Thanks so much to the following for reviewing this chapter: Lord Elrond of Hogwarts, Brittany, I LOVE LEGOLAS, Ainu Laire, bant, elvenranger13, eph, Lady Jaina, Dimgwrthien, bed, and gwyn.
Chapter 3: Clinging to Hope
Elrohir urged his horse on through the trees in the ever dimming evening light.
"Noro lim, Lai." He commanded gently.
He glanced down at his youngest brother.
On his pale face with contrasting blood stains his normally bright and alert eyes were closed and his brows furrowed in pain. His dark hair was tangled and caked with mud and blood. His legs were limp in an awkward way and tinged with purple and blue among the scratches. Though Estel's tattered tunic, Elrohir could make out dark bruises on his chest and a long scarlet gash. His shoulder was stained with crimson but one could see the deep impalement and dark purple tinged skin around the wound, indicating poison. And his arm. His right arm had been horribly burned. The tunic sleeve was burnt and though the burn holes charred skin showed.
Elrohir held Estel close with his free arm.
'Valar, I'll kill every orc in Middle Earth.'
'Just a child.'
'They shall not take him away from me.'
'Not like Naneth.'
A soft moan escaped Estel's parted lips. "'Ro?" he asked, barely audibly.
"Quel Esta, tithin min. Me ieva mar yoond." He whispered soothingly. Rest well, little one. We will be home soon
And on Laigaertealve ran.
He wished he could stop. He wished he could give his brother some pain-relieving herbs to sooth him, but he had none. He had staunched the blood flow, but he knew the child needed more. He had already gone into shock.
Finally, after hours of running, Elrohir could see Rivendell coming into view in the distance. Laigaertealve, sensing they were close to home, gave a great burst of energy and they were soon riding through the gates.
The guards raced up to him. "What has happened?" they asked, concerned.
"Just take care of Lai." Elrohir said shortly.
Scooping Estel up in his arms with utmost care, Elrohir raced into the House of Elrond.
"Ada!" he cried.
Elrond ran down the hall, he had heard his son arrive but did not know why he was not with his twin or why he seemed so distressed.
"Elr-" Then he saw the beaten form in his arms. "Oh, no..."
"Ada you have to help him, please!"
Elrond carefully picked up his son. Estel's eyes opened ever so slightly. "Ada?" he questioned softly.
"Anas Ionamin, na targall. Lya varna si." Yes, my son. Be still. You're safe now
"What happened, Elrohir?" Elrond asked, voice quavering as he cradled his son's form.
"I'm not sure Ada. Elladan and I found Legolas and Estel in the forest. You know we sent the other horse back so we only had one. Legolas insisted one of us take him."
"How is Legolas?" Elrond inquired, though his attention was focused on the small stricken mortal. He was already making his way to the healing rooms, the younger twin following. He took off Estel's bloody and torn shirt gently, his stomach churning in disgust and rage. Normally, he was calm and composed in the face of life-threatening But this was Estel. His seven year old son...
"He appeared to be only slightly injured, but weak. They are walking here, and 'Dan doesn't feel any more upset than when I left, so I believe they are well."
"Either way, have some scouts go out to assist them," Elrond told him. There was no way Elladan or Legolas would make it back without trouble. "I must tend to your brother."
"Will he be alright?" Elrohir asked anxiously as he left.
Elrond cast his eyes downward with a miserable sigh.
"I do not know."
Elladan knelt down next to Legolas. "How do you fare, mellon nin?"
"I am fine." Legolas snapped coldly. "We have to get back to Rivendell immediately. I promised Estel."
Elladan ignored this, "Mani marte?" What happened
"We have to get to Rivendell!"
Elladan stood up sharply, brimming with anger. "And I want to know what happened to my brother!"
Legolas slumped over. "I didn't know. All of a sudden there were orcs everywhere. We fought but I was captured, and, and I told Estel to go. He did leave but then he came back and freed me but then we got captured again. The orcs. They were horrible. They were horrible to him. And then. When they thought he was dead, they just left him. They didn't tie him up. His legs. Broken so bad but he still walked. Walked over to me. He untied me with the very dagger that stabbed him. Then he collapsed and I ran. Then. Well, then I found you."
Elladan knelt beside him and laid his hand on his shoulder gently. "Tis not your fault. You know that, don't you, Legolas?"
"I don't know, 'Dan. I don't know but I can't help feeling..." His voice faltered and he closed his eyes tightly, suppressing guilty tears. "Responsible."
"It is not your fault," Elladan assured. "...but he will be upset if you break your promise."
Legolas sighed. "That is, if he's...If he's even…there...when we get home."