Legolas took off his tunic revealing the dagger and the bloody wound he still hadn't treated other then the makeshift bandages he used to cover the small protruding dagger.

He undid the bandages and hissed in pain as he pulled the dagger from his stomach. A red waterfall of crimson flowed from the wound. He leaned back against the wall for a moment before he dealt with the wound.

The prince sighed and fell back against the bed tunic less and his stomach covered in thick layers of bandages. Eventually he finally managed to drift off to sleep just as the sun rose slowly to greet the new day.

Legolas woke up rather late that morning and rushed to get ready. He crossed the gardens and walked next to Aragorn as Legolas finished buttoning his tunic.

Aragorn frowned for he knew it was unlikely for his friend to sleep that later. He searched his friend intently and sighed when gray eyes met blue. " Legolas what is it that troubles you my friend?" He asked upon noting the sad look in those blue eyes and his heart crumbled when he saw the anguish swimming in his soul.

" Nothing troubles me my friend. Worry not about me Estel." Legolas responded as he forced a smile on his face.

Aragorn narrowed his eyes. Memories flooded back into his mind the last time Legolas was like this after the struggle to survive. " Legolas I know you better then that, and I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't worry about you. Now tell me before we gather for the meeting."

" Aragorn..." He sighed and paused for a moment. " I... It's.. nothing." Legolas finished.

Aragorn sighed in exasperation, but their conversation was cut short as they entered their destination, the counsel area.

Legolas sighed and broke off from Aragorn and sat on the other side of the circle. He glanced around the area at the other elves attending the meeting.

Elrond sat at the head of the circle with his twin son's on either side and Glorfindel sat next to Elladan. Next came the dwarf, the man of Gondor, Aragorn, Frodo, and last but not least Gandalf.

Legolas sat on the other side of Glorfindel. He sighed as he put on his mask and buried his anguish deep into his soul. He knew he had to be careful with all the other elves around. He pushed his thoughts away and stood suddenly to defend his friend. " He is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn."

All eyes turned to the prince in shock at his sudden out burst. Aragorn looked calmly up at Legolas from the chair in which he sat. " Havo dad Legolas." Though his tone said quite clearly ' now is not the time.'

In resignation Legolas obeyed, but still he kept a weary eye trained untrustingly on the man of Gondor, Bromir. Once again another outburst against the dwarf broke out.

" I will take the ring!" The hobbit shouted as he stepped out into the fray of conversation.

Legolas followed Aragorn's lead and soon the fellowship was formed.

Soon the fellowship set out, and once again the prince of Mirkwood fell into silence while the Gondor human taught the hobbits how to wield a sword. Legolas stood on a rock and gazed out into the distance. " they come." He warned the gray wizard and the dwarf who sat near by.

Quickly the camp was effectively destroyed and all were silent hiding under the brush of the plains.

Legolas followed the others as they made their decisions on path of travels staying silent and kept his gaze on the surrounding area. Finally they had to turn back from the snowy mountain. They turned back and headed into Moria. The fair beings heart was weighed heavily down from the darkness. " Mithrandir.. we should turn back..." Legolas whispered to the wizard as the feeling of dread that was rising in the pit of his stomach grew.

Aragorn turned a concerned look at Legolas as they braced the doors of the tomb.

The orcs came and the elf was frozen in terror for a split moment. He took his sword out and slashed at them. He then took his bow and with lightening reflexes killed the cave troll pursuing Frodo. He watched intently for a moment with baited breath until Frodo moved. He breathed a deep sigh of relief and took off again.

They flew down the old crumbling stairways of the mines and without seemingly touching the ground they crossed the narrow bridge over the deep darkness of the seemingly bottomless hole.

Suddenly the orcs pulled away and a creature darker then the night, yet brighter than the brightest flame came after the fellowship.

Gandalf stepped forwards to battle the balrog and the fellowship watched helplessly with baited breath.

" You shall not pass!" Gandalf's cry echoed through all that was present. Gandalf drove down his staff onto the bridge and Legolas watched as the bridge crumbled beneath the Balrog.

" Fly you fools!" Gandalf's last shout was like a knife that cut deeply through the elf. ' I failed... again...' he thought as he let his feet lead him away.

He stood on the ledge of a near by cliff outside of Moria. The wind whipped his blonde hair into his face covering his sorrow and grief filled face. His blue eyes shone clearly in anguish and the guilt and grief weighed heavily in his soul and anchored him to the spot. Legolas didn't hear the others calling to him nor did he respond to his surroundings as he stared blankly at the bottom of the cliff.

"Legolas?!" Aragorn called as he came to stand behind him.

Legolas still didn't respond to Aragorn for he didn't hear him. He was lost in his own contemplation. ' All I ever do is cause those close to me pain. Either in life or death I cause them pain... there is no way to escape it..' he thought bitterly to himself.

"Legolas..." Aragorn said with worry and concern etched in his voice. When his friend still didn't answer he place a hand on his shoulder.

Legolas started at the touch and came from his bitter thoughts. His voice was detached and void of all feeling. " What is it Aragorn?" He asked in a soft voice.

Aragorn was startled by the sudden change in Legolas and he tried to see into his friend's eyes. His worry and concern deepened when Legolas avoided his gaze. Aragorn sighed and said. " We must get moving before the orcs swarm the hills." When Legolas made no response Aragorn dragged him away from the cliff.

TBC....