CHAPTER TWELVE
Affairs of Integrity
Ancú went around the corner near Elrohir's room. He planned to wait there until Elrond and Erestor were inside and then lock them in. However he was beginning to wonder why he was going to be as cruel to the twins as to lock them in with Glorfindel and Erestor, who were more than bound to be at each other's throats before the day was out.
Rothinzil was waiting in Anc's room. He was supposed to stay there until the Captain of the Guard returned and told him all was clear for them to follow through with their plan.
Elrond stood up after he had carefully swathed his youngest's back in clean linen bandages. The human was still lying on his stomach, but is head was tilted to the side in peaceful sleep or unconsciousness. The Lord of Rivendell could not be sure which it was. He prayed it was no more than a deep sleep. He stood alone (except for Prince Legolas, who was still asleep in a chair) and watched his foster son for a moment as though it was a peaceful night and Estel was sleeping peacefully.
Carefully, Elrond took up a soft blanket and drew it up about the human until it reached the man's shoulders and then he draped it gently across them. He then reached over the ranger and picked up the bloodied tunic that he had been forced to take off so he could make sure he had bandaged all the wounds.
He heard a soft snort and chuckled to himself as he saw Legolas sleeping deeply in the chair. The way the prince was laying he was going to get a crick in his neck. Elrond knew that the young prince was going to have to be moved. Although Legolas would probably be furious with him, he was going to move the blonde Elf to his own bed.
Lord Elrond set the bloody tunic on a nightstand nearby, planning to deal with it later. He chuckled as he recalled how often he had been told by Estel that the human would 'get it later'. Elrond went over to Legolas and gently gathered the near coma like sleeping Elf into his arms. Legolas was light, even for an Elf, so the burden was far from great.
Legolas spoke in his sleep and he muttered, "Strider, they are here. Where are you?" Elrond narrowed his eyes and then he shifted the prince in his arms as he carried Estel's closest friend to the blonde Elf's quarters that were always there for him since he so frequently visited Rivendell.
As he entered the room, he saw the curtains flailing in the breeze by the balcony and he noticed the door was open. He quickly set Legolas on the bed and pulled a blanket up to the prince's mid-chest. Striding over to the bastion, he looked over the rail and amusement danced in his old and yet ageless eyes as he saw the bed sheets dangling down and tied fast to the railing. Oh, yes, that was how they had escaped.
He was not going to let the bed sheets stay dangling from his home and he began to work the knot. It was tight and he guessed that it had to be Legolas' knot. He worked his fingers into it and managed to pull it loose and then coil it up into a ball.
As Elrond left the prince to rest, he carried the ball of bed sheets out with him to give to someone to dispose of. The Lord of Rivendell shut the door quietly and then walked briskly to Aragorn's room, where he found the human unmoved. He had to admit he was hoping to see some sign that the human had shifted his weight or stirred in the slightest. He wanted to see a sign that the man was only in rest, not in unconsciousness.
Grabbing the soiled tunic from the small table, the raven-haired lord then went and left that room. He sighed heavily and walked back to Elrohir's room, where he hoped to see better signs.
Erestor greeted him and said thickly, "if you want Lord Glorfindel to keep living under your roof tell him that I am not a 'strained individual in frightful need of an attitude adjustment', otherwise I may be forced to send him back to Mandos to see if he can't grant him an attitude adjustment!"
Elrond raised a brow and called in to Glorfindel, who sat in a chair near Elladan. "Glorfindel, for the love of Elbereth leave Erestor alone!" The Lord of Rivendell had to admit he was somewhat amused and he held back the urge to smile. Erestor looked around Elrond and stuck his tongue out at Glorfindel who revolved his blue eyes in annoyance.
"So now you are an immature strained individual-" began to Gondolin Elf with a snort.
"In frightful need of an attitude adjustment?" asked Erestor with a growl. "Lord Elrond!" yelled the raven-haired counselor.
Elrond growled out, "Glorfindel!"
Glorfindel looked wounded and said with a growl of his own, "he stuck his tongue out at me!"
Elrond rolled his eyes and said, "if you two don't cooperate for one blessed minute I will throw you both out!" He was under a lot of stress or he probably wouldn't have even bothered to listen to their petty little quarrel. Suddenly he knitted his brows and fixed Glorfindel and Erestor both with what was known as 'the look' around Rivendell. "You told me nothing of Anc's injury, either of you."
Erestor shifted his weight from left to right foot as was necessary and Glorfindel took and put a piece of his golden tresses in-between his fingers, twisting it uneasily. Erestor whispered, "you will break your hair off that way."
Glorfindel looked at the counselor like he was mad and then followed the raven-haired Elf's eyes to his hand. He hadn't even realized he was twisting his hair and he hastily let it go. But first he shot a venomous glare at Erestor, who smirked. The golden-haired Elf-lord then made a mental note that he should try and cut off some of Erestor's hair as a little joke. Perhaps while the raven-haired Elf was sleeping he could……..No, there were better things to think about.
Elrond sighed and asked in a weary and distressed voice, "why on Middle Earth didn't you tell me?" He was finally being able to relieve some of the stress that he felt out, "Ancú came stumbling in with blood coming from his mouth! I had no idea he was hurt to begin with!" seethed the Lord of Rivendell.
"He told us not to tell you. He is a Captain; I suppose he can take care of himself-"started Glorfindel with a frown. Elrond turned a fiery gaze on him and the golden-haired Elf said quickly, "well you had to put him there for some reason."
A quiet voice from the bed said with a hint of irritation, "some people are trying to recover!"
Elrond looked around Erestor to see Elladan rising up on his elbows. His body trembled with the effort, but he held his own. Quickly the raven-haired Elf-lord of Rivendell was at his son's side. Elladan did not smile, his voice was full of tension, "how is Estel?" he asked abruptly.
Elrond gave a fleeting wry smile and said, "he is resting in his room, you can see him when you are well." Elladan looked around and sank back into the pillows.
With a growl he asked incredulously as he closed his eyes, "define 'resting'." Elladan knew that for Estel it could mean many things and he was hoping it meant that he was sleeping peacefully. Elrohir shifted at Elladan's side, wriggling closer to his brother and then opening his eyes and blinking rapidly as though he was awakened out of a dream.
Elrohir saw Elladan lying by him first thing with his eyes closed and fear shot through his heart. Was Elladan hurt? "Dan?" he moaned weakly. He could not live without his brother.
Elrond was about to say that Elladan was merely resting when the elder twin opened his eyes at the sound of his younger brother's voice and saw Elrohir's face. It was worried and weary but awake. "I am well Ro," he murmured quietly to his younger brother.
Elrohir looked at him like he had sprouted a second head and wings to fly with. Elladan looked at his brother and asked with some heat, "what?" It was a rather annoying look. If something was wrong he would rather his brother tell him about it rather than gawk at him. Frowning, he was ready to ask Elrohir just what his problem was.
The younger twin suddenly blurted out, "you can see Dan!" Elrohir was nearly beside himself with excitement. He then yawned, unable to stay awake and said, "you can see." Even though Elrohir had to be in pain from his own injury sustained at the hand of the one that he loved most the younger twin was still overjoyed for his twin.
Elladan smiled and he spoke as though he was far away and out of sight. As though he was in another world far away from where he actually was, in peace. "Yes, but it was too late." His eyes watered with tears and he closed them, scared that they would fall and his father would see and Glorfindel along with Erestor would see his weakness. He could not sleep, but he was in no mood to talk, so he kept his eyes shut and listened.
The eldest of Elrond's three sons felt his father brush his hair back away from his face like he had not done to him since he was very young. Elladan gave a brief outward smile, but inside he was beaming.
Ancú was about to go and lock the door with all of them behind it when he saw Rothinzil sprinting down the hall. He rolled his eyes and whispered hastily, "Roth what in the world do you think you are doing!" His voice dropped to a mere hiss at the end and Roth snorted with a bit of dignity.
"You are truly demented Ancú! If you are going to lock them in, you are going to need a chair," explained Rothinzil with a smile that stated, 'I am right you are wrong!'
Ancú was not amused and he was not afraid to show it more over. "Why can't you just stay in there? What is it with you Mirkwood Elves and having to follow everybody everywhere?" he snapped in a censuring voice.
Roth was amused and he was not the least bit squeamish about showing that. "Why do you Rivendell Elves insist on trying to do everything on your own?" he asked, answering a question for a question. Ancú didn't even answer and Roth raised his brows and said sarcastically, "you don't know either?"
Ancú fixed him with a hard glare and Roth let his smile melt away. They had a dangerous job to do and the sooner it was done, the better. The Captain of the Guard gave Rothinzil a sarcastic smile and said, "So, where do you suggest we get the needed chair?"
Roth frowned, "would Lord Glorfindel's study be near here or Lord Elrond's?" He did not know his way around after all, it was not his home.
"They would most definitely be locked!" retorted Ancú back sharply. He did not mean to come across sharp, but nevertheless, that was how he spoke.
Roth was not put off and said gruffly, "would you not have the keys?"
Ancú thought for a moment and was about to propose that they forget it and try something else. "Wait, I don't, but Erestor would." If they could weasel the keys out of the counselor then they could unlock Erestor's study and get them out of there.
Roth snorted again and said, "as though he would give them up!" He didn't even know the adviser that well, but he did know that he was not one to give up keys and other things so readily.
Ancú laughed, "no he won't, but we can make him!" The young captain took and ran his trembling hand across his mouth, a red streak decorated the back of it and Roth winced as he noticed it. How much pain was Ancú experiencing?
"Perhaps we shouldn't do this. We would be better off letting them run through. If we hide Elrond and his sons all will be well," suggested Rothinzil worriedly. He had to look after his prince; he should be getting Legolas to safety first!
Ancú shook his head, "don't go chicken on me now Roth!" he advised with a hiss to his voice.
"Ancú, you are ill. We can't do this," argued Roth with suppressed anger of his own readying for bursting out. As far as he was concerned Ancú had gone mad and needed rest. He was overly fatigued, and bleeding still from his mouth. He was probably scared out of his mind, which was why he was acting the way he was on top of a violent adrenaline rush.
Ancú growled, "we have to Roth! I will NOT let them run through my lord's halls unchecked! No, you are with me or against me," he threatened angrily. Then he snarled, "I can put you in there with them and keep you locked away just as easily!"
Roth snapped, "fine, but they will hear us and then what? You tell me!" Roth was scared. He did not know his way around and if Ancú went off the deep end and drowned he could not conduct this on his own.
"Who will hear you?" asked a voice that Ancú knew all too well.
"Glorfindel what are you doing out here?" he snapped at the Gondolin Elf in surprise.
"I went to check up on you. Elrond is beside himself," answered the golden-haired Elf-lord with a groan. These two were together and that meant trouble. "What are you doing?"
"We need to get into your study Glorfindel," said Ancú quickly. Glorfindel raised his golden eyebrows and crossed his arms. Leaning back on the wall he sighed as Ancú continued, "we need to get out your chair." Roth gave Ancú an alarmed look. What was the fool telling Glorfindel this for? He might as well say that they planned to lock him in with Erestor and Lord Elrond now for all it mattered.
"My chair?" asked Glorfindel incredulously and he nearly laughed. It sounded perfectly ridiculous! It wouldn't surprise him if it were actually true. He then furrowed his brow in seriousness and said, "So, you expect me just to give you the keys and let you run free in my library?" If that is what they thought, they had another thing coming. The last people he let run free in his library had wrecked the place and that was about five years ago. Elladan and Elrohir had felt the need to read a few books. They had gone through his shelves and books were here and there and everywhere so that it took weeks to get them all organized again.
"You could take us there yourself, but we need your chair," explained Ancú earnestly.
Glorfindel rolled his eyes, "I cannot imagine what you would need my chair for. However, I am too wearied to argue. Nonetheless, I will usher you in and out of my library as well," he answered their plea. He had a feeling he was making a mistake but there was nothing for it. He certainly did not want them to try and break into his library. But he had to ask himself, why his chair?
"That's fine. Thanks Glorfindel," said Ancú with a smile that anybody who looked close enough could see was false.
"You're up to something," said Glorfindel with a frown. He paused a moment and looked at the two young Elves before him. "Young one you are positively mad," he said as he looked at Ancú.
The young captain resisted the urge to bristle at the saying he utterly loathed with a passion. He was young, but he was no longer young enough to really be called young. It was an unfair assertion and he would have argued it with Glorfindel but now he had more important things to do. They would have to talk about it later.
Once they had successfully retrieved the large cherry wood chair and Glorfindel had locked up his study they were walking down the hall. Ancú had insisted that it was crucial for Rothinzil to be the bearer of the furniture piece. Roth was more than irritated by this but he knew it was little less than pointless to argue with the Rivendell Elf so the Mirkwood archer just rolled his eyes and lifted up the chair.
They were nearing Elrohir's room. You could hear Erestor and Elrond talking to each other in the room and the soft sound of Elrohir's breathing of deep and pained breaths. Glorfindel could just get bet that Erestor was filling Elrond's ear about how he was never in on the whole scheme to keep Ancú up and about and as usual it was that 'golden-haired odd ball's fault.'
Just as they were outside the room Ancú stopped and Glorfindel said, "I have to run and check on Gilloth-"
He was cut off as Ancú slammed all his strength and weight into a shoulder check that knocked Glorfindel sideways and into the room. "Sorry my lords, but I can't allow you to get hurt. I have to do this," explained the Captain of the Guard hurriedly. He motioned for the chair and Roth took and shoved the backing of it under the doorknob. Ancú promptly released the door from his grip. Both of them tensed as they heard Glorfindel's fists banging on the door.
"Ancú, have I mentioned how much I wish to kill you? Open the cursed door or when I get out I will feed you to a pack of wargs!" growled Glorfindel angrily. They heard a few strange words that they knew had to be dwarvish and looked at each other with a look of amusement. The last words they heard from the golden-haired immortal were, "I promise I won't hurt you….until I get three steps outside of this cursed door!"
"I really hope that if there is a law against Elf-lord torture in their own home that they are quick to forgive!" stated Ancú as he began to sprint down the hall. He was hoping that the Gondolin Elf did not find a way to dislodge the chair.
Glorfindel rubbed a hand across his face and looked into the utterly angered and impatient face of Erestor. The raven-haired Elf's face had, "what did you do this time?" written across it. He was tapping his foot and said, "So…. Lord Glorfindel, what did you do this time?" He looked at Elrond and snapped, "See? This is what I put up with!"
Glorfindel frowned and spat, "they stole my own chair to lock us in!" He turned to the door and yelled through it, "if you two can hear me, know I am planning your deaths bit by bit!"
Elrond just stood calmly and then he said, "I know what they are doing. Young Captain Ancú has decided it is too dangerous for us to be out." He shook his head and said, "He will have to be court marshaled upon his return."
Glorfindel looked at his friend and said, "he is breaking the rules to do his job successfully, does that not count for something?" The Elf-lord raised a golden brow in a fair and perfect arch that showed he was having doubts about the punishment fitting the crime.
Elrond sighed and said, "Glorfindel, I have no other choice. What he doing is beyond his limits as an officer. I should banish him, but I will not." In truth Elrond loved Ancú like on of his sons and would not see him endure the horror of being banished because he broke some rules trying to save him. To be exiled meant death for an Elf. They could not survive spiritually alone and the Captain of the Guard had one of the strongest spirits he had ever seen. Elrond would not see such a thing of worth broken and lost. He would rather the younger Elf get the life scared out of him through a court marshal and then get put on "probation". Anyway, Ancú had been one of his sons' friends for a long time.
However, even though he knew that Ancú was a great leader, he also knew the younger Elf could be very impulsive. The last thing he wanted was for the raven-haired adolescent Elf to get his Elves caught in a trap and slaughtered and he certainly did not want to see Ancú with a sword in his gut or a cut in his throat gasping for breath.
Elladan opened a weary eye and cast its look at his father. "We are locked in here? When Estel is out there and Dark Elves are planning to storm this place at any minute? Ada we have to get out!" Elladan struggled to get up and as he did Elrohir caught his hand and pulled him close.
"Save him Dan," he whispered. "I am unfit to move for at least three weeks and I know it. But if he is not taken to safety then he is a fish in a barrel." Elrohir's eyes were closed as he gave the pleading talk to his brother. He opened them and they settled on his brother, who had both of his open. "I saw mother first, but it was you who saved her, now save our brother."
Elladan put his head to the side and gasped, "Ro…but you were with me then." Who was going to guard his back? He was on his own.
"I am still," said Elrohir warmly. "We are twins, so I am never too far away though my body may be hurting I am walking with you." He reached out a trembling and thin hand to touch Elladan's heart and feel it beating. However, he noticed the beat was weak; Elladan was making himself sick with guilt. "You carry enough burdens Elladan; do not carry the weight of the dead that live again."
Elrond watched the exchange between his sons and smiled warmly. Glorfindel and Erestor exchanged looks. Elladan was getting ready to do something he may not live to regret. He well recalled the time the twins had left to rescue their mother.
Elladan looked at Elrohir and a tear slid from one eye. "I don't want you to die and leave me while I am gone. If you are going to leave I want a chance to say good bye."
Elrohir reached his other arm out and grunted slightly as his wound stretched. He pulled his brother closer and gave him a warm hug. "I won't leave you Elladan. The Valar sent be back and I doubt that they would let me die again," he said reassuringly.
Erestor looked sidelong at Glorfindel with a frown and said, "It's too bad about that. I know an Elf I wouldn't mind seeing dead a second time."
Glorfindel said, "And if I am stuck in this room much longer with you I may take you with me! Elbereth! What did I do to garner such ire from the Valar that they would leave me with you!" he cried with his arms up in the air and his head looking upwards towards the heavens as though he expected the answer to drop out of nowhere.
Erestor rolled his eyes and said, "as far as I am concerned they can take you back and then send me here again!"
Elrond growled a warning to the quarreling Elves, "you two must be careful and hold your tongues! You are testing my nerve and I am not in the mood for it!"
The two fell silent and Elladan looked at them and said, "I am going to need help to get that window open and get out." He pointed to a small window and Elrond looked at it. It looked hardly big enough for a hobbit. He hardly expected and Elf as muscular as Elladan to fit through it.
Elladan shook the sheets free of his boots where they had caught and he said, "Please. Estel is out there."
Elrond looked at his eldest child and said, "Elladan this is madness. You will not make it." His face bore more grief and worry than anyone could understand. Elladan could break his neck or get killed by the Dark Elves outside of that room. But perhaps the greatest thing that he could ever do was to let Elladan prove himself again. Elrond knew he had to let him go. "Do as you think best my son."
Elladan smiled and said, "I will Ada." He jumped up on top of Elrohir's chiffonnier that was beneath a tiny window meant to let fresh air in and he steadied himself on it. The window was small and he would have to slither through it. Grimacing. He looked over the edge of the sill and saw the long ten foot drop he would take if he fell. He wondered then if having your neck broken was painful and if so, how much for how long? Not that he was planing on falling to his death, but one could never underestimate the amount of damage that could be afflicted.
The window shutter flapped in a breeze and the thought of falling made Elladan's breath seem stolen away. But he pushed the shutters as far away as he dared and stuck his head and arms out first. Suddenly he had the thought that he might fall and bust his head open on the stone path below. He decided to go feet first.
Elrond held his breath as he watched Elladan's head disappear below the windowsill. The elder twin held on with his fingers and when he was sure he was ready, he released his grip.
He felt the wind flow swiftly past, blowing his raven hair into his eyes as he fell to the stony bottom. All time seemed to stop for a moment and then it seemed to pass him by and it was as though he was still and all was flowing past him.
Elladan watched as the path of stone drew closer and he positioned himself to land. Closing his eyes, he waited to feel the jolt he knew would come as soon as his feet came in contact with the stone pavement. To his surprise it was no worse than the feeling of needles being jammed up his foot for two seconds. He landed like a cat as he had seen Prince Legolas do leaping from trees. His knees bent and the balls of his feet touched first.
He felt the rest of his body bend to assimilate as much violent contact as possible and he knew with a deep breath he had not realized had been held that he was safe from breaking his neck. Opening his eyes, the raven-haired Elf discovered that he was outside in the gardens. Elladan had jumped the window and there was no going back. It was odd how he had never realized how high up his room was in comparison to the gardens, because from the hall that came from the gardens they looked level, but Elrohir's window was high as well.
Elladan brushed his knees lightly and said with a sigh, "well, that's that!"
Elladan looked up at the window again and wondered if he had made the right choice. He had no weapon and in fact, he still felt a bit weary. He was glad, however, that he was not blind anymore. That was a blessing.
Gilloth looked at his brother as he sat on the bedside. It was all a bad dream. How could someone as good and faithful as Aldalossë be dead? He leaned over his brother and whispered, "Well done my good and faithful brother." He clasped one of his brother's cold hands gently and said, "I know I messed up, but I am going to make things right." He wondered if he was losing his sanity as he talked to his brother's corpse. He wondered if his brother could hear him in Mandos' Halls.
He began to understand his own folly then. He had to have his life destroyed to see what he was doing. He had to have his brother killed to bring him to the light. But his brother was not dead; he still was alive, wasn't he? For every time he closed his eyes, he saw Aldaloss's face glowing with a smile bright enough to lighten Mordor. As he stared at his brother he knew he wasn't alone. Gilloth had come back to the light and he felt better than he had in literally ages. A great burden was taken off his shoulders and he knew that what he would have to do next would test his nerve, but he was going to be alright in the end. "I am leaving for a time, but I promise you I will be back one way or another."
Ancú and Roth stood inside the Rivendell's room once more and Roth was suppressing a serious of chuckles that wanted to burst forth as he watched Ancú try to braid his hair in the mirror. He could here the Elf uttering dwarvish curses and other things as he screwed his braid up once again. He had tried relaxing, he had tried be tense, he had tried deep concentration and nothing was working.
Then, he sighed with relief as he finished the braid and to his way of thinking it looked half-decent. Roth just smiled and said, "ready to go and show those Dark Elves how you do things in Rivendell?"
Ancú tugged on his tunic, straightening it and said, "Not quite yet. My friend, you need to get in Rivendell garb." He gave a half smile as Rothinzil's jaw dropped and his eyes widened.
"I don't think I heard you correctly. Could you say that again?" he asked in a breath. Was Ancú mad? He was not going to change his clothes, he didn't care if he looked like a Rivendell Elf or not.
"Roth you have to look like a Rivendell Elf or else you will stand out and be shot. That is why we aren't dressing in our uniforms. We will stand out and be shot." Ancú tried to explain this as calmly as possible, but it was hard. He wanted to shake the Mirkwood archer within an inch of his life.
"I don't care!" snapped Roth, I refuse to wear your clothes and that is final!" he finished in exasperation.
Ancú took a cloak down from a set of brass hooks on the wall. It was a long cloak and was ashen gray with a shivery lavender tint to it. "Well then at least wear this. I don't want you to die." He tossed it at his friend who caught it and sighed.
Ancú narrowed his eyes and Roth put it on, but his hands fumbled with the clasp at the neck. The Rivendell Elf, who was accustomed to wearing such clothing gently brushed the archer's hand's away and set the clasp right. Fastening it, he said, "There, you are one of us."
Roth smiled and said in a mocking voice, "don't go chicken on me now Roth!"
Ancú rolled his eyes and said, "what was that for?" He shot his friend a sinister looking glare.
Roth smiled and said, "I figured I would just act like you since after all you know everything."
Ancú was about to retort when his wound screamed at him and he buckled to the floor in pain. It was screaming and he was shivering. It hurt deeply. Blood came out of his mouth again and he didn't wipe it away. He felt like his airway was constricted again and his mouth tingled as he began to lose oxygen. Roth dropped by Anc's side and noticed that the Rivendell Elf's face was pale and his lips were taking on a disturbing shade of blue. "Ancú?" he asked softly.
The other smiled and murmured, "just give me a second to rest. Please."
Roth looked at his friend and said, "Perhaps this was a bad idea. That wound is too bad for you to fight." Ancú closed his eyes and didn't answer. Roth pleaded earnestly, "don't leave me now! I can't do this on my own!"
Ancú opened a single eye and said with a smile that was outlined by red, "no, I can't leave my Elves with you to guide them. Anyway, they wouldn't listen you."
"If this keeps up you won't be around for them to listen to," a voice said quietly from the door.
Roth jumped at the voice and he snarled, "You! How did you get here!" he demanded swiftly. What was this Dark Elf doing in Rivendell? Were they already here?
Gilloth frowned and said, "I know you have every reason in the world to hate me, but please listen!"
Ancú got up managed to raise himself up into a weak sitting position and he said reached for a sword hat he had left on the ground, "how did you get here?" he asked bitterly. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of the weapon and he pulled it close.
Gilloth said, "my dead brother is here and so I figured this was my place. But I am telling you that you will not be around long if you try and fight Morceleb and Ruthaer. They will slay you and most of your sentries." How could he make this younger Elf understand the danger he was in?
"Well I will fight while I may," said Ancú. "But I don't want to kill unless I have to." He hissed a little as the pain in his wound reared up to match his determination. Suddenly he coughed and more blood came up, spraying onto his hand.
Gilloth said, "if you are going to throw your life away let me be with you. I might be able to prevent it being thrown away so rashly and convince Morceleb to go back," he added quickly.
Ancú suddenly felt tired as he had not in a long time. He was in Aldaloss's debt. If Gilloth wanted to avenge his brother's death he should aid him. But he had a feeling Gilloth would die. "You are known to them Gilloth, it is going to be more dangerous for you."
"You are known to them as well Ancú," retorted Gilloth bluntly. The elder Elf then frowned and said, "you aren't going to make it."
Ancú looked at him with hard hazel eyes. "You may be surprised." The Rivendell Elf staggered to his feet and he drew his hand across his mouth to wipe away the blood. Grabbing another cloak that looked very much like the one he had given to Rothinzil, he put it on. "I am going to go and gather my Elves to fight. If you wish to help, come with me."
Gilloth frowned and said, "I have no other choice." He checked to make sure his own sword was loose in its casing and watched as Ancú, still holding his wound with one hand and with the other he held his drawn sword.
It was not long before Ancú had the Guard rallied and together. He stood before them and his face was serene and yet firm and determined. This was it. He told them calmly, "at ease." The Elves all stood calmly before him. Ancú looked at them and said, "this is not going to be easy. Those Elves out there would like nothing better than to over run our halls. But we aren't going to let them do that. We are the line in the sand. We are the first and last line of defense!"
The Elves all looked scared and yet firm. They knew all Ancú was saying and were ready to die by their captain's side. Ancú looked at Roth by his side and grinned slightly as the Mirkwood Elf smiled a little. "You probably wonder why I don't want you in uniform." He said, "they don't have uniforms. If they can't tell it is us they are fighting or one of there own, it less likely they will kill you quickly. But you have to know who you are up against yourself. Therefore I want you to take and tie a red band on your wrists. If you get into a fight, make sure that Elf is not wearing a red band."
All the Elves took the red band they had been given and tied it to their right wrist. Ancú, Roth and Gilloth did the same. Ancú suddenly clutched his side and turned so that his cloak concealed him and his troops could not see his weakness. Then, drawing a deep and painful breath, he spun around and said, "they will want to kill you. We had the opportunity to surrender and turned it down. It is too late for that!"
Roth put a reassuring hand on Anc's shoulder, which he noticed, shivered slightly. Ancú then whispered, "we have come too far. They will be here in a few minutes and the battle will begin. I will guide you as best as I can, but if I go down you will take orders from wither Rothinzil or Gilloth who stand next to me. They will not enter from the front, so hide yourselves in the tree tops and in the falls!"
Elladan was outside the gardens and was trying to figure and where he could take Estel so that the human would be safe. The Dark Elves would be there soon. He did not care for his own life anymore, but Elrohir had told him to save their little brother and he meant to do it. But he did not know how. Where would they be safe once the Dark Elves got there? If they hid in the caves of the Waterfall's, they were asking for trouble. Aragorn was not in good shape either. He might not be in any position to move.
Elladan sighed again and watched Ancú and his Elves getting ready to fight.
Ancú looked at Gilloth and said, "we can't keep them out. So I think we will have to draw them in."
"What?" asked the other in astonishment. He had not heard correctly. He couldn't have heard correctly.
"I think if we draw them into the caves about the Last Homely house we can hold them off and defend our own without them sneaking up behind our backs," explained Ancú quickly and in a hoarse whisper. It was hard for him to stay in the tree. Suddenly he felt everything go quiet except for the roaring of the falls. Even the birds were silent. "They are here," he whispered.
He heard his own breath and thought that the other Elves could hear it as well. As he gazed through the foliage of his tree he saw Morceleb and with him was Ruthaer and about twenty other Elves that he had not known were with them. His own guard was larger, but these Elves had the want for revenge pushing them to fight and anger in their hearts. They were going to be hard as nails.
Ancú motioned for his guard to stay in the trees and rocks and he leapt nimbly out. Roth gasped, "what are you doing?" Ancú was insane.
Morceleb watched as Ancú landed on the ground. "Did you deliver my message?" he snarled at the younger Elf.
Ancú looked at Morceleb with blazing eyes and he said, "yes."
"And the Captain of the Guard refused?" asked he raven-haired Dark Elf with a smile that was cold.
"I certainly did and do!" retorted Ancú bitterly. He put his hand on his sword and prepared to draw it.
Morceleb could not believe it. This miserable Elf he had thought was weakly had outsmarted him, had gotten away! It was his own fault and he focused his anger and bitterness on himself for a moment. If only he had questioned harder and further, he would have known.
Morceleb looked him over and said, "you look weary." He had notice the red outlining the younger's mouth and he was going to use it to his advantage. "Why don't you go home?"
Ancú barked, "I am, and I will die before I let you further!"
A volley of arrows struck the ground around the Dark Elves and they looked at the trees and stones. Out from their hiding places leaped Anc's guard. Ancú whipped out his sword and he went straight for Morceleb knowing he was as good as dead. Morceleb took his own sword and parried Anc's blow then gave him a kick that sent him to the ground. Ancú grunted as pain scored his ribs and his wounded lung screamed.
Morceleb looked at Ruthaer and said, "you take care of these Elves, I am going to go after the twins and that human brat. I know they have got to be around that healing ward."
Ruthaer smiled and said, "what do I do if I run into that traitor Gilloth?" He spat this sentence out in brackishness.
Morceleb snapped, "I want him dead!"
Morceleb separated from his Elves and went off towards the Last Homely House in a rage. He could not wait to strangle those brats of Elrond's!
Ancú lay on the ground and as he looked around in a daze he saw some of the Elves from his guard lying on the ground, bleeding, dying, already dead. They had fought because he had told them to, what if he had said differently? He felt sick and he stumbled up and was just in time to parry a blow from another Elf.
He saw Roth fighting an Elf that was slowly forcing him into the caves with blows that Rothinzil was forced to back step. Everyone was dividing up to fight their own Elves that were after them. He looked around and did not see Ruthaer or Gilloth. He also missed Morceleb.
He tried to attack the Elf he was fighting, but it was much more swift and hale. Ancú was panting and his chest hurt him. He crumpled to the ground and waited to feel a sword go through his back, but he felt none. The other Elf was dead, he noticed. With an arrow in it. Roth was coming out of the cave. His sword was covered in a red blood and his hands were scarlet. But he had his bow and he nodded to Ancú.
Rothinzil ran over to his friend and said, "I told you, you can't fight." Ancú snorted, but said nothing as Roth gathered him up and put him under a tree. As soon as Ancú was set down he staggered up again and said, "no, my Elves are out there. I have to guide them."
Roth frowned, "you will die!"
Ancú yelled to an Elf that stood nearby, blind to an attacker coming from behind. "Turn around behind you Aerelenea!" he cried. The other Elf spun around in time to parry the blow that was meant to kill him. Ancú felt his rib and lung shiver in pain and collapsed again. Roth stared at his friend and watched as the fighting went into the caves.
Aragorn opened his eyes. He heard strange noises, like Elves dying and thought he was dreaming. His back hurt and his arm ached with a pain he thought was impossible. Memory flooded back and he recalled the cave and Ancú collapsing and he winced as the memories of stone crashing down about him became all too vivid. Then he remembered his brother was dead, Elrohir was gone. Aragorn wept into his pillow. His whole body hurt.
He could hear Elves dying, but he thought it was a dream come to torment him and he buried his face in his pillow. However, when he heard voices in the hall, he was certain it was not a dream and the ranger struggled to get up. His body felt stiff and each move made his back throb. He shivered and went to his drawer to pull out a tunic.
The one he selected was a little large for him, but he figured it would irritate his wounds less that way. He slipped it on over his head, ignoring the pain that his arm gave and then he looked and saw a cloth sitting on the table where his father must have set it out to make a sling out of it when he awoke.
The ranger took it and tied it into a rough sling like bandage then set his healing arm into it.
His silvery gray eyes saw his sword in a corner and he went and put his belt back on along with his sword in its sheath. He was slow and his whole body hurt. But he had to find Legolas. He could bet that the prince was in trouble.
He could hear noises from the hall that sounded like fighting and screaming. Hesitantly, he went to the door and put his hand on the knob, ready to turn it. Then, even slower, he turned the knob and moved the door back. To his surprise he saw that the hall was clear and even quiet. But it was too quiet.
Then he heard a noise. Like banging and he narrowed his eyes and then the banging stopped. But his eyes settled on a desk chair wedged beneath a doorknob, Elrohir's room was locked. Were his brothers inside? Aragorn needed to know. Carefully he went and stood by the door, trying to hear what voices he could hear inside.
When he heard nothing, he pressed his ear up against the door and listened harder. This was a time when he wished he had the hearing of the Elves. The human stiffened as he heard his father's voice. Lord Elrond was in there. A second voice he heard sounded like Glorfindel's. "Elladan has not come to open the door still," it was saying.
Elladan was out in this mess where Elves were killing Elves? He heard Lord Elrond say, "no, and I fear for him. So much could go wrong. I should have never let him go."
Aragorn then nearly fainted in surprise and he had to will his knees not to buckle when he heard Elrohir's weak voice say, " do not be angry with yourself Ada. It was I who gave him the idea and I who egged him on."
Elrohir was alive? But how? Aragorn listened even more. Elrond spoke softly, "no ion-nin. I should have stepped in as your father and his to stop it."
As far as Aragorn could gather Elladan was not in there. He was out, but why? Aragorn did not wait to find out and he was not about to let his father or Glorfindel out. Suddenly he heard Glorfindel scream, "Erestor would you stop humming!"
Here the human had to chuckle. Glorfindel being locked in a room with Erestor was so hilarious. Those two could barely stand each other for more than two seconds on the porch or in the garden and now they had been in the same room for roughly an hour.
Aragorn stood up slowly from his crouched position slowly. His back and other muscles were in agony and he groaned. If the situation had not been that his brother was in terrible danger, he would probably be asleep. However, he was going to push himself. Elladan was out there and he did not want his brother to get caught and killed by Morceleb.
Aragorn wiped sweat from his bow. He was so tired and his body felt heavy. He wanted to lay down where he was and sleep. But he had stumbled a few more steps and then he realized that at the pace he was going he would never find Legolas or Elladan.
If only he knew that Legolas was asleep in his quarters.
Aragorn steadily began to go faster as aching muscles loosened and warmed up. However, every joint ached and once in a while a stab of pain would rush through his injured arm if he faltered and it jolted, taking his breath away in a sharp gasp.
Elladan was heading back to the hall where his and his brother's rooms were when he heard a noise that sounded like a scream. It sounded like a scream not for help but out of anger and hate. He ran in is direction.
As Elladan ran he saw a weapon lying on the ground. Blood glowed on the hilt from its former master. Another Elf had died at the hands of another Elf. It was wrong and it made Elladan feel ill. However, he had no weapon and if he had no weapon he might as well ask for them to slay him. He carefully took and picked the sword up and looked at his hand in disdain as the blood that he did not spill stained it and spread.
He heard the scream again and it sounded closer. As he went around a bush he saw a figure fending off another Elf. He came closer and saw it was Morceleb. But narrowing his eyes he saw that the Elf Morceleb was attacking was not a warrior, for the figure did not use the weapon with skill.
He knew then it was a maiden that the Dark Elf was going against. His thoughts suddenly went back. Only one Elf-maiden he knew besides his sister would fight in battle. That was Wilwarin. She had a temper; the Dark Elves must have done something to gather her ire. But now she was in over her head. Morceleb was older than she and stranger, not to mention more trained in the blade.
Elladan ran before he realized what he was doing and put himself in-between Morceleb and Wilwarin. He looked at Morceleb with eyes of ice and said, "You stay away from her!" Morceleb rolled his eyes and stepped closer. Elladan hissed with venom behind his voice, "I'm warning you…"
"Thanks for the warning!" snarled Morceleb and he lunged at Elladan while sweeping his blade for the twin's neck. Elladan leaned back and there was a sound of metal hitting metal as his blade challenged the Dark Elf's. "I'm going to kill you and you can join your brother whom you killed yourself!"
"My brother lives," snapped Elladan back icily.
Morceleb looked at Elladan in surprise and he looked at Wilwarin as she screamed, "Elladan!"
Elrond's Son took this opportunity to strike at Morceleb and he stabbed swiftly. His sword plunged into the shoulder or Morceleb and the other Elf gasped as the blade was pulled free. Morceleb stumbled closer as though to attack once more and hen turned and began to run for the tall waterfalls that were all about Rivendell. Elladan was going to pursue him but thought better of it. With a wound like the one Morceleb had he would not make it far very quickly. Blood drops covered the ground were Morceleb was bleeding.
Turning to Wilwarin he asked, "what were you doing?" She looked at him and her eyes were wet.
"I was trying to help and…" Elladan cut her off fiercely.
"and get yourself killed?" he growled bitterly. She shook her head and Elladan offered his hand to help her down from the rock she had plastered her body against as she had fought. Even as he helped her down he seethed, "have you no thought for your own preservation or do you just not care what happens?"
She let her anger flare up in turn. "What was I supposed to do? Let him go in after you and Elrohir? You are weary and you still fight!" she retorted.
Elladan growled, "That's different!"
She snapped, "no it's not!" Then she stammered, "when you love someone you think of them first. You love Estel and when he is danger I have seen you do things you would never normally do!" she churned with anger edging her voice. Wilwarin's eyes jaded and she said, "don't you dare deny it!"
"Your place is not out in battle!" he shouted angrily. In truth she had scared him and he was shaken. "I am taking you back and then what I do is my own interest and you stay where I leave you!" She said nothing, but followed Elladan back towards the kitchens.
She looked at him and stopped suddenly, "you can see? I thought you were blind?"
Elladan looked at her and said, "not anymore. And that isn't working; you are not going to stay out here. You are going to leave me alone!"
"If only you knew!" she snapped at him as he began to walk back out.
Elladan turned on her and his voice quavered, "I do know, but I can't return your love." He did not want to be tied down and he knew that he would if he returned her love to her. "I thank you and I am flattered a maiden such as yourself would choose me, but it wouldn't last."
"Why wouldn't it?" she asked quietly.
"I am often abroad with the rangers. I-if you must know you would bind me here and though it is my home I don't want to deal with a family beyond my father, brothers and sister," he said forthrightly.
She was not going to cry, not in front of him. So she closed her eyes and turned away. "I understand-go!" Her voice sounded so bitter. Elladan went around her and looked into her eyes. They seemed chilled. He knew it was his fault, but it could not be prevented and the more he thought about it the more he wondered if fate had not played a role in it.
"Wilwarin I am sorry.." he could say no more. She shrugged and he sighed. Why were women so difficult?
"You have things to do, go. Your brothers need you. I understand. I wouldn't want to tie you down," she finished sadly but with a bit of spite and mockery. She loved him, but she was in shock that he would do this to her.
Elladan wanted to comfort her but he did not know what to say. The words jumbled up in his throat and he knew they would come out wrong. Perhaps it would be best of he said nothing at all. As a matter of fact, he was certain that it would only make things worse. "Until we next meet Wilwarin," he said quietly. She didn't answer and he left her.
Aragorn dragged himself outside. He saw Elves fighting each other and dying. He saw dead Elves on the ground and he noticed sadly that when he looked at them he saw no difference between the good or bad, both were dead, both were immortal flames burned out. He began to wonder how evil they ever were and whether they really would have rather not followed Morceleb on his venture for blood.
He looked around as though in a daze and saw blood on the ground, only it was as though one was wounded and had dragged himself away from battle. As far as he knew Elladan was still blind. Cliffs and waterfalls lay ahead. What of Elladan had crawled over the edge of one? No! He could not let that happen and yet it might have already been done. He did not want to know and yet he did.
Staggering, Aragorn made his way towards the waterfalls and caves to find what he must. He prayed gravely that he wound not find Elladan's cold body broken upon the rocks below. He did not think he could bear to lose both of his brothers. To the man it felt like he was losing his entire family.
Aragorn felt weak and nearly fell. His head swam and sweat shimmered on his pale face. But the want to aid his brother drove him on harder than his want for rest and peace. He had to find Elladan. By rights he could turn back and yet it was a matter of honor and love, he had to stay or else forfeit all he loved and all that was admirable about him.
His legs pleaded for him to stop if only for a minute and lay down. But the man knew that if he lay down he would not get back up. He would slip into unconsciousness and die, never accomplishing his purpose.
The world seemed hazy and he had to stop and look about him for a moment. He was in the place that was not known to many. Waterfalls and endless passages in deep caves delved before the refuge of Rivendell even had been born surrounded him.
He could hear them roaring in his ears and he they blinded him in his sick and weary state to all else. He knew he was not down in the crevices of the falls yet and many ledges and cracks lay below the precipice he was standing on. He looked out and saw the beauty of the world about him and even in his pain and turmoil he was mystified. It was astounding and he drew a deep breath. Even as he was breathing deeply he could not relieve himself of the fear he felt. Someone was watching, of that he was certain.
Legolas opened his eyes as he heard a shrill scream sound. He knew it well, an Elf had just died. He felt dizzy and lay back down, then he realized he was in his own room, not in the chair looking after Aragorn. Elrond must have moved him. But if a battle was raging what if Aragorn had been dragged into it and he sat here idle?
This was not allowed and he slithered out of the blankets and kicked them free of his legs. His bow and other weaponry were still in the human's room. Legolas walked, nearly stumbling from sleepiness to the door where he cautiously opened it a crack. He saw no one and was pleased, but alarmed, Could it be possible he was the only one that was not killed because he was a Wood Elf? No! This was not happening!
Legolas flung the door open and mentally dared any Elf to get in his way. A fire of ice jaded his blue orbs and he pelted to the man's room to find Aragorn not there. His best friend was gone. Had he been taken and killed or was he out fighting? Either way, Legolas was going to go and find him.
He found his bow and quiver sitting in a corner up against the wall. His white knives were still in it and of that he was glad. He knew that more likely than not it was going to be close quarters fighting out there.
He didn't even bother to get his cloak on, he whipped his holster with its arrows and knives onto his back and slung his bow over his shoulder. Then, with a deadly flame in his eyes, he tore out of the room.
As he ran out he met no one, but he knew it would not be long before he did. The Dark Elves had attacked and he knew the battles were most likely very bloody. Elves fighting Elves is not a nice thing to see.
Legolas went through the Hall of Fire first and saw no one, and the fires were all nearly dead. Going past them he ran on until he was outside and then he saw dead Elves on the ground and he wanted to weep. He suddenly wondered if Rothinzil or Gilloth were among them. He prayed that they were not. He did not think he could bear it if Rothinzil died, no matter how doltish he could be or how annoying he did not wish the Elf dead. Roth was one of his closest friends, no matter what.
He went further around the Last Homely house and saw the battle was really taking place out there and he could see the Rivendell Guard locked in with the Dark Elves of Morceleb. But he did not see Morceleb or Gilloth, nor did he see Ancú or Rothinzil. Were they dead? He hoped not.
Legolas was about to turn and run towards the House of Elrond again, when he heard a scream that did not belong to an Elf. He knew it was Aragorn, Something had happened and his friend had screamed. Aragorn did not scream, something was horribly wrong. His friend had to be in agony.
Legolas started towards his friend when an arm went about his neck and he felt the cold touch of steel brush against his neck. A hard voice whispered into his ear, "hello prince. Do you remember me?"
Legolas just shifted his weight and swirled his eyes back to see his attacker. He could not see the Elf's face but one name came to mind. The voice was so cold and angered and so impulsive. "Ruthaer!" he said in surprise and anger of his own.
"It is lovely to be remembered, now isn't it?" Legolas jerked away slightly and felt the knife bite into his flesh just a little. Ruthaer gave a twisted smile or anger and cruelty. He was one that was truly evil. He had been turned form light to darkness through many years of pain unknown.
Legolas just growled, "you release me this minute!" The blonde Elf tried to get free but the knife bit deeper.
Ruthaer smiled almost sadly and uttered wistfully, "I am sorry Legolas, but if you play with fire you get burned. This was not your fight, you should not have played with it and now you are about to get burned for your trouble."
Ruthaer pressed the knife in deeper and Legolas closed his eyes. There was no escape; this was how he was going to die. He wished he could have seen his father and friends all one last time. He wished he had been able to save Aragorn, He could only imagine what his friend was going through to make him scream.
Legolas suddenly heard a hard and determined voice that he knew well spit out, "you leave him alone!" Legolas opened his eyes and saw Elladan but Ruthaer just smiled. Legolas wanted to scream to his friend as a Dark Elf came up behind Elladan and seized him tightly. Elladan struggled wildly. His own blood-covered sword fell from his hand. "Your worry is not with him! It is with me! With me and my brother!" he snarled loudly.
Gilloth happened to appear and he saw what was going on. He called out to Ruthaer, "when you are finished killing innocent Elves Ruthaer I am available!" he spat angrily, taunting the other Elves into releasing Elrond's Son and Legolas. "Or do you not want to spill my guts out anymore you snake?"
Ruthaer looked at Legolas. If he could not relish the killing of the blonde Elf there was no point in it. Giving Legolas a good shove, he motioned for the other Elf to do the same with Elladan and he called out to Gilloth, "I was busy, but how can I ignore your polite invitation?"
Legolas and Elladan hit the ground hard and watched as Gilloth mocked the Elves that had tried to slay them. "Gilloth!" yelled Legolas.
Elladan put a reassuring hand on Legolas' arm and whispered, "he is doing what he must, now let us do what we must."
Legolas nodded, "I will go and find Estel. I think I know where he might be." He remembered the direction of the scream. All he could hope for was that he was not too late. But Legolas promised himself he would not fail a third time; he would die first.
Elladan frowned and said softly, "I don't recall seeing Ancú around. I hope he isn't dead."
Gilloth watched and made no move to run as Ruthaer came at him. All the other Elf did was stare and then say; "well what are you waiting for Ruthaer?"
Ruthaer spat back, "nothing!" And he lunged for Gilloth. Gilloth whipped out his own sword just in time to block a blow from Ruthaer and he jabbed at the Dark Elf. Ruthaer blocked the thrust and swung out against Gilloth.
Gilloth ducked and managed to knock Ruthaer's feet from beneath him.
Elladan looked on along side Legolas and then said, "we have lingered here long enough. We are wasting the time he gave us with his life."
Legolas said nothing but recalled the scream that he could not erase from his mind. Then he quickly turned and began to run for the caves and precipices around the falls. He ran and mounted a huge rock and then peered down below. He heard another sound that resembled a muffled cry. Anger surged through the Elf and he looked anxiously around for a target.
Then down below, about fifteen feet, he saw two figures. One was bending over the other and the other was striving to get free. He immediately recognized Aragorn pinned beneath Morceleb in a death struggle. He saw blood on the rocks with a silvery tint. Morceleb was injured, but still lethal. Then he saw other blood that was a dark crimson; Aragorn's blood.
They were fighting along the edge of a waterfall that had to go down some fifty to sixty feet. If they should roll the wrong way both would be lost. Legolas saw that the Dark Elf had a grip on Aragorn's broken arm and was twisting it painfully, causing the man to cry out. "There's no one here to help you human!"
The prince watched the figures that were directly beneath him as though it was slow motion and then he saw Morceleb pull out a wicked looking knife. It was long and had a cold gleam to it.
Without even thinking Legolas leaped from the cliff edge he was on straight at Morceleb, "Aragorn!" he screamed. Aragorn looked up and saw the prince falling down. Morceleb looked up as well and saw Legolas about to land on him.
Aragorn watched in slow motion as Morceleb raised the blade to impale the prince on when he landed. There was nothing anyone could do. Aragorn was too injured to have shifted the blade if he would have tried. He could only watch in dream like horror as Legolas fell to meet his death on the cruel knife.
Morceleb hissed with venom lacing his voice, "after I kill that princeling fool I will finish with you!"
Legolas saw what Morceleb's intentions were and twisted in his fall. Morceleb saw what the prince was doing and as Legolas went past him and landed between him and Aragorn, the Dark Elf stabbed. Legolas felt the cold metal enter his side and cut into a rib before being twisted free. Morceleb smiled coldly and turned on Aragorn. But then his smile turned to a frown and his mouth opened wide in surprise as he realized what evil he had done.
Morceleb had never meant for it to come this far. His hate had gotten a hold of him and had destroyed not only him but also innocent Elves that should not have died.
He saw Legolas turn on him with pain filled yet jaded eyes and he scooted back nearer to the edge. Legolas suddenly screamed, "Morceleb no!" But it was too late. Morceleb had gone too far back and was falling. Legolas reached for him and managed to grab Morceleb's tunic but he did not have the strength to hold both of them up. Morceleb's body was heavier and with more muscle. His weight pulled Legolas over the edge with him.
Aragorn watched in dream like horror as his friend slipped over the edge with Morceleb, his supposed enemy. Th mist of the falls seemed to grow about him and he struggled to remain conscious.
Legolas saw Aragorn watching him and wanted to be braver, but he was scared. He knew his face had to show it so he ducked his head. He was unwilling to let Aragorn see it, for fear that it would make the man feel worse and his pride was unwilling to let his failing show. But then he smiled, he had not failed. This time he had saved his friend and not lost for a third time.
Legolas then saw that there was a spot about five feet below the edge where he could garb on with his free hand. He still held onto Morceleb with his other. He screamed suddenly as his free hand caught the edge and stretched the wound in his side. He accidentally released his grip on Morceleb and the Elf fell.
Legolas winced as he felt Morceleb leaving his grasp. He had not wanted to kill the other Elf. If Legolas had wanted to kill the other Elf he could have with his bow and never have leapt from the cliff, but he had learned log ago that some times the greatest and hardest thing to do is not to kill but to let live.
Now he had to concentrate on pulling himself up. He swung his other hand up to grip the rock edge. Legolas nearly screamed again as he felt pain lance up his right side as his knife wound was stretched more. Legolas felt his right arm tremble and he was forced to let go of the rock edge with that arm.
He looked up and the Elf prince saw Aragorn's head looking over the edge at him. "Estel, don't you dare reach for me!" He knew he would pull Aragorn over if the human got a grip on him. He would rather die.
Aragorn looked down and could Legolas was frightened a little. He knew his friend needed him. The man reached down with his good arm as he lay on his stomach over looking the edge and the deadly fall below.
Legolas growled back, "Telcontar!"
"Legolas, give me your bad arm and let me pull you up," called down the human.
Legolas looked up and then he realized his blue eyes were having trouble focusing. He could not keep them looking at Aragorn and everything was going blurry. He felt numb inside and his head was reeling. Aragorn saw it and knew that Legolas was going to let go. His wound was causing the Elf to bleed too much and he had not the strength to hold on. "I-I c-can't Strider," he breathed through grit teeth.
Aragorn watched as Legolas closed his eyes and the man wanted to scream. His friend was going to willingly let go, or was Legolas fighting inside to hold on? "Legolas!" he screamed, or thought he was. Then he realized that his cry was only in his head. His tongue felt paralyzed and he could not speak.
Legolas felt his whole body trembling and then his grip slipped. Legolas felt himself falling some more and the water beating him down in a heavy spray. He could not breathe.
Aragorn watched as his best friend disappeared into the mist and the churning water. Legolas was gone.
But Aragorn could not believe his friend had died. He stumbled up in shock and then he looked wildly around for a route down the base of the waterfall.
His weary gray eyes found one, though it was steep, but it lead right into the water.
Aragorn began to stagger towards it. He did not care if he spent the last bit of his energy to save his friend, he would do it. Legolas had been willing to die for him, he should be willing to do the same.
The path was sharp and steep. Aragorn began to feel dizzy. His foot suddenly caught on a large stone and he fell onto his stomach with his injured arm landing under him. With a grunt he shifted so he could get his injured arm out from under himself but found he could rise no further, he was too weak.
So calling upon the last bit of strength he had, the man dug the fingers of his good arm into the stony soil and dragged himself forward on his stomach. He was going to at least see Legolas one last time.
Even as Gilloth tripped the feet of Ruthaer, the Dark Elf reached his blade up and plunged it deep into the other's side. He held it in it for a moment, then gave it a harsh and brutal twist before yanking it free with as much strength as he could muster.
Gilloth stumbled for a moment in shock and then, even as he fell to his knees, he took his own sword and ran it through Ruthaer's chest. Blood bubbled on Ruthaer's lips and the Dark Elf fell dead without a word. Gilloth smiled sadly and yet he was far from glad and then he fell onto his stomach. He writhed for a moment in agony as blood foamed on around and in his mouth. Then his eyes stared upwards and he lay still. Gilloth was dead.
But even as he lay there dead, if one looked close enough they would see a smile on his face. He was happy with his brother once again.
It seemed that with the fall of Ruthaer and Gilloth the fighting ended. Everyone looked around at each other and seemed to realize things had gone far enough.
Elladan nearly tripped and found it to be Ancú lying by the base of the tree. His eyes were closed, but his chest rose and fell erratically. He was still alive. Elladan sighed and crouched down by his friend. Rothinzil was there, sitting by Ancú silently brushing the Rivendell Elf's hair from the sweat that covered his pale face. "He had not the strength to fight, however he has the heart."
Ancú opened a single bleary eye and glanced up at Elladan. In a faint whisper he asked, "you see the trouble you cause me?" He coughed up some more blood and then he smiled slightly. "Did we beat them? How did my Elves fight?"
Elladan and Roth looked at one another sadly and then at the ground around them. They saw dead good and bad Elves lying side by side. It was hard to tell which side had won, or indeed, if either side had one at all. Elladan shook his head, "we held our own, if that is what you mean, but you might not have a platoon of guards anymore Ancú."
Ancú closed his eyes and said quietly, "they were great. I only wish I could have told them so." He opened his eyes and saw Roth and Elladan looking at him with anxiety written across their faces. "I am well, or will be," he said softly, "so don't worry about me. Check on my Elves, please."
Elladan sighed and said, "Ancú, some won't be coming back. Most are hurt…badly." It hurt him to say this, for among them he had many friends.
Ancú suddenly opened his eyes wider and said, "no!" Roth firmly secured Ancú down and said, "Elladan, have you seen Legolas and Strider yet?"
Elladan shook his head and then said, "I will go and look for them."
Rothinzil shook his head and argued, "no. I am in better shape than you; I will go." He carefully rose and took one last look at Elladan and Ancú then he went off at a slow trot towards the falls where he guessed his prince and Aragorn would be found.
As he was nearing the falls, he saw Gilloth lying on the ground dead and Ruthaer lying down beside him. Even though he did not know the history behind their deaths, he knew that it should not have happened. Elves should not be against each other when so much of the world was against them. It was in little ways like this that he knew the enemy gained ground.
Stepping around them, he went on his way.
Aragorn was nearing the pool at the base of the large waterfall. He struggled to rise to his knees and look around. He saw a figure on the sand that looked half dead. He knew in a moment that it was Legolas.
The prince was curled into himself on his side and his blonde hair was stuck to his face. Blood came from the deep wound in his side. The blood shimmered as it went down and mixed with the water of Rivendell, tainting it.
Aragorn crawled forward some more and placed a trembling hand on Legolas' cold and wet shoulder. The prince shivered and suddenly he coughed and water spewed up out of his mouth, reddened by blood. Aragorn gripped his friend and pulled him close. Legolas cried out in delirious pain as his wound screamed. Aragorn pulled his friend closer and Legolas snuggled against the warmth of the human, shivering.
He looked up at his dearest friend and his blue eyes tried to stay focused. Aragorn placed his head on Legolas' and whispered, "you didn't have to do that."
Legolas smiled weakly and said, "I know." He grunted as pain scored him a second time. Aragorn gripped the prince's wrist and his anxiety rose to an all time high as he realized that Legolas' heart beat, though strong was fast and erratic. He was not dead yet, but he was not out of the forest. He had to get to Elrond.
Rothinzil stood at the top of the trail and he was stone still, watching all that was transpiring. Legolas was alive, but barely. He saw how the human trembled and knew both were in extreme pain.
Bounding down the trail, he called out, "Strider! Prince Legolas!"
Legolas smiled thinly and Aragorn jerked his head up in surprise. "Rothinzil!"
The dark-haired Elf bounded up and said, "Whom else?" He looked down at Legolas and Aragorn, "wait here. I will go and get help."
Aragorn shook his head weakly, for it hurt him. "No, take Legolas and send someone down after me." Roth hesitated. As much as he wanted to carry his prince to safety, he didn't want to leave Aragorn here alone. "Roth, he is dying."
Rothinzil looked at his prince and said quietly but quickly, "alright. I will take him. Thank you Aragorn." He bent down and gathered Legolas up gently in his arms. The blonde Elf cried out slightly and then moaned. "Legolas, I'm taking you back." Legolas went limp with unconsciousness and Roth hurried up the path towards the Last Homely House.
Aragorn watched hem go and then he looked around. He was about to collapse from weariness and sorrow when he saw Morceleb. The Elf was struggling to get out of the current, but he was not going to make it. His body had been broken against the rocks too much and if no help arrived the Elf would drown.
Aragorn watched for another moment then, staggering up, he waded out until he was up to his knees in he water. Morceleb was going to pass close and he stuck his hand out to aid the Elf. "Take my hand Morceleb."
Morceleb looked at the human and reached his hand out for the man's in an honest effort. He missed and Aragorn felt like he was going to faint, however he waded out further, and "take it!" he cried. Morceleb reached out weakly again and managed to get a hold of Aragorn's good arm. "Swim!" yelled the ranger thinly.
Morceleb push with his feet weakly against the rocks that jutted out in the bottom and he was pulled close enough to Aragorn that the man could pull him out.
Morceleb shivered as he was hauled to the river bank. He panted like a dog and Aragorn gently moved the injured Elf's hands away from where they were clutching breaks in his bones. The Elf trembled and his lips were turning a shade of blue to match his graying face. "Hold on Morceleb, I can save you."
Morceleb caught Aragorn's hand where it was probing his ribs and he murmured, "why…w-w-would you…d-d-do that?"
Aragorn said matter-of-factly, "because you need a second chance."
The human began to try and feel out the Elf's injuries but Morceleb gripped his hand tighter. "It i-i-i-is finished….You wanted t-t-to save m-m-me?" Aragorn looked into Morceleb's fading eyes, "you already h-h-have." Morceleb's eyes became unfocused and it was hard for Aragorn to look at. For when Elves slept, they had their eyes open. Was Morceleb really just sleeping? No, he was dead, his body was cold.
TBC……yes, Elrohir was the last elf Celeb was allowed to bring back, all the rest just have to stay dead…mwahahahahaha!
TBC...
Review Responses
Leela74: Glad you liked how the chapter was constructed1 Wow!We always try to make it flow but are rarely successful at it. Glad you think we did a decent job of it! We are thrilled that you still like our OC's and are more than happy you like how we chose to expand on the characters of Elrond and Erestor. It is such fun to do that and have it be noticed. Hehehehehe. Good. Gilloth was beginning to think everybody still hated him. Poor Elf. So the part where Elrond forgave his son is a part you find touching? GREAT! We are sure your parents would understand. After all it was an accident. Are you sure it is courage that drives us o kill off characters and bring them back? We always thought it was insanity. Oh-well... And we will totally understand if your reviews are a bit odd. School is starting up for us again and then soccer practice drives Celeb crazy, because it is not only exasperating but very boring and last three hours twice a day. However, in-between the library is the best place to hang out at. LOL Thanks for the lengthy and yet totally cool review!
Shadowfaxgal 7: Favorites? Wow! Thanks. Hehehehehe. We are thrilled that the bond we tried to show as seemingly inseparable showed through! YES! SCORE FOR US! The guilt was good? Awww...thanks. Glad you liked the part where he fell onto he floor, that was hard to write and took a lot of time. Thanks for the awesome review!
Randa-Chan: We are thrilled you like the story line so far and are not put off at all by our criticisms at all. It is well you take the time to point them out to us, and feel compelled to try and argue our view point so we hope you don't mind and take the time to read so you might understand better. However we do concede that 'gaps' as you put them, are all too common in most works of ours but we are trying so bear with us, okay? About it being lengthy: We like to use the length to build up the characters and their lives and hint at pasts to be revealed because it is more than just a story with a point, it is their lives and it is all about them. Without taking the time to fully show their character and individual personalities, then it makes the story rather flat in our opinion. Ancú and his various problems: First of all, about his wound and the pain thing...the adrenaline in his system would have kept him on his feet for a long time. This hormone can give people extra strength when they are in trouble as it lives up to its nick name, "the flight or fight hormone". When Ancú gets hurt he is also under a lot of stress, which generates a great deal, perhaps an over dose of adrenaline, which serves to keep him on his feet for a longer period of time than could be thought and when it is this strong, pain is felt and yet not often responded to. Strange, huh? So he could feel the pain and do nothing because the hormone prevents it. Don't worry, later, he will "crash and burn" but come out of it alive of course. The next thing involving this odd Elf...his disobedience to Lord Elrond. Yes, he would and is going to be in major trouble, just not yet. That will happen fully in our next story as he will eventually be too hurt to even be scolded in this one. Elladan and bandaging and being inconsolable: he would have wrapped it, but he didn't for two reasons that may or may not have been recognized and it is our fault if they weren't for not putting them in there. We concede that you were paying attention and have a point. But the first reason he didn't is because he knew that a dirty bandage in a wound like that is worse than none. It would get an infection, cause a whole lot more pain and eventually kill. The infection would attack Elrohir's organs and that would be bad news! The second reason was a trust issue. The Valar allowed him to "call" Elrohir back in an odd way and he chose to trust that they brought him back for a reason and trusted that Elrohir would be kept alive now by their power until they had a chance to do anything about it. Hope you understand. Now about his feelings...he was not going to mourn for those dead and let it interfere with those who have a chance at life. That just wouldn't be fair and perhaps he has some of his father in the sense emotions are not what control his actions. Elrond, twins, Estel and talking while Aragorn is dying: This was written this way for a few reasons. But have a point here too. you However, please here us out. Elrond is the king of wise Elf we pictured taking things as they came and not hurrying for fear of causing more hurt than help. He doesn't let his emotions take charge, at least not often and when he does, he is still serious and goes about it somewhat rationally. He knew the conversation needed to be done then to get the right amount of momentum behind it and because even though he trusts that Elladan will not get wounded within the next few minutes and die, who can promise that? It would be horrible if for no reason Elladan's heart suddenly stopped and he never got to say he forgave him or anything. Yes, Elrohir was important, but a person can only bleed as fast as their heart will pump and his heart ma be strong but it can't pump all that fast unless along with being risen from the dead the Valar healed him of his wound as well. So his heart is not beating fast and blood is not flowing fast, he has the power of the Valar behind him and Elladan's will that he doesn't want his brother to die again, plus he has Elrohir new found will to live again. So Elrond thought that there was time for a quick conversation. Yes, Aragorn was dying, but Elrond would never let the conversation interfere seriously with Elrohir or Aragorn's lives. Sorry if there was confusion and we are glad you brought it up. Hope you understand now, if not ask some more and we will try to explain, but we do have to admit, your point is very logical and well thought through.
LOL We do not look murderous at all. We are furrowing our brows in thought is all. (grins) Glad you liked the part where Elladan got his sight back. Yes, he lost it in the other story, but you say you are going to read it, so we aren't going to say how! LOL Yeah, their jesting was fun to write. It was easy considering we do it with each other all the time! Glad it makes you laugh, share the joy! LOL We enjoyed your review and feel free to give us another like it. Hehehehehe. A long review? Look at the response! ROTFL
Mornflower: Okay...so as far as copy writes go he is not ours...but all is fair in love and war! Oh, yeah, here it is, you are his second cousin's best friend's niece on his mother's side! LOL I bet we are closer than that. ROTFL Glad you liked this chapter1 Hehehehe. And where is your counselor? Did you fire him? Elves don't get sick so he must be either fired or on vacation! Thanks for the review!
PS. LEGOLAS IS OURS!
Elfy: Valar help me!
Sielge: Yes, you read correctly, he forgot about Estel for a moment, well not really, it appeared he had. But he really didn't. Thanks for the review!
Deana: Yes, they were safe...but no longer! Muahahahahahaha! We are mean! LOL Glad you liked the chapter!
elvengirl3737: Glad you enjoyed this previous chapter! They were safe, but not for long. LOL Come on! Its Legolas and Aragorn we aret alking about, safety is not a strong suit of theres! Not a chance. And Ancú is like the twins, if he has something he would rahter do, then he will do it and not give a thought to his wound until he is so close to dead it is scary. Yup, it is stupid, but he will figure that out later. Thanks for you kind review!
A thousand thank you's to those of you who reviewed! We love you all! We hope to hear from you again in the near future! Thanks again!
This is our second to last chapter! Yay! Then the preview for our new, and much more angsty fic, The Folly of Men! Yay! Anyway. Bye!
Us