For Disclaimer please view chapter 1.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 4: Why has she left you?

Legolas could not possibly imagine where his brother was or why his horse had returned alone. Lasneth's horse had always been loyal, for it to have returned alone, only meant one thing; that Lasneth was in need of help. While Legolas searched the woods with a few guards his mind was full of questions he wished to have answered. He looked up to the sky and noticed the sun was ready to set. Looking back straight ahead of him he spoke to his guards.

"In the dark we will not accomplish anything. Go back to the palace. If I have not returned before the sun rises, send out more guards to this very place." Said Legolas.

"My Lord, we will not leave you here alone." Said one of the guards.

"I will not stop to rest, and there is much of the wood yet left to search. If you wish to accompany me, only one of you can remain. The other must return so that others know where we are." Said Legolas nudging his horse to continue going forward.

The two guards looked at themselves, one quickly turned around to head back to the palace. The other quickly rode to Legolas's side, silence ensued for the next few hours.

"Naneth, where do you go?" asked Ethaen, having gone to see what Aurel was doing in her chambers. When he noticed that she was gathering some things, he became alarmed.

"To Minas Tirith." She said folding some garments over in her arms.

Ethaen looked at her, her eyes were still filled with tears. "Why are you leaving home? Because of Ene?"

Aurel shook her head in disagreement, "It has nothing to do with that."

"I do not think it wise for you to leave."

"I did not ask for you permission Ethaen." She said harshly.

"Ada needs you." He tried to get through to her one last time.

"Yes I know, and I him. Things are more complicated than you may think."

Ethaen grabbed hold of Aurel's hands, begging her silently to stop what she was doing and to listen to him. "Every father fears the coming of his first child. It is only natural to wonder if he is worthy of such a blessing. I know he wants this child Naneth."

Aurel broke down into tears. "You think I do not know that? I know all this. It is he that does not realize it; he will not let himself get close. His fear surpasses the fear of just worthiness. He is your father as well, it is not as if he does not know what to expect."

Ethaen nodded. "I will tell you what I first felt when my first child was due to arrive, I was anxious, and worried, not only of my worthiness, but for my wife. What if there were to be complications, what of her health and that of the child's? What would happen at childbirth if either of them died? How would I ever survive something like that…if all was to go well, what would happen to my wife and child if something were to happen to me? Who would take care of them?"

Aurel tears had subsided and she smiled faintly, "I had not realized you could contain so many thoughts in that head of yours."

"Yes, well I surprised myself as well."

"Did she know of all your fears?"

"I think she did, but she had fears of her own. I think that is why you are running away."

Aurel looked at him in surprise. "I am not running away!"

"It is your fears not Ada's that take you to Minas Tirith. You should stay with your husband."

"You get more bold every time I speak with you Ethaen, wherever did you acquire the courage to speak to me like?"

"From you." He looked at her with deep concern. "Will you stay?"

She smiled and raised one of her hand's to caress his face. "I cannot."

Ethaen frowned. "Hmm. Then, will you permit me to escort you to Minas Tirith?"

"You are due to go home to Rohan, your wife and children miss you, I am sure of it. I would not keep you from them."

"They would understand." Said Ethaen.

"You are a good son."

Ethaen nodded. "I had exemplary parents."

It had been true what Legolas had said. He had not stopped all night. He had to find his younger brother no matter what. He felt that Lasneth was close, and growing weaker and weaker by the moment. The guard that had stayed with him spotted something.

"Prince Legolas!" he shouted.

Legolas turned his horse around to find the guard had dismounted his horse and was leaning over something; Legolas went immediately to find out what it was. At first Legolas could not trust his weary eyes. There was an elf crumpled on the forest ground, skin pale almost blue with one hand outstretched and the other holding his side.

"Lasneth?" asked Legolas as he approached the elf and turned him onto his back.

Lasneth was barely breathing. "Legolas." He said. "I did not think you could find me…I am on the edge brother. I have been poisoned."

Legolas's heart stopped. He fumbled around looking for the wound. "Do you know with what poison?"

Lasneth closed his eyes. "No…it is human poison, I tried to identify the potent smell it gives off but to no avail…I am not as learned." His breathing became laboured.

"Try and relax…" said Legolas looking at the wound, it was clean, but had started to turn a purplish black colour. He touched it.

Lasneth grunted.

Legolas pressed his fingers to his nose to see if he could identify it, and shook his head not knowing what to make of the poison. "How do you know it is human?"

"Trust me…ai Legolas…I can feel myself drifting."

"I have slowed down the poison for the moment and it will have that affect on you…you may sleep for many days to come."

"I hate sleeping potions…they always make you feel horrible when you wake up." Said Lasneth closing his eyes.

Legolas began to dress the wound carefully, thanking the Valar silently that his brother had the hope yet to wake up. "Yes I remember, but there is no choice here, it is either sleep or death. I would rather you sleep, the ride home will not be comfortable with a wound like this."

"I miss this." Said Lasneth slowly.

"What? Me having to rescue you from a foolhardy decision you've made?" responded Legolas in jest.

But Lasneth did not respond, the sleeping potion was now taking its full effect and it lulled him into a deep and long sleep.

Legolas could see his father crying. He had never seen him cry before, not ever. Many people were rushing around him but he stood in the background watching carefully at what was happening. Lasneth was with him as well, but he did not seem to be aware of the situation.

One of the healers came up to the two young Elves. "You should not be here."

"Why not?" asked Lasneth.

The healer looked to Legolas for help.

Legolas wrapped one of his arms around his younger brother. "Come Lasneth, we shall wait outside." And quietly and quickly led him out the large wooden doors. Both of them sat down at a bench nearby.

"What is happening in there Legolas?"

Legolas looked solemn. "I think something terrible has happened. I think that Naneth might have died…" He did not hide the truth from his younger sibling. He could not believe the words that were coming from his mouth.

Lasneth's eyes opened wide. "And our sister?"

Legolas shook his head; he had not thought about their sister, only their mother.

"No, that cannot be…Naneth would not leave us so suddenly."

Legolas did not know what to say. Lasneth had never experienced death before, he barely understood what the concept was.

"Why would she do that Legolas? Why?" Lasneth asked, his voice was beginning to show signs of weariness and sadness.

Legolas shook his head. "Sometimes there is no choice in death…"

"What does this mean? Do we never get to see her again? What happens?"

Too much was swirling inside Legolas's mind.

"Legolas?" asked Lasneth.

He could bear it no longer and stood quickly, and walked back towards his parent's chambers leaving his brother behind. He broke through a crowd of healers, all whom begged him to leave, that it was not his place there. But he ignored them all, his place was with his parents and that was all that mattered to him. Then, Legolas came upon an image that would remain with him for the rest of his life. His father crying endlessly and sitting next to his mother, who was lying ever so still on their bed. Her eyes were closed.

Thranduil held the hand of his dead wife. "Please do not leave me, please." He whispered.

Legolas's body became heavy; he found that he could not walk towards his parents any longer. Once more a healer came up to him, not to tell him to leave this time, but to give condolences. "I am very sorry Prince Legolas."

He now knew for certain that his mother was dead. He looked at the healer, "And my sister?"

The healer looked down upon the marbled floor, it was the answer that Legolas had dreaded.

"Where is she?" asked Legolas.

The healer walked towards a basinet, inside was what seemed like a bundle of clothing, she picked the bundle up and brought it towards Legolas. "She…never took her first breath." Said the Healer carefully as she handed the dead baby to Legolas.

Legolas now held the bundle in his arms, it was then that he became inconsolable. Falling to ground, holding on to the bundle so closely, he cried all the tears that were inside him. He dared to look at his dead sister; she would have been beautiful.

Legolas had drifted to sleep sometime after reaching the palace and having put Lasneth in the healer's hands. He felt selfish for having left him there, but he wished to see for himself if Aurel was really gone. He immediately went to their chambers and sighed. She was gone. She had not taken much of her belongings, but enough to not have to come back for a long while. He went to their bed and just laid there, her smell was still there and he dared let himself rest, it was then he had fallen asleep. Having awoken to the memory of his dead mother had already put a damper to the way he was feeling. He was beginning to feel the weight grow heavier with the responsibilities of being in charge of a kingdom. He wanted to go after his wife, he wanted to catch the person who had poisoned his brother, he wanted to leave. He could not do any of those. There were many who needed answers and a counsel gathering had been announced. He wearily pushed himself off the bed. He still wore the same clothing he had been wearing two days ago, it mattered little to him. He knew his appearance was of importance but at that moment, he could care less. He walked slowly to where the counsel gather was being held. When he entered, all the bustling voices silenced and all present stood to greet the prince. He waved at them all to sit, not sitting himself, he stood there waiting for the barrage of questions to come towards him.

"Legolas, what has happened here?" asked Cugudim, one of Legolas's most trusted advisors.

"In relation to what?" asked Legolas almost in jest.

"Lasneth has been brought in half way to the hall of Mandos!" said Cugudim harshly.

"He was poisoned with a blade."

"By whom?" asked another advisor.

"I do not know, I have yet to ask that of Lasneth. I am sure you understand that my first priority was to tend to my brother."

All nodded in understanding.

"Aurel was seen leaving earlier. Where has she gone?" asked Cugudim.

Legolas frowned. "To Minas Tirith."

"It is dangerous of her to have left now, especially as we do not know if there is someone hunting the royal family." Said Ihawsanor. Ihawsanor had been soldier guardian of Legolas since he was born. He had watched Legolas grow and now held an important place within the kingdom. "When is she to return?"

Legolas did not answer the question. Instead he refocused the agenda to Lasneth. "I believe the first thing that must be done is a thorough sweeping of the surrounding forest. If this person has left anything behind, we shall know it. Secondly, the poison that Lasneth was given, it is not Elvish."

Many raised their eyebrows at the new piece of information.

"Lasneth was able to tell me little, but what he did say was that it was a man-made poison. I have come across many of the poisons that humans have created, never this one, which brings concern to my mind."

"Who will be in charge of the sweep?" asked Ihawsanor.

"You. I know no one better than to take command of the task."

Ihawsanor nodded.

"For now this council gathering is adjourned. I will call on you all again very soon, with the exception of Ihawsanor, make sure you are all readily available at any times."

Everyone nodded before departing, they could sense that Legolas was weary and left him be. Cugudim, on the other hand, was concerned for the young prince and stayed behind.

"Somehow I did not think you would depart when the gathering was adjourned." Said Legolas with his back facing Cugudim.

Cugudim was concerned. "Why has Aurel left you?"

He turned to face Cugudim. "She has not left me."

"Then when is she to return from Minas Tirith?"

"I do not know."

"Then she has left you Legolas." Said Cugudim.

"Damn you Cugudim and your endless questions!"

Cugudim, not surprised by Legolas's outburst, continued. "Why has she left you?"

"I do not wish to speak of it."

"If you do not, then make sure that her leaving will not affect you Legolas, our kingdom is under threat." It was the last thing he said before walking out and leaving Legolas to his own thoughts.

Legolas slammed both his fists down on the marbled topped table in front of him. And he kept slamming his fists down on it until his hands were sore and raw. He did this so that he could find a way to let go of the pain that was engulfing him, but it remained within him. He thought it best to see how his brother fared and solemnly walked over to where the healer's were keeping Lasneth.

He entered quietly so as not to wake Lasneth, but Lasneth was already awake.

"Legolas." He said quietly.

Legolas actually smiled at the sight of his brother.

"I did not want to wake you, but the sight of you does me well."

Lasneth smiled to himself. "I am nearly recovered. Fortunately the poison was meant to kill me slowly."

"So it was meant to kill you?" asked Legolas, pulling a chair up to sit next to his brother.

"I…I do not know. I think so."

"I need to know if our kingdom is under threat, or if this was some act of randomness." Said Legolas simply.

Lasneth remained silent.

"Do you know who attacked you?"

"Yes."

Legolas stared at his brother for a moment. "And?"

"It's bad Legolas."

"Bad how?"

"Bad…as in bad." Replied Lasneth.

"Stop babbling and tell me who it is was that has attacked you." He had lost his patience already.

"It was Ene." He said quickly.