Title: Stand or Fall
Summary: See chapter one
Disclaimer: See chapter one
A/N: NO beta so forgive. All reviews are sooo welcome all flames shall be given to my dog a gift from Sauron.

Now to my lovely reviewers I cherish you all!

Firniswin: Here is the next chapter for you!
Ymmas Sirron: Renmiel is very bad and gets worse. Cotton head ninny LMAO!
Narya Silver Fox: She is too far gone for reason now. Poor captives.
Lalaithofthebruinen: Here you go! Thanks for reviewing
Opaleye:Thanks I tried to make you seem like you are there.
Isadora2: I do not think they will be happy for awhile yet. Too much torture to come.
Frisha: Has updated NOW! thanks!
Deana: Psycho is the understatement of the year! thanks for the review.

Thank you to all my reviewers I cherish you all and you make writing fun!

Now I guess you want the next chapter so here you go!


Chapter 8


Elrond stood gazing into the fire watching the flames flicker not really hearing the story Celeborn was telling. His mind was lost in his earlier vision and trying to decide the meaning of it. He knew that it was an omen of what was to come. This frightened the usually calm elven lord to no end.

He felt someone staring at him and looked up to see the others looking at him trying to figure out his thoughts.

"I am sorry mellyn nins. I am not very good company tonight it seems." Thranduil nodded his head in understanding. All three were worried and it showed on their faces. Thranduil sat there he was not used to having to share his thoughts and this time would not be any exception.

"I think I will go for a walk and possibly clear my mind." Thranduil said already standing and walking away.

"Do not go far mellon nin; for the darkness of the night brings evil things."

He walked along remembering his son, their last conversation, the morning he had told him of the trip and the smile that had crossed his face. Thranduil stopped to choke back the sobs which were forming. He would find his son. He would make whomever pay dearly if any harm had come to him. Legolas was all he had left in this world and he would kill any who tried to take him "Where are you ion nin?" he said to the skies not really expecting an answer. He was so lost in his own thoughts he did not notice anything only the voice in his head that told him he needed to find his son and soon. As he stepped on he tripped,stumbled and then fell over, what he did not know. He quickly got up and brushed himself off and cursed. He was glad no one had saw him, King Thranduil upon the ground, and that was when he noticed what had tripped him.

"Elrond!" he screamed for at his feet lay the mangled form of Elrond's son. Whether Elladan or Elrohir he did not know. Not knowing what to do he simply yelled again and again. His mind playing tricks on him he could almost picture Legolas' face in place of the twin's. He sat down upon the ground and pulled the elf into his lap; his mind frozen in fear of where his own son was and if he was in the same condition. He went to wipe the leaves from the child's hair but realized they clung to it caked with blood.

Celeborn and Elrond stood up hearing the scream and drew their swords. Running in the direction of it they heard Thranduil yell yet again this time as if in agony. As they broke through the clearing both looked at the mighty elf king sitting on the ground cradling someone in his lap. Celeborn stared not much could bring King Thranduil to his knees. He looked at Elrond and they approached with caution, but wanting to know who he held in his arms and then again not wanting to know.


"Are you hurt? Elrond asked him. Thranduil merely nodded no. "Then let me see if I can help him."

Elrond stepped closer to get a better view and realized whom Thranduil held. With a clang his sword fell from his hand as he screamed. "Elrohir why... Valar...why?" Racing to his son he pulled him from Thranduil's grasp. Elrohir's battered body hung in his arms;his eyes closed. Hot tears poured from Elrond's eyes. "Who could have done this? Celeborn reached out to him but he flinched away rocking his son, telling him Ada is here. Elrohir did not stir, did not reply he only laid there his body motionless.

Celeborn's fury mounted, and he yelled at Elrond "Is he alive?" he did not want to be so harsh but he had to know. Elrond looked up and the words stumbled from his lips.

"I do not know" as he placed his head upon his chest to see. He has to be he told himself as he listened for a heartbeat. It was there but so faint if not for elven hearing he would have missed it. Elrond began to sob as his head came up.

"So he has died? Thranduil asked.

"No he yets lives Elrond muttered though his tears, but for how long I do not know. Celeborn released the breath he had been holding.

"Quickly come let us return to the campsite where the supplies are."

Elrond scooped up his son's body careful not to hurt him even further. As they re-entered the camp Elrond wiped the tears from his face. He was completely immersed in the task of saving his son, Celeborn and Thranduil stood at his side ready to give assistance if needed.

Elrond worked without stopping not heeding Celeborn's pleas for him to rest. He would hear nothing of it; Elrohir still had not opened his eyes and this caused him to worry. At last he had done all he could and he simply sat there by the fire watching Elrohir to make sure he still breathed. The visions of the bruises and broken bones still fresh in his mind. The gash which still bled no matter what he did to it all these things not to mention his thoughts on how the others fared all came tumbling down on him like a mountain.

Thranduil came over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come get some sleep I will watch over him."

Elrond looked up to him "I can not seek sleep until he opens his eyes."

Thranduil nodded he knew Elrond's pain as he had held his wife's body as her life slipped through his hands. He instead sat down beside his friend and offered him his silent support. Both of them willingly the child to awaken.

Elrond spoke again this time his voice full of hate. "I will find out who did this and if the others are hurt, they will die"

"Not many times do we agree mellon nin but on this we do." Thranduil said

Celeborn sat in silence. He would see the world rid of this evil which had done this and wondered where and who they were. He hoped Elrohir awoke soon so he could give them some answers before it was too late for the others.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Elladan hung his head as they entered the cave. The feeling of despair had overtaken the elf. His friend was at this moment being dragged into the cave by his arms for he had long ago given in to the darkness, and his brothers the mere thought of them brought fresh tears to his eyes.

Estel lay broken and battered. He was a mere shell, his body lifeless yet he yelled out with every movement. When he thought of Elrohir though. He sighed and fresh tears cascaded down his fair face. His brother how could he be gone. He was not whole without him. The last vision of his body mangled laying there on the cold, cruel ground. He shuddered at the thought of it. The vision would not leave his mind it just haunted him. He walked not really watching where he was going and was led into the cave.

It was cold and dank inside it. The smell of mold lay thick upon the air. He also smelled something else and he recognized this smell. It was the smell of death and he screamed out as he came across what had produced it. There upon the ground lay the marchwarden. His body slowly decaying; his once beautiful elven features distorted forever in this forsaken place. Anger once again welled inside him. He would not let his brother fall to the same fate. The prince... he did not want to picture the look on King Thranduil's face as the last member of his family walked through the threshold of The Halls of Mandos. He would sacrifice his own life trying to prevent this.


Until next time!
Hope to see you all at the next chapter!