Wow, I got loads of reviews! I'm so excited! Heehee.

Thank you thank you thank you! I feel so happy and hyper!

But I shouldn't cos this chapter isn't. Read on, and you'll see what I mean.

A lot of you asked when Haldir was going to turn up. Your answer lies ahead of you.

Enjoy…

~Lainfaer~

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Elerrina – Were you talking about Astalder not changing? I seriously doubt that he will, and Legolas is just being too blind to see it! Poor Leggy! :( I liked the thought of Elrond acting as a second father; I got it from RotK when he's comforting Arwen. It looked kinda sweet! ^_^

Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

TheSilentSenshi – I know he is! He's a very nasty git. Hal will show up soon, I promise! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

MoroTheWolfGod – Cool name! Here's the next chapter, as you requested! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

kaya – Times are very bad for him aren't they? Big word that, psychology! Here's the next bit, as you asked. Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

horizon – No, no hard feelings. I will be as original as I can, I promise. As long as you keep reviewing? Yeah? ^_^

Thanks for reviewing again. ^_^

Lothliana – You did come to school! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, back to the reply….

Thank you for reviewing, and please do so again! ^_^

Haldir's Heart Soul - I still love your name! I'm sorry to hear about your sister. No, being drunk does not give anyone the excuse to abuse their lover like that. I hope everything goes ok with your sister. I'm sure it will all be sorted soon.

Thank you for reviewing. ^_^

I love your name!

Angel From Hell – Haldir will be here soon, don't worry. I love your name too! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

laegoleaf – That is exactly what I thought! Thank you for reviewing. ^_^

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 3: Arrivals and Dilemmas.

"What?!"

"Elladan please, calm down. It is his decision. I am not permitted to do anything unless he says so." 

"Has that Prince completely lost his mind? After everything Astalder has done to him, he is just going to walk away without even doing anything to that…that…"

"Mind your language Elladan Peredhil," Elrond warned. Elladan scuffed the floor with his foot. They were in Elronds' study, and he had just told his sons what Legolas had said.

"Adar, you must do something," Elrohir pleaded, pushing ahead of his twin. "We cannot just stand by and watch Legolas get hurt again."

"He is leaving Astalder, but I fear that the separation will not last long," Elrond told them, sinking into his chair.

"Well, that's a start," Elrohir said, turning back to Elladan.

But the elder twin just scowled. "I still think this is immoral. Legolas is being beaten Adar. Beaten, and raped."  

"Not quite," Elrond answered. "True, Astalder has not always been gentle with the Prince, but he has not legitimately been raped. I cannot put that charge against Astalder."

"But you examined Legolas, you saw the damage that beast has done to him!" Elladan protested. "Adar, he may not have raped Legolas in that sense, but he is slowly losing his mind."

"Elladan!" the other two exclaimed in unison. 

"Well its true. Once upon a time, if anyone even tried this sort of thing on Legolas, they'd hit the floor with a black eye, rather similar to the one Legolas is suffering from at this very moment. But now, he is just letting it happen to him. He is just allowing Astalder to be brutally using him. I am not accepting it!" He slammed his fist down on his fathers' desk. "If you two are just going to sit by and watch whilst Legolas succumbs to whatever fate this will lead to, I am not going to be a part of it." He turned on his heel, and marched out of the study.

"Let him go," Elrond told Elrohir softly when he started to follow. "He needs time alone to cool off."

"No, because goodness knows what else he will do. I have to follow him Adar." Before Elrond could argue, Elrohir ran after his brother.

He checked all the usual spots. Their corner of the library, the kitchens, Elladans' room, and his own. His search eventually led him outside. He headed for their willow tree, down by the river.

Sure enough, Elladan was sat underneath, hugging his knees to his chest. Elrohir sighed, and went and sat beside him. Elladan did not even register his presence.

"Dan, if Legolas refuses our help, there is nothing we can do," he said softly, placing a hand over one of Elladans'. "I know it's hard, but I'm going through this as well. Look, Haldir will be here soon, and hopefully, he can knock some sense into that blonde brain of his." Elladan couldn't suppress his smile.

"I know you're right El, but I hate seeing my friends get hurt in this way. We know Astalder is doing these things to Legolas, but we cannot do anything about it without that bloody Princes' permission. Why is he being so stubborn? It's only going to get worse for him."

"You heard what Adar said, he's leaving Astalder. That will help. He'll probably go back home and…"

"No, I know Legolas. I know how his mind works. He thinks, that if he leaves Astalder, he will see just what he has done to Legolas. Then, he'll come grovelling back, and Legolas will accept him like nothing ever happened. But then it'll start all over again. Legolas will once again, be beaten and raped. Yes, it is rape," he argued when Elrohir opened his mouth to protest. "Literally. It is forced sex, which in my opinion, is rape."

"Why do you think Legolas has never said anything? Why does he protect Astalder by making up all these excuses about falling from his horse and stuff?" Elrohir asked.

"He says he loves Astalder. Love is a powerful thing El. It can destroy someone's right mind, corrupt him or her to become obsessed with their lover. Haldir will explain it properly. It may be a wonderful feeling, but if it goes down the road that Legolas' and Astalders' has, it can become dangerous. Legolas has fallen to the fate of love, and is blind to everything else around him. I think that only Haldir can help him now, and if not him…then he is lost." 

"You mean…he'll be so infatuated with Astalder, he'll forget about everything?" Elrohir asked, fear showing clearly in his eyes.

"Yes. He'll forget all about his family, and you know how close he used to be to Filigon. His life will be miserable, but he will be unable to control it. Astalder will be doing all of that. Legolas will be his puppet, his slave to his every will. Anything that Astalder commands, Legolas will scurry to do it."

"I don't want that to happen Dan," Elrohir whispered fearfully, cuddling up to his brother.

"Then we mustn't let it," Elladan answered determinedly. "Hopefully, Haldir will arrive in the next couple of days, and he'll sort Legolas out."

"We must make sure that Astalder goes nowhere near Legolas in the meantime," Elrohir agreed. "If Legolas sees him, and Astalder acts like the proper lover he is meant to be, all our hard work will go down the drain."

"Does Adar know Haldir is actually coming yet?" Elladan asked as they headed to see Legolas.  

"No, and I don't know what his response will be when he arrives. I told Haldir to use the excuse of bringing a message or gift to Adar or us. He might get a bit suspicious of that though."

"Unless he doesn't know," Elladan said softly, stopping in his tracks. Elrohir looked back at him. "How are we going to keep Haldir hidden from Adar, the Lord of Imladris Dan? Adar knows everything that happens in his realm. It is an impossible task. Haldir is cleaver and cunning. He will know what to say, and when to say it, don't worry."

"I hope you're right," Elladan replied as they entered the House. 

****

"Mae govannen Haldir o Lorien," Elrohir said gracefully, bowing.

Haldir bowed in return. "Hannon lle."

"Ok, drop the formality," Elladan pressed. The other two looked at him, small grins upon their faces.

"Can we just get down to business?"

"Alright dear brother, calm down," Elrohir laughed.

They led Haldir up to Elrond. He gave the Lord a message that was literally made up, then they took him to see Legolas.

"Haldir, it is getting really serious," Elrohir whispered as they made their way towards Legolas' new chamber. "He refuses to say anything against Astalder, and will not allow us to do anything to him."

"You cannot force him," Haldir stated. "It is completely his decision to prosecute against Astalder. If he does not wish to, then I am afraid there is absolutely nothing you can do."

"But he is our best friend, and we hate seeing him get hurt like this."

"I understand that Elrohir. Just let me talk to him, and I'll see what I can do."

"Have you ever met him before?" Elladan asked.

Haldir shook his head. "The beauty of Thranduils' children is widely known in Lothlórien. Only Thranduil have we met, and that was briefly. I was messenger, along with my brother, Orophin, from Lady Galadriel, and we stayed only a day or so. We did not meet the rest of the family. The youngest was not even born I believe."

"Just be gentle with him. He gets tired easily."

"Elladan, please stop worrying, I know what I am doing. Just make sure nobody disturbs us."

"Don't worry, no one else knows the real reason for your being here," Elrohir assured him as they reached the Princes' door.

"Good."

Elladan knocked softly on the door. "Legolas? Legolas, are you there? It's Dan and me. We've got…a friend who wants to talk to you. Can we come in?"

There was no answer. Elladan frowned. "He never leaves his room. Legolas?" He knocked again, louder.

Still no response. The twins began to worry. "What if he's passed out again Dan?" Elrohir asked.

Elladan responded to that by opening the door. Immediately, the stench of alcohol hit him, mixed with the unmistakable smell of sex lingering on the air.

The three entered the room, looking frantically around. The sheets on the bed were rumpled and had droplets of blood. Blood was also on the floor, and Legolas' clothes were scattered across the room, ripped, and torn. They too, were coated in blood.

"No!" Elrohir cried, searching around. "Legolas! Legolas!"

They searched everywhere, and then Haldir hurried into the private bathroom. The sight before him was despicable, and sickened him to the core.

Legolas lay in a foetal position in the tub that was his bath, naked and shivering. He was dripping with sweat and blood, his hair clinging to his face in clumps. That too, was drenched in blood and sweat. His fair skin was covered in welts and bruises, all purple, black, and red. Haldir called to the other two, and they came in.

"Oh Gods no," Elladan breathed, kneeling beside Legolas' seemingly unconscious form. "Please no." He went to touch Legolas' bare shoulder, but Haldir stopped him.

"No, don't. He won't like it. Get help, quickly. Fetch your father." They ran off, leaving Haldir to deal with the once-again ravaged Prince.

"Legolas," he whispered, kneeling down. "Legolas, lasto-na nin. Im baur lecin na edro-líncín hends. Saes? (Legolas, listen to me. I need you to open your eyes. Please?)" 

Legolas stirred slightly, so Haldir repeated his words. "Saes Legolas, tulo-ata na nin. (Please Legolas, come back to me.)"

Legolas' eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at the Elf beside him. But his gaze seemed distant, as if he was staring straight through Haldir to the ceiling beyond. He didn't seem to register Haldirs' presence.

Haldir grabbed a nearby towel, and lay it gently over the shivering body. At this soft touch, Legolas' eyes darted up to meet Haldirs'. Haldir smiled warmly, tucking the edges around the slim frame. "There, that's better, isn't it?"

A hint of a smile played upon the Princes' lips, and there was a flash of recognition in his once sparkling eyes. He opened his mouth as if trying to say something, but the words wouldn't come.

"Shh Legolas, do not speak now. Try and save your energy. We're going to look after you, ok?"

Legolas just blinked, but Haldir took that as a good sign. He had seen this kind of thing before, a ravaged Elf, but never this bad. Never before had he seen such a beautiful creature in such a terrible state. The rumours were clearly true, about Thranduils' children. Their beauty was unmatched.

The twins were soon back with Lord Elrond. Haldir made way for the Elf-Lord, but he never broke eye contact with Legolas. The Elf-Prince kept his gaze fixed firmly upon the Marchwarden, as if he was some form of comfort. Haldir smiled again, then moved aside as Lord Elrond gently picked the Prince up.

Legolas whimpered in pain, biting his lip to stop the scream threatening to break loose. He had never felt pain such as this before, and it was killing him. He felt safe in Elronds' arms; he knew Lord Elrond well, but he was still in excruciating pain.

The Lord of Rivendell bore Legolas away to his room again, through secret ways so no one would see. The passages taken were ones used in times of need for the family to escape through if the borders of Rivendell were ever taken by the force of the enemy. They were rarely used. Now, they guarded a burden of great worth.

The twins and Haldir remained outside whilst Elrond tended to Legolas' wounds. They were much more severe than last time, and would take a longer time to heal.

"I'm going to kill him," Elladan threatened, pacing outside the door, biting his knuckle in frustration. "This time, I am seriously going to kill him."

"Dan, please calm down. This is helping no one, especially Legolas. Just wait and see what Adar says. We don't even know where Astalder is."

"Then I'll go and look for him, then I will kill him."

"Elladan control yourself. Killing Astalder isn't going to help anybody, especially yourself. Think about the consequences. You could be banished from your own Kingdom!" Haldir cautioned.

Elladan stopped pacing and looked at his old friend. "But can't you two feel it?"

"The anger you mean?" Haldir asked. "The guilt, the madness, and distress? Yes, we can feel it. We can feel every emotion you are suffering, but you are just showing it. Just try and calm, down. Stop pacing for one thing, and try and relax. I know it seems impossible," he countered as Elladans' jaw hit the floor, "but just trust me."

Elladan sighed, and his shoulders sagged. In that moment, weariness, and fatigue over came him, and he leant against his twin, Elrohir slipping an arm round his shoulders.

The three waited in silence, and when the door finally opened, they all stood up straight, waiting for news.

Elrond stepped out, his face creased with lines of worry. "I fear we may be too late," he told them sorrowfully. "Legolas is so badly hurt this time. Not only outside, but also inside. Much, much worse than last time. It is plainly clear he has been taken by force, exceedingly roughly. His body was still weak from the last assault, and had not fully recovered. This attack has opened up old wounds, physically and mentally. He hardly recognises me. He knows my name, but that is about all. He keeps asking for you two. He is sleeping now, induced by a sleeping draught. You may go in, but must stay very quiet. And if possible, do not touch him. He is severely bruised, and any unwanted contact could worsen the psychological damage already sustained. Any changes, fetch me immediately. I shall be in my study."

They nodded, and he led them in. 

The room was dimly lit, the curtains pulled across the large windows. Candles flickered in faraway corners, and healers wandered around silently, putting away their medicines and other equipment.

Legolas was laid on the bed, blue eyes shut. His chest rose and fell steadily, and they took this as a reasonably good sign. The healers and Lord Elrond left, quietly shutting the door behind them.

They gazed at the sleeping Prince for a while, Haldir and Elladan on one side of the large bed, Elrohir on the other. No one spoke. The room was completely silent. Even the singing of the birds outside seemed to disturb the peace slightly.

"Well?" Elladan finally said after a few minutes of silence. "What are you going to do now Haldir?"

"I have never seen it this bad," he admitted. "But I will try my best. I'll just talk to him. Persuade him that Astalder is not his lover any more, that he is not worthy of Legolas' love. Give me time, and make sure Astalder stays away from him, and it should work. I can't make any promises though."

The twins nodded. They knew they were asking a lot of the Marchwarden, but all they wanted was their best friend back. They all sat in silence again, waiting for the Prince to re-awaken.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

See, sad chapter. And Hally's here! (My personal nickname for him.)

*The real Haldir glares at me* (I don't think he likes it.)

*Gulps and legs it* (Come on, he has a bow and arrows!)

Next chapter coming soon! ^_^

~Lainfaer~