(A/N)Drinking is bad, people….don't do it…especially when you have to go to work tomorrow…ugh….

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Thonaear urged his mare further, she was no doubt as close to death as he, staying alive and struggling to gallop only because she knew her master's distress and pain.

"please" begged Thonaear "just another day, Aare, and we will be in the safe haven of Imladris…..just a little farther, you must not stop…". The young elf warrior whispered into Aare's ear, death ready at any time to take them both, for the horse had run for nearly a week straight, hardly stopping, and her master struggled for breath, a cruel, black feathered arrow buried deep in his side. Loyalty to his lord and lady seemed to be the only thing keeping him alive.

………………..he must reach Rivendell and tell Lord Elrond what happened….he must…

………………….

Elladan and Elrohir both broke into loud laughter as they watched Lindir struggle to carry Saruman's rather large saddle, his knees and arms shaking as attempted to lift to heavy load onto the back of the white wizard's horse, nearly falling over until Elrohir went to help him.

"Thank you lord Elrohir" It was impossible to tell whether Lindir was flushed with breathlessness or embarrassment, but it didn't help that Elladan had not stopped his laughter.

The two elves finally managed to fully saddle Saruman's tall, gray stallion, Elladan only stopping his laughter once Elrohir threw a brush at him, hitting him square in the forehead.

Elladan started towards his brother, scornful that it was now Lindir's turn to laugh, but coming to a quick stop, and turning back around on his heel as he heard shouts coming from the front gate.

All three made a run for the direction of the noise, coming upon a stomach twisting scene.

"Lindir! Go and retrieve my father! Be quick!" yelled Elladan, nearly running into Glorfindel as he too ran for the front gate, blond hair blown straight out behind him.

"Bandages and a stretcher! Quickly!" Elrohir called out, reaching out to catch the wounded elf as he fell from his horse, looking down and finally seeing his face, Elrohir's heart seeming to stop as he recognized the wounded one.

"Thonaear…" he gasped "Thonaear, what has happened to you? Where is the rest of the party?"

Blood streamed from the young warrior's mouth as he struggled to speak, grateful that the younger twin had lowered him to the ground, his back reclining against Elrohir's chest, though nothing could fully relieve his pain now.

"We ….we reached RedHorn pass…..ambushed….the lady and young lord taken…Ulmain…" Thonaear gasped for breath, subconsciously grasping the fatal arrow deep in his side.

Glorfindel kneeled down next him, speaking softly though his voice wavered, looking up to see Elrond racing towards them, two wizards at his heels.

"Taken, Thonaear? Taken by whom? Orcs? What about Ulmain?"

Thonaear simply nodded, turning his head, struggling for breath, noting with slight panic that his vision was fading slowly to darkness.

Glorfindel stood, repeating to Elrond, the brief words Thonaear had spoken, watching his lord's face slowly become stony, his voice hard and loud as he ordered for a search party to form immediately, strong in numbers.

Elrond looked to his left, seeing four elves running towards them, arms full on bandages and clean cloth, one carrying a stretcher. Looking down again, he saw the rush was in vain, as Elrohir gently closed the young warrior's eyes, softly saying a farewell.

Elladan helped his brother gently lift Thonaear's body onto the newly arrived stretcher, quietly giving command on where to take him. Seeing a flash of metal, Elladan reached down, pulling something from Thonaear's hand, his insides seeming to go cold as he gazed at it, before he went to his father, slowly reaching out his hand.

"Adar…..I don't know if it's Thonaear's blood or…." His voice cracked as he ceased his words, giving the object to Elrond, watching his father's face pale as he took the small mithril necklace, bearing a tiny star medallion.

The very charm Elrond had placed around his youngest son's neck before he departed on his journey.

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The twins sat high on their mounts, their faces grim as they looked down at their father. They had collected every strong elf in Imladris almost immediately after Thonaear had shown up, and everyone was more than willing to help.

"We will find them Adar, I swear to you we will bring them back" Elladan's voice was cold and sharp as if once he stepped foot out of Rivendell he would encounter the orcs, and he was more than prepared.

Elrohir sat on his steed, slightly behind his brother, staying silent, not wanting to risk his emotions to betray his cool expression.

Elrond nodded slightly, half proud of his strong twin sons and their leadership, half disgusted with himself for not going with them to free his wife and son, and all others who had been taken. His advisors and the Istari had convinced him to stay, saying Rivendell needed him there and it would do no one any good should he be slain.

He had turned angrily on them, outraged that they would have his sons and other elves die while he sat comfortably at home. In the end he had finally agreed to stay, being able to do nothing until he heard word of his family's rescue, or the destruction of what was left of it.

Stepping back he raised his hand in farewell, signaling for the warriors to go. He kept his face stony, showing no expression of any kind and saying not a word, turning and heading back into the halls of his home, locking the door behind him as he entered his study, wishing for no disturbances as he escaped into his work.

……..

None of the company was prepared for what they found as they reached RedHorn pass, faces they had known and loved from both Imladris and the Golden wood lay pale on the ground, some no longer so fair from the days of harsh weather and scavengers.

Elladan dismounted, followed by his brother, hands on the hilts of their swords. They gazed in mild shock at the field of destruction and lost life.

Fury smoldered in the older twin's eyes and he looked over to some elves "You four, gather all of our fallen and give them a proper burial, burn the orcs, they do not deserve to lie among our kinsman."

He looked to his brother who drew sword with him, then back to the company of elves dressed in glistening armor, hands tight on sharp and shining swords.

"My loyal brothers, take up arms with us now in liberating our stolen and may the grace of the Valar protect you"

With fierce and grim faces, the elves entered the opening in the mountain cave, swords and spears ready to be stained by foul blood.

……..

All of Lorien mourned for the loss of their prince and baby princess and all others lost in the cursed battle.

The Lord and Lady themselves had met Haldir and the remainder of his company at the edge of Caras Galadon as they brought the body of their fallen son. Celeborn had taken Celenril from the horse on which he lay and carried him into the city silently, Galadriel at his side.

Gazing into her mirror a silent tear fell from Galadriel's clear blue eyes into the water, making minute ripples.

Celeborn came to her side "what do you see?"

She looked up and gazed at him evenly though grief was evident on her fair features. "A company from Rivendell, led by Elladan and Elrohir fight at the pass, they will need no help, most of the orcs are slain already. They will bring back Celebrian" she paused, forcing her voice to stay smooth and even " but I cannot see either of our babe grandchildren...I feel they are not slain but their presence I can find no where...I fear they will never be found and it will be the destruction of our daughter's spirit"

Celeborn closed his eyes and sighed "Our innocent stolen...what evil is this?" He embraced his wife as she gave way to silent weeping for the loss and pain of her family.

…….

The battle had not lasted long and none of the elves were killed or sustained serious injury. Elladan sported a deep cut on his brow that proceeded back to his scalp but he long ago stopped the blood flow and ignored the dull pulsing pain it produced.

He looked over to his twin, who shared his horse with their mother who drifted in and out of consciousness, wrapped tight in her son's cloak, a wicked looking wound in her shoulder dressed as best as time and limited skill would allow before the company made haste to Rivendell.

Three others had been rescued from the hands of the mountain goblins and were carried by others, all seeming not to care if they lived or died their eyes dull, the light of life lost in them.

Elrohir looked down at the shivering bundle he held in front of him and saw the stream of tears on his mother's cheeks. He fought his own urge to give in to weeping and kissed her bruised cheek gently, whispering in her ear "We will be home soon Naneth, just a few more hours, stay with us"

Elladan urged his tired steed further, wanting to get back to Imladris before nightfall. He heard soft song from the elves behind him and wanted to join, but for the sorrow in his heart keeping him from it.

Erestor hurried into his lord's study "Master Elrond, the company has returned, your sons in the lead"

Elrond nearly jumped out of his chair and made haste to the courtyard, both hopes and fears high. Glorfindel was already there, helping the wounded and newly returned dismount.

The lord of the valley went immediately to Elrohir as he saw whom he held. His breath caught in his throat as he took his wife into his arms, feeling how light she was, but relieved beyond belief that she still lived. He looked up again and around at all the others, looking for a small dark haired child but seeing nothing.

He lowered his gaze to Elladan, who knelt in front of him, grief finally overcoming him.

"I am sorry Adar, we could not find him, alive nor dead" his voce broke and he bowed his head, closing his eyes "forgive me, I have failed my youngest brother"

Glorfindel slowly and quietly walked up, his voice soft "my lord...let me take the lady Celebrian to the healing wing for you, the others are also being taken there..."

Elrond hesitated for a moment but allowed Glorfindel to take her from him, abeling him to kneel to the same height in front of Elladan. He reached over and gently lifted his son's chin raising his gaze, "Elladan, I do not nor ever will blame you for the evils that have come to us, nor should you."

He then stood and brought Elladan up with him, embracing him tightly, repeating the affection with the younger twin before heading off to the healing wing, no one noticing the unshed tears that blurred his vision.

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(A/N) ok, review, please! My best friend has just left for her almost 3 month stint thing w/ the marines, wont be back till August and it makes me all sorts of sad and miserable. But reviews help make me happy…..so review…please?