A/N: Hi, my friends, how are you? Knowing that you would kill me if you would wait long, I sat down and wrote the next chapter. Poor Castiel jumps from one drama to the other, first her mother, then her best friend and now the man she loves.

Silverwind1313- Thanks a lot, I'm happy you liked it.

legolas-jj- To be honest, I was sad myself while I was writing Chapter 9. I'm glad you like it so far.

Seriya Silvermist- Hahahahaha, oh my God! I knew that someone would say that I'm devious because I poisoned Legolas.

ashley44- Hannon le, my friend :) Well, I had told you I would update tomorrow, but I had inspiration crisis from tonight...maybe your mystical powers are responsible ;)

Hirilnin- Thank you, hope you'll like the new chapter too.

Guest- Thanks, I hope you didn't wait long.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Lord of the Rings', I only own the characters I create.

In the evening, Castiel was reading in the library, enjoying her loneliness, away from everything that was scaring her. Nobody had disturbed her, not even Daechir. On the contrary, from the moment they sat down on the table to eat, he was behaving strangely, for he was looking intensively towards her, as if he was expecting her to do something. What was even more strange, though, was the fact that from one moment he seemed furious and...scared?

Castiel sighed and tried to concentrate back in her book, but now her suspicions had invaded in her mind and were preventing her to focus. With a confused smile, she left the book on the shelf she had found it and went to search for Legolas, sure that his company would distract her. Since she had not seen him anywhere in the grounds, she presumed that he was in his room. She knocked lightly on the door, but, to her surprise, there was no answer.

This is weird. Legolas never sleeps in the evenings. He always says evening is a wonderful time of the day and must not be wasted in things like sleeping.

She knocked again, this time louder, but the result was the same. After a small hesitation, the half-elven girl opened the door quietly and saw at once that Legolas was indeed sleeping. He was lying on the back, his arms resting on his sides, so peacefully, that he was barely breathing.

Barely breathing.

It was exactly this thought that made Castiel leave a loud gasp and run next to hm. She discoevered that he was bathed in sweat, his chest moving slowly, so slowly, that he was giving the impression of being already dead. Terrified, Castiel placed her hand on his forehead and was shocked when she felt the unnatural warmth. Despair packed her and she called for her loyal maid.

'Melima! Melima, come here!'

As if she was near, Melima rushed in the chamber, startled by her lady's screams.

'What is wrong, my lady?' she asked, but then her eyes fell on Legolas. 'The Prince! What happened?'

'Go and call King Thranduil!' she ordered her, unable to control her cracking voice. 'And Nestaron! And Sidhion! Just call someone!' she yelled and the first tears started streaming down her youthful face.

Without replying, Melima left as quickly as she could. Castiel kneeled beside Legolas's bed and pressed his hand on her forehead, praying for his life.

'Please, Legolas, hang tight' she begged him, having a feeling he could hear her. 'You can not die, no, you can not. Think about everything you will leave here. Think about your father, who has only you, about your friends...about me. I will not hold on if I lose you as well'

Soon afterwards, the king came running, followed by Nestaron, Maeron and Sidhion. Thranduil's face became a mask of pain at the sight of his only son. Nestaron, although upset, tried to stay calm, for he knew that this was his duty as healer. He put his fingers on the prince's wrist.

'His pulse is extremely weak' he stuttered and everybody looked at him. Thranduil caressed Legolas's cheek, mumbling under his breath. Nobody could hear what he was saying, but they were sure that he was praying for mercy.

'How did this happen, Castiel?' Sidhion turned to her.

'I do not know. I came, found him in this situation and called for you. I have no idea what could cause this'

In a sudden, Nestaron gasped. He looked at Legolas, than at the others and then out of the window, as if he was afraid to speak.

'How...How mach time passed since we sat down to eat?' he then said. 'Please, just answer that question'

'I do not remember exactly, mellon nin...' Maeron rubbed his chin. 'I think about two hours'

'Two hours' Nestaron replied. 'I start having a suspicion about what happened'

Before anybody could react, he pulled away Legolas's blanket and pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a large, black spot on his forearm.

'As I was fearing!' he exclaimed. 'Poison'

'Poison?' his companions yelled simultaneously and Thranduil looked at his son.

'Yes and a very rare one' Nestaron went on. 'It starts working about an hour after the victim drinks it. Apparently Legolas held on more, considering his elvish nature. This black spot is the difference between this poison and the others, for it can be easily misunderstood with a bruise'

Deadly silence followed his words, as they were all thinking about his words. Thranduil's situation was the worst.

'I can not believe it' he whispered. 'My son, the prince...Who could do this? Why would anyone want to poison him?'

Castiel raised her head and everything became clear for her. She knew very well who this "anyone" was and why he would do such a crime. If there was someone in Mirkwood to have reason to kill Legolas, it was Daechir and her father.

Two are the possible explanations. Either Daechir poisoned Legolas's wine in an attempt to get rid of him or...or the poison was not destined for Legolas, but for me. And maybe Legolas saw it and...and wanted to take my place, to save my life...again. And his words earlier, that he will always be next to me, even if he will be far away...he wanted to say "farewell" and I did not realize it!

Guilt overwhelmed her, her head sank on the bed and her shoulders started shaking from the loud sobs. She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she pushed it away and jumped on her feet.

'I will be back soon' she announced and ran outside.

'Castiel!' Maeron called after her. 'Castiel, where are you going?' But when he got no answer, he rushed behind her, scared that she would do something reckless.

Alarois and Daechir were walking up and down in the grounds of the castle. According to Daechir, Castiel should be affected by the poison by now, but nobody had come to inform them.

'Do you think something went wrong?'

'Nothing went wrong' Daechir answered with self-confidence. 'She drank the wine, which means she has the poison inside her body'

He had just finished his sentence, when the door swung open. Their eyes widened when they saw Castiel running towards them, with Maeron following in a short distance.

'You have many explanations to give' Alarois hissed furiously.

'You did this, did you not?' she shouted, looking right at Daechir full of hate, wondering how she could ever accept to marry him. 'It is all your fault!'

'What did I do, my lady?' he pretended to have no idea what she was talking about. Maeron interfered, in order to protect Castiel from another outburst.

'Prince Legolas. He was poisoned and his situation is very severe'

'What?' the two men exclaimed at the same time and this time their surprise was not faked, realizing what this would mean.

'But how?' Alarois wondered, looking with sympathy at his daughter. 'Who could hate him so much? Poisoning a prince, that is treason'

'Do not act as if you are innocent, I know you too well!' Castiel turned towards him. 'And I also know very well that only you could be behind this!'

'I am afraid you are mistaking' Daechir smiled innocently. 'Both Lord Alarois and I appreciate the prince and never wished his harm. Besides, do you have any proof?'

'It is alright, Daechir' the ruler of Almaarea spoke before Castiel could answer. 'Her reaction is completely logical. After all, Prince Legolas was the one who found her and cared for her. It is normal for her to be so upset about this. I even think that we should leave now and return to our realm. It is not proper to stay while they are facing such a drama'

'Yes, this will be the best, that you leave now' Castiel nodded.

'Do not worry, my beloved daughter, we will. Do not lose your hope, the prince needs you strong. You will see that everything will be fine. But now it is better if you go to him'

'Come, Castiel' Maeron told her softly, rubbing her back to calm her. 'Let us go back inside'

The night had fallen over the Woodland Realm, dark, without stars. The room of the young prince who was fighting for his life was lit with candles, which were trying to comfort the grieving father and friends with their light, but without success. Veryan, Maeron and Sidhion, after Thranduil's insisting, had gone to sleep, leaving him with Castiel and Nestaron to watch over Legolas. The latter had gone to the library soon afterwards to search for the cure, although he had warned them that it was rare as the poison.

His situation had not become better. Despite Nestaron's hard attempts, the poison continued to exist in Legolas's body, making him weaker than he had ever been. He had not woken up from the moment he was found and they had to raise him to give him some water.

The Elvenking took a wet cloth and placed it on his son's forehead, trying to lessen the fever. He then threw a look towards Castiel and felt sorry for her. For hours now she had not left Legolas's side, she had not eaten anything and she had only drunk a few sips of water. Thranduil knew how important Legolas was for her and hoped that he would make it through, for himself and for all of them.

'Castiel' he whispered gently and she rose her head from her knees. Her face was very pale, making a contrast with her red eyes.

'Yes, my King?' her voice was low and hoarse from the crying.

'It is better if you go to sleep. I will stay here and if anything happens, I will inform you the next second'

'Thank you for your concern, my King, but it is my duty to stay here with him. I am alright, do not feel worried about me. Besides, you can not stay alone at such a difficult hour'

Thranduil smiled melancholically at her kindness. Despite her own despair, she was still trying to comfort the others. At this moment and having suspected the feelings Legolas had for her, he saw her as a daughter.

'Bless you, child' he said sincerely. 'Bless you. I want to see my son waking up, not only because he is my son, but because I want you to see him again'

Castiel smiled, touched by his words, although she could not be consoled. King Thranduil was not blaming her, but she knew that, no matter if Legolas was poisoned intentionally or accidentally, everything was her fault.

I should never agree to stay here when I learned that my father and Daechir would arrive. And Legolas paid for this decision. But it is over now: when we will have specific news I will go away. I have to go away, I can not risk their lives anymore. In my presence they will always be in danger and I have to protect them, with any cost.

A/N: So, guys, here we are, another chapter has come to an end. Legolas is fighting for his life and his loved ones are desparate...how will this end? And how will Castiel's father react towards Daechir, now that they know that they poisoned the wrong person? Can't wait for your reviews.