Chapter 16: There Is Still Hope
Discalimer: I do not own the Lord of The Rings
Author's notes: Here is chapter 16, I hope that you will enjoy it!
Estel lay happily in his brother's strong arms. He unconsciously held the rim of Elladan's robe, a small smile grazing his features.
The twins were also asleep, with their eyes only half open, they were tired.
Legolas was the worst of the four. His back still pained him, and although it was starting to heal, he needed proper rest to heal quicker. His eyes were completely closed, and this only proved the fact that his body needed to heal, and of his exhaustion.
Through the small window light began to appear, the sky was just getting lighter, dawn was coming. Outside of the hut a bird was heard singing a lonely tune. All was peaceful.
Estel stirred in his brother's arms. Elladan woke up with a start, thinking something was wrong, but Estel was just waking.
"Good morning gwador" he gently said.
"Good morning 'Dan" Estel replied sleepily.
Elrohir, hearing voices, also woke up.
"'Dan, I want to go out of here" Estel said.
"Don't worry Estel, I am sure that Ada will find us. Have no fear of that" Elladan said, trying to reassure his brother.
"Oh, Estel, come here" Elrohir said, and Estel got to his brother's side. "We will get out somehow. Do not worry, everything will be fine in time" Elrohir said.
Footsteps were heard outside of the room.
The twins realized they were in danger.
"Estel, I need you to return to your chains" Elrohir said. Estel was puzzled by this, he was human, so he couldn't hear the footsteps.
"Why?"
"Please don't ask Estel, hurry!" Estel, although small he was, knew that his brothers meant him no harm, so he complied. He passed his small fists in the hackles.
Just that moment Duirellon entered, and carefully regarded them.
"Good morning little Adan" he said, "I hope that you slept well"
Estel remained quiet.
Duiellon said nothing, he just regarded him with cold eyes.
"Leave him alone. He has done nothing to you" Elladna said.
"Well, let me inform you that he is to stay here until I say otherwise, along with you two, and theprinceling."He then laughed.
To the twins and Estel's relief, he then marched away. Elladan then called to Estel, and Estel once again went over to his brothers.
"Do not worry Estel, Ada is already out there looking for us. He will find us."
"Will he find us soon, 'Dan?" Estel asked.
"Yes, Estel, very, very soon. In no time we will be home again" Elladan said.
"Yes Estel, have no fear. Do not listen to what he says. Now be happy, he is gone, and possibly, he won't return in a long time" Elrohir said.
Elrond was leading the searching party across the forest. Frustration was gnawing at his heart. Why, oh why, when his three sons and their dear friend were missing he couldn't find even a single print?
His heart was heavy. The Mirkwood Prince was missing, of that he was sure. He didn't know the whereabouts of the twins, and his younger son had escaped.
Only those four together could be so troublesome! But now, the hard thing was to find a single clue that would lead them to the missing friends.
In his heart he knew that they were not dead, but for how long?
The sunlight was coming in through the window. They all sat in silence, except for Legolas, who was still sleeping.
The twins were trying to get a plot to get out, but nothing they thought of would work.
Just that moment Legolas woke up. He blinked his eyes, and looked up to see Estel sited between his brothers, all three deep in thought.
"Legolas!" Elladan was the first to notice him. "How are you mellon-nín?"
"I feel much better!"
And indeed he did look better. His back was healing, although he would still be sore for the coming days. He felt rested, and with new energy.
"'Las! You're awake" And Estel threw himself into his friends arms. "Please don't scare me again!"
"Don't worry; I'm going to be fine Estel"
Legolas gazed up at the small window, and saw the daylight. The twins couldn't see what he was looking at, it was above their heads on the wall they ware chained to, but it gave them an idea.
"The window!" Both twins exclaimed. Legolas and Estel both wore puzzled expressions on their faces.
"Estel, you could climb the wall…"
"And go for help" the twins said.
Estel pondered this for a second. The window was not so high, but Estel was just a little boy, and couldn't reach that high.
"Come on, Estel, we'll help you" Elladan said.
"Okay"
"Estel, get out, and don't look back, grab Corusador if you can and ride as hard as you can" Elrohir said.
Elladan crouched on the floor, and Estel stepped in his shoulders. He slowly rose, being careful with his brother. Elrohir helped Estel to keep his balance. Then Elladan's chains would go no further.
"Estel, can you reach the window?" Elladan asked.
"Yes!" the single word was uttered with joy.
Elrond and his party were busy tracking the twins. After all they had no clue as to what had become of them, so they had started the search again in the morning.
Their hearts were heavy; now they were on their own without tracks or prints left to follow, all washed away by the rain.
Elrond in his heart knew that something was amiss with his three sons, and he desperately hoped that it was nothing too serious.
They kept on going. Elrond was nervous, although he didn't show it. Why did his sons and his friend always get in such situations? He had no idea, and his mind just kept going further while he wondered if they once again were to cross the gate to Imladris with serious wounds, being carried by someone else.
Will they make it in one piece at least once during their whole lives? Elrond wondered, but he knew the answer, of course not. No matter what they did, or where they went, his sons always always ended up injured.
TBC…
Author's notes: I know all of you want to see when Elrond finally meets with Duirellon, all I can tell you is that he is closer than he knows!
A special thanks to the ones who reviewed. I am sorry that I couldn't reply to them, but replies for this chapter will be send out shortly. Thanks so much once again! They mean a lot to me!
More is coming soon!
Silverstreak Wolf