Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!

Uh- no action yet sorry- but there will be some ass whipping on Legolas' part next chapter when he confronts Katlin.

NessaThranduilille- nah- as if I'd let her get away with it!

Laura- you violent- no of course not!

Mia- oh sorry looks sheepish- this is getting long isn't it.

A.H.Smith- exactly- hey you're good at this

NellasLissesul- loving the name by the way- happy belated birthday!

And of course- thanks to all my readers and reviewers xxx

Question! - Are you getting bored of this fic- I'm having a blast writing this and I don't feel like it's nearing it's end anytime soon- but I kinda feel that some of you are bored- of course I could just be paranoid. But please tell me if there's anything you want me to cover- there are plans for a sequel (I know- another one)- but life in Mirkwood is going to be fun and rest assured- it will be more light hearted than it's predecessors. But please let me know!

Legolas stood beside Glorfindel in the courtyard watching the elves arrive swiftly, each with swords on the hips and bows on their backs. Each stood with a grim determination and respect for the lord in front of them.

From a window, Elrond watched the assembly with Thalia. By Legolas' orders she was made to stay behind where he was certain she would be safe.

Both had an unwavering feeling of anxiety in the pit of their stomachs and it would not leave. The children had been kept alive for now and there was no reason for their captor to kill them but still there was doubt.

The stillness of the morning air and the sunshine was a mockery of the events that were about to take place.

For that day would change a family forever; memories would become history and pain would become grief.

Elrond bowed his head and turned from the gathering below; not wishing to see the anger that throbbed in the air. Not in centuries had elves risen up like this against one of their kind.

Thalia remained, her eyes fixed on her husband; anger swelling in her chest at his order. She was not a child and it was her children that were missing; she had carried them and birthed them not him. She berated herself for such thoughts but still hung onto the feeling.

Legolas feeling eyes burning into his back turned to see his wife glaring at him; only he could detect the soft gaze that lingered and caressed his heart and her pleading silence.

He smiled lopsidedly and nodded before turning back to the assembly and leading them out of the gates.

The birds sang in the high trees and the water flowed in a rush of waves down the cliffs as if the day were like any other.

'I wish that the day were like any other. I wish that I had my children with me; there are many things I wish but none of them are.

The determination on the faces of the elves around me was enough to spur me on. My body was exhausted, as was my mind. It had seemed that the days and the nights were twines as long as they should have been; the hours dragged and multiplied as the minutes passed agonisingly slowly.

As one, the elves left the yard and journeyed into the forest; each keeping there eyes out for track or abnormalities on the ground. The breeze blew softly, bringing with it the whispers of the trees.

Somebody had been through the forest during the early hours of the morning and had not yet returned. The trees did however think the figure familiar and of no threat.'

Legolas thought as he listened carefully.

"I am sorry my little ones. I am so sorry"

Katlin shook her head as the tears fell from her eyes. She was regretting her actions. The hours that she had spent alone in the cave with the children had opened her eyes to the most obvious of things and she had come to realise that her revenge had nothing to do with Thalia. It was not her she should be punishing.

She studied Niall closely and could see the clear features of his mother; the small nose and the cat-like eyes were from Thalia. But she could see Leoglas clearly; his thin lips and his bone structure were his.

It all served to remind her of the wrong she was doing and the pain she was causing.

She wiped a tear from her cheek as she remembered one particular mothers day.

{ "Mummy, mummy wake up. You have to wake up"

A seven-year-old Thalia jumped on the bed repeatedly to wake her.

Katlin rolled onto her back and stretched lazily making Thalia giggle; her eyes were bright with excitement.

I smiled when I remembered that my husband was out for the day at work so we could do what we wished without being given the third degree.

"And what are you so happy about my little angel?"

I sat up and was instantly attack by a mass of blond curls; Thalia had thrown her arms around my neck and was refusing to let go. I returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm. I smelt the faint scent of vanilla mixed with play dough and laughed happily. She was always making something whether it was with clay or sand or play dough. Such a creative child with such an imagination.

"God morning mum. We brought you breakfast in bed...well we tried to but it went a bit wrong...a lot wrong actually so we made up a picnic instead. We thought we could all go down the river and...well have a picnic"

Susan said timidly, she didn't look too sure about her suggestion. I knew for a fact that they had no money to buy a gift and I also knew that they would do everything they could to make it up to me no matter what I said.

A smile slid across my face and I laughed. Truly touched and pleased with their efforts.

"That sounds lovely"

"Yay"

Thalia screamed happily; nearly making me deaf.

I sat up; propped up by the many pillows adorning the large bed and watched my children play with each other. Matt held Lia down while Susan tickled her mercilessly.

It was moments like this that I felt like my life had a purpose and everything would be all right in the end.

Thalia wasn't my daughter; not biologically, but it didn't seem to matter. She didn't know, she simply lived her life as the rest of us did. She went to school she played with her friends she talked to me like a daughter would to her mother.

But I still was not happy. I couldn't see past the fact that she was not mine. I couldn't help but look upon her with hatred and loathing. Every time she smiled I could see her mother grinning back at me.

My feelings were childish, granted, but I couldn't help it.

And it made me realise that I had made a big mistake"}

Eleni woke from her sleep and began crying softly. Sighing and swearing under her breath Katlin rose from her seat and picked her up hoping to sooth and calm her.

The heat was increasing and the sweat was dripping from her. She could feel her eyelids becoming heavy and her throat was feeling constricted and sore. Her blonde hair was now streaked with dirt and dust from the cave.

She rocked the elfling in her arms but to no avail. The child only increased the volume and her cries became more urgent as if panicked by something. All of a sudden she began coughing. A hollow, painful sound came from her small lungs and echoed off of the surrounding walls.

Katlin was beginning to panic. If the child continued she would be discovered. It was nearly mid day and surely there would be elves in the forest around talking a walk.

She wiped a stray piece of hair from her face furiously and turned her gaze back to the child in her arms.

Eleni's eyes were wide and her face blotchy, probably from all the screaming, but even so she did not look as she should.

"Oh no. What have I done?"

She panicked; her panic soon turned to laughter as she remembered that elven children did not get ill.

She looked down at her with a smile and continued rocking her. Unfortunately the child continued screaming; alerting others to their presence.

Leoglas stopped where he was when he felt a lurch through the bond he shared with Eleni. There was something wrong, her heartbeat was too fast and he could feel pain.

"Leoglas?"

Glorfindel approached from among the tress he had been looking through; a concerned look upon his already tense features. There had been no sign of anybody except the whispers from among the trees.

"Something is wrong"

Leoglas said with a look close to panic but yet an eerie calm surrounded him. Glorfindel's eyes widened and he stepped forward to stand in front of the prince.

Legolas stood quietly; listening to the wind. Glorfindel watched as emotions passed over the elf's face rapidly, which was unusual for him.

"Listen! Did you hear that?"

His head shot up as he caught the sound of an infant on the breeze. Glorfindel closed his eyes and concentrated. He gasped as he too heard it.

"This way!"

Leoglas shouted as he stormed through the trees with an urgency that betrayed his stoic expression.

Glorfindel shook his head; thoughts whirling round his head. The pain that he felt at Katlin's betrayal was sharp and instead of enveloping him in sadness it ignited a flame within his heart. He was disgusted that somebody would even consider kidnapping another's children for revenge.

Elladan nodded as he passed the lord, his eyes were wary and fury hidden within their depth. He thirsted for understanding. He felt much the same as Glorfindel.

Haldir jumped from his place; concealed within the thickness of the trees leaves. His face was stern and unyielding, many would take the look to be one of arrogance but those who knew him well; knew him to be concealing strong feelings.

The marchwarden caught sight of Leoglas and made his way swiftly over to join him. The prince strode ahead of the gathering, clearing all that lay in his path; a frown on his face.

"Legolas where are heading?"

Haldir gasped as he took in the fire in Legolas' eyes. His eyes blazed with intensity but there was an ice-cold centre to them that could freeze even the most evil of people. Haldir was strongly reminded of King Thranduil; who thankfully had never had cause to be angered at the marchwaden.

"We are heading to the furthermost caves to the west of the waterfalls"

"Why? What cause do have to journey there?"

"I heard my daughter"

Haldir heard the slight tremble in his voice and the flicker in his eyes as he said it.

"What is wrong?"

Leoglas turned to face him, his jaw clenched.

"She is in pain. There is something wrong. I have felt them all week but never as strongly as I feel her now. That is what worries me"

Haldir nodded and stopped as they reached the beginning of a series of caves.

"All right, search the caves starting from the those closet to the forest"

The elves split up; following the orders of the prince. Glorfindel, Haldir and the twins stood still, waiting for Legolas' next orders.

Leoglas remained where he was; his eyes closed and his brow furrowed.

"My lord!"

An elf ran towards the group a relieved look upon his face.

"My lord, we believe that we have found them"

Leoglas smirked and sprinted ahead of them; eager to get to the cave where his children were being held.

Without orders the group of elves had already concealed themselves within the trees and were ready for anything that may happen; something that Glorfindel was thankful for, he knew that the only thing on Legolas' mind was his children and he would think of nothing else until they were back safely in the last homely house.

The sound of an infant suddenly pierced the calm air; both confirming the location and unnerving Legolas. As he stood there the fear of finding his children dead or dying filled his mind and a shiver ran up his spine. In all the battles and situations that he had faced over his life this was by far the most frightening of situations.

The five elves slowly made their way into the dark depths of the stone cave. The sound of crying increased with every step and was becoming unnerving. It was terrifying to hear such a normally quiet child screaming so loudly.

Suddenly the cave turned and they journeyed further into the darkness. At the end of the tunnel a light flickered, indicating somebody's presence.

The elves fury increased as thoughts of the children being in the darkness by themselves flooded their minds.

"Stay away from the walls!"

Elrohir gasped when a spider was seen hanging from the ceiling. The spiders; though smaller than those of Mirkwood were just as deadly and could kill within days if untreated.

Katlin stopped what she doing as she felt the presence of others within the cave.

"Shut up you little bitch!"

She whispered venomously at the child that now lay next to her drugged brother.

She froze as she felt somebody breathing down the back of her neck and the unmistakable cold of a blade on her throat.

"A wise word Katlin, never turn your back"

A voice hissed down her ear. Her heart sank and her head whirled, taking in everything and considering her options.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted somebody picking up the still screaming child.

Legolas lifted his daughter; taking in her red face and her wide eyes. Although she quieted she did not stop crying.

"Elrohir"

Elrohir approached the father and daughter and looked at her, quickly assessing her state. Confusion overtook his thoughts and he furrowed his brows as he began removing her clothes.

Legolas lifted the small baby onto his shoulder as the healer unbuttoned her dress carefully, his eyes widening as he did so.

"We have to get her to my father now!"

He hissed as he looked at the large circle of black, red and white skin indicated that a poisonous spider had bitten her.

"This wound is at least a day old"

Leoglas tensed as he rubbed his daughters back, holding her to him, smelling her scent and feeling her pain.

Elladan stood with the still sleeping Niall in his arms. Elrohir quickly examined him, making sure that he had not been bitten.

"He has been drugged, he will awaken soon enough. It would seem that they had both been drugged but after Eleni had been bitten she would not take the milk that was offered to her. The drugs in the food normally deter the spiders but if she would not drink...she would have been bitten. She would be a primary target for the spiders"

Legolas held his daughter close to him; a tear made it's way slowly down his face as he did so. He reached for Niall and held him with his free hand.

Katlin stood still, with Glorfindel' sword pressed to her throat she was going nowhere.

"Come we must return quickly"

Legolas nodded at Haldir' s command and handed Niall back to Elladan who took him with gratitude; he was just glad to see the elfling alive and well.

Whether Eleni was going to live was another question.

What was clear; was that the prince of Mirkwood would not let Katlin get away with anything; but at that moment, his only concern was for his daughter and the wife that he had left behind.