Chapter 13: Alone in the Storm!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings

Author's notes: Well, here is chapter 13; I hope that you will enjoy it!

"ADA!" little Estel yelled upon hearing the first thunder. He awoke the instant he heard it, thinking he was still in his home. He was scared. It was a storm, his Ada was far away, and he had nobody else to run to.

His little pony Corusador stood up, as if he thought that Estel was in danger. The pony gently pushed him with his head, and Estel then realized that he was not alone.

Corusador was really loyal to his master, understanding that he was still a child, so he was careful whenever Estel rode him. But now, what Estel needed was comfort, and the little pony kept nudging him with the head.

"Thanks Corusador" Estel said, and Corusador just neighed. Estel sat down on the cave floor, and Corusador followed suit. Estel snuggled against the pony's side, he was really scared.

The cave was lighted by a second lightning. Estel gave a little jump, never expecting something like that, and he grabbed Corusador's mane tightly in his grasp.

Corusador lay there, never protesting as his mane was jerked, and trying to offer as much comfort as he could.

The rain had been going on for a little time before the first thunder was heard. Legolas was unconscious once again, due to the pain that he felt in his back, and from blood loss, but the twins were awoken by it.

"'Ro, there is a storm"

"I know 'Dan. So what's the matter? We're not getting wet. Or are you scared?"

"Of course I'm not scared!" Elladan replied indignantly. Then he added "I know 'Ro, we are not getting wet, but think of Estel"

Elrohir now understood. Whenever there was a storm, their little gwador would creep into one of their rooms, or go to his Ada, and if Legolas was visiting, he sometimes also woke up the Prince. He was still a child, and so was still scared of storms.

"I think that maybe he is still in Rivendell, with our Ada. Waking him right now, asking if he can make the storm go away, and begging to remain with him the rest of the night." Elrohir said.

"But, 'Ro, he was following us" Elladan said in a whisper, scared that Duirellon would find out about their brother.

"You mean that Estel was the one following us since we came out of Rivendell? How do you know?"

"We felt that we were being followed, and Duirellon felt it too. He even set out his servants to look for him, but luckily they returned empty handed. And knowing Estel, nothing would have stopped him from coming, even if he was told not to." Elladan explained.

"Then Estel is outside in this storm?"

"Yes"

"Valar! He must be feeling really bad! He is really afraid of storms! And he could even get sick!" Elrohir said, now he was worried about his brother.

"I know 'Ro, but let us hope that he will be all right, as well as Legolas"

Elrond and his party were already in the cave, and were currently asleep, save for the two guards that were keeping watch.

The first thunder was heard as the rain continued falling down, never stopping. Elrond woke up, thinking that he was still in Rivendell, warm and comfortable on his bed.

Then he realized that he was out of his house inside a cave, seeking shelter against he terrible storm.

He sat in his bedroll, and one of the guards noticed him.

"Hir-nín, is everything fine?"

"Yes, do not worry, I am fine," Elrond replied, knowing that he wasn't going to be falling asleep again, so he told the guard to go and get some sleep. The guard was reluctant, but Elrond assure him that he wasn't going to be falling asleep, and with that the guard left to get some sleep.

Elrond sat near the entrance of the cave, and knowing that he was fine against the terrible yet powerful force of the storm, gaze at it with wonder. It was such a spectacle, capable of doing terrible yet amazing things. His face was occasionally illuminated by the lightnings.

This, however, reminded him of Estel. The poor Adan was alone, and he was afraid of storms. And this was a great storm, as the thunder came booming one after the other, and the lightnings kept falling and illuminating everything on their path.

After a time, the other guard came and joined him. Elrond and the guard talked for the rest of the night, and just when they were about to wake their companions, the rain slackened and the thunder and lightning fell away.

Elrond was really worried for his children, as with the rain all the tracks that they were falling had been washed away. So right now there was no time to loose.

They had a little breakfast that consisted of lembas bread and some tea. They hastily removed their belongings from the cave, eager to be gone to search for the missing friends.

Estel had fallen asleep during the middle of the storm, snuggled closely against his pony. Last night he had been terrified with all the thunder and lightnings. He woke up about three hours past dawn, after all, he was tired, and had remain awake some time during the storm.

He mounted his pony, and left as soon as possible. Then he noted it, something was wrong with his pony.

His pony was all tensed up, and being cautious as he took each step. He wouldn't go fast even if Estel commanded him, but he seemed rather in a hurry. It all appeared as if he was trying to go unnoticed but fast at the same time.

"What's wrong?" Estel asked, but the little pony kept going on forward. It was then that Estel heard those horrid beasts that haunted his dreams after the death of his parents… orcs. The beasts were nearby, and were gaining on him.

"Come on, we need to get away as fast as possible!" Estel urged on, and after a few meters the pony sped off, trying to save his master.

Elrond was at the head of his party, when he felt an evil presence. Orcs were nearby. He turned and looked at his warriors, and knew that they had felt them too.

They stopped, and dismounted. The orcs were too near, and apparently they were great in number, they would never outrun them, it was better to stay and fight.

They released the horses, and told them to get to safety. They draw out their bows, and notch the first arrows, waiting for the evil beings to appear.

The first orc came, and then the next, but both were down, with arrows sticking out of their hearts.

Soon there were too much to handle with bows, and so they took out their swords.

As Elrond fought he just hoped that all his three children and Legolas were fine. Of course he didn't now that his youngest was running away from the beasts.

TBC…

Translations:

Gwador: brother

Hir-nín: my Lord

Adan: human

Author's notes:

Thanks to IwishChan, HarryEstel, invisigoth3, Illeanah, Slayer3, and elven shield maiden of the night for their reviews on the story, and to Reiko5 for the review for the story "On the Paths of Snow." Thanks so much! They mean a lot to me.

And yes, more is coming soon!

Silverstreak Wolf