See how generous I am? This is the 2nd chapter for today!! Enjoy!

Legolas gazed down at the little infant elf cradled in his arms. The baby was deeply asleep; no more restless tosses and turns or miserable wailings now that her fever had gone. Such a tiny life she is, Legolas marveled. This was the first time the prince had ever held a baby and he found the feeling indescribable, something that he'd never felt before. His mind immediately flew off to Narasene, the love of his heart. When the time comes, Nara will become the mother of my children…one day…

The prince snapped out of his reverie as he realized that his host was asking him something. "Forgive me. I didn't catch what you said just now." Legolas put the baby back in her crib, rubbing the small delicate back comfortingly.

Sir Jaden, one of Thranduil's right hand men, exchanged smiles with his wife before he repeated his question, "The spring. Is the water safe now?"

"Oh, the spring. Well, it looks like whatever has ailed it has definitely gone. The spring has returned to normal. But as precautions, don't use it yet until you receive a clean bill from me, just in case." Legolas started to head for the nursery door. "I need to take my leave, now that I'm assured that your child is going to be fine."

Jaden walked the prince out. "Thank you for all your concern and attention, your highness. The healing herbs you had suggested for my child truly help."

"I'm very glad it helps, Jaden. Farewell." Legolas left Jaden's dwelling and headed back towards the palace. Jaden's was the last home he'd visited that day. He'd been visiting his people since that afternoon. The prince wanted to make sure that all the sick elflings had recovered and that none of the adults had caught the same malady.

He'd just stepped into the path that would lead him to the palace gate when a familiar voice called out to him. "Your highness!" Legolas turned and saw Cayel rushing towards him.

"Is something the matter, Lord Cayel?" Legolas's heart beat a little faster as he saw the expression of great distress on the elder elf's face.

"My…my grandchildren…they…they fell from their tree house!"

"What?!!"

The boys were still too young to have the agility to land gracefully on their feet. Legolas still remembered that fateful day of his childhood when he'd broken his legs after jumping off the palace roof; his young mind thought he could fly. He had been lucky he didn't break his neck. Those boys might suffer the same fate…or worse.

Legolas ran with Cayel towards the lord's home. "How did it happen?"

"I'm not sure. I was in my study when suddenly I heard something break before the boys screamed in terror! When I reached the tree, I found them lying unconscious on the ground!" Cayel explained. "The boys' parents are away, leaving me to look after them. Valar! I don't know what to do! I guess I panicked."

Something about Cayel's words did not bode well with Legolas's intuition but he couldn't figure what it was. His uneasiness mounted in high degree when they reached the base of the tree only to find no elfling lying about. Legolas's frowned. They couldn't have gotten up and simply walked away…could they?

"Where are they now? I thought you said they're unconscious?" Legolas turned back towards Cayel…and gasped in shock pain when something sharp hit the side of his neck. His trembling fingers instantly reached up and found a small dart embedded in his skin. Pulling the blasted missile off his neck, Legolas glared at Cayel with his eyes opened wide, feeling betrayed.

"I lied," Cayel replied softly, smiling in victory, still aiming a small crossbow at the prince. "For someone so clever, you are so naïve."

"You…" Legolas tried to work his mouth to say more to express his fury against Cayel's treason, but numbness started to spread all over his body and his vision began to blur. The dart…was drugged… Those were his last thought before he crumpled to the ground.

"Now the games begin." Cayel looked down at the unconscious prince lying at his feet as several tall figures emerged from the shadows. They were all dressed in maroon and dark gray, the colors of Redwood realm. "Take off his tunics," Cayel told them. The Redwood warriors worked together as they stripped Legolas to his waist. Then they bound him hand and foot before pulling a black sack over the prince's head.

"Carry on with our plan. Hold him till I get there." Cayel, the traitor, then turned towards the direction of the palace, gripping Legolas's clothes in his hand. "I'll handle the king."

****************

Aragorn snapped awake. He slowly rose to a sitting position, disoriented. Then he saw Elrohir sleeping peacefully beside him, and he immediately remembered where he was. "Estel?" Elladan, who sat perched on the lowest branch of the tree, gazed down at his brother quizzically. "Is something wrong?"

Aragorn looked up. "Err…no. I'm fine." The human got to his feet, grabbing his bow and arrows.

 Elladan frowned. "What are you doing up? Your turn will only be in another hour."

"Suddenly I don't feel sleepy any more. I'll keep watch now. You go got some rest." Aragorn climbed up to take over Elladan's spot.

His brother just shrugged before jumping off the branch. Elladan took off his quiver and placed it by his bow on his right side for his easy access. Then he settled in on Aragorn's abandoned cloak beside his twin, and fell asleep instantly.

Under the light coming from the full moon, Aragorn stared at the three-inch scar in the middle of his right palm. He'd made that cut about six months ago as he took an oath to protect Prince Legolas, his best friend that he'd declared as his brother. Legolas might also have the same scar if he were a human like the future king of Gondor. The identical cut on Legolas's hand had healed, but that didn't deter the prince's vow to protect Aragorn as well.

Right now, the scar on the ranger's palm was actually throbbing. Aragorn didn't know how that could be. This never happened before.  He looked at the direction of Mirkwood.

Legolas, are you in trouble?

TBC…

Err…cliffie? Heh! Heh! Yeah, go ahead. Scream!!!!!!