New chapter, hopefully longer than the last one. I'm grounded again so I typed this up quickly while my mom ran out to get something so I can't make my author's note very long. Thanks for all of the great reviews, I love you all so much. Well that's all for now, please R&R

Legolas used agility to his advantage as he sprinted through the fallen bodies and those still fighting towards Aragorn. Worry and guilt were stamped clearly across the delicate visage as he dropped to his knees beside him. The man was doubled over, a large black arrow protruding from his shoulder, features twisted into a grimace. " I told you to conceal yourself…what are you doing?!" He hissed, hands clutching at the arrow's stem.

" They're all but slain, only a few remain alive and the others will kill them soon enough." Legolas said quickly. Yea Gods, how could I have let this happen? What have I done? He'll never forgive me…

" Don't touch the arrow!" Elladan called out to his brother. " You should know that!" Aragorn withdrew his hand and let it fall to his side through it did not stay still for long, soon it was tugging at the turf in an effort to distract his mind from the pain. Legolas unsure of what to do stayed where he was.

" I'm sorry." He uttered miserably.

" If you had just listened then I wouldn't have been distracted so easily…although I should have awarded more caution to my position so it is also through my own fault that we find ourselves in this…" He inhaled sharply before continuing. "Situation…" He allowed his voice to trail off and glanced expectantly towards Elladan and Elrohir who promptly crowded him leaving Legolas towards the outside of the small group.

The Prince watched silently as the twins determined the extent of the injury. Every so often Aragorn would let a small wince or moan escape but for the most part kept quiet, his jaw clenched. After several minutes had passed Legolas climbed to his feet. The other Elves in the party were carefully piling the bodies in the middle of the clearing, as far from the trees as possible and collecting the discarded arrows of their own regarding those of the orcs as if they were some sort of refuse. The twins afforded him no more than a backward glance as he set off somewhat unsteadily towards the trees. No one called out to stop him and he soon found himself in the safety of the forest.

* * * * *

" My Lord." Arwen smiled pleasantly looking up from the open book in her lap. Setting it aside she stood and placed a soft kiss on Glorfindel's cheek. Noting his uneasy expression she distanced herself several steps back from the golden haired elf. " Something is amiss…what troubles you?"

Glorfindel sighed bowing his head. " You're father wishes to see you." He said softly. Arwen's expression changed to one of puzzlement. She ran her fingers along the line of his jaw line lovingly. He leaned into the touch but his mood remained dark.

" Then why do you act as though something horrible has transpired?" When Glorfindel did not answer she arched an eyebrow. " Do you know the reason for which he summons me?"

" Aye but I cannot tell you…it is a private matter between you and your father." She was silent, contemplating the small conversation. Slowly a look of dawning came over her, which soon disappeared to be replaced with a frown.

" He knows nothing of…" Her voice trailed off as her eyes scanned the beautiful garden. Though she could see no one she did not trust that none were listening. Once more no answer came from Glorfindel. " Glorfindel am I right? Does he know of what…has happened?"

" I fear that-" But Arwen had raced past him towards the house.

* * * *

Legolas braced himself against the trunk of a nearby tree and with a shaking hand tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. Biting down on his bottom lip he tried desperately to quell the nausea that burned in the back of his throat. He blinked several times to clear his vision and swallowed back a moan. Another wave of illness assailed him and he doubled over grasping at his stomach. An acidic taste filled his mouth and he vomited onto the ground, body convulsing. Pain followed every pitiful heave of his stomach and finally with a ragged breath he stumbled a few feet away.

His daily illness had ceased a few weeks ago and it worried him greatly to find himself in the same position once more. "Ai…" he moaned pressing his face against the cool earth. Slowly the world stopped spinning and he took another breath. What little energy his body possessed fled and he lay still, his mind focused on breathing evenly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

" You are very fortunate…" Elladan said affectionately mussing up Aragorn's hair though it was clear that he had been deeply worried. Aragorn mumbled something under his breath, eyes falling shut. "That would be the sleeping draught we so thoughtfully prepared for you. Now you can sleep without feeling any discomfort." Aragorn once more made an attempt at speaking, though it was muddled and Elladan bit his bottom lip. " I believe Elrohir perhaps made the draught a mite stronger than suits our purpose…you will sleep more soundly than I thought."

" Legolas." Aragorn finally said though it required much effort. " Where…"

" He's off wandering in the trees…he's alright little brother."

" Find…him…" The mere effort of talking appeared to exhaust the mortal and Elladan smiled.

" You are in no condition to speak with him right now…we'll find him for you and you can discuss apologies on both parts with him when you wake." When he received no answer except for a loud snore he rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet.

Scanning the clearing he picked out his brother easily though he did not have to call his name for Elrohir sense the gaze and turned, an eyebrow arched quizzically as he made his way over to where Elladan stood.

" Is something the matter?" The younger of the two asked, arms held still at his sides.

" Has Legolas returned yet?" Elrohir shook his head, eyes falling on the sleeping body of Aragorn. He laughed softly.

" I promised we'd find him…do you want to or should I?"

' I'll go." Elrohir said. There was a comfortable silence between the two. " Which direction did he leave in?" Elladan nodded his head towards the left and without further questions Elrohir left.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

" Ada? What's wrong?" Arwen questioned softly. Her father's expression was somber. He remained silent, gesturing for her to be seated. She did so quickly trying to discern the severity of the situation.

" We found this in your room." He said finally, meeting her gaze. A small parchment was clasped gently between his slender fingers. She paled visibly though she fought to keep her expression calm.

" What pray tell is it?"

" It is a letter written in your own handwriting with detailed descriptions of how to obtain access to Imladris." He paused to gauge her reaction. Her posture was as it always has been and though her face showed no clear emotion her eyes betrayed her. Beneath the cerulean depths swirled guilt, fear and anger. Elrond sighed. "The intent was clear…to do harm to someone within my realm and with the attacks on Prince Legolas during his time here it leads me to believe that he was the target and that you, though it pains me to speak these words, are the culprit." There was a thick silence.

" It could be anyone." Arwen said finally, eyes gleaming. " That's one of a hundred ways that someone could shift the blame from themselves to me."

" We have been watching you…no I will not reveal the names of those who have but we have witnessed more than enough to solidify our suspicions." To Elrond, Arwen appeared to be contemplating her next answer though in truth she was listing silently all the names of those she knew must have been her watchers, namely among them Glorfindel.

* * * *

Elrohir stepped nimbly among the trees, his skilled senses searching for any sign of his eleven friend. He'd only ventured perhaps twenty feet into the wooded area before a large dark shape sprawled out across the ground caught his attention and he realized with sudden worry that it held a familiar quality. Quietly he took another step forwards and his ears picked up the sound of uneven breathing. As he grew closer he recognized the shock of white blond hair that lay in a mess around the figure. "Legolas!" He whispered sprinting forwards. The figure shifted slightly and a pair of deep blue eyes met his own. He fell to his knees beside the prince. " Legolas…" He repeated. Legolas blinked at him momentarily before making a botched attempt at sitting up. Elrohir quickly supported him, eyes shining with concern. " What's wrong?"

" Merely a touch of illness." Legolas murmured softly attempting to sit once more on his own. Elrohir frowned at the drawn expression on the younger Elf's face.

" Are you sure…you look as though you suffer."

" I being an Elf am not accustomed to illness…it is unpleasant for me but nothing I cannot bear."

" All the same you must allow me to help you back to our campsite." Legolas sighed loudly but did not resist when Elrohir pulled him to his feet gently and slipped an arm around his waist to support him. Walking slowly he led the Prince back towards the campsite. " You feel warm…even through you tunic." He said as they neared the edge of the clearing. " I would much like to look you over once you are settled, Elladan too I surmise. Aragorn is sleeping comfortably but out of habit I made the draught strong enough for someone of immortal nature…he will sleep longer than we planned but a good rest won't do him any harm." Legolas remained silent as they emerged from the forest. A few glanced their way and Elladan who had been tending to the fire stood quickly.

He was by their side in seconds. " What happened?" He inquired studying Legolas' face carefully. Legolas averted his eyes and fixed them on the ground.

" He's ill." Elrohir replied. Elladan's gaze sharpened and he pressed his hand delicately against Legolas' forehead. A frown creased his lips.

" Fever."

" I know." Legolas listened absently to the exchange, wishing for nothing more than a soft blanket and somewhere he could sleep undisturbed. " Come, we'll have you lie down by the fire so we can examine you more closely." Legolas followed them silently, as Elladan's arm joined that of his brother to lead him towards the warmth and light of the fire. He was eased down onto a soft, down-filled bed mat. He could scarce keep his eyes open and ever so slowly things seemed to close in on him, the edges of his vision becoming blurred. He tried to speak but all that came out was a garbled moan and at last he gave up allowing the darkness to take him.