Aragorn protested to no avail. He wanted to go along with his brothers when they went after Legolas but nobody would give permission. Though he was an adult by most human standards, Elrond informed him that by Dunadan age, he was still a boy, and thus still under his father's authority.

So he griped and moaned but came up with a plan that would at least assist the searchers. "Legolas won't want anyone coming near him, is my guess, so you will need some other way to get the medicine into him. I'd say the best bet is a dart or arrow dipped in knockout juice. Just hit him in some non-lethal place and then get the antidote down his throat while he is out. If the knockout doesn't work, you might have to fire arrows with the antidote on them."

He grinned at the rather amusing picture this brought to mind. The arrows his brothers were taking were tiny as were the bows, both of which were of a size for a child. He had only watched his brothers practice with them once, but it was entertaining to see them.

As he called Namaarie, standing by his father's side, he wondered where his inspiration for the treatment had come from. Elrond saw his bafflement and said, "It was a good idea, ion nin. My brother would be proud to have such a descendant."

Aragorn furrowed his eyebrows. "Ada? What does Elros have to do with this?"

Elrond chuckled. "When we were children living with Ereinion, Elros came up with many strange ideas. He was very adventurous and so would act upon them without giving heed to the dangers they might pose. One time, he put knockout juice onto some arrows intending to capture an animal as a pet. Unfortunately, Gil-Galad came upon him as he was testing his arrow-tips. He pressed his finger down a little too hard and knocked himself out. And then as he was falling, Ereinion caught him but the quiver of arrows dumped out on him and one cut him as well. One of the king's councilors came looking for him and found the two out cold. He was rather shocked of course and Elros was in deep trouble when he woke up."

Aragorn laughed with him at this picture of his ultimate great-grandfather. Then he looked back at the man he called 'Ada' and said, "And what sort of trouble did you get in? I'm sure he couldn't have done it alone."

Elrond flushed. "Well, I was the one who made stuff for him and it was stronger than I intended so yes I was in trouble." He refused to elaborate, though.

~+~

Elladan and Elrohir once more rode Mel and Lon at amplified speed. The horses had been named by young Estel, who had witnessed the birth of the twin colts. Now both sets of twins hurried away in the direction Legolas had been seen to ride several days earlier. He was easy enough to track, though they found that his steps led to the Midgewater Marsh. It was a dreadful place and they had to go very carefully through it. But they had long legs and the need for speed so they got through to the other side in little time, knowing they were gaining on the prince.

Less than a day later, they saw him in the distance and urged the horses forward, readying their bows.

~+~

Legolas heard horses behind him and tried to urge Ara faster but the horse was having none of that. Those were his stable mates and he wanted to be back in his stable so he refused to go faster than he was. Legolas suddenly heard a whistling and felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He immediately felt woozy and began swaying in rhythm with Ara's steps. The stallion immediately noticed the difference and slowed, trying to keep his rider on.

Legolas held on to consciousness as best he could, feeling betrayed. As he gazed around with dimming eyes, he caught sight of a little man not far away who had a look of concern on his face. Holding his gaze, Legolas fell from his horse.

~+~

Elladan whooped as he saw that the potion had worked. Then he galloped up to catch the prince before he could slam into the ground. As he supported the drooping body, he felt something sharp prick his ankle.

"Hey you, unhand that elf!" Elladan looked down and saw a small bright sword in the hands of a hobbit.

"Bilbo!" He exclaimed. He pulled back his hood so his features could be recognized. "I'm trying to save this idiot's life. Please don't cut off my foot!"

The hobbit blinked. "El?" He said. The twin laughed at his common nickname, used by his brothers and sister as a joke and by everyone else because they honestly couldn't tell him from his twin brother.

"Yes, Bilbo. He got some water from the Enchanted River in his blood and I have to give him the antidote before he harms anyone else. He already almost killed my little brother. You may remember him, Estel, who was ten when you passed through Rivendell last."

Bilbo finally sheathed his sword. "Well, well. Is he all right? I mean are they all right? I am heading to Imladris now myself as a matter of fact. Oh, hello there El."

The twins began to laugh at this last and were joined by the traveler. Elrohir at last managed to calm down and gave a slight bow to the hobbit before uncorking the bottle of medicine he held in his hand. He nodded to Elladan, and the elf steadied Legolas, pinching his jaw to open his mouth. The other poured the entire dose of Thar Moralu down the woodelf's throat.

The effects were instantaneous. Legolas convulsed and then began coughing up horrible fluids with the blackwater poison in them. He finally fell silent with a gasp, and Elladan felt his pulse. It was holding steady and his breathing did not sound so bad. The twin pulled the arrow out at last. It was hardly bigger than a dart, and it had kept the prince unconscious through the proceedings. Elrohir wrapped it with a bandage and helped his brother steady the Woodelf and position him on Mel. Then he dismounted and lifted Bilbo up on Ara after whispering a few words of reassurance into the horse's ear.

The hobbit clung to the horse's mane. He had ridden ponies before, even bareback, but this was a wide horse without a saddle. The elves didn't notice his distress though, and he knew they were worried about the unconscious one so he just held on as the horses headed to Imladris.