**Re-written**

Chapter 6

"You like her don't you?"
These were the words that awoke Legolas from his trance as the Fellowship walked now a day's journey from Rivendell. The elf stronghold had glittered sadly at them as they passed over the ridge, leaving the Last Homely House behind on their long, dark journey.
Legolas frowned at the young man from Gondor beside him. Jacob his name was, a friend of Aragorn's though Legolas did not share his confidence in him. But he would not argue with Aragorn's decision.
"Her - the she-elf! Cassione!"
"She is an old friend"
"Sure" Jacob said sarcastically.
Legolas sighed not having the patience to talk about such subjects with the 'young lad' he'd called him. He was at least half Aragorn's age, hardly a man at all he still carried his boyish face and fingered the lightweight sword at his waist eagerly though Legolas doubted he'd been involved in much battle and would flee at the slightest sign of a fight, a disgrace to the race of Men.
With his mind on other matters as he stormed away from Jacob's unnecessary questions he was concentrating his the path ahead and stumbled this left foot slipping down a rabbit burrow throwing him off balance and finally ungracefully onto the ground.
"Lady Luck doesn't seem to be on your side, does she?" Gimli asked holding out a short hand of the fallen elf. Smiling slightly Legolas took the dwarfs hand and pulled himself up on his feet, but soon regretting it. Pain shot up from his toes up his leg, clenching his teeth Legolas took a few uncertain hops bringing his injured leg down gingerly and quickly returned hopping, the pain in his ankle not leaving. Losing is footing on uneven ground Legolas toppled over once more, rolling down the hill head over heels he came to lie at the feet of Aragorn and Gandalf leading the group.

They paused starting down at Legolas slightly bewildered.

 "On your feet Legolas" Aragorn whispered pulling the muddy elf to his feet. Biting his tongue to stop himself from crying out Legolas wobbled and would have fallen again is Gandalf had not caught his shoulder and steadied him. Aragorn knelt beside him and look at the swelling ankle a frown written across his brow. How did Legolas lose his footing? The ground here was not as steep as many of the paths he has trodden before. And why was his ankle swelling? Once had he seen Legolas stumble but never injure himself before.
"What's the matter Strider?" Pippin asked ducking under Gandalf's arm and interrupting Aragorn's thoughts.
"Nothing to worry over Master Took" Strider replied dryly touching the swollen ankle gentle, now was not the time to carry out an experiment. What should be done? Send him back to Rivendell? Though Elrond had insisted he went with them… What about…?
"Cassione?" he called turning his back.
"Yes" she said stepping towards them.
"I need someone to walk alongside Legolas and support him. Your about the his height and build"

Cassione nodded silently.
"Lean my shoulder"
Legolas protested: "No, I'm fine. Really Aragorn I don't need any help. See" he very gently and convincingly put pressure on his left leg and concealed his pain.

"Stop lying" Aragorn said sharply. "Cassione take his arm and put it across your shoulder"

She obeyed, ignoring Legolas' horrid glares and shudder when she touched his skin.

"Let us move on" Gandalf called setting the pace hiding his concern Elrond's worried voice cut across his mind: "I have seen the evil and powerless in Legolas eyes – it scares me."

Since the Gap of Rohan in too close to Isnegard and the south passage unsafe the only option was over the mountains of Caradhras, a snowy, treacherous path even on the best days.

The following days the company pressed on with letter rest with Aragorn leading the group, Gandalf behind, then the three hobbits, Sam, Merry and Pippin, Jacob, Gimli, and Cassione supporting Legolas despite his best effects to escape her bringing up the rear.
Even at the base of the mountain the air felt icily though the grass green and lushes under their feet the greenery round them spoke whispering words to the two elves. If he could hear them Legolas would have understand why the trees, even the blades of grass avoided the company as they passed, but he walked deafened to their words by a world of pain and fear.

  On the gentle cold slopes the company briefly rested each taking a small amount of food and water. Aragorn joined Legolas and noticed the pained expression on his face.

"Are you alright?" Aragorn asked, pausing from unscrewing his water skin.

Legolas nodded slightly, stretching his long legs out in front of him. "I am fine just feeling the toils of many days bed rest"

Aragorn cast a sideways glance at him before draining the contents of the water skin into his mouth. He had missed neither the embarrassed tone in Legolas' face nor the self loathing look in his eyes. He was beating himself up over his fall four days ago which still pained him. Was it physical pain or pride which hurt more? He could not tell.

Casting an alert eye up at the sun Aragorn rose declaring enough rest and turned to pick up his pack, bumping into Cassione as she went to aid Legolas.

A brief smile passed between the two; for he too had memories of their time together when they were smaller, though his memories more foggy then the other twos he could remember they'd adventures into the once safe woods of Mirkwood. Oh how he'd never forget the events, which changed him, but still thirty years latter he was still unaware the difference the same events had on his close friend, whom sat nearby, wounded.

That very evening Aragorn turned under his blanket; it was his turn to watch in an hour's time. There was little point tiring to sleep now with the wind howling outside. He arose from his bed a stepped silently over the sleeping forms around him to join Gandalf in the cave entrance on watch.
"Go back to sleep it is not your time to watch" the wizard said without tuning, his robes causing the white snow to look grey in the night air.
"I find no comfort listening to the sounds of the mountains, nor the sounds of sleeping company."
Gandalf chuckled of course he knew Aragorn was referring to the snores of Gimli, a sound that bounces off the walls of the cave despite being turned over by the Ranger in an attempt to still the noise. In truth it was not that, that kept him awake in was the thoughts of Legolas that had kept in awake, though he wouldn't admit to the wizard.
"Have you seen how he sleeps?"
Frowning Aragorn asked what he had meant.
"Legolas, have you seen the way he sleeps?"
That had taken the Ranger by surprise. Gandalf turned to him but did not smile as he normally did even at the disbelief on Aragorn's face. He was deadly serious.
Turning back inwards the cave Aragorn's face soon fell at the sight of his sleeping friend - his eyes were closed.

"What does this mean, Gandalf?" Aragorn said sitting beside the wizard after controlling his surprise and fear.

"You saw?" The wizard responded calmly.
"Yes, his eyes are closed. But what does this mean?"
"It means that we indeed underestimated are enemy"
"Sauron? But I thought"
"Has your emotions blinded you to everything I have said n Rivendell?" the wizard looked up at the man, the Rangers words failing.
"No, I..." Feeling defeated Aragorn slumped, his head in his hands looking defeated and very concerned. "But he, I mean how could"
"He has grown stronger then I had thought possible in this short time. I fear that..." Gandalf could not finish his voice now hitched with concern. "I fear we will be too late when we arrive" he managed to say.
"In more then one way" Aragorn whispered suddenly understanding.
"Yes"
"The race of elves is doomed if we fail"
"They will be mortal"
"Like Legolas"
"A cruel practice"
They turned and faced the cave behind them; truly there was only one elf inside not two.
"Yet she pities him"
"She does?" Aragorn questioned the numbing sensation slowing fading
"I believe she understands what this means for the elves."
"Does Elrond know?"
"He knows something is wrong, but he was unable to but a finger on it sort of speak. I need you to look after him, Aragorn he is not use to pain like Men"
The Ranger nodded.
"He will be like a child, needing to learn everything over again. He wont be able to see great distances anymore, or hear the tress whisper, or keep his sharp senses, or his ability to speak elvish fluently and worse of all he won't be able to see the stars at first. Please teach him the things he has lost, or he will suffer further then he already has cutting his mortal life even shorter. He must learn things in a mortal way if he wishes to live"
The numbing feeling came back to the Ranger as Gandalf spoke.
"Is there any way he would become -?"
"No, that cannot be undone"

They sat in a shocked silence, the stars twinkling above them.
"Without the stars his world will be dark" Gandalf rose cutting the silence.
Darkness. A fear Legolas must fight, it will be as dark as it was that day in Mirkwood thirty years ago.
"Even darker" Gandalf whispered disappearing in the cave his watch now up.

This was going to be a hell of a challenge.