Disclaimer: I own none of the characters apart from Corriduil, a nasty piece of my imagination. Do with him as you will…

As for Legolas, well, he's not in for a smooth ride, poor thing. Whether I decide to save him or kill him off depends on my mood when I write the last chapter (which isn't for a little while yet). So read and enjoy and REVIEW!

Chapter 43

During the course of the day, Estel and his father could only watch as the prince's condition deteriorated. The fever would not shift despite the regular cold baths or the action of placing a cool cloth on the archer's forehead.

The ill Elf stayed in a deep sleep throughout the day, often calling out against enemies invisible to all but himself. Many times had the Ranger sat by his friend's side and whispered Elvish words of comfort. Some of the time this worked but it was getting to the stage that they were beginning to think that Legolas could no longer hear what they were saying.

It became a regular occurrence that Elrond would disappear after a little while and would stay away for a couple of hours on the understanding that Estel would call for him if anything were to happen, no matter how significant.

Mirkwood

Thranduil sat in his chair at the head of the dining table. The chair to his left lay empty, as the usual occupier was currently unable to attend the meals due to being in Rivendell. The King's mood did not sadden at this fact, nor did he regret the actions he had taken against his son.

They were always telling him that Legolas would never make a proper King and that he should be banished from Mirkwood so that the throne would fall to someone else. Someone more responsible, more respectful of the duties that lie with being the Ruler of a Kingdom such as Mirkwood.

Of course, being the reigning King of this Elven Realm, Thranduil had thought more about the welfare of the Kingdom and its inhabitants than about his own son. Surely one Elf cannot be more important than a whole Realm, can he?

The chair to his right at the table seated the Elf who he now considered at his most important Advisor and had readily dismissed the previous Head Advisor from duty. This Elf, Corriduil, had been the one to open his eyes to the wrongs of his son and had advised him to do something about it before Legolas endangered the Realm.

During the meal, the double doors at the end of the room opened and a servant, who Thranduil had never seen before, entered. The Elf strode purposefully over to Corriduil and leant over the Advisor, whispering something in his ear.

"Your wish has been carried out, my Lord. The prince is dead." Corriduil let a small smile creep across his face without giving anything away to the other occupants of the table.

"Thank you, that will be all for the moment." With that, the servant turned swiftly on his heel and left the room.

"Is there a problem, Corriduil?" Thranduil asked, unsure of what to do after an unknown Elf walked into his home. There was something suspicious about the whole thing but the King decided to dismiss it for the present.

"No, nothing is amiss, my King." The Advisor answered with a tone that suggested a certain coolness about him. Something that could have easily been mistaken for evilness.

Rivendell

It was after one of these small departures the Elrond returned to the room where Legolas lay, overcome with fever and completely delusional. The Elf's face was pale, more so than usual if that were at all possible. A sheen of sweat beaded his forehead and he tossed and turned in a fitful sleep from which he could not be woken.

Estel sat and watched with growing anxiety as his father bent over the prince, feeling the heat from his forehead and trying to still the hands that twitched and clenched at the bedding.

"Ada," the Ranger asked finally, "does Legolas have the Eighth Night poison flowing through his veins, or is it some other?"

This question was one that the human had been thinking about for a while but had been almost afraid of the answer. He, personally, had never come into contact with someone suffering this fate, but had heard horrendous tales of unbearable agony and fear leading to something that he didn't think would happen to Legolas. He was not supposed to die before Estel! It was supposed to be the other way around.

"I believe so, Estel. I have studied all the other potions that could have possibly brought out this effect in Legolas and none of them seem to fit the description." Elrond explained, a hint of sadness to his voice.

"I have heard tales of people suffering from this poison, but I never studied it much." Estel trailed off, unsure of how to finish his sentence.

"You wish to know the effects. The symptoms. Whether there is a cure in Middle Earth. What to expect if the worst were to occur." Elrond stated, almost reading his son's mind. Indeed, the Ranger had been thinking exactly that.

Before the human could answer, a knocking sounded on the other side of the door. The Elven Lord walked to the door and opened it slightly, not wanting just anyone finding out what was going on. To his relief, Elladan and Elrohir stood on the threshold looking concerned.

"Ah, my sons. Come in." He said, opening the door further to allow the twins' entrance. Almost at once, they started asking questions about the Elf in the bed, him being a great friend of theirs too.

"What has happened? Is he all right?" Elladan asked, the more mature of the two brothers.

"Yes, he looks terrible. Ada?" Elrohir finished. Both twins turned to look at their father for answers. Estel sat quietly in his chair, almost overwhelmed by the outburst of questions.

"What I have to say is to be kept within these four walls. Do not say anything to the servants. I believe that Legolas may be suffering from the Eighth Night poison. He attained a slash across the chest following a fight with some Orcs. I understand that the blade was coated with the liquid." Elrond explained, watching closely as his sons sank into chairs, their faces loosing all colour.

TBC

Replies:

Joslin: Oh, I'm sure he'll think of something soon, but will it be soon enough?

kel: I put the twins in this chapter for you!!!! I remembered! Go me! Anyway, they are roughly three nights into the sentence. Hope that this helps. Please continue reviewing!

LanierShazar: Well we'll have to wait and see, won't we?

Wynjara: Angst is a fantastic thing, which is good for the soul. Sorry, just something I tell myself sometimes. Anyway, I do not think that you singing happy music is a bad thing, so continue!

BitterLee: Beautifully written work? That is the best compliment I have had so far and I thank you eternally for it! OMG! What do you say to someone who says that about you? Anyway, I am so glad that you are enjoying this story and hopefully Elrond will come up with something that can help our little prince.

Starfire Greenleaf: I can assure you that there will be lots more to come. Even when I finish this story, I intend to start a new one immediately, I'll keep you posted on that. This story has a way to go first though.

Lalaithofthebruinen: All these hugs and bunnies are certainly bringing out the angst in me aren't they? So, the more bunnies, the more angst, it's not blackmail by the way, just advice.

Mornflower: I'm sorry that you had a disturbing day. Hopefully you're feeling a bit better now. Put on a pair of your toe socks and you'll feel better. It works for me! Anyway, I'm getting a lot of good response from this new poison that I created, so I'm happy about that. Sometimes, when I invent something like that, it just sounds cheesy. But hey, I try.

Nomad6: Two! That's quite young for a horse is it not? Anyway, I'm super glad that you are getting on well with him. Legolas is not going to be in for a smooth ride with this one and my next story is going to be a bit worse, I think. If you are interested in reading my nest one, I'll keep you posted.

HarryEstel: Sorry, it just seemed like a good place to leave it. I'll try and do a major cliffie next time. LOL! Anyway, Thranduil looks like he's not ever going to see sense but hey, that makes for all the better reading.