Chapter 9

Elladan who had just walked in the room, stood frozen in the doorway, not wanting to believe what he had just heard. "Until sunrise." He repeated shakily.

"Dan." Elrohir rushed over to his brother and wrapped his arms around him tightly, tears spilling over his tightly closed eyes. "Where is Ada?" he looked over his twins shoulder.

"I'm sorry Ro...I tried to stop him...but he..." his breathing hitched slightly, he squeezed his eyes tightly, not wanting to cry in front of his brother, he had to be strong for Elrohir and Estel, if he woke up.

"No," Elrohir shook his head in denial, "he's not...you lie..."

"I wish I did brother, I wish I did." He whispered pulling his twin closer to him.

"What...did you see?"

"Everything," Elladan muttered, "he told me to hide, that we would never outrun them without getting caught. I tried to stay with him but..." he took a deep breath, "they...they surrounded him...their swords went straight through...took him..." he trembled slightly, but when Elrohir tried to comfort him he just pushed the younger away, "I should see to Estel." He muttered roughly and made his way inside the smaller room, shutting himself alone with the Human.

Estel lay in the middle of a large bed, bandages and dressings completely covered his body. "Oh brother, I am so sorry." He whispered, kneeling at the bedside, a tear glided down his cheek. "I should have been there for you."

"What you should have done is in the past. There is no way to change the past, you should know that." A firm but soft voice spoke from behind. Elladan turned to see Thranduil standing directly behind him.

"I know but..." Elladan started.

"It is not your fault Elladan," the king sighed and pulled up a chair by the younger, "I am truly sorry for your loss; Elrond was a great asset to Arda...I am only sorry that our parting words were not as they should have been..."

"It is as you say, the past cannot be changed," he snapped.

"Elladan, I understand your anger, I know what it is like to watch your father die. The feeling of helplessness as he was taken down. Knowing there was something you could have done. The way he held me back, telling me it was too dangerous...

the silence was terrifying, even worse the sound of the Orcs slowly coming toward the massed army. The High King Gil Galad was giving orders to the army captains.

"Do you think this is it?" Thranduil whispered to the Elf next to him.

"What?" Elrond asked.

"The final battle. Do you really think it could end today?"

"I don't know. If it is I hope victory is in our favour. We have been from home for too long."

"Still missing Celebrían?" the Sindar joked, they both smiled.

"Elrond, Thranduil," a sharp voice cut their conversation; they looked to se Gil Galad watching them impatiently.

"Sorry my lord," they said in unison.

"Everyone moves on my call, not before. Understood?" the king finished.

They stood; waiting then a movement from further up the line caused everyone to look.

"Oropher," Gil Galad yelled, "not yet, come back here..." his calls fell on deaf ears. Oropher had enough of waiting.

"Father," Thranduil called seeing the elder getting struck down, he tried to go to him but saw Elrond holding him back, "no, let me go," he struggled seeing the Orcs swarming over his father's command, "please...Elrond...mellon...I have to get to him..."

"No, Thranduil, you can't, you would only get yourself killed; do you want that? What about your wife? Your people will need you..." Thranduil struggled free from the other's grip and started toward his fallen father, growling in frustration Elrond went after him, the calls of his king going unnoticed as he saw an archer aim for Thranduil. Thinking quickly Elrond grabbed the elder and threw him back toward the waiting army, taking the arrow for himself.

... But only now do I realise that he was trying to save me...all those years I spent hating him..." he trailed off shaking his head, then quickly, "I am sorry, I should not have intruded." He left the younger Elf alone.