My thanks go as usual to all you wonderful readers and especially those of you who have taken the time to review. It is much appreciated and I hope I have managed to get back to those of you who were logged in.

Also thanks to all those who have followed and favourited both myself and my story. I can't believe so many of you are reading and enjoying this tale.

To ILVB - I'm glad you like the orcs! (I think) I tried to put a little humour in at times otherwise I think it may just all get too dark and gloomy. The twins appear to be taking over rather but I just can't seem to get them to stay in the background no matter what I do and I am becoming rather fond of them myself.

*Noms on snickerdoodles* Hmmmm delicious! Thanks. :)

Right. On we go and as usual. Please let me know what you think.

Chapter 39
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A faint sound brings Estel out of his silent musings and he lifts his head sharply to listen intently, there it is again, a slight noise but one he feels he should know. His whole body tenses as the sounds get louder and as the sudden realisation hits him, he leaps to his feet drawing his sword in one smooth, swift motion. Swordplay! It is the sound of battle he hears and it is getting closer. Draeg and Flinn have also leapt to their feet now and stand armed and ready, staring at the edge of the outcrop from where the noise appears to be coming. Suddenly a large orc rounds some distant boulders, running towards the mens camp with a bundle of rags over his shoulders, cursing and snarling out in a gutteral tongue Estel can only imagine is black speech. One phrase seems to be repeated over and over as he runs, glancing back every now and then as if the dark lord himself is on their heels but the young man does not know what it means.

"Burzulgolug dug! Burzulgolug dug!" *

His body screams out to fight, to rush towards this foul creature, to cut and hack him down yet his mind holds him back. He has come so far, befriending these men in order to find the root of the evil planned how can he give up now? Now he is so close to finding the answers to so many questions and hopefully restoring the honour of his most beloved friend and companion. The orc continues his headlong rush towards the camp and he stands, sword in hand, watching, his stomach turning over and over at the sight, willing himself to wait to see what transpires.

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Slash, hack, stab, slash, hack, stab, no time to think, no time to plan, a litany played over and over again by the two dark haired warriors as they work their way through the horde of creatures they have followed for so long. Both forms are covered in the black blood of their foes, their faces grim and dark, teeth bared in identical snarls of hatred, gripped in the bloodlust they have embraced over the years, minds set on one thing alone. Death. Death to the ones held responsible for the darkness in their mothers heart or death for themselves to wipe away the pain and guilt still felt for her loss. Slash, hack, stab. So they continue, unaware of all else, a single minded silent duet played out in a cacophony of grunts and squeals, elegance and beauty cast aside as they forge a path through the remaining orcs. Leaving behind a trail of bodies and limbs forgotten as soon as they have fallen, only caring for the next target, the next kill.

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"Something is wrong," Flinn has moved to Estels side, stating the obvious as the ring of steel upon steel gets louder and a circle of smaller orcs appear, curved scimitars drawn, backing away from unseen foes.

Estel nods noticing the fear etched on the mans face "Looks like they have met with some kind of trouble." He tightens his grip on the sword.

"We need to leave as soon as we have 'im" Draeg shouts from the other side of the campfire "Pick up yer stuff quick and be ready to go." He is bundling up his belongings as he speaks "Quickly!" He spits out as the other two appear rooted to the spot. "Once we 've got the elf, we leave, let them deal wiv whatever is out there," he nods towards the distant orcs and with a final grunt heaves his pack onto his back.

Estel and Flinn quickly follow suit and all three are standing by the doused fire, ready to depart when the large orc finally reaches them and throws down his burden at their feet.

"We got company!" he growls, "Blasted Korbri!,Ravens! Change of plan, you, come with me," he pokes Draeg in the chest with a sharp claw "let them other two, stay and fight" he nods towards Estel and Flinn and the young man feels his hackles rise. His sword swings up in an automatic reaction before Draeg grabs his arm tight.

"It's alright lad" he says sharply " I ain't leavin' yer behind" he releases his hold. "I think the boss'll like meetin' you, 'es always after new blood" he winks. "Where's the elf?" this last is aimed at the beast in front of them.

The captain kicks the bundle and Estel draws in a sharp hiss of breath as he notices the pool of tangled, fair hair poking out from the end of what he had thought was a mass of bloodstained rags. He takes a step forward in order to see if what his eyes tell him is true but is pushed away by the older man who bends down to check the lifeless mass then looks up at the orc "'e better be alive," he grimaces as he reaches out to feel under the rags before grunting in satisfaction "barely, but it'll 'ave to do," he mutters under his breath then stands and glares at the captain "well, what are yer waitin' fer, pick 'im up" he watches as the orc hoists the bundle over his shoulder once more, barely straining a muscle with the lightness of the load.

"Weighs next ta nothin'," the orc grumbles "can't see why you don't carry 'im fer a bit."

"Coz it was you what made sure 'e could't use 'is own legs" Draeg snarls "I'm in charge, an' if I say you carries 'im, then carry 'im you does!" he pokes the creature with the point of his sword "now, move!" and with that he turns to his companions, missing the look of hatred that flashes across the orcs ugly face in doing so, "You two, get a move on!"

Man and orc move off at a jog leaving Estel furiously contemplating his options as Flinn pushes him away from the sounds of clashing steel.

"C'mon, don't know about you, but I aint intendin' on dyin' just yet" he pushes again as a high pitched yowl makes Estel stand gaping at the sight of a small orc impaled upon a sword wielded by a familiar figure. "Move yer arse. I ain't goin' up against those cursed Ravens fer nobody!" he feels Flinn grab his arm and in a daze he allows himself to be dragged away from the advancing melee.

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Elladan feels his world tilt as he watches the retreating men over the head of the orc he has just disembowelled. Pulling his sword free he only just manages to fend off another attack from his left, then with a wild cry he becomes a fury of arms, legs and steel, one movement blurring into the next as his pace increases. He cuts through anything that comes in his way, mindless of personal injury, needing to destroy, needing to get through this, to deny what he saw, not to think, not to feel, just kill, until his blade hits a brick wall of steel and his eyes stare uncomprehendingly into another pair of identical dark pools. His brothers face swims into focus before him and he sways, knees buckling, almost falling into a pair of strong arms that pull him close into a hug he never wants to end.

"'Dan! 'Dan!?" Concern radiates from his brothers being as he pulls the trembling body forward into his own. "What is it? Where are you hurt?" a gentle kiss is placed upon his forehead before his brother pulls away and looks searchingly into his eyes, "tell me brother mine, let me help you." Warm hands begin to run up and down his body, feeling, seeking for injury, and when none is proven to be immediately obvious the worried lines on his brow increase.

"Daro, 'Roh." Elladan manages to whisper "No injury, I.."

"Do not tell me you are fine, nin gwador" his twin breaks in fiercly "You are, most definately not fine!" Elrohirs eyes flare briefly with anger which dies almost as soon as it rises. "Elladan" he speaks tenderly, brushing a tangled lock of hair from his brothers eyes "It is not like you to loose yourself in the battle so completely." Holding their eyes locked together, one eyebrow raised, he tilts his head in an unvoiced question.

"Estel" a single whispered word leaves dry lips, "I saw Estel." Comprehenson dawns in the younger brothers face as he hears the words.

"Oh, no." Elrohir looks around them, eyes searching the area frantically, taking in the gory scene before him, "Where?" He looses his hold and steps away "Was he?.. Is he?.. By the Valar no!" unable to voice the question the younger elf stares at the bodies surrounding them, turning on the spot, eyes scanning for a sight they do not wish to see.

"Nay" Elladan reaches out to lay a hand on his brothers arm, "Not here," he pauses as a frown passes over Elrohirs face "there" he nods towards the abandoned campsite. "He was over there...with them, he left ...with them," his voice tails off to a faint whisper and he stands waiting for the backlash he knows will come.

"What!" a range of emotions tussle within Elrohir as his head puts together words that seem to make no sense. "How can you say that?" taking a step backwards he stares at his brother in confusion, mouth furiously trying to form the words that eventually come spilling out. "You must have been mistaken gwador, in this half light, the battle, the orcs, how could he? How could you?" silence falls as he stares at the forlorn form in front of him. "You really did." his gaze wanders to where his brothers lies "Didn't you." The wind rises, catching their long black cloaks and whirling them around, giving the impression of huge wings stretching for flight, breaking the moment. "What do we do now?"

"We follow them." Elladans voice is sharp and hard, "and do what must be done." With one last glance at his twin he picks up the blade he did not know he had dropped, wipes it on the tattered clothing of the body at his feet, carefully places it back in its home at his hip and turns towards where he last saw his human brother. His feet start to move of their own volition until he stands in the exact spot Estel had occupied, seemingly part of the small group waiting for the hated beings the twins have just cut down.
Confusion and fear war with each other in his mind but before he has chance to put his feelings into words a shrill scream heavy with pain and anguish pierces the air and his heart leaps into his mouth. "Estel?" the name is wrenched from him in a sob, "I'm coming, Estel!" He rushes heedless into the scrub, barely aware his twin is at his side, a cold dread working its way through their bodies as they run towards the suddenly stiffled sound.

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AN - "Burzulgolug dug! Burzulgolug dug!" = (Dark noldo filth)

I have used two sites for my orcish speech -

and /orkish lexicon