LazarusZ--hope this is soon enough for you :) It's all ready finished, so the updates shouldn't take too long. Sorry to cause you such pain ;)

Sirnonenath-- Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words :)

Hee, hee, a biiiiiiiig hug to my first reviewers! Here ya go:

Legolas awoke the next morning, his arms flailing from the events in his dreams. He felt like weeping in despair as the hobbits' pale faces circled in his head. 'Will whatever ailment that has befallen me ever be lifted?' he wondered. Rolling onto his side slowly, Legolas stretched, trying to forget his dream. 'It is just a dream,' he told himself forcefully. 'It is not real. It does not mean anything.'

Through heavy lidded eyes, Legolas looked up at his opened balcony doors. The sunlight spilled in from the sun now peaking over the horizon. Its bright rays caught the silver hair, causing it to glimmer.

Legolas shot upright in his bed with a soft cry of surprise and disbelief. He blinked rapidly in the barest of hope that the figure in front of him would disappear. It did not.

"Peace, Prince of Mirkwood." The figure spoke in Haldir's voice, smiled in Haldir's way, moving in a small bow as Haldir would.

"Nay...you-you," Legolas stuttered, caught completely off guard. His mind was racing as his breathing started to hitch in his throat.

"Breathe, fair Prince," Haldir instructed gently. "Are you not happy to see me?"

"I...it cannot be you!" Legolas exclaimed, his cobalt eyes wide.

"Why not?" Haldir cocked his head as he paced back and forth in front of the bed.

"You are dead!" Legolas gaped at the marchwarden whom he never thought he would see or talk to again. Yet, he was only a few steps in front of him.

"Ah, yes. I am, am I not? Dead. The word holds a ring of finality to it. Would you not agree?" Haldir stopped in front of Legolas.

"Aye," Legolas answered, swallowing hard. A part of him wanted to jump up and embrace the Lorien elf. The reason why he did not was because something was dreadfully wrong. 'It is possible for an elf to be brought back. Glorfindel is proof of that. But, he is not...the same. Ghosts exist, as I have witnessed.'

"Yet, my death was not so final. Nay, for here I am." Haldir's grey-blue eyes bore into Legolas's eyes. "And it is not because the all-mighty Valor," Haldir spat the words out mockingly, "decided to help me. They have forsaken me."

"Nay, they would not," Legolas protested. He wondered if this was another dream. 'It has to be. I am dreaming. Haldir is not truly here. More cruel tricks of my subconscious,' Legolas thought numbly.

"Oh, you are quite awake, Legolas." Haldir's lips turned up into a sneer. "And they have. I apologize. Have I upset you by telling you that the gods we worship so reverently are not as kind and just as everyone thinks?"

"Stop it. You are not Haldir," Legolas whispered, searching the familiar face for some sign of his old friend.

"But I am," Haldir countered. "I would be careful if I was you, Prince. Death is a very final event for mortals."

"You put those dreams in my head," Legolas accused.

"Did I? Remember, Prince, that elves are known to have prophetic dreams. Perhaps some part of you already knows what is to come."

"Nay."

Haldir continued as he backed away, "They will all die. The hobbits will go, and then the dwarf, the wizard, and your human friend. Then who will be left for you? Mirkwood will soon be overrun and taken over. Elves will flee in flocks to the sea. And you," Haldir gleefully said, "you, Legolas, will be alone until your grief consumes you."

Legolas shook his head. He would not believe it. His head began to pound. A vice grip constricted his throat, causing him to struggle for every breath. His heart beat filled his head as it sped up and then went into an odd pattern.

{The rest of the Fellowship shall fall...}

"Legolas, are you awake?"

With a gasp, Legolas fell onto the floor in a heap.

"Legolas? Is everything all right? Glorfindel is almost ready to depart," Thranduil called through the door.

"I am coming," Legolas replied, trying to sound normal.

Thranduil hesitated on the other side of the door. Every day he grew more and more concerned for his son. But he did not know what to do. 'What could it be that plagues him? Elrond will be able to help him. He has to help him, because he is my last hope.' The elven king sighed, not wanting to think about Elrond not being able to help Legolas, and Legolas continuing on like this.

"I shall be down as quickly as possible," Legolas's voice floated out to him with more strength behind it.

"There is a light meal ready for you."

"I am not hungry this morn."

"You barely ate what was brought to you last night," Thranduil reminded him.

"Father, please!"

"Fine," Thranduil relented. 'Elrond will cure him. He will be back to normal when he returns.' "Come down when you are ready."

Legolas waited until he was sure his father had left. Then he shifted until his cheek was resting against the cool floor. 'I was not dreaming.' With a sudden burst of determination, Legolas stood in one fluid movement as if challenging that inner voice that sounded so weary and resigned.

'I will not dwell on this now.' He was tired and hungry, but that was not going to hold him back. Sleep was filled with horrors, and food made him queasy. 'I am a Mirkwood warrior and prince. Now I must act as one.' Mind set, he began to dress and pack appropriately for the upcoming journey. 'If only I could speak with Estel. I need to know if this is happening to anyone else.'

Not even an hour later the two blonde elves were prepared to go. They stood outside b their horses, small packs all ready strapped on. Thranduil stepped forward and handed a sealed letter to Glorfindel. "Give this to Lord Elrond upon arrival, if you will."

"Of course, my king." Glorfindel bowed swiftly. Then he tucked the letter into his tunic.

"And you, Little Greenleaf," Thranduil started, turning to study his son.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Everything will be fine, Father. And no, I do not need Lord Elrond to examine me."

Thranduil arched an eyebrow. 'Whatever you say, my son.' Aloud he said, "Do not cause too much trouble for Glorfindel or Elrond."

Allowing a slight smile, Legolas then bowed as Glorfindel had.

"Have a safe journey. May the Valor keep watch over you," Thranduil concluded, resting one hand on each of the elves' shoulders.

"Do not worry. I think I can still keep up with Greenleaf." Glorfindel grinned at the prince.

Legolas chuckled. "You are that old."

They mounted their steeds. The horses whinnied before turning and speeding off. Thranduil stayed and watched until he lost sight of them. 'I have a bad feeling. What mischief will you stumble upon this time, Legolas?'

Meanwhile, the two elves rode hard out of the forest of Mirkwood. Neither spoke much, leaving each other to their own thoughts. Legolas was grateful for that; his thoughts held him tightly wrapped, and he could not shake himself from the endless loop. Haldir's face stayed always behind his eyelids, and Legolas knew he would not find solace in any dreamscape.

Night time fell far too quickly for Legolas's liking. Glorfindel spotted a good area for them to make camp for the night. Legolas said he would care for the horses and set camp, leaving Glorfindel to gather some firewood. Once all the tasks were completed, the two companions sat next to each other by the fire in silence. When it came time to sleep, Legolas opted to take the first watch.

Legolas knew he was not going to sleep this night. He did not want to risk Glorfindel finding out about his nightmares. Also, he was grasping onto the shreds of normalcy and sanity that were left, and every time he slipped from awareness he was stripped of what he had. Even if those reasons kept Legolas awake, they did not fight off the exhaustion clinging to him.

The moon rose in the sky slowly. Legolas grew restless at the same time he was fighting against the irresistible lull of sleep. He knew that if he tried to rest, he would be instantly asleep. His efforts to keep his mind occupied were not working.

Then it was time to wake Glorfindel for his watch. Legolas knew it would be easier for him to take both watches, but Glorfindel would be upset if he awoke in the morning to find he had slept through his turn. So Legolas stretched and tried to wake up his mind and body as best as he could. Then he approached the elder elf. Glorfindel slept peacefully, the serenity on the ancient Balrog-slayer's face seeming to mock Legolas.

"Glorfindel," Legolas whispered, shaking the elf gently.

With an audible intake of breath, Glorfindel awoke, blinking a few times before focusing on Legolas. He gave a short nod of acknowledgement and understanding. The prince stood back up and stretched once more. Finally, he reluctantly lay down on the ground, pulling a blanket over him. The night was somewhat warm with an occasional, chilly breeze. Bright stars framed the moon and shinned down on the travelers.

By the time the moon took refuge under the horizon, Legolas was exhausted. He had rested on his side, facing away from Glorfindel, not moving for fear the elder elf would figure out he was not sleeping. Those hours had been almost as torturous had Legolas slept. His dead Lorien friend's face was recreated by every shadow amongst the trees. Every gust of wind held his voice, and all Legolas could think when he looked at the moon was that Haldir's hair had been that shade of silver. A flurry of doubt, eagerness, and anxiousness circled in Legolas's head regarding the "meeting" he had had with Haldir only the morning last.

When dawn at last came, Legolas thought, 'This has been one of the longest nights of my life. Helm's Deep might be the only one that beat this.' The unchecked memory rose bitterly in Legolas's mind, and the elf flinched and shuddered. Haldir has died that night.

With less grace than usual, the Mirkwood prince rose from his make-shift bed before Glorfindel decided to wake him. He nodded and mumbled a greeting to Glorfindel.

"Good morning, Legolas. Did you not rest easily?"

"Do I look that bad?" Legolas smiled, but Glorfindel could tell that it did not hold much mirth.

"Not so bad."

"That is a safe answer."

"So it is. Come and break your fast with me." Glorfindel handed out a hunk of lembas bread in offering.

"Nay," he declined. His hunger had died away to easily ignored ebbs of dull emptiness.

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow but did not pursue the issue. Instead, he quickly ate and helped Legolas break camp. Not long after, they were heading onward.

Another day and night passed in much of the same manner. Glorfindel protested when the next morning Legolas still refused to eat. Legolas waved off his protests and busied himself with his horse. Glorfindel thought back to the night last, feeling his concern for Thranduil's son grow.

They had been sitting by the fire across from each other. All of a sudden Legolas's head jerked up. Glorfindel watched Legolas's blue eyes become wide before he turned to look over his shoulder at the spot that captivated his companion. Nothing was there, and all Glorfindel's ears picked up was a bird chirping in the distance. The elder elf had gazed curiously at the prince.

"What is it?" Glorfindel urgently asked.

"What?" Legolas glanced at Glorfindel in startled surprise. Almost unwillingly his eyes drifted over Glorfindel's shoulder before he stammered, "Tis nothing. I just...thought I head something."

It was obvious to Glorfindel that Legolas that Legolas had left something important unsaid. And Glorfindel noticed for a while Legolas stared into the distance with a funny expression on his face. At first, when he had been in Mirkwood, Glorfindel had not been worried and had tried to reassure the king that whatever was bothering his son would go away. Now, however, Glorfindel was not so sure. He gave a silent plea to the Valor that Elrond would be able to assist Legolas.

The sun was still a couple hours from being directly above, although the two elves had been riding for several hours. Legolas was feeling ill, but he knew elves did not catch diseases. Every beat his heart made resounded in his head. Each breath he took scraped against his throat. His saliva was thick. The sun's warmth was boarding unbearable, and tiny beads of perspiration dotted on his forehead.

Legolas would have thought deeper for an explanation for these odd symptoms, but an obscuring veil of silky mist surrounded his head. Any thought that came to him was sluggish, and soon Legolas gave up on trying to think. Yet, a voice remained in his mind, this one piercingly sharp and clear through the shroud. It purred enticing logic to him, persisted that he do as it suggested.

In a burst of self-control, Legolas thought, 'I know they are concerned for me, but they cannot help. Elrond cannot help. I have to get away.' Desperation shot through him. 'Estel will not be able to, either. What choice do I have?'

{None}, the coy voice answered. {This is the only way. Do it. It is the best way for everyone. Do it; do it; do it...}

Legolas struggled to swallow as the voice receded into the sea of mist. With a shuddering inhalation, Legolas croaked, "Mayhap we should rest for a moment."

"Rest?" Glorfindel repeated, surprised. Glancing over at his friend, he took in the worsening of Legolas's appearance. "Of course," he swiftly agreed. With a gentle command, Glorfindel slowed and stopped his horse. Legolas followed suit, and they both dismounted.

A pang of guilt washed over Legolas. For a minute, he almost forgot about the plan. Then the mist soothed over his fretting, and Legolas knew, from somewhere, that he had to continue.

While Glorfindel fussed about with his horse, Legolas scanned the forest floor. Eyes spying what he was looking for, Legolas quickly snatched it. Then he straightened and observed Glorfindel's stance. He had his back to Legolas while he petted and spoke softly to his to horse.

Legolas's blue eyes drifted until they locked onto a pair of grey-ish blue ones. The prince inhaled sharply as always when the seemingly real--but impossibly so--apparition of Haldir appeared. Haldir looked as he usually did, back when he was alive, only now his eyes were cold, the blue coming out like thin but cutting-sharp slabs of ice. Legolas swallowed before turning his attention back to his companion.

Creeping so lightly that not a sound was heard, Legolas moved until he was right behind Glorfindel. Legolas risked a glance back at Haldir. Haldir smirked.

"Forgive me, my friend," Legolas murmured.