@Lucy : Telcontar is the name of the royal house established by Aragorn after the war. The elvish word means 'Strider', Aragorn's pseudonym in the north.

@Kayo : Yes, it was a revenge! He! He! A car commercial concerning LOTR? What? Where? When? Please I want to see it!!

@IrishQT : No, they didn't cut off his leg. (Though I love to do it so he can't go anywhere and have to spend the rest of his life in my bed! He! He!)

@tbiris : Cauterize – the burning of the wound to stop infection and bleeding. (Learn that in a first-aid class while in campus. Yee, God! It's terrible!)

@purplesmackers : Thank you, mellon! You are making me almost purple with pleasure now! I'm quite emotional, hence my stories are load with it.

@Lomiothiel : I think you might have seen it in the film 'Rambo', right? LOL! Poor Stallone! But don't worry. Leggy will survive this, right Leggy?

@Nikki1 : I like your expression! LOL!!! Remind me a lot of myself when I had had too much caffeine and riding on a roller coaster at the same time!!

@Aredhel1314 : Yes, I'm the evil Black Numenorean from Mordor! He! He! Leggy's suffering is my immense pleasure….

@LegolasLover2003 : To answer your question 1 and 2 and 3, I think you need to read the previous story 'Tortured Soul' because this fic is a sequel to a long series. Most of the event in this fic is a continuity of the other. They are about 15 stories in all, and if you read from the beginning (the list is in my bio-page), all your questions will be answered. And yes, I've changed a lot of Leggy's original character. And I mean, A LOT! All that manyan healer and everything. I did not fully follow the book or the film because, hey, it's a Fanfiction. LOL!!! Anyway, I'm very glad you like this one and appreciate your reviews. Thank you so much!! OMG!!! You have seen 'Once Upon A Time In Mexico'? Argghh! I'm jealous! I really want to see it but the cinema in my country has not put it up yet! Grrr!! Antonio, Johnny and Enrique in one movie are just too good to resist!!

@Sailor Elf : Yeah, I think you can go in now. Beware, though. Leggy might throw his soiled shirt at you!

@Alkvingiel : It's now around 102 years since the stone was taken out of Legolas' neck. (Wow! How time do fly!)

@namarie2legolas : My condolence for your Mushroom. I think he's happy in his new place. In the next stories, I'll make sure Faramir will be a good father to his own kids to make up for Denethor's mistakes. Cheerio, girl.

@Spider Queen : I hope this series never ends too! Thank you! Your brother is in the Air Force? Cool!!! (I've dreamed to be a fighter-jet pilot ever since I saw 'Top Gun'! Stupid dreams, I know. I'm totally hopeless in physics! )

@szhismine : Take Leggy to the sea and drown him? Ha! Ha! Ha! Nice plan, there! Do it Aragorn!! Do it! Drown Leggy! Oh. 'Together Forever', hmm? Thank you, mellon! I just found the title for a vignette! Wait and see!

@Aranel of Mirkwood : The plan? What's his plan? I can't tell you! I can't tell you!

@HalandLeg4ever : Aragorn is thinking of…hmm…going fishing! He! He! Sorry. Just read this chappie and you might get the answer.

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

Legolas' fever broke in the afternoon a day later. When he woke up, his father was still there sitting by the bed, faithfully watching over him. He could also feel Aragorn's presence, giving out his silent yet powerful support.

"Father?" he rasped feebly.

"Yes, son. I'm here. Feeling a bit better today, aren't you?"

Legolas smiled. "I believe so."

Aragorn reached down and placed the back of his palm on the prince's forehead. "Your temperature has returned to normal, thank the Valar."

Legolas bit his lips before replying, "I owe a lot to you for that, Estel. Thank you. And sorry for the…"

Aragorn chuckled. "No need to apologize, Legolas. I understand."

"Still, I feel like an idiot."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I'm afraid that you are an idiot!" Thranduil exclaimed. "What made you think that we would let you bear all this alone? We all love you but you have been treating us as if we are the evils from Mordor!"

Legolas cringed as his father's voice rose higher. Aragorn grinned in amusement. Thranduil's famous yelling session has just begun.

"Father?" the prince asked timidly. "Are you mad at me?"

"You bet I am!"

"My lord Thranduil!" suddenly came Éowyn's voice from the doorway. "Forgive me for asking, but why are you shouting at your son? Can't you wait until at least he has had his meal?"

Thranduil's mouth dropped open at her candor. Aragorn couldn't help it; he laughed. Even Legolas broke into a huge grin. "Peace, Éowyn," said the prince. "My father meant nothing by it. He always does that every time I land into trouble."

Éowyn nodded but did not release Thranduil from her glare. "Fine, then," she said, placing the meal tray she carried on to the bedside table. "But I suggest you take yourself elsewhere for a while, my lord. Let your son have his meal in peace."

"What?!"

Legolas dissolved into helpless chuckle. Nobody else had enough guts to speak in such a way to the great king of Mirkwood. "Father, I think you better do as Lady Éowyn says," the prince said, still smiling. "Besides, you also need your rest."

"But…"

"Lord Thranduil, now I know where Legolas gets his stubborn streak and vile temper from." Éowyn reached up and kissed the elven king's cheek. "Please, seek rest for yourself. You look tired. And don't tell me differently because I can see it clearly in your eyes."

At last, Thranduil weakly smiled and nodded. "Your wish is my command, my lady." He turned back to his son and leaned down to kiss the prince's brow. "I'll be back, son. Finish your meal, you hear?"

"Don't worry, father. I will," Legolas responded. "Suddenly I feel very hungry!"

Chuckling, the elven king walked out of the room with Aragorn following to show Thranduil the grand chamber that was already prepared for him. Éowyn settled down on the bed to help Legolas with his meal.

A while later, after he had finished a full bowl of warm porridge, Legolas finally voiced out, "Éowyn?"

"Yes, Legolas?"

"Forgive me…for hitting you that day. I…I was a fool."

Éowyn laughed softly as she stroked his brow. "Not a fool, silly. You're hurt, and in pain. No need to apologize. Besides, I'm not made of glass, you know."

"Were you badly hurt?"

"Will you stop worrying?" Éowyn sighed in exasperation. "Well, the impact was hard enough that I saw stars for a moment. But nothing serious, believe me. Like I said, I'm tough."

Legolas chuckled. "Oh, that you are, Éowyn. That you are. I can't believe you actually sneaked into the midst of Rohan army and fought at the Pelennor Field. You are incredible, woman!"

"Why, thank you, Legolas. Such a nice compliment!"

They both shared a warm laughter. Legolas never had a sister, but he thought he had just found one in the Rohan lady. "So, Éowyn, how do you find him?" Legolas suddenly asked.

Éowyn frowned. "Him? Who exactly do you mean?"

"Aw, come on, Éowyn! Don't play dumb with me! I might be blind but I can still sense your reaction to a certain man from Gondor!"

Her face reddened at that. He laughed. "Are you blushing, Éowyn?"

"Oh shut up, you wretch!" She punched him on the shoulder.

"Ouch! Please don't kill me, o fair maiden! I'm just a poor blind elf!" he teased her, making her laugh. "Legolas! Stop that!"

He grasped her hand and grew sober. "Seriously, Éowyn. How is he to you?"

She lowered down her head and stared at their clutched hands. "I think…he is the one. I feel…different when I'm with him."

Legolas slowly smiled. "Then I'm glad. Have you told him?"

She chuckled nervously. "No! I don't even know where to start! But we…err…we kissed."

His smile grew wider. "Really? Well, did you enjoy it?"

"What kind of question is that?" she cried out in shock.

"You know what? That was exactly my reaction when Aragorn asked me the same question after we had kissed in Edoras!"

Her eyes bulged. "You told Lord Aragorn?!"

"Yes, dear. There was never a secret between me and him."

She shrieked, "Lord, this is embarrassing! How am I going to face him?!"

"Just ignore him. Besides, you have faced him many times already."

Éowyn groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Legolas, one of these days I might accidentally kill you!"

"Éowyn? What's wrong? Why do you want to kill Legolas?" Faramir had suddenly appeared at the opened door. The steward stared at them both worriedly.

"I didn't say I will kill him, but I might!" she replied, glaring at the grinning elf.

"Don't worry, Faramir. She will never kill me, especially if you tell her not to. She'll follow your every word," Legolas said, teasing her again. Éowyn's face went even redder.

Faramir was also grinning as he understood the situation. He glanced at Éowyn and winked. "You have my word, Legolas. I can persuade her not to kill you."

She rolled her eyes. "Really, Faramir. Nothing can persuade me to do anything that I don't want to…" Éowyn's words were cut short as Faramir bent over her and kissed her lips passionately. He didn't let go until they both ran out of air. Éowyn stared dazedly at him. "…except for that," she said breathlessly.

They both turned to look at Legolas when the elf broke into laughter. Before they could say anything, Legolas held up his hands and said, "Don't worry, you two! I didn't see a thing!"

Éowyn and Faramir groaned at the elf's bad pun.

"You look better today," Faramir then observed. The man sat down on the bed beside Legolas, smiling at the obvious delight on the elf's face.

The prince chuckled. "I feel better today." He reached again for Éowyn's hand and squeezed. "How else should I feel when I'm surrounded by those people that I love and love me in return?"

Faramir and Éowyn gazed at each other, agreeing with the elf prince's every word.

Love conquers all. And it is love that beats the odds.

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

"Come, Éomer. Legolas has called us all to see him," Éowyn told her brother.

The new king of Rohan was quite reluctant to follow. "Not while that golden haired vile beast is wide awake! I still value my life!"

Faramir beside them chuckled as Éowyn rolled her eyes in exasperation. "The said 'beast' has sheathed his claws, you idiot! See him for yourself!" she said, pulling at her brother's hand.

"The hobbits and the dwarf are already there," Faramir helpfully added.

Éomer's eyes narrowed. "He has stopped throwing things and curses then?"

"Yes! The good old Legolas has returned."

He was still skeptical but Éomer let her sister dragged him off to Legolas' chamber. When he saw the mirth reflected on Faramir's face, the young king unexpectedly asked, "So. You have a penchant for my sister, Faramir?"

Éowyn gasped. "Éomer!"

Faramir broke up laughing. Seeing the seriousness in Éomer's gaze, he instantly sobered. "I do, my lord. I believe I'm falling in love with her."

Éowyn gasped again, her eyes widened at the man's forthright words. Éomer's sharp gaze did not waver, as if trying to look through the steward's calm demeanor. "I'm sure you won't break my sister's heart later on?"

"EOMER!!" Éowyn cried out indignantly, punching her brother's arm with enough force to make him wince.

"I wouldn't dare, my lord," Faramir replied. "She is too precious to me, the best thing that has ever happened to my life. I'll protect her with everything I have, that I swear."

Éowyn had gone misty eyed at Faramir's confession. She gazed at him with equal love in her eyes, thinking that she was only dreaming this. Her brother nodded. "Very well. I believe you. You shall have my blessings…but on several conditions."

"Éomer…" Éowyn's voice had become threatening as she glared at her brother.

Éomer ignored her as he continued, "Stop addressing me as your lord. As we are going to become brothers, which I think that it will be in the coming future, I want you to call me Éomer."

"That will be an honor…Éomer," Faramir said, smiling.

"Good. Now, the other condition…" at this, Éomer paused. The other two was quite perplexed to see his slight awkwardness.

"Yes, brother? What's the other condition?" Éowyn was curious. "You don't expect him to offer you a hundred horses in exchange for my hand, do you? If you do, I'll shave you bald while you sleep!"

Éomer frowned at his sister as Faramir tried hard to stifle his laughter.

"No, of course not!" Éomer responded, a hot flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. The other two become more baffled. Turning back to Faramir, Éomer blurted, "Princess Lothiriel is your cousin, I believe?"

 "Yes, she is. Her father and my mother are siblings." Then Faramir's eyes widened when he understood. Grinning widely now, he continued, "I will properly introduce you to her, Éomer…with my uncle's permission, of course."

Éomer seriously nodded, clearing his throat nervously. "Of course." He scowled when his sister exploded into laughter.

"Oh, this is priceless!" Éowyn gasped between a fit of giggles. "My brother has a crush on a bonny lass!"

"Shut up, you termagant! Or I will…" Éomer's words died down as they arrived at Legolas' open door. The three entered and found the elf prince laughing with the hobbits at Gimli's joke. Aragorn was sitting close beside Arwen, smiling at their friends' antics, while Elladan and Elrohir were in deep discussion with King Thranduil in one corner.

Legolas cocked his head at the newcomers' entrance. "Everyone is here then?"

The rest of them quieted and regarded the prince with full attention.

"Good," Legolas said. He was silent for several moments before continuing. "I've asked all of you here to tell you that…I am sorry for being such a jerk these last few days. I was an idiot, or as my father put it, I still am. You have treated me kindly but I…I've made it hard for all of you. I'm very sorry."

Legolas could not see but he could sense them looking at one another at his heartfelt words. Then he felt two people sit on either side of him and pull him into their embrace.

"You are already forgiven, Legolas," Éowyn said, hugging him tighter.

"Just don't make a repeat performance of it or we will not be so merciful," Arwen said next.

"Aye. I believe Minas Tirith has a large pool that we can throw you into!" Elrohir exclaimed.

The rest of them laughed at that, echoing Elrohir's words with their own threats should Legolas decide to behave like an irritating wounded bear again. As they waited for the dinner call, they entertained themselves by listening to funny stories told by the hobbits and the twins. Their laughter rang loud throughout the citadel, catching the interest of those who heard them.

"I have a riddle!" Merry suddenly declared. "What are the three steps to put an orc into a closet?"

"A closet?" Gimli cried out incredulously. "Are you mad?"

"Aw, come on! It's a riddle!"

"I know!" Pippin eagerly raised his hand, while Frodo and Sam were already laughing beside him. "Step one; open the door of the closet. Step two; put the orc inside. Step three; close the door. Easy!"

Merry glared at Pippin. "Of course you know! You've heard the riddle already! Now shut up while I tell the next one!" Merry turned back to the others. "Now, the second riddle. What are the four steps to put an oliphaunt into a closet?"

"Oliphaunt?! That's even more preposterous!" Éomer frowned in disbelief. The rest of them were scratching at their heads in puzzlement.

Legolas smiled when he caught on the joke. "I know. Step one; open the door of the closet. Step two; take the previous orc out. Step three; put the oliphaunt in. And step four; close the door. Did I get it right, Merry?"

The others around them instantly broke into laughter, while Merry shook his head. "How did you know that?"

Legolas shrugged, grinning in amusement. "Just a guess."

"That's brilliant, Merry! A good joke there!" said Aragorn and the twins, still laughing.

"Oh, but there's more!" Pippin jumped in. "Here's the next riddle!"

As their laughter finally died down, they all listened intently as Pippin started. "Aragorn here, as the new king of Gondor, wants to prepare a meal for all the animals of Middle Earth."

The said king frowned slightly. "What do I have to do with this?"

"Wait. You will know later on. Now, Aragorn calls all the animals to Minas Tirith. After much fanfare, they all come to assemble in the Pelennor Field. Everyone comes; the eagles, the birds, the snakes, the squirrels, everyone except for one animal. What animal would that be?"

They went silent again, working their brain to figure out the answer as the hobbits beamed at their obvious puzzlement. A while later, a big smile broke on Legolas' face. He laughed uproariously, followed by Thranduil and the twins.

"Silly hobbits." Aragorn chuckled as he had also figured out the answer. Gimli, Faramir, Éomer and Éowyn looked at one another questioningly. "You know what animal that would be?"

"It's the oliphaunt in the closet," Arwen answered for them, also having trouble holding back her laughter.

Then a servant entered the room. "My lords and ladies, dinner is served."

The hobbits instantly got to their feet and rushed out the door, always so keen with their mealtimes. Éomer, Faramir and the twins warmly patted Legolas's shoulders before they also walked out.

"I'm glad to have you returned to us, my friend," Gimli said gruffly, squeezing Legolas' forearm.

"So am I, Gimli. Thank you."

The dwarf nodded and left.

Placing his hand on top of Legolas' head, Thranduil told his son something in Sindarin. The prince replied in the same tongue, smiling. As she and Arwen escorted the elven king to the door, Éowyn said, "We'll send your meal in a moment, Legolas."

Arwen looked at Aragorn. The king of Gondor was not making a move to leave. "Estel? Aren't you coming?"

"Go on ahead. I'll be right behind."

She smiled and closed the door behind them. Aragorn was left alone with the elf prince. This is it, Aragorn thought, fingering the tiny round object in the inner pocket of his tunic.

Legolas was quite disconcerted at the man's long silence. "Estel?"

"Legolas, you are my best friend, my protector, my brother," Aragorn finally said quietly. "I owe you my life a million times over."

"As do I, but what are you…"

"I could not live with myself knowing that your condition was the result of the protection I received from you. I vow to bring your sight back." Aragorn gripped the elf's shoulder. "I think, I have found the way."

TBC…

Yes. I know. Cliffie.

Again.

Err…Parley?

P/s : Everyone is still curious of Aragorn's idea? Keep on guessing!!!