Title: Dangerous Journey

Author(s): TrinityTheSheDevil with help from Halo Son and Karine

Rating: R, definitely

Genre: Action/Adventure/Angst/All That Good Stuff!

Summary:  What was supposed to have been a simple outing turns into something else; 18 year old Estel could lose his life, while Legolas may lose his will to live.

Disclaimer: I don't own Estel nor Legolas.  I own their bananas.  Niiiiice curved, big, firm, loooong bananas.  *blinks*  Not those bananas you sicko!  LMAO!  Seriously, owns nothing in this fic except the evil ideas, and even some of those belong to Halo and Kar.  >:)

Author's Note: This happens when Aragorn is 18, so he will be called "Estel".  (If you see him called Aragorn anywhere, it means I have seriously fecked up, and will need to change it, LOL.)  Also, as just about everybody else in the Lord of the Rings fandom, I love to stick to the fact that Estel was raised by Elrond most of his young life.  Gilrean is just to complicated to write so I killed her off a long time ago.  ;)

Further Author's Note: I came up with this plot on the way back from the NC Zoo, with Rhonda.  (Yes, I saw the wild boar things in the zoo, as well as several other animals I'd love to use to maul Aragorn with...)  The plot transformed into this, and well...here you are!  LOL!  It's a short fic, and was never even meant to be long.  (Thank the Valar for that...)

One more note and that's it!:  Also, as there is no "Christmas" in Middle Earth, I'm using the whole "Winter Solstice Celebration" thing instead.  Just think of it as Christmas, except they have no tree, Santa, reindeer, eggnog, etc.  ;)

Reviews are always welcome, as well as hints and tips to improve my writing.  Flames are too, for that matter; they'll be used to light the fire in my den so that my fingers won't freeze to ice blocks while typing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter One

Estel's eyes swept over his tidy room as he mentally went over what he had packed.  He was forgetting something, he just knew it.

"And it's going to end up being the one thing we need on this trip..."  The young man shook his head, chuckling to himself.  He reached over to grab an extra shirt, but another hand was placed on his, stopping his movements.

Estel looked up, meeting the eyes of his father.  There was a sadness in the older elf's eyes that made Estel almost visibly wince.

"I do wish you would reconsider leaving this close before the Winter Solstice Celebration."

"Ada, I'm not five years old anymore.  Although I do look forward to the holiday, I want to go hunting while the boar herd are near."  Estel smiled.  "Besides, if all goes well, Legolas and I will be back well before the celebration."

Elrond sighed heavily.  "Very well.  I shall have the bandages ready and two beds empty in the healing ward."

Estel frowned.  "Really Ada, we're not that bad."  At Elrond's raised eyebrow, he hastened to continue.  "Sometimes..."

"'Sometimes' comes more often than not with you, Estel.  I want you to be careful."  Elrond moved his hands to Estel's shoulders.  "Scouts have reported increasing Orc activity.  Promise me you'll not do anything...stupid."

The young human rolled his eyes slightly.  "I'll be perfectly fine, Ada."

"I promise."  He added softly when Elrond's hands tightened.

"Thank you."

Elrond took the shirt, folding it and placing it in Estel's pack.  "Where do you plan to hunt?"

"North of the river, I think.  There is sufficient cover there so I'm sure the boar will use that as a place to bed down.  It's near water as well."

"You'll be hunting from the ground then?"  Elrond looked at Estel worriedly.

"No.  The herd is too large.  Legolas and I could be swarmed.  There are enough trees around the area for us to hunt from above."

"Ah, wise decision, ion nin."

"Estel?"  Legolas slipped through the door, dressed in his riding wear.  "Oh, forgive me, Lord Elrond.  I did not know you were in here.  I'm sorry for interrupting."

"Nonsense Legolas.  You're practically family now."  Elrond closed the clasp on Estel's pack, handing it to the younger man.  He turned his attention on Legolas while Estel gave the Mirkwood elf a look of sympathy behind his father's back.

Legolas looked from Elrond to Estel, beginning to wish he had escaped while he still could.

"Legolas.  As the older and wiser one of your friendship with Estel-"  Elrond paused to ignore a snort from Estel.  "-I trust you to be responsible.  And, for the love of the Valar, if you see any Orcs, no - and I repeat - NO heroic moves."

Legolas put on the most innocent expression he could muster.  "Of course, Lord Elrond.  We will be perfectly-"

"-fine, I know."  Elrond finished the sentence, smiling dryly.  "Be careful.  I can't stress that enough."

"We will."  Legolas said, bowing slightly.  "Estel, if you wish to leave to day, we must go now.  The sun will begin her descent shortly."

Legolas bowed to Elrond again.  "Farewell, Lord Elrond.  We shall be back in no more than two weeks."

"Fare thee well, Legolas.  Safe journey, to you both."  Elrond hugged Estel, whispering in his ear.  "Amin mela lle, ion nin."

"I love you too, Ada."  Estel whispered back.  "Farewell, father."

"Farewell, my little Estel."  Elrond said as Estel followed Legolas out of the room.  Walking to the window, Elrond looked out, watching as Estel mounted his horse while laughing at something Legolas said.  The two sped off through Rivendell's gates, disappearing into the trees beyond.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I love this."  Estel's quiet comment broke the silence that had hung over the two travelers since their depart from Rivendell.

"Love what?"

"This.  The quiet, the calm, the beauty and nature of Rivendell."  Estel waved an arm in the direction of the trees on either side of them.  Gold and brown leaves swayed in the light wind, swaying back and forth to the rhythm of a song that only the elves could hear.  Estel sometimes closed his eyes and listened intently, wishing he could be a part of that song.  Alas, he was but a man, forever doomed to silence from the trees and earth.

Legolas shifted, sensing his friend's mood, and turned to look at him.  "Young Estel, I think you are one of the only men I have had the pleasure of meeting, who enjoys naught but an open sky above him and firm ground below."

"Young?  In the world of men, I am grown, where you are but an elfling to your own kind!"  Laughing lightly, Estel whispered softly to his horse, Felenath, trotting faster ahead.

"I'll have you know I'm considered one of the greatest archers in all of Middle Earth!"  Legolas said, urging his horse, Giyaneth,  forward to catch up with Estel.

"Ah, that may be so.  But, if I recall correctly, your ada still calls you 'my nimble little Greenie Leafie'.  I do not think that fierce name will frighten any lurking orcs!  Although, they may die of heart failure from laughing themselves to death."  The human couldn't suppress his snickers, nor tried to.

"Well, at least *I* have style and manage to stay clean."  Legolas sniffed, feeling the beginnings of a pout.

"Ai, that you do."  Estel nodded, then added quietly, "Greenie Leafie..."

"Why you!"  Legolas sputtered, sending his water skin sailing through the air and smacking Estel soundly in the back of the head.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-Several Days Later-

Near complete silence surrounded Legolas as he placed his bedroll on the ground, laying atop it and staring at the stars.  Moonlight filtered through the trees, bathing him in its soft glow.  He sighed happily, resting his hands over his chest.  The horses nickered nearby, shifting in the still of the night.

Further away, Estel knelt and filled their water skins before quietly treading back to camp.  His feet hardly made any noise as they walked over dead leaves and twigs; not as silent as an elf, but not loud as a normal human.  With a resigned shrug of his shoulders, accepting the fact that he would never be an elf, Estel stepped around the horses and placed the skins next to his pack.

"I will keep watch tonight."  He said softly, not looking at Legolas.

The elf merely raised an eyebrow, turning over on his side.  "And what makes you think I will let you?"

Estel rolled his eyes.  "You kept watch all night last night, and the night before, after 'forgetting' to wake me.  I do not believe that elves are *that* forgetful."  Estel shrugged on his coat, sitting down near Legolas.  "Sleep, mellon nin.  I will wake you at dawn."

"Fine."  Legolas nodded, turning back over.  "Tomorrow we will leave the horses here and continue on foot, so that the boar do not catch their scents.  I suggest you wake me an hour from dawn so that you can rest a little before we head out."

"Yes, ada."  Estel laughed, causing Legolas to sigh.

"Don't know why I even put up with him..."  The elf muttered, his eyes glazing over in sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-The Next Evening-

Estel stifled a small yawn, as night approached and the sun was fading from the sky.  He did not wish to show that he was tired, for they were getting closer now to the boar herd.

Legolas, who was a few feet ahead of Estel, turned and eyed the human.  "I have half a heart to send you back to the camp now."  As Estel started to protest, he waved him off.  "Peace.  We're almost to the herd now.  If we continue tracking them tomorrow it could take us two days, and by then they'd be in the valley."

Estel nodded and followed behind Legolas, feeling himself tense in anticipation.

"Look!"  Legolas grinned.  "There they are."  Slender fingers pointed to a small ditch, where the boar were currently residing in.  "Although, the trees aren't as big as I wish they were.  They will do though."

"Then come." Estel grinned, placing a reassuring hand on Legolas' shoulder, as if to say everything would go perfectly alright.

Legolas nodded, gracefully leaping into a nearby branch that hung over the ditch.  Estel did the same on another tree, walking down the branch and settling onto it, locking his legs around it.

Estel edged forward a little, smiling to himself as he got an arrow from his quiver and slowly drew up upon his bow and took aim.

He released it, watching as it sailed and sunk itself into a large boar on the outskirts of the pack.  Grinning as it went down, he picked another arrow, stringing it on the bow.

Legolas' ears twitched as a cracking sound echoed through the trees.  He looked over, his breath catching in his chest.  "ESTEL!  Get off the branch!"

Estel spun around.  "Legolas?  What-?"  He was cut off as the branch cracked again, causing him to drop the bow and lock his arms around the wood.  A few moments later, it gave an almighty lurch, finally fell from the tree.

Legolas watched in horror as Estel fell backwards, landing on one of the large male boars.  The huge tusks pierced Estel's back, exiting through the younger man's stomach.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

All sensation seem to lift from Estel's body for a second and his eyes widened in shock, but instantly it all came crashing down upon him with a vengeance.  The sheering pain was blinding, almost rendering the young human unconscious there and then.  As the tusk pierced through his body and burst out from his stomach, Estel let out a scream that would haunt Legolas for life.

The large boar furiously bucked and twisted, trying to tear the man from him.  Blood coated the tusks, dripping onto the ground and pooling below them.  Estel froze in pain, barely breathing through the agony.  He could hear Legolas screaming at him, but it seemed far away.

The whole herd began to panic then, snorting and stamping around the intruder that seemed to be distressing one of their kin.  Legolas knew he had to act quickly or Estel would be killed.

Legolas fired two arrows in rapid succession, watching as they hit their mark.  The first one sinking into the boar that had Estel, killing it instantly.  The second hit the large alpha male, that was heading straight for the young man.

As the Alpha male fell, another came right up behind it and attacked the young man, mauling his leg.

Sharp tusks tore through skin and muscle, causing Estel to whimper in pain.  Legolas fired another arrow, then reached for his pack, pulling out the rope he had stored away.  Swinging down below the branch with his legs hooked around it, Legolas desperately tried to loop the rope around Estel.  He had to hurry, it was almost too late!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Estel seemed to be beyond feeling and coherent thought now, as the pain was becoming too powerful for him, his eyes starting to roll back into his head, never noticing the rope slip under shoulders.

"Estel!"  Legolas yelled, tightening the rope.  He quickly swung back up onto the branch, gently pulling the young man up into the tree with him.

Estel finally fell unconscious as he was pulled from the tusks.  Blood covered his leg and tunic, dripping down into the frenzy of animals below.

Legolas knew he had to leave and quickly, but he needed to see to Estel first as he pulled him up into the tree and grasped his body tightly so he couldn't fall again.  Blood flowed from the terrible tusk wounds and from his leg.

Legolas pulled out a spare shirt, ripping it up into long strips.  He tied one tightly around Estel's leg, staunching the blood flow as much as possible.  The tusk wounds were harder to bind, as he wadded up another shirt and pressed them against his friend's back and stomach.  He tied another strip of shirt around those to hold them in place.

Estel groaned, hissing sharply and tried to pull away from the touch, trying to pull away from the pain.

"Estel, be still.  I must get you onto the ground, mellon nin."  Legolas said, gently putting Estel across his shoulder.  He knew it must hurt the young man badly, but there was no other way.  Legolas' heart clenched as Estel whimpered again and clawed weakly at his back.

"L-L-Lego...las?" Estel started coughing, blood dripping down the corner of his mouth.

"Shhh, save your strength, mellon nin.  Don't try to talk."  Legolas quickly made his way to the ground, then switched his hold on Estel, cradling the younger man in his arms.  "We have to find a safe place to bed down for the night."

Estel couldn't help but chuckle, causing more blood to well in his throat.  "D-Dragging ... me ... b-back ... home ... a-again..."

"Dragging you?  No."  Legolas smiled slightly.  "We're finding the horses and riding you back home again.  Although ... Lord Elrond will kill me."  Legolas frowned.  "Perhaps I could tie you to the horse ... I'm sure he can find his way home by himself..."

Estel laughed lightly but regretted this action when he started choking, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as he struggled desperately to draw in air.  He didn't want to die ... not like this ... drowning in his own blood.

"Estel!"  Legolas quickly set the human on the ground, turning him over.  "Cough up the blood, Estel!  Breathe!"

Blood dribbled from his lips and down his chin, dripping on to the ground.  Instead of coughing up the substance blocking his airway, he kept trying to breathe and draw in air.  White spots began dancing across his vision as his lungs burned, vision fading away from him, his eyes rolling further back inch by inch.

"Valar!"  Legolas quickly opened Estel's mouth, sticking two of his fingers in.  Estel gagged reflexively, weakly throwing up mouthfuls of the dark substance.  "Bring it all up, Estel!  Breathe!"

As Estel brought up the blood blocking his throat, air rushed into Estel's lungs and he gasped deeply, throwing his head back up as he did so; for a moment he went frozen, not drawing breath again, before he let his head fall forward and gasping weakly.

"That's it, Estel.  Breathe."  Legolas sighed in relief.  He pressed a delicate ear against Estel's chest listening intently.  "One of your lungs is punctured."

Estel groaned.  It wasn't a sharp, short moan, but a long, drawn out one that indicated the youth was in an incredible amount of pain and his consciousness was fading from him.

Legolas suddenly remember how Estel had yawned before this had began.  With Estel already tired and so weak now from blood loss, there was an increasing possibility of two things: Estel would go into shock or he would never wake again if his consciousness was lost.

With this revelation, Legolas shook his head, determined not to let his friend fall into shadow.  He would do all in his power to keep the younger man grounded to this earth, no matter what the consequences.

"Estel, you must stay awake!"  Legolas shouted frantically.  He couldn't lose Estel like this.  "Estel!"  Picking up the human once more, he quickly started off towards the cave they had passed while tracking the boars.  The elf let out a shrill whistle, hoping the horses would follow him; he didn't have the time to find them right now.

Estel made no sound, but his head shifted, blinking heavy, pained and dull silver half open eyes at the elf for a few moments before they started to drift again.

"Estel, please, you must stay awake."  Legolas hurried faster, jumping over fallen logs and branches.  A muffled trotting sound of hooves stepping on a leaf covered floor alerted him to the horses, which were catching up quickly.

As Legolas reached the cave he placed Estel down as gently as he could.  The young man moaned again, his eyes almost closed but staying open just an inch.

"L-L-Lego...las..." Estel gasped.  "I-I'm...g-going to...d-die...a-aren't...I-I?"

"No!"  Legolas whispered furiously. "You're not going to die, because I'm not going to let you."

Tears prickled Legolas' eyes as he searched through Estel's pack, ruffling through the herbs and bandages.  "Estel!  Where is the athelas?!"

Estel frowned, his face tightening in pain.  "I...I knew...I was forgetting something..."

The horses reached the cave entrance and poked their heads just instead, softly nickering.

Legolas froze.

They had no athelas.

It seemed like everything that could go wrong WAS going wrong now.

"Estel, you must hold on!  I have to go find some athelas."  Legolas made Estel as comfortable as he could, tucking a spare blanket around the younger man's shoulders.  "Promise me you'll hold on.  I won't be but a few minutes."  Legolas said, forcing Estel to look into his eyes.

"I..I promise..I'll try..."  Estel said wearily.

Legolas nodded and raced out of the cave, running as if the very being of Sauron himself were behind him.

It took longer than Legolas wanted to find some of the Athelas plant, but when he did he silently thanked the valar.  However, he was so intent on getting the plant that he didn't hear the tree's warning, screaming of danger.

An orc burst through the clearing, followed by several more.  They were so intent on where they were going, they didn't notice Legolas.  Legolas' eyes followed them as he hid in a bush, but quickly realized...they were heading for the cave!

Legolas had to stop them and quickly!  He couldn't let any reach the cave of Estel would be killed in an instant!

In a flash Legolas had an arrow notched to his bow and he fired.  One of the orcs cried out and fell down, diverting their attention away from the cave.

Legolas leapt from the bush, firing arrows faster than one could blink.  Once the orcs became too close, he switched weapons, the white knives flashing blurs around the Mirkwood prince.  More orcs rushed from the trees, swarming around the elf.  Legolas groaned inwardly.  This is just what he needed.

Legolas fought valiantly, but with so many orcs, gaps began to open while he was fighting.  Then, it came.  One of the orc's swung it's club-like weapon and it cracked straight into the back of Legolas' knees.

The small blade sliced through skin, muscle, and tendons, causing Legolas to collapse onto the ground.  Blood sprayed from the back of his knees, covering the earth with a dark red.

Legolas looked up as another blade was swung, heading directly down and for his head.  His breath caught.  So this was the end.  He would die like a weakling, on his back, from an orc blade.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Suddenly there was a galloping of hooves and Legolas and Estel's horses ran through the glade, rearing up and trampling the orcs in a desperate bid to save the elf's life.

More blades slashed at the beautiful elven animals, and Legolas grabbed his bow again, firing at the remaining orcs.  The few that were left fled back the way they came, screeching in their foul language.

Giyaneth moved forward, neighing softly and nudging the elf's head.  The pain in his legs was tremendous.  And...what was more...he couldn't move them.  Legolas was terrified by this reaction but quickly brushed it aside, reminding himself that Lord Elrond was a master healer.  Yet he couldn't rid himself of the slither of doubt that had taken residence in his heart.

Felenath came over as well, softly nickering and nudging the elf.  Legolas' horse almost snapped at the horse, as if defending his master from unnecessary pain.  The beautiful white elven horse then  aligned up with Legolas and went down on it's front knees, leaning it's neck forward so Legolas could grasp it's neck.

Legolas struggled to get atop his horse, pulling with all his might.  He finally settled on its back, breathing and light headed from blood loss.  He sat up, strapping his bow and knives down, and securing the athelas in a pouch on his side.  Hurriedly, he tied two bandages around his knees, stopping most of the blood flow.

The horse moved forward, careful not to let Legolas fall.  They made it back to the cave a few moments later.

Once more, Legolas' horse knelt down, this time on all fours, so his master wouldn't fall when he tried to get off from his back.  

Estel was still there, untouched by the orcs, but his skin was now ashen, almost white.  His lips were tinted with a foreboding shade of blue.  The hand that rested atop his chest were still, not moved at all by any movement and his eyes were closed.

"Estel...oh no, Estel!"  Legolas dragged himself forward, settling down near his friend.  He bent over to listen for any sign of breathing, waiting for the familiar 'whoosh' of inhale and exhale.

He heard nothing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter Two

Being as quick as he could, Legolas placed the bag with the Athelas down and fumbled with the other bag of herbs, his fingers slick with his own blood.  He then took out a leaf of one herb and scrunched it up in his hand.  He placed the crumpled leaf at the back of Estel's throat, trying to massage it down before struggling forward a little further and placing his mouth over the young human's, giving him a breath.

The herb sent adrenaline pumping through Estel's veins, and he slowly started breathing again.  Legolas smiled weakly as Estel coughed, cracking his eyes open.

"What ... took you ... so long?"  Estel tried to glare, failing miserably.

"Orcs." Legolas muttered softly, suddenly taking a great interest in a crack in the wall of the cave. 

Estel, despite his weakened state and the dim light in the cave, noticed that Legolas had a few cuts and bruises on his face; cuts and bruises that couldn't have come from the boar incident.   

The human then saw that his long time friend was purposely avoiding his gaze. When Estel finally managed to lock eyes with the elf, what he saw made him wince. Pain, Legolas' eyes were full of it. Then, the second thing that Estel saw was the pool of blood near the elf’s knees, blood that wasn't his. That, and the awkward position that Legolas was in, made the human's worry grow drastically. 

"Legolas, what's wrong with your knees?" Estel asked, trying to calm his shaking voice, to no avail.  

 "An orc hit my knees with a club, and now I can't move them." Legolas answered in a low voice, so low that Estel barely heard it. 

He did though, his grey eyes widening in shock and terror, and immediately tried to shift to get a good look at them. 

But Legolas clearly demonstrated that he still had his elven reflexes and speed when he quickly put a restraining hand on the human's upper chest, carefully avoiding the injury but doing its purpose by preventing his friend from moving.  

"Oh no you don't." Legolas said, glaring down at the human.  

"But ..."  Estel began to protest but was quickly interrupted by the elf.  

"No buts, I'm fine."  Legolas said. 

"No you are definitely NOT fine. There is no way that that could be called fine, not now, not *ever*."

Estel hunched over, coughing furiously again.  Blood poured from his lips, running down his neck, leaving red trails on the pasty white skin.  He sat up and spat the blood into the ground while grimacing in pain.

"H-h-hurts ..."  He stammered, trying to breathe through the pain.

"Estel, you must allow me to tend to you.  One of your lungs is punctured ... if not treated now you could drown to death in your own blood."  Legolas' murmured, helping Estel to lie back down on his side.

Estel nodded.  "Do what you must, mellon nin."

Legolas nodded, and hesitated.  "It ... it's going to hurt.  And I can't risk giving you anything for the pain."

"I understand."

Estel's eyes met those of Legolas', and they were not filled with fear as the elf would have thought.  Trust...they were full of trust.  Moving swiftly, Legolas leaned over to his other side, grabbing several sticks and twigs in the cave and starting a fire.  He began boiling water, making sure to keep an eye on Estel.  When the water was done, he crumbled a few Athelas leaves, breathing on them and throwing them in.  The smell instantly calmed the two a little, working to give Legolas hope; hope that he could get Estel back to Rivendell in time.

Lastly, Legolas set two needles and a knife over the fire, letting the flames cleanse them.  His eyes darkened at the thought of what he was about to do: cause Estel more pain.  It couldn't be helped though.

Legolas picked up the knife, then turned Estel on his back.  "Estel ... can you hear me?"

Legolas looked worried that Estel's eyelids fluttered, and his breathing had slowed in drastic amounts.  Legolas could hear a quiet gurgling sound every time Estel took a breath.

"Can ... hear ..."  Estel whispered, small amounts of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"I'm going cut the wound and make it larger, so that I can get to your lung."  Legolas forced his hands not to shake as he stripped Estel of his tunic.

Estel, for his part, nodded imperceptibly as more blood ran from his lips.

Grasping the knife tighter, Legolas made a small incision on either side of the wound, opening it further until he could see the lung.  He reached over and grabbed a small wooden tube, placing it in the lung.  He was going to have to get the blood out, else Estel would still end up dying.

Estel whimpered loudly, arching upwards as if to get away from the pain.  Legolas placed his hands on his friend's shoulders, whispering comfortingly to him.  He gently placed his hands on either side of Estel's face, brushing his knuckles against the pale skin.  After a few moments, the young man finally settled enough for Legolas to resume his work.

He leaned over, putting his lips on the tube and sucked out a mouthful of the coppery tasting liquid.  Turning his head, Legolas spat it onto the ground and repeated the procedure, until he was sure he had gotten it out.

Estel slumped to the side, unconscious.  For this, Legolas was grateful.  He would have hated to sew up his friend's lung while Estel was still awake.

Legolas quickly removed the tube and set to work with the needle, nimble fingers working without hesitation.  The stitching wasn't quite as good as Lord Elrond's, but it would have to do until Estel arrived back in Rivendell.

When he was finished, Legolas gently turned Estel over, tending to the two entrance wounds on his back.  He cleansed them in the water mixed with athelas, sewing them up also.  Afterwards, he struggled to sit Estel up and leaned the younger man on his shoulder, while he wrapped bandages around Estel's torso.

That done, Legolas laid him down again, gently bathing Estel's face in water to remove the blood.  Just as he began cleaning the laceration on Estel's leg, the young human woke up, blinking his eyes into focus.

"Estel!"  Legolas smiled tiredly.  "How fare you?  And don't say you're fine."

Estel grimaced, but the Mirkwood elf noticed he was breathing better.  "It feels as if an Oliphant sat and squished me, but other than that, I'm alright."

Sitting up and gasping in pain, Estel waved off Legolas' protesting hands.  "I want to see to your knees."

"No, not until you're better."  Legolas argued.

Grey eyes turned to glare at Legolas and the human shook his head.  "I'm not waiting until you bleed yourself almost to death before I tend to them."

Sighing in exasperation, Legolas finally maneuvered and lay on his stomach so that Estel did not have to move to look at the wounds.

Quickly removing the bandages, Estel set them aside, then turned his eyes to the back of Legolas' knees.  His eyes widened and he hissed through his teeth as his heart clenched in sympathy.

Legolas noticed his friend's reaction, turning to face the young man.  "What is it?  Tell me!"

"Legolas ..."  Estel's eyes met the floor.  He couldn't bare to lay this burden on his friend.  He almost wished he could keep the information to himself and spare Legolas the mental angst, for the elf would surely feel heartbroken once he found out.  Strong hands lifted his chin back up, grey eyes met blue.

"Legolas ... you may never walk again."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

'You may never walk again.'  The impact of the words left Legolas feeling as if the floor had been removed from under his feet.  Which, he thought dryly, wasn't that far removed.

"Surely...surely your father can do something."  Legolas blinked back unexpected tears.

"Aye, let us not give up hope until my father has seen to them.  I'm positive he has the ability to heal them.  These wounds may cripple a mortal, but you are no mortal, mellon nin."  Estel gave a small smile, raising his hand to pat Legolas on the shoulder.

"Hand me the cloth, so that I may clean them."  Estel sat up straighter, his breath quickening as pain lanced through his body and stars appeared before his eyes.

"No."  Gently pushing Estel down, Legolas reached for the cloth himself.  "I will clean them.  You are in no condition to."

Estel did not reply, as he was too busy trying to breathe through the pain that clenched his body in a vise.  Legolas sighed, placing a cloak around the young man.  "Sleep.  We will leave at first light."

Estel nodded, his eyes sliding closed.  Shaking hands began cleaning the wounds, and Legolas hissed every so often as the pain became almost unbearable.  Finally he was finished and he placed the bloody rag in the fire, binding his knees once more.  Worried blue eyes glanced at Estel.  Legolas dearly hoped the young human didn't become sick.  He knew there was a great chance that would happen though, as the cold winds blew into the small cave, causing Estel to shiver.

Legolas scooted until his back pressed against the cave wall, placing a hand on Estel's brow, and prayed that they made it back to Rivendell soon.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Estel's world was nothing but a grey haze of pain.  Thick fog filled his mind, making it impossible to think.  He winced every time the horse stepped, sending jolts of agony throughout his body.  The only thing keeping him atop the beast was Legolas sitting behind him wrapping a strong arm across his chest.  The elf himself was having a hard time staying on the elven steed, as his legs were rendered useless.  Felenath followed closely behind, worried for his injured master.

Estel felt his eyelids droop and he shook his head, willing himself to stay conscious.  If he were to pass out completely, Legolas would have a hard time keeping him upright and on the horse.  It didn't help that he felt frozen to the bone, so much that it ached to move.

Legolas' frown deepened when he felt Estel shiver harder, and he unclasped his cloak, placing it around the human in hopes of it warming him up.  The cold barely affected Legolas, even with his wounds and blood loss.  It was just a mild discomfort, one that he could live with.

As if to laugh at Legolas, the weather started to change, and white flakes gently floated down from the sky.

'Great.  Things were already bad enough, now the fates have decided to throw this upon us!'  Legolas glared at the snow, that was now falling down harder, beginning to cover the ground.

"I-it's snowing."  Estel mumbled, his eyes barely open now.

"I know, mellon nin.  Let us hope it does not last long."  The clouds in the sky told Legolas that that hope was not to be.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

An hour later, the winds were whipping through Legolas' hair, as snow coated the two frozen travelers.  The snow was falling so thick it was almost impossible to see further than a few feet ahead of the horse's nose. 

In his arms, Estel shook uncontrollably, teeth chattering with the cold.  The young human had turned an alarming shade of blue, and had started coughing every so often.  With every small movement, be it a cough or a violent shiver, Estel's eyes clenched shut from the pain.

"L-l-legolas ..."

"Yes Estel?"  Legolas asked softly, pulling his cloak tighter around his friend.

"It ... it hurts."  The statement was followed by another cough, one that doubled Estel over on the horse, making him gasp for breath.

"ESTEL!"  Legolas leaned over, trying to grasp his friend and pull him back up.  It was a fruitless effort, as Estel tilted to the side and slid off the animal.  He landed on his stomach and hit his head on a protruding rock, a groan of pain escaping his lips, before falling unconscious.

"Elbereth!"  Legolas called his horse to stop, then slid off himself, landing on his hands in the cold snow.  He dragged himself the few feet to his friend, quickly turning Estel over.

A jagged cut now ran across the human's forehead, from its encounter with the rock, but the fall had obviously not damaged Estel's torso more than was already so; for that, Legolas was thankful.  Any more wounds on the human's already battered body and Estel would most likely not survive.

'If he survives as it is.'  Legolas shook that thought out of his head, reminding himself that this was Estel, the same stubborn human who had countless times been on the brink of death in his short existence on Arda.

"Estel!  Estel, I need you to awaken.  I cannot lift you upon the horse by myself."  Legolas cursed his wounds, which had open up again when he slid from the horse, and now bled on the white snow.

Estel moaned, turning his head to the side.  His eyes slid back and forth under their lids as his head burned with fever.  A rattling in the human's chest signaled to Legolas that Estel was already very sick.

"Estel, please-"  Legolas was cut off as a sound echoed throughout the trees.  The loud noise froze Legolas' heart.  It was followed by another similar howl that reverberated off the trees.  Wolves.

"Estel, you must get up, now!"  Legolas shook the human, to no avail.  He cursed loudly in dwarvish, calling his horse to him, and pulling down his bow and arrow.  He was not going to leave Estel here to his death; not when there was a chance he could make it.

Stringing an arrow, he waited for the wild animals to attack.  They were lurking in the trees, surrounding the two travelers;  their eyes glowing dimly in the blizzard, and Legolas could hear the small yips and snarls emitting from their mouths.  The wolves were hungry, probably attracted to the scent of the horses.

'Or my blood ...'  Legolas looked down at the red liquid that now coated a fair portion of the ground he was sitting on.

The horses danced about, agitation clear in their eyes.  Legolas tried to shoo them away, pleading with them to make a break for freedom, but the horses would not leave their masters in the face of danger.  For that, Legolas was both grateful and saddened.

A few moments later, the first wolf attacked, launching itself straight for Estel.  The 'thwang' of Legolas' bow was heard and the wolf fell dead, an arrow piercing its neck.

The second wolf sprang without a moment to lose, and Legolas felled that one also.  The rest of the pack seemed to take offense at two of their kindred so easily cut down and made for them, several advancing on the elf at once.  Legolas was hard pressed to keep firing his bow and watch after Estel at the same time.

One broke through Legolas' defenses, jumping over the elf and landing on Estel.  Razor sharp claws ripped through Estel's clothes, slicing through the stitches and barely healed wounds there.  Estel gasped in his unconscious state, weakly trying to move away from this new source of pain.

The horses were having their own time with the wolves, constantly kicking and pawing to keep the wild beasts away.  Felenath noticed a wolf now snapping at the human's arm, as Legolas fought off three more with one of his knives.  The elf had apparently run out of arrows, his bow laying a little ways away with the string snapped.

The horse rushed forward and charged, head-butting the wolf from Estel's prone form.  The wolf flew through the air, soundly smacking into a nearby tree, then hitting the ground.  It did not move again.

Several of the other wolves noticed this and attacked Felenath without mercy, teeth and claws working as one to bring the big animal down.  Legolas watched helplessly as Estel's horse was killed and a howl of triumph filled the air, but not before the horse had killed most of the wolves.

Giyaneth moved to the center of the wolf pack now, kicking out with strong hind legs.  A few wolves managed to jump on the horse but he swiftly shook them off, breaking their necks and backs with his hooves.

After what seemed like a lifetime, most of the wolves had been finally killed.  Legolas finished driving his knife into the throat of one, his other hand laying uselessly at his side, bleeding from the teeth marks that covered it.

The remaining wolves decided the elf and horse were not worth it, and they retreated into the trees again, tails between their legs.  Legolas sighed in relief, turning back to Estel.

"Estel!"  The younger man was still, barely breathing.  Legolas' hands shook as he checked the wounds; they were bleeding again, having been ripped open.  Bite marks covered Estel's arms and hands, some going very deep, almost to the bone.

The younger of the two shuddered, turning his head toward Legolas.  Glazed eyes opened to look at the elf, blinking slowly with pain and fatigue.

"Legolas ... are you alright?"

 'Typical Estel, asking how the others are faring when he himself is on the brink of death.'  Legolas thought as he nodded to the human, then wrapped the remaining bandages around Estel's wounds..  He looked around for the cloak that had been lost during the fight and drug it over, noticing it had survived the scrape almost completely intact.  He then lifted Estel slightly, wrapping the elvish material around his friend and clasped it again, hoping it would warm him a little.

"I am fine."  Legolas lied easily enough, calling to Giyaneth as Estel let out an almost inaudible snort.  He sighed as he took in the deep scratches and claw marks on the horse's flanks, but the horse paid no attention to his wounds.  He only nuzzled Legolas gently, then lay down so that the elf and man could mount him again.

"Hannon le, mellon nin."  Legolas nodded his head respectively towards his horse, then sent an elvish blessing for Estel's, who had not made it though the battle with the wolves.

Legolas shifted until he sat upon the horse again, then moved to gently pull Estel on with him.  The young man froze as the movement caused pain to engulf him like fire on hay and his head fell to the side, slipping to unconsciousness.  Legolas cradled Estel to his chest while whispering for Giyaneth to ride swiftly back to Rivendell.

Giyaneth whinnied loudly, slowly standing up on all fours while making sure neither of his burdens fell, then galloped from the scene and further into the trees.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Night fell earlier than expected for the two, causing Legolas to bite his lip in frustration.  Why could they not get a break?  In front of him, Estel burned with fever, moaning in delirium every few moments.  It seemed the human could get no rest from his dreams either.

Legolas leaned closer, wrapping his arms more snuggly around his friend.  Nay, his brother, for that was what they were.  Maybe not by blood, but every adventure they experienced together bound them in a woven strand of loyalty, and as the years passed, their friendship grew and blossomed, strengthening with every moment.

As his thoughts drifted and bordered on the realm of elven dream, Legolas began counting the days they had been gone from Rivendell, slowly ticking them off on his fingers.  Two weeks.  They had been absent for almost two weeks.  And tomorrow ... tomorrow was Winter Solstice.

He smiled grimly; it looked as if Estel would not be home in time for the celebrations after all.  Elrond must be frantically pulling his hair out by now, even as poor Glorfindel struggled to console him.  Legolas chuckled softly.  He was sure to catch an earful from the elf lord on his return.

Legolas felt sleep descend upon him, and he made sure Estel was securely resting on him, the human's head pillowed on Legolas' shoulder.  Legolas leaned his own head forward until it lightly rested on Estel's opposite shoulder, as his eyes closed and he fell into a very deep slumber.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jerking awake and blinking the sleep from his eyes, Legolas looked at his surroundings.  Giyaneth had traveled far during the night, as the sun was just rising from her rest.  If they were lucky, they would be in Rivendell by mid-day.

Legolas slowly moved a hand to check Estel's pulse, sighing in relief when he found one.  It was faster than normal, but it still signaled he lived; the human's breathing was also very shallow, which caused Legolas to urge Giyaneth on a little faster.  He hated taxing his horse so, but any delay would cause Estel's, or even his own, death.

With a sure-footedness that rivaled any normal horse, Giyaneth carried the two wounded beings closer and closer to home.  Trees sped by in a blur as the animal swiftly wove around obstacles; Legolas almost felt as if he was gliding, rather than riding atop a horse.

When they were but moments away from Rivendell, Legolas felt Estel stir slightly, and the human weakly lifted his head.

"Wh-where ... are we?"  The voice sounded raspy and thick with fever, weak with exhaustion, but also tinted with hope, as Estel noticed his surroundings.

"Almost home.  Happy Winter Solstice, little Estel."  Legolas whispered.

"Not ... that happy ... yet."  Estel's lips quirked into a small grin, before freezing with pain again.

"Just hold on, mellon nin.  We're almost there."

Legolas looked up just in time to notice them passing through the gates of Rivendell.  He breathed a small sigh of relief before his tiredness overcame him.  Up ahead, he could see Elrond on his balcony, just as Estel slumped from the horse.

"Estel!"  Legolas rasped, before he too fell unconscious.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elrond sighed, looking over the snow covered grounds from his balcony.  His breath frosted in the cold air, but the freezing temperature did not bother him.  His heart was weary, held down with worry and sadness.  It was the morning of Winter Solstice, and neither Estel nor Legolas had returned.  He forced himself not to rush out and go after them; after all, Estel had said they may not make it back in time for the celebrations.  He sighed again, suddenly wishing Estel was but five years old, a youngster impatiently waiting to open his gifts.

"I'm sure he's fine."  Glorfindel's voice broke the silence.

Elrond smiled minutely, not bothering to turn around.  "Yes, and I remember the last time you said that."

Glorfindel scowled, pushing his eyebrows forward.  "How was I to know he was trapped in a tree with a broken arm?"

"Precisely, mellon nin."

"Maybe you should put a leash on him and teach him how to stay away from danger for the next year or so..."  The blonde elf's tone was hopeful.

"Wishful thinking."  Elrond stared into the distance, before finally turning to face one of his most trusted friends.  The moment their eyes met, the two broke out in quiet laughs that were most unbefitting of their status.

When finally they stifled their giggles, Glorfindel nodded in the direction of the stables.  "The twins arrived a few hours ago.  I believe they are helping the servants with the game they captured."

Elrond nodded his thanks, turning back to the balcony.

Glorfindel stepped closer, hesitating for a moment, then placed a hand on Elrond's shoulder.  "Will you be okay, my friend?"

"Aye, I will be fine.  Only a father worrying for his danger-attracting son."  Elrond paused, then corrected, "Sons."

The hand dropped away and Glorfindel bowed ever so slightly.  "I will leave you to your thoughts then."

Near silent footsteps signaled Glorfindel's exit.  Elrond's attention focused on the tree line, just beyond the gate of Rivendell.  He desperately hoped Estel would be home soon, as his heart clenched, telling him to ride out for the two wayward younglings.

As time passed by, the Lord of Rivendell stood upon his balcony, as still as a statue, watching over the land that was his home.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hours may have passed Elrond by, but he took no notice of it.  He still stood staring unblinkingly past the gates, lost in a world of thought.  He might have stayed in that state for the remainder of the day, had the border guards not issued a shout.

Elrond finally moved, focusing his eyes.  Two figures on horseback slowly rode in, stopping steps inside the gate.  The one on the front raised his head, his dark and blood matted hair moving aside so that Elrond could see his face.  The elf lord's eyes met the pain filled ones of his son before the lad finally slumped to the side, falling hard upon the stone, snow covered walkway.

Elrond gasped, flying from his balcony to the door.  He shouted for the servants to get his medical supplies as he ran, stopping for nothing.

A few seconds later he was pushing through the small circle of guards that had formed around the injured pair.  Elladan and Elrohir were there already, the younger twin helping Legolas from the horse while Elladan tended to Estel.

"Valar."  Elladan breathed when he was his father.  "It is bad, ada."

Elrond had already surmised as much, after seeing the amount of blood staining the white snow.  Estel's tunic and leggings were torn and slashed, stained a dark color as more of his blood poured forth.

He fell to his knees in the snow, tearing away what remained of Estel's tunic so he could get to the wounds.

"How is Legolas faring?"  Elrond briefly managed to look up and catch the eye of Elrohir.

"Not good, ada.  The back of his knees have been slashed and he is covered with claw and teeth marks.  He has fallen unconscious."  Elrohir sounded shaken.  'For good reason though.'  Elrond thought, taking in Legolas' state.

His healing persona took over completely as he saw the wounds covering his youngest.

"We must get them to the healing ward, now!"  Elrond said fiercely, picking Estel up gently.

Elrohir nodded, taking Legolas into his arms.  They made their way quietly to the hall of healing with the servants following close behind, laden with tools and herbs Elrond would need.  The guards went back to their posts, two staying to care for Legolas' horse.  The poor beast was in a right state, flanks heaving heavily and covered with blood.

Setting Estel on one of the beds, Elrond swiftly cut away the rest of his clothes.  He gasped when he saw the extent of the damage done to his son.  Estel's leg was mauled with an infection set in already, causing the skin to color and puff; it in itself looked painful enough.  The pale skin on the rest of his body was covered in black and blue bruises; hardly an inch of skin could be found that was not covered in some cut or scrape.

Two large puncture wounds that went completely through Estel's middle were bleeding freely, looking as if they had been sewed then severely ripped open again.  Bite marks covered the young man's arms, as well as a nasty gash across his forehead.  Claw marks covered his chest, stomach, and legs.

He would have to clean all the wounds first.  Elrond frowned; he did not wish to cause his son more pain, but it was too risky giving him herbs that would put his mind into a pain-less trance.  Shaking his head, Elrond tsked to himself, sending the young man a worry filled glance.

After listening and making sure Estel's lungs sounded fine, Elrond reached for a soft cloth bathed in a cleaning fluid and quickly began the long and arduous task of cleaning the wounds.  As he worked on his son's leg, he realized he would have to drain the pus that had formed under the skin.  Using a small knife that had been cleaned with flame, he made a small slit in the skin and pressed the cloth over it.  The yellow fluid seeped out with a rancid smell following it that caused Elrond's nose to wrinkle.  When that was done, he finished cleaning the rest of the wound, and covered it all with a fast acting healing paste.  He wrapped the leg tightly, splinting it so that Estel could not move it and reopen the wound.

Done with that, Elrond moved on to the puncture wounds that had been ripped open.  He used a small metal tool to lift back the skin and check the lungs, making sure no infection had set in there.  When he found the lungs were clear, and that Legolas had obviously sewed one of the lungs up, he cleaned the wounds with a new cloth, then sewed them up again.

The experienced healer methodically cleaned and sewed each deep gash from the claws of the wolves that covered Estel's body, giving extra attention to the bite marks on the young man's arms.  It would not be good if one of the wolves carried a disease lethal to humans.

After wrapping bandages around the gash on Estel's forehead, he finally finished up by cleaning each of the small cuts and gashes, rubbing salve on the bruises.  His eyes roamed over his son, full of sorrow and guilt for having let Estel leave.  Deep down, he blamed himself for every wound that covered Estel's body, but he knew he could not have prevented this.  He could not shelter Estel for the rest of his life.

Shaking his head, Elrond instructed his senior healer to get Estel's fever down, and give the young man herbs for the cold he caught while in the snowstorm. 

The Elf Lord walked over to the bed which held Legolas, locking eyes with his eldest son.

"Where is Glorfindel?"

"He is tending to Legolas' horse, ada.  He will be here soon."  Elladan answered quietly, looking up from cleaning the deep bite marks and gashes on Legolas' arm.

Elrond nodded and began unwrapping the bandages on Legolas knees.  He sucked in his breath when he saw just how bad Legolas had been cut.

"Will ... will they heal, ada?"  Elrohir asked from Legolas' other side.

"I'm not sure."  Truthfully, Elrond thought that there was a small chance they would heal, and an even smaller one that Legolas would walk again.  But he would do his best to repair the damage; although, Legolas was a very strong being, and there was a slim chance he would just give up.

Elladan and Elrohir finished cleaning and bandaging the smaller wounds on Legolas and left their father to his work, moving off to check on Estel.  Elrond spent the better part of three hours cleaning and slowly stitching the back of Legolas' knees up.  He was finishing tying the bandages when Glorfindel walked in, looking very haggard.

"Glorfindel."  Elrond greeted his friend, giving him a weary smile.

"Elrond.  I'm sorry it took me so long, my friend, but I was tending to Giyaneth’s wounds.  I also took several of the guards and found Estel's horse; we buried it so that it would not be the meal of another wolf pack."  Glorfindel looked from Elrond to the two lying on the beds.  "How are they?"

"As well as can be expected.  Legolas ... there is a chance he may never walk again.  As for Estel, his wounds were very deep, most of which were infected.  Fever has also set in, and he has a bad cold; we will have to watch him closely through the night."

Glorfindel nodded sadly, frowning at Elrond.  "You go and rest.  I will watch over them for now, with the twins."

"No, I will be fine, for the time being.  I can't bear to be away from them at the moment anyway."

Giving Elrond a stern look, Glorfindel reluctantly agreed.  'As if I could disagree with him either way.'

"I will take over watching them in the morning then, and no arguments."  Noticing the look on Elrond's face, Glorfindel continued quietly.  "It's not your fault."

A long moment passed, in which Elrond looked from the two on the bed, to Glorfindel.  "I know that.  It's hard not to shoulder the injuries and mishaps of ones that I am responsible for though."

"Aye, that I can understand.  But remember what I said, and this also; you cannot protect him forever.  He will someday have to face his lineage and come to terms with who he is."  Glorfindel adopted a proud look.  "He will become a great leader of men that day."

"Yes.  He has been brought up well.  And now," Elrond touched Glorfindel's shoulder briefly before turning away, "I am going to see about getting rid of his fever."

Bowing and stepping out of the room, Glorfindel was hit with a sudden idea.  He grinned to himself, rushing off to make a few arrangements.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Luck was finally on their side, as all through the night, Estel's fever never rose.  The two were bedridden for the whole week, while their injuries healed and they regained most of their strength.  By the end of the week, Elrond had lost most of his former patience, and was seriously considering putting the two into an herb-induced coma so he could have some peace.

"Ada, I only want to-"

"No."

"But just for a-"

"No!"

"What if I-"

"No.  End of story.  Don't ask me any more questions!"  Elrond glared at Estel, who lay on the bed with a sullen expression.

"You might as well listen to him, Estel.  He's not letting you out of that bed."  Legolas grinned as he hobbled into the room.   His legs were in wooden braces and he used two crutches to get around, but Elrond said that his knees would make a full recovery; it would take a while before he could do any major running though.

Estel pouted fiercely.  "But *he* gets to get up, ada.  Why am I made to lie down all day and do nothing!  It's ... it's boring is what it is!  And highly unfair!"

Elrond stifled a chuckle.  "I'll tell you what.  If, and only if, you allow your brothers to assist you, you may accompany Glorfindel and I to the stables in a few moments."