MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

First of all I'd like to apologize for not updating sooner; it is they usual excuse: school work. I had many tests and me being me means that I hadn't really prepared myself so I had loads of subjects to catch up with. And then the special extended DVD edition of FotR arrived… *mine…my precious…it is mine* …sorry for that, couldn't control myself

Anyway, I'm in the middle of my holidays now and plan to post the second (and last) part of chapter four before December the 29th.

Disclaimer: I don't owe anything

Author's Note: this certainly is Alternate Universe (the longer I write, the more alternate it becomes…).

Preface: This is just a short story about Estel, I expect my readers to have some background information. If you don't understand the story, please feel free to mail me. But don't bother asking me questions like 'Who is Estel?'; my only answer would be: go read the books!!! (yes, that includes the appendices)

This is also my chance to tell everybody to read the Mellon Chronicles written by Cassia & Sio. Another author worth checking out is Emmithar, 'Family is Home', 'A Simple Hunting Trip' and 'The White Wolves of Azscverbae' are really good. I'm also enjoying her non-LotR-fic 'A Fateful Journey' very much.

My friend puck also writes good stuff (though it isn't LOTR) and if you'd read and reviewed her stories I'd really appreciate it.

So what are you waiting for? Go read those stories (after you read & reviewed mine that is ;)

A/N: I'm not very good at writing action and/or battle scenes, so please forgive me if they are rather bad written. Also I'd like to ask you not to pay too much attention to the whole 'time and place' stuff for I'm afraid that also doesn't exactly fit

R2R's:

Puck – I'm sure one day I'll explain everything, but not today *g* Anyway, personally I think now you know pretty about Middle-Earth, certainly enough to survive here! And shut up about posting time

Kawaii BlueBear – you know, I'm really not such an evil person, not yet at least *eg* And if I were you I wouldn't be so sure Estel won't encounter orcs at all…

Emmithar – I'm glad you liked the dream scene and I hope you'll like Elladan and Elrohir's point of view too. And I really did mean what I said, though maybe I should have said in my opinion she is the best reviewer in the world

Dragon – *blushes* someone said it was one of the best things she's read on FF.net!!! And now I finally discovered why I woke up one morning and suddenly seemed to have turned green *glares accusingly*; I'm truly sorry for not reviewing your stories, but I will once I posted this chapter

ThE iNsAnE oNe – do you have any idea how hard it is to type that name?! (just joking!) anyway, proudly presenting chapter four (just keep in mind it's better late than never)

( ) – thank you for reviewing and I'd like to ask you a favour: please leave a name, any name, next time, it's just nicer to have a name going with a review ;-)

Anita – één van mijn favoriete reviewers! Hartstikke bedankt voor het trouw reviewen van al m'n hoofdstukken en ik hoop dat je ook hiervan zult genieten

Belothien - *gasps* No, it can't be! One of the best writers on FF.net reviewing my story?! *dances around her room yelling and screaming until someone knocks on the door telling her to stop* En yep, Elladan is 'the stern one' and Elrohir 'the gentle Elf'. Nogmaals: ik vind je verhaal absoluut te gek! (heerlijk hè, dat Engels en Nederlands door elkaar!)

These pre-story-things just get longer and longer… anyway here's chapter four:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ indicates it is the beginning (or ending) of a dream/memory

* * * * * * * * indicates the passing of time

Chapter four part one

The searching party arrived at the gates of Rivendell, the members did not utter a word. Elves ran towards them, eager to hear whether they had found Estel, but after casting a single glance at Elrond's face, they wordlessly took over the horses to look after them.

Once inside, Elrond turned to his sons: 'Elladan, Elrohir, take some rest, you will need your strength when we continue our search at dawn.'

The twins bowed their heads and left towards their chambers. Neither spoke a word as they walked through the beautifully ornamented halls of Rivendell. Finally they arrived at Elladan's bedroom.

'Maer dû, Elladan,' Elrohir said softly.

'Maer dû, nín muindor,' came the slightly muffled reply as Elladan closed his door.

Elrohir continued down the hallway until he came to his own bedroom, standing in the doorway he could see Estel's room. For a while he stood indecisively, but then walked to his little brother's room. A small but sad smile lit his face as he picked up a cuddly toy which had been tucked away underneath the pillow. It was Imthôlion, the cuddly toy Elladan and he had given Estel when he was little. And though Estel always denied the fact, Elrohir knew he sometimes slept with Imthôlion.

Clutching Imthôlion tighter Elrohir thought back to the day when fate had given them Hope to raise.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was a bright morning, yet the wind blew with an ill breeze and Elrond Halfelven, gifted with foresight, had warned his twins. 'Beware of this day, my sons, for evil is lurking, awaiting its chance to strike. Yet, always remember that though dark the hour may appear, do not give up hope.'

Now the Elven Lord stared out of his balcony down at the small company of Elves who would set out to help the Rangers in destroying a band of orcs. Among the Elven warriors he could see his son Elladan, but Elrohir was nowhere to be seen. He frowned and was about to descend to look for his youngest, as a shout rang out through Rivendell.

'Elrohir! We're leaving right now! We're not waiting a second longer!' Elladan shouted just as his twin hurried down the steps of Rivendell. He ran to his already packed horse, not paying attention to his brother. Giving it a small nudge Elrohir left behind a rather surprised Elladan. As he passed the gates of Rivendell, he turned around in his saddle: 'Hurry up, Elladan, or we'll be late!'

'What?! Me?!' Elladan exclaimed indignantly, rushing after his twin. 'I wasn't the one who was late!'

'I wasn't the one who got his hunting tunic all muddy and then stole his brothers' one,' Elrohir retorted.

'I did no such thing,' Elladan denied weakly.

'Oh no?' Elrohir asked. 'Then please explain why your tunic has a small horse head embroidered at the collar?'

'A horse head?' Elladan repeated confused.

'Yes, I asked Aldanna to embroider horse heads on my clothes after the last time you stole my clothing.'

Elladan chuckled at the memory. The two brethren had attended to Arathorn's wedding and their father Elrond had insisted they would wear their formal clothes, so they had packed their beautiful clothes in their packs. As they rode to the base camp of the Rangers, they had had much fun, squabbling about everything they could come up with and at some point Elladan's pack had fallen into a pool of mud. Only when they had arrived at the Rangers' camp, Elladan had discovered he hadn't properly closed it and the contents were ruined, including his formal clothing. So he had 'borrowed' Elrohir's set. At the wedding he, Elladan, had looked as a true Elven prince, but Elrohir, wearing his usual clothes, had seemed no more than a servant compared to the exuberance of the fair Elven clothing the elder twin was dressed in.

A quick glance at Elrohir told Elladan that his brother still waited for an explanation. 'Well, I wanted to ask whether I could borrow your tunic yesterday evening, but I couldn't find you, yet I needed the clothes so I decided to borrow them in advance. I figured I could ask your permission later, but then I forgot all about it,' he trailed off, knowing he had lost this argument.

'That was a very convincible speech, my dear brother,' came the cheerful response of Elrohir. He paused for a moment, then continued: 'I'm quite curious what Ada will say about it when we get home.'

'No! You can't tell him!' Elladan whispered frantically. 'He's still mad  at me for that hunting incident.'

Elrohir was now laughing openly. 'You shouldn't have so many 'incidents' then.'

'Let's not speak about your incidents, shall we?' Elladan growled. 'I'm afraid even we, immortals, will run out of time.'

The two Elves continued their bickering while the Elven company made their way to the point where they would meet Arathorn.

* * * * * * * *

It was early in the evening when the company arrived at the meeting point and the Rangers hadn't arrived yet. However, it was not long before one of the Elves saw Arathorn and his Rangers approach.

Elladan and Elrohir immediately rode towards them.

'You're late,' Elrohir said. 'We've been waiting for hours.'

Elladan rolled his eyes. 'Don't pay attention to him, he's still annoyed because I borrowed his tunic.'

'Borrowed?' Arathorn asked with a twinkle in his eye. 'As in 'borrowed' at my wedding?'

Elrohir sniggered and Elladan threw him an icy glare. 'No, it was completely different,' he said and then rode away, muttering about killing brothers and very dear friends.

Elrohir and Arathorn looked at each other smiling, then Arathorn said: 'I'm truly sorry I'm late, but I couldn't tear myself away from my family.'

'I know, mellonamin,' Elrohir said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.'

Both were silent for a while, thinking of the loved ones they had left behind. Elrohir then asked: 'How fares Lady Gilraen?'

'As brave and lovely as ever,' Arathorn said, smiling broadly. 'And yes, she still has me under her thumb.'

Elrohir smiled, an image of the young but strong wife of Arathorn entering his mind, but he was interrupted by Arathorn: 'How is Lord Elrond? Is everything well in Rivendell?'

'Yes, things are as usual in Imladris, and that includes father: he worries too much about Elladan and me,' Elrohir sighed. 'After all these years he should know we can take care of ourselves, we know the dangers of the world.'

Arathorn's look softened. 'It does not matter how old you are or how many dangers you have faced, your father will always worry for your safety, that's what parents do.'

'Speaking from your own experience?' Elladan asked teasingly, as he led his horse next to Arathorn's. 'I don't think I have ever heard you say such wise statements.'

'As a matter of fact, yes I do speak from my own experience,' Arathorn said proudly.

'What?!' Both sons of Elrond cried out in surprise.

'You really are a father?' Elladan asked.

Arathorn nodded. 'Aragorn is the finest boy you could wish for. As beautiful and lovely as his mother and he also has her brave heart and clever wits.'

'Congratulations!' Elrohir said warmly.

'You scamp, why didn't you tell us!' Elladan hit him on the shoulder playfully.

Arathorn just grinned, he was about to respond when an Elf came towards them.

'Lords,' he addressed the three. 'We have located the orcs we were looking for.'

The two Elves and human became serious.

'Thank you, Luinrod,' Elladan said. Then he turned to the warriors. 'You all know what is expected of you: do not hold back for you will be killed for your mercy.'

Silently the Elves and Rangers crept closer until the orcs were within shooting range of both an Elvish and Ranger's bow. Then the attack began: the archers fired their first assault and many of the orcs fell to the ground, arrows protruding from their bodies. As the orcs were still recuperating from the first assault the Rangers attacked with flashing swords and soon all the orcs were dead. The battle had been won with few casualties and only one Ranger had not survived. After they had burned the carcasses, the Rangers felt victorious and were talking about the celebrations they would arrange once they would reach their camp. The Elves, however, felt uneasy.

'Something is wrong, Elladan, I can feel it,' Elrohir whispered.

'I know, the number of orcs was small, usually they operate in larger groups,' Elladan replied. 'Keep your eyes open and your senses alert.'

Elrohir did not respond, but tightened his grip on his bow and his eyes were clouded with worry.

They had not gone far, as all at once the Elves froze, they could feel an evil presence, even the Men sensed it for their laughter died away.

'Elladan?' Arathorn asked. 'What does this mean?'

The Elf did not move, but his senses were on hyper alert trying to discover more about the dark presence. 'I do not know,' he finally said. 'But it is definitely evil. We should not linger here and return to your camp fast. I have a bad feeling about this.'

Arathorn gave the signal and the warrior company rode as fast as they could.

* * * * * * * *

Suddenly animal like screeches could be heard and arrows thick as the rain came whistling through the woods, killing many an Elf and Man.

'Orcs!' one of the Elves shouted, immediately notching an arrow of his own. The other Elves followed swift and soon orcs fell, killed by Elven arrows.

The Rangers were not as keen eyed, but it was not long before they could see their enemies too and once again a battle began.

The orcs attacked ferociously and a feeling of despair overtook the Rangers. Somehow it seemed they could not win this battle, that all was hopeless. However, their captain, Arathorn, stood tall and encouraged his people not give in to the darkness.

Yet, as the battle continued, gradually despair started to poison even Arathorn's heart. 'There are so many of them, this fight is hopeless, it wouldn't make any difference if we'd give up right here and now.' But another voice kept him going on, 'Fight! Do not give in to despair, fight for your wife and child, fight!'

'Arathorn!' a Ranger screamed. 'There are too many, we need reinforcements if we want to live to see another day!'

Arathorn agreed and took apart five Rangers. 'I need you to get to the camp and tell them to send reinforcements. Do you understand?'

'Yes, my lord,' one of them said, a young but promising Ranger, who went by the name of Roforth. 'You can count on us, we won't let you down.'

Arathorn gave him an encouraging slap on his shoulder and then pushed him away, 'Now go!'

Turning around, Arathorn saw an orc raising its scimitar to slay an Elf and he threw his knife in the creature's stomach and the battle went on.

All of a sudden the feeling of despair was gone. The hoards of orcs didn't seem so large any more and the hearts of the Rangers were full of hope again, they could see light at the end of darkness once more.

Yet, Arathorn's feeling of triumph did not last long as he saw Elladan hurrying towards him.

'Arathorn!' the Elf called as he fought his way to his friend. 'This battle does not feel right,' he said, pulling Arathorn away from the fight. 'All felt an evil presence, draining our courage and diminishing our skills. Yet it has disappeared before we were defeated though its victory was near at hand, I do not understand. Something is wrong.'

'I agree,' Arathorn started, but was interrupted by the arrival of a group of Rangers led by Halirion.

The moment Arathorn saw them, he understood. 'It's a trap!' he cried out. 'Back to the camp, they're planning to destroy it! Back to the camp!'

'But what about these orcs, the battle has not yet been won. They will follow us and attack from behind,' a red haired Ranger objected.

'Leave them to us,' Elladan said. 'We will take care of them.'

Arathorn nodded and gave a small grateful smile. 'Hannad le, melloneamin.'

Elladan and Elrohir followed Arathorn with their eyes as he and his Rangers rode off.

'Do you think I made the right decision by letting them go to the camp on their own?' Elladan asked.

'What choice did you have?' Elrohir replied.

'Maybe we should not have split up; we could have killed these orcs first and then went to the camp together.'

'I do not know the right answer, but either way I do not think Arathorn had agreed to wait a second longer to rescue his family.'

Elladan sighed, then turned towards the battle between Elves and orcs. Together the sons of Elrond rode back to the battle.

* * * * * * * *

It was not long before the orcs were either dead or had fled. Yet, the Elves had not gone far as another storm of dark arrows met them, effectively stopping them from aiding the Rangers in the camp.

Elladan gave a frustrated cry. 'This way we will never make it in time!'

Elrohir laid a supportive hand on his brother's shoulder. 'Remember what Ada said: Do not give up hope.'

This band of orcs was just as easily defeated as the previous one, but the Elves knew there would be another band after this one, and then another would follow, and another…

* * * * * * * *

Finally the Elves of Rivendell arrived at the Rangers' camp after many battles yet with little losses. In the camp orcs were still fighting, but the Elves created the preponderance that was needed to defeat them and soon none of the horrible creatures lived.

The camp was a carnage. Tents were on fire, bodies of women and children covered the forest floor, innocent blood was mingled with the clear water of the forest rivers. A father could be seen holding his dead child, a wife her lifeless husband.

Elrohir's eyes desperately sought for Arathorn, but in his heart he knew the leader of the Dúnedain was no longer alive.

Elladan stood motionless in the middle of the camp, his face revealed no emotion, yet his hands trembled and his eyes were clouded by grief and regret. 'We should have listened more carefully to Ada and our own feelings that warned us of danger.'

Waendilion, an Elf who had dwelled many years on Arda, quietly told the warriors to aid the wounded and attend to the dead.

Then the moment came one of the Elves came with the tiding they had found Arathorn's body, he had died in the arms of his wife. Time seemed to pass by, but Elladan and Elrohir did not notice it, dazed by the day's events.

Elrohir was roused of his melancholy when he suddenly heard a voice: 'Where are they? What did you do to them? Give them back!'

He turned around quickly, an arrow halfway notched, but he immediately lowered his bow as he saw to whom the pain filled voice belonged: a small human boy.

Still greatly troubled by the loss of so many Elves and Rangers, Elladan asked: 'What do you mean?'

The boy looked taken aback, but stood his ground. 'My parents, they, they are…'

Elrohir immediately understood they had been killed and sensing Elladan would probably make matters worse in the state of mind he was in, he kneeled to the boy's height, trying to make him more comfortable. 'It's all right, you do not have to say it.'

The small human looked up and Elrohir gasped when he saw his eyes, for they were the same silver grey as his own. Though they were red rimmed because of tears, they still shone with the sparkle that had once glittered in Arathorn's eyes. It were the eyes of the line of Beren and Lúthien.

Yet, Elrohir needed certainty this was the Heir of Isildur. 'Please, tell me your parents' names?'

'Arathorn and Gilraen,' they boy said with a quavering voice.

Elrohir stood up and looked at Elladan. 'So this was Aragorn.'

'We need to get you into safety,' Elladan said. 'You will come with us to Imladris, father will decide what will be done.'

'But what about mommy and da… my parents?'

Elladan hesitated, he was not sure whether it was completely safe in the camp and he could not bear to loose Aragorn. 'The least I can do is make sure Arathorn's son will survive.'

'He deserves the chance to say goodbye to them,' Elrohir said softly.

Elladan could not help the tears that threatened to fall at his brothers' last words; he nodded once and turned around quickly.

Elrohir took Aragorn's hand and brought him to the tent where they treated the wounded and had laid in state the dead. He led him to the place where Arathorn and Gilrain rested. As he noticed Aragorn took a deep breath, he looked into the child's eyes, trying to judge the boy's strength. 'Are you sure you want to do this?'

Aragorn nodded and Elrohir was pleased with what he saw. 'Yes, the boy certainly is his father's son.'

Elrohir pulled back the clothes a bit, uncovering the faces of Arathorn and his wife.

'Goodbye mommy, goodbye daddy,' he heard Aragorn whisper.

'Fate can be so cruel,' the Elf thought as he looked at the young Heir of Isildur.

'I am ready to leave,' Aragorn said.

As Elrohir covered the bodies once again, he mumbled softly: 'Namaarie, Mellonamin.'

A silver tear fell next to another one, though the first one was smaller it still was of the same silver grey colour.

Outside Waendilion sighed, knowing that Elladan was trying to find a culprit for this massacre, but didn't find anyone to blame but himself.

'Elladan,' he said. 'It was the orcs you should blame, not yourself.'

'I know,' came the agonized response. 'But I can't stop thinking what would have happened if I had made different choices.'

'What is done, cannot be undone. Some things just have to happen, it is the course of life.'

As Elladan looked up, Waendilion was gone, but he could see Elrohir and Aragorn coming out of the tent.

He looked at Elrohir, who nodded, telling him Aragorn was ready to go to Rivendell. When Elladan saw Aragorn, his heart wrenched at the sight of the sad boy and he felt nothing but compassion.

'Come,' he said. 'You will ride with us to Imladris.'

Aragorn looked to the Elf on hearing the much gentler voice and followed him to the two horses.

As they were ready to mount, Aragorn asked tentatively: 'Sirs? Could I please know your names?'

'But of course,' Elrohir said, chastising himself for not telling the human earlier. 'I'm Elrohir and this is my brother Elladan, we are the sons of…'

Aragorn did not give him a chance to finish. 'You!' he yelled. 'You were supposed to protect him! Halirion told me daddy was safe because of you, and I believed him. It's your fault he is dead!'

The accusing words were like a slap in the face and Elladan collapsed on the forest floor, staring at the world with unseeing eyes. 'It is my fault then, even this small human child can see it.'

Elrohir saw his brother fall to his knees, but found himself not being able to move. 'No, it can't be, please, let him forgive us our mistake.'

He then saw Aragorn running towards the woods and broke free of his paralysed state. He tried to run after the human, but Waendilion stopped him.

'Let him be, Elrohir, he needs to be alone right now,' the Elf said. 'Don't worry, he will come back. Just send someone to look after him.'

'I will go myself,' Elrohir said.

'But do not interfere,' Waendilion warned him.

Elrohir followed Aragorn into the woods, the boy had not gone far. As Elrohir peeked through the leaves of the tree he could see the boy sitting with his back to a tree trunk, crying softly. Elrohir's heart spoke up, telling him to go to the child and comfort him, but an arm stopped him.

'Remember what Waendilion said: Do not interfere,' Elladan, who had followed him, whispered in his ear.

'It's all their fault,' Aragorn half sobbed half yelled and the twins' hearts cringed in guilt.

'No, I have to be honest with myself, mommy told me never to lie, especially not to myself. If it was Elladan and Elrohir's fault daddy died, then it was mine that mommy is gone. Daddy told me to take care of her often enough, yet I couldn't prevent her death. So Elladan and Elrohir can't be guilty.'

The words spoken aloud not only had a calming effect on Aragorn, but the sons of Elrond were also comforted by the child's simple yet true logic.

'It's the fault of the orcs! But why did they attack the camp? Why? I can understand why they fought with daddy, but why did they attack our camp? Why?!'

The last words were screamed accusingly towards the heaven above and the twins decided this was the time to come out of their hiding place. They moved loudly as not to startle Aragorn and as soon as the boy heard them he wiped away his tears of anger and sorrow and rose from the ground.

'I apologize for my behaviour, it was uncalled for and I certainly do not hold either of you responsible for any death, please forgive me for my outburst,' he said formally.

'There is no need to ask for our forgiveness,' Elrohir said gently, leading the boy once again to the horses.

They mounted and Aragorn sat in front of Elrohir, wrapped in a warm blanket and the secure arms of the Elf. A small group of Elven warriors would escort the Heir of Isildur to Rivendell, the rest would stay in the Rangers' camp to look after the wounded. No word was said as the Elves rode to the Elven realm and soon Aragorn dozed off, not really sleeping yet not fully awake.

~*~*~*~*~

Elrohir came back from his trip down memory lane as someone else entered Estel's room.

'Elrohir?'

'Yes, Elladan, I'm here.'

'I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go to Estel's room,' Elladan said hesitantly.

'I couldn't stop thinking of Estel either,' Elrohir answered.

The two brothers sat together on Estel's bed, thinking of how much their little brother meant to them, both finding solace in the presence of each other.

TBC

Mellonamin = My friend

Maer dû, nín muindor = Good night, my brother

Hannad le, melloneamin = Thank you, my friends

========

Please R & R