"Elladan, calm down! Legolas did not know that Estel is our brother. He was raised to not trust humans and it is difficult to meet and trust a human like Estel," Elrohir soothed as Elladan paced.
"All because he is a human. He is more honorable than some elves I know."
"Elladan! Go for a walk to cool down!" Elrohir ordered and watched as his twin walked into the shadows.
Elrohir sighed and ran his fingers through his dark hair. Turning towards the fire, he sighed again before starting to prepare a healing tea.
"How can the human be your brother?" Legolas asked as Elrohir glanced to Estel.
"Ada adopted Estel when he was two years of age. He has been with us ever since and he is our brother in everyway. You are lucky Elladan did not hit you," he said and sprinkled a few herbs into the water.
"How so?"
"Estel is always stereotyped wherever he goes. He was teased as a child by the elven children and often came to us in tears. He became in Elrondion."
Pouring the liquid into a cup, he tested the temperature and moved to Estel's side to gently lift his brother's torso. He coaxed the tea into the unresponsive human before gently lowering him. Brushing his fingertips over his brother's forehead, he sighed and sat back.
"He has so much resting on his shoulders. Some nights, it haunts him and he has nightmares. It breaks my heart some times," Elrohir said softly.
"I did not know that Elrond had adopted a human."
"The human has a name, please use it," Elrohir growled and looked to Legolas.
"Will Strider be alright?"
"He will. His heart and body are strong. We have gone through far worse things together than this," Elrohir replied and looked to his little brother as he shifted.
Moving closer to his brother, Elrohir carefully felt the forehead as he heard a weak groan.
"Estel? Can you hear me, little brother?"
"'Ro?"
"Aye, it is I. How do you feel?"
"Achy," Aragorn joked tiredly as his silver eyes opened slowly to focus on Elrohir.
His eyes drifted past Elrohir and locked onto the Mirkwood elf. Immediately, his eyes narrowed when he recognized the elf and he struggled to sit up. Elrohir first protested but finally moved to help his little brother and propped him against a tree. Elladan soon reappeared and went to his brother's side. Estel, however, waved his brothers away and stared at the blond haired elf.
"I am surprised to see you again, Master Elf. Especially after you left me for dead in that river."
"Estel, this is Legolas from Mirkwood. He is a good friend of ours. I believe you two have already met," Elrohir said after an uncomfortable silence.
"Unfortunately," Aragorn muttered before turning back to his brothers, "How bad is the wound?"
"Not bad; I put in about twenty stitches and so far it is clear of infection," Elladan said as he moved to Estel's thigh.
"Can we still ride to camp tomorrow?"
Elladan glanced up to his little brother before turning back to the wound. Gently probing around the wound and inspecting the slash, he wrapped the wound with fresh bandages.
"If you stay off your feet until tomorrow then maybe. And if you do not give me any grief," Elladan said sternly as he pointed a finger at the human.
"I? Give you any grief?" Aragorn asked with a smirk and Elladan smacked him on the arm.
"Enough talking Estel; eat some broth to get your strength up," Elrohir ordered and handed the bowl to his little brother.
"Yes, mother."
Legolas raised an eyebrow at the loving brotherly banter and continued to observe. He would see that Elladan and Elrohir respected their human brother. Why did they hold such love for this man? Could he have been so wrong about his person?
He looked up to Elrohir as the Noldor elf sat down next to him.
"What camp are we going to?" Legolas asked quietly.
"The Ranger camp that lies half a league away. Then perhaps we will ride to Rivendell to visit our father. Estel has not seen him for several years by now," Elrohir said quietly and looked closer to Legolas. "Things are different at the Ranger camp, Legolas. The men will respect you but they follow Estel. Your title will mean nothing there."
"What of Elladan and you?"
"They know we are Estel's brothers and they respect us for our abilities. But we have no sway over choices. They look to Estel and no one else," Elrohir replied and turned his gaze to his two brothers.
"Who is he, Elrohir? I know it is not common for Elrond to adopt a human child. What is Estel's story?"
"His father was murdered by orcs and his mother brought him to Rivendell for protection. He has been with us ever since," Elrohir said softly and looked up at Elladan as his twin neared.
"Estel is asleep now and will hopefully remain like that until morn," he said quietly and sat beside the other two.
"Will we ride for camp tomorrow?"
"I envision so. Estel is as stubborn as ever but the wound will heal well. He will be well enough to ride tomorrow," Elladan said and looked over to Legolas. "Estel told me everything. I am very tempted to hit you."
"I apologize, Elladan. Obviously I have spent far too much time in the Mirkwood realm. If you say I can trust this Estel, then I will."
"I can tell you to trust him, Legolas, but it will mean nothing until you learn to trust him," Elladan said and shrugged his shoulders.
"Do you trust him?"
"I would trust him with my life as would Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel and everyone else in Imladris. He has saved my life many times."
Legolas nodded and turned back to stare into the fire. Elladan's words struck him deep and he quietly mulled over the thoughts. It was true that he had been in Mirkwood for too long but it seemed that every time he went out he got in trouble. Mostly encountering the bad type of men like what happened this last time. He goes on a small hunting trip and he gets abducted and accused of murder. Beaten, abused, broken and everything else he could think of under the sun. And on this occasion he meets the human brother of Lords Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. And he leaves him to drown.
"I shall take first watch," Elladan volunteered and stood before reaching for his bow.
"Wake me when the moon has risen to its fullest height," Elrohir instructed before Elladan leapt into the thick foliage.
The camp fell silent as Legolas laid back and laced his fingers together loosely over his stomach. Elrohir moved to lay by the human and quickly slipped into elven dreams as Legolas stared at the foliage above him. Tomorrow they would ride for the Ranger camp; where most of Legolas' nightmares and fears took shape as humans.
(I)(I)(I)
"Elrohir, leave off. I am simply wounded, not an invalid. I can ride alone," Aragorn argued as he stood by Anil and glared at the younger twin.
"I do not wish to see you further injured. I am concerned for your well being."
"Let him ride alone, Elrohir. One of us will be along side him the entire time to tend to him if he needs aid," Elladan interrupted as he helped Legolas up behind him atop his stallion.
"Prince Legolas is far worse injured than I; you two shoulder be mothering him," Aragorn muttered and carefully mounted his horse.
"Have no worries, Estel. We have already lectured him about his wounds," Elladan said and shot the Mirkwood elf a look.
Legolas rolled his eyes and kept an arm wrapped around his midsection. His ankle and abdomen were the only wounds still healing Elladan said he would be able to move around with crutches later that day.
The four rode through the forest quietly as Elrohir and Estel spoke softly. Occasionally they would chuckle about something one said and would glance behind them to check on Elladan and Legolas. A few times, Elrohir would gently shove at Estel's shoulder in jest. Legolas could hear the faint elvish words but they were spoken softly and he could only pick up a few words. Elladan would occasionally speak to Legolas but there was still a bit of tension there.
"How is your father?" Legolas asked as Elladan glance over his shoulder to the other elf.
"The same as ever. He misses Estel and looks forward to each letter. Erestor and Glorfindel are about to murder each other but that is normal."
"How long until we reach the Ranger camp?"
"An hour or two at the most. Tonight there will probably be a small festival thrown by the Rangers and their families," Elladan said as the horse splashed through a stream.
"A festival of what kind?" Legolas asked curiously.
"To celebrate Estel's return, the new Rangers, the births of children; they celebrate many things. Life above all the reasons," he replied and tapped his horse into a trot to keep up with Aragorn and Elrohir.
"Interesting," Legolas mused softly and looked at the man ahead of him.
Estel sat straight in the saddle with his free hand resting lightly atop his wound on the thigh. The sword hung silently by his side and Legolas could see a slight bit of the handle of a dagger hidden in the man's right boot. Another deadly blade was at his waist within quick reach if needed. Legolas could see the hidden strength that the man possessed and wondered if all Rangers were like this strange human that rode into his life.
They rode silently for the remainder of the journey until Legolas became aware of eyes watching them silently. He was surprised he did not sense it earlier as his body tensed. Elladan turned his head and looked at the Mirkwood elf silently before speaking.
"Worry not, Legolas. They will not harm us."
Legolas tried to relax but it seemed impossible when they rounded a curve and found a group of about twelve men sitting silently atop horses. They stopped a few feet from the group and stared eye to eye until one of the biggest men spoke.
"What are you doing traipsing on these lands?"
Legolas was ready to give his left arm for a weapon, any weapon. He did not like how this was unfolding.
"We are traveling through these lands as is obvious by our horses and our movement. If you would be so kind as to move, then we will continue on our way," Aragorn replied just as coldly to the man.
"We can not allow that, traveler. You shall be take prisoner."
Aragorn nudged the horse forward until he was directly in front of the man. The two men squared off and neither gave any ground.
"Is that so, stranger? Then you better plan on using more than the few men you have because I will not go down without a fight," Aragorn growled as his mount restlessly pawed the soil.
They were silent and Legolas thought his heart was about to explode from his chest. He was suddenly filled with confusion when the older man smiled and threw back his head in laughter.
"You have not lost your edge one bit, Strider."
"Always nice to see your ugly face once again, Halbarad. Will you never learn that you can not throw me off balance?" Aragorn replied with a bright smile.
"You can not blame me for attempting," Halbarad joked and looked past his commander. "Greetings Lord Elladan and Lord Elrohir and Master Elf."
Legolas dipped his head in greeting to the man but remained silent. The larger group started down the path as Legolas nudged Elladan.
"What just happened?"
"That is Halbarad, Estel's second in command. Estel is the chieftain of the Dunedain, or otherwise know as the Rangers. Whenever they meet it is often like this, one trying to out do the other but it is more for relaxation than any thing else."
"If Strider is the chieftain then…" Legolas' eyes widened as Elladan turned his head to look at the shocked elf.
"I am entrusting this secret to you, Legolas. There are many things out there that would wish my brother dead by any means. You are one of a select few that knows the true identity of Estel. Do not make me regret telling you this or I will take my own blade to your heart before you could utter anything."
Elladan turned back to face the front as if nothing happened. Legolas was shocked by this side of Elladan that he had never seen in their long years of friendship he looked to the human with a new understanding before looking over to Elrohir. The other twin was giving him a hard look, no doubt informed by his brother through their connection of what was just told to him. Legolas knew that both brothers felt the same and neither would hesitate to follow through with their threat. They loved their brother that much.
These thoughts were halted when they arrived at the camp and the men swung from their horses. A few children ran forward and embraced Aragorn around the waist as he laughed. Legolas watched curiously as the human joked with the young children before they ran back to their mothers. He watched as he spoke quietly to Halbarad and motioned toward the twins and himself. Halbarad nodded before moving away and speaking with a few other Rangers. Aragorn limped over to them without so much as a flinch and nodded to Elrohir and Elladan helped Legolas from the horse.
"Halbarad is having some tents readied for you to rest. Some herbs will be brought for Prince Legolas' injuries. I will come and see you shortly but I must speak in private with Halbarad," he said quietly and Elladan nodded.
"Take your time, Estel. We have spent enough time with the Rangers to know the priorities."
Aragorn nodded and limped away to intercept Halbarad. A young Ranger showed them to their tents where Elladan gently lowered Legolas to a make shift cot. A flask of water and a bag of healing herbs appeared and Elrohir handed them to his brother before leaving the tent.
"Where does Elrohir go?" Legolas asked as Elladan gently unwrapped the bandages from around Legolas' abdomen.
"Probably to visit old friends; the families of men we use to battle side-by-side with," he replied softly as he gently probed around the wound.
"When did Elrohir and you ride with the Rangers?"
"Not long after Nana departed and up until we rescued Estel. We were fueled by an unending lust for blood of the creatures that almost killed Nana. Estel saved us though; even if he does not know it."
Legolas knew little of what happened after the departure of Lady Celebrian. He did know that the twins changed for the worst. Reports had come to him about elven brothers that hunted orcs and slaughtered the foul creatures. Stories reached him about how they would be covered by orc blood and still looked for more to kill. It saddened him to read what his friends were doing to themselves.
"How did Estel save you?"
A wisp of a smile graced Elladan's lips as he carefully rubbed a cream over the wound.
"He made Elrohir and I see the good again. His laughter and smiles brought joy and happiness back to the halls of Imladris. Elrohir and I had something more important to override our desire for revenge and that was Estel," he answered and gently felt the broken ankle.
"I never knew," Legolas mumbled and flinched when Elladan pressed too hard.
"Few did. Elrohir and I fell to a level we would rather forget." Elladan set the ankle back on the cot and rested his hands on his knees. "Your wounds are healing quickly. By this evening you should be able to walk around for evening meal when we eat tonight."
"Eat tonight? With the humans?"
(I)(I)(I)(I)(I)
I am so sorry for taking so long to update this story as well as the other one. My life has just been turned upside down since leaving school for the year. Anyway, here is the new chapter and I hope everyone likes it.
Linuvial Greenleaf- Some of the stuff that Elladan was thinking I could not write heehee. I still have to rent The Prophecy and watch that; yeah, when I get some time. I go into work at 7am and do not get out until about 6pm or so. How is Legolas going to fix things with Trotter? HA! That was freaking hilarious. Dude, where are you? I have been online two nights in a row and you are not here (wails). I WANNA TALK TO MY BETA READER! Just go ahead and call me Gail; I do not mind.
Deana- I thought it was a hilarious line and could just imagine the scene in my mind like a movie. I just see the twins spin and stare at him in shock upon realizing what he said. Now is when Legolas will start to let Aragorn in a bit and they will begin to understand each other.
Lindahoyland- Yeah, just go ahead and smack Legolas over the head and knock some sense into him. He really needs a heavy dose of reality. Glad you enjoy the story.
Elven Kitten- Legolas fell out of the stupid tree and hit every stupid branch on the way down to the stupid ground. I just totally went cross-eyed there with the stupid stuff. Wow; my mind is warped now. Thank you for the magnificent compliment and I will certainly continued to write as quickly as work and school will allow me to write. Take care.
Ainu Laire- I seriously busted out laughing when I read your review! I thought it was hilarious! Well Legolas did just that; left Aragorn for dead in a river. Heehee, so who got to Legolas first? Aragorn or you? Hope you gave him a good smacking to. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
ALonelySoul- I like the meeting stories too but they are few really good ones; or I just have not found them yet which is very possible. My story is unique? I am so thrilled, I like being unique and pride myself on it. Hope you enjoy the story and thank you so much for the compliment.
Neoinean- I thought it was a unique idea when it popped into my warped little brain. True, Aragorn risked his own neck to save Legolas but the elf does not really know that. He thought that the human had just killed the other men and released him because he wanted him for himself. If that makes sense. Legolas did not know who Aragorn was and is just overall untrusting of humans. I figure both Erestor and Glorfindel were the tutors; both working with Estel on different days. I will pity Legolas if he has to face Arwen; I am not sure if I am that cruel to write that scene. I may 'accidentally' give Legolas a black eye when Arwen decks him. Heehee, I am so mean.
Sielge- I could be friends with the person who tried to kill me if they saved my life soon afterwards. But then again, I am really not sure. I guess I would have to evaluate that if it ever happened to me; the proverbial 'I will cross that bridge when I get to it.' Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Catmint- It is brotherly love between Aragorn and the other two. Sibling love is the best. Crap! I meant: 'Elladan's shock lasted…' I hate it when I do that and then not realize it. I mess up stupid things like that. Sometimes I forget to put an 'e' on the end of a word that needs it. Thank you so much for the compliment and enjoy!
Wolf Jade- Crap! I did it again! (slams head onto desk) I am such a dip at times. I am sorry for the small error. Happens to the best of us! LOL! At least that is what I say whenever I do something like that. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Hanci- Well I am honored and thankful to be on the hope-they-update-soon list. I like those lists and I hope I earn the position in your eyes. Enjoy and I shall see you at the next update.
Slayer3- I almost put Slayer4; that was smooth of me. Go ahead and keep them in your closet/room, just be sure to let them out for some fresh air occasionally, okay? LOL! Enjoy!
Petra- I am very glad to be back for a new story. I always love posting new stories and seeing what everyone thinks of them.
I did some more research after receiving your concerns and I would like to ask: What business are you in that you know of these things? I researched The Voice and Swallowing Center in New York, two med students and one certified physician who in turn contacted a throat specialist for me. Everyone came back with the same answer that there is such a reflex known as the swallowing reflex. Swallowing has three stages which are: oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. The oral phase falls under the voluntary neuromuscular control and the latter two falls under involuntary neuromuscular control. After all, you do not drown while you are sleeping because of your saliva and I know there are times when I am at the dentist and I have to swallow at times. The involuntary action should be there unless there is brain trauma or the person is under deep anesthetics. Coma patients have feeding tubes because they cannot chew the food and using a feeding tube is much quicker to administer nutrients. And feeding tubes are for proteins and nutrients; liquids are administered through IVs.
It is taught in the medical profession and through medical textbooks that it is a better idea to stitch the wound later and not immediately. They suggest loosely packing the wound and inspecting it later to drain any new abscesses and removal for any new apparent non-viable tissue. It is known as delayed primary closure and this was first established during the First World War. Also, this is an elf and in the ME world; not 21st century medicine and a human.
Usually I am not repetitive. Most of the times I catch it while typing it and I am not sure why I did not catch it this time. I was probably typing it at like one or two in the morning and just did not realize it. That was my error in typing at odd hours of the night.
And in response to you review for the sequel: you may write what you did not like about 'An Ancient Bond' and I will certainly take it into consideration for the sequel.
Hope you liked this chapter!
Elvendancer- I have not seen the first movie in a while. I should get that next time I am at home. I have TTTEE and ROTKEE but no Fellowship. How was prom? I hope you had a good time. I remember my prom…wow. There are some memories there that I do not want to relive or remember. (shakes head forcefully) Wow, that was a trip back in time. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Viviana- You seriously have me blushing over here. I am glad that you liked the chapter so much and I hope that you like the chapter just as much. I will certainly keep that idea in mind if something pops in and I can not get rid of it. Aragorn-Arwen-Legolas…hmmm. I am thinking.
Stacee Phelps- I am really blushing and my head is growing. Heehee. You sound like you are really hyper. Had any chocolate lately? If so then pass some over here. Chocolate is very good; really, really good. Enjoy!
Karriya- I am honored that I am on your alerts. I promise I will try not to keep you waiting long.
Leggylover03- Thank you for the compliment. Hope you enjoy.
Randa-Chan- It was a shock but it will be forgiven…eventually. Heehee.
NycteaScandiaca- HA! Legolas as a donkey! Legolas Greenleaf and I already say that Legolas is the dog Lassie, always saving Aragorn whenever he gets into trouble. We bust up laughing all the time. One of those moments when one of us yells: 'Better call Lassie-uh, I mean Legolas.' We are so mean.
I would beat my computer for doing that. I would probably shriek and scare the crap out of my parents. But that does have its perks. Heehee, I am so mean at times.
The only medical background I have is being diabetic so knowing that information and whatever I learn from my doctors and friend doctors. I am also certified in CPR and first aid and often I quiz my med student friends so I learn whatever they are learning. I can fully understand about learning about all those diseases and ailments and wanting to write. I would be scribbling ideas on the corners of my papers and books. I would love to read your story. You need to email me and tell me when you have it posted. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Astalder27- Legolas will feel superbly guilty. Heehee, guilt is fun.
Viggomaniac- The thing with the maggots really creeps me out but they actually still do that and the medical society ill use leeches to prevent blood from clotting which even though are disgusting little creatures, it is cool. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Aranna Undomiel- Definitely, one very pissed off Elladan. But angry elves are freaking hot. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.