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

A/N: hi there everyone! I'm glad you haven't given up on me! Thank you so much for your lovely reviews! Well – here it is – on time even! There will only be one more chapter after this one and after that… well - there will be more stories coming I suppose… Writing battle scenes are my weaker point, so I'm curious to hear what you think. Next chapter will be here Friday – enjoy!

'Replies' to reviewers:

Kris: hi there! Hope you like the rest as well…

secretkeeper11: prods her so you got an account and I read your stories… huge puppy dog eyes when are you gonna post them and will you write more? PLEASE! In the meanwhile enjoy!

jacquelinestel: I know – I had nearly given up on this story as well. I've read NHH and I must tell you I really liked it! I'm gonna hop over to the sequel as well…

Lindahoyland: thank you for your kind review and I'm glad to hear it! Enjoy the next chappie!

Lady Nierwen: quick enough? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to see about Legolas and Estel though… Hope it is to your liking… ,')

Kathleen laCorneille: uhm… I'm evil? Good reason? Thanks for your prodding; it made me force myself to get out of that terrible corner I was in. Sorry for the long wait – I promise from now on I will only post finished stories – then I can update at least regularly. Don't I hate it when my favourite authors do the same… sigh I don't think the twins would have dared to go against their father right now, but indeed they can see his point as well. As for Estel standing imagines it and a grimace appears Ouch! Let's see, shall we? You'll find out what Glorfindel meant too…

Nietta: OO Moi! Rude? breaks down in sniffles So I'm not terribly evil or anything? See? I updated – and sooner than the last time so don't hurt the doll and lay down those huge needles! Wanna bet that is a voodoo doll you have? Who is to say I don't need Legolas sans pinpricks? LOL Nope – you reviewed before – I can remember, you were still NaughtyNat then…

)()()()()(

Chapter 12

It was only a matter of minutes before a great number of orcs had entered the Last Homely House via the tunnel. Luck was still with them as they remained undetected. Duzbak grinned evilly – the elves would not know what came over them! This elven refuge would be destroyed and every being found inside it slaughtered! Well, perhaps some play first…

Everything had been discussed in the remaining days and every orc knew what it had to do. Thus they made their way upstairs to take over their respective parts of the house. Their brethren outside would make sure that the threat inside would not be noted until it was too late…

)()()()()(

Glorfindel had returned to his duties outside, gathering information of his troops and leaving the human to rest with his best friend by his side. Elrond had only just received several reports from elves out on patrol telling of orc activity around Imladris. The attacks from these creatures however seemed random and bold, but every warrior was doing their best to kill the monsters and remained wary of the possibility of a trap.

Elrond had asked the twins to quickly check with the guards posted at the weak spots and to return immediately if all was well – trusting Legolas to protect Estel in the mean time. Estel, sensing the commotion happening around him, could not sleep now that it was finally happening. He trusted the warriors of Imladris to keep his home safe, yet he feared the words of the orcs. What plan had those creatures concocted?

To get his friend's mind off worrying about things he could not change, Legolas talked with him about all kinds of other things. The elf could see that Aragorn's heart was slowly becoming lighter now that he had finally started telling his friend and family about his problems… Funny, I have never seemed to notice that his heart was burdened as it was yet the difference in him is remarkable!

Legolas was looking at his bow which stood next to Estel's bed, an odd smile on his face as his gaze then turned to rest upon his human friend.

Aragorn raised an eyebrow, "I hope you are not planning on doing anything concerning me and that bow of yours that would bring such a smile on your face," he jested.

The Mirkwood elf snorted and shook his head, "Tis not because of that, my friend. I only-"

BANG! What he had been trying to say was interrupted. Startled, the friends looked at each other – instantly alert. It had come from the hallway… Estel raised himself up as much as he could before being pressed down by Legolas. The blonde elf laid one slender finger against his lips, urging the human to be silent and lay still. He walked towards the door and rested his pointed ear against it, listening what it was that he had heard. Perhaps the twins were up to some of their strange mischief – you never could tell with those two, though they would have chosen a most inappropriate moment if it were them.

There were no more sounds to be heard and confused, Legolas turned towards his friend.

All of a sudden, the door opened and one big, ugly orc entered the room, holding its scimitar ready for attack. Legolas, unarmed, jumped back and made his way to the stand beside the bed where he had put his knife. The bow was of no use right now. The archer cursed the fact that this orc had somehow managed to slip past the patrols. Was this the only one or were there more inside the house? Where were Elladan and Elrohir? Had this orc passed them? This was something the archer did not want to think of for if it had this did not bode well for the twins. Nearly all the warriors were out in the woods and near the borders – only several warriors were left inside the refuge! But this one would not touch his friend; Estel would not be hurt by them again!

The orc momentarily stopped its advance upon seeing the ranger lying in bed. Surprise was clearly written on both faces. The ugly beast's eyes turned to slits. "You," it sneered before being doubly fierce in its attack on the elven prince – trying to get to the human and finish the job properly.

Estel felt useless as he watched his friend dodging the angry swipes of the orc – inwardly hissing and cringing as the scimitar missed the elf by too small a distance. He wanted to help, but he knew that he would not be able to do any fighting. So that left him with only one thing to try and do: getting himself in an upright position so that he could reach the knife and throw it at the beast. However, his ribs and his legs – his entire body actually – did not agree with this and he collapsed back on the bed, stifling a cry.

Legolas saw from the edge of his vision that the ranger was foolishly trying to sit up and reach for the blade. He ducked as the orc once again swiped its scimitar, adrenaline running through him as he could feel the rush of air over his head.

This needed to end now, before any others came!

While he was bent through his knees, the blonde elf tackled the orc, causing it to fall on its back. Not giving it a moment to get up, Legolas stomped on its wrist causing the weapon to drop to the floor. He then took the orc's head in his hands and twisted in opposite directions – breaking the beast's neck.

Not waiting to see if any more would appear, Legolas hurried to the bed – slinging his bow and arrows over his shoulder and placing the knife in its usual resting place of his quiver. Then he took Estel up in his arms, trying to ignore the muffled cry of pain and walked towards the door. He looked at the dead body on the floor one last time and grimaced. "How did it get in? Where are the patrols? The palace is well protected, so how did it enter?"

"I do not know, Legolas, but my father needs to be warned!" Estel said through clenched teeth.

Legolas hurried towards Elrond's study where he suspected the elven lord to be. It was only a small distance away and, luckily, no orcs crossed his path. He did, however, run into the twins who were on their way to Estel's room. With a look that clearly said where were you two? Legolas indicated for them to follow him.

Seeing the Mirkwood prince running with their little brother in his arms, the twins knew at once that something had happened. Feeling guilty because of the look directed their way, both Noldor elves followed the archer. Only a moment later they entered the study.

 )()()()()(

Outside

After the first sightings of the orcs and the subsequent attacks, the elves were wary of any movement. Several elves had fallen already at the hands of the beasts and one had stumbled into a deadly trap – having set off a nearly invisible wire and ending with a wooden stake in his heart. The warriors had been careful, but none had expected their foes to be this cunning – orcs after all, were not the smartest of creatures. From then on their wariness had grown and they used their anger to strike at the evil creatures – not letting the emotion rule them however.

And while in the midst of battle they would have nearly shot the parties from Mirkwood and Lothlorien if it hadn't been for their fast reflexes. The groups had seemingly met up along the way towards Imladris and had finally arrived.

Glorfindel was one of the first to greet them and thanked them for coming to aid them – quickly filling the elves in on what had just happened. It was very shortly after that, that the elves dispersed and attacked the orcs.

Glorfindel looked around and frowned. Indeed there appeared to be a great number of orcs, but from what he had been told by Elrond the orcs couldn't possibly have planned only this? If they had planned something, the creatures wouldn't be foolish enough to simply go to their doom and try to bring down as many elves as they could, would they? So what was their plan? Hearing a sound behind him, he whirled around and blocked the sword aimed for his head. The malformed creature smiled – showing its rotten teeth and waggling his tongue at him. It seemed to quickly look behind the elf before pulling its gaze back on the blonde. That's when it struck him. This was a diversion!

)()()()()(

Inside

"Legolas?" questioned Elrohir once they were inside. He had been surprised to see the blonde elf carrying his little brother. "What happened? You look far too pale!"

"An orc was inside the house!" replied the Mirkwood elf. "How did it pass the patrols or the guards inside? Where are the others?"

Elrond looked up; a frown marring his face as he noticed his youngest clenching his teeth to control the pain. Estel saw the look and quickly shook his head – it was not important right now. "We are both all right, Ada. Legolas killed it."

"We checked every weak spot in the house and all guards were in place – by all rights they should not be in our home," Elladan said.

Elrond on the other hand was slowly shaking his head. All the guards had been placed to look for danger coming from outside, so indeed it should not have been possible for an orc to have entered. He thought deeply whether a place was left unprotected and was horrified when he remembered something. "No, impossible…" he murmured to himself.

Legolas heard however. "What is, my Lord?"

Elrond sighed; reprimanding himself for not thinking of this option before. There was only one way the creature could have entered and it certainly would not have come alone. But how had it ever gotten so far? The patrols would have spotted the orcs long before they had they had reached the water! "The cellar…" he replied, "There is a hatch there just as in your home. It was only used in the early days when Imladris had just been founded and until now, I had forgotten all about it. It has been kept locked for ages. The only way the orc could have entered is if it went into the wild stream near the house and enter the cellar. Through there it has access to the entire house."

"But how would it have entered the water, Ada?" Elladan asked. "The patrols would have seen something if it entered from the woods."

"I do not know, my son, but I guess we will find out ourselves soon enough."

A sound was heard in the hallway – a crash and running feet moving towards them. The twins held their bows ready – prepared for when the door opened and the fighting would begin. Quickly taking his sword out of his scabbard (he had taken to wearing it what with the threat of an attack), Elrond made up his mind and quickly spoke. "We cannot stay here, Estel was right before: they will kill everyone they encounter!"

All of a sudden the door was opened and all looked surprised at their unexpected guest. Glorfindel quickly shut the door behind him and looked at the five beings inside the room. The ancient elf was covered in the black blood of the orcs as was his sword and numerous cuts adorned his body – one was far too close to his eye, but the warrior paid no heed to that as his eyes sought out the ones of his friend. "Lord Elrond, I fear the orc activity outside has just been a diversion. Already I killed half a dozen orcs inside this house. I do not know how they have managed to enter, but I could hear others. I fear this is what they had planned – to take on Imladris from the inside."

"So the other orc had indeed company," Elrond said, "Then they are bound to be scattered throughout the house. Knowing them, they will be waiting for anyone wanting to flee and go through every room until they have killed all elves. Elrohir, go outside and tell the warriors to come. Be careful! Glorfindel and I will warn the guards here and take on as many as we can. Legolas, Estel, Elladan – be careful! It would not do us any good if you were to be slayed by those fell creatures. Do not stay here, but make for the cellar and use the hatch to go out."

"I think you would like to know that both the Mirkwood and the Lothlorien parties have arrived," Glorfindel told Elrond. Then he turned to Elrohir, "Tell them to split up and send half of their number here!"

Elrohir nodded and was prepared to go, but Legolas' question stalled him.

"My lord," Legolas said, "Why would you have us flee like cowardly dogs? Why can we not fight them? Elladan and I can hold them off! Estel will be safe!"

Elrond shook his head, "No, young one. This is not up for discussion. I know you can fight, but Estel is in no position to and I could not bare it if anything happened to any of you. If it is a fight you are looking for then let it be a comfort that it is highly likely for you to encounter orcs on your way down. Stay in the cellar unless you have no other choice – use the hatch then to escape."

Defeated, Legolas sighed before looking at Elladan. The Noldor elf would get to do all the fighting since he was carrying Estel. Looking down in his arms he could see that the young human was not at all happy – most likely feeling like a burden. "Elladan, grab my knife from behind and give it to Estel if you would," he said.

Elladan did as he was asked and handed the elven blade to his little brother before gently ruffling his hair resulting in a grumble from the suffering man.

Legolas simply smiled, "Since I am carrying you around as if I were a pack mule, the least you can do is guard my back, human," he teased.

Aragorn smiled as he realized he was not so worthless perhaps. "You have it wrong, dear prince. You should be thanking me for guarding your back. It is just payment to have to carry me around!" he said, muttering smugly under his breath, "My dear donkey."

Legolas wisely pretended not to hear that, instead shifting the human a little in his arms as if to secure his grip on his friend. Estel's eyes shot daggers at him for the jostling it brought him. The prince on the other hand just tried very hard to look innocent and obviously succeeded because the other elves had no idea what had warranted such a look from the ill-tempered human.

"Well then – let us be off!" Elrond said.

They all looked each other in the eyes one last time, knowing that if things went wrong they might never see each other again.

)()()()()(

TBC

A/N2: I mentioned in an earlier chapter that the time to travel from either Mirkwood or Lothlorien would be changed, so please forgive me for messing with this – it is, after all, fanfic…