Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR

A/N: Hi here's the next chapter. It's short but it packs a wallop!

Cursed by any other name-11

Théoden stood on guard it was the third time he had to form a line. Many of his men lay dead or injured and to his dismay the Thranduil's army, though also suffered casualties, did not waver. Anger was a powerful weapon and mixed with sharp judgment made it that much more lethal.

"You should surrender now, Théoden King. For your attempts are futile!" the Mirkwood king exclaimed

Théoden eyes narrowed at the words. "Men do not surrender in battle you off all things should know this by now."

"Surely you know that you are out numbered. Why do you risk further loss?" Thranduil stated.

"Because elf kings my kingdom will not subject it's self to the likes of you!…Théoden turned his attention to his men raising his sword… "Charge!"

Thranduil remained still his breath faintly rising in the cool air. His men stood faithfully at his side poised and ready. Eyes fixed on the army coming toward them.

'Steady' he ordered in elfish sensing the nervousness of his kin.

Théoden with fierce determination led his men over the field. This time he will once more shed blood but this time it would be the king's.

Meanwhile, Legolas and Aragorn made their way across the fields. The prince struggled to keep up with the ranger ignoring the pain he pressed forward. Aragorn stopped looking behind his shoulder his worry mounting as the elf prince fell to a bent knee. He was at his side in an instant.

"You must not push yourself so hard. It will only make the poison quicken through your blood."

Legolas winced. "We are not far now we cannot stop."

"You will make yourself ill… the ranger tore a leaf off the herb… "Eat this it should help."

Legolas complied and with aid got back on his feet. Aragorn quickly led the way ushering the elf with him. The last thing he needed was Rohan falling because of his mistakes. His choices.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

Thranduil took unsheathed his weapon as his own kind dove into battle his eyes not leaving the king of men before him. Théoden swung his sword steed driving him to his victim, the elf king swiftly moved to the side grabbing hold of horse's halter he swung himself up and behind the king. With a sharp tug both fell to the ground both man and elf got to their feet their weapons meeting in the middle.

"You are a fool to take me on." Théoden stated defiantly.

Thranduil answered his words with the swing of his sword but it once more clanged out hitting the others sword. He did not hold back letting out a yell he lunged forward, swinging his sword with a timeless skill catching Théoden off guard as the others hostility heightened. However, he met each attack with equal aggression.

Thranduil ducked and spun around earning pained yelp from his opponent looking up he saw blood seep from his arm from the large gash. Théoden defensively stepped backwards as he was driven back by the elf's swing. With a mighty yell the king of Rohan knocked the sword from elf kings hand kicking him down on his back. The tip of his blade pointed at Thranduil's throat.

"Do you have any last words?"

Thranduil glared at the king in a flash Théoden had lost his dominate edge as he found him the position his opponent was in. Thranduil reached for the sword but let out a grunt as a booted foot met his mid section and was thrown over head landing on the ground with a hard thud. He did not remain there long as he rolled several rotations away from the blade that bit into the ground several inches away. As agile as a cat he threw himself back onto his feet with one hand. He spun around halting the sword with his hands and the two struggled to gain control.

Thranduil head snapped back as an elbow connected with his face the movement so rough that it knocked his crown from his head. He dove away but it was not without injury as a sharp burning pain hit his shoulder, raising a pale hand to the wound blood spilling through the cracks of his fingers. He let out a primal yell thrusting himself forward he wrapped his arms around the kings waist tackling him to the ground. Slamming his fist into the kings throat he took hold of the others sword raising it above him.

Théoden lay their stunned, busy concentrating on breathing to see the glint of his own sword hanging above him. He squeezed his eyes shut waiting for the enviable but the ending blow never came, instead he felt something cover him harsh panting came to his hearing. Opening his eyes he was expecting to see one of his men, instead he was met with that of an elf.

Thranduil attack froze at the sudden appearance of the elf before him. Confusion hit his senses but that was taken over with shock as he was met with his son's eyes staring back at him. Coming to he gripped the sword harder.

'Legolas, what are you doing?' he asked in their native tongue.

The prince didn't answer. His grip tightening protectively around the king his heart thudding in his chest. Thranduil jaw clenched blue eyes darkening with anger.

'I command you to move!' he shouted harshly.

"If you kill him. You will have to kill me too." Legolas answered with inherited authority causing his father's expression to damper some… returning to his own language he continued to vent… 'Look around you father, how many lives must we lose? We have not obtained what we have longed for. We are driven by hate, we are blind to who we once were, I do not wish to spend the rest of my life spilling innocent blood. My heart cannot bare it Ada. This is what I chose. And what you say will not change it.'

"If it is blood you want. Then it is mine that you should shed. Rohan did not ask this to befall on them nor did your kingdom."

Thranduil looked up to see Aragorn standing there. In fact to his shock he saw that the fighting had come to a stand still. Looking back down at his son he was caught in the throws of what was right and what he wanted to do. His hands shook slightly, as he held the sword Legolas closed his eyes whispering a silent prayer everyone waited with baited breath to see what the king would do. Wind filled the dense silence then the word rang out as it hit the ground.

The elf king stood up firmly giving out an order for his men to stand down. Legolas removed himself from Théoden, getting to his feet he met his fathers face who in returned held an emotion that he rarely saw. Acceptance.

Aragorn smiled but a sharp whistle caught his attention turning he saw his kin riding toward them. Alarm crossed his features as he caught an arrow head in his direction. Glancing back at the trio before him and then back at the ranger he reacted on pure instinct lunging at the intended target.

"Watch out!" he yelled but suddenly darkness took him as felt something slam into his back.

Legolas barely new what happened, he was aware of his father falling to the ground Aragorn along with him. His heart came to a halt as he saw the end of an arrow protruding from the still rangers back!

A/N: …gah!

FC27