Storm Warning

A troubled mother,
Who lost her family.
A troubled father,
Who might loose his son.
One knows what it is to loose,
The other has still yet to learn.
Still both in there time,
Will feel equal pain.

(*)

Sam walked into the Prancing Pony, the place would be packed with drunks probably cause of the storm. Sighing she walks past the man at the bar, hearing giggling off to her side. It was no drunk either, pausing she stared at a young family. A woman about her age, with a child about the age her daughter would be. Happy, unlike she was, her heart drops. Happy like she could have been. Frowning she orders some stew for the prisoners.

Having gotten her order quickly, Sam wandered back to the cellar food in hand for the two beings within. Dread filled her heart for the outcome of this when all was said and done. As she entered her eyes fell upon the sleeping child.

'Little one waken I have brought food for you both.' A tear stained face met hers and her heart sank into her knees. Would she be able to go through with this? 'Come eat something' she said.

Instead the small child, who had awoken while she was away, moved over to the elf and whispered into his ear something she could not understand. His fragile body was covered with bruises, and blood stained his clothing. Frustrated and not wanting to show them she was about to cry, she put the bowl of food on the floor. Glaring coldly at the child who cowered from her.

'Fine well, feed yourselves I'm not your hand maiden.' Sam snapped.

"It's okay Estel." Elrond backed against a wall so he could sit up. "Eat, it's good for you. It will give you energy to heal."

Estel looked at the bowl of food, nervously he walked over to it. Taking it he walked back to his father, deciding it would be best to sit on Elrond's lap to eat. But before he ate he looked at Elrond.

"Father, why do they wish to harm me?" the small child asked.

"I have no idea Estel but do not fret my son for I will promise no harm will come to you as long as I draw breath."

This comforted the small child some. He hesitantly picked up the bowl and began to eat. Giggling despite the situation he scooped out a spoonful and held it up to Elrond's mouth. His eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Open up!"

'Estel I-' Elrond managed before the spoon was shoved into his mouth. "Fine Estel, you feed me. But only a little."

"I know father."

Estel scooped another spoonful and set out to feed the elven lord. Even in dire times, this human child could find the bright side. He was definitely his human father's son, a proud addition to the family line. Elrond smiled as Estel took a bite between feeding him. Even at this time, this child didn't' have a selfish bone in him.

The door suddenly opened with a bang and the calm of the moment was over.

'What is this?' Bono knocked the bowl from Estel's hands.

A small cry came up from the child's lips as he cowered by his father's side. Hoping that his father could keep him from Bono's hands. He did not want another beating, especially one like before.

'Get away from the elf" Bono screamed at him.

"No father!" Estel said as he tried to cling to him as Bono pulled him.

Bono then slapped the child. 'Did I not say to not use that foul language?'

This brought a stare from the elf lord that could have pierced the man. For a second Bono pondered beating Estel again. Something this time was much more tempting. The elf lord needed a lesson on how to behave. Picking up the young boy he tossed Estel to the side.

'Need your hands I'll free em, but I don't need you running.'

Elrond looked startled, but ill feelings soon came as Bono grabbed Elrond's foot. Like it was nothing more then a chicken bone, Bono snapped Elrond's ankle. The elf lord let out a stifled scream, closing his eyes trying to will away the pain. But it was not enough as Bono snapped his other ankle. A scream escaped from Elrond's throat, the pain was just to much.

Hearing the scream Sam appeared in the cellar. Horrified by what she saw. Bono stood and looked Sam square in the eyes.

'You try to fix his ankles, and I'll cut them off.' Bono warned.

Bono pushed Elrond on his side freeing the elf from his blood soaked shackles. Sam stared in utter shock at the brutality that had befallen the elf at Bon's hands. She moved over to the elf lord who was trying for the boys sake not to whimper. Estel huddled next to Elrond not caring if he were to be punished for it he had to help his father. Vic had witnessed this all from the door and his anger revealed itself to Bono.

'Didn't they say not to kill the boy?'

'But I only hurt the elf.'

'Yes, but their bond seems strong, kill one and the other will not be far behind.'

'Oh that's bull shit vic.'

'No, it isn't, just look at the two of them.' Vic shouted. 'Even fear of another beating the child doesn't stay away from his fathers side. Do me a favor, just leave the boy al-'

'Elves, approaching Bree.' A voice calls from above.

'Dammit, tuck everything in.' Vic swears.

Bono and Vic ran out of the cellar fast. Both knew elves meant trouble, so both took down the street. Hoping to see scouts, and not a war party. Pushing past a group of on lookers, they saw what they need to see. Two elven scouts, no warriors to be seen. Smiling smugly Vic grabs Bono's arm.

'We'll be fine, there not warriors.'

"We found them." One of the elf says. "That human his hiding something, most likely Elrond and young Estel."

The other one nods. "I'll go back for Elladan and Elrohir, also reinforcements, you keep an eye on those humans."

The first elf nods, sliding into the crowd as the other one slid out of Bree. The elf slipped past the crowd which was now dispersing. He would try to find the other two if he could so that he may tell Elladan and Elrohir when they arrived.

The boy was still clutching the elf. Sam could see the love they had for one another as the child stroked the others face to calm him. She wish she had someone to love like that and she secretly hoped someone would find these two before Bono could kill the boy. She gently touches his ankles, feeling guilt as the elf gasped. Both ankles were bad breaks, but she could do nothing.

'I'm sorry.' She says getting up.

Weakly Elrond pulled Estel into his arms. The human woman did not matter to him.

***

AN: Special thanks to Pookums1971 who did me a fav, and ended up co authoring this chapter with me. IM her she won't bite.