Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.

Note: Thank you for the reviews. It has been ages since I had the time to update but I found some time in my schedule. An early Merry Christmas to everybody. Let's begin.

Images and sounds made him wince, sending spikes of white hot pain through his head as he closed his eyes tightly. His eyes would have been blind anyway. Words were floating at the very edge of his mind but he knew that focusing would only bring about more pain so he tried to stay adrift, in front of the pain.

He was jostled and without a conscious thought his mind opened and he screamed. He could hear people beside him, worried voices blurring together but he paid no mind to it, the pain was the only focus that kept him awake.

He struggled to remember what had happened but for the life of him he couldn't remember what had transpired.

Easy, Erestor. Do not scream again, my love! You'll draw unwanted attention to us and give our position away. I had to move you because we would have been discovered. I know that you are hurting. I can feel it through the bond.

Erestor's voice pulled away to a whimper as he recognized the wonderful sound of his husband's voice. He turned towards the sound instinctively. The pain was blinding him but he opened his eyes, only seeing in the twilight the shadow of Glorfindel's beloved face.

His elf looked exhausted as no elf should ever look. The blond hair was tied away from the pale face but it wasn't groomed to perfection as it normally was. There was a dark bruise underneath Glorfindel's blue eyes but the stubborn eyes locked with Erestor's own as the elf softly asked.

"How are you feeling?"

"Awful." His voice was raspy and he turned his head to look around. He frowned, pain spiking in his head and for a moment Erestor closed his eyes tightly as he released air through his clenched teeth. If he strained himself he could hear the agonizing cries of orcs in the distance but he turned them out to focus on his surroundings.

They were high up in a tree and it would explain why he was feeling so awful. Erestor had never been very fond of climbing, he wasn't a wood elf and while he could handle himself in any situation, he didn't feel as at ease in a tree then on the ground. He turned back to look at Glorfindel as the elf shifted a little bit.

The older elf was crouched before him on a branch, favoring one leg and the other stretched out before him and Erestor could see the dark stain that tainted the leggings. He glanced back up at his husband and whispered, horrified.

"You are wounded."

"Not nearly as badly as you are. I was afraid that you would not wake up again." Glorfindel's voice was steady but Erestor could hear the deep layer of pain that was hidden from anybody else except his husband. He scowled at Glorfindel but the stubborn big elf refused to back down as he softly said.

"I know that you do not feel comfortable and that you will most likely lecture me about my own safety of climbing with a leg wound but the situation required it. You can lecture me when we can make it back to the Last Homely house. I have been trying to send a message to Elrond but this may take time…"

Erestor blinked against the headache that pulsed behind his eyes as he whispered. "How did you send a message?"

"I have raised the alarm with the battle cries when you fell unconscious. There were elves scouting this area and I hoped that I alarmed them and they have gone to get help. Our horses also will have returned to the house without us and I do know that Elrond worries. We have to wait a little while…"

Glorfindel broke off as he turned his face away towards something that Erestor could not see. Erestor strained to hear but he could not focus with the headache that pounded behind his eyes. He could not remember ever being in so much pain before. He knew that it had happened before but he had most likely just blocked out the pain.

He swallowed thickly as his stomach chose that moment to remind him that he had not eaten anything for two days. His stomach was churning but Erestor managed to keep the bile down. He suspected that he had suffered from a concussion. While elves were creatures who healed quickly a concussion was often a cause for worry.

At least Erestor hoped that it was that because else he could be in a lot of trouble. He forced himself to stay awake, watching through the bleary eyes that ached as he focused upon Glorfindel's face. The angles that were shaded by the light of the rising moon made the elf glow with a hidden light. Erestor knew the strength of Glorfindel's soul and his return from Valinor but it had always seemed like a tale to him.

But now, knowing the elf like he did he understood why Glorfindel always kept that light hidden, even when it shone in his soul and in his eyes without his thoughts and every moment that he looked at Erestor. The light shone brighter when Glorfindel was anger or when he was happy.

"What are you hearing?" He asked softly. At the moment Glorfindel's senses were much keener then his own and Erestor knew that trying to focus on sounds beyond his capacity to hear would only bring about more pain. He could clearly hear the orcs foul language and he hoped that they were away far enough so they would not be discovered.

They spoke beneath their breath but Erestor had never been entirely sure how orcs could always find elves but somehow they did. Perhaps it was because they had once been elves and would always hold a part that was hidden in the blood and the magic of the two races, in the shared history that bound them together.

"I can make out voices but they are too low for me to hear…"

"Are they orcs?"

"No, they speak elvish. They are coming closer and I can hear the nickering of the horses. I believe that it is a company of elves but I have no way of knowing who it is. My wound prevents me from moving and I would not like to leave you alone anyway."

"I can handle myself for a few moments, Glorfindel."

"I cannot move as silent as I once did with my leg wound. I have to wait until they come towards us. They just mentioned our names and I believe that I can hear the bells on Asfaloth but I can be mistaken. I often make sure to keep the bells coiled in cloth so they will not attract unwanted attention."

"They are coming closer, aren't they?" Erestor whispered. He could hear the soft sounds of the elvish voices dancing just beyond his hearing. He tried to focus but it didn't work and he moaned softly, clenching his fingers into a fist as the pain spiked. A slender hand slipped in between his balled up fingers and uncurled them gently.

Erestor glanced up at Glorfindel as the elf softly said. "Just relax, my love. They are closing in…"

Glorfindel froze when there was a sudden noise behind them. The leaves shook in warning and Erestor could feel a shout building up at the back of his throat as a hand clamped down on his shoulder. The hand was gently and Erestor frowned when Glorfindel's face suddenly relaxed in a smile.

"Ah, it is good to see you, mellon nin. Do forgive Erestor; he is a little bit jumpy. We both did not hear you approach." Erestor turned his head when Rowlen stepped into view. The elf was Glorfindel's second in command and an excellent scout. He could feel the tension drained as Rowlen smiled at him.

He tried to smile back but it felt more like a grimace. Rowlen did not seem to mind terribly. The elf glanced down below them and Erestor fought the urge to follow his gaze. Something was called up but it was too low to hear and finally Rowlen said.

"We have managed to lure them away for the moment but they will return. It will take time before they catch our scent. I hope that we can spring the trap before that and kill them. We have to get you out of here and back across the river. Warg riders have been seen on this side of the Misty Mountains…"

Erestor closed his eyes. The very thought of having to move made him feel sick to his stomach and his head ached. His eyes snapped open when he felt the joy that came through the bond and he glanced at Glorfindel. But somebody else was sitting before him. Erestor blinked through the haze that had fallen over his eyes at the darkness. Elrond was sitting before him, staring into his eyes gravely as the lord softly said.

"You are wounded, Erestor. It will not be pleasant for you when we are going to get you down from the tree. Would you like me to drug you?" Immediately Erestor shook his head. He detested the sleeping draught Elrond always made for those in his care who were ill at ease and in pain.

Elrond stopped him by a hand on his shoulder as he softly said. "Erestor, you are in shock and I fear for your sanity, my friend. There is safety in silence and especially now. If you scream because you are in pain you can bring the orcs down upon us. I caution you in this, my friend but I will not do anything that you do not want me to do."

Erestor looked towards Glorfindel. His husband's eyes were watching him closely and he knew that whatever he chose, Glorfindel would allow him and keep him safe.

What should I do, meleth nin?

His thoughts were churning as he requested his beloved's opinion. The reply was instantaneous and as gentle as a breath.

I do not like to see you in pain but if you are not comfortable with then I will suggest a different solution.

What is your solution?

Allow your body to sleep and trust in us to keep you safe. I'll inform you of what happened when you wake up. You do trust us?

Of course I do. I suppose that it would be the wisest and the safest solution for us all.

Erestor glanced back to Elrond and nodded, saying. "Very well. You are right…"

Erestor felt more then heard Glorfindel shift until his elf was behind him. He closed his eyes as Elrond took out the necessary draught and held it to his lips, steadying the bottle so Erestor could drink. He grimaced at the taste that flooded his mouth. Almost at once did he feel the tiredness overwhelm him. He tried to fight it but then Glorfindel whispered in his ear.

"Just let go, my love."

And Erestor as he fell asleep in the arms of his beloved and he knew no more.

Alright this is it. It is kind of a cliffy :P. So the next chapter Glorfindel walks back with Elrond. Will they get out safely? Review of course.