The Evil Inside

by MCross

On a visit to Imladriss legolas begins to feel sick. He hides this from his friends until matters take their own course. Why is he blacking out and why is his behaviour changing so rapidly? Can his friend's find out and help him before it is too late?

14. Chapter 14

The Evil Inside

By MCross

Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to the wonderfully talented Tolkien and as much as I would love to say they belong to me, they don't. I own and get nothing for these stories apart from pure pleasure.

Rating: M for Horror/Angst

Summary: On a visit to Imladris, Legolas begins to feel sick. He hides this from his friends until matters take their own course. What could be causing Legolas to black out and why is his behaviour changing so rapidly? Can his friends find out in time to help him?

WARNING! Intense scenes. Character death (?).

Thanks to my wonderful Betas Sara and Barbara. Also big thanks to Misty, Terri, Becky and Katy for their ongoing support and love.

o Vocabulary o

Anor … the sun

Fëa, Faer … spirit

Suilad … greeting, hello

Tiro! ... Look!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Chapter Fourteen

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

(From last chapter)

"Is he breathing?" Glorfindel fairly barked at Elladan.

Elladan checked and then turned wide, terrified grey eyes to Glorfindel just in time to see Elrond and Galadriel both collapse in limp heaps to the floor and lay there, motionless…

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

For a full second silence reigned in the chamber. As Elladan's words, or rather his lack of words sank in.

"Move, now!" Glorfindel's tone was one of command, a tone rarely used towards the sons of his best friend and Lord. He had known them all of their lives and had bounced the three of them on his knees. It made it difficult to order them around as he would his warriors. So this tone was rarely used on them, unless they had done something wrong, of course.

It was a testament to this fact that Estel moved without thought so Glorfindel and Gailarphen could reach Legolas. He moved well out of the way, but could not prevent a sob from leaving his lips. Legolas could not be dead, he just could not. Not after all they had been through together.

All the things that Legolas had taught him, many a time after his brothers and a few times even his Adar, had tried and failed dismally to teach him. Yet, Legolas always managed to get the salient point across so that Estel could understand the lesson.

No, Legolas, the brother of his heart, could not die, he could not, would not let him. He would go beyond death to make certain that it did not happen, if he had to.

Arms suddenly snaked around him and he looked up un-heading of the tears that ran down his face, in time to see tears running down Elrohir's own cheeks.

"He will be alright." The younger twin's voice was soft.

"Legolas always is." Another pair of arms snaked around the two of them, as Elladan joined them. None of them were entirely sure which of them was comforting the other.

Gailarphen moved to check his pulse as Glorfindel reached for fresh bandages to stop the bleeding from the chest wound.

Legolas' wrist was already cooling and Gailarphen felt a huge lump grow in his throat. He frantically searched for a pulse and almost stopped with sheer shock and relief when he felt a single thump of a pulse. But then… nothing. He desperately counted the seconds, praying to Estë that he would feel another beat, that he would not have to speak the words that he dreaded so much.

Finally, he looked up to meet other reluctant eyes, he opened his mouth to speak and then stopped, stunned. There was another beat below his fingers!

"He lives!"

The sigh of utter, gut-wrenching relief from Estel would never be spoken of, as the door to the chamber opened to reveal Celeborn with Mithrandir hot on his heels.

At seeing his grandson's distress, though, Celeborn wavered, between wanting to comfort his kin and the need to aid Legolas. He looked over at Legolas and his decision was made in that instant.

"By Elbereth, what has happened?"

Glorfindel's hands were covered in the silver-red blood of the Firstborn. "Trouble." It was a single terse word. Glorfindel did not have the time to say more, not if Legolas were to live.

Gailarphen looked up from checking Legolas' temperature and crossed over to the herb table. At this time, he did not think that giving Legolas more herbs for his fever would do any further harm to the ailing elf.

He hurriedly explained as he began preparing the herbs. "We do not really know. We were washing Legolas down when the first cut appeared on his cheek, it was quickly followed by another and then the wound to his leg. But by far the worst is the wound to his chest." Gailarphen would never forget the shock he felt at seeing the wound appear as if from nowhere.

"I will help, Glorfindel." Celeborn's voice was grim as he moved around the limp forms of Galadriel and Elrond on the floor. He knew there was nothing he could do to help them while they were in this state. His voice was grim as he picked up a clean cloth and moved to help staunch the flow of blood.

Mithrandir also moved to stand and observe the scene, a look of deep distress on his face. "I believe they may be in need of some assistance." His voice was soft as he looked over at his two friends and fellow Ring Bearers. "I will aid them, if possible." A stern look creased his face. "Look after Legolas for me."

With that, he moved beside Galadriel and Elrond, moving his aged left hand from his robe pocket. For the first time the Ring of Fire flared into life in the chamber and then, he fell.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The cave about him was dark, the smell of fresh blood hung in the air.

It should have been pitch dark, but that was not so. Light glowed in the cavern, showing the remnants of tattered webbing. It was all too clear to the Maia what manner of creature lived here. It did not please him.

In the bright light he could see a group of people. Close around the fallen Prince were Galadriel and Elrond, adorned in the battle armour of the light side. In front of them, sniggering was Thranduil dressed in the dark robes that spoke of his affiliation.

Behind them Legolas lay limp on the ground and bent over him was an elleth, her blond hair shining brightly in the light of the Rings of Power.

She looked up as Mithrandir entered, giving him a worried smile before bending to tend to the Prince once more.

Estë! It was Estë the Gentle, Valier of healing. That would mean that the others…

By the Valar, they had more help than he had realised.

"So, the old fool has chosen to join us!" Thranduil's cold voice taunted as he realised that another was among them.

Irmo spoke from his side. "Mithrandir, it is good to have you among us once more."

"It is good to see you all once again. What has happened?" Mithrandir joined the semi-circle surrounding Legolas.

"Now, this will be interesting." Thranduil crossed his arms and watched him, his voice full of suspicion.

Mithrandir turned to look at his old friend "What do you mean by that?" He wondered if the others were even aware of the fact that they had placed themselves in front of Legolas.

"Well, I am so scared. The big bad wizard has come to try to prevent me killing the brat!" Thranduil pretended to shake with fear.

"As well you should be frightened, Sauron." Mithrandir jumped as an unexpected voice from another as a form stepped out of the light.

Mithrandir gasped. It was none other than Ilúvatar himself.

"And why would I fear an old fool like him? As if he or even you could stop me. I have recovered my strength and more." The boast came from Thranduil's lips, except… Mithrandir realised that this was not his friend speaking.

"We will stop you, Sauron, and you will not harm Legolas again." Varda spoke from her position beside Galadriel.

"You are right. I will not worry about him much longer. Very shortly he will be in Námo's care and no concern of mine!" Thranduil seemed to dismiss the young elf now.

"You are wrong." Námo spoke from his position. "And even if it does come to pass, he will be re-born, as thanks for all the good he has done for Middle-earth. There is more for him to accomplish yet…"

"He will die before I am finished! I will squash him as one would a bug." Thranduil, or rather Sauron, boasted.

"We will not let that happen." Yavanna sounded angry at the evil one's boasts.

"You will have no choice. I have grown stronger than all of you fools!" Thranduil/Sauron sounded angry.

"You have always been misguided, Sauron. You have always underestimated us and those who work for us. Take the young Caun, you have insisted he will be at your side for this venture. What have you learned about him from Thranduil?" Ilúvatar glanced back at the Young Prince where Estë tended him, yet the bleeding did not seem to have stopped.

"Very little, the fool thinks that by keeping silent he will save his son. He will learn that he is greatly mistaken! I have great new plans for him, since he has ruined my previous plans!" There was something akin to glee in his voice.

There was an odd coldness in Mithrandir's voice. "Then we will just have to prevent that from happening." He had been angry with Thranduil over his treatment of Legolas and then furious about his banishment. The knowledge that it was not Thranduil's doing helped, but it just made him angrier at the present situation.

"I would like to see you try to stop me, old Adan!" Sauron sneered.

Ilúvatar spoke once more. "Perhaps it is time that you see Mithrandir for who, or what, he truly is." He had been observing the conversation from one side.

"I can tell you already what he is." A groan from Legolas made him smile with glee once more. The young one was suffering greatly and he was most pleased at that. "Mithrandir is an old fool who has let you talk him into believing what you say."

"No, he is not. He is far more than that and always will be to us. He is our beloved servant and we are most pleased with him." Varda had moved and was helping Estë with her charge.

"Then you are as great a fool as he is!" Sauron looked at his past old friend in contempt. Had they really once been so close? How could he have stood being anywhere near them?

Ilúvatar turned to speak directly to Mithrandir. "Mithrandir, I believe that it is time to reveal who you really are."

"Of course." Mithrandir understood what they were doing. He just hoped that it was not premature.

"You really believe all this?" Sauron looked over at the ancient Maia and had to laugh. "What kind of a threat would you be to me? You can barely stand on your own two feet!"

"Mith… Nay, Olórin, show him your true face." Ilúvatar smiled at the Maia in encouragement.

"Olórin? Who is this Olórin?" Sauron was not too amused at this turn of events.

"I am Olórin." Mithrandir stepped forward as he spoke.

"You are totally deluded. Utterly mad, they have made you that way." Sauron looked at him with undisguised shock, could the old fool really have believed the things he had been told?

Then his eyes opened wide as a bright light filled the air around the grey-clad figure, a bright light that he hated already.

Then the being in front of him changed.

Mithrandir changed before his very eyes, transformed into something that he would never have believed had he not witnessed it with his own eyes.

Almost instantly the bowed, hunched and aged stance straightened and seemed to tower higher above them.

The hair and beard, thin, long and grey with age, grew stronger, thicker and the colour began to change from outright grey to speckled silver before turning a rich dark brown.

Even as Sauron watched the lined face smoothed, age wrinkles filling out to leave behind supple skin that had not seen the great age that the wizard's face had always seemed to imply.

The only thing that did not change was the maddening twinkle in his eyes. That did not change in any way.

Slowly Olórin straightened as if he was butterfly straight from the chrysalis.

"You!" Thranduil hissed. His blue eyes flashed. He had met this being before, a long time ago. He had not really given it any thought it had been just before Sauron, Saruman and the other Maia had been sent to Middle-Earth at the beginning of the third age. He had not really taken much notice of the lower Maia. His attention had been caught instead by Saruman. He could feel the indecisiveness in him even then and that had been born out by his later actions and now… Now Saruman was working for him and not even the Valar were aware of it.

He would have his revenge eventually. He would make them see who was the stronger of them. He would win. It was as simple as that.

"Me." It was calm and concise, even the voice had changed, was deeper and stronger, still filled with the wisdom that the Maia seemed to all be imbued with, but younger and full of strength.

With a snarl Thranduil turned towards Ilúvatar and the others. "Your tricks will not work with me! I am the most powerful out of all of you! I crafted the One Ring while you danced and made happy!"

"Made happy?" Mandos drew himself up to his most intimidating. "Made happy! I have been left to deal with the results of the foul creatures that you have created! How dare you!"

"Sîdh, Mandos." Ilúvatar knew how passionate his friend was about the spirits he looked after. Some of the poor souls were greatly distressed and needed much care. Mandos, or Námo was the most able of the Valar to deal with them. His halls were calm, filled with love and helped sustain the Fëa until they were ready to be re-born into Valinor, back to the cradle of their own families.

"Sîdh? You tell me to be peaceful? He scorns us he mocks us and you want to stand by…" Námo normally would not have spoken to his friend like that, but seeing the Young Prince like this…

"No we will not stand by to meekly let this happen. I promise you that this will end here, Námo. I promise that Legolas will return with us, as will his father." Ilúvatar promised seriously.

"Good." Námo calmed at the words. They were what he had needed to hear. We need to be strong and pull together, not apart. The voice sounded in his head and he nodded imperceptibly.

Galadriel had watched this gravely. In fact, her eyes had not moved from Thranduil where he stood. Her hand was not held up to show her Ring, but it was not far from being ready, should she need it, of course. And she was not certain yet that they would not be needed.

Her soft voice suddenly cut through the tense atmosphere. "How is Legolas?"

Estë spoke tensely from where she knelt. "Not good." She glanced to Elrond. "He really needs the aid of a proper healer as well."

"I can help." Elrond went to them, careful to keep the sight of Legolas from his father.

Yavanna moved to take his place, they were all a little protective of the Prince.

"So the Brat is not doing so well. That is such a pity!" There was fake sadness in Thranduil's voice and a tone to it that definitely was not the King's. "His father will be very pleased when he realises that finally the Brat is dead and he is no longer beholden to him."

Galadriel bristled at that. "His father will be devastated should that happen. He will never forgive himself."

"Now that, Witch, is where you are totally wrong. Why do you think I found Thranduil at all? It was his hate… his hate for Legolas and what he did to Minerella. Deep down he has always blamed Legolas and he always will. He hates the Brat with a passion." Sauron practically crowed.

"That is a very good point. How did you find Thranduil?" Mithrandir/Olórin's metamorphosis was complete now and he stood in his true reflection, the image he held in Valinor. The image that one day a very lucky few mortals would eventually see.

"You would like to know that, old man?" It was a sneer once more.

"Yes I would. I do not really think that the epithet that you used is appropriate do you?" Olórin's eyes were unusually hard.

"You chose to hide yourself behind a charade and that makes you a coward!" Thranduil was triumphant as he spoke.

"And what does that make you, hiding behind the face of another who was given no choice in the matter, commanding others to do your dirty work for you. Just how did you set this charade up and did you really think it would work?" Olórin was goading him in the hope that he would reveal something.

"I have not been hiding!" Surprisingly, the words stung. "I have always been in charge. I know exactly what my forces are doing, exactly. Thranduil did not put up much of a fight."

"I would imagine that you gave him very little choice in the matter and the fact that you chose to masquerade as him tells me that you are nothing but a coward who will not face the world in his own true form!" Olórin would not give this up until he had his friend back in his rightful place.

"I am not the coward that you are! Look at you, so young and virile and yet you show the weak, ancient face of a doddering old fool to the world!"

"Do you really think the Secondborn would take guidance from one who looks as I do?" There was amusement in Olórin's face, albeit fleetingly. He was aware that the others were tightening their ring. This would end here, right now. "You have obviously not seen the incarnations of the others either."

"Others? They are the same?" Thranduil's eyes closed tightly in anger.

"Yes, they are." Ilúvatar stood by Olórin's side, a proud smile on his face. "You really believe that we would leave our beloved children like this? No, they are blessed with our love and always will be, unless they prove traitorous, that is how it will be, but, should that come to pass…"

"You will what? Leave them weak and ugly for the rest of their days? Or banish them as you have me?" There was a hard glint in the blue eyes.

"You brought that about yourself. Did you think that you could really win? Did you think that Middle-earth would fall to you? I would rather die myself than let that happen!" Ilúvatar was passionate in his words.

"I can wish that is what will happen! For all the misery that you have caused me…"

"You brought that upon yourself! We did not instruct you to make the Rings. We did not tell you to make the One Ring or enlist the help of Fell Creatures to attack others. That was your will and doing alone, and you will have to live with that." Elbereth spoke softly, with a hint of steel in her words.

"I am growing stronger. I will not be stopped, I will get the Ring and then I will make you wish you had never been born!" Thranduil gloated once more.

"That is where you are very misguided and very wrong!" Ilúvatar watched him closely.

"What do you mean by that?" Thranduil would not let himself be baited.

"You can only regret being born if you were born in the first place!" Ilúvatar was smiling gently "And if my memory serves me correctly, Arda was created by My song! And You were created!"

Thranduil actually paled before he recovered. "You would not condone kin slaying!"

"What you have been doing is more than enough to warrant the thought. For what you have done to us…" Another groan sounded from behind him. "But it is what you gave done to Legolas that means I will never forgive you."

"Ah the Brat awakens to see the end!" Thranduil stood proudly.

"A…Ada?" The voice was weak.

"Think again, Penneth." The sneer was back.

"A…Ada?" There was a hint of pleading in Legolas' weak voice.

"He will not answer you, Brat!" Thranduil grinned evilly.

"N…need A…Ada."

"Sîdh, Legolas. All will be well." Elrond tried to reassure Legolas, whom he loved as his own son. It hurt so much to see him like this. Legolas had been through so much already.

"Well? How can it ever be well? He will die knowing that his father hates him and put him out of his misery!" Thranduil/Sauron crowed once more.

"I will not let you do that!" Olórin moved further in front of Legolas.

"You have no choice." A hand lashed out and something akin to lightning flashed out, heading directly for Legolas…

It would have connected with him, but for the fact that Nienna moved just as fast and took the impact. She flared brightly for a minute before fading back to her normal glow. She grinned sweetly.

"Is that all you can do?"

The roar of anger echoed in the cave. "He is mine! You should hate to be with him!" Thranduil's eyes glowed with a mad light.

"We could never hate Legolas. He is as we wish him to be. He is all we have hoped, and more. We knew he would be great, we knew that his life would be hard, but he has grown stronger with each passing day. All he has suffered has made him better and stronger. His reward will be as great." Ilúvatar's voice held such pride.

"He has been touched by my evil. There is evil inside him!" Sauron would not let this go.

"No, the evil may have tried to touch him and he may have been influenced by it, but he fought it, fought it to the point that he would rather die that live with what you had done to him. He hated it enough to join his Mother. That tells me that the good in his spirit was not crushed, that the good in our dear Prince could never be taken from him." Ilúvatar was so greatly pleased with his child that he glowed bright enough to cause Sauron/Thranduil to look away.

"L…love Ada." Legolas spoke once more. "Love him so much!"

"Easy, Legolas." Elrond was worried about the amount of blood that Legolas had lost.

"Need to tell him… I love him." The howl of pain sounded and startled them all.

Ilúvatar looked back in time to see Thranduil raise a hand to his head. He looked pale and pained. Could it be that simple?

"Love you, Ada, love you so much. All the things you have taught me…" Legolas' voice sounded firmer.

Sauron/Thranduil took a step back and shook his head. "No you have to hate him! He banished you. He would have left you to wander homeless!"

"No, Ada, Ada nin, would not do that." To Elrond's surprise Legolas tried to sit up. The bleeding seemed to be slowing.

"No!" Thranduil growled almost desperately. "He told you before you left that you would never return if you left. He told you that."

"They were your words." Olórin suddenly understood completely.

"No, they were what he was thinking! The perfect little Prince, so good, so obedient, always trying to please, always kowtowing to what Thranduil wanted. He hated that." Sauron rambled as he tried to explain. The madness seemed to radiate from him.

"Ada knew what I wanted, and always encouraged me. He taught me well. He taught me duty and friendship, but most of all he taught me that the greatest gift I could ever have or give is Love. I love Adar. I would give my life for him. I would stand before you and give up my life willingly because I love him." Legolas was glowing, even brighter than Ilúvatar, who looked as startled as the others at this surprising fact.

Olórin looked at him in surprise and then looked to Ilúvatar. He could only grin when he saw the look of shock that crossed the Valar's face at the sight of the Prince. They shared a look and turned back to Legolas.

"That will not work. I am still stronger than you are, Princeling." Strong Sauron might be, but he still took a step back, the glow of love emanating from Legolas was just too bright for him.

"Naneth knows you are still there, Ada. We know that you would not give up. He may have taken over your body but he has not won. We are here for you, both of us." Legolas knelt now, all signs of weakness gone.

It was then that they realised that there was another figure among those grouped around Legolas. One who stepped forward to put a hand on his shoulder to encourage him. It helped. They could all see that.

Elrond peered up at the sight and gaped. There was no other word for it, he openly gaped. "Minerella!"

Minerella smiled at Elrond before turning to Thranduil. "I said I would wait for you, Thranduil, and I will, but if this evil wins I will not see you again until the last sundering of Arda. You can defeat him Thranduil. He is weak and hides behind your face. He tries to hurt our son and our people. Fight him, Meleth. Fight him for us!"

Sauron laughed. It echoed eerily in the cavern. "And you think your little parlour tricks will win, Ilúvatar. They will not."

"This is not my doing." Ilúvatar and the others were all a little awed.

"As if I would believe that. It is you, or this imposter before me!" Sauron gestured towards Olórin.

"I have nothing to do with this. I would not be that cruel. I know how much both Legolas and Thranduil miss Minerella and would be hurt by this." Olórin was looking at mother and son in wonder.

"I came to help my husband and son. I could not stay in Mandos' Halls knowing that my son and husband were fighting for their lives and Fëa!" Minerella told Sauron sharply.

"You will regret that decision when you see your son die!" Sauron was furious, what was going on here? He could feel Thranduil fighting against him, and fighting hard. His son needed him, but more than that his Bonded was there as well! He had been trying to break this creature's hold on him, to stop him from hurting Legolas further but until now nothing had worked, nothing at all. Until Legolas had stated how much he loved him. That had hurt the creature. He certainly would not say his name.

"We love you, Thranduil, with all of our hearts and we both know that you can hear us. You need to understand that we love you!" Minerella stressed the word.

Another laugh sounded. "That really will not work, you are deluding yourselves." Sauron tried to clamp down on the Fëa that was trying to reassert himself.

"Remember how it feels to love, Ada." Legolas was not sure he could rise further, his chest burned badly and it hurt to breathe but he would not show Sauron how he felt, he would not give him that satisfaction.

Thranduil suddenly understood. The Valar suddenly understood and even the elves and Maia felt the sudden understanding.

So simple an explanation and solution and it had been with them all the time.

Thranduil threw all of his love into his being, his love for Minerella, the joy that he had felt when Minerella had consented to Bond with him.

The great pride and love he had felt at her beauty and strength.

Sauron roared his utter displeasure. It kept Thranduil going.

How he loved her. How the entire Realm of Mirkwood had loved her. Would, and had, given their lives to protect her.

And then the one thing he had hardly dared to hope for. Minerella had conceived one glorious night, out in their private gardens under their favourite tree, away from prying eyes.

He knew the moment of conception. He could feel it in the air, in his bond. It seemed to suddenly tingle with new life, with a new rhythm that he could not believe and high in the sky a star had made its bright path.

Little did Thranduil know that the star had been seen by another, who smiled, because part of a greater prophecy had come to pass. The coming years would certainly be most interesting.

No matter how much they loved their little laes or how much energy they both poured into his creation, the pregnancy had been hard, and then there was the early birth. Thranduil had never loved another as unconditionally as he did the little one who did not even have the strength to give a weak cry.

Even his love for Minerella was nothing compared with this! And then for the healer to say what he had, so wickedly suggesting they allow that little life to end…

It had taken all his strength and persuasion to keep Minerella in the bed, such was her anger and indignation that he had feared that she would attack the healer.

Now, it all seemed to make sense; why the pregnancy had been so hard, why Legolas had been born so early and weak… or seemingly so weak. The description of 'weak' was the most unlikely he would ever give to Legolas.

He loved his son greatly.

Sauron cried out in agony at the pain it caused him, pain that he could not avoid unless he fled, bodiless once more. He was not prepared to do that!

"Fight him, Thranduil, fight him, Mellon nin." Galadriel tried to reach him!

"WE love you, Thranduil. You are doing well, Penneth!" Ilúvatar encouraged, pouring out his love for the King.

The others all joined him, knowing now what it was that they needed to do to help the King win this fight.

Elrond tightened his hold on Legolas and gave the Prince his encouragement as well.

"You are doing well, Penneth, keep that love flowing. Tell your father your feelings and he will be back with us and holding you."

"Love him." Legolas' voice was a lot stronger, although Elrond could see the pain written over the pale face.

"I know and soon I will be able to help you further. I will stop this pain. Your Ada will help." Elrond brushed back the stray hair that had come loose from blond braids. He had to keep Legolas awake and aware. He did not dare contemplate what could happen if Legolas fell unconscious.

"Hurt." It was simple truth with no embellishment.

"You will be well, Legolas, we will help you, Penneth, once Thranduil is whole and himself. We will help you." Estë would not leave him like this. Unfortunately, she could not heal him entirely, but that was the way of things, but they could help him.

"Hennad, but I need to get to Ada. Nana…" Legolas looked over his shoulder.

"I am here, Ion-nin, and I will aid you." Minerella had a smile for her son, full of pride. Legolas had grown into such a fine ellon. She had watched his struggles, his trials from afar. He never gave up. No matter what, Legolas always fought for what he believed to be right. "I love you."

Legolas' smile was bright, but it brightened further at the roar of anger that he heard from Sauron. He would not think of it as his father, the creature was not Thranduil, though it wore his body.

At Minerella's nod and with her aid, along with that of a protesting Elrond, Legolas somehow managed to stand and sway on the spot.

When he spoke next his voice was hard and sure. "I will not let you take Adar from me!"

"How do you propose to stop me?" Sauron's voice was angry, filled with fear and pain as well. This was not how this should have come to pass!

His plan was to kill Legolas and carry on with his work, using Thranduil to alienate everyone. Then he was going to find the One Ring and his control would be complete!

It would appear he had underestimated. The underestimation was the Prince. He was stronger than he looked, even with the wounds from his spiders and the infection that went hand in hand with it, although that was an after-thought, just in case the Prince won the battle. He should have been an easy target to finish off. How wrong he had been!

"The only way I know how." Legolas moved so that he was standing, albeit swaying on the spot and shaking badly, in front of his father.

That was when Olórin got his first good look at Legolas. What he saw broke his heart.

Legolas was deathly pale, the only colour he possessed was the drying red of the blood from the cuts on his face. The wound on his chest still bled sluggishly. Around the colorless, full lips were fine pain lines and deep ones around the sunken eyes.

Legolas may be on his feet and talking, but he was badly injured and in terrible pain.

"You are foolish to try." Sauron taunted him.

"Legolas." Ilúvatar stepped forward, not sure he wanted this to continue. Legolas could be harmed further and that was the last thing that he wanted.

"Ilúvatar, you of all should know Legolas has to do this." Galadriel spoke. "It is part of the destiny that you set out before he was conceived. Legolas has to do this."

It actually made sense to her now; the vision that she had often seen of Legolas confronting Thranduil. She had thought it an unlikely possibility, one that would not come to pass… yet, here it was, right before her eyes, exact in every detail.

Legolas lunged suddenly and caught both of Thranduil's arms. Holding on tight, he looked deep into the blue eyes that mirrored his own.

"I love you, Ada. He cannot win. For Mirkwood, he cannot win. I need you more than you can ever know. Saes, Ada, fight." He poured all the love and need for his father into those words. The need to have him back and whole and not the angry, hard elf he had left behind in Mirkwood. He should have known that something was wrong, that his father was not acting normally, but then he had been so exhausted that he had not been his usual self either. Hindsight is a wonderful, but sometimes painful thing to have.

So Legolas did the only thing he could.

Sauron was startled when Legolas suddenly lunged at him again, pinning his arms, holding him with such strength that it was amazing. How could he have thought the Prince was weak?

Then the pain began, not slowly as one would have expected, but the moment Legolas met his skin with his hands, blinding, burning pain, pain that would not stop, pain that grew with each second of contact. He screamed in agony.

"Fight him, Ada, fight him so we can go home. Tell us you love us. Saes, Ada!" Legolas was becoming desperate. His strength was waning and he could not keep going for much longer.

"Yes, Meleth, fight! We love you." Minerella was at her son's side. She could not reach out and touch Thranduil for fear of breaking Legolas' hold but she could bolster him.

Her hands covered Legolas'. Sauron screamed louder as more love made its way to him.

Ilúvatar and Olórin joined them. Soon all the Valar and elves surrounded Thranduil. Sauron was ringed, hemmed in. There was nothing he could do to escape.

"Leave him, Sauron. Leave him and never return!" Legolas panted, sweat pouring down his face with the effort he expended. The pain in his chest was building, but he would not let him win. "Go and never return."

Sauron screamed once more. He could feel the pain from all the pure goodness and love in the Prince. There was no taint of evil in Legolas. Sauron could feel that now. He could never have turned Legolas, not even when the spider within had been at its strongest. He had lost right from the start and he had not known it.

"I will leave…" Sauron panted. "…and I will leave Thranduil alive… but not you!" It was a snarl.

Suddenly he stared at Legolas with unholy glee.

Legolas could not look away, mesmerised by the eyes he knew so well. He had to do as they commanded. This was his King and father after all.

He was aware of the anguished cry "No, Legolas!" before darkness found him once more.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Estel stood with the others as they tried to help Legolas. Glorfindel and Celeborn sutured the deep wound and packed the top with athelas. The feared that the infection that was already present in the Prince's other wounds would attack this new wound. Gailarphen cleaned the leg wound but decided not to suture that one. It was long and thin, but not that deep.

He was now working on the wounds that crossed the pale cheek. Legolas was so hot! Nothing they were doing seemed to be helping the fever, yet his hands were startlingly cold and slightly blue.

Cold hands in an elf! Gailarphen shuddered at the thought. The only time an elf had cold hands was just before they passed, from wounds or Pellin.

"How is he, DaerAda?" Elrohir's voice was hesitant.

"Not good. We really need to stop the bleeding and yet none of the herbs are working, the same herbs that I have used for centuries." There was frustration in Celeborn's voice born of desperation. If this continued they could well lose Legolas within the next hour. The thought pained him. They had come to Imladris hoping to help him and yet nothing that any of them did seemed to work.

"What can we do?" Estel could not just stand there being comforted by his brothers.

Celeborn looked up at that and gave a small smile. "Talk to him, Estel, tell him you love him, tell him of the plans you wish to make with him, the hunts and trouble that all four of you can and do get into."

"I can do that." With a hug for his brothers, Estel left the comfort of their arms and hurried to the head of the bed. He had never seen Legolas look this bad. How could he even still be alive?

He talked quickly and quietly into Legolas elegant pointed ear. He had to smile as he recalled a time he had told Legolas that he hated having round ears, that he was going to make them pointed to stop the teasing from the elflings in Imladris.

Legolas had taken it seriously and spoke to him about how he should be proud of his human heritage and that the round ears came with that and he should accept it. Estel had argued the point, but had bowed to his friend's logic. What he had not found out until much later, was that the teasing had stopped because of Legolas.

He had gone to speak with the elflings and their parents and told them how disgusted he was at that behaviour, that if anything it should be Estel who teased them. They were, after all, older than the small adan child and should know much better.

"You have always been there for me, Legolas, no matter what. I will always be here for you. I have much to thank you for, mellon nin. We need to go hunting when you are better…" He continued in this manner, saying anything he could think of to keep his friend with them.

"What about us, DaerAda?" Elladan agreed with Estel, they had to help.

"Check your Adar and DaerNana for me?" Celeborn lifted the cloth to see how the bleeding was doing. He nearly groaned in frustration, the wound was still bleeding! "I need more spider's web."

Elrohir winced. How ironic that the creature that had left Legolas like this could provide a means to save his life.

"We are running low." Gailarphen frowned. They had used almost all of the stock in the chamber.

"I will get some from the healing wing." Elrohir knew that there was some there. Elrond liked to keep a large stock in case of large-scale wounds.

"Hannon le, Elrohir, hurry? I must get this bleeding stopped." Celeborn watched as Elrohir nodded and then hurried from the chamber.

Elrohir practically ran to the healing wing, ignoring the calls and exaltations that came his way. Elrond hated for them to run in the hallways, but he knew that this once he would not say anything.

"Elrohir!" The voice sounded from behind him and he cast a look over his shoulder.

Erestor was speaking with the young maid that had cleaned up the spilled wine earlier. She looked very upset.

"I do not have the time to stop. I need spiderweb for Legolas!" He called out, not even slowing.

Elrohir missed seeing Erestor blanch, but clearly caught his words even as he continued down the hall.

"If I ever hear that you have spread malicious gossip about Caun Legolas again you will regret it for the rest of your life. What you saw in that chamber was confidential and should not have gone further. If you wish to continue here, you had better learn that fact and fast! Caun Legolas is still alive as you have just heard and is being treated. Now you are to go to everyone you have spoken to this day and tell them that you are wrong, Caun Legolas is still very much alive and apologise for spreading falsehoods. I am very disappointed in you and Hír Elrond will hear of this."

It was perhaps the longest single speech that Elrohir had ever heard from Erestor and he felt rather sorry for the elleth until he recalled what she had been spreading about Imladris.

He skidded to a halt in front of the doors that led to the healing wing and pushed them open.

Faelien looked up from where she and Nestoron had been seated, quietly discussing their new laes.

"Elrohir, how is Legolas?" Nestoron looked better, but he was still in a lot of pain, that was clear.

"Not good, he has a chest wound that will not stop bleeding." Elrohir told them as he went to the store-chamber and began searching for the webbing.

"Chest wound!" Faelien watched him, shocked. "But, he did not have a chest wound before! How did that happen?"

"We do not know." Elrohir answered tiredly, wiping his eyes with one hand while the other moved the herb storage jars, searching for the one containing the spiderweb.

"You do not know!" Both voices sounded in puzzlement.

"No, they appeared from nowhere, just out of nowhere." Elrohir was aware that he was not really making much sense so he tried to explain once again. "We were washing Legolas down, since his fever is still very high, when a wound appeared on his left cheek."

"His fever is bad?" Worry thrummed in Faelien's voice. She had a soft spot for Legolas, they all did.

"Yes, very, and nothing is helping. First it was two cheek wounds, then a thigh wound appeared before finally the chest wound. We need spider's web to stop the bleeding. By the Valar, where is the blasted thing!"

Faelien stood and entered the store chamber. "We moved it at Elrond's insistence. It is here."

She reached up and over to get the jar that she had placed there a week ago.

"Hennad." Elrohir took the jar and smiled at her. "How are you lovers? A laes, hmmm?" He could not help but tease.

"Oh you! Stop that. You should respect your elders!" She shot back, but her voice was teasing.

Elrohir's smile wilted. Faelien could see how weary he was. "I must return quickly."

"We pray that Estë aids Legolas." Faelien reassured him.

"Hennad, I fear Legolas is going to need the prayers." With a nod Elrohir hurried from the chamber. That was his great fear; that the friend he had known from childhood would not be with them when he got back to the chamber.

It was a very valid worry. He had not missed the fact that no one was really talking about when Legolas got better, but if. It was that close a thing.

The maid had gone but Erestor remained, obviously waiting for him.

" 'Restor." He did not have the time to use his full name, so used the much-despised shortened name. No elf liked to have their name shortened, it was usually seen as an insult and yet at times it could be done with no offence taken, like the way they still called Legolas 'Las'. That had been a childhood endearment that had never gone.

"I do wish you would not call me that." It was said with a sigh.

"Sorry, in a hurry." Elrohir flashed him an apologetic grin as he hurried past.

"You said that Legolas needed spider's web?" Erestor fell into step beside Elrohir.

"Yes." Elrohir nodded as they both hurried along now.

"Why? Is he bleeding again?" Erestor was worried about the Prince.

Elrohir did not have time to answer. He opened the chamber door and gestured for Erestor to enter. Perhaps it would be best if the scholar saw for himself.

Erestor entered and then stumbled to a stop. "Elbereth!"

Elrohir had never heard such shock and horror in Erestor's voice.

"Erestor?" Glorfindel looked up from where he was washing Legolas' face.

"She said he was dead and I did not believe her!" Erestor could not take his eyes away from the still Prince.

"He is alive, mellon nin, have no fear of that." Glorfindel hurried to reassure. "Elrohir, do you have it?"

"All I could carry." Elrohir hurried to their side, relieved that Legolas was still with them.

"Good. Now who is it that has been spreading rumours of Legolas' death?" He had a good idea, but also needed it confirmed.

"The maid." Erestor was so shocked by Legolas' condition that he could not even remember her name.

"Ah." Glorfindel sighed. "She may be just a little early in that assumption."

"No!" Estel could not believe what he was hearing. They could not give up on Legolas so easily, not when he would fight to the very end for his heart-brother.

"I am sorry, Estel, but I am not sure that Legolas will survive this." There was no easy way of saying it.

"There is always hope, Glorfindel. Do not give into the inevitable before the inevitable happens." Celeborn looked over at Galadriel to check that she was alright. They still had the Rings to help after all.

"But, look at him!" There was despair in Glorfindel's voice. How could he tell Thranduil that he had let his son die?

"I do not need to, trust me, Mellon nin." Celeborn was acutely aware of the edge they were treading here. Legolas was almost in the realm of the dead, almost knocking on Mandos' door, and far too near to it for his liking.

"But our agonising and doing nothing to aid him will only hasten that. Legolas needs us to be strong, not falling apart like this." Gailarphen tried to make them all see that he needed their aid and he needed it now.

"I will not let Legolas die!" Estel glowered at Glorfindel, his teacher and friend. He turned to Gailarphen. "Tell me what I need to do to help you and I will do all that I can." His voice was grim.

"Continue as you are, that is the best and only thing I can ask you to do. Glorfindel, the spider web?" The tone in Gailarphen's voice was stern and to the point. He would not let Glorfindel begin to doubt himself.

Estel knelt at his friend's side and began to talk. "You stay with me, Mellon nin. You had better fight and stay with me or I will come and find you and kick you! Just do not leave me. We have to get back at Dan and Ro for that prank the last time you were here, they may think we have forgotten but I have not and I know that you will not have."

Elladan and Elrohir shared a grin at that. If, no when, Legolas got better, they would have to watch each other's backs.

"The spider web?" Glorfindel had joined them and was holding out his hand a determined set to his face.

Elrohir handed it over and then watched as the Balrog Slayer made his way back to the bed.

Before he did anything, he spoke into the opposite ear from Estel.

"Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, fight Legolas. We are fighting for you. I would rather face another Balrog than your Adar!"

With that he straightened and with Celeborn's help began to take down the dressings to apply the spider's web to stop the bleeding.

"His pulse seems a little better, stronger. Whatever you are doing, it seems to be working." Gailarphen was relieved. Perhaps things were not as dire as his training and instincts told him they were.

Estel watched for a minute. "His breathing does not seem so laboured."

Gailarphen watched and nodded. Legolas' breathing may not have been wonderful but it was better than nothing and Estel was right. It seemed a little stronger, not as wheezy as it had been.

"Good, anything, any little piece of progress, I will welcome." He would not after all deny a gift from the Valar!

"He is doing better?" Glorfindel spread the spider's web on the wound and covered it once more.

"A little, yes." Gailarphen smiled up at the other elf but then frowned. "Glorfindel?"

Glorfindel looked up very carefully. "Yes?"

"Sit down." It was an order.

"Why?" Glorfindel frowned at him, not really understanding.

"Because, if you do not you will likely fall down." It was that simple. They had all been so focused on helping Legolas that none of them had thought of Glorfindel and his concussion, received from Legolas before the Prince had tried to remove the spider from his own abdomen. Gailarphen berated himself mentally, how could he have forgotten?

He was not going to sit this one out. Legolas needed his aid. Glorfindel shook his head. It was a mistake. As soon as he moved his head to the right, pain exploded and dark spots swam before his eyes.

"Glorfindel!" Hands were on him and he felt himself being lowered into a chair, or on a bed or something. He was not completely sure what because he was close to passing out entirely.

"I will look after Glorfindel, you see to Legolas." He knew that voice all too well. It was Elladan. "You and DaerAda care for Legolas."

Even feeling as sick and in as much pain from his head as he was, Glorfindel had to agree this was the best plan.

"Good. How could we forget that Glorfindel has a concussion? That is also probably why he was so despondent." Gailarphen tried to reassure them. He could see it all clearly now, for him to have been like that and for him not to put two and two together… Glorfindel normally never gave up like that, never.

Gailarphen sighed tiredly, they were all exhausted, and this ongoing situation was draining them all. Seeing Legolas like this was draining the Fëa of each of them

The elder twin's voice sounded like his father's. "I will make certain that Glorfindel is examined properly. I will also give him some herbs for the headache that he is not even bothering to hide now. Then he will rest." They certainly were their father's sons. But then, Gailarphen mused, they had been taught by the best. He nodded and bent back to Legolas.

"How is the bleeding?" He was counting the pulse once more. That was definitely far steadier than it had been.

Then another thought entered his head, Thranduil should not have slept through this commotion! He should have been awake and pestering them! This was not the Thranduil he knew.

"Elrohir, could you check Thranduil for me? He should have woken with all this noise." He gave a worried look to Elrohir.

"Of course." Elrohir moved between the two beds so that he was beside Thranduil. With a small sigh and prayer that this mess would work itself out, he reached out to check for the King's pulse.

It was strong and steady. Then Elrohir checked him over, the dressing over the abdominal wound was clean and dry.

That left two things to check. He reached out to check Thranduil for fever with the back of his hand. It was cool and dry to the touch. Good no sign of infection and fever there then. Then he checked Thranduil's pallor and stopped, shocked at the look on the pale face.

He had never before seen the look that graced the King's face on an elf before. An Adan yes, but never a Firstborn.

If Elrohir had to give a description of the look he could only have said one word, evil, pure unadulterated evil.

Thranduil's lips were drawn back in a rictus of a smile, almost a sneer of triumph. It made Elrohir shiver.

"He appears to be sleeping." Even to Elrohir's own ears his voice sounded strained.

They all picked up on it, but it was Celeborn who spoke next.

"Appears to be sleeping, what do you mean, Penneth?"

"Just that, DaerAda, Thranduil appears to be sleeping, but I have never seen a look such as this on his face." Elrohir moved away from the bed, still watching the King.

Celeborn and Gailarphen shared a worried look and then Celeborn moved to his grandson's side.

"What do you mean?" He reached out to reassure the young ellon.

"Look." Just one word, but it seemed to say everything.

Celeborn turned to see Thranduil and then froze with shock.

Elrohir was right. He had never seen this look on Thranduil. He had seen this look before though, more than once.

It was a cold grin that spoke of death and destruction. It made him shiver just to think of, all these years later. The last time he had seen it had been a long time ago, a time he tried not to recall. He had lost so many kin and friends that day. Had almost not made it home himself. And it had all been for naught.

He knew that Estel felt terrible guilt at what his long-dead ancestor had done, but the young man had no need to blame himself and carry that guilt. Just because he the man's heir did not mean that he was to blame for what Isildur had done.

No, the blame landed and sat firmly with the creature he was watching now. It was all down to him and no one else.

This was not his friend. Thranduil may be moody and touchy at times, but he was not downright cruel as the Thranduil of the last few days had been. The smile told him all he needed to know. Told him exactly who it was they were dealing with.

He had prayed never to see that maniacal look again, for it could only belong to one person.

"Sauron, you traitor!" His voice was barely above a hiss and yet all those awake heard it clearly.

"Celeborn?" Gailarphen looked over at him worriedly.

"You said that Thranduil had been acting very oddly. You did not elaborate." Startling, intense blue eyes met his. "Please do so now. Thranduil was not himself, how?"

Gailarphen looked at him in surprise. "He was cruel and cold to Legolas, had even banished him. I have never seen him so cold, never."

"Almost as if he had completely changed personalities?" Celeborn tried to keep himself calm. If what he feared had happened, he had some very much loved ones in a lot of danger.

"Yes that was it exactly!" Gailarphen's eyes were wide with shock. "It was almost as if he was a completely different person!"

As they had said before, hindsight was such a wonderful thing. If only you can possess it before it becomes necessary.

They had all been aware of the growing darkness in the South, they all knew what their kin in Mirkwood were going through and the constant pressure they worked under. He was also aware of the visions that Galadriel and Elrond had experienced and the warnings that Mithrandir delivered almost constantly.

But, to a certain extent, they had also hoped that they were imagining it, that the darkness could not be coming back. They had been fools, deluding themselves. He only prayed it was not too late to save Thranduil or Legolas. They could ignore this no more.

Celeborn hated to think badly of the dead but if he had the chance to go back and deal with Sauron and Isildur again he would do things very differently. How he wished they had made sure that the One Ring was destroyed.

But in the battle of the Last Alliance he had greater things to worry about, like Oropher dying in his arms, like Thranduil grieving for the devastating losses their kin had taken, like so many other things.

He would not let that happen again.

He would die himself rather than let Sauron get another foot hold in Middle Earth and if he was proven true in his suspicions as he expected to be then he had yet another score to settle with the Evil One.

For if it was Sauron, which he did not doubt, then he had harmed one of his oldest friend's and his son whom he thought of as another grandson.

"That is very likely because he was a different person." Celeborn's voice was cold.

"What do you mean, DaerAda?" Elrohir's eyes were wide with shock.

Celeborn looked up and realised that the attention of everyone was directed at him. Even Glorfindel managed to crack open one eye so that he could watch his old friend. Celeborn could see how much that had cost him as well.

"It means that I believe I know who is behind this. If I am right then your Adar and DaerNana are in great danger, as is Legolas, and I fear that we may have lost Thranduil forever." Celeborn's voice was sad.

"Who do you think it is?" Gailarphen asked sharply. Lose Thranduil? That would be the end of Mirkwood.

"There is logically only one person it could be, only one that could come up with such a diabolical plan." This time his voice was hard.

"Who would that be?" Gailarphen also had a good idea, he had seen this look in the Lothlórien Lord's eyes once before and that had been before the battle to end all battles at the Last Alliance. It told the healer a great many things, all that he did not wish to hear, let alone think of.

"It can be only one person." He looked deep in the Healers eyes.

They spoke together.

"Sauron."

"But, DaerAdar, Sauron is dead." Elladan could not have been more shocked. They had not been born until many years after, but they had learned the history, thanks to Erestor.

"No, Penneth, he is not." Erestor spoke from where he hovered between Legolas and Glorfindel, unsure who to go to. "Remember your lessons? When the Ring was taken, he vanished, never to be seen again… but while the Ring remains lost, and whole, then he still lives."

"He could come back?" There was horror in his voice now as his eyes sought those of his twin.

"Yes, he can come back." There was resignation as well as pain in Glorfindel's voice. He did not wish to endure those dark days again.

"Let us hope you are wrong." Estel had stopped speaking to Legolas to listen.

"I pray that I am as well. Glorfindel, you need to rest. Elladan, if it as I fear, then we must keep an eye on Elrond and Galadriel. We need to know if there is any change in their condition, Mithrandir as well. Glorfindel needs care. Can I leave that to you? Elrohir, would you continue to watch Thranduil? Again, we need to know if there is any change at all."

Celeborn and Gailarphen would continue to watch Legolas. He was the one that needed the most help.

The others nodded and then did as they had been requested. They all had things to do.

"What can I do? Saes, let me help?" Erestor could not just stand by and watch.

"We need more water, mellon nin. Legolas needs both warm and cold water." Celeborn told him kindly.

"Tiro!" Estel sounded shocked and surprised and they all dropped what they were doing and looked over to the young human.

Estel no longer knelt beside his friend but was almost pressed against the wall, looking at the Prince in shock.

Celeborn turned to the Prince and stopped, his mouth dropping in shock. Legolas was glowing!

Actually that was not the right word. All elves glowed, it was a part of who they were, but this was far more than that. This was so bright that it hurt the eyes and was nothing like he had seen before. The glow was golden bright and incredibly beautiful.

"Sîdh, Estel, all is well." Celeborn hoped it was true.

There was incredulity in Estel's voice. "How can this be good? I have never seen Legolas glow like this before!"

"Neither have I, but I am sure there is a good reason for it and we will find that out soon enough." Celeborn tried to calm Estel.

"I have seen it once, long ago." Gailarphen stated quietly.

"When?" Estel clearly demanded more information.

"During a long-ago journey to Fornost." Gailarphen's tone was reluctant. They all tried not to speak of that time.

Estel's ears picked up at the name. He had tried to get information about that time for years, but when he asked one of two things happened depending upon who it was that he asked.

If he asked Elrond, he would say he would be told when the time was right.

Glorfindel always said that the story was not his to tell, but would not say who the tale belonged to.

His brothers would just look sad and shake their heads and say nothing.

He had asked Legolas once, just the one time. It was a lesson well learned Legolas had lost the little colour he normally possessed and clammed up. Estel had never asked him again.

Perhaps now was the time he could find some answers. He did know it centered on Legolas and that was why he wanted to know. If he could help Legolas with anything at all, he would.

"When?" Celeborn had not traveled with the Mirkwood party. Yes, he had a good idea what happened, but such a lot had happened during that time. With Elrohir having visions and his grandsons running away and then he had been wounded as well.

"It was before we arrived, when Legolas was so badly injured."

Estel was all attention now. The mention of Legolas made that a certainty.

"What happened?" Celeborn watched Legolas closely.

"It was when Legolas nearly died. When the Valar intervened to save him… he glowed like this." Gailarphen would never forget that time, never.

"Ah yes, Galadriel told me what happened. You think that is what is happening now? The Valar are intervening?" There was hope in Celeborn's voice. Mayhap all was not lost.

"We can hope. If it is, then it is not surprising, as it was the Great Deceiver behind the plot last time as well." Gailarphen's voice was cold.

"Let us pray that it is so, then, or we could lose Legolas for good this time. The last was bad enough." Celeborn did not elaborate.

"Who was it last time?" Estel could not help asking. It appeared that he was the only one who did not understand what they were talking about.

Celeborn sighed. He could understand Legolas' wish not to speak of that time, it had been hard on them and on Legolas most of all as the evil had been centered on him. But there were some things that others needed to know now and this was one of them.

"It was Sauron, Estel. Sauron targeted Legolas for death, and almost succeeded."

"Sauron!" Elrohir spoke up as well. "But, we were not told who it was!"

Celeborn smiled at the twin brothers. "No and that was deliberate. Legolas was so young at the time, he needed some of us to act normally around him, and there had been his awakening." He turned to Estel.

Estel frowned. Awakening? What was this awakening?

Celeborn could have thumped himself. Legolas extraordinarily early awakening was rarely spoken about. Awakenings rarely were spoken about. It only happened to those of Mirkwood Royal Blood.

"Estel, we will talk later when we have greater time, but Legolas had an early and strong awakening, the earliest and strongest out of all our woodland kin. Even Thranduil's was nothing compared to this." There was wonder in Celeborn's voice. Galadriel had 'shown' him what she herself had seen from Thranduil and for one so inexperienced and so young, it had been amazing.

"What does it do?" Estel was confused.

"The awakening?" Celeborn asked and Estel nodded. "It is the time in the Royal Elf's life when his connection to the land and all in it sharpens. They become aware and can talk to the trees. You know Legolas is good at that."

"Yes, he is." Estel grinned down at his friend. It was a long-held joke among them.

"The awakening normally happens sometime around the fiftieth begetting day. Legolas was nearly twenty seven." Celeborn explained.

"That early, was that bad?" Estel was worried for Legolas again. He seemed to be doing that an awful lot recently.

"It was shocking." Elrohir answered this time.

"Why?"

"Because, Penneth, you can normally tell when the awakening is coming, there are signs, you can prepare the elfling and be with them to guide them in what they should do. Legolas did not have that guidance, yet he knew exactly what to do." There was deep pride in Celeborn's voice.

"He did, but how?" Estel was shocked once more.

"I do not know. I was not there. Suffice to say Legolas is very special to all of us. That was the time you saw this glow?" His attention returned to Gailarphen who lifted the bandages on Legolas' chest.

"Yes and it lasted until he woke. The bleeding has finally slowed, thank Estë." He was pleased, yet still worried about the amount of blood Legolas had lost. He would need a lot of blood replenishing tonic once he was able to take it. An awful lot of potions come to that. Gailarphen was already preparing them in his mind, dandelion to help build his strength, lavender to promote peace and rest and lots of food, in small amounts to be sure, but building as he grew stronger.

There was more hope in his heart as he took in the figure of the Prince and the glow that surrounded him. Yes, perhaps there was more than a little hope. They all should know by now that Legolas could and would fight to the very end and still give more if necessary. They would just have to do the same for him. He would do exactly that for them.

"Good perhaps things are beginning to look up." No sooner had Celeborn spoken than a low gasp sounded in the chamber.

They all looked for the cause.

"DaerNana?" Elladan was at her side the instant he realised that it was Galadriel that had made the sound.

He had to step back as she held out her hand as if to touch something and a glow began to form around her. She was smiling gently. Elladan, as the nearest, could feel the power flowing from her. She seemed peaceful, happy.

Elladan moved again as Elrond did the same, holding out his left hand, the hand that held Vilya. He too seemed to be at peace and Elladan could also feel what seemed to be all the love and protection in the world flow from him.

They were soon joined by Mithrandir, the Ring of Fire glowing brightly on his finger, the power and feeling of protection was overwhelming and Elladan took a step backwards.

"DaerAda!" There was uncertainty in his voice.

"I am here." Celeborn gently calmed his eldest grandson while watching. "They seem to be calm and in no danger."

"But the feeling!" Elladan had wide eyes as did his brothers.

"Remember this, Penneth, always remember the pureness of this feeling. It is pure and unadulterated love." He knew this feeling well, he had felt it once a long time ago. He shivered with a memory that he would cherish forever.

"Who for?" Elladan had to ask, a sliver of jealousy hitting him from nowhere.

"DaerAda!" Estel called once again from his position at Legolas' head. He had slowly stepped back to his friend, wanting to see what was happening.

They turned to see and Elladan gaped while Celeborn smiled serenely.

"I think that you have your answer, Elladan." Was all he said, for the golden glow around Legolas had brightened more than ever, enough to take one's breath away, before it suddenly dimmed drastically.

"No!" Celeborn could not stop his cry, this was an incredibly bad sign.

What could they do? The dimming of am elf's glow was not good, in fact it was the opposite, and they had to help but how?

LOVE.

The voice seemed to come from nowhere and yet everywhere around them. It was so simple, so utterly simple.

Celeborn understood and thanked whoever had told him silently. "We need to show Legolas our love. He needs our help." They could help more after all. "We cannot leave our patients and yet we can still help Legolas."

"How?" Estel's grey eyes were wide with worry. He had never seen Legolas' light quite this dim, almost, but never this bad.

"Pour out your love to him. Let your heart sing its love for him." He smiled at Estel, reassuring and calming him.

"I can do that! That is not hard." The smile was returned and he then bent to speak to Legolas once more. "You need my love, Mellon nin? I cannot put into words what I feel but maybe this will help."

Estel silently placed his hand on his friend's blond head and the other on his shoulder and closed his eyes. A content smile crossed his face.

The others all soon caught on and all of them followed suite by doing the same without touching him.

Elladan was the last to close his eyes and so he was the only one to see the glow brighten once more.

It was helping! Incredibly it was helping! He shot one last look at Thranduil, wanting to make sure that he was alright before turning back to Legolas. He never made it back to the Prince.

Thranduil had somehow sat up silently. He had never had this look grace his face before. It spoke of such evil that it was frightening. It was enough to make Elladan stop in shock, shivering.

Thranduil suddenly spoke, but in such a cold voice that Elladan jumped. "I will leave Thranduil alive… but not you!" His hate-filled, maniacal gaze was leveled at Legolas.

Suddenly, Thranduil arched back with a cry of great pain.

Shocked or not, Elladan raced forward to help and so caught Thranduil as he fell backwards onto the bed, eyes wide, staring at nothing. With shaking hands, he reached for a pulse. Despite the words, Thranduil appeared dead. He sighed with relief when he found the pulse bounding along quite nicely.

Only for Elladan's heart to almost stop completely at the anguished cry from behind him.

"No! Legolas! Valar no!"

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

To be continued….

Is that evil enough, do you think? I know I am cruel, but I promise you that you will not have this long a wait before you get the next chapter...

please let me know what you think?

Shell