Dujoran, I'm glad that you liked the non-cliffy ending..............but sorry, this chappy has a minor cliffy..................I gave you a break, but now it's baaaaaaaaaack!
Oh, and no, it hasn't clicked in Legolas's mind yet that Estel speaks Elvish! Good job for catching that! He'll realize within the next few chaps though!

Zam! Don't whap poor Legolas! He's done a good deed and you pay him back by giving him a good hard pop!? That is what you call tough love! LoL!
Oh, and yes................THEY LOVE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD! *fakes Goldmember accent* I am from holland, isn't that vierd?! HAHAHA!

ThE iNsAnE oNe...........AAH! NOT A WARG HUNTING PARTY! Wargs are scary! *hides behind Eomer*
Eomer: Don't look at me! I have no love for those beasts, either!
Oh, and it is a very wise decision for my characters not to join the party.........very wise. Or else worse abuse awaits!
Estel: *cringes* How could it get any worse?
Lina: AHAHA *evil laugh*

HALO! OMG! YOU POSTED IN TCOV! *whacks you* How could you do such a thing to my baby?! I LOVE IT! I've posted this chapter so fast just for you in thanks for you posting! Oh, and what do you mean by "...and speaking of shooting people...."?! AAH! Scary!!!

Nili!! Nope, no weird Malaria flu or anything! Just givin' my readers a break.........but I will come back with a vengeance, never fear. Cliffies are like Pringles. Once you pop the fun don't stop!
Ooh...........baywatch Lego...*drools* *slaps myself* I can't be lusting over my plot-device! Get those dirty thoughts out of my head! LoL.

Carrie. Eomer has something he feels as though me must express.........
Eomer: *grinds fist into palm of hand, symbolizing what is to come* First you slay my favorite horse, then, you insult me by screeching cat-calls........and now, you are making Lina go mad by not posting Vandaril! Hurry before I am forced to take more drastic measures than usual!
Lina: But anywayz.................Thanks, buddy!

Oh, and thanks to everyone else who reviewed: Anarril, Mariana Nimeneth, marbienl, WeasleyTwinsLover1112, Miss Undastood,and Elwen-Star Maiden..........I LOVE YOU ALL!
DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't sue. Don't get it? That's your problem, not mine. I've said my disclaimer, that doesn't mean ppl have to understand.

NOTE : This is the prequel to Piercing the Veil, Beneath the Surface, and Bridge of Remembrance.
You don't have to read those to understand this, obviously, because this is a prequel.....it happens before all of that.....so, I hope you enjoy!

ALSO, you guys know this........Estel is Aragorn. Just so you know.....but you already know, I"m guessing, but still, ya know...lol
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Ch. 5
*~*~*~*~*~*

Estel looked through the woods, sighing at the seeming tranquility.

"Ah, greetings, my friend,"a voice from behind said.

Estel turned to see Halen standing there before him, tall and proud, just as he had always been.
"Halen.......what? Y-You're—"

Halen allowed himself a slight chuckle, "Yes, Estel.......I'm dead."

"Then how are you here? Why are you here?"Estel questioned softly, confused.

"Oh, such uncertainty from a friend that I once held so dear! Are you not happy to see me?"Halen arched a dark eyebrow.

"Well, yes, I'm happy to see you, but—"

"But, there is always a 'but.' I see how it is. I am no longer a part of your life just because I am dead,"Halen's tone suddenly became cold, "Well, Estel, you know how everything should have been. It should have been you* who died, not I. You were the one who failed me.........."

"You failed............."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A soft sob elicited from the young man that laid across the fire from Legolas.

Legolas looked up, startled. He immediately calmed as he saw that it was only the Edan...............

But what troubled the young being so? What plagued his dreams at night?

The human suddenly shot up, eyes wide with terror and tears.

"I'm sorry...........I'm so sorry,"Estel whispered, his tear filled gaze turning to the stars.

"Pardon?"Legolas inquired quietly, arching an eyebrow.

Estel merely shook his head. "Twas nothing...........nothing of your concern, at least, Master Elf."

Legolas nodded and shrugged. Well, if that was the way the human wanted to be, then that was fine with him.

An awkward silence ensued between the two. Finally, Legolas spoke.
"The dawn is near. We should move,"the fair haired Elf suggested, standing.

Estel gave a slight grunt of agreement as he drug himself to stand.

The world spun and hazed out of focus as Estel's head pounded with fever and exhaustion from the past month long ordeal. He stumbled and would have fallen had it not been for a strong hand steadying him.

"Is something wrong, Master Edan?"Legolas asked, slightly concerned for his new traveling companion.

Estel took a moment to get his breathing under control before answering. "Nay. I am well, just very weary."

Legolas studied the young human for a moment before relinquishing the hold he had on his arm. Cheeks slightly flushed, fever-bright eyes, circles beneath his eyes.............

Estel looked nothing short of horrible.

"I believe, Edan, that you are ill,"Legolas guessed. The Prince of Mirkwood was unused to dealing with humans, and therefore had no experience in diagnosing illness.

"Yes, I am ill, but it is nothing that should hinder our journey,"Estel snapped testily, his head pounding in earnest now as his body began to give up on him.

Oh, if only the little Balrogs that were dancing within his skull would cease their merry jig.
If only..........

"Estel?"Legolas tried again, waving a hand before the young man's face.

Estel turned glazed eyes to the Prince of Mirkwood. "Did you say something?"he grumbled.

"Yes. I was just saying that I, regretfully, am not experienced in human illnesses, nor is my father or healers at my home. I do know someone who is, though. He is quite a distance away, but if we go to my home and get horses, they journey to Imladris, Lord Elro—"Legolas began.

"No!" Estel interjected more forcefully than he had intended.

When met with a questioning stare, Estel averted his gaze to the ground, feeling more than slightly uncomfortable. "There is no need for that,"Estel murmured, his face burning. "I will be fine once we get beneath some shelter and I take some rest."

"If I may ask, why such vehement prote—Very well then, nevermind,"Legolas nearly inquired, but stopped himself in mid question as he saw the flash of deep grief on the Edan's face.

Estel gave a brief, but grateful nod as he composed himself. He straightened, then gestured onward.
"Now then.........What are we waiting for?"

* * * * * * * * *

Elrond looked out at the forest beyond his window.

Enough was enough.

Waiting would no longer satisfy the Lord of Imladris.

At one time, he had prided himself on his patience. Now, he was doubting that he had any shred of patience left in his body at all.

The Elven lord then strode down the hall, bag slung over his shoulder .

He then entered the study, where Glorfindel sat.

Glorfindel looked up to see Elrond in the doorway, weapons that he had not touched for years were not reattached to their old places at his side, looking as natural on the healer as a skirt would on a Balrog.

Still, though the weapons looked out of place, Glorfindel knew better. Elrond was quite frightening when wielding a weapon, especially when on a mission.

"I am going to look for my son,"Elrond announced with purpose.

Glorfindel nodded. "Are you taking the twins with you?"

"They are already in the stables. Will you look after Imladris for me in my absence?"Elrond inquired.

Glorfindel arched an eyebrow. "Do you doubt me? I would never say nay."

With a small smile, Elrond clasped Glorfindel's forearm in a small, grateful embrace. "Thank you, and Namarie, mellon nin."

Elrond then left the room as suddenly as he had come, his thoughts focused on his youngest son.

Elrond and his twin sons departed from Imladris that day, galloping at a fierce pace in search of the one they knew as their son and little brother.

* * * * * * * * *

Legolas turned just in time to catch the young man as he fell forward.

Lowering him gently to the ground, Legolas silently cursed everything he could think of in every language that he knew.

How could he have been so stupid? He should have know the Edan would have covered up his illness to continue their journey!
Shouldn't he?

With a slight shake of his head, Legolas felt for a pulse, which beat steadily beneath his fingers.

Still, the skin beneath his hand was burning to the touch, sweat rolling down the young man's face.

Fever-bright, glazed eyes opened to barely focus on Legolas. "Lembamin........Amin cael n'uma estel hyarya[Leave me behind............I have no hope left],"the human whispered.

Legolas slowly shook his head. He then pulled the frighteningly light human up into his arms in a survival carry, then proceeded onward at a dead run.

The human's despairing words did not deter Legolas.......

No, if anything, they only made him want the Edan to live more, just so he could prove him wrong.

And that was why Legolas sprinted onward at a full fledged run: to save the life of an Edan who felt that he had nothing to live for.

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

*climbs quickly on top of eomer's horse* Um.........don't hurt me?