Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Warnings: Angst, torture, short

Mindless Babble:


The stars were beginning to sparkle in the night sky when Legolas looked up as the twins entered the room. He had been so absorbed in his own thoughts that he hadn't heard them. One look at the tear-streaked faces told of the depth of the agony they were feeling. Legolas immediately feared the worse. He made to stand but Elladan motioned him to stay.

"Estel is still with the living, but we don't know how much longer he will remain with us," he said as he sat down next to his friend. Elrohir took the seat next to his brother, the fear for his youngest sibling choking off his ability to speak. "Father is with him now. He is… Estel is fighting Morgul poisoning."

"Morgul?" Legolas' heart sank. Very few survived an attack from such a weapon, but he could not let despair drag him down now. He turned his gaze back to the flames. "I was remembering that time the four of us went fishing and Estel 'fell' over the side of our boat." A small smile appeared on his lips.

Elladan chuckled as he too remembered. "And then he 'accidentally' tipped the boat, dumping us all into the water. Father was upset but he was happy that none of us were hurt."

"Until Estel got sick a few days later," Elrohir said softly. The tears were still streaming drown his face. "You thought he was going to die."

"In my defense, it was the first time I had been with a sick human," Legolas replied. "And as I recall, I was not the only one who was worried."

"Estel did get really sick. Father told us that some humans died when they become that ill," Elladan said, not really wanting to remember that part of the story.

"But he lived." The twins looked up at Legolas, understanding slowly dawning in their eyes. "I believe that if we have faith in him, Estel will come back to us."

The twins smiled, and though they were but a ghost of what they should have been, it lightened Legolas' heart. He was worried about his friend, but he could do nothing for him. At least he could do something for Estel's brothers.

"I fear that faith may not be able to keep him from leaving us."

The three younger elves nearly jumped out of their seats in surprise as Lord Elrond entered the room. Each had been so wrapped up in their own sea of emotions they had not heard the elder elf's soft footsteps. He walked over to the hearth and knelt to stoke the fire.

"What do you mean, Father?" Elladan asked.

Elrond slowly stood but did not, could not, turn to face the three hope filled faces. "I have done what I can to fight the Morgul poisoning but the orc venom has greatly weakened Estel. He fell into a deep sleep while I treated and bandaged his wounds." The elven lord sighed and whispered, "I do not believe that he will ever wake."

"Do not say that!" Legolas nearly shouted. "Strider is a warrior! He will come back to us."

Elrond nodded half heartedly. "Estel will sleep through the night, as should we."

The twins took the not so subtle hint and, after biding their friend and father a good night, headed upstairs to their own rooms. Legolas lingered, though, making no move to get up from his seat.

"You should try to sleep as well Legolas," Elrond said, still staring into the flames.

"And what about you, my lord?"

"I will rest soon enough."

"That is not what I mean." The suspicions that Legolas had been harboring were confirmed when Elrond turned to face him. There was a haunted look in his eyes. "Something troubles you, something more then Estel's injuries."

"There is truth in your words, prince." Elrond sat down in a chair next to the fair-haired elf. "But I will not burden you with my heavy heart."

"If it will lighten your heart, I will gladly accept the burden."

Elrond smiled a bit. "Maybe sometime after Estel has recovered some of his strength, you will discover that truth. Now I advise you to sleep while you can. I will check on Estel during the night so you may rest."

Legolas stood, understanding there was nothing to be gained by arguing with the elf lord. He nodded to Elrond and ascended the stairs.

The elder elf watched Legolas until he disappeared into the guest room. It was then and only then that Elrond dropped his guard and let the mask of confidence fall. His shoulders slumped, his head falling into his hands. And Lord Elrond Halfelven of Rivendell allowed the tears to fall.

"Oh, Aragorn, please forgive me!"