Life has run away with me again! The good news is the story is moving forward again. I hope you enjoy and many thanks for your patience.

Aristania: Thanks for your review. Here is the next one.

Ziggy3: Thanks for sticking with the story for so long! I find Elladan really easy to write but Elrohir won't let me write him :-/. I think that is a great suggestion. Thanks.

Tinnuial: Thanks. Here is more for you.

DemeRain: Thanks for reading!

Summary so far: Legolas is in the last homely house, writing letters and making arrangements for the departure of the troops. Elrohir and Glorfindel are discussing their plans to seek out the slavers who caught Legolas and bring them to justice. Elladan has stormed out of the morning meal and decided to ride out to the border to cool his head.

Vvvvv

Elladan headed swiftly for the border, enjoying the controlled power of his horse beneath him. The foul weather continued to rage around him and he imagined he looked rather wild flying over the muddy ground, cloak swirling behind him. His hunting dog was loping beside him, ears flying and tongue lolling.

There was no need for haste but he enjoyed the rush of wellbeing that riding at speed could provide. His cares melted away and he laughed for the sheer joy of being alive and free. He was planning on checking on the border guards and letting them know the latest news about the march to Greenwood. This would allow any guards the opportunity to volunteer if they wished to join the army.

Elladan and Glorfindel were planning on taking some warriors to find the slave traders in the morning so it also served the purpose of gathering news before they ventured outside the borders. His horse suddenly slowed his pace and his ears pricked forward. Instantly alert Elladan strained his ears to listen for any disturbance.

There it was, he could hear many horses and loud voices nearing his position at some speed. Whoever it was had already gotten through the border. He drew his sword with a ring and moved into the middle of the path, prepared for anything. His dog stepped protectively in front of his horse and a low menacing growl filled the air.

Vvvvvv

He couldn't breath, it was impossible to draw any air through the solid lump that had formed in his throat. It couldn't be true, he tried to reason to himself, it just couldn't! Panic was edging its way up from his roiling stomach and he pushed it down ruthlessly.

He was a Marchwarden, a captain of Lothlorien. He could not lose control in front of his men, not again... He felt the solid weight of the twin knives at his back, possibly his last link to his beloved. No. He would not believe it until he could see his body. Legolas was not easy to kill, the slavers were lying. They must have lied!

'Elbereth please let him live please' he begged over and over in his mind. Luckily the border patrol at Imladris had not barred their way, merely moved aside with alarm as the troop had charged past, not even pausing in their strides.

His heaving horse rounded the corner and pulled up quickly as a dark figure appeared in their path. Haldir recognised the dog in front of the horse before he recognised the rider. That was one of the hounds that belonged to the sons of Elrond. In his panic he couldn't tell which one was before him.

As he came to a halt his brother Rumil appeared around the corner behind him, disheveled and out of breath. Rumil did not wait for his horse to stop before his feet hit the ground, he ran towards Elladan before a piercing growl stopped him in his tracks. Suddenly Haldir did not want to hear what would be said, he couldn't bear it! He turned his face away as if by not seeing the exchange he could stop himself from hearing it.

'Elladan, thank the valar!' panted Rumil.

'Has Legolas passed this way? We passed a camp of slavers on our way here and found evidence that he had been taken. We searched everywhere but...' Rumil seemed unable to continue.

The stern face of Elronds son softened as he swung himself down from his horse and whistled to the dog.

'He made it here my friend. He was injured but has recovered. He is safe.' Elladan replied

Haldir felt the breath leave him in a gush and hung limply forward, gasping, his hand over his heart. The voices carried on speaking as the other soldiers arrived at the scene but he didn't hear any of it.

All he heard over and over again were the words 'he is safe'.

Vvvvvv

Slowly the bedraggled warriors made their way towards the last homely house, looking forward to a good bath and meal. Their captain wandered along behind them, lost in thought. His concerned brother was speaking urgently to him but he stared straight ahead. If anyone noticed the tears that poured down his face mingling with the torrential rain, none were foolish enough to comment on it.

How could he have allowed Legolas to ride off alone! The road was perilous and Legolas was angry. Oh what a fool he had been. He could still see the gloating face of that foul man before him, still feel the cold fury that had overtaken him as he had taken the mans head clean off. After that his mind was a blank until suddenly his memories were clear and there were bodies all around him and slaves kneeling at his feet, begging for his mercy. Then Rumil had pulled his blood drenched sword from his hands and led him away. They left 6 of his men to lead the slaves to safety and then they had made haste to Rivendell to learn the truth.

He is here, he is alive, and I will throw myself at his feet and beg for his mercy. Haldir promised himself, nothing would ever come between them again, nothing.

TBC