A big thank you to Cathy for beta'ing this for me, as well as the first two chapters. *Hugs Cathy*

Chapter Three

The dimly lit sky boasted of purple and orange as the sun started to come up. Aragorn held his brother tightly against his chest as the horse they were on ran swiftly towards Rivendell. On the horse next to them, Legolas threw worried glances to Elrohir. Elrohir's horse, empty of its rider, ran on the other side of Aragorn's palomino, easily keeping up pace.

Elrohir's head was bowed to his chest, his eyes closed. Aragorn knew that riding so fast was only making Elrohir worse, but they had no choice other than to do so if the injured Elf was to have any chance at all to live.

"Hold on, 'Ro," he whispered to his unconscious brother. "We are almost there, do not give up on me now." Aragorn just hoped they wouldn't arrive too late.

At long last, the trio reached the gates of Rivendell. Not bothering to put the horses in the stable, Aragorn and Legolas pulled up to a halt front right outside the Rivendell manor. Legolas was off his horse and beside Aragorn's in a second; he took Elrohir from Aragorn so the human could dismount. The two then rushed inside, throwing the horses reins into the hands of a nearby elf, Aragorn yelling for Lord Elrond.

Elrond was there in half a second. His face paled when he saw Elrohir and he quickly but carefully pulled his son into his arms. Calling for Glorfindel and the other healers, he rushed off to Elrohir's chamber; Aragorn and Legolas following.

Elladan met up with them on the way; his face was already pale, almost as white as his twin's. While he looked worried, Aragorn could see no trace of surprise on Elladan's face at the sight of his twin in such a state. Aragorn couldn't help but assume that Elladan had already known Elrohir was hurt. His eyes drifted down to his pack, where he'd put the arrow that hit Elrohir—Elladan's arrow.

Glorfindel forced Elladan, Aragorn, and Legolas to leave Elrohir's chamber and wait in the hall. Elladan paced in front of the door. Aragorn and Legolas went to the ranger's chamber, just two doors down, to talk.

"Elladan did NOT shoot Elrohir," Aragorn insisted. "There must be another explanation."

"The entire situation is very strange," Legolas said. "Elladan did not look surprised when he was how gravely Elrohir was wounded."

"That does not mean Elladan shot him," the human cried.

"None of us sensed any danger," Legolas continued as if he hadn't heard Aragorn. "And after Elrohir got shot I didn't see anybody, or anything nearby."

"It was not Elladan!" Aragorn yelled. "Elladan would never shoot Elrohir, never."

"Perhaps not on purpose," Legolas replied. His eyes met Aragorn's. "Can you explain it otherwise, Estel? Maybe he decided to come after all, and—,"

"Accidentally shot Elrohir? That is absurd, Legolas, and you know it." Aragorn shook his head at the thought. Elladan would have had no reason to shoot towards the three at all. The ranger knew better than to think Elladan would have missed a target, and he knew Legolas knew better as well.

"Then I have no idea, Estel," Legolas sighed, resigned.

"Someone obviously stole one of Elladan's arrows," Aragorn concluded.

Legolas raised his eyebrows. "To kill Elrohir and make us think it was Elladan? Why? Who would do that?"

"I don't know."

***********************

Aragorn and Legolas rejoined Elladan outside Elrohir's chamber a short time later. Elladan was still pacing and he did not ask any questions of Aragorn and Legolas about what happened.

"Glorfindel is helping Ada," was all he said to them. Hours later, Glorfindel finally emerged from the room.

Elladan, Aragorn, and Legolas, all weary and anxious, immediately surrounded the older Elf. Glorfindel himself looked incredibly worn out.

"Go to bed, all of you. It will be a long day."

"He lives, does he not?" Legolas asked, worried at the grim look on Glorfindel's face.

"He is alive," Glorfindel confirmed, but would not say more. He gently pushed Elladan towards the twin's chamber before returning inside Elrohir's.

Aragorn watched as his oldest brother slowly made his way down the hallway into his chamber. He walked incredibly slowly, almost reluctantly. The ranger's thoughts trailed back to that arrow. How had someone gotten one of Elladan's arrows? Aragorn supposed it wouldn't have been too difficult for someone to steal one if they'd really wanted to. However, following the two Elves and the ranger without detection was entirely different. Shooting Elrohir in the chest with his twin's arrow and then leaving before Legolas spotted anything was different. Legolas had been right when he had said it was strange.

While he was loathe to admit it, Aragorn knew Elladan was acting strange. Aragorn had expected more resistance from him when Glorfindel pushed him towards his chamber, but the dark-haired Elf had not protested at all. Aragorn could not ignore the fact that Elladan had not been at all surprised to see his injured twin brother, nor could he deny that he had never asked what happened.

Aragorn turned to Legolas to see him also watching Elladan; the Mirkwood Prince's eyes held more suspicion than Aragorn was comfortable with. Legolas turned his head and made eye contact with the ranger.

"Go to bed, mellon nin," Legolas told him. "You are exhausted. Lord Elrond or Glorfindel will come get us all as soon as they know something."

Aragorn stood back and folded his arms across his chest, staring back at his friend in protest. "I will not go to bed unless you do as well."

Legolas just smirked. "I plan to, Aragorn."

With that, the Elf pushed the human towards his chamber and followed, as the guest chamber Legolas always stayed in when he visited was next to Aragorn's.

As Aragorn walked down the hallway, he turned his head back to the door to Elrohir's chamber. He decided to push Elladan's arrow out of his mind for the time being. Nothing mattered right now except that Elrohir lived. Aragorn suspected that, whether his brother lived or not, nothing would ever be the same.

TBC

To the reviewers:

Cathy- Yes, yes, lots of angst is good, as we have seen from your fic. *poke* I intend to keep poking you until that next chapter comes up. *poke*

Cube- Yes now you know how it feels lol! As for who the shooter was you will just have to wait and see. *g*

WeasleyTwinsLover- You'll have to wait and see if it was Elladan or not. I'm not saying one word.

Trin- You know, if you kill me I can't keep writing and 'Ro will never recover. Is that what you want? LOL about Duty, POST the next chapter already!

Gwyn- Elladan is lucky to have you on his side lol! I hope this update came soon enough for you. =)

Siara Falconeyes- There's a longer chapter for you. Chapter four is a bit longer than this chapter as well. Like I am telling everyone else, you will have to wait and see about Elladan.

Sabercrazy- Thanks for the review, hope you keep reading.

Jay of Lesgalen- *Is not saying a word about Elladan and his arrow* Glad you are intrigued.

Aemilla Rose- Major conflict (and angst!) is just around the corner. Hope this was a quick enough update for you!

Kaeera- I hope this chapter was long enough for you. I own't poke you if you update your fics!! *poke* My thinking about Aragorn and Legolas and their healing abilities is that Legolas is a warrior Elf, not a healer, and Aragorn grew up under Elrond. *shrugs* That was just my thinking on the matter.

Arabella Thorne- Thank you. Keep reading to find out about Elladan's arrow.

Arwen-Evenstar- I'm not trying to KILL you with suspense, although I do like watching you squirm.

Dragon- Wait and see about Elladan. *grin* I hope you liked this chapter.

Eowyn Greenleaf- LOL! Don't fall off your chair in school! I remember bursting out laughing at Trin's fic "Of Arrows and Curses" in class lmao. Now be careful with that death glare. If you kill me this whole mess I created will never be sorted out.

Steff- Thank you. Not really a cliffie in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

Lady of Legolas- I'm not saying a word about who shot 'Ro and why. Stay tuned!

Ranger ari- Good question. I have an answer but I refuse to give it to you. *innocent smile* I hope the suspense doesn't overcome you.

SB- I like being evil. But I still say you and Cube out-evil me. That reminds me, I started a club with Cor called Evil Cliffhangers Anonymous. You and Cube are automatically drafted. And about 'Ro, sorry. I tell you not if he gets better.

Kia- *looks down to where Kia clings* Hello there!! *waves* I'm sure 'Dan appreciates you going to bat for him. I like Elrond in "over-concerned Ada mode" as well. Just you wait! Glad you like the prequel idea.

Ahwhite- I'm glad you like the teasting. This chapter was longer. Hope you liked it.

White wolf- Yes it is usually Legolas who gets the angst. I love 'Ro angst. I had to hurt him. I couldn't resist lol!! Stay tuned!

Arquen- Thanks for reading!!! Glad you like it.

Elwen- Yes I think you DO want to know. LMAO at you yelling at Elladan. Greenear? LMAO. Yes, yes they do.