"Will he be alright?" Elladan asked softly looking at his father's grim face.

Elrond glanced back. "The injury itself isn't too grave. You immobilized him in time. But he has gone far in despair and guilt."

Elladan took his brother's arm, closing his eyes, willing him to come back. Elrond watched his sons knowing too well that he could do little to help. He knew they shared rare close bound and if someone could guide Elrohir from the void, it was his brother.

Elladan concentrated hard, trying to control his own inner pain. Crystal tears of love and despair ran slowly down his face as he searched for his brother. Finally he opened his eyes again. Elrohir's condition didn't change but judging by the slightly relieved expression on the Elladan's face Elrond could tell that his son would be fine in time.

"Elrond!" The urgent call made the elven lord sharply turned around.

He didn't like the tone of Glorfindel's voice. When he saw limp form covered by the cloak that the blond warrior was holding, he felt thick feeling of dread spreading through his soul.

"Glorfindel?" He questioned softly understanding whom his friend was holding.

"He lives, but barely." Glorfindel laid Legolas down gently and removed the cloak releasing the ugly sight.

Elladan shuddered thanking Valar that his brother was unconscious. Elrond cast a glance at his son, telling him to stay with his brother. Than he kneeled near Legolas, fully observing the horrible state the young elf was in. Elrond started his work swiftly, cleaning innumerable wounds that the elf had sustained. It pained his heart to see this energetic lively elfling (for in the eyes of elder elves he was no more than a child) on the break of death.

"How is he, father?" Elladan asked when Elrond finished bandaging Legolas' body. Young prince looked like he was already dead. His face was ghostly pale and white bandages were already getting red from blood.

"I know not. His wounds are grave. We need to come back to Imladris."

Glorfindel came to them holding litters. Elrond nodded. Together with Elladan they checked Elrohir making sure that splints were fixed securely. Then they shifted him carefully laying young elf on the litters and placed them on the back of one of the horses.

Elrond looked thoughtful for a minute.

"Elladan, ride with Elrohir. He can't be moved too fast. I'll take Legolas and go ahead. For I fear his time is running out."

Elladan nodded. He understood. He knew his father wanted nothing more than to stay with his son, but Elrohir was stable and Legolas was not. Young prince needed more urgent help.

Elrond took unconscious elf in his hands and mounted his horse. With the last glance toward his sons he urged his horse toward Imladris praying for this misadventure to end up well.

XXX

Elladan walked near the horse that was carrying his brother. He was silent as were other elves that escorted them. The situation was grim indeed. Imladris was believed to be a safe place where travelers could find rest and peace. But it seemed that evil shadow was spreading faster than they thought. They would need to discuss it later. But for now Elladan's thoughts were completely occupied by his brother and young friend.

Soft almost inaudible moan drew Elladan's attention to the limp form near him.

"Elrohir?" He placed a hand at his brother's brow, feeling for a fever.

Elrohir winced in distress and pain as he slowly came to awareness. He could feel cooling touch on his face and heard gentle words but the agony that was shooting through his body overcame all of it.

"Elrohir, wake up." Elladan called once more signaling to others to stop.

His heart pained him to see his brother in so much pain but he needed to be strong both for himself and his twin. He smoothed Elrohir's cheek trying to give his strength to brother through the tough. The young elf moaned once more and blinked few times before opening his dazed eyes.

"Elladan?" His voice was weak and wavering.

"I'm here, brother. Do not try to move. We are getting you home."

Elrohir nodded accepting the water which his brother offered him. He felt bitter aftertaste of the pain killers and sleeping herb but at the moment he was glad for the pain was becoming unbearable. Feeling his eyelids grew heavier Elrohir found a strength for one more question.

"Legolas... Did you... find him?"

Elladan closed his eyes for a moment. He felt sick each time he remembered the horrific sight of the prince's hurt body. But it would do nothing good for Elrohir to know it. At least not now.

"We did. Father took him to Imladris. They are ahead of us."

He remained still until Elrohir's eyes closed and he went into deep sleep, that would hopefully help his body to heal quicker. And he needed to think of a way to help his soul mend as well.

The group resumed their silent procession.

XXX

Elrond sited himself in a chair wearily. He gave a lot of himself to hold Legolas in the land of living. Young prince was half dead by the time they arrived to Imladris, his hurt body quickly failing him. But elven lord was able stabilize his patient's state after few trying hours of work. He glanced at the pale bruised face of the young elf. In his long life Elrond saw many battles, helped many wounded, buried many warriors. But he still felt sadness each of this times. He still shared the pain of each wound, mourn the passing of each soul. He knew that if they let this spreading evil to win, all would be lost. The hope, the light, the life...

"My lord." The servant entered the room pulling Elrond from his thoughts. "The rest of the group returned."

Elrond nodded standing up. He quickly checked on Legolas and left the room. He swiftly went into the courtyard to meet the group.

"Glorfindel, my friend, could you watch over Legolas for me?" He asked not wanting to have Legolas left alone.

The warrior nodded. He gave few orders to remaining soldiers and went inside the healing wing of the stronghold.

Meanwhile two warriors gently lifted the litters off the horse and got Elrohir inside as well.

"He awoke for a few minutes during the journey." Elladan said while they went through the hall. "I gave him the potion."

"You did well. Now let us tend to him properly." Elrond answered. He wanted to send his son away, to make him rest. But he definitely knew two things. First, Elladan would find no rest before he knows his brother's fate, nor would he seek for one. Second, both twins would need each other and he had no heart to separate them.

"How is Legolas?" Elladan asked removing what had remained of his brother's clothes.

"He's stable for now. That's all I can say." Elrond replied dryly, concentrating on the task before him.

Elrohir's injuries were not as severe as they all have feared. The bruising and cracked ribs would heal quickly enough. As for his back, with the proper treatment it would mend as well.

Sighing with relief Elladan sited wearily at the bed his brother was laying on. Now, being at home, the danger seemed to dim. But only a little. The fact that he was going to be fine physically didn't mean that Elrohir would forget or forgive himself for the sacrifice which Legolas had made.

…TBC

Note: I wanted to make this chapter the last one, but I'm still thinking on a proper ending.