Want to know if your guess was correct? Then read this chapter and check it out, mate!

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Several days later…

The woodland realm was bathed in ethereal golden light as the sun slowly rose for its zenith. The birds were already out looking for grubs and worms, while the flowers in the garden began to bloom in myriads of colors. It was a start to a fine new day.

As for the royal palace, its entire household was back to its normal routine because most of the guests had departed for home. Everything was calm and quiet once more.

Or maybe too quiet.

That morning found Lord Thranduil sitting by his younger son's bed—a common spot for him since that fateful afternoon. The king's face looked grim, filled with anguish and regret. His shoulders drooped slightly, and his normally flawless attire was a bit rumpled after a night of fitful sleep in the same chair.

Since the lightning hit him, Legolas had not awakened. He continued to stay unconscious, sleeping like the very dead, stirring not even once. He was totally unresponsive, even though they had tried everything to pull him back to surface. His eyes stayed close, his face stayed pale, his limbs stayed still—not unlike a broken doll.

Lovingly, Thranduil brushed a hand through his son's flaxen hair. The king leaned close to the prince's ear and whispered, "Come on, son. Wake up. It's about time you hear my bloody sermon. Please, you have to wake up and end this painful wait."

Like before, there was no response. Not even a twitch.

Thranduil was so desperate he added next, "Wake up now, boy, or I swear I'll put a blade to your head and shave it bald!"

When even threats also failed to rouse Legolas, Thranduil sighed. He picked up his son's limp hand and pressed his lips against it. Then, rising from his chair, he bent over and placed a kiss on Legolas' cold forehead.

"Sweet dreams, my son," he softly said. "But don't forget to wake up soon."

With great reluctance, Thranduil left the bed and went to the door. Outside, he met the rest of his family and what remained of his guests. They were about to look in on Legolas but when they saw Thranduil, they surrounded him instead and bombarded him with queries.

"How is he doing?"

"Has he awakened?"

"Any changes to his condition?"

"Will he wake up?

Smiling ruefully, Thranduil put up a hand to cease the barrage of questions. "He still sleeps, if you can call it that."

"No changes, father?" Keldarion's face fell, looking very disappointed. "Not even a slight?"

With a sad shake of his head, Thranduil gripped his elder son by the shoulder. "No changes whatsoever. It's as if time stands still for your brother."

Without another word, Keldarion pushed past everyone and rushed into Legolas' room.

Behind him, a lovely young elven lady started to follow but Thranduil quickly intercepted her, "Come with me, my dear."

She raised her tear-filled green eyes, staring beseechingly at him. "But I wish to stay with him, my lord. I'm worried that he will…"

"Oh, he will be fine, precious. Don't you worry," Thranduil soothed her. "Give those two brothers some time alone. Besides, I have a favor to ask of you."

Sniffling, she wiped the tears off one cheek and managed a smile. "And what would that be, my lord?"

"I'm hungry. Can you help find breakfast for me?"

As the king linked his arm through hers, she softly chuckled and let him steer her away. "Very well, my lord. Let us get you your breakfast."

Thranduil paused and gave his guests a sharp look.

"You all come and join me," he said, which sounded more like an order than an invitation.

They glanced at each other, sent one last rueful gaze at Legolas' door and went to trail behind the elven king.

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Different people waited by Legolas' bed at different times, but he was never aware of it. And, one evening, Keldarion was again watching over his brother.

To be honest, it was actually Lady Arwen's turn to play nurse maid. But Keldarion had bullied her out of it, causing her to storm away to the ladies parlor in a huff.

Hearing a small sound coming from his brother, Keldarion quickly jerked his gaze from the book he was quietly reading. He stood and peered at Legolas' face for a long time, but found no indication that his brother was rousing.

"Legolas?"

Of course, Legolas did not respond. He continued to lie still on his back, the same position he had taken for many days now.

Sighing, Keldarion sat back down and resumed reading. Unfortunately, he had a hard time to concentrate. He kept glancing up, hoping to catch tiny movements from his brother or any other signs of life besides Legolas' steady breathing. But there was nothing. Nothing at all.

To break the heavy silence, Keldarion forced his gaze back onto his book and began to read out loud,

"The sun is my heart,

Red and hot and burning.

The moon is my soul,

Pale and cold and waning.

"The river is my blood,

Clear and fresh and flowing.

The rain is my tears,

Heavy and many and falling.

"The zephyr is my love,

Tender and kind and comforting.

The storm is my vengeance,

Cruel and violent and unforgiving.

"The sea is my…."

Keldarion halted in mid-sentence when a gust of strong breeze from outside suddenly swept into the room, sending the drapes flying. He rushed over to shut the balcony door, tugging the drapes back into place.

"Why did you stop?"

Hearing that soft voice, Keldarion froze. He whirled around to find his younger brother watching him, dazedly.

Stunned, Keldarion just stood there with his mouth hanging open. "L…Legolas?"

"The poem," his brother added, oblivious to Keldarion's great shock. "Why did you stop reading?"

"The poem?" Keldarion blinked, finally coming out of his stupor. He steadily approached the bed, trying to appear calm and collected, when inside he was jumping up and down with joy.

Legolas has awakened! Ai Elbereth, my little brother has awakened!

"Do carry on. I want to hear more."

His brother's voice was still weak, but Keldarion could hear him clearly enough. He obligingly picked up the book and continued from where he had left off,

"The sea is my life,

Open and far and infinite.

The earth is my death,

Near and harsh and definite.

"To forget is to lie,

To remember is to grieve.

To live is to die,

To die…is to live."

Silence reigned for several moments after Keldarion finished. The brothers mutely stared at each other, tears swimming in their eyes.

"That is so sad," Legolas managed to say over the lump in his throat. "Who wrote it?"

Keldarion glanced at the book and read the title at the front, "Well, it says here, All Kinds of Musing by…Thranduil son of Oropher."

Legolas' eyes widened. "You're kidding! Father wrote it? I never knew he writes poetry."

"Neither did I." Keldarion grinned, his head shaking. "In fact, I found this book by chance. Father sat with you this morning, and I think he accidentally left this book behind. I was also surprised when I first discovered the extent of his creations that he has put down in here."

"Is everything else as sad as the one you just read?"

Sitting on the bed by his brother's hip, Keldarion replied, "Not all of them. He entered a date for each work, and so I knew he made that particular poem not long after the Great War, the one that killed our grandfather and uncles. Father must have been pretty upset then when he wrote it."

"From the way that poem sound, upset is an understatement," Legolas remarked. "It rang close to suicidal to me."

Keldarion's eyes twinkled with mirth. "You should read the one he wrote about you."

"There is a poem about me?"

Chuckling, Keldarion swiftly leafed through the pages until he found what he was looking for. "Ah. Here it is,

Eyes as bright as mithril,

Curls as gold as corn-silk.

Beautiful and charming and strong willed,

A pain in the butt especially when he sulks!"

Legolas reddened as his brother laughed out loud. "You made that up."

"No, I did not!" Keldarion laughed harder. He showed the page to Legolas. "See? It's written there—by our father's own hands."

Embarrassed yet pleased, Legolas shrugged and acted as if it didn't matter much to him. He shifted, wincing when every nerve in his body protested to the slight movement.

Sobered now, Keldarion put away the book and assisted his brother to prop his back more comfortably against the pillows. "How are you feeling, brat?"

"I am sore all over." Legolas grimaced. "And my head feels twice its size. What on earth happen?"

"Can't you remember?"

Frowning, Legolas shook his head. "Not really. Did I get hit by a carriage or something?"

"Or something."

Hearing the hoarseness in Legolas' voice, Keldarion took the pitcher off the nightstand and poured some water into a glass. "Drink this. You must be thirsty."

Legolas nodded his thanks, taking the glass in both hands. After several sips, he looked hard at Keldarion. "You look strange."

Keldarion cocked his head to one side, puzzled. "Why strange?"

"I don't know. You look kind of…uh…different. Older, maybe."

Smiling ruefully, Keldarion mussed his brother's hair. "Yes, well, I have been so crazy with worry about you I think I've aged so fast. When the lightning hit you…"

"Whoa." Legolas grabbed Keldarion's wrist. "What did you say hit me?"

"Lightning," Keldarion repeated. "You were hit by lightning, brother. Don't you remember any of it?"

Holding his temple, Legolas tried to think. "I…I cannot recall…"

"You were unconscious for many days," Keldarion quietly added, closely watching his brother's drawn face. "Two weeks, to be exact."

Legolas' gaze shot up. He looked terribly stricken. "H…how long, you say? Two weeks?"

"Yes." Keldarion nodded, seizing the water glass from Legolas' lax grip lest his brother dropped it. "Now you understand why I look like I've not been sleeping at all? You should see father. He looks even worse."

Bemused, Legolas gazed down at the length of his body, which was covered by a thin blanket to the waist. All limbs were still intact, thank the Valar. Overall, he was feeling quite numb. And very, very sore—especially his head. He was lucky that nothing seemed to be broken, though.

Or charred beyond recognition.

"Two weeks," he echoed in disbelief. "Incredible."

"What's incredible is that you still live," Keldarion said, cupping his brother's pale cheek. "Right after you were hit, you lost all signs of life. No heartbeat, no pulse. Nothing. Father was near to hysterics when he fought to bring you back."

"I guess I owe him my life."

"You also owe him—and me—a good explanation." Keldarion chuckled, giving his brother a playful punch in the jaw. "What were you doing up in the tree, anyway? Shirking your duties?"

"What tree? And what bloody duties are you yammering about?"

Keldarion rolled his eyes. "Never mind. It's not that important anyway. But honestly, brat, only someone as insane as you would dare to sit atop the tallest tree during a thunderstorm."

Legolas stared at Keldarion as if his brother had sprouted another head. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't worry. It will come to you." Keldarion comfortingly patted Legolas' shoulder.

"I'm very sorry, Kel."

"Sorry for what?" Keldarion placed the glass back on the nightstand. "For causing us great worry? That's all right, brat. You never asked to be struck by lightning."

"I'm sorry about that, most of all. But I'm also sorry that I missed your wedding."

Keldarion went absolutely still. "My…my wedding?"

"We were waiting for your bride to arrive, remember?"

"Err…"

"So how is Arulin of Garmadris? Is she as beautiful as everyone said?" Legolas then noticed the odd expression on Keldarion's face. "Hey, what's wrong? Didn't you go through with the wedding after all? Have you postponed it until I wake up?"

Slowly, Keldarion rose to his feet, never taking his eyes off his brother. "Did you just say…Arulin?"

"That's her name, isn't it?" Legolas grew anxious by his brother's peculiar reaction. "Kel, what's the matter?"

Keldarion's face was quickly losing all its color. He raised one forefinger, as if trying to plead for time. "Wait, please. Can you tell me what year this is?"

"What? Why?"

"Humor me here, all right? What is the year now?"

Greatly puzzled, Legolas told him.

A shiver of dread ran up and down Keldarion's spine. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure! Now what the blazes is going on?"

"Uh…" Keldarion realized he needed to confer with someone before he told the truth to Legolas. "Can you give me a minute? I'll be right back."

"But, Kel, what…?"

"I'll be right back, I promise," Keldarion yelled as he literally ran out of the room.

Legolas stared at the closed door, clearly dumbfounded.

What was that all about?

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Keldarion caught his father alone in the corridor, right outside the king's study.

"Ah, Kel." Thranduil smiled when he saw his son. "Aren't you supposed to sit with your brother? Arwen looked so vexed when I saw her just now…"

"He is awake!" Keldarion blurted.

"Excuse me?"

His face a mixed of emotions, Keldarion gripped both his father's arms and almost shook him in his excitement. "Father, Legolas has awakened."

For a few seconds, Thranduil was struck dumb. And then he yelped with joy, "Ai, Legolas is awake! All praise to the Valar! Finally it happens. Come, let us see him and…"

"No!" Keldarion held him fast. "Wait, father. There's more."

Thranduil frowned. "What's wrong now?"

"We…uh… we may have a slight problem here."

"What problem? What do you mean?"

Keldarion halted, unsure if he should continue. He suddenly lost all courage he needed to relate the news that would surely wipe the big smile off his father's face.

"Kel, whatever it is, you must tell me," Thranduil insisted.

After taking a deep breath, Keldarion told him.

As expected, Thranduil's smile faded, and then disappeared altogether. "He has lost his memory?"

"I believe so."

"He thinks you are married to Arulin?"

Keldarion sadly nodded. "That's what I believe he said."

"What if your brother was just joking? You know that foolish sense of humor of his. He just loves to drive you nuts."

"But, father, Legolas would never joke about this, especially about Arulin. That witch tortured him almost to death!"

"What's going on here?"

They both whirled around at the feminine voice. Guiltily, Thranduil straightened, while Keldarion quickly avoided his gaze.

"You were talking about Legolas, weren't you?" she asked as she came closer. "Well? What is it? Tell me!"

Father and son exchanged identical glances of despair, and then they calmly told her. Afterwards, she promptly ran off towards Legolas' chamber, ignoring their urgent cries that asked her to wait.

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Legolas was tired of waiting. Still groggy, he swiped away the covers and swung his legs off the bed. His feet already touched the floor when the door suddenly burst open to emit a truly lovely elven lady.

Conscious of his half-dressed state, Legolas dove back into the bed and yanked the blanket up to his neck to cover his bare chest.

"They…they told me you have awakened," the lady said as she cautiously approached the bed.

Legolas blinked back at her like a confused old bat. "Err…yes."

She smiled, albeit uncertainly, and came closer. "I'm so happy, my lord. You don't know how worried I've been."

Legolas was so perplexed he stared at her some more, but then he gave her a shy grin. "Hey, I remember you."

"You do?"

Her face lit up like a candle as her smile broadened. Behind her, Keldarion and Thranduil rushed into the room and skidded to a stop. They both looked quite afraid for some reason.

"Of course. You are Narasene," Legolas responded, blushing slightly for he had been secretly infatuated with her since they had first met in Imladris centuries ago. "You are Lord Glorfindel's niece."

Her smile faltered. "That's right. I am."

"How is he, by the way? Did he accompany you here?"

"N…no." As tears rapidly filled her eyes, her voice broke. "I…I came here with…with my h…husband."

With that, she spun and fled, leaving echoes of her sobbing in her wake.

Legolas was clearly flabbergasted. "What the…?"

He blinked at his father and brother. "What did I say?"

With a pointed look at his elder son, Thranduil said, "Kel, you talk to him. I'll talk to Nara."

Not waiting for a response, the king left, leaving the two brothers staring intently at each other.

"All right. Something is definitely wrong," Legolas said. "Why is she here? Not that I don't want her around but…"

"She loves you, Legolas." Sighing, Keldarion went to sit on the edge of the bed. "She loves you so much it pains her."

"That's…that's flattering, but just now she said she's already married."

"Indeed, she is a married lady," Keldarion softly said, squeezing his brother's shoulder. "She is married to you."

Legolas was so shocked his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no intelligent words came out.

"She is your wife, Legolas," Keldarion gently added. "That's the truth, I swear."

"My wife?" Legolas was shaking his head. "But that's impossible. I can't remember getting married. In fact, you are the one who were supposed to be married, not me!"

"I am married! But I'm not married to Arulin like you think. That horrible witch nearly killed you!"

Numb with disbelief, Legolas dropped his head in his hands. "I…I don't understand any of this."

"Legolas, before this, when I asked you, you told me that the year is 2901."

Legolas slowly raised his head at his brother's quiet statement, suddenly afraid that there was a lot more to come. "What are you getting at, Kel?"

"That was one hundred and twenty years ago, brother. The year now is 3021."

TBC…

Oh, yeah. I can actually hear you guys shrieking from here. Just because I didn't mention her name, doesn't mean that Narasene wasn't there, right? He he…

Yep. It's after—after LOTR, after Nara, after everything. So, what now?

ANGST and nothing but ANGST, of course!

p/s : Remember Arulin? She was Keldarion's evil bride from the…well…'The Evil Bride' fic, of course. I will elaborate more on her—as well as everyone else's role in all this—in the next chapter.