I don't know why I'm still updating this seeing as no one likes it. Sniff sniff. Anyway if no one has anything nice to say about this chapter the whole story goes. Compredi

They entered the wood and Elrohir chanced a look behind him, dense trees greeted his gaze. They entered a small glade and he judged that all eyes were behind them now. He turned to his brothers, pulling his hood away; Elladan gasped and started shaking slightly Elrohir's face was streaked with tears "Elrohir," he whispered "No I am dreaming." Suddenly he fell to his knees, still holding Estel. "Please kill me," he whispered, "Elrohir where are you?" he cried desperately. "Elladan, calm down, it is me." Elrohir swiftly came to his twin's side taking Estel of him and lay him gently on the ground, he had fallen unconscious at some point, thought Elrohir suspected he was in no danger; he knelt beside his young brother and smiled. Elladan seemed to have calmed down and came over to him. "Elrohir?" he asked hoarsely. "Is that really you?" Elrohir nodded and embraced his brother. They broke apart and Elladan looked suspiciously at Elrohir. "Brother why are you crying?"

"Oh no, it's anything." Elrohir said, indeed now that his brothers were safe nothing else mattered. Elladan froze and understanding flashed across his face. "Elrohir, no. You know I didn't…" his voice was choked with tears. "Elrohir, brother, I'm sorry I didn't… brother please forgive me." Elladan stopped

"Valar, Elladan I forgive you." Elrohir laughed. "How are you?" he asked worriedly.

"I am fine, they did not hurt me." Elladan answered. Elrohir was becoming worried Elladan looked to be on the point of nervous collapse. His eyes flicked to his brother who was gazing over to Estel. "We were forced to walk; Estel was dragged."

Elrohir winced and motioned for Elladan to continue. "Came to the inn,"

Elrohir nodded moving over to his brother. "You're getting tired Elladan," he cautioned.

"I'm fine. Then you came. Who was the one who ran out Elrohir?"

Elrohir's face clouded over. "That was Lithmir."

Elrohir fell silent and Elladan moved the conversation to other matters.

"Elrohir I thought I'd never hear you voice again. But I fear you have hurt yourself trying to save us. What is that blood on your arm?" Elladan questioned with concern.

"Honestly Elladan will you not believe me when I say I'm fine? But come, brother you said Estel was dragged?" he gently brushed Estel's wet hair out of his eyes, Estel murmured in his sleep and batted Elrohir's hand away. Elladan nodded. "I would rather not speak of the matter. But I would like to know why there is blood on your arm, Elrohir if you claim to be fine." Elrohir sighed and pulled his tunic sleeve up to revel a long cut. " There Elladan, are you happy? It does not pain me, indeed I am not aware of how that happened, but I assure you it is not of your concern." With an air of finality, Elrohir moved over and began the fruitless trial to get a fire started; he gave up as a small flame hissed on the clumps of snow.

"You sleep, I'll wake you Elladan." Elladan nodded and lay back on his slightly drier cloak. There was very little snow here, which was to their advantage. Elrohir sat next to Estel, whose grey eyes where staring into the trees. "Estel?" they moved their focus to Elrohir. "How are you feeling?" he closed his eyes in response, Elrohir felt his forehead gently. "You have a fever Estel." he informed the young human softly. "Will I be alright?" Estel asked weakly. Elrohir hesitated for a split second before answering. "Yes little one you'll be fine." Estel lay his head on Elrohir's chest. "Where are we?" he asked, his wet hair clinging to Elrohir's tunic. "We're safe now Estel."

Elrohir was pulled from his sleep by the sound of a sharp cry. He opened his eyes and made to leap up; a grubby knife was at his throat, he glanced up it blade to the equally grubby owner. Elrohir recognised him from the crowd of men at the auction. He was now snarling viciously at him. "Thought you could save them did you elf?" he spat; glancing over his shoulder Elrohir could see Elladan fighting to get back to Estel, before he was hauled roughly to his feet and a knife placed on his back.

"Walk."

Elladan to was being pushed on at knifepoint. "What about the kid?" another voice inquired. "Leave him, he ain't gonna make it to where we're going." He gave a short laugh then pushed Elrohir forward. Elrohir heart was racing as what the man said sunk in. his brother would die here alone. "Please…" he hesitated, but a sharp jab in his back was enough to silence him. Elladan glanced back desperately at his twin. "Come on Elrohir," he mouthed seeing his brother begin to struggle. "Adar will find him." a flicker of hope rose in Elrohir's heart. If their father followed them he would find Estel. Elrohir hoped he found him before it was too late.

They walked through the deepening snow for uncounted hours until they came to what appeared to be a checkpoint; two horses and a pony attached to a cart where waiting there; a coil of rope lay in the back on the cart. Elrohir, having a shrew idea of what the rope was for, saw his last chance of escape; he began to struggle and cry out in elvish; the man closest to him flipped his sword around and swung the hilt in to the side of Elrohir's head with astonishing strength. There was a dull thud and Elrohir fell, without out a cry, to the ground; Elladan froze and in turn began pulling away, the hooded man standing by the cart swiftly rose and, grabbing the rope, roughly tied Elladan's arms behind his back. The same was done to Elrohir. "You're late," the watchman growled. "They're still putting up a fight, though I dare say that one's," he jerked his thumb to a motionless Elrohir. "had the fight knocked out of him. You take 'em, from here Sam."

"Yes of course."

He pointed toward the cart "Get in." he snarled in through the dark rain. If they didn't tie his legs he could escape Elladan thought hopefully, but he didn't dare to abandon his brother here, totally defenceless against what these man would deal to him. "And don't you think of running either of your friend here will pay." the hope died from Elladan like leaves falling in winter. Elrohir was thrown in next to his twin. Elladan looked up into the sky blinking against the now lightly falling raindrops. It looked like the rain would stop soon. "Valar," he whispered to the grey clouds "Save us.",