To put it simply, this chapter is a bit…boring. Not a lot happens. Sorry about that! I'll put chapter 14 up a bit quicker, ok?

Now, a bit of news. I HAVE ACTUALLY FINISHED THIS STORY! And there were 44 pages! Oops. So that leaves me free in the holidays to start more stories! I'm actually working on 6 others right now, but I'm not sure about all of them. Watch this space for more info.

Now, back to the story!

~Lainfaer~

Elerrina- Yeah, Elladan kinda likes her too. Did you like the fire idea? 3 and ½ sons I thought sounded quite funny. Seeing as they are all best friends, I thought I'd put it in! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

tonianne- Wow, talk about making me feel proud! That was a lovely review, thank you. Is my writing really that magnificent?

Deana- Of course he did, they're best friends. Any friend would do the same, I'm sure.

Gwyn- Yeah, self-sacrificing…that's him all over!

~*~*~*~*

Chapter 13: Freedom.

"If just for one day,

I could be free.

If just for one day,

I could just be me.

Life would be so good,

Life would be so great.

My freedom I would love,

My caging I would hate.

Lovely, would my freedom be,

No longer in that cage.

I could sing and dance, laugh and shout,

I could unleash my rage.

My rage inside has been constricted,

Just for me to bear.

If I could be free I would,

Be rid of it, and have not a care.

Free as a bird, free as a song,

Free to do as I please.

If just for one day, I would get my wish,

Just to be me… free."

Legolas looked at her from his horse. Dolenmíl was looking at the ground, eyes slightly shut. "Why do you sing of freedom?" he asked softly.

She looked at him. "It was taught to me long ago by my mother. I have always held it close to my heart." She looked away again.

He bit his lip. He knew the story of Dolenmíls' mother and father. They had been killed just after Dolenmíl had entered the Army. They had been so proud of her, then when they died, she had considered leaving the Army. Her Sergeant at the time had managed to convince her otherwise.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine. We'd better get a move on. Lord Elrond and Mithrandir will be wondering where we are, especially if they've seen the smoke," she answered, sitting up straighter and looking ahead onto the road.

He smiled to himself. That was Dolenmíl alright, strong-headed, and determined. He faced the front, and they continued their journey to the end of the Pass.

They had spent the rest of that night and most of the following morning finding the rest of Elladans' scattered company and their horses. Most had been recovered, but many were lost. The horses had all bolted away to safety when the Orcs had attacked, and the Elves had mostly fought on foot. That had been their downfall. At least half of the group had been killed, and they were all discovered further away from the clearing, surrounded by more Orc corpses. It had been a sickening sight, and many Elves had not been able to face their dead comrades, for they were all friends. They cleared away all the deceased, and buried them on the outskirts of the small wood. They were placed altogether in a burial mound, and marked with a single, smooth stone. Elladan, being skilled in the art of craft, had inscribed on it, in Elvish, the words:

Dearest friends,

Rest in peace.

Our hearts be with you,

Every day, our love,

We send.

Everyone had stood for a few minutes in total silence to remember the fallen. Then, they had had no choice, but to continue, and leave their friends behind.

Legolas knew that Dolenmíl had obviously found this hard, after losing her parents in such a similar way. They had been patrolling the borders of Mirkwood when an Orc party had surprised them. Both had fallen in the battle. It was a complete shock to everyone, as they were skilled warriors. Some believed it had been no accident that both of them had fallen in the same battle. Quite a few other Elves had been seriously injured or killed, which was unusual. All Mirkwood Elves were taught how to fight, even the maidens. For Mirkwood was the most dangerous of the three Elven Kingdoms, having the tower of Dol Goldur in the south. Orcs patrolled the southern area, and if any Elves strayed down there, they would most definitely have to fight.

Orcs often came up to the borders of Thranduils' main realm, to attack the Elves, and so they patrolled their borders extremely vigilantly. If the time came when they had to fight, everyone would be prepared.

But to lose so many warriors in just one, small battle…it was puzzling everybody. It happened many years ago, yet still no one could understand how so many had fallen. Whether it was just pure bad luck, or something else.

Legolas shook himself out of his daydream. He must stop thinking about that, and concentrate on the journey ahead. They still had to get through the rest of the Pass, and the danger was not over yet. Orcs were still around, and he could sense that they were being watched by something not particularly friendly. Elladan could still feel it too, and so they kept an extra sharp eye.

They had managed to fit all the sleeping that had survived the fire into Legolas' carriage, but this meant that their pace was even slower than before. The carriage had to be pulled slower, as it was heavier. If it went over even the smallest root or rock, it stood the risk of tipping up.

This slow pace aggravated Legolas and Elladan, but they knew it was for the best. They knew that Elrond and Gandalf were waiting for them, probably worried sick about where they had got to. If they had seen the smoke, then they would be even more concerned. Legolas led the group, Elladan remained at the back, nearer the carriage and his brother.

The Sun continued her way over their heads to settle down on the Western horizon. The shadows of the trees around them grew and shrank with the days passing, and it slowly started to get darker. The air was still filled with the smell of burning wood, but as the distance between them and the small wood grew, the smell disappeared. It was replaced by the smells of the flowers, white lily-of-the-valley, and deep red azaleas. Blue forget-me-nots were dotted around here and there, as well as tall grasses and lush green shrubs. It was so pleasant and calm here, the events of the past couple of days were almost forgotten. The path ahead of them was gravely, yet easy to ride along.

Soon, the Moon had replaced the Sun, and night settled over the High Pass. Legolas stopped his party, and they set up camp for the night. Watches were set up all around the camp area, and the sleeping were checked upon.

They seemed to be doing all right, even the ones who had escaped the fire. Elladan sat beside his twin for a long while, not really wanting to leave his side.

"It'll all be over soon Elrohir," he whispered, holding Elrohirs' hand. "Soon, Legs will destroy that foul shadow demon creature, and you will wake up, and everyone will be happy again." He squeezed his hand. "I'm missing you Elrohir. It's not the same, not having you around me all the time. But soon, I promise everything will be back to normal."

Legolas smiled. He was looking over some of the Mirkwood victims, and he could faintly hear what Elladan was saying. He knew how strong the bond between the twins was. As twins, they had a natural connection anyway, but the bond between these two was unbreakable, impenetrable. Nothing would ever separate them. Not even death could do that. If one died, Legolas knew that the other would surely follow him to the Halls of Mandos, and wherever else they may go.

"Legs, I'm going to go out on watch now," Elladan informed him, walking over. Legolas looked up. "Ok, be careful."
"I will be, don't worry." He smiled, picked up his bow and quiver, and left.

****

The night passed uneventfully, to the relief of many, and they were on their way again by mid-morning. They knew they were near the end of the journey now, and couldn't wait to finally meet up with Lord Elrond and Gandalf again.

"How much further do you think we have to go my Lord?" Dolenmíl asked Legolas. He frowned at her.

"Sorry, sorry. How much further do you think we have to go, Legolas?" she asked again, grinning.

He smiled. "Just a few more miles, then we will be back with Lord Elrond and Mithrandir."

"Good," she smiled, clearly relieved at the thought of being out the Pass.

****

"They will be here soon Elrond, stop worrying," Gandalf tried to reassure the Elf-Lord as he paced restlessly around his tent.

Elrond looked over at the wizard. "Mithrandir, it has been three days since you last saw Elladans' group. Legolas' group is behind his. They are in some sort of danger, I can feel it." He started pacing again.     

"Calm yourself Elrond. You do not for certain that they are in danger. They are most probably just having some sort of trouble with the carriages, and are having to go at a slower, gentler pace."

"Mithrandir, I know when my sons are in danger. Elrohir I know is 'sleeping', yet I can tell that something is wrong with Elladan also. This is not good. I need some fresh air." He left the tent. Gandalf quickly followed. 

They looked back into the Pass towards where they had seen the smoke. There was nothing there now, but both had the horrible feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. Gandalf hid his feelings from Elrond, so as not to worry him further.

Scouts had been sent back to look out for them, but as yet, no reports had returned of Legolas or Elladan. Elrond shielded his eyes against the spring sun. It had been a mixture of weather recently, and this puzzled him. Why was it storms one day, and bright sunshine the next? It didn't seem right. Spring showers he could understand, but not full on thunderstorms, surely?

"Wait…what is that?" he asked Gandalf, pointing back into the Pass. Gandalf followed Elronds' gaze. The sun was partially blinding him, and he could not see as far as the Elf-Lord, but there was certainly something drawing nearer. Could it be…?

"Its Legolas!" Elrond almost cried. "Elladan must be with him. But I only see one carriage. What do you think could have happened Mithrandir?"
"That doesn't matter now," Gandalf replied, a broad smile on his bearded face. "They are obviously safe and well, just like I told. Let's just wait for them to get back, then we will have our answers."

They went back into the cool tent, and waited for Legolas and Elladan to arrive.

So, how was it? I told you it was quite boring, just them travelling. But I suppose they can't always be in danger. I felt they needed a rest, poor Elves! Chapter 14 up v.soon! Namárie for now my lovely readers! ^_^

~Lainfaer~