A/N: Alright, a few of you asked some questions that I want to answer. For Bumper: Note that Elrond did not move from the balcony all day when he received the news of the orcs. He was the only one who received the news and his sons did not talk to him all day. Shauna: That is my favorite title of all my fics. Oh, and speaking of Catch the Stars, that is my project right after this. Hey, Dha-Gal, I am gathering suggestions, actually. I'm going to put them up in a poll on my site. Still, I need more suggestions. That means you need to e-mail me your suggestions: tdrfantasyforest@hotmail.com. Please use that e-mail ONLY FOR SUGGESTIONS OR FEEDBACK ON MY FICS. If you just want to personally talk to me, my e- mail address is pichu197k@yahoo.com. Thank you. Now, enjoy the fic!

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Into the Mines

By: Max Pilote

Chapter Two - Estel and Legolas

Elladan's guess was accurate. The elven prince found Elrond in his study, staring at the same patch of sky he had been watching all day.

"Lord Elrond?" he asked softly, trying to get the attention of the elf- lord. He then noted the manner in which Elrond acted. "Is something bothering you?"

Elrond turned and smiled at Legolas. "Not at all," he responded, "but you are hurt."

"How did you-? How did you know? I haven't even spoken of it..."

"You would not be hiding your hand under your cloak if you were not hiding the blood on your hand that I spotted as you came up the stairs to enter Imladris," explained the wise elf. "Need I go on?"

"Spare me," said Legolas with a chuckle.

"Is it poisoned?"

"I came to ask you that. It has been so long since I have dealt with orcs."

Elrond nodded understandingly. He led his visitor to a guest room.

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Estel frowned as he stepped out of the study. Where could they be?

"Stop whining," said Elrond with a laugh. The voice came from one of the guest rooms.

"I thought you were a healer! Ah! That hurt!" responded Legolas.

When Estel walked into the room, he found a shirtless Legolas laying on his stomach in the bed. The elf-lord was cleaning and bandaging a nasty wound on his back. It ran from one shoulder blade to the other.

"Legolas! Why are you keeping this from me?" asked the boy.

"I didn't notice it," responded the elf calmly. He knew he was lying and Estel probably would not accept that.

"What really happened?"

"Orc-arrow. Not a direct hit."

"And it is a good thing," Elrond chimed in. "The wound isn't poisoned. Still, you will need to rest. Any movement of that shoulder at all will hurt." With that last warning, he left the room.

Estel smiled at Legolas. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the look either one of them would wear when they wanted to tease the other.

"Not now," said the prince with a soft chuckle, "wait until morning. Then you can lecture and tease me all you want."

"Rest well, mellon nin," whispered the human.

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The twins were waiting in their father's room, lounging around in their favorite spots in which they had required when they were children. Elladan looked annoyed while Elrohir was just looking disappointed. The elf lord knew this was going to happen.

"Why, Ada? Why did you keep this from us?" demanded Elladan, looking slightly offended, as his father entered the room.

"I was planning to tell you," responded Elrond. "Honestly, I was going to, but..."

Elrohir frowned as his father's voice faltered. "We are capable warriors! We have proven our skills several times over," he said. "If that is what you are worried about, Ada, then your worry is misplaced."

"Your worry should be on Legolas and Estel! Let us go out and hunt them down!" pleaded Elladan. "No orc should be this close to Rivendell! I swear, if one more orc hurts someone I care about-"

The younger brother hugged him. Elrond took both of his sons into his fatherly embrace. For the first time in several years, Elladan started to cry.

"Ada...I miss Naneth," he whispered.

Elrohir silently agreed.

"I know," responded Elrond. "I miss her, too."

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Early the next morning, the twins set out-battle ready. Elrond had been reluctant to let them go, but realized he could not hold them back. He then diverted his attention back to helping Legolas recover. The wound got a small infection, but it was stopped by early detection. Estel did not leave his friend's side. Elladan and Elrohir were rarely seen in the halls. When they came home, they rushed off again to go find orcs.

"It is good to see you well again," said Elrond with a soft chuckle.

"This evening is far too quiet. Are the twins still hunting orcs?" responded Legolas.

"They request that you join them as soon as you are able. Elrohir mentioned something about a promise."

The prince smiled lightly, as if remembering something funny.

Estel looked up from his food. "I don't want you to go," he stated. "You'll get hurt again."

Silence fell over the table as Legolas gave his companion a sarcastic smile follow by a short glare. These two looks said so many words, though none were spoken. In those few seconds, a whole conversation had been spoken:

"I don't need you acting as my father, Estel."

"Your father doesn't act like much of one, so I guess I'm the only one who is left to care about you."

"We are not discussing the bond between my father and me. I do believe that I am the one who should be protecting you. You do not need to be so protective of me. I can take care of myself."

"Obviously not, judging by that wound on back."

This was the point in which Legolas had glared at Estel. "Do not test me, human."

Estel laughed and looked down at his food. The prince smirked, "Lord Elrond, if you do not mind, I wish to take Estel with me. It might be a great experience to him and he will be safe with the three of us protecting him."

"Hey! I am not a child who needs to be constantly watched anymore!" said the boy defensively.

Elrond chuckled, "You may take Estel, but please be careful."

Legolas frowned sarcastically, "I'm hurt that you don't trust me."

The elf-lord rolled his eyes and everyone started laughing.

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Elladan waved at Legolas, but was surprised to see Estel trailing behind him.

"Why bring Estel?" he whispered to the prince as he stood next to him.

"To calm his nerves. He was worried about me," replied the wood-elf.

The two moved out of ear-shot of Estel so they could talk a little more.

"He has good right to," said the eldest brother. "We came across the ruins of what seemed to be a hunting party from one of the nearby human villages. It was a massacre."

"I've seen what orcs can do," responded the prince. He frowned, "I hope I can protect Estel..."

Elladan simply smiled at him. Suddenly, Elrohir ran up to them.

"I found some! Orcs, moving towards this direction. Less than a mile away when I last checked..."