Sorry if the formatting is out of whack! My computer finally went off the deep end! -- Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I hope I can fix it soon!

Chapter seven

Deceiver

Legolas posed no resistance as he was picked roughly up by some other elves. They gripped him under his arms and one took his feet. In this way they 'carried' the limp elven prince to a horse that was waiting. He couldn't resist even if he had the will, which was gone. He had lost it when he had lost control over his body movement. He noticed it was becoming more difficult to breathe. The drug's paralyzing effect was getting into his lungs and shutting them down or at least slowing them.

The elves carrying the ranger carefully lifted the human, aware of his many injuries. They did not want to be part of this murderous revolt. They felt no hate towards the king or Legolas, but out of fear of the madness of Iaurgwath, they did not go against him. They still remembered the cold killing of their friends.

Minutes later they were being held across the chest against one of Iaurgwath's followers. Legolas was the hardest burden for any of the other elves to bear. He was limp and could make no effort to keep himself on the horse. His captor had to do it all for him. The prince's head lolled limply to the side, resting on his shoulder. He was almost gasping for breath.

Aragorn felt his own heart wrench at the sight. He could tell his friend was in pain. For every time the horse jolted on a bump or shied, Legolas's eyes went wide in agony. The ranger watched the prince shut his eyes tight when the horse neighed and his elven ears, sharpened even more, picked up the loud, high pitched sound, causing acute anguish. Legolas didn't open his eyes again, he had lost consciousness. Aragorn was extremely worried now, was the anodyne that Iaurgwath given him fatal? Was Legolas dying? The human prayed to the Valar he was not. If Legolas died, he knew he would not last much longer himself before a broken heart would still him.

Thranduil mounted his white stallion. As he mounted, the animal shied sideways. Heeling the horse the opposite way, he forced it to ride on. "Noro lim. Noro lim." The elven king rode off into the dark forest of Mirkwood alone. His son was out there and he intended to find him and bring him home.

Elladan slowly approached Lord Elrond. Elrohir followed behind. He tried his best to stay in his twin's shadow. "Ada?" No response. "Ada!" Elladan persisted. The elven lord spun around.

"Elladan?" His gaze went behind the elder twin to fall upon Elrohir. The raven-haired elf shrank back. Then he stopped and his gaze became defiant. "What are you doing? Elrohir, you should be resting!" A look of mixed concern and edging wrath crossed Elrond's face. Elrohir did not move. His gaze remained fixed.

"Ada!" cried Elladan, "Estel is out there! We have to find he and Legolas before it's too late!" Elrond shut his eyes and passed a weary hand over his brow. Elrohir took this as a sign of denial and pleaded;

"Ada! Please! You must let us! You must!" The younger twin's face blanched as he realized their request was being turned down. Elladan felt anger towards his father slowly building, it was one of the few times he had ever been angry or dared to go against his father's judgment even in thought.

Elladan said in a voice thick with held back anger, "Ada! You cannot deny this to us! We chose to live with the rangers! It is our place to stand with and protect them! Anyway you cannot deny he is our brother!" The elder twin's face was flushing as his wrath rose in his cheeks. He could feel his face going hot.

Elrond glared at his son. "Elladan, do you think I do not know!" He was shouting. "Do you think I don't care! You know better!" Elrond's face was getting as red as Elladan's.

Elladan could not stop himself quick enough. "Ada, I am not sure at the moment! I-" he cut himself off. He could not believe what he had just done. His jaw clenched as he suppressed everything else he wanted to shout. How he was worried for Elrohir. How he thought that Aragorn was near death. How he was worried for Legolas's life as well. Elrohir looked in shock at his brother. Elladan had not just done what he thought he had. Elladan's face was beat red, but his eyes never left his father's.

"Elladan, hold your rash tongue!" snapped Elrond sharply. He too was in shock. "You know not of what you speak or else you would have kept your mouth shut!" Elladan flinched at every scolding. He felt terrible inside. How could he have just said those things to his father? The younger elf looked at the floor and sighed. He felt tears of anger, at both himself and Elrond, and regret for what he had done welling in his eyes.

Gently, Elrond extended a hand to cup his son's chin. He forced the twin to look up at him. Elladan's eyes glittered with unspilled tears. He looked into the gray eyes of his father. A tear broke and ran down his cheek. "I'm sorry, Ada. I really am!" A sob wracked his shoulders. "I don't know what I was thinking! Forgive me!"

The elven lord put a hand on Elladan's cheek. "It is well. I forgive you, my son. You may go find Estel and Legolas." He gave Elrohir an apologetic look. "I fear you must stay behind, Elrohir. I do not trust that wound to stay well. There is venom in the bite of the White Wolf."

Now it was Elrohir's turn to be angry. "Ada! You cannot be serious! I cannot stay here! The suspense will kill me if the venom doesn't!" Had come up past Elladan. Elrond fixed his glare on the younger twin.

"Elrohir, I know what you want. But at the moment I cannot allow myself to grant it." Elrond tried to sound serene but his frustration sparked through and he came across sharply.

Elrohir glowered at his father. "You must let me go with Elladan." Elladan nodded. He did not want to go without his brother. Without Elrohir, he seemed to be only half-alive, half there. Elrohir was his other half. He could not do this alone. No. He would refuse.

"Father? Father! You aren't going to send me out without my other half are you? You can't!" It was then Elrond fully understood. He could not separate them. Yet he knew Elrohir could not possibly make it. He could not give his consent for his son's death.

Reluctantly, the lord of Rivendell said, "Elrohir, I think that letting you go may be a fatal mistake, none-the-less, I will grant you your request." Elladan sighed with relief and worry all at once. He feared for his brother and suddenly felt selfish for pressuring his father into making such a decision.

Legolas grimaced as he felt the sharp smack of a branch against his face bringing him back to consciousness. A spell of pain passed over him as it aggravated his other wounds. His captor did not even seem to notice and he actually quickened the animal's pace. Legolas felt his head spinning. Even as he just came back to waking, he threatened to black out again. He could not understand what was going on around him. His senses were a blur with pain. He knew they were moving but did not have the slightest clue where they were heading or where they were. He was too confused to perceive much of anything. As the horse jolted, he shut his eyes tightly against a wave of abnormally strong pain washed over him, shrouding everything for a brief moment that to the prince seemed to last hours. Suddenly the thought of Aragorn came unbidden to his mind. Where was the ranger? Was he doing well? That was stupid. Of course he was not doing well, he had a dislocated rib. With a start the elf remembered the position of the rib. He tried to move so he could see and pinpoint his friend but he found that was still impossible. Everything seemed to whir by anyway. Even if he had been able to sit up, he would not have been able to see the human be that as it may.

Aragorn opened his eyes, having not even realized he had been sleeping. All the sleepless nights had finally caught up with him. He was sure glad Elladan and Elrohir were not there. They would scold him mercilessly. Looking about, he saw the horse and rider that were bearing Legolas. He could see the prince's cascade of golden hair as his head lazed to his side. He could not see his friend's marred face through the blonde locks, but he expected the elf to be totally out of it. He struggled to remain awake. He felt so drowsy and numb inside. The woods whirled around his head and on by. He could feel and hear the beating of the horse's hooves against the earth. Finally, he could resist sleep no longer and reluctantly shut his eyes. As he drifted into deep slumber he wondered how Legolas faired.

Legolas watched as the ground passed swiftly beneath the hooves of the horse. It made him dizzy and he felt like he was going to throw up. Unable to shift into a better position, if he would be to hurl, it would cover the front of his tunic. In any event, he had no control over his muscles and could not throw up. It was impossible. He felt weak and terribly tired, but the sharpening of his senses allowed no rest. He guessed this had been Iaurgwath's intent and hated giving the cruel elf the satisfaction of seeing him the way he was. Legolas suddenly began to recognize where they were heading as the horse slowed its pace at the rider's command. They were near his home, very near. He had only been here once before, as an elf child. But that had been years ago when it had been in use and was full of light. This part of the forest had not been in use for ages. He knew there was an old guard house there that was condemned and totally rotted out except for the stone part around it. The building had been a post when the elves had gone to war with the dwarves. The forest here had fallen into severe decay and now many elves believed unseen horrors haunted there and enormous spiders. Legolas's body shivered involuntarily. He hated this place. It was creepier than Moria or Fangorn. Why were they going there!

The horse slowed to a sudden stop and reared on its heels as it was yanked harshly with the bit. Legolas jolted forward. He would have fallen off had not a slender elven hand spread itself across his chest, bracing him against his captor.

They dismounted quickly, carrying the prince. Legolas looked around to see if he could spy Aragorn. He could not and felt his heart sink down to his feet. He was carried like a small child, with an arm under his knees and another supporting his back, into the old guard house. He looked amongst all the elves he saw and finally found the ranger slumped between two of the fair beings. 'Aragorn,' he mouthed. 'Estel.'

He could not help but flinch as he saw Iaurgwath come striding over. The elder elf stopped in front of the prince and cocked his head to smirk into Legolas's tilted face. "So, how goes it princeling?" When Legolas did not answer he laughed a mirthless, cold chuckle. Legolas turned his eyes away and looked at the forest floor and old stone covered in moss. He crinkled his brow as he felt his anger stirring again. Iaurgwath saw it and took the price's chin in his hand, compelling the younger elf to stare at him. Legolas's cobalt eyes were cold and his face went expressionless. This irritated the adviser and he let Legolas's face drop. "Stubborn whelp. Maybe before your father gets here we need to have another talk one on one, hmmmm?" he addressed the prince. Legolas did not even attempt an acknowledgement. He did not care. Then all of Iaurgwath's words registered. His father was coming here? Legolas suspected a trap now and wished he could just die. He thought of forsaking Middle Earth. Then he knew that in his heart he could not leave the ranger. He would not leave him until he had become what he was born to be, Elessar, king of the reunited kingdoms or Arnor and Gondor. He had made the ranger this promise years ago. He meant with all his heart to keep it. Sighing with hurt and weariness he shut his eyes. There was nothing else he could do.

When he woke, it was dark and nobody was around. He noticed his hands were bound but this time they were above him and he was on his knees. His head sagged against his chest. He felt his back throbbing and his broken bones screamed with this new stress. He could feel his breath coming in deep, rasping gasps of pain. He could hear some one else beside him. Who ever it was, was lying on the ground beside him. To his surprise, he found he could whisper. "Aragorn? Aragorn!" his call was weak and sounded shrill to himself but maybe the ranger could hear it. He heard a mumbled response;

"Legolas? Oh, Legolas! By Elbereth, you're alive!" It was Aragorn. Legolas smiled wryly. "I thought you were dead!"

"Of course I am alive! You aren't king yet! I can't very well leave you yet can I?" Aragorn smiled, remembering the long ago promise.

"Legolas? How are you feeling?"

"What do you think!" teased the elf.

"Relax, don't over exert yourself," cautioned Aragorn. "If we are to escape you have to stay awake. You are not as light as you think!" The ranger rolled his eyes as he remembered the time Legolas had gone unconscious when they had been in the land of Harad and he had to drag and carry him for miles. He could swear under pain of death he had lost more weight carrying Legolas and the prince had gained.

Legolas found he was still a bit drugged but he could raise his head and move his fingers and he had gotten his speech back. Looking side long in the direction of the ranger, he said, "Aragorn, how's your rib? You haven't moved much have you?" His voice was soft and drenched in concern. Aragorn looked up at Legolas and lifted a brow to look questioningly at the bound elf. Legolas could not see this in the dark.

"It is still the same as ever." He heard the prince sigh heavily.

"I wish it were all over now. The pain, the night, all the evil of the world." The ranger began to get the sinking feeling that Legolas was subconsciously preparing to leave him for good. Suddenly, both of them jumped as the door banged open and a lantern cast a ray of light on them. An elf ran to the corners of the room and lit the other lanterns and torches. The room filled with radiant light. Legolas could see his friend now, at his knees, a face pale as death and yet the human was worrying more about him than anything else. He felt guilty.

Aragorn looked up and saw Legolas's battered face and neck. He saw his cobalt eyes glittering with awareness. Iaurgwath came through the door. He called behind him, "let the king enter." As the treacherous elf entered Legolas felt sick when he saw his father come behind the elder elf. Iaurgwath leaned next to Legolas's face. "And now for the happy little reunion."

"Ada," whispered Legolas so low it was almost inaudible. Thranduil halted in his tracks when he saw his son bound and beaten. Legolas! The elf lord sprang forward to see the younger elf. One of the elves nearby stopped him with an outstretched hand. Two others came up from behind.

"Legolas! Oh Elbereth! What have they done to you!" Iaurgwath smiled coolly.

"Do you recall me?" asked Iaurgwath, throwing back a dark hood that had been concealing his features.

"Iaurgwath!" growled Thranduil. Then he said in a horror stricken tone, "Why! Why have you done this!" Thranduil was in shock. This was not happening.

"Well if you don't know, perhaps I need to have another 'talk' with Greeny Leafy here. He does seem to love these little heart to heart conferences. "He nudged Legolas with his boot. Aragorn put a hand on Legolas's knee for the comfort of the elf. Legolas shifted. Thranduil looked at his son and felt his heart break. He felt torn in half.

"Iaurgwath what do you want?"

The adviser raised his brows. "You did receive the note so I don't see why there is this confusion."

"I know there is more!" Thranduil growled.

"Legolas? What do you think?" asked the betrayer mockingly nudging the prince with the toe of his boot.

"I think you are...absolutely... sick!" grimaced the prince. He spat in Iaurgwath's direction. It landed by the adviser's boot. Iaurgwath tisked and went over to Legolas.

"Now my prince, what was it I told you earlier?" Legolas crinkled his brow. He could not recall anything. His memory was wrecked. "I said a single arrow to still your aching heart, did I not?" Thranduil's face paled. No!

"What all do you want! I will give it gladly!" Thranduil was beside himself now.

"Good. Good. So your kingdom belongs to me then?" Iaurgwath snickered to himself, this was too easy.

Thranduil looked at Legolas. He squirmed. He son's face was no longer fair and clean but bloodied and damaged. He could tell Legolas had been through much and was near death. "As you wish," he said ruefully. "Now will you release my son?"

Iaurgwath sneered. "So you think it is that easy do you, Thranduil?" He looked at Legolas. "You thought you could abandon me and run off with that elf wench! You thought you could have a family and live happy ever after and still be a great warrior!" He spat onto Legolas, who drew backward against his bonds. "You thought wrong Thranduil. You are neither warrior nor king! You are not worthy to bear any title of nobility! You are a soft lover! I thought long ago we could be friends forever and we could be the greatest warriors there ever was but now I see I was wrong! I am not the traitor Thranduil! You are the one who has done treachery!"

"Iaurgwath that was long ago and no treachery have I done! I gave you a position of power, for then you were wise! Now I see it is not so. You are not worthy of the title you bear!" Thranduil would have said more but feared for the life of his son. "Now I have given you the kingdom, release Legolas!"

Iaurgwath came and put a hand on Legolas's broken shoulder. Legolas tried to shrug it off but the adviser clamped down on it, causing him to cry out gently. Thranduil lurched forward against the elves that held him. "I will release him, for I am an elf of my word."

Thranduil did not even have time to react as the treacherous elf reached into the quiver of one of his companions and grabbed an arrow. A single arrow. Taking it, he went alongside Legolas. Aragorn saw his intentions immediately. "Nooooooo! LEGOLAS!"

Thranduil suddenly heard himself screaming along with the ranger. Iaurgwath took the arrow and drove it viciously into the heart of the elven prince. Legolas did not make a sound. Blood bubbled on his lips, bright red, and his face went gray with on coming death. Legolas's eyes went filmy. He could hear Aragorn screaming as he faded out of the world. /So this is how it ends. Oh Elessar I'm sorry I never saw you become who you were born to be./ Then Legolas closed his eyes and went limp. His last thoughts were that he had broken a promise to his friend.

"The price is paid," said Iaurgwath. "I never wanted your kingdom. I knew you would fall for it though. I wanted things to go back to the way they were years ago. I wanted him dead, not only dead but killed in front of you. I have won this time your majesty."

"No!" Thranduil ran to his dead child. Everything seemed unreal. He grabbed a knife from a nearby elf and cut Legolas's fetters. He was set free, but in a different way. The slender elf slid form his bonds and fell to the floor. He looked at peace, his face was pale but beautiful. Iaurgwath turned and fled out the door, no body followed. They had not wanted this. They stayed behind, unwilling to be with the murderous elf another minute. Everybody crowded around Legolas's body. Thranduil held his body from the waist up in his arms, cradling the fallen prince. Aragorn crawled over to his friend. He struggled to his knees, ignoring the pain from his dangerous rib. He took his still bound hands and grasped Legolas's cold ones. Feeling the cold from his friend's once warm body made some part of him die. He felt his heart shatter.

The king rose and lifted up Legolas to bear him away. Aragorn held onto Legolas's hand for another moment then let his hand fall off from the slender white one. He sat hunched on the floor. He did not make any move to get up and follow anyone out of the old house. He felt broken and expired inside.

TBC...People, be reasonable-Leggy cannot be permanently dead (duh)! Go on to next chapter!

Silvertoekee Thank you! Really good writers? Where did you get that idea? Are you mad! All the same-thank you! Yah, what a crapy reason to beat up on somebody. Just goes to show what he is huh? Rest assured-he will not go unpunished! Thanks for reviewing!

Evenstar Yes, it is possible deep down in his elven heart he knows. I'm glad the strength of Leggy and Arry shows through! That's what we were both shooting for! Thanks for reviewing!

Lyn Thank you for reading and reviewing. I love comedy too. I was just curious-are you an English teacher or something? Your advice is well taken. You remind us of Celeb's mother, she is so crazy about grammar it is not even funny! The saying with 'put through the wringer,' was intentional! 'Snuck,' however, glad you caught it!

Marie Delcore Thanks for reading and reviewing! I have no idea were I got the plot, it just came, yah know? I'm writing as often as I am able! I will make a point to R&R yours! Be sure to check daily! Of course we both will R&R LOTR ones first then others!

Someone Reading Thanks for reviewing! I know! Don't you just want to strangle the brat, blankety-blank! It hurt me to write what I did, but at the same time my evil side loved it! I think he needs to be toasted by a Balrog! We are coming out with a new one! You can bet your life on it! It will have even more angst in it! Lots more! The preview for it is after the last chapter but you have to pull it up through the chapter listing! It will not be a sequel though! It will be a prequel!