Disclaimer: not mine, never will be. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: And here I present you guys with another chapter! Hope the pace doesn't seem too slow for you guys – the next chapter will have some action in it I guess. Just so you know, thoughts are in italics.

Hmm… I have the feeling that I'm losing people, but no matter what: this story will be finished!

Sr: ai – only three weeks late in posting the next chapter! Enjoy!

Grumpy: yeah, I guess Estel will be very frustrated that he can't walk. No escape now from evil brothers! *evil laughter* Well… they're not so bad. Enjoy the new chappie!

~~~

Chapter 10

Lothlorien…

A new day had arrived and the mallorn trees were whispering – their thoughts carried gently by the winds to any elf that would listen. The Lady of Light was standing with her eyes closed, listening to the trees and feeling the wind going through her hands… This was something that she often did in the mornings, but this time she needed the comfort it usually brought.

The dreams had returned – after many years of practise to hide them and only witness the visions when called for… Galadriel knew that what she had seen that night had been what may become with little flashes of what is. She had seen a young human surrounded by orcs and being left behind in a pit filling with water. She had seen a blonde haired elf… And she had seen death… many elves lay on the ground with blood covering their once radiant bodies. She saw the same human and blonde elf lying amongst them, their eyes open but unseeing and blood clinging to their clothes… She saw her son-in-law with an orc blade through his chest lying near the pair… her grandsons…

A frown marred the fair elf's face as she saw it again, but she did not startle as a hand settled on her shoulder and another drew her back against a firm chest.

"You are restless… What have you seen, my fair lady?" Celeborn whispered in her ear.

Galadriel turned around and looked into her husband's eyes. "Death… in Imladris."

Celeborn grew worried and was about to ask something, when the trees' whispering grew stronger and the cry of a bird could be heard overhead. Looking up, the two elves could see a message bird circling above the woods, slowly coming down towards them.

Galadriel raised her arm for the bird to land on and softly stroked its feathers. "Greetings, friend. What have you brought us?" She crooned as she took the message from its small leg.

The bird squawked again and rose off – now that its task was completed, it went in search of something to eat and would then return to Imladris.

Galadriel frowned as she recognized the Imladris seal. Hurriedly, she opened it and read the message – her thought bent on the visions she had been having. When she had finished reading the letter, she gave it silently to her husband. Celeborn quickly read it. He looked up into his wife's eyes and a silent communication passed between them. Taking her hand in his, they hurried off. After what she had seen, she would take no risks – warriors would be sent to Imladris immediately!

~~~

Mirkwood…

No light penetrated the thick blanket of leaves of the tree tops; in Mirkwood it was always dark as of late. The only way the elves knew that a new day had arrived, was because of the singing of the trees telling them of feeling the sun's rays upon their tops and because of the lessening of complete darkness.

Some elves desperate for sunlight climbed high up in the trees until they could look in all directions from above. Black moths fluttered about high up there – safe from the huge spiders that roamed the woods.

A Mirkwood elf had climbed up in the night – watching the stars all elves loved so much and enjoying the feel of fresh air on his face. The air on the ground could become quite suffocating at times! Now Tiniel was watching the sun rise – he would need to return to the palace later in the day for he belonged to a hunting party that was to depart later in the morning. The elf's attention was drawn by a loud cry in the distance and as his eyes focused, he could see a bird heading his way.

Tiniel smiled as the bird perched on one of the branches reaching high above the treetops next to him. Its little head turned nearly upside down and an inquisitive look was on its face, if such a thing was possible for a bird.

"Hello, little friend. What brings you to the forests of Mirkwood?" The elf crooned as he held out his hand to the bird, stroking its head. The bird lowered its head, liking the feel of the long fingers stroking its feathers. It stepped up on Tiniel's hand and it was when the heavy weight settled on his hand that the elf noticed the message attached to its leg. "Now what's this?"

Gently taking it from the bird, he noticed the seal of Imladris. "This is for the King, is it not?" He questioned.

The bird merely chirped in agreement and moved to Tiniel's shoulder, finding this a much better perch.

Tiniel hurriedly climbed down the tree with the bird still on his shoulder and ran all the way to the palace. "Are you hoping for some nice treat now that you have delivered this?" He teasingly asked the bird as he ran. The bird merely chirped and jumped into the air – following the elf to the palace.

~~~

It was only a little later when Tiniel arrived, the bird landing once more on his shoulder. He hurried to the chambers of the king and knocked on the door. When he heard an 'enter', he opened the door and stepped inside.

Thranduil was seated behind his desk, writing it seemed. As he saw the young guard with the bird, he raised an eyebrow in question.

"He just arrived bearing this message, my Lord." Tiniel said, handing over the message.

Thranduil took it and bade them to leave him, opening the seal and started reading it. "Wait a moment." He called to Tiniel as he quickly read further. "Tell your commander that I want to see him right away – our warriors are needed!"

Slightly bowing, Tiniel left the room and found his commander. Giving him the king's message, he hurried to the kitchens to find a treat for the bird…

~~~

"You called for me, my Lord?" Hanith asked as soon as he entered the king's chambers.

Thranduil paced before the open window – one of the few in the palace. "Gather as many warriors as can be spared and prepare them for a journey to Imladris. Elrond fears there will be some kind of attack – his human son was injured by orcs several days ago and my own son is with them!"

"Yes, my Lord… right away." Hanith replied and hurried to do so.

Thranduil looked outside and sighed. He always worried when his son was away from home and the news he had just received only caused him to worry even more about his safety. But no matter how much he himself wanted to go to Imladris and make sure things would be all right, he couldn't leave Mirkwood. Be careful, Legolas.

~~~

Imladris…

Another day had arrived in the Last Homely House and Elrond had ordered Legolas out of Estel's room for a while to walk in the open air and get something to eat. The human lying in bed was starting to become cranky since he was forced to stay in bed and needed help with almost everything. He was glad it was his father who helped him with his private business though. If it had been the twins to help him, he knew that once he had recovered they would forever hold this against him and make fun of him – even worse, they would make fun of him in front of other elves. Legolas would not be so mean, but it was one thing to have your family hovering over you like this – your best friend was an entirely different thing!

"Come on, Estel, do not be so grumpy and stop picking your food!" Elrond reprimanded his son.

Estel, sitting up in bed with a lot of pillows stacked behind him, really wanted to glare at the elf but thought better of it – after all, it was not his father's fault that he was confined to his bed. Sighing, he moved around some of the food on his plate before looking outside. They are out there! He thought angrily. They will come and I can't do anything to stop it or help protect Imladris! He was feeling useless and became more restless as time passed. "I'm just not hungry, Ada…"

The elven lord moved to sit on the bed, looking his son in the eye with an expression the young human had seen many times before. "Whether you are hungry or not, this plate will be empty or Legolas will not be allowed back into the room. I know you worry about the orcs – every time I look in your eyes I can see this and I know you feel useless, but you will not be able to get up for some time, my son. In the meantime you need to regain your strength."

Sighing once more, Estel slowly started to eat, mumbling just loud enough for elven ears to hear, "Whatever did I do to receive a father that blackmails me?"

Elrond wisely pretended not to have heard that and just watched to make sure his youngest ate all. When the Man was done, the lord put the tray on the bedside table.

"Did you have another of your dreams last night?"

The human in the bed stilled completely and turned wide eyes on his father, not needing to say anything.

"You did, didn't you?"

"Did Legolas tell you about them?" His tone was not accusing, it seemed more resigned. Estel knew that the time for ignoring was over and that he needed to speak about the dreams and his fear of water.

Elrond smiled and stroked his long fingers through Estel's hair. "You just did… Are they like before?"

Estel swallowed and his gaze turned to the bedcovers. "Some are…" He whispered. "Others are different, there I can see Elladan and Elrohir… Legolas… you…"

Elrond urged his son to speak more by reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently. "What do you see?"

Estel's breathing hitched. "Death…" The young human moved fast and reached for the ancient elf, holding him tight as if afraid to let him go. A small gasp of pain escaped him as his legs and ribs reminded him that moving was not a good idea, but he was determined to ignore it. "All elves here in Imladris are slayed. There is a fight between us and orcs and in the end I see you killed with a sword… then my vision turns dark and all is cold."

Elrond hugged his son back and soothingly stroked his back. "The future is not something that is written in stone, little one. Not all things you see will come to pass and if we can help it, this one will never become reality. Help should be on its way."

Estel quickly drew back, gasping in pain. "Should? Ada…"

But Elrond interrupted him. "Hush, I do not want to hear you worrying about that. Measures have been taken and help will come. As time draws near, I too begin to feel something evil creeping into our realm, but do not lose hope!"

Breathing heavily from the strain of sitting up like he was at the moment, Estel merely nodded and gingerly moved back towards the pillows with help of Elrond. When he was positioned, the ancient elf moved to a far off table and mixed something in a small cup.

Estel eyed his father warily. He knew what was coming and though on the one hand it looked rather invitingly, another stubborn part of his brain told him that he did not want this. "Please Ada, there is no need for that! I'm feeling better now, honestly!"

His father wouldn't be told different however and handed the cup to the human. "You need to rest and heal, my son. Drink!"

Knowing that the elf could and would force it on him, Estel wearily drank the potion.

"Don't worry, Estel. It will not send you to sleep; it will merely soothe the pain." Elrond assured. "Do you want to remain upright like this or do you want to lie down entirely flat?"

Estel blinked several times, trying to clear his vision. His father had told him he would not fall asleep, but his thoughts became slow and his surroundings fuzzy. "Up…"

Nodding, Elrond stood up and prepared to leave the room. "That settled, I will allow Legolas back into the room, but from what I hear outside, you have some other visitors wanting to see you."

Seeing the puzzled look, the elder elf just smiled and left the room – leaving the door open.

~~~

Only moments after his father had left, two jolly voices could be heard bantering back and forth and identical faces peered into the room.

"Good morning, Estel!" They cheered.

Estel tried to glare daggers at his brothers, but he realized the effect was lost due to his drugged state as the young elves merely raised their eyebrows and moved to sit next to him.

Blinking dazedly, Estel looked at the two. "And to you… brothers." He slowly spoke.

Seeing the bleary eyes, Elladan realized their little brother had been drugged by their father just moments before. "You didn't try to get out of bed again, did you?" He asked.

Estel squinted, trying to figure out what his brother had just said. Thinking was becoming a very large problem right now. "Again?"

Elrohir smiled. The incident Elladan was referring to had been to when Estel had broken one leg several years ago. It had been a bad break and Elrond had ordered some bed rest for the boy, but the young human had refused to stay in bed all day and had tried to escape his room. Luckily his brothers had found him when he was only a few paces from the bed, for he had been wavering on his feet. Estel had not been happy to be forced back into bed, but hadn't had the energy to try again – that day.

"How are you feeling?" Elrohir asked instead.

Estel had to think about this for a moment – or rather, a long moment. "Fuzzzzzy." Was what he came up with.

Elladan patted his hand, a doting smile on his face. "And you can just keep feeling fuzzy for now, little brother. We'll be back when you're somewhat more lucid."

Elrohir piped in. "Yes indeed! I can hear Legolas coming back. He can try to have a conversation with you in the meantime!"

"Leg'las?" Estel asked around a yawn.

Both the twins rolled their eyes at the eloquence of their little brother. "We'll be around." Elladan said.

One by one kissing the human's forehead, they left and took up position just outside of Estel's room, giving Estel and Legolas some privacy.

Legolas passed the twins and nodded his head. The walk had improved his mood and he was prepared now to start talking with Estel…

However, upon entering the room, the elven prince soon realized that now was not the time for their conversation, for the Man's eyes were bleary and his reaction to his entering the room slow.

"Did you try to get out of bed and did Lord Elrond drug you because of that, or was there a different reason?" He teasingly asked.

Estel blinked. Didn't he just have this conversation with another elf? "Again?" He questioned.

Legolas was confused. "Again what?"

The Man searched the room with his eyes, but what he was looking for, the blonde elf didn't know. "Don't rem'mber."

The Sindar elf took his seat beside the man and shook his head in humour. "You, my friend, are making even less sense than usual. Go back to sleep!"

Estel shook his head. There was some reason he did not want to fall asleep. "No sssleep!" He nearly pleaded. "Awake…"

But he did not have a choice in the matter it seemed, for his body betrayed him and soon his lids closed. He was asleep.

~~~

TBC