Chapter Seven: Saving both

"Father! Is he?" Elladan was laying Legolas in a nearby bed, gently depositing his friend and turning back to his father with worry. He had seen Estel convulse and then stop moving.

Elrond didn't answer. His eyes were closed and he was locked in a deep trance, desperately trying to tether the Man to this world. If Estel had been an Elf, his body would have had better chances of dealing with this injury. But as it were, he was losing his battle.

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances. Both knew the gravity of the situation and prayed that their brother would survive this. The elder twin looked back to Legolas, seeing the pale face and uneven breathing.

"We can do nothing for Estel, El," he said quietly. "But we can help Legolas."

Nodding, the brothers set to work, each taking hold of their dear friend and attempting to call him back from wherever he was.

The room was silent as the Elves fought to save them both.

The lake shimmered in the early morning sun, a light layer of mist still shrouded the far side but the mist was neither heavy nor dark. Nothing here was dark and Estel felt no pain, only happiness.

He settled himself along side the glistening water and smiled lightly. Such peace wasn't found anywhere in Middle-Earth these days. How he wished Legolas and his family could see this.

Legolas? The twins, Adar!? He suddenly thought, surging to his feet. Where am I? I remember them being there...then Legolas passed out...LEGOLAS!? Turning, he frantically sought out his friend. But no one was there. He was utterly alone in this paradise.

Or so he thought.

"Estel?"

Spinning on his heel, Estel faced the direction the voice had come from and gasped. A beautiful, dark-haired Elf stood in front of him, her white, flowing gown bright as the sun's rays.

"Who...who are you?" he asked, surprised by the appearance of an Elf he didn't know in his dream world.

A small, wane smile crossed the she-Elf's face. "I am Ithilwen," she answered. "Have you not heard of me?"

Estel's eyes widened. "Legolas' mother." He couldn't believe he stood before his best friend's mother. The Prince rarely spoke of Ithilwen, for what reason Estel didn't know. He only knew that the King and Prince had lost this lovely Elf during an attack on a travel party many long years ago.

Ithilwen smiled again. "Yes, I am Legolas' mother, Estel. Might I ask what you are doing here, young Human?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Estel sighed. "I'm dying I would expect. Legolas tried to save me, but I don't think he could even if he died trying."

Now the smile left her face. "Legolas is dying, Estel. He poured too much into you in his desire to save his best friend," she was frowning now. "You must go back, because if you do not, not only will Legolas join me here where he is not meant to tread, but the world of Men will one day fall as well."

The young man knew he was being given an inkling of the future and it was a future that he did not want to think about. "But I am happy here, Queen Ithilwen. I do not wish to hurt and suffer anymore."

"Then you shall doom Legolas to a fate he is not to have," she answered, shaking her head in sorrow.

Estel chewed his lip. He couldn't let this happen to Legolas. He loved his friend like a brother and would do anything to help him. "I do not wish this fate upon my friend, if it is not his to bear." He answered slowly, looking up and locking eyes with Ithilwen. "How do I get back?"

Smiling again, she pointed behind her. "Follow him."

Turning, Estel gasped. "Ada!" he couldn't believe the Elf Lord was here. That must mean he was bad off and was being called back. Turning to thank Lady Ithilwen, he jerked in surprise to find she had left his side and was speaking with a blonde-haired, young Elf. "NO! Legolas!"

Moving to take a step forward, Estel found himself unable to do so. He could only step in the direction of the Elf Lord and could do nothing to reach Legolas.

Elrond, sorrow in his eyes, waited until his son reached him. "Ada!" he cried, desperately watching Legolas' form grow more and more solid in this dream world which he realized was no dream. "We have to get him out of here! Ithilwen said he doesn't belong here!"

His father shook his head. "You can only do that by leaving here and calling to him from the outside, Estel. His life depends on you now, ion nin."

Nodding, Estel followed Elrond.

"Naneth!?" Legolas gasped, not believing his eyes. He had been in Middle- Earth, watching Estel die only moments before and now he was standing in a beautiful glade, looking at a form he hasn't seen in centuries. "How?"

Laughing, the Elf brushed the hair from her son's eyes. "You are dying, my little Greenleaf."

For a moment, neither said anything. Legolas stared at his mother in shock. "Dying? But I was all right a few moments ago, Naneth, how can I now be dying?"

His mother smiled wanly. "Your heart is too big, ion nin. You gave all your strength to Estel. He will live now. But you...you I am not so sure of." She grasped his arm, frowning. "You are deeply inside this realm, Legolas. You do not belong here, but if Estel has not the strength to call you back..."

"Then I will remain here...and the fates will have changed..." Legolas finished for her. Somehow, he knew he wasn't meant to be here, as wonderful as it was to see his mother. He knew he would see her again someday...in Valinor when he sailed there. This was wrong.

"What can we do?" he asked.

"Wait." Ithilwen sat on the grass. "All we can do is wait, Legolas."

"Ada!" Estel jerked, arching off the bed as he regained consciousness in a sudden rush. He gasped for air, surprised when it wasn't too difficult to breathe. Looking to his father, he saw the Elf Lord's eyes widen. But Elrond wasn't looking at Estel.

"NO!" Elrohir yelled, standing quickly. "Legolas...don't you dare do this to us...not now!" Elladan's eyes were full of anguish as he looked at his father and Estel.

Elrond rushed to the second bed, feeling for a pulse, knowing what he would find before reaching the blonde Elf. His head fell. "Legolas is fading, Estel. His body no longer functions; he is far into the other realm. You must call him back!"

Estel nodded. "Get me to him!"

Elladan and Elrohir hauled their ailing brother over to the Elf's bed. Estel cringed, seeing the bloody mess of Legolas' tunic and the unmoving chest of his best friend. Tears threatened, but he knew he had work to do.

Reaching out, he took hold of Legolas' hand and closed his eyes. Legolas? Mellon nin? Can you hear me? I need you to return to us. Lasto beth nin, tolo dan, Legolas. (Hear my voice, come back, Legolas.)

Inwardly, Estel knew that his thoughts would not be enough. He would need to do as Elrond had done, travel to the other realm and bring Legolas back. He only hoped that he would have the strength to return them both to the land of the living.

"Ada?" he said, looking up. "I will need a tether. I am going to get him. He isn't meant to die here."

The twins exchanged nervous glances. But Elrond did not hesitate. "You have one, Estel. Go quickly and may the Valar bring you both back to us."

Estel nodded, turned back to Legolas and settled back, falling into a deep trance, lost to the real world. His father and brothers looked on anxiously, glancing between the unmoving Prince and the Human sitting beside back to us," Elrohir sobbed lightly. "I promise I'll never play pranks on you again."

His brother stole a hidden glance at his brother and smiled wearily at the promise. I promise the same...

A/N: OKAY...there is an update for you! It's not the WORST cliffie I've done...but I'll bet is isn't pleasant. Hopefully I will be able to post more soon...I wanted to post THIS earlier, but I was busy.

To my reviewers: I didn't get a chance to do reviewer responses...I felt that posting the story was more important??!!! I will try to do them next time. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU BECAUSE I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

-Gwenneth