SICKNESS IN THE WILDERNESS

SUMMARY: Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel are out hunting by themselves, and it
goes bad for two of them.

CHAPTER ONE
SICKNESS

Eighteen year old Estel felt like someone had stuck a sword through him and pulled it out again, his head was pounding, his muscles were aching, and he just plain hurt all over. So when his brothers finally stopped and said that they were going to camp, Estel would have jumped for joy, but he didn't for two reasons: 1 if he did, he more then likely would fall over, 2 he would have to explain to his brothers then why he fell over and was not ready for their brotherly mother henning. Elrohir started to setup camp while Elladan and Estel went in search of wood. "We'll have to be careful with the fire tonight, this is orc country," said Elladan as he picked up a large log. "Hum," said Estel. He had only been half listening to his older brother as he picked up another log. " Estel are you even listening to me?" asked Elladan looking at his brother. " What, oh right careful of the fire, right," said Estel as he headed back to the camp with a slightly smaller load of wood then he always did. All Estel wanted now was sleep, but he knew that if he didn't eat, his brothers would know that there was something wrong with him, and he really didn't want to go back to Rivendell, at least not yet, but he knew that he would get worse through the night it was just a mater of time before his brothers found out.
Even though Elladan and Elrohir were twins Elladan still call Elrohir his little brother, even though they were only three minutes apart, so Elladan was protective of Elrohir, but he and Elrohir were both very protective of Estel.
"What took you two so long?" asked Elrohir who was on his blanket waiting for his brothers to return. " We were not gone longer then ten minutes little brother, what's the matter, afraid an orc is going to attack you when you're all by yourself?" said Elladan teasingly as he put down the pile of wood. "Ho, ho, ho, that's sooo funny, Elladan, so funny that I forgot to laugh," said Elrohir sarcastically as he started the fire. It wasn't long before they had a small fire going, and they were soon eating the hot rabbit stew that Elrohir had caught that day. Estel ate the stew slowly, the heat felt good on his sore throat. They finished their stew and then settled in for the night, Elrohir said he would take the first watch. Estel grabbed a second blanket from his bag and settled close to the fire. The night past slowly for Estel, by the time Elladan's watch came around Estel was miserable; he moaned and turned around to come face to face Elladan. "Estel, are you alright?" asked Elladan worriedly. "I don't know, I feel like I just got stabbed," said Estel rubbing his chest. Elladan placed his hand on his brother's forehead and frowned when he felt the heat that radiated from his brother's body.