Summary-Every year on the first of June the twins set forth to hunt down their mother's tormentors, until one day, something goes wrong. Will they survive? Or will they fall into darkness, taking the Hope of Men with them?

Disclaimer- As always, I sadly do NOT own LOTR, and I make absolutely no money for this work. Boohoo.

Elladan drew a deep breath of the early morning air. It was damp with humidity; a sticky warmth that promised to turn into wet heat as the sun rose. Birds started their morning song, filling the air with a sweet tune.

Elrohir stood beside his brother in silence as they both gazed out over the beauty of Imladris. Dawn's glowing fingers slowly pushed their way into the hidden valley, spearing through the morning mist. The younger twin swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. The sight of his home always affected him very strongly. Especially today…

The beauty of the elven refuge could not dispell the dark cloud over the twins' souls. Or…Perhaps…Perhaps it was because of the beauty the weight descended upon them so heavily. It was a blackness; something deep, and ugly, and powerful, that clung to them like a second skin.

A rage that had gone so far…

Elladan shook with the power of the emotions that clung to him. He knew. He knew that there was a line he and his brother had crossed. The acts they committed, though just, were leaving their marks. And he was not entirely sure that those marks would fade with time. He knew that they should release the anger that had held them captive for so many years.

He glanced at his brother and saw the same fears etched into Elrohir's eyes. The same fears, and the same unrelenting hatred that burned as brightly as the day it was first kindled.

A day so long ago…

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A pitifully delicate creature cringed away from the approaching twins, pressing against the rock face of the cave. The low moaning sound that filled the air bespoke of terror…and it horrified Elladan to hear such a sound coming from his mother.

Chains much to heavy for her slender limbs held her tightly, and Elrohir wept as he cut them away. Elladan caught her thin frame as she fell forwards, unable to support her own weight

"Naneth!" He whispered brokenly as he cradled the elf woman. "Nana…"

But she did not respond. Indeed, she did not even seem to see him any more. Her beautiful eyes were dulled…pain and horror filled…

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Elladan clenched his teeth as the familiar surge of bitter rage pumped through him. His mother was gone. Even the wonderful healing powers of his father, Lord Elrond, had not been able to cleanse her soul. Elladan recalled the long nights after he and his twin had brought her home. Elrond tried…but to no avail. She had gone beyond even his great skill.

Every year, on the day that they had brought her from the orcs' den, Elladan and Elrohir set out from their home. Their weapons were sharp, and their hands were strong. Their rage knew no bounds.

So many orcs had fallen to their blades over the years, and still their thirst for revenge was unsatisfied.

Elrohir touched his brother's shoulder lightly, pulling Elladan from his musings. The elder twin locked eyes with the younger. For a moment, they remained thus.

Elladan smiled tightly. "Are you ready?"

Elrohir returned the smile and nodded. "Let's be off."

As Elrond's firstborn started forward, Elrohir turned, as he always did, and took one look at the last homely house.

And, as always, there was an elf standing at one of the windows watching them leave. Dark hair spilled over his shoulders, held back from his face by delicate braids. Gray eyes seemed to pierce Elrohir. There was a wealth of sadness in those eyes…a depth of grief that only a few could understand…

Elrohir swallowed hard and turned away.

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Elrond sighed deeply as he watched his son turn and follow Elladan. Another year. Every time the twins left he feared that they would not return. Their anger, combined with the loss of their mother made them reckless.

The elf lord pressed long fingers against the cool glass as if he could reach through the physical barrier and stretch out his hand to his children; as if he could push through the emotional barriers they had erected the night his wife had sailed.

The twins disappeared from Elrond's sight and he let his hand fall from the window.

Celebrian would not have wanted this.

0-0-0-0

Estel's eyes opened with a snap. He sat up in bed, grinning widely. Today was the first of Norui.

Every year for as long as the young man could remember, his brothers went on a trip on the first of Norui. Beg and tease as he might, they would never allow him to accompany them, nor even tell him where they were going.

Until this year.

Not that they had changed their minds, oh no.

Estel slid from his bed and hurriedly threw on a hunting shirt and some trousers. Picking up a pack he had gotten ready the night before, the slender youth dashed out onto his balcony and scanned the area for the twins…ah. There they were. Elrohir glanced back towards the house and the young human drew in his breath sharply, fearing he had been spotted. But the younger twin did not seem to see his little brother. He turned around and continued after Elladan.

Estel breathed a deep sigh of relief. With a big smile he quickly clambered into the branches of a tree overhanging his railing and made his way towards the ground.

He was thirteen for the love of the Valar! Certainly that must be old enough to travel with them! He had improved with bow and sword…at least, he could hit a fair sized target that wasn't moving, and he could almost hold his own in a sparring match if he was against his brothers and they decided to be lenient.

The dark haired youth snorted softly as his feet touched the ground. Too young, they said. Too inexperienced. Well, he would prove that they were wrong. His silver eyes lit with excitement as he strode after the twins, careful not to make a sound. He would follow them until they were far enough away from Rivendell that they wouldn't send him back. The bouyancy of youth assured him that he would have no trouble tracking two elves without their knowledge of his presence.

A smile touched his lips. He would prove to them that he was ready.

0-0-0-0

Late afternoon light spilled through the trees above them, creating patchy patterns of gold across the forest floor. The twins walked steadily onwards. Each was engrossed with his own thoughts…dwelling on the power that seemed to call them forth every year.

Elladan cocked his head to one side and held out his arm, silently motioning to his twin. Elrohir stopped dead, his hands going automatically to his weapons. Now that he was listening, he could hear the noise that had alerted his brother.

It was not loud…almost unnoticable. The soft panting of someone (or something) who did not want to be found...

Elladan's hand twitched, the fingers pointing towards a clump of thick bushes. Elrohir nodded softly. He too thought that was where the sound was coming from. Silently, the younger twin drew a dagger and moved toward the shrubbery.

Elrond's eldest swiftly pulled his sword free of its' scabbard and caught up with his brother. He did not want to use arrows…not until he knew for sure what it was they were hunting…after all, it could be an animal…

Something in the bushes moved.

Elrohir shot his brother a knowing look.

Not an animal then. Though it was crouched onto all fours, it did not move naturally in such a position. Yet the twins still could not strike. After all, it could be human.

The elves seperated, coming at the shrubbery from two different angles, their weapons at the ready.

There was a loud scuffling as whatever it was suddenly realized that it was being surrounded and tried to make a break for it. Elladan felt a jolt as he saw it was wearing a dark cloak that covered it from head to foot…but it was too small for a man!

An orc!

With a snarl, the twin leapt forward. The creature gasped, but rose swiftly and fled. Or…tried to flee. Elladan caught up to him within ten steps.

Rage poured through the elf as he caught his quarry by the shoulder and spun him violently around, weapon poised to plunge into the creature's black heart… "Filthy, murdering, orc scum!"

To his surprise, there was no snarl…no harsh exclamation in the black tongue…but a high pitched, almost childish yelp of pain as the dark haired elf's fingers dug into the monster's shoulder.

The hood of the cloak fell back from his captive's face…

…and instead of a hideous, snarling, yellowed-eyed countenance, Elladan found himself staring into a pale face with dark locks falling around it…and wide silver eyes…

"Estel!" Elladan's mouth dropped in horror. His fingers suddenly grew weak at the thought of what he had almost done to his little brother and his sword fell to the ground with a thud. "Estel…oh, Valar…."

Strength returned to his hand with a vengeance as it closed around the young human's collar. "YOU IDIOT!" Elladan shook Estel hard, his grey eyes burning with anger. "What did you think you were DOING?"

"I…just…wanted…to ….know…where…you….were…going…" Estel tried to speak as his teeth rattled with the force of his older brother's shaking.

Elrohir came up beside his twin, a matching expression of anger marring his fair elven features. "Do you realize what we could have done to you! Eru! Estel, you were almost spitted!"

"I…know…that…"

With a final shake, Elladan released the young human abruptly. Estel stumbled backwards a pace, but managed to stay on his feet. He swallowed hard as he looked from one twin to the other, noticing the identical glares. "I just wanted to come along…"

"There is a reason," Ellandan gritted between clenched teeth, "that we say no every year, Estel. You are too young to come with us!"

The silver eyes flashed with temper. "I'm thirteen years old!"

"Which makes you a very advanced infant," Elrohir said blandly.

The human's face turned a peculiar shade of red at the insult, his small hands closing into fists. "I want to come," he said stubbornly.

"You can't," the twins answered flatly in unison.

"Listen for once, Estel," Elrohir said in a not unkind tone. "What we do now we must do alone, and it is not for your eyes to see. Not for many years to come."

"So turn around and head home," Elladan's voice was a little harsher than his twin's. "You probably have Ada combing Imladris for you by now."

Estel flushed a little as he thought of Elrond's worry. Scowling, he stared at the ground.

Elladan sighed as he gazed at his little brother. It was almost comical really…the thirteen year old was just hitting his growth spurt and was at the point where he seemed to be all arms and legs. The cloak he had taken was too big for his lanky frame and almost pooled around his feet in dark folds. A dagger hung from his belt, but Elladan knew that Estel was not skilled with the weapon at all. The young human was fair with archery, and gifted with swordplay, but if he was ever to wield a dagger he would have to work long and hard.

Estel fidgeted under his brother's stare. Elladan exchanged a wry look with his twin. He understood his little brother's frustration…already he regretted the harsh tone of his voice. His anger stemmed from the shock of nearly stabbing the slender youth. He sighed again. "Bado bar, gwanor nin," he said softly. "We will see you when we return."

Without a word, Estel turned and stormed away, his cloak snagging against the bushes as he passed.

Elrohir shook his head as he watched the young one leave. The twin felt a moment of unease when he thought of Estel returning all by himself…but quickly snuffed it out. Estel had, after all come this far on his own, and he was not likely to welcome either of the twins 'babysitting' him all the way home. Especially not now.

"Come on," Elladan said quietly, turning to go.

Elrohir followed him, his mind still dwelling on his younger brother.

0-0-0-0

Estel kicked violently at a tree branch as he passed in an attempt to assuage his frustration. It didn't work. Now he was even more frustrated due to the stinging pain in his toes.

Too young. Too young! Always…always, that was what they said. 'You can't go hunting with us, Estel, you are too young.' 'Travel to Lothlorien with us? Oh no, Estel. Wait to come with Ada. You are too young to travel without the guards.' 'No, Estel, you can not stay up for the feast, you are too young. You need your sleep.'

Boiling with resentment, the young human temporarily forgot that his brothers were always unfailingly kind to him, and conveniently blocked out the many times the twins had snuck him past the watchful eyes of Lord Elrond so that he could join with them in some pursuit the elf lord would not normally allow one so…young.

The overlarge cloak caught on a branch and held fast, almost strangling the thirteen year old when he did not notice and kept walking. Swearing in Sindarin, he bent to untangle it.

snap

Estel froze at the sound. Slowly, he lifted his dark head…

…only to have his silver eyes lock with the angry yellow glare of a beast he had never seen before, but had heard much about.

It was like a wolf, only bigger. Much bigger. The neck and snout were shorter, giving it a stocky muscular look. A warg.

Estel stared in horror at the monster. At the back of his mind, a little voice was demanding to know how something this big had managed to sneak up on him, but he promptly told it to shut up. He had more important things to worry about. Moving very, very slowly, the boy drew his dagger from his belt and cut his cloak free. Slower still, he straightened from his crouched position, his dagger held at the ready. The silver eyes darted back and forth almost desperately, searching for some means of escape…They fell on the tree that he stood beside…

The warg snarled and crouched, preparing to spring. With a roar, it leapt forward, fangs bared…

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Naneth/nana-Mother(mommy)

Ada-Father(daddy)

Norui-June

Bado bar, gwanor nin.-Go home, my brother.

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