Disclaimer: This story was written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters

Author's note. Thank you to my reviewers! Your kind words really make my day!. :) Sorry it took so long to write this latest chapter. I had the basic idea in my head of where it was going, but it was a struggle to write.

I've noticed I've been spelling Silvan incorrectly, and that it is not spelled with a y as I have been previously spelling it. Please excuse this mistake. I've use a few other elvish words in this latest chapter, and have included an interpretation key at the end of it. I did some research to find them, but please excuse any mistakes I might have made. I am not well versed in elvish. :)

I hope you enjoy this latest chapter:)

Relesen-Chapter 6

Many hours later, Legolas was no longer immune to the lure of the sleepless dreams that pulled at the corners of his awareness, and his weary mind finally surrendered to their power. They effectively worked against him to hamper his inborn adeptness toward being both fleet footed and keen sighted. If Legolas had been aware of his image during this last stretch of his arduous journey, he would surely have been appalled to acknowledge the unusual awkwardness his body betrayed, but mounting pain and building fever hindered such information from cutting through the tempered memories that had now filled his brain. Not even the constant snatching or tearing of the sweeping branches from the overgrown thicket they were passing through could register as anything more than a mild annoyance as he pushed onward, but what proved most frightening was his inability to read the placement of others in his immediate surroundings. Their movement was both stealth and able, keeping their identities concealed from him until they were ready to proclaim their intentions.

The blur of activity, which suddenly converged upon the path in front of the Silvan elf, served to block his attempts at advance. Legolas did little more than throw up his arms to ward off this new found interference, reacting as if he were brushing aside yet another the offending branches that had hindered his progress thus far. His fevered brain did not register the words of warning that the crowd before him issued forth, and it wasn't until he felt hands being laid upon him, that he realized the serious nature of this new menace. An irrational fury awakened within the elf as he tore himself away from the grasping hands that thwarted his progress and in immanent response he reached for his daggers.

The appearance of his weapons prompted those before him to back away, but they did not bolt as the dazed elf half expected, instead they appealed to the immortal creature before them to halt his movements. Legolas' brain, however, was impenetrable to their discourse, and the blockade they had erected before him only spurred the elf on in his stance to protect what he considered his own. He swept forward in objection to their intrusion as he voiced his displeasure at the delay they were causing him, shouting out. "Rado! Rado! Make Way!"

"Daro elvellon!" They called back, hoping to halt his progress, while placating his ill humor at the same time, but he continued forward in this irrational manner calling out.

"Bedi! Bedi! Go! Leave us!"

The company did not break form, but only moved backwards somewhat with haste, leery of the intentions of their fair-haired brethren, for Legolas could not perceive that the small group assembled in front of him was actually a Rivendell sentry that guarded this particular border of the elven realm. The Mirkwood elf's movements had been observed with close scrutiny for many miles now as he forged onward through the densely covered thicket that surrounded them, and a message had been dispatched back to the realm to inform the court in session of this unusual siting. In the covert darkness of nightfall, the wary Rivendell contingent yielded to Legolas with prudent regard as they questioned the bizarre behavior of their Silvan brethren and the mysterious burden he drug behind him.

As they continued considering their options, a group of riders rode up beside them, reaching the rearmost guard, who turned to respond to their approach. He was relieved to note that among their ranks were the sons of Elrond. Elladan and Elrohir halted the progress of their horses and dismounted quickly, immediately taking note of the action surrounding them as the guard beside them spoke up.

"My lords." He greeted. "It is good that you have arrived. We do not know what to make of this situation." He finished at a loss.

Moving through the patrol, the twins advanced toward the front, coming to a quick halt as their eyes met up with the startling revelation in front of them. For within their line of vision stood their beloved companion, Legolas, and they were alarmed by his grievous state. The usually immaculately groomed elf's face was now scored with cuts and abrasions, the clothes he wore were ripped and stained with blood, his hair fell in tangles about his face, and around his stooped shoulders were strung two cords that were drawn taut and attached to some burden he pulled behind him.

"Legolas?" Elrohir called out in confusion and concern as he took in his friend's startling appearance, while noting his erratic behavior as well. "What has happened to you, my friend?" He continued as he attempted to step forward toward him.

It seemed that the Silvan elf had heard his words, but his blue eyes did not make contact with Elrohir's, appearing glazed with confusion, and as the Rivendell elf drew closer, Legolas raised his hand to strike out. Elladan reached forward to grasp hold of his brother's arm, immediately halting his forward progress and saving him from the downward slash of Legolas's dagger as the archer before them shouted out once again in agitation. "Rado! Rado!"

Elrohir swallowed hard and turned concerned eyes toward his twin as Elladan tried to reason with the disturbed elf. "Legolas, it is I, Elladan, and Elrohir is with me, nin mellon. Pray, tell us what has happened to you?"

Legolas ignored his entreaty, only moving closer as he cried out once again. "Rado si!"

The brothers peered back in bewilderment at Legolas, puzzled by his apparent appearance and behavior. Though darkness cloaked the area around them, the moon above illuminated the landscape sufficiently enough for the pair to realize that the fair-haired elf was not only acting irrationally, but that he was attempting to protect something that he carried behind him. Elladan implored to the Silvan elf again in a final attempt to break through the mist of confusion that surrounded him. "Legolas, we mean you no harm. It is I, Elladan. Please nin mellon, put down your arms. We do not wish to harm you. Do not be alarmed. We are only here to help."

Elladan's last word seemed to break through the fog that had enveloped his friend as Legolas repeated it shakily, "Help? Yes, help! I must get to help! Bedi! Bedi! Bedi si!" The archer proclaimed as he lunged forward swinging his daggers high to do away with what he perceived was the threatening menace which prevented him from attaining this goal.

The twins reacted readily and attempted to subdue Legolas, while endeavoring to preserve their own safety without causing him any further harm. Responding with haste the younger twin knocked one of the daggers free from his friend's hands, while his brother acted toward restraining the use of his other arm, while forcefully grasping it to dislodge the final weapon Legolas held. The elf fought vehemently against them as the two struggled to restrict his further actions, and the contingent behind them streamed forward to come to their aid, prompting Elrohir to call out, "Careful! Careful! We have no wish to harm him further!" as the fair-haired elf was dragged downward toward the ground below him, being wrenched free from the burden he had carried in the process.

A cry of anguish escaped from the Mirkwood elf as this realization hit him, causing Elladan to call forth in alarm. "Stand back! Stand back!"

The twins dropped down beside their still restless friend doing their best to soothe his discomfort, while maintaining their hold upon his fevered body, but Legolas wailed despondently. "Bedi! Bedi!" before finally crying out. "Estel!"

The mention of their Human brother's name drew both of the elve's attentions, and as Elrohir made to question his friend, he was interrupted by one of the guards, who had moved back to examine what it was that Legolas had been dragging behind him.

"My lords!" He called out unable to contain the trouble that now filled his voice.

"What is it, Bartara?" Responded a drained Elladan.

"Tis your brother." Bartára answered as Elladan distractedly looked toward Elrohir worried that perhaps he had sustained a wound while trying to disarm Legolas.

"Nay, my lord," Bartára replied, noting the direction of the elder twin's attentions, and he finished with. "Tis Estel!"

It was the second time within short minutes that their youngest brother's name had been uttered, first by the distraught Legolas and now by their anxious guard.

"Pray tell..." Elladan continued breathlessly as Bartára interrupted.

"It is he that the Prince of Mirkwood was carrying upon this litter!"

"What?" Elrohir called out in alarm as Elladan sought to take complete control over Legolas' agitated form, while the younger twin immediately gained his footing to rush back toward the litter while Bartára finished.

"It is Estel..." The guard repeated shakily, while peering down at the cloak covered bundle before him, seriously wondering if perhaps they had been too late in making this discovery.

Rado-Make way

Daro-Halt

Elvellon-Elf friend

Bedi-Go

Bedi si-Go now

Author's note: Many thanks to my readers! In the next chapter, they will reach Rivendell.

White Wolf- Thank you for all your comments! I could never let the man, who graces my screen saver, die-though perhaps I shouldn't mention that fact in the middle of my story. :) I've never been reluctant to kill off a character if the story line calls for it, but I don't think I could do that in a LOTR's story especially when the character is such a fixture to all future developments that will take place.

Thank you Singing Wolf, Patty, and Ruth for your kind words. They really mean a lot to me. :) I intend to finish this story in a few more chapters, possibly four since I didn't get quite as far with this one as I had hoped to. I'm not rushing to finish it. My goal is to try and finish it in the next two to three weeks if time permits. I have two other non LOTR's stories that I'm involved in. Both are group efforts that I've been writing with for a few years now on another site. I promised my friends that I would return my concentration to them shortly. I hope someday to perhaps write another LOTR's story when time permits.