Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters I use in this story. This fanfiction was written for pure fun and no money was/is made with it.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama/Angst

Summary: A simple hunting trip turns into a disaster as Elladan and Elrohir are attacked by orcs. With Elrohir being seriously hurt, their only chance lies now in the hands of Aragorn and Legolas....but will they meet in time? Main Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Aragorn, and Legolas.

E-mail: kaeera@yahoo.de

Feedback: Always appreciated, and constructive criticism is very welcome

Oh my gosh! People even reviewed twice for the last chapter! That's so awesome! And it made me feel pretty bad because of the delay. *sweatdrops* I had to wait until my beta was through this chapter, and since she's a busy person like me, this can take some weeks. And I don't like posting uncorrected chapters.
And...I HAVE RECEIVED OVER 200 REVIEWS! For the first time in my life...*stares at screen* That's just...just....ahhh, I don't know, purely awesome! I am flabbergasted (I love the sound of that word!), truly, I am. Thank you all for your support!!

When the Snow Falls

by Kaeera

Chapter Ten: Dreamtalks

The soft giggling wove through the air, a beautiful melody of joy and happiness. It was nearly drowned out by the steady sound of the waves, but as time passed, the sound became louder and clearer.

Two hushed voices were talking quietly, occasionally laughing and teasing each other as they came closer.

He opened his eyes, which had been closed while he rested, and sat up. He knew those voices, they were the same ones he had had heard before, when the two elflings had raced through the corridors.

Anxious, he looked around, fearing they might disappear like before, if he moved too quickly. But they weren't that close to him – yet.

//In the black deepness,

I'm reaching out for you

Want to touch you

Want to feel your warmth

But all I get is this cold feeling of death

And the loneliness in my heart//


"Have you seen his face? He really looked like a troll…" one of the voices laughed.

"Yeah, and his hair was all wet, and stuck out in all directions!" The other one replied, his voice dripped with amusement.

He leaned against the stone wall and fixed his eyes on the corner from where the sounds were coming from. Slow footsteps grew closer, indicating that this time the retrospective owners were moving at a slightly slower speed.

"And then he shouted all those foul words…" the first voice blabbered excitedly and two figures turned around the corner.

He frowned, as he recognised the same children from earlier, wearing grey-blue robes and braids in their hair.

"What do you think Glorfy will say if…" The two stopped right in their tracks when they saw him sitting in front of them, and unlike last time, their eyes didn't look through him. Instead, two identical looks of puzzlement and curiosity appeared on the similar faces, as they stared openly at the stranger.

"Who are you?" asked the one on the right. He was wearing a small leather band tied around his head.

"I'm…" he started, but didn't know how to continue. "I don't know." he finished lamely, feeling pitiful.

"You don't know?" one of the twins frowned.

"That's stupid. Why don't you know who you are?" The other one continued.

"I can't remember." he explained honestly.

The two exchanged a glance. "That's strange." One of them cocked his head, and he felt a tug of annoyance that the small beings were so similar. The only thing visible that allowed him to distinguish them from each other was the small headband.

"But I can't change it." he shrugged. "Maybe you can tell me who you are, I find it kind of disconcerting that I can't tell you two apart.

"I'm Elladan." the one with the headband immediately prompted.

"And my name's Elrohir!" added the other one, and they both flashed him a broad smile.

…'Ro, come on, don't be such a slowpoke, just take your sword and mount your horse. We are just going on a short trip, why do you need the medicinal herbs? Nothing will happen to us…

...Elladan, will you go outside with me? I want to climb the trees in the west part of the woods. It's too boring alone…

…Elrohir, mellon nin, come to me, and I will tell you a story…

He blinked as the images washed through him, but before he could reach out to grab them, they slipped away and the all-too familiar darkness embraced his mind.

"Pleased to meet you." He smiled a bit at the enthusiasm of the young elves, feeling his own sadness at his hopeless situation.

"You have the same hair colour as us!" One of the twins pointed out, observing him curiously.

"Yes, and you are really tall. Are you a warrior?" The other one – he believed it was Elrohir – asked.

"Maybe."

Their eyes widened. "You don't remember that either?"

"No." he shook his head.

"Maybe we should take him to Ada." Elladan suggested. "He could help him."

"Maybe." The one named Elrohir nodded importantly and turned to the nameless elf. "Our Ada is the best healer you will ever meet!" He stated proudly.

Unsure how to reply, he simply said, "Ah, really, that's nice."

"You look like a warrior to me." Elladan pointed to his arm. "You're all muscular, like Glorfindel. I bet you're a good swordfighter. Ada might know you."

He looked down at his arm and examined it closely. The elfling was right, he really was muscular, although he didn't feel all that strong right now.

Maybe he was a warrior, but that certainly didn't answer his questions. What was a warrior doing on the beach, all alone? Wasn't he supposed to be fighting someone or something?

"What is your Ada's name? And what is this place called?"

The twins grimaced. "Oh, you really don't know anything, do you?" Elladan scolded and frowned at him.

"This place is called Imladris." Elrohir explained. "And our Ada is the Lord of this place. His name is Elrond."

Elrond…the name triggered a deeply buried memory, and again images popped up, memories of events he couldn't remember, brief flashes of his life.

He paled visibly as an immense pain suddenly shot through his forehead. He *knew* he was supposed to remember his name, knew that was probably related to this elf and most likely, even to these two elflings standing in front of him - but he simply couldn't remember!

"Are you alright?" a concerned voice asked, and two identical pairs of eyes stared at him worriedly.

"I don't…know." He was tired of all this, sick of the helpless feeling, and he simply wished for one thing, that everything would stop, at once, the pain, the confusion, the loneliness, the feeling that an important part of him was missing, lost somehow…

"I don't know…" he whispered again and buried his head in his hands.

The two twins exchanged perplexed glances and one of them shrugged. "We should really fetch Ada!"

The other one looked at the stranger with the familiar face, contemplating what to do. "You're right. You go and I will stay with him."

"Aye." And the other one raced off, the sound of his tapping feet the only audible noise in the halls.

* * *


"Elladan, pull yourself together and help me with your brother!" Elrond advised, jerking his son out of the trance he had spent the last few minutes in.

Elrohir was lying on a bed, the colour of his pale face matching the colour of the white bedcovers.

Elrond was worried, but he shoved those feelings aside, knowing that he would have to deal with them later. His sons – yes, both of them – needed him right now, and he wouldn't refuse them his help.


Alas, why were they always getting into so much trouble? Why couldn't they be like Arwen, who never scared her father like this? (Despite the one time she had fallen down that waterfall, of course, but back then she had still been a child, idolizing her brothers beyond measure)


When they had entered his halls, Elrond had been shocked to see that not only two injured persons – namely Legolas and Aragorn – had to be treated, but four. He hadn't expected his twin sons to be with them as well, and it immediately doubled his worries and he had yet to even treat his sons.


Fortunately Elladan was unhurt and Legolas was only suffering from a nasty gash on his leg which would heal with time.


Elrohir and Aragorn, however, hadn't been that lucky. Aragorn's wound was relatively minor, a cut which would close and heal in the next few weeks, but the human had been out in the cold far too long and now he fought the after effects.


And then there was Elrohir, of course – right now the greatest of his worries. He had already looked at the head wound of the younger twin and had listened to Elladan's report, his worry growing as he realised how serious Elrohir's state was.

The head wound was a nasty one, and even the healing skills of elves where limited when it came to an injury such as this. Elrohir had lapsed into a coma while his brother had carried him through the forest, unable to prevent him from doing so. Now the only thing they could do was wait and see if the herbs would help – or not.


"How bad is it?" Elladan softly asked, looking down at his brother.

"You know as well as I, my son." Elrond replied, his voice thick with sadness.

"I know." Elladan closed his eyes and took his brother's lifeless hand. "I tried to keep him awake, but I failed…"


"You did what you could. No one is to blame." Elrond was fully aware of Elladan's habit of taking all the guilt onto his own shoulders. "And not all hope is lost yet. Your brother is a strong elf, and if he awakens during the next week, then he will recover. But if not…" He didn't continue, there was no need to. They both knew what would happen if Elrohir didn't awaken in the next few days. Oh, they knew it all-too well!


Elladan nodded quietly and continued to stare at his brother's face. It scared him to see his twin like this – still, calm, and with his eyes closed. He looked so serious, yet it was still Elrohir, his Elrohir who always smiled and was ready to crack a joke. His brother, who had spent hundreds of years with him, with whom he had fought together in the worst of battles.


Elrond sighed and stood up. "I will look after Estel. Promise me to get some rest later."


Elladan didn't reply and Elrond sighed, fully aware that it was fruitless. If either one of the twins was hurt, the other one wouldn't eat or sleep until forced to. It was just how things were.


He stepped out of the room and entered the next one, where Aragorn was lying on his bed. A healer and Legolas – his leg now bandaged – accompanied the ranger.


Unlike Elrohir, the human wasn't lying totally still and soundless. Instead, he was thrashing around in the grip of the fever raging through his body, his face covered with cold sweat.


The healer, a small, female elf, stood up and bowed to the Lord of Imladris. Legolas wanted to stand up as well, but a quick look from Elrond told him not to for he would strain his injury unnecessarily.


"My Lord, how is Elrohir?" the blonde prince queried, his eyes worried.


"He's in a coma, I fear." The dark-haired elf explained, while examining the battered body of his human son. "And we can't do anything but wait."


"Ah." Legolas' face was a stone mask.


"Why do young ones always get into trouble?" Elrond sighed, but there was no reproach in his voice.


"It is out of our control. Trouble seems to follow us wherever we go, my Lord."


"True, true." He smiled, but there was no joy in it. Then he looked at the healer, who was still waiting patiently. "Please make a tea with the herbs to lower a fever, and bring also, the herbs we use when Estel has a cold."


The woman nodded and left the room. Elrond looked at the pale face of the human, once again contemplating how fast time passed, especially for humans.


Now that Aragorn was a grown man (although he and the twins still had trouble thinking of him as one, for he was yet the energetic child from twenty years ago in their minds), he still managed to wander from one hopeless situation into the next. It was frustrating, it was nerve-wracking, and it was so typical of Estel that he would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious.


"How is he?" Legolas wanted to know, worried about his friend.


"I don't think he has caught pneumonia," Elrond said slowly. "But he has a really bad cold and a high fever. He will probably be delirious for the rest of the night, but I think that it will not be life threatening. Estel has a strong body, he will make it. We only have to worry if the fever doesn't drop in the next twenty-four hours."


Legolas nodded and stared at the human, his best friend. Who would have thought that he, the Prince of Mirkwood, would ever be on such good terms with Aragorn, Arathorn's Son? Certainly not him and his friends back Mirkwood as well.


Elrond smiled, although the worry in his eyes didn't disappear. "I suspect that you intend to sit with him?"


The look he received made it clear that he could have saved himself the effort of asking. "Alright. Then I will send someone up to bring you something to eat - you look like you need it. Estel should sleep peacefully for the next few hours, but if anything happens, call me immediately – I will be in Elrohir's room." The Lord sighed. "He needs my help much more right now."


"I will stay with Strider." Legolas spoke seriously, knowing how hard it must be for Elrond to have two sons so ill while the third one was probably mad with worry.
Elrond nodded thankfully and left the room, after brushing Aragorn's brow with his cool hand one last time.


Legolas remained sitting in the chair and looked thoughtfully at the sleeping human. It was not that the blonde elf wasn't worried about Elrohir - he just knew that right now, he would only disturb the others.


He wouldn't be much help either, being a warrior and not a healer. Legolas hated situations like this, letting others do the work while he had to wait patiently until his friend - or friends - got better.


It was even worse with Aragorn, because he always feared the human would die. Alas, why couldn't he have been born an elf? Then Legolas wouldn't have to worry about Aragorn leaving this world some day.


But then again, if Aragorn had been born an elf, he probably would have never become the person he was today, and maybe they wouldn't even have become friends.


For a short moment, he imagined the ranger as an elf with pointy ears, neat braided hair and fair skin. Legolas snorted and shook his head. No, it was impossible to imagine Aragorn as one of the higher beings.


He looked much better – and more like himself – with dishevelled hair and skin tanned from the sun. Plus, the prince thought, what fun would it be if Aragorn were an elf? They wouldn't be able to make fun of him anymore because he couldn't walk on snow. Or because he was much slower than him and the twins, although he had improved greatly, Legolas admitted reluctantly.


No, life would certainly be much more boring if that were the case...


He realised that his thoughts were wandering and he scowled.


His expression became serious once again as he looked at the still form of his friend. It reminded him all to well of that terrible experience when Aragorn had caught pneumonia and nearly died.


That had been one of the longest nights in his life. And now, it seemed as if history was repeating itself, only this time, Aragorn's life was - thank the Valar - not in any immediate danger. But knowing the human, that could always change. For Aragorn, living under life-threatening circumstances seemed to be a normal part of his life.


One could say that about him as well, Legolas noted grimly. After all, he usually was in the same place as his friend, and most of the time they never escaped unhurt, which was kind of a running joke for the elves in both Imladris and Mirkwood. His father usually wasn't very pleased by this...


It wasn't as if they *wanted* to get into trouble...they just seemed to land in it wherever they went. It was like a curse.


His mind wandered off to Elladan and Elrohir. Surely Elladan was worried, and he should probably go and talk with him later. It was always the same - the twins never showed openly how much they cared for each other, unless one of them was in danger or injured. Then the usually so mischievous and cheerful warriors reverted to guilt ridden, worried elves who would neither sleep, nor eat, nor talk.


* * *


He stared down at his hands, trying to find some answers in the curved lines on his skin, but failing miserably. The small child was standing in front him, humming a soft tune, and he couldn't help but feel strange every time he looked at the child. He had the feeling that what he was experiencing right now shouldn't be possible at all, and it was even more annoying because he hadn't the slightest clue why it *shouldn't* be possible.

"So you really don't know anything?" The elfling stared at him. Since he was sitting on the floor, they were at his eye-level.

"But you need a name! What shall we call you if you can't remember it? That's really stupid!"

He had to smile at the pouting expression on the elfling's face. "Well, I can't say that I like it, but right now I have no choice until I can remember."

"Hum." Elrohir crossed his arms. "So tell me, how did you get here?"
"I…?" He blinked, recalling his lonely march on the beach. "Well…I kind of woke up on the beach, and then I walked along the shore until I saw this building. I went inside, but there was nobody there. And then you turned up."

"Wait…you said you were walking along the beach?"

"Yes, exactly."

Elrohir looked at him strangely. "A real beach? With the sea and waves? And a lot of water?"

He blinked, perplexed. "Yes. And many, many gulls."

"Come with me." The child commanded curtly, and he, too surprised to do otherwise, found himself getting up and actually walking after the elfling.

Elrohir lead him to a tall window not far away and stood in front of it. "Look outside."

He did what he was told, but all he saw was the same endless, grey shore with black water. He raised one eyebrow. "Well?"

"What do you see?"

"The beach, of course…there are a few rocks over there and the water is endless. I can see the wind has become stronger because the waves are getting bigger now…" He stopped, as he saw the look on Elrohir's face. "What's wrong?"

The child looked at him darkly. "There's absolutely NO beach out there! There are trees and grass and elves and stuff, but no water and certainly no beach. Who are you trying to kid?"

His mouth fell open. At first he though Elrohir was joking, but the serious look on the smaller elf's face told him otherwise.

But as he looked out the window again, he *could* see the beach. Not trees. Not grass. And – he was absolutely sure – not other elves.

"I am not kidding." he protested, knowing how lame it sounded.

And then the world swirled around him and everything shifted out of focus, causing the elf to fall to the ground while a child's terrified cry sounded in his ears.


* * *

Time passed slowly as Elladan watched the rhythmic breathing of his brother. The breaths were weak and he could barely see the rise and fall of Elrohir's chest.

Elladan felt...tired. He was so incredible tired that it wouldn't surprise him if he fell off the chair any second now. The emotional and physical exhaustion was finally taking its toll, and yet, the son of Elrond refused to sleep.

How could he sleep when his twin was in such a desperate state? And to think that it had been partly his fault...he closed his eyes as if he were in pain.

What was going through Elrohir's head right now? Was he dreaming? Was he fighting to find a way back to reality?

Or didn't he even know what happened?

He looked at the pale face in the hopes of finding an answer there, but his brother's expression was like a mask. Not even the slightest twitch of muscle indicated that someone was inside the seemingly hollow body, and it frightened Elladan greatly.

Alas, there had been many times his twin had been hurt, but he couldn't get used to it – didn't want to get used to it. Even as little elflings they had been hurt on several occasions, they just had been too mischievous for their own good and too sure that they could achieve anything.

Elladan smiled ruefully as he remembered when he and his brother had tried to climb the roof of Imladris. They had always liked high places, and the roofs of the stables were common places for the twins to be found, although Celebrian hadn't liked it at all.

But the roof of the main building was much, much higher, and more interesting than any other with the little towers and statues and everything. They even had managed to get *on* the roof – getting down, however, had been a totally different problem.

It had been just their luck that they had been seen by elves who had quickly called for their father. In their struggle to escape, they had raced along the roof, Elladan ahead, and in their rush and fear, he had miscalculated and slipped, falling off the roof into a nearby tree.

It had been a traumatic event for Elladan, he could still clearly remember the frightened scream of his twin, the shouts of the other elves, his father's and his own, terrified scream piercing the air as the branches moved towards him at an incredible speed.

The impact had been rather painful and he had been stuck in the tree with one broken leg and two broken ribs.

Elrohir had been so scared after Elladan's fall that he would not even dare to try to climb down the roof, instead, he had huddled in a corner and sobbed until Ada had climbed up and rescued him.

His younger twin had believed Elladan had died and had been inconsolable, until he had seen his brother in the infirmary wing.

That had been the first, real serious accident in their lives, and more were to follow, countless times in which they had worried their parents, their siblings or themselves.

Elladan felt a pang of guilt at this, he hated it when people worried, he didn't want them to feel bad because of him, but somehow he couldn't change it.

They *had* tried a more peaceful way of living, but both had quickly grown bored out of their minds and had reverted back to their careless ways, inwardly agreeing that they'd rather be eaten by orcs than die of boredom.

"You remember, 'Ro?" Elladan said softly, taking his brother's hand. "I need you to come back, because it would be boring without you. Do you understand? You don't want me to become bored, do you? You know what happens when I am bored…"

He felt his eyes growing hot and quickly shook the feeling off. "I can't believe that you are so pathetic, Elrohir! Hiding within your mind like this, what's happening to you? Come on, hiding is for weaklings, not for a strong elf like you!"

Elrohir lay still, unaffected by his brother's half teasing, half shaking voice. "Who always said he was the stronger one? Wasn't it you, trying to convince me that just because I am older, it did not make me stronger as well? Alas, now is the best time to prove yourself correct, is it not?"

"Please come back, 'Ro." Elladan squeezed the lifeless hand so hard that it would have hurt, had Elrohir been awake. "Come back home!"




What...what am I doing here?

Why...can't I remember?

I see you...I can see you...

I hear you call my name...is that my name? Really?

But...

I don't know you!

No...I know that I know you, but...I can't remember you.

Who are you?

No, stop it...stop calling me...I don't want that anymore...I don't want the questions! I want to sleep...

I won't listen anymore! I can't remember...

Is it that important? Do you have to keep calling me?

...are you crying?...

I shall return. But where? Tell me, where shall I return to?

Home? Do I have a home?

I...

I'm confused...

...please, don't cry...

...I'm really sorry, but I can't remember you. Can you remember me? You say it that easily, to return. I have no idea who I am!

...who am I? Tell me?

...silence...

...hello?...

...anybody?...

...I'm lost...

To be continued...

Celestra - At least the hot summer is over; suddenly it becamse so cold that everybody was freezing, and then it becomes warm again...*shakes head* Strange, strange. Ahh, we will get to see more of Elladan-Elrohir as children in future chapters. I think. We have to see what my muse has planned^^

melissa greenleaf - No complaints? That's truly great *smiles* Why did you want to read this part more than anything?

Iawen Londea - Nope, he didn't reach the Halls of Mandos...yet. *evil snicker* You never know with me...And I didn't rewrite this chapter; in fact, there's not much Elrond in this one, or at least not much Elrond-angsting...but maybe I will use your idea in the next chapter, I never know. Thanks for telling^^

Erothwen - Hey, if you can't feel your legs, it isn't funny! Ask Aragorn! ...*starts laughing* Okay, I must admit, I can understand why you think it's funny...*imagines a leg-less ranger wobbling through the corridors*

randomramblings - The best chapter? Huh? I thought it was bad...because I can't write welcoming scenes and all that, I don't know why...anyway, I am glad that you liked it!

EMerald QUeen - Is there a reason why the firs two letters in your name are spelled capital? Just curious...And yes, there's much angst to come. At least I had planned it like this.

andrea42 - So why don't you changer your name if you don't like the 42? Something more poetical, maybe...I sometimes use German words as nicknames, because people won't recognise them, which can be very funny. Mondlicht (Moonlight) for examply, or even when you name yourself 'Klopapier' (toilet paper), nobody will get the joke.
You've joined our group? That's great! I am not a very active member, though...and I'm happy that you like the pic, this is what I am doing when I get bored during class...

Shaan Lien - Well, the la-la land...let's just say that I grew bored of all the depressing stuff and wanted to write something lighter. *laughs* I know that it wasn't very fitting...

xsilicax - Yep, sometimes I believe that it is better to be ill than to be the one worrying...at least you don't have to be anxious all the time. Thanks for the explanation of your name, btw. What did you do in the band? Sing? Play the guitar? Some of my friends have formed a Jazz Band.

FirstMate - Thanks for your review! You probably can't read this because you're moving, but I still wanted to set you on my reply list. You really made me feel special with your words, and I SO love your story! I can't wait to read the next chapter!

Jadelyn Rashwe - Ahh, my imagination is really not that good. There are people who can think of a complex storyline, compared to them every single one of my story seems to be pointless...but thanks for the review nonetheless^^

Ellyrianna - Uhm...sorry that I couldn't give you the update right now, but destiny had different plans...ahh, you made me blush. It feels so flattening to read yoru compliments! *blushes even more* Thanks a lot!

Salara - Du hast mal wieder vollkommen recht; für Elrohir kommt der schlimme Teil erst noch. *gg* Naja, das mit diesen seltsamen Träumen war alles gar nicht geplant, und eigentlich wollte ich das mit dem Fenster auch nie schreiben, aber irgendwie ist es dann doch anders gekommen...argh. So etwas passiert mir ständig. Wirklich wahr! Wer mit Aragorn gesprochen hat, als er umfiel? Naja, es wird nicht mehr ausdrücklich erwähnt, aber ich hatte eigentlich Elrond im Kopf.