Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Thank goodness! Oh good lord, I am soo soo sorry for the long wait but ever since the site did that whole change over thingy, I wasn't able to post because for some reason, it wouldn't except my uploads! Arrrggg! Well, the good news is I've finally managed to get around that not so little problem so hopefully, the updates will be more regular. Thank you all so much for your reviews and continous support, it means so much to me! A huge thank you to my ever patient beta enb2004 who has some of the best Harry Potter stories around! Hehe, I know a lot of you have been looking forward to this chapter so I am proud to present Chapter 24. Enjoy!
Gorothdil and the rescue party weren't the only ones who were making plans that night. Elrohir and Legolas were desperately trying to come up with an escape plan and quickly after having witnessed the torturous poison that had been inflicted upon Estel.
Estel had screamed and bucked for what seemed like hours. Neither was sure if it was from the nightmares the poison induced or from the pain the poison caused, or both.
"Legolas, was it this severe last time?" Elrohir whispered quietly, not wanting to draw the attention of the orcs and the ever watchful Gorothdil.
"No, but the last dose was only on the tip of the arrow that pierced his collar bone. This was far more," Legolas said.
"We need to get out of here tonight. Estel can't take any more of this and frankly, neither can I. Seeing him being tortured like this and not being able to do anything to help him is tearing me apart," Elrohir said.
"It is the same with me but we must remain strong for Estel," Legolas said firmly. "He would not have us give up hope no matter how dire the circumstance."
Elrohir grinned a little at this. "True, he is very stubborn like that. He gets that from father of course."
"Of course," Legolas said grinning, knowing full well that Estel probably got his stubbornness from everyone around him, save himself of course. "Do you have any ideas on how we are to escape without being noticed?" Legolas asked.
Elrohir grimaced. "Not yet but I'm working on it. The only thing that I can think of right now is for one of us to cause a distraction."
"That is not an option Elrohir," Legolas said crossing his arms defiantly. "We need to stick together and we will both be needed to help Estel."
"I know, which is why I said I'm working on a plan. Don't worry, between the two of us, we'll think of something," Elrohir said trying to be reassuring.
Legolas sighed and looked up at the setting sun. "What we need is a large miracle."
"Aye, I couldn't agree more," Elrohir said, his eyes staring at something in the distance that only he could see. "And I do believe that one just arrived," he said.
Legolas's head snapped up in the direction Elrohir was looking. Sure enough, there was his father, Glorfindel, Elladan, Haldir, Celeborn, and oh Valar help them, Elrond himself. It didn't seem that they were aware that the captives had seen them.
"This could work perfectly mellon nin," Elrohir whispered. "They will be the distraction we need, they just don't know it yet."
"Perfect! Are you insane Elrohir or do your eyes deceive you? Did you somehow manage to miss that your father is up there with the rest of the rescue party!" Legolas said.
"Yes I did notice that little fact Legolas and trust me, it will work splendidly," Elrohir said.
"Forgive me for doubting you mellon nin, but my father and yours together spells disaster so clearly that I am surprised it is not written in huge flaming letters above their heads!" Legolas whispered.
"Which is precisely why it will work," Elrohir said calmly.
"Elrohir, I love you as a brother but you are truly insane. When they see our condition, which they probably already have by the way, they'll come running down without any thought to their own safety!"
"Which is precisely what I am counting on," Elrohir said smoothly. "With them running around, the orcs and, Valar willing, Gorothdil, will be distracted enough so that we can grab Estel and escape."
"Valar willing indeed," Legolas grumbled. He didn't like it but what other choice did they have? A distraction was precisely what they needed and Elrond and Thranduil would certainly provide one.
"This is going to need very careful timing. I just hope our fathers can quell their rage until the sun has set completely and darkness is falling," Elrohir said.
Legolas scowled at him as he gently stroked Estel's hair soothingly. "Thank you for that lovely reassurance Elrohir. Need I remind you what the odds are of our fathers containing their rage until evening has truly fallen?"
Elrohir made a face but couldn't help but agree with Legolas silently. Knowing their fathers, it would only be a matter of minutes, if not less. His and Legolas's fears were proven all to true not moments later when the war cries of Lorien, Imladris, and Mirkwood echoed together.
Legolas sighed as he watched the small party of elves charged the suddenly very awake yrch and Gorothdil. "Valar save us," he muttered as all hell broke loose around them.
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In the hour and a half it took for the sun to begin setting, Elrond and Thranduil were willing to bet a millennium had passed. The last reserves on their patience had long ago worn off and they were all but ready to take on the camp single handedly. Celeborn too was becoming fiercely impatient but Thranduil and Elrond knew that he would not move until the exact moment in time that they had planned on.
To say that Celeborn's plan didn't sit quite right with them was a severe understatement. They couldn't afford to wait any longer, despite the fact that the sun hadn't even fully set. Elrond looked at Thranduil who nodded in return. As one, they drew their swords and voiced the war cry of Imladris and Mirkwood, with Lothlorien's only seconds behind them.
The orcs and Gorothdil looked up with shock, not expecting this kind of open assault with so few numbers. Their shock allowed the rescue party a few precious moments to slaughter some stunned orcs before they and Gorothdil regained their bearings and charged to attack them.
Arrows flew all around them as they ducked and parried the orcs scimitars and Gorothdil's sheath.
"Go deal with Gorothdil," Glorfindel said to Elrond, as he held off three attacking orcs. "We shall deal with these scum bags."
Elrond nodded and fought his way across the camp. Their numbers were few but what they lacked in numbers, they more than made up for it in their ferocity and desire to reach Estel, Legolas, and Elrohir before any more harm could come to them.
"Ah Elrond, I had hoped that you would come but I did not think you would be suicidal enough to actually go through with it," Gorothdil said as he spotted the approaching Elf Lord with his sword drawn.
Elrond glared at Gorothdil, all the while searching for sights of his sons and Legolas. In the mass confusion of their unexpected attack, he had lost them in the crowd. "Did you truly believe that I would not come and end this once and for all? You have harmed my sons Gorothdil, that alone is enough to ensure my coming after you. But you have done far more than simply harming them. I heard Estel's screams long before we reached camps and I will tell you right now, you shall not escape punishment for your crimes once again!"
"Tisk, tisk, one would actually think that you love that little urchin of a creature that you call a son. Perhaps you do, who knows? All I know that he is human and as such, is not worthy of the eldar's love and affection," Gorothdil said drawing his sword.
"Give up now Gorothdil and I just may not kill you," Elrond said as he readied his sword.
"Why Elrond, I do believe you are mistaken. You are a healer Peredhil, not a warrior. If you do not out down your sword and surrender, it shall be you who will be killed, not I," Gorothdil said.
"It is true that I am a healer Gorothdil, but you forget one thing," Elrond said assuming an attacking position.
"Oh? And what is that?" Gorothdil said sounding bored as he lazily copied his opponents move.
"I fought in the Last Alliance and I have not forgotten any of the skills that I utilized in that battle."
Gorothdil's smirk faded and turned grim. "I had hoped that you would be reasonable and that I would have to kill you. It seems however that hope was misplace and so be it," he said before lashing out at Elrond, his sword headed right for Elrond's heart.
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Elrohir and Legolas watched with amazement and horror as their rescue party suddenly charged down the mountain at the stunned yrchs and Gorothdil. Arrows suddenly flew through the air as the stunned yrchs finally got their bearings and began to attack the small number of elves.
"Get down!" Elrohir shouted as he ducked numerous arrows that were headed their way. Legolas cursed and flung himself down, covering Estel's body with his own and offering what little protection he could.
"We need to get to some kind of shelter," Legolas yelled over sounds of battle.
"I agree," Elrohir said breathlessly as he ducked another stray arrow. "We are far to vulnerable out here."
They slowly crept to one of the caves where they would be able to evade most of the arrows. They were nearly there when Elrohir's attention was suddenly caught by something.
"Elrohir! Come, we must get to the cave now!" Legolas shouted as he dragged Estel into the cave.
Elrohir didn't move however. His focus was riveted on the sight of his father and Gorothdil circling each other, swords in hand, as they bantered back and forth.
It was due to his focus on his father and Gorothdil that he didn't see the stray arrow that was headed directly for him. Legolas however did. With a curse, he launched himself into Elrohir, throwing him out the way and putting himself in the path of the arrow.
Although Legolas had been fast enough to get Elrohir out the way, he wasn't able to get out of the arrows path himself completely. Before he had even realized what had happened, the arrow had imbedded itself only a few inches away from his heart.
As Legolas looked down at the arrow in his chest in shock, he distantly heard Elrohir call his name desperately before the world around him went dark and he felt nor heard anything at all.
Translations:
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Ion nin: My son
Mellon nin: My friend
A/N 2: Heh heh, would that be another evil cliffie? Ducks various knives, daggers, and other assorted sharp and pointy objects. Just remember, you can't kill me because who would finish the story? You all want to know what happens, don't you? Of course you do, so, that means you can't kill me. MWWWAHHH! Ta!