Authors Note: Thank you all for your reviews.

Chapter Twenty-one

It was early afternoon when Estel and the twins started their sparring match in the middle of the gardens. Legolas had ignored all protests made by his dark haired lover for him to stay in the rooms and continue to rest and made his way out into the gardens to watch.

As he danced about the grass, his blade clashing with that of his brothers he barely noticed Thranduil joined the on lookers, sitting down beside his son.

Sweat continue to build up across his forehead as he defended himself from the advances of is brothers, all in all he was fairing quite well considering that he had quite a large disadvantage.

It did not help that he had quite a large audience, and the glares he frequently received from the king of Mirkwood were slightly off putting. The king still had not warmed up to him they had spoken only briefly since Legolas had collapsed a few days ago, but every time they had spoken had been formal and to the point no small talk. Estel felt like Thranduil was scrutinizing him, waiting for the one time he would make a mistake.

Stumbling lightly after a sudden attack from Elladan he swung around to gain a better footing, in doing so he risked a glance towards where Legolas was sitting on the grass watching and sure enough his eyes met with those of the fiery king instead. Surprisingly the older blond looked somewhat impressed, his eyes constantly following the young mans movements.

Encouraged by that one sign that he might be gaining the kings approval he through himself back in to the fight. Pushing his brothers to increase their own movements to keep up with him.

The sound of horses racing over the courtyard and into the gardens stalled the battle, all turned to watch as a dark haired elf made his way towards the group in hast.

It was Lysander.

He was face was scratched and his clothes dirty. His hair in complete disarray as he raced towards them.

Legolas heard his father growl as the elf came in to view and instinctively reached out a hand to still Thranduil's movements.

"What is he doing here?" Thranduil snarled under his breath.

"Not now father." Legolas hissed seeing the distress in Lysander's eyes as he neared them.

Elrond, who had been sitting not behind where Legolas was sitting, stood to greet the elf, stepping forward; he made his way across the grass away from the group.

"My Lord Elrond." Lysander bowed hurriedly as he reached the elf lord, he sounded slightly of breath.

"What is it, what has happened?" The lord asked taking in the elf's frayed appearance.

"Lysander led out a patrol yesterday morning." Estel leaned over and whispered into Legolas's ear. Updating him on what had been going on while the blond elf was ill. "He was not supposed to be due back for a few days yet."

Nodding, Legolas smiled his thanks, trying to grasp what was happening. He studied the dark elf's face as he spoke, taking in the worried expression and concern on Lysander's face, he had never realized Lysander was capable of this sort of emotion.

"My Lord." Lysander continued. "We believed that we had destroyed the orc's roaming near and around these boarders, I am afraid that we have been sorely mistaken." Lysander paused to regain his breath. "When patrolling early this morning we noticed sets of fresh foot prints and tracked them. We found them not far outside our boarders, a camp containing of hundreds if not thousands of not only orc's but Uruk-hai. We had no choice but to turn back we were severely out numbered."

"Were you seen?" Elrond asked his voice and features stern. "Did they know that they had been found?"

Lysander shook his head indicating the negative.

"No my Lord we were very careful, and left no tracks."

Elrond nodded slowly before turning towards the group still sitting some way behind him and addressing them.

"I apologize but you must excuse me for I have important matters to attend to." He did not wait for a reaction and began moving towards the palace gesturing with his hand for Lysander to follow him.

Estel waited until his Father had disappeared out of sight before he turned to his foster bothers that now stood close to his side.

"Should we follow?" He asked unsure if they were needed or not.

"No." It was King Thranduil rather than Elladan or Elrohir that answered him. "He will call you when he has need of you. He needs time to think through the situation before informing others."

Estel sighed in agreement and then placed the sword he had almost forgotten that he was still holding back into the scabbard attached to his belt.

~*~

It was not long before the twins and Estel were sent for leaving Legolas alone in his father's care, much to Legolas's obvious annoyance.

"Where would you have us placed?" Was the first question out of Elladan's mouth as they entered their father's study. Estel made his way across the room to stand by Lord Glorfindel who had obviously been called before they had, he made sure that the distance between himself and Lysander was as far as possible with out being noticeable by the others.

Elrond smiled at the apparent enthusiasm in his son's voice.

"In the thick of the action as always." He answered attempting to lighten the mood and gaining a half hearted laugh in return. Hiding his smile his features became solemn once again. "The situation as has been related to me appears grave; you over heard what was said in the gardens did you not?" All present nodded. "We can not allow these dark creatures into our realm. From what I have been told, there numbers are such that they must have been gathering unnoticed for quite some length of time. That by itself is worrying, we must now be far more vigilant, but their numbers suggest they plan an all-out assault on Rivendell we can not allow them any closer than they already are."

"What would you have us do?" It was Elrohir that spoke stepping forward towards the desk his father was sitting behind, an array of maps and documents scattered across it.

"I would have you meet them head on the element of surprise aided you greatly during the battle you would do well to make use of it again." Elrond said slowly, he had a glint in his eye that his sons rarely caught sight of, the elf lord was determined to win to this battle. "There will be five units each lead by the three of you." He indicated to his three sons. "Glorfindel and Lysander, once he has rested." Each of them nodded. "You will take with you all those with battle training an experience; we can not afford to be defeated. I want you to force them back away from our boarders"

"Aye, father." The twins spoke in unity.

Excitement at the prospect of an all out war in order to protect their lands mixed with adrenalin and hung heavily in the air like a thick fog. It was almost suffocating but the twins reveled in it.

~*~ TBC.