Thanks to all of you still reading, reviewing and following this story. Thanks also to those of you who have added it to your favourites. You all keep me going!

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It has been pointed out to me (nicely!) that my elves are sometimes using Sindarin and sometimes Quenya and for this I will just ask you to believe that the twins and Legolas know both languages and will therefore use whichever they feel like at the time! (Maybe I need to spend some more time on the language).

So, on we go, and as usual. Please let me know what you think. Feed the muse!

Chapter 38

Peace. Quiet. Nothing.

I float, revelling in the dark silence. No pain, no fear, no feeling at all. Suspended in a timeless void. An eternity or just a second? I know not and care not. All else drifts away into nothing and I sink, deeper and deeper into the comforting black emptiness, feel it encircle me, enfold me, content to drift out of time and space, to give myself up to its thrall., becoming one with it until we are all that exist and there is only the dark.
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A stealthy sharp blade glides through roughened skin unerringly and another orc falls silent, culled by the dark shadow that is one of a pair who have been picking them off one by one in the night. The creatures have not noticed the gradual reduction in numbers but Elladan feels that this will not be the case for much longer. He glances over to where his twin stands watching in morbid fascination, having despatched the latest of his own targets with practised ease shortly before, and signs a short signal for retreat. A slight tilt of the head shows Elrohirs acknowledgement and they silently back off into the darkness, leaving the remaining orcs to carry on with their journey, unmolested for now.

"How many more before they begin to suspect do you think?" Elladan wipes his blade carefully before re sheathing it at his hip.

"Surely only another one or two, gwador, brother" the youngest twins eyes glitter in the moonlight "Yet what does that matter?" he is turning a long, slender dagger over and over in his hand as he speaks, transfixed by the play of moonlight on the blade. "They all must die, sooner or later and I prefer sooner." The cruel smile that crosses his features makes his brother shiver.

"Remember, gwador nin," Elladan whispers gently "This is no simple orc hunting expedition we have.."

"A captive to rescue, yes I know" his twin breaks in with an exasperated tone. "I do remember that 'dan." Hard, deep brown eyes bore into their counterparts briefly in a flash of anger which dies almost as soon as it is born. "Diheno nin, forgive me," Elrohirs face brims with contrition as he lowers his eyes " I did not mean to snap."

"I know how you feel 'roh" Elladan smiles gently, knowing it is the blood lust within his brother speaking, "but we must not show our hands too soon." His twin nods his head slightly in agreement as he continues "although we have slain a few, we are still somewhat outnumbered and will need to retain the element of surprise."

"Aye," Elrohir drawls the word slowly "I believe you are correct, as ever, gwador." He raises an eyebrow in a manner reminiscent of their father. "So how do you plan on proceeding?" He knows he is no match for his elder brother when it comes to tactics as he is still much too driven by the hate and revenge never far from surfacing since his mothers capture. In the past he had resented the way Elladan seemed to have come to terms with what happened, and very nearly caused an irreconcilable breach between them when, during one heated argument, an accusation of not caring, not loving Celebrian, left his unguarded mouth in an almost physical slap, causing Elladan to stand, in shocked silence a look of such pain and hurt on his face it nearly broke Elrohirs heart. He knew better now and accepted that they each felt the same, just dealt with it differently and that these differences when put together were what helped make them such a formidable team.

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The leader of the band of orcs suddenly raises one arm, calling a halt to their progress and with moans and complaints the company shamble to a stop, throwing themselves down upon the ground to await further orders. Harshly laying down the tightly bound, unresponsive elf on the rocky ground the captain straightens and glares round at his companions. A puzzled frown crosses his ugly features as his cruel, red eyes sweep across their faces, for a moment he pauses as if trying to work something out in his mind, then with a shake of his head puzzlement turns to cunning and a sly smile begins to work at the corners of his mouth.

"Listen up, you mangy lot" the general grumbling ceases as he begins to speak. "Just around the edge of that collection of boulders is where we is supposed to hand over this" he kicks at the lifeless prince lying at his feet "to those waiting to take him to the dark fortress." A general muttering arises at this and several of the foul creatures glance down at the bundled elf with sneering smiles on their faces.

"Why can't we take it ourselfs?" a shrill voice pipes up as a particularly scrawny orc steps forward. "We 'aven't had long to play wiv it, a little more of that sweet blood would be so good." His pink tongue darts out from between sharp, pointed teeth to lick along almost non existent lips.

"Because," the captain takes a sudden step forward and lashes out one huge fist which connects with the smaller orcs nose with a sickening crunch, "we, has other fish to fry." He stares as if fascinated by the dark black blood streaming from the broken nose whilst the latest victim of his wrath cowers in front of him.

"Don't worry lads" he shakes his head and looks around "Yous'll soon 'ave plenty more like this to play wiv" he kicks the elf once more, "an' this time, you'll be able to do exactly wot you want wiv 'em too." A cruel smile spreads across his misshapen features and a loud, gutteral cheer goes up from the unruly group before they break out into excited chatter full of gruesome details of what exactly they have planned for their future 'playthings'.

"Now" he breaks in once more "Listen,." The mob unwillingly quietens and eventually stand still, "once we gets in sight of the men we is meetin' I want you all to wait while I takes the elf over to them," he glares around "but I wants you ta watch carefully" he snarls. "If any of 'em tries anyfing, you is to kill 'em, right" there is a general murmuring and nodding of heads at this and he looks sharply at them once more before continuing "but if they is good, they takes the elf and leaves. Then we gets ter go play wiv the rest of the pretties in the wood!" He pauses once more, a cruel smile of anticipation on his face, "is that understood?" More nods and mutters come in reply and satisfied with this his grin disappears. "One false move from any of yer an' yer won't live long enough ta say ouch! Right?" he bends to pick up the still inert figure once more and throw it over his shoulder. "Now, lets go" he stalks off towards the outcrop of boulders, confidently expecting the others to follow.

In the shelter of the trees nearby two pale faces have watched the ragged company with expressions grown grim and hard, listening with mounting horror at the thought of the fate planned for their kin. A silver blade begins to glide silently from its ebony sheath but before it 's owner can complete the action his wrist is caught in a vice like grip.

"Baw! Daro! No! Stop!" A forceful whisper barely reaches his ears and Elrohirs blade ceases its journey as he stares at his brother in disbelief.

"They are ripe for the taking 'Dan" he angrily whispers back "Why wait, you have heard what they plan to do to our Woodland kin, we can not allow this" he pulls his arm forcefully trying to free himself from his brothers hold.

"I know 'Roh, but think" his siblings grip upon the slender wrist tightens, "what of these men?" the urgency in his voice makes the other briefly cease his struggles. "We do not know how many there are" he continues softly "how many will come running if they hear the sounds of battle?"

"I care not" the youngest twin snarls back, his hand still on the hilt of his sword "let them all come, we will deal with them as we have done many times before" dark eyes stare with a cold challenge. "The time for sneaking and waiting is done" he wrests his arm free and finally unsheathes his long sword with a swift, elegant motion "Killing is all that remains" his unblinking gaze never wavers, the lust for battle screaming out in a mad stare only to be quelled by the obliteration of all dark creatures before them and this time it is his brother who gives in.

"Very well, gwador," Elladan draws an identical blade with a grimace "I have your back" he nods briefly.

"As I have yours" the oft repeated response is issued with a grim smile of acknowledgement and the two lithe forms rush out into the night, blades held high, shining almost in anticipation, to engage once more in the deadly combat in which they have come to excel.