Chapter 6 – Worse than a Nightmare

"It's all my fault, I'm so sorry brother. It's my fault," he said, leaning over his brother's prone lifeless body. His lips were blue, and he was cold to the touch, as if he were ice. His breathing was so shallow, barely noticeable. "Please come back to me. I need you. I cannot live without you," he choked through sobs.

Endless tears ran down his cheeks. There was an unbearable sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. He felt numb. His brain was foggy and heavy in grief. He couldn't contain it all; it tore at his insides. It was too much. He could not comprehend his surroundings, but it didn't matter where he was anymore. Wherever his brother went, he would soon follow. His attention lay focused on his brother's pale lifeless face. He felt as though he couldn't breath, couldn't move. He was trapped – suffocating. He felt blood rushing to his ears. Dizzy, he was dizzy. Why was this happening? He felt nothing. Empty.

He wrapped his arms tightly himself and drew his knees up to his chest. He could find no comfort. There was no more light left in this world. It was hopeless. The shadows were swallowing him whole, finally claiming their long awaited prize. His brother was fading and it was his fault, his entire fault. He pushed his brother over the edge. He did this to him.

"NOO," Elrohir awoke with a scream, breathing hard, gasping for air. His brow was creased with sweat, his face damp with tears. His heart was beating fast, thumping wildly against his chest.

Elladan, where was Elladan? He couldn't feel their bond. He couldn't tell where he was. Elladan wasn't gone, he couldn't be.

His sheets were wrapped tightly around him, holding him, binding him to his bed; to his fate. Elrohir thrashed violently in attempts to get loose, falling to the cold stone floor. He hit it hard with thump, before finally managing to untangle himself from his ruthless bindings.

He had to find Elladan. He needed Elladan.

Managing to catch his breath, Elrohir pushed himself upwards. Disoriented and confused he stumbled towards the chamber door, only to trip over a boot. Abashed, he was unable to break his fall, once again finding himself lying on the cold stone floor. He lay there stunned and helpless, cold and shaking. His mind still trapped in its former torment. His arms felt so heavy, he felt so weak. A deep agony ripped through him. It was so real… it felt so real. Why couldn't he reach Elladan? So far away…

"Elladan," he called out weakly. "Please Elladan, don't leave me." He lay there, alone and sobbing.

Then he saw it, a small stream of light filtering into the room, engulfing him in its brightness.

"It is alright brother. I am here," a voice called out, warm and soothing. "I shall never leave you."

Elladan

Elladan grasped his brother's arm, pulling him upright. Carefully, he helped his grief-stricken brother to his feet and slowly guided him to the edge of the bed where they both sat. Elladan felt Elrohir lean in to him, as he wrapped a comforting arm around him, pulling him closer. Elladan soothingly rubbed his back, as Elrohir rested his head on his shoulder.

They sat like that taking comfort in each other's presence, until Elladan judged his brother had calmed down enough to talk.

"Elrohir, what ails you brother? Did you have a nightmare?" he asked, brushing strands of dark hair away from his brother's face.

"No. It was no nightmare. It was worse than a nightmare, a vision," Elrohir replied as tears silently made their way down his cheeks, dampening Elladan's shoulder.

"What was your vision about?" Elladan asked. He was almost afraid to know. He had never seen Elrohir so forlorn after a vision before.

"I- I am so sorry brother," Elrohir choked through sobs, shivering.

Elladan soothingly rubbed his back, "Shhh, brother. You need not apologize. You have done nothing wrong."

"But I will. My vision... You were fading a-and I was the cause of it. Y-you k-know what F-Father says about visions. The stronger they appear, the more likely they will c-come to p-pass," Elrohir said as he buried his face into his brother's shoulder, shaking with sobs.

"Do you know what else father says about visions? Not everything is certain. They may still not come to pass. The future is not written brother. We make it. Everyday with every action the once predetermined future changes. Your vision is one of an infinite amount of possibilities," Elladan countered.

But it is still a possibility.

"Elrohir, look at me," Elladan said. He gently lifted his ailing brothers chin, stroking his cheek with his thumb. Their eyes met, "I will not fade. If I ever did, the only way you could possibly be the cause of it, is if you were already gone. I will never leave you." I need you.

"But, I cannot feel you through our bond. I feel so empty," Elrohir stammered.

"I am sorry," Elladan said, heavy hearted. If Elrohir's vision had confirmed anything, it was that Elladan could never reconnect their bond. Seeing his brother in this state was too painful. No, he could not bear to see his brother is such anguish.

Elrohir wanted to believe Elladan's words, with all his heart he did. But his Father had told him that the stronger the vision the more likely it was to occur, and not only that, but the closer it was to occurring. The vision was so strong, so vibrant. He could feel the very emotions, as if they were happening to him, right then and there. It pained him. Elladan would fade, and soon, if he couldn't find a way to stop it.

"Brother, I think it may be best if we stay in Mirkwood for awhile. Thranduil will not mind, he offered," Elrohir whispered through tears. If he could convince his brother to stay, maybe he could buy time, prevent his brother from fading, and find the catalyst, the source of ending all their anguish, stopping his brother from fading.

"You know I cannot agree to this Elrohir. The orcs are still out there. We must find them," Elladan said, unable to hide the shock from his voice.

"I am not suggesting we give up on our hunt. I am merely saying we take break. Please brother. I need this, we need this," you need this, Elrohir pleaded.

Elladan saw the look in his brother's eyes. He so badly wanted to find those orcs. He needed his revenge. He could not stop. He would not stop. Elladan sighed.

"Only for a short while," he relented. "We are out of supplies anyways."

"Thank you brother," Elrohir said in relief. Mirkwood seemed almost brighter. He never expected to find hope trapped within the shadows of the Dark Forest.

"Move over," Elladan gestured at the bed. "I will stay here with you tonight dear brother, and awaken you if visions torment you again." I do not want to be alone.

A pair of bright blue eyes hidden beneath a blanket of golden hair watched the exchange between the two brothers. The door had been left ajar, leaving just enough space to peak into the room without being noticed. The owner of the eyes clutched the leaf pendant around his neck. When the memory of fear and darkness trouble you, this bring you aid, he remembered the words spoken to him, when the pendant was given to him.

The elfling smiled to himself, Elrohir and Elladan are staying! Now he had time to find their smiles.

TBC

A/N: So what did you think? The next chapter is going to be way longer, I promise!

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