Na-ah! I still cannot tell you anything; who died, who's alive, who whatever. He! He! Keep on reading and you'll find out eventually. Oh, and enjoy the cliffies while you are at it! LOL!!

@Kayo : Great song!!! (You all should see the lyrics. It's awesome!!) Nicely done!

To those who are going away for your summer holiday, HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!!!!!

Legolas drifted in and out of oblivion. He could feel the searing burn climbing up his feverish body, and the chilling cold of the night that bit him to the bone. It was kind of funny to feel hot and cold at the same time, but that was exactly what he was going through.

His shirtless state was not helping any. Ants and small insects were creeping all over him, biting him everywhere. But he had no strength to brush them away. His wrists were still firmly bound behind his back, the noose still wrapped around his neck in a choking grip, tangling his hair painfully and almost tearing them of his scalp. Still, he could no nothing about it. He didn't even have the power to open his eyes.

Part of him wanted to let go of the thin thread of lifeline, yet the other part stubbornly held on. The agony was too much, the burden of misery was too heavy, but Legolas was no stranger to all these. So he forced himself to hold on.

Just hold on…

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

The twins and Aragorn stared at the remains of the burnt cabin in silence. Hawkeye had led them here a few moments ago. "This is not the work of the orcs!" Aragorn exclaimed.

"Yes," Elladan muttered. "This is too…I don't know…clean? The orcs are messy creatures!"

Hawkeye, who landed on a tree branch, suddenly squawked. The brothers turned and gasped in surprise.

"Look! It's Legolas!" Elrohir cried out as he caught sight of the prince's limp body under the old tree. On the ground just inches away from the prince's head was the broken branch, with the other end of the rope still tied to it. The brothers jumped off their mounts and gathered around the prone unmoving form. They stared in great shock and horror at Legolas's terrible condition. "Is…is he dead?" Elrohir whispered in a trembling voice.

Too afraid of what he might find out, Aragorn hesitated before he braved himself to touch Legolas's neck. He winced involuntarily as he probed the horrible abrasion on the skin just above the noose, looking for pulse. He heaved a sigh of relief when he found it. The pulse was weak, but it was there. "He's alive, but he's fading. And he is burning hot!"

Elladan was already hacking away the bonds on Legolas's wrists. Aragorn tried to be as gentle as possible as he took the noose off his friend's neck. As soon as the choking hold around his throat was release, Legolas's body responded reflexively. A rasping sound escaped from his mouth before he went into wild convulsions.

"Hold him!" Aragorn cried out as he grabbed hold of Legolas's shoulders. The twins hastily grabbed their friend's trashing arms and legs. Legolas's mouth was opened wide in a scream but no voice came out, saved for his desperate gasps and heaves. The three brothers had tears in their eyes as they witnessed Legolas's suffering. How he managed to stay alive after what he'd been through was far beyond their mind.

After a full minute, Legolas's body went slack. He slumped limply within his friends' arms. His eyes still closed, his lithe form still shuddering. The usually ethereal face looked so gray and lifeless, speckled with dirt and dried blood.

Aragorn had a murderous glint in his tearful eyes. "Whoever did this to him…will pay. I swear to it. The person responsible for this will pay dearly. Mark my words."

Picking up Legolas into his arms, Elladan suggested that they made camp near to a stream for they were going to need a lot of water to cool down Legolas's fever. The nearest stream was only a hundred yards away so they walked, with Aragorn and Elrohir pulling their mounts along.

Elladan gently placed his friend on top of the cloak that Aragorn had spread on the ground under a big oak tree. They put a folded blanket under Legolas's head as a pillow. Elrohir was rummaging through their supply bags, looking for more towels, bandages and some healing herbs.

They didn't dare make a fire. The person who had tried to kill Legolas might still be roaming the area. Giving the needed items to Elladan, Elrohir then walked into the darkness to cover their tracks. The huge tree gave them some ample protection for it was spring and the tree's many branches were heavy with fresh leaves.

Working together, Elladan and Aragorn used the dampened cloths to wash away the blood off Legolas's injuries. Even though their touches were as light as they could be, it couldn't stop Legolas from moaning in sheer agony. "His throat is swollen from within," Aragorn commented as he gently opened Legolas's mouth to peer inside.

"That's not good," Elladan replied as he finished bandaging the wound on Legolas's head. "The cut around his neck is also festering. No wonder his fever is so high."

When Elrohir returned, he found that his brothers were trying unsuccessfully to cool down Legolas's body. Despite all their effort, the fever kept climbing higher and higher and Legolas began to toss and turn in pure agitation. With sweat pouring out of his every pore, the prince groaned deeply in his throat against the terrible pain that only he could feel.

"This is not working," Aragorn stated. "I suggest we bathe him in the stream." As if hearing that, Legolas bucked and struggled to get away.

"Legolas…no, stop struggling. You'll hurt yourself…Legolas!!"

"Aiee!!!" Elrohir cried out as Legolas's wild kick hit him on the chest. Instantly, the brothers grabbed Legolas firmly and carried him into the water. The prince was till twisting desperately; a surprising feat for someone who was actually weakening and dying. The water was not so deep, only knee high. Aragorn and Elrohir had waded in, cradling Legolas between them. Elladan had rushed back to their supplies to prepare the healing potion and poultice for Legolas's neck.

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

Cold! So cold! What are you doing to me! Who are you?! Let me go!!

Then he heard their soothing words as they gently ran the water all over his burning flesh. Someone was wetting the crown of his head. Suddenly it didn't feel too cold or too hot anymore.

But the pain! My throat is burning! Help me! Stop the burning!!!

He felt them lifting him out of the water. Then they bundled him up in a warm blanket, before they laid him down. Someone was taking off his soiled leggings before putting dry clothes on him. Someone else was brushing through his sodden hair. Then gentle hands put something cold and soft against the burning skin around his neck, then his wrists. It was stinging at first but then the pain abated, leaving it numb and only a little uncomfortable.

But when a cup was brought to his lips, he recoiled in disgust. He recognized the smell anywhere!

Argh!!! Not that draught again! It tastes terrible! Take it away! I don't want it! Take it away!!!

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

The brothers looked down at their friend in dismay. Legolas had calmed down somewhat after they had bathed him in the cold water. His fever was beginning to ebb and his trashing had stopped. But when Elladan placed the healing potion of mixed athelas and gasbecum against Legolas's bluish lips, he started to struggle anew.

"Good Lord! He really hates that stuff!" Elrohir stated, almost grinning. Elladan was shaking his head in exasperation. Legolas had had a fair share of the healing draughts created by their father when he was recuperating in Rivendell after being tortured by the orcs. "He needs to like this stuff to heal his swollen throat! Help me hold him down."

Legolas was screaming again, but like before no words came out. A bolt of searing pain hit his throat, inside out. Still, he didn't care. He just wanted the hated concoction out of his face! His right arm lashed out and hit something. Hard.

"Oww!!" Aragorn cried out when Legolas's fist hit his left eye. Then Elladan went tumbling onto his backside as Legolas's kick found its mark on his stomach. The cup of draught slipped off his fingers and fell to the ground. Luckily, Elrohir managed to grab it upright before the whole content spill out. "Whoa!! He really, really hates this stuff!!"

Elladan snatched the cup back. He barked, "Hold him still, I said! Before he kills us all and himself!" Still rubbing the sore spot on his eye, Aragorn pulled Legolas against him, hugging him tight, pinning his friend's arms at the sides. Elrohir held down Legolas's ankles, muttering, "Here we go again…"

Elladan gripped Legolas's chin, pressing his thumb and second finger firmly against Legolas's jaw to pry his mouth apart. The prince was yelling in fury and pain, but in his current condition it sounded more like strangled gibberish. Elladan managed to pour the remaining draught down his friend's throat, and then he placed his hand over Legolas's mouth before the prince could spit it out. Legolas had no other choice but to swallow the healing potion.

It was hell. The pain was excruciating. It was like swallowing a burning stone, big and hot. Legolas felt as if the noose was around his throat again, strangling and killing him. Unbidden tears slipped through his tightly shut eyelids as he stopped struggling. Defeated.

Seeing the tears, Elladan immediately pulled his hand away. He looked down at the prince in deep remorse. Gathering Legolas's limp form into his arms, Elladan spoke softly, "Forgive me, my friend. It was not our intention to hurt you more, only to heal you. I'm sorry…"

TBC…