A/N: I do not own anything except character's not found in the books/movies. LoTR belongs solely to J.R.R Tolkien.

Rated: T

For my readers. Thanks for the reviews! I am so glad you all like it so far.

I need to apologize for taking longer for this chapter! I would have updated sooner but I had not written a word of it yet. My only reasons/excuses are School, Easter, and the coming of guests to my house. So again sorry for the delay and I hope this one lives up to your expectations, review and share your thoughts?

By the way, the words in Elvish you can find the translation of them at the bottom.

Enjoy!


Never Again

Chapter 7: Fight for Power


Suddenly a figure crashed through the rustling bushes and stumbled onto the ground. At first it was hard to recognize who was under the tangled and matted blonde hair, but the icy blue eyes gave his identity away.

Aragorn gasped, "Legolas!"

The elf tried his best to regain his footing, but failed miserably in that task. He whimpered softly in pain for the arrow that pierced his leg felt as if it was ablaze with flames. Aragorn, recovering from the shock, leaped from his steed and ran over to the fallen elf.

Elrohir and Elladan took a moment longer than the human but nonetheless did much the same. Aragorn kneeled before Legolas and felt a sense of sadness and anger creep over him. An arrow protruded through Legolas' leg, he had multiple untended wounds, and bruises the shade of dark purple were scattered across his body.

Yet they had little time to do anything for there was more rustling in the bushes, and the sound of the enemy in pursuit cried out through the forest. Aragorn cursed under his breath and drew a sword from its sheath. The human took a protective stance over the elven Prince and readied for a fight.

The Twins instantly withdrew their own weapons and aimed in the direction of the noise. Elrohir quickly unlatched Legolas' bow and quiver from the horse and set it on the ground beside the elf – in case he should find himself in need of it.

Only a moment came to pass when finally the enemy was upon them. The fight started when they came into their line of sight, and arrows flew through the air. Swords clashed against another with the lust for blood. The enemies outnumbered the four but they weren't giving up easily. They have trained hard for a time like this and fought valiantly.

Vehiron watched from the tree line, a malicious smile was painted upon his dark face and he traced the blade of his small dagger. It received not a single notch when it hit the tree – his original mark was the Prince.

Slowly the silver haired elf crept around the battlefield in a calm matter, with his grey eyes focused on Legolas. Yet his intentions didn't go unnoticed by Aragorn.

"Protect Legolas!" The human cried out to his brothers, swiping his sword across the chest of an enemy.

Elrohir was lost in battle against multiple foes, so he found no opportunity to free himself and help the Prince. It was Elladan who swiftly leaped through a gap in the battle and found his way over to the blonde elf, meeting Vehiron in the middle.

"Stand down, son of Elrond." Vehiron spat. "You do not wish to cross blades with me. This elf, Prince of the Woodland Realm, isn't worth a life such as yours."

"I always defend a friend in need, for my life is not a concern of mine. Yet I think it is you who shall perish today, not I or the others." Elladan replied and raised his sword.

The dark elf's smile fell as he too raised his weapon. His small dagger looked as if a joke against Elladan's long blade. Yet when their battle commenced the silver haired elf was swiftly and with his dagger blocked each attack, holding his own quite well.

Legolas watched where he sat, feeling helpless in the fight. He had however managed to drag himself to a tree to lean his tired body against. In his hand he gripped his bow but had not the strength to string it. His vision blurred slightly through the increasing pain of his arrow wound.

Slowly the blonde elf retracted the weapon from his leg, trying his best not to cry out in agony. He felt as if the world around him shifted and his eyes started to glaze over. From the tip of the arrow a cruel liquid dripped onto the ground. To his horror he knew exactly what it was; poison. The arrow had been poisoned.

Across the path Aragorn was tiring. Each blow had to be used with brute force, in an attempt to overpower his foes. He had to constantly dodge and resume in a repetitive manner. Elrohir wasn't doing any better. He had gone from using a bow on his enemies to drawing out a sword. He too felt the burn in his muscles as the fight dragged on.

Elladan was fiercely holding his own against his calm opponent. However, each time he struck his move was blocked. He was pushing Vehiron farther from Legolas however, and the dark elf noticed but gave no sign of going offense.

In the distance the pounding of hooves echoed through the trees. They could only hope that it was comrades rather than more foes.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

The moment after Lord Elrond spoke to King Thranduil and Morfindiel they set off. They had realized the great peril the elves and human had put themselves in and delayed their journey no longer. They had come to find that three horses were missing from the stables and weapons were misplaced as well. Legolas' bow and quiver were not to be found. All concluded in the end to be taken with the young trio.

They rode with ferocity out of Rivendell, desperate to catch up with the riders. Each had different thought on their mind. Thranduil feared still for his son. The very thought of losing him was tearing his heart in two. Yet he knew that he could not give up the sacred item to Vehiron, for it would be a decision quite foolish. Mixed emotions swarmed through him not at all helping with his nerves.

Elrond, though at peace on the outside, felt a weight heavier than all of Arda upon his chest. Not only were his two elven sons in peril, but the human he had come to consider as his own was as well. It seemed he was at jeopardy of losing almost everything he loved deeply. Only his dear Arwen was safe from harm. Though he also feared the item in the hands of Vehiron, it was pushed further from his mind with each troubled thought.

Morfindiel in a way felt he was at fault here. For it was he who had taken the place of the once known Hithon. It was he who angered the elf and drove him to his breaking point. Now he felt that it was also he who had driven Vehiron to kidnap his dear friend Legolas, as well as push Estel and the Twins to go in pursuit of the Prince. He now wished he had declined the offer of the King years before and waited longer from the return of Hithon. If any of them died he would feel the heaviest guilt over all.

It took them time, but not nearly as long as Elrond's sons, to reach the borders of the place known as Mirkwood. They too felt the chilling sense of dread as they entered cautiously. Thranduil and his elven company were used to it all and rode forward without a look over their shoulders. Elrond and his men were more weary and trekked slowly behind the King's group.

"How shall we know where to look?" Morfindiel asked from ahead.

"Hopefully we shall find them before they make a mistake, or listen for the sounds of clashing swords." Thranduil replied solemnly, cringing at the latter.

They rode onwards paying attention to the slightest detail around them. In the dirt were fading footprints of hooves. It signaled that the group had indeed followed upon the path for now. It wasn't long until they heard a sound.

"Shh!" Elrond hissed.

Each listened intently to the sounds of the woods. Over the subtle breeze there was a soft clang. It repeated itself as it echoed through the woods. They knew all too well what the sound was from past experiences in their lives. It was the sound of a battle.

They each exchanged a glance and slapped down the reins. Their horses shot off down the path, their hooves drumming against the ground. The clanging sound grew louder as they approached, and in the short distance they saw it at last. The group was locked in battle with the opposing elves. Crimson blood stained the ground as well as the clothing their each wore.

In the midst of the fighting Elrond could see his three sons alive and well, but tiring fast with each blow. He cried out in elvish and his guards leaped from their steeds and jumped into battle. Thranduil and Morfindiel dismounted their own horses and they and their company joined in as well.

"Estel!" Elrond cried out to the man, "seek strength and find protection."

Aragorn turned to his father's cry and noticed the arrival of help. Yet this request was somewhat strange in a way he couldn't understand. Now that they had the upper hand he should push on with the battle, not find a way out. He felt reluctant to not follow the orders of his ada but dared not relieve his hold in the fight.

Thranduil and thrown himself fiercely in battle beside Elrohir, helping the young elf fight off the foes. Together they cut down their enemies, but not as swiftly as they would hope. Yet each knew that at an advantage with a slow pace was better than a risk with speed.

"Elladan!" Elrond shrieked over the voices in terror.

Morfindiel turned to see what had caused the lord elf's uproar. Across the pathway one of the twins were locked in battle with none other than Vehiron. It appeared that Elladan was holding his own, until the dark elf realized he was pressed for time. He dodged the young elf's attack and swung his dagger ferociously at Elladan. The dark haired elf was caught off guard at this sudden motion and the weapon swept across him on the right.

Elladan cried out in pain and fell to the ground holding his wounded side. Vehiron's smile returned and slowly he stepped over the pained elf and strode towards a fallen Legolas. Morfindiel felt a surge of great angst at the two actions and maneuvered through the battlefield. At last he came head to head with the silver haired elf.

"It has been a long time since we crossed blades, Morfindiel." Vehrion hissed, stopping in his tracks.

"It has indeed, but I assure you this time will be our last!" Morfindiel screeched and attacked the elf.


Language Translation (recap)

- Hir-nin: My Lord

- Ada: Dad/Daddy

- Ion-nin: My Son

- Penneth: Young One