CHAPTER NINE

A Painful Reunion

Elladan was nearly asleep from weariness and heartache. A sudden hand on his shoulder awoke him and he jolted awake. He shivered and then he recalled the horrible death of his brother and bent his head in despair. "Elrohir," he whispered to himself.

He had hardly noticed that they had reached the edge of the camp of Morceleb's company. He was in a daze; he actually gave scarcely a thing any acknowledgement. Elladan didn't even contend as he was dragged from the horse by a number of strong hands.

They tossed him roughly to the ground and he didn't even open his eyes. He waited for them to kill him in hopes he would get to see his brother again. However, he knew they were not ready to end his life. It did them no good to end it here where the Lord Elrond was absent to witness it.

He heard Gilloth's deep voice say, "we have them both Morceleb, and yet one is not with us." He was more hurt about this than he had let on. It pained him, for he knew that it had to hurt terribly to kill your own brother in a fleeting moment of blindness and terror. But the worst part was that the blindness was staying, it would not leave and neither would the knowledge that he had slew his own brother.

Morceleb came and peered down at Elladan as the younger Elf lay on stomach down on the ground. Then he whispered, "why do you propose the other is here and yet not?" He wanted to know, indeed he had to.

"He was slain by Elladan, although it was an accident," explained the other. He unfolded the cloak that he had chosen to conceal Elrohir's lifeless and cold body in. The younger brother's face shown white and blue around the lips. Dried blood still marred his skin that though it was colorless, was still fair as any Elf's in Middle Earth. Gilloth shifted his grip on the body and discovered his hands to be slick with the other Elf's blood. For the wound had never been stitched and the blood had never dried. With a sickening feeling that made him want to vomit he looked at the crimson stain that was also on his own clothes. He was marked with Elrohir's blood, it was though he had already killed them both. But it was not his job to kill them...

And yet one had died in his charge...

He looked at Elladan and frowned slightly. This was not right, and yet he could not turn from it. He had come too far. Now it was of matters of honor...and yet what was honorable? Killing and not quitting for the wrong reason, or for the right reason quitting and not killing?

Morceleb looked at his companion and said, "tell me how I send you to do a job and you fail me?" he growled angrily. He tried to force himself to bite back frustration. "Can you do no better?" Gilloth opened his mouth to speak and at a glare from Morceleb stopped. The head Elf continued, "well tonight you will get it right, won't you?" he snarled.

Gilloth stammered, "I will do my best, but this was unpredictable. I was completely unaware the one was blind." If he had been of course he would have tried to prevent it, but he could make no promises. He felt anger rising and he asked bitterly, "where is Aldalossë? I wish to speak with him."

Morceleb suddenly looked away. "Today has been evil, for he too has left us," answered the silver-black haired Elf quietly. He spun around to confront Gilloth whose eyes were wet and glistening with unspilled tears of deep woe. "You brother apparently tried to help the others get free and the cave collapsed on him. He turned traitor Gilloth, see that you do not do the same."

Gilloth spat, "you talk to me like I am a child! I am the same age as you and I make my own decisions!" he snarled astringently. He was getting rather irritated. But then he let a tear lose and said, "he can't be dead."

"I am sorry Gilloth, he is. But we have other things to look at," consoled Morceleb with a bit of impatience in his voice.

"Yes," said Gilloth icily and with a stone-carved face, "other things," he spat. Morceleb muttered something under his breath and shot a glare at Gilloth before turning to help guide him into camp.

Gilloth tapped Elladan with his boot toe as a sign to get up and get moving. Elladan sat up and felt himself getting tugged to his feet by other Elves. Gilloth regathered Elrohir in his arms and recovered the twin in the material.

To say that Sauron was absolutely charmed when he found out that Isildur had his ring was like saying that Gilloth wanted to embrace Morceleb in a big hug and take tea with him. A more accurate allegation would be that Sauron was ready to commit a brutal murder when he found out his ring was gone and that Gilloth was ready to kill Morceleb for being so thoughtless in his words and actions.

It was not long before they had reached camp. Legolas was there. In his arms he cradled the human whose face was streaked with blood and dust from the cave. "Why did you do that?" asked the prince softly. "Why?"

He had been left alone with Aragorn for hours now and he was putting forth all his strength to try and call the man back. But he rued the fact that even though he was a prince of Wood Elves he could not call his dearest friend back. But he was going to keep trying, who could say what one's would do if it were persistent enough?

Gilloth noticed sweat was pooling on the young prince's brow from his efforts and he felt sick. So much death that now, as he thought about it more, was not needed. But Morceleb was not so relenting and he would never let the past go. But as Gilloth thought of it more, he could not understand what had garnered this ire from Morceleb. Maglor and his brother had long ago retrieved the Silmarils, but they had still lost them in the end. Though it was by their faults that they lost them, they had not fulfilled their oath to keep them. But how was that Elrond's fault? He was young then.

As much as Gilloth wanted to leave Morceleb's side, he could not do it. He had been with him too long and it was too hard to let go. Yet he knew it would be better.

The other Elves took and slammed Elladan back against a tree trunk near the fire. The Elf did not struggle and he didn't even moan. It was though he was dead, which in truth he was inside. He was moving as though he was in a deep sleep that he was unable to wake from. It was more than a deep sleep, it was a nightmare...

He could recall the happy times he and his brother had shared. But they were no more than a memory and never would be. He had violated the faith that he and his brother had shared for many years and there was no going back.

He recalled another time when he had accidentally shoved Elrohir over the edge of a cliff in Rivendell when they were yet Elflings. He recalled the grief he had caused his mother and father when at first they had thought Elrohir was not coming back and now his father would have to relive it again.

He remembered Elrohir's face and how relenting his brother had been and how quickly he had been forgiven.

He felt a peace in him that told him he was forgiven, but he still bore a great pain that was heavier than any burden he had ever before bore.

Elladan felt his hands being bound tightly, but gently with the gentle gray rope of the Elves.

Legolas looked at him and a thrill of fear went through him. As he held Aragorn he watched Elladan's head rest on his chest. The wood Elf asked in a whisper, "where is Elrohir?"

Elladan did not answer and Gilloth came alongside Legolas. Looking at the prince he said sadly, "Elrohir is dead at Elladan's hand." Legolas watched as Elrohir was laid upon the ground. Legolas gave Gilloth a strange and heart wrenching look before he went and carefully withdrew the cloak from about Elrohir's face.

Gilloth frowned and nodded at Legolas before going in the direction of the cave. He feared what he would see. But he knew he had to see his brother, but why did he have to have died that way. Things would never be the same again. He understood that his brother did what he had to do. He knew that Aldalossë had to go, but he shouldn't have had to. Gilloth knew he should have been there.

Yet now the immortal was certain he knew what he was going to do. Aldaloss's death was filled with a sweet misery. It was miserable because he would never again see his brother and he couldn't have stopped it if he had tried, it was sweet because he knew what he was going to do.

But without his brother he was alone, he would rather be dead. Perhaps that was why he was going to cross over. But he had to work up the courage to do it.

Legolas held Aragorn and tears streaked the prince's fair face. He knew the man was not dead, yet he was not really living either. He was in a deep sleep. Why had he left Mirkwood? He had been no use when his friend needed him most. His worst fears had come to haunt him. Aragorn had been hurt and grievously so. Legolas was angry with himself. It was not so much that he had failed his friend for the second time that day, but the price of the failure. Had it been too great? Would he dearest friend wake, or would Legolas have to live knowing that Aragorn was not coming back.

Legolas looked at the human and said, "you stupid and most beloved human! Why did you have to do that?" He knew that if it hadn't been for Aragorn's quick action and loss of care for his own life, Anc's would never have been spared. But perhaps Aragorn had cared for his life..."Then why did you do it?" Legolas nearly screamed at his best friend. But he knew...Aragorn had thought something was more important than his life...the life of an immortal.

Legolas felt for a fleeting moment that his closest friend was coming back and then it seemed to fade. Legolas nearly shook Aragorn and he murmured, "Estel, you can't leave. Don't you dare let go or I swear when I see you on the other side I will kill you again!" For he knew if Aragorn died he would, too, for he would fight Morceleb to the death.

Legolas did not know what it was but he suddenly felt as though Aragorn was there. Listening... He waited a minute and then he knew... Aragorn was returning. Legolas smiled when the human opened a set of bleary and yet strong steel gray eyes to match his brothers'. "You ignoramus!" laughed Legolas weakly. "That was not a funny joke! You alarmed me!"

Aragorn sighed and looked about, "I alarmed myself and that is not a joke!." He sat up and then he looked at Legolas. He saw the sad look in the blonde Elf's blue eyes and it alarmed him more than anything did. Something was more wrong than anything he knew of was. "Legolas?"

The prince did not know what to say. How do you explain to someone that their brother is gone...forever? You couldn't. He didn't even realize what he was doing as his blue eyes strayed to Elrohir's still and wrapped form. One could see his face if they looked, for the prince himself had unwrapped that.

Aragorn followed the prince's silvery eyes and his heart stopped in mid beat. Elrohir's pale face showed through and Aragorn crawled closer. As he did he saw the blood around the twin's mouth and he felt large tears falling from his eyes unchecked that came to stain the cloak that shrouded his brother from the world. Some fell onto his brother's cheeks and Aragorn took the sleeve of his arm to wipe them away as he sat bowed on his knees by Elrohir's still and cold form. "No," he breathed in great sorrow. This was not real.

Aragorn set his forehead on his brother's cold one and he closed his eyes. Why did Elrohir have to die? It was not fair. He had hoped his brothers would go into the West. Now Elrohir would never have a chance. Elrohir was gone. Aragorn lay down beside his brother and rested his head on Elrohir's chest as he closed his eyes yet again. He listened in vain for a heart beat.

Legolas watched in quiet thoughtfulness. He did not know what to do. He watched as Aragorn drifted into sleep and his breathing even out. The human had been so tired and now he was completely beat. Legolas took his cloak off and cast it over the ranger to keep him warm and let the man sleep by his brother's fallen form.

The prince then went and crawled over to the tree Elladan was tied to. He sat by the dark-haired Elf's feet and held his breath a moment before asking hoarsely, "what happened to you two?" He was not sure he wanted an answer.

Elladan stirred and he said, "I don't wish to talk about it." He sighed heavily and a tear ran down his face. When he thought he had cried them all out when Estel had screamed at them he was wrong.

Legolas shook his head. His blue eyes stared up at his friend's still form. "You won't feel better until you do."

Elladan argued with a moan, "no, you don't have brothers so you wouldn't understand." He twisted his hands absent mindedly in their bonds. As far as he was concerned the matter was not up for discussion.

Legolas scowled and said, "I would so understand, for I have friends that are like brothers and one is dead so I wish to know what transpired!" he stated adamantly. With a brush of his slender hand he flicked some loose strands of blonde hair from his face.

There was a silence that seemed to last forever. Legolas suddenly heard Elladan clear his throat and say, "I killed him, Legolas. It was an accident, but I did it."

Legolas frowned and said, "he knows it was..."

Elladan growled, "see? You don't understand! I utterly breached the faith we shared and things will never be the same again! He didn't need to die!"

Legolas rolled his eyes in exasperation. "We can avenge his death but you need to pull out of this!" Legolas knew that wouldn't happen though. Elladan's heart was broken and he was dying. It was one of the few things fatal to Elves, a failing heart.

Elladan sighed and said, "I don't wish to avenge his death, I just wish to die and go with him."

Elladan shut his eyes and he felt tears streaming from his eyes. Legolas did not know what to do. Everything was so confusing.

Elladan opened his eyes and suddenly he realized his world was not so dark. A mist seemed to be before his eyes, but he could see shapes. Legolas looked up and the prince saw that color was coming back into Elladan's eyes. They were turning form a pale chalky color to the steel gray color they had once been. However there was still no light in them. They still were dark.

Elladan looked around and he could see the trees. His breathing increased and he watched as everything came into focus. His world had been turned inside out, but now he could see and what he saw caused him great pain.

His eyes went to the ground an he saw Estel sleeping by, indeed with his head on Elrohir's chest, his dead and cold brother. He saw the blood around his twin's mouth. He saw the tears that streaked Aragorn's face as he cried in his sleep.

Elladan suddenly broke down and he sobbed, "we fell for Morceleb's trap! The Elf in the healing ward, we let him guide us an we were ambushed." Elladan caught his breath and said, "Elrohir came to save me and I ran him through that is what happened!"

Legolas watched as his friend cried tears full of intense and bitter regret.

But to Elladan it seemed a madness was cleared and he could think clearly. As he looked at his brothers on the ground he said, "I wanted to be like Estel, Legolas. After my mother's death I was so cold inside and hen I saw him as a mere child he was so happy and carefree. He laughed so often and I envied him for it. I tried to be like him." He shook his head.

Legolas smiled, "that is odd, for he has always tried to be like you."

Elladan nodded. "We never see ourselves as others see us. If only they knew..." Suddenly he felt a new resolve harden his heart. He was going to get them all out of this. He struggled in his bonds and realized that no matter how hard he was going grapple with them, they would not loosen.

Legolas saw what he was trying to do and the blonde Elf wrinkled his brow in question. "What in all of Arda are you trying to do?"

Elladan stopped struggling and said, "we are going home, I will see us there!"

Legolas frowned and then flashed a smile. "Well now you are acting like your bullheaded self!" The prince laughed and stood up. It was impossible to escape but if the thought of it eased and fired up Elladan's wounded spirit then he was not going to argue it.

Elladan growled, "when we are free of the mess, princeling, I swear I will kill you!"

Gilloth looked down on his broken and bloodied brother. Aldaloss's face was so pale it looked unreal. Gilloth held his breath for fear he would scream. They had pulled Aldalossë from the rubble and found that his lower back had been broken and the left set of ribs shattered and in his lungs. Gilloth could only imagine the death his brother must have died. Shivering in contrast with the chill he felt creeping over him, the other Elf bent down by his brother and he placed an arm beneath the mutilated Elf's knees and another under his upper back. Carefully, he lifted his younger brother.

He was going to bury his brother in Rivendell. It was a place of peace his brother had earned. For Aldalossë had died doing what he thought was right.

In quick strides he went over to where the prisoners were. When he got there he motioned the guards out of the trees. He would have no need of them.

They came down, "what are you doing Gilloth?" asked one with a snap of anger in his voice. As far as he was concerned this was foolishness and he sensed a bit of treachery about to unfold.

Gilloth growled, "what I should have done a long time ago. Don't you dare go against me!" he snapped roughly.

"You are a traitor Gilloth," they growled back and then one spat, "you will regret this!"

"Deciding to aid you and Morceleb, Ruthaer? I already do twice over!" he hissed violently back. He raised his broken brother in his arms and cast his eyes in the direction of Elrohir's still form and Aragorn sleeping by him. "Innocent blood has been spilled here!"

Ruthaer growled, "not so innocent, Gilloth. That is Elrond's son!" Elladan cast a sharp glare on Ruthaer and if he could have burned wholes into him with his eyes, he would have done.

Gilloth snarled back in a lethal voice, "innocent!" He felt tears welling in his eyes. "If you dare oppose me, I will slay you!"

Ruthaer and the other guards stepped forward and Legolas stood up and stepped up by Gilloth in a defensive stance. Both of the two Elves were ready to sell their lives dearly and the guards knew it. "This isn't over, Gilloth!" they growled. "We will kill you and those friends of yours soon!"

"Have a care!" snapped Gilloth angrily. "You will have to find us!" The other Elves backed up and turned around, running in surprise and terror. They had seen the fierceness in the eyes of Gilloth and were not quite ready to oppose him yet.

Gilloth snorted after they left. "I always wanted to do that. They always were rather sure of themselves." He clutched his brother closer. He was ready to try but that would do no on any good. He had a job to do yet. He was going to see these friends safely to Rivendell and bury his brother there.

Legolas raised his brows and said with a sly smile, "so you are switching sides?" Gilloth nodded. Legolas snapped, "how do we know you won't do it again and leave us in the lurch?" He knitted his fair brow and said, "you are right, too many innocents have died, and we aren't going to have any more die. So if you will excuse us, we will be leaving without you!"

Elladan nodded. Legolas was right. They did have every reason in the world not to trust anyone. Yet they had to place their trust in someone, or did they? Gilloth looked hurt and he whispered, "but you don't understand, I can't go back now! They would kill me and anyway I don't believe in their cause anymore."

Elladan growled as Legolas tugged at the knots on his bonds, "so you say, but we can't be sure." He winced as the prince unintentionally pulled a knot too tightly and it cut into his flesh.

He sighed as he heard a incoherent, "sorry," float around from behind him. He suddenly felt his bonds slide free and he winced as his wrists felt their blood rushing back to the fingertips.

Legolas popped out from behind the tree and a smile as on his face. "Feel better?" he asked with a smirk.

Elladan smiled thinly back and said, "much." Gilloth just looked wounded. He really did want to aid them. He was finished with working for Morceleb who he was completely convinced was insane. He watched as Legolas and Elladan went and knelt around Elrohir and Aragorn.

Carefully Legolas woke Aragorn and the human looked at him bleary-eyed. Suddenly the man cried, "you can't take my brother! I won't let you! No!"

Legolas shook him, "Estel! It is I!" The human looked up at the Elf and then he gasped and closed his eyes. His head sank back onto Elrohir's cold body wearily. Legolas felt hot tears burning in his eyes and he said, "I will carry him." But Legolas already felt so weary himself, for the drug that had been used twice on him was taking it's toll and it had drained him of strength. Legolas carefully gathered the man into his arms and bore him up. He was surprised to see the human was so featherweight like.

Elladan bent down and carefully lifted Elrohir in the same fashion. Elrohir seemed to feel heavy, strangely so though, for he was Elven. Elladan feared that the burden he felt was more emotional than physical. In his mind it was a punishment.

Gilloth looked at them and he murmured, "you will never make it to Rivendell alive. I have to come with you, I alone know where the snares and things are." He plead for their understanding. "I ask for your forgiveness, Lord Elladan and Prince Legolas. I know where my heart lies and it shall not be moved." He bent his head in honor. "I swear to help you in any way possible my lords."

Elladan frowned and said, "give us a minute to consider it..."

Gilloth broke in, "I would love to but there is the small fact that they will be coming here to kill me and capture you, Elrohir, Legolas and the human a second time so we had better decide upon the road." There was an honest fervent in his voice that the friends could not ignore.

Legolas scowled, "very well, but slow us down or hinder us in anyway I promise you this, I will slay you on the spot." He would have never agreed had not Elladan given him a look that stated he had better comply because they needed a guide and a second companion.

Ancú stumbled slightly as he walked. His wound was becoming grievous and Rothinzil watched him anxiously. Ancú was getting really weak. He had lost much blood and his mouth was parched with thirst.

Rothinzil called out to seemingly naught but the bushes, "Naneth! Naneth you come here now!" To him it was completely normal, however, to others he must have sounded like a completely mad being with no sense of direction.

Ancú rolled his eyes and growled in a voice that more than obviously stated he was ready to commit a murder under the plea of 'temporary insanity'; "will you please stop calling for your mother!"

He glared at Rothinzil who narrowed his eyes and asked, "my what?" He was clueless and Ancú thought he was playing stupid.

"Any idiot can hear you calling your MOTHER!" he growled. His hand went to his side and clutched it. In a sarcastic voice he snarled, "your dear mother is going to show up just around the corner." His eyes settled on a huge tree. Pointing to it with his free hand that was not wrapped about his wound he cried, "she is going to show up right around that tree!"

Rothinzil looked at the tree and glared. "I not calling my mother I am calling for my horse!" He called again and Ancú rolled his eyes.

"Your horse?" he asked incredulously with a raised brow.

A snort resounded from bushes nearby and Rothinzil nodded, "my horse." The gray mare came out and trotted up to Rothinzil with her mane billowing out behind her. Roth gently stroked her sleek neck and kissed her on her velvety nose. She snorted again and nuzzled his shoulder. Laughing, Roth looked at Ancú, "you are going to ride her. Walking is doing your wound no favors, Ancú."

Ancú glared his friend and said, "are you mad? And, anyway, I do not need to ride her. I need rest, so stop worrying." Going over to a large boulder that jutted out above a stream that came from the river Bruinen, he sat on it and sighed, glad for the rest.

Rothinzil went up to his friend and the horse followed. Sighing himself, Rothinzil said, "we have to get moving. At this rate they will reach Rivendell before us Ancú. Now get onto the horse. She will not let you fall." He stroked her long face and the animal whinnied back affectionately.

Ancú frowned, "well we should at least drink our fill of water first." He took and looked at his hands, seeing them covered in his blood he scowled in disgust and said, "I will not drink from these hands." With a sigh he mumbled, "Roth would you please get me some water in my canteen. I suppose it would be far more decent to use that."

Roth smiled, "I suppose it would." Then he scowled, knitting his dark brows as he fetched the canteen he had been carrying for his friend. "I think I should wrap your wound, after all, you could bleed to death before we reach Imladris."

Ancú took the canteen from Roth's outstretched hand and said, "no. I shall be fine. But I am weary and do need rest." He looked at Roth and noticed how the merry wood Elf laughed less and was more thoughtful. "Did they hurt you Roth?" he catechized with a tone in his voice that stated that his friend had better tell the truth.

Roth smiled and let out a chuckle, "no. Why do you ask?" Of course! The Rivendell Elf was changing the subject. He frowned but it was warm and not cold as most are.

Ancú just shrugged and said softly, "well as long as I have ever been around you, you laughed quite a bit and now you seem more quiet. Are you masterminding something?" He laughed inwardly, for though Roth was not stupid, masterminding was not his best talent, by the sea and stars! It wasn't even a distant talent of his.

Rothinzil gave him a sad look. "No. They did not hurt me, but they have Legolas and Strider. It is my job to protect Legolas, what will I tell my king?" Rothinzil was the kind of Elf that would follow the prince into a dragon lair if he was lead there by the blonde Elf.

Ancú stood up and he suddenly fell again. With a moan he said, "Ai! I think I twisted my ankle when that trap ensnared me. The sitting must have made it stiff."

Rothinzil went and knelt by Anc's side. The other Elf set a hand on the wood Elf's shoulder and said, "help me up. I am not going to wait here. We have to warn Rivendell." He sighed and said, "If I can just get us near the trail that leads us down into it, other Elves will find us."

Rothinzil asked weakly, "how far to the trail you speak of?" He did not think Ancú could make it much longer. He knew the arrow was embedded in a rib and that it was sticking dangerously close to his lung. Anc's breath was raspy and quick, for he could not get enough air. The arrow had hit his right side, it was blocking his main lung from filling up. The worst thing was that the Rivendell Elf was going to require surgery to remove the arrow head because the rest had broken it off and pushing it through would tear his lung to ribbons an kill him. There was even a chance he would not make it through surgery.

Ancú drew a shallow breath before saying, "It is about a quarter of a mile, no more." He smiled and hissed, "we can make it before dark if we try."

Roth looked at Ancú and said, "I can, you can't. Not unless you get onto Naneth, she won't hurt you, I promise."

Ancú looked at the horse. "I have a thing with most horses where they would like nothing more than to rip my head off. Take Asfaloth for example..."

Rothinzil frowned and said with a snort of jest, "Asfaloth is demented." He cuddled Naneth and stroked her mane and muzzle. "Naneth is a good girl," he cooed lovingly into the creature's ear.

Ancú chuckled, "so is Asfaloth's rider." He drew a hissing breath again.

Rothinzil gave a half chuckle half snort through his nose and asked, "demented?"

Ancú laughed and said, "no he is a good girl! Of course I meant demented!"

Rothinzil smiled sadly. This jesting had to stop, though it did lighten their weary hearts. "You are getting up onto that horse Ancú. Unless you prefer that I tie you hand and foot, forcing you up. That would make a rather ugly spectacle, would it not?"

Ancú fixed Rothinzil with a hard stare. "You wouldn't dare! I am the Captain of The Guard of-" he began crossly. Who did this wood Elf think he was?

Rothinzil was not going to be put off and he said, "do you care to find out? You are my friend before you are a captain and I will tie you up and bear you back on the horse." He established an unmoving hard stare onto Ancú and the Rivendell Elf stared back until they both pressed their mouths into fine, tight lines and their chins quivered as the tried to suppress laughter.

Ancú finally exploded into a loud episode of unwavering laughter. Rothinzil started grinning and then broke into a full laugh. But his expression and entire demeanor changed when Ancú changed from a laugh to a cough. He felt his own face drain of its color when blood lined the edges of the Rivendell immortal's mouth and pooled slightly in the corners. Ancú was having internal bleeding now for certain. The arrow tip had begun to pierce his lung. They both began to wonder if they would be one of the first to die from laughter.

" Ancú, let me help you onto the horse." Ancú nodded, for he was beginning to feel that was probably not a bad idea.

It was not long before they were traveling again. Ancú was looking very pale as he sat slumped on the horse and the blood came out in small bubbles with every breath that he breathed too deep. Rothinzil was grieved to see his friend thus, pain was more than obviously written across Anc's blanched features. The wood Elf knew with a pang that his friend was dying, if they did not get the arrow out within hours he would be dead.

A quarter of a mile isn't far by most standards: it is just like a walk in spring. But when you are in pain it is worse and it makes travel slow and uneasy. Anc's eyes were closed and his head was nodding, for the oxygen deprivation was making him sleepy and lack of blood was draining him of strength. Rothinzil was doing his best but it simply was not enough.

Taking a piece of a spare cloak he had in his pack, that had been with his horse at the time the creature bolted and so not taken, the wood Elf archer wiped crimson bubbles from Anc's face. The Rivendell Elf said nothing, for even speaking was painful and required too much breath. He had to save his strength.

TBC...

Okay, we know we sound like greedy little rug rats, but we can't help it! We really want to hear more from you all. Honestly, it is most boring to post a chapter and get only a few reviews. However, if you are busy we understand. (grin) Even if you think this thing isn't worth a hill of beans, tell us that! Just say something, please!

Our policy is that unless we have extremely limited time (which is hardly ever) to respond to every comment made or at least say thanks if it is no more than a simple one word or one sentence review.

We aren't upset over not many reviews, just extremely bored and greedy! We are like little brats that whine when they don't their way. Hehehehe. Or at least, that is what we feel.

Responses

Shadowed Flames: Awww...G! Thanks!

Mornflower: Remember what Aragorn said, "there is always hope!" But, hehehehehe, huddling in the corner and sucking your thumb is funny. Who is your Elvish adviser! We wanna meet him, he took away our little mean game's fun! LOL Yes, poor ranger, he is in pain. You wait! It only gets better!

sielge : Awww...that's nice. Thanks. Yes, poor Aldalossë! He is dead! We honestly didn't want to kill him, it just had to happen or the theme wouldn't work. But now we are getting ahead of ourselves!

Leela 74: So you like evil cliffies? LOL We know that you can't really! No: they won't runaway. LOL We have them all in little cages with manacles on their wrists and ankles threatened with death if they so much as try and get away (but that's on bad days, good days they get put in a barbed wire fence arena to play!). LOL They ain't go'n no where! (grin) We are mean! Maybe someday we will set them free.

No plans to start an LoTR fic yet? Hehehehehe. "fantastic work"? WOW! THANKS! Doubt we will inspire you, but who knows, huh? Hope we will. Even though you are more of a ranger angst writer, it's worth it!

elvingirl3737: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, Elrohir will have to be brought back eventually. Just let us have a little more fun first! LOL Glad you liked the chapter!

Kathleen LaCorneille: Thanks for the wonderful long review! Speechless? WOW! Yes, stay very afraid for Ancù! He's got a hard road ahead! Estel will wake up, soon! But you know, he likes to be out of the pain. (pats ranger) Good boy! Oh! You cried when Elfy did? Aww! He tries to save himself and the ranger, tries! LOL

Thanks for the reviews you guys sent (know they are treasured). We look forward to hearing from you again (hopefully)

Please review even though we sound like greedy children at Christmas or something! Hehehehe. It is boring to post and get no feedback! We like to know what people think of our work.

And those of you who have us on any lists: THANKS! We consider ourselves unworthy, but you make us feel better!

Remember this: Posting is not a must. (shivers from evil glares)

However, how can we refuse? Writing it alone for the fun of it is worth it!

But reviews help and speed things up! (sighs) we will go now and let you press that dinky little old button that says "go" in the corner. LOL Unless of course you are busy, which in that case we got your number so to speak and totally understand. Our life is packed too! Not only that, we chatter too much!

Thanks for even reading this thing!

Us