Chapter 40: The beginning of the end

by Shawna D. and ElvenHope

Yes, we wrote this one together. It is the last chapter, however there is going to be another sequal besides her old story (To Call One Brother).

Oh and another warning: Although this chapter is really well written it's LONG! lol

Admir watched as her foster father left the room and smiled. Elrond always knew what to say, maybe that was how she usually did too. But of course, she knew she couldn't just tell herself everything was alright, how stupid would that sound?

"One day…" she mumbled. "One day I will have to choose…whether to be human or elf…" she thought of all her friends and family. She had Arwen, the twins, Elrond, Lord Glorfindel, and Lord Erestor, in Rivendell; they were all immortal (or at least at the moment). In Mirkwood she had Lord Thranduil, Aradwyn, Legolas, and maybe Rogir. Did she really care about Rogir? Should she consider him a friend? After all, had he ever treated her like one? He acted like being older than her gave him the right to sqaush her childhood! Even when she was 3 years younger than him!

Sure it was years ago she had decided she liked him, but now she could not even see a single reason she could ever have liked such an arrogant jerk like Rogir. All that had done was screw up her life, and she hated to admit, but it was her fault as well. She chose to befriend him, and she tried to be the best friend that she could, but now, anyone that could stay near him for more than two seconds would probably need a pain killer!

"Admir?" this time it was Elladan. She assumed the twins had something to say as well, so it surprised her when only Elladan was standing there.

"Where is Ro?" she asked.

"Can't a brother talk to his sister without his twin?" he replied feigning hurt then smiled.

"Alright…"

Elladan moved over to her bed and sat down. "You are thinking about Rogir again, are you not?"

Admir grinned but she didn't turn to look at the older elf. "Is it really that obvious?" How stupid a question had that been? Who didn't know she was practically always thinking of him?

"It is when you are her brother."

"I guess you are right."

Elladan put an arm around his foster sister's shoulders. "What is it about him that worries you? Is it that he will be joining the patrols in a year or two?"

"What?" Admir demanded. Rogir had never said anything to her about that. She knew that Aradwyn was on the patrols, and that it was dangerous. Aradwyn, being a prince, was always guarded carefully (which often annoyed the hell out of him).

"He did not tell you?" asked Elladan surprised. "Well then, I suppose that is not it."

Admir shook her head. "You and Ro have been friends with Rogir for years, right? What is it about him that makes you consider him a friend?"

The older elf looked at her a bit bewildered. He definitely wasn't expecting that. Elladan thought for a moment before answering. "Well when we were younger Rogir was fun to be around, but ever since his mother died he hasn't been the same. I don't really think we're friends anymore."

Admir nodded, "Yes he did change after that."

"I suppose it was rather traumatic for all of them," Elladan said looking at Admir. "Does he make you laugh?"

"Why?" Admir asked quizzically.

"Because that's a way to tell if someone is a good friend," Elladan answered. "Occasionally friends will hurt you, and I know that Rogir is a little violent, but he just has a short temper. I have seen you with him though, when he's not trying to kill you," this elicted a small smile from Admir, "and you laugh at his jokes. I think Rogir is one of the most serious elves I've met, save maybe Ada, but you still laugh."

Admir grinned. "I suppose your right."

"Besides, remember the poison incident?" he asked.

"Who could not?"

"Do you remember what happened?"

Admir stared at the floor. "Vaguely..."

"You were fading? We were all worried about you. Especially Rogir."

Admir turned her gaze back to her brother. "Why do you say that?"

"Because it's true," Elladan answered. "He wouldn't leave you until he was certain you were alright." Elladan thought for a second. "That was until Ada decided he needed to rest, and you know what happens then."

"Ah."

Admir laughed. "Of course I do."

"Right so are you still sad?" Elladan asked. "Or do I need to cheer you up more?"

"No, I'm fine now, I think," she smiled. "Thank you Elladan."

"It's what I'm here for," the elder elf answered. "Now where is our little brother?"

"You mean you do not know?" she asked looking a bit surprised. "Was he not with you before you came in here?"

Elladan frowned. "No, I thought he was with Elrohir."

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let us go find Elrohir!" she exclaimed pushing her brother aside and rushing out of the room.

"Admir, wait up!" called the older elf following her down the hall.

While running down the hall Admir bumped into their younger sister.

"Admir, what are you doing?" asked Arwen in a tone that said "if you are causing trouble, I'm telling Ada".

"Trying to find Estel."

"Hmm..." replied Arwen. "I saw him run by my room a few minutes ago. He seemed really upset. Did something happen?"

Admir looked confused. "No, not that I can recall."

"Something bad has happened," Elladan said quietly. "I can feel it, we should find Elrohir."

"I feel it too," Arwen agreed.

"It's probably just the storm," Admir said knowing that her brothers and sisters could sense the weather sometimes especially when a storm was coming. She could too sometimes, but not as well as the other three.

"All the same we should find Estel," Elladan said and the other two nodded rushing outside and down the balcony steps, across the sloping lawns to the archery fields where Estel would be normally if he were upset. When they reached the fields though there was no sign of the boy and they all looked about worridley.

"We should check in the forest," Admir said looking through the trees. "He could have hurt himself."

"I'll go back to the house and find Elrohir," Arwen said. "Estel may be with him."

Elladan nodded. "Alright, I'll help Admir."

Arwen rushed back inside. Where is Elrohir? And why wasn't he with Elladan? She shrugged and rushed over into the twins' bedroom. "Elrohir?"

"Hmm? You could have knocked, gwathel it is more polite.." he replied casually as if she did it everyday. He was lying on his bed reading a book of some sort.

"Elrhoir, this is not time for jokes! We need your help!" she said angrily.

The older elf shrugged. "What happened, you lost your poetry book?"

"Elrohir! Listen to me! Estel is missing, and Admir, Elladan, and I need your help, so stop joking around!" she growled.

At the word that Estel was missing the older elf stood up, dropping the book on the floor. "What? Why?"

"I do not know, but we have to find him!"

Elrohir nodded. "Yes, and there is a storm coming. Let us hope he is not near any trees."

Arwen tapped her foot impatiently. "Well then, let us go find him!"

Elrohir nodded and followed her outside.

Elladan and Admir walked through the woods slowly careful not to miss anything as they called for their brother. Admir glared at the forest about her frustrated.

"Where could he be?" She asked crossly.

"I don't know," Elladan said feeling just as anxious as his sister. Admir felt a drop of water on her cheek and looked up at the sky glowering at the rain clouds.

"Great!" She mumbled. "Just great that's all we need!"

"Why don't we check that tree he likes to climb? You know the only one he can ever reach the branches of because they're so low."

Admir nodded. "Yes, I know, we should check there, and quick, it's old and rotten if there was a storm..."

"I know," Elladan said looking at the sky worry clear in his eyes.

"We have to keep on searching."

Rogir looked at the sky it was raining, the rain the thudded against the glass as though it intended to break it. This had to be the most boring day of his entire life. The lightning was interesting but the storm was moving rapidly westward and there was less lightning.

In the room next to Rogir's, Legolas was also watching the rain in annoyance. There was no way he could practice archery in the rain, his father wouldn't allow it. He couldn't understand why, since elves couldn't get sick, as humans did, but he assumed his father had to have a good reason. He was bored. He decided to see if Aradwyn would read to him. As he left his room he noticed that Rogir's door was open and peaked in. Naturally, the older elf's ears were always alert and heard him

Rogir looked round to see his brother and for a moment thought about going after him, after all making the younger elf suffer normally made him feel better about himself, but he just couldn't be bothered. He wanted to see Admir and he knew that no matter how much he wished it, pummling his younger brother would not get him what he wanted.

"What do you want?" Was all he could muster.

"Nothing," Legolas answered quickly. "I was just going to see Aradwyn."

"He's not in his room," Rogir said turning back to the rain streaked window. "He's in the library."

"Oh right," Legolas said. "Um, thanks."

Legolas turned to go, wondering if he should turn his back on his brother, but doing so anyway and leaving the elder elf.

Rogir heard his little brother's footsteps retreating down the corridor and for a moment thought about going after him, but once again decided against it. He was too preocupied at the moment, he knew something bad was going to happen, he just knew it.

As Legolas entered the library he wondered why Rogir had been acting oddly. It definitely wasn't like Rogir to pass up a chance of teasing him. After all, wasn't pretty much his hobby?

Aradwyn looked up from one of the shelves to see his youngest brother heading towards him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"I was merely pondering something." Legolas replied.

"Did you need something?"

Legolas sighed forgetting why he had gone to look for Aradwyn in the first place. "Do you think the reason Ada is mean is because he misses Nana?"

Aradwyn nearly dropped the book in his hand in surprise. "Why would you say that?"

"I don't know," Legolas looked at the floor. "It's just, well from what I remember, he changed since Nana died."

Aradwyn looked at his little brother, Legolas had been talking a lot about their mother lately, he wasn't sure why and he wasn't sure whether it was right or wrong. He didn't want to remember his mother anymore, but it seemed that Legolas did and no matter how much it hurt Aradwyn knew he had to talk about her at some point.

"We all did," Aradwyn said quietly. "Ada has a lot more to do now, he has to look after us as well as run a kingdom, when Nana was around she could look after us."

"Do you mean that Ada doesn't want to?"

"No," Aradwyn said quickly. Valar, sometimes it was so hard to talk to Legolas, he jumped to conclusion's too quickly and he tended to get hurt easily. "I just mean that Ada doesn't have much time now, he used to be able to finish his work quicker because we weren't always badgering him."

"Oh," Legolas said. "So he doesn't miss Nana?"

"Of course he does," Aradwyn said. "I mean we all do."

"How can you tell if Rogir does?" he asked.

Aradwyn thought for a second. "Why wouldn't you ask Rogir that?"

Legolas mumbled something inaudible.

"Pardon?"

"He hates me..." the younger elf muttered.

"What?" demanded the crown prince, "The valar's sake, Legolas how in arda can you say such a thing?"

"Easily." Legolas replied simply. "You have seen the way he treats me more than anyone else."

"That is it, Legolas." Aradwyn said picking up the younger elf. "We are going to discuss this with Rogir."

Legolas struggled furiously. "No we are not, put me down gwador!" It was annoying how Aradwyn took it upon himself to play parent when their father was busy.

"No Legolas, you are right," Aradwyn said carrying the protesting elfling out of the library. "We have to talk this out, Rogir treats you badly and it's not right."

"But I don't want to," Legolas pulled out of his brother's grip, but Aradwyn caught his arm and practically dragged him down the hall. "It's alright, we don't need to talk about this now."

"Oh yes we do," Aradwyn answered. "I'm sick of this, it's not healthy for either of you."

Rogir was startled when his door was shoved open and Aradwyn stormed in, dragging Legolas behind him and forcing the elfling to sit on the bed.

"You look a little flushed gwador, is something wrong?" Rogir asked sarcastically.

"Yes," Aradwyn snapped. "You."

"What could I have done to upset you? I have merely been watching the rain." replied Rogir innocently.

"Aradwyn, I do not want to talk!" growled Legolas folding his arms annoyed, however it was obvious that Rogir was more annoyed having been burst in on.

Aradwyn ignored his youngest brother's protests and turned to Rogir. "Legolas claims you hate him. Now where in arda would he get an idea like that?"

Rogir scowled. "How should I know? I have just as much right to claim I hate you for barging into my room without knocking."

Aradwyn rolled his eyes. "Must you always be sarcastic? Besides, you enter my room without knocking, as well." He turned to Legolas. "Why do you think Rogir hates you? What has he done to you?"

Legolas glared at the eldest angrily, yet his eyes showed more sadness than anger. "You remember what happened in Rivendell!"

"That was your fault!" Rogir protested angrilly.

"It was not!" Legolas retorted and Aradwyn was forced to grab him before he sprang off the bed.

"Legolas we are talking, not fighting understood?" Aradwyn asked looking at both of them. "Understood? We are going to solve this problem, now!"

Both of the younger elves were silent. Legolas squirmed in his brother's grip and attempted to pull away. Rogir on the other hand sat at his desk seething silently at the predicament they were in. Aradwyn had no right to march into his bedroom and demand that they make up, it wasn't going to happen.

"Well?" Aradwyn asked when everyone was silent.

"Well what?" Rogir snapped.

"Why did you attack Legolas back at Imladris?" Aradwyn asked. He sighed. This was going to take ages, he knew it was, especially if they went through every argument they had ever had and tried to solve the problem. They were all just going to end up even angrier at each other.

"Because... because he deserved it," Rogir answered.

Aradwyn raised a questioning eyebrow. "And what did he do to warrant that?"

"I don't know, but he did something!" Rogir answered standing up. "Do you think I take note of every argument we have ever had? Now get out of my room!"

"Last I checked, there was no argument in Rivendell. You were both fine when we got there." replied Aradwyn ignoring the younger elf's command.

Legolas stopped squirming. "You remember what happened, do you not?"

Rogir growled quietly. It was just like Legolas to try to get him in trouble. Obviously he was refering to what happened with Thelion, but of course why would he actually admit to nearly being murdered, when it was his least favorite word. Especially after how Rogir had used used it.

"Legolas," Aradwyn said beginning to understand what Legolas was saying, "did we not already go through that? Rogir would never purposely hurt you."

You keep thinking that...thought Rogir angrily.

"He would too! And he does it all the time!" snapped Legolas angrily. "Especially...after..."

Rogir glared at him angrily and he shut up. Aparently Aradwyn hadn't noticed. "After what?"

Legolas stared at his feet. "Nothing...nothing." he muttered.

"Legolas, we came in here to talk, and that is what we're going to do!" replied the eldest.

"Talk to yourself!" yelled the youngest annoyed. "I told you I did not want to talk, and I still do not!"

"Ai why must you two be so differcult?" Aradwyn asked sitting down on the bed. "We have to stop fighting, I would say it is for Ada, but I do not think he deserves any kindness at the moment, so we have to do this for ourselves. Now Legolas please tell me what you were going to say."

Legolas looked at Aradwyn for a moment then glanced at Rogir. "I really do not want to say."

"Please Legolas," Aradwyn implored the younger elf.

"I know what he is going to say," Rogir said looking at the younger elf his eyes flashing.

"Rogir," Legolas panicked looking at the elder elf, begging him with his eyes not to tell.

"Shut up Legolas," Rogir said turning to Aradwyn. "I am sorry Aradwyn he is being stupid, he has had this odd notion that I blame him for naneth's death."

"What?" Aradwyn looked at Legolas shocked. The younger elf had pulled his legs up and wrapped his arms around himself trying to pull himself into a small ball. "Legolas is he telling the truth?"

Legolas wouldn't speak, instead he just burried his head in his arms. Rogir could have laughed, the look on his elder brother's face was comical and the way he was trying to get an answer out of Legolas made the scene even more amusing. Did Aradwyn not know that what he was attempting was impossible?

"Legolas is he telling the truth?" Aradwyn repeated.

Legolas didn't move. He couldn't believe Rogir had just said that. Not only that, but he had lied and Aradwyn believed him! Rogir had always blamed him for their mother's death, and he knew it! But if Aradwyn got involved too much, Rogir would never let him live it down.

Aradwyn, deciding that Legolas wasn't going to reply anytime soon asked Rogir. "Why would he think that?"

Rogir shrugged casually. "How should I know? I just cannot believe he thinks that. He is my brother, why would I ever blame him?"

Legolas looked up slightly and noticed that Rogir was giving him a look of hatred. Obviously Aradwyn hadn't noticed, since he didn't say anything.

"I did not say you did. But if he thinks that there must be a reason, Rogir. Have you ever said anything to him?"

"Are you implying that I am lying to you, grador?" asked Rogir feigning hurt. "That I would purposely hurt my younger brother?"

"Answer my question, Rogir." replied Aradwyn as if Rogir had not said anything at all.

"Alright!" he snapped. "At the time I used to ask him what he thought happened. I never blamed him, and I do not know why he thinks that."

"When you attacked me!" cried Legolas unexpectedly. "In Rivendell! You told me no one loved me! You told me it was my fault nana died!"

"What?" demanded Aradwyn.

He looked from Rogir to Legolas stunned. "What in Arda is going on here? Legolas! Rogir! Who is lying to me? Rogir is what he says true?" Aradwyn stood rounding on the younger elf. "Because if you ever said anything like that to him, I swear..."

"I was drunk Aradwyn do you think I remember what I said?" Rogir asked standing too meeting Aradwyn's green eyes with his own, he did not like to feel intimidated by his older brother. "Thelion said something similar to me," Rogir looked away. "How am I supposed to know what I said in a moment of drunken rage?"

Aradwyn nodded. "He is right Legolas," the elder elf turned back to the younger. "He did not mean it, under the influences of that substance it is impossible for one to know what they are saying. And just to clarify, we all do love you very much."

Legolas looked up at the pair of them his eyes flicking from one to the other. "I believe you Aradwyn," Legolas whispered. "But I do not believe him. No matter what you both say I know Rogir hates me, I can see it in his eyes. He looks at me funny when he thinks no one else is looking."

Aradwyn sat on the bed holding his head in his hands. "I cannot take much more of this," he looked at them both. "Which of you is telling the truth." He sighed. "Like I can ask you that. Please Rogir tell Legolas the truth - if you love him or not. I believe I will know the truth when I see it."

Rogir looked at Legolas. He swallowed hard then moved over to Legolas bending down before him. "Legolas," he said quietly looking into the other elf's azure eyes, "I am your brother and I love you very much, what ever I said before was not the truth."

Legolas looked at him a moment before pulling away. "I do not believe you. Rogir you are lying!"

Aradwyn looked at the younger elf crossly. "Legolas..."

"No," Legolas said crossly. "He is lying."

"Do you see what I have to put up with?" Rogir asked. "He always acts like this."

"Legolas please," Aradwyn whispered.

"No!" The younger elf made to run, but Rogir grabbed him and held him firmly. "Fine Legolas if you will not listen to me then I will tell you what you want to hear," he moved his other hand up and tangled it in the young elf's hair staring into his eyes. "I hate you Legolas! It does not matter that you are my brother I hate you anyway."

Tears started in the younger elf's eyes and Aradwyn grabbed Rogir suddenly realizing that he had just let his brother hurt the younger elf. "Let go of him," he said fiercly more angry with himself than anybody else. "Rogir let him go."

Rogir did as he was told and released the younger elf and Legolas quickly ran to escape. Aradwyn, however, raced around the bed after him, grabbing his arm and holding him still.

"Let go!" Legolas demanded.

"Legolas please, I am sorry!"

"Let go!" Legolas yelled this time pulling himself out of the elder elf's grasp and racing away. Aradwyn was about to go after him when Rogir caught his arm.

"Don't bother following him," the younger elf said. "Let him go."

"Estel!" Admir called worriedly. "Where can he be?" She was angry with herself even more now. If she had stayed with her brother instead of sitting in her room feeling sorry for herself they wouldn't be in this mess. It always seemed to her that it was her fault when something happened to Estel, and when it wasn't she blamed herself anyway.

"Maybe we should split up into two groups." suggested Arwen. "I will go with Admir, Elladan and Elrohir can go together."

"I am not sure that is such a good idea, the weather is not looking so good." said Elladan.

"Aye," agreed the younger twin. "It is already raining."

"But we have to find him!" begged Admir. "We have to!"

Elrohir nodded. "We do, and we need to find him fast. There's lightning headed this way, would you not say?"

Elladan sighed. "You are right, gwanur. Alright, we will split up. If you find any sighs of Estel meet back here."

The other 3 elves nodded.

Admir and Arwen ran off to the right.

"There was a tree where Rogir was attacked by Thelion. And that Rogir, Marth, and I were tied to." said Admir wincing at the memory.

"Alright, we will check there." agreed Arwen.

Admir quickly led the way. Arwen gasped. "Admir I hear something."

Admir smiled slightly. She was lucky that Arwen was more of a full elf than her, she could hear much better. Admir followed Arwen to a bush.

"Estel!" Admir exclaimed diving into the bush and pulling out her younger brother. "Estel, I was so worried!"

It was clear that the adan had been crying, but the expression he was giving Admir was rage. "You mean Aragorn. Is that not my name?"

Admir gasped. "Oh no, you heard me talking to Elladan? Estel, I am so sorry." she hugged her younger brother. "You are not cold? It is raining out here, you are going to catch a cold!"

Arwen hugged Estel too. "Estel, we were so worried about you when we could not find you. We have to go find Elldan and Elrohir."

"Elladan! Elrohir!" Arwen shouted picking Estel up and beginning to walk out of the clearing. "Elladan, Elrohir we've found him!"

Admir followed behind too preoccupied by her feelings to notice what was happening. She had the most terrible feeling that something was going to happen - and soon, very soon. The hairs on the back of her neck rose up and she barely had time to scream as lightning struck the ground near her, catching a nearby tree and breaking it in half. The tree was old and rotten - but it was still a gigantic thing, old knarled branches swinging round as Admir dived out of the way. She landed sprawled out in the grass and cried out in pain as one of the tree's gigantuan branches landed across her legs.

"Arwen wait!" protested Estel. "Admir!"

Admir shook her head, and she knew she was lying. "Estel, go with Arwen. I will be right there, gwador."

Estel wriggled free of his foster sister's grip and ran to Admir. "We have to get it off you!"

"Estel, it is not safe, you must go with Arwen!" argued Admir although she truly wanted help, she couldn't risk it. Just then the twins rushed into the clearing.

"Estel, where in arda were you?" demanded Elladan.

"We were worried sick!" continued Elrohir.

Elladan nodded. "We thought we had lost you!"

"No, I was in a bush hiding...hiding from my destiny..."

"Dan, look! Admir is stuck!" cried Elrohir.

The twins moved quickly and eventually managed to pry the branch off her. Besides a few scrapes, and being a bit shaken up Admir seemed fine. Although she still had a bad feeling. And she wasn't sure why. But she knew it was weird that she had felt something bad would happen, and then it did! Should she warn the others? She decided against it. She didn't want to worry them, all they needed to worry about was getting the soaking wet adan home before he caught a chill.

"Now what were you saying about your destiny, Estel?" asked Elrohir.

"Maybe we should get going." murmured Admir worriedly. "I have a bad feeling, guys."

The 3 other elves nodded and began to walk away from the clearing, however, Estel held back, noticing that Admir hadn't moved from her spot.

"Admir, come on. I will not be King without you, gwathel." he smiled. It was always so adorable how Estel was so oblivious. He always tried to understand as best as he could, but of course everyone else was much older than him. And they were mostly elf.

Just then a bolt of lightning struck a weak part of a tree just above them. Sparks flew, and the tree began to burn.

"Estel, move!" yelled Admir diving infront of him and shoving him all the way to where the other elves were standing just as the burning branch fell in front of her blocking her escape.

Admir darted to the right attempting to escape the clearing that way, but the flames spread all too quickly - despite the slight dampness from the light rainfall the ground and foliage was relatively dry and this did not help her in the slightest. Admir felt weak at the knees where the tree had landed across her legs and she wasn't fast enough. to escape the fire as it encircled the clearing. When she tried to climb the trees her injured limbs wouldn't let her and her heart leapt into her throat as she realized she was trapped. She span around searching for an escape, wide panicked eyes trying to find a gap between the wall of flames, but there was none.

She could hear her siblings calling for her on the other side of the flames and smoke, she could hear Estel screaming, but she was finding it differcult to breath as the smoke engulfed her filling her lungs with toxic fumes. She ducked under the smoke remebering something she had once heard about heat rising and called breathlessly for help.

"Arwen run and fetch Ada," Elladan said quickly his mind racing. He was the eldest here, he was responcible for them all, if anything happened... "Elrohir get Estel away from the flames."

"But you two are faster," Arwen protested backing away from the intense heat. Still, she had the time to notice the expression on her brother's face - it was the expression he wore when he was about to do something incredably stupid and dangerous. "Elladan what are you going to do?"

"Just go Arwen!" Elladan yelled pushing the other's back and out of the way, then racing forwards grabbing a low hanging tree branch and swinging himself up into the trees before the other's could stop him.

"Elladan!" Elrohir made to go after his twin, but Arwen held him back.

"Elrohir you have to go and find Ada!" Arwen shouted knowing she would not be fast enough.

"But..."

"Now!"

Elrohir knew he didn't have the time to argue his siblings lives were at stake, he had to go. He turned and ran like the wind in the direction of the last homely house praying that he could run fast enough. If he didn't get there in time he would never forgive himself.

"Admir!" Estel called as Arwen held him tightly.

"Come away from the flames Estel," Arwen said pulling the boytowards her. "Elladan is with Admir, she will be fine, trust me."

Elrohir raced across the sloping lawns up to the house pushing himself harder and harder until he thought he was going to collapse shoving his way through the corridors and into his father's study.

"Elrohir?" Elrond asked spinning round in his chair to face the boy.

"Ada! You have to come now!" Elrohir yelled hurrying over to his father.

"Elrohir?" Elrond asked spinning round in his chair to see the panting child in the doorway leaning against the frame as though he were going to collapse.

"Ada! You have to come now!" Elrohir yelled pushing himself off the door frame and over to his father grabbing him tightly by the arm and dragging him out of the chair.

"Elrohir... what?" Elrond asked confused.

"There was a storm... and there's a fire! Admir is trapped and Elladan went after her!" Elrohir said his tongue tripping over the words. "Ada we need to go! We need to save her now!"

Elrond nodded racing out of the room followed by Elrohir despite how much his legs protested it. Elrond rounded a corner in the hall and dashed out onto the archery field knowing that was where Glorfindel was teaching the younger elves - despite the almost torrentlial rain it was very unlike Glorfindel to cancel his lessons. He looked to the sky for a moment and saw the smoke billowing from amongst the trees confirming the fact that there was indeed a fire.

"Glorfindel!" The Elven Lord yelled and the golden haired elf turned to see the two elves rushing down towards him.

"Elrond what's the matter?" Glorfindel asked studying the other elf's face for any sign of what the problem could be.

"There is a fire," Elrond said gesturing with a frantic hand to the dark skys. "Admir is trapped by the fire and the others are out there with her."

Glorfindel nodded his breath suddenly stolen away. "Right." He made for the trees, but Elrond grabbed his arm. The Balrog Slayer looked at him quizically.

"You must go back to the house and get help," Elrond ordered before racing off towards the trees, forgetting that Elrohir was following him when it would really have been better to tell him to go with Glorfindel.

"Admir!" called Elladan already panting from lack of oxygen.

Admir was crouched into a ball in the middle of the clearing. "Elladan..." she muttered weakly. "I am scared."

"It is alright Admir, Ada is on the way." soothed the elder elf making his way over to her. Although the air around them was warm, Admir was shivering. It seemed that in the instant of danger her human instincts had taken control.

"Elladan...you should not be in here." she moaned trying to push him away from her. "You have to survive. For Estel. For Arwen. For Elrohir. For your father. They all need you."

Elladan, if not for the fact that she was already hurt, would have slapped her for saying that. "They need you too, gwathel!"

Admir was already in tears. "Do not call me that, Dan. This is already hard enough. I know I cannot possibly survive." she collapsed onto the clearing floor.

"Admir!" yelled Estel. "Arwen, Dan has been in there too long! We have to help him!" he tried to pull away from her but Arwen held him firmly.

"No Estel, Ada will be here soon."

"No!" cried the adan, tears now streaming down his cheeks. "They need help now!"

Just then Elrond and Elrohir entered the clearing. Elrond looked around worriedly. This definately wasn't good.

"Elladan! Admir! Can you hear me?" called the Lord of Imaldris.

"Yes Ada..." answered Elladan weakly. "Admir fainted. She is still breathing, though."

Elrond turned to Elrohir. "Stay with Arwen and Estel. Do not let Estel near the flames no matter what. And do not go near the flames yourself, either. We will get them out."

Elrohir nodded tiredly and collapsed into a sit position beside his siblings.

For the briefest of moments Elrond did not know what to do, he knew there was no way that Elladan could get both Arwen and himself out of the clearing he was simply not strong enough, especially with the lack of oxygen. He wanted to tell the boy to get out of there and tell him that they would save Admir, but he was not sure if help would arrive in time. He raced through the trees quickly searching for a gap in the flames.

Elladan rolled Admir onto her side trying to remember what his father had taught him about keeping the airway open. He beant forwards suddenly his body convulsing as coughs wracked his slender frame. He too would pass out in a minute if he wasn't careful he thought morbidly gulping for air. The roaring of the flames drowned out all sound and Elladan looked morosely at the sky wondering if there was still a large chance of a sudden downpour, but he couldn't tell whether he was looking at dark clouds or smoke.

"Ada!" He shouted, but his voice was too weak too be heard as the trees groaned above him, their flaming cracking. One fell down towards Admir and he and he pushed her out of the way rolling aside as it crashed down to the earth. He pushed himself onto his hans and knees and looked across the flaming branch with watering eyes to see Admir her auburn hair flickering in jagged waves over her green dress - wishing more than anything that he had pulled her with him instead of pushing her away, now they were seperated by a wall off flames which licked dangerously close to both he and the unconscious elleth. Elladan tried to move towards his sister, but his knees gave way and he fell forwards unable to make his tired limbs comply with his wishes as his oxygen starved lungs begged for air.

Elrond could find no way to get through the wall of flames and finally realising what he had to do if he wanted to save his children raced forwards, his arms shielding his face as he jumped through the wall of flames. The pain lasted for mere seconds before he landed on the other side of the clearing quickly beating out the flames that had caught hold of his clothing. It was not the flames one had to worry about, it was the smoke, despite how much pain fire could cause the internal damage of the poisonous gass was far worse.

The smoke stang the Elven Lord's eyes and he blinked furiously to clear his vision. He peered through the smoke heart racing. Fire was spreading through the clearing and he could see no sign of either Admir or Elladan. A movement suddenly caught his attention and he ducked beneath the flames to see a figure collapse onto the forest floor. He raced over to find Elladan sprawled out on the forest floor and his heart leapt into his throat. He grabbed the boy rolling him over, his eyes met by a pair of water silver ones.

"Ada," Elladan winced as the words stung his throat. "Get Admir."

"Where is she?" Elrond asked looking around - then he spotted her across the other side of the wall of flames. In a split second he made up his mind about what to do lifting his son in his arms. He would come back for Admir - it was the hardest decision he had ever made, but Elladan had a higher chance of survival than she did and he knew that in leaving Elladan he was risking Elrohir's life as well.

"No!" Elladan protested trying to push his father away. "Save Admir!"

Elrond grimaced standing and moving towards the edge of the clearing his mind screaming at him to go back and try to take Admir as well. He turned his back to the wall of flames shielding Elladan and running through the roaring heat.

By the time he broke through the flaming wall Glorfindel and the other's were there and the golden haired elf grapped Elrond to stop him from racing back into the burning clearing after he had gently laid Elladan down on the forest floor.

"If Elladan is in this bad a condition, I doubt Admir has survived this far." said Erestor.

"Either way, we have to try to save her." replied Elrond tiredly.

Glorfindel shook his head. "You are not going back in there, mellon-nin."

"But we have to save her. We have to atleast try."

"Daro ha, Erestor is right. Elladan is just barely breathing, there is no chance she is still alive." replied Glorfindel.

"And if she is, we are wasting time! She may not be my blood, but she is still my daughter! We have to save her!" protested Elrond.

Erestor nodded. "Maybe so, but you are not going in there again."

Glorfindel turned to two of the guards. "Leif, Randomir, hurry and search the clearing."

The two guards nodded and pushed through the burning clearing.

"Ada, is she alright?" whispered Estel quietly.

Elrond turned to the young adan and picked him up slowly from Arwen's lap. "Honestly Estel, we do not know if she is."

"She has to be! This is all my fault!" cried Estel.

"What are you talking about, ion-nin?"

Estel felt more tears spill over. "I am not your son...I am not Estel..."

Elrond looked a bit bewildered. "Why aren't you? Estel, where did you hear that?"

"He overheard Admir and Elladan talking about it..." mumbled Elrohir, who had regained his breath along with some of his strength. "He knows his name, he knows his future."

Elrond looked back at Estel. "Estel, listen. That is not for years. You are still my son. You always will be. And you will always be Estel to be. Ucheben estel."

Although he did not understand sindarin normally, he caught the meaning. Have hope. Was that the reason his name was Estel?

When Admir awoke she was in a forest. Where she could not say exactly, but it looked like what her friends had described as Mirkwood. Not to mention she could see a kingdom in the distance. But even if she were in Mirkwood, how would she have gotten there? And where was the rest of her family? Why would they have just left her there? And what had happened to the clearing? Nothing was making sense to the young peredhil as she slowly stood up shaking her head. She wondered if maybe she was hallucinating? But nothing changed. She was still in the forest.

Suddenly she her loud footsteps behind her and turned to see a gang of orcs headed her direction. Why would there be orcs in Mirkwood? The only time she had ever heard of orcs being anywhere near Mirkwood was at the death of the Queen, but of course that had been years ago, hadn't it? Besides, she thought, Lord Thranduil isn't one to leave anywhere near or in his kingdom unguarded, is he?

At the same time she saw a glimpse of dark raven hair, and spotted an elf trying to run away from the orcs. But why was the elf all alone? Why wasn't it with its parents?

Admir decided to follow the elf into the bush. Upon closer inspection she noted that the elf was a male and looked exactly like Rogir had a few years ago. But there was no way that was Rogir; Rogir wasn't an elfling anymore.

"Where am I?" she asked but the elf didn't seem to hear her, or if he did he chose to ignore it.

"I was speaking to you." Snapped Admir annoyed tapping the elf on the shoulder. Or at least she tried. For some reason her hand seemed to go through the elf. "I'm a ghost…?" she muttered. "Did I die in the clearing?"

She suddenly realized something. Did Elladan survive? And if he was, would he fully recover?

Just then there was a scream in the distance, and Admir saw the other elf jump in surprise. "Nana!"

Admir didn't get it, why did she feel like she'd seen this before? She knew she hadn't, but it all seemed so familiar. What was happening?

She watched as the elf climbed a tree, and proceeded to move from tree to tree following the source of the cry.

Admir followed quickly behind the elf watching as he scrambled through the trees. His whole body was shaking and it was a miracle that he didn't fall out of the tree.

"Nana!" Rogir shouted stumbling forwards as they came to the edge of a clearing, clinging to the tree for support. Admir moved over looking past him to see her friend's mother standing at the edge of the clearing. The Queen was brandishing a large stick pushing her youngest son behind her into the trees yelling at him to run. Rogir clenched his fists and growled low in his throat. Then the orcs surged forwards to the Elven Lady and Rogir cried out as she was dragged down. Unfortunately for the young boy the shout had been enough to alert the orcs to his presence and he quickly jumped back as they approached scrambling up higher into the branches.

Admir turned away disgusted and followed Rogir as he perched in the top most branches of the tree. The peredhil sat opposite him watching as tears filled his eyes and then he buried his head in his hands. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, she wanted to help, but the world about her was going blurry, she could already feel herself slipping. Darkness lapped at the edge of her conscious threatening to pull her under and she reached out one more time for Rogir, but her hand never touched his. She fell down, out of this dream like state into the comforting darkness. Death or unconsciousness she did not know and suddenly she no longer cared. Her last thoughts were of her family and friends praying to the Valar that they were alright and then she was gone.

The rain came soon, a heavy down pour as black clouds swallowed up the sky. Elrond looked down at the young elves who clustered around him and slowly stood up lifting Estel off his lap. They had to get back inside before Estel caught a cold. He picked up Elladan careful not to wake the boy. Elrohir soon got the message and helped Arwen up before scooping up the human in his arms.

"Ada?" Estel asked rubbing his eyes. "Where are we going?"

"Home," Elrond answered sadly looking wistfully back at the burning clearing. It had been too long, how could Admir have survived that? It was impossible.

"What about Admir?" Estel asked worriedly. "Ada?"

"It is raining Estel, we have to go," Elrond said his voice hiding the sadness that was welling up inside him. "I am sorry Estel."

"But..." Estel looked at Elrohir with wide eyes. "No!" The child burst into action trying to escape from his brother's hold, but Elrohir held him tightly. "Admir!"

"Hush," Elrohir said trying in vain to calm the child. "It'll be alright."

"I want Admir!" Estel shouted looking over his brother's shoulder. "I need Admir!"

Elrohir felt a lump appear in his throat as Estel started to cry and the truth sank in. Admir had to be dead, how would she survive such a thing? How could anyone survive such a thing? Elladan had been lucky and Admir was younger than him. His sister was dead. Somehow the younger twin forced himself to walk on following after his father, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other until they reached Imaldris.

THE END...

(For now...)

Shawna D. and ElvenHope