CHAPTER FIVE
Complete Devotion

In the morning as the sun rose pale and dreary, set against a pale blue sky. Elrohir awoke first and he lay in bed for a moment, recalling the night before and all its horror. The Elf sat up and pushed back loosened braids behind his ears. Looking at the sunset he decided he would go and look in Estel's room to get one last look at his human brother before he left with Elladan. They were going to leave before Aragorn was up, for the did not wish to relive anything from last night.

Tossing the sheets and blankets from himself and nearly off the bed, the Noldo got up and swung his feet out of the bed.

He looked up and saw a human boy standing in the door way. The child was not over eight and had dark, wavy hair nearly as night like as his own. Elrohir could not believe it. The child did nothing, but just looked at him and he knew that was Aragorn as a child, six years after they had brought him home. This could not be, and yet hear it was.

It was just like those many years ago when the boy used to come and wake them in the morning if they were home and not off ranging. It seemed like it was only that long ago and all was well. The child's eyes seemed so full of innocence and youthfulness. Elrohir thought about if he would have missed watching his younger brother grow up, what would he have lost? Something he could never have replaced though he may search forever. What if he never saw Aragorn come into his own and be the king that he knew he could be? What gap would be left that would never be filled?

He closed his eyes and when he opened them again the boy was gone and the sounds of the birds singing entered his ears and filled him with a sorrowful peace. Sighing, the Noldo went and leaned into Aragorn's room. However he nearly went into a state of shock when he saw the bed was empty. Aragorn was not there. Spinning on his heels, he left the door frame and trotted off to Legolas' room. Surely if Aragorn was anywhere it would be with the prince. Maybe they were both up and goofing around.

As Elrohir went into Legolas's room, he noticed that the bed in there was empty as well. Suddenly, the opened door to the balcony caught his eye as the curtains flapped in the breeze like sails to a ship. He narrowed his eyes and knitted his brow. Pushing the waving pieces of cloth aside, he walked out onto the escarpment and his jaw dropped. His eyes fell on the sheets tied together and fear seized his heart. Where were those two? Perhaps they were just outside, playing a prank.

He doubted it and slowly backed out of the room and then whipped around and ran back up the hall to his twin's room.

Not even knocking, he flung the door open and grabbed Elladan's shoulder. The younger twin began to shake it and he said, "Elladan! Wake up! Wake up now!"

Elladan jolted awake and snarled, "Elrohir what is the matter with you?' He was startled because he was blind and Elrohir had forgotten completely about it. The younger Elf proceeded to shake his brother and Elladan growled, "I am awake alright?"

Elrohir leaped back, and sighed. "I am sorry Dan. I just am so afraid." He had never felt more stupid for saying something like that in his life, for he was not really in danger.

Elladan frowned and raised a single brow that followed with a look that stated he thought Elrohir had gone off the deep end, and not only that, he was drowning in it. "You are what?" he asked. "I don't think I heard you correctly."

Elrohir said with a slight bit of fear or sadness in his voice, "I am sorry, I am afraid for Estel," he blurted out.

Elladan went expressionless then he said, "what about Estel?" Elrohir just shook his head and Elladan snapped, "what about him Ro? What danger is he in?" It was not that Elladan was being mean, he just loved his brother and his fear for Aragorn made him sharp.

Elrohir snapped back as he began to pace the room, "he is in the one we all share and...well...beyond that anything could happen," he finished with a breath and he looked at his brother. Elrohir did not know what to do. His heart hurt, but there were two reasons. It ached in part because of the hurt Aragorn had inflicted the night before, but it burned with fear for the man's life. He could not dampen it and put out the fire, it burned too fiercely and he had not the tears to cry. They were wasted last night. He knew it was sometimes wrong to waste his sorrows, for they could give strength for the next day, but it was hard not to.

Elladan frowned and said, "explain that, what happened to him Elrohir!"

Elrohir just said softly, "nothing has happened yet, not to my knowledge. But Elladan, he is no longer here. He and Legolas ran away last night, though why I can't imagine."

Elladan quirked a brow and asked a question that was just nagging him. "How did they leave? How do you know this?"

Elrohir smiled and said, "they tied bed sheets together and escaped out of the balcony in Legolas' room." He could not help but laugh. It as rather whimsical.

Elladan snorted. "Did they? That has got to be the most half-witted thing they did yet. But giddiness possessed them to leave?" he asked with a half growl half laugh. It was as though he was torn between joy and anger.

Elrohir pulled his mouth down into a dark frown and his eyes zoned out in deep thought. "I do not know," he said quietly and at length. He guessed that Aragorn had decided to go and join the other rangers on the field and that Legolas, in his usual manner, had refused to be left behind.

Elladan sighed and said with a moan, "did you consult Ada yet?"

Elrohir looked at Elladan like he had sprouted several heads and had suggested that they go and tell the orcs, 'Valar bless you!' Raising his brows so they were nearly in his hair he said, "Elbereth no! He has enough to worry about!"

Elladan just shook his head and said matter-of-factly, "he is going to know soon enough."

Elrohir just rolled his steel eyes and said, "alright. We will tell him after we talk to Glorfindel. He will be less difficult to explain things to." Elladan just nodded in earnest agreement with his twin. It was true, sometimes Glorfindel was easier to talk to.

It did not take the too long to find the Balrog-Slayer after they had dressed. As a matter of fact, they were only roaming the halls for about two minutes before they nearly banged into the Gondolin immortal as he walked down the hall on his way to find their father they supposed.

He frowned when he saw the worried and nervous looks on their faces. He didn't even have to ask what was wrong, they told him flat out. "Lord Glorfindel Estel and Prince Legolas are gone again."

Glorfindel stood their for a moment before saying almost to himself, "them too?" Although he knew he should not be surprised, he was. And he was worried. With Ancú missing it was disturbing to find Aragorn and Legolas gone as well. They were keen when it came to discovering trouble and there was no doubt that they would find it soon enough this time.

Elladan may have been blind, but his hearing worked perfectly well (actually it had increased since his loss of sight) so he heard the tone in the golden-haired Elf's voice and his heart quailed. "More than those two incautious pleas for and Elf and a ranger are missing?"

Glorfindel nodded, but Elladan did not see it so Elrohir filled in for him. "Who else is missing?" asked the younger twin with raised brow.

Glorfindel shook his head and said, " Ancú never returned. I fear for him...and if Estel and Legolas are gone, well...you know that if there is danger out there they will find it for sure."

Elladan scowled and said softly, "so Ancú is missing too? You don't think that Estel and Legolas would go to find him, do you?" he asked with alarm.

Glorfindel raised his brows and considered that for a moment. "I suppose it is possible." Then he frowned. "But the only one I have told of his absence is Lord Elrond."

Elrohir wanted to laugh. He could explain that. "Estel has a habit of not sleeping when he is stressed. He has missed his sleep for up to three days strait before. Perhaps he was listening."

Glorfindel just said with a shrug, "perhaps...but we would have heard him."

Now it was Elladan's turn to nearly chuckle. "No you wouldn't have. He can be as silent as anyone of us can if he wishes. You have Elrohir to thank for that." Elrohir just grinned for a second, recalling how he had taught Aragorn at an early age to sneak around and scare squirrels. Elladan spoke again, "we have to go and find them."

Glorfindel looked at Elladan as though the younger Noldo had insinuated that they should all dress in Arwen's dresses and march upon the Black Gates. "Are you mad Elladan? You will be killed!" the Gondolin Elf nearly shouted.

Elladan just sighed and said simply, "I may but Glorfindel I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? You slayed a Balrog. I may not ever be able to do something like that but in little things I can leave my mark, did I choose to love? Did I sacrifice enough? Did I do all there was in my power to win the fight against evil?" Glorfindel stared and he roughly understood where the younger immortal was coming from. "I want to leave an offering Glorfindel. I want to leave that kind of legacy."

Glorfindel just shook his head. "I understand Elladan, but if it takes your life and you fail, what legacy did you leave?" Glorfindel knew the answer, but he had to ask it.

Elladan mumbled something and said, "a legacy that I tried to fight and you know it!" Elrohir went and put a hand on Elladan's shoulder and pressed down to help calm his brother. The last thing they needed at that time was to anger Glorfindel so he would choose sides with their Ada.

Glorfindel frowned and said, "I don't think I am the best person to speak to you of such things. You should speak to your father."

Elrohir knew this and he said, "I know but he will be crushed. We thought we could talk to you and-"

Glorfindel just smiled softly and said, "no. This is matters I can not handle. The love between a father and his sons is beyond my aid and understanding. Now, if you two don't mind here is much I must do and if it isn't done I will have your father scolding me for sure!"

Elrohir gave a wry smile and said nothing, but pulled on Elladan shoulder. Elladan went and followed his younger twin out the door. He noticed something odd and it made his heart fill with joy. He was not stumbling when he walked. It was like he could see, but with his heart and mind.

Elrond stared hard at Elrohir as the younger of the twins sat back in a chair with an expression on his face that plead for understanding. "Ada if Estel is out there he needs us, otherwise he could die. Legolas may know of the danger but if they managed to bring down Ancú whose to say that they won't bring down the prince and murder our brother that we swore to protect?"

Elrond raised a dark brow and then said, "do you fully understand the danger you are heading into? I do not think you do." He shook his head slowly and wearily. He knew what the right thing to do was, he had to let them go.

Elrohir looked at Elladan who was dozing on the chair to his right. His elder brother must have not had much sleep last night. Sighing Elrohir said, "we love you Ada and we will return, but not without Estel. I don't know when we will be back, but we will return," promised Elrohir.

Elladan twisted in his sleep and then smiled and said, "Ada, when have you ever known us to get involved in something too dangerous to live through?"

Elrohir elbowed Elladan in the ribs and said with a smirk, "now just because you can't count past ten, don't make Ada spent his time recalling everything because of your illiteracy!"

Elladan shot up and protested loudly, "I can count past ten and in five different languages Elrohir Peredhil! One of which you never bothered to learn!"

Elrohir frowned, "if you want to spend time talking to dwarves that's fine with me, but I refuse to be involved!"

Elrond just frowned, but then a smile crept across his face. Everything seemed normal. As though Elladan was not blind and Estel not missing. All seemed well. But appearances were all too often deceptive and to the defeat of the deceived. But the fact he could not change was that his sons were going to go into terrible danger and they may never come back.

He could here Elladan retort, "well one day, when you are hurt near their homeland and they run across your ripped up self they will say something to you and you will be clueless!"

Elrond cut in and said, "you know Elladan, that they speak Sindarin as well near Prince Legolas' home."

Elladan snorted and Elrohir smirked, "see? I will be just fine!"

Elladan was about to make a comment back about Elrohir being in dire need of an attitude adjustment and that he really was not very good at speaking Sindarin but Elrond broke in, "if you are both going to leave you had better go soon, time wanes."

Elrohir growled at Elladan, "yes! You lazy Elf! You slept while I told Ada everything!"

Elladan smirked this time and said, "I thought you were doing a good enough job of conveying the situation."

Elladan waited until Elrohir walked out on his way to the door and then stuck out his foot. Surprisingly, Elrohir stumbled on it and Elladan chuckled. Elrohir rolled his eyes and pulled Elladan through the door after him by his shirt collar.

Elrond looked at his sons as they left the room, chiding each other and being perfectly obnoxious. "Elbereth help them. I am certain there is not a wit to spare between them."

()()()()()()()()()

Caught between faithfulness

And fear

It comes down to what I hold dear

Grieved by Wings that have been clipped

A bird unable to fly

Oh! Hear my cry!

Here in gloom held I still believe

A ray of light

Can save

And a heart can open

If given the chance

And the sincere choice made

We can have wings to fly with.
"A Cry in the Night" Celebdil-Galad

Aragorn looked up at his captors. How right Glorfindel had been. These Elves were no different in appearance than the many good Elves that filled Middle Earth. They were not wholly bad, but lead astray and hurt deeply. It was hard to tell how deep the wound had been dealt but something told the ranger that if a little light could penetrate it, they might come back to the world of reason. However at them moment, he was in no position to try and hold a conversation with them.

His arm hurt him terribly and he winced every time it jolted against his captors, whose pace in itself was smooth and flawless. He wondered how much of a fight Ancú had given and if they had in the end killed him or perhaps they had just captured him and he would see him soon. As much as Aragorn hated to admit it, he did not want to be alone. It is easier for one to stand with his fiends and though Ancú and the man were not very close he was one in whom the ranger could place his absolute trust.

He recognized the terrain and general direction in which they were traveling. However it was long ago abandoned and left for ages unkept. He looked at the Elf that was bearing him. He knew this Elf was Gilloth and that the Elf's name meant "Star Flower" so perhaps he was good at heart. Names of Elves usually reflected their personalities. Finally the man asked in a weak voice, still slurred from the drug, "where are we going? What did...you do...to another Elf. ...with dark hair?"

Gilloth looked down at the human and snapped, "hush or must I gag you on top of paralyzing you?" He was no fan of the race of men. He felt they were half of the reason for the feud he was caught up in now.

Aragorn sighed and closed his eyes against the nausea building in his stomach. The Elf looked down at the man and rolled his eyes. The last thing he wanted was vomit decorating his clothes. Perhaps if the man's mind was put at ease then his stomach would settle as well. Sighing, the immortal looked down at the man again. "We captured another Elf dark of hair. I cannot say what plight he is in, but he is still alive and I should not think any worse off than you." Aragorn gave a weak half smile and the Elf frowned. "We are almost there and then we will see what condition your friend is in edain."

Aragorn could not help but think of Legolas. If night fell and the prince sill could not walk he could become food for a troll or a roving pack of orcs. And it was also most likely that he would become a play toy first. The human asked the immortal carrying him, "will Legolas be able to walk before dark?"

Gilloth rolled his eyes. "Yes, he will not be an orcs dinner if that is what you are wondering." He then looked at the Elves before him and he hissed, "we are there. If you are smart you will be quiet and hardly dare to breathe." Aragorn fell silent and watched as they walked into the darkness and into a cave.

This cave looked familiar. The waterfall that came before it and the way loose stones were heaped in a corner made him wonder, had he been here before? He was certain he had, but he could not recall when or why. This disturbed him and made him uneasy. If he could not recall it there was most likely a reason and he had a sinking feeling in his gut that it was not a good reason. His eyes went to the back of the cave, for it did not go back deep because Elves did not like the dark, and saw that it was covered with stones that seemed to block a passage. This was just perplexing in an obnoxious way that he could not push out o his thought. Then his eyes turned and he saw another passage, it was smaller and less well made, cruder in the hollowing of it. It looked like an orc passage.

His eyes darted to another corner in the back and he saw a trembling Ancú who had his back to the wall and his face was a pasty white color. Perspiration wetted his brow and his lips were even a slight gray color. Elves didn't get sick, so the man knew something had to be horribly wrong. The Elf looked at him and he struggled to his feet to go towards the only real friend he had at the time. Aldalossë placed a hand on the young Elf's chest and shoved him back down. Ancú let himself fall, he felt so very weak and frightened, but anger flared bright in his eyes.

The Elf carrying Aragorn, Gilloth, set him on the ground by the pale Ancú who glared at the elder immortal above him. "What did you do?" he growled in a low voice that was very nearly menacing. He had known the human since the man had been brought to Rivendell as a child. As a matter of fact he had been forced to go to school with the boy because Elrond had thought it would help win the war his mischievous behavior.

Gilloth glared down at Ancú, who had moved and was kneeling over the human. "Unless you want to wear the jewel again I would suggest you keep your mouth shut. Stay out of our way and all will be well, understand?"

Anc's glare hardened and he said, "no, I don't understand."

Gilloth raised a brow and said, "oh, how about a lesson?" It was no skin off his nose if this little upstart wanted to do things the hard way.

Ancú was unmoved and said, "I don't understand how you can do this. I would not wish this of my worst enemy. You are Elves, does that mean anything to you? We are supposed to be kind!"

Aldalossë glared at Ancú and put a hand on his shoulders. He uttered softly in the other Elf's ear, "if you wish to live ask no questions and hinder not." He looked at both Aragorn and Ancú then said to Gilloth, "I think we can trust them alone. The human is certainly not moving."

The other Elf nodded and then said, "but this Elf with him seems to know the edain well. I want to know more." Turning a burning gaze upon the pale immortal near him, he said, " Will you answer my questions or do I have to draw it out of you Elfling?"

Ancú glowered and said with a snap, "You would have to throw me into the fires of Mordor traitor!"

"Traitor? No. I betrayed no one. I am finishing what was started years ago and that is all, but this fight is not fully mine, but Morceleb's and he will deal the final blows," finished the aged Elf with a wry smile. "But your zeal to the Lord Elrond is interesting. I thought all Elves that were born after the Second Age were weak, perhaps I was wrong about you," he pondered openly. Then his eyes flashed, "we have not the fires of Orodruin here, but I am sure we will do quite well without them." His face clouded and he said, "it grows restless in the East and in Mirkwood the shadow grows." He shivered, then he said to Aldalossë, "You never did get answers did you?"

Aldalossë turned to his brother and took him by the shoulder, guiding him further away from Aragorn and Ancú. He looked his brother in the eyes as he spun him around to face him, "brother, he is harder than he looks. He does have a point, we are Elves and that should count for something. I refuse to break one so young Gilloth, it's not right. I did find one thing out."

Gilloth frowned, "what?" he asked bitterly. He was having an inner struggle. One half wanted to stop, the other said he had no choice but to go on.

His brother smiled and said, "I learned that though eternal vigilance is kept at Rivendell, it is kept by other powers than by guards. The guards are a mere extra, to fight orcs that stray near and such. I also learned that there are in fact few, but all of the Elves there, save a small number, can fight and are skilled in it."

Gilloth crinkled his brow, "we cannot fight our way in then, but..." he did not know how to complete the sentence.

Aldalossë looked at his brother and said, "I can't abide this much longer. I will do what I may to find out more about this man-"

"Remember this," said Gilloth as he turned to leave, "the edain traveled with Prince Legolas, whom I drugged and left on the river bank with a warning not to come back. That may be a clue as to who he is, but I have my suspicions."

Aldalossë frowned, "until we meet again Gilloth, my brother." He grasped his brother's hand in a farewell grasp.

Gilloth gripped it back, "Tenna' ento lye omenta." Aldalossë nodded and released his brother.

Gilloth went and followed some more Elves out of the cave, going around and under the waterfall that curtained the door, a shimmering crystal door in itself. Aldalossë turned on Ancú, his hand bearing a jewel on a chain. The younger Elf shivered. It had burned him, it had pierced his heart and seen his fears and weaknesses and played upon them like the slender fingers of an Elf maiden on a harp of Mithril. Aragorn watched and said, "you leave him alone!"

Ancú set a fiery glare upon the man and snarled in a low rumble, "keep quiet Estel!" He did not want the man to get hurt. He knew what these Elves were going to do, and he was going to protect the man to the best of ability.

Aldalossë raised a dark brow and looked into Anc's hazel eyes. "You call him Hope?" He clutched the jewel and asked, "why? Is he the Hope of men perhaps? The Heir of Isildur?"

Ancú looked away and said nothing. Aldalossë held Anc's chin and turned the ashen face to meet his gaze. "So he is the Heir of Isildur? I knew it! Clever naming, but not clever enough."

Ancú growled, "if you harm him you will have he wrath of Lord Elrond and all his house upon your heads. They will hunt you like hounds hunt a fox when they have grown weary of its tricks."

Aragorn looked at Ancú and said, "peace Ancú." The younger Elf gave the brown haired mortal a glare then turned a gaze that spat fire upon Aldalossë. It didn't need words, the threat was plain. Ancú would kill him if he touched the human.

Aldalossë frowned at the younger Elf and said, "I will feed you both within the hour. I am sure you have much to talk about, not that it will do any good once Morceleb gets here." Drawing a soft and gray rope from his pack his snaked it about Anc's thin wrists and said, "I just am not sure how well I can trust you."

He turned and went to the opposite corner and wrapped his cloak about himself, staring at the door to their hideaway and the light of the morning reflecting off the water that glided down from above. He did not like the cave, he did not like what he was doing. Why was he here when his heart lay elsewhere? He drew his hood about his face so that none could see his features and let a tear slide down his cheek. He just wanted peace, but that was not possible, not yet. As he watched the entrance to the cave and prisoners he thought about all he had left.

Ancú looked at the man and said, "they are going to kill you and use your blood to set a trail for your brothers. You must leave."

Aragorn shook his head, "I can't. I do not think they mean to kill me yet. Why would they? It would be much more devastating if I died before Ada and they know it."

Ancú frowned and reached up to move a sweat dampened peace of hair away from his face with both his bound hands moving as one. "They are out to just kill."

Aragorn sighed, "no they aren't. They are not happy with death and don't want it or they would have killed you." He looked at the young Elf's ashen face and asked, "what is oppressing you Ancú? I know you ordinarily don't confide in me, but I will aid you if I can."

Ancú did not answer. Instead he looked at Aragorn's arm, which was off at an odd angle at the elbow. Frowning, he picked it up and pulled at the sleeve. Feeling the human wince he knew it was broken and perhaps the elbow dislocated. However there was no other bruises. The immortal asked, "where did you take this nasty fall?" In truth he was not sure he wanted to know.

Aragorn frowned and said with a hint of suspicion, "you are changing the subject!" He flinched heavily as Ancú felt along his arm bones and the Elf's fingers settled on the elbow.

The immortal shook his head, "Only a hair line fracture I believe, but you have dislocated your elbow and that is going to be complex to get back in and painful." Ancú pulled at his wrists ruefully and said, "I don't know if I can do it." He wasn't a healer anyway.

Aragorn growled at the impatient Elf, "before you even start I want you to tell me what they did to you to make you so pale."

"They had me wear a necklace-" began the dark-haired immortal.

Aragorn broke in, "if you want to banter this is most unmistakably not the time."

Ancú rolled his hazel eyes. Humans! "I was not finished! This is a jewel that has a hidden power. It reads your heart and turns your weaknesses into your greatest fears and your greatest fears into reality as long as you wear it." Anc's eyes went wide and his breath shivered as he drew it. "They 'drowned' me Aragorn. I was under for minutes and there was no air, no way out."

Aragorn understood what the Elf meant and said, "it was no more than a hallucination." Not long ago, when Ancú had been impersonating Aragorn along the edge of the river, he had angered the ranger enough to garner a shove that caused him to slip and fall into the water. Once in the water the human realized the Elf had not resurfaced for some minutes and went in after him. When he found Ancú seconds later, the Elf had his foot lodged under a rock and was only half-alive. When he got the immortal up onto riverbank, Ancú had coughed up cups of water at a time and his lips were blue. Ever since that time he had been terrified of deep water. As he recalled these memories, Aragorn frowned, "that is some jewel. How do you know that is what did it?"

"I did not have this trouble until they adorned me in it Estel," he answered. Ancú looked at Aragorn's elbow and said, "we had better get that set or else we may never get it set."

Aragorn would have jumped had he not been drugged into limpness. "Don't touch it Ancú, it doesn't hurt really. I bet I sprained it," he said quickly. He knew it was a lame lie and that any dimwit could tell it was dislocated and broken. However, he was not sure that Ancú knew what he was doing and was not at all sure he wanted the Elf's 'aid'.

Ancú quirked a brow and said, "really? I know better. You should have told me sooner! If Lord Elrond was here or Valar forbid Glorfindel showed up, they would kill me!"

Aragorn wished he could have shifted away and winced when the Elf picked up his arm and began to rub the elbow. "I thought you looked overwhelmed enough yourself," grunted the ranger though grit teeth.

Aragorn stifled a pain filled yelp of pain as the immortal began to apply gradual pressure to the reluctant joint. He felt a thrill of agony race up his arm and sweat coated his face in a glistening layer. Biting his lip to keep from screaming, he felt his body growing cold as a chill raced up his spine and darkness danced before his mind. Pain filled his thought as the joint refused to budge. Ancú pressed on the bone harder and Aragorn gave a strangled cry as the bone nearly went into place then slid free.

His air came in gasps and the dark-haired Elf above him raised both his bound hands to shove long strands of free hair from his eyes. Aragorn noticed that sweat was nearly dripping from the young Noldo's face and then the human felt darkness creeping over him and he closed his eyes as all faded into black. The last thing he felt before consciousness left him was Ancú twisting his elbow around still trying to find the right way to get it to pop back into the cavity.

Legolas gazed up at the sky and the branches swinging in the light breeze that ruffled their leaves. He still found moving difficult, but not impossible. His stomach felt like it had a flock of butterflies in it all doing a dance. The thought of that many butterflies dancing made a frosty smile touch the prince's lips. He wished Aragorn were there, he would surely laugh his head off.

Swirling his blue eyes to look to his right at the river, he tried to roll over onto his stomach. The Elf found that to be extremely hard. He was not at all pleased when it took several attempts and failures just to lay upon his midsection. With arms, still weakened by the potion, he raised himself up and fell again, panting. He still could not get sufficient air because of his slow beating heart and hesitant lungs. Sweat beaded on his clammy brow and he tried again, with some success.

He knew one thing for certain; water would help him. But he was not sure he could swallow it. His muscles were not able to move that quickly. Using his arms, he pulled at the rocks near him and began to drag himself closer to the water's edge. Legolas grunted as he hit a rock with his stomach and made the sickening feeling deepen. The intensifying illness made him dizzy and he let his face rest on a smooth and cool rock. It felt nice against his pale skin. He let his eyes shut for just a moment. He knew he shouldn't but the Elf was so tired. He was not getting enough blood to even crawl, let alone go on a journey to find his closest friend.

I seemed like he had only been resting for seconds when he felt a hot rush of air hit his face and he heard a snort. Looking up, he saw a horse, gray of color and with a thin and delicate bridle. He knew this horse well; it was Rothinzil's horse. He heard a voice say, "Prince Legolas?"

Legolas swallowed heavily before answering, the drug was making the breathing laborious. "Roth?" He had never been happier to see the miserable, klutz of an Elf.

He saw Roth leap from the horse and kneel by his face. Roth's face was ashen and his eyes were a little more wet than the normal dampness. The young Elf had to have been crying. "What did they do to you Legolas?" he asked with an unmistakable quiver to his voice that told the blonde Elf that the dark-haired one had obviously thought him dead. Legolas thought he might as well have been dead. What good was he to Aragorn now?

"Nothing," answered the prince with some difficulty. He reached a trembling hand out and touched Roth's. "I am well." He knew this was not the whole truth, but then again, it was.

Roth snorted, he may be a klutz but he was no fool, and said, "I have heard that before, but why do you tremble if you are well? Did they beat you, stab you?" He looked at the blonde Elf and Legolas gave a thin smile.

"No Roth, but how do you know...?" He had sent no word to Mirkwood.

Roth rolled his eyes, "then why are you laying here, on the ground and acting like you are dying?" he answered the prince's question with one of his own.

Legolas sighed and said, "Roth, how did you know of this? I sent no word to Mirkwood. You will tell me or I swear by the Valar I will not tell you a thing!" He was honestly getting frustrated with this young Elf's rash questioning. If he was in terrible pain or need he would have told Roth.

Roth scowled and said, "you're mean, you know that?" Legolas narrowed his eyes and Roth swallowed before he said, "I came to Rivendell to get you. Your father has need of you. But the Lord Elrond said that you went abroad with Estel and he did not know when you would return. He said there were dangerous Elves about and when I saw you lying here I thought that they had killed you." Roth just glare when Legolas smiled softly. "Do you have any idea what you put me through? Napping on rocks?" He was so relieved to see his liege and friend alive that scattered words and empty thoughts rushed out as he talked. Suddenly a dark thought crossed his mind. "Lord Elrond said that Ancú was missing too and where is Estel if you are with him? You have told me nothing like you said you would Legolas!"

Legolas grinned twistedly. "Alright, alright. Calm yourself! I did go with Estel, but we were ambushed by the enemy Elves." Suddenly he wrinkled his brow. "No we were not ambushed, I dare say that if we would have left them alone and not gone off our path to seek them out they would have left us in a temporary peace. They are not evil Roth, just mislead. You cannot tell them apart from good Elves, for their hearts are good, even if their actions are wrong."

Legolas fell silent and Roth did not push the issue. He had known Legolas long enough to understand that the prince would continue when he was ready and not before. "Perhaps I should start from the beginning," Legolas said as he looked at Roth's confuse face, with narrowed eyes. " Glorfindel came in after he was ambushed by these Elves. I did not know that at the time I had arrived. You see how the river is swollen slightly? As I was crossing it I heard a scream and then I saw another Elf that looks a lot like you actually. He was drowning, for he had been shot. I took him to Elrond and he is healing now I should imagine. So Glorfindel and Ancú went out to warn good Elves to get inside Rivendell. Ancú went missing and Aragorn went after him and I followed. Ere long we followed the trail here and found Anc's sword. But I went foolishly into the brush and was attacked and drugged so I was unable to move. They then took Aragorn."

Rothinzil nodded as he began to understand the danger and all that had happened. "What is their purpose?"

Legolas scowled and said, "to kill the twins and destroy the hope of men because of his ancestry. They will kill all who oppose them, I believe, though they are loath to do it."

"I have to get you to Rivendell," said Roth as he gripped Legolas's right arm and tried to haul the blonde immortal to his feet.

Legolas said, "you know I refuse to leave. I will not leave Estel."

Roth said, "Legolas I will tie you up and drag you home." His voice had a teasing ring to it that showed he knew just how stubborn Prince Legolas was going to be.

Legolas grinned and said, "I am sorry Roth. I think, I know there is a law against dragging the prince back against his will."

Roth frowned and said with a sigh, "even if he is in terrible danger?" Here Rothinzil gave a half smile. He knew what answer was coming and he did not like it, but he would respect it.

Legolas said softly, "even if he is in terrible danger Roth." Actually Legolas wasn't so sure about that, but he was not going to push his luck for fear Rothinzil would actually try.

Roth nodded and said, "I would expect you will want me to help you find your feet and search for Aragorn."

Legolas said, "if you are willing to, that would help a lot, yes."

Roth shook his head and laughed, "I knew it. First, lets get you up and onto Naneth."

Legolas laughed and said with a chuckle, "I still can't believe that you named that creature "Naneth"!"

Roth looked hurt and he said with sincerity, "you wound her Legolas! She is the mother of most of the horses of your father's court!" The horse reached her steel gray nose down to nuzzle Roth affectionately. Roth laughed and shoved her nose gently away with a swift brush of his hand. The animal snorted and Roth smiled. "I think her name fits her."

Legolas smiled and said, "no doubt, but I still think it odd to call a horse, "mother". Do you not?" Once Roth had been given that horse because she was getting old and needed care he had immediately renamed her and it had been the talk of the palace and the butt end of jokes for weeks. Legolas doubted that anyone had forgotten it.

Roth snorted. "Legolas she is very worthy of the title! Or would you rather it be your name?"

Legolas growled to the dark-haired Elf above him, "if I could move..."

Roth raised a brow and said, "you'd kill me?" He grinned widely and laughed, "I know!"

Legolas rolled his silver-blue eyes and said, "we are wasting time!" He had to get Aragorn back, he absolutely had to! Rothinzil nodded and reached down, gripping under the prince's arms and hauling the blonde immortal up. Legolas grunted as he realized he still could not walk and his eyelids fluttered as he looked at the ground beneath him. He felt a wave of dizziness coming and clutched at Roth for support. The younger Elf did the best he could to steady his liege, but Legolas was taller than Roth by about two inches and it was difficult. "Get me onto the blasted horse!" breathed Legolas roughly.

Roth muttered under his breath as he helped Legolas up onto the beast, "he didn't mean t girl. You are a good mother and friend." Legolas heard it and rolled his eyes for what had to be near the third time. Roth had that effect on people. He was just was childish and innocent at heart and it showed through far too often.

"Roth, I know you love that horse, but it's a HORSE!" argued the prince. "Never mind, just let us hasten!" Roth whistled to Naneth and the horse followed him over to a large rock that the dark-haired Elf could step onto while still bearing the prince as a burden. Here, Roth eased he and the prince up onto the large stone and then dragged them both up onto the horse. He wrapped his left hand about Legolas's lean middle and then pulled the reins to a short enough length that he could guide with only his right hand.

Legolas spoke quickly, "If I fall I will most certainly kill you Roth! And no jokes!"

Roth rolled his eyes this time and said mockingly, "Oh yes, I will drop you and let you get trampled to death!" He whispered to Naneth in the Gray Tongue, "Noro lim Naneth! Noro lim!" The horse took off at a close and controlled canter. Rothinzil smiled happily and then snorted as Legolas's blonde hair flailed into his face.

Legolas laughed and said, "I am also sure there is a law against mocking the prince."

Rothinzil snorted and said, "oh well, I guess I won't know for a while since every adventure is at least a week or so and it takes roughly three weeks and a day to get to Mirkwood's borders." He looked down at his prince and smiled when he heard a heavy sigh.

"Cute," uttered the blonde Elf. He was wondering what it took to shut up an utterly annoying Elf and about how long he could stand this chatter before his mind would burst. But now, he had to find the trail and fast. Aragorn's life was at stake and time was running out for them to do anything. Legolas would see his blood drained sooner than he would see his dearest friend perish.

TBC...Not much of a cliffie eh? Please review as always! We love reading them and our goal is to get more reviews than we did for the last story, don't ask why. JUST REVIEW AND MAKE US HAPPY PLEASE! LOL

Review Responses (you guys rock on!)

Beling: Keep on cheering him on and Aldalossë might go back! You never know! Star wars? We don't mind, that rocks too. Aldalossë and Ancú help the twins? Hahahahaha. Not likely. The are going to have troubles all of their own. Nice guess though, we commend you for it. Thanks for the review.

Kathleen LaCorneille: We wonder if poor Estel has the same idea about the situation as you. LOL Like it? You are cruel! We considered having Elladan hear Estel in his sleep, but it would have made the rest of the story line falter in the sense they are supposed to have the feeling that even if he hates them they will save him because he is their brother. Yes, the dark Elves are not completely evil so there is a chance they could come back. Hint hint! Thanks for the review!

Angie: Glad you liked this chapter and thanks for reading our previous one. We are pleased you like it. It is our personal fav! Thanks for reviewing!

Deana: Glad you like the chapter! No kidding ow! Thanks for reviewing!

Linuvial Greenleaf: Hey OMG! Yes! You are totally right! Middle Earth does need handcuffs LOL! Thanks for the review! Life is always a pain that way, too much home work! Grr...

Leela 74: France and Spain? Cool! Bet you had fun! Um, yes four chapters for what they are worth LOL. Yes, the bad gus are creepy, but then again you have to remember they aren't really evil, just mislead. Glad you liked the chapter! We are not sure Aragorn wants to get beat to a pulp, but okay, whatever. Talk to him about it! Yes Gilloth is odd, huh? Thanks for reviewing!

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Over and out! Celeb and Tin