Immortal
No Choices Left

It seemed so easy a thing, to ignore his greater wisdom and enter the deeper parts of the mountain to banish from the world those that would have taken his sons from him, but the Lord of Rivendell remembered also Galadriel's words.

Looking into the darkness of the doorway, he saw them enter with the will to seek out the revenge that seemed so temptingly sweet and goblins waiting in ambush for them. They swarmed over the Prince of Mirkwood as he entered, taking hold of his shirt. Blow after blow came against the young Elf as he fought hard to get away, but could not. Angered by his struggles the goblins gripped his wrists, forcing his arms apart even as he struggled. "Stop your squirming!" one of them hissed, drawing a dagger and bringing it to the young prince's chest. Elrond saw his son cry out in fear at what was about to happen, unable to go to his friend's aid because of the creatures that surrounded him. The Elf-lord tried to go and rescue Legolas from the certainty of death, but Haldir stopped him with force, taking his shoulders and yelling, "No, my Lord! You mustn't endanger yourself!" Blood poured forth, wetting the Wood-Elf's tunic as the dagger was pressed down into his flesh at the heart, his captors too tired of his struggling to allow him another moment's breath.

A wave of sickness covered the Lord of Imladris as the vision faded, leaving the pale face of the dying Prince Legolas a fresh image on his mind. Elrohir shook his head, lowering his blade as he watched his father in concern. "Ada? Ada, are you all right?"

"No, we must leave," he replied, bringing himself out of it. He motioned them forward, conscious that even as he stepped forward, Legolas stepped back, his expression growing angry.

"Will you leave them to hurt others?" he demanded, his eyes still pleading for the Elf-lord to make this okay.

Elrond shook his head. "Legolas, we are still in very real danger here."

"We have overcome great odds this night. We can overcome still," Legolas retorted.

Forming a response, Elrond opened his mouth to speak it and even as he did he saw movement behind the prince. With this sudden insight he hissed, "Get away from there!" but as he said it a shadow appeared. The ambush had grown tired of waiting. He raised his sword in preparation.

His son whipped around just as one of the creatures shoved at him, causing him to fall to the hard floor. Elrohir was quick to respond, taking the goblin with his sword, beginning the battle.

Another took Legolas by surprise, dragging him back towards the doorway. Two others came out, hitting him and grabbing for his arms, and Elrond feared his vision would come to pass even though he had chosen against allowing this madness to continue. He could not be held back. Glancing back, seeing Haldir poised and ready to fight, distracted, he bolted towards the goblins as his son finished off his attacker and joined him.

"No, my Lord!" the Marchwarden yelled protectively, but it was already too late for him to stop the Lord of Rivendell.

Elrond was quick to come against the one he had seen stab Legolas in his vision, raising his sword to prevent the terrible end he had forseen. Totally unprepared for so personal an attack, the goblin fell easily, taking Elrond's blade to the stomach with a shrill cry. Before he could recover his sword one of the others grabbed Elrond by the shoulder, using the brute strength of the Orc kind to twist him away and shove him up against the stone wall. It raised a gauntleted fist, back-handing the Elf-lord with a force that made him dizzy. He fell back, fighting to remain conscious as his eyes closed of their own volition.

Amidst the pain he heard his son cry out not long before the voice of Legolas joined his in a much more terrible way. His heart raced as he imagined he had failed to protect the youth. With a growl Elrond shoved his foe off of him long enough to see Legolas on the floor, on his hands and knees. The Prince of Mirkwood held his hand to his chest protectively, then drew it away, looking at his palm with wide eyes. There was blood there and standing above him a goblin wielding a knife. He had failed. Shaking his head, now ready to give in to the pain and anger that so dominated his emotions, Elrond jerked his sword from the floor and turned, watching another creature hit Legolas over the head. The prince collapsed then and the Lord of Rivendell raised his sword, re-entering the fray.

With the aid of Haldir protecting Elladan, father and son ended the remaining goblins in a small bloodbath and by the end of it Elrond was exhausted emotionally, battered and bruised just like the old days of battle in his youth. He sheathed his sword and pointed to Elladan, asking the Marchwarden, "Will you please check on him?"

Making an effort to sit up with help, Elladan groaned and shook his head. "I'm fine, Ada. What of Legolas?"

As Elrond looked down upon the fallen form the words Galadriel had said came back into his recollection. She had told him that his sons were in danger of falling into darkness, that whatever happened here would decide their fates. Kneeling and taking Legolas by the shoulder, he carefully turned him over and looked down at that pale, young face. He felt suddenly very tired of this world. It asked so much for the fleeting moments of joy it allowed. He did not want to tell his sons that their friend had been slain.

But as his heart lamented his eyes caught something, so he looked closer. It was the movement of the prince's chest, betraying the breath of life still moved within him. The Lord of Rivendell felt along his tunic, and then ripped the fabric apart at the tear to see the wound that should have taken his life. Beneath he saw blood, but only a surface scrape along the center of his skin. Something must have prevented the killing blow from taking place. Relief flooded Elrond like a cool stream. "He lives!"

Elladan, satisfied, lay back against the rocky floor again, breathing, "Thank the Valar."

"Indeed," Elrond responded, wiping blood from his broken lip as he let the last hour's tension bleed away from him through a moment of peace. He could feel his bruises and cuts intensely just now, not to mention the scars that his heart had acquired. If the threat of further battle did not linger over them he would have been content to rest a while, but he knew they had to be out of here soon before goblins were left mustered up courage enough to attack again.

He looked up as the Marchwarden of Lórien spoke, cleaning his sword on the leather tunic of a fallen goblin. His tone was reproving. If Haldir was one thing, he was free with his tongue. "This was a foolish venture. If one is inclined to hunt down the servants of darkness he should have the sense about him to bring along a suitable number." He gave Elladan a pointed look. "Three is not that number in this case." Elladan grunted in reply, stubbornly refusing to admit any more guilt than he already had.

Elrond pursed his lips, once more gazing down at the fallen Prince of Mirkwood. "Worry not. My sons will hear all of my thoughts concerning this once we're safe at home. Would you be so kind as to aid my son outside?" Haldir nodded respectfully and knelt down beside the groaning Prince of Rivendell. Elrond then looked to Elrohir. "Take my horse and run back to where you left yours. Quickly."

"Of course, Ada," Elrohir agreed and headed up the curve.

As he watched Haldir aid his eldest son's faltering steps, Elrond murmured, "I have my work cut out for me." Elladan was in no immediate danger of death, but neither was he in any state that his father felt comfortable with. He himself was worse for wear and the Prince of Mirkwood had certainly not been helped by this battle. In a hasty examination, Elrond probed along the back of his head where he had been hit, finding it wet back there. Legolas groaned, his eyelashes fluttering. Bringing his fingers out and looking them over in the wan light, he saw blood there. Quickly running his hand along the wounded flesh again, Elrond assessed the severity of it. The cuts were minor; the goblin must have been wearing gauntlets with sharp edges on them when he hit Legolas. This one would have to be handled with care.

Now half awake, his brow knit in pain, Legolas whispered raggedly, "Did we get them?"

Elrond nodded and watched as the Wood-Elf opened his eyes halfway. "We got them, penneth. Can you stand?"

"I think," Legolas answered, attempting to push himself up. He groaned at the effort and accepted the help Elrond offered.

As they stood the Elf-lord noticed the younger was very quiet and not very quick to meet his gaze. "How do you feel?" he asked, not wanting to push the prince, but not wanting he should bury his pain again.

Touching the back of his head, Legolas winced, then exhaled tiredly. "Foolish," he admitted, looking up finally. "I am sorry I did not listen to you. I just wanted to find justice."

The Lord of Rivendell gently urged him towards the curve, ready to lend a helping hand if needed. "We all let hurt get the best of us. I am sorry I did not insist sooner. You see I was tempted to follow you."

That caused the prince to look surprised. "You were?" Elrond nodded. Legolas frowned and winced again as he took a step up. "I could have gotten you killed, you and Elrohir."

"Now is not the time for self-reprove. We have survived and should accept that blessing without regret. Learn from our mistakes and our pain." Once free of the dark cave, they stepped into the night air just as Elrohir rode up with the horses and dismounted to help Haldir get Elladan seated on his horse. Elrond helped Legolas down from the mouth of the cave and to the borrowed horse that was waiting for him. Once Legolas was on the mare, the Lord of Rivendell gave him a curious look. "How did you avoid taking that blade to the chest?"

The Prince of Mirkwood shook his pained head, then shrugged with a wan smile. "The one you had killed before being dragged off…the goblin holding my right arm tripped over him and let go just as the other made ready to kill me. I shoved his blade away."

The close call made Elrond exhale, rolling his eyes as he mounted. "We are indeed very fortunate. Now if we could manage to get home in one piece, perhaps we can put this whole affair into perspective." He looked to Elladan, who favored his wounded side. "Perhaps we can learn how to avoid it happening again, hmm?" His son nodded with a degree of shame in his expression.

"Are you very angry, Ada?" he asked, sharing a look with his brother.

Elrond shook his head, looking out towards the way back home. "I was at first, but not anymore. I am only glad I have not lost my sons." He inclined his head to Legolas. "Or their true friend." He looked to the Marchwarden, seeing those keen eyes trained on the mouth of the cave. He could guess what Haldir would be thinking, too, so without delay, he said, "Come. We will speak of this more when we are out of danger." Haldir nodded his tactical approval of that statement.

The rest of the trip would prove to be quiet, Elrond foresaw. He quite looked forward to it.

Author: Ruse

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine and nor is Elrond, unfortunately, nor Legolas or Aragorn. No infringement intended.

Sindar:
1 – Penneth. – Young one.

A/N: Almost done! whew Thanks for tuning in!!