Chapter 11: Discovery
Elladan and Elrohir rode for long days and well into the night for most of them. They slept in the saddle when they had to, and allowed their horses breaks during the heat of the day. They didn't want to be unkind to their beloved animals, and often stopped just to give them a break.
"We've been traveling for nearly two weeks, and have seen nothing of Estel or Legolas!" Elrohir cried. "What if we do not find them?" He didn't want to voice his concerns, but it had been quite a long time to see no trace of their brother and friend.
"I do not know," Elladan replied shortly, not wanting to think about that. "Perhaps we will be able to find word of them soon." Elladan knew they were still two weeks' ride from Fleniar and he too was growing increasingly worried about their brother and friend.
"Perhaps," Elrohir repeated, rolling the word around in his mouth and not liking the sound, or feeling, of that word. "I wish we could know for sure."
Elladan smiled. "I wish we could as well. Come, brother, we must continue and hope we find Estel and Legolas."
Elrohir sighed heavily and nodded. He didn't bother responding because nothing he could say would change anything that was happening.
- - - - -
Legolas looked around and noticed, not for the first time, how different their surroundings were from those in Mirkwood. They were out of desert terrain, but they weren't quite back in the forest, and Legolas was wondering if they would ever get back to Rivendell and if he would ever be able to return home to Mirkwood and his father. He was feeling slightly helpless and unsure of himself. He didn't know what to expect in the next weeks, but he knew he had to take them one day at a time.
He felt Aragorn stirring in his arms as they rode, so Legolas brought the horse to a halt and dismounted. Dusk was falling around them, and Legolas thought it was time for them to stop. "Aragorn," Legolas said gently, "are you awake?"
"Sort of," was Aragorn's sleepy reply. He was feeling much better since Legolas had rescued him, but his full strength wasn't back yet and he still had a long way to go before his wounds were healed.
Legolas chuckled and helped his friend down from the horse. "Well, I think it might be best if you dismounted and stretched. I'll make something to eat."
Aragorn nodded. "Alright. Do you need help?" He looked around and saw a stream; he thought they must be nearing a forest or wood because the water supply had to be greater to keep trees alive. "How much longer do you think it will take to get home?" he asked. He normally would have been able to figure it out for himself, but he had been sleeping a lot recently, and it had been hard for him to keep track of time. He wanted to return home, he had wanted to be home ever since he had woken up and was sold as a slave. The traveling was getting to him and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it home to see his father and brothers. He wasn't going to tell these things to Legolas, but they were thoughts that were in his mind when he was awake.
"One week if we're lucky," Legolas replied. "More likely it will be about two." He lit a fire and collected some brush to keep it going. The nights were beginning to get cool. They were nothing to complain of, but winter was obviously coming. Legolas hoped the snow would be easy to pass when they reached Rivendell for it was much colder there than it was in the semi-desert.
"I hope so," Aragorn replied. He was beginning to feel sick on top of all of his other pains, but he thought it would be best if he kept that to himself. Legolas had enough to worry about and Aragorn was sure it was just a cold. He was still suffering from tremendous pain and the riding that Legolas was putting him through was something he could just barely handle, but that was something he kept to himself.
Legolas looked at his friend and frowned; he was noticing fatigue in Aragorn that hadn't been there a few days ago. "Sit; you're tired. We are low on food," Legolas commented. He looked at the stream and decided it might be best if he saved the dry meat and fruit for another time and caught fish for their meal instead.
Aragorn made no comment on the food issue; he was already sleeping on the ground. His strength was gone and even simple movement was taxing. It was getting harder and harder for him to hide how weak he was from Legolas.
Legolas sighed; he could do nothing for his friend. If they stopped for a whole night, Legolas wasn't sure they'd be safe. Deciding he had no other choice but to let his friend rest for a few hours, he set to work catching fish.
- - - - -
Elladan and Elrohir rode late in to the night and frowned when they noticed a fire up ahead. They didn't think there would be people out in the desert and were wary as the approached. The fire was tiny and they figured there could be no more than three people gathered around it.
"Be quiet," Elladan hissed to his twin as Elrohir started to say something. "Let's see who they are."
Elrohir sighed and allowed his brother to take charge. He knew it would be fruitless to argue and say that it would be best if they avoided the strangers at the fire. Besides, he thought, these people might give us information as to where Legolas and Estel are.
- - - - -
Legolas' head jerked up when he heard hoof beats approaching and he reached for his bow and arrows. He crouched down really low, and watched as the people approached their camp. He watched the two figures come closer and his eyes widened when he saw them.
"Elladan!" he called. "Elrohir!" He was so happy to see the twins he didn't know what to do.
"Legolas?" Elrohir's incredulous voice called.
The twins and their mounts quickly came closer and they dismounted.
Aragorn woke in all the fuss and looked at his brothers in confusion. He wasn't sure if he was awake or not he was so tired and thought they might be mirages. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision.
Elladan noticed their little brother lying on the ground and bent next to him as Elrohir went to greet Legolas. Elladan only raised a hand in greeting as he checked Aragorn over. "Estel?" he asked quietly. "Estel, what's wrong?"
Aragorn winced when he heard his brother's voice. He hadn't heard it in many months, and to hear it now was a surprise. "Everything, 'Dan," he whispered before he passed out from the excitement and weariness.
Elladan looked up at Legolas for an explanation. "What is wrong with our brother?" he asked, his voice worried and commanding.
Legolas sighed and looked Elladan in the eyes. He saw no reason to lie to the twin. "A lot of things, Elladan."
"Tell us," Elrohir said, his voice was much gentler than Elladan's, but his eyes were just as worried. He looked at Aragorn lying on the ground and tried to asses what was wrong with him, but he couldn't get a good look.
Elladan was kneeling next to the young human and running his hand over Aragorn's hair. He was so happy to see his brother alive. "Where was he? How did you find him?"
"I tracked him to a wealthy noble's house. He was there as their slave." Legolas looked the twins in the face, he could not lie to them and he would spare no details. "He was treated badly and was administered many beatings. I have tried my best, but I am afraid it has not been enough. Estel does not fare well."
Elladan listened to Legolas, but it was hard for him to take in everything the prince was saying. He lifted his brother's shirt and closed his eyes when he saw the marks that twined their way around Aragorn's body. It was hard for him to see what was obviously causing his little brother such pain. He was horrified that such a horrible thing had happened to his little brother. Most of his life, and those of his father and twin, had been spent trying to protect Aragorn, but now, so see him in so much pain, he was horrified. He was furious that someone had done this, but the guilt he felt for letting his brother go off alone, cancelled out the anger.
"'Dan?" Elrohir's quiet voice was questioning and sad as he knelt next to his twin.
Legolas left the three brothers alone and walked farther down the stream to give them privacy and to catch fish.
Elladan reached for his twin's hand and squeezed it tightly. Horrible memories of when they had found their mother's beaten body were returning to him and he didn't want to think of those. He pushed them away and looked up at Elrohir. "Look," he said quietly.
Elrohir lifted Aragorn's shirt and sucked breath in as he saw the horrible marks of many beatings. His fingers gently touched the skin and he felt his brother wince. "He's hurt badly," Elrohir muttered. "How has he survived?"
"Legolas has taken good care of him," Elladan answered. "That is all I can think of." He took Aragorn in to his arms and removed his shirt. "He needs attention that Legolas could not give him."
"Can we treat him?" Elrohir asked. Both he and Elladan were skilled healers, but they could not compare to their father. Lord Elrond had taught his sons well, but Elrohir doubted their healing ability.
"We must," was Elladan's response. "He'll die if we can do nothing, Elrohir. That cannot happen. I will not let that happen." Elladan knew these were brave words, but he meant them with all of his heart. He would not let his little brother die; it was something he could not do.
Elrohir nodded. "I'll get our packs."
- - - - -
Lord Elrond paced his balcony as he watched the first snow fall. His twin sons had been gone for over a month and he worried about them. He hoped they had found Aragorn and Legolas, but he didn't know if they would. His three sons were rarely gone from him at the same time, and he felt lonely without them. It was times like these that he missed his daughter terribly.
Arwen had not been to Rivendell in many years and the last time he had seen her was eight years before. It was not a long time for him, but it was long enough for him to miss her presence and reassurance.
Shaking himself out of his daze, Elrond tore his gaze from the snow and walked back in to his rooms. It was time for dinner, and he had guests to entertain. He had asked Glorfindel to keep them happy for most of the day, but it was his duty to see that they were content.
He opened the door to the hall and walked down to dinner and to his guests. He cast one last look at the snow and whispered, "Return to me soon, my sons."
Reviewer Responses:
Jacquelinestel and Wackoranger: YAY! You forgave me!! I am, of course, still waiting patiently for another chapter from your lovely fic. ::snort:: patiently…UPDATE SOON!! ::looks at Estel:: You're right, she is quite weird.
DreaminofLorien: I LIVE!! ::Hugs back:: You're probably very happy I updated this quickly! I hope you like this chapter and thank you so much for the review. I know I haven't updated for a long time but I am happy you enjoy it!
Lindahoyland: I am so happy you like this and thank you so much for the wonderful review. I'm glad you like Legolas and Aragorn and how Legolas is caring for Aragorn.
Ella-elbereth: Aww! I have a new reader. Welcome! Thank you for reading and falling in love with my story. I will definitely check yours out as soon as I can. I went to see if it is posted, but I didn't see it. I hope you'll have it up soon, it sounds like it'll be good! Heehee, it sounds like you've figured out my writing style with nothing as it seems. Did you read Friendship is a Light of Hope by any chance? It might help a little bit with the next few chapters if you've read that.
Mornflower: Thank you so much for the review! I am very happy you like the chapter.
Eph: Aw! Thank you so much for the review! It's alright that you haven't reviewed earlier, I really like that you reviewed! I am happy to know you've been faithfully reading.
Music Dreamer: LOL! You know my writing style well, I'm happy to see that. Things will happen a little differently than you predicted, but I'm so thrilled to see you like it. I'm also not going to give away anything that's going to happen. I'll say this much, you're pretty close, but that's it! I will tell no more! I hope you liked this chapter too!
Wolf Jade: YAY! I am so happy to learn that I'm not the only one that hasn't updated in a lifetime. Heehee. I really hope you like this chapter and what happens with the twins and such. (I can't give anything away in case you're one of those that reads the responses before the fic!)
