Disclaimer: -sniff sniff- Still not mine...

Sry 'bout all the grammer and/or spelling mistakes.

Only four days! Omg it's another miracle... -.- Had a half-day today so typed it up quickly.. n.n Hmmm.. I think there was somethin' else I had to say..

Review Responses

Lynx Yamato - Was that soon? n.n

kell - Okey.. hope ya enjoy...

Zaio - I never know whether or not you peoples continue the fic... -shrugs- Well, I hope you're still enjoying it... n.n

SNAITF - It's alright. Sry if I over-reacted. It just.. yeah, I'll stop with that. I'm glad you're still enjoying this! n.n

HarryEstel - Heh.. well, got an even quicker update this time.. n.n Yeah, nothing ever does, huh? lol

empath89 - I do too! Believe me I do.. n.n;;; Yeah, it may have been a horrible cliffie but at least the update wasn't a long wait, right?

galadriel evenstar - n.n hope ya enjoy!

Mornflower - I didn't know that you were in basketball.. I don't think basketball season has started yet at my school... -shrugs- Lol.. poor you.. they don't seem to like your comments... -sniff sniff-

Deana - Well, here ya go... n.n

Thx so much for the reviews! Plz keep them comin'... n.n

Btw, some parts might not flow together or whatever cuz I wrote this over a period of, like, three days... stupid brother.. hoggin' the comp... -.-



If it's not one thing, it's another

Chapter Twenty-three

A Grave Battle

They had been fighting a hard battle. The three, who were already exhausted were starting to slow. However, they kept going, determined to fight to their fullest. They would not give up.. no matter what!

As they thought, the orcs had found Elrohir in a matter of minutes, so they had to protect him as well as themselves. Luckily, for Legolas, his once poisoned injury was healed enough so that it didn't bother him as much as before. He was, however, very tired from staying up taking watch the whole night.

So far they had only received minor injuries, for which all of them were very grateful. And they hoped it would stay that way.

Aragorn blocked an orc's attack and thrust his own sword into the orc's exposed stomache, cutting it deeply. The orc dropped, clutching its stomache; dying shortly after. The human had no break inbetween as another orc immediately came at him, except this time it was riding a warg.

The warg rider charged him; the orc's sword ready to slay the human.

Aragorn rolled out of the way, knowing that if he blocked the orc's attack the warg would just kill him instead, most likely biting into his unguarded side.

He quickly jumped up and stabbed the orc, dragging him down; before the warg had a chance to turn around.

The warg, now without a rider, charged argain, ready to bite deeply within the human's flesh. He dodged it again, and forced his sword through its neck. Instantely killing it.

Breathing heavily, Aragorn spared a moment to look around to see how his companions were fairing.

He saw that Legolas was doing well. He was worried, though, when he saw blood on his injured leg; around the same spot it other wound had been. One of the orcs must have struck him there. He knew that the elf's injury must be sending shoots of agony throughout his leg once more. However, Aragorn could tell that the archer was ignoring it; continuing on with the fight as though the injury had never happened. He was relieved to see that the blonde had no other injuries; (that he could see from the distance) only scratches.

Aragorn instinctively blocked an orc's blade when he felt like he was in danger. All the years of fighting he learned never to doubt his feelings, especially in a battle as fierce as this! He turned to the orc and fought it quickly, killing another. There were still so many left!

The ranger continued his survey and looked to the spot where they had left Elrohir. Elladan, of course, had stayed close to him, protecting him at all costs. Sure enough, both were still in the same spot. Elladan killing all orcs, and wargs, that came at him; making sure none got past him. The older twin had received many minor injuries. He had already been exhausted before this battle and now was coming to his limit. The only thing that kept him going was the need to protect his family.

Aragorn was unable to tell if Elrohir's eyes were open, but thought they were. It even seemed as though he were trying to get up to help his twin in the fight; obviously unable to so, though.

The human quickly refocused on his own enemies that he was currently fighting.

"Elladan!" Aragorn heard Legolas shout, desperately, after a few more minutes into the fight.

The human looked over just in time to see Legolas stabbed in the chest by an orc that had been after the distracted Elladan.

Aragorn's eyes widened in disbelief and shock. He saw the blonde elf drop his twin knives and pull the sword out of his chest. He smiled faintly, glad that he had been able to protect the dark-haired elf. And then the archer crumpled to the ground. For the first time in his life since he was a child, he froze, frightened.

Elladan killed the orc that had stabbed Legolas and then knelt next to him, not paying attention to his surroundings. He was relieved to see that the archer was still breathing, though it was shallow.

Aragorn snapped out of his shock and was immediately by their side, protecting them from the mases of orcs and wargs. "How does he fair?" He questioned his brother, while blocking an orc's attack, fearing what the response could be.

"Alive." Elladan answered, short and to the point. He looked around, not seeing either of the horses. He decided he would have to do without the herbs for now. What was important now was to stop the bleeding as soon as possible!

The elder twin tore a piece of his cloak quickly and tried to staunch the flow of blood, applying pressure. Legolas still let out a gasp of pain even though he was unconscious.

Elladan felt sympathy for the elf, but ignored it as best as he could and concentrated only on stopping the bleeding.

Aragorn, who was tempted to look at what was going on, couldn't even spare a second glance. He was being quickly overpowered by the creatures. He wished for help but would rather have Elladan treat Legolas than help him fight off the wargs and orcs. Legolas' life was much more important than his own.

A warg bit him in a leg causing him to fall. Fortunately, he was able to stay on his knees instead of falling all the way. Not a good position, but better than lying down! He thrusted his sword into another warg that was going for his neck. He had no time to kill the one connected to his leg when two other riders came upon him. He had to get up!

Aragorn swung his sword and struck the warg that was attached to his leg. It immediately let go, but his strike had caused the teeth to sink in deeper before releasing, sending even more pain through his leg.

The human now only had enough time to kill one of the wargs coming after him. He blocked the orc's attack; then killed it. Then went after the warg.

There was no way to kill the other!

Just when he was about to stab the warg and roll out of the way of the other he heard Elladan let out a frantic cry of "Legolas!?"

In worry; without thinking, he turned his attention to the two, knowing he should have stopped himself. But the plea sounded so desperate.

It looked like Legolas had stopped breathing and Elladan was trying to revive him. Please, no. He thought. If Legolas died then... well, he didn't know what he'd do.

Aragorn turned his attention back to his own battle, worried about Legolas' own life but knew that if he let these creatures get by none of them, especially Legolas, would stand a chance.

A warg was just about to bite him when a sword, seemingly from no where, tore open the warg's flesh, causing blood to ooze out.

The human looked at his savior in disbelief. It was Elrohir! Somehow he had regained enough consciousness, and strength to help. The younger elf stood unsteadily, but defiantly with an orc's blade in his hand. His own sword was with Mîr. None of them thought Elrohir woudl be alert enough to defend himself, let alone someone else!

"Good to haev your assistance, muindor-nín." Aragorn smiled.

The dark-haired elf just smiled faintly, not able to spare his breath.

He wondered how long Elrohir would actually be able to fight. Aragorn didn't think that it was that good of an idea for him to help him fight, but he really needed to help.The human wanted to check on Legolas and see how he was doing, but still wasn't able to. The last time he looked the elf hadn't even been breathing! He really hoped Elladan had been able to revive him!

Elrohir was only able to help for a short amount of time. His adrenaline wore off and exhaustion set back in, though he still did try to help.

An orc slipped by the pair and neither were able to stop it, being too preoccupied by the orcs and wargs they were already fighting.

Aragorn tried to get to Legolas and Elladan but couldn't get past the orcs that had blocked his path. He swore and fought even harder, hoping to kill them in time to help.

"Elladan! Behind you!" The human shouted above the clashing swords, seeing that he wouldn't make it. However, it was too late and the orc was already upon the elder elf. It started to bring down its sword when, suddenly, an arrow was in its neck.

Elladan let out a huge sigh of relief. He had looked up when Aragorn called his name, to find an orc above him. He was curious to where the arrow came from but focused on the task before him.

The injury that had been inflicted on Legolas took a while to stop bleeding and he wished he had some herbs for it.

Aragorn, however, was beyond worried, and looked around. He was ecstatic to see, not to mention hear, his father and some warriors ride up to them and join the battle.

When Elrohir saw them he immediately collapsed, not able to fight any longer and knew that they didn't need his help. The only thing that had kept him fighting was Aragorn's need for help.

The scene that Elrond and his warriors came upon horrified them. Elladan trying desperately to help the fallen Legolas. Aragorn and Elrohir trying to fight off the remaining orcs and wargs, which were too many in number for them. The younger twin looked to the point of collapse. And, sure enough, right when he spotted his father he did.

A quick look over and the elder elf saw that Aragorn had a deep bite on his leg that was still bleeding. He also had gashes all over. Elrond was surprised they had been able to last to his arrival.

The elf-lord brought his attention back to the battle and ordered his warriors to finish the orcs and wargs off. He went over to Elladan and Legolas, figuring the blonde was in a more dire situation than Elrohir. Why else would Elladan be helping the archer instead of his twin? Well, that would actually be a very difficult decision for the elf indeed, since he loved both very much.

"Estel! Help Elrohir!" Elrond shouted, hoping his son woudl hear over the screeches the creatures made as they were slayed. He saw the human drop next to his brother. That took care of that. He could fully concentrate on Legolas now.

"What happened?" Elrond immediately asked his eldest son. He had jumped off his horse and sat next to the two, checking Legolas' injury. It looked grim indeed. An inch higher and the sword would have pierced his heart. No wonder Elladan had been so involved in it to not notice an orc that was right next to him.

Elladan moved aside so his father could get in a better position to look. "He... he protected me." The elder son stuttered, feeling guilty. "An orc come at me when I was protecting Elrohir. I did not notice it in time and.. and he was stabbed instead."

Elrond could tell that his son felt horrible about the whole situation, looking at the wound he could see why. Luckily the sword had not struck his heart, so he should live if he hadn't lost too much blood. It was a very good thing that Elladan had been able to stop it, if not.. well, he didn't want to think about it.

"It is not your fault, ion nin." Elrond tried to reassure him.

"How do you know? You were not here when it happened." Elladan sighed in dispair. He felt terrible. He should have been paying more attention.

He watched his father's expert hands put herbs onto the wound.

Fortunately Elrond had brought along a lot of herbs and everything needed to treat injuries. He had, after all, expected at least one of them to be hurt since they hadn't returned. And here he found them in the throes of a battle! All were injured!

"Worry not about guilt or blame. Now is not the time. You shall have plently of it later." Elrond said, teasingly, trying to lighten the mood, though failing miserably. It was very hard to do when you had a near death patient in from of him. "You can ask Legolas, himself, how he feels when he regains consciousness." This did stop further protest from Elladan.

"Can I be of some assistance?" The dark-haired elf asked after a moment of silence.

"Aye, very gently lift him up so I can wrap the bandage around him. Make sure you do not re-open the wound. He cannot afford it." Elrond instructed. He had finished with the herbs and now needed to dress the wound.

Elladan did as he was told, glad to be of some use and carefully lifted him. He knew how to treat the wounded, he had done so for a couple millennia now, after all. Elrond had taught him almost everything he knew about the subject.

"My lord, we have diposed of all the enemies." Annûnnand updated Elrond on the current event. "We have no casualties; only injured."

"Very good news." Elrond said without taking his attention away from his patient. "As soon as Estel and I are finished we shall leave."

"Aye, my lord." The guard backed away, leaving the elf-lord alone to focus on the pale prince.

Aragorn had received access to the many herbs his father brought along. When he checked his brother over he was dismayed to find that the elf's wound on his abdomen had re-opened. However, he wasn't surprised. The elf had helped out in a very hard battle and for quite a while too.

The human also found a large gash on Elrohir's arm and various other cuts covering his body.

When the dark-haired elf had collapsed he had also fallen unconscious, much to Aragorn's dislike. He was just glad that Elrohir was alive, though.

Aragorn soon finished treating Elrohir and stood up, about to pick up Elrohir. It was then that he was reminded of the warg's bite in his leg. He instantely collapsed when the pressure was put on his leg and had to prevent himself from screaming in pain.

A warrior that had been walking by looked at him in a concerned manor and asked if he needed help.

Aragorn waved him off saying he was alright and set to treating the bite with the remaining supplies he had next to him.

"Are you ready, ion nin?" He heard Elrond's question. He looked up and noticed that he was carrying the unconscious Legolas in his arms.

"Aye." The human replied, standing up; almost falling again. A warrior caught him and helped him to Lor. The horses had returned to the site once the battle was finished, knowing it was now safe. They didn't want the three to have to protect two horses, as well as Elorhir, and themselves, so had fled.

Elladan had picked up Elrohir gently and mounted Mîr, knowing she wouldn't mind. Elrond also mounted his own horse, Faun.

Then they once again started off towards Imladris. This time feeling confident. They were sure they'd make it back without anymore mishaps. They had their father and many warriors with them. They could finally relax.. well, as much as you could on a horse and knowing that Legolas' life was still in grave danger.

Finally!! Man, I had this ready to post on Monday.. well, just needed to type it up. But I had no time! Gah.. it made me mad. My brother was on the comp, like, the whole time... -.- I was finally able to type it and post it, though.. and only within... four days! Crazyness! Alrighty... well, I think I'm actually goin' to write the next chapt to this again. Maybe I'll just finish this fic up and then continue the IY one.... hmm... -shrugs- dunno.. we shall see...

Plz Review!!

Ja ne