The Healing of Elves and Trees

Title: The Healing of Elves and Trees
Author: Eliza 422 (eliza_422@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Elrohir/Haldir (eventually), Elladan/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Summary: AU Story. Elrohir and Celebrian are captured by orcs. They survive the attack but Elrohir is changed. Will he ever recover from what he has experienced?
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JRR Tolkien.

Author's note: It's funny how long this is taking to write. I have a full outline of the entire story and I'm still only on point 2! I guess I'm getting a little carried away. I hope you enjoy this next installment.
Also wanted to define the term "Master of the Mews". The Mews is a middle ages term for where the king's falcons were housed, and the Master of the Mews was their keeper. I wanted to find a way for the elven kingdoms to communicate quickly without resorting to some kind of magic. Falcons weren't used this way in the Middle Ages, but this is Middle Earth, isn't it? And since these birds are under elven influence they can, of course, fly further and faster than a normal falcon!


The rescue party had been traveling at full speed for three days. Glorfindel finally stopped the group for a much needed rest. They would be arriving at the foot of the mountains in the morning and would need their full strength to fight.

Elrond was sitting alone when a commotion made its way over to him. Glorfindel and Erestor were half-dragging a disheveled elf toward him. He recognized him instantly.
"Angon!"
"My lord Elrond! I'm so glad to see you!" Angon fell to his knees in front of Elrond. "I beg your forgiveness, my lord. My men and I couldn't protect them. I failed you!"
"Angon, I'm sure you did your best, and I'm sure my lady will agree with me."
"My lord."
"Yes, Glorfindel."
"Angon brought these with him." Glorfindel held Elrohir's knives and Celebrian's hair. Elrond took the blond bundle and held it up to his cheek. He sat back down and hid his face from the others.
"Please leave me alone."

Several hours later Elrond had regained control over his emotions. He sat with Glorfindel and Legolas, watching Elladan. He had been pacing ever since Glorfindel gave him his brother's fighting knives.
"We can't stop! If we keep stopping they'll be dead before we ever get there!" yelled Elladan. His gestures were becoming increasingly frantic. Legolas had given him a cup of water but he was just sloshing it around.
"Elladan, you must get some rest," Elrond said. He was worried about his son. Elladan had not had any sleep since they left Imladris and it was wearing him down.
Legolas sat next to Elrond, staring helplessly at his husband. Nothing he said seemed to get through to Elladan. If he kept this up he'd completely fall apart before they ever got near Elrohir.
Elladan turned to stare at the three concerned faces watching him. He flung the cup to the ground and stalked off toward the nearby brook.
Legolas sighed, getting up to follow Elladan. "I'll calm him down," he said to Elrond.
"All you can do is try, son. The closer we get to Elrohir the more strongly he feels their bond. He's not likely to respond," Elrond said.
"I know, but I can't sit around and do nothing." Legolas turned toward the brook.

Elrond watched his son-in-law disappear into the woods. He turned to Glorfindel. "What word from the Master of the Mews?" Elrond said.
"Two of the three falcons sent when we left Imladris have returned to the Master. I have the notes here. Thranduil has agreed to send a troop of soldiers to his side of the mountains to prevent any orc legions from supplementing the Misty Mountain forces, and to slaughter any who try to escape. Unfortunately, Lorien can do nothing at the moment - they have been suffering from some orc invasions on their western borders and can send no troops."
"And the dwarves?"
"No word yet, but it always takes more time for our falcon to make his way into the Mews of Dwarrowdelf. It seems even elven birds don't like the dark caves of the dwarves! But do not worry - I feel certain that we shall hear from them before we engage the orcs tomorrow, and they will help us."
"I hope so - they are key to our plan," Elrond said. "I'm glad Thranduil will be able to help - it is comforting to know we'll have them corked up like a bottle."
"My lord, if you don't mind my asking, have you felt anything recently from your wife?" Glorfindel hesitated, but decided to put his arm around Elrond's shoulders. He was not a physically demonstrative elf, but he felt that Elrond could use some comforting.
"All I've gotten for the past couple of days is the same - fear and grief, but not anything stronger. I fear for what that means."
"Elrohir."
"Yes - I can only assume he is bearing the brunt of the orcs' hate. Elladan's condition only confirms that. I...I fear for what we may find." Elrond covered his face with his hands, not trusting his ability to remain calm.
"At least he is still alive. Both you and Elladan would feel something stronger if Elrohir was in Mandos' Hall."
"Feel something stronger? Of course we would - Elladan would be dead!" Elrond said, throwing off Glorfindel's arm. "Their bond is too strong - he would never survive Elrohir's death. He knows it, I know it, Elrohir and Celebrian know it. That is why I know we have to succeed in getting them out - Elrohir will not voluntarily release his spirit because he knows Elladan would follow. He will let himself be tortured and..." Elrond stopped, too distraught to go on.
"My lord?"
Elrond turned to face Glorfindel. "It would be the end of my entire family, Glorfindel. I can't let that happen!"
"We'll get them out alive, my lord, I promise - even if I have to wring every single orc neck myself!"

Legolas approached Elladan carefully. He didn't want to risk startling the edgy elf.
"Elladan, it's me," he said softly, trying not to alarm Elladan.
Elladan sat by the brook, staring at the rippling water. He was uncharacteristically still. Legolas sat down next to him. He put his hand on Elladan's neck, trying to gently rub some of the tension out.
"My love, I'm not going to tell you to relax, because I know you can't while your brother is in danger."
"That would be a smart move."
"But will you at least eat something? I brought some lembas." Legolas broke off a piece of the way bread and held it out to Elladan.
"I'm not hungry."
"Please, El? You'll need all your strength tomorrow to fight - the lembas will strengthen you." He moved his hand closer.
Elladan stared at Legolas for a moment, then took the lembas and shoved the whole piece in his mouth.
"There, are you happy?" he said, spitting lembas crumbs down his tunic. He grabbed the rest of the food from Legolas' hand and crammed it into his mouth, choking as he struggled to chew and swallow. "Now I'll be as strong as ten elves."
"El, you already are," Legolas said, moving his hand from Elladan's neck into his hair, running his fingers through the dark strands. He leaned his head on his husband's shoulder, trying to give him what little comfort he could.
Elladan continued to stare at the water. He absentmindedly reached to pull a lock of Legolas' hair into his hands, twisting it around his fingers. He could feel Elrohir's fear. There hadn't been much pain yet, but that fear was gnawing at him, mocking him and his weakness. He never should have let them go to Lorien without him. He never should have become so complacent about the orc menace. He never should have let himself be distracted by love when he had such important duties.
No, that's not right. He would not regret Legolas. He looked at the blond hair in his hand, knowing it belonged to the one he loved most in the world. If Elrohir died, his bond with Elladan would pull stro on on his own soul to follow. Where would that leave Legolas?
Elladan turned to Legolas and pulled him close, crushing his mouth in a bruising kiss. He pulled back a little and leaned his forehead on his husband's.
"Legolas, I can't lose you. I can't, I can't, I can't!"
"You won't lose me, dearest. I'll be right here beside you, always."
Legolas moved his arms around Elladan's neck and planted soft kisses all over his face. He continued to murmur soft words, trying to calm the distraught elf. He pulled them down onto the grass.

The couple lay on the grass for a while until it started getting dark. Legolas lifted his head from Elladan's chest and looked at his face. His husband had fallen into a light slumber, his first since they left Imladris. He was loathe to wake him, but they needed to return to camp.
He nudged Elladan's lderlder; the elf stirred.
"Where are we?" He looked around, confused.
"We are by the stream that runs by our camp. Night has fallen, and we need to return. Glorfindel and your father will be worried about us." Legolas stood and stretched his back.
"I was having such a nice dream - it was about that time you and Ro and I found that waterfall west of Lorien, and we swam under the falls, finding that hidden cave." Elladan smiled at the memory. "We were so happy."
Legolas squatted down. "We will be happy again, the three of us."
Elladan didn't reply. He got up and headed back to camp.

"Finally!" Elrond said, exasperated at his son. Elladan and Legolas had been gone for several hours. Even though he had known where they were, he was worried that something could happen. They were too near the orcs' territory to take any chances.
"We were sleeping by the brook, that's all," Legolas said. Elladan was not as wound up as he had been earlier in the afternoon, but too many harsh words from Elrond would set him off again. "And we were eating."
"I'm sorry, son. I'm glad you two got some rest. We haven't yet heard from the dwarves and...Elladan, what's wrong?" Elrond approached his son.
Elladan had been standing next to Legolas, ignoring what his father said. Elrond could always find something wrong with what he was doing, so he had learned to tune him out. He was reaching out through his bond to Elrohir, trying to determine his condition, when his brother's cry brought him to his knees.
"Elrohir!" He yelled. He could feel his brother calling to him, pain and fear overwhelming his senses. What were those beasts doing to him?
"Elladan! Elladan! What's happening?" Legolas was shaking Elladan's shoulders, trying to get a response out of him. Elladan's face was drained of color, his eyes glassy and unseeing.
"My lord Elrond! Help him, please!" said Legolas, begging Elrond to help.
Elrond sat on the ground in front of Elladan. He had felt Celebrian call out at the same time. He put his hands on Elladan's face and closed his eyes. He struggled to establish a link between himself and Elladan, hoping to get through to his younger son.
Legolas watched helplessly. There was nothing he could do. He kept his arm around Elladan's shoulder, ready to catch him if need be. He saw Glorfindel coming toward them.
My lord Glorfindel! We might need a healer - Elrond and Elladan are hurting - they feel the others!"
"I'll go get someone immediately," Glorfindel replied, running toward the healers' carts.

*Elladan, my son, can you hear me?*
*Yes, father, what are you doing?*
*I've established a link between us, the better to assess the situation with your mother and brother. Just let go while I follow it to Elrohir.*
*Yes, father. Please hurry, he's in such pain, I can't bear it.*
*Be strong, son. You must be strong for him.*
*I'll try father. Hurry!*

It was slow, but Elrond managed to travel back through the twins' link to get to his youngest son. He could feel the pain and terror flowing in waves from Elrohir; he could also feel the grief and misery coming from his wife. Elladan struggled to stay calm beside him, unused to feeling the bond between his parents.
Elrond wavered when he got a clearer picture of what was happening to Elrohir - it was what he feared most.
*Oh baby, what those monsters are doing to you,* thought Elrond. *I will kill the one that did this to you.*
*No, father, I will,* Elladan said.
*Elladan, hush.*
Elrond was attempting to make actual contact with Elrohir when he was flung back into his body by an agonizing explosion of pain.

Legolas watched the two elves in front of him. He sat next to Anorion, Elrond's most experienced healer. There was nothing either of them could do while Elrond was working with Elladan.
"Do you think they can actually reach Elrohir, Anorion?"
"I don't know. Not many elves can consciously control a mental bond - Elrond is one of them, of course. We'll have to wait and see."
Typical healer, thought Legolas. They can never commit to anything.

A scream tore out of Elladan's throat, and he fell back writhing onto the ground. Elrond also collapsed, although he did not make a sound.
"Anorion! What's happening?" Legolas cried. He had his arms over Elladan's chest trying to calm him down.
"I don't know, I've never seen anything like it."
"No!" screamed Elladan, and he slammed his fist into Legolas' face, throwing him backwards. Blood pored out of the blond elf's nose as he lay on the ground.
"Legolas!" Anorion dropped down next to hiushiushing his head down to the ground. "Hold still, let me take care of this for you."
"Let me up," Legolas said, struggling to free himself.
Anorion put his free hand on Legolas' face, moving it over the broken nose. He stilled and let the healing energy flow. Legolas calmed down when he felt the warmth on his face. It only took a few moments to finish the treatment, and he let go.
"That should do it, young one. I have healed the break, but you'll have a bit of bruising still."
"How...how could Elladan do that? He hit me!" Legolas said in disbelief.
"He was not himself, Legolas. He did not know it was you."
Legolas began to cry. He hated being so weak, but it was just too much on top of everything else.
Glorfindel came and sat down next to the young elf, pulling him into his arms.
"This has been very hard on you, hasn't it? Newly married and now all of this."
"That's an understatement." Legolas continued to cry. "What's wrong now, do you think?" He looked at the pair of elves lying on the ground. Elladan had stopped moving, but his eyes had rolled back into his head and he was breathing very rapidly. Elrond had managed to move closer to his son and had reached out to touch his forehead.
"I don't know. We'll find out when they return." Glorfindel comforted Legolas until his crying slowed.

Elrond felt the pain in both his sons through the mental link. It threatened to overwhelm him and pull him into a dark abyss from which it would be difficult to return. Mercifully Elrohir had fallen unconscious after whatever it was the orcs did to him, and that lessened the hold he had on Elladan.
*Elladan, can you hear me,* Elrond said.
*Yes, father,* Elladan said in a weak voice. *What did those orcs do to him?*
*I don't know son, but he doesn't feel anything at the moment, we can be thankful for that.*
*He's holding on by the thinnest of threads. I don't know why he won't release his spirit - he thinks he can't. We're still so far away, how can he possibly hold on until we get there?*
*I have an idea, Elladan, but you must release control of your link to me.*
*But father...*
*Please, just this once will you obey me? It's for your brother's very life.*
*But...*
*Elladan, please.*
*Yes, father.*
*Thank you, son.*
Elrond felt Elladan slowly relax his mental grip on Elrohir, allowing him to slip into the bond. He couldn't do much from so far away, but he could provide a small amount of relief. He entered Elrohir's mind and managed to suppress part of the mind that feels pain. He wasn't sure how the orcs had hurt him, but this should provide his son some measure of freedom from the terrible pain he was suffering.

Exhausted, Elrond slipped out of the bond and opened his eyes. He groaned at the fatigue in his limbs and the pounding in his head.
"My lord, drink this," Anorion said, holding a cup of a foul-smelling brew to his lips.
Elrond choked some of it down. "You really brew some foul medicines, Anorion."
"I learned everything from you, my lord," said Anorion smoothly, forcing Elrond to drink the rest of the potion.
"Thank you, that helps." Elrond felt warmth flow down his body and his headache recede. "Help me up."
Glorfindel knelt down next to Elrond and helped pull him to a sitting position. "Elrond, I hate to bother you, but we have heard from the dwarves."
"And?"
"They've agreed to help, but they won't be able to arrive until midmorning."
"I guess we'll just have to keep those orcs occupied until then, eh, Glorfindel?" Elrond saw Legolas leaning over Elladan, trying to rouse him.
"Legolas, leave off. He will awaken in a little while. While I was in there I put him to sleep. Best thing for him - and us."
Legolas sat back, not willing to leave Elladan's side. He looked at Elrond, who looked extremely fatigued.
"Did you find Elrohir and Celebrian?" Legolas asked.
Elrond hesitated a moment. "Yes, I did. They are still alive, but I fear for them lasting another day in there."
"Well, we are going in first thing tomorrow morning, right?" Legolaid.aid.
"Yes."
"Good. I'm ready to kill some orcs!" Legolas took off his cloak and made a pillow out of it. He lay down next to Elladan, waiting for him to wake up.

The warmth of the sun roused Elladan from his sleep. It had been a deep sleep, untroubled by dreams. His father's doing, he was sure. He didn't like Elrond tinkering in his brain, but maybe he could forgive him this once.
Elladan turned to his side, feeling Legolas lying there. He was still asleep, his blond hair covering his face. Elladan pushed the hair back and was shocked to see his husband's face.
"Legolas!" Elladan cried.
Legolas jerked upright out of his slumber, looking around with confused eyes. "What? What?"
"Your face! What happened to it?" Elladan slipped his hands to either side of Legolas' face, turning it into the sun. He had two black eyes, and his nose and cheeks were purple with bruises.
"Don't worry, Anorion fixed my nose. He said I'd have some bruising."
"Some bruising? You look like you ran into a stone wall!"
"What?" Legolas dug into his cloak for the small looking glass he always carried. He gasped at his reflection. "Anorion said there would only be a little bruising!"
"What happened? Did you get into some kind of fight last night?" Elladan lightly stroked his husband's cheeks.
Legolas didn't answer immediately. He quickly arose and started gathering their belongings. "We should really get our things together - Glorfindel plans to attack soon. The dwarves won't get here for another few hours and..."
"Legolas, be quiet. Tell me what happened to you."
Legolas didn't look Elladan in the eye. "Nothing happened, I just fell and hit my head on a rock - just like you said."
"Elves don't trip and hit their heads on rocks." Elladan stood up and reached for Legolas again. He stopped and stared in surprise when Legolas flinched at his approach. His eyes widened when he realized what that meant.
"Did I do this to you?" whispered Elladan, not wanting to know the answer.
Legolas' eyes filled with tears. He looked over Elladan's shoulder, not able to look him in the face. He nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Oh, no my love," Elladan said, covering his mouth with his hand.
Legolas moved closer to Elladan and put his arms around his neck. "It's not a problem, El. You were deep in the bond with Elrohir, you didn't know what you were doing."
"How can you possibly forgive me? All I've done is rant and rave like a lunatic these past few days. You never left my side. I don't deserve you."
"We finally agree on something." Legolas kissed Elladan's cheek. "Look, El, it wasn't you who did this - I mean, it was you, but you were out of your head. Do you think I would still be here if I ever thought you would deliberately hurt me? Believe me, you would be instantly skewered on the arrows of my father and brothers if you ever really struck me in anger. Let's put this behind us and focus on the task at hand. OK?"
Elladan remained silent, looking at his husband's face.
"Well?" Legolas said.
"I'll make this up to you."
"How, are you going to let me whack your skull with a stick?"
"How could I instantly be skewered by your family's arrows when they are in Greenwood and we're in Imladris?"
"You're impossible!" Legolas said, pushing Elladan away.
"Still love me?"
"Yeah, sure, fine, whatever."
Elladan pulled Legolas close, wrapping his arms around his body. "Thank you."
"Thank you for what?"
"For being more amazing then I ever thought possible."
"That's enough of that kind of talk. We have to get ready." Legolas picked up his cloak and headed toward their horses, Elladan close behind.

"Elrohir! Where did you get that key?" Celebrian stared at the small metal object in amazement.
"The guard who carried me here didn't notice me rifling through his belt pack. Orcs are so stupid." He stopped, unable to continue when pain shot up his left leg.
"Mama, it hurts! My leg hurts!" He cried, grabbing on to her.
"Son, hold on, hold on." Celebrian lay down next to him, stroking his shorn head until the spasm subsided.
Elrohir's face relaxed, although it remained pale.
"Baby, how are we ever going to escape from this prison with you unable to walk?"
Elrohir opened his eyes. "We don't have to actually escape." He closed his eyes again, laying his head down on Celebrian's arm.
"I don't understand."
"We don't have to leave the dungeon - in fact, that won't be possible in my condition. We just have to get away from here and hide until someone finds us."
"But where?"
Elrohir kept his eyes closed, but a small smile appeared on his face. "The cell across the hall. I noticed the door was open."
"Across the hall? You're mad!"
"What better place to hide? The orcs will think we're trying to get to the outside - they would never think we would actually rig right here. Why would a prisoner escape his cell only to go into another one?"
"Son, when did you come up with that? It's brilliant!" Celebrian pushed a few stray pieces of hair off of his forehead.
He opened his eyes again. "While I was lying on the table. I focused all my attention on the best way for us to get out of here alive."
Celebrian leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead. "What should I do?"

Celebrian kept her ear to the window, straining to hear any movement on the other side. "I don't think there are any orcs out there right now. They think we're completely helpless in here. Should I reach the key down?"
"No!" Elrohir said quickly. "First see if you can reach your arm out the window and down. We can't risk you dropping the key."
"I'll try." She reached her arm through the window and strained to feel the lock on the outside of the door. She felt the metal plate, but couldn't reach the keyhole. She pulled her arm back in.
"I can't - this will never work! My arm isn't long enough!" She looked back at her son.
"Come here - help me get up."
"What?"
"Help me crawl over there. If I kneel in front of the door and you stand on my back maybe that will give you enough reach."
Elrohir slowly turned himself over onto his stomach. He almost fainted from the pain, but he held onto consciousness.
Celebrian tore another strip from her dress and poured some water on it. She wiped down Elrohir's forehead.
"Let me know when you're ready to try."
"We might as well try now." Elrohir slowly pushed up onto his hands and knees. He couldn't feel his feet, but he could feel white-hot pain shooting up from his legs. He struggled to hold back tears. "I'm going to crawl to the door now."
He moved his hands forward - so far, so good. He could feel quite a bit of pain in his torso and arms, but compared to the pain in his legs it was nothing. He slowly pulled his left knee a few inches forward. He fell back to the ground, crying out in agony. He lay for a few moments gasping, but pushed himself back up to his hands and knees.
"Mother, this might take a while." he whispered.
"Take as long as you need."
Celebrian watched helplessly as her son made his way across the floor. He could only manage a few inches at a time. He finally got to the cell door and lay down on the stones. He closed his eyes.
"Wow, I never thought I'd make it here."
Celebrian lifted his head to pour him some water. "Let me know when you're ready to try.AfteAfter a few minutes - or a few hours, who could tell in this hell hole - Elrohir recovered enough to get up. He raised himself yet again to his hands and knees.
"I'm ready, Mother. Climb on my back and see if you can touch the lock."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, mother, please hurry."
Celebrian grabbed the window bars with her hands and put her left foot on Elrohir's back. She hesitated - how could she stand on his back? He was hurt so badly, she would just add to the injury. She couldn't do it. She took her foot off.
"I can't do it."
"You must, mother. If the elves storm the orc hall the first thing Burznach is going to do is come down here and kill us. We *have* to leave this room. Get up there!" He yelled, more harshly then he intended.
Celebrian jumped at the hard tone in his voice. She again put her foot onto Elrohir's back and pulled herself up. She gingerly placed her right foot down on his back and reached her arm out the window.
Elrohir moaned when his mother placed her full weight on him. He tried to place as much weight as he could on his arms, but the pain shooting up his legs was excruciating.
"Can you reach it?" He stammered, his voice trembling with effort.
"Damn it, no! I need just a few more inches, that's it." Celebrian jumped down onto the floor. Elrohir collapsed back down onto the ground. "I'm sorry, son. I could feel the very edge of the keyhole with my middle finger, but it won't be enough to get the key in. What are we going to do?"
She watched Elrohir lie shaking on the floor. How come she was depending on this poor wretch to come up with ideas? She hadn't been the one beaten and raped, yet she could hardly think straight.
"Let's try one more time, Mother. If you only need a few more inches, then what I'll do is rise to my knees, and you can stand on my shoulders. That should give you enough height."
"I can't! You can't!"
"We have no choice!"
"But..."
"No buts, mother. It should be enough for you to get the door open. Do you have the key?"
"Yes, here it is."
"Tear another strip off your dress, and tie it around the key, then tie the other end around your waist. We can't risk you dropping the key."
Celebrian prepared the key quickly. Elrohir was not going to be able to give it many more tries, so she had to make this one work.
"Help me up." Elrohir rose to his hands and knees. She took his arm and helped him up so he was kneeling straight up. He leaned against the cell door. His face was w and and sweaty. "You'll have to make this time count, mother, I don't have any more in me right now."
"Yes, son." Celebrian grabbed the window bars and put her foot on his shoulder. She pulled herself up and balanced herself. Elrohir cried out when she put her full weight on him; he continued to moan at the pain.
She reached her hand out of the window. She stretched down, and she sighed in relief when she realized she could reach the key hole. She fumbled around for several minutes before fitting the key in the lock. She gave it a hard turn and heard the lock click.
At the sound of the door unlocking Elrohir sank to the ground; Celebrian hung onto the window bars so she wouldn't fall on top of him. She pulled her arm back through and jumped down. Elrohir was unconscious again. She pulled his away from the door and daubed his face with more water.

Elrohir opened his eyes and looked around. He saw Celebrian leaning against the wall.
"Did you get it?" he croaked.
"Yes, son, we did it," she said. She poured some of the water into his mouth. "When do you think you can move again?"
"Has there been any movement outside?"
"Only once. A few orcs ran by the door sounding very frantic. The corridor is empty at the moment."
"Well, I'm awake, so let's go. Help me up."
"I have a better idea, son."
"What?"
"It took you an age to crawl the few feet to the door earlier. Even if we're just crossing to the other side of the corridor it leaves us exposed for too long. Let me drag you across the hall. You can lie on what's left of my dress and I can drag you across the corridor."
Elrohir perked up. "That's a great idea, Mother. I should have thought of that earlier."
"Let's get you going, then."
Celebrian removed her dress and lay it on the ground next to Elrohir.
"Now we're both naked, Mother. What would Elladan say about this?"
"Probably something very impertinent. Let's roll you over onto the dress." She helped him roll over on his back onto the cloth. She grabbed the end and dragged him around to the door.
"That isn't bad - you can move me quite quickly. First check the corridor again."
Celebrian pulled the cell door open enough to poke her head out. The dimly lit corridor was empty. She looked across and saw the open cell.
"Clear. Here we go." She opened the door fully and grabbed the cloth. She slowly pulled Elrohir out the door and across the hall into the next cell, careful not to jar his legs too much.
"Pull me over to the corner behind the back of the door." She dragged him over and rolled him off her dress and slipped it back on.
"We made it, son!"
"One more thing, quickly. Go close and lock the other door - they'll think we spirited ourselves away by elf magic."
Celebrian checked the corridor again, then closed and locked their original cell door. She rned ned to their new hideout, closing the door halfway. She couldn't completely close it because all the unused cells remained open.
She returned to their dark corner and took a sip from the water skin. It was almost empty, but she knew that they would either be rescued today or not at all.
Elrohir fell asleep again. She lay down next to him and pulled him close. All she could do now is hope and pray to the Valar that Elrond came to their rescue.

"These are the terms King Burznach has set forth for the release of the prisoners. One - you will cease and desist all harassment of orcs. Two - you will cede the lands seven miles around this mountain pass to King Burznach. Three - you will send tribute twice yearly of food, wine, jewels, and elven slaves, amounts and numbers detailed in this document. Four - you will have your kin in Mirkwood and Lorien also comply with the above demands."
Elrond stared in disbelief at the arrogant orc in front of him.

The orc emissary and his comrades had approached the elf camp first thing in the morning carrying the blue and white flag of parley. Elrond, Elladan, Glorfindel, Erestor, Legolas, and 30 soldiers planned to ride to the meeting spot at the foot of the mountains to negotiate the release of Celebrian and Elrohir.
Glorfindel protested vigorously. "You can't be serious about talking to those beasts, Elrond!"
"They bear the flag of parley, I can't ignore thae woe would descend to their level if we do."
"But the ambush patrols - we've already routed out 7 troops of orcs waiting to attack from behind. They're obviously doing this to stall you."
"Of course they are. But they don't know we've already taken care of their secret plans. Maybe they will have reasonable demands, you never know."
Elladan snorted in derision at that comment. "Father, please."
"Elladan, we will give them the benefit of the doubt."
"Fine. Let's get this charade over with."

"Is that it?" Elrond asked calmly.
Tuknor, the orc emissary, was surprised at the elf's response. Burznach had specifically written up this list of demands to goad the elves into attacking immediately. When the elves attacked, the orc troops stationed around the elf camp would charge and they would slaughter these demons once and for all. Burznach then planned to ride to Imladris and burn it to the ground. At least, that was the plan.
"Well, yes, that's it. What say you?"
Elrond just stared at the orc, not saying a word. Tuknor started sweating profusely under the demon's unblinking gaze.
"What say you, elf?"
"I will respond to the King himself, not to some low-level flunky." Elrond sniffed and turned up his nose, looking away into the distance. "I wish to bargain on some of those terms, and I don't believe you have the authority."
Tuknor's mouth fell open in shock and anger. "You fucking dirty..."
"Tuknor! Cease!" Bellowed an orc in the back of the group.
Tuknor spun around, but backed away when he saw Burznach ride through the group on his horse. Burznach was one of the few orcs who was ever able to ride a horse, and he looked quite impressive.
"But boss, the elf..."
"What did you call me?"
"I mean, your majesty, I was negotiating with the elf..."
"No, you weren't. Step aside."
Burznach rode forward until he was within a few feet of the elves. He looked down the line.
"Ah, I believe I am speaking with Elrond and his retinue, am I not?" Burznach said.
"You are."
Burznach walked his horse down the line until he was in front of Elladan. Elladan's face was flushed red with anger, but he held his tongue. He wouldn't ruin his father's plans, much as he wanted to cleave in two every orc beast in front of him.
Burznach stared at Elladan. He knew this was the other prince of Imladris, and by the looks of him he was about to pop. Burznach chuckled and began to stroke the black hair he had around his neck.
Elladan's eyes were drawn to the orc's movement. He gasped when he realized that the orc had Elrohir's hair as a trophy around his neck. He was about to move his horse forward when he felt a hand on his arm. He looked to the right and saw Legolas shaking his head.
"So, elf, you recognize my ornament here?" Burznach said. "It's a little momento from my most recent fuck. Of course, I wasn't the only one the elf whore pleasured - I was simply the first among many. Well, look at this - I think it's dried orc spunk decorating my ornt.\nt."
Elladan's face went white, but before he could attack the orc Legolas and Glorfindel pushed their horses in front of Elladan and crowded him away from the orcs.
Burznach could hear the young elf screaming curses at him. He turned his attention back to Elrond.
"You should learn to control your whelps, elf. Such lack of control has no place in diplomacy."
"I assume I'm speaking to King Burznach," Elrond said, struggling with his own anger. His soul burned to see his son's hair despoiled and hanging around the neck of an orc.
"You may," Burznach said smugly. He couldn't wait to get his claws on this ancient demon.
"Are the items listed by your lackey the full list of demands I must meet to secure the return of my people?"
"Why, yes they are. What say you to them? When can I expect your harassment to cease? Wait! Hold a moment!" Burznach said when he saw one of his lieutenants rush up to him. He rode back to speak with him.
"What is it, Jograx?"
"Boss, those dirty elves have double crossed us! There's a host of them on the west side of the mountains and we can't get by. Worse, the masters can't get through to us! All is lost!" Jograx wailed.
"Shut up, orc! All is not lost! The masters may not be able to get through, but we still have our troops ready to strike!"

Elrond and Erestor exchanged glances. The stupid orc king didn't remember elves could hear very well. Thranduil had kept his promise and blocked the west entrance of the mountains. All they had to do now is keep the orcs busy, rescue their kin and wait for the dwarves to arrive.

"But boss! That's more news! Ashcraw just got back - the ambushes were discovered and wiped out!"
"What!" Burznach turned back to look at the elves. Elrond was smirking at the king and tapped his ear to indicate he had heard everything.
"No, this cannot be!" Burznach said. He yelled to his emissary. "Tuknor, attack!"

Glorfindel sprang into action when he heard the orc king. "Elves, to arms!"
The full strength of the five hundred strong elven army thundered out of the forest across the plain toward the orcs, arrows flying and swords drawn.

Burznach paled at the blinding sight of so many elves. Damn them! Elrond would pay for this treachery. The prisoners would die now, and he would personally see to it. He turned his horse around and galloped to the door of strostronghold. He could hear other horses behind him and he risked a quick peek. He blanched at the sight of the elf whelp and his blond shadow bearing down on him at full speed.