CHAPTER SEVEN

When You Thought You Were Losing

It was dusk when the ranger went up to the door of the magistrate of the town of Farlost. He could not help but feel butterflies fluttering about in his stomach as though they were being chased around in a cruel game of tag. As he gripped the brass knocker and knocked he began to wonder if this had been a mistake. It was going to attract people's attention and that was not something that was going to be helpful right about then.

A man opened the door to the house and Aragorn asked in a firm voice that was aided by his urgency, "is the magistrate in? I come on the behalf of two friends of mine."

The man, who was obviously the butler said, "he is, but he is occupied with dinner guests right now." The servant did not like the look of this man. He looked wild and dangerous. Aragorn knew it, but he could not afford to worry about himself so much now. The butler asked warily, "can I take a message to him or would you rather come back later tonight?"

Aragorn persisted, "I need to see him for about two minutes. Please. I am running out of time." He did not care what was thought of him if only he could get his friends out of this mess. As far as the ranger was concerned, his reputation was soiled anyway for even siding with the Elves so why not damage it further?

The butler snapped, "you are running out of time and I out of patience! Give me a message to deliver or leave!"

Aragorn looked at the man and said, "I don't have time for this! My friends are in danger!" He glared lancets at the butler who had no difficulty reflecting them right back.

A deep voice behind the servant said, "let me through! If he wishes to speak to me, he may for what good it will do." An elderly man in body yet seemingly younger in strength and spirit stood before him and he was about the same height as Aragorn, which many men were not. Aragorn watched him for a moment and the man said, "what is it you wish to speak of boy?"

Aragorn frowned and gathered some courage before saying, "I have two friends you are holding in jail, one already beaten for no reason. They did no wrong and are suffering greatly. When are the trail dates and when are they to be released?"

The magistrate met his gaze with scorn and said, "you mean the two Elves. They are not to be released. As a matter of fact, I have already looked at the evidence and have agreed to let the only living family member have his death right towards them. They will be executed tomorrow."

Aragorn did not know what to say. This was all happening to fast and the world seemed to be spinning, or was that his head? He felt numb struck and all he could do was gape. Finally he managed to croak out, "you can't do that! They didn't do it! Please! Give us a chance to prove their innocence! If you were half the man you think you are-"

The magistrate cut Aragorn off and said, "look here. You are wasting our breath. How do you expect to prove them innocent? I will give you one day. If you cannot prove them innocent then they are to be executed the next day! I will say no more." With that he slammed the door on Aragorn and the ranger stared at for a moment.

Now whenever he closed his eyes he saw Legolas, Legolas laughing, Legolas being...well...Legolas. He wanted so much for things to be back to normal. He had never thought this was how his friend would die; yet it seemed this was it.

He had to admit to himself that the evidence was strongly against Legolas and Rothinzil. How could he counter it? He didn't know. As he looked at the snow glittering on the ground, he picked some up and sifted it through his fingers but he did not feel the coldness. A hot fire was burning inside radiantly with the will to save his friends.

Legolas sat by the bars of the cell and Roth was asleep again. Legolas frowned when he thought of how weary Rothinzil was. It was disturbing and he hoped that Roth was not getting too depressed. That too could kill an Elf.

Legolas knew his own body was weakening. The Mirkwood prince was scared and the dark was still pulling his heart down into the depths beyond the rock bottom. He jerked his head up as he heard the sound of boots on the cobblestone. It was a sound he had grown to fear to his private shame. But the way the boots hit the stones made Legolas think more of an Elf than a man and he knew that Aragorn had to be coming back.

At first his heart rejoiced, but his joy soon turned frigid and was extinguished as he recalled the men's threat. He was certain that they would carry it out soon. They had no reason not to and if Legolas was to die he did not want to die knowing that Aragorn had gotten killed trying to prevent it.

Roth woke and stirred a moment before sitting up and shivering. He asked in a quiet whisper, "Legolas, who is it? Who is coming? I heard something in my sleep."

Legolas answered with a slight frown; "Strider has come. It is well. You slept for roughly two hours, you know that?" he teased lightly. However it came across more as a scolding than a jest and Legolas recoiled secretly.

Rothinzil snorted, "I don't see anything else to do here and after what I went through I could sleep for weeks." Legolas gave a chuckle and shook his head. He brushed strands of blonde hair from his face.

Legolas looked at Aragorn as the man came striding up. He was walking fast and Legolas did not like the numb and lifeless look that his friend possessed. It was disquieting and it sent shivers down the blonde prince's spine that chilled his marrow. Something was direly wrong and in moments Legolas would know exactly what it was.

As Aragorn came up he saw that Legolas and Roth looked rather disquieted and so Aragorn knew that they did not know of their planned execution date for the next day, or really the day after. If they did know of it he was certain that Legolas would recoil into his peaceful demeanor and that so would Roth, either that or Rothinzil would go into a rage. But neither of them would act frightened at all. They would not give the town the satisfaction.

As the dark-haired ranger drew nearer, he leaned against the bars of Legolas and Roth's cell, rubbing his temples with his hands in frustration at his lack of fulfillment. Legolas watched for a moment and then sighed heavily, "something is wrong."

Aragorn looked down a the Elf and said, "these are the times I hate it when you are so perceptive of things." He drew a deep breath and then said, "have you hard anything?"

Legolas crinkled his brow and said with concern, "anything about what?" As Legolas said this, Rothinzil got up and walked over to be beside his prince. If something was really wrong, he wanted to know and he wanted to be ready.

Aragorn shook his head and said, "obviously you haven't." He looked at the two Elves and said, "you were scheduled to be executed tomorrow but I was granted one more day to prove you innocent."

Legolas just frowned and said to himself, "it seems that everything is just a day away." He looked at Aragorn with iced over blue eyes. "You have to leave Strider. You are in danger here, grave danger."

The ranger shifted away from the bars and said, "I think not. Legolas I would never abandon you or Rothinzil. I could not bear to have you two die and I gave up. I could never live with you two being dead anyway."

Legolas spoke softly, "I could not bear your death either, which is why I ask you to leave." He turned away from the human as though to say that this conversation was over and he request not up for discussion. Rothinzil looked at his prince and at Aragorn, then turned away.

He was no longer frightened, it was only a matter of time before he died and he had excepted that fact, though it had not come easily. After all he was a fairly young Elf, who was supposed to live forever and now was going to be hanged like a public felon. It was nearly too much and maybe, if it weren't for Legolas's presence he would have broken down already.

Aragorn began to speak, "Legolas...Roth...?..." It was no use, they had made up their minds.

The ranger, however, had not given up. He was going to save them, or die trying. As the dark-haired man walked away from their cell he asked himself how many times he had ever resolved to save them or die trying. It was often enough, concluded the man at length. But he also thought of the times that Legolas had done the very same thing and Roth had always been there no matter how much of a fool he proved to be or how much of a klutz he was.

If he abandoned them now he would regret it forever...and that is a long time.

Walking out it no the night, he looked back and saw that Rothinzil and Legolas were both sitting on the ground, unmoving. It was as though they were already dead.

Legolas looked at Rothinzil as his friend was looking at the wall and moving his lips silently, "what are you doing?" He raised a blonde brow in question and Rothinzil stopped and said somewhat sheepishly,

"Counting bricks. Care to give it a try?" he asked with a grin. He shivered slightly and Legolas felt anger rising again. True, Elves did not feel the cold so much as humans did, but they could still feel it and Rothinzil was shirtless. In truth, Legolas was surprised he was not seeing sanguine by now from his animosity.

Nevertheless, Roth's answer made him give a light and hollow laugh, "interesting. But, no, I do not care to try." He glared then and said, "Roth how cold are you? You are shivering!"

Rothinzil narrowed his eyes and said, "I am not shivering!" He was, but he was not going to admit that! He was an Elf and it would be more than humiliating. However, when Legolas fixed him with a look that was disturbingly enough like one that King Thranduil would give, Roth conceded and mumbled, "I am shivering."

Legolas took the cloak that had been his and wrapped it tighter about his friend. Smiling shallowly, the prince said, "this will all be over tomorrow."

"Yes," said Rothinzil as he returned the weak smile, "I suppose it will." He honestly was wishing it wouldn't be. He had so much he still wanted to do that he had put off because as far as he knew he was immortal and now he would never get to do it.

Legolas then shifted. He was bored and had to think of something other than what tomorrow would bring. "Rothinzil, what happened to you before I found you? After you ran away from the village you were raised in?"

Rothinzil said, "not much. I hardly think it is worth speaking about but if you really wish for me to tell you I will tell you enough for your peace." He drew a deep breath, "I was out in the wild for at least a month. I did not eat, I weathered storms and such. Then you found me and refused to leave me alone or let me be imprisoned for trespassing." Legolas gave a sigh and he frowned,

"I do remember that. It was rather tragic when I saw you. However, all these years I have pondered whether it was you saved me or I saved you. And now I think I know..." He locked his bright azure orbs with Rothinzil's hazel ones and said, "you saved me."

Rothinzil wrinkled his forehead and asked softly, "how so?"

"To save you was to save myself as well, I think," answered the prince at length. "I was grieving over my mother's death and ready to sail, but I was trying to find a reason to stay. Then I found you and I realized that if I rescued you, you would need help and I wanted to be the one to help you. But you opened up my heart. Before you came along I had grown away from my father even. I had built a wall around my essence and armed it with thorns, but you were hurting enough that the pricking of the thorns seemed pleasant compared to everything else I suppose and you never let me alone either." He gave a chuckle. "Eventually I think you broke your way in."

Rothinzil smiled, "So in the end it worked both ways. I saved you and you saved me. The difference with me was you only had to scale a wall that was already crumbling."

Legolas smiled and said ethereally, "in the end." And whatever end they would come to tomorrow, they would never forget how they had saved each other's hearts when all they both had wanted was somebody who had cared.

Both of the Elves could not really see each other anymore. It was night and everything was dark. But they knew that if they looked at one another that the other would be bearing a smile as bright as the sunlight.

Aragorn walked softly through the snowy world that had turned into night. He kicked up bits of snow and slush with his boot toe as he walked the empty streets. It was a bit eerie, but not unlike anything he had ever seen before.

The man let the wind whip his cloak and hood around him and the air bite his face. He had become so hot inside with the want to free his friends that he did not feel the cold. Most would have taken it as an exaggeration, but it was real. The ranger watched the sky, the stars were veiled and everything bleak in the dark, for even the moon was gone to sleep for the night beneath blankets of cloud.

Aragorn sighed and wished that he could see the stars. Raised by Elves, they brought him a new hope that he desperately needed at this hour. He watched the sky for minute longer, before deciding to look at the ground. The snow seemed dull and lifeless as it had no starlight to reflect or moonlight. Had everything died when the Elves were condemned? It seemed so, and perhaps he had died more than just a little.

He wondered if these people, these men, saw the danger of their folly. The Valar would certainly not be pleased with them and their unnecessary cruelty towards the immortals. If they ended Legolas or Rothinzil's life it would be their own death sentence they had also signed in elvish blood.

Aragorn could hear the night watchman crying out he time. It was eleven. Yet, it seemed later with out the light or the Valar in this cursed place. Aragorn wished his brothers were with him, He so desperately wanted guidance, but they were not here. He had run away from them and so in his mind had also abandoned them. He wondered if that was what they thought of him.

But it was his time to go alone. His test, his struggle and he would never ask them to put themselves in danger. Besides, he really wasn't alone, was he? They were part of him. He couldn't feel them by his side, but he knew that in heart they were with him.

Aragorn was so in thought about what he had done wrong and what he could do now to make things right that he did not see an obvious danger.

Calmir watched wit his four men as the ranger paced the streets anxiously. They did not know him, but they did know this, he was close to the Elves and he was very near freeing him though they were sure the other did not know it. Calmir looked at Kushor and said, "if he frees those damn Elves the blame will fall on us and we will be arrested." Calmir shifted his short sword in his hand restlessly. He had killed before and he could do it again. "If I can't have those Elves I want them dead. They are animals anyway."

Kushor nodded by his partner's side. "What about the horses? Where did the men of he town put them?" He pulled his cloak tighter about himself as he felt the icy bite of the wind.

"They rounded them up in the corral just outside of town. We can get them if we hurry and make it to The King's in two more days."

"Not if that man frees those Elves and they get their names cleared," answered Kushor quickly. All of the thieves knew it was only a matter of time.

Calmir drew his sword out and said, "that is why he isn't going to be around to testify for them and they will die tomorrow." The others followed Calmir's example and drew their swords out. The blades glowed with a dull evil in the dark. It was as though they longed to immerse themselves in blood once more.

Aragorn halted, for he could have sworn he had heard the crunch of frozen slush beneath feet. His hearing was greater than that of most men and seldom failed him. He did not make a move like he knew that the noise had been made. He did not want to give himself away yet and by this he kept the element of surprise on his side.

However, he loosened his sword in its sheath beneath the cover of his cloak. The ranger had expected trouble at some point, just not yet. He was not afraid, but the man began to wonder how many there were and if he could go against them all.

He heard the snow crack behind him under a man's weight and he whirled around brandishing his sword and as he did so he looked straight into the steely eyes of Calmir. The other man just gave a ghostly smile and said, "you know it is dangerous for a man to walk after dark. People can get hurt."

Aragorn said, "true, but if you know where the vipers nest you can avoid them." It was meant to goad the man on into making a rushed move that would be easy for Aragorn to counter.

Calmir remained cool and said, "but vipers are masters of trickery. They can strike without you even knowing it and you find yourself flat on your back before you can blink and then it is too late." He took a step towards the ranger and Aragorn remained firm. This unnerved Calmir and he thrust his sword at the dark-haired Elf-friend.

Aragorn blocked the bow and metal clashed upon metal with sharp clangs. In the distance a dog howled and a deadly flame now kindled in Calmir's eyes. Men came three men came from different directions and Calmir grinned coldly, "you are out numbered here Elf-friend! Go away from here or taste death."

Aragorn looked at them and felt his heart beating in his chest; hard and fast as fear sped it up. "No," he managed. Then his voice hardened and held its own touch of ice and steel, "never."

Calmir smiled and said, "don't say I didn't warn you."

Aragorn quickly raised his sword just in time to bock one of the sweeping blows made by Kushor. These men were skilled in fighting and it was a little disturbing.

Calmir aimed his blade for the ranger's middle and the younger man quickly knocked the sword from the other's hand and it spun off into the snow and slid to a stop near an old house that looked as though it had seen enough service and was ready to collapse. Calmir lunged for it but Aragorn grabbed the elder human's cloak and through him down to the ground with his naked blade placed delicately on Calmir's neck.

His victory was short lived when Kushor ran up and struck the ranger with the flat of his sword in the back and Aragorn went down with a cry. Calmir got up and would have killed the young Dúnadan, but that would be too easy.

He pulled Aragorn up by the front of his tunic and then kicked him in the stomach. Aragorn felt hot pain blaze in his abdomen and the urge to throw up tugged at the back of his throat. However, he kept his gaze filled with ice, though it was far more of a challenge than he ever would have thought. Calmir snorted, "not so tough now are you?" He threw the ranger backward into the arms of Kushor and another man.

They gripped the ranger's arms and kept him still as Calmir drew up to stand before Aragorn with an evil grin on his face. "I would kill you, but that would be too good for you Elf-lover!" With that he drew back his fist and slammed it into Aragorn's face, rocketing the young man's head back.

Biting back a cry, the man looked at Calmir with a fierce look of utter defiance. Blood came from the young ranger's mouth in a small trickle. Calmir dealt another blow and it struck Aragorn's defenseless stomach. The younger mortal doubled over as far as the grips on his arms would allow.

Calmir would have beaten the ranger senseless and then killed him, but a shutter banged open and a voice yelled out, "what is going on?" They had been discovered.

Kushor looked at Calmir and said quickly and with a touch of fear in his voice, "we have to go. Leave him."

Calmir nodded and Aragorn was dropped to the ground. The snow felt so good against his swollen face that he welcomed it. But he saw Calmir's boots before his face and he heard the other whisper lethally, "this isn't finished ranger. We will hunt you down."

Aragorn said nothing and listened as the men left in a flurry of flying snow and scuffles of ice against their boots.

Even when he knew they were gone the young man just lay there in the snow and slush. It felt cool on his burning face though it froze the rest of him. He watched as the snow beneath his face turned a disturbing shade or crimson from the blood of his lower lip.

It felt so good just to lay on the ground and he closed his eyes. As he lay there he thought of how he had failed his friends and of all that had transpired that night.

But as Aragorn lay there, it was then he realized what his friends' deliverance could be. It could be found in the obvious. Two Elves could not steal so many horses. Besides that they had no motive. Elven horses are better than the horses of mortals by far, for they can understand the Elven speech. He was also sure that once the magistrate discovered he was dealing with killing an Elven prince whose father could have the town leveled in less than an hour he might be more easily talked into ruling in a favorable way.

Why had he not thought of this earlier? As the man watched the snow he saw it begin to sparkle. The stars had come back out and were adding light out the darkened world. The clouds had passed by and a brilliant light shined down from the celestial bodies. It was so bright and wonderful it made the ranger want to cry. Hope was rekindled and he thought that maybe now they had a chance.

Rising onto his knees, the man wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his sleeve. Then, he sheathed his word, but not before looking at the light of the stars glittering in it like sparks of white flame or rare jewels and pearls.

He thought it unique and more than a little comforting that only in the darkness of night you could see the stars. Otherwise, there light was unlooked for and so did not stand out. He also thought it odd that in the great darkness, they forced one to look up and not at the ground all the time.

As Aragorn began to walk back towards the jail he felt his spirits rising.

Elrohir walked slowly into Elladan's room after taking along nap. His hair was a bit frizzy, but he was in his own home and he was still not feeling the best. As he walked into Elladan's room, he saw that his brother was watching the sun set, as he loved to do. The leaves turned golden and orange in the fading light. "Elladan?" asked Elrohir in a whisper.

Elladan did not answer for a moment and then he said, "He is out there on his own Ro and it makes me sad. He is growing up. He doesn't need us all the time anymore." Elladan promised himself he would not cry, but it was difficult. This time had come too soon and the fact that it had caught him off guard when he had prepared for it for so long in his heart cut into him deeply, it cut so deep it hurt.

Elrohir sighed and went up beside his brother, his own gray eyes looking into the sunset as he spook, "He still needs us."

Elladan drew a deep and labored breath as he fought the urge to grieve, "then why aren't we there?" he asked. It was a question Elrohir had asked himself but had hoped he would not have to confront. It was because of him, his wound; his weakness. It was his weakness that was keeping them from Estel.

Elrohir did not answer and Elladan knew what his brother was thinking. He did not say anything other than, "you need rest 'Ro. Go back to sleep. It is dark now and there is just a bit of purple clinging to the twilight."

Elrohir shook his head and conceded, "for your peace I will go to bed even though I just got up."

Elladan suddenly said over his shoulder as Elrohir turned and was walking wearily out of his room, "Elrohir, it is not your fault. This was the test we had all been waiting for. If you taught that boy half was well as I think you have, he will not fail."

Elrohir just gave a hollow grin, "you had a hand in his training as well, so don't call yourself short Elladan!"

Elladan just gave a short laugh that ended rather abruptly, "yes, well, I was talking about you. But now that you mention it, I did do a rather fine job, did I not?" He turned around and watched as Elrohir spun about to meat his eyes.

"Elladan, I don't know what you are talking about" declared the younger twin with a sarcastic grin. Then he looked a bit weary and lowered his gaze, "but I think I will be going to bed now. Tell Ada good night for me."

Elladan felt his short lived smile fade, "I will. You just get better Elrohir."

Erestor sat in the chair of his study, maps before him. He was studying them earnestly. It had been long since the counselor had dared to venture out of Rivendell and even though Glorfindel may know where they were going he wanted to know it as well incase the Gondolin Elf made an error.

When Glorfindel came in and saw Erestor pulling over old maps and books he said, "oh please! You trust me no better than this?" Seeing Erestor doing this was rather insulting.

Erestor looked at him with a wrinkled brow and said somewhat calmly and in a matter-of-fact voice, "not only that. If something should happen to you (and I am sure it will) I would like to know my way home." He rolled up the map and put it back in the shelf he had taken it from.

He started to put away another and then he narrowed his eyes and held it aloft for Glorfindel to see. It had wrinkles in it where it had obviously been folded. The creases cut through some of the names and made an ugly mess. "By the way Glorfindel, roll the maps, do not fold them!"

Glorfindel snorted and said, "that was what Elladan did when he asked to borrow the map that I borrowed from you!" If this was how Erestor was going to be the whole way to Mirkwood, he did not want to go with him, rather with a pack of cruel orcs and wargs than this pushy Elf that seemed to think he knew all.

Erestor shook his head, "so you say! Is your stuff packed yet? I want an early start tomorrow,"' he said rather quickly as he began to roll the maps and put ledgers away.

Glorfindel leaned against the door-post and said in a quiet voice, "how early?" He certainly did not feel like getting up before the sun and if that was deal, too bad for Erestor.

The raven-haired Elf shifted his glance up at Glorfindel and said, "the sooner the better, around sunrise I would say." The reaction was not unexpected as he saw the golden-haired Elf-lord's jaw drop.

"Leave at dawn or up at dawn?" he asked in a stammer. He was all for an early start, but leaving at dawn would be too much. He doubted if he would be truly awake by then. Also, he figured that Erestor would be rather grumpy. He did not fancy to ride with a grumpy Elf, especially if he was of the same mind.

Erestor snorted and said, "I think leaving at dawn is best. Then we can get a better start and cover more ground before nightfall." He brushed some raven hair out of his face and set a book on top of some others on the side of his desk.

Glorfindel closed his eyes and passed a weary hand over them. No! "Erestor, you are going to bed early then?"

Erestor nodded, "right after I put everything away. And yourself?"

Glorfindel opened one eye and looked between his fingers almost shyly, "as soon as I get over my shock." Now he really needed a cup of good tea and if that did not work he was going to wake Elrond and beg to be drugged. Erestor never went to bed early. He read until around one and still got up early...

Erestor seemed not to notice what was said so the blonde Elf-lord was utterly amazed when the ebony haired Elf said, "you complain too much."

Glorfindel rolled his eyes as he removed his hand from his face and glared at the other. However, he was to in the mood to argue. He stood, watching Erestor arranging books and papers for a moment before asking in a quiet voice, "you don't mean to take all that with you?"

Erestor looked up at the Balrog-Slayer with a frown, "of course not! That would be folly! I may bring a map or two but that is all! However, if I wished to bring more you could not tell me otherwise!"

Glorfindel just shook his head. He honestly had more important things to think about. "Good night Erestor." As the Gondolin Elf left the room he heard a hastily mumbled 'good night' returned and he smiled wryly.

As he left and was heading to his room he felt a hand suddenly grip his shoulder tightly and spin him around. Fears of Dark Elves flashed through his mind as he thought about what had taken place only a few months ago. Then he heard a familiar voice ask in a faint whisper, "Lord Glorfindel where are you going?"

"Ancú? Should you not be resting?" asked Glorfindel in a surprised breath. He had not seen the Elf warrior that was like a son to him since he came back to Rivendell with the twins. At least he knew that the younger immortal was healing well.

Ancú looked at Glorfindel and said, "Glorfindel can't I come with you and Erestor? I am well, Lord Elrond just insists that I stay in bed because I think I get on his nerves from time to time and I think that I should come with you as the Captain of The Guard-"

He was cut short, as Glorfindel said; "No it is winter. Elrohir was having trouble with his wound and his had healed quicker than yours had! A torn lung is not something to be taken lightly and I do not feel like hauling your frozen corpse home. Ancú, if you died I don't think I could bear it."

"You raised me to always fight and never give in and that is what I am going to do," he argued adamantly and with a flash of his hazel eyes that caught the starlight of Rivendell.

Glorfindel snapped back, "Ancú you are not coming. The twins need looking after and lets face it, other than Elrond you are about the only one who can really bully them around." He placed his hands gently but firmly on the dark-haired Elf's shoulders, forcing him to look into his eyes. "Do I not have enough to look after with Erestor coming? He can't have used a sword for near two millennia! I can't be fighting orcs and looking after you and Erestor. You and I both know that would be suicide!"

"Erestor can't even fight, so why should he get to go and I am left behind? Glorfindel-" contended Ancú angrily as he pulled away from the golden-haired Elf's grip.

"Erestor is better at negotiations than you will ever be and that is a fact!" said Glorfindel with a laugh. "You are a warrior and so am I. All it takes to go and deliver a message to Thranduil and talk to the king is a counselor and a warrior to protect the counselor and help him as he needs it. However, if you wish to go, talk to Lord Elrond about it. I certainly do not fancy traveling with Erestor myself."

Ancú turned around to leave and said, "admit it Glorfindel! If anything happened to Erestor that put his life in danger you would never forgive yourself! If he died...you would not be able to bear it!"

Glorfindel chuckled and said, "I admit that having him die would not be exactly what I want, but never forgive myself? Somehow I doubt it." He sighed and said, "Elbereth help me tomorrow and Elbereth help Erestor if he doesn't shut up and let me guide him over the mountains. I am expecting the goblins will be up to mischief and it will be a miracle if one of us is unscathed by the time we get home." He shook his head and smiled at Ancú, "I actually wish that you could come now. That way one could argue and another could keep watch."

Ancú glanced around Glorfindel and down the hall to Erestor's room where the candle was still lit and light was shining out from the doorway. "You do the arguing, I'll do the watching. Or at least that is how I would like it should I go with you and Erestor."

Glorfindel laughed as he began to walk towards his room, "so you would give me the hard part? That is just like you!" he teased gently as he suppressed a yawn. Ancú watched Glorfindel go and he shook his head. For being so much older Glorfindel acted like a young Elf of only two thousand years at times and it was more than a little disturbing. Ancú guessed it came from being reborn or living with the twins, perhaps the both together.

He knew that Glorfindel was a great warrior though and had helped teach the twins and himself. For Glorfindel he had great respect, like that between a father and son. It was Glorfindel who along with help from Erestor and Elrond had raised him as an Elfling.

TBC ...so...will you review please? Sorry this was found it fit to punish us for the little story that Tin decided to post. We were not allowed to post until 11-6-04! Grrrrrr...It ws not our fault.Okay...at least not entirely.

And a late Happy Halloween to you all! –grin- And finally...some ranger hurtsies...as Snow Glory puts it.

Review responses:)

Deana: Here it is! LOL Thank you for reviewing.

Beling: Yes, that is a frustrating thing to read. Sorry. Thanks for sticking with us! We bow to you! Beleg and Turin are in the Silmarillion and have a full 'chapter' all to themselves. It is a very sad story, one worth reading. It is under the chapter title: Turin of Turambar. Give it a whirl! You can find out even more about their adventures in the Unfinished Tales. Thank you so much for reviewing. Your reviews are always so thoughtful.

Snow Glory: Well, we are on a lot of author alert list, but hardly hear from anyone. If that explains anything. –insert doubtful snort- Glad you like this story and thanks for reviewing!

Sabrina: Awwww...thanks. Another Rothinzil fan! Yay! Glad to hear you are reading the previous one. It is easier to understand that way. But like we said in the disclaimer, not necessarily needed. Thank you for reviewing.

Leela 74: -blushes- glad we made your day so special. We feel honored. LOL So you actually can see the character's personalities? Thank you! That is such a high complement. You are too nice! LOL Hope you had a good vacation! Thanks for reviewing.

elitenschwein : Wow! Lot of reviews here! Let us see...Oh yay! Someone likes the flashbacks! Ack! Yay! ...next review...Awww...yes, we thought that scene was touching too, glad you caught that.

Aragorn: why would I not? I love getting tortured if the ladies like it! The say it makes me drool worthy. I think it makes me sick.

US: Shut up and go get captured NOW! Or you are fired!

Aragorn: -meekly- sorry...

OH YES! To be on the receiving end of the twin's anger would be scary without a doubt. But we agree, Glorfindel can take it! They hopefully can't be worse than a Balrog...or Lord Elrond...hopefully. You know trees that talk? We aren't alone! LOL...next review...LOL...You love long chapters? We love writing them! –places Aragorn in cage and pokes ticked ranger with a stick- ranger snarls- him? Intimidating? No! He's cute! Would you not agree Legolas? –Legolas runs for the hills- Nevermind...Yes, they are all worried over each other and who is going to eat when. Funny huh? Tin snickers Well actually the men are not evil, just frightened of what they don't understand (again). But they are acting rather evil. They most likely have a dark aura or something of the like. What? The twins pessimistic? Never! Where did you ever get that from? Rule of thumb dealing with Aragorn and Legolas: assume the worst...always. Trust us and experience...it WILL happen, and it is only a matter of time. Heartwarming...between Erestor and Glorfindel? Are you crazy? We aren't alone! LOL See, they can be friends...when they have to be, they prefer not to be. But it is possible...we suppose...just like Tin and I. LOL –sounds of intense scuffle- authoresses return straightening hair and clothes. Like we were saying...possible...but "preferred" hardly describes it. LOL

Nefhiriel: Hehehehe. Thanks. We try to post everyother day, but thanks to we had posting delays. Although -grin- we kind of had it coming.

Astievia: We wanted to post, but wouldn't let us. Do you know how frustrating it was not to be allowed to post?

Shadowfaxgal: Thanks for reviewing us, it is really great to hear that people like our story, esp. when we are depressed & angry at for not letting us post, grrr...LOL.

Thanks for the many reviews. We love them.