Balin gingerly guided me to the bedside, as he explained. Bolg's blade had indeed pierced through Kili's chest, causing not only difficulty breathing, but major blood loss. However, the blade missed his heart. Thranduil had found him still barely alive after I had left, and called for the dwarves to bring him back. "But...why? He couldn't have survived anyway. I watched the life leave his body.." I trailed off, shaking the nightmares from my mind.

"This isnt possible..how?" I asked, quietly. "That herb, you used to heal him in Laketown, put something into his body. Whatever that plant was, the medicine was still in his bloodstream. That magic kept his heart beating. And so, he is put into more of a sleep state than death." I sat down on the bedside, next to him. "What can I do?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of Kili. "We must find more of the plant, but the majority burned with Laketown. After we instill more of the healing properties, he will awaken." I listen, gently reaching for Kili's hand, when something small rolls into my palm. The talisman.

I smile, feeling its familiar shape in my hand. "However," Balin continues, "If the plant isn't brought back in time, the medicines in his blood will run out. In that case, the lad will indeed be lost to us." I felt my breath hitch. I could save him. I reached for the small stone, and decide take it with me, as a promise to him. "Then we have no time to waste." I say, kissing Kili once more on the forehead. There was only one other place that this herb grew... the same place I had learned medicinal practices. Grabbing my bow and daggers, I borrow a dwarven steed, and start the trek back to the only place I dare not go..Mirkwood. But I would. For him.

The ride back to Mirkwood was a rather long one. Perhaps it was the apprehension I felt at seeing Thranduil again. Nevertheless, my journey was a tiring one. I stopped in a small village just outside of Laketown for provisions and supplies. I removed a handful of gold coins, courtesy of the dwarves. The citizens in this village were very kind people, supplying me with more than enough food. I thanked them, and left to load my saddlebags. I took a seat outside, for a quick meal. I overheard 2 men talking outside the pub.

"Yeah, the prince..he's the reason the elvenking changed." One commented, "Thranduil has been acting strange." I shook my head in dismissal. My heart sunk at the mention of Legolas. But that feeling was soon replaced by anger. I remember the day he left very well. Through my tear-filled eyes, I could just make out the figure of Legolas, running off. My closest friend for the past 500 years had left me. Just like that. No words in any language could describe the betrayal and sadness I felt, watching Legolas disappear over the horizon. Goodness knows, I could never forgive him for leaving me, broken on the steps of Ravenhill. "Oh yeah?" The second man chimed in, "Rumor has it that his son is comin' back."

I nearly choked on a piece of bread. "Ah yes," he continued, voice slurred. "Gettin' ready for some journey. He's headed for Mirkwood as we speak!" He said, with a half hearted laugh. At that, I lost my appetite. Seeing Legolas again? I grabbed the food, and quickly mounted my horse, riding into the Mirkwood forests. Goodness knows I had a few choice words for the prince, but I wasn't scared of him. Nothing was going to keep me from bringing Kili back.

Thanks for the kind reviews guys! It means alot! :)

-Tauriel-