Translations:

Nad dithen- just a little thing

Carnen an gwend- done for friendship

Chapter 13 Breakthrough

On the way back to Legolas' rooms, Aragorn made a quick stop at one of the guest rooms. He picked up a package and headed back. He reached the door just as Gandalf and Thranduil were coming out. One look at their faces told Aragorn all he needed to know. Thranduil had aged and looked everyone of his years. He was holding onto Gandalf's arm for support.

"You're too late Aragorn. We're all too late. No one can reach him. It is only a matter of time, and he will be just as dead as Yesel." Elrond, who had just arrived, looked at Gandalf then stepped forward.

"Come Thranduil, you need to rest." He led Thranduil off towards his own chambers. Aragorn and Gandalf watched their retreat down the hall.

"Are things as serious as all that," Aragorn asked Gandalf

"His mind is totally closed off and he is dwindling rapidly. If this keeps up he will be dead in a matter of days, perhaps as early as tomorrow morning."

"What if we could reach him. Could he recover?"

"It may still be too late for him to come back."

"I will not let him die. I made a promise that I intend to keep." He laid a hand on the package. He opened the door and stepped inside. The door swung shut behind him.

"May the luck of all the gods be with you," Gandalf whispered into the empty hall. He sat down on a chair, lit his pipe, and began the wait.

Aragorn stood in the entranceway, surveying the room. The only things that had changed were that a couple of candles had been lit and it was raining outside. Legolas still sat in his chair by the window. The elf seemed entirely unaware of the rain that was coming in through the open window. Aragorn laid the package on the bed and removed an envelope from it. He went over to Legolas and pulled up a chair so that he was sitting directly in front of him. He looked into the elf's eyes. They were devoid of expression, devoid of life. Aragorn started talking to him, all the while watching for any sign of interest, of life.

"Legolas, please come back to us. I know it's hard, and I know it hurts, but please try. Yesel would not want you to suffer so. She loved you dearly." Not even the faintest glimmer that Legolas had heard or understood him. He decided that the time had come for stronger measures to be taken. He stood up and placed the envelope on the chair. He took a breath and said, "forgive me, my friend," then backhanded him. He picked up the envelope and sat back down, his eyes never straying from Legolas. He was rewarded by seeing the elf blink twice.

"You struck me," he said in a thick voice that was rusty from disuse.

"Yes I did, and now that I have you attention I want to read you something.""

"Leave me alone. I do not want to hear anything you have to say."

"I am not going to leave you alone and you are going to listen to what I have to say." He opened the envelope and pulled out the piece of paper contained within. He showed the letter to Legolas.

"As you can see, this letter has been written by Yesel's hand. Let me read it to you. My dearest Legolas, today is the happiest day of my life, for today I will become your wife. Every minute I spend with you is like love, and I will love you always and forever. Yesel" As Aragorn had started reading, Legolas had closed his eyes and laid his head on the back of the chair. Aragorn watched the him for any reaction. Legolas raised his head and opened his eyes. A single tear crept down his cheek and fell, unheeded, to the floor. Aragorn put his hands on the elf's shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes.

"Live Legolas, if only for her. She never wanted you to die."

Gandalf looked up as the door opened and Aragorn stepped out. He looked weary, but relieved.

"Legolas has asked that food and drink be brought to him," Aragorn said. The old wizard let out the breath he had unconsciously been holding, and offered a silent prayer of thanks to all the gods he knew of. He stood.

"I will go and inform Thranduil of the change in his son. Go to the kitchen and bring back food and water." Aragorn nodded and went to pass him. He was stopped by Gandalf placing hid hand on his shoulder.

"You did well Aragorn. Legolas owes his life to you." Aragorn shook his head in the negative.

"Nad dithen. Carnen an gwend." Gandalf smiled and together they headed down the hall