Legolas clung on to his horses mane and tried to ignore the shouts and arrows coming from behind him. He didnt feel the pain radiating from his back and shoulders. Didnt feel the steady drip of his blood, running down his body and sweeping along the ground behind him. It left a clear crimson trail for his persuers, but he didnt care. He pushed all his will into making the borders, he was so very close. He could see the parting in the foliage that led down to the valley, knew that there lay salvation.

His mare was tiring beneath him, he could feel her strain, see it in the sweat flying from her and her gasping grunts. He was sorry for it, but if they stopped now, they were both dead.

An arrow went flying past him, barely missing his shoulder and lifting his hair out of its path. "Lucky shot", he muttered to himself, aware of his persuers dismal archery skills. He intended to thank the Valar for that, in fact when he made the border he would thank the Valar for many things.

"Just a little further Miri!" he begged his horse. His grip on her mane was steadily becoming less sure, he knew that his adrenalin was coming to an end. The fact that it had kept him going for nearly three days was remarcable, but eventually even the Firstborn were likely to falter without rest. The entrance was before him, and then he was past it. He threw his hand up and recited the spell of protection that his friends had taught him many years ago. Then he stopped. The entrance disappeared in a matter of seconds, the branches springing together and protecting him. He could hear the men cursing and taking their blades to the hedge, but to no avail. He was safe.

It took all his strength to keep his seat. He let out a shaking breath and turned Miri in the right direction, towards the glowing sanctuary that was the Last Homely House. He had made it.

Elrohir worked hard to hold in his temper. His fathers advisors could be so pompous at times! At this moment Lindivir was ranting about Elrond allocating resources to his embattled kin in Mirkwood.

" My Lord, how can we possibly expect the people to accept you sending our best soldiers to that godforsaken place! Why must we risk our finest soldiers because Thranduil cannot even mount a defence again a few orcs!". Elrond answered in his usual meastured manner " I can only think, Lindivir, that because you have never been to Thranduils forest before you do not truly understand the threat it is under. If the Greenwood falls, we will soon follow.". Elrohir could hold back no longer, " the wood elves are a valiant people. I have fought alongside them. If they have called for assistance then the situation must be dire indeed!". Lindivir smirked, " Yes my lord Elrohir, we all know how you feel about the elves of Mirkwood.". Elladans hand on his shoulder was the only thing preventing Elrohir from launching himself at the other elf. " You cross the line Lindivir." stated Elladan. "concider if it was us in need of aid, Thranduil would not willingly abandon us to our fate." added Elrond. His councillor Belthoron now stood to his feet. "Perhaps my lord, we would get further if we could hear a firsthand account. Wasnt the King to send a messanger to us?". "Yes." said Elrond, "We have been awaiting him for many weeks now.". "And where has the princeling detoured to take so long!" snarled Lindimir, "Has he no concern that the whole council awaits him? Is his feeble brain so full of his own importance that he can see nothing beyond it?".

In one sharp motion Elrohir wrenched himself from his brothers grasp and was flying across the room, before further action could be taken. "Elrohir!" shouted Elrond, moving in an attempt to come between them before blood was spilt. "Ion nin!". Elrohir did not hear his fathers call, or if he did, he ignored it totally. His world sharpened until all he could see was Lindemirs' contemptous face. He imagined wiping that look right off and fury rose up within him.

Glorfindel was very happy that Elrond had not made him attend the wretched council again. He couldnt bear to listen to any more sneering or ingratiating. Glorfindel loathed politics, he would like nothing better than to challenge Lindemir to a sparring match, just to see his reaction. He chuckled to himself.

In the distance he could see three of his warriers galloping towards the gates of Elronds house. Their expressions alarmed him and he prayed to the Valar that nothing terrible had happened. Glorfindel hastened down the stairs and waited by the base. His captain, Solkilin, dismounted and bowed in one swift movement. "My lord, the borders have rebuffed an attempted breach. We discovered a large group of men trying to enter. But they seem to have left now.". Glorfindel let out a sigh of relief. "There is more sir." said Solkilin. "We have seen a lone travellor hastening here, he wears Mirkwood colours and appears badly injured." That will be Legolas, thought Glorfindel, I wonder what delayed him by so long? "Thank you captain, I will await him. Keep an eye out for the humans return." With that Solkilin remounted and he and his fellows returned to the borders.

Glorfindel watched as Erester hastened towards him. " What has happened Glorfindel?" the housemaster inquired. "Legolas approaches." replied Glorfindel. Erester sighed with relief, "Thank the Valar, Elrohir would not have waited another day, he has been beside himself with worry!"

Legolas wished the numbness hadnt left him, he found he missed it. Everything hurt, and he was so cold! He pulled his cloak tighter around himself. He could see two figures awaiting him. The golden Glorfindel stood beside gentle Erester. He felt so pleased to see them. Poor Miri put one foot in front of the other and they were there. Legolas took a deep breath, he hoped that he didnt look as bad as he felt! He prepared himself for the jolt of dismounting, he could not disgrace himself and fall off now! He managed just a small wince when his feet hit the ground.

Glorfindel hurried forward when he saw Legolas wince and wobble on landing. As he moved closer he became aware of the mess Legolas was in. He had never seen the usually immaculate elf looking so woeful. The cloak he was shrouded in was covered with mud and tears. His usually silver, gold hair fell in disaray around his face, plaits missing, a slight pink tinge to it suggested an injury somewhere. He clung to his cloak as if he suffered from the cold. The most startling part was his face, it was gaunt, as if he hadnt had a meal in weeks. His usually bright eyes seemed dull and weary beyond bearing. He was carrying himself in obvious pain.

"Valar Legolas, what has happened to you?" Glorfindel asked anxiously. Legolas turned haunted eyes on him, "Forgive me Glorfindel but there is no time, I must speak with lord Elrond immediately." Erester looked alarmed, "Please Legolas you need to see a healer first. Lord Elrond is in a meeting with the council anyway.". "That is probably even better." replied Legolas "the council may as well hear it too.". "Please Erester can you arrange for someone to see to my horse, she has had a terrible few days." . Erester nodded mutely and ran off and Legolas and Glorfindel started making their way up the stairs of the Last Homely House.

Elrond reached his son just has been pulled his arm back to take a swing at Lindimir. He quickly stepped between them. Elladan joined him a moment later. "Please Elrohir, this is not helpful. He will arrive soon." said Elrond, he then turned to his councillor. " I will not stand for your incivility towards Legolas any longer Lindimir, he is as close to me as my own sons. You have no right to attack him when he cannot defend himself!". At that moment the door to the chamber was opened and all turned towards the sound. Shocked gasps soon issued from around the room.

Elrohir turned to see the door and he felt his blood run cold. In the doorway stood Glorfindel and slightly behind him stood Legolas. The sight of his filthy bruised face and the blood that was dripping on the floor spurred him into action and he hurried towards him. "ah Lord Legolas, you have finally arrived." said Lindimir, then he frowned, "Surely you could present yourself properly for a council meeting, you know we do not allow cloaks to be worn!".

Legolas was focusing so hard on keeping upright that he merely did as instructed and removed his cloak. As he let it drop to the floor his brain caught up with his actions and he regretted it. It was the horror on Elrohirs face that alerted him to the fact that he did not really know what he looked like under the cloak. He cast his eyes at one of the many mirrors in the room and barely stifled a groan.

Elrohir felt his chest go tight with fury swiftly followed by such a surge of grief that he barely kept his feet. The thin white shirt that Legolas was wearing was soaked in his blood. It was so torn that great expanses of flesh could be seen. What looked like lash marks criss-crossed over the exposed flesh. Some so deep the flash of white bone shone through. In his left shoulder the remainder of an arrow was sticking out. His long hair was sticking to the river of blood on his back. How he had managed to walk in unaided Elrohir didnt know. Elrohir reached him and tried to find an uninjured place to help support him. Tears prickled his eyes, but he held them back, he could not expose himself like that to the council. Elrond eventually found his voice, "Legolas, what has happened?". Legolas forced himself to focus on the job at hand. His mind kept straying to the fact that his beloved Elf knight was with him now and he was safe, for the first time in 3 weeks, he allowed himself to relax. Allowed Elrohirs comforting presence to wash over him. Elladan stepped up to his other side and he managed a small smile. He realised that Elrond was still waiting for an answer. Oh yes he had to tell him. "My Lord Elrond" Legolas' voice sounded gravelly and soft, not at all like his usual lyrical voice. " There is a band of humans that followed me to the borders, they are slave traiders. They are trying to enslave elves my Lord, they think there is a market for it. Please my lord they must be stopped. They are evil men.". "Alright Legolas do not worry the council will soon come up with a solution." said Elrond. " My sons, please take him to the healing rooms. I will be there shortly.".

Legolas walked out of the room flanked by the twins and only when the door was firmly closed behind him did he allow the darkness to take him. He felt his legs give way and waited for the pain of hitting the floor to come. It never did. In one swift movement Elrohir had swept him into his arms and was carrying him down the hall. He fell into oblivion.

Elrohir allowed the tears to fall and there seemed no end to them, he was close to a run racing down the hall with his friends body held tightly against his chest. Legolas seemed to weigh nothing at all, he noticed with alarm, he looked up and met the concerned gaze of his brother. " He will be alright Elrohir, it is not too late brother, do not dispair." Elladan tried to sooth his brother. " I should have started looking for him weeks ago Elladan, I knew something was amiss. But instead I tried to placate the wretched council!" Elrohir closed his eyes briefly in misery. "Look what they have done to him..."