Happy Christmas! Right. I am incredibly sorry about the wait on this chapter. My apologies, friends! Life has been very hectic and, well, you've heard these excuses before. (Actually I was very inventive with my excuse for not calling my tutor the other day, but I don't suppose the neighbors dog ate my telephone would work now, would it? Er, the neighbors dog ate my modem? LOL!) Well, I am sorry, so without further ado (the very short, I apologize again), and long-awaited:

Chapter 14: Haunted Soul

Legolas did not know how long he kneeled beside the pool. He was aware of a constant throbbing in his side, but did not connect it to be of his injury; merely of guilt. It might have just been a few hours… or days. Time mattered no longer; all the time did was to give him more time to contemplate Gandalf's death. How if he not returned then, or made a movement, just as Gandalf was about to be saved he might still be with the Fellowship now. Had it not been for his carelessness, perhaps Gandalf would still be alive. Or maybe if he had just stayed away… for just one more second. All his thoughts were jumbled as he attempted to make sense of the injustice.

::Injustice upon whom, tithen Greenleaf? Mithrandir? Or yourself, for having to bear this "terrible burden…"?:: The voice was now mocking and sarcastic, and Legolas briefly wondered to himself just how truthful it truly was.

He could still see and feel the terrible darkness surrounding him as he struggled to breathe; struggled to live. The dark shadow closing in on him as it attempted to choke him while he tried to fight it off.

Legolas stumbled back, holding his hand to his side sub-consciously. He turned and blindly sought through the trees, though for what he did not know. As he neared where the fellowship remained, his knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He did not attempt to stand up again, but as darkness enveloped him, the last sound he heard was the soft wind around his body and justice echoing in his mind.

"…seen the white city?" Aragorn focused back on the present to hear the rest of Boromir's question.

"Long ago," responded Aragorn softly, remembering that last fateful visit, when Ecthelion died and Denethor, the son of Ecthelion, became steward. Boromir did not remember, but Aragorn remembered him as a child, as well as his younger brother, Faramir. Faramir, the gentle-hearted child who seemed to hold so much hope, so much light. In fact, Faramir was slightly reminiscent of Legolas in that sense, that he held so much light and love. Aragorn shook his head as his thoughts once again returned to his friend. Suddenly a chill took his heart and Aragorn felt icy fear pass through his mind. Something had happened—something regarding Legolas, Aragorn knew. He turned to Boromir. "I… I must do something, Boromir."

Boromir turned to him and gazed at him with question in his eyes. Aragorn shook his head and turned to leave through the trees to his left. He had gone not even ten paces when he saw a still figure lying upon the ground. A still figure with golden hair… and surrounded by a pool crimson blood.

"Legolas!"

"Elbereth."

The softly spoken word intertwined with the gentle breeze and the soft whispers of the trees which surrounded him. The rustle of leaves was gentle and the air was filled in twilight vale. If the trees thought it odd that a being was in their clearing, it was not because they were unused to people, but rather the fact that it was a human being, as opposed to an elf that surprised them. Aragorn leaned his back against one of the trees. Soon, night would fall, and Aragorn could only pray that the sun would not set upon Legolas' time as well this night.

Being banned from the healer's room after being too anxious that Legolas would die, and being somewhat of a boor as he attempted to help, he retreated to the forest. He knew very well that Galadriel could do a much better job than himself at healing Legolas, but that did not make it any easier to leave him. If he had had it his way, he would not have moved from Legolas' side until he awoke. That is, if he awoke.

Aragorn shook his head, chastising himself for even thinking such thoughts. Legolas would awaken, and everything would be good once again. He hoped.

Galadriel threw the crimson stained cloth that she held in her hands to the floor, to join the pile of the others. She took in a deep breath. She had stopped the bleeding for the most part, but Legolas remained pale and taking in shallow breaths. She had done all she had could with her skill of healing and her magical abilities. Now, the rest was up to Legolas. Already the prince was wandering the realm of darkness and Galadriel only knew a few people now who could call him back. And Aragorn was one of them.

Aragorn sat silently beside Legolas and clasped the elf's cold hands in his own. The prince seemed to be a carven marble statue—cold, and regal, and still… His already fair face was now alabaster. The only sign that the elf still remained alive was the almost imperceptible rise and fall of his chest, and with every fall was the fear that it might never rise again. His golden hair framed his features elegantly.

Aragorn gently pushed back a strand of hair away from Legolas' face.

"Legolas, mellon-nín, echuivo! Awaken to me and return to the light. Legolas…"

Legolas wandered in darkness until he heard a gentle voice speaking to him of life. He looked around as he heard his name spoken. He was drawn slowly from his world of darkness and placed back into reality. He slowly opened his eyes and was met with the face of Aragorn. He started to jerk away before remembering he was safe. For a single brief moment, he had forgotten his grief and that Mithrandir was dead. All was like it had been before, and Aragorn was his brother. Then, like a cold, hard slap to his face, the knowledge hit him, leaving him almost wishing that he could be an ignorant fool. He forced himself to gaze coldly at the ranger, not wanting to kill him as well. He had figured earlier that if he were only to hurt his friends, then if he was not friend with Aragorn, Aragorn would be safe from him. So, keeping his brotherhood with Aragorn in mind, he forced himself to act as though Aragorn was the enemy.

::There's a good lad.::

Legolas clenched his fists, wishing he could kill the voices instead. Yet somewhere inside his mind, he heard some invisible voice telling him he would be lost without them.

That is not true, he tried to say, but found his voice drowned out among all the others in his head.

::Yes it is.::

Though he tried to argue once again, he simply could not and gave up for the time being. If Aragorn were to see his inner turmoil now, he might pry and he could not afford to allow Aragorn to do that. As his hands moved to his side he found the throbbing feeling had now turned numb and yet at the same time, felt as though he had been pierced with a thousand arrows dipped in orcish poison. It had been bound in a white bandage and a strange smelling salve. He turned away from Aragorn slightly, knowing he was lucky he had been lying on that side of his body and Aragorn had yet to see it. With any luck, he would never have to.

These voices seemed to be controlling him, and he was powerless to stop them.

"Legolas?" said Aragorn, in a concerned tone.

"Ay, Aragorn?" Legolas responded icily in a voice that was not his own, and though he despised hurting the ranger, he would rather that than to truly hurt him in a life threatening way. This was hurting terribly to do this to Aragorn, though, and with every word he spoke it felt as though he was being stabbed through his heart a thousand times over.

Aragorn faltered slightly and though Legolas wished to apologize, he could not. Instead, he merely stared at Aragorn, his long time friend and brother-at-arms as well as at-heart, as though he was but a simpleton for even bothering to wake him up.

"I grew worried when you did not return," Aragorn said, though his voice sounded ever so slightly uncertain. "I found you… you were just lying there… still…" Legolas would not have even noticed the uncertainty in Aragorn's voice had he not known Aragorn for his entire life. He gave Aragorn an unforgiving stare, though he wished nothing better than to simply tell Aragorn all his fears and grief and yet he could not. He wished to merely take Aragorn in his arms and apologize and say everything would be okay, but it would not, and he could not. Not because of his pride, which might have actually lasted quite long, but he would never have pushed Aragorn away as he was doing for simply the sake of pride. For though he did inherit somewhat a large amount of pride from his forefathers, he would not ruin a friendship merely for the sake of it. What was happening to him?

"When I found you as you were… I thought you were dead…" His voice broke and he looked away. When Legolas showed no outer signs of caring, a hint of sarcasm crept into Aragorn's voice. "Though I see you think me a simpleton for caring about you."

Legolas glared at him as he snapped, "Well, I am almost three millennia years of age, Aragorn. I would think I can take care of myself by now." His tone was clearly remarking that Aragorn could not. Aragorn felt his own temper rising as he retorted without thinking, "Ay, almost as well as you protected Mithrandir, do you not think, Legolas?"

Immediately after the words left his mouth, Aragorn regretted them. Where had those words even come from? Waiting for Legolas' response, he braced himself for rage, anger, fury… anything but what he received. Legolas finally looked into his eyes for the first time since Aragorn had awoken him and what Aragorn saw terrified him more than he would have ever expected. In place of the silver eyes that normally twinkled with kindness and laughter, he found they had been replaced with dim, dark grey eyes filled with a sort of madness and yet… nothingness. As though Legolas was not even there. Forgetting his previous remark, Aragorn asked, "Legolas! What has happened to you?"

Legolas suddenly felt the urge to attack Aragorn. He had this sudden urge to pull out his blades and attack Aragorn. Some small part of him screamed, "No! This is wrong! He is your brother, Legolas! Don't do it!" But that part of him had no more power; no more control. He was no longer Legolas Greenleaf.

Legolas gave a strangled choke as he attempted to fight off the evil which spoke to him. When it became apparent that this would not be a victorious battle, he gave a strangled cry.

"Aragorn! Heiram! Le garo ego!"

Aragorn uncertainly took a step forward to help his friend. Legolas had turned several shades whiter than he had already been and was clenching his hands tightly around the sheets. He could see beads of sweat form on his brow.

"Legolas, let me help—"

"GO!!"

Aragorn stared at the elf for a moment before making the decision to abide by Legolas' wishes. He would get help! He would find Gandalf and… he stopped in mid-thought. Gandalf was dead. He could not help them now.

Aragorn turned and left the room.

flashback

"Estel." Elrond smiled kindly at the young man who entered the room, though anxiousness touched his eyes. "Havo dad."

The young human took a seat upon the chair beside his father's.

"You called, ada?" he asked, and Elrond could tell that he was itching to be outside and practice his weaponry with Elladan and Elrohir. His hair, which was a little past his shoulders, was partly kept behind his ears showing his human heritage with his rounded ears, though a few strands of hair fell casually around his face. His stormy grey-green eyes and his regal facial features were strongly reminiscent of the great Numenorian kings of old.

"Ay, Estel. I must speak with you about something strongly important regarding… your future, and your past. And you might now understand your bringing up of here in Imladris rather than… with mortals. Your heritage is perhaps not what you would have ever thought it to be, and a very serious matter. You were brought up in Imladris and given a different name for a time because the dark lord would have you killed, just as he had your blood father murdered by his minions. Estel, your true name is Aragorn son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur, and heir to the throne of Gondor."

Estel stood up suddenly, knocking over the chair with a loud crash as it hit the floor, but did not turn to pick it up.

"You have kept this from me, for twenty years of my life. You have kept my ancestry… and the knowledge, which I should have known from birth, away from me all this time. And all this time you knew! You would have had me call you my father for the rest of my life, never knowing, and you never caring. How could you betray me as this? I trusted you! I called you my father!"

The words that issued from his mouth were the words of the brash young human, but he could never have known how much they hurt the one he called father for almost all the entirety of his life. Estel turned and left the room without so much as a second glance, but if he had turned back, he might have seen the grief that filled Elrond's eyes and the hurt that covered his face… And the love that emanated from his heart. Nor did he hear, then, the softly spoken words in the grey tongue. "Diheno nín."

end flashback

Aragorn shook his head, ridding himself of painful memories he had though long forgotten. He would not fail his brother this time as he had failed his father before. He would not just leave. He would save him, just as the elf had saved him so many times and just as Elrond kept him alive. Elbereth, whether by life or death, he would save his brother; he just hoped he would not be too late.

First of all, before I reply to any reviews, thanks to all who reviewed and thanks to all who will review this chapter because it means a ton to me! My late updates are awful and I know they only seem to be getting worse. I digress, life is hectic, school is hectic, blah is hectic, hectic is hectic… socks are hectic, heck; everything seems to be hectic now! Also, my computer spazzed and I had to re-write the entire chapter!! It was awful to have written a long chapter (It was long for me; 14 pages) and then I had to go back and write it over again. It bummed me out, so I didn't write for a while. (As I said before, I digress, never a good thing, so before I digress too much more, let it be done that I a give a huge thank you to everyone!)

Deana: Ah, mellon-nín, I cannot even begin to apologize for the horrible wait. I hope (if you are still reading) that you at least enjoyed this chapter. Thanks a million for reviewing and happy Christmas!

Faerlain: I do hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! I am so sorry for the wait!! And still you review… You're so kind to me. Agh… I'm horrible!! Merry Christmas!

Dur En Thurin Naur: Haha, yeah I highly doubt it as well! Anywho, thanks for reviewing, I know I'm horrible with updates. Bad Irish Anor, BAD! ::slaps hand:: Have a happy Christmas! Mereth Veren e-Doled Eruin!!

Gozilla: Aye, 'tis sad. I hope. Thanks for the compliment!! Thanks for reviewing, it really does mean a LOT to me! Merry Christmas!

Star-Stallion: You hated the wait then? I bet you're ready to murder me now!! I'm terribly sorry, you know how it is!! Thanks for the review and have a happy Christmas!!

Amronil: Hardy har har. Thanks for reviewing. Merry Christmas!!!

Countess Verona Dracula: I don't think you made it, LOL! Thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you at least liked the first chapter, haha! Merry Christmas!

Random Reviewer: Er, how did you find me on both sites? ::shakes head:: Beyond mine and Boromir's comprehension, LOL. Thanks for the review and have a happy Christmas!!

RR: Thanks, I'll try to send you an e-mail sometime. Life is really busy and I don't have as much time this year. You think I would. Then add that my computer is spazzy and you have a recipe for disaster! LOL! Thanks for reviewing.

Blue moon: Hi, Éomer. Yeah, I knew, LOL. Thanks fore reviewing, it only took me half a year to update. ::taps nose:: New Years Resolution… Stop running into trees. (Boromir: I second that! Honestly, she gets a bit annoying) Oh, shut up, Boromir. At least I don't get myself chucked over waterfalls…

Blue moon It's Deja vú all over again! LOL, thanks for the second review. Happy Christmas!

Strider: Yes. I know. Here, have a golden oreo.

Strider: Ahhh!!! It's a clone!!! ::runs around in circles; runs into a tree:: Duh, you clone. Of course they don't. LOL!!! Happy Christmas, Estel!

Arago: AHHH!!! How is a clown any less scary than a snake? Just curious.

Steel sword: Yeah, that was so funny! Thanks for reviewing. (I think) Er, happy Christmas.

Cuteland Wuddle Creature: No comment.

The one whose alter ego is someone with blue eyes: Cheese. You think your name could get any longer, LOL!?

Your into the west singing buddy: Who else? THE WEASEL!! DO NOT SHARE THE WEASEL! BWAHAHAHA!! Happy Christmas!!

Ok, once again, I thank all of you for your ongoing patience with me and my horribly late updates. I make no promises as to when the next chapter will be up, but I do promise to work on it and TRY to get it up much sooner than this one. But, hey, I'm not perfect (LOL) and life is so hectic. (See afore mentioned) Er, I'm also looking for a beta, if anyone is willing, please tell me. I'll see you all in 2005!!!