Here we go. Brace yourself!
Part Three
Come Find Me!
Present...
Glorfindel pulled on Asfaloth's reins sharply. The horse stopped in mid canter. His nostrils were flaring. His sleek, white neck was wet with a foamy sweat. The elf lord turned behind him to look at the glowering Elladan who was seated behind him. Glorfindel rolled his eyes with annoyance. "Its not my fault that you have to ride behind me. Will you quit that glaring! Its beginning to scare me!"
Elladan snorted and grumbled, "one of these days I will get those ugly, stupid, dull witted ninnies and crumble their rocky bodies into the dust!" snarled the brown-haired elf savagely, still angry at the trolls. He was embarrassed to have to ride behind the elf lord who had known him all his life. The fact that he had nearly been eaten alive did not help matters either.
Elrohir was silent and his lips were pressed tightly together. Glorfindel looked at him. Elrohir felt like a both of their eyes were on him and he looked at them. "I'm fine! Really." Elladan quirked an eyebrow into a dark arch. Elrohir rolled his eyes and smiled wryly. "I'm seriously alright."
Glorfindel looked at them both. Elladan just glared at his twin. He looked like he was ready to reach across the Gondolin elf and grab his brother by the neck and strangle him. Glorfindel wondered if the elder twin would do it to him first if he did not get out of the way. Elrohir just grinned sheepishly. Elladan sighed, "you are a good liar. But you can't lie to Ada."
Glorfindel watched both of the brothers a moment then leaped nimbly off the horse when he saw Elladan shoot Elrohir an evil glare. "Don't get me into your little soiree!" laughed the Balrog-slayer wryly.
"Technically , I'm your little brother so you can't hurt me!" smiled Elrohir as a smirk went across his face. Elladan leaped off the horse and rolled his eyes.
"I always thought that you and I were the same age! Is that not what you said earlier!" said the 'elder' Noldo with a grin spreading across his face like spilled milk. Elrohir grinned wider.
"But it was you who called me a 'good liar', or am I mistaken?" Elladan glowered as his own words were used back on him.
"Very funny El! You...stupid...!" stuttered the brother as he released his worry and rage. He did not know whether to laugh or be thoroughly ticked.
Elrohir gave his brother a sympathetic look. Then he smiled and said coolly, "I know you are, but what am I?"
Elladan gave Elrohir a glare that could have burned holes through the laughing twin. "Oh-you!"
Glorfindel stood by tapping his suede boot impatiently. "You two are arguing like a bunch of little girl elf maidens! Legolas and Aragorn are probably dying for goodness sake!"
Elladan nodded as he was brought back to reality. He resisted the urge to wince as he recalled the pain and horror of the situation they were in, with one horse, three of them and a passel of angry, violent orcs nearby with their brother held captive and possibly their best friend not to mention the elf eating trolls. Elrohir hung his head and held back silver tears, as he thought of their mother and how they had discovered her. How could they have been laughing at a time like this? Glorfindel saw their looks and sighed heavily, he was even feeling the heavy burden and once again, the sea was calling. He wanted to go home.
Elladan dismounted and looked up at his brother. "You ride, I'll walk."
"No Dan, I can walk, I just need to warm up my leg, that's all," Elrohir protested softly. He was really worried about his leg. It hurt like a break, which was not what they needed at the moment. He did not wish to be a burden to his brother and Glorfindel.
Glorfindel looked at the young Noldo and he said gently, "Elrohir, you are hurt badly and you know it. Take the horse, go back to Imladris."
Elrohir looked at his brother and the Gondolin elf. His eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "What are you saying! No!" Glorfindel remained firm.
"Elrohir, you must leave. If you don't you could be killed. I don't want to bear the burden of your death for an eternity." Glorfindel's voice was commanding, yet scaringly serene and soft.
Elladan looked compassionately at his twin, who was close to tears with frustration. "Please El? For me? I don't want you to get hurt worse gwador nin." Elrohir gapped at his brother. Elladan shook his head. "You can't run, you're fair game."
"I can be an archer from a tree! I can be a diversion!" argued the dark- haired elf. He was getting angry and his heart ached. He did not want to leave his friends and brothers. He wanted to help. He would die helping if he had to, but he did not want to leave his family.
Glorfindel looked at the Noldo on the horse with calm blue eyes. "Elrohir, you have to go back." Elrohir rolled his eyes and set his jaw. Glorfindel continued. "I will set your leg for you and make sure it is well enough for you to get home by if you are aided by my horse."
The elf lord gingerly took Elrohir's broken leg and began to unbuckle the knee-high boot. Elrohir hissed as it sent jolts of pain up his leg. Glorfindel did not look up, but kept up with his work. He gently took a long silver knife from his belt and cut up the trouser leg with it to avoid jostling the Noldo's leg more than need be. Carefully, he peeled back the material, to reveal to muscular calf of the twin's leg. It was at an odd angle. However, it looked like a clean break that should mend quickly with no infection. Glorfindel looked at Elladan and directed him to go and get a long, smooth stick of some sort that he could use as a splint.
After he had pressed the wood against the broken limb, the elf lord took and slid the boot back onto the foot to hold the splint in place and buckled it tightly.
Elrohir looked at their pleading faces. He knew he really was no good, and it hurt him deeply. He had never been without his brother, his twin, and his other half. He hung his head and felt tears stinging in his eyes and a lump welling up in his throat. Elladan came up and put his hand on his brother's hand comfortingly. He said gingerly, "you'll be alright. I won't let Estel get hurt, that way when we get back, you can still beat him up anew for being stupid enough to get caught!"
Elrohir smiled and gripped the reins. The horse arched its neck as it realized its rider was preparing to go. It looked at Glorfindel with its blue eyes that matched its master's, as if to say, 'where are you going?'
Glorfindel walked up and stroked the horse's neck and bid it farewell. "Take care of Elrohir."
"Hey!" snorted the raven-haired elf with a futilely suppressed laugh.
Elladan smiled. "Yah, you keep him out of trouble Asfaloth." Elrohir reached over the animal's neck and smacked his brother openhanded on the back of the head. Elladan grinned sheepishly back up then frowned and his hands went to his hair. Phew! It was unfrizzed. Elrohir laughed.
"Namarie for now mellon nins! Noro lim. Noro lim!" Asfaloth went into a smooth canter Elladan watched as his brother rode away.
"So long gwador nin. I will see you again."
Aragorn frowned. He was sitting up with his back to a tree. The orcs were sick of his escape attempts and had chained his hands behind him. His feet were still chained and the arrow still protruded from his leg. Blood ran from it whenever he shifted his leg and it raged with a fire he had never felt before. It felt numb and then wrathful with excruciating pain. Blood seeped from around the shaft and he could feel the arrowhead grinding on the bone of his leg. The ranger felt so tired and vulnerable. He wanted to continue to fight, but he could not. It was impossible.
He looked up from the ground when he heard the heavy stamp of boots coming his way. It was Raksi. The orc was carrying an object that looked like a roll of cloth. He tossed it at the ranger. Aragorn felt the cold touch of old, but still wet blood on it. He shuddered. The captain smiled cruelly. "Recognize this man flesh?" The creature grinned a yellow tooth smile. Aragorn looked at the cloth. He could not see it very well and he looked back up at the orc captain. "No? Well I'll tell ya what it is." He bent down so his breath was on the ranger's cheek. Whispering cruelly, he cackled, "it is an elven cloak our scouts recovered. Nothing else was there."
/Legolas/ The ranger's heart leapt to his throat and then sunk to his to toes. What had the elf suffered before he had died? The orc smiled twistedly and a cold light of ice and steel shone in his red glowing eyes. "Our scouts found it along with sets of warg tracks," he hissed in the ranger's ear. Then he laughed coldly. "I can hear the elf screaming now," he crooned with twisted mirth.
Aragorn gathered up the last of the strength he had left. "You lie," the human choked out savagely. His gray eyes glittered in the dark with anger.
The orc looked at the man. "You wish I did, or I mean the elf does," said the orc studying the ranger's lean face. He looked at the wound that was surrounded by a fan of red blood, still wet and sticky. Putting his big paw around the projectile, he grasped it tightly and began to twist it. Aragorn's lips went white and he stifled the scream that was raging inside his body and choked in his throat. The ranger could feel the tip grinding away at his flesh. The shaft was not smooth and it caught as little splinters hooked his flesh and broke off. Raksi grinned and twisted it harder. Aragorn could not help but wince and moan. The orc suddenly twisted it sharply and caused the range to cry out.
"We saw the tracks of some of your friends. Wretched elves they was and we want to know where they are, who they are and how well they are armed." The or pulled the arrow up and it tore the flesh more, red pulsed out and covered the creature's foul hand. Aragorn remained silent. He was not going to tell them anything. Raksi saw the edged light in the ranger's eyes and hissed. "Well? What do you know human?"
Aragorn closed his eyes wearily. His blood, his life, was draining. He was becoming too weak. Raksi slapped him across the face and then backhanded him. Aragorn coughed and blood came up. Not much, but enough to cause worry.
The creature then took the arrow and yanked on it hard. It tore free of its victim and blood spurted out of the wound. Aragorn finally screamed softly, unable to hold it back any longer, as the arrow ripped his already raw flesh. He could feel the hot blood streaming down his leg. The orc suddenly drew out a phial. He popped the stopper and stooped over the wound. Taking the lip of the bottle, he put it over the laceration and tipped it. A dark liquid poured out and fell upon the wound. Aragorn felt it burn and then go numb. He also felt the bleeding stop. Then a terrible pain pounded through the wound, it began to throb. The orc looked at the human's white face. "We can't have you die, not yet my little man flesh." Aragorn felt sick and his head was light. He was going to swoon. His back ached and a tremor ran through his body as he felt the onset of shock.
He tried to resist it, but his body was too encumbered. He suddenly could not support his own head anymore. It fell forward onto his heaving chest and blood ran from the corner of his mouth. He felt like he was dying inside, spiritually and physically. He missed Legolas and the pain of his friend's death smote heavily on his already weary heart. He wished he was like an elf, he wanted to leave Middle Earth and go West.
Legolas kneeled to the ground. His vision was bleary. He was dying and he knew it in his heart. For the first time in a long while he was scared. The prince was covered in his own silvery blood. His head reeled. Legolas's blue eyes were going filmy and his face was pale as the shiver of moonlight that fell upon it. The elf struggled to stand. He had to find Aragorn. He had to. He could not die without knowing his best friend was safe. He fell forward on his face, catching himself on his pale and slender hands. Legolas coughed and blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth in a crimson stream. He winced and fell over onto his side, clutching at his aching ribs. The wound in his back pulsed with pain.
The elf prince shivered and began to feel cold as his blood chilled. He imagined he could hear the sound of hoof beats, swift and smooth, like an elven horse's pace. He saw his father, pacing the throne room anxiously awaiting the return that would not come. His eyesight began to dim and the trees blurred so he could not distinguish them. Legolas felt cold fear clutching at his heart as the darkness seemed to close in around him and he shut his eyes to blot it out.
He opened his eyes again and saw a white horse going through the trees at a smooth canter. Its rider was dark-haired and looked as though it was in extreme haste. Legolas could hear the bells of the harness jingle as the horse drew nearer.
He could feel its hoof beats in the ground. Suddenly, he felt the horse's hot breath snorting down onto him and the blowing of the creature's exhales. He heard voice that reminded him sharply of Elrohir's above him. "Oh Elbereth! Oh Eru! Legolas? Legolas Thranduillion! What did the beasts do to you my friend?"
Legolas mouthed the words 'Elrohir? Save Aragorn...leave me be..' The prince looked blearily up and a frail smile came to his lips. He spoke haltingly. "Elrohir?"
The twin put a finger to his lips to hush with the signal, the injured elf prince that tried to speak. "Legolas," hissed the raven-haired elf with anxiety. "There are still orcs about--and trolls! If you aren't quiet they will hear us! You don't want to invite a throng of goblin's to this happy meeting do you?"
Legolas rolled his eyes. Suddenly his breath hitched. Elrohir looked with growing alarm at the prince who lay sprawled on the ground. The Noldo did not know what to do. He could not dismount. It was impossible. His leg would crumple beneath any weight put on it. What good would he be then? He had to convince the prince to get up of his own strength and will. Once Legolas was up, he could pull him up onto the horse. "Legolas!" whispered Elrohir sharply. Legolas moaned and looked up. "Legolas you have to get up! I cannot lift you...my leg...is...is broken," finished the twin lamely. He felt shame and anger that he could not help his friend and was watching him die before his eyes.
"I can't...El. It hurts ...I have lost too much blood." Legolas's voice was barely a whisper and it was rough and choppy, as opposed to the elf prince's normally serene, clear voice.
Elrohir felt his own breath hitch with sobs that wanted to come forth. "Legolas! You have to!"
Legolas's breath began to accelerate and his eyes went wide. Elrohir saw the growing film on them and could take it no longer. He sprang for the horse's back. The dark-haired elf landed sharply on the ground with a jolt. His damaged leg fell beneath his weight and the Son of Elrond cried out softly. Asfaloth stood nearby with a look of scolding. Elrohir looked at the horse and hissed at it, "go find Glorfindel. Go get him." The elf horse nickered. Elrohir glared sharply at the animal. The horse looked at the scowling elf and turned slowly around. Elrohir called to it, "noro lim! Noro lim Asfaloth!" The horse broke into a trot then a smooth run.
Gritting his teeth, the twin began to crawl towards the dying prince. Every movement jarred his leg and caused caustic pain to run up and down the fracture. He came up alongside Legolas. The prince looked up at him. Elrohir saw the blood coating the elf's garments and he felt a lump well up in his throat. "Legolas where are you hurt?"
Legolas choked out the words with anger, "the blasted coward shot me in the back. It won't quit bleeding Elrohir." Elrohir furrowed his brow. This was a toxin that had hurt the prince more than any wound. Elrohir thought for a moment. He was trying to remember an antidote to fight against the poison. In any case, he might as well apply pressure to the wound.
"Legolas, I have to roll you over. It is going to hurt. Legolas?" The prince's breathing had slowed and his eyes were closed, Elrohir would have to work quickly. The prince was fading fast. Elrohir gently took and grabbed the blonde elf's arms and rolled him onto his chest. Even the young healer who had seen many wounds could not have prepared himself for the wound the prince had received.
A large tear in the flesh on the prince's shoulder was pulsing blood. The green suede around the wound was dyed dark red with blood. Elrohir did not know what to do. The wound definitely was in need of stitches.
"Legolas? Can you hear me? You need stitches my friend." Legolas's eyes fluttered. "I can give them to you, but I cannot drug you for them." The prince shut his eyes again. He did not care now. Elrohir sighed. He had been given stitches before without painkiller and it was hard to bear in good shape, Legolas was near death. This was their last chance. Elrohir's hand crept down to his pouch and he unbuckled it from his belt and drew the strings open. Carefully, he pulled forth a needle and searching further he found a thread.
Taking a small knife from his belt, he cut the tunic away from the wound and he used his cloak edge to wipe away the blood from the prince's back. Each time he wiped it away, more flowed forth. Threading the needle, he carefully touched it to the prince's skin and punctured it. He felt the prince heave under the painful touch and hiss in agony. Elrohir continued to mend the blonde elf.
A harsh laugh came form behind that sounded like twisted metal grinding. Elrohir spun his head around and saw nothing. But he smelled it. Goblins were near. He turned back around as he sensed a great evil nearby and saw a large orc coming through the trees on a warg. The animal snarled at both of he and the Silvan prince. Legolas swirled his pain-glazed eyes to Elrohir, trying to see the look on the twin's face.
Elrohir's face had paled and his eyes sparkled with defiance. The orc looked towards them. "Elf maggots!" he howled in rage. His eyes fell upon the still form of Legolas. Elrohir followed the orc's gaze and cold fear gripped his heart. The warg walked forward unchecked by it rider and sniffed the fallen prince. A cold show of teeth that Elrohir interpreted as a hungry grin crossed it's dog-like face.
The Son of Elrond did not realize he was screaming until another orc came up from behind and struck the raven-haired Noldo violently on the side of the head with a club."Shut up!"
Elrohir felt his ears ringing and he looked at Legolas. The 'younger' twin's vision was blurred and he tried to focus his eyes. The orc on the warg smiled and watched with mirth as Elrohir's face went expressionless as another blow struck him unconscious. Elrohir felt darkness come over him and he did not resist it. His mind reeled as he felt a metal boot stomp onto his broken leg. Then all went black.
TBC...The Huckster kitty said to end it here! He-he! I love my cat's evil train of thought--er...he's so mean...bad cat! Bad! Please R&R! Thanks ya all!
Shadowed Flames Odd name. Never heard one like it before. Lots of angst, but did you expect less? He-he! It gets worst, trust me!
Someone Reading I (we) am so flattered! You really like Arry's line! That's great! blushes Legolas has to get his memory back soon-but how long will it take? Mahahahaha! You need to write! You can do it! And for goodness sake, why don't you sign in! chuckles
Joeee 1 ... nice try, but I (we) won't ever tell! Muahahahaha! Yup! I (we) do value this a little more than school! LOL. But exams take priority for me, cuz I (we) get grounded if I(we) fail, and that means no P.C.—I (we) could die from that! I(we) am thrilled you like my fic enough to read it instead of studying, but don't fail cuz you read my thing, then I (we) would feel terrible! I (we) am also pretty sure your teacher or professor would love to strangle us LOL.
Marier Delcore I (we) don't know if anybody will die! But even if I (we) did, did you honestly think I would tell you! Don't forget we're evil writers and luv cliffies...er I (we) mean...the cat makes us do it!
Strider's Girl I (we) was worried Aragorn lovers would find it rather boring. I (we) will give in to your request and write mostly Aragorn 'present' stuff for this one--and more twins! They do make it oddly funny, huh? When will they find Leggy? Hmmmmmmm...
Requiana Thanks for R&R (twice) and putting us on your favorites list and author alert. We are so happy (Tin the cat lover is very happy LOL.). We are trying to post quickly but school is getting harder and there are more exams and things to do. Grrrrr... Evil evil evil. So you are a Lego lover too? He-he! Good! Celeb luvs him too! Afraid there won't be much of him in this chappie though. But---next chappie however----Muahahahahahaha! It is Celeb's cat/warg's fault that we are so evil to the little elfy! The cat whispers mean things for us to write LOL.
Elerrina Amanya You like it? Great! Thanks for adding us to your author alert and favorites! Thank you for reviewing too! We love you! We are writing as quickly as possible. Celeb's evil kitty likes to have cliffies! He-he!