Elladan stared in shock at the Elven twins before him. Their names sounded terribly familiar, but he couldn't place them.

"M-my name is Elladan," he stuttered. "I - did not realise there were Elves in this part of Arda."

The first Elf - Eluréd - smiled. "There are very few and we rarely reveal ourselves. But tell me, what are you doing here? It is not safe to be out alone."

"I was looking for firewood," Elladan said quietly. "My brother is very ill and I need to keep him warm. But there is nothing. I do not know what to do now. "

Eluréd and Elurín exchanged glances, clearly deciding what to do with the young Elf that had crossed their path. At last, though, their compassion won out.

"We will help you, if you will let us," Elurín said. "Will you take us to him?"

Elladan thought for a moment. He still hadn't placed why they seemed so familiar to him, but they did not seem dangerous. At any rate, he was out of options.

"Yes, I will take you to him."

He led the way back to the cave, the Elven twins following behind him. As he walked he searched his mind for information on the brothers. Their names were definitely familiar, but history had never been Elladan's strong point and his mind was already in turmoil from worrying about Elrohir.

Also curious was that thus far, all their exchanges had been in Westron. He would have expected them to switch to Sindarin after it had become instantly apparent that he was an elf too. Add to that the lack of elvish accent in their speech and it added another layer to the puzzle.

Eventually, he gave up on his wondering. He was sure he would be annoyed with himself when he did find out why he knew their names but, for the moment, it was unimportant.

For their part, Eluréd and Elurín did not offer any information about themselves, nor did they ask Elladan about himself. In fact they barely spoke at all, their silence unnerving the already anxious Elladan. Was he doing the right thing? He could only hope so.

It did not take as long to get back, without looking slowing around for firewood, but to Elladan it felt like forever. When the cave came into view at last, he ran, heedless of the others following him. Rushing into the dreary rock formation that had become their shelter, he dropped down next to the blanket-wrapped form of his brother. Relief shot through him as he noticed the rise and fall of Elrohir's chest - it was shallow still, but steady.

"How does he fare?" asked a soft voice behind him.

Elladan turned, facing the twin who had spoken, though he couldn't be sure if it was Eluréd or Elurín. "He breathes still," he replied, "though he is cold and does not wake." He moved aside, revealing Elrohir to their view.

They stared in surprise then, for though Elladan had mentioned his brother, he had not said that he too was a twin. Elladan could not help but smile at the shock on their faces.

“You are twins also?” Elurín said, unable to keep the surprise from his voice.

“That is rather obvious, brother,” Eluréd replied, rolling his eyes at his twin. Elurín only glared in response, ignoring Eluréd as he knelt down beside Elrohir.

Elladan smiled at the brothers, even as his heart clenched painfully for that same banter he’d often exchanged with his own twin. How he longed to share that with Elrohir again. Would these strange twins be able to help them? With all his heart, he hoped so.

Elurín pulled back the furs covering Elrohir, gently examining the injured Elf with practiced fingers. He had long been a healer, though if Elladan were to see his medicines, he would likely recognise very few. Different lifestyles had taught them different things, though Elladan could see already that he would have to learn their ways if they were to survive in the wilds.

"You have done well to keep him alive in such difficult conditions," Elurín said eventually, sitting back on his heels and smiling at Elladan. "But if he is to recover, he cannot stay here." With these words he looked to his brother and a silent exchange seemed to take place between them, ending when Eluréd nodded briefly.

"Where will we go?" Elladan asked, looking between the twins from his own brother's side.

"To our home," Eluréd replied after a long moment. "We can take care of your brother properly there."

Elladan looked down at his brother thoughtfully. He was still not sure he entirely trusted them, despite the hope they brought, but he had come this far and had yet to show him anything but kindness.

"Very well," he said slowly. "I would greatly appreciate whatever help you can offer."

In response to this, Eluréd simply nodded and went outside, while his twin opened a pouch of herbs. "I will make him sleep deeply while we travel, to spare him the pain of being moved. Do not worry," he added at Elladan's worried look, "it is perfectly safe."

When Elladan did not seem to be reassured by this, Elurín placed his hand on the younger Elf's shoulder. "You are very close, are you not?" he questioned gently. I can see it, for I am the same with Eluréd.

At that, Elladan's head shot up and he stared at Elurín, wondering if the words meant what he thought they did.

"Aye," Elurín confirmed, nodding. "I know what it is you feel. A brother's love - and more besides."

Suddenly, Elladan felt greatly comforted. Here at last was someone who understood; who knew the terrible fear of losing someone that you were bound to in every way possible, with a love so deep it could not be explained. His shoulders sagged in relief and he looked to Elurín with deep gratitude.

Elladan had known that other twins had been through what he and his brother had since hearing of Norin's cousins, but they had long been dead - they had never before actually met anyone like them.

He found himself smiling at Elurín and hoping they'd get a chance to talk; it seemed they had much in common. For now, though, the most important thing was to get Elrohir the care he needed.

Elurín swiftly mixed up a tea, the strong smell of the herbs filling the cave with a pleasant scent, and then handed it to Elladan to give to his twin.

As Elladan pulled him into his arms, Elrohir moaned and his eyes fluttered open, though there was no recognition in his gaze. But he calmed when Elladan spoke soothingly to him, drinking the tea obediently. A couple of minutes later, he slipped into a deep sleep.

Just then, from outside the cave came the sound of horses, much to Elladan’s surprise. He turned to Elurín curiously, still holding Elrohir in his arms.

“We are some distance from our home,” said Elurín by way of explanation, “but we let the horses roam to track you better. Now, help me wrap your brother up for the journey; we must keep him as warm as possible.”

“Yes, of course,” Elladan said absently, feeling rather overwhelmed, but helping Elurín to wrap Elrohir securely in the furs and blankets, tying the outer layers to prevent them from slipping off.

When they were both satisfied that Elrohir was as comfortable as was possible, Elladan, with Elurín’s help, carried his brother out to where Eluréd was waiting with two horses.

The animals were not the elegant Elven beasts that the twins were used to; they were slightly smaller and somewhat shaggy, with patchy white and brown coats, but their eyes were warm and friendly and Elladan trusted them immediately – perhaps even more than the Elves.

Placing his hand on the white mane of the one closest to them, Eluréd led the animal over. “This is Jaffa; he’ll take good care of you both,” he said quietly. Elladan nodded in response and allowed Eluréd to help him get himself and his unconscious twin onto Jaffa’s back, keeping Elrohir resting against him as he reached for the reins.

He was surprised for a moment that their horses had reins and saddles, but then he realised that, though these two were of Elven blood, from the way they dressed in roughly woven tunics and patched leggings and their habit of speaking in Westron, there was probably very little that was Elven about their lifestyle. At any rate, with Elrohir unable to care for himself, it was a blessing to have the added assistance of reins, rather than resting his hands lightly on the horse’s neck as he usually did.

Once he was settled, the other two mounted the second horse, with Eluréd taking the reins. Elurín sat behind his brother, his hands resting comfortably on Eluréd’s slim waist.

“Are you ready to go?” Eluréd asked, looking to Elladan. When the younger Elf confirmed that he was ready to depart, Eluréd moved his horse forward, heading in an easterly direction towards the forest that had been their home for millennia.

They said little as they rode, and though Elladan wished to know more about the other twins, he knew better than to pry. He suspected that their lives had been hard and that it was best to wait until he knew them a little better before he started asking questions.

Instead he took careful note of the path they were taking, not knowing when they would pass this way next. There was a feeling of foreboding growing in his heart though he couldn’t say why. He tried to tell himself that is was simply his concern for Elrohir, but still he couldn’t shake the feeling.

It was less than a minute later when the first arrow struck the ground in front of them.
Horrified, Elladan watched as no less than twenty armed Men appeared from bushes and trees in front of them, just outside the range of Elven hearing, but close enough to be very dangerous indeed.

He tried to draw his sword, but could not reach it without losing his grip on his brother. In a panic he turned to the others and was just in time to see their horse rear up, throwing Elurín off and sending him tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud.

END CHAPTER 6