Chapter 10

The two friends had been traveling for days, following the familiar path toward Mirkwood, Estel could feel Elladan's presence, he could tell the Elf was waiting for a chance to attack, he just wished he would...the waiting was unnerving him more than anything.

"Are you well mellon nîn?" Legolas asked in concern.

"Yes Legolas, I'm fine...it's just..."

"Elladan...I know, he has followed us since Imladris...I have felt him too...he is just waiting..." Legolas trailed off looking to the bushes.

Estel heard the slight rustle from behind him, slightly to Legolas' left and pulled him out of the way just before Elladan rushed them.

Estel drew his sword and parried just before the elder Elf reached Legolas, he would not go back on his word to protect his friend.

"Estel," Elladan growled, "move away from him."

"No," the man stood his ground, "I will not let you harm Legolas for no reason..."

"No reason? He killed our brother...my twin..."

"No he didn't...why can you not see that? Just because he was there. I was there too, are you going to kill me?"

"If you do not move out of my way." He growled and lunged. Legolas swiftly pulled Estel from his brother's attack and took the stab for himself.

"Legolas," Estel knelt by his fallen friend, and covered him as Elladan stabbed through his arm.

The man looked up to see Elladan's eyes blazing, with fury. "I gave you a chance to stay out of this Estel...but you did not heed my warnings and so now you will pay...as will Legolas..."

Estel dodged the blade again and swung a punch, knocking Elladan out.

"Estel...you're hurt..." Legolas stated, as usual thinking of his friend before himself.

"It's..."

"Just a scratch," Legolas smirked as they helped each other up, "Come on, we should get moving before he wakes up."

"I don't understand what happened to him..."

"We cannot think on it now...come we must get moving..."

"There is a cave near here..."

"Cave?" Legolas stammered, he hated caves, always had, always will. "I am going in no cave...Estel..."

"Legolas, we are both injured and it is the safest place..."

"Until Elladan finds us there and kills us."

"We will be long gone when he finds us, gweston, now please..."

Estel pleaded urgency in his voice.

"Fine," he glowered at his friend, "But I am not going to make it easy for you."

"Whatever, just come on." Estel sighed, fresh pain shooting through his arm as they started moving toward the caves.

The two friends found the caves had small underwater streams so they were able to clean their wounds and bind them roughly with shreds of spare clothing.

"Come on," Estel started pulling Legolas further into the tunnel, "if I remember this tunnel leads out the other side of the mountains."

"What? Go through more...caves...Estel..." He stammered.

"Come on Legolas, unless you want Elladan to kill you."

"Why do I hate you at the moment?" the Elf growled, following his friend.

"There is no reason in this world that would give you cause to hate me." Estel smirked as they walked through the dark cave.