Hi guys. I'm back again! Sorry this took longer than usual. I had SO much trouble with this part. I'm not really happy with it, but lemme know what you think. I think I'm past the writer's block though. But I finally wrote the chapter, and ff.net was DEAD! Dead as a - oh, I don't know. But something very dead.

Oh, and I have to tell you guys! On Saturday I was working at the hospital (I'm a student nurse) and I saw a baby being born! That was the most fantastic, amazing, wonderful thing I've ever seen in my life! I'm still hyper!

Title: Elusive Dreams (7/?)

Author: Pickle Pixie

E-Mail: picklepixie83@hotmail.com

Rating: G so far

Summary: Elrohir can't sleep …

Disclaimer: All the characters you recognise belong to JRR Tolkein, God and author extraordinaire. I am making no money from this and mean no infringement upon his works.

~*~

Unadrieniel: I hope Elrohir will come out of this, but who knows! It's up to my twisted little mind now, and even I never know what I'm gonna do next.

Iilaiia: Thank you so much for the support. I'm glad you're still enjoying it. And Aragorn and Legolas? I don't think they know what they're going to do either.

Elvulia: You ask a very good question! And you know what, I'm not telling! *sticks tongue out* But rest assured, I'll get to it! What do you think happens?

Aemilia Rose: Not going to bed are you? The end's gonna be creepy! And you know all those scary things I reminded you of? That's just in this fandom. There's also vampires and werewolves and murderers and witches and aliens and rabid coyotes…

Iawen Londea: One of your faves? Ah, thanks *blush*. I like stinking in some humour now and then. Life's not all doom and gloom. And I'm one of those annoying people who always cracks a joke, whatever the situation.

legolasluva: Well, I continued, but sorry it wasn't so soon! FF.net…grrrrr!

littlesaiyangirl: Notheing creepy? Er…no! Course not! *sheepish grin*

RainyDayz: Stop running into walls for God's sake! Crikey girl, calm down! But don't worry, the review made perfect sense to me! I'm a freak of course, but don't let that worry you! Eyebrows of Doom…LMAO.

padawan_jinx: Okay, breathe! Glad you enjoyed it! That's the kind of crazy conversation I have with my mates. I made a pal apologise to his dog once. That was a hoot!

slightly-psychotic: Why do you get that feeling? Because those two should never be allowed out on their own! They should come with a health warning.

Jooubachi: wink wink, nudge nudge, eyebrow wiggle eyebrow wiggle.

Lirenel: Ooh, a new reviewer! Thanks for the feedback. Glad you're enjoying the fic!

~*~

Legolas scanned the horizon as Aragorn busied himself with stoking life back into their campfire. Darkness had fallen on their third night in the wilds since they had secreted themselves out of Imladris, and the weather was turning bitterly cold. Winter was setting in fast, and Legolas was beginning to question the wisdom of venturing out with Aragorn.

Satisfying himself that there was no immediate threat to them, the Elf followed the trail back to their camp within the safety of the trees. He sat and leaned back against a tree to watch his friend work. Though Legolas could not feel the cold seeping from the earth into his bones, he felt the icy wind biting at his sensitive ears. The prince narrowed his eyes as he watched Aragorn's hands shiver, then rolled them when the ranger attempted to hide the trembling.

Aragorn knew the area around Rivendell and its varying weather. He had pleanty of warm clothes, and he knew how to keep himself warm. But Legolas worried about the dark clouds that hovered above them, even now obscuring his view of Earendil. If it began to rain, or worse snow…Legolas did not think he would know how to help the ranger if he became sick.

"Legolas? I think we should put out the fire." Aragorn looked at his companion tentatively.

"Why would that be?" Legolas asked, turning his gaze from his search for starlight to meet Aragorn's eyes.

"Well, it could draw danger to us and…what's so funny?"

Aragorn stared indignantly at the Elf, who was laughing softly as he returned his gaze skyward. "So young, human. It was my belief that we wanted to find trouble. In fact, I was under the impression that we were actively seeking it. You need the fire. It is cold tonight, I would not have you falling ill." The smile had fallen from the Elf's face as he almost whispered the last part.

"Legolas, I am not going to become ill, it is not cold enough yet." Aragorn left his seat by the fire to crouch next to his friend. "We will have returned to Rivendell before the deep frosts set in. But we will keep the fire. For the first time my father will be right in thinking we have gone looking for trouble."

The pair smiled at each other. They sat in companionable silence for a while before Legolas noticed Aragorn's eyelids beginning to droop. The human began to shiver slightly before shaking himself bake to wakefulness. Legolas shifted closer to the ranger until their bodies were touching, lending his warmth to his friend. Aragorn looked so young with the firelight casting shadows across his face that Legolas could not stop the familiar name falling from his lips.

"Go to sleep, Estel. I will keep watch."

"No," Aragorn sighed, even as he rested his head upon Legolas' shoulder and closed his eyes. He yawned widely. "`Ro can't sleep…"

"I know. Elrohir would want you to sleep. Hush now."

Legolas relaxed as he felt his friend's heartbeat slow and his breathing even out as sleep claimed him. He listened to the song of the forest, picking up on every scuffle made by a woodland creature, every sigh of the trees. Although the boughs did not whisper to him of danger, there was an uneasiness about them. The trees spoke of a darkness descending upon them. An unknown evil.

The Elf had unconsciously made the decision not at wake Aragorn to take a watch. While the human was getting enough sleep there was less chance of him falling ill. Once again Legolas found himself battling with the nature of mortality. Oftentimes he found he could not comprehend how something so benign as poor weather, which to him had only ever been an inconvenience, could easily take the life of a man.

As a warrior and a prince of his realm, Legolas was resigned to the possibility of death in battle, defending his home and people. While he knew that in death he would find peace in Mandos' Halls, and one day alight on the shores of Valinor, dying was still a cause of fear to the young Elf. Yet he accepted it.

What he struggled with was the cruelty of mortality. He could accept death, could even come to terms with dying. But the possibility of losing Aragorn so early over something so…trivial as sickness. That was something he could not allow. However much he feared for Elrohir, who was his brother in his heart, he would not let the ranger make himself ill over this endeavour. They would scout out the Lorerauko, observe, and then make haste to Imladris. Perhaps, he speculated hopefully, Glorfindel would have returned by now.

Legolas listened to the steady rhythm of Aragorn's breathing, smirking as he let out the occasional snore, when he heard the wail of the trees.

Run

~*~

Elrond entered the library and frowned at the scene that met him, even though he had been expecting this very thing - had been greeted with this every night for over three weeks. Elrohir was sitting on the window ledge, one leg tucked beneath him and the other drawn up to his chest. His chin rested upon his knee, and the moonlight glanced off his raven hair.

Elrond could not fathom the fascination his middle son had displayed for the stars in the recent weeks. Each night he would find Elrohir gazing at the heavens, his eyes trained on Earendil. Often Elladan would be sitting below the ledge, staring at his twin with as much intensity as Elrohir watched the stars. Now though, Elrohir was alone.

The ancient healer reminded himself sternly that Elrohir was always alone these days, in body and spirit. He sought solitude, shying away form his family and friends. Especially since Aragorn and Legolas left. Elrond closed his eyes briefly, remembering the morning Elladan had knocked quietly at his study door and delivered the news of their absence. Elladan's reaction was testament to the exhaustion he was experiencing. The Lord of Imladris had expected his eldest to launch an expedition to follow his brother and friend immediately. Instead, he asked his Ada, in the smallest voice he had heard from Elladan in many centuries, what he should do.

The lore master shook away the fear for his youngest son. "Tithen gil, come. It is time."

"Not tonight Ada. I believe the remedy you have been giving me is reaching the end of its effectiveness. When I awoke this morning, a dread seemed to follow me from my rest. I would not use this drug again until I reach the end of my strength. Glorfindel has yet to send word."

"Ion nin, he will return soon. I feel it. When he reaches home we will be able to face this threat together, as we always do. We will find Legolas and your brother -"

"Ada, please. You have never lied to me before. Do not make me promises you cannot keep."

Elrohir looked to his father then. Elrond wished in that moment, more than ever before, that he could take his child's place. The vacancy in Elrohir's eyes echoed the cold truth behind his words.

They were running out of time.

"Ada, tell me again about grandfather."

Elrond sighed, but acquiesced. He lowered himself to sit next to his son, ready to recount the tale Elrohir had requested countless times across the centuries. Elrohir, his 'star-rider' reminded him so much of his own Ada.

"My father, Earendil, loved the sea. From boy-hood he had longed to sail into the West to the Undying Lands to find his own parents, and to beseech the aid of the Valar against the evil dominion of Morgoth. With Cirdan's help, he fashioned the ship Vingilot from the wood of the Nimbrethil. Three times he attempted the crossing, and three times the Shadow threw him back. Yet in time he was joined by my mother Elwing, who brought with her the Silmaril of Doriath. Together, they used the radiance of the Silmaril to drive back the Shadow and alight the shores of Eldamar. There the Herald of the Valar, Eonwe, prepared him to journey to Valimar, where he secured the aid of the Valar for Middle Earth. I cannot tell you for sure what befell him then, but I believe he sails the evening sky in a ship of glass and mithril, with the Silmaril upon its prow as an enduring symbol of hope to all those who dwell in Middle Earth. You were named after his journey, little star-rider. It makes me proud that you should love it so." Elrond smiled fondly at the young Elf before him, truly proud of who he had become.

Elrohir smile back, though the smile did not reach his eyes. "It is well you did not tell me the long version, Ada. That tale offers me such comfort, I may have fallen asleep."

Elrond did not have the opportunity to respond, as he was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing behind him.

"Yes, Erestor?"

"Elrond. My Lord, Glorfindel has returned."

~*~

Legolas shook Aragorn roughly and sprung to his feet. An arrow was notched and ready to fly before the ranger could blink away the shadowy recesses of sleep.

"What is amiss, mellon nin?" Aragorn whispered, drawing his sword and assuming a defensive stance at the Elf's back.

"Can you not feel it?" A paralysing chill was gripping his heart. The warnings of the forest thundered in his ears. How could Aragorn not hear them?

Run

"I sense nothing Legolas." Aragorn allowed his eyes to roam the dell in which they had made camp, seeing only shadows.

"Of course you can sense nothing, you are merely a mortal. What we are is beyond your comprehension."

The Elf and the ranger turned in unison to the direction the voice had come from. The tone was detached, devoid of emotion. The voice sounded dead. The companions regarded the newcomer with barely veiled hostility. Yet Legolas felt his arms lowering his bow. Aragorn looked at his friend in alarm, attempting to understand the Elf's movements. He took a step forward in an attempt to shield Legolas from this new Elf's piercing gaze.

It was indeed an Elf that had spoken. His hair was silver and tied back in elegant warriors braids. His tunic was a deep brown, the colour of the forest in winter. One elegant eyebrow was arched at the pair. Aragorn started when another Elf appeared at the first's side.

"Tell me, what would an Elf of Mirkwood be doing consorting with an Edan? Has your kind lost all sense of dignity?" The first Elf sneered at Legolas as he stepped closer.

Aragorn tightened his grip upon the hilt of his sword and raised it before him and his friend. "Come no closer. Who are you?"

"Ah, young one, I have already told you. You cannot comprehend what we are." The second smirked at the human. Aragorn could almost feel flames licking at his mind from the intensity his gaze.

Though he would never know how later, Aragorn found his voice. "You are the Lorerauko."

Neither of the Elves before him answered. Instead they devoted all their attention to Legolas. Aragorn resisted the urge to vomit as he witnessed them drinking in Legolas with their eyes, hungrily digesting every inch of him. The ranger desperately tried to shake Legolas from the waking coma he had fallen in to. He shook his friend desperately, only to be rewarded with a wry grin from the first Elf.

"You will not wake him. My brothers, it seems, have taken a liking to the boy. He is a beautiful prize." A new voice filled the clearing now, redirecting Aragorn's attention. The third of the Lorerauko stood now behind him, and even from a distance he could tell that this one towered above his companions. The human's mind raced. These beings fed on the souls of Elves. How could he hope to protect Legolas from all three?

"Do not worry, young one. The Prince of Mirkwood is far too valuable an asset to be wasted on a whim. Yes, Estel, I know who you are, both of you. I have seen you in the young Peredhil's mind. Look at me Estel, look into my eyes. What do you see?"

Aragorn's whole body shook as the demon stepped closer. The light of the dying embers cast a glow across his face. Aragorn could not help the strangled sob that escaped him when he looked into eyes he had known his whole life.

The beast had Elrohir's eyes.

TBC…

Tithen gil - this is as close as I could manage to 'little star'. Sorry if it's wrong!

I got my information regarding the meaning of Elrohir's name from 'The Complete Tolkein Companion' by J. E. A. Tyler.