Hey guys, sorry I took so long in getting this out. I swear I never meant to delay that long. Thanks for all of you who've stuck with me this far. I really don't deserve you guys.

Look for my disclaimer and all that other good stuff in chapter one.

Chapter ten

In sight of home

Goodnight, sleep tight
No more tears

In the morning I'll be here
And when we say goodnight,
Dry your eyes
Because we said goodnight,
And not goodbye

-Evanescence

Morning dawned clear and chilly. The summer heat had yet to warm the air and fill it with the scents and feel of the spacious forest. The chirruping of early morning bird song filtered through the tall trees of the forest. Various kinds of trees dotted the ground, springing from the earth to create the shading canopy of leafy foliage.

A camp was set up at the foot of a large ash tree with smaller plants and thin youngling trees scattered about. The graceful form of a sleeping elf lay besides the dieing embers of last eves fire. Besides him, sharing a cloak for a blanket, the still form of a human lay as well. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, as did the elf alongside him. Although the elf's breathing was slightly less regular. It seemed he was having bit of trouble breathing. To an observer who did not know much about the ways of elves would have say nothing wrong with the scene. But to Elladan and Elrohir, it was distressing to see Legolas's eyes closed like Estel's. Whereas humans might considered it perfectly normal to sleep with eyes closed, only an elf slept that way is they were exhausted, in a considerable amount of pain, or dead. Ruling out the former of these. It was safe to say that Legolas was suffering from the others.

Which in itself was not good by any means. They needed to get both of them to Imladris. The sooner the better.

"We should start out as quickly as we can brother. I would not see them grow worse, we should not tarry." Elrohir spoke quietly so as to not awaken Estel or Legolas.

"Your thoughts are my own, but they do need the rest. We shall have to decide which would be for the better." Elladan moved closer to his brother, keeping his voice as low as possible.

"Though I do not wish to, it seems best to wake them and move on." Elrohir stood from where he crouched next to Elladan and padded quietly to Estel and Legolas.

Bending down, he gently shook Aragorn awake and then moved on to the sleeping elf next to him.

Aragorn rolled onto his back and stared up at his brother wearily

"Ai, gwanur-nin, the sun has barely risen but still do I see your face whether this is a dream or not."

"Nay, not a dream. Come we you must awake. Imladris is not a full days trip if we push hard."

Aragorn sat up and stretched languidly, obviously taking his time. A light shove from Elrohir sent him laughing. The ranger smiled at Legolas who was waking up to his right. The elf looked the worse for wear, but returned the grin just the same. Legolas was stiff and he winced as he stood.

Aragorn stood next to the elf and let him lean against him. Knowing Legolas's stiff-necked elven pride, Aragorn did not think he would ask for help. But he knew better, not even an elf could take a beating like Legolas received and be fine.

Rather and push away and not accept the help, Legolas remained resting against Aragorn's shoulders. Estel was one person he could rely on to lend a hand. He blinked his eyes in weariness and looked towards Elladan and Elrohir. Each of the twins helped to support the elf and ranger. The camp did not need much more than a few handfuls of dirt to the embers and the repacking of meager supplies before they headed off in the direction of their home.

Rivendell, or The Last Homely Home as it was called, was in truth about half a days ride and nearly a full days walk. Aragorn and Legolas had been gone longer than it had taken to walk back home merely because they had stopped to enjoy the late summer. They had hunted and stayed by the same camp for a few days. Not to mention their prolonged stay at the town.

Elrohir and Elladan knew that they should go as fast as they could. Legolas and Aragorn both needed to rest and see home again.

In a few hours time they had to stop and check Aragorn and Legolas's dressings. Of course the protests could have been heard leagues away. Elrohir sighed irritably, too weary to talk one minute and angrily demanding they were fine the next. It didn't seem like it could be possible. But the, they always did take offense when they suspected them of "Mothering".

It was midday when they stopped again. A fast flowing river made for a fine resting place. Overhanging willows provided shade for them to lie under and rest before having to get up and move on.

Elladan and Elrohir removed their tunics and splashed in the shallows of the river, enjoying a relief from the hot sun of Zenith . Tackling each other and dunking themselves beneath the clear water.

It was clear that Estel was feeling a bit better and even Legolas. But the elf's eyes were still glassy and a slight fever remained. The walking must have exhausted him, for he dozed beneath the willows on the grassy knoll the served as a bank for the river.

Legolas's relatively peaceful sleep was interrupted by a feverish twitch or moan, but for that, he was sleeping more soundly than he had in a while. Maybe having traveled for most of the day had helped or if it was just that his body allowed the pain of broken ribs to ease in slumber.

It would have set better in Estel's mind if his friend did not sleep with eyes closed still. But it seemed that it was from his weariness and not pain. Estel wondered if this was a good thing or not that he was glad Legolas was fatigued. But at least his friend was not in as much pain. If there was one thing that Aragorn hated, it was not being able to protect Legolas all the time. He was sure that Legolas felt the same way. They both wanted the best for each other. So while they griped and moaned when they got themselves roughed up or something of the like, they counted themselves lucky they had one another there.

As the day wore on, Elladan noticed that they should have been gone from this place a hour ago. He pushed his brother back so that he fell back in the water and waded back to the bank.

By this time Legolas had woken and accepted Estel's hand to help him up.

"Come, we should have been gone away from here long ago." Elrohir spoke fast as he yanked his tunic over his head and grabbed their only sack of supplies.

The midday meal had gone, but Elrohir tore a good strip of the dried jerky from the pack and gave everyone a piece to chew on as they walked.

Imladris was only a few hours away, but dark was coming fast. Elladan wanted to get there tonight and if they picked up the pace it looked like they just might be able to do so.

Estel and Legolas looked better for the rest and they were quite willing to walk a bit faster if it meant retching home more quickly.

It wasn't but a half hour into their trek, though, that Elladan and Elrohir started to quarrel over who should tell father what had happened this time. The old argument was meant to be in jest but the plain truth was that no one wanted to be the one to invoke the elf lords wrath. Or worse yet, the wrath of their father.

"I still say it was your turn El, do you not remember that time we found them at the bridge? I thought father would throw them both over it again, and me. You owe me brother." Elrohir frowned as he argued.

"Yes I remember quite clearly brother, but do you recall when I had to tell father why we were carting them home unconscious from that rock slide, which I believe you caused."

"But you were the one that pushed me, how was I to know that the rocks were loose?"

The argument went on for some time before Estel broke them up. "Enough, enough, you are making my head ache with all your bickering. You will both tell father or so help me I will tell Ada that you were the ones who put the honey in his slippers."

At this the twins fell silent, glaring darkly at Estel. "Be careful gwanur-nin. We also are the ones that pulled your chestnuts out of the fire. Show a bit more respect unless you want us to carry you to father and tell him what naughty children you have been."

Estel knew that his brothers were only telling half the truth, but if he pushed them too far they might just keep their promise to carry them home.

It was growing darker when they finally reached familiar ground. Estel and Legolas breathed easier once thy saw the lights of Rivendell in the distance. Both were far more weary than they would have expected.

The days travel had worn them down until they might have been glad if the twins had been willing to carry them. Legolas staggered close to falling and was caught by Elrohir who put a comforting arm about waist and pulled the wood elf's arm about his own shoulder, keeping him going.

Aragorn was coming close to falling over and could hardly keep his eyes open. He glanced to Legolas from time to time just to reassure himself the he was well. If indeed he could be called well, but for the moment he was on his feet and still conscience, that had to count for something.

Legolas's ribs throbbed as did the bruises and welts all along his back and chest. But id he had made it this far, then a couple hundred yards was not going to make any difference. by the way that Aragorn held his arm and cradled his hand, Legolas could tell it was paining him. There was nothing he could do about it now. He offered a small smile though to let him know he wasn't alone and that he had someone to stand at his side.

Aragorn retuned the smile and allowed himself to lean against Elladan.

"Nearly there Estel, hold on." His brother's voice not longer held the playful indignity it had contained, but concern enough to make anyone think his brother was worse off than he really was.

Estel had not the energy to console his brother but he heard Elrohir muttering encouragement to Legolas as well.

Using the last of his energy he looked up to see that they were entering his fathers house and his own home, he would have groaned if he could, for the last thing he saw before hanging his head again was Glorfindel running to get Estel's father, the Lord Elrond and master the Imladris.

Legolas was thinking similar thought, Elrond was not his father, but he might as well have been apart of the family for all the time he spent in Imladris. He had been scolded and punished just as many times as Estel. Rivendell was his home away from home and was certainly for welcoming than his own.

Elladan and Elrohir grimaced when their father came into view. He strode rather quickly towards them with his famous glare that the brothers and Legolas knew all to well etched on his brow.

"Ada-"

"Not another word!" Elrond glared furiously at the twins as they held the near unconscious forms of his youngest son and the wood elf, his eyes fairly blazed. "Just for once you could all come home safe and sound. Once is all I asked, but no! I have to endure sons that insist on making me stay up for all hours wondering if this won't be the time when you won't be coming back!"

Taking a deep breath, Elrond seemed to get a hold of his anger and his eyes softened at his son's wilted faces and slouched shoulders. He tipped up their chins so that they were looking into his eyes, "But I thank the Valar that you are home, if not wholly sound, but now you are safe nonetheless." He beckoned to them with a sharp glance "Come I need to see to Estel and Legolas."

Elladan and Elrohir carried the now unconscious ranger and elf up the stairs to their rooms. Legolas had a permanent room in Imladris that was kept for him.

Lord Elrond saw to Legolas first for his injuries wee the worse of the pair. He care fully removed his tunic and unwound the bandage that encircled his ribs. He frowned at the overlaying bruises on the elf's torso and mars from the beating he had taking. He gently rubbed n a healing salve to Legolas's ribs and chest before rewrapping the mending ribs, He noted that his eyes were still closed and he did not give him something to help him sleep.

After his had closed Legolas's door and slipped into his youngest sons room he noticed that Estel's eyes were open and watching his father.

"Ada"

"Rest Estel, we will speak in the morning."

The Ranger seemed to take this as an acceptable answer and fell silent. He let his father examine his hand and bind it in a new brace. His hand was healing nicely and would be back to normal in a few weeks.

"Goodnight Ada"

"Sleep well nin-ion"

Elrond closed the door quietly breathing a sigh of relief that they were home. He glanced in at Elladan and Elrohir and found them fast asleep in Elladan's room. Smiling warmly he covered them with a blanket and blew out the lamp.

"Sleep well my sons." He repeated before going to find his own bed.

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Translations

Gwanur: Brother

nin-ion: My son

Deana: I so sorry, I've been typing a whole bunch in my book and I just haven't had the time for this and my book with finals on top of that. Don't worry, the next will be in sooner.

Elfmage: I love your reviews. I always wait for them when I put up another story. Thanks for all for that, I'll tell my beta to start making his stick. Or better yet, I'll get him a present. By the way have you ever read the Wheel of Time series? Just wondering.

Leggylover03: Don't worry, I do so like to torture my chars. They hate me for it but deep down I know they like the attention.

Miss Attitude. Sorry this one's so late in coming in. But don't worry, there will be a sequel and a whole series if you guys will stay with me.

Lauranna Starbreeze: This one's kind of late too I guess. I know what you mean, I love Elladan and Elrohir's pranks just as much as the others. But I tell you what, by the time I'm finished with Glorfindel he'll have been locked in more closets that you can think of, and anything worse.

Snow-Glory: Thanks, It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that you like it.

Red Tigress: Thanks. Wow…as good as Cassia or Sio? I'll stop arguing then. Yeah, others like the closet part too. There'll be more of the twins torturing Glorfy in other stories, you can be sure of that.

Shauna: Yeah, I love friendship stories. I think there should be a "Friendship" category like they have for action/adventure of something like that. They really should. Thanks for reviewing, I love to hear from you.

Elven kitten: As I've said before, friendship is my favorite on the site. I'm glad that you guys like it. Thanks for reviewing.

Treiden ARAGORN IS MINE: Is this quick enough for you? Thanks for reviewing.

TBC…