Accused
It did not take Estel long to realize what his brothers would be attempting to do. He knew the herbs Elladan was crushing together at blinding speed.
"You want to make him bring up the potion?" he asked. "Did that help the surviving child?"
It was Elrohir who answered him once more. "Very probably so. Draughts need time to spread through the body. When exactly did Legolas drink the potion?"
"Right before the wolf attacked. It must have been mere moments before you arrived on the glade."
"There is hope in that", Elladan said as he passed the mixed herbs to his brother who examined them closely. "As there is in the fact that you stanched the bleeding so expertly." He gave the boy a quick smile. "It was most inventive to use the bowstring. I just wished I had thought to ask you whether you had used a potion. It was a sensible thing to do. I should have paid more attention to the herbs that were scattered on the ground..."
"Do not, Elladan", Elrohir cut in with uncharacteristic vehemence. "Blame is on no-one but the culprits who set up the traps in the first place. Now help me, we cannot afford to lose time to senseless musings."
The older twin gazed at Estel for a moment longer with regret in his eyes, but then his expression hardened and he nodded at his twin. "You approve of the mixture?"
Elrohir poured hot water into a cup. "Aye, it should serve our purpose. Now we need..." He stopped talking abruptly, his head snapping up. Elladan had his hand on his sword already, stepping forward protectively.
Estel looked around in fear, expecting the wolves to return, but there was no sign of the animals. He bit back the questions that burned in his mind, because he recognized that his brothers were listening intently, hearing what his ears could not pick up.
"Humans", Elrohir said finally, "they seem to see the glow of the fires."
"And the path of our horses through the underbrush", Elladan added. He turned towards his brothers, hand still on his weapon, with a look of doubt on his face. "Did you recognize the one voice?"
"Indeed." The younger twin looked as torn as the older one. "His grief has thrown a shawdow on his soul. He might be dangerous."
Both twins gazed at each other, then at Legolas, and came to a decision simultaneously. Without a word, Elladan dropped his hand from the his sword´s hilt and walked towards his injured friend to kneel behind him.
"Estel, go to the horses." He did not look at the boy but carefully hoisted Legolas up to rest his back against his raised leg. "A group of humans will soon come this way. Keep them from interrupting."
The youngest brother sat stunned for a moment, then rose. Maybe the people who came could help them get Legolas to safety, especially if they had a wagon like some human merchants who sometimes visited the Last Homely House. He threw one last look at his brothers who gingerly tried to persuade the injured elf to swallow the drink they had prepared, but then resolutely walked to where Alagos stood waiting.
He felt exhausted yet hopeful that this torment would finally come to an end. He had not quite understood why his brothers seemed to deem one of the approaching humans dangerous, but he was confident that there would not be a conflict.
Lord Elrond kept his house open to the injured and sick of any race, and the boy knew that the twins had often helped protect villages from danger. They where here helping an injured friend, posing a threat to none. What could possibly go wrong?
Soon, even his human ears could hear the snapping branches and loud voices that announced the impending arrival of several men. They sounded excited to the point of fear. Some words began to be understandable and Estel could gather that they expected to find more poisonous traps.
He considered calling out to them, ensuring them that the danger was reduced to the glade. Unsure, he looked back to his brothers, but both elves had their concentration on Legolas. It seemed they had managed to get the herbs into him and were now cautiously waiting for any sign that they were taking effect. Estel knew that throwing up could be very dangerous for the unconscious, that taking swift action would be required once it happened.
He turned away again and came to his own decision. "There are no traps where you are", he called into the forest. The grey light of morning began to creep out of the ground, but he could not see far yet. "Beware of the glade we are in, however. This is where the traps are."
A stunned silence answered him before a voice rose out of the darkness, challenging him. "Who goes there? What do you know of the traps?"
The boy decided that the truth could not be harmful and replied: "We are Lord Elrond´s sons, tending to an injured friend. He is caught in one of the traps. We would appreciate your help."
He could not understand what was being said next, because the men seemed to all talk at once. Then they fell silent. He could still hear the sound of footsteps, but some were growing more distant.
For a while all Estel could do was watch the slowly growing light around him. "Careful, brother", Elladan said under his breath. "It seems we are being surrounded." No sooner had he finished the sentence than a group of men stepped out from under the trees. Two appeared where Estel stood with the horses, the others came up behind Elladan and Elrohir. They had weapons at the ready, and the boy stepped back in surprise when he found an arrow pointing at his face.
"Peace", he said, holding up his hands. "I told you, we mean no harm. We are here tending a wounded friend."
As if to make the point Legolas began to heave behind him, finally ridding his body of what was left of the potion. Estel did not dare turn from the man and his bow, but he heard his brothers talk soothingly to their friend. They showed no reaction to the humans at all.
The man before him looked from the boy to the elves and back, frowning. "What is all this, Botham?" he called out. "You said we would find the poachers here."
"And we did." Another man appeared from the shadows, tall and broad-shouldered. Like the others he wore the rough garments of the villagers that lived in the vicinity of Imladris. He walked with an air of confidence, but something seemed wrong with him, as if he was boiling inside and only barely controlled himself. He swept his arm to encompass the glade.
"Is that not proof enough? Another meadow filled with these deadly devices, and Lord Elrond´s minions right in the middle."
The words sent a bolt of anger through Estel. He gulped in a lungful of air to yell at the man, but he was cut short by Elladan. "Alpedo, Estel." /Don´t speak, Estel./ Despite the words he kept his tone friendly, no doubt to calm the humans around them. He changed into the common tongue and continued: "Well-met, Botham. We are terribly sorry for your loss."
The boy carefully turned, too curious now not to look. He found Elrohir kneeling on the ground with Legolas in his arms, occupied with quieting the injured elf´s rapid breathing and for all the world unconcerned with anything that was going on around him.
Elladan stood in front of the two, his hands raised well away from his weapon. He looked directly at the burly man when he spoke. "We understand your fury at those responsible for your child´s death. We seek to help you find them."
Tears rose to Botham´s eyes but he angrily wiped them away, his expression grim. "I have to search no longer, elf! I see all I need to know right in front of my eyes."
Elladan shook his head. "Why would we want to hurt our own? Why bring down our own horses? Our friend is a victim just like your son was. Let us work together."
"Like my son?" The man spat the words. "My son is dead, dead by your accursed father´s hands. I see that elf still draws breath. It seems that for him you were willing to use the correct remedy!"
Estel felt his heart begin to race. Now he understood what his brothers had talked about earlier. He also understood why they thought Botham so dangerous. It was clear by his words and the wild look in his eyes that there was no reasoning with him.
"But what do we do now?" another man spoke up fearfully. "We found them surrounded by traps, it is true, but the elf has made a valid point. Why should they harm their own kind?"
Botham rounded on the man, spittle flying from his mouth in his fury. "Will you side with them now? Will you side against your own race? I expect that they made a mistake, that is why one of them is hurt. Stepped into his own trap, stupid creature."
Estel saw a flash of fury darken Elladan´s eyes and Elrohir tensed where he crouched on the ground. The boy sensed the twin´s silent communication, something he had never quite been able to understand, then both relaxed at the same time.
"What will you do then?" the older twin asked and took one step towards Botham. "Will you attack us? Do you deem that wise?"
Even though his voice remained even and friendly, a murmur rose from the gathered men and several cautiously stepped backwards. Botham, however, was beyond noticing the silent malice that suddenly emanated the dark-haired elf.
"I say we give Elrond a taste of the grief he brought upon me", the man rasped. "I say we make him feel the loss of his own sons."
Silence spread over the glade. Estel gaped at Elladan, sudden fear spiking in him. He had never seen his brother look the way he did now. It was as if the older twin had summoned a cloud of darkness that began to gather around him, casting a veil over his fair features.
The elf turned his head slowly, deliberately, his gaze piercing as a sword´s tip. Estel sensed him calculating his moves, measuring distances, mentally taking down his foes one by one. His hand very briefly caressed the hilt of his weapon, a graceful gesture that reminded the boy of a large cat flexing its muscles before the pounce.
Elladan glanced at the boy, who shivered, totally aghast at what was happening, and then locked eyes with his twin.
Elrohir had not moved from where he sat, his arms still gently wrapped around Legolas´ still form. His eyes, however, had darkened so much that they looked almost black. His muscles had tensed and he too seemed to see before his inner eyes a battle that had not yet been fought.
Slowly, however, the tension eased from his posture. Very quietly he said: "Consider the cost, brother."
His words seemed to break a spell that had fallen over everyone present, for now a human man also stirred and stepped forward. "Do not be too rash, Botham. Do not forget that my daughter is still in Rivendell, hanging on to life in Lord Elrond´s care. Would you jeapordize her safety?"
Others nodded, seemingly relieved that one amongst them had voiced such a sound objection to a deed none had been quite willing to commit. None but Botham.
The big man stood silently, eyes locked on Elladan. His chest heaved, his arms seemed to burn with the desire to see his plan through, fists balled as if meaning to take on the elf with his bare hands.
Estel was so captivated by the scene that he did not sense the man behind him move until he felt the tip of his arrow at his throat.
"I have a better solution", the archer said quietly. "The elves put down their weapons. They take their injured and we all move out of here quietly and without shedding further blood. Then we see whether his sons in captivity might not persuade Elrond Half-Elven to help us with a little more efficiency."
Estel stood frozen once again, his heart in his throat. He could see pure fury streak across Elladan´s face, changing it completely, but only for a heartbeat. Then the older twin nodded at the archer and very carefully drew his sword, throwing the weapon at Botham´s feet. Behind him, Elrohir followed suit without hesitation.
"Very well, bowman. But if that boy loses a single drop of blood at your hand you will pay it back mayfold." Estel heard the man draw in a sharp breath, but his weapon did not waver.
"I do not mean the child harm", he replied evenly. "I merely wish to ensure your cooperation."
All eyes turned to Botham, waiting for his response. The man looked upon the scene in open disgust and then turned his back. "Have it your way. But watch these creatures closely. I have heard they can bewitch people and turn to ravens at night. I will await you in the village."
He marched off, and everyone breathed a small sigh of relief. "Get to it then", the archer said, having claimed the position of spokesperson. "Our hospitality awaits you."
"We will need some time", Elrohir spoke from the ground. "Our friend´s leg is still caught in the trap. To free him we need to use his knives."
"Please, use them", the human replied. "And I will keep your human child where my arrow can find him. I am sure this arrangement suits everybody´s needs."
"But someone has to help them" Estel said, surprised by how raspy his voice sounded. "Two are needed to open the trap, one to free his leg. Please let me do it. I am sure that you can aim at my back and still be confident to hit your mark."
The archer barked out a laugh. "Brave words, child. So be it, but make haste. The morning moves on and we do not want to be found by another band of elves on the lookout for you, do we?"
On legs that felt strangely boneless Estel walked to his brothers and sank to the ground beside them. He glanced up at them almost timidly, afraid to find their eyes black with hate and anger, but both looked upon him with appreciation.
"Le garo huor di hûn" /Your heart is courageous/ Elladan said quietly. Elrohir nodded and placed his hand on the boy´s shoulder. "Do not worry, Estel. Our remedy seems to have worked. Legolas is breathing much more easily now. I am confident that he will recover, as long as we keep taking good care of him. Let us concentrate on that and not fret about a short captivity."
The brothers set to work, one complementing the other. Elladan retrieved Legolas´ second knife under the watchful eyes of the humans. Then he and Elrohir carefully placed the blades to gain leverage on the trap´s jaws.
"Are you ready, Estel?" Elladan asked. The boy drew in a breath. He knelt next to his friend´s leg. He knew he would have to be swift and never hesitate, no matter the pain he caused, but he felt ready to act his part. At his nod, the twins forced the trap open.
Legolas groaned in agony but did not scream or fight as Estel had feared. Maybe he was merely too exhausted. Quickly, the boy tried to lift his leg free. He grimanced when the flesh refused to part with the metal and pulled harder. Fresh blood covered his fingers, making his grip unsure, but finally he had pulled the limb free.
The twins released the trap and it snapped shut with a vicious hiss.
Behind them, the bowman raised his voice. "That seems to be accomplished then. Quickly, bind his leg and move. I am sure Botham awaits us already."
Estel felt torn between relief and fear. What would happen to them in the village? He could only hope and pray that they would all survive what awaited them there.
To be continued...
Thanks for reading and especially reviewing!
Review responses:
Horsegirl01: See, he´s out of the trap now – but unfortunately not free ;)
Annual 123: Glad you like it! I hope you´ll continue to enjoy the story.
SnoCat: Yes, there are no ordinary poachers at work here...*evil grin*