XVII

"Run!" The shouts echoed through the forest as the trees around them exploded into towering columns of flames.

"This way!" Esendri screamed. He grabbed hold of Legolas and dragged him along, raw instincts telling him where to go.

A frantic flight ensued as they bounded through the flames, trying to outrun the destruction, as the trees around them continued to ignite with frightening force, as if they had been pumped to the brim with the gunpowder that was used to make fireworks for special celebrations. The only difference was that none of the members of the audience took the time to admire the magnificent displays around them.

"Faster!" Esendri shouted, as he turned around and saw that Legolas was clutching his ears with both hands, face a picture of pain as he slowed in his step. His breath was coming hard, and his eyes were darting all over the place, panicked.

"Watch out!" Esendri avoided being crushed under a falling trunk, and looked back to see that it had cut him off from Legolas.

"No! Legolas!"

Gritting his teeth, Esendri leapt across the flaming trunk, missed falling onto it, and ended up crashing into Legolas, and both rolled a distance on the ground before coming to a halt just before another exploding tree.

Hauling Esendri up to his feet, Legolas pointed ahead, and they put on one last burst of speed, charging out into the open, only stopping when they were certain that the small river they had just forded was big enough to prevent the fire from crossing into the plains they stood on.

Collapsing, they took a while to catch their breaths.

"What -- was -- that?" Esendri panted. Seeing how black his and Legolas's faces were, he doubled back to the river and started attempting to wash the soot off his face and hands while Legolas remained staring at the forest.

"The trees; they are screaming!"

Esendri turned to look at Legolas with alarm. He had not felt anything.

"What?" he said, before throwing a wet cloth at Legolas.

Before Legolas could reply, a figure shot from the forest and came towards them, and the pair jumped to aid him.

Their help was pushed aside as Eilwar hauled himself into a more upright position and caught his breath.

"Lord Eilwar, are you hurt?" Legolas was the first to speak.

"Save your concern!"

Esendri and Legolas both took a step back before exchanging glances and deciding to leave him. Instead, they started washing their soot covered hands, all the time watching the burning forest as the spectacle continued.

After a long while, Eilwar got to his feet and walked away without a word.

"Where are we going?" Legolas said.

"To find the others," Eilwar said, surprising them by bothering to answer.

"Ai, we are indeed lucky enough to be left in his clutches!" Esendri muttered after an hour of walking north.

"Do you suppose they survived?"

Esendri turned at the shaky tone in Legolas's voice. Before he could enquire, however, a loud shout was heard, and they turned to see one of Elrond's sons running towards them.

"Roh!" Legolas's face lit up, and Eilwar's scowl deepened as Elrohir embraced first Legolas, then Esendri, before chirpily greeting himself.

"Ai, I feared the worst!" Elrohir said, turning back to the Silvan Elves. "I was cut off from everyone else, and have been trying to find you!"

Legolas grinned. "It is good to see you unhurt, even if you are a little singed around the edges!"

An impatient noise escaped Eilwar's throat and he walked off.

Esendri rolled his eyes, and it took the greatest exercise of restraint for him to not comment.

Night was starting to turn to day when it started to down on them that there was little hope of locating the other group members. The conversation had turned sparse, and worry was starting to nibble its way in.

Eilwar, who had thus far not spoken a word, stopped in his tracks, and threw down his sword on the soft ground. "Rest!" he said, indicating that he would take the first watch.

It was not without any misgivings that the younger Elves obeyed, for although exhausted from the flight, they were anxious to be reunited with their friends. Still, weariness reared its head, and before long, they were dozing in the dim light.

Legolas awoke with a jolt to find warm sunlight streaming down upon him and saw that he was lying in a field of tall grass. Blinking away the disorientation, he turned to see that his friends were still fast asleep, and Eilwar was watching him from a distance.

Sitting up and pushing Elrohir's arm away gently, he got to his feet and approached Eilwar, who did not react as he came closer.

"I shall take up the watch," he said.

Eilwar did not answer, but instead lay down upon the ground and turned away from Legolas, who retreated back to his friends. There, he settled himself into a comfortable position and started cleaning his bow, working his way through the grooves of the decorative carvings with practiced precision and skill. As always, he found the work comforting and his thoughts clearer as they spun through his mind.

He had felt a massive pain shoot through his shoulder in the forest, and he had fought hard not to crumble into a heap as the explosions around them begun. And then, the pain had disappeared as quickly as it had come on, replaced by the screaming of the trees.

And there was the voice. He had heard it again, laughing, the cruel sound lifting up and above the screaming of the trees. The voice which had threatened him, telling him that it would stop at nothing to make his loved ones suffer, for it was able to see right into his soul and find where best to hit at him.

Wiping the sheen of perspiration that had formed on his brow, he soon found his attention wandering, and he started inspecting his sleeping friends. The innate Elven appreciation of beauty rose in him as he idly studied Elrohir's wider jaw and angular cheeks, and the grey eyes that were always so full of affection and mirth. The twins were strikingly handsome, but both in a different way: Elladan was more reserved and even stately at times, a thoughtful air always about him, whereas Elrohir was passionate, eyes often sparkling as he spoke. Both had their fair share of admirers, and while Elladan remained very much only interested in his scrolls, Elrohir had sometimes responded, although he had never indicated any special preference -- until now.

Legolas could not understand why Elrohir thought the object of his affections did not return the feeling. The elleth was a very lucky one indeed, for Legolas had no doubt that Elrohir loved her with a fiery intensity that could not be matched in Arda. Whoever it was, Legolas knew that many a maiden's hopes would be dashed if Elrohir had lost his heart to another --

"Did your father not tell you it was rude to stare?" a lazy voice said, and Legolas jumped to see that Elrohir had awoken and was watching him, eyes twinkling with mirth.

"I --" he stammered, embarrassed.

Elrohir let out a clicking noise before yawning and stretching.

"What were you looking at?".

"Err, you," Legolas said.

"And what was it about me that deserves your unwavering and thoughtful attention?"

"I was thinking that your flawless face could undoubtedly be further enhanced by a few strokes of a brush. The choice was between a custard-covered nose or blue cheeks!"

Elrohir's eyes widened with delight, the thought of mischief enough to make him chuckle, and he was glad that Legolas did not seem to have lost his propensity for it. He could not help running the back of his hand across his face just in case Legolas was speaking the truth. He scowled as Legolas let out a peal of laughter.

"I am most disappointed not to have found any custard, for it has been a while since I last tasted it."

"Esendri makes a good paste, although given our circumstances, it would be difficult to obtain some."

"I am doubtful if you are comparing his cooking to your attempts to conjure up sustenance! Do not think I have so easily forgotten your woeful attempts at poisoning me with what you called food!"

Legolas sniffed. "Doubt if you will! I consider it your loss! It would be rather criminal to waste it slathering it on your face! I would have given you a green countenance, but decided it was hardly worth the effort when all I had to do was give you a tankard of ale!" Legolas said, referring to Elrohir's inferior ability to hold his drink. He laughed out loud as he remembered Elrohir's consternation upon discovering that Legolas, true to his Silvan upbringing, had been able to drink both the twins under the table when he was not even past his majority.

In spite of the insult, Elrohir grinned. He pretended to look away, before suddenly attacking him. Legolas responded by feigning a lunge to the right, and Elrohir followed to block it, but instead found himself pinned to the ground, hands held behind his back.

"It seems as if brute strength alone might not be enough," Legolas teased, for the twins often liked to remind him that while he could hold his liquor far better than them, he was still no match for them in terms of physical prowess, although the boast was getting more tenuous in recent years.

Legolas was savouring his victory when Elrohir pushed upwards, and flung him a distance away, where he landed with a loud thump. His body twitched once before it slumped to the ground, motionless.

Elrohir let out a triumphant laugh, but his glee turned into anxiety as Legolas lay there, unmoving.

"Legolas?" Elrohir said, fearing that he might have exerted too much force on Legolas. He ran up to Legolas and crouched down beside him.

Just as he was about to shake him, a blur of motion ensued, and Legolas swept a leg under Elrohir, unbalancing him, bringing him crashing to the ground. Taking the chance, Legolas clambered on top of Elrohir, straddling his hips, pinning his arms to the ground with his knees.

It took Elrohir a while to realise what had happened as he lay prone on the ground. He let out a long groan as he saw that he had just fallen for the oldest trick in the books.

"A warrior cannot afford to be weak, Roh!" said Legolas as a string of rather un-lordly curses escaped Elrohir's pursed lips.

"You might have little shame, Your Royal Highness, but do take your whoring ways elsewhere, and leave Elrohir alone! After all, he is descended from the noble Elda, while you are just a woodland Elf!" Eilwar said, suddenly appearing to their side.

Elrohir was so stunned that it took a while for the words to sink in. He was about to retaliate when he realised that Legolas had stormed up to the Elflord.

Elrohir let out a gasp as Legolas struck Eilwar hard across his face.

"Do not think you can get back at my grandfather and father by treating me thusly! Neither will I have you sully Elrohir's good name by carelessly tossed insults meant to hurt me! It was a war, and people die in wars! Sacrifices are made so that Arda is preserved for those whom we love! My mother loved my father with all her heart, and would never have found a place for an ignorant, angry fool such as yourself!" Legolas cried, before he bounded off.

Elrohir's jaw dropped, and he turned to see that Esendri had been woken up by the commotion, and was staring after Legolas's retreating back with a mixture of shock and awe. He motioned for Elrohir to go after Legolas when he felt Elrohir's gaze, deciding to stay behind to prevent the next round of kin-slaying.

Elrohir did not need to be told twice, and he took off after Legolas.

"Legolas!"

Legolas slowed down after a while, and stopped, allowing Elrohir to catch up.

Legolas's face was wet with tears, although he wiped them away furiously. Knowing that they were tears of anger, Elrohir thought it best to ignore them, and so put an arm around Legolas.

"Come, Legolas, let us sit down," he said.

"Why does he hate me so much?" Legolas said after he had taken time to still his breathing. "I thought he might let go --"

"He has had a thousand years to stew over it, Lass, and it will not go away in a day."

"I know, Roh. I just never knew what love was capable of inciting! I always saw it as a good thing, a beautiful thing, but now I wonder at how much it makes us feel guilt and confusion too!" Legolas cried, his blue eyes blazing with the effort to not break down in front of Elrohir.

Elrohir found himself at a loss for words, knowing exactly of what Legolas spoke.

"Is it better to not love then?" Legolas said.

"No!" Elrohir shouted. "To lock up one's heart means you miss so much --"

Legolas sighed, and reached out to hug Elrohir.

"I do not wish to be the cause of a smear on your name, Elrohir."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I am sorry, I did not consider the consequences of my actions that it might be misconstrued by others."

Elrohir gaped openly. So this was the real reason behind Legolas's anger.

"Lass, there was nothing wrong with what you did --"

Forcing the thought out of his mind, Legolas turned instead to something else. "I wonder if Eilwar has not skinned Esendri alive by now!"

In spite of Legolas's emotional turmoil, Elrohir had to hold back a laugh as he recalled the look on Eilwar's face after Legolas had struck him.

He let out a sigh. "Lass, you are a sight to behold when angry! 'Twas the first time I saw you in this light!"

"Nothing like how you look, I fear!" Legolas said. "Look, Esendri comes!"

Esendri approached the pair with caution, but lightened up when he saw they were not shouting.

"Eilwar has told me that we are to set off instantly!"

"To whom does he think he gives orders to?" Legolas said, only to have Elrohir place a warning hand on his shoulder. "I am sorry. I should not have lost my temper!"

"I agree, Legolas!" Esendri said. "But enough about that incident best forgotten. He seems decided we continue north without the rest."

"What?" Elrohir choked. "What about Dan? Glorfindel? They might be injured!"

"He was adamant that we carry on, although he clearly hated the idea."

"Personally I can think of no worse torment," Legolas said.

"See it this way, Lass: should the worst have happened, it is up to us to ensured the gem is destroyed, and --"

Legolas felt Elrohir stiffen up, and shot a warning look at Esendri, who fell silent.

"Roh, I am sure Dan --" Legolas said.

"I would have felt it otherwise," Elrohir said, although there was no mistaking the quaver in his voice.

Legolas cursed Esendri's insensitivity and knelt beside Elrohir.

"Roh?" he said, recognising the faraway look in Elrohir's eyes as he reached out for his twin in the way that they had done as children.

"I cannot feel him," Elrohir whispered, raising his eyes and looking into the blue ones. For a moment, there was a flash of insecurity and fear that Legolas seldom saw in them.

Legolas swallowed hard, not sure of how to console Elrohir, for his precious Elf-warrior was the one whom he could turn to whenever he was in need, a strong pillar to lean against during trying times. That Elrohir was so vulnerable and fearful only seemed to unsettle Legolas further.

Esendri took a respectful step back as Legolas pulled Elrohir closer.

"Do not fear, Roh. Be strong, for Dan, for me. I will see to it that this evil is laid to rest, and that we triumph over it."

To one side, Esendri smiled at how a few simple words uttered with conviction had managed to allay fears and how Elrohir's worries seemed to melt away. Legolas was gentle and affectionate, using his elemental affinity to heal with just his touch, something he was unaware of but did frequently with those that he loved and cared for. To the jaundiced eyes of those who wished him ill, the frequent gesture of intimacy that Legolas shared with his nearest and dearest might have been inappropriate, but Esendri never had any doubts as to the innocent nature of these overtures. That Legolas continued with them even though he knew at times that others disapproved was, to Esendri, testament to the purity of his actions.

"Do we have to do this?" Elrohir said as they made their way back.

"Stop whingeing! You sound like an Elfling being ordered to make his bed!" Legolas said, only to receive a playful slap on the arm.

Eilwar turned and affixed the trio with a look that harboured no lost love for them. Immediately, Elrohir stiffened before returning the gaze with an icy one of his own.

Legolas noted his changed demeanour and turned to enquire about it but stopped short at seeing the look on Elrohir's face. He was throwing down the gauntlet at Eilwar's feet, warning him that he would not get away if he harmed Legolas -- again.

Legolas felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine, and exchanged glances with Esendri, who had noticed it too. There was something about the look in those eyes, the promise in them to not spare Eilwar, that made Legolas feel distinctly strange. While he always knew Elrohir to be passionate, this had an intensity which he never knew existed. He tried to lay his finger on the crux of the matter, but could only hiss in frustration as he missed, instead skirting infuriatingly around the edges.

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Elleth - (female) Elf