Author's note; Hi everybody! Ok I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that updates will begin to get even more scarce than they already are, and I'm Very sorry about this as I do enjoy writing them, but the good news, and my excuse ;], is that I am being considered for the Commonwealth Team!

But please, stick with the story and keep reviewing, it means a lot to me to hear all your reviews and encourages me more than you can imagine! Everyone who has already reviewed, thank you so much, and please keep it up!

I hope you enjoy the chapter! Have a good one everyone! :)


Elrond strode down his halls, his stride promising purpose, determination and resolve although, if one looked closely enough, there was hints of regret and doubt, a slight scuffle in his step.

He knew what he had to do but the knowledge of how evaded him.

He knew it was Nerea's fault and this alone was enough to fuel the Elf Lord's resolve.

Making straight for Legolas' room he paused only once to order his twin sons to be found and brought to him.

Reaching the large wooden door that was the entrance to Legolas' room he remembered Estel would be there too, so he knocked.

There was no reply.

He knocked again, louder.

Still nothing.

"Estel!" He called, but with no response.

Elrond's brow furrowed with concern.

He reached down and turned the doorknob, letting himself in.

To see his son, smiling.

The sight brought light to his heart and was reflected, full force, in his eyes and on his lips. The joy of Estel was always his.

Aragorn heard the knocks, heard his father call, but was far too elated and excited to answer, choosing to focus all his energy on to Legolas.

He saw his father smile at him and a burst of laughter escaped his lips.

Happiness was contagious and even if it wasn't, he had plenty to spare.

"Hello Ada," He said, jubilation in his voice. "Where did you go?"

Elrond's smile slipped slightly. "I went to see Nerea."

Aragorn frowned, puzzled. "Why?"

Elrond looked into his sons eyes, hoping he would understand."I had to ask her some questions." He said, "Estel, I believe I know what is wrong with Legolas."

Estel's eyes grew wide and he started to rise only to be tugged back by his hand, still latched firmly to Legolas'.

Elrond's attention was diverted for a few seconds to their clasped hands. The white of the knuckles, as if one would suddenly disappear if the other let go.

'Maybe he would.' Elrond thought.

Suddenly, he understood. Someone had to go in and tear down the walls. But if that someone could communicate with Legolas' mind, he could very easily help to tear down the barriers.

"Well." Demanded Aragorn. "What is it? What is the matter with him?"

"Nerea has placed a barrier in his mind. His consciousness is trapped inside."

Aragorn blinked, attempting to understand what his father was saying. "How?" He asked.

"I'm not sure." Elrond confessed, "It is something that has never been done by Elf, Man or beast before. She has power I have never known, never dreamt of having.""Never wanted." Aragorn quietly added.

Elrond heard and was grateful.

"She has skill and has had practice. Can you recall anything else particularly strange about her, save her eyes? Did she walk different? Did she display fighting skills?"

Aragorn thought hard and realised, except for her eyes, he could have mistaken her for being a normal woman. Except …

"She came with orcs. They seemed to be being … lead by her."

"Orcs?" Elrond repeated, puzzled. "Are you sure? There has been no increase in orc activity."

"Positive." Aragorn replied. It was the one part of his memory of the whole trip that she had not touched.

Elrond nodded, another worry added to his mind.

"Why does it matter?" Aragorn asked.

"I need to know if she could have done something more than what she has said." He responded, "so I can judge the risks involved in his healing." He said, casting an anxious glance between the Elf and Man.

Aragorn frowned, confused.

"What risks?" He thought aloud.

Elrond sighed, not through annoyance, but through sadness. He knew his son very well and he knew that, with or without risks, he would try to save Legolas. Just as he would his brothers.

"There is a risk that it could be contagious." He said, picking his words carefully, stuck for another way to describe what she may have done.

"Contagious?" Aragorn asked, beginning to get a little nervous, "What do you mean?"

"Well, there may be something that, as soon as someone else's mind enters, it takes over that person aswell."

There was a pause as his son digested this, thinking hard.

"What?"

Elrond sighed but began to explain once more.

"Well. Say her mind can be divided into little pieces. She may have left the piece in Legolas' mind so that, whoever enters his mind to heal him, is attacked by it, and will suffer the same fate as him."

Aragorn understood, and, he figured, that was more terrifying than not knowing.

"So it's like a … disease?"

"Possibly." Elrond said, stressing the word. "But that, I suppose, would be a correct summary of my theory."

Nerves raced through Aragorn. Could his mind already contain a section of Nerea's evil?

Elrond carefully inspected his child. The Elf Lord could see his worry, drawn like a picture on his features, and began to feel it himself. An increasing anxiety that was reserved only for his children. Icy cold dread smothered all hope he had had of helping Legolas.

There was something Estel had not told him.

"Is there something wrong Estel?" He asked, keeping his voice perfectly calm.

Aragorn jumped as his father's strong voice startled him from his thoughts. Instantly plunged into a deeper tank of worry as he came across a dilemma.

He looked into the Elf Lord's eyes, and saw a slight flicker of fear. A flicker that usually sparked into a fervent flame if left to fuel itself.

He opened his mouth and told Elrond everything.

Nerea suddenly chuckled. If those Elves would just learn to open their eyes, things would be much simpler for them.

She knew that to burgle a mind, one had to see, not into the eyes, but through the eyes.

'They will never get into the Elf's mind' she thought had his eyes blocked up.

Her laughter echoed down the corridors and a sense of foreboding came over all who heard.