Christine sat alone later that night on one of the many patios in the Mirkwood palace. She had managed to sneak out of the bed without disturbing Legolas, which was a feat in itself considering his impecible Elven hearing.

The moonlight shone down where she sat and all around her. It gave the palace an almost heavenly glow. One, Christine figured, would always have a sense of security here. She did, in a way, but not as much as she would have liked. She was secure in the knowledge that the one kink in the curse was applicable, but would it work?

That was the thought that had driven her from her bed. She had tried to banish it but it was useless.

Christine sighed and stared up at the stars. Just then, she heard some faint rustling behind her. Quickly, she turned around to see what it was.

"Good evening." It was Elrond.

"Good evening, to you too."

"What troubles you, my lady?" he asked, taking a seat next to her.

"The prophecy." Christine said bluntly, feeling no need to beat around the bush.

The Elf sighed softly. "I had a feeling that was it. We are going to beat this, you realize. You, above all others, has to believe that."

"But Gandalf said it was only a chance it would work. And from the tone of his voice, he sounded as though I shouldn't have a whole lot of faith in it."

"Gandalf is not trying to make you hope any less...he is just trying to tell you that you must accept both ends of the scale."

" I see...I just can't help but worry."

Elrond smiled in understanding. "That is understandable my lady. After all, you are deeply in love with Legolas and the thought of losing him frightens you. I, however, think that that feeling should be your strength."

Christine nodded, seeing where the Elf was coming from. "I think I can do that."

"Good." he said approvingly. "Now go and rest. Be with your lover." he said, gesturing in the direction of Legolas's royal bedroom.

"Thank you, Elrond. For the talk." Christine said sincerely and hugged him. Elrond was taken aback for a moment, but hugged her back.

"You are very welcome."

And with that, Christine headed back to bed, feeling better having unloaded her feelings with Elrond.

The next day Christine woke up to the sound of heavy rain pelting down on the roof of the palace. Groaning, she rubbed her eyes and opened them.

"Oh lovely." she said sarcastically. Christine yawned and turned to cuddle with Legolas only to discover that he wasn't there. Now that was odd. Maybe he had already gone down for breakfast, she thought. After all, it was time for it to be served. Christine got up, put on her robe, and headed down to the dining room.

When she got there, she saw that it was empty. Not an Elf in sight. Now this was really odd. Curious, she searched around the palace to see where everyone might have gone.

Christine finally found them in the Royal Hall where all the councel meetings were held.

"Ah! you are finally awake!" Elrond said and hurriedly ushered her into the room and to a seat.

"What's going on?"

"Legolas is in danger!" he answered, clearly flustered.

Terror shot through Christine. So it had come true. "Take me to him! NOW!" she demanded.

Nodding, Elrond led her to a large bed which was placed in the front of everyone. In it, a pale and obviously sick Legolas lay.

"T-this doesn't make sense! Elves can't get sick! Oh, Legolas! hang on!" Christine sat down on the bed and stroked his face.

"With the prophecies, anything is possible I am afraid." Gandalf, who had just appeared carrying some sort of liquid, said.

"W-will he live?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"That is hard to say." The wizard dipped a small cloth in the liquid and then set it on the Elf's forehead.

Christine took Legolas's hand in hers and kissed it. "You're going to make it, my love."

Over the next few days, the Elves asked for help from their neighbouring lands and distant ones aswell. They pooled together all their knowledge of medicine and what they had heard about this particular prophecy. The good thing was, it was a famous one in several places and they were able to provide more details about it.

At that moment, everyone was gathered in Legolas's room along with all the visitors to the palace. Prayers were being said for the prince in several different languages for around Middle Earth.

"I heard it from my grandfather." Said an elderly Hobbit who was currently laying a valued religous heirloom next the prince's bed along with the all the others that were already piled there. "He said that his heart would go out to whoever the curse touched."

Christine, who was dabbing Legolas's pale and sweaty face, gave the Hobbit a small nod. Legolas didn't seem to be getting any better. It was breaking her heart more every day. Would she ever see his smiling face again? Would she ever feel his touch, his kiss, or his arms around her again? Those were some of the questions that plagued her mind every day and every night.

"I don't suppose he told you anything about how to defeat the curse?" Elrond asked, who was currently guiding people in and out of the hall.

"Sadly no." the Hobbit said and left the room with a sigh.

"We will find a way to save him." Elrond said, laying a hand on Christine's shoulder.

"I hope so." she said softly, wiping tears from her eyes. And with that, Elrond decided that Legolas needed to be left alone and escorted everyone out and told them they could come back the next day. He did, however, allow Christine to stay with Legolas. She smiled her thanks and continued to watch Legolas and moniter his vital signs.

It was cruel, she thought, how it had set in so quickly. It had only been a day since they had heard about it and it was already in affect. It just wasn't fair. They had had no time to properly research the curse and learn of what it would do ahead of time. Now it was too late. The curse had the Elf she loved in it's claws and didn't appear as though it would let go anytime soon.

'It's too bad that Giles and the Scooby Gang aren't real.' she thought offhandedly, thinking of her favourite show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The show had a character named Giles who would help the main character, being Buffy, to research whatever it is she had to fight along with her friends who were the scooby gang. Christine smiled as thought of how she had told Legolas about them. He'd been amused by how much she knew about the show and how much of a fan she was.

It was good to think about happier times with him, she decided. That way, whatever the outcome, she would be able to think back to all the good times they had had together. As much as she hated to admit it, Elrond was right. She really did have to learn to accept that both possible outcomes of this were very real: one of triumph, and one of defeat. Still, she would not let go of Legolas without a fight.

At that moment, the Elf was motionless with his eyes staring unseeingly straight ahead. You would never guess that he was alive at the moment save for the fact that his chest rose very lightly with his breathing. It was when an Elf's eyes closed that they left the world according to Elrond.

Christine stayed with Legolas all night, never leaving his side. When she became too tired to stay awake, she curled up next to him on the bed and fell asleep.

Hello, my love.

Christine's eyes flew open at the sound of Legolas's voice. To her surprise, she saw him laying next to her looking very much awake and no longer pale and sick.

"Legolas! you're okay!" she exclaimed.

The Elf looked at her sadly. I am still sick my love. In fact, I am dying.

"But-"

It has come to pass. The prophets of the curse have told me so. I am going to leave this world.

Legolas reached out and touched her cheek. His fingers were cold as ice. Christine started at the sharp sensation of it.

I want you to know that I will always love you with all my heart. Take care, Christine.

And with that, Legolas faded into a mist. The next second Christine found herself sitting up in the bed, a cold sweat drenching her skin. 'What just happened there?' she wondered.

Her chest heaving, she looked around to find that everything was the same as it had been. She'd had a dream. A nightmare to be more accurate. Just then, Gandalf entered the room carrying a tray with cups and a pot of tea. He took one look at Christine's current state and rushed to her side.

"Are you alright? what happened?"

Trying to calm herself, she answered the wizard. "I-I had a dream about Legolas...or I think I did...it felt so real."

"It's alright...calm yourself my lady." Gandalf gently patted her back. "Tell me about your dream."

"Well," Christine said, still shaking considerably, "I was laying in bed and I suddenly saw Legolas laying next to me...The only thing was he looked well again..."

In an effort to help calm her nerves, Gandalf made her a cup of tea and handed it to her. Christine smiled at him as best she could and sipped it before continuing. Gandalf listened intently as she gave him the rest of the chilling details of the dream. Afterwards, Gandalf looked her in eyes before speaking.

"Know that this was just a dream, Christine. There is no reason to believe that it shall come to pass."

"I just can't help but worry, Gandalf."

The old wizard smiled gently. "I know. But you must also have faith."

"I do."

"But it is on shaky ground." Gandalf said, glancing at her.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that I don't believe he will get well again." Christine tenderly touched Legolas's cheek.

"Please get better..." she said softly to him. "Please."