Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places thereof.

Author's note: With apologies, I know I've never updated often or written very long chapters, and it will get worse before it gets better. I've just started high school, and as I don't leave school until five-thirty most days, and have a riding lesson one of the days I leave at three-fifteen, updates will probably occur only on weekends for a while. I'm really sorry and hope you're not too mad about this. I am doing my best.

Leggylover03: Heh heh heh. . .you'll see. . . (nope, no spoilers today)

Gwyn: I'm quite glad you said that, actually, because if you recall in the earlier chapters Lysander was a real jerk and most of the readers hated him, but then he changed. . .and no one wanted him to die. That is one aspect of the story I worked hard to portray, thank you for noting it.

Thanks those of you who reviewed! It's drawing to a close now. . .

*****

Estel ran behind his brother, struggling under the weight of the body but denying any offers of help. He did not cry, though his mind was awash in sadness, for he had things more important to worry about. For example, while their was a battle going on outside, why did he not hear the sounds of arrows cutting the air and sword blades meeting one another?

The dark and thickened air smelled thick with blood, and the boy felt his stomach churning. Although the sounds of death and battle had gone mute, proof of them still remained. Yet some symptoms went unnoticed, save in that he noticed that he did not notice them: the silent streets and empty houses. Where were all the children and women? Were they dead, like those in the first house? Estel tried not to think about it.

They had to pause before the gates of the city to catch their breath. "This is going to be the most difficult segment of our journey," said Elladan. Though he meant the journey of that night, Estel found himself wondering if indeed it was. Was not what had happened already cruel enough? Then he realized: the others had not been inside the house, had not crept along the sewer system with Sierra, had not been shoved about by the Elven guards, had not seen a friend's death and had not avenged it. They were the children now, he realized, and, not believing anything would change, when they returned to Imladris his life would be all the worse for that excursion. "So let us go forth and have it done with. Put your best efforts towards stealth and speed." Then he pushed the gate open just a tiny space, straining with the effort, and motioning for Elrohir to lead them out: he would stay until last.

Estel no longer worried for courage. Did it matter if he lived or died? What was there left to live for? And so without fear, and without courage, he went forth, behind Elrohir, onto the field that might prove answer to some of his questions. He almost expected the air to change as he left the city, but it did not, save becoming brighter with the absence of shadow and heavier laden with the smell of blood.

Where was the fighting? It was not upon the field. Men and Elves stood facing one another, looking ashamed or angry but not fighting. Their weaponry had been laid aside now. They listened as chastised children to one upon horseback, who held aloft a torch for light as he spoke. His horse was white and his raiment of silver and blue, and the firelight reflected off his proud face and blonde hair, making him seem silver all over. Behind him were many mounted fighters, and they were Elves, and this was why the battle had stopped, for the Elf with the torch preached peace.

Elrohir had stopped running, and Estel staggered to a halt beside him, wondering why his brother looked so happily upon these new arrivals. Then he knew the rider, for he knew the horse upon which he was mounted, and a smile might have spread across the face of the mortal, also, had he been afraid as his brother had. The true mortality of his Elven brothers, all their weakness despite their strength, was suddenly clear to Estel. Not all Elves were perfect, he realized. In a way all his hope was gone, and in a way he did not care.

Beside him, no one noticed the change in his countenance brought by this knew knowledge, and he was glad. The others had clustered around now, remaining hidden in the shadows while watching the glowing white rider as he spoke in a booming yet collected voice. There was a general will to surge forward, but Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas held the younger ones back. ". . .at one time, when Men and Elves could live together. Some still can. If you are unwilling to even attempt a peace, then you will destroy yourselves. Look how your cities burn." At this Estel turned and saw that, behind him, the city of Men was indeed afire. He had not noticed it before. Again turning, he saw a similar light in the distance: the Elves, also, were losing their homes.

There was a whimper of fear from someone near Estel. "The tar will melt before the wood catches fire," said Legolas, motioning towards the layer of tar painted upon the walls. Nevertheless, the group made ready to run.

"Build out of the ashes of destruction what you failed to create in times of peace. Renew the essential goodness of your societies, but not alone. There is no need for you to consume yourselves with your petty hates. Now is the time when we must come together and strengthen the fabrics of our societies. Perhaps in all your years of destruction you have forgotten the arts of creation; we are here to rekindle that knowledge within you. But first we must take back something precious to us. We followed the tracks of a number of Elves to this place, where we found this mayhem. Where now are they? Where are the sons of Lord Elrond and the children of all Imladris now?"

The Men looked to the Elves and the Elves looked to the Men, and all could see trouble brewing when Elladan went slowly forward, increasing his speed as he crossed the field. "Glorfindel!" He cried. "Lord Glorfindel, we are here. Though. . .our number is lessen, of late." Then Glorfindel came down from his horse and embraced Elladan, and then released him and looked upon the others and said, "I think it is time you all saw home again."

*****

To be continued