AN: THANK YOU for all the reviews. I am so, well, happy, to see that I hit the 40 mark. Thanks so much and I'm sorry for that cliffhanger. Not really, but hey, it gave you something to look forward to in this story. So, where is Estel…
Chapter 11
But do no rash
Oiralomë rode behind Mithrandir upon his own horse and with the bridles of the other's horses, quickly approaching the camp. They had caught all 7 of the horses thankfully. Círdan walked out, hearing the hoof beats.
" Why are you…" Círdan trailed off, " Orcs?"
" Aye sir, we were attacked a day ago. All but Estel and I were taken."
Glorfindel strode out with- Oiralomë's eyes widened-the most beautiful of all Elvish women, Arwen Evenstar and her father, Elrond.
" Oiralomë," the call jerked him from his gaping, " Where are the others? There were 7."
" Orcs, lord Glorfindel. Only Estel and I escaped, I because I am fast and he because, well, he's Edain," Oiralomë answered.
Elrond looked between Glorfindel's pained face and the Elf carefully, as if trying to understand what was going on.
" What is going on?"
It was Arwen who spoke. Glorfindel turned his head grimly.
" Elrond, would you like to ride with us? We are going orc hunting."
~*~
Elladan cursed himself mentally with every step. Estel was gone. There had been no other trace of him. Anywhere. Elrohir glanced over Legolas' bobbing head at his brother. Elladan was taking this loss the hardest, but no emotion shone on his face. Elrohir hoped that they found Estel quickly before grief began to eat away at his brother. Twas a horrible way to die.
Ellolori and Esseóre were strides in front of them, talking quietly. Elrohir glanced back at Legolas whose head rested on his chest.
" We need to hurry."
Elladan's head jerked up and then he glanced at Legolas.
" Aye or he will become one of them or like Míriel, Fëanor's mother whose body remained long after the fëa left it."
~*~
" Ada, let me come," Arwen pleaded.
" You are a woman," Elrond argued, tired of the argument they had been holding while he readied his things, " I will say it once more and then not again. No."
" Then I will ask again," Arwen shot back.
" We are going to hunt orcs, Undomiel, not butterflies. Who knows what conditions your brother's will be in?" Elrond lessened his harsh tone, seeing her eyes drop quickly, " If it were not that I feared my healing skills will be needed, I would not be going either."
~*~
" Go on ahead," Elladan said to Ellolori and Esseóre, " We need to rest him and try another healing technique. Try to go get help."
The 2 Elves moved off at a quick jog. Elrohir bent over his brother.
" Why did you send them away?"
Elladan looked up. Elrohir backed away, surprised. There were tears in his brother's eyes and already one made its way down his cheek. Estel's disappearance and now that they were losing one of their closest friends had finally broken through Elladan's stern and rock mask, though Elrohir suspected it to be more for Estel. Elladan and Estel had always been inseparable.
" There are some things we can live without seeing. And Elf giving up is one of them."
~*~
Glorfindel held up a hand and the band of 10 slid to another abrupt stop, once again almost hitting each other.
" Glorfindel," one began.
" Shh," Glorfindel hissed.
" Feet," Elrond heard it also.
2 Elves crested a hill. Elrond pushed his horse into a gallop without another thought seeing 2 dark haired heads. Glorfindel easily caught up, the ground between the horses and the waving Elves lessening.
" Glorfindel, over the hill,' one said, " The twins are there with Legolas. Legolas is hurt. I think they almost broke-"
The 2 leaders had already sprung away, hearing the dreaded b-word.
~*~
Elladan stood bow ready. 2 horses crested the hill and he relaxed. The glint of blonde hair was Glorfindel, but the other Elf was dark haired and he was unable to recognize him from that far.
" Is that Ada?" Elrohir hissed.
Elladan's eyes widened.
" We best hope he does not notice your new marks and wounds."
Elladan's hands pulled his tunic around him closer, trying to hide the bloodstains.
" You best hope he does not notice your lips."
Elrohir pushed his brother. Elladan chuckled as Elrohir swiped the back of his hand across his mouth again, as if orc residue still remained.
" All I want is a bath and to burn these clothes," Elrohir muttered, " I could never-"
Elrohir abruptly stopped. The riders were in hearing range.
Elrond looked over his sons, his eyes lingering on Elladan's face and then his chest, before turning his attention to Legolas.
" I like the mark, even though it is obvious you were hurt worse. We could see the blood splotch on your back from the hill," Glorfindel said softly.
" Orcs do not like the sons of Elrond. We killed most of them. They were the band that tortured Nana," Elladan replied.
Elrond's soft intake of breath indicated he had heard. The healer stood, eyes on his son.
" Legolas will be fine. He has a strong will. He should wake soon," Elrond said, " Now off with that shirt. I want to see what damage you tried to hide."
Elladan eased out of his shirt. Elrond shook his head.
" Tis a wonder you are not dead."
Elladan winced, letting his father do his work. Elrohir stood with a smug grin.
" What about you, Elrohir?"
" I am fine, Ada."
" Check his face," Elladan replied, putting back on his shirt.
" Elladan," Elrohir exclaimed.
Legolas groaned, turning their attention away. The Elf put a hand to his bruised forehead.
" What hit me? I feel as if all the armies of Arda trampled over me."
The Elves around chuckled as they joined the 2 Elf-lords. Legolas' eyes flew open.
" I did not know I had an audience to watch me sleep. Must be because I am a Prince," Legolas winced as he struggled to sit up.
" Your ribs should be quite sore. You had about 5 broken before I came," Elrond stilled his motions.
Legolas nodded, lying back down.
" Are we the only 3 that escaped?"
" We are here also," Ellolori said.
The 3 moved into view. Legolas glanced around at all the faces.
" Then where is Estel?"
~*~
Aragorn gingerly put a hand to his throbbing head, feeling the caked blood around the wound. He looked around and groaned. He was in a cave. Firelight shone a ways away. Aragorn took a breath, clearing his mind and glancing at his sleeping guard. Where was the nearest exit? A hand gripped his shoulder.
" And where are you going?"
~*~
Elrond looked around also, his heart sinking. His youngest was not among them.
~*~
Arwen sat on the grass, a ways from the camp, her bright eyes ever scanning the horizon. She was going to see Estel again. Butterflies flew through her stomach. She was glad they were returning. The last month had been lonely in Imladris. The noise of hooves reached her ears. He stood up, brushing off her skirts.
~*~
A beautiful dark haired maiden was waiting for them not too far away, her skirts blowing with the grass.
" Who is that?" Ellolori asked.
" Arwen," Elrohir answered.
" The nightingale?" Oiralomë grinned.
" Aye, the nightingale that will sing no more," Elladan said grimly.
The 6 looked down. Elladan pulled his horse to a stop.
" Sister," he dismounted, giving her a hug, " Come. Ride with me back."
" Where is Estel?" Arwen asked, " I will ride with him."
" Arwen," Elladan began.
" This best not be a cruel joke, Elladan," Arwen scanned the faces, " Legolas."
Legolas looked up.
" Do not ask me, Arwen, for I have no answer, except that he is not with us now. He may be dead, but he may also be alive."
Arwen backed away into Elladan. She let her brother engulf her in a hug as she buried her face in his robes.
" This is all we found," He handed her the cleaned blade, " But do not rash. He must be alive. Fate would not have saved him only to kill him before his time."