AN
Uhh, hi? Its only been an entire month since I last updated, that's got to be some kind of record, right? *ducks extremely heavy vase hurtling towards her head*
Eeshh, tough crowd then. Well anyway, here is chapter 12, with a little bit of Elladan angst for you sadistic psychos. And also, I've decided I'll stop responding to reviews via email, instead I shall do it at the end of each chapter. Why? *shrugs* I truly don't know why. I just feel like it *g*
Please enjoy! And remember I'm always open to suggestions.
Chapter 12
Red sunlight struggled to filter through a thick canopy of clouds in an eerie dawn, the sky a sickening bloody colour. This gloom and doom atmosphere was definitely not something that was improving Aragorn's mood.
The man in question had been rudely awakened by one of Morcion's cursed henchmen at a kick to his bruised ribs, once again causing the ranger to internally wish everyone in this entire camp an incredibly painful death.
The ranger could have sworn his entire body had a headache. Bodyache? He didn't know anymore. All he knew was that he hurt, and badly so. Even though that was something he would never admit to anyone but himself.
For that moment, Estel lied hopelessly in the modest tent that had been set up for him, which he supposed was just a precaution to stop him succumbing to his wounds in the cold and dying overnight. Something that Morcion actually seemed to be concerned about, undoubtedly only as he would lose his bargaining chip. Aragorn knew that if he were to die, there wouldn't be a chance in Middle Earth that Elrond would give the cruel elf anything.
The ranger mentally barred any worrisome thoughts of his friends and family, or he knew he would break down, one way or another. No, for now, all he could do was lie on the thick tent canvas and savour the last peaceful moments before he was forced to resume the journey towards wherever 'King Melehta,' resided.
With his emotions safely locked in a box away in the corner of his mind, the young human unconsciously began to relax, more than he had in almost two weeks. As he watched the ever-changing patterns of shadows dance across the tent roof, his eyes became unbearably heavy.
A few mere seconds away from being lulled into a blissful sleep, the ranger heard the quiet rustle of his tent being entered. He fought to regain proper consciousness, should it be Donngal or some equally demented man here to torment him once again.
Still struggling to open his eyes, he felt two strong hands grasp his bruised and tender shoulders. Moaning softly in pain, Estel opened his bleary grey eyes bracing himself for a cruel, sneering face. But that wasn't what he saw.
Not trusting his vision, the ranger looked up into the equally stormy grey eyes of his elven brother.
His voice cracked as he spoke, terrified to even dare believe it could be his brother.
"Elladan?"
Legolas fidgeted worriedly, covered by a thick growth of trees but near enough to the camp to hear any commotion that might occur.
Elladan had snuck into the camp only mere minutes ago, but to the elven prince it felt like decades. Their hope was that Elladan would sneak in undetected, locate and hopefully free Estel, with Legolas near enough to be back-up.
Recounting over their simple plan, the prince truly noticed how pathetic it was. It wasn't eloquent, or well thought-out.
It was desperate.
Taking another deep breath to settle his nerves, Legolas edgily watched from the trees. The silhouettes of the waking men was increasing, their forms made visible by the deep red sky that was coming to light through the black clouds. Yes, the elf thought. Today was going to be an incredibly cheerful day.
Still pondering and puzzling about the fact that wherever Estel ventured, trouble followed, the elf suddenly tensed, the muscles in his back going as taut as a fully drawn bowstring.
On this instinctual whim, the elf whirled around, but not quite in time.
Legolas lunged to the side, just enough that the sword being thrusted at him sliced through his side, instead of impaling him as his attacker intended.
Through the roaring pain in his side, the prince made out the fuzzy form of his attacker, and realised he was again charging forward to strike.
Now slightly more aware of his bearings, the elf sidestepped the attacker and twisted in with his elbow, forcefully shoving the assailant against the trunk of a tree. The figure dropped limply to the ground.
Still somewhat dazed, the elf dropped down to the lifeless form. It was a man, with wavy brown hair and pale skin. Legolas felt no victory though, this boy was young. Too young, perhaps with Aragorn being a few years his senior. No doubt this boy had been influenced, with cruel people twisting his naïve mind from an early age. These kind of people were given no choice, they just carried out the cruel bidding of harsh commanders.
Still solemnly gazing at the young man's pale features, Legolas rested his fingers on his throat, feeling for a pulse, nodding slightly when he found one. Still confused at why he was reluctant to leave this unconscious man, Legolas reminded himself the human would eventually wake up, even though he was more than likely to have a slight headache. Which, honestly, he deserved.
Rising up again, the elf shook himself mentally. He mustn't feel so sympathetic, the man still had cruel intentions. He may even have hurt Estel.
That thought was what jarred Legolas from his fervent thoughts; his human friend needed him.
His bleeding side forgotten momentarily, the elf resumed his attention on the human camp, now scoldingly reminding himself to be aware of his surroundings. He would be no use to Estel or Elladan should he be killed. Legolas winced a little, still hardly believing that a young, inexperienced human child had managed to sneak up on him. Varda Elentari, he must never let Aragorn know, or it truly would be the death of him.
Hushing his wondering mind, the elf forced himself to focus on the task at hand. But he found he couldn't, which, he stubbornly told himself, was not due to his extensive blood loss. Of course not.
The elf just hoped with all his heart that today would not be a grievous day.
Elrond was going out of his mind with worry. He had not seen his son in a full day, and the Half-Elven's mind was pessimistically assuming the worse. Typical.
The elf lord's wounds had all but healed, but this did nothing to put him at ease. If anything, it was worse, as now he didn't have a distraction from worrying about his children.
He shifted uncomfortably against the unforgiving, stiff bark of the tree he was tied against, endlessly grateful as he knew his son was given a tent to rest in every night, courtesy of Captain Lucien. He knew his exhausted, wounded human son would not last a night in the brutally cold air of the oncoming winter.
That thought caused Elrond to wonder about the mysterious captain. Usually, humans were reasonably easy to read, save for Estel, and a multitude of his equally stubborn descendants. But this Lucien, he was another matter.
All Elrond knew was that the captain was loyal, fiercely so, in fact. The elf could see it in his proud blue eyes. But Elrond suspected that Morcion and Donngal were not on the receiving end of his loyalty.
The elven lord was by no means appreciative of Lucien, but he grudgingly acknowledged the fact that his human son may already be dead were it not for his actions.
For now silencing his thoughts, the Peredhel quietly raised his gaze to the strikingly red heavens, his eyes darkening at its offensive colour.
A blood red sky had never been a cheerful day in the history of Arda, that much he was sure of.
Elladan stared at his almost unrecognisable brother, the young human's face blue, purple and excessively swollen. Small slices were arranged in perfect scores along his cheekbones, as if the person responsible had an eye for symmetry.
Estel's eyes were bleary and unfocused. His cracked, bloody lips opened ever so slightly, but they made no noise, something that frightened the elf endlessly.
But then he heard him, just barely, over the rage roaring in his ears.
"Elladan?"
Estel's quiet voice sounded so confused and pain-filled that Elladan's heart clenched. But what was worse, was when Estel once again closed his eyes, apparently dismissing his elven brother as a figment of his desperate imagination, nothing more.
Elladan all but panicked, giving the edan a soft shake as he squeezed his shoulders.
"No Estel, wake up, please, muindor."
Estel moaned again in pain, and Elladan guiltily retracted his hands from the human's shoulders, relocating them to rest on his brother's too-warm cheeks.
Estel's eyes remained closed.
Elladan tried again.
"Come on, little brother, it's really me, I promise."
The twin's voice broke a little as the human's ashy face remained unresponsive. He took a deep, shaky breath and tried again, this time in Sindarin.
" Euchio, muindor, De nathathol. An ngell nîn, Estel, av-'osto."
The elvish words must have reached deeper into Estel's muddled mind, for the injured man again opened his hazy grey eyes, with a touch more of alertness.
Elladan positively beamed in relief, somehow simultaneously still shaking with intense fury at the state of the ranger.
"Come, Estel, I swear I shall get you out of here. Can you stand?" Elladan's voice wobbled ever so slightly.
It was a stupid question, the twin admitted to himself, but he was babbling, clearly set on keeping his brother awake.
Estel however, had apparently only just realised his brother was there, in the flesh. Elladan almost recoiled under the disapproving stare his brother was giving him, despite being on death's door. He really didn't give the human enough credit for his insane stubbornness. Aragorn's accusing silver eyes were piercing, even surrounded by the green and purple hue that they glared from.
"What," the ranger's voice cracked, both in pain and in anger, "are you doing here? You could have gotten yourself killed, dolle naa! You still could!"
The eldest twin winced at the insult, or more accurately, the pain that Estel spoke it in.
"It's nice to see you too brother," Elladan smiled affectionately.
Despite his clear indignation, the wounded ranger cracked into what seemed a very painful, but very exultant smile.
"Come now, Estel, Legolas is waiting for us. We must go."
Elladan bent down to loop an arm across his brother's shoulders, and one across his waist, hoisting him off the ground.
Aragorn let out a pained groan that he quickly stifled. "No Elladan, please. The two of us will never make it out of here; I am too much of a burden. Find ada instead, you might just escape with him."
"Don't be ridiculous, muindor. There's not a chance in the world I'm going to leave you here, Valar be my witness. I will return for father when I get you out."
But even as he said it, Elladan knew there was truth in his little brother's words. The young man had always been lithe and thin, but right now he was a dead weight, which made light, stealthy footsteps rather difficult. They were sure to be caught.
No matter, he told himself determinedly, as he secured his grip on his brother. Like he said, he wouldn't leave Estel here to perish, he would never. He would rather they die together, than himself escape without him.
Ignoring Aragorn's pained protests, Elladan turned towards the tent opening, gathering his nerve.
But that nerve dissolved in the span of a few mere seconds, when the scowling face of man appeared at the entrance of the canvas sanctuary.
Elladan and Estel groaned concurrently. They knew themselves to be unlucky, but it was truly getting out of hand. The Valar must have cursed them, after all.
A moment of shocked silence was suspended in the tent, until the assailant made the first move by swinging his sword towards the two brothers. Apologetically dropping Estel to the ground and pushing him out of harm's way, the elf raised his own blade to stop the strike.
The clanging blades seemed to resonate impossibly loudly throughout the camp, and if Elladan could have afforded to, he would have stared into the heavens with an eyebrow arched in disbelief. He was sure the Valar were playing cruel jokes on him now. Felling the human attacker but barely remembering doing so, Elladan waited with bated breath for more humans to come charging into the tent, alerted by the clashing swords.
The twin cast one more worried look at his again unconscious brother behind him, and then resumed his fighting stance at the tent entrance.
If they wanted his brother, they were going to get him.
Over his dead body.
Translations
Peredhel – Half-Elven
Arda – 'Region' 'Realm,' term for Middle Earth
Euchio, muindor, de nathathol – Awaken, my brother, I will help you.
An ngell nîn, Estel, av-'osto – Please, Estel, don't be afraid.
Dolle naa – 'empty headed,' fool
Ada – father
Muindor – my brother
AN
Alrighty then! What did you guys think? As for when the next update will be, the Valar knows. *Winks* See what I did there? Haha, I'm funny, I know.
Chapter 11 Review Responses [:
MistressOfImladris
I know! New chapters are becoming rare aren't they? I do find it quite sad, but I honestly can't afford to make fanfiction a priority anymore, although I will never truly abandon it. Thanks for the linebreak suggestion! I guess if I actually proofread my fics I would have noticed it's a little confusing. Shame, I enjoy being ignorant *g* I hope you enjoyed this update! And I hope to see your review in the next chapter, whenever that may be!
Sophie Michard
Yes, my poor, poor characters. They hate me, you know, especially Estel. For good reason, I guess, but we all know everyone wants the angst to keep coming. Am I right? *Crowd cheers maliciously* Yeah, I'm right. Well yes, I suppose you could say Elrohir was lucky, but it is one of the very few times. You know, Legolas and Elrohir are quite reckless, they very much might just get caught. Hehehe, isn't being sadistic fun?! Your welcome for the chapter, I just wish I could do it more often.
Daiser
Yep, unfortunately I am not the most frequent updater. But no matter! I shall return, everytime, even if I am old and grey by the time I complete it. *Once again ducks heavy projectiles* No, no, I'm joking. Do not worry, twin angst is inevitable. It will come, and when it does, let's just say I will do my best to make it heart-wrenching. I shall tell Elrohir you expect him to do something stupid, I know he will be flattered. *Elrohir glares at her contemptuously* Uh, he's kinda scary. But also adorable. Thank you for your review!
Horsegirl01
I appreciate it! The rest is coming, however slowly. I also doubt things will go smoothly for them, they are rather misfortunate, aren't they? *Legolas and Elladan stare accusingly* Oh gosh, they really despise me. I look forward to you reading the next chapter!
