Storm Warning

The storm is almost over,
The winds are blowing their hardest,
But soon they will be gone.
Blowing themselves out,
To be nevermore,
Till they return anew,
A later day,
A later time,
A different intensity.

(*)

Elrond lay on the floor, his bandages were torn and ragged. Blood dripped from his back, the skin having been sliced by a board with iron nails. Vic stood above him breathing hard, he raised the board again slamming it down on Elrond back harder then he had before. It was his last burst of strength. The bord nails embedded in Elrond's bones refusing to come out. Growling Vic left it alone, all he wanted to do right now is sit down.

"Father! Please stop!" Estel screamed from cowering in the corner.

'Estel, son, stay back please.' Elrond ordered on the brink of unconsciousness. 'Don't anger them, I don't want you hurt... I will be fine.'

Vic placed a foot on Elrond's rear, grabbing the board. With a mighty heave he yanked out the board tossing it towards the fire. Disgusted with the blood on his boot Vic tried to wipe it on the ground. He stared at Estel hidden in a dark corner. He couldn't see the boys figure, but he heard the whimpers he made.

'I need a drink.'

Vic walked to the cellar doors, stepping over Figwitt who just begun to stir. He would have to secure the doors tightly on the way out.

Elrond groaned despite himself, more out of relief then pain. Soft little patter of feet hurried towards him. Estel finally moved from were he was hiding in the corner. Reaching out his hand weakly, Elrond took Estel's offer on getting help to sit up. That was the wrong thing to do, because Elrond quickly passed out cold.

"Father!" Estel screamed. "Father please wake up! Don't leave me!"

Estel shook Elrond trying to get him to wake up. The elf's body just lay limp under the child's attempt. Tears streamed from his eyes like the water falls around Rivendell. Unable to get a response Estel hugged Elrond. Not caring that his own clothes soon soaked with the blood.

"What is happening? Estel is that you?" Figwitt asked, his head hurting.

Estel lifted his head a little. "Figgy?"

"Estel it is you!" Figwitt gasped. "What is wrong young one?"

"Father, he is hurt bad." Estel cried.

"Let me see."

(*B 1 1/2 D L*)

Figwitt opened his eyes, something didn't smell right, or feel right. Gently he touched Elrond, who he hoped was still conscious. Elrond groaned in his sleep, then opened his eyes. He two felt like something was wrong, but he nose picked it up faster what was wrong. Smoke drifted into the room, filling it up slowly.

"Smoke!" Elrond shouted.

Almost on que fire licked in from the floor boards above. The house was on fire, all three of them were trapped underneath to. Figwitt jumped up off the floor running toward the cellar doors. They didn't budge, something was on top of them holding them down. Desperately Figwitt banged on the cellar doors hoping someone, anyone would here.

A loud pop and flames exploded across the roof. Grabbing Estel, he protectively threw his body over the boy. He would not be hurt if he had any say to it. The young human began to cough as the smoke come in thicker. Even the light from the flames didn't really penetrate the smoke. Their situation was dismal to say the least.

(*GOB*)

The elven war party approached Bree. Few people dared come after them. Their bodies littered the forest floor. Not even the gate keeper of Bree dared deny the war party entrance. As they entered Bree they noticed flames explode from a building at the far end of town. People screamed and hurried for water. A fire in this close quarters meant big trouble.

"Where do we begin?" Elladan asked.

"Where there's fire there's trouble."

(*BH*)

Vic swung open the doors of the cellar pulling out Figwitt. Figwitt coughed and gasped, not fighting as they tied him up. Tossing him carelessly into the wagon. Bono ran into the fire, followed by Vic. Cloth masks covered their faces. They would not let the elf and the boy die so easily.

Elrond looked up to make the shapes out of Bono and Vic. He was torn over weather or not to hand his son over or not. Still they needed to get out of here. He would not allow his son to burn to death. Bono grabbed Elrond, dragging him away from Estel who coughed weakly.

'I got the child.' Vic said.

Reluctantly Elrond let go of Estel, letting himself be dragged free. Surprisingly gentle, Vic picked up Estel, but before they could make it to the door a beam fell before them. Bono looked for his boss with no avail, he could not see them beyond the flames. Shocked Elrond stared at the flames, he barely noticed Bono fall beside him. An arrow piercing the humans back.

"Father!" Elrohir grabbed his father pulling him to safety.

"Estel!" Elrond said frantically. "Estel's still in there!"

A human ran towards them, but it was soon cut down by an arrow in the chest. Cursing Elrohir ran into the cellar again. At first the elf didn't hear again, but soon he herd a faint cry. Closing his eyes he felt the world around him. He grabbed the beam in front of him and pulled up. Ignoring the sizzle of his flesh burning as he lifted up the piece of wood. A small figure slid out from underneath the beam.

'I'm gonna die anyway, might as well do a good deed.' A voice came from the other side.

Before Elrohir could ask half the floor sunk in on top the person. Dropping the piece of wood, Elrohir gently took Estel in his arms the best he could. Hurrying towards the opening of the cellar, were strong arms pulled him out. Elrohir glanced upwards surprised.

"Glorfidel, late as usual." Elrohir joked.

"Better then never." Glorfidel countered helping Elrohir to his feet.

"What about Estel?" Elrond asked getting impatient. "How is Estel?"

Elrohir looked at the form in his arms, despair set in his heart. The little body was not moving. Not even the boy drew a breath, gently Elrohir shook the boy hoping to wake him a little. Glorfidel touched Estel's face lightly, his fingers smudging away the black suit that covered his face. He seemed to reach out his energy, hoping to detour Estel from leaving.

"He's breathing." Elrohir said in relief. "But father we need to get him back to Rivendell fast."

(*)

AN: finial chapter tomorrow, or maybe tonight.