Elladan and Elrohir gasped in surprise and relief. "Estel! Don't ever do that to us again!" they exclaimed. To their even greater surprise, he sat up before they could even reach out to help him up. He reassured them by opening his tunic. There was only a faint scar to show what had happened.

Aragorn engulfed them both in a big hug. "I didn't plan on it, and I really am not looking forward to a reoccurrence so you can rest assured that I will do my best to avoid it." He grinned at their bafflement. "Oh well, let's go home. Or do you still need to go after that herb? I sort of lost track of time, you know."

Elrohir laughed. "I went there and back very quickly, the back mainly due to Grandmother. Let's go home and make that antidote so Legolas will know why I am out for his blood!"

Aragorn chuckled quizzically. "What are you talking about?"

His brothers traded a look of concern. "Don't you remember," Elladan asked, "Legolas stabbed you and you called out for Father and he heard you so we came."

"Oh." Aragorn was silent for a moment. "But that was probably just because of the poison wasn't it?"

The twins laughed humorlessly. "I'm sure it was, but I'm not going to let him off easily anyway. Besides, I wonder how we are going to get the antidote into him. If he's forgotten you, he probably also forgot that we are friends so we will have to catch him off-guard somehow."

Volleying suggestions among them, they mounted the two horses, the twins sharing Lon while Aragorn rode Mel.

~+~

Thranduil sighed heavily as he looked out the window for the umpteenth time. His bond to his son had been weakening steadily for days and was now barely a thread. He only knew that Legolas was still alive. On a better note, he was beginning to bond with Elorien, though the young elf was barely related to him by blood. The scout had been a comfort to him and Thranduil was very pleased with that decision.

"I stare out and look to the (west)

Awaiting the glorious feast

That I will prepare on the day you return

The day that my sorrow will cease

And I've waited day after day

Hoping you'd come home to stay

Wondring if you're already on your way

I fall to my knees and pray

Please come home to the house of your father

I am watching the road

I am praying that you will return

For I am missing you so

There's so much I am wanting to tell you

So much I have to give

And I'm waiting for you to come home

To let you know I love you."

He wondered where Legolas was now. So many days had passed, it seemed. He could be anywhere. A bird caught his eye and he realized it was a messenger pigeon. With trembling hands, he caught it and unrolled the letter.

"Thranduil," it read without any pretense of formality, "Legolas seems to be getting worse, judging by what happened a few days ago. He came across Aragorn and tended a wound he had received though he was under the impression that they had only just fought the orcs here in Imladris and had been under some spell that sent them away. However, within a few hours, he attacked Aragorn with a dagger and nearly killed him, then stole his horse. My son is better, but yours is not. We are looking for him though, for I have the antidote ready. Be aware, though, that while it will counter the poison, it may be some time for his memories are restored. I will update you on our progress, though, rest assured. Elrond." It was dated the same day.

Thranduil gaped in shock. He had realized that Legolas had lost memories but it was still difficult to comprehend that he would actually attack Aragorn. But Aragorn was a man, and to his sorrow, the king had raised his son to be wary of men. Dropping the letter, he slumped down in his seat and said a prayer to Iluvatar for the protection of both his son and the ones sent out to bring him back.

~+~

Legolas had avoided coming near Rivendell, though his horse seemed intent on heading in that direction. Instead, the elf went around and continued west, though slower now since his mount was tired from the long journey of his rider. Though he hated to do so, Legolas had forced himself to stop for a few hours each night to allow the horse rest. Now he was passing through a wet marshland and the going was even slower.

The prince was forced to walk, leading the stolen horse. Looking at its bridle for the first time, he realized that there was a name written on it in Tengwar. "Ara?" He mused aloud for the sound of his own voice since he hadn't heard another's in he didn't know how long. "That's a strange name. I wonder who that man stole you from." Then he wondered, "I wonder whom the man was that I stole you from?" Then he gave up on the thought and continued on, trying to ignore the bugs swarming around them.