Title: The Folly of Men

Summary: Vengeful marauders snare Legolas to be an underworld prizefighter in their cryptic domain of darkness. Aragorn finds out the only way to liberate the prince is to get captured himself but they both must combat an ancient prejudice that could mean their demise.

Authors: Celebdil-Galad and Tinlaure

Disclaimer: We do not own anything from the movie or book trilogy of Lord of The Rings. We also own nothing from Middle Earth. These things all belong to New Line Cinema and J.R.R. Tolkien. We also are not doing this for money, we are doing it because we have nothing better to do and that's as much a reason as you need! WE ARE NOT EXPERTS SO LETS MAKE THAT ABUNDENTLY CLEAR RIGHT NOW THAT WE DON'T CLAIM TO BE WHAT WE ARE NOT!

A/N: The characters Rothinzil and Ancú are ours and you can use them, but only if you contact us specifying how they are going to be used and why you need them. For instance, they are straight and definitely prefer the females as do any other OC males that you may find and females prefer the guys. If you kidnap them, trust us, we will find out and we will take action!

Hmmm...let us think...this tale starts with the court marshal of Anc, the Captain of the Guard. It is not long. We will try and back track, but we can't afford to retell the whole thing, so you will have to read the story prior, starting from roughly chapter ten and up. This should tell you that there are heavy spoilers for our previous story, "All That's Left of Yesterday." If you have not ready that fiction of ours it is not entirely necessary, but strongly advised.

We are not experts in the Elven tongue (as much as we try). If you see any mistakes...and it is highly probable that you will...do not be afraid to let us know. It will help and we really would like to get better at this whole writing thing.

Angst is inevitable. So don't be surprised to read some pretty bleak parts.

CHAPTER ONE

Justice

The Elves of Rivendell filed quietly and serenely into the council chambers. They were all too serene and quiet, thought the dark-haired Elf sharply. He drew in a heavy sigh and looked about himself as he stood before a podium upon a dais where Elrond, Lord of Rivendell had taken up residence.

Elrond seemed very grave and Ancú felt more than nervous. To say he was on the verge of having wobbling knees would not be an exaggeration by any means. But the Captain of the Guard managed to maintain a worthy composure and tried feebly to push all dark thoughts out of his mind and place everything realistically in focus.

However it was not really working entirely and he set his eyes to Elrond. He trusted his lord with his life, so why did he fear what was about to transpire?

Though he knew he deserved to be banished and yet he found it hard to believe that Elrond would do such a thing unless he had actually murdered someone and cruelly at that! But still, the thought of being banished and essentially dead for eternity and cut off from all he knew was enough to provoke more than a slight bit of anxiety.

They had to delay the trial of Ancú because of inflicted wounds. It was now a week away from the Winter Solstice or Yenearsira.

Elrond spoke calmly, "all rise." Erestor and Glorfindel stood on either side of him and Elladan stood by his brother, who was still a bit too weak to stand for long periods of time, but stood for the moment. He was allowed, along with Legolas and Ancú to be seated if the need arouse because of injuries sustained from Morceleb and his band of vengeful Elves.

Rothinzil of Mirkwood stood by his prince quietly, wondering what was going to happen. His clear, bright eyes shifted uneasily as he glanced about the fair room they were in. Legolas, gently and reassuringly touched the younger Elf's arm which he noticed was trembling slightly. The quaver unnerved the prince, but he could not deal with it now and everything was going to be alright, was it not? Of course, they were in Imladris and that meant well being and joy for those concerned. Though in all reality past events had not been so pleasant and that was the very reason for this ridiculous hearing.

Elrond spoke once more at Ancú, " Ancú son of Aglarcú, do you know and understand the charge brought against you?"

Ancú stared back at Elrond with calm, hazel eyes that showed no emotion. He did not want his

own eyes to betray his inner feelings. "I do Lord Elrond, but I do not think it would do harm to have it read over one more time."

Elrond nodded and said, "I agree. Erestor..." He gestured to the counselor.

Erestor nodded and said, " Ancú, son of Aglarcú, you stand charged with preventing Elf-lord's from guiding their people in war time and disobedience under a sworn oath taken years ago when you first chose to commit yourself to the service of Rivendell and its lords." This was stated rather flatly and everyone present could tell Erestor was not really concerned beyond getting this over with.

Ancú nodded and said, "thank you, Lord Erestor."

Erestor nodded back slowly. "You are welcome Lord Elrond."

Elrond frowned and inquired wearily, " Ancú, did you or did you not lock myself, Lord Glorfindel and Lord Erestor along with the Lords Elladan and Elrohir in the same room during wartime?"

Ancú said quietly, but serenely, "yes my lords."

Glorfindel asked quietly, "what was your purpose?" He seemed far off and as though he had other things on his mind and this was a side objective he really thought was wholly unnecessary and perfectly useless.

"I was thinking of their safety, as I am supposed to. If the Dark Elves attacked and would be to capture them, it could put their lives and the fate of the refuge of Imladris at great risk and I could not allow it," answered Ancú promptly. It was the truth and it was more than obvious he was hiding nothing, no hate or malice.

Erestor asked softly, "so you put aside your own safety to prevent harm from coming to your lords?" His dark eyes flickered slightly as he glanced from Lord Elrond to the darker haired captain of Rivendell.

Ancú said proudly and in a strong voice that was tranquil and withstanding all at once, "You can say that, yes."

Elrond sighed and said, "did you forget the penalty for this crime?" He raised his brows and looked at the papers before him somewhat skeptically.

The accused Elf frowned and lowered his head, "No, my lord. It is banishment. If we are not happy with the ruling of the land we are in when the ruler has done no wrong to the people who inhabit it and we are only stirring up trouble we do not deserve to live there. However, I would have you keep in mind that I did it to protect my lords, not to try and bring down their authority and I have ever been at their service."

Elrond said, "I will bear that in mind. Now I call Rothinzil of Mirkwood forward for questioning." Rothinzil looked at Ancú sadly and came forward slowly, it felt as though his feet had weights on them with heavy manacles. Perhaps it was his guilt, but he would get rid of that. "Rothinzil do you swear by the Valar and all that is good in Middle Earth to tell the truth and nothing less, so help you Elbereth?"

Roth managed to croak out, "I do my lord." His eyes met Elrond's and he looked away uneasily. These were not his people, though he be very distantly related and as he watched all the other Elves about his eyes grew a bit wider as his slight doubt began to gnaw at him. Pushing it aside, he turned to more important things at hand.

"Rothinzil, you were with Ancú at the time, were you not?" asked the Lord of Rivendell unequivocally.

"I was," he answered truthfully.

"Did he not forcefully shove Lord Glorfindel into the room that Elladan and Elrohir were in along with myself and Lord Erestor?" asked Elrond quickly. He wished to get this over with.He deemed it unecessary and a complete waste of his time that could be spent lecturing his sons for the one-hundreth time about the danger they and their foolish notions put everyone into and how they had to learn to think a bit more pragmatically.

"Yes, but may I say my lords, that I aided him so whatever fate you send him to, I would be more than happy to accompany him to it."

A murmur rose in the gathering of Elves. They had not known this. Also they applauded this klutzy wood-Elf's honestly and courage.The young dark-haired archer did not seem fearful, but calm and accepting.

"Very well Rothinzil. We will remember your request," said Elrond as he looked at the ground for a moment, wondering where to go from here.

Ancú shot Roth an annoyed look and asked silently with his lips, "why did you do that?" He had not wanted his best friend to be dragged into this mess and certainly did not want trouble to rise between Thranduil's realm and Elrond's. But of course, that meant he did not know the Elf-lord's half as well as he assumed he did.

Rothinzil just looked away and sighed. He looked at Legolas and saw his prince was smiling. He has done no wrong in Legolas' eyes. That was a comforting thought. The last thing he wished was to be estranged from two worlds. Legolas' eyes sported a dull dingy blue that showed he found this all very boring and would much rather be doing anything else, even fighting orcs the size of trolls.And it was most likely that if he would have been able to escape, unnoticed, he would have found some and been in dire need of stitches once more.

Elrond then said, "we will take a brief recess to pass judgement and when we return we will sentence the prisoner."

As Elrond, Erestor and Glorfindel filed out, Elladan went over to Ancú 's side and said seriously as he perused over all the facts and the proceedings in his head, "I know father will not give you anything unjust. He most certainly shall not banish you!" Ancú shrugged and said nothing. Elrohir looked at his elder brother and Elladan said, "we will go with you if you are banished."

Ancú smiled at the thought of their loyalty, but it also made him feel ill, and said, "my friends, no you won't. I won't allow it!"

Elladan and Elrohir laughed merrily and said, "of course you will!" There eyes were shimmering with jest, and yet he had known them long enough to know that they were in fact, not joking around and would do exactly what they had stated regardless of the consequences.

Legolas looked at Roth and said, "you did what was right. No wrong was in it Rothinzil and I will be with you, whatever happens." As Rothinzil looked at Legolas he thought it looked like the prince had awakened from a nap long awaited. He was more than obviously bored with the whole affair and would soon have it over and done with as soon as possible as did everybody else in the fair refuge of Rivendell.

Aragorn looked at him and said, "I will be with you both." If and when I can sneak away from Ada, his guards and all the rest of Rivendell. Ah, the power of friendship. It could heal and destroy everyone and everything.

About Five minutes had passed and the Elf-lords filed back in again.They seemed just as serene as ever, so their facades were no judge and that was more than annoying.

They all took their places and Elrond announced, "court is now back in session, if you will go to your places and remain standing we will sentence the prisoner and his companion then draw this trial to a close."

Ancú looked up unflinchingly at Elrond. His hazel eyes showed no fear, they spoke of no regret either. He was not afraid anymore and what he did he felt was not worthy of shame. He had a suspicion Lord Elrond did not think so either and was only putting this on for show. As a matter of fact, from the careless and apathetic look on every Elf present, it was more than obvious.

Elrond looked at the Captain of the Guard and said, " Ancú, son of Aglarcú, we find you guilty of preventing the Elf-lords from guiding their people during wartime. For this crime the proper punishment is banishment." Ancú felt a lump in his throat and he felt tears in the back of his eyes even though he knew it would most likely not happen the thought made him shiver. Elrond continued, "however, we find that since it was done for the well being of Rivendell that you shall be sentenced to probation and you will still hold your position as Captain of The Guard of Rivendell. If ever you should do this again you shall be banished."

Ancú breathed deeply and felt relief flood his senses. "Thank you for your mercy my lords," he said quietly and with much gratitude lacing his voice.

As they all filed out Roth ran up to Ancú and said in a breath, "that was close!" Obviously he did not know the Lord of Rivendell half as well as he supposed.

Ancú smiled tiredly and said, "I don't know. Somehow I doubt that Lord Elrond would banish anyone unless they had murdered someone." He shrugged slightly as though to brush the unpleasant thought off, "I guess I should consider myself lucky anyhow."

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances and said, "oh yes! You came really close to receiving death!" they teased.

Ancú shot them a venomous look that plainly stated in no uncertain terms that he found their humor completely off color and said, "I can just imagine it! Will you two please be quiet!" He was not in the mood to be bantered with and if they kept it up he feared he would do something that would garner death to him.

Elladan stopped and grabbed Ancú carefully by his shoulders, still cautious of his wound and he whispered, "you weren't really scared, were you?" Ancú raised a brow and gave a lop sided smile. Elladan persisted in a dead serious tone, "were you?" He hoped his best friend that he had known forever had not been frightened.

Ancú inclined his head slightly, "not really. I trust Lord Elrond. I knew that whatever I received would not be cruel."

Legolas smiled as he came up along side his friend Roth, "yes, that does make a difference, doesn't it?" Aragorn walked behind the prince, watching how his long braid that hung from the crown of his head swung from side to side in the back when he walked. He could not help but think of a little joke to ease things up a wee bit.

Roth looked back and saw what Aragorn was doing and then gave a mischievous smile. This was going to be interesting.

Legolas suddenly went stock-still. Something was tickling his hair. The only thing was, it felt like something that was big and ugly, with eight legs. Roth looked at his prince and said, "don't look now Legolas, but there is huge spider that just dropped from the tree and into your hair and is making the most horrid nest I ever saw in my life!" Legolas felt his eyes growing wide and he reached his hand back in his hair to try and brush off the beastly thing.

No, he was not afraid, but who wants a beastly spider in their hair?

He knew he should not have been surprised when he felt a hand in his hair. Grabbing it, he twisted around to look into the sheepish face of Aragorn.

Rothinzil snorted as he tried to suppress a chuckle. Legolas turned on him and said, "I believe somewhere there is a rule against lying to the prince." Legolas' facade had a smile on it and Roth burst into laughter that was uncontolable. Legolas just rolled his eyes and said, "you are so lucky I am not in the mood to commit a murder!" Then he muttered under his breath, "annoying klutz of an Elf and stupid ranger!...It isn't that funny!" he finished with a near shout.

Roth laughed all the more and said between gulps of air, "I am so grateful of your mercy Prince Legolas! I am forever in your debt!"

Legolas rolled his eyes once more and elbowed his friend in the ribs none too gently. Roth gasped a minute and then shot the prince a glare as he put a hand over his ribs. If there was bruise in the morning, he decided gloomily, he would find a horrible thing to get the prince back with later. Yes, something mean and most likely very childish would be best, he thought darkly as he glared daggers at his blonde liege. Legolas raised a blonde brow into a an arch and said in a matter of fact voice, "serves you right!" Roth just looked away and to the floor. When he lifted his face again it had a grin on it and twinkle in his eyes. Legolas growled, "you are impossible!"

Ancú said quickly, "I think I am going to be alone for a while. I am just feeling a little tired, my wound and all." Everyone looked at him and he said softly, "I will be fine. But you can't heal from a torn lung just like that, unless you are the twins, who seem to recover from everything remarkably well and just in time to nearly get themselves mauled again!"

Elrond came up behind Ancú from where he had been talking with Erestor and set his hands on the younger Elf's shoulders, "no you can't. I think another week of rest and you can return to duty." Elrond then looked at Prince Legolas and Rothinzil, "when are you two going to depart for Mirkwood?"

Legolas looked a bit uneasy and said slowly, "I...I think within the hour would suit us best, as I know my father would like us home for the celebration." Rothinzil nodded. This was true and they had not been home without being in bandages and limping for so long, he ached for it.

Aragorn looked at his father and then to Legolas, "I would like to go with him half way and then turn back for home." Legolas looked at the human with a quick smile. The ranger did not like staying in one place too long it seemed. Come to think of it, Legolas didn't really right now either, however, he did yearn for his home. He hadn't seen his father in months and even though he wasn't a child, he and his father were still remarkably close.

Elrond sighed as he thought over the juvenile human's question, "I don't know Estel. You would have to return alone and you only recovered a little while ago..." he had a feeling this was an uphill battle he was fighting.

Elladan and Elrohir stepped up, "we will go with him, how much trouble can all of us get into together?" asked Elrohir with a smile.

Elladan stomped on Elrohir's booted foot and said in a harsh whisper, "you aren't helping!" Elrohir just shot a look of intense eyes at his brother and stood on the unmarred foot tensely. He would have to get Elladan for that.

Elrond drew in a deep breath, "I still don't know..."

Elladan suddenly had an idea, though he was certain he would regret it later. "We can take Glorfindel with us! Then if something happened he could help us." Elrohir gave him a 'what do you think you are doing?' look and Elladan winked back at him. Elrohir then smiled back and put his finger on the side of his nose. Elladan nodded back slowly with the most mischievous as well as the most scheming expression seen on his fair features in quite a while . The scary part was for anyone they would be with, Elrohir had the same look that matched so well, you could scare tell the pair apart.

Elrond smiled and shook his head. In an almost weary tone he called for the Gondolin Elf, who was busy arguing with Erestor over whether or not the snows were going to come early this year.

Glorfindel came over and when he saw Elladan, Elrohir, Estel, the prince and Rothinzil he knew what was going on.It was just an instinctual response he had gathered over the years. "No! No! No! No!" he said over and over. "I have no desire to go and chase orcs in the start of winter when I could be calmly sitting in a chair by the fireplace in my study reading a relaxing book!"

"Please Lord Glorfindel?" begged Aragorn with a perfect imitation of a puppy face reflecting at the golden-haired Elf. Elladan and Elrohir looked at their brother and with smiles on their faces began doing the same thing. The identical puppy faces were more than hilarious, but no one laughed, save Elrond, who chuckled tersely. It turned out that Elrohir was the better puppy face maker though and that kind of figured.

Glorfindel narrowed his eyes and said firmly, "no." The looks continued and Elrond watched, his mouth curving with amusement. "No!" he restated in a growl. He began to wonder if this was how he had lost his sanity in the first place. He could feel himself about to say yes. But why? He could stay warm, dry, safe and perfectly happy in Rivendell, in his study. He knew the snows were coming soon, chances are he would be wet and miserable before they made it back from where ever they were planning on dragging him to. "Where are we going?" he asked with a sigh of surrender. Why did he do things like this?

Elladan smiled, "no where really, just halfway to Mirkwood, you know, over the mountains, to the River Anduin and then back over?" he answered with a contagious grin.

Glorfindel began to whine, "that has to be more than halfway! Can't we just stay right here and be warm, and dry. What do you five have against being safe? Do you try to make my life miserable or is that just a side benefit?" he growled.

Aragorn laughed, "you had better get packed Glorfindel, we leave within the hour!" The man took off towards his room. Legolas followed him, having already packed his own things since he had planned this near a week ago. Actually he had been planning it since he heard he would be well near to this date. Rothinzil had also packed prior to that morning and so he followed after his prince.

Glorfindel frowned, "within the hour! Why do I have a problem with that?"

He watched with a dark glare as everyone began to go and get their stuff together. Elrond chuckled and said, "I am sorry Lord Glorfindel, but you know as well as I do that without you they are most likely to go all the way to Mirkwood, call it an "accident" and then manage to get held up there from the snows."

Glorfindel just nodded and said, "I know. If that happened I would pity Thranduil. I already pity myself." He frowned and then grinned as he looked at the beautifully tiled floor etched with floral designs.

Elrond gave a small laugh and said, "it isn't that bad..."

Glorfindel snorted, "easy for you to say, you are rid of them for a week while I have endure weather that is anything but pleasant and baby sit!"

Elrond sighed and said, "I know you are never going to forgive me for this..." He shook his head.

Glorfindel echoed with a glare that looked nearly comical, "never."

Elrond looked into his friend's blue eyes and said, "you have about fifteen minutes to pack."

"Ai!" exclaimed Glorfindel with a snort. "Those little incompetent, bothersome, maddening..." he went off on a list of names which he thought described the twins, Rothinzil, Estel and Prince Legolas fairly well. Elrond watched as the golden-haired Elf stormed back to his rooms to pack everything he would need. He smiled as he knew that when Glorfindel returned he would hear nothing but how much the Gondolin Elf thought Lembas bread was tasteless and that he was certain that it was made that way by the bakers just to get on his nerves. The Lord of Rivendell was also more than assured Glorfindel would come back and complain that his bedroll was too hard and his muscles ached.

Erestor came up by Elrond and said smugly and with a smile pulling at his lips, "I can't wait to see Glorfindel's face when he comes back hauling Elladan, Elrohir and Estel by their ears!"

Elrond sighed and said, "that is about what it is going to take to get them home again, isn't it?" Erestor just nodded calmly and looked at his friend with a half smile that stated he thought every thing to be quite humorous.

"Too bad Glorfindel only has two hands, he will have to knock one of them out," said Erestor with a laugh. To him, this was wonderful and he had not felt happier since...a long time.

Elrond narrowed his brow and said, "I wonder which one?" It could be any of them.

Erestor grinned and said, "the first one to complain about having to turn back, knowing Glorfindel's mood."

They both looked at each other and Elrond chuckled dryly, "Estel for certain." Erestor nodded in agreement with his friend.

Legolas sat on the edge of Aragorn's bed and Rothinzil leaned up against the wall. Aragorn had his pack sitting by Legolas and was in the process of hastily cramming a spare tunic into it. Legolas sighed and said, "have you ever heard of folding your clothes human?" He said this in a tone that let the man know that he was teasing only.

Aragorn smiled and said, "you think you can do better? We are leaving soon."

Legolas just snorted and said, "we are leaving when I feel like it. I just told Elrond that so Glorfindel would have a fit and be forced to cram everything he owns into his pack." Aragorn laughed.

"No, really," he said with a smile. The young man looked up at the comical looking Elf that was grinning from one pointed ear to the other.

"Really. Although, I will admit that I would like to make it home in time for the Yenearsira Festival,"confessed the prince with some remorse. He shook his head and said, "if I don't get back I will hear of nothing else for the next ten to fifteen years!"

Aragorn snorted and said sarcastically, "who knows? Maybe it will blow off!"

Legolas straightened up and said in a deep and 'royal' voice, "now Strider, this is a serious matter!" He gave a dignified snort that sounded totally fake. Then he laughed to himself and said under his breath, "though it is not as light as we could wish either."

Aragorn was looked at his friend for a moment and then at Roth, "why are you so quiet? Thinking of locking someone else in a room?" he asked with a grin. There was no response. Aragorn looked at Legolas and the prince frowned then a smile crept back across his face.

"Roth?" No answer. Legolas tried again. "Roth I just received word that father has relieved you of your command and you are going to have to be put on kitchen duty!"

Roth didn't even look at him. All he said was; "that's a good idea. Tell me how it turns out." His voice was quiet and Legolas rolled his blue eyes. Although this was funny and he was indeed, very amused, he was going to have to do something about it.

"I found a warg pup and it attacked Glorfindel and demolished his study," he eyed the raven-haired Wood Elf incredulously.

Roth just smiled quietly and said in a low voice that sort of drifted along, "Legolas that isn't funny, someone could have gotten hurt."

Legolas scowled and yelled, "Rothinzil!"

Rothinzil glared at his blonde prince and said with anger edging his voice, "what!" He obviously was clueless, and embarrassingly so. His glare deepened as Legolas smiled and began to chuckle.

The Prince of Mirkwood snorted, "were you even listening?"

Roth looked more than puzzled and Aragorn said, "Legolas found a warg pup." He watched as Roth's entire demeanor changed.

"He did?" asked Rothinzil excitedly. "Do you still have it? Can I keep it?" he begged. He narrowed his eyes and then said in a serious and low voice, "you didn't kill it, did you?" His eyes went from Aragorn to Legolas and back to the man who was trying not to laugh. Roth was normal as far as mental stability went unless he found a helpless, orphaned baby animal, then he had to keep it or drive everyone insane until it was permitted. Legolas thought if it weren't for the fact Roth needed more energy, he would be a vegetarian. But then of course, the prince had to admit, if Roth had less energy he might actually act sane all the time and not just when it counted.

Legolas looked at Aragorn with his eyes hardly able to be seen under his scrunched brows that were a clear sign of his aggravation and mouthed, 'thanks.' He then looked at Roth and said, "well now that I have your attention..."

Roth looked wounded, like a little cub that had thought it had found a home and it turned out it was no more wanted than a plague. "So there's no warg pup?"

"No Roth, now listen..." began the prince quickly but it was wasted. He was going to gag that young miserable Elf any to think of it, that would be rather fun and he was rather bored at the moment.

He frowned as the dark-haired immortal said, "but why did you tell me there was?" He looked so pathetic Legolas was about ready to snap. He was not going to choke his friend, he was not going to choke his friend, he was not going to choke-

Aragorn relieved the situation, or tried to..."Roth, when you get back home you can go and discover some poor creature that really needs help."

But now Roth had put the animal aside. Why had his prince lied to him? He wasn't so much hurt as he was annoyed and he glared before asking in an agitated tone of voice. "Legolas why did you lie to me?" his glare turned into a full-fledged frown and it intensified immensely.

Legolas rubbed his brow in frustration and peeking around his fingers he said, "I didn't know if you were listening and I managed to catch your attention...Roth you are acting childish!" he yelled finally. Aragorn finally snorted and laughed. He could not help it and let chuckles burst out. Legolas gave him an edgy look and kicked him teasingly with his boot. Then he glared at Roth and said, "get your stuff out of your room, we are leaving!"

Roth growled back in a tone that was torn between laughing and screaming, "you think you are so funny! You know what? You're not so funny!" He pushed himself off from the wall and muttered to himself as he left.

Legolas stood up and said tiredly, "I need to get my pack as well."

Aragorn grabbed the prince's shoulders and forced the fair being to look at him. Legolas looked at the human like he had spouted two heads. What was the ranger's problem? Aragorn looked into Legolas' amused, silvery azure orbs and said, "are you well? I mean since the wound you took? It has only been a few months..."

Legolas smiled calmly and said, "you humans amuse me. I am an Elf, I heal faster than you and anyway, even if I was hurting, would I tell you?" he asked doubtfully, his eyes narrowing into slits of dark blue with a glimmer of laughter behind them.

Aragorn shook his head and said with a frown, "no, you wouldn't! And there lies the problem!" He gripped the immortal's shoulder tighter and said, "you know even Elves go through painful healing processes and need to talk to people about it." Aragorn's steely colored eyes constricted to match the prince's.

Legolas brushed the man off briskly and said, "I know if I need you you'll be there, so I don't plague myself with worry. I do trust you, more than I would willingly entrust any other mortal with my life."

Aragorn frowned and asked quietly and yet firmly, "so do you suffer?" He honestly did not expect the Elf to give any answer and just walk away, but he was surprised.

Legolas whispered lower than Aragorn had spoken, "only now and then." Legolas then raised his eyes brows and shrugged. "I had better go and check on Roth . You and your brothers need to drag Glorfindel out of his study."

Aragorn looked at Legolas and knew if he questioned the Elf further he would only anger the immortal and then things could get worse. He just smiled and said, "I can just imagine the sight that is going to make!"

The blonde being gave a smirk and said, "what, me getting Roth, or you getting Glorfindel?"

Aragorn said wistfully, "I don't know. Both I guess." He gave a shrug and then he laughed, "most likely Glorfindel being torn from his study."

It was not long before they all stood in the Hall of Fire, awaiting Lord Elrond to bless them on their journey. Glorfindel was not looking pleased in the slightest. He stood, leaning on the wall frowning at Elrond's chair. Aragorn guessed he was imagining the raven-haired Elf-lord sitting in it, reading a book. He also dimly guessed that Glorfindel was begrudging Elrond for getting to sit quietly, in safety and comfort, reading. With and inward chuckle, the human looked at the twins. Elladan was standing beside Elrohir who was sitting on the ground. Rothinzil and Legolas just stood nearby, not doing anything. Roth still looked irritated and weary and Legolas just looked tired.

Elrond came and his eyes did not look at all calm. He could not believe it, but he had nearly forgotten about Elrohir's wound. In his judging of Ancú, and sending the prince and his companion on his way he Lord of Rivendell had forgotten that his son's injury might not be healed enough to allow travel.

As he walked in Elrohir rose up. He knew that his father knew. If his father had utterly forgotten (which Elrohir had been praying he would) then he would not have that look of debate and intense doubt in his eyes. "Ada?"

Elrond sighed and said quietly, "Elrohir, may I have a word with you alone?"

Elrohir looked at Elladan and then at Glorfindel. He saw no attempt to relive him flickering in their eyes so he sighed heavily and said, "yes, Ada." He went quickly over to his father's side and Elrond set his am about Elrohir's shoulders gently. Elrohir noticed he was careful not to put all his weight on his shoulders.

"How is your wound Elrohir?" inquired his father closely. His eyes glanced down to Elrohir's side that had been pierced with Elladan's blade by accident months ago. To Elrohir the memory seemed very old and was not so vivid n his mind.

Elrohir smiled up at his father, "it is well. It is not very painful anymore. As a matter of fact, I would have to say it is near healed," he finished hopefully.

Elrond was not amused and hardly taken at unawares. They had held these conversations many times before and he knew exactly how it was going to go.

Elrond looked at his middle child for a moment and then spoke quietly, "I am not sure you should go on this journey, Elrohir. If it reopens or begins to burn again..."

Elrohir said calmly, "then I will come home. We should be back before the winter snows."

Elrond frowned and answered his son back darkly, "not before the mountains close up with snow and you are forced to take other paths inhabited by orcs and goblins. You know of which I speak."

Elrohir frowned and then responded softly, "I do. But what if we do not go past the mountains?" he asked quickly. "Please let me go. If I begin to feel wearied I will return for home with Glorfindel and let Elladan and Aragorn escort the prince and Roth home."

Elrond said thickly, "but that is just it, they will most likely find more trouble than you can imagine." He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow with concern. He was not going to send his son out there to die, again.

Elrohir narrowed his eyes as he realize he was losing the argument. "I will go back with Elladan then and leave Glorfindel to drag Estel back."

Elrond smiled at his child warmly and said, "I will let you do this, only because I think your wound is fit and I trust you will be well. But I want you to be careful."

Elrohir just hugged his father and said into the Lord of Rivendell's shoulder, "I will, Ada."

As both of them began to head back Elladan looked at Elrohir and Elrohir said, "I can't go Dan." Elrond looked oddly at Elrohir. Did he not just give him permission to go? He had a feeling this was a brother tease brother thing and that he had better stay and watch where it went.

Elladan said in astonishment, "what?" Elrohir had always found a way to get what he wanted unless it was extremely dangerous. He was finding this very hard to believe...

Elrohir said simply and with a sigh that sounded more than false, "sorry."

Elladan watched his brother and the fact that Elrohir was not too upset tipped him off. He suddenly growled, "Elrohir you brat!" Elrohir just grinned and went behind Aragorn.

Aragorn tried to fend off the younger twin who was about to get pounded by an over reacting Elladan. However, Elrohir would have none of it and he gripped Aragorn's shoulders, keeping him between him and the furious elder brother that wished to take his scalp, or at least come so close it would be scary. Aragorn said, "I am your little brother. You are supposed to keep me out of danger."

Elrohir frowned as Elladan nearly grabbed his tunic around the human. "Um...well...today is special," he muttered quickly. He then looked at Elladan, "I just got better. You wouldn't want to hurt me in front of Ada would you?" He looked at Elrond, who was watching the entire thing with a smile on his lips.

Elladan smiled and said in a low voice, "that is why I will wait until later." With a devilish smile and a sly look in his eyes, he lunged at Elrohir, faking him out and gripping his younger brother's tunic collar. Elrohir smiled sheepishly.

"Weren't you going to wait until later?" he asked with a playful grin as Elladan scowled at him-if it could be called a scowl. Elrohir thought it was more of a smile that was trying to turn upside down and failing.

Legolas just watched with a smile and Roth watched with frown. He thought the twins were insane at times and chose to hide it others. Aragorn ran over to the prince and dived behind him, not ready to be used as a human shield again. Legolas looked down at him and said, "I am going to protect you why?"

Aragorn snorted and gave the prince gentle shove, for he still feared that the Elf's wound was not as well as he thought it was. "You are cruel, you know that?"

Legolas laughed grimly and said, "so I have been told." He gave the human a shove back then refocused his attention on the twins who were still smirking and joking among themselves. They did bounce back too quickly and there were times when all of Rivendell wished they would have to stay in bed an extra month, but of course that was not going to happen. They would have to be chained and chances were they would run away before they would allow that. Unless they were conveniently knocked out, thought Legolas with a curl of amusement pulling at his lips that made him look mad to anyone who did not know his present thoughts.

Elladan laughed and said, "but who said I was going to hurt you now?" Elrohir just grinned and was about to respond back and maybe break free when Glorfindel broke up the joyful little fray.

"Can we just leave? The sooner we leave, the sooner I get back!" he seethed. His expression was mirth provoking. He was scowling and yet amusement flickered beyond his eyes. Elrohir laughed slightly before being released of Elladan's grip on his shirt. Both of the twins gave Glorfindel the, 'you-are-the-worst-spoil-sport-we-have-known' look. It made the Gondolin Elf chuckle inside and he said, "well its good to know I am appreciated that much!"

Elrond smiled and said, "I agree, you had better leave soon. Otherwise winter will be upon us before you are near there at the pace you are insisting on going." He looked out at the world beyond the Misty Mountains and said, "May your journey be well and may you come home speedily."

But his gut instinct told him that was not going to happen. It never did anyway, so in all actuallity it was probably reality speaking. Why did they always insist on going on expeditions that Valar wouldn't even do?

At least Glorfindel had argued a little...that was...hopeful. He began to think it was pretty sad when he had to say that Glorfindel was one of the more sane Elves of Rivendell counting himself. But then when he thought about that assertion further he decided that Erestor would have to be the sanest. After all, who actually fights a Balrog and then goes looking for more trouble after he is brought back to life?

CHAPTER TWO

Inborn Confrontation

They had been traveling for nearly two days and were nearing the other side of the Misty Mountains. Glorfindel growled, "it is going to snow soon. I can feel it."

Legolas looked at Glorfindel with a scowl and said, "well if you keep talking about it you are going to call in down upon us and then I will be forced to strangle you!" The yellow-haired Elf's eyes narrowed to slits and he rolled them with annoyance. Why did he do things like this?

Elrohir was acting a bit slow and weary. The gray tint to his face and the way he slumped just a little in the saddle made it more than evident that he was feeling under the weather. Elladan stayed close by his side. He knew that his brother was feeling the bite that come from little sleep, a wound still in healing and the stress of travel. The creases in the elder twin's brow stated his apprehension.

They were all seated on a horse. Asfaloth had regenerated remarkably well and was bearing Glorfindel. The Gondolin Elf vowed that the stallion was twice the horse he had once been. Elladan and Elrohir just said that he was more mischievous than before. They snickered and thought that it was just as well that Ancú had not been allowed to come. He would no let anyone sleep for fear Asfaloth might bite him or steal his things.

Rothinzil was riding old Naneth. She was being her sweet old self. Legolas was riding his steely colored dappled mare. He still could not get over the fact that Roth insisted on calling his horse Naneth. Valar forbid he should ever actually get a warg pup and name it something near as stupid. Legolas thought he would run away, prince or no. It would push him towards wanting to banish Roth if that Elf ever got a warg pup. As much as he loved the archer as a friend, he did not think he could stand a warg pup loose in the palace and keep his sanity.

Aragorn was being quiet and his eyes were mostly on Legolas; watching and wait for his friend to falter as he knew the Elf eventually would. He knew that the wound was hurting more than the prince let on. He would often see Legolas stop, pretending to fix the girth of his horse or adjust the bridle and bit. He knew that really the Elf was trying to 'walk off' the pain as he walked his horse around on the rocky terrain of the mountain pass with hardly a rest.

He rode up beside the prince; to the blonde Elf's left so as not to have Rothinzil between them. "Legolas you need rest. Your father is only going to care that you get home in one piece, "he persisted anxiously.

Legolas looked at him with a half-frown, half-smile and said quickly, "I am well, honestly Strider." He was going to get annoyed. He knew that the human had been watching him every time he stopped. His Elven pride would not let him admit easily that all was not well and he often began to feel faint.

Aragorn knew it and the man said with a sigh, "no, you aren't. I know you and you are not going to tell me until you are in agony!" He edged his horse closer to Legolas' and said, "your pride is going to kill you someday."

Legolas pulled back on his horse's reins and looked at the man riding beside him. Aragorn halted his animal as well and returned the prince's annoyed glance. "Estel," began Legolas somewhat tightly, "If I was really hurting and needed you I would ask. I am no fool, but there are some things that one needs to learn to endure. Only the strong survive."

Aragorn raised a single brow, inclined his head and stated quietly, "define 'strong'."

Legolas smiled and said, "fit for survival." Aragorn had suspected that such an answer would come so he was not taken off guard. He spurred his horse and moved forward, trying to end the conversation that was disturbing him. He let the chill wind that was coming from the north sweep across his face, flapping his hood about him and blowing his long golden locks of hair.

Aragorn heeled his horse and trotted up to his friend swiftly. "It also means being wise in their decisions. You know this, yet you do not act on it." His eyes were narrowed and he used his piercing gaze that often reminded other of Elrond to weaken Legolas' opposition. Those silvery eyes, now darkened to a stormy color of annoyance and frustration made Legolas uncomfortable-the desired effect.

Legolas sighed as he broke down to the young ranger's inquiry and said aversely, "alright, I am hurting, but I can make it home. It isn't that far, any more than six days or so. I really need to see my father Estel," he pleaded. His face looked anxious as his eyes wonder towards his homeland. He wanted to know more of what was transpiring back home. His many friends there he longed to see...the trails he longed to walk...it all beckoned to him.

Aragorn was not happy, but now he was going to let the matter rest. He had gotten the Elf to admit what he needed to and he feared if he pushed any further the prince would clam up again. He knew Legolas would, it was the Elf's nature. It could be a good trait, but by the same note deadly. If Legolas was having internal bleeding he had to know, it could mean the difference between life or death. He brushed aside (with much difficulty) the sudden urge to grab that Wood-Elf by his skinny throat and choke him to death.

Roth had let Legolas ride ahead and when he sensed that whatever his prince and Aragorn were talking about was drawing to a close he came up quickly. Both heard him coming and turned to see the youngest of the Elves hurrying to catch up. A brief look from Aragorn told Legolas that he was not through with him. They would talk more after they had camped and were settled for the night. Legolas just looked away, angry with himself for ever telling the whippersnapper of a human in the first place.

Elladan and Elrohir called up, "do you feel like waiting for others to catch up so we can actually accompany you or did you just bring us along to give us a taste of the fresh air?" They laughed and spurred their horses into a canter, for they were more than ten yards behind. Elrohir was slower, though it went more or less unnoticed by all.

Glorfindel remained silent. As far as he was concerned he was here to get them there safe and drag them back even if they were unconscious. Then a thought occurred to him, were they not supposed to stop at the Misty Mountains? Even though the original agreement was halfway they had to change plans because of Elrohir, did they not? Well, at any rate he wished to go home and the quicker he got the Sons of Elrond turned around the quicker he would be in his study, safe, warm and dry. He was honestly getting tired of being in the saddle already. It was chilly out and even for Elves it would make their muscles taut and cold.

"I think we should be turning back," he shouted to the others quickly. He found it odd that they had crossed over the mountains without any incident from the goblins. He guessed it was the winter and its chill. The goblins were probably deep in their lairs and holes like the bunch of debased creatures they were, planing wicked plots and mining for jewels and silver.

Elladan grinned in a way that made Glorfindel feel an argument coming on and said, "oh Glorfindel! You are such a spoil sport!" Oh yes, here it came. The Gondolin Elf rolled his eyes inwardly and sighed out loud.

Elrohir, who normally would have chimed in, was quiet and he said with a thin smile, "I think Glorfindel is right." All looked at the raven-haired Elf and their faces looked more aged with cares upon cares that they felt for there friend and brother.

Elladan looked intensely at his younger brother and could tell Elrohir was feeling the pinch of illness from the wound and needed rest. However he wished to move on and he knew Estel would brood if he could not continue.

Wrinkling his brow, he decided that Elrohir's health was far more important and further up his list than his youngest brother's pleasure.

Glorfindel continued, "the winter storms will be upon us before we can get through the pass. They are coming early this year, I can feel it." He shifted in his horse's saddle uneasily. Getting trapped in the mountains was death sentence. Not only from cold but if goblins did choose to come abroad, one had no way of defense and would be slain or taken by them to be slain later as the miserable orcs saw fit. He was charged with getting the twins and Estel back. If they even got into a confrontation with orcs and came back with a scratch Lord Elrond would not be happy at all and most likely lecture for an hour about the dangers of the mountains and how they all knew better.

Aragorn had over heard and was having nothing of it. "I said I would accompany them half way. This is a third!" The he began to wonder if Elrohir was the reason that they were turning back...

Glorfindel snapped, "nevertheless, I was told by Elrond himself not to go further once we were over the mountains. It is dangerous. What if the snow blocked the pass?" Glorfindel spurred his horse up and looked Aragorn in the eye; "your brother's strength is waning Estel. He came so he could be with you and you could go but he needs to return home."

Aragorn looked at Elrohir and then back at Glorfindel. His eyes showed plainly he was having doubt about whether or not this had been a good idea. "He is bad then?" asked the young Dùnadan slowly. If his brother were seriously hurting, Legolas and Roth would have to continue homeward alone. His brother came first, whatever the case, though Legolas was like a brother to him.

Glorfindel looked down or a moment, struggling for the right words. Elrohir was bad yes, but not that bad. Yet he needed to go home. He looked back up at Aragorn and nodded, "yes. We have to hasten back to Rivendell before something ill happens." Aragorn looked at Legolas and Roth, who stood silently, watching and waiting to continue. They were anxious to get home and Aragorn knew it. Elrohir would slow everyone down, but Legolas just was getting over a wound too. The Elf of Gondolin sighed and said, "he knows his way home. Roth will look after him and they will be fine. Nothing dwells in the plains that could really harm them this time of year."

Aragorn frowned and said softly, "let me explain it to Legolas." How could he tell his best friend that he would have to travel back alone besides Roth? But he knew that the Elf would understand, or at least his heart knew, for it also knew he always underestimated the blonde prince.

Glorfindel smiled and said, "he will understand Estel."

Aragorn guided his horse over to Legolas' and said, "Legolas I have to turn back." This was not going to be easy, even though it should be...

The blonde Elf narrowed his azure eyes and said, "it is Elrohir, isn't it?" He sounded pained and Aragorn looked at the ground quickly. Legolas said reassuringly and in a nearly soothing voice, "it is not your fault, now go. He needs you Aragorn." Legolas held nothing over the ranger. He knew what the man's obligations were and he could make it home solely with Roth. It was not far, he just hoped Anduin was crossable.

The human looked at the Elf and said, "hannon le, Legolas." The prince smiled and that was enough. Aragorn knew the Elf held nothing against him or his injured brother. He smiled thinly back and Legolas nearly laughed. He would have held onto that smile forever if he had known what was going to happen.

Legolas watched them all begin to turn back and he sighed. Looking at Roth he said, "we had better keep going, we might make it before it snows." Legolas felt a pain in his right side and knew the wound was not warm and was getting chilled and the muscles were cramping. He shifted, but said nothing of it for fear Roth would slow their pace to make up for him. All Legolas wanted to do was get home to his father whom he had not seen in months.

The prince began to turn his horse away and Rothinzil followed. He hoped they would reach the Anduin before mid week. He also hoped it was not flowing with ice, for that would make the crossing difficult and dangerous.

Aragorn watched as Elladan rode close to his twin, Elrohir was looking fine but Aragorn knew he could be hurting and never mention it, like any other Elf. In this sense he thought that Elves were fools. They didn't often ask for aid until it was too late.

Glorfindel rode in the back, making sure no one lagged or was left behind. He had his hood pulled up about his face as the wind picked up. He had a strange feeling, like some evil was no longer at rest, but he shoved it to the back of his mind. They soon would be home with no incident and he could relax.

Aragorn rode in the front and he was silent. He hoped Legolas would make it home with no trouble. But he also trusted Glorfindel. The golden-haired fair being seemed to be in haste to get back for more than the sake of getting back.

As the ranger looked about the ground that they were troding on, his eyes darted to the edges of the mountain path. He then looked out into the rocks and sandy patches beyond, but he saw something. The ground looked mutilated and crushed in some parts as though heavy shod feet had crossed there at one time. Orcs: there was no other explanation.

They must have come through in the night. The wind began to pick up, fell and chilled: a sign that winter had indeed come early and they would be lucky not to get snowed in. It whipped his brown hair into his face and before the man could brush it back the wind became stronger. He could here Elladan grumbling about it and though he could not hear Glorfindel because of the roaring in his ears he had a feeling hat the Gondolin Elf was complaining just as much.

When Aragorn looked at the tracks again he saw that they were gone, blow over and obscured b the wind. They were nothing more than small hills and crevices in the earth now. He cursed his ill luck and as Elladan passed he grabbed his arm. "Elladan, I saw tracks, in the sand. They were orc like but the wind picked up and shifted the sand to cover them."

Elladan nodded, "the winter that comes to these mountains has set its will against us. Who can wonder at that in a place inhabited and made filthy by orcs?" He looked at the spot and saw that the sands were moving again and the tracks were no more than a phantom. But the orcs were abroad, yet they had not been attacked.

Chances were the creatures were off raiding some small village or raiding themselves. He hoped the filthy beasts were unaware of them.

Elladan rode further up and Elrohir hung back with his human brother. He wished to talk. "Estel?" he asked quietly as he drew his hood about his face to fend off the wind.

"What?" asked the human crossly. He had not received much sleep and was not in an overly good mood. The wind was grating on his nerves too. This was quite a nasty combination in a man who had not as much patience as Elves and he was not afraid to snap his responses back.

Elrohir was quiet a moment ad then said, "I am sorry I caused us to turn back. I know how much you wanted to travel at least to the Anduin." He heeled his horse back onto the path as it began to stray off into the rocks. Unspilled tears hung like gems in the younger twin's eyes. He had let his brother down.

Aragorn smiled warmly, in a solacing way and said, "think nothing of it. You are hurt and need to be home and warm. I would not have it any other way." He instantly regretted how he had spoken to his hurting brother moments ago and wished he could go back in time, if only for a moment.

Elrohir coughed slightly and Aragorn noticed with distress that his brother shivered. He felt guilt at ever letting Elrohir come out to begin with. It was his fault. "Estel," he said after the ailment seemed to pass; "I know you wouldn't. But you worry too much." He then gave his human brother a sharp glance and snapped, "put your hood on!" He knew men got sick from this kind of weather and was of no frame of mind to haul his younger brother home half-dead from phenomena.

Aragorn hastily snatched his hood and pulled it about his features and he had to admit that it felt better and the feeling in his ears was coming back. "Elrohir you are coughing, Elves don't cough unless something is really wrong!" he retorted quickly. "And anyway, you worry ten times more than I!"

Elrohir just shook his head. "I am fine, I just got some wind blown into my mouth and it made me cough is all," he tried to convince the human briskly. The he made his horse trot up so he could catch up with Elladan.

Aragorn reached out and grabbed the reins, "you shivered, Elrohir!" he argued in a compressed voice. His patience was being stretched as thin as it could get and he was certain that Elrohir knew it.

Elrohir sighed and argued back, "I am fine! I can't get sick and you know it!" He gave the man a hard look and said, "you are the one who can get sick, so look after yourself!" Aragorn released the reins and let his brother ride up with Elladan. He began to wonder if Elrohir was scared.

Glorfindel saw that Aragorn had stopped his horse and rode up beside him, "just give him some space," he Gondolin Elf wisely advised. "He will come around in time."

Aragorn looked at the Balrog-Slayer, whom he noticed was anxious to press on. He knew that Glorfindel could not push Gondolin and the ambush in the mountains out of his mind. The young man spoke his sentiment and nearly to himself, "I wonder if Legolas is as bad off as Elrohir."

Glorfindel stared at the human for a minute and then said, "I tend to doubt it." He watched as Elrohir and Elladan rode ahead, singing silly songs that were pointless and he said, "I wonder if all young Elves are so assured of themselves, or if it is only Elladan and Elrohir who tempt the Valar so."

Aragorn laughed and said, "Elladan and Elrohir, definitely!" Glorfindel smiled and rode on and Aragorn pushed his horse up along the path as well. Then a sudden thought occurred to him, "but I must say this on their be-half; in their youth they have yet to find a Balrog and do battle with it!"

Glorfindel snorted, though it was lost in the draught of the coming storm and he laughed to himself. Yes, he was insane and at times spontaneous. Elrond had told him this long ago and so had Erestor, who had most likely heard it from Elrond to begin with. In any case, it was a perfectly correct assertion, he thought with an inward laugh and smile.

The wind continued to howl and beat down on them. It began to get darker and all knew a storm was approaching that was going to be terrible.

Legolas and Rothinzil looked back at the mountains and saw dark clouds coming swiftly as though Mordor itself was driving them. Both of the Elves suppressed shivers that lifted the hair on the back of their neck, thinking of Sauron having so much power. Legolas said, "a storm is coming. Roth we need to find shelter." He suddenly placed his hand under his cloak and touched his wound, or what was left of it. It was throbbing.

Roth saw his anxious look and his narrowed eyes that were a clear sign of pain and said, "we need some aid and a fire to warm you with too, but will you please tell me something I don't know?"

Legolas looked at him with a frown and said, "we do not know anyone around here. Elves are not as well loved as you may think."

Roth sighed as he thought, I know that! Then he said, "I know, but we still need to try. The storm is drawing closer and fast." They could see lightening in the clouds and knew that this was going to be a huge winter storm.

Legolas watched the clouds for a little while then said, "we will never make it home before this snowstorm hits." He sighed and tried to push thoughts of traveling home in the frigid temperatures out of his mind. "I concede, we do need aid." His wound was aching and he needed rest.

Both of he Elves rode a little further until they were near a forest of fir trees. They noticed with alarm that a bit of snow was already falling and a half an inch lay on the ground and in their hair, collecting in their hoods.

As they looked into the wood, wondering whether or not to go in for fear of wargs they heard the sound of many horses. The sharp hearing of the Elves could hear pawing and snorting, along with munching and neighing. But they were still cautious, after all, who was to say that the creatures or people hidden amongst the trees were friends and not foes?

Both of the Elves pulled here cloaks tighter about themselves as the wind picked up. It was truly miserable out. The snow began to swirl and they could hear rumbles of thunder that told them it was getting closer and if they did not find shelter soon or get a fire going they were done for.

Exchanging looks, both of the Elves began to ride into the evergreens, hoping that they met with friendly company. They were afraid that they felt a little too chill to fight in a battle.

It was not long before they saw the horses all crowded around each other for warmth against the winter chill. But they also saw the glow of a fire. It was welcome looking and they began o wonder if these were not fellow Elves moving a herd of horses to the palace for use after they were purchased from the Rhohirrim.

As they got closer, they saw it was men and Legolas looked on carefully. He did not wish to be seen if these men were not friendly. He slid silently from his horse and motioned for Rothinzil to do the same. The other Elf did so, but not without stepping on a twig. Roth never failed to be a klutz when the worst time for him to make a noise arouse. Legolas winced, but then recalled how the hearing of men were not as sharp as his own.

The Elves drew closer to the fire, so they could see the men's faces. Legolas smelled the thick smell of much smoke and liquor. He was not sure that was such a good combination with humans and was slightly put off by it. But then the wind picked up again and the horses were becoming uneasy.

It was an ideal spot to camp in good or bad weather and the wind was shielded some, for the fir trees blocked it as well as sheets or blankets spread between the trees. Snow drifts piled up all baout them, tall and glimmering.

Legolas began to fear the cold and harsh winds more than anything and did something that he normally would never do: he went against his judgement. Rising from the brush e walked cautiously amongst the men and into the firelight, for the cloud over had made the world quite dreary and it was getting onto dusk already. Roth followed and both of the Elves put their hands up as a sign of peace.

The men jumped up, all but one, a tall and burly looking man wrapped in a cloak. They grabbed their swords and unsheathed them. Legolas followed every move they made with his quick eyes and Roth felt a sudden urge to be sick. "What are you Elves doing sneaking around here all alone?" one snarled loudly over the wind that was bending the trees and sending varieties of leaves that had not yet fallen completely from the trees to dance about their heads in swirling masses.

Legolas spoke quickly, lest he should find a sword through his chest. "We need your aid for the night. We cannot make it home in this storm and to try would be insanity." He watched as one of the men came forward and put his sword tip onto his neck. He did not push it in, he did not need to , the intention was clear.

Legolas did not know what to do, but he had hoped this wouldn't happen. The sitting man said, "stay that sword. They came with a show of peace for aid! Is that the best you can do Calmir or do I have to show you better?"

The human that had threatened the prince dropped the blade but he still argued, "they are bloody Elves, the witches of Middle Earth!" Legolas stiffened at the title and would have a made a sharp remark back, but knew it was worthless and would only serve to increase tensions. "With all due respect father, how can they be trusted?"

"Calmir! You will sheath your sword and let them join us! You and I will talk later," he finished gruffly. He turned to Legolas and Roth, "go and set our stuff in the tent so this cursed snow doesn't soak it. You can then come and eat with us if you like or sleep, or whatever you like if it is possible in this cursed weather," he finished lamely.

Legolas breathed with relief. He looked at Roth and saw that his friend's breathing was still unsteady. The prince smiled and said, "thank you, we are sorry for the trouble we have caused you."

The man laughed, "no trouble at all master Elf. Glad to have you. It isn't often a man runs into the fair folk, just wish our welcome could have been better, eh Calmir?" he glanced at his son, who said nothing.

He was going to see those Elves dead. They could ruin everything.

Legolas and Roth set their packs in the tent and were grateful to get away from the wind. The tent was small, five bedrolls already occupied it and then there was their two. The Elves looked at each other and Roth smiled, "at least we are safe."

Legolas shrugged, "I don't know. That one...Calmir...he seemed eager to slay us on the spot and he probably wouldn't pass up the opportunity."

Roth sighed, "I am hungry, I think I will go out with them, are you coming?" he asked as he headed for the tent flap door. He was either oblivious to the danger, or he just didn't care. At the moment, Legolas could not decide which, but he was leaning towards the former.

Legolas smiled and said, "no. I am tired. I think I will stay in here for a time." He began to unroll his bed and Roth looked at him hard for a minute.

"Well at least eat some Lembas bread, Legolas. You need he energy, especially in this cold," he added. With that he turned and went out the door. Legolas sat on his bedroll and thought for moment. He wasn't really hungry and joining the men went against his better judgement.

Deciding to let Roth go ahead and take company with the men, he curled up beneath his blanket along with his cloak and tried to sleep. However the new environment he was in and the thought of getting murdered while he slept did not allow for much rest. He tried to blend night and dream together by leaving his eyes open as Elves do but it only served to provoke nightmares in which he was always freezing while a human stood over him with a naked sword ready to run him through the heart. Sighing, he did the one thing that felt most awkward and yet was the most relaxing at the time: he shut his eyes and let dream alone take over.

Roth came in with a bowl of hot soup, steam curling from the lip of the bowl. He looked at his prince, fast asleep and sighed. Legolas was more weary than he would willingly let on. Frowning, he wondered if he should wake the other Elf. Legolas had to eat or his body would get weak. Drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he drew close to the Elf-prince and gently gripped his shoulder.

Legolas was instantly awake and he grabbed Roth's wrist with a speed only a frightened and startled Elf could possess, lucky it was not the hand with the soup, otherwise he would have been scalded. Roth said quickly, "Legolas it is I, Rothinzil." The blonde Elf looked at his friend with bleary eyes and then gave a small smile.

"Sorry, I am just a bit on edge about this whole stay over with men. Don't you find them a bit hard to trust?" he whispered wistfully.

Roth pushed the bowl of soup at him. "Eat."

Legolas looked at it and asked with a frown, "what is it?" It did not look like something he wanted to digest. Wrinkling his nose he sniffed thinking that it would smell as badly as it looked. However, he was pleasantly surprised.

Roth sighed, "it is good for you, that's what. Now eat." He shoved the bowl towards his prince again. Legolas refused.

"I'm not hungry," he said with a scowl. He yawned, "but I am tired. Wake me before dawn will you?"

Roth scowled back and said, "I watched them make it and nothing strange is in it, I can assure you. You must eat, don't make me force you Legolas. It would be rather ugly," he finished with a laugh.

Legolas sighed and took the hot bowl. It did smell delightful and it had to be better than Lembas bread. When he saw Roth with no bowl he asked quietly, "what about you?" If that skinny klutz of a Wood-Elf gave him all of what they had to share he would force it down his throat.

Rothinzil knew this very well and chuckled before he said, "I have already eaten while you were sleeping. You have slept for hours." He watched as Legolas downed a huge spoonful and looked around for water as the soup burned his mouth. He had been a little too eager. Rothinzil laughed again and said, "I am afraid what water we had is frozen, but I have some cordial in my pack that is mean to give strength." He looked at Legolas and said, "couldn't do you any harm to have some. I should have thought of it sooner."

He went to his pack and rooted through it for about five minutes before he found it. He tossed it to the prince, "a gift from Elladan and Elrohir," he said in response to the strange look on the blonde immortal's face. Legolas smiled and popped the top of the vial.

He knew it only took a few drops and it would work like a gallon of water to a weary and thirsty horse. As he felt the small mouthful of the liquid hit his tongue it instantly cooled the burns and eased the pain. He also felt new strength flow into his limbs and he felt his spirit lighten.

Roth smiled and said, "they are not bad folk once you get into talking. I think I will go and talk some more. You just get your rest."

Legolas nearly spat his soup out. "Roth, be careful what you say. Do remember the Corsairs?" he asked with a single golden brow raised and a dull look in his eyes. "I mean it Rothinzil, you could get us killed and I would have to kill you then if we somehow managed to survive. I do not think I would like that very much," he finished with a dignified snort.

Roth rolled his eyes and said, "they are different. Anyway, I am always careful!" he frowned. What was Legolas implying?

The blonde Elf made on last plea to get his friend to stay, "you are tired too Roth. You have been worrying since I was wounded and you worry still. You need rest as well." Legolas honestly feared something would happen to his companion. He knew how Roth liked to talk and was an utter klutz. What if he said something that put them and their home in danger?

Roth insisted that everything would be well. Legolas just frowned and whispered, "you be careful."

Roth just smiled and said, "always!"

As Roth came out of the tent with a scowl on his face as he contemplated once more all that his liege had mentioned Calmir asked, "your companion, he does not like to talk?" Rothinzil's head snapped up from where it had been staring intensely at the snow as though he was trying to burn it with his eyes. From the fire like look, it seemed as though it was remotely possible.

Roth eyed the liquor bottle in the young human's hand and he said tentatively, "he is just tired. He will be himself by morning." He was speculating whether or not the mortal had too much to drink and whether or not he should go back in the tent.

The man that he had come to know as Calstor called to him, "come sit here young Rothinzil and tell us more about you." Roth thought it was pretty paradoxical that the human was calling him young when he was at least two thousand, five hundred years older. But then again, to this man he probably looked only twenty most.

Roth looked at the human for a moment and then decided it would be worse not to join, for then the mortals would get suspicious and that could lead to disaster. When men could not understand something, they feared it and after they feared it they were not satisfied until they destroyed it utterly.

Going over, the Elf sat by the elderly and yet hale human with a grin. The man offered the immortal a swig from his canteen of liquor but Roth turned it down saying he was not in the mood for it.

"You Elves are strange folk," said the man as he shook his head. He ran a wrinkled hand over the white whiskers on his face that was nearly as full as a beard. "The alcohol will stave off the chill of the night and storm."

Roth smiled politely and said, "perhaps you did not know this, but we Elves do not feel the cold as you do. It is annoying to us and certainly if we are out long in it painful. Yet we can endure it longer." The Wood Elf nearly jumped as he heard a clap of thunder mixed amongst the wind and billowing snow. He was glad for the protection the men had put for the camp around the trees: blankets stretched between the trunks.

If it weren't for those they would be buried alive by ice and snow. The Elf wondered about the horses, but he knew they were sleeping, buried in caves beneath the blankets of snow that acted as an insulation to trap their heat.

The older man's son smiled evilly and said, "so after you are finished enchanting the weather, then what do you Elves do? Did you stop here to watch us suffer though it?" he asked scornfully. He sneered at the immortal and said, "well you won't have the satisfaction. We all have been out in worse and survived with little to speak of!"

Roth nearly snarled back at the man, but held his temper in check, knowing that is what Legolas would have done in this situation. Although he was NOT Legolas and if this continued he could not be responsible for his actions that they would more than have earned. "We do not bewitch the weather. It is what it is and we are not but beings dwelling here for a time. We are certainly not magical." He was beginning to get a little frightened, but not too much. It was enough, however, to make a shiver start at the nape of his neck, raising his hair, and race down his spine.

The man watched curiously as the Elf took out a pipe and began to smoke it thoughtfully. It was medium in length so as to be easily traveled with. It was made of clay and wood. "I did not know Elves smoked," he said with a laugh.

Rothinzil looked at the human and laughed as well, more to relieve tensions than because he found it amusing, "they don't, I do. I am Peredhil." They looked at him strangely and he explained, "I am sorry, that is half-Elven. My father was a man, mother an Elf." He blew out a puff of smoke. "But I learned this after she died and I was raised among men for a time."

The elderly man wrinkled his brow in confusion and some exasperation, "you were raised with men?" he asked incredulously. Shaking his head he said, "that is strange."

Roth smiled and said, "true nonetheless and Elves back home say that is why I am such a klutz." He gave a small laugh that seemed a bit more nervous than he was comfortable with. Drawing a breath of the sweet tasting smoke he sighed as it blew out between his lips. It was a pleasure that he could not often take.

The Calmir sighed in an agitated way and said, "father may I have a word with you?"

Calstor just smiled and said tersely, "later." He shot his son a quick cryptic look that stated as though it was written out in ink that he was in no frame of mind to be messed with right now and if his son knew what was good for him he would take a seat or go away and complain else where.

Calmir was about to argue but thought better of it. It would get him no where. He looked at Roth and sighed, He hated those damned Elves. He could not wait to get his hands on them and slay them.

Rothinzil just looked at the man and mentally shrugged. He was willing to make friends. Calstor seemed willing enough to be a friend and not try to rip his head off with sinister glares. He had half a mind to do something really strange and make them a little scared, even though he knew it could lead to disaster.

The Elf finally decided he should get back and check on Legolas. The prince was recovering after all and he did not want him to get murdered by one of these men. He smiled and put out his pipe. "I am sorry my friends, but I must take my leave. My companion is ill and I need to tend to him."

Calmir watched Rothinzil get up and go to the tent, draw back the flap and go in.

Rothinzil felt it, eyes on his back, and he went quickly to his bedroll, unrolled it and went inside. Memories were returning, ones he had not recalled for a very long time. So long he wondered if he would understand them. He closed his bleary hazel eyes and sleep found him quickly.

Calmir looked at his father and the other three men. He drew his sword and said, "I can go and kill them now. If they find out-"

"About the horses? Nay, they won't and if they do we can make like we was the ones that caught them stealing them," he said firmly and with a low growl. "I think that they will be gone in the morning without ever knowing." He shook his head and said, "if you harm them, I will kill you!" Calstor loved his son, but he knew how evil the young man could be and he knew how deep his hate for Elves ran.

Calmir sneered, "some father you are!" He set his hand on the sword hilt and fingered it a moment before taking his hand off it and then frowning, "what about the horses of theirs?" he asked in a rumble of annoyance.

Calstor just sighed, "we will let them keep the horses, either that or we give ourselves away and slay them. I would not see such a thing as an immortal flame be put out without need."

Calmir smiled cruelly, "who says we have to kill them? They could fight for us in the pit and make us scores of money!" He remembered the time he had captured a warg and had trained it to fight, but it had long ago been slain. He wanted to revisit the arena. He wanted to have the feel of cash in his hand again, of coins clinking and taste the smoke of the hidden chambers that held the pits where the illegal fights took place.

Calstor just growled back, "no! We would not be able to break them anyway. They are Elves, even if we did break them it would be their bodies not their spirit, which is what it will take to get them to fight and spill innocent blood." He drew a lung drink from his canteen of liquor. The old man nodded and said curtly, "if you harm them, may death find you swiftly."

Calmir came and gripped his father's shirt collar and then snarled, "it isn't as if we are virtuous or anything, you are the one who helped me and my boys get those damn horses for an equal share yourself." He gestured out to where he knew the beasts were waiting for the storm to pass.

Calstor flung his son's arm off in a rage and threw the younger man back roughly. Jumping up he shouted, "don't act that way with me boy!"

Calmir just spat at his father and he went to his own group of three followers who flocked about him. Calstor watched his son and knew that the boy was about to lose it. It was ironic how he thought of the child as a boy when the said son was going on thirty.

He and his son had never entirely gotten along. Calmir was too ambitious and anything that stood in his way was an obstacle to be removed by any means essential.

He and his daughter had always been close, but after they lost most of what they had because of a foolish venture, she grew estranged from her family and took to learning how to ride horses and would go away for long periods of time. She was compared with the Elves for her skill with horses and other creatures and her light feet.

Calmir looked at his comrades and said, "those cursed Elves could make us a lot of money like we have never seen the likes of before but my old man ain't gonna let us touch 'em!" He spat and then said, "Damn I want those Elves. Just imagine them in The Pit, just take a moment to imagine!" He could feel the gold in his pockets right then. Of course he knew breaking them would not be easy, but would that not be half of the fun?

One of those closest to him said, "and how do you expect to control them?" His voice was a low hiss that reeked of poison, poison for the ears. But his question was a rather blatant one that was lingering on everyone's mind. It just so happened he was the poor creature to point it out and made to look like a fool.

Calmir rolled his eyes and said, "Kushor, chains can hold anyone and Elves are no different. How do you tame a warg? One step at a time. A horse that bucks? You use spurs, you fool!" He smiled with a look of ice and steel that if the Elves had seen it, they would have ran for their lives and anyone else would have fled in sheer terror, "I will break them, and you can mark my words."

Kushor shook his head, "I mark them, but wait to see if they will come true." Calmir took a sip from his canteen and Kushor asked, "so your father won't let you touch them?"

"No, but will get them one way or another or they will die. We can take them with us when we take the horses into Rhovanian's black market."

He was going to capture and break those Elves, even if he had to commit a murder first. Nothing and no one were to stand in his way.

CHAPTER THREE

The Essence of Men

It was a cold morning that dawned on the sleeping Elves and men. The crisp and snowy air was filled with the snorting of horses.

Calmir was already awake along with his men. He had his naked sword in his hand, watching his father sleeping in the wrapping of his bedroll. It was this man who stood between him and glory, between him and his victory, he could not allow that. Anger, bitterness, hatred, envy, greed, welled up inside the younger human, molding onto a single mass of madness. Raising the sword, he held it above his father and he whispered, "see you in Hell!" With that he plunged the blade downward and the man who had raised him was dead without a sound.

He looked at his men and snarled, "get them Elves!" If the fair beings had heard the command they might have feared for their lives more.

Legolas, who had finally opened his eyes as he slept found that men were preparing to hurt him in his dream jolted awake to find reality not far from the mental images. He saw one of the humans over him with a club in his hand and a naked sword in the other. He saw another one nearby with rope and chain. The one with the sword and club he immediately recognized as Calmir.

He knew that the elderly man that they had been with would not have allowed this. His eyes went to where the man had choose to sleep and he saw red blood covering the mortal who had tasted his fate. Legolas's anger reared up towards the younger man who had killed his own father and Legolas and Roth's defender who was kind to them. "You snake!" he hissed the man pressed closer. The Elf vaulted up and stood in a wide stance, ready to sell his life dearly. However, he mentally groaned when he saw he was weaponless.

Calmir spoke thickly, "I very strongly advise you to give up." He gave a sneer. Legolas paid him no mind and instead looked at Roth. Legolas saw that Rothinzil was up and cornered in the tent, but the raven-haired immortal had his sword drawn. He was watching the men with fierce and yet bewildered eyes still a bit bleary from sleep.

Legolas turned back towards the human that had hemmed him in to the corner opposite of Roth. He was just in time to move away from the blade that was ready to rest on his throat. He raised a fair brow and asked with a frown and shrug, "why? I see no reason human!"

Legolas ducked another blow that had to be meant to knock him out, before he did a combat style roll past the man and leaped back to his feet by his bow and quiver. He certainly could not use his bow at this distance. He looked at it and noticed that the men had taken the time to cut the string and make it so it was impossible to use. They had planned this.

Regardless, they had forgotten to take his twin knives, or perhaps they had not expected that large of a conflict out of him or Roth, he smiled as he thought of how wrong they had been. He kept his front to the humans and grabbed his identical knives with a quickness and accuracy that was hardly matched to any in Middle Earth.

Kushor looked at Calmir and said, "damn he's fast!" Kushor readjusted the chains and ropes that he held uneasily. He noticed that his palms were slick with sweat. This Elf was a fighter and a quick one, able to deal out death fast and now they had him cornered. When animals are cornered they fight their hardest, because it means life or death. Elves were no different than animals, were they? He didn't think so; they had pointy ears like some odd creature, like an orc or something.

The humans all thought this, not even taking the time to consider the past and why there were some vague and twisted similarities between Elves and orcs.

Calmir snapped back at his comrade, "he's an Elf you fool! What do you expect?" He aimed the flat of his sword for Legolas' wrist, trying to cause enough pain to make the Elf release on of his knives. Legolas jerked his arm clear and struck at the men, cutting a large tear with his knife from his right hand into Calmir's tunic arm.

The dark-haired man looked at the tear and at the Elf with shock. But Legolas had leaped over to be beside Rothinzil, who looked relieved to have his prince fighting at his side. It felt good to know that his friend would support him now. Legolas and Roth stood back to back. They would rather go down in flames than give in.

The men all crowded around with their clubs and chains as though they were after mad beasts. Legolas looked sidelong at his friend and said quickly in the Gray Tongue, "I am sorry to have gotten you into this. I will distract them, you get away." He knew Roth's past and how he feared this more than anything. Legolas swung his knives as one quickly, in a dance like flow, driving the men back. The blonde Elf then yelled to his companion in the Elf-tongue, "go!"

Roth looked at his prince for a moment before putting his eyes back onto the mortals trying to seize him and said in Elvish, "and leave you with this dismal assemblage? Anyway, it is I who made you come here and so I should be the one who is sorry."

Legolas gave a snort and continued in the Elven Tongue of his homeland, "no! If it weren't for my wound we wouldn't be here! Tear through the cloth of the tent and I will keep them off of you as long as I can." He did not want to see Rothinzil relive his past. It would be like Elrond reliving all of his past, but worse. The prince's eyes shone hot with his resolve not to abandon his companion, not unless his body went cold and his heart failed to beat one more time.

Rothinzil growled back, "no! You can just try and make me. If we are caught we are caught together!" His hazel eyes flashed with some heat of his own towards his stubborn friend who had a chance to flee and was staying back because of him.

Legolas placed one of his knives against the back of the tent, pressing it gently against the cloth so it would not rip before they were ready. He looked at Roth and then locked eyes with his friend, "alright then, together." Roth gave a smile as he followed the other's eyes to the blade that was ready to rip through the material. Rothinzil placed his blade by the prince's, so the weapons were nearly touching and Legolas yelled, "now!" in Elven. The reaction was very much desired and very much expected.

This only served to make the men jump back in surprise, wondering what to expect, which is just what the pair of Elves had counted on as they leaped back through the tear they had created and out into the deep snow. It was as though an explosion had wracked the small tent of white weather-stained leather and wooden rods so great was the shock and fright of the fool hardy men that tried to lay their cruel and harsh hands on the pair of Elves.

Calmir, taken off guard by the immortal's sudden action yelled at his men, "get them you fools!" He was not going to allow them to get away. They had challenged him by being defiant and now only one would win, even if he did not capture them, he would slay them. He would be the one to stand; they had garnered his ire. They had to fall now. He arched his brow quizzically and stared at his men, "what are you bloody waiting for? Spring? Get them you oafs!"

Legolas and Roth stood on top of the snow as Elves do. Legolas was scanning the trees with alert and wide eyes as Rothinzil watched the men come floundering out into the world of white crystal. He suppressed genuine laughter as he watched the mortals fall down and fumble through the drifts that were all about them. He looked at Legolas and said, "it will be long before they reach us." But he also knew the hot and sinister determination in the men's hearts would drive them faster and that perhaps his statement had been vain.

Legolas' gaze went from the treetops that he longed to be in and back to his friend, "you would think." He looked at a large tree nearly covered by an enormous and glittering snowdrift, where each flake glowed as the early morning light fell upon its laced facet. Even if it was long before the men would catch up, he was taking no chances. With the swiftness of a young deer he bounded over the congealed white frozen drops of rain, leaving little or no impression on the soft shining dust. He ran up the side of the huge drift that nearly covered the tree and using it like a ramp, he leaped to the fourth branch up.

Rothinzil watched and his gaze was cautious and unsure. He was part human and for reasons that only he knew, he was not sure if he could make it. He bounded across the snow as Legolas had done with certainly no less skill showing in his movement and light steps and then ran up the drift but only made it to the second branch. He looked up at Legolas as the men struggled awkwardly closer. "Give me your hand," Legolas called to his friend that he had known since the raven-haired Elf was young.

Roth looked back at the men and then he took the hand that the blonde Elf had offered down. Legolas pulled with the desperation that came from near panic and Roth was soon up with him, braced against his friend and rescuer's chest. The branches had ice on them and the Elves had not counted on having that. Roth was a klutz anyway and now he was in dire danger. If he fell he would be captured or break something if he landed wrong. Legolas wrapped his arm around Roth's narrow middle, trying to hold his friend on the branch. Anyway, if his friend fell, this insured he would go with him. Roth knew what Legolas was doing, after all, he was no fool though he acted like one at times and said; "if I fall and you go with me that would be a cataclysmic mess Legolas, and you know something? We are extremely close to that ' cataclysmic mess '!" Here he sighed, "I can't allow you to fall with me. I am a guard and that would be a terrible failure on my part."

Legolas just snapped from fear and anger at defeat, "just stop squirming and don't argue! That is why I am holding you! I don't want you to fall, but if you do I won't let you go alone." He felt the ice beneath his feet becoming slippery as it melted and he heard icicles hitting the ground with soft and nearly imperceptible sounds that only sharp Elven ears could pick up. Glaring at the younger Elf he growled, "I command you to stop this nonsense and regain your senses!"

Calmir and his men were close. They were cursing the whole way. Legolas looked to see if any other high branches were accessable but he might as well have looked for a Balrog up in the tree perched like a bird. Sighing, their only options was to wait it out or fight free. He could feel Roth's heart beating fast as fear set in. The younger Elf had been through this before long ago.

Legolas just pulled his friend closer and sighed heavily.

He looked at his friend strangely as Roth went dead silent and said nothing at all. He could feel his friend going tense and alert. Rothinzil was strange in the sense that when something truly unnerved him, he would fall so silent and grow so stone like, that Legolas wondered at times if the other actually collected dust. The thought was laughable and Legolas would have gladly let out a snicker if they had not been ready to be captured by insane men with their utter agony in mind.

Legolas inquired carefully, "Roth? Are you alright?" There was no answer and Legolas could not afford Roth's silence. If they were going to escape, they needed to talk. He pulled Rothinzil closer still and gave him a gentle shake. "ROTH!"

The younger Elf glanced up languidly with a pale face of a chalky color, like one that has seen death on the horizon not more than a day ahead. His eyes spoke everything Legolas needed to know at the moment. Rothinzil was afraid, he felt weak, he felt ashamed and he obviously was being very negative thinking that they were not going to make it out of here alive. Legolas was somewhat negative, but he was a little more realistic than he was negative. There was a small chance of escape.

The men were drawing closer and Calmir panted in a scream of suppressed and utterly malicious rage, "when I catch you Elves, you are going to wish you were dead before I am finished with you!"

Roth sighed and said, "I am sorry Legolas. I didn't mean to, I just remembered some things..." He shivered and Legolas held him tight, knowing that it would not be long before Roth would fall from the tree if he did not. The prince wished that he could steal Roth's fear and pain, but for now all he could do was hold him close and try to calm the violent shivers racing up his friend's spine. However, from the sick feeling he felt, he also knew that they might not avoid capture unless help came. Legolas now thought that optimism was a very underrated quality that he would have to remember to never make light of again. He gazed out at the men and saw that more than one had bows.

"I know Roth," said Legolas bitterly. He now had to put forth all his will and thought in getting them out alive and in one piece. It was not going to be an easy task and he certainly did not expect to be victorious, but that did not mean that he had given up either.

Rothinzil sighed and said, "I know I am holding you back Legolas, just let me go."

Legolas snorted, "folly! You are my friend."

Roth wriggled and said, "I am getting down and am going to lead them away so you can get free!" He struggled against Legolas who held on tighter. Roth was mad! His fear had turned to stupidity. "Let me free, let me divert their attention. Please Legolas, it is our only chance!"

Legolas held onto his crazed friend and said, "Roth you are mad! You are staying right here! I don't want you dead with a bolt in you! They would most likely kill you or capture you and then come for me and then who will have my back?" He felt Roth's elbow hit his stomach and he grunted but held on tighter and Roth struggled harder. He was not going to agree with Legolas on this and he would rather have himself captured than his prince whom he had sworn to protect and who was his friend regardless.

Calmir saw the struggle between the two Elves and notched his bow. For a moment he watched, rather intrigued by the whole incident and amusement shown on his wind blown features. Foolish Elves! Oh well, it was their loss and his gain. He was going to force them to fall out. Aiming the bow for the tree trunk, particularly at a spot directly by Rothinzil's nose, he drew the feathers back alongside his cheek and matched up the sightings closely. Then he let the projectile fly.

Roth gave a yelp of surprise as the shaft struck by his face and he jerked backwards. Legolas felt his feet slide from the sudden movement on the ice that lined the branch and he felt them slide out from under him. He gave a shriek of his own when he realized they were falling down.

He watched as the ice and snow covered branches that waved above became farther away and then he winced as he felt them strike the snowy ground with Roth landing on top of him. In the fall one of his knives had twisted beneath Roth and then jabbed into Legolas' arm with a sting. The wound smarted with a vengeance and he grimaced. He made a grim mental note to choke Roth if they survived.