A/N: Thanks for everyone's kind reviews. This'll probably be the last chapter (sniffle) but thanks for your patience and … Enjoy. Originally this was only a one chapter thing, but then it escalated into a full short story. Thanks again to all who reviewed and/or read. Special thanks to those who put me in their fav(s). category.
Review Replies:
Estelle Tiniwiel (Blush) Awww, thanks a lot. I'm sure you could write a poem if you tried. It's really not that hard; just don't think too much when you write it. Glad You liked.
Nemi Jade: (lol) can't say I didn't warn you. This one won't be much better so before you read make sure you have plenty or at least a pile of laundry to throw you went night cloths in. Thanks a lot for the review.
Celebrain of the Golden Wood: (Blush) Thanks for the review as to the answer to your question. Honestly I don't know what gave me the idea. Ya' know, I never really thought of it as a 'What if…' sort of story (but I guess it is.) I was sort of down one day and my Muse gave me the idea.
Elven Kitten: Maybe it will, maybe it won't. It all depends on my mood.
Chapter 5: To End All
That night Elrond found no sleep. Estel had ad last fallen asleep, his exhaustion finally taking its toll. The human had taken up refuge in Elrond's bedroom, staying close to his father's side seeking comfort from the Elf. Elrond had given what he could to the young human, but sadly held none for himself, not that there was much to begin with. Glorfindel's words from yesterday rang in his ears.
"Elrond if you can't get past this for no one else then do it for Estel and Arwen. Think about them. They won't be able to get past this if you don't."
As true as they may have been he could not yet bring himself to forgive and forget.
Elrond sighed and watched as Estel dreamed. In two short days the twins would be buried. As the day drew nearer Elrond fell deeper and deeper into grief, he hardly ever slept. He ate even less, it was getting to the point that Erestor and Glorfindel had to practically force it down his throat.
A dark cloud had settled over Rivendell and though outside a humid summer was making itself known inside everything was colder than the winter's morning.
Elrond had finally left his room and wondered down the halls in a grief stricken gaze. Walking down the random halls the mighty Elf Lord was assaulted by phantoms of the past. He saw his sons running down the hallways, playing in the yard, climbing trees, and scraping knees, getting into trouble at a prank gone wrong. Tending to their baby sister's every need, making friends with neighboring elves, watching their adopted brother grow. Anything and everything, the good and the bad, all they had done in life played in front of his eyes.
It was a moonless night and clouds covered the once bright stars. It was all in darkness and matched the foreboding feeling that rested in the distance.
Something was coming, something that could bring about the end of his people. A distant pitch black shadow that would prove to be too much for him, and anyone else to handle. He could see the chaos and destruction the Darkness would bring with it. His friends and what was left of his little family would be slaughtered before his eyes. Everything and everyone would die.
'I can't let that happen.' His hazy mind slowly forming a plan. His eyes cleared enough to see where he was. The kitchen door stood open for all to see inside and inside the mighty Elf Lord found all the cooks had left. 'Never again. I won't loose anyone else to the evils brought in from the world.'
Slowly Elrond walked into the large House Kitchen. Looking around he spotted what he was hoping to find, and there it sat the one tool that could end all pain and ease all suffering. A large kitchen knife, freshly cleaned, sat on the marble countertop, forgotten by all in their hurry to leave. Elrond grasped the smooth warn wood handle it almost perfectly in his hand.
The mighty wielder of Vilya smiled as the plan completed itself in his mind.
'This is it.' He thought in triumph, 'This will keep the Darkness from taking all I have.'
The dark haired Elf ran his fingers along the steel blade. He felt the knife's bite as the sharp edge cut open his fingers. Elrond looked at the blood as it rolled down his slender fingers and pooled in the shallow palm of his hand.
"Perfect."
Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak
Legolas rode all through the night, praying he would make it in time. His horse was tiring he could feel her steps slowing down. He didn't want to stop, but he would ride her till she collapsed. He hated to do that to such a loyal beast, but his friends meant more to him.
"Please don't stop." He whispered in the horse's ear, "We will be in Rivendell soon, and then you can rest to your hearts content. But we must make it, it's a matter of life and death."
Hearing her masters pleases the horse's gallop grew faster as she sped up determined to do her master's bidding.
Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak
Walking back to his bedroom chambers Elrond's mind remained blank of everything except for the plan that had earlier formed. He knew it had to be done and no one but him could do it. Not Glofindel, not Erestor, not Celeborn, no Rangers, no one else be they friend or foe. He would not allow anyone to take his place, this was his glorious final battle. No one else would suffer the deed that must be done.
'No one, but me.'
Elrond slowly opened the bedroom door, easing it so not a sound was made. No squeaky hinges or scrapping wood. He didn't want to disturb the sleeping child within.
He stood before the foot of the bed and watched the teenager sleep. Estel was pale against the burgundy sheets and for a moment Elrond's old self returned and he wondered if Estel's grief had made him sick, it was possible. With a shake of the head Elrond's mind cleared and he remembered why he was here to do. Elrond walked to the side of the bed near his son's head and kissed the top, and then…
…the knife came down.
Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak
Down the stairs and across the hall two Elf Lords sat in silence, completely unaware of what was going on above them. They were sad and happy at the same time. The happiness, for the friend and Lord had been seen wondering the halls outside his room. He didn't look any better, but it was an improvement over him staying with Estel, locked in the master bedroom. There own grieving was currently being drowned in several bottles of the strongest wine the Rivendell cellars held. Though Elves could not get drunk as humans do Glorfindel still held hope that maybe it could ease his pain even the slightest bit.
Erestor stayed silent, not speaking a word to anyone. The advisor was normally quiet by nature, but this time it was different from the usual intelligent silence. This was a grieving silence, the type that grips your throat and prevents any sound that could possibly come out.
Movement caught the sharp Elven eyes as a streak of white and blond rode though the gate.
Legolas had at last arrived.
Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak...Pagebreak
Estel gasped at the sharp pain that exploded in his stomach, awakening him instantly. Looking down he saw what hurt him. A knife had been stabbed into him; the blade in its entirety had been imbedded into his flesh. A pair of large, slender hands held the knife in place. The human's eyes traveled up to the face of his foster father, who was now kneeling on the floor next to the bed. He could feel warm blood steadily flowing out around the knife and onto the bed, staining the sheets and mattress, but that was not what crossed through Estel's mind. Yes, he knew he was bleeding and seriously hurt, but all he could think of was why the Elf he had come to know and love as a father was trying to kill him. Then it hit him, as the blood flowed up his throat, threatening to choke him.
'That's right, I killed Elladan and Elrohir. This is my punishment for their murder, it's only right that I die too.'
Elrond's hair had fallen in front of his eyes so he couldn't see the face of his son. Tears collected in his eyes. He didn't want to continue, but it must be done.
'For the suffering to end this must be done.'
Elrond stood, unaware that Estel was watching through clouding eyes. He pulled the blade out quickly and surveyed his work.
'Too low, that will cause him pain.' Elrond thought in dismay.
As he was about to bring the knife down for the second, and final time, he caught a glimpse of his son's eyes. They were slowly clouding up, as death began his approach, blood trickled out pink lips and slid down his chin. Through the pain and distress he saw something he did not expect, a smile. Estel was smiling at him as if he knew what he was doing and was alright with it. Elrond smiled back and Estel closed his eyes waiting for his father to deal him the final blow.
Before the knife came down, Estel spoke his last words.
"I love you Ada."
"And I you, my son." Crystal tears fell from the elf's eyes as he struck for the second time. This time it was a more vital point in the human's chest.
With his last breath Estel spoke but only two words.
"Thank you."
Elrond gave Estel a final kiss on the head before pulling out the knife, and slowly raised the blood stained blade to his own throat.
A knock sounded at his door. He needed to work quickly.
Instantly he cut his throat, severing the main artery in his neck. In seconds he would be dead. Throwing the knife to the side, he laid his head down on Estel's still warm chest, and allowed death to take him where he so chooses.
A loud banging sound was all that told him that someone had entered his room. A pair of large hands tried desperately to stop the bleeding, but sadly it was in vain.
"Legolas see to Estel. Erestor, help me with him." Came an urgent yet commanding voice.
Elrond vaguely recognized it to be Glorfindel's before he breathed his last.
A second voice joined the first as they tried to rouse him even the slightest bit, but sadly it was too late, no one could save him now. Both Elf Lord and all his children were at peace. The darkness and evil shadows could hurt the Peredhel family no more.
"I guess nothing is invincible, not even the immortals." came a soft voice before Elrond left.
The End
(Sniff) How sad. (Blows nose) I made myself cry.
(Looks around at audience) Well, I guess since you all are still in shock. (Starts to run)
(Yells) Don't Hurt Me! Please!
A/N: Well that was an interesting twist. I never said it had a happy ending. Elrond snaps. Cool.
Review me; if I get enough I might make an alternate ending.