Ish Chronicles: Sins of a Race

AN: Okay teaser chapter, I'm innocent. Thanks to Reona for all her work and support. Thanks again to all my readers that regularly get harassed on IM. Yes, at times my IM magically pops up. Well, here's the next chapter hope it is not a disappointment.

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The knife thrust forward towards Estel's blood covered throat. Something inside of Legolas took over him more then recent days. It fought to remain in control of a body that was slowly regaining freedom from the darkness. All it would need is the blood of an innocent it craved to remain. Blood that would most indefinitely bring the elf down into insanity.

The knife was less then a millimeter from Estel's throat when something hard impacted with Legolas. Dragging him to the ground before he had time to react. Legolas was crushed beneath the weight as his body impacted the ground.

Wildly Legolas' world spun, as he tried to focus on what impacted him. What he saw was a blur of black hair, and cold vengeance filled eyes. Then a fist, right before it slammed into his face. Sending sparks of pain through Legolas' head.

Elladan had seen Legolas as he prepared to end Estel's life. Lunging at him was an instantaneous reaction from his instinct to protect his siblings. Angrily Elladan pounded his fists into Legolas' face recalling how he saw his brother. Not even the thanks to Thranduil for telling him where Legolas' was could keep him from trying to kill the prince now.

Half consciousness took Legolas' fight and the darkness took over Legolas. He reached for Elladan's hair and yanked the elf off of him. Swiftly Legolas startled Elladan, slamming a knee into Elladan's solar plexus. Forcing the air out of Elladan's lungs in a high pitched whistle.

Legolas wrapped his hands around Elladan's neck. Pressing his thumbs hard into Elladan's esophagus with intention of crushing it. He stared at the elf below him, that at one time he considered his friend. Now he lay eyes bulging and trying to beat Legolas off of him. But none of his efforts affected Legolas. His old friend would be dead soon.

Still something awoke when Elladan's arms went limp, his eyes rolling back into his head. Suddenly horrified Legolas drew back his hands.

'Oh, Valar, Elladan my friend I'm sorry.' Legolas whispered.

'ELLADAN!' Elrohir screamed.

Hearing the voice Legolas turned, but he felt something impact with his head. Darkness quickly hugged him as he collapsed to the floor.

An ill feeling gripped Elrohir's heart as he rolled the unconscious blonde elf off his brother. Gently Elrohir shook Elladan, but got no response. Elrohir felt for a pulse and felt one fluttering, close to failing. Putting a hand over Elladan's mouth he felt no breath escape his lips.

'Elladan, brother, breathe please.'

Knowing time was short Elrohir bent over Elladan and carefully breathed into his twins lungs. Gently he rubbed Elladan's stomach trying to get him to take the next breath on his own.

'Come on please Elladan.'

Elrohir breathed into Elladan's lungs again, feeling dread creep up on him. A tear slipped down his cheek as Elrohir breathed in another breath. This time he connected himself to the bit that forever connected him to Elladan. Forcing some of his life into his brother.

Elladan gasped for air.

"Brother don't you dare do that to me again." Elrohir scolded, hugging his brother.

Weakly Elladan's eyes fluttered open. His throat hurt were Legolas tried to strangle him, darkening bruises told the story clearly. Taking in a slow intake of breath Elladan began to speak.

"-Tel, Estel." Elladan tried to rise.

"Easy Elladan," Elrohir said helping his brother to sit.

It was then Elrohir finally saw what started the fight between Legolas and Elladan. Estel still stood, his blood pooling around his feet. Much still flowed from new wounds, and reopened ones. Estel's eyes were wide in terror, and other unimaginable emotions. Elrohir's stomach fluttered making him sick with realization of his youngest brothers ordeal.

Adrenaline fading, Estel's eyes rolled back into his head. His body no longer stood frozen in time. Finally it had realized it was no longer being held up by anyone. A light thump filled the room as Estel connected with the ground unconscious.

"Estel!"

In that moment, Elladan's troubles were forgotten and the twins ran to their younger brother's side. Both feared the worst deep with in, but they would not allow themselves to think that. Elladan skidded to a halt on his knees beside Estel. The extent of the injuries could not be seen beneath all the blood. To much of which was lost.

"He's bleeding to much." Elrohir stated, scooping Estel into his arms.

The twins rushed back to their room. Elladan grabbing two decorative tables on the way. Elrohir would need a firm place to work with Estel. Inside the room he shoved them together, and tossed a white blanket over. Carefully Elrohir lay down Estel. Elladan cutting the bonds that held Estel's hands.

Concerned Elrohir looked at his brother who was harshly taking in air. His whole body went into the effort of bringing in the next breath. Sternly Elrohir took the blade from Elladan.

"Rest Elladan, you will not be able to help if you end up making your injuries worse."

Elladan nodded, dropping into an over stuffed chair. He glanced at Estel who barely fit on the two tables; In length and width. Reaching out with his foot Elladan pulled his back pack over to him. Digging out herbs, and everything else Elrond had always packed in abundance. Today it would probably be to little.

Walking away from Estel, Elrohir grabbed what was left of the morning water. Placing it beside the fire that was forgotten in haste to search for Estel. Now it proved a god send that it remained lit the entire time. Swiftly Elrohir strode back to Estel and began to cut away Estel's shirt. Something right off caught his eye.

"Elladan, his arm is broke, badly to." Elrohir said. "I don't think we will be able to set it properly."

"Do the best you can, but worry about stopping the bleeding. Where's the dried pepper I gave you?"

"The hot one, in my bag why?"

"Hot peppers are natural antibiotics, and they stop bleeding faster. Unfortunately that is the only one we have." Elladan said glumly.

"No worries, we'll just put it on the worst."

As he rose to get the pepper, something caught Elladan's eye. His face grew stern like his fathers, though it was still softened by what he received from his mother. Still that look ment trouble. In two strides Elladan was standing in the door frame.

"You shall not pass." Elladan said his voice steady and unbending. "Go take care of your abhorring son."

"I did not know it was Elrond's missing son, please let me apologize." Thranduil said fighting not to cringe away from Elladan's look.

Elladan's look got colder as he slammed his hand down on the door frame. Both eyes met for a fraction, before Thranduil looked away. Searching for what was causing Elladan's abnormal breathing. It did not take much time to see the hand marks around Elladan's neck were he suffered asphyxiation at Legolas' hands. Only by the connection between twins pulled him from the Great Halls.

"Get them some warm water quickly." Thranduil ordered some elves. "I'm going to go see if my son still lives."

Thranduil's last words sounded sad, and expecting. Little did he understand how gracious the twins were. They could have killed Legolas for his actions, but they choose not to; Mirkwood was cursed enough.

"Elladan... ELLADAN!"

Lowering his hand from the door frame, Elladan looked at Elrohir.

"We need to get the neck wound to stop bleeding. No major veins were cut, but it still bleeds considerably."

Solemnly Elladan returned to his chair and started making a balm. Mixing his herbs carefully, trying to remember which went with what. Worry turned his mind into a torrent, taking over Elladan's mind. While mixing his stregth fluxuated with his mood and the mixture soon turned into a lumpy, but smooth mixture. Elladan rose with the bowl in hand walking over to Elrohir.

(*T*)

The king of Mirkwood reluctantly entered his dungeon. Long had it been since he entered here. Barely could he even recall why hey were built. IT was no matter as of right now. His son was either dead, or seriously hurt.
Thranduil's heart ached, what had his son done? Why hadn't he done something sooner? With what looked like rage, Thranduil's face hardened with sadness.

Entering the cell he knew his son used, he saw Legolas curled tightly in a ball. In the darkness he could see dark streaks in Legolas' hair. Hope felt like a butter fly stuck in a spiders web. So silently Thranduil approached his son. Kneeling beside him.

"Please tell me you still live." Thranduil pleaded putting a hand on Legolas' shoulder.

"Unfortunately I still do." Legolas replied mumbling.

"It's not unfortunate, my heart rejoices that you still live."

"I have shamed you father, why do you rejoice?" Legolas snapped.

Thranduil pushed on Legolas' shoulder making his son look at him. "I am glad because you are my son. You have not shamed anyone."

"Father look at what I have done!" Legolas yelled. "I almost killed that human! Father I beat him with malice, and I enjoyed it! That was until I saw one of by best friends die at my hands," Legolas' voice lowered.

"It was not you Legolas. When you were a elfling you used to have such a kind heart. Do you remember that spider and her young?"

"..."

"Legolas, listen to me my son. You know when you started changing. I know he still terrorizes your dreams. Some where in that time the curse of Mirkwood wormed its way into your heart." Thranduil began to say, trying to consol his son. "Since then your heart as been slipping into a growing darkness. Only now does your heart realize it. To many elves through the centuries has fallen victim. Not having a second chance. But Legolas," Thranduil paused, "you might be the only elf to come back."

"Leave me alone," Legolas whispered.

"Legolas?"

"Please."

"Fine," Thranduil took his hand of his son's shoulder and stood up. "I will be back at supper time though if you do not come on your own. And which ever twin that was, he still lives. Both confronted me a few minutes ago. "

Thranduil took of his outer tunic and lovingly laid it over Legolas. His feet barely made a noise as he left Legolas where he lay. Maybe it was the wrong thing for Thranduil to do. In all the years of raising Legolas he didn't have much time to be there for him. When his mother left, Legolas had no one most of the time. So this was the best Thranduil could do.