chapter 18
The next morning, a small escort waited patiently to take the brothers to the border, only one had not woken up.
"Estel," Elladan shook the lump under the quilt gently.
"Wake up gwador," Elrohir burst into the room and pulled the quilt down from the man, "it is a lovely day," he threw the heavy curtains open letting the sunlight to drown the room. Estel growled pulling the quilt back up but Elrohir ripped it from over him. Estel put a pillow over his head.
"Come on wake up little brother." Elladan grinned, trying to stifle a laugh watching his twin threatening to tip a full glass of water over the Human.
"Go away," came a muffled reply.
"Come on Estel, we are leaving in five minutes. We will leave you behind if you are not ready."
"Fine," Estel threw a pillow at each brother, "lemme get ready."
"We will be in the courtyard. Hurry up." Elladan dragged his twin out of the room with him.
Not long later Estel stumbled into the courtyard, looking somewhat dishevelled.
"Glad you could join us Estel," Legolas laughed at his friend's appearance.
"Still not awake brother?" Elrohir smirked mounting his horse.
"I'm fine." He muttered attempting to mount his steed and fell off trying.
"Ai Estel," Elladan shook his head smiling and helped him up, "come on, I'll pull you up." he said effortlessly jumping on Estel's grey mare and pulled the Human up with him. "You on?" Estel nodded. Again with little to no effort he jumped onto his own horse from the one Estel sat on.
"You ready?" Legolas asked, bringing his white stallion beside his friends.
"Whenever you are." The twins answered in unison.
"Move out," the prince called to the rest of the escort that flanked them and they were on their way.
"You are brooding brother." Elrohir said softly noticing Elladan was distant.
"I'm fine," Elladan waved his concerns.
"No, Ro is right," Estel joined them, trying to take his mind off the dark forest that surrounded him as dark memories flooded his mind, "something bothers you."
"The only thing bothering me at the moment is my two younger brothers being so nosey." Elladan shot back.
"What was that?" Estel asked suddenly, hearing something rustle and screech.
"Orcs," a guard growled, Estel paled in fear, memories and pain all too recent.
"Come, we will move faster while we can." Elladan called, "stay with me Estel, you will be fine." He reassured the younger.
"They...they..."
"Estel, listen to me, they will not harm you as long as we are with you. Stay close to us. No even better." He suddenly pulled the surprised Human to his own horse and pulled an arm around him tightly, "now you cannot separate from me unless the horse splits in two."
"Thank you," Estel whispered, holding on tightly.
""Ro, Legolas, you still with us."
"Yes," they said in unison as they speeded through the forest, desperate to reach the border.
"The escort..." Elrohir noticed the other warriors were not following them.
"They will hold off the Orcs and go home when they can," Legolas explained.
A loud screech really made Estel shake in fear, "It's alright Estel; you're safe." Elladan whispered in his ear, hatred boiling deep within him, visions of their father's last moments burned in his mind.
"Elladan," Elrohir warned sensing his brother's feelings, knowing that he would happily go on a little vengeance fight at any moment.
"We cannot outride them for long," Elladan called above the ear piercing screeches which was hurting their highly sensitive elvish hearing, "we have to split," he told them, "make your way to Lórien and we will meet up when we can." He called veered sharply to the left, pushing his horse to its limits.
"Hold on Estel, we will loose them shortly." I hope. He tried to sooth his terrified brother.