For readers following this story thanks for hanging in there with me and sorry the updates have been so slow. I have been going back and rewriting this story so please re-read the earlier chapters.
Equally I am rewriting this story now as I go so the updates will be slightly longer than I would like.

Aragorn shivered as he climbed ever higher. The orc's drove a punishing pace and the toll was beginning to show on the rangers body. His hair hung limb and matted across his gaunt face. Listless eyes paid no head to the surrounding landscape, barely registering the ground in front of his feet . His body once rugged and well muscled was wasted and dirt encrusted. Thoughts flickered sparingly through his weary mind as he struggled to simply put one foot in front of the other. Vaguely he wondered if his brothers and Elrond were looking for them but quickly dragged his mind away as thoughts of Legolas flooded in. Darkly he prayed they did not find him, for how could he go back without Legolas? How could he explain how he had failed to save his friend? And how could he ever tell thrandruil how he was responsible for causing his sons death?

Elladan hunted desperately for Estel amongst surrounding bodies, turning them over for any clues to the missing rangers whereabouts. Elrohir moved swiftly to transfer Legolas to the back of his horse. He constantly glanced over at his brother watching as he searched praying he found their missing brother.

Spotting a redder patch of earth under one of the upturned bodies Elladan quickly shoved the one next to it aside to reveal Estel's sword half buried in the mud. Digging it out he noticed the blood staining the hilt and guard was clearly the rangers own, meaning he had been injured and forced to drop it. Gritting his teeth he continued his search but he could find no other trace of their missing brother.

Returning to to Elrohir he held out the sword his mind racing. Estel had clearly been here, but where he was now he could not guess. The only comfort he could take was that he was not amongst the dead.

Elrohir turned as his brother returned seemingly empty handed but felt his heart nearly stop at the sight of Estel's sword. He stared as conflicting emotions torn through him. Relief that Estel was not amongst the dead was instantly overtaken by the harsh reality that he has been taken captive, and the inescapable fact of having to tell Elrond.

Steeling himself he focused on the matter at hand, he glanced up at his brother 'we must get Legolas back to rivendale or else there will be no hope for him' Meeting his brothers gaze he saw reflected in his eyes the same desire to keep searching for Estel.

Nodding grimly Elladan quickly moved to his horse and strapped the sword to his pack. Mounting up he looked across to check his brother was seated with Legolas securely before setting off at a gallop.

The horses needed no encouragement to leave each both sensing the urgency in their riders and glad to be away from the battle site.

Racing home the brothers prayed they could get Legolas back in time. They were both aware that time had been against them from the start though neither could have known. Now with evening not far off they would be hard pressed to get home tonight.

Elrond stirred from his thoughts, the light was fading as evening drew in. With a heavy heart he rose and returned upstairs to replace the unread book on his bookshelf. Crossing to Estel's room he relit the night light and set it back down on the window sill. Staring out at the darkening sky he watched as the stars blinked into view one by one. Sighing he wearily settled down for another sleepless night awaiting his sons return. Thoughts plagued him of reasons for the delay knowing few of them could be good. All the time aware that as more time passed their safe return became more and more unlikely.

Shouts from the courtyard accompanied by the sound of frantic hoof beats jerked Elrond out of his thoughts. The night light had burned low the flame spluttering in the last of the oil though dawn had yet to colour the sky. Standing he stepped quickly to the window and looked into the courtyard below. Lanterns were hurriedly being as two horses raced through the gates and staggered to a stop in the courtyard. A quick glance told Elrond there were only three riders. The third could only be Legolas as the blond hair of the slumped figured was revealed in the lamplight. Closing his emotions he left the room and hurried down the stairs. Crossing the entrance way he exited into the courtyard and swiftly made his way toward the horses. He headed instantly towards the one which carried Legolas concerned etched on his features. One look though at his closed eyes made his step falter and his breath catch in his chest.

Seeing his fathers reaction Elrohir quickly answered the unspoken question 'He may still live ada'

Letting out the breath he barely knew he was holding Elrond nodded and helped gently ease the young prince down from the saddle and onto the stretcher brought to his side.

He looked up as his sons as they joined him 'Estel?'

'Where is Estel?' Elrond asked again his voice catching slightly as he caught the look that passed between his sons.

Elladan dropped his gaze and reached up to remove the sword tied to his saddle. Turning he showed it to his father. He opened his mouth and then closed it again as he failed to find the words to tell his father. Watching his fathers eyes widen as he understood the unspoken meaning he passed the sword over and let his arms fall limply back to his side.

Elrond studied the blade in his hands noting the blood staining the hilt. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and then turned back to Legolas. Concentrate on one thing at a time he told himself and motioned for the stretcher to be taken up to the infirmary. Striding swiftly after it he concentrated on saving Legolas and prayed that Estel was safe wherever he was.

In the infirmary Elrond set about examining Legolas as his sons hurriedly lit candles to provide extra light as the day dawned. Legolas's pulse was so weak it frightened him and he knew he had to act quickly to prevent the young prince slipping away. The head wound was the worst and the most obvious. Shifting the hair to one side he saw the pale gleam of bone through the dried blood, it would need stitching. Moving on he examined the broken left forearm and was relieved to find that it was not as badly crushed as he first feared, it needed to be splinted and set. Moving aside the mud stained clothing he catalogued the multiple bruises that covered his torso front and back where he had clearly been kicked as he lay.

Straightening up he turned to his sons 'what did this?'

'Orcs' Elladan replied the anger clear in his voice

Elrond frowned concerned by the presence of the foul creatures 'How far away?'

'The north east rise on this side of the mountain pass' Elrohir supplied

A planned ambush the two never saw Elrond thought, though why he could not guess. Pushing those thoughts aside he concentrated on Legolas. The bruising and broken arm were easy enough, however the head wound no-one could tell how much damage there truly was. He rattled a list of supplies off and sent his sons to fetch them. Sighing he looked down at legolas's closed eyes and willed him to return from so close to the halls of Mados.