Yes, I know it took me forever but I've been really busy. I promise you an evil cliffie to make you all extremely happy again. As you will/might notice, it's longer!

Disclaimer: Sighs Forget it… see previous chapter or in case you want a decent disclaimer: see first chappy.

R&R

A Brother's Safety

Chapter Five: Two Versions

Delon didn't even know he was locked up in Elrond's study until he pulled the door handle down. He thought about calling for one of the servants but decided against it and made his way to the window. He opened it and looked down, there was no way he could jump without breaking a leg or any other body part for that matter. No, he would play along. He reclosed the window and made his way to the other side of the room, away from Elrond's desk and leaned against the wall.

He smiled when the door opened.

"My lord, what's happening?" He asked innocently.

Elrond closed the door and seated himself before replying, "Sit down for a moment, I wish to speak with you about a few unsolved matters."

"Unsolved matters my lord?" He asked while obeying.

"I want you to tell me exactly what happened," he stressed exactly without sounding suspicious.

"I was hunting when I came across him, he was already unconscious and he was bleeding heavily so I tried to stop it by putting pressure to his wound. I had also noticed the small baby. I decided I didn't have much time so I bandaged his wound best I could and carried the two of them here. When I was young my mother told me many great stories of you as a healer and I figured you were the only one able to save his life."

"It's good that you knew the right way to go," Elrond complimented before asking an inevitable question, "You mentioned the little one's name during our last conversation, how's that possible?"

"He uttered it a few times while unconscious and I figured the name he kept saying was the little one's."

Elrond nodded, "I hope you understand the precautions I took, I needed to be sure about this."

"Of course I do my lord."

Elrond stood, "There's no reason to make you stay then I suppose, but to show you my gratitude I'd like you to invite you for dinner."

Delon smiled, "I'd love to."

"And you should also spend the night in the palace, I think it'd be easier for you if you'd leave in the morning, well-rested. "

"Thank you my lord, I accept your offer."

"Good, then I'll show you your room."

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"You look a lot like your big brother, you know that little one?" Elrohir asked Eleiden, he wasn't expecting an answer, he just wanted to hold the baby.

"That's more than enough, let me hold him now, before he throws up on you again," Elrohir interrupted the bonding.

"Two times in an hour?"

Elrohir grinned, "I would."

Elladan glared at his younger brother before handing him the baby.

They both sat there for some time, staring at Eleiden, wondering what had happened to his mother. Their thoughts where interrupted by their father entering the room.

"What did you find out?" The twins asked simultaneously.

"Well, er… he's staying for dinner."

Elrohir's chin almost hit the ground, "what did you say adar? He's dangerous, why didn't you just arrest him? He stabbed Legolas!" he almost yelled.

"Calm down Elrohir, I know what he did. But we don't know if Delon was alone, Legolas hasn't been able to tell us that yet and the sooner we know the better."

"In order to catch them too?"

Elrond smiled slightly, "of course, he will give us more information as a guest than as a prisoner."

'I hope,' Elrond added in thoughts.

"Perhaps he knows something more about Legolas' mother?" Elrohir wondered out loud, a bit more relaxed.

"Perhaps, I'm sure Thranduil would like to find out," he thought of his best friend and could only imagine the worry he must've been going throughever since hereceived his letter.

Elrond suddenly sniffed and changed the subject, "what's that smell?"

Elladan glanced accusingly at his twin brother.

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"Have a seat."

Delon immediately obeyed not wanting to seem suspicious or act strange in any other way. He only wanted to show his complete trust but he wondered, 'does he really believe me? Are all elves this stupid?'

"I thank you once again for your offer," Delon started the conversation.

"My pleasure, I have good news by the way."

"Good news my lord?" Delon impatiently shifted his position.

"We found the father."

"Does that mean you know what happened?"

"Not really, we're still trying to figure that one out. He wants to meet you and although he's filled with grief he wants to reward you," Elrond lied. But his lie was also partly true, Thranduil would love to reward this man… probably with poison if he didn't keep an eye on the king of Mirkwood.

Delon eyed the elf on the other side of the table. "When will he arrive?"

"I think in one or two days, you are free to stay if you wish, one of the servants has already told me you like your room."

"I do, I like it a lot," he smiled slightly, "I feel responsible somehow by arriving too late and I would like to explain it to this man," he corrected himself: "…elf in person."

"I'm sure you will feel better after meeting him," Elrond stated. If there was anybody else in the dining hall at that very moment who knew Thranduil, he would've choked on his wine.

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Legolas woke that night and he felt a lot better than the previous day. He was still feeling a bit groggy thanks to the tea he had been given but he was grateful the pain was still on a bearable level. He looked around and made sure he didn't move too much. Although he missed his naneth he convinced himself he had to carry on and not follow her to the Halls of Mandos.

He managed a smile when he saw Eleiden in Elrond's arms, the two of them were asleep. He was only a few days old but Eleiden knew exactly how to get all the attention he needed. Elrond was awake in the blink of an eye and tried to sooth him by softly singing a lullaby. Eleiden started crying even louder, if that was at all possible.

Legolas couldn't help but chuckle, he winced as the action pulled at his wound.

Elrond lifted his head and smiled back, happy to see the younger elf awake once again, "Looks like you've decided to join us again, how's the pain penneth?" he asked as he rubbed Eleiden's back.

"I'm fine," he tried but corrected himself when Elrond rolled his eyes, "bearable."

"You should rub his belly, he likes that."

Elrond sighed in relief when the small elf stopped crying, "thank you, I seem to have forgotten a few things." He stood and placed Eleiden in the cradle near the end of the bed.

Elrond sighed again, settled himself on the bed and locked eyes with Legolas before getting serious, "I'm not sure if you are ready for my questions but I think you might be able to help us find your mother."

"They're all dead," Legolas began, "orcs attacked us just when naneth…"

Seeing the younger elf's apparent distress Elrond interrupted him, "You don't have to tell it yet if you do not want to I only need to know where it happened, that's more than enough for now."

Legolas nodded, "not far from Mirkwood, but I can't remember the exact location. I'm sorry I-"

"Shhh, it doesn't matter we'll find them. Rest now, you need it."

Legolas was about to fall asleep when an alarmed servant came running in, "My lord, we need you, there's a fire!"

Elrond made his way to the door and found himself turning around again to check on Legolas.

"Go," he said, "I'll be fine."

Elrond nodded, "I will return shortly or I'll send one of my sons."

"Thank you."

Elrond smiled in reply and quickly followed the servant.

Delon almost laughed out loud but reminded himself he would be noticed if he did. Silent as the grave, he opened the door to Legolas' room. He had overheard two servants talking about how lucky the elf was surviving a deep stab wound like that.

He walked over to the bed and took out a knife.

"You won't get the chance to tell anyone," he said, not knowing Legolas had already told Elrond who stabbed him, before bringing it down.

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Cliffie! Yes, I AM evil! Review and tell me what you think!

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Translations:

Adar: father

Naneth: mother

Penneth: young one

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Haldir's Heart and Soul: Nope, smart Elrond indeed ;-)

KerowynGreenleaf: Update real soon? Oops, I seem to be doing the opposite, sorry 'bout that. I'll try better next time.

Seylin: thx and I will try my best.

Rebell: I scared you? I should continue then I suppose…with more cliffies.

amani alye: Thx, I'm glad you like it. Eleiden means new star/poet or something like that, it's probably not entirely correct. 'êl' means 'new' and 'eden' means 'star or poet' but I took the liberty to change it a little by putting an I in it and dropping the . Don't shoot me if it's wrong I just liked the name blushes. I suppose you already know why Elrond told Delon Legolas was dead (cliffie! ) Sorry couldn't help myself. Perhaps Elrond seems a bit OOC but it's only because he doesn't want Delon to know about the fact that he knows Legolas and that he's a prince. I hope that explains the insensitivity ;-)