Disclaimer: please see chapter one

Thank you Katy, my Beta

Chapter Thirteen

The minute the cry filled the air, those able in the room, rose to their feet. All made their way to the door before realising not one of them had thought of Legolas.

Elrond turned quickly. "Estel, stay with Legolas. I will alert the guards that you are alone and to be extra vigilant." With that the others were gone.

Estel made it back to Legolas' pallet and with a deep sigh sat back once more by his friend's side. "I wish I knew what was going on here, Legolas. I wish you would wake up and know me. What do you think is happening out there?"

There was no answer from the sleeping Prince and Estel did not want to wake him. Legolas needed all the sleep he could get. After all a coma neither is not exactly restful nor could it be called sleep.

Picking up the book he had been reading to Legolas earlier he began to read.

The moment Elrond made his exit from the Halls of Healing he knew this was bad. Across the square from them stood a large flet, it was owned by a councillor and friend. Smoke billowed out of the top. It looked from where he stood as if the entire flet was being engulfed.

Striding forward he began to issue orders. Soon an orderly line was formed leading to the river Bruinen. Buckets full of water were passed from Elf to Elf as they battled the fire.

Not one Elf noticed that the two guards beneath the balcony had joined the line, eager to help one of their own.

Much to Elrond's dismay the fire spread to the stables. Splitting the Elves into groups he left Glorfindel to command them and they moved towards the stable. Their first job was to lead the horses to safety, and then they could see about the building.

All team worked hard, but the wind picked up the flames, casing them to spread, luckily Elves with water were near by and managed to stop the spread from the sparks before they had even started.

Eyes watched very pleased with the distraction he had caused. The minute the guards left their post he was on his way.

Moving to the wall he swiftly climbed it until he reached the balustrade. Silently he jumped over the stone landing far quieter than a cat could. Reaching down he pulled a wicked looking knife from his boots, better to be prepared, Elrond may just have left someone with the Brat, and he certainly would not put it passed the cunning old Elf.

On that thought he made his way to the window's that opened wide on to the balcony. With a grin of delight he realised that the widow was not only locked it was open. Perfect, he reached for the pillowing netting and readied himself to go in.

Outside the fire had really taken hold and Elrond had ordered all the flet's in the surrounding area to be evacuated. Already there were injuries. Some Elves had deep burns to their arms and faces from the sparks that the fire gave off, some had cuts, deep cuts from trying to pull any wood as yet untouched by the fire away from the area.

Elrond's spirit dipped lower at the news that one Elf had died trying to save an Elfling trapped by the fire, he had managed to pass the Elfling to safety before the beam above him had collapsed.

Elrond could hear the trees moans of fear and anger. There was anger? That pulled Elrond up short. Why were the trees angry? If only he had a Wood Elf to talk to the trees, to get them to say what angered them. If it came to that he wanted a certain Wood elf called Legolas who had such a wonderful affinity with all life, but more especially trees. He could not think of Legolas now.

Elrond shook his head, he had to concentrate.

"Ada, look out!" The cry came from Elladan and Elrond turned quickly, trying to find the reason for Elladan's cry of panic. The tree above him gave a low groan. It was then that he realised the tree holding the flet had been compromised. All he could do was watch as the branch began to fall, flames flaring in the oxygen rich atmosphere. He had no chance and his last conscious thought was hearing Elladan screaming his name before darkness whisked him away…

Elladan's cry had alerted Glorfindel's attention to the fact that something was wrong. But he did not leave his post; it could after all be a warning and nothing more. His heart wanted nothing more than to run over and check his friend was alright, but his head, that cold logical head he wore during times like this would not let him. He continued to fight the flames that were gradually devouring the stables.

He heard Elladan's panicked cry of "Ada, no!" and he could wait no more. Giving swift orders to the Elves nearer to him, he made his way to Elladan's side.

"Elladan, your Adar?"

"The branch, it fell on him." And with that he raced off.

Kneeling at his Adar's side he gently lifted the heavy branch only to look up surprise when the branch suddenly seemed lighter. He found Glorfindel holding the other end. His nod of thanks was all Glorfindel needed and between them they freed the Elven Lord.

Once Elrond was free of the branch Elladan began to check his father over. Shaking fingers covered in blood and soot reached for the carotid pulse point on Elrond's throat. He closed his eyes and gave a silent prayer of thanks to the Gods. It was there, beating steadily, and was nice and strong.

He then moved on to check him further, aware in his peripheral vision that Glorfindel accepting buckets of water so that the fire could not spread to their position.

Elladan winced as ribs moved beneath his fingers, finger's that were steadier now that he knew his Father lived. He moved his way down the unconscious body.

"How is he?" Glorfindel had to shout to be heard above the wind.

"He has some broken ribs and his right leg is broken." He brushed the hair from his fathers face to reveal a growing purple lump. "He also has a good knot on his head. We need to get him out of here, but I need to check his spine." The thought of paralysing his Adar sent shivers down his spine. With Glorfindel's help he managed to roll Elrond without causing too much movement and began checking the vertebra. He slumped with relief when he found them undamaged.

"They have received no hurt." He shared a look of pure relief and joy. "We need to get him away from all of this." Between them they managed to lift Elrond and carry him gently back to the House of Healing.

They made their way to the main hall, away from the smaller one used by Legolas, they did not want to worry Estel unnecessarily.

The hall was almost full to bursting, but when Deanol noticed who it was they held in their arms he hurried over to them.

"Over here, my Lord's." He led the way into a small annex that was apart of the hall. It was being unused at present and they gently lay Elrond down on the clean sheets, leaving smears of blood and soot in their wake.

Glorfindel stood back. "I need to return; I will be needed know that Elrond is unable to be there. Keep me informed of his condition?"

Elladan gave a distracted nod of his head. His attention was completely on his father as he helped Deanol to assess any further injuries he may have received. He was not even aware of Glorfindel leaving.

Estel could not help but wince at the sounds coming from outside. The shouts and agonising screams filled the air. It was definitely like a nightmare, day mare, what ever. At one point he could have sworn he heard Elladan's voice but the roar of the wind and flames made it difficult to really hear.

"I should be out their, Legolas. They are my people and they are suffering. I would never leave you Mellon-nin, but I feel so very helpless. His head hung low, shoulders hunched in despair.

A hand on his arm made his start and he looked up to meet two confused eyes. "T… t… there."

Now Estel was confused. "What" The hand lifted from his arm to point behind him. Estel turned and found himself eye to eye with a cloaked figure its hood masking the face, in its hand was a knife. A knife that looked very sharp.

"So he left you did he, Adan? Not that it will do either him or you any good." The voice held nothing but disdain and hatred.

"Move away and I will give a quick, clean death. Defy me and you will suffer, the choice is yours." Estel could have sworn he knew that voice, but did not know where from.

"Did you think that would scare me?" His tone mirrored the intruders. "If you want Legolas you will have to go through me." He reached for his sword shooting Legolas a reassuring glance before he stood.

"As you wish, it matters little to me who I dispatch first."

Estel made his way into the centre of the room away from Legolas' pallet. The fight then began in earnest.

It took three fast parries for them to realise that they were well matched. Sparks flew from the metal and he could hear Legolas vague gasps from behind him.

Finally Estel got the upper hand and his sword met flesh, causing his assailant to drop his knife. He moved nearer to the mystery in front of his, just as he was about to reach and lower the hood, the door burst open.

The guards poured in from the corridor and for just one moment his attention wavered, that was all the cloaked figure needed and aiming a well placed kick, his foot connected with Estel's groin doubling him over.

The figure scrambled gracefully to his feet and made for the balcony, one of the nearest guards tried to catch him. He only succeeded in catching the hood. But if it gave Estel the first glimpse of who was trying to kill Legolas.

He could only gasp in a mixture of pain and surprise. "Faren?!!"

To be continued

There we go, folks, today's second update. I hope you will join me tomorrow?

Love,
Shell

xxxx