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Author's Notes: This is it! Last chapter! I'm so glad that I got so much feedback. Speaking of feedback, here is a list of all the people who reviewed me at least once:

Lutris
RoseoftheWorld *
Ryoko
butterfly284z7
Tonianne
Goma-Ryu Immortal Vampire
sirithiel
Leofa-nin-Legolas *
Jessie Greenleaf
Bill-the-Pony
Marissa
Shandrial
lil*bee
Estelle Yavetil
LegolasLover2003 *
Reveur
A_silly_girl
Princess Arwen of sMirkwood
Fairylady
Artemisa

*People whose favourites lists I am on

Thanks to all of you guys. This chapter is dedicated to all of you! I'm glad you enjoyed!

*WARNING* There's some nasty language in this chapter. For those who don't like language, please refrain from reading this chapter. Please don't flame me for swearing!


Chapter Twelve

Legolas, feeling a rush of adrenaline flow through his body, quickly pushed the spider corpse off his body. He ignored the ache in his limbs as he fought to follow Galenhil's call.

I must get to Galenhil. I must save him.

He wiped away the trickle of blood that came from a cut on his head. He had no time for pain. All he worried about was saving his frightened brother. He only hoped he would get there soon enough. The trees seemed to fly past him as he rushed through the forest. The further he got into the woods, the darker and more evil it became. The tree's limbs pawed at his face, and Legolas held an arm up in front of him to block the slashing of the branches.

~Legolas, help me!~

Another fearful call echoed through the forest, only making Legolas even more uneasy. What if the same thing happened to Galenhil as it did to Elenedhil? Legolas didn't know if his life would go on if another of his brothers departed.

The cries of anguish came closer and closer as Legolas ran. He eventually spotted a clearing, where many spiders were gathered around something hanging from two trees. Legolas sped up and entered the clearing, seeing the situation. His brother, obviously being delirious from his fears, was unaware of the spiders web that was barely visible connected to two trees across a path. Galenhil had walked right into their trap, his back now completely open for the spiders to attack. They had already bitten Galenhil, which was very dangerous considering the intensity of spider venom. Legolas noticed the paleness on his brother's face.

Forgetting his left wrist, Legolas drew his bow and, painfully, shot an arrow at one of the four spiders in the clearing. It landed on the ground, writhing in pain. Legolas knew he would bleed out in a matter of minutes. He aimed for another, but his wrist was too painful, so he was forced to draw his blades. Using only one of his blades, he slashed the legs of a second spider, who was reduced in height because of the loss of almost two thirds of his limbs. He shrieked a deafening screech, falling on top of the other nearly dead spider. The remaining spiders, noticing the attacking elf, turned to face their foe. This foe, however, was driven by fear and worry, and therefore was very difficult to try to stop. They knew they had no chance of surviving, and turned, running up the trees to hide.

Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. He ran over to his brother, who was nearly unconscious from the poison's work in his body. Galenhil was hyperventilating, filled with terror from what had just occurred.

~Relax, Galenhil. I shall cut you down.~

Legolas ran his sword through the sides of the web, leaving an outline of where the elf was in the net. Galenhil fell back into his brother's arms, not being able to support himself because of the large bite mark on the back of his leg. It was bleeding profusely, and Legolas knew that he wouldn't last unless he was taken to Rivendell fast.

~That damned Dwarf!~ Galenhil cursed, between his teeth.

~What?~

~Gimli. He left me!~

~What are you saying, Galenhil? Are you saying Gimli could have helped you?~

~That's exactly what I'm saying, little brother. Gimli walked into the clearing where I was trapped. I called to him to help me get out of the web, but he only sneered. He said, Asking the disgusting Dwarf to help you? That must be really desperate.' and then walked off! That's when the spiders came, and I called to you.~

Legolas couldn't believe his ears. Gimli wouldn't leave his brother to die, would he? Denial turned to rage, and Legolas couldn't control himself anymore.

~Wait here, brother.~

Legolas set his brother down slowly and turned, running through the woods with even unelven speed. His mind wasn't thinking clearly; all he thought of was revenge on Gimli. With his elven hearing, he could hear the human and dwarf's direction. When he saw them through the trees, he hurried his pace, focusing on running towards the dwarf. When he was within distance, Legolas leapt at Gimli, knocking him over on the ground and causing a cry of surprise from him. Legolas drew a small sword from his boot and held it to the dwarf's throat. Estel went to help, but was stopped by Legolas.

Estel, stay back! The pure rage in his voice told Aragorn that Legolas wasn't joking, and he would surely kill at any moment anyone in his way, even his best friend.

What are you doing, you stupid Elf? Gimli exclaimed.

Do not talk, Dwarf, for I can cut your throat in one movement.

What? Well.....well this is madness, that's what this is! Gimli stammered.

Estel started, but was interrupted by the elf.

No, Estel. Do not try to help this bastard! All he thinks of is himself. He dared to leave my brother to die, and no one does that! No one!!!! If Galenhil dies, I will hold him completely responsible. I told him my deepest feelings, things I have never told to anyone I thought unworthy. Obviously, I was mistaken. This dwarf deserves nothing of me. No, Estel, don't save him. He needs to learn a lesson in respect!

The tears were streaming down Legolas's voice as he shouted in the Dwarf's face. He closed his eyes for a moment to regain his composure, then opened them again, standing and putting away his blade. Gimli was scared of the pure malice that shone in his eyes.

I've thought of a better use for you. I'm going to let you live. I'm going to let you live to know that you have destroyed any possibility of peace between the elves and dwarves. The people of Mirkwood will be known to hate your kind, you can be sure of this. Legolas paused. Gimli, son of Gloin, I owe you nothing, and you are nothing to me. Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous thoughts.** Just to think.....I really believed I could become a friend of yours! I was a fool.

And with that Legolas turned, leaving Gimli and Aragorn bewildered.

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

I was a fool to believe.
A fool to believe.
It all ends today.
Yes it all ends......today.
-Moulin Rouge

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

~Legolas, what are you doing here?~

~Arwen, my lady. Take Galenhil to the healing rooms. I must fetch Elrond immediately.~

~But, Legolas, he's in a very important meeting!~

~More important than his life?~

Arwen's eyes showed sympathy, and she reached out and took Galenhil from Legolas's arms.

~Go!~ She instructed.

Legolas could hear the voices coming from the meeting room and knew the direction. He did not care about the people who stared at him as he ran swiftly down the hall in his ripped, bloody clothes and appearance. He did not care that his head and wrist throbbed or that he was as pale as a ghost. All he cared about was Galenhil.

He nearly burst through the meeting room doors, but luckily thought better of it, and remembering his formalities, knocked on the door. He didn't, however, wait for an answer. He entered, much to the surprise of all the elves in the room.

~Lord Elrond, I am sorry to interrupt, but.....~

~Legolas!~ Elrond exclaimed. ~What happened to you? You look horrible!~ He put his hands on each side of Legolas's face. The younger elf reached up, pulling his hands away, trying not to wince to show his injury.

~Please, sir, it's not me, it's Galenhil!~

Elrond turned to Glorfindel, who was undoubtedly was running the meeting, for confirmation.

~Go, Elrond. This can wait.~

Elrond sighed in relief, and followed Legolas, who was already halfway down the hall.

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

Legolas had been waiting for at least half an hour, but it felt like eternity.

~Legolas?~

He spun at the mention of his name. Lord Elrond stood in the doorway, wiping his hands of the blood that had stained them.

~How is he Lord Elrond? How does he fare?~

Elrond walked over to the younger elf, showing the patience that the latter lacked. He placed his hands on Legolas's shoulders and looked into his eyes.

~He'll be just fine.~

Legolas breathed out the breath he had been holding. Lord Elrond motioned for him to sit, and then took the chair across from him.

~He had significant, irreversible damage to his leg. I'm afraid he won't be able to walk on it for quite some time, and when he can, he will have an obvious limp. Do you understand this?~ Elrond explained.

Legolas couldn't, or rather didn't, want to believe his ears. Galenhil, crippled? Galenhil, the one who always beat Legolas in marathon races, and, of course, boasted of his greatness in return. Legolas never thought that he would be happy to experience that ever again, but now he wanted it more than anything.

~Legolas?~

He nodded his head, showing his consent.

Elrond lightened the mood, reaching for Legolas's wrist gently and examining it.

~Now, you don't really think I would have missed this, do you?~

Legolas laughed, and Lord Elrond stood, taking some bandages from a nearby medical table, and started administering them to Legolas's broken wrist.

~Thrandiuillion, how did this happen? What occurred between you and Gimli?~

Legolas was surprised, but yet not alarmed at the same time. Lord Elrond had a habit of sensing others thoughts. Sometimes it was almost frightening that he knew so much.

~Gimli....I know of no Gimli....~

~Legolas, please. What did the dwarf do?~

~What did the dwarf do? The question should be what didn't he do! He destroyed my life, our friendship, and peace between our people. That's what he did.~ Legolas paused, feeling his throat get tighter. ~Lord Elrond, he left my brother to die. He saw that he was in danger, and just walked away, only because of a stupid fight.~

~And this is coming from the Elf who refused to be in the company of a dwarf because of distrust, even to the point of the destruction of his own home?~

Legolas fell silent.

~Perhaps, Legolas, you should try to see things from another's point?~

~But, my lord, he put my brother's life at stake!~

~Oh, yes, and he will have to pay dearly for that. But you must not spend your life toiled on revenge. What he did was wrong, very wrong, but not unforgivable. He did this deed blindly, not knowing of the harm it would cause. Surely you don't think that he would deliberately leave your brother. He did it impulsively, and I know, right now, he is regretting it horribly. Learn to forgive, Thranduillion.~

~How can I forgive......when I just can't forget?~ A single tear slid down his cheek, following the trail of the many he had already shed during this day.

~It will come to you, Legolas. Give it time. Move on, and live your life. One day, your paths will cross again, and the time will come for you to remember these words I speak of. I trust that you will overcome your diversities. The peril of Mirkwood will not destroy you. It will bring you together.~

Lord Elrond finished, placing a comforting hand on Legolas's shoulder.

~You can go see your brother now. He should wake in a few minutes.~

Legolas nodded, standing in perfect unison with Elrond, who turned down an adjacent hallway. Legolas paused before the doorway and turned.

~Lord Elrond?~

The Noble Elf twisted around to face the other Elf, millennia younger, but wise in his age.

~Thank you.~ Legolas said, smiling.

~Your welcome, Thranduillion.~


****************************THE END*************************************

**I know, part of this line and the following song lyrics are taken from Moulin Rouge. Disclaimer: I am borrowing only the lines from Moulin Rouge in this chapter. There! Can't sue me now!

*That's it! COMPLETED! Hurray! shouts of elation erupt from the crowd surrounding the computer screen....which only exist in the author's mind. I hope you enjoyed this, no matter how long it took to finish it. I enjoyed it. I didn't get one review saying that they didn't like my writing. I'm so glad. I thought I was horrible. I mean, I'm ok, for a 15 year old..... My next story will NOT be a work in progress! I promise.....but my word really doesn't count much any more, does it? Ok, well thanks to all that were silent readers, all that reviewed, and all that put me on their favourites lists. I love you all! (in a non-gross friendly kind of way.....wow I need to lay off the sugar!)

*§ Legilmalith §*