Urion caught Legolas as he pitched forward unconscious and quickly felt his pulse before scooping him up into his arms. His heart rate was too slow for his liking and Urion immediately hurried towards the halls. The elves that saw him quickly changed expression from joy to horror when they saw their prince. Many cried out in denial, but Urion paid them no heed as he concentrated on getting Legolas to the hands of a healer as quickly as possible.

As he stepped into the halls one of the healers saw them and visibly paled before leading Urion towards the healing instead of the dining hall and gestured for him to place Legolas in the room reserved for the royal family. Urion placed Legolas on the second bed because he knew that Thranduil had been lying on the first before the fight.

"I will go get Ecphen and King Thranduil." Urion said to the healer when he started to examine Legolas. The healer nodded so Urion tore out of the room and into the hall once more. He quickly made his way to the entrance to the wings and when finding it closed he pounded on the door until someone opened it from the inside and then he ran on. He first stopped when he stood before the king's room and there he brought his hand up to knock on it.

The door quickly flew up and Thranduil stood before him with an anxious expression. Ecphen was also just behind him.

"The battle is over." Urion said after finding his tongue. "We won, but Prince Legolas collapsed just afterwards. I have brought him to the healing wing and a healer is currently with him."

The words had barely left his mouth before Thranduil was moving towards the healing wing with Ecphen close behind him. Urion hurried up to them and followed them back the way he had come.

Thranduil burst into the room and upon seeing Legolas unconscious and completely pallid a distressed sound left him and he quickly ran forward to gather Legolas in his arms. The healer had taken Legolas' outer clothes off him along with his weapons but he hadn't made it further before Thranduil had come.

The healer sent pleading eyes to Ecphen and Ecphen sighed before walking up and placing his hand on Thranduil's shoulder. "You need to allow us to take care of him my King."

After some seconds Thranduil nodded. He kissed Legolas' forehead before loosening his arms stepping away from the bed. Urion walked forward and gently steered Thranduil into the chair by Legolas' bedside as Ecphen and the other healer took the rest of Legolas' clothes off him. They noticed with distress the large patch of blood visible on the back of Legolas' white undershirt and after another glance at his darker tunic and cloak they noticed that they had also been stained, but their color had hidden the fact. They quickly found the source, an arrow wound in Legolas' back just under the shoulder blade. Though it hadn't hit something vital the wound had bled a lot. They took care of the wound in silence.

"Ecphen he is freezing." The other healer said hushed so the others wouldn't hear it, "The loss of blood wouldn't have resulted in such a great drop in temperature."

When the healer saw Ecphen's hesitation he said, "You don't have to tell me. As long as you're aware of it it's fine. We should get him warmed up though."

Ecphen nodded and smiled gratefully. The healer went around the room while Ecphen took care of Legolas' other injuries. He found a towel and then proceeded to toss it to Ecphen so he could dry the Prince. Legolas had been absolutely soaked after being in the rain for hours.

He then found some clothes and placed it on another bed in the room that was dry and lit a fire in the fireplace.

When Ecphen was done with the injuries he carried Legolas over to the other bed and dressed him in the set of loose fitting leggings and a soft cream shirt, it made Legolas look even more pale than he already did. Without delay Ecphen spread two sets of covers over Legolas' form and tucked them in around him. It worried him that Legolas hadn't regained consciousness during their ministrations.

Thranduil moved from the chair he was sitting in to the one beside the bed they had moved Legolas to and leaned forward to run his hand over Legolas' hair. He studied the cut on Legolas' cheek. Ecphen had cleaned it, but he hadn't covered it with anything saying that it would most likely heal rather quickly.

With an enormous amount of effort Thranduil tore his eyes from his son and looked at Urion. "Tell me of the fight."

Urion stepped forward and reported everything that he knew. When he was done Thranduil asked, "With Sarnor and Tharbadon with the healers would you mind taking control of the situation? The last wounded need to be gathered as well as the dead. The orcs' corpses should also be gathered and burnt."

Urion inclined his head, "Of course my King. I will make sure everything is in order."

When Urion was about to leave Thranduil added, "And Urion." Urion turned around. "Thank you for bringing Legolas back."

"It was nothing my King." Urion smiled and then went to do the King's bidding. The other healer also walked out with him leaving Ecphen alone with Thranduil and Legolas.

After half an hour Ecphen touched Legolas' cheek and was dismayed to find that it was still just as cold. Thranduil seeing Ecphen's frown hurriedly placed his hand on Legolas' other cheek and looked panicked at Ecphen. "He isn't warming up."

Ecphen nodded. "He was frozen through. It will probably take some time for him to gain some warmth but I was hoping to have seen a change by now. Perhaps a warm bath would help, I have no doubt he would also relish being clean when he wakes up. Are you up for it?"

Thranduil nodded and they proceeded to bathe him and redress his wounds. Soon Legolas was lying in bed once more with four covers over him this time.

When another hour went by and there was still only minimal change to his temperature Thranduil climbed into the bed as well and drew his son close. Quickly he fell asleep as well with his son safely tucked against his chest. Ecphen continued to monitor both of them as they slept. He hadn't lost him concern for Thranduil yet even if most of it was now directed at Legolas instead.

Five hours passed before Legolas moved for the first time. Thranduil's eyes immediately lost their glazed look and he watched as the being in his arms slowly inched towards wakefulness. Legolas moaned softly and moved closer to Thranduil's warmth as he started shivering. Thranduil smiled and held Legolas closer.

Finally Legolas' eyes fluttered up. For a moment they had a slightly dazed look but then he looked upwards from the point on Thranduil's chest to his eyes. Thranduil smiled and reached up to gently run his hand over Legolas cheek and over his hair tucking it in behind his ear. Legolas closed his eyes at the touch, but then opened them and asked, "How long have I been out?"

Thranduil looked to Ecphen. He wasn't sure because he had fallen asleep. Ecphen stepped up and answered, "Five hours. How are you feeling?"

"I am fine..." Legolas answered to no one's surprise. "Five hours?"

"Don't worry I put Urion in charge of everything and since I haven't heard any complaints yet I think he is doing relatively well." Thranduil said.

Legolas nodded and laid his head down on the pillow once more. He started blinking sluggishly on the verge of falling asleep once more.

"Can you stay awake for a while longer my Prince?" Ecphen asked, "I want you to dink something strengthening first."

Legolas nodded so Ecphen immediately rushed to make the tea. Every time Legolas' eyes would drop closed Thranduil would run his hand over his cheek and his eyes would open once more. Finally Ecphen came over with the tea and after Legolas had drunk it Thranduil kissed his forehead and said, "Go to sleep Greenleaf."

Thranduil felt almost giddy about showing his love to Legolas and holding his son after years of deriving himself of it. What Thranduil was happiest about though, was that Legolas allowed for him to do this. He watched with a smile on his lips as Legolas' eyes slid closed and his breathing deepened once more.

"You should sleep some more as well, it would do you good." Ecphen said, "I will go see if my skills are needed in the dining hall."

Thranduil nodded and soon he was drifting to sleep beside his son.

O

There was nothing he could do as the poison was roughly forced into his mouth and into his system. Immediately mind-wrecking pain began spreading inside him, but there was nothing he could do as it continued to destroy him. He tried to move away from it, he tried to scream, he tried to clench his fists …nothing worked. The fire continued to consume him effortlessly and painfully.

Suddenly a figure appeared before him. Aewon… Legolas reached his hand towards him in a plea of help but it was roughly kicked away.

"It's all your fault!" Aewon shouted though it was his father's voice that came out of his mouth. He kicked Legolas in the chest. "How dare you betray me?!" He punched him in the stomach. Legolas couldn't even curl in on himself to ward off the attacks as the poison continued its hold on him.

"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Legolas bolted up breathing heavily. His eyes were widened and a drop of sweat ran down the side of his face. Almost immediately someone sat up beside him and arms encircled him. He trembled against his father's chest.

"It was just a dream." Thranduil murmured soothingly, "It was just a dream…"

Slowly Legolas' trembling subsided and his breathing became steady, but he continued to look straightforward. Thranduil placed his fingers under Legolas' chin and slowly turned his head. He found though when he was looking into Legolas' eyes that he couldn't read them.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Thranduil asked after a moment's hesitation.

Legolas smiled gently and shook his head, "It was just a dream. Although painful when asleep, it doesn't mean anything now. It was just distorted and mixed old memories."

Thranduil nodded reluctantly and loosened his arms around Legolas. Legolas swung his legs over the edge of the bed and slowly got to his feet. He flexed his wounded shoulder with a grimace and after turning it a few times he was able to move it more smoothly.

"The arrow wound." Thranduil said, "You got it before the fight?"

Legolas turned around and arched his eyebrow at Thranduil, "How did you know?"

"After you hugged me I had a patch of blood on my sleeve. You should have let Ecphen take care of it before the fight. Both of us were worried about you."

"I was out scouting the forest to find new positions for scouts, but an hour out I heard an elven scream." Legolas said as he went to the drawer and took out a set of spare clothes he had placed there some time ago so he didn't have to wander through the halls in nightclothes. "I turned Móre towards the sound and we rode into the clearing where the orcs were. They had captured one of the scouts I had sent out. I managed to get him out of there, but was shot during our escape."

Legolas pulled on the new set of leggings and then pulled his loose shirt off. Bandages were wrapped around his chest and arms covering his arrow wound and several other cuts he had gained during the fight. The cut on his cheek had been left uncovered and was by now scabbed over. Then he dressed in another undershirt and a tunic before throwing his cloak over his shoulders and strapping his dagger around his waist. He looked himself in the mirror and quickly braided his hair out of his face.

He then looked up at his father who had gotten up as well; he was already in his usual clothes.

"You check the situation inside, I check the situation outside?" Legolas asked with a smile.

"Deal." Thranduil said, "What if we meet Ecphen?"

"We deny everything."

Thranduil grimaced, "I hope he finds you first."

"He'll kill me no matter what." Legolas winced.

"How long time do you think has passed since the fight?" Thranduil asked as they walked out into the hall.

Legolas looked around while saying, "You're the one who's supposed to know that. I was unconscious most of the time." He saw a servant close by and walked up to him. "Excuse me, but would you mind informing me of how long time it has been since the fight ended?" Legolas asked with a smile.

"My Prince!" The servant exclaimed since Legolas had pretty much snuck up on him. He turned around to face Legolas and smiled at him, "You're awake. It has been seven hours since the fight."

Legolas glanced over at his father to see if he had heard it. Thranduil nodded and headed down the hall towards the wings. Legolas reckoned that he was going to the eastern wing were the civilians were at the moment.

He turned back to the servant and thanked him before walking towards the main entrance. He got similar meetings throughout the corridors but the largest reaction came when he stepped into the courtyard and suddenly found himself in the middle of the warriors that had fought beside him. Most cheered, others came with exclamations of relief and some walked up to him and clapped him on the back, which was starting to get on his nerves when Urion intervened because half of them seemed determined to hit his wound, although unintentional it still hurt.

"Oi lay off him a little!" Urion laughed and steered Legolas away from the gathering. "You'll end up finishing the orcs' job."

Legolas looked around the courtyard and although seeing the destruction caused by the fight he could also see that the orcs' bodies were gone and most likely burned. The table he had used before was once more set up in the courtyard and this was where Urion led him.

"What's the count Urion?" Legolas asked somberly.

Urion sighed and sat down beside Legolas. "Fifteen elves died in this battle and one died from the previous one from his injuries during the fight. With the four we had from the first encounter we have a count of twenty and many more wounded. We were fortunate not to have lost more, but still…"

Legolas nodded and breathed deeply before asking, "I understand that seven hours have passed since the end of the battle. What have you been doing?"

"You mean after bringing you unconscious to the healing wing?" Urion asked briskly.

Legolas gazed at him, "I apologize. I seem to have frightened you by collapsing without a warning just as I told you I wouldn't do."

"You promised me." Urion growled, "You promised me that you wouldn't collapse. You said that you knew your body well."

"I do know my body well." Legolas said calmly, "And I was fully aware that at that time I couldn't escape from collapsing after the fight was over and adrenalin left me. The most important thing is that we won the fight. When I made you the promise I was making it based on my condition at that moment. I just so happened that that condition changed prior to the fight and continued to change through it. I really didn't have a choice in the matter."

Urion sighed in resignation and rubbed his temples. "I started by gathering the wounded and burning the orcs close to the area. When that was done about four hours ago I sent out the first round of patrols to comb the forest for any more orcs. There are five patrols out with ten elves in each and they are set to return in two hours."

Legolas nodded and asked, "What about the trees? Have they livened?"

"No. Not yet, but I think it's only a matter of time before they do. Besides since their information was so wrong about the final group of orcs I am weary about using them like this again."

"I agree." Legolas said, "We will use our own methods of communication and only use the trees when there is no other way and next time not be so trusting of the trees further out. Have you seen Tharbadon or Sarnor yet?"

Urion nodded, "I visited the healing ward about an hour ago. Tharbadon was still unconscious, but Sarnor was awake. He asked about you and since I didn't know that no one had told him you had collapsed I just answered and then ended up having to tell him everything. He was kind of… panicked and wanted to check on you. In the end Ecphen came over and first threatened to drug him if he didn't lie down and then he told him about your condition. I think he was either calmed by Ecphen's words or exhausted because he fell asleep soon after."

"What am I to do with him? It seems as though as soon as they become captains they immediately become overprotective…" Legolas groaned.

Urion laughed and patted Legolas good-naturedly on the shoulder.

Legolas looked at the large group of elves sitting on the grass at the edge of the courtyard. They were laughing and chatting, telling stories from the battle and eating lunch together. Some maids were either walking around giving second portions or just sitting with them and listening to the stories. It was the kind of merry and relieved yet solemn atmosphere that only happened after battling and facing death together.

Urion saw were Legolas gaze rested and snickered, "I think some of them have been in the liquor."

Legolas smiled, "Let them. They can celebrate today and rue it tomorrow when we send them into the field." Even though he said this Urion knew that Legolas had no plans of sending anyone incapable into the field.

"The patrols you sent out, were they also instructed to find the areas of the previous fights and burn the corpses there?" Legolas asked once more directing his attention to the situation.

Urion looked at Legolas for some seconds and then admitted, "I had forgotten about that. No, they haven't been instructed to do that but the next shift will."

"That's fine. There is little need to haste." Legolas said, "We will soon have to start with the regular patrols once more and we need to get the outpost by the ford rebuilt and stationed once more." Legolas saw the map lying further up the table and walked over to it. He took the pen as well and drew a ring around everything that needed done. He drew one around the ford, the old dungeons, the two battle locations, as well as a line all the way through the map showing the route the orcs had taken. "We should find out where the orcs came from and how Canben came into contact with them." Legolas said.

"That will be difficult." Urion said as he sat down on the table beside the map and looked down at it. "Their tracks will have washed away by know and it is difficult for us to come close to orc settlements if it isn't in captivity."

Legolas thought about it and then sighed, "You're right. It will be impossible. I will send a team into the north to see if they can find out anything, but I won't have them search outside the borders of Mirkwood. …The orcs are most likely from the Grey Mountains since they came from the north."

Legolas heard hoof beats enter the courtyard but waved it off as a patrols returning until Urion continued not answering him. He looked up at Urion and then followed his gaze into the courtyard where it came to rest on first Sírphen and Glorfindel, then Elrond and Celebrian, then Elladan and Elrohir and then the escort behind them. Legolas groaned and felt the almost overwhelming urge to run into the forest and bang his head repeatedly against a tree.

None of this showed in Legolas expression though as he first turned to Urion and said hushed, "Go and get my father and ask some servants to find room for our guests." Urion nodded and immediately hurried towards the house.

Legolas then turned back to the company and smiled as he walked forward to greet them. Sírphen rode from the others and up to Legolas first.

"My Prince." He said anxiously, "I brought them here without any incidents. What about the fight?"

Legolas smiled, "Thank you Sírphen, you did your job well. We won the fight just eight hours ago. Perhaps you could ride to the stables and warm them of the extra twenty horses they will be housing?"

"Of course my Prince." Sírphen said and inclined his head before riding towards the stables.

During their conversation the others in the company had dismounted. Legolas turned to them and bowed with a smile, "Welcome to Mirkwood. I apologize for being the only one here to welcome you at the moment, but as you have probably heard we have had some issues. King Thranduil will be here shortly."

Elrond smiled at Legolas relieved to see that he was all right. "It's quite all right, we understand. Sírphen told us of the situation. I must say that I was quite horrified to learn of it, did you say that you fought and won only eight hours ago?"

Legolas gave a tired smile, "Yes, I did." He glanced over at the gathering of elves on the grass and saw to his amusement that they seemed to have realized who had come and some were getting to their feet while other had obviously had too much to drink. He returned his eyes to Elrond, "I have sent Urion in to make sure enough rooms are ready for you, but it will probably take an hour. If your company would like then they are welcome to join those over there." He waved his hand towards those on the grass. "Or get some food after the journey. I am afraid our dining room has been turned into a healing wing."

The company's horses were slowly being taken away to the stables.

"Enough with the formalities!" Elladan exclaimed and strode forward, Elrohir only a step behind him. Elladan threw his arms around Legolas and hugged him, "Legolas! It has been too long."

Legolas had hurriedly clamped his teeth together when Elladan had hugged him so the wince of pain couldn't leave his mouth. He hugged Elladan back and said, "Aye, it has."

Elladan let go and Elrohir stepped forward to have his turn, his hug was much gentler than Elladan's so Legolas didn't have to bite his tongue halfway off. After Elrohir let go he studied him with a frown on his face. "You have changed." He said softly so it was only Legolas and Elladan who heard it, "I do not remember your eyes to be this dark." Elrohir reached up and touched Legolas' cheek. Immediately his eyes widened, but he did not get a chance to say anything for this moment Thranduil walked out of the halls with Urion and two servants trailing behind him.

Elrohir lowered his hand from Legolas' cheek, but Legolas knew that he wouldn't escape the conversation later. He shoved that out of his head and concentrated on the meeting between Thranduil and Elrond. He had noticed that Elrond had been watching him like a hawk the entire time and now he had tensed as he looked towards Thranduil.

"Greetings Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian." Thranduil said when he came close enough, "Welcome to our halls. I must say that you aren't arriving at the most ideal time, but I am sure we will make do. I trust your journey here has been uneventful?"

Only people who knew Elrond well could see the tenseness in him being transformed to confusion. Legolas smiled and when he saw Elrond glance at him he nodded his head almost unperceivably.

Elrond quickly gathered himself once more and smiled politely to Thranduil, "Thank you for housing us despite everything that has happened here. Our journey was as uneventful as possible when one had to travel over the misty mountains."

Thranduil nodded, "Good. Now I am sure you are interested to find out what has happened here and why, therefore I have had food brought to my parlor if you and your family would like to join Legolas and I in there." He gestured to the two servants behind him, "These two will make sure your company is well cared for."

"We accept your offer." Elrond said, "I am, as you say, interested."

Thranduil inclined his head and gestured for them to follow him into the house. Elrond, Celebrian and Glorfindel followed directly behind Thranduil. Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas were about to follow when someone called Legolas' name.