1A/N Oh my gosh! I am SOO sorry! I know I know, it's been over two years! All I can say is that I am so sorry! Things have been crazy around here, and I have not had much opportunity to write, not to mention my muse abandoned me. However, I am back, and I hope to have this story completed soon. Until then here is the next chapter! I want to thank you all for sticking with me and for all your wonderful reviews!

I'm not going to answer reviews for this chapter due to my absence, however I LOVE each and every one of you, and I promise to answer all of you on the next chapter! I would like to thank all of you, it is your reviews that have convinced me that this story is worth continuing and finishing :)

Now, on with the story!

For Disclaimer see 1st chapters.

Lost Hope

Chapter 11

Elrond sat alone in his vast library. He was pouring over many of the old and dusty volumes that filled the bookshelves, diligently searching for any information that might help him return Estel's memory.

The Pfizer flower is commonly found in the darker parts of forests as it cares little for sunlight and enjoys the cool damp. It has many healing properties, the roots are used to reduce swelling due to injury or illness, however it is in the delicate petals where it's most powerful healing properties lie. The petals, when combined with the flowers of the Athelas plant form a poultice that is said to heal injuries inflicted upon the mind itself.

'Hmmm' Elrond thought, 'this is worth a try, however Pfizer is rare and I have never seen any on this side of the Misty Mountains.' Lost in his musings Elrond did not hear his sons enter.

The twins looked at one another in slight amusement. It was rare that the Lord of Imaldris was caught unawares. After watching their father for a few minutes Elladan gently cleared his throat to gain Elrond's attention without startling him. Upon hearing the soft sound Elrond looked up to see his twin sons watching him with hope filled eyes.

Elrond noded softly to the twins and asked, "He is sleeping?"

Elrohir gazed at his father, "Yes, for now. He still has regained no memory, and can understand none of our tongue, only that of common. There is little difference between now and when he was first brought here. What ails his mind ada? Can it be fixed?"

"Of course not!" Elladan burst out suddenly. "How can it be? There is no Valanor for mortals, he is broken the same way that naneth was broken and there isn't one cursed thing we can do about it! Our little brother is gone El, he will never be coming back.."

"Enough!" Elrond roared. The tone coupled with the look of pure rage on his face sent both twins into absolute silence. Elrond took a few calming breaths, it had been many centuries since he had lost his temper, and it was not something he was fond of doing. "Estel is not yet lost to us Elladan, do not give up hope my son, I have not yet exhausted all of my knowledge, and while I have strength left I shall not give up hope that Estel will recover from this."

Elladan looked to the floor in shame as Elrohir put a comforting arm around his shoulder. "It's going to be okay El, Estel will be alright, he is a child, but an exceptionally strong one. Do not despair yet gwador nin." That said, Elrohir looked toward their father, "Have you found anything that might help him regain his memories?"

Elrond smiled at the younger of his twin sons. Elrohir always kept faith. "Yes ion nin, I have discovered something that we may try. It is a slim chance, but I shan't give up hope yet, and neither should you. I will need the two of you to travel to Mirkwood, I know that Thranduil is not too pleased with the two of you after that incident a millennia or so ago, so I ask you to be on your absolute best behavior, and be sure to apologize again before you ask his aid."

"But Ada!" Elladan interrupted indignantly "that wasn't our fault! How were we supposed to know that our woodland kin have NO sense of humor?"

Elrond chuckled, he knew that in defending his dignity Elladan would forget his despair.

"Ada," Elrohir said thoughtfully "what are we going to Mirkwood for?"

"To retrieve some Pfizer. They are extremely rare, and Mirkwood is one of the only places in Middle Earth it can be found, I am hoping that it can still be found there, for these are dark times, and delicate plants such as this often are driven out of existence."

"We shall leave at once ada" Elladan announced, as both of the twins headed out of the library door to begin preparing for the long trek over the Misty Mountains.

Elrond watched the two figures disappear out of the gates of Imaldris. 'Be safe my sons, and return with all speed, for I fear that the longer Estel goes without his memories, the harder it shall be to return them.'

As soon as the figures were no longer visible, even to his sharp elven eyes, the Lord of Imaldris turned around and headed back inside to tend to his little Estel, his little hope, and what a hope he was to them all. It would be the greatest of all tragedies if their hope was lost to them so soon.

TBC...

Wow that was hard to get out! I just want to apologize again for the LONG wait, and say that it shall never happen again! Fear not, I am back on the writing track and intend to stay that way!

Thank you again, all of you for your endless support.

Arwenevenstar