have you been on? You can't stay on one topic more than…like 3 seconds man!

Little One: Glad you like the story, Ro is also my favorite, hence why he is having all the bad luck.

Kia- No, no more poor little Ro angst. He's had enough, poor little Elfie, but as you see no cliff hanger this time…I hope you were able to hold on for that long of time.

Elladan- Since you are the only Elladan reviewing my story, I won't use numbers. Bah, I don't like the numbers, but I don't have to worry about them though, my name is original. Glad you liked the chapter, the group of Orcs was probably a small one, but Elrond didn't have to worry about fighting them, all things worked out well. If he had to, he probably could, I think…

Erhothwen- Thwen, don't do that! Elrond always needs his concentration

Elrond: (Staggering around) wha? What happened?

Thwen: Nothing, nothing happened! I didn't do anything!

Emmithar: Nice cover.

But all is well ends well…right?

Anita H- Hey, did I see some fireworks go off over there? Help may have been around, but I don't think to many guards go tromping around at night looking for trouble. Thanks for the review!

Firnsarnien- Holy Crapola? Who in the world said that? Besides you. Yes I am evil, I have a lot of influnce from Carrie… you may find it hard to predict me…

Goblz- see I did update, it just took me nearly forever to do so…there is nothing wrong with that…is there? But the eyes belonged to an owl, thank goodness huh? Well the lake is just a lake, and in that area there are many lakes, so it could have been any lake.