Chapter 12

Legolas found his way to the cave, followed by Aragorn who had forced Legolas to let him come.

"Estel you do know that I don't like the idea of you begin up don't you?" Elladan stated.

"Yes but I want to help, he is my father too,"

"Stubborn human." He shook his head, "well make yourself useful and give us a hand," he said starting to tie the older elf up with soft linen cloths, not wanting to hurt him with chains, they started carefully cleaning away all the dirt and blood from his body.

It saddened them all to think how such a great elven lord could have been reduced to this.

It was when Elladan finished placing the last bandage carefully over a rather nasty looking gash did he wake up.

Large stormy grey eyes darted around the room, looking for escape, but he found himself tied down with something, he immediately began thrashing against the soft bonds, wanting to escape.

"No, sidh Ada sidh," Elladan tried soothing the elder but was kicked away, Elrond thrashed desperately to escape. His arms pulled harshly against the soft linen, they could hear were ripping.

"No, Elladan don't," Elrohir tried to stop the elder but Elladan stopped him, but did not see that one arm had been freed; he was now viciously pulling at the other, trying to rip it.

"NO, don't," Elladan edged closer, "you'll hurt yourself," he murmured seeing the cloth around the wrists staining red.

As Elladan moved closer he stopped until he was very near. And then lashed out, shoving the younger Elf against a wall, a thin trail of blood streamed down his temple from the blow.

"Elladan," both brothers moved closer to him, Legolas' hands moved to his daggers, his eyes never leaving the struggling Elf.

"Elladan," Elrohir spoke softly, "we have to let him go...there is nothing more we can do for him."

"No, I am not giving up on him yet. Not yet. I cannot."

"Elladan he'll kill you." Aragorn tried to reason.

"Then know I died trying to bring him back." He said firmly, they heard a yelp and saw he was free and attacking Legolas. Again.

"Ada no, leave him alone, it is me you want," he called to the elder.

The elder Elf looked up and started to advance on him, he noticed two thin crosses of blood across his chest where Legolas had used his knives. he knew now it was unlikely that their father would return to them. Elladan dodged the Elf's attack and knocked him to the ground and knelt over him. "it's alright, we won't hurt you," he slowly moved forward, the other three watching warily as he took a damp cloth to the tied elf's head, at first he went to bite the extending hand but saw it was not stopping moving toward him he tried edging away. "Shh, it's alright," the soft voice started soothing the frightened elf and he started to relax as he felt cool water wash down the side of his face.

Elladan stopped as their eyes locked; he could feel his twin's worry, but ignored it, he felt a rough hand brush against his cheek and started to see true recognition in the elder's eyes, how he wanted to cry out in joy and hug the elder but he knew not to make the first move in case he startled him. He felt a tear slide down his cheek but it was quickly brushed away, he closed his eyes and leaned into the long missed comforting touch, he opened his eyes and saw the stormy grey eyes had turned to a warm blue. A warm blue he had never dreamed of seeing again.

He could hold back no longer and flung himself to his fathers arms and was delighted to feel strong arms hold him close, "shh...ion...nin," he heard a hoarse voice whisper in his ear, that did it. And barriers he had up shattered as he cried into the elder's shoulder.

"Ada," the younger two brother smiled and joined him, undoing his wrists so that he could hold them tightly too.

Legolas felt overwhelmed with the emotion in the atmosphere and could not help but smile seeing the family reunited.

"I..." he started hoarsely.

"Shh, here, drink this," Elladan handed him some water.

"Thank...you," he whispered, "all of...you."

"We did nothing...it was Dan..." Elrohir started.

"No...you were the ones that saved me. I'm ever so sorry Ro; I should not have treated you as I did..."

"You helped each other...that is all that matters." Elrond cut in any further protests.

"We should go home," Elladan stated as they helped their father up, a twin each side, supporting him, and enjoying his closeness again after so long.

"Father," Elladan spoke softly, "here, have this..."

"No Elladan, keep it, you deserve it."

"But it should belong..."

"To the Lord of Imladris, which is you ion nin, I could never take back that which I gave, no matter the circumstances." He said firmly and smiled. "I love you all my sons," he smiled.

"We love you too Ada," they smiled in unison.

Elrohir looked at his twin and noted all past blankness had been replaced by his normal self.

Hopefully now, things would sort themselves out.