Chapter 20

"Halt." A sharp voice commanded, causing the weary travellers to jump.

"Haldir, let us pass, we are tired and have been chased all the way from Mirkwood." Elladan snapped.

"Mirkwood? By what?" the March Warden frowned.

"Ulaer." He spat the word like poison.

"Alright, we'll let the guards know they could be close." Haldir nodded.

"Thank you. can we go now?" Elladan used a dangerously irritated tone.

"Who is with you Elladan?" Rumil, one of Haldir's brothers asked.

"My brothers. Now stand aside." He growled.

"Dan, calm down," Elrohir noticed his twin was getting really annoyed, "that is Estel, our little brother."

"He is Human." Haldir stated.

"What is that supposed to mean Haldir?" Elladan grabbed the surprised Elf by the throat and pulled him off the ground to meet where he still sat on his horse.

"N-n-nothing..." he gasped for air.

"Elladan," Estel tried to shake his older brother only to be elbowed away sharply.

"Elladan," Elrohir was now by the older, "stop this now, you realise you just hurt Estel?"

The elder looked round to see the Human's nose was bleeding, if not broken. He let Haldir fall to the ground. "Estel, I'm so sorry, I never meant to..."

"Can I ride with you Ro?" he asked quietly.

"Of course pen neth." Elrohir smiled softly pulling his brother to his own horse.

"I'm going for a walk." Elladan growled leaving his horse and parting from the group.

Elrohir sighed in frustration, "come on I think we should get your nose looked at. Will you be alright Haldir?"

"Yeah, fine." He glared at the twin.

"I am sorry about Elladan; he's not having an easy time at the moment." He muttered guiding his horse through the trees of Lothlórien towards the vast hidden city of Caras Galadhon.

Elladan stalked through the woods, knowing what he had done was completely out of order, yet he had needed to let of some steam, and had hurt Estel in the process. He was angry at himself for hurting Estel more than anything, the fear in his little brother's eyes cut him so deep. He let out a yell in frustration and his fist connected with the nearest tree.

He let out a deep breath in attempt to calm down; all fell silent, save the screeches announcing Orcs were near, but the first patrol was not until a league into the forest, but it would be the perfect way to let off some much needed steam. Then he remembered his conversation with his twin, and decided against it, but it was too late.

An Orc jumped him from behind sending him to the floor. Elladan barely managed to get up and draw his sword before a large group of Orcs were on him barely giving him a chance to defend himself.

Twenty dead Orcs later Elladan was feeling tired and defeated. His sword arm had been broken and trying to wield the sword with his left was proving to be a little challenging. A sharp pain exploded from his now broken ribs. He swung his sword successfully decapitating another Orc, but another yell escaped his lips as an arrow lodged itself in his shoulder. Elladan turned to see Haldir smirking at him.

"You nearly killed me Elladan; I just want to return the favour." He smirked watching the other Elf struggle to remain standing, and conscious.

A sharp blow to the head finally sent the Elf down, all went dark.