Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague

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A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I really appreciate your comments. Enjoy the next chapter.

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Chapter 20 ~ Good Advice

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Legolas was standing next to yet another burning funeral pyre, sadly watching it turn into ashes. There had been ten huge pyres so far and it was getting no easier to watch or for the people having to light them. One servant walked past Legolas and stopped, looking at him in utter despair, her black veil disguising her features. Legolas said nothing but placed a hand on the Elf's stooped shoulder in a feeble act of comfort. The young Elf nodded and walked silently away, her head hung low. Legolas looked around him to see all the faces of the people; they all looked the same – exhausted, in pain and grieving for the deaths of people close to them. It disheartened Legolas even more to see Gimli out among the Elves, ceaselessly helping them chop wood for the pyres. Even he – the proud, unflappable Gimli - had his head bowed in sad contemplation.

Aragorn interrupted Legolas' sad observation of his people via a hand on his shoulder.

"Mellon nin, it's cold out here. Come back inside."

"Look at them, Estel," Legolas' voice was trembling and weak and could hardly be heard even in the eerie silence.

"I see them, mellon nin. Come on, come inside. You don't need to be out here," he answered gently, putting his arm around Legolas' shoulders and leading the unsteady prince through the doors, held open for them by a servant, and into the entrance hall of the palace. Legolas leaned slightly against Aragorn for support, too tired to even attempt to hold onto his usually strong pride. Not that the man minded at all, he was happy to do anything to help his friend, even if it meant acting as a crutch when needed.

Almost instinctively they headed towards the Great Hall so Legolas could check on the state of his people. When the doors were swung open Legolas was confronted with a hoard of fighting and yelling patients.

As soon as Legolas entered though, shouts went up amongst the people and suddenly everything went still and silent. They all stopped fighting amongst themselves and turned in surprise to look at their Prince. Legolas just stood there watching them, a look of disappointment and sadness evident on his pale face.

After a few moments' tense silence, Legolas finally stepped forward, still watching the room carefully.

"My brother, the Crown Prince Rumil is dead. My father, your King, is dying." Murmurs of surprise and despair struck up amidst the crowd at the news of their King's sickness but died down when Legolas continued speaking as strongly as he could through his exhaustion and fear. "Over half of Mirkwood is sick. Nearly three hundred of your kin are dead. As of yet…there is no cure." Legolas' voice was firmer than Aragorn would have expected and every single person in the room was utterly engrossed by it. "I know that you suffer greatly. I suffer with you. You have lost family and friends, just as I have. Know that I am doing everything within my power to help you but I can do nothing if you continue to fight amongst yourselves. This is a time when we must all stick together, not be drawn apart by our petty differences. We cannot fight this if we are divided."

"How can we fight this at all?" a nervous voice called from the crowd although Legolas couldn't see whether it was a healer or a patient.

"By remembering that we are still a strong kingdom. We are a strong people. And that fighting is not going to help in any way. My friends, believe me, I know you are in pain and you have to know that if I could I would take all your pain upon myself if it meant sparing you this horror." This heart-felt declaration was met with an awed, saddened silence. They all knew Legolas was telling the absolute truth, so impassioned were his words. "I know that the sick are nearly overwhelmed by pain and despair. I know the healers are tired and overstretched but I beg of you to keep going or there will be no Mirkwood left." Again, this was met with silence. The tense atmosphere had completely dissipated though, the prince's words effectively calming the people. "If I hear of any more fighting I will have the remaining guards put an immediate stop to it and throw you all into the dungeons for public disorder. Is that understood?" This threat was met with fear and silence and there were nods of agreement in the crowd.

Legolas looked around the room again before turning around to find Aragorn, Elrond and Gimli all watching him. Elrond nodded his approval but Legolas just walked past them and away from the now quiet Great Hall. The three friends went to join him, following silently behind him as he walked slowly through the corridors. Just as Elrond was about to stop him and ask if he was alright Legolas suddenly turned around to face them.

"Elrond, can you please go and check on Ada? And sit with him until there is any change – if there is any change."

"If that's what you want," Elrond smiled reassuringly.

"Gimli, could you please go back out and continue to supervise the funeral pyres?"

"Of course I can, Elf," Gimli said with genuine compassion in his voice, hoarse from uttering so many sympathies to the Elves over the past days.

"Estel, please remain in the Great Hall and do all you can to keep them from killing each other."

"I'll do whatever you need me to do, mellon nin," Aragorn answered gently.

"Thank you all. For everything."

For a moment they all just stared at Legolas. Although the young Elf looked beyond exhausted and increasingly unwell and weak, his voice remained strong and firm. Even when his whole being screamed of the deepest despair Legolas remained completely reliable and in absolute control. Unfortunately, all the relief he had felt from Aragorn's gentle ministrations was now gone and he was back in the thick of it and he despised being there.

Slowly, they peeled off to do as they had been asked and Legolas went towards his own rooms to check on Frodo. He hadn't visited the Hobbits since he had first gotten sick and he felt guilty for neglecting his friends. Knocking gently on his own door before entering, he was surprised to find everyone, including the healer assigned to look after Frodo in Elrond's absence, sound asleep either on the large bed or in the surrounding chairs. He smiled softly to himself despite everything. They all looked so peaceful - a far cry from the chaos in the Great Hall and the rest of Mirkwood. Not wanting to disturb any of them, he decided to leave them while they were peaceful.

As he turned to leave though, Frodo's soft voice stopped him. "Hello," the Hobbit whispered.

Legolas turned around and soundlessly walked over to bed. Frodo was swathed in thick, warm blankets and looked almost cosy wrapped up in them. Pippin was asleep at his side, also under the blankets.

"Hello, Frodo," Legolas whispered back. "How are you feeling?" he asked with a small, reassuring smile.

"A little better. Elrond gave me something earlier," he answered, clearly still sleepy, probably from Elrond's medication. "How about you?"

Legolas smiled again at the Hobbit's unfailing compassion. "Not too bad," he lied. Frodo obviously saw right through this as he sent Legolas a knowing and sceptical look. "I've been better," Legolas revised his answer a little more truthfully. He received a nod from the small being and there followed a somewhat uneasy silence before Legolas finally broke it. "You'll be pleased to know that Elrond thinks he has discovered the cure. It shouldn't be long before we know for certain."

"That's great news," Frodo enthused, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb his friends.

"I'll let you know as soon as we're certain."

"Thank you," Frodo smiled reassuringly. He may not have been in on all the happening of Mirkwood but Frodo could clearly see the pain and despair in the Prince's eyes. "Won't you sit down for a minute?" he asked, concerned that the Elf was going to fall over any second. Legolas was currently bracing himself against the headboard to keep from swaying.

"No, thank you. I can't stay long. I have to get back and check on things in the Great Hall."

"Sit with me for a while, please," Frodo repeated. Legolas looked like he was about to protest and then looked almost desperately around the room for an escape. However, he realised he had no really acceptable excuse so he eventually relented and perched uncomfortably on the edge of his own bed. "You know, when I went to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring, I thought I was going to die," Frodo started quietly, looking down at his folded arms. Legolas was surprised by this confession; he had never heard the Hobbit speak openly about his role in the Quest since his miraculous return from Mordor. "Do you know what got me back to full health?" Legolas shook his head, his eyes fixed on the small but brave being in front of him. "My friends: Strider, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Gimli and you."

"This is a little different from the War, Frodo," Legolas spoke eventually, understanding what the Hobbit was getting at.

"You still need your friends with you. Trust Strider. It worked for me," Frodo smiled thinly, memories of his journey resurfacing.

"I can't rely on Aragorn to pull me through this. Mirkwood can't rely on him. They need me."

"They do." It was a simple statement but Legolas understood what it meant perfectly - he was no good to them like this. He needed help. Only then could he remain strong.

"Thank you, Frodo." Legolas stood up slowly and with what seemed to be a great deal of effort. "Try and get some more rest, my friend. I'll come and speak to you as soon as I know anything more." Frodo nodded sleepily as Legolas left the room as quietly as he had come.

To Be Continued…

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Translations:

Mellon nin – my friend.

Ada - Dad