Chapter 19: Getting Closer

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.

Author's notes: Well, another chapter is here, I hope that you will enjoyiy :)

Estel kept guiding Elrond and the warriors. They were getting nearer and nearer, and this was making Duirellon anxious. He called to his servants

"Salion! Nebegon! Let's just go!" In truth, he didn't want to stand face to face with an angry Elrond and a group of others nine warriors, this simply was not good for him.

Salion was outside checking the horses for a last time, while Nebegon was inside unchaining Elrohir from the wall. Duirellon was outside, with Legolas in front of him in his horse. He told Salion to tie Legolas' hands; he really didn't want his prisoner to escape. Salion did as he was told, and tied Legolas hands behind his back.

Nebegon next came out with Elrohir, who was struggling really hard, trying to break free from his captors, now that help was on the way, but Nebegon was having none of it. He and Salion tied the elf's hands behind his back, before mounting him on Nebegon's horse. Salion went once more inside to unchain Elladan.

Duirellon, being an Elf, could clearly hear Elrond's party getting nearer and nearer. Nebegon was ready, but where was Salion? "Salion! Hurry up!"

"I'm coming master!" he heard the reply. He dismounted, handed his horse's reins to Nebegon, and went inside for Salion. "Leave him; we must get away from here as soon as possible! We already have one anyway!"

Salion complied, and left Elladan'schained handsas they were. Elladan, however, wanted to get time for his father to arrive. He said "Wait! You cannot leave me!"

Duirellon ushered Salion outside, and replied to the twin "Oh, yes ,we can, and we are. We need to get away as soon as possible, and we can't stay here unchaining you and taking you. Your brother gave us quite a fight, and I am sure that you will do the same, so good bye" and with that, he left.

The journey was a hard one for Elrohir and Legolas. Legolas' wounds were hurting him once more as the jumps from the horse moved them. Soon afterwards he was unconscious once more. And Elrohir, well, he didn't want to leave his brother behind, tied to a wall and all alone.

They were going in a direction unknown to Elrohir, and meanwhile his mind was looking for an opportunity of escape, but that was highly unlikely, Estel had escaped, Duirellon was not going to let him escape that easily.

The horses kept on going at full speed. Nebegon, however, noted that his horse was slowing his pace. Elrohir also noted this, and knew that his and Nebegon's weight was too much for the poor horse.

The horse was getting behind Salion and Duirellon. Nebegon called out to Duirellon, and Duirellon just replied in a cold, hard voice that spoke of trouble and danger "What do you want?"

He even didn't stop the horses, but kept on riding. "Master, the horse is remaining behind. I think he is too tired and we are too much weight for him."

Then Duirellon remembered. Salion and Nebegon were riding the same horses they had ridden while searching for Estel, and were already tired. But Nebegon was going behind because he had the additional weight of Elrohir. Of course, Elves are light, but still, it was extra weight for the horse.

Duirellon pondered this for a moment, never stopping. Then he ordered "Nebegon, pass the Elf to Salion, but make it quickly! We cannot stop for too long, we need to get away"

Then they stopped, while Elrohir was passed form Nebegon's horse onto Salion's horse.

"Now, let us go!" was the order Duirellon gave.

He knew that they had done that to gain some time, but still, the other horses were not going to last much longer without the proper rest. Things were not going as he had them planned.

"Ada, it was that way!" Estel said from where he sat atop his father's horse. He was leading the party of warriors to rescue his brothers and best friend.

Elrond guided his horse in the direction that Estel was indicating. They had to be fast, he really wanted to catch up with the Elf who had hurt his adoptive son and held his twins prisoners, as well as the Mirkwood Prince, someone he had learned to love as a son.

He couldn't believe, that Elf, Duirellon, had been gone for so long, and now he returns seeking revenge, with his sons.

He couldn't bare the thought of having them as captives under that Elf. He had to save them, to make sure that they were still alive and as fine as they could be.

In front of them were some bushes that gave way into a clearing. In the clearing was a hut, and outside it were three horses tied. One was Rochmith, and the other two belonged to the twins. Elrond couldn't believe it! They had finally made it! He would same his sons and Legolas!

Just a little more and everything was going to be fine, or that was what Elrond thought.

Elladan heard horses approaching. This was not good, maybe Duirellon was returning for him after all. He tried to remain quiet until he was certain that the ones coming were no foes.

Then he heard whinnies coming from Rochmith, and his horse, along with Elrohir's horse. But they were not distressed whinnies as they had been when Salion and Nebegon were trying to mount them, but they were happy whinnies. This puzzled him a little, why would the horses be happy? Unless... it was someone they knew!

Estel had succeeded in going for help! His little brother had returned with help, and he was going to be saved. He just regretted that his brother and Legolas had been taken, but once he was free, he would help them look everywhere for his missing brother and friend. A smile appeared on his face. At long last things were starting to get better.

Elrond ordered his warriors to dismount and leave their horses behind the bushes. He told Estel to remain behind, hidden among the bushes. He really wanted to keep him safe, and he told him to hide to prevent more harm coming to his son. Thensome started walking into the clearing, while some remained behind to scan the area, and make sure that there was no other dnager. The archers with the bows drawn out, and all watchful for any trouble.

Elrond saw Rochmith and the horses, and the three horses started whining happily. Finally they saw someone that would treat them with kindness, someone they knew. There were only three horses, and Elrond wondered if inside the hut was theElf he was looking for. He knew that was the place they were looking for, as there were the horses tied.

He decided to investigate further, ever watchful. Then he heard the shouts coming from inside "Help! I'm here!" he knew it was Elladan. He felt relief at knowing that Elladan was alive, but he also felt the dread invading him, where were Elrohir and Legolas?

He answered "Elladan! Where are you?"

"Over here Ada!" Elladan answered, joyous that it was his father.

"No one else is here Ada!" Elladan said, knowing the extra precaution the warriors were taking.

"Do not worry ion nin, I'm coming" Then Elrond, followed by Glorfindel, entered into the hut through the back door. Elrond was shocked at what he saw.

Elladan was tied to a wall, metal shackles and chains holding his wrists. In the center was a column with blood, dried blood, but neither Legolas nor Elrohir were visible.

Elrond ushered quickly to his son and hugged him "Elladan, ion nin, everything is going to be fine. I am so glad to see you"

"Me too Ada"

"Do not worry, I am going to take you out of here"

Then Glorfindel came forward "Glorfindel! It is good to see you too!" Elladan said.

"You had us all worried Elladan" he gently said.

"I know, and I am sorry. But it wasn't my fault! It was Duirellon! Ada, he has taken 'Ro and Legolas. We need to go after them!"

"Shhh, we will talk of this after we have taken you out of there" Elrond said. Then it dawned on him, they didn't had the key to release Elladan.

He and Glorfindel went into the other room searching for a key. He just hoped that the key was there.

"Did you find it?" Elrond asked Glorfindel. They were in the next room. There was a table at the center, four chairs, and some drawers stood at the left side.

"No, but it must be around here somewhere. I do not think that they took with them, they must have fled when they heard us coming"

"I know, but what if they really took it? I cannot leave Elladan like that, and I need to go and rescue Elrohir and Legolas"

"You are worried, but things will clear up, I assure you, that Elf is not going to escape again. We won't let him." thenopened a drawer, and took somethind from it. Something shiny, keys. "Look, I found some keys! Maybe one will open Elladan's chains" Glorfindel said showing the keys to Elrond.

Elladan looked up as soon as he heard footsteps coming. Glorfindel had a set of keys in his hand. They tried each one, until at last a little one made it.

Elladan came free, and hugged his father. Then he hugged Glorfindel. He was so happy to see them. Then he remembered about Legolas and Elrohir, and told his Ada "Ada, we need to go after Elrohir and Legolas!"

Just then a warrior entered into the hut and exclaimed "My Lord, we have found some horse tracks leading away from here, and they are recent. We think that we can still catch up with them!"

TBC...

Author's notes: Once again I wanted to thank you for all the reviews I got for last chapter, thanks so much!

And yes, I know that you were anticipating the confrontation between Duirellon and Elrond, but it is coming next chapter! The next update should be up soon!

Silverstreak Wolf