Hem... Honestly, I don't know what to think of this chapter. I suffered a bit of writer's block, I'm afraid... Sorry if it didn't turn out very well.

There are also Sindarin sentences in this chapter, but all the translations will be at the end of the sentences this time.

I hope it's not too bad...

Legolas was getting worse, quickly. Too quickly. There was no doubt now that his wound had been poisoned, for the veins around it were turning an evil black. His arm was completely useless now and his body was becoming weaker and weaker. Aragorn had to carry more than support him and, even if the Elf felt bad about admitting it, he had already passed out a few times and it was getting harder to wake him up when he did. An effect of the blood loss surely, for his wound kept stubbornly bleeding out, no matter how hard Aragorn tried to make it stop.

And, since a few dozen minutes, he had began to mumble incoherent word in his native tongue, and his fever had grown much too high, which had increased the worry of the Fellowship and had forced them to walk even faster.

As for Faramir, even if his state wasn't as concerning as Legolas', the man had a suffered from a massive headache since they had begun to walk. But the major problem wasn't there. He had had another vision, of Sauron and the Palantír. And he had unfortunately discovered that foreseeing with a concussion was highly painful and drained a huge amount of strength. He had passed out too and his condition seemed to have worsen. Indeed, according to Aragorn, his pupils were now completely dilated, his eyes perfectly unfocused and he had started to develop a slight fever. As soon as he got up again, the world began to spin and blur, and he had had to bring a hand to his mouth to avoid vomiting. It had never stopped since. And the man couldn't avoid his foggy mind to wonder if he had done well by preventing Gandalf's death, for they now risked to lose the Elf instead. What if he had done the wrong thing ? But that kind of dark thinking didn't help in any way the pounding in his head to lessen.

Though it was hard to admit, it seemed now that getting to Lothlórien was a question of life or death.

It was obvious to everyone that Aragorn was deeply worried for both Legolas and Faramir, but more especially about the Elf. They had known each other for a very long time and the thought of losing him seemed unbearable.

"Darthog na men, mellon-nîn, listo." [Stay with us, my friend, please.] he kept whispering into his ear, voice trembling with worry.

Most of the time, he was only answered with incoherent Elvish mumblings, but some rare times, he managed to give him a full sentence :

"Im albaded erias, Estel…" [I am not going anywhere, Estel].

Gimli remained by his side too, feeling guilty for what had happened, even if the Elf had kept repeating him that he was the one that distracted him in the first place. While Frodo and Sam walked next to Aragorn, trying to comfort him, Merry and Pippin walked by Boromir and Faramir.

"We're almost there, Faramir. You'll see, you're going to be fine." Merry told the man, to reassure all four of them.

Gandalf was the silent leader of their progression, turning around sometimes to make sure everyone was still following and to check on the injured's state, trying not to show how worried he was for both of them.

Everyone breathed out in relief as they eventually entered the Golden Woods. It seemed, now that the worst part was behind them.

But they weren't completely out of danger for, as if finally allowing his weak body to rest, Legolas' suddenly went limp in Aragorn's arms.

"Legolas !" both the man and Gimli cried in sudden fear as their fallen friend started to tremble uncontrollably.

Hearing them, Gandalf turned around ran to where Aragorn was sitting on the ground, holding the trembling Elf in his arms, surrounded by the two shocked Hobbits and Gimli.

"What's happening to him ?" the dwarf asked hurriedly.

"His heart is beating too fast…" the man answered, his hands shaking as he gently brushed the Elf's hair out of his face. "Gandalf ?" he continued as he turned his face to the kneeled Wizard with wet eyes, "I do not know if we will make it in time…"

A gasp escaped Frodo's mouth and the young Hobbit burst out into tears.

"It's my fault, it's all my fault… If I hadn't chosen Moria…"

Sam grabbed him by his shoulders and turned his face to him.

"None of this is your fault, Mister Frodo. If you hadn't chosen Moria, surely more of us would have been injured. You're not the one who attacked him."

Gandalf put a hand on the Ring-bearer's shoulder and gave him a comforting smile. Then, most unexpectedly, the Wizard simply closed his eyes and muttered in his beard :

"Lasto nin, Hiril-nîn…" [Hear me, my Lady…]

After a few moments, the old man finally opened his eyes and his lips curved into a sad smile as he looked at both Aragorn and Boromir, still holding his disoriented and weak brother.

"Help is on the way."

Indeed, less than a minute later, the Fellowship was met by a small group of eight armoured Elves, led by three blond ones.

"Haldir, Rùmil, Orophin, le suilon ! Nannel brêg." [Haldir, Rùmil, Orophin, I greet thee ! You were quick.] Gandalf got up and greeted them thankfully.

"Nannenc tired bo in edrain, alhaeron gwachae o sì." [We were patrolling on the borders, not far away from here.] the seemingly older one explained, "Nannenc narad boemmelir grest, manna i rhû ?" [We have been told you needed help, what is the matter ?] he then asked, but his voice trailed off as he saw the Elven Prince tremblingly lying in the Ranger's arms.

"Manhìdant ?" [What happened ?] his voice was frantic as he kneeled by Legolas' side and put a hand on his forehead, wincing at the unnatural heat that radiated from it. Slowly, the Elf's tremors calmed down.

"Yrch." [Orcs.] Aragorn finally answered, lowering his head almost guiltily. Haldir put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him comfortingly :

"Altrassog, e nuin i Hiril Galadriel-în heru, hí. Natha lhind, Estel." [Do not worry, he is under the Lady Galadriel's protection, now. He will be fine Estel.]

The man nodded apparently relieved slightly.

"Manna i Gorn cared sì ?" [What is this dwarf doing here ?] one of the other blond haired Elves asked Gandalf, pointing at Gimli with one of his knives.

"E sath en i Gwadorath." [He is part of the Fellowship] the Wizard answered and, seeing the frown on the ellon's face, he added "E nathant cuil-tîn, Rùmil." [He saved his life, Rùmil]

To that, the ellon only answered with a look of pure disbelief.

Faramir gasped as the hammers in his head became even more powerful. His mind was unconsciously trying to translate the Sindarin sentences, and it didn't seem to do any good.

Just after that, his mind just shut down, and he vaguely heard the Elf who had been kneeling next to Legolas' finally still body talk to Mithrandir, who apparently answered him. But he couldn't hear them clearly, for the only thing he heard now was the constant pounding in his head. He barely registered as the younger blond Elf came to him and helped his brother half-supporting, half-carrying him as they began to walk, or run maybe, into the spinning forest.

The Elves and men were quickly gone out of sight and Gandalf found himself with the two only remaining Elves sentinels, the Hobbits and Gimli, who looked awfully tensed.

"Calm yourself, Master Gimli, They are in good care." the Wizard told him, trying to look reassuring.

"Are you sure ? I don't like these elves…" the dwarf answered grumpily. Gandalf couldn't avoid the small laugh that escaped him, which he quickly silenced as he caught the questioning glance the sentinels gave him.

"I would have been surprised if you did."

The dwarf grunted something in his beard that did not sound very courteous and walked ahead of them, almost sulking. Gandalf smiled, and turned his head to Frodo as he noticed him rubbing his chest, wincing.

"Frodo ? Is there something wrong ?" he asked him, frowning in concern.

"I don't know, Gandalf, but it's like… I don't know, It feels out of place… And it is like someone was helping me to carry It." the young Hobbit tried to explain.

"I think that is pretty much it, young Hobbit." Gandalf smiled.

Slowly, Legolas opened his eyes. He was in a bed. A soft and warm bed. In a tree, maybe. He could see the sky and its stars through the branches. A small light was spreading in the room. As memories finally came back to him, he closed his fingers, testing his arm. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt much. At least not as much as he thought it would. He tried to lift it, and groaned slightly at the pain.

"Anno san lû." [Give it time] a voice on his left told him. He would have recognised it between a thousand others.

"Se-Sellenya..?" he called weakly in recognition.

She came to him and put a hand on his shoulder, which he caught gently in his own.

"Im sì, meleth-nîn. Ech barn." [I am here, my love, you are safe] she whispered, brushing his long hair out of his face.

"A in eleg ?" [And the others ?] he asked hurriedly.

"Ith lhind. Ith haust. Altrassog." [They are fine. They are resting. Do not worry]

The Elf rested his head back in the pillow and closed his eyes, but not asleep. He had slept enough already.

And so they remained there, in silence, Legolas'fingers gently caressing his Lady's ones. He looked at her again. She hadn't changed at all since last time, in Imladris. Deep blue eyes, just like her father, long waving brown hair, so alike to her mother's.

"Naman le mathad ?" [How are you feeling ?] she asked softly.

"Maer." [Better] he gave the simple answer, smiling fondly at her. She smiled back.

"Nabant savemmog nin thossui." [You almost had me worried] she told him in a light tone.

"Han alna innas-nîn." [That wasn't my intent] he retorted, already knowing the answer she would give him. It had been so long...

"Mae, harthon hai !" [Well, I hope so !] she replied, laughing, before adding :

"Le fair an tíra ti ?" [Do you feel ready to see them ?]

"Man ?" [Who ?] He asked, quite confused. His mind wasn't working as fast as usual, it seemed.

"In neder gwaith savon cared Mithrandir cesta ir tírannenc le nannog ecuinnad." [The nine people I have made Mithrandir look for when we saw you were waking up.] she answered, a bright smile on her face.

Legolas smiled back, but still, deep inside, a part of him was hesitant : it had been such a long time since they hadn't had the opportunity to talk to each other alone… But he also knew how worried the others should be… And he could not make them wait any longer.

"Sinnen, im na." [Of course I am.]

Faramir stared in surprise as he finally came into recognition of the Elleth standing by Legolas' side and holding his hand. It was her. The Lady he had met in Rivendell.

And as she looked into his eyes, he simply bowed to her, smiling, before joining the rest of the Fellowship by Legolas' side, who was currently half-chocking from Aragorn's overly tight embrace.

"Do not ever scare me like that again, mellon-nîn !"

"I will do my best."

"You better !" Gimli laughed, finally relieved to see the elf out of any danger.

After a few moments rejoicing, Legolas eventually turned his face to Faramir, taking notice of the bandages around his head.

"And yourself, how are you fairing, my Lord ?" he asked him.

'Did he just talked to me with more than one monosyllabic word ? Surely an effect from the poisoning.' the man couldn't help but think.

"Much better, thank you. I am glad to see you awake." he answered a polite smile on his face, and couldn't help but notice the smile on Boromir's face too. The discussions then carried on, the Hobbits telling about their first encounter with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn the past day, to which the man hadn't been present. Yet he very well remembered his brother's saddened face when he had came back. But they hadn't talked about it. Yet. And now the sad face had been replaced by laughter as Gimli and Legolas had started a new 'argument'.

But Faramir wasn't taking much part in the cheerful discussions. He was troubled. And by the face both Gandalf and the Lady gave him, they had noticed it. He had saved Gandalf's life, but that had almost cost them the life of Legolas instead. What if he had made things worse ? What if he had made the wrong choice ?

Suddenly, as if she had been reading his thoughts all time long, he heard a clear, melodious voice in his mind. A voice he had never heard before.

'Come and meet Sellenya here, this morning, at first daylight. I wish to speak with you about this.'

The man looked at the Elleth in surprise and confusion. So it was true some Elves were capable to talk into one's mind…

She discreetly brought a finger to her lips, indicating she had been told about this and that this had to be kept secret, so he nodded.

The man awoke just before dawn and immediately headed to his rendezvous point, careful not to awake anyone, where he found the Elleth and Legolas, already standing, seemingly in a very rejoicing discussion. Immediately understanding he was too early, he took a few dozen steps back and waited. Observing his surroundings. This place was so calm, so fair. The only remaining truly peaceful one in Middle Earth. The first sunlights were gently reflecting on the golden leaves in the trees, enlightening the entire land, spreading a gentle warmness around Faramir. He breathed in deeply. This was the exact opposite of Moria.

The man forced himself not to hear the conversation behind him, but he still involuntarily heard the words 'Adar' and 'Reniog', sail. He understood now why the blond Elf had been so distant during the whole journey. He was longing for someone. A female someone to be more precise. And maybe he was a little jealous. Elves could be so proud when they wanted to, and still had trouble trusting mankind. Except Aragorn, apparently. But it was different. He had been raised by Elves after all.

"Lord Faramir ?" the voice startled him.

"Yes ? he answered, turning around to face the Lady.

"This way," she indicated, handing out her arm to show him the way.

They eventually arrived on a large platform, on top of the great tree. Gandalf was there, smiling at the man when he arrived. Then, they appeared in front of him, shining, proud, the perfect mix of beauty and mystery. Galadriel and Celeborn. The Lady's sea blue eyes landed on his own. He lowered his head, unable to stand it.

"Mae govannen, Faramir, son of Denethor." [Welcome] her crystal clear voice greeted him. So it was her who had spoke in his mind...

"H-Hannon-le…" he thanked, voice shaking in amazement.

"Take a sit," she offered, pointing him a lonely chair in the center of the platform.

He bowed his head, timidly and sat. Mithrandir, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were standing right in front of him, and the man had to admit he was feeling slightly afraid. Galadriel took a step toward him and studied him intently. Here again, he could do nothing but lower his eyes before her. After a few minutes, she finally spoke in a light, echoing voice.

"I have been told you experienced foresights. Such a gift is rare amongst men, but that doesn't much surprise me, since your regretted mother came from Dol Amroth. I can feel Elven blood is flowing through your veins."

Faramir's mouth fell open in surprise. How could she know ?

"Tell me about it." she ordered in a gentle yet high tone.

"Well… I…"

Honestly, he had no idea what to say. Everything was completely confused.

"When it happens, what do you feel ?" the blond-haired Elf Lord helped him, what seemed like a comforting smile on her face.

"I… I feel what is about to happen." he finally answered.

"Meaning ?" Gandalf asked, without a hint of impatience.

"When I sense someone's death… I feel how it is supported to happen. For my mother, I felt my heart stop… And for my brother, I felt the arrows hitting me."

He didn't talk about Gandalf. He didn't want to. Not in front of him.

"But when it is not about that," he continued his explanation, "I just hear voices in my head."

"And after that ?" Galadriel asked him, curiously.

"I… pass out. And most of the time, I find myself as a spectator of the scene. But sometimes, it is very less clear, and I have to find what might happen by myself."

"Like for the Council of Elrond, I imagine." The White Lady guessed.

Faramir nodded. He hadn't told anything about that to her…

She studied him again, very intently.

"Has anything changed lately ?" she then asked him, her brows slightly furrowed, looking suddenly very suspicious.

"I… Yes… They are more intense, as if I had lost all control Mithrandir had made me gain on it in the past."

Galadriel closed her eyes, taking Faramir's hand into her own.

"Since when ?" Gandalf asked hurriedly.

"Four months ago, I would've said. Since I dreamt of the Council."

Immediately after, the White Lady's eyes shot open and she jerked back from him, fear written all over her face.

"Sauron…" she whispered before adding more loudly, addressing both Gandalf and her Lord :

"We have to act quickly."

Sorry again for the little cliffie... And I hope it wasn't too bad...Also, from now on, I think I'll be updating on Wednesdays and Sundays, 'cause unfortunately, my teachers have discovered how virtual classrooms worked, so I'm afraid I'll have to work more than I did...Tell me if it's okay for you, and again, if you have any idea, tell me !Thank y'all again for all the kind feedback, you're awesome !