This seems to be turning into more of an epic than I first planned. I hope its not become to long winded and boring!

Thanks to Walkerkiller13 for adding both myself and my story to their favourites. :)

Thanks also to dahybridqueen and artista 321 for their contributions, and Artista, this chapter may help ease your mind a little. (Or not mwahhaha!)

ILVB I hope you are still out there and reading. Feel better soon hun. *Sends hug*

Thanks too to go everyone else still reading. If you like it let me know, heck, if you dont like it let me know too. Feed the muse. ;)

Here we go again.

Chapter 31.

Deep in southern Mirkwood a lone figure makes its way stealthily along a twisting path, strung as tightly as the bow clutched in one long, elegant hand. He knows he should not be there, knows his life will be forfeit if he gets too close but can not stay away. This is all that matters, all he has trained for over the long years, to protect his home and his people from the encroaching dark and he will not give that up, the violently defensive force that drives him now is all he has left.

He nocks his bow as he hears a loud rustle to his left then turns and fires with one smooth movement, following that arrow with a second as he swiftly steps over to where his prey is now lying, the two arrows protruding from its head. He prods the orc with his foot, it is obviously dead, then bends to retrieve his shafts, dispassionately pulling them free and wiping them on its ragged clothing. he turns away without giving the beast another thought, just one more in a long line of enemy to be removed from his world, his deep blue eyes darken as he heads away further into the gloom already looking for the next.

.

The two men have been drinking freely, encouraged by Estel, who keeps up his ruse each time the flagon is passed over, pretending to drink before passing it back. They are deep into their second and tongues are beginning to wag. He now knows their names, the taller is Draeg, the shorter Flinn, and that they come from the south. The name he has given to them is Malin, borrowed from a young man he met once on his travels through Dunland . He also knows that they have been sent here by their master on 'a secret mission' but is still working on discovering its purpose. As he once again lifts the bottle to his lips and allows a small flow of liquid to run down his throat he lets his body slump sideways slightly then waves the bottle at his new found friends.

"So, you're here," his words slurr a little and the bottle moves on once more. "You're here," he repeats slowly, "to do..." he stops as if deep in thought, "wha' was it again?"He sways slightly from side to side and squints as if trying to focus on the men in front of him.

"Ahh," Draeg sighs and puts his finger to the side of his nose. "Can' tell anyone." He taps his nose three times. "'S a secret."

He leans forward to add another stick to the small fire they are seated around. Estel is beginning to feel frustrated until Flinn suddenly pipes up.

" Nope, can't tell no one 'bout the elf." He smiles knowingly, "jus' between us, the boss sez. " He wags his finger at the young man then. "Get the elf, and bring 'im here sez the master." He lifts the bottle to his mouth then pulls it away and turns it upside down in frustration. "'Ere, 'sall gone!" He shakes the flagon and lifts it once more to peer down the neck "why's the ale always gone?"

Estel smiles to himself. At last he is getting somewhere, but which elf are they after and who is this unnamed master? There are still a lot of questions he wishes to find the answers to. Suddenly Flinn keels over, for a moment the young man thinks they have been attacked and his hand flies to his sword but just as he is about to draw it and spring to his feet the prone figure grunts then emits a loud snore. Draeg laughs and kicks out at his friend one booted foot connecting with another.

"Lightweight," he chuckles. "Never could hold 'is ale that one." He grins over at Estel. "How 'bout you an' me startin' another?" It takes three attempts before he gains his feet. "Jus' as soon as I've made some room that is."

The man lurches into the trees and leaves Estel to contemplate his next move. Should he stay and try to learn more of the mens plans or move on and keep to his fathers scheme? He cannot ignore his conscience, there is a plot here that does not bode well for someone and though his heart is crying out to continue with the original strategy and help clear Legolas' name he must at least try to foil whatever they have planned for this unknown elf. Choice made he slumps back down, assuming a drunken tilt with half closed eyes and waits for the tall man to reappear.

.

Darkness, all around is darkness, not a single glow of light penetrates the black gloom that surrounds them. Even the memory of light seems to have left with the last of the torches borne by the guardsmen as they walked away leaving the twins alone in the fabled underground dungeons.

"Well." Elladans voice cuts through the silence, "we appear to have really done it this time muindor." He chuckles softly.

" Oh yes," his brothers words join the others already echoing around the chamber, "even Ada will have trouble extricating us from this one." A small pebble rolls across the floor as his toe catches it. "It is to be hoped Estel does not leave it too late to come to our rescue." The younger sighs melodramatically " I really don't like the dark."

They are both feeling their way around the walls of their prison as they speak, trying to gauge its size. The walls are rough and feel to be hewn straight out of the rock upon which Thranduils palace sits and though chill no water appears to be running down them which is something.

"Do you remember the tale of the dwarves 'Dan?" Questing fingers find no gaps or edges as the pair continue their explorations and eventually flesh meets flesh and hands grasp tightly, each to the other.

"Aye," Elladan pulls on his brothers hand and they slide down the wall to sit side by side on the hard stone.

"Can you remember how they escaped?" The younger elfs voice sounds small and his brother knows that, although he makes light of the fact, his twin does not cope well with darkness. Not since the dread day they had found their beloved mother tortured and broken in those deep, lightless, orc infested caverns.

"I believe they eventually escaped in barrels," Elladan gently places an arm around the others trembling shoulders. " But can not remember how they got out from here to there little brother, you always took more note of Errestors stories than I." He keeps his tone light in an attempt at distraction. " You always were our tutors little pet." He is rewarded by a sharp nudge in the ribs.

"I never was!" Elladan smiles in the dark as his brother takes the bait. "You were always the one who answered first, and had the neatest writing."

Another nudge in the ribs provokes a retaliatory poke in the side and suddenly they are both rolling on the floor like elflings, laughing and ticking each other with abandon all fears and anxieties temporarily forgotten.

.

Estel maintains his position as the man staggers back into the camp, his grey eyes marking every move from beneath lowered lashes, mentally noting the way the other favours his left leg slightly as if from an old injury. He stirs as the man comes nearer and looks up with a half focussed gaze, slighlty swaying where he sits, Draeg flops down beside him.

"You're all right you are," he drawls, "at least you can hold yer ale." he laughs, glances over to where Flinn lies, deep in a drunken sleep then looks back at the young man narrowing his eyes. "Tha's a fancy sword you have there, for a village messenger. " He points to the blade thoughtfully, "you know how to use it?" hHs eyes flash with challenge as the question hangs in the air between them.

"This," Estel pats the scabbard at his side fondly,"'was my fathers blade." He notices that Draeg does not seem to be as quite as drunk now as a few minutes previously and tenses slightly, realising they must both have been playing the same game "He taught me enough to hold my own." His hand now grips the handle and he sureptitiously readies himself for movement should the need arise.

"I like you lad," the older man laughs gruffly, "you've got nerve I'll give you that." He pauses for a moment weighing something up in his mind. "How'd ya like to join us an' make a pretty penny for yer self?"

His eyes gleam in the firelight as he makes the offer, nodding to himself as if in agreement to some internal debate. Estel rapidly considers his options, his conscience will not allow ill to befall someone if he can possibly avert it and although he has no idea who is at the centre of this plot his senses are screaming out at him to aid the unknown elf it is aimed at.

"Well," he drawls slowly, as his mind races, "that depends on how much, and what I would have to do." Dreag leans in and grins.

"All you need to do is follow orders." He smirks. "Can ya do that ?" Estel nods slowly in reply.

"Aye, I can do that." The two lock gazes for a moment before the man relaxes.

"Right, well, I guess we should get some sleep then Malin," he pulls a blanket from his pack and stretches out, " we'll work out the details in the morning."

With that he turns onto his side and pulls the cover over his head.

Estel lets the tension slowly fade from his body as he sits watching the fire for a while, allowing the flames to gently mesmerise him as he attempts to gather his thoughts. He thinks of his brothers and silently apologises for the fact that it will be longer than anticipated until he will be able to see them again, hoping that they have not angered Thranduil too greatly. It would not be good to find them languishing in some dark dungeon, although the thought does bring a wry smile to his lips. His mind then wanders to his best friend, at least he knows Elrond will keep Legolas safe in Imladris until such time as this whole mess can be sorted out. Eyes heavy, tiredness at last takes over, and as he drifts off his last thoughts are of home, friends and family before sleep claims him with a smile.

.

Elladan gently strokes his brothers hair as they lie curled together on the stony floor. He is pleased the distraction and horseplay has been enough to allow the younger twin to fall at last into reverie, although he can feel from the slightly trembling frame that it is not an easy rest.

"Don't take too long Estel," he whispers into the dark. "For 'Roh's sake, please don't take too long."

.

High in the canopy to the south, an elf leans back into the friendly embrace of a large beech tree grateful to be able to relax at last. This tree has not succumbed like so many to the dark, spreading its cold, malevolent tendrils out from Dol Guldur. The elf had not realised until now just how strongly the evil has taken hold on the southernmost reaches of his beloved forest and his heart is filled with pain and anger to think of the beauty and life that has been so marred. He is thankful to have discovered this small haven though, and secure in the knowledge that the tree will give warning if needed, he allows himself at last to be lulled into much needed sleep by the gentle rocking of the strong branch beneath his weary body.