Chapter Fifteen: Hope is Rekindled

Legolas jumped off his horse and flew into the trees above him. Loud guttural laughter reached his ears. He had finally found the orcs, after two days of searching. He prayed to the Valar that these were the orcs who held Elladan captive, and there was only one way to find out.

Pulling himself up onto the large branch, he squatted low, peering through the heavily dense foliage. Legolas felt his eyes narrow with excitement, his blood boiled and a small wicked grin spread across his face. Pulling his bow off his shoulders, he notched an arrow to the tightly bound string, and pulled back. He sighted down the length of the arrow spotting an orc roaring evilly. Barring his teeth, Legolas let his first arrow fly. Striking the orc with amazing speed and accuracy, the orc fell before it had time to cry out in surprise.

Legolas jumped down from the trees, letting arrows fly straight to their mark as he ran. They had no time to react as the elf raced into the clearing. The orcs scrambled around pulling out their weapons, as more of them fell beneath the elf's attacks. The whistling of his arrows flying through the air seemed to cause the orc's to slow. To Legolas' relief they seemed confused.

The elf spun around as he felt air approach his back, and he pulled a small sword from it's scabbard, slicing through the air, he cut down the orc who had tried to take him unawares. Another sword swung at his head, and he ducked barely missing the swing. He felt the sword stir the hair on the top of his head, and he winced as he realized how close that had been. Stabbing upward, Legolas caught the orc in the stomach and heard the satisfactory grunt as his small sword cut through the skin.

Standing upright, he looked around him making sure none were in hiding. Wearily, he scouted the camp and searched for signs of Elladan. Frowning, he could find no signs of him. Angrily, Legolas threw down his sword and let a yell of frustration escape his lips. A muffled groan caused him to whirl around startled. Searching with his eyes, he still could not find the prone figure.

"Elladan?" He called out into the small clearing.

Another moan.

"Where are you?" He asked frantically, walking around the camp. Pushing aside branches and searching inside bushes, he still for the life of him could not find where the sounds were emanating from. "Where are you?" He asked again.

"H-er-e." A small moan choked out from his right.

Spinning around once again at how close the voice was, Legolas knelt down beside the trunk of the tree. Elladan was crumpled inside the bowl of the trunk. "Oh Valar!"

Cire walked down the deserted halls of Rivendell taking in the spectacular sights. Everywhere he looked there were tapestries or paintings of previous battles. Swords, spears, katars, shields, bows, and quivers lined the walls of the room he was in. Armour and helms hung on stands everywhere. Gauntlets, and grieves filled chests, chain mail hung on posts. Even rare items hung on rings hanging from the rafters. Shivering, Cire knew this was one race he didn't want to be at war against. Walking out of the room into the halls again, he stopped briefly by a large painting with a pose of elven families. He recognized the Lord Elrond in the picture, and assumed the two children were his sons but at a very young age. The golden haired beauty beside him could only be one person, his wife. Smiling, he stared at the painting before he turned his head startled at the commotion that flew by him.

Something must have happened, he gasped. Racing after the lady and the guards, Cire followed them back to the healing halls. He had been lost, now in familiar territory, he paused beside the door, glancing in at the bed. There was the golden haired elven woman, and Elrond, sitting on the side of the bed. Two guards appeared suddenly in front of him, closing the door behind them. Looking up at the stern looks they gave Cire, he stepped back respectively, giving the family privacy. Lowering his head, he wandered over to the small bench and sat down.

He didn't know how long he sat there, but finally lowered his head into his hands. The son's of Elrond appeared to be good men. He didn't want them to die, and he wanted the opportunity to get to know them better. Cire lifted his head and glanced at the guards who stood on either side of the door holding Pilum's crossed over blocking the entrance. Their features were masked, showing no signs of anger, sorrow, or hatred. They almost looked like stone statues, except for the slight movement of their chests when they breathed.

Cire sighed, and lowered his head into his hands again. He waited.

Legolas pulled as gently as he could to free Elladan from his wooden prison. The elf yelped several times, until he was free, and then lay there covered in a thin layer of sweat. The Mirkwood Prince almost gasped at the numerous wounds that covered Elladan's body.

Shaking his head, he lifted a flask of water to Elladan's lips and allowed some to drip into his parched mouth.

"Mu-st, get to-Ro." Elladan gasped quietly. His voice was weak, and the pain in his chest caused him to cough slightly. Blood filled his mouth and he spat it out with contempt.

"Easy. I will get you to Rivendell, but right now you must allow me to bind your wounds." Legolas whispered.

"No-no time." Elladan argued.

"Enough. I will bind your wounds with or without your cooperation." Legolas placed a finger on Elladan's mouth to prevent him from speaking again. "Relax, this will not take long, and then we go to Rivendell.

Nodding with the strength he had left, Elladan lay quietly as Legolas bound the open wounds, but cried out when his left foot was twisted and set. He felt the bones grind against one another causing his face to twist up in pain. Legolas glanced up and apologized, before turning his attention to the other foot.

"This one will be no better, Elladan. Here bite on this." The Mirkwood Prince placed a stick on his lips giving the other elf time to open it and clench it between his teeth. "Ready?"

Elladan glared at him. He groaned against the stick when his right foot snapped back into place. Spitting the stick out of his mouth, he croaked. "You did that on purpose!" Elladan accused.

Legolas smiled lightly, shaking his head ignoring the elf. "Do you think you can ride?"

Elladan winced briefly. "I can do anything in order to get home."

"Good." Legolas tied the last knot on the ankle braces and whistled for his horse. The tanned mare pranced into the clearing stopping beside the prince. Gently, Legolas lifted Elladan into his arms and struggled to lift him onto the horses back. "You are heavy." Legolas chuckled.

Elladan groaned as his body was jarred. "I am not!" He barred his teeth at the blond.

Legolas jumped up behind the dark haired elf, and pulled him back against his chest. "Now we ride!" He whistled kicking his feet gently into the mare's sides. "Swift and gently!" He commanded the horse that took off like a light into the trees.

Elladan closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness, escaping the pain he felt with the horses gallop. He once again searched for his brother's bond, and slowly followed it wearily. Something seemed out of place in this once peaceful place they shared.

Exploring the vastness, Elladan could not find his brother's fëa at first. After calling out a few times, he heard his brother's whispered plea's. The ties of their bond were almost severed. In the time Elladan had last been here, more strands had fallen. Giving a cry of surprise, Elladan raced forward and gripped the last remaining strands, hoping to keep them tied until he returned home. The faint sounds of tearing filled his ears, as he gripped with all the strength he possessed. There was no way he was allowing his brother to fade without him.

Legolas looked down at Elladan when he moaned slightly. Fearing the ride was hurting the seriously injured elf, he whispered to the mare to slow her pace. The moaning did not cease as Legolas hoped. He reached a long fingered hand to the dark haired elf's forehead and felt the heat emanating from it. Swallowing hard, Legolas felt torn. His brother had the same fever. Knowing that not much time was left for Elladan, Elrohir and his own brother, Legolas threw all caution to the wind and barked out a command to the horse for all speed. With renewed energy, the mare picked up her hooves and flew across the land; only her faint panting was heard on the wind.