Hearing happy voices behind him, Aragorn turned to see some of the elves greeting the twins warmly, glad to see them alive. Aragorn suddenly wondered how Elrond had managed to find them…and what had made him search for them in the first place.

He asked Elladan when he returned.

"Apparently," said the older twin. "After the orc's captured us, the horses ran home to Imladris, which alerted ada that something was wrong. He gathered an army and started a search, using Legolas' horse to guide them."

"Legolas' horse?" Aragorn said.

Elladan nodded. "It refused to be restrained and would not be calmed. Ada reasoned that it was trying to lead him to us, and followed it."

Aragorn was amazed, but he also felt sad at the fear that his father must've felt when he saw the four horses return home with no riders. "Where is the horse?"

Elladan looked around, shaking his head. "I do not know where they left her. Probably beyond the trees."

Hearing a sudden whinny, the two of them turned to see Elrohir leading Legolas' mare towards them. The horse tried to break free from Elrohir's grasp when she saw her master, and Elrohir let her go.

Aragorn and Elladan moved back when the horse trotted past them and stuck her nose in Legolas' hair.

Elrohir smiled at the sight. "I brought her here thinking that mayhap she could wake him…"

The three of them watched, not really expecting it, but hoping.

The horse's presence had no effect on their unconscious friend, who was completely motionless…as if death had claimed him.

The sight chilled Aragorn. "It was worth a try," he said, with a heavy sigh. Hearing it echoed behind him, he turned to see Elrond sitting up, a little unsteadily.

"How is he?" Elrond managed to say.

The twins chuckled at his slightly groggy state.

"No change," said Aragorn, kneeling beside his father. "How are you?"

Elrond shot Elrohir an annoyed look. "I am fine, there was no reason to drug me!"

Elrohir couldn't hide his smirk.

Elrond sighed again, before starting to get to his feet.

Aragorn grabbed his uninjured arm and helped him.

"I am fine," Elrond told him, sounding exasperated. "But I thank you for your care nonetheless, Estel."

The twins chuckled again.

"Where there any deaths?" Elrond asked, surveying the battleground.

"No, thankfully," Elrohir said. "All injuries have already been dealt with." He stepped closer to his father, trying to hide a grin. "I couldn't help but notice that most of the elves that you brought have been trained in healing. Did you think that we would be that far gone that you would need all the help that you could get?"

Elrond shot a glare at him, but it changed as he took in the sight of them. "Oh, my sons…"

The three of them stepped closer, wrapping their arms around him and each other.

"I was afraid that this time I was too late," Elrond whispered. "When I saw all four horses come home without you…" He paused, as if unable to say anything further. Sighing, he gave them a squeeze before pulling back and looking down at Legolas. "I am relieved beyond words that the three of you came out of this without serious harm."

"Everyone but Legolas…again!" Elladan remarked.

They all knelt beside the unconscious elf, Elrond reaching out to check his pulse.

"If only he would wake," the healer said. "So that I could determine the severity of his head injury."

"He searched for us on foot," said Aragorn. "After the three of us were taken by the orcs. His arm was already broken, and by the time he found us he must've been exhausted. That may be a contributing factor."

Elrond frowned at his words. "Mayhap you should tell me the entire story. But first, let us settle Legolas away from this place."

Aragorn moved towards Legolas, to lift him, but Elladan waved him away, aware that his human brother likely had aches and pains of his own.

Standing, they began to walk between the dead bodies of the slain orcs.

When they passed the orc leader, Aragorn looked down at him. When he saw the arrow that had felled the beast, his eyes opened wider.

The fletchings were burgundy and gold.

It was Elrond's arrow.

Aragorn smiled as he moved past his dead enemy. There was no way in Middle Earth that Elrond would stand by and watch as his sons were mistreated.

A neigh sounded behind him, and he realized that Legolas' mare was following. He smiled at it and stroked its nose, leading it along. "He will be all right," he heard himself telling the animal. "Legolas will be fine."

The horse blew a loud breath through its nose, as if snorting its doubt.

Elrond gave a quick command to an elf in passing, and he took his human son's arm. "We must hurry."

Aragorn gave him a puzzled look, having not noticed what his father had told the other elf.

"They are to burn the orc bodies," Elrond said.

Aragorn quickened his pace, knowing that the smoke and odor would quickly travel far.

"How long are they going to wait?" Elladan called behind his shoulder.

Elrond sighed, knowing the reason for his son's question; Elladan didn't want to jostle Legolas by moving too fast.

Turning, Aragorn saw some of the elves working to make piles of the orc's bodies. "I think we have enough time."

Elrond nodded his agreement, looking his son over with a critical eye. He'd seen the orcs mistreat him, and knew from experience that Aragorn liked to hide his injuries. "What are your hurts?" he asked.

Aragorn shook his head. "I am f—"

"Do not say it!" Elrond exclaimed, stopping and grabbing the human's arm. "The word 'fine' obviously does not mean the same thing to you that it does to me."

Aragorn smiled slightly at his words.

Elrond couldn't help but smile back. "Tell me, ion-nin. We have no time for games."

Aragorn knew that he was right, and looked ahead to where the twins were walking on with Legolas. Giving in, he sighed. "I have no broken bones, no bleeding cuts," he said. "Several muscles ache, as well as my face and head from the orc's blows, but that is all. I swear."

Elrond studied him for a minute. "You are telling me that you came out of this with nothing more than bruises?"

Aragorn nodded.

Elrond smiled, sighing in relief.

"In fact," said Aragorn, on a surge of inspiration. "Your injury is worse than all of mine."

Elrond looked to his bandaged arm. Shooting his son a mock-glare, he said, "I am f—"

"Don't say it!" said Aragorn, repeating his father's earlier words.

Elrond couldn't maintain the glare, and finally chuckled, wrapping his good arm around his son as they continued walking.

==============

Cute moment between father and son, lol! :) Thanks for all your reviews! Stay tuned to find out just how badly hurt our poor elf is, lol!