Part 3... Well its better thanreading 7000 odd words in one page...right?
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Kneeling down beside Aragorn, Elladan, put aside his sword and ran his fingers through his long raven hair before looking at the edan again. He grimaced as he caught site of the bruises marring his body and a harsh cut decorating his forehead. Becoming more and more unsure as to whether his brother was alive or not, Elladan fumbled for a pulse at his neck. Not even waiting all that long to see if one was there, he quickly hovered his hand over his bother's parted lips to check if he could feel his breath. Not feeling anything, Elladan panicked and turned tear filled eyes towards his brother in an unspoken message, 'Do you think?'. Elrohir didn't answer and hung his head and gave a little shrug. Gazing towards Aragorn again, Elladan calmed himself and let the healer side of him take control. He felt once more for a pulse and almost jumped for joy when he found one. It was slow and faint, but it was still there. They have a chance to rescue him…once again.
Kissing his brother on the forehead, Elladan got up, re-sheathed his sword and came over to Elrohir. Offering him a hand up and letting Elrohir fall onto his shoulder and get his balance, Elladan whispered words of comfort into his ear.
'Do not fret gwandur, he still lives, we just have to get him back to Ada, that's all'. Still trying to reassure himself, though he continued for Elrohir's sake. 'I don't blame you for what happened, no-one does, and I doubt that Estel does either. Just…'
Elladan stopped and listened to the quiet sobs coming from Elrohir. Frowning and tipping Elrohir's head upwards so his bleary eyes met his, Elladan gave a reassuring smile and shook his head. 'Elrohir, please. Lets play the blame game later. Lets just concentrate on one thing at…'. Again he was cut off by a shove from Elrohir. 'Elladan, please, I'm supposed to be mourning here, but you're making me laugh. Are you aware on how much you sound like Ada?' Folding his arms and huffing, Elladan retorted. 'I may sound like him, but I most certainly do not look like him. Okay? My eyebrows are way more defined than his.' Elrohir smiled and gave his brother an affectionate hug. 'Thank you'. Returning the hug to his mirror image, Elladan beamed. 'Now, lets get…'.
A soft moan came from behind them and they swiftly parted from each other, hands on their hilts, ready for what was in store. But they didn't expect to see what they found. Aragorn was trying to ease himself up and making all matters worse.
Running as fast as he could Elrohir made his way over to Aragorn and fell heavily onto his knees and tired to keep a whimper of pain as his forgotten injury made itself known. Quickly looking down he saw fresh blood begin to seep its way through his leggings again. Pushing all those thoughts aside, he returned his gaze on Aragorn. 'Hold still, we still do not know the extent of your injuries'. Gently but forcibly pushing Aragorn back to the ground Elrohir didn't expect a fist to make contact with his eye. Taken aback somewhat and falling backwards he held his new sore and turned one eye to the human in front of him, still trying to get up. 'You little…'
As always, Elladan took over from his brother and shoved Aragorn once more to the floor. The said human began to struggle despite his condition, and Elladan soon found out that this is not what he wanted right now. 'ESTEL! ARAGORN! Keep still.' When the human didn't appear to be listening, Elladan straddled his sides and put an increasing weight onto his shoulders. 'Now listen, you are no way in the right condition to be moving so fast. Take it easy. We aren't going to hurt you. Now what hurts?'
Aragorn blinked, before his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Thinking the worst, Elladan began to tap the sides of his brother's cheeks. 'Come on, wake up. Don't fall asleep, please'. Aragorn's eyes shot open once more, and for the first time in ages, he spoke. 'I forgot to…'. He got to finish his sentence, the descending darkness covered his eyes and soon enveloped his brain. Then he was dead to the world.
Not able to keep the tears back no longer, Elladan cried freely, and his attempts to call his brother back fell on deaf ears. Pitching forward so his head rested on Aragorn's, he continued to sob. Through his tears he managed to hiccup 'sorrys' over and over, until he couldn't no more. Clearing his vision somewhat, he began to thump Estel's chest. 'Wake up. Don't leave us. Estel…please…'. Becoming to weak to continue due to the stress and blood loss, he slumped forward with a sigh of defeat.
Knowing this was his time to support his brother, Elrohir limped over, eased Elladan off Aragorn, brought him away from the body and enclosed his arms around his distressed brother and through the night he gently rocked his brother into an uneasy sleep.
It was quite a while before Elrohir was beginning to doze off that he noticed something wet on his arm. Shifting Elladan aside a little, careful not to wake him, Elrohir noticed what the problem is and mentally berated himself for being so careless. Lifting up his brother's arm, he quickly inspected it and noticed it had stopped bleeding somewhat but was clearly infected. The torn skin was painted a bright red, and it was hot to the touch. Stopping himself from kicking his brother from now until next week, he done the best he could, with what he had…his shirt. Tearing of some of the material from his sleeve, he securely wrapped it around the wound. He just hoped to Eru, that the infection wouldn't settle in and cause his brother even more pain. Lowering him to the ground, he whispered soothing words, and went to his next brother.
He thought that it would be best to take care of Aragorn the best he could. Walking over to him, Elrohir grabbed the nearest thing that almost resembled some sort of blanket, he rolled it up and gently leaned Aragorn's head on it. Then, removing his cloak he draped the woollen item over Estel's body, smiling slightly, he picked up the edan and almost started when he noticed how light he felt, less than usual.
Walking over to where his other brother lay, he gently lowered Aragorn to the floor. Just as Elrohir was about to pull his arms out from under him, he swore he could feel Estel shift a little. Moving in closer to his brother, and listening carefully, he stayed like that for a few minutes just hoping, waiting that he would wake up. But, to his dismay, he didn't. Defeated Elrohir shrunk from his brother and sat crossed legged on the ground. He wasn't imagining things, he knew it. He did move.
Then, contemplating whether to leave or dress his wound, he finally decided on the latter and though that with both sick, they would never hope to bring Aragorn back. Thinking that he'd look more better with to short sleeves than with one long and one short, he tore the clothing off his other sleeve and wrapped his wound with healer perfection. Deciding that they'll have to stop at a stream sometime soon, he curled up to Elladan on the floor, and that's where they stayed for the rest of the night.
Waking had to be the worst part of the day, but deciding it was for the best, Elrohir managed to crack one open and let out a large and embarrassing yawn. Quickly covering his mouth and about to greet his twin good morning, he found Elladan not laying anywhere near him. Turning on his side and looking into the woods behind him, he saw nothing but well…trees. Laying flat on his back again and staring absentmindedly into the sky he decided that the weather best suited his mood. It was bleak, heaving grey storm clouds mounted the horizon and the odd speckle of sun managed to shine through the gaps of the clouds.
Easing himself upwards so he was leaning on his elbows, Elrohir took another look around for his brother and frowned when his eyes caught Aragorn. Agonizing flashbacks played in his mind, and he felt the same loss all over again. He shuffled closer to Aragorn, not at all worried if he got dirty, he was soiled enough. And laid one hand on his baby brother's chest. Hearing a rustling behind him, he jumped to his feet, felt his legs give way underneath him and he crashed back down to the floor again. Inwardly moaning and dusting himself off, he managed to get back on his feet, even if it was unsteadily and screamed when he came face to face with a dirty faced Elladan.
'WHAT are you trying to do 'Dan'? Elrohir was clutching his chest and breathing heavily. 'Well? Wanting to give me a heart attack'. Awaiting Elladan's answer Elrohir tried to regain the pride he had foolishly lost. 'Well, if you must know gwandur, while you were sleeping, as you usually do, I went off to scout the area, managed to find and bring back the horses, and find us a rather meagre, but still some sort of breakfast'. He slipped another berry into his mouth and offered his brother some. With a shake of his head Elrohir declined the offer, and went back to look at Aragorn. Kneeling down beside him, he began to tuck the cloak around his brother and shot a look at the sky. 'Elladan, you do realize that we have to make a move soon. Actually in the next hour. We must get to Rivendell before the storm'. He stood up and pinched a berry from Elladan, with his mouth full he continued to speak. 'Last night I', he glanced down at Aragorn and just stared, he didn't realise he was doing that until he felt a nudge from Elladan 'You were saying 'Ro'?
Elrohir gently shook his head and began his story again. 'Last night, I think… I think I saw Estel move 'Dan'. Taking a quick glance at Elladan, he didn't wait for his brother to speak. 'It sounds preposterous I know, but I don't think our little brother is ready to give up. I believe he is in just a concussed state right now, or something. If we get him back to Ada, he'll be okay, just like you said'.
He tore his eyes away from the whitening face of his brother and whipped away the remnants of tears. Moving forward and whistling out for the horses. He stood until he saw the outline of his white mare come into view. Smiling for the first time in a couple of hours, he gently patted the mare's side.
He looked over to where both his brother's horse were, Elladan's black stallion was chewing on Estel's chestnut brown mare's ear, but soon retreated when the mare snapped back. He saw his brother come out from behind the horse and walked solemnly over to him. 'Elrohir, we have a problem. Araukadae shank has been injured, must have been during the panic we had, and I doubt he will be able to carry any load'. As if on cue the said horse trotted over and began to nestle his muzzle into the space between Elladan's jaw line and shoulder. He patted his steed with tenderness, and turned back to his brother. 'We only have your horse and Estel's. So? Who's going to carry our brother?'
Elrohir thought for the moment and decided that he would, even though he knew that his brother would disagree. 'I'll take him. You wont be able to ride and keep hold of Estel with an arm like yours. And besides, you can ride behind us and look after Araukadae'. Waiting for an argument he was surprised when he got none.
'Okay 'Ro, but if you get tired tell me. That leg of yours hasn't past my notice you know'. Giving his usual cocky grin. He motioned for Elrohir to get up on his horse, as he went to get Aragorn. As soon as he scooped the human into his arms, he wish he hadn't. He felt a jolt of pain rise up his arm and he, almost dropped the burden under the stress. Though trying to not worry Elrohir, he walked over as normally as he could and helped his brother settle Aragorn in front of him.
Grabbing the reigns of the two horse, Elladan called over his shoulder. 'Go now, Elrohir, I'll catch up to you in a minute. I wont be five minutes. I'm just going to tend to Araukadae's leg and I'll be off. Sooner we get Aragorn to Rivendell the better.
Knowing it was still a bad idea to leave Elladan on his own, he still knew that what he said was true. Their main priority at the moment was Aragorn. With a quick look backwards to his brother he said 'Amin weera yassen lle. Take care Elladan, don't be repulsive!' Wrapping his free arm around Aragorn's chest he whispered into the horse's ear, 'Esca Hrivearrna'. And with that they were gone.
Elladan didn't regret his choice for making them leave before him, it was just that he was incredibly lonely, and he was sure his horse was becoming more than affectionate to Estel's. Frowning once again, he tapped to horses leg, 'Look, I know you don't like this boy, but stay still, and as soon as we get home, you and Ellenimniire can make as many fouls as you wish. But please Arau, not now!' The horse seemed to understand his plea, and in the next ten minutes, Elladan was mounted on Ellenimniire with Araukadae coming up behind. 'I trust you can keep up Arau, right?' He got a feigned hurt snort from his horse, and with that he left the destroyed camp in a gallop, ready to catch up with his twin.