Greatest Risk
Part 3
Two months passed slowly and summer warmed Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir spent most of their time teasing Aragorn for not being able to go with them on their outings.
Legolas and Isilmeriel spent almost every minute together, their friendship (and love) growing for one another. They only parted when Elrond wanted to speak with Isilmeriel or Aragorn wanted to see his friend.
One beautiful summer day, Elrond found himself leaving his study to see what the ruckus was outside. He found all three of his sons and the elven prince teasing and joking around as they held the reins of five horses.
"Elrohir, why did you bring five horses? You know very well that Estel can't ride on his own yet," Elladan chided his younger brother.
"Yes, ha-ha, very funny, Elladan," Aragorn laughed sarcastically at the barb.
Elrond laughed quietly as he watched the friends continuously poke fun at his youngest son. Finally, he took pity on the human, "Just where are you going on this fine day?"
Estel managed to mouth a thank you o Elrond before Elrohir could answer.
"We are going hunting in the southern woods, father."
"Just the four of you?" the elf lord asked.
"No, the five of us," Isilmeriel said as she came to the top of the small stairway that led to where the others stood.
All eyes were upon the elf maiden at once. Legolas mouth dropped as he saw Isilmeriel. She was dressed almost exactly the same as the elven youths and Estel.. Her bow was slung over her shoulder and her sais were fastened around waist. Half of Isilmeriel's hair was pulled back from her face and the remaining strains were braided and tucked behind her ears allow the rest to flow down her back.
Isilmeriel frowned as she heard her cousins burst into laughter. "What are you three laughing at?"
"You look like a boy," Elladan laughed helplessly. His laughing only increased when Legolas elbowed him sharply in the abdomen.
"Be quiet, Elladan," Legolas said as he turned his grey-blue eyes back upon Isilmeriel. "She looks beautiful."
"Thank you, Legolas," Isilmeriel smiled, joining the elves at the bottom of the stairs.
Lord Elrond placed his hand on his niece's shoulder and smiled. "My dear, could you not have at least looked like the elf maiden you are for a little while longer?"
Isilmeriel laughed, "Oh, uncle, I have been in a dress for the past two years. It is high time I have been out to have some fun. Why, I haven't even had a chance to go riding because I have had to take care of Estel."
Estel glared at his cousin, "Do not start, Isilme."
"Are we going to stay all day making fun of Estel, or are we going to go hunting?" Legolas asked as he clapped his friend on the shoulder.
The five elf youths mounted their horses and began to ride off. Before they got to far Elrond called Estel back.
"Be careful, Estel. Your wounds are not fully healed yet."
"Do not worry, father. I'll be careful." Estel smirked.
"You always say that," the elf lord mumbled.
Aragorn laughed lightly at his father's joke. Turning his horse around, he raced to catch up to the rest of the party and called back, "Yes, but this time I mean it!"
"You always say that as well!" Elrond cried to his retreating son.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two hours had passed and the hunting party had not seen any game save a squirrel. The woods were quiet, too quiet. Isilmeriel was the first to sense that something was wrong. Stopping her horse she listened intensively to her surroundings. The only sound that came to her ears was the sound of the horses and Elladan and Elrohir teasing Aragorn more.
Isilmeriel's gray eyes widened and she called to the elves a few paces ahead of her. "Stop! Don't go any.."
Her warning was cut short as an orc leapt upon her, knocking her off her horse. The horse reared up and galloped off into the surrounding woods. Isilmeriel lay motionless on the ground, stunned from the wind that was knocked out of her.
"Isilmeriel!" Legolas cried as he jumped down from his horse. The mare running into the woods as well.
Notching his bow he aimed the arrow for the foul creature's head. Another orc slammed into Legolas making him drop his bow. Legolas whipped out his knives, fighting acrobatically as the onslaught of orcs came at him.
Isilmeriel dared not move as her eyes focused on two orcs. One straddled her with his dagger at her throat; the another stood above her.
"What have you there?" The standing orc asked his companion.
"A pretty little elf girl," the other orc answered in disgust, brushing Isilmeriel's fair face with the tip of his blade, tracing the lines of her face back down to her neck.
Isilmeriel turned her head as she fell the cold, evil steel against her skin. From the corner of her eye she saw Legolas fighting the pack of orcs.
"Legolas!"
The orc that straddled her grabbed her face, redirecting her attention to him. He snarled at the strength he saw in her eyes.
"Kill me and get it over with!" Isilmeriel spat at the orc.
The orc that stood knelt down. Grabbing Isilmeriel by the hair, he lifted her head up them slammed it hard into the ground. The elf hissed in pain as she felt her head throbbing.
"Oh, we will kill you she elf. But we would like to have a little fun first," the orc smiled wickedly.
Isilmeriel's eyes grew wide. She knew what orcs did to their captives. She had had a first hand experience on many occassions and did not want it again. In fear, she called out again to the fighting elf prince.
Legolas had now disposed of the last oncoming orc as he heard Isilmeriel's cry. Retrieving his bow he notched two arrows. Letting them fly, they hit their marks, felling both of the orcs.
The orc that straddled Isilmeriel fell heavily upon her. Isilmeriel let out a cry of pain as the weight of the creature caused the evil weapon to dig into her shoulder.
Legolas rushed over and kicked the beast off of her. His eyes widened in horror as he watched the crimson stain that began to grow from Isilmeriel's shoulder.
"Isilmeriel? Are you alright?" The elf prince dropped to his knees.
"I think so," Isilmeriel winced in pain as she sat up.
"No, you're not. We need to get you to Elrond now. Let me get Estel and..and," Legolas looked around the wood. All he could see were the corpses of about fifteen orcs. "Estel? Elladan? Elrohir?"
Silence.
"Estel! Elladan! Elrohir!" Legolas called out again. He began to search the area.
'You don't think they were..?"
"No," Legolas answered her question before she finished. "Their tracks are here. The horses must have gotten spooked and ran away. Should we stay and wait for them?"
"No," Isilmeriel replied, "They are probably half way back to Rivendell by now. We better start to head that way ourselves. It looks as if it were about to."
Just then the skies opened and rain began to fall heavily to earth. Lightening flashed and thunder echoed through the woods.
".Rain." Isilmeriel finished as she placed her hand over the wound in attempt to stop the bleeding.
Legolas took Isilmeriel's free hand and began to lead her down the mountain. After a few minutes of what seemed to Isilmeriel like hard trudging, the elf maiden stopped.
Legolas turned around. His eyebrows furrowed suddenly as he saw that all of the color had fled from Isilmeriel's skin.
"Come on," He said pulling her arm gently. "There's a ledge not to far from here where we can make camp. You are not going any further than you have to in this weather."
Isilmeriel nodded and followed the elf prince. She was suddenly very tired and very, very cold.
The ledge was only about half a mile away. Legolas helped Isilmeriel sit down against the rock wall than began to build a small fire with the small, dry twigs that lay under the ledge. After the fire could burn on its own, he tore a piece of cloth from his tunic and held it in the rain for a few moments. Once the cloth was fully soaked he began to clean Isilmeriel's wound.
The gash was not very deep, but it was jagged and hot to the touch.
"You've probably been poisoned," Legolas breathed trying to fight back his fear and tried to remain calm.
Isilmeriel laughed lightly and leaned her head against the cool stone. "That's just wonderful. My first outing in two years and I have to get poisoned."
Legolas' heart lifted slightly as he gazed up from her wound. "Here I thought I would not have to worry about this sort of thing happening with you. Now you need to rest, Isilme."
Isilmeriel smiled and closed her eyes, sleep taking her instantly. Legolas watched over her intently. The fact that she had closed her eyes to sleep was almost certain proof that she was not as well as she was putting on to be. He worried how long it would take for the poison to take affect.
~*~*~*~
Please forgive me
I know not what I do
Please forgive me
I can't help loving you
Don't deny me
This pain I'm going through
Please forgive me
If I need you like I do
~Bryan Adams
~*~*~*~
"Isilmeriel! Isilmeriel wake up!" Legolas begged as he gently shook her.
Isilmeriel's eyes flew open. She found herself shaking in Legolas' arms. "What is it, Legolas?"
"You were screaming in you sleep," The elf prince replied worriedly.
"Oh, was I?" She had been plagued with nightmares all of her life depicting her death of her parents and other visions that she could not explain. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"For what?" Legolas asked.
"For lying to you, Legolas," Isilmeriel spoke softly. She could feel her body getting weaker and weaker with each breath she took. The orcs' poison was quick and caused Isilmeriel's body to shake uncontrollably in Legolas' arms. "For saying that I wasn't afraid and that I didn't love you." Tears began to roll slowly down her pale cheeks. "I do love you, Legolas, I have since.since."
A harsh coughing fit over powered Isilmeriel's words.
"Shh, it's all right, Isilmeriel," he said quietly, "We can talk about this later. Right now you need to rest and save your strength."
Isilmeriel nodded and lay down. She was instantly asleep. His long, slender fingers brushed against her hot forehead. The fever made her skin clammy and would not allow her to find any warmth. Without a second thought Legolas unbuttoned his own tunic and covered Isilmeriel. After tucking the edges around her body, he laid down beside her and wrapped Isilmeriel in his arms.
"Illuvitar, please, let her live through this," Legolas whispered to the night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas awoke at dawn. The sun breaking over the horizon welcomed a new, warm day. Letting out a sigh he began to gently shake Isilmeriel.
"Isilme, wake up. We need to get you to Rivendell." Legolas frowned when he saw that Isilmeriel did not respond to him and worry filled his heart. "Isilmeriel?"
Legolas began to look over Isilmeriel. She had a very high fever and her breathing was too slow. The elven prince removed his tunic from her unconscious body and slid it on. He then took Isilmeriel into his arms and began to run down to the valley.
Within the hour Legolas reached Rivendell. Running inside he called out into the open halls.
"Lord Elrond! Lord Elrond!"
The ancient elf lord ran into the hallway, his eyes still glazed over from sleep. They were soon opened fully as he saw his niece unconscious in the young prince's arms. Elladan and Elrohir had told Elrond about how they were attacked by orcs. After the tale he had to hold not only his sons, but also himself from going out to search for them in the heavy storm that night.
Legolas did not even have to tell him what had happened to Isilmeriel. Taking Isilmeriel into his own arms he raced down the hall to his room.
"Legolas, wake Elladan and Elrohir," Elrond commanded. "Hurry."
The prince nodded and headed toward the twins' chambers.
"What is it, Legolas?" Elladan asked groggily.
"It's Isilmeriel. She is hurt badly. Elrond sent me to get you and your brother." Legolas replied as he pulled the Noldor elf out of bed.
Elladan gasped as he remembered the events of the previous day. Leaving his room with the Silvan elf, he ran down the hall shouting his brother's name.
The three elven youths entered the room Elrond had placed Isilmeriel in. Water was all ready beginning to boil with the sweet smell of Athelas permeating from it and Elrond was leaning over Isilmeriel's still form. Legolas knelt beside Isilmeriel and leaned over the side of the bed. The sleeve that had covered the wound had been cut away so Elrond could tend to it and blood flowed freely down her arm.
"Lord Elrond, is she.? Will she.?" Legolas could not ask if she was going to die.
"Not if I do not have anything to do about it, Legolas." The elf lord reassured the younger elf, although he was uncertain.
She was slipping away fast. Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir had to work as quickly as possible if she were to live. After working over her for a long while, they finally managed to stop the poison that spread through her veins.
After Isilmeriel had been fully tended to, Elladan and Elrohir went to wake Estel and tell him what had passed over the last few hours. Lord Elrond also began to exit the room, but turned back to the elf prince kneeling over the bed.
"Legolas?"
Legolas lifted his head and looked up at the elf lord. Tears ran from his eyes leaving trails down his fair face. Elrond was one of the few people in all of Middle Earth the prince was not ashamed to let see his tears.
"All will be well, young prince." Lord Elrond spoke at a length. " I will let you be alone with her for as long as you wish and I will have food brought up for you. However, you need to rest. It must have been a really long night for you both."
"She was shaking so badly, Lord Elrond. She was so cold and scared, and I could not keep her warm nor comfort her," Legolas said softly.
Elrond smiled at the youth, "Legolas, it is no fault of yours how she felt. 'Twas the poison that coursed her veins. You did very well. In fact, it was probably your love for her and her love for you that kept her alive."
Legolas dried his tears on his sleeve and nodded at the ancient elf that smiled at him. Elrond read his thoughts through the look in the prince's eyes and left the room.
Once Lord Elrond was out of Legolas' hearing range, he turned his gazed back toward the room where the elf prince and his niece were.
"No, Legolas. Diola lle (Thank you)." He whispered as he continued to walk down the hall to his study.
Part 3
Two months passed slowly and summer warmed Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir spent most of their time teasing Aragorn for not being able to go with them on their outings.
Legolas and Isilmeriel spent almost every minute together, their friendship (and love) growing for one another. They only parted when Elrond wanted to speak with Isilmeriel or Aragorn wanted to see his friend.
One beautiful summer day, Elrond found himself leaving his study to see what the ruckus was outside. He found all three of his sons and the elven prince teasing and joking around as they held the reins of five horses.
"Elrohir, why did you bring five horses? You know very well that Estel can't ride on his own yet," Elladan chided his younger brother.
"Yes, ha-ha, very funny, Elladan," Aragorn laughed sarcastically at the barb.
Elrond laughed quietly as he watched the friends continuously poke fun at his youngest son. Finally, he took pity on the human, "Just where are you going on this fine day?"
Estel managed to mouth a thank you o Elrond before Elrohir could answer.
"We are going hunting in the southern woods, father."
"Just the four of you?" the elf lord asked.
"No, the five of us," Isilmeriel said as she came to the top of the small stairway that led to where the others stood.
All eyes were upon the elf maiden at once. Legolas mouth dropped as he saw Isilmeriel. She was dressed almost exactly the same as the elven youths and Estel.. Her bow was slung over her shoulder and her sais were fastened around waist. Half of Isilmeriel's hair was pulled back from her face and the remaining strains were braided and tucked behind her ears allow the rest to flow down her back.
Isilmeriel frowned as she heard her cousins burst into laughter. "What are you three laughing at?"
"You look like a boy," Elladan laughed helplessly. His laughing only increased when Legolas elbowed him sharply in the abdomen.
"Be quiet, Elladan," Legolas said as he turned his grey-blue eyes back upon Isilmeriel. "She looks beautiful."
"Thank you, Legolas," Isilmeriel smiled, joining the elves at the bottom of the stairs.
Lord Elrond placed his hand on his niece's shoulder and smiled. "My dear, could you not have at least looked like the elf maiden you are for a little while longer?"
Isilmeriel laughed, "Oh, uncle, I have been in a dress for the past two years. It is high time I have been out to have some fun. Why, I haven't even had a chance to go riding because I have had to take care of Estel."
Estel glared at his cousin, "Do not start, Isilme."
"Are we going to stay all day making fun of Estel, or are we going to go hunting?" Legolas asked as he clapped his friend on the shoulder.
The five elf youths mounted their horses and began to ride off. Before they got to far Elrond called Estel back.
"Be careful, Estel. Your wounds are not fully healed yet."
"Do not worry, father. I'll be careful." Estel smirked.
"You always say that," the elf lord mumbled.
Aragorn laughed lightly at his father's joke. Turning his horse around, he raced to catch up to the rest of the party and called back, "Yes, but this time I mean it!"
"You always say that as well!" Elrond cried to his retreating son.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two hours had passed and the hunting party had not seen any game save a squirrel. The woods were quiet, too quiet. Isilmeriel was the first to sense that something was wrong. Stopping her horse she listened intensively to her surroundings. The only sound that came to her ears was the sound of the horses and Elladan and Elrohir teasing Aragorn more.
Isilmeriel's gray eyes widened and she called to the elves a few paces ahead of her. "Stop! Don't go any.."
Her warning was cut short as an orc leapt upon her, knocking her off her horse. The horse reared up and galloped off into the surrounding woods. Isilmeriel lay motionless on the ground, stunned from the wind that was knocked out of her.
"Isilmeriel!" Legolas cried as he jumped down from his horse. The mare running into the woods as well.
Notching his bow he aimed the arrow for the foul creature's head. Another orc slammed into Legolas making him drop his bow. Legolas whipped out his knives, fighting acrobatically as the onslaught of orcs came at him.
Isilmeriel dared not move as her eyes focused on two orcs. One straddled her with his dagger at her throat; the another stood above her.
"What have you there?" The standing orc asked his companion.
"A pretty little elf girl," the other orc answered in disgust, brushing Isilmeriel's fair face with the tip of his blade, tracing the lines of her face back down to her neck.
Isilmeriel turned her head as she fell the cold, evil steel against her skin. From the corner of her eye she saw Legolas fighting the pack of orcs.
"Legolas!"
The orc that straddled her grabbed her face, redirecting her attention to him. He snarled at the strength he saw in her eyes.
"Kill me and get it over with!" Isilmeriel spat at the orc.
The orc that stood knelt down. Grabbing Isilmeriel by the hair, he lifted her head up them slammed it hard into the ground. The elf hissed in pain as she felt her head throbbing.
"Oh, we will kill you she elf. But we would like to have a little fun first," the orc smiled wickedly.
Isilmeriel's eyes grew wide. She knew what orcs did to their captives. She had had a first hand experience on many occassions and did not want it again. In fear, she called out again to the fighting elf prince.
Legolas had now disposed of the last oncoming orc as he heard Isilmeriel's cry. Retrieving his bow he notched two arrows. Letting them fly, they hit their marks, felling both of the orcs.
The orc that straddled Isilmeriel fell heavily upon her. Isilmeriel let out a cry of pain as the weight of the creature caused the evil weapon to dig into her shoulder.
Legolas rushed over and kicked the beast off of her. His eyes widened in horror as he watched the crimson stain that began to grow from Isilmeriel's shoulder.
"Isilmeriel? Are you alright?" The elf prince dropped to his knees.
"I think so," Isilmeriel winced in pain as she sat up.
"No, you're not. We need to get you to Elrond now. Let me get Estel and..and," Legolas looked around the wood. All he could see were the corpses of about fifteen orcs. "Estel? Elladan? Elrohir?"
Silence.
"Estel! Elladan! Elrohir!" Legolas called out again. He began to search the area.
'You don't think they were..?"
"No," Legolas answered her question before she finished. "Their tracks are here. The horses must have gotten spooked and ran away. Should we stay and wait for them?"
"No," Isilmeriel replied, "They are probably half way back to Rivendell by now. We better start to head that way ourselves. It looks as if it were about to."
Just then the skies opened and rain began to fall heavily to earth. Lightening flashed and thunder echoed through the woods.
".Rain." Isilmeriel finished as she placed her hand over the wound in attempt to stop the bleeding.
Legolas took Isilmeriel's free hand and began to lead her down the mountain. After a few minutes of what seemed to Isilmeriel like hard trudging, the elf maiden stopped.
Legolas turned around. His eyebrows furrowed suddenly as he saw that all of the color had fled from Isilmeriel's skin.
"Come on," He said pulling her arm gently. "There's a ledge not to far from here where we can make camp. You are not going any further than you have to in this weather."
Isilmeriel nodded and followed the elf prince. She was suddenly very tired and very, very cold.
The ledge was only about half a mile away. Legolas helped Isilmeriel sit down against the rock wall than began to build a small fire with the small, dry twigs that lay under the ledge. After the fire could burn on its own, he tore a piece of cloth from his tunic and held it in the rain for a few moments. Once the cloth was fully soaked he began to clean Isilmeriel's wound.
The gash was not very deep, but it was jagged and hot to the touch.
"You've probably been poisoned," Legolas breathed trying to fight back his fear and tried to remain calm.
Isilmeriel laughed lightly and leaned her head against the cool stone. "That's just wonderful. My first outing in two years and I have to get poisoned."
Legolas' heart lifted slightly as he gazed up from her wound. "Here I thought I would not have to worry about this sort of thing happening with you. Now you need to rest, Isilme."
Isilmeriel smiled and closed her eyes, sleep taking her instantly. Legolas watched over her intently. The fact that she had closed her eyes to sleep was almost certain proof that she was not as well as she was putting on to be. He worried how long it would take for the poison to take affect.
~*~*~*~
Please forgive me
I know not what I do
Please forgive me
I can't help loving you
Don't deny me
This pain I'm going through
Please forgive me
If I need you like I do
~Bryan Adams
~*~*~*~
"Isilmeriel! Isilmeriel wake up!" Legolas begged as he gently shook her.
Isilmeriel's eyes flew open. She found herself shaking in Legolas' arms. "What is it, Legolas?"
"You were screaming in you sleep," The elf prince replied worriedly.
"Oh, was I?" She had been plagued with nightmares all of her life depicting her death of her parents and other visions that she could not explain. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"For what?" Legolas asked.
"For lying to you, Legolas," Isilmeriel spoke softly. She could feel her body getting weaker and weaker with each breath she took. The orcs' poison was quick and caused Isilmeriel's body to shake uncontrollably in Legolas' arms. "For saying that I wasn't afraid and that I didn't love you." Tears began to roll slowly down her pale cheeks. "I do love you, Legolas, I have since.since."
A harsh coughing fit over powered Isilmeriel's words.
"Shh, it's all right, Isilmeriel," he said quietly, "We can talk about this later. Right now you need to rest and save your strength."
Isilmeriel nodded and lay down. She was instantly asleep. His long, slender fingers brushed against her hot forehead. The fever made her skin clammy and would not allow her to find any warmth. Without a second thought Legolas unbuttoned his own tunic and covered Isilmeriel. After tucking the edges around her body, he laid down beside her and wrapped Isilmeriel in his arms.
"Illuvitar, please, let her live through this," Legolas whispered to the night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas awoke at dawn. The sun breaking over the horizon welcomed a new, warm day. Letting out a sigh he began to gently shake Isilmeriel.
"Isilme, wake up. We need to get you to Rivendell." Legolas frowned when he saw that Isilmeriel did not respond to him and worry filled his heart. "Isilmeriel?"
Legolas began to look over Isilmeriel. She had a very high fever and her breathing was too slow. The elven prince removed his tunic from her unconscious body and slid it on. He then took Isilmeriel into his arms and began to run down to the valley.
Within the hour Legolas reached Rivendell. Running inside he called out into the open halls.
"Lord Elrond! Lord Elrond!"
The ancient elf lord ran into the hallway, his eyes still glazed over from sleep. They were soon opened fully as he saw his niece unconscious in the young prince's arms. Elladan and Elrohir had told Elrond about how they were attacked by orcs. After the tale he had to hold not only his sons, but also himself from going out to search for them in the heavy storm that night.
Legolas did not even have to tell him what had happened to Isilmeriel. Taking Isilmeriel into his own arms he raced down the hall to his room.
"Legolas, wake Elladan and Elrohir," Elrond commanded. "Hurry."
The prince nodded and headed toward the twins' chambers.
"What is it, Legolas?" Elladan asked groggily.
"It's Isilmeriel. She is hurt badly. Elrond sent me to get you and your brother." Legolas replied as he pulled the Noldor elf out of bed.
Elladan gasped as he remembered the events of the previous day. Leaving his room with the Silvan elf, he ran down the hall shouting his brother's name.
The three elven youths entered the room Elrond had placed Isilmeriel in. Water was all ready beginning to boil with the sweet smell of Athelas permeating from it and Elrond was leaning over Isilmeriel's still form. Legolas knelt beside Isilmeriel and leaned over the side of the bed. The sleeve that had covered the wound had been cut away so Elrond could tend to it and blood flowed freely down her arm.
"Lord Elrond, is she.? Will she.?" Legolas could not ask if she was going to die.
"Not if I do not have anything to do about it, Legolas." The elf lord reassured the younger elf, although he was uncertain.
She was slipping away fast. Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir had to work as quickly as possible if she were to live. After working over her for a long while, they finally managed to stop the poison that spread through her veins.
After Isilmeriel had been fully tended to, Elladan and Elrohir went to wake Estel and tell him what had passed over the last few hours. Lord Elrond also began to exit the room, but turned back to the elf prince kneeling over the bed.
"Legolas?"
Legolas lifted his head and looked up at the elf lord. Tears ran from his eyes leaving trails down his fair face. Elrond was one of the few people in all of Middle Earth the prince was not ashamed to let see his tears.
"All will be well, young prince." Lord Elrond spoke at a length. " I will let you be alone with her for as long as you wish and I will have food brought up for you. However, you need to rest. It must have been a really long night for you both."
"She was shaking so badly, Lord Elrond. She was so cold and scared, and I could not keep her warm nor comfort her," Legolas said softly.
Elrond smiled at the youth, "Legolas, it is no fault of yours how she felt. 'Twas the poison that coursed her veins. You did very well. In fact, it was probably your love for her and her love for you that kept her alive."
Legolas dried his tears on his sleeve and nodded at the ancient elf that smiled at him. Elrond read his thoughts through the look in the prince's eyes and left the room.
Once Lord Elrond was out of Legolas' hearing range, he turned his gazed back toward the room where the elf prince and his niece were.
"No, Legolas. Diola lle (Thank you)." He whispered as he continued to walk down the hall to his study.
