Huge thanks to the following for reviewing this chapter: Lord Elrond of Hogwarts, Warrior Elf, TeacherTam, Brittany, pendragginink, Catmint, I LOVE LEGOLAS!, bant, Legolas-Aragorn-r-hot, Venea Taur, Dimgwrthien, f, Lady Jaina, EnglishMystic, elfmage, and gwyn.

Chapter 6: Resolve

Elrohir's emotion's had never been so warped.

First, immense relief, when he got Estel home alive.

Then, horrid worry, when his father told him he may not live.

It had taken a whole day for the Healers to work on his little brother, during which the younger twin paced throughout the halls in nervous anticipation.

Finally, it was determined Estel had a chance of surviving, it all depending on how his small body handled the pain and loss of blood.

"He'll be alright." Elrohir said sternly to his father when he was told. "He is Estel."

Elrond nodded. "He is Hope."

After two days, Elrohir's little brother rested in his own room, an almost definite chance of living.

The only problem was what almost every healer believed...

That Estel would never walk again.

It was the fourth day since they had returned home, and Elrohir was settled in a chair next to his adopted brother's bed, where the boy lay motionlessly. Everyone gave mixed opinions about his condition, none promising.

For they all told of being crippled for life if he ever woke.

The legs were now tightly bandaged, as well as his right arm. His face was more colored and promising then when he had first been found, but sill lacked normal tint.

Elrohir tenderly brushed a strand of dark hair from his brother's forehead.

"Please, little one. You can do this. Please just wake and say something."

"You are scaring me little Estel, please don't do this to me. To us. Ada is worried sick about you, too. Please."

"Please."

He rested his head on the bedside and watched the rise and fall of his chest as the hours ticked by.

Worry grew inside of him not only for his little brother but his twin and friend, Legolas, also.

The scouts had come back recently bringing news that they had gone over the whole path one would take to get to Rivendell and had found no sign of them.

Suddenly a slight movement jolted him out of his thoughts. Estel's brow creased in pain and his hands clenched on the white bed-sheets.

"Estel?" Elrohir asked hopefully.

Estel opened his eyes but all he saw was white. He shut his eyes and re-opened them, this time seeing the same white but recognizing it as a ceiling. His thoughts were blurry, though.

'Where am I?'

Elrohir watched joyfully as his brother blinked a few time and then turned to face him.

"Ro?" he asked hoarsely.

"Yes, I'm here, tithin min. How do you feel?"

Estel closed his eyelids for a second and opened his mouth as if ready to answer when suddenly the grey-blue eyes shot open, shining with worry.

"'Dan? Legolas?" He asked breathlessly.

Elrohir sighed. "They are not back yet, Estel...It has been almost a week."

Tears shone in the boy's eyes. "But Legolas promised! They have to come back, 'Ro!"

Elrohir gently stroked Estel's forehead. "Calm, little one, they will return. They might be a little late but they will come."

"But he promised!" Estel hiccupped through tears and wrapped his good arm around his brother. "He promised."

Elrohir soothingly rubbed Estel's back. "And they will come."

But by three days later as Elrohir stared idly out of the window, he was having doubts. When Estel awoke now and then throughout the days his only thoughts were where his brother and friend were, but Elrohir had no answer.

Suddenly, as Elrohir was unconsciously staring at the edge of the forest he noticed some movement and something coming out of the trees. He watched in anticipation as a figure identical to his came into view.

Without another thought Elrohir jumped up. He threw open the large window-doors to the first story balcony and expertly leapt off, landing gracefully and running to greet his older brother.

Estel opened his eyes when he heard a noise and saw the doors to his balcony flapping softly in the wind. He rubbed his eyes and eased himself into a sitting position as he looked around for Elrohir. He noticed fearfully, however, that his brother was not there.

"Ro?" he whimpered softly.

Suddenly he heard a noise somewhere outside of his open door. After a moment of concentration he recognized it as footsteps, but they were awkward, like perhaps the being was injured. He waited nervously.

Then the battered figure staggered into the doorway and propped itself against the doorframe with its elbow.

Estel felt he could cry out with joy. If it hadn't been for the condition of his legs he'd have run up to the one he'd doubted would ever return. He wanted to say how happy and thankful he was to see him again.

"Le abdollen," He said simply, grinning broadly. You're late

Legolas smiled. His normally well-kempt hair was tangled and disheveled. Under his tattered tunic blood soaked through in many placed, especially his left arm that lay limply at his side. He was favoring his right foot, breathing harshly, covered head-to-toe in scratches and bruises, but the Mirkwood Prince was alive, despite Estel's worst fears.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Estel added,

"You look terrible."

THE END

Just Kidding! - TBC