All for the Ones I Love

A/N: Yay I fixed my other web... story... fanfiction page....thing.

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-Duchess- I know but they get what's comming to them. (even if it not physical harm related) They just get lots and lots of guilt (hehe) Sorry it took me so long to update, but I wanted to fix my other pg 1st.

Chapter 12: Here They Come

Aragorn urged his horse faster and faster hoping to escape from Rivendell. To leave behind all he had foolishly believed loved him. He wanted nothing more than to forget all that happened, all that will happen. He didn’t understand why he had been yelled at, threatened and abused why it had suddenly been forbidden to love. Elves normally rejoiced such things; he had thought that his brothers and ada would be happy for him. No! They were no longer his Ada and brothers; they were now Lord Elrond and his sons. His heart was in utter turmoil so much was his mental hurt that it made him feel sick.

He ran long into the night and into the next morning, the only sign of him being there were the small drops of tears on the ground that would soon disappear. He stopped for a few minutes to allow the horse to rest it would do him little good if the horse dropped dead form exhaustion. He didn’t know where he was going or why, he just wanted to go. Obviously Lorien was out of the question he wondered if Arwen knew what happened. Aragorn shook his head of course she does. She was probably the one who told Elrond, he was her father after all. Maybe Elrond was right how could Arwen possibly love him? Had it all been a cruel joke at his expense long ago planned by the Peredhil family?

It must have been for how could an elf love a man?

His mother was right. ‘They always are’ he thought. He wanted to go to his mother, but that seemed a now impossible idea. His mother would probably shun him to. The sun rose to bring a brad new day, but the brightness and happiness he normally found did nothing for him, but cause a pain filled reminder he no longer had a home and even worse no one to love or love him in return.

The horse finished his morning grazing, but did not feel like eating much, he was worried for his master and friend. Something had happened in the elven home, he could feel it. His master was distraught and unfeeling as he was lost to troubled matters of the heart, of which the horse understood none of. Only that his master was hurting and in need of someone to comfort him. It was then he remembered another, the elf his human always rode along side with. He could help; he had in the past why should now be any different. That’s what he would do since his master was really letting him choose where to go, he might as well take him to someone who could help.

Walking up behind his friend the horse gently nudged the back of his head. Looking up startled, Aragorn smiled, but it was not a true smile, and he rubbed the soft rubbery nose.

“I am sorry my friend. I was distracted.”

‘I know.’ thought the horse, nudging him further and showing he was anxious to keep moving. ‘I have a plan, but we need to leave now. Let’s find the elf and the white mare he always rides.’

“Alright we shall leave now. What has made you anxious my friend?” asked Aragorn standing and mounting his horse. They were once again on the rode to wherever the horse took him Aragorn mind and heart no less lighter than earlier then when he had left Rivendell.

~Rivendell~

Elrond walked down one of the many hallways in search of his twin sons. He needed to speak to them, if what Gilraen had said was true. Passing the library he heard his sons talking, about what he couldn’t say. But Elladan was obviously angry about something; Elrohir seemed impassive on what was spoken. Not wasting any time Elrond opened the door. Both occupants stopped talking.

“I will not waist time on asking riddles, so I shall get strait to the point.” Elrond closed the door behind him. “What did you say to Aragorn?”

Elladan eyes flashed with barely controlled anger, but did not speak.

Elrohir would not meet his father’s eyes. Seeing that he would have to pry the answers from his stubborn sons he went strait for the weaker of the two. He hated to think any of children as weak, and not that they really were it’s just that all children had a natural fear of displeasing their family in any way. The twins were no exception, Elrohir was always the weaker of the two, more willing to confess a lot sooner than his other half, and that was where Elrond would strike.

“Elrohir.” the elf in question looked up at his father as his heart leaped in surprise. “What do you know of the rumors that have been traveling about Aragorn’s departure as off late? Keep in mind my son that there will be great consequences should I find you lied covering up you or your brother‘s actions.” Elrond sent a piercing glare into the younger twins’ eyes.

Before he could answer Elladan cut in, “Ada leave him be. He has done nothing it is not our fault the human left.” Elladan gave his father a challenging look.

“I have heard different. “ Said Elrond not fazed in the least by his sons look. “Now be silent. I was talking to your brother not you.” He looked back at Elrohir, who refused to let their eyes meet.

Sighing at having to work to get the answers he wanted and that would take time, which was something he didn‘t have much of right now. “Very well if this is how you will act. Then I shall leave you. “He turned to walk out of the room.

The twins looked to each other in confusion. They had expected their father to put up much more of a fight.

Elrohir was the first to speak, “Ada, where are you going.”

“To fight off the orcs that will be invading soon. Or have you forgotten that to?” ha said with barely controlled frustration.

Elladan looked in shock at his father, he hadn’t fought in centuries. The older twin couldn’t help but wonder if his father even still knew how to fight.

“Orcs?!” said both twins at the same time.

Elrond sighed the weight of all his recent decisions finally coming back to haunt him that he greatly regretted ever doing. He couldn’t help but wish turn back time and start this all over. Apparently, as he recently found out, that though he had shunned his adopted son and forbidden him to ever so much as come near his daughter or the elven settlement he still loved the man as if he were a son. The idea that the mortal was heading straight into warg ridding orcs with only his horse tore at the elf lord’s heart with more savagery and ferocity than any evil and vile being he had ever encountered.

Elrond spoke a hint of fear and worry evident in his voice, “Aye, the orc riders you were tracking not long ago have appeared near our borders. And somewhere along the line they met up with another troop of orcs thus increasing their already large numbers. Your brother,” how had that come out he thought, “is heading straight for them. I don’t know if he plans on facing them alone or if it’s by chance that he will meet with them.” Elrond watched the twin faces soften a little at the though, it seemed that they too had been regretting their earlier words and actions.

Elladan was the one to speak, “But ada, I was cruel to him. I cannot go to him, he will not want me near him and neither will Legolas once he finds out.”

Elrond sighed he had thought as much, “Then I shall be off to fight and aid those in the field. Glorfindel is already assembling the troops we leave within the hour. You may join me if you wish I will not force you. I do however want you to think on your recent actions, for if there is any of me in your blood,” Elrond looked fondly at his boys cupping each ones cheek in one hand, “Then you will follow your heart and instinct and I shall meet you on the field.” with that the elf lord left hoping he at last caused the young ones to think on their actions and words.

Elrond left the library heading to his own chambers to prepare. He dressed in his dark green snug-fit tunic, dark green leggings with brown boots. As he pulled his hair back and stared into the vanity mirror he was reminded of the last alliance. Shaking his head he brought his thoughts back to the tasks at hand. Now was not the time of remembrances he still needed to go down to the armory and gather his armor and then gather Hadhafang from its place over the mantel in his study. When he passed the room that had once belonged to Estel he stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the closed door.

Elrond reached uncertainly for the knob. Why couldn’t he open it? It was only a door. But it wasn’t the door it was the room it opened up to. The room that held so many memories, so many things to remind him of why he had taken in the human and allowed him to call him father. Now that he thought about it Elrond had encouraged it from the beginning. Deciding it was too soon for him to enter he started to walk on but then he heard something coming from beyond the wooden door. A sniffle?

It was then something inside Elrond’s heart swelled with renewed hope. Had Estel returned? Perhaps he never left. Maybe he was home. Elrond couldn’t help but fling open the door. However his hope was quickly dashed with what he saw.

The tear stained face of his oldest stared up at him from his youngest’s bed.

“Elladan?” the elder twin sniffed and looked back at the ground. “What are you doing here?”

Elladan stood and stared at his father. Elrond stepped forward, but Elladan backed away. He didn’t know why he did what he did next, except he could not face his father right now not after what he had said and done to his brother. Turning to Aragorn’s balcony window he opened the glass doors and ran to the railing jumping into the nearest tree he flung himself from one branch to the next until his feet touched the dirt ground then he dashed across the courtyard and into some of the nearby wood.

Elrond stood in shock, but a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His sons were in fact feeling guilty for their actions. He now had no doubt they would join him in the fight.

Turning to leave he spotted something in the corner. Aragorn’s sword was propped up against the wall. Looking sadly at it he made up his mind. He wrapped the belt around his waist. It was heavier then what he was used to and felt awkward on his hip. But this he would do for his son.

‘It is for you Estel that I now wear your sword. Should I meet you in battle then it shall be returned to its proper owner. However, if we do not meet and you should perish ….’ >That was where he had to stop for the mere thought of the man made him hurt and his heart clench.

Legolas rode through he woods. Listen intently to his surroundings he heard the thundering of the hooves from the other rangers. It was then he heard something. Pulling his horse to slow walk he listened to the trees.

The other rangers followed his example. Knowing the elves had a deep connection with the trees and animals they did not question the elf’s actions. They did however need to know what was going on.

Ridding up beside the elf the leader asked, “What is it? What do the trees say?”

Legolas was confused the trees were speaking all at once of different things, but what got his attention the most was the tale of a missing ranger heading in there direction. He was depressed by something. They were also speaking of the troop of orcs they were chasing were nearby. It was only a matter of time before they met.

“The trees speak of many things. They tell of the orcs that are nearby. But they also speak of a greatly disturbed ranger coming close.”

“Who do you think it is?”

‘I want to say Aragorn, but what would he be upset about that he would leave home?’ Then it him, the reason they were called back. Something had happened at the Homely House! Turning to the rangers he gave his orders, “Wait here I will see who is approaching. Yell if for me if anything happens.”

With that he rode off. He listened to the trees which were giving him directions to the ranger location. They claimed he was in dire need of the elven prince and that without him he would have no hope for survival.

The wood elf rode for what seemed like hours before stopping at a nearby stream. Across the water and a little ways down he saw the light smoke of a small fire coming up from behind the bend in the river. Climbing down from his horse he cautiously rounded the bend. There he was a young human. The elf smiled at the sight of his friend curled up beside the fire.

Tears prickled at Aragorn’s eyes as he laid on his side looking absently into the fire. Why did these sort of things happen to him? What had he done wrong? ‘That’s a stupid question. You know what you did wrong.’ He thought for the hundredth time that day. He had tried to get past this sad thinking and move on in life, but he just couldn’t get past it and there it staid taunting him.

“Aragorn.” said a voice he knew so well. The man rolled over and saw the elf standing over him a concerned look in his eyes. A tear slipped down his face and he quickly wiped it away. But not before Legolas saw.

Legolas was concerned for his friend. What was he doing here near a stream and lying down curled in on himself as if he were in pain? Even better question why was he crying? The Aragorn he knew hardly ever cried unless it was absolutely heartbreaking, something was indeed wrong.

Aragorn would not meet his friend’s eyes out of fear of what he would find.

“Aragorn… Strider please tell me what it is that troubles you?” Legolas placed a hand on his friend’s shoulders, but Aragorn quickly swiped it away.

“Please Legolas leave me.” it was whispered, but the elf heard it clearly.

Legolas was determined not to let his friend despair so he tried again, “Not before you tell me what happened.” then it hit him He grabbed the man’s shoulders looking for the answers. “Did something happen at Imladris? Tell me does the city still stand? What of Elrond? What of the twins?” Aragorn flinched at the mention of the last two and finally the dam on his emotions broke. Tears came in a flood down his face.

Legolas let his friend go and held him close allowing the man’s tears to soak through his tunic. “Shhh.” he soothed rocking side to side and rubbing his friends back comfortingly.

When Aragorn was calmer and more collected he told the elf all that had happened in Rivendell.

After hearing the ranger’s tail Legolas felt a mixture of anger and fury at the age old Peredhel. But seeing the sadness in his friends put those thoughts aside for later. Aragorn looked so sad Legolas couldn’t help but feel sorry if not a little responsible for the young human. What could he say? How does one help a friend in a situation like this? But they still had the orcs to worry about. They could leave Rivendell to fend for herself, but then again there were still those that lived there that had done nothing to Aragorn and it would be wrong to leave them to the orcs. That and his conscious would not allow him to turn his back on the fair elven city. It was of few places the darkness did not fully reach to allow it to fall would be devastating to the whole of Arda.

“We need to leave now.” placing his hand on the rangers shoulder gaining the man’s attention, “I know you do not wish to see your family but if the orcs are not stopped then they will rampage through Rivendell killing everyone in their path.”

Aragorn nodded, he would protect them. Yes, he would still protect his family even if they didn’t want him. “Are the other rangers here?”

“They are. Beyond the bend and past the river only a half a mile back through the woods.”

“Then I shall ride with you.”

Legolas nodded. He would have smiled, but something in his friend’s eyes didn’t seem right to him. They were dulled; the spark of life and the will to live had been replaced by something. It then hit him Aragorn did not expect to come out of this with his life.

The two rode back to meet with the other rangers, who were more than happy to see their leader back among them. They traveled for another day with barely a word passing between them. Legolas was well aware of his friend’s predicament, but was loath to touch on the subject. The others around them did not need to know of the families problems.

~Small Elven Camp~

Elrond and Glorfindel stood watching as the other elves prepared for a fight they would more then likely loose. But they would still fight for there home and the families they had living there.

“Riders approaching hir nin.” said one of the elves as he approached the elven lords.

“Who is it?” asked Glorfindel.

“A group of rangers being led by Prince Legolas and Estel.”

“Thank you send them here when they arrive.” said Glorfindel

Elrond gulped. This was the moment he wished for with all his might, but now that it was here he actually dreaded it. He wasn’t ready to meet with his human son as of yet. His hand absently passed over the ranger sward at his hip. Every nerve in Elrond’s body shook in worry and fear. What would he say? How could he apologize for his foolish actions? Would Aragorn hate him for the rest of the human’s days? He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t see the human again, not yet, and certainly not under these conditions.

Making his decision he removed the sward and turned to his friend who would forever be at his side. “Glorfindel I need you to do something for me.”

They rode in silence most of the way Legolas kept watching his friend from the corner of his eye. The ranger looked absolutely miserable. He sat slumped in his saddle head down and a forlorn look seemed permanently burned into his eyes. His hair was dirty and oily as were his clothes. As he watched his friend Legolas felt his anger increase tenfold and found himself asking questions that he would never voice in the ranger’s presence. Why did Elrond do it? How could have hurt the ranger so? What gave Elladan the right to abuse his brother? That last one made him even angrier.

Legolas ceased his musings when he spotted someone in the distance. Judging from the slight muscular build and long flowing blonde hair the wood elf instantly knew who it was.

Glorfindel watched the men and elf approach. He noted how Aragorn seem upset about something and Legolas was slowly fuming. Something wasn’t right here had the two been in a fight?

Legolas called a halt to the group. Aragorn looked up at the blonde elf. The only person, aside from Legolas, who didn’t unjustly criticize him.

Glorfindel spoke “Legolas why don’t you and the others go ahead to the camp it’s straight down the main path. Everyone awaits your arrival. Estel I need to speak with you in private.”

Legolas watched Glorfindel with a cautious eye he may have admired the Gondolin elf, but he wouldn’t take any chances. In case the blonde being had been one of the ones to say horrible things to Aragorn.

Seeing his friends hesitation Aragorn gave him a sad reassuring smile, “It is alright mellon nin, I will be fine.” Legolas nodded in reluctance and took Aragorns horse’s bridle and rode off, but not before sending a glare in Glorfindel’s direction.

Glorfindel watched them as they passed. He didn’t understand the glare sent in his direction, but then again all sorts off strange things have been happening as of late. Now he was really beginning to feel left out on something.

Aragorn and Glorfindel walked side by side down the main path.

“How do you know they will arrive here?” asked Aragorn

“We sent scouts around the area and found them to be heading in this direction.” said the blonde elf.

“What’s the plan?”

“We meet them at the edge of the wood near the clearing. Elrond wants us spread out a little, but still remain in close quarters. It would be unwise to place the lord plus his sons in the same area” Aragron nodded in understanding.

“The twins are here?” asked Aragorn a little of fear creeping into his voice.

This was not lost on the Gondolin elf, “Estel…”

Aragorn cut him off, “I’m not Estel!” he yelled, but quickly lowered his voice. “I’m Strider now.”

Glorfindel sighed, he had so many questions to ask, but it seemed all his answers would have to wait.

They walked in silence for a while longer before arriving at the field where the others were waiting for them. Stopping just before the camp Glorfindel pulled the man aside. “I doubt you wish fight such foes empty handed. I was told to give you this.” Glorfindel produced Aragorn’s sword from its hiding place behind a nearby tree.

Aragorn was grateful to have the familiar weight of his sword at his side. Placing a hand on the blonde elf’s shoulder he smiled, “Thank you mellon nin.”

~Later~

They laid in wait for the orcs to attack. Everything was silent no one dared to move. Movement across the field caught the sight of the elves. As he heard the sounds of bow strings being pulled back ready to release. Legolas watched and readied his own bow and arrow. Below him he watched Aragorn crouched in the brush reading his sword. The wood elf would watch his friends back when the fight started, he wouldn’t let anything happen to the man. Nothing will dare to harm him while the elf was on watch.

Soon the silence was broken by the sound of orc feet. Elladan wrinkled his nose in concentration. Not far away he saw them. The orcs were coming he calculated their fighting pattern. It looked to him that they were going to use warg riders as their front line, then follow with the ones on foot, ending with the leaders on fairly large wargs to come into the fight. Pulling his bow tight he waited for the signal.

Tension was high in the air Elrohir watched and waited somewhere around the middle of the middle of the hidden troops while his father was held in the back with other important elves. They would wait for the orcs to come close before sending out a surprise attack.

Time slowed as the wait wore on. They were coming closer and closer and closer still, before at last the battle cry went out. Arrows flew in every direction each finding their target. Orcs fell before they knew what hit them.

Soon everyone was involved in the fight. It had happened faster than Aragorn could even realize. All around him men and elves were fighting orcs and wargs. They fought for their lives. They fought for their families. More importantly they fought for their homes. If they weren’t fighting with a bladed weapon they were fighting in the trees with bows and arrows.

Taking a brief moment away from the warg he had been fighting with he looked around at his friends. Legolas had abandoned his bow for his twin knives and was doing a deadly dace of slashing, stabbing, and beheading. It was a deadly art only honed into perfection by constant practice and thousands of years to do said practice. Glorfindel was doing to badly himself having four orcs surround him and trying to distract him by attacking two or three at one time while one of the others came in for the kill. They would not get that kill though, The Gondolin elf was a formidable foe, and he would kill any who came close enough. Soon the elf was done with his slaughter of the four and taking a quick look around to see where he was needed then he ran to another elf’s side to help with the wargs that pursued him. His eyes then traveled to the elf he had at one time called father. He wasn’t doing too badly for himself considering he had not fought in centuries. Aragorn was amazed never had he seen the Noldor elf fight, not even practice, with a bow much less a blade. It was easy to forget that the mighty elf lord that sat behind a desk in robes or a semiformal tunic and leggings.

Aragorn then saw something Elrond did not see. While he was distracted by three orcs fighting him another was sneaking up from behind. The ranger was about to yell, but bit his tongue when he realized to do so would distract the elf lord which was something that would prove fatal. So thinking quickly he did the only thing he could. With complete disregard for his own life he ran to Elrond’s side pushing him away from the deadly blade, but he however was not so lucky.

Elrond felt something slam hard into his side pushing him to the ground away from the foe he did not see, but what he did see made him feel just as much had it been him. His son Estel was standing above him an orc scimitar through his belly. The elf lord was sickened to see the tip of the blade poking through his back. Never in all his days would he forget the look on his sons face.

Aragorn felt the blade enter his body as all time seemed to slow and stop at this one moment in time as if the fates were being cruel to draw this moment out for him, allowing the ranger to take in every detail before the end. He could feel and finally taste the blood rising in his throat. Then, still as slow as before, the orc, without mercy, twisted the blade all the while pushing it deeper into the already horrible wound, before finally ripping it out.

Someone was screaming in pain and anguish. ’Who’s screaming?’ his mind asked. He swirled around looking for the one who had screamed, thinking maybe his brothers or Legolas had been injured. He soon realized it was him. ‘It’s me? Huh I didn’t know I could do that.’ he laughed at the thought in the back of his mind. Soon he saw his Ada’s face. It was a look of shock mixed with terror. All time seemed to move forward again as the ranger fell to his knees allowing his conscious to escape him.

Elrond was still on the ground when his son screamed in agony. An arrow shot by not long after the orc removed his scimitar killing it instantly. Perhaps it was one of the twins or maybe Legolas, perhaps one of he other elves or rangers had killed it. He didn’t know much less care; all he saw was his child fall. He watched the man turned around looking for something, before finally resting on him. The man stopped screaming when he looked at him and fell to his knees then his body followed to the ground.

The battle around them seemed to stop and watch the ranger many had held dear. Elladan was breathing heavily as he watched the man crash to the ground. He had been the one to shoot the orc in that one arrow he placed all his anger all his frustrations into it. He looked over to his twin.

Elrohir could not believe his eyes. What had happened? Cried his mind while his heart knew and cried silent tears for the fallen brother. All blood had drained from his face as he felt his heart stop for a few seconds. Silent fearful tears fell from his eyes as he turned to face his twin. A single thought passing through their mind.

Celebrian. Their mother, who had left for Valinor centuries ago. The orcs had taken her, the most favorite person of the twins in all of Arda and now they would take away their little brother. But unlike Celebrian they would never again see their brother’s smiling face. They couldn’t let him go not before his time, not before they had even apologized for their actions and make it up to him somehow.

Legolas was the first to move then all life resumed. The blonde elf raced to his friend’s side. His arrival brought Elrond from trance and shock.

“No…” clear, salty tears fell from the prince’s eyes as he cradled his friend’s body close to him. Elrond moved closer to see to them he couldn’t believe what his eyes were clearly seeing.

Sensing someone moving closer Legolas growled in warning to who ever was approaching to disturb the two.

Hearing the prince’s primal growls Elrond was unsure if he should proceed or not. Shaking his head he continued to crawl forward.

A/N: Well what did ya think?