Ok, shortish chapter coming up. Just adding a bit of extra info…oh, and they're about to enter Imladris…AT LAST! It's taken them ages to get there, what with the fire and all the fights. Dolenmíl had to get herself hurt, didn't she. Oh well, at least Legolas can get all emotional again…SORRY GWYN! ANGST RETURNING IN NEXT FEW CHAPTERS, PROMISE! ^_^

~Lainfaer~

Gwyn- Ok, angst returned…and its going again….BUT IT WILL BE BACK!!! PROMISE!!! Sorry! ^_^

Elerrina- Yes, Balaremel too! Heehee, I'm evil! Yeah, she'll get better. She's a girl!!!! ^_^

Kitsune- Read on and you'll find out. Thanks for reviewing.  

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Chapter 19: Recovery.

The sombre search party waited in the main clearing for Elrond and the rest of the group to arrive. They had found the last Elf, who had not survived the attack. No Elves had survived the attack.

They buried the dead as before. Over 50 of the original 200 Elves had been lost, and they weren't even back at Rivendell yet. King Thranduil would be devastated at losing so many of his best warriors, especially his Captain. A new Captain would now have to be chosen.  

Elrond took the news of the dead Elves badly. "This is not good," he said grimly as they rested that night. They had had no other choice. It was exceedingly dark by now, and they had camped in the clearing. No one would go anywhere near the burial mound, except to pay their respects and lay flowers.

Legolas would not leave Dolenmíls' side. A small tent was erected just for her, and he sat beside her, always holding her hand. Only Elrond was allowed to enter, unless they wanted their heads bitten off by a very emotional Legolas.

"Your heart may be breaking,

But try not to cry.

I will be here for you,

Keep those eyes dry.

Whilst I am here,

You have no need to grieve.

By your side forever,

And all eternity.

The sun still shines,

Yet to me your eyes seem grey.

Make them shine like the sun,

From now on, every day.

Cry no more my love,

The time has arrived.

For you to dry your eyes and,

Forget you ever cried.

Hush now Dolenmíl,

I am here for you.

Wipe your tears away,

Crying, you need not do."

His eyes brimmed over with tears as he remembered that time in his tent, when she had tuned to him when she needed someone. Out of everyone else around, she had chosen him! And what had he done? Ruined their friendship, and possible relationship, by kissing her at the wrong time.

"Hush now Legolas,

I am here for you.

Wipe your tears away,

Crying, you need not do."

Legolas' head snapped down to look into a pair of deep brown eyes. She was awake!

"Dolenmíl," he whispered, stroking her forehead.

She smiled weakly up at him. "Was that right? Or did I get the words wrong?"

He smiled back. "No, they were right. Thank Eru you're awake. I've been so worried."

"Hush, that doesn't matter now." She tried to sit up, but Legolas gently pushed her back down. "You need to rest."

"I have rested enough," she assured him. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her eyes were half-shut.

"Of course you have," he answered sarcastically; quickly rubbing any remaining tears or tear stains away. But Dolenmíl was quick, even if she was half-asleep.

"You've been crying," she said softly. Her hand reached up to stroke his cheek.

"Only a little," he assured her.

She wasn't fooled. "I'm so sorry Legolas," she whispered.

"There is nothing to apologise for," he answered, taking her hand in his, and holding both of them together. "It's over now. We're nearly in Imladris."

"Are we?"

"Yes, not far to go. Rest some more now. I must fetch Lord Elrond, tell him you're awake."

"Don't leave me," she begged, gripping his hands tightly. "When I was unconscious, I had dreams."

He frowned. "What sort of dreams?"

"Nightmares. Oh Legolas, they were awful. But I was ok, because I could always feel you there, by my side. If you leave, I'll have to fight them on my own."

"Who's they?"

"Orcs, demons, everything evil. Please Legolas, stay. Send someone else for him."

"Alright, alright, don't panic. Just hang on a moment." He went to the tent flap to where Rédethuil was standing guard.

"Fetch Lord Elrond," Legolas instructed him. "Dolenmíl has awoken."
"Yes my Lord," Rédethuil replied, a smile lighting up his face. He hurried off.

Legolas went straight back to Dolenmíls' side and took her hand again. She smiled thinly at him. "Diolla lle."

"I'll stay here as long as you want me to," he promised, kissing her hand. She laughed. "My angel."

"Your Prince," he corrected, grinning. She laughed again, wincing slightly at the pain in her chest.

"Be careful, don't injure yourself even more!" he warned.

"I'm fine, stop fussing!" He smiled affectionately at her. She smiled back.

"Legolas, about before, the kiss and everything…" but he cut her off.

"That doesn't matter. All that matters now is that you recover, and we get to Imladris safely. Hopefully, we won't encounter any more attacks. Just a few miles to go."

"Ok then."

They talked for a while before Elrond arrived. "Ah Dolenmíl, nice of you to join us again," he said smiling.

She smiled back. "Its nice to be back my Lord."

He walked over and started examining her. "These are healing well already," he commented, pointing to the cuts on her arms. "As for the wound on your abdomen, that will take a little longer. Do you hurt anywhere else?"

"No," she replied quickly, glancing at Legolas. He frowned. "I thought your chest was hurting?"

"It's only bruised," she assured him. He raised an eyebrow, but said no more.

"Here, rub some athelas on it when you are well enough, and that should help the bruising go down," Elrond told her, giving it to Legolas. She nodded. "Thank you my Lord."

"If you need anything else, just send for me." He smiled at them, then left with Rédethuil following.

Legolas looked icily at Dolenmíl. "Your chest was really hurting just now, I could see that. Its not just bruising is it?"
"I'm sure it is. Don't worry Legolas, you do that far too much already. And stop raising your eyebrow. It's rather intimidating. It makes you look like your father."

"Thanks!"

She laughed.

"No problem."

****

They left the clearing two days later when Dolenmíl was able to ride again. Legolas insisted on riding beside her though. "I don't want you passing out suddenly and falling off," he told her as they set off once again.

"I'm not going to pass out," she promised.

"You don't know that. You kept doing it the other day."

"I'm much better now, thanks to you and Lord Elrond."

"Well, if you do faint, I'm going to have to be the one who carries you. And when you wake up, you will get a serious telling off, understand?"

"Yes Sir!" she answered, saluting. He laughed.

"No need to take be sarcastic about it!" She grinned, and they continued on their way.

It did not take them long to reach the borders of Imladris. The valley lay out below them like a beautiful picture, painted to perfection. The sun was shining high above them, yet an unseen darkness lay over the usually cheerful valley.

"He has almost achieved his goal," Gandalf said grimly, coming up beside Elrond and Elladan. Legolas and Dolenmíl remained at the back.  

"It's so dark and quiet," Elladan said in a whisper.

"Now lies our most dangerous journey yet. Our journey into Imladris itself," Elrond informed them. "Will someone please fetch Legolas"

Elladan when back to get him. Everyone was quiet, as they knew they were almost there.

"Legolas, father wishes you to be at the front. I'll stay here with Dolenmíl."

Legolas took a deep breath. "Very well." He looked at Dolenmíl. "Behave!"

She grinned cheekily, and he trotted up to the front.

"My Lord?" he asked, reaching Elrond and Gandalf.

"There lies Imladris." Elrond informed him, pointing out over the picturesque valley.

Legolas looked. It looked as beautiful and wonderful as ever before, but he could sense the darkness hovering above it. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of the Dagnir-o Lóre taking over this beautiful haven.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked, looking at the Elf-Lord beside him.

"Let's go."

Then the action starts up again! So, please review with your thoughts on that, and chapter 20 will be along very soon. ^_^

~Lainfaer~