A/N: Forgive the long wait, this week has been very hectic at work and when I got home every night I was too mentally drained to even think about writing. After a nice day of hanging out and going to the theatre today, though, I knew I had to get back to writing and get a new chapter posted. I will work very hard to see that the next installment comes quicker than this one did. Please enjoy and let me know what you think.

I have no BETA. All mistakes are mine.

Chapter Four

"Checkmate."

A nod.

"My Lord?"

"Hum?"

"You seem a bit, how should I say, distracted." Erestor said.

Startled, Elrond straightened himself in his chair. "Forgive me, Erestor, I was merely thinking."

The dark elf reached for the flask of wine on the table to refill his Lord's glass, "About your visions? Please do not tell me they are still vexing you."

"Nay, my friend," Elrond responded, "I believe they have made their point now and are not coming to me. What to do now I believe is up to me."

"If that is what you think."

"You disagree?" Elrond questioned. Erestor sighed and sat the wine down once more, thinking over his answer.

"I am not gifted with what you have. I have never had a ability of foresight, but from what you tell of it perhaps that it a blessing." Erestor said. "You are the only one who really knows how much belief to give to these dreams and premonitions you have. I am not fit to give you good advice."

The Lord nodded, debating his advisor's answer in his head.

"You have already let it somewhat guide your actions, My Lord." Erestor commented, "You did not let them near."

As if coming from the next life itself, the words from the Erestor of his vision came rushing back, 'Do not let them near!' Clearing his throat, Elrond collected himself, "That much is true. I set a spy to watch them and moved the others away. I did not wish to even risk trained warriors in their sights. Perhaps it was rash, but knowing I had as many safe as possible was of utmost importance." He sat forward in his chair, bridging the gap between himself and his counselor. "Please tell me what you're thinking, Erestor. Right now you are not acting as my advisor, but my trusted friend and companion. Tell me what you think."

"I have always believed that a person should be free until they do something to take that freedom away." Erestor replied, "They have shown no hostility. They went willingly to where we pointed without making a fuss about being put in the worse campsite on our land." Erestor said clearly, "These men have done nothing wrong."

Elrond let the words soak in, digesting them and mulling them over in his mind. Every word was true, but were those words enough?

The silence was broken by a quiet moan from the doorway.

"Elladan?" Elrond asked? The sight before him was pathetic. Leaning on his brother, Elladan looked as through he could barely walk and certainly not lift an arm. "My son," said Elrond, rising from his chair to help his son, "what has happened?"

Elladan could not respond from shame, so Elrohir answered in his brother's stead, "He challenged Glorfindel to a match."

"Valar help me," Elrond sighed, "could you not be a little gentle at least on the children, Glorfindel?"

The elf in question had been quietly hiding in the doorway fearing a father's wrath. "I got a bit carried away. He is not injured!"

"Tis true," the elder twin said, "I am not at all injured, in fact Glorfindel went to great length to see that I was not. I merely think I have exhausted every muscle in my body!"

The men sat still around their meager fire waiting for the couple rabbits they has caught to finish cooking. They were frozen in place, only a moment ago they had been speaking when they had thought they had heard something coming from the bushes to the right. It sounded like the branches rustling when a bird quickly takes flight only, something was different. They were waiting for another sign. Nothing more was heard.

"What do you suppose that was?" One asked.

"An elf perhaps, a sentry?" Another responded.

Their leader, a large man with strong muscles stood, "Could it be them? Could they be watching us?"

"We must move our plans forward, we need to go to the elf house now!"

Gathering their weapons and horses, they raced towards Imladris with all speed.

Milkya had exceptional hearing. He knew the men were trailing him, having left their camp a few moments after to had begun his life or death run for the Lost Homely House, his house, his home. All he cared about was there and he would do anything and risk everything to keep it safe.

They had horses, and very soon they would catch up to him, leaving his friends without warning of their charge.

The border guards along this stretch of land had been reassigned. So paranoid was his Lord that he thought it was foolhardy to have one more elf in the range of these men as possible. Now he was their only communication about the men.

The men on horses.

The man right behind him, gaining on him with every step.

The lights of Imladris shone brightly in the dark. The Valar were with him and he would beat them to the gates, he would be able to give them that moment's warning they needed. None would die because of his failure this night.

A sound pierced into the night, it was the horns of the guards of the house, alerting all within that someone was approaching the gates. Relief swelled into him as he saw elves emerge quickly from a study awaiting his news among them being his Lord and his twin sons with their tutors, Erestor and Glorfindel.

"My Lord!" He shouted as he ran, before he had even reached him. "My Lord, they are behind me! They are charging towards us!"

All standing above looked out over the clearing and saw that Milkya's word rang true. The men indeed were approaching on horseback at full speed. Instantly, elves were at the posts of defense, their arrows aimed at the men, awaiting only their Lord's command.

"Your command, My Lord?" Glorfindel asked in his role as Captain of all the elven warriors present. With only the stamina of an elf, Elladan was found standing straight ready to fight as if his earlier woes were nothing but a hiccup long passed.

Coming into view from the side Legolas could be seen. His hair was slightly wet from the baths and he looked as if half of his dressing was done on the run.

Milkya had not yet caught his breath, "They come closer!"

Fear even shone in Erestor's cool eyes as he picked up a weapon preparing to charge with the others.

Everything was in place, he was standing at the top overlooking the others at the same place he was standing in his visions. All were present awaiting his command. Was he about to command them to theirs deaths? Was he not powerful and gifted enough to stop it? The gift of foresight must be enough to prevent those terrible events from coming into reality.

"What would you like us to do?" Erestor asked with calm remarkably dominating his voice.

The game had come to a close, but how would it end?

TBC