Chapter 21: Confrontation!

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

Author's notes: Well, here is chapter 21, I hope that you will enjoy it!

Elrond looked directly at Duirellon, following his every movement, aware of the situation he was in. In front of him stood a dark elf, Duirellon, who once had been a Rivendell Elf. However, at one time Rivendell had been in danger of orcs, and Duirellon's brother had been killed.

Duirellon blamed this on Elrond, and had kept his sons as hostages along with the Mirkwood Prince in hoping to get Elrond hurt the same way he was wounded so many years ago.

His plan had gone wrong when Estel, Elrond's human son, his adoptive son, had escaped and had gone for help. Luckily, Elrond had already been out with a search party looking for his sons. Estel had informed him of what had happened, and had told them the exact location of Duirellon´s hideout.

At least now his sons and Legolas were out of Duirellons clutches. But still, he knew he would not get away so easily. He carefully grabbed the hilt of his sword, in case he may need it to fight. Knowing Duirellon, he was sure he was going to need it.

At their side, the river rushed by. Having increased its size by the recent rains, at that moment was just unthinkable. There was no escape now for either of them, and Elrond knew this. He was prepared for whatever Duirellon's first move was.

In a quick moment, Duirellon drew his sword, and raised it to slash at Elrond.

Elrohir was still seated. He dare not even think to stand, after all, Elladan was there watching him, making sure that he kept weight out of his sprained ankle. Apart from that, the bruises that he had acquired during the fall were painful. So even if he had wanted, he could not stand. His leg was badly bruised, as well as his arm, but he had been just as lucky that after the recent rains the ground had not been too hard, but was rather soft below the grass and tuft that grew on the forest ground.

The sky was turning gray once again. The clouds slowly covered the sky. Elrohir knew that rain would come soon, maybe even another storm. He just hoped that they would be in their home when the rain hit.

Home! How he had missed it after being imprisoned for so long. He longed for his soft bed, and a warm meal. His attention was brought again to his young brother, Estel, who was tugging at his sleeve.

"'Ro!"

"Yes, Estel?"

"Where is Ada?" Estel asked.

Elrohir gulped. He knew that their father had gone in pursuit of Duirellon, but at least other warriors were with him.

"He will return soon, do not worry Estel"

Glorfindel came walking after he and Elladan had arrange for some warriors to tend to Salion. After all, they could not leave him hurt, they were Elves, and had the heart to tend to his wounds.

They came back to check on Elrohir and Estel. Elrohir heard them approach, and wondered how things were going.

"'Dan, Glorfindel" he said.

"'Ro, are you fine?" Elladan said.

"Yes, do not worry for me. I am going to be fine"

Glorfindel knew that the last few days had been tiring for the twins and Estel, so he told Elladan to sat next to his twin.

"How are you three feeling?" he asked the twins and Estel.

In truth, they were tired, but they would not admit it directly. Only Estel answered truthfully.

"Tired" he said.

Elladan and Elrohir remained quiet. Glorfindel knew they were tired, but they would not admit it, so he asked again "Are you feeling well?" now the question was directed at the twins.

They knew they could evade him no longer, so they replied at the same time "Tired"

"I know, so why don't you rest a little? It is fine if you get a little sleep, I will keep watch over you"

The three brothers didn't need further telling, and as Glorfindel stood to let them rest, they fell asleep, giving in to the demand of proper sleep.

The sword came down with a swish, and struck the ground. Elrond barely had time to dodge the sword aimed at him. The sword came again. But this time Elrond was ready. He unsheathed his sword, and blocked the attack.

Now he took the time to deliver a slash of his own, but Duirellon countered it. Elrond now realized that they were equally matched, and remembered that Duirellon had served as one of the warriors of Imladris.

Duirellon attacked again. Elrond dodged the blow, but his left arm was slashed at the top. A look of glee crossed Duirellon's face; finally he would eliminate the Elven Lord for once and for all.

Elrond felt the sword cut his arm, but he put the pain aside, concentrating on his adversary. He moved the sword with skill, blocking and parrying his opponent's sword.

After some time, neither looked tired, both were still at it. Elrond saw his opportunity. Elrond moved forward, and slashed at Duirellon. He didn't have enough time to block the attack. Duirellon received a large slash at his stomach. Blood began pouring from it. It was not too deep to be fatal, but it was large enough to weaken him.

He desperately tried to slash at Elrond again, but his efforts were in vain. He was in no condition to continue fighting with the wound he had received.

"Duirellon, let's stop this. You were not always like this. You can change into the elf you were once before" Elrond said, trying to bring the other elf to speaking terms, he wanted to leave the swords as a last resource. Maybe now that Duirellon was injured he might be more reasonable to talk to.

"You are wrong! That elf is dead! My brother died saving your city from the orcs! It is your fault!" Duirellon was not talking reasonably, he was talking with anger.

"Calm down, let us talk about this. Your brother is dead, and he died defending Rivendell. He died with the honor of a warrior. You must take console in this! He died the way any warrior would have wanted to" Elrond said.

"Yes, I know it was the death that he wanted, dying in battle" Duirellon said trough gritted teeth.

"Take it easy, you can still change into the elf you were before, I tell you this again. You can change. Leave all the past behind. Come, let me tend to your wound" Elrond said, but it was fruitless, Duirellon simply didn't want to hear about it.

"Never!", and with those words, he threw himself at Elrond, his sword pointing directly at the elven Lord. Elrond blocked him again, and step to the side. Duirellon fell to the floor, unable to regain his step. Duirellon stood up, but with some difficulty.

In the match, both elves had come closer to the river, and besides them the water rushed by. Duirellon attacked again, but was quickly loosing his strength. Blood was seeping through his wound, and being moving with his sword in hand was not helping it. Already his robes were colored a deep crimson with a silvery tinge to it, his blood.

He was not going to be defeated; least of all by Elrond. He had wanted revenge, and had gotten it by hurting the Mirkwood Prince and the twins, the sons of Elrond. But along with that, he had also held captive the boy who was Elrond's adoptive son.

Yes, he had done what he had wanted; he had avenged his brother's dead. He lunged again at Elrond, and caught him. But this time, he had sent Elrond off balance, bringing him with him into the river.

Elrond had assigned the warriors that had come with him to make a stretcher to carry back Legolas. They were busy doing this, searching for long branches that would help support the elf back to camp.

After they had gotten the branches, they extended two of their cloaks over them, making the stretcher. Then they put the Prince over it, before covering him with another cloak.

At last, they started walking carefully towards their camp, knowing that the Prince was badly injured. They tried to make haste, but they did not dare go too fast for fear of aggravating Legolas wounds.

"Lord Glorfindel, someone is approaching" one of the warriors informed him.

"Thank you. Do you know if they stand any threat towards us?"

"I believe not, my lord, we think they are the warriors that went with Lord Elrond"

And the warrior's suspicions were proven correct. There came his captain, and his fellow warriors, but they were baring a stretcher between them. That didn't look too good at all. Something definitely was wrong.

Glorfindel approached them, and knew that they were caring Legolas. Now that he took a good look at him, he realized that he indeed looked pale. He guided the warriors to a place where they could safely lay down Legolas.

Someone had gone in advanced and had extended a blanket. Carefully they lay Legolas there.

"What happened?" Glorfindel asked.

"We followed Duirellon, but Elrond told us to bring here Prince Legolas"

"So Elrond is fighting with that Elf! I want you to send some of your men to help Elrond!" Glorfindel said.

"Yes, my lord, I will arrange it"

Glorfindel now turned to Legolas. He asked someone what had happened, and now he knew the whole story. He decided that it was best to let the brothers sleep rather than tell them when at last they were resting. He just hoped that Elrond was fine; he needed to tend to Legolas. His back was looking bad.

The current was strong, and the water was cold. Elrond didn't have enough time to take air, so now he desperately wanted to get air. He didn't know where his sword had landed, he even didn't know if he had brought it with him into the water. The only thing that mattered now was going to the surface for air.

He was a bit confused about which way was up. He started going in one direction, and knew it was the correct one as he saw the dim line on trees on the bank reflected upon the water.

At last his head came up, and he gulped in the much needed air. He searched for Duirellon, but he was nowhere in sight. He tried to swim to the bank, but the current was too strong. He fought against the water, making his way slowly to the bank. At last he came, and he came out of the river.

As he stood, his eyes scanned the water, but there was not even the faintest trace of Duirellon.

TBC...

Author's notes: Thanks to ones who reviewed! Thanks so much! The next chapter will be up soon!

Silverstreak Wolf