When The Greenleaf Falls (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2: Bad Visions

{Chapter 2: Bad Visions}
When Estel finally came to he had a strange feeling that, after some thought he knew was not the lingering effects of his father’s draught. Rubbing his temples he sat up slowly. Spying a glass of water on his desk, and he wasted no time in drinking the whole thing in one big gulp. The feeling seemed to get worse with this but he couldn’t quite understand the feeling… what was he feeling? Fear? He shook his head slowly; no not fear… then what? As he thought his door was opened after a soft knock and his father walked in with a smile, seeing that he was awake.
“Are you feeling any better ion-nin?”
“Yes Ada… I just have this strange feeling that I can’t quite place… I am not sure how to describe it.” Pulling up a chair to Estel’s bed Elrond sat down and smiled reassuringly at his youngest.
“How would you try to explain it?” laughing lightly Estel thought for a few moments, his silver eyes taking on a faraway look. He’d had no strange dream and there was no one in danger, was there? Estel gasped suddenly as he looked to Elrond who nodded as if he had gotten some sort of verification.
“Legolas …he’s in danger! Ada! We have to save him!” Elrond shook his head, his face grim.
“Legolas should be safe… he should only be a day off at a leisurely pace-”
“You know him ada, he’s as bad as I am, if not worse…”
“Iston I shall send Glorfindel and the twins.” Estel laughed despite the dire situation and when Elrond raised a brow Estel only laughed harder.
“Glorfindel won’t be too happy to travel with Dan and Ro all by himself-”
“Believe me ion-nin, he is lucky he doesn’t have to go with all three of you.”
“Oh ha, real funny. I just hope we are wrong and Legolas is alright.”
“Legolas and Oropherion.” Corrected the Elf-lord which caused Estel’s eyes to grow wide.
“Oropherion is with him?” Elrond nodded.
“He was with his brother in my vision; they appeared to be held up in the trees. Firing down at a group of Orcs.” Estel shook his head in defeat, why could there never be any good news?
“Then Legolas and Oropherion will really need our help.”
“Why is that?” Asked Elrond.
“Because Oropherion is afraid of trees… he became stuck and was too embarrassed to call for help, or at least, that is as Legolas puts it.” Elrond laughed flatly.
“I will go and send off Glorfindel and your brothers immediately . . . stay here ion-nin and do so knowing, all will be well.” Estel nodded and laid his head back against the pillow and as Elrond left he closed his eyes and gave a hopeful smile.
“Please be safe mellyn-nin… and don’t go on some dangerous adventure without me.”/my friends/
{Meanwhile in a tree outside Rivendell’s boarders}

Arrows zipped all around the tree that the sons of Thranduil found themselves stuck in. The battle was warping into a constant pattern of: fire, dodge, fire, dodge, as they took out five or six Orcs at a time, though it didn’t seem to make a difference because the foul creatures just kept coming and their arrows were running out. Legolas turned to his brother whose eyes smoldered with a fierce hatred as he fired on one of the foul beast. The arrow struck right between the eyes, killing it instantly. Legolas grabbed Oropherion’s arm and moved them back further into the tree.
“We have to leave gwador, or risk capture…or worse… death.” Nodding in agreement the two Mirkwood Elves ran through the trees, making their way silently through the dark branches in the dwindling sun light. All seemed to be going well until Oropherion’s foot slipped in an un-wood-elf-ly manner and he started to fall. With a yelp Legolas threw himself onto the branches and grasped Oropherion’s hand and pulled him up.
“Hannon le Legolas …”/thank you/ smiling wearily Oropherion leaned into his brother with a soft laugh, “I’m up here in a tree, the one thing I said I would not do…and I trip…” Looking sidelong at his older brother Oropherion gave a mock look of indignation, “You better not tell anyone about this!” he hissed as Legolas just simply shook his head.
“Your secret is safe with me gwador.” Suddenly a horn blared and the sound of at least twelve horses could be heard and the sound of arrows hitting their mark as the dark screams of Orcs filled the air. Soon the screams stopped and the soft sound of bells reached their ears. Peeking down they saw what they had expected. Glorfindel was smiling up at them Asfaloth’s bells jingling in the soft wind.
“Mae govannen elflings avo osto the threat has been ended.”/well met elflings, fear not/ the two smiled down at the twice born golden-haired warrior and jumped down, landing with a soft thud. As they dusted themselves off as two identical horses, dark as night stepped forward with their equally identical riders: EIladan and Elrohir who both smiled at the two.
“You are unhurt?” Asked Elrohir as he dismounted, “And pray tell, where are your mounts?” Oropherion laughed nervously only for the two missing horses to trot over to the group. Smirking to himself Oropherion walked over to his horse and rubbed its head affectionately.
“Good,” Said Glorfindel, “If everyone is ready we should make haste before more Orcs arrive.” Grabbing their supplies and mounting their horses, the two sons of Thranduil followed behind the group of Rivendell warriors.
“Remember ‘Las, you tell no one.”
“Oh, I won’t say a word.” But I have a feeling people already know. He added mentally, a smile on his lips.

*~*~*
Estel stood on his balcony, looking down at one of the smaller gardens. To say that he was worried would be an understatement. Now that he knew both Legolas and Oropherion could be in danger he couldn’t sit still so he settled to stand and look down at the small garden. Birds huddled in their nests in the dark twilight and smiling at the small creatures he was surprised by the sudden hoot of an owl on the tree nearest to him. Turning to the nocturnal bird he saw that it was staring at him. Its head turned at a right angle as its black eyes gazed at him unblinkingly. Not knowing what to think of it Estel simply stared back. He tried not to blink but his eyes watered and he could no longer hold the owl’s gaze. When he opened his eyes the owl was no longer there and he finally noticed that someone was calling his name. When he turned around Erestor was staring at him with furrowed brows, a frown on his lips.
“Are you well penneth?”/young one/ nodding to his father’s advisor Estel walked away from his balcony and back into his room.
“I’m fine... just tired I suppose.”
“I see, then your mind will be put at ease with the knowledge that Glorfindel and the twins are returning with both Prince Oropherion and Crowned Prince Legolas.” This brought a smile to Estel’s face but instead of resting like Erestor had hoped he would, Estel raced past him and down the stairs with a loud “Hannon le, ‘Restor!”/thank you/ grumbling under his breath Erestor followed after the young man, walking slowly down the steps. By the time Erestor caught view of Estel he was standing before Legolas and Oropherion a fake glare plastered on his face.
“You two had me worried…” Legolas flashed a grin a short laugh escaping his lips but then he was serious once more.
“Goheno nin Estel, we did not mean to worry you…” /forgive me/ Both Elladan and Elrohir stepped forth and leaned towards Estel.
“I don’t think these are the real sons of Thranduil…” said Elladan as Estel nodded, his silver eyes ever on the two blonde elves.
“Aye, Legolas-the real one that is-would never make it here without a scratch like this one has…” added Elrohir.
“Not the real Legolas?” growled Thranduil’s oldest, “I’ll have you know that I’m very capable of protecting myself!”
“Oh, we know mellon-nin, it’s just you haven’t been very good at it until now.” Laughed Estel only to stop suddenly and grab his side. Noticing, the four elves looked at him with concern. Before they could question him Elrond stepped forward with both Glorfindel and Erestor in toe.
“Mae govannen sons of Thranduil…I must say I am surprised to see the two of you completely unhurt after your unfortunate encounter…” he smiled softly at them, “Though it brings me joy to see you well.” In other words: Thank the Valar! Now I can finally send Thranduil a letter that doesn’t say his sons were involved in some horrific incident…