-Seeking Hope-
25-12-04

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: As much as I want to I don't own any LOTR characters, places, monsters or anything else created by Tolkien, but I do own the characters and places, which I have invented or will invent or introduce. If you wish to use any of my characters or places, email me first.

Read the first chapter for additional notes and other information.

"TAR!" Estel screamed, pulling the horse around. Vorimaer had already stopped beside the fallen elf, and was standing over her in case danger decided to show itself. Estel jumped off her horse, which proved to be a stupid thing to do for it broke most of the stitchers in his leg.

"Tar, please get up. Please." Pleaded Estel, turning her over and shaking her uninjured shoulder.

Mornsuifuin suddenly pointed his ears to the right and bolted off. 'Some loyal horse you are' Estel thought to himself. Leaving when her master needs her. Tar began to shiver slightly. Checking the elf's pulse, Estel found that it was slow, too slow for comfort. Her fever had gone, but had been replaced by chills. Her pale face was now white, her lips turning pale blue, and her eyes were closed.

"Don't do this. Don't. Please wake up, please." Estel begged while gripping her hand tightly, trying to warm her. A small whimper from Tar told him she wasn't gone yet. The sound of hooves made Estel turn. Mornsuifuin was back, with company.

"Ro, Dan!" Estel yelled with joy.

"Estel!" Two identical voices cried a once, their owners leaping quickly off their steeds to embrace their little brother. Elladan was the first to notice his leg was bleeding.

"What happened Estel?" He asked, both worried and happy at the same time.

"Well, I was hiding from Tar when-" He began before remembering his companion. "Tar!" He yelled, beginning to pull his brothers over to the shivering elf.

Both his brother's faces darkened when they saw her. Dan bent down and began checking vitals and temperature while Ro questioned him. "Tell me what happened."

Estel didn't know where to begin. "Orcsattackedusandtarwas-"

"Slow down brother." Ro said, placing a hand over the boy's mouth. "Start again." He removed his hand.

Taking a deep breath, Estel tried again. "Orcs came out of nowhere. Tar killed them all but was hit in the shoulder with an arrow."

Ro was worried. "When did this happen?"

Estel quickly replied, "At dawn, why?" Now Elrohir was frightened. The poison must be very strong to bring an elf down in a day, more so Tarveth. If she died-. He shook such thoughts from his mind. He couldn't just stand there and watch his friend, his companion, die.

"Do you still have the arrow?" Dan asked, inspecting the wound. Now that the bandage was off, Ro could see the edges of the cut were bright red, but not from the blood. Estel answered his question, his eyes too noticing the colour of the wound. "She pulled it out then shoved the arrow into her pack."

His brother gestured to his horse, which came out of the shadows. Finding the arrow, Elrohir couldn't stop a whimper of pity. The head was barbed and the shaft had little splinters running along it, almost like thorns. A black substance coated the arrow's head, mixing with Tarveth's blood to form a brown colour. Elrohir knew this poison only too well, but it was very hard to make. How a group of orcs had gotten their shrunken hands on it puzzled him.

"She'd fading fast. We must get her to father quickly." Dan announced, finished checking her. "I'll take Tar on her horse cause it's the fastest. Ro, you take Estel and the other horses." He easily scooped up the unconscious elf and placed her on Mornsuifuin. "Wait, you'll need this." Ro called, running over and handing him the arrow. With a nod of thanks, Elladan hoisted himself up and with the words "Take care you two," was off, flying down the path towards Rivendell.

Estel was scared. "She'll be alright, won't she Ro? Ro?" He whimpered. Elrohir didn't answer, for he himself was scared he'd lose her before the dawn rose again.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

If the situation weren't so serious, Elladan would have been enjoying himself. Mornsuifuin was a joy to ride, giving a fast yet smooth journey, his hooves hardly touching the ground. However, this wasn't a pleasure ride. In his arms he held a shivering and unconscious Tarveth. Many times had himself or Elrohir had to be rushed back to Rivendell by her with life-threatening injuries, but never Tar.

She was always so careful, so well prepared, so skilled in battle. How she'd missed that orc or even allowed herself to be shot was a mystery. Tarveth was one of the best, if not the best warrior in the elven realms. Although Tar lacked strength, she made up for it in speed. Being both agile and quick in body and mind, she could outwit or out manoeuvre any opponent thrown her way. Never before had he seen her so weak. Never, except for that time when-

"Dan?" A weak voice whimpered. He almost fell of the horse. "I'm here Tar. It's ok." He spoke quietly. Even when on Mandos' door, Tarveth could still tell the difference between the two brothers. She, Estel and their father were the only three the mischievous twins couldn't fool.

"Where-?" Tar managed to whisper. Dan knew the rest of the question. "Not far now, just hang on. Please hang on my friend." Tar weakly nodded before closing her eyes and falling limply against his chest; her golden hair covering her white face, indicating she'd once again lost consciousness.

Dan pushed Mornsuifuin on, ignoring the fact that the horse was well past her limit. Sure enough, as the gates of Rivendell came into view, gleaming like a lighthouse in a storm, the mare staggered and collapsed, unable to continue.

Patting the horse's neck, Elladan whispered an apology to the horse. He'd have to leave Mornsuifuin lying here if he was to save Tarveth's life. The horse understood, and nickered as if to say get going. Carefully picking up the dying elf and holding her close, Elladan ran towards the healing house, the lights giving off a faint glow in the darkness. Tar was still shivering, but more violently.

"ADA!" He screamed, his voice carried in the wind. "ADA" He called again, reaching the great wooden doors of the house of healing. Unable to open them for he was holding the fading elf, Dan lifted his foot to kick down the doors but stopped when the face of his father suddenly appeared, having heard his cries and come rushing down, for he was still in his night clothes.

Taking in the situation in a glance, he quickly took Tar from Elladan's arms and calmly said "Wake Glorfindel, then proceed to the stores and fetch the herbs baselte and nickolet. Bring them to me in the healing wards."

Elladan flew off down the corridor towards Glorfindel's room and banged loudly on the door with his fists. Hearing the blond elf rise he shouted through the wood "Tar's injured. She's in the healing wing." Before running off. Behind him he heard the wooden door open and the elf bolt back the way he'd come.

Quickly gathering the two healing herbs from the storeroom he pelted to the room where Tarveth was. Elrond was carefully examining the arrow wound, and quickly looked up when he entered. Glorfindel wasn't to be seen, but Elladan guessed he was out on the balcony. Elrond took the herbs from him and shooed his son out of the room and closed the door.

Dan just stood there, suddenly taking in what might happen: Tarveth may die. He couldn't think about what they'd do without her. He and Ro had been around 5 (In human appearance and mind) when they'd first met her. She'd ridden from Mirkwood to see Lord Elrond. Tar was the only teenage elf in Rivendell, being 15, and the only elf besides Glorfindel who had light hair.

The twins were fascinated with light hair, but were afraid to talk to Glorfindel, for he was the mighty balrog slayer. Tarveth had gotten quite a shock when two identical young elflings had started asking questions about hair. Annoyed by the continues stream of questions, she'd told them that Glorfindel was a heavy sleeper and wouldn't wake even if you dumped cold water on him.

Elladan smiled for the first time that night remembering Glorfindel's scream that morning.

"Dan, is she ok?" Called out his twin, running up the stairs with Estel limping behind him, making Elladan return to the present. Elladan hung his head "I don't know." He murmured, his eyes fixed upon the floor. Neither Estel nor Elrohir spoke again.

Glorfindel suddenly opened the door, making all three jump. His face was white with worry, and for a moment Dan thought he could see fear in the elf's eyes. Glorfindel said nothing as he placed a tray bearing three cups in Dan's hands and closed the door. Too worried or tired to think, the brothers each drained their glass before leaning up against the walls. Dimly Elladan realised a sleeping drug had been in the drink, but was asleep before he could say anything.

The herbs are not real; well at least to my knowledge.

NOTE: In a rush to post so can't respond to reviews right now, but on New years Day I'll update this chapter with the responses and fix and mistakes. GTG now! cya.