Disclaimer: I still want to own these characters, but do not.

Katy, I thank you once more.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Glorfindel had not even made it to the door of the Healing room that currently housed Legolas. He had practically marched there, muttering under his breath at his own guard's incompetence. He fully intended to review his guards after this latest fiasco. Some of the guards would find they no longer held the same positions. He would not have any one who would not take their duties seriously, especially at a time like this.

He was just reaching for the door handle when he was hailed from behind.

"Lord Glorfindel!" He turned his brow as black as thunder. It caused the Elf to come to a shuddering halt, gulping,

"What?" It was Baerela, one of the novice warriors.

"Anstela has asked that you meet him at the main gates, Sir." The novice looked far too nervous for Glorfindel's liking.

"Is there a problem?" He some how managed to calm him self down, after all it was not Baerela's fault that Saefnol had escaped.

"Yes, My Lord." He looked anxiously at the Balrog Slayer.

"Come then, let us go to him."

Baerela led the way to the main gates and as they came into sight a small group had gathered. Glorfindel raised his eyes to the heavens, thanking the God's that it was at least night time and only a few Elves were about.

Anstela strode to meet them a look of urgency on his face, as he came level to Glorfindel he bowed to mark his respect.

"Thank you for coming for me, Baerela, you may go off duty now." The novice's face showed his amazement that the Elf in front of him would even know he was meant to be off duty. But he bowed and wishing them a good night he left to go to his home, knowing full well that his brother would tell him all about what ever this was when he got back later. It was good to have another family member on the patrols.

Watching the young Elf leave, Anstela turned to Glorfindel. "You are more than aware of the escape earlier?"

"Yes, I am more than aware of it and the guards will be dealt with accordingly in the morning. They have been stripped of their duties. Why?"

"I have the prisoner for you." Glorfindel's surprise turned to worry, why did he not like the sound of this?

"Where?"

"Out the front of the gates. I will show you." Know that He was looking for it he could see the sorrow in Anstela's eyes.

They made their way out of the gates in silence. It matched that of the warriors who stood about heads bowed.

It did not take long for him to realise just why they were silent. For lying on the ground right in front of the gates so that they could not be missed were three bodies. One he recognised immediately for it was Saefnol. His throat had been cut from ear to ear. To his right lay a lady Elf her face serene in death; her throat had also been cut.

But the worst lay on Saefnol's left hand side. For it was a very young Elfling. It could only be Saefnol's son. Unlike his parents there was no readily apparent cause of death. Glorfindel found his heart to be heavy at this tragic loss of life.

He somehow managed to shake him self out of his sorrow and arranged for the bodies to be carried to the House of Preparation.

It was with a heavy heart that he made his way back to the Halls of Healing. This had to stop.

He was met along the way by the twins, Haldir and Estel. At first he could not understand why they were standing as they were and not in the room. Then understanding dawned.

He moved down the corridor as fast as he could. His anxiety not helped by their mumbling about just why they had been kicked out once again. They looked up as he drew near.

"Legolas?" Was his one question and at their nods he knocked on the door calling out who it was as he opened it. He was aware of the three youngsters behind him trying to look into the room

It was as he feared; Legolas was once more in the throes of a bad seizure. Mithrandir and Thranduil were doing their best to keep him safe as Elrond worked at the herb table once more making the paste he would give to the Prince. His friend looked up in relief as he saw Glorfindel enter.

With out needing to say a word Glorfindel headed towards the pallet and took over from Mithrandir. The Maia moved to stand at the foot of the bed, worry clear as he watched the proceedings.

With Glorfindel's help and ease of long practice, Thranduil gently moved his twitching son onto his left side ready for Elrond. He had to look away unable to watch as his friend treated Legolas. He could not stop the tears from filling his eyes.

"You may let him back down, the drug will work pretty quickly now." Elrond's voice was grave.

Between them they arranged Legolas' still twitching limbs on the pallet, not one of them moved as he gave a final sharp twitch before lying still once more.

At Elrond's nod, Mithrandir guided the upset King to the chair by the fire, making him sit. Elrond and Glorfindel meanwhile began the task of cleaning the Prince once more. When they had finished, Thranduil moved back to the pallet and sank down on it not moving his eyes from the pale thin face.

Glorfindel whispered to Elrond that he really needed to speak with him in private. At Elrond's nod they moved towards the door. Opening it they could only watch stunned as the three youngsters sent into the corridor practically fell into the room. Each had had an ear pressed to the wood, trying to find out what was happening.

They stood and brushed themselves down with as much dignity as they could muster, but it did not stop the blushes that flooded their faces. Elrond's eye brows did their legendary work out as he looked at them; their blushes deepened if that were at all possible.

Glorfindel had to hide his own amusement as he heard his friend say.

"We will be talking about this later, believe me. For the moment go and sit with your friend he is asleep now. I need to talk to Glorfindel and will be back soon." Shaking his head at his son's antics Elrond left the room followed closely by a smirking Glorfindel.

As the door closed behind their father, they moved into the room. To be faced by a not at all amused Mithrandir. Suddenly Elladan's idea at trying to find out what was happening was not such a good one.

Elrond led the way into the nearest empty chamber which just happened to be just across the corridor. Once inside with the door closed Glorfindel informed the Elf Lord what had transpired that evening.

To say he was not happy that Saefnol had managed to escape was an understatement and he thoroughly approved of his friends decision to remove the two still living Elves from duty. It still hurt that two more of his people had died because of this situation. They would not be at all happy come morning when they would be seeing them again.

Then Glorfindel dropped the other bombshell. That Saefnol had been found dead along with his family.

Elrond turned from the window, a deep frown marring his face. "This has to stop." Glorfindel nodded his agreement. "It is obvious that who ever is behind this is now in Rivendell. I want triple guards around the Hall's of Healing for tonight. Legolas is far too unstable to move once again."

"Is he that bad?" Glorfindel found that his worry over the Prince raised its head once more.

"Yes, we should not have tried to take him to Rivendell, but it was necessary. These headaches worry me, along with the fits. It was always likely that he would continue to have some fits. But not the head aches and not with this growing intensity." Elrond was uncharacteristically pacing the room.

"What can we do?" Was the quiet question.

"Nothing for the time being other than keep a very close watch on him over night, I want one of us awake and with him at all times. As soon as he awakens in the morning I will examine him again. We need to keep this quiet for the moment, especially after your news." Elrond was weary and his ribs hurt, Legolas had inadvertently caught them again during his seizure.

"I agree with you on that, Mellon-nin. Thranduil is not going to be happy." He watched as Elrond sat carefully on the pallet. "Your ribs?"

Elrond looked up in surprise, he had been careful not to show his discomfort, but he should have known that Glorfindel would spot it. They had known each other for a long time, after all. "Yes, Legolas caught me. I will be well."

"Do you want me to look at them?" Glorfindel moved closer to his friend.

"No, they were checked earlier, they will settle. I want any and all the patrols in Rivendell in the morning to meet us. We need to make absolutely sure that this does not happen again."

"I will arrange all that. I will go and set up the triple guard around the wing." He made his way to the door.

"Before you go would you kindly as the twins and Estel to come and see me?" Elrond stood and moved to the window, straightening him self despite the pain.

"Of course." He left the room leaving the door open.

Within seconds two very contrite Elves and one Man stood before him.

"What exactly where you doing earlier?" He radiated disapproval.

There was silence from those before him, although they did fidget. He had to hide his smile as it brought back memories when they were younger and always in some sort of trouble. Usually with a blond haired Prince in tow. He could only hope it would happen again.

"Well? I am waiting."

"I… We… Well…" Elladan tried hard to explain, but could not find the words.

Elrond crossed his arms, waiting.

"We were trying to hear what was going on, Ada, we are worried about Legolas." Estel finally broke through the awkward silence.

"So instead of asking properly you chose to listen at the door?" He could only shake his head in amazement.

"We did not think you would tell us." Elladan's voice was quiet and ashamed.

"In all probability I would not for there was a reason as to why I asked you to leave the room. There are some things that as Legolas' friends you do not need to witness. I am upset that you would treat your friend like this. Especially after all that has been happening. I never want you to do this again, am I clear?"

Three bowed heads nodded.

"Good, come then, we should return to Legolas." He moved towards the door his son's moving in behind him.

They entered just as Glorfindel arrived. The room was silent only the cracking of the fire was heard. Mithrandir was sat staring at the flames deep in thought. Haldir was at the window keeping watch on the courtyard outside. From his stance Elrond could tell the March Warden was on edge. He moved to his side.

"What is wrong?"

The other elf turned and gave him an intense look. "Some thing is not right. I do not know what. It is almost as if something or someone is waiting. Can you not feel it?"

Now that he was aware of it Haldir was right. The air seemed to crackle with an intensity that had not been there before. He could feel the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. "Yes, I can."

He looked around the room noticing that all of them could feel it too. Thranduil had his hand on the pummel of his sword. Mithrandir meanwhile had his staff in a white knuckled grip. Glorfindel stood at the ready at the door, sword already drawn.

He noticed Estel move towards Legolas, ready to cover him if at all necessary.

They waited all senses at full stretch.

It seemed to take for ever until the feeling passed, leaving all of the confused as to what exactly had just happened.

With unspoken agreement not one of them relaxed their guard properly all night and to both Elrond's and Glorfindel's relief neither did the guards outside.

It was a long, long night but finally dawn broke.

They were still in their places when Celeborn and Galadriel arrived with the morning meal. They in turn were astonished by what had occurred during the night. They had felt nothing in their room.

Legolas awoke during the meal and to Elrond's relief managed a little weak porridge followed by some tea. Once they had finished eating he examined him once more. He still had the feeling that something was wrong; he just could not put his finger on it. His speech had not improved any and the weakness in his left side was still the same. It was obvious that his head was still paining him. Elrond settled him down and sat in deep thought until it was time for Glorfindel and him to meet the patrols.

The meeting went well. For the Lord's. The warriors were left in no doubt as to how upset their Lord was over the events of the last few days. They each had decided that there would be no further breaches in their duty. It was a matter of pride now. The Mirkwood warriors were still present and it did not sit well with them knowing they had failed in their duties.

Then it was the turn of the two unfortunate guards last night. They stood proud in front of them, not that they expected anything else. The news on the deaths had spread around Rivendell very fast. That they were to blame hurt.

They accepted their punishment without quibble. They felt they deserved it; they had let their Lord, their families and their fellow warriors down. The fact that they would be retaking their training was a godsend. They fully expected to be removed altogether.

Once they had left the two friends returned to the Healing wing in silence. It did not last for long as Celeborn hurried towards them. The look on his face told its own story and they rushed once more into the chamber.

Estel was trying desperately to feed Legolas the herb tea but he was having no success. Galadriel was trying to calm him using Vanya, her ring of power, but she too was having no success. He was left with only one option.

Once Legolas was once more resting comfortably he sat slumped watching him sleep. The fits were increasing in severity and in frequency. There had to be a reason.

He looked up to see four very shocked young ones. This had been the first time that they had witnessed the extent to which they had to go to stop Legolas' seizures. He wished he had had the time to clear the room, but all he had wanted was to help Legolas and as they were the one's holding the Prince he had had no choice.

"This is why we cleared the room. I thought that neither you nor Legolas would wish to witness that."

"We understand, Ada, it will go no further." Elladan made sure his voice reflected the seriousness of how he was feeling.

"Why is Legolas fitting so badly?" Estel had not moved from his place at Legolas' head.

"That I am not sure of. I am still trying to find out."

"You feel there is something more wrong with him?" Thranduil turned eagle eyes at him, pinning in place.

"I really do not know, Mellon-nin I wish I could answer that for you."

"What do we do?" The worry was back in his friend's voice, just what he had not wanted to happen.

"We wait and watch. There is a stronger tea that I will make for him. It may work where the other tea has not. For now that is all we can do."

Thranduil was not happy with that, but then neither was Elrond.

The morning seemed to last for eternity as they all kept watch over Legolas. They spent some time talking over what they should do now.

"Why do we not have Legolas see Saefnol? It may be he recognises him. Surely it is worth thinking of?" She sat back serene once more.

"How would we get Legolas to see him?" Thranduil was thoughtful.

"Legolas can not leave this room." Elrond was adamant.

"Then we bring him to Legolas." It was a statement, nothing less.

"We can do that. We can use the chamber from earlier; have the body ready to bring in once Legolas is awake once more. It can only work in our favour." Glorfindel agreed with the suggestion.

"Do it." Elrond wanted to get the upper hand as soon as he could.

Glorfindel nodded and made his way to the door. "Elladan, Elrohir I will need your help." The three left the room.

The three crossed the courtyard heading towards the House of Preparation; they were unaware that they were being watched.

They returned half an hour later with a covered litter. The watcher cursed under his breath. It had been a mistake to leave the bodies as he had. He knew for a fact that the Prince would be able to recognise the body of Saefnol and then he would remember.

He would have to prevent that from happening.

It was later that afternoon that Legolas woke once more; he seemed even more disorientated if that was at all possible.

Thranduil gently explained what they needed of him and he agreed to look at the body. He watched with a mixture of pain and apprehension as the covered body was carried into the room.

It was sat beside the pallet and Glorfindel lifted the sheet to reveal the face beneath it.

They all watched as Legolas' face turned a deeper shade of grey.

"Do you know this Elf, Ion-nin?" Thranduil's voice was gentle.

Shocked blue eyes looked into his and he nodded. "E… eyes."

No one knew what he meant. "I am sorry, Legolas what do you mean?"

"D… dark e…eyes." Legolas tried his best to make them understand.

"Yes, he did have dark eyes. Very dark eyes." Thranduil agreed with his son thinking back to the uncanny eyes the Elf had had.

"D… darker t…than n… night." Legolas' voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yes, they were." Surprise filled Elrond at the younger Elf's comment.

It was as if he had had a light go off in his head. "Of course! That is it!" Before any one could do or say anything Elrond had rushed from the room leaving some very confused people behind him.

Elrond made his way to his study. How could he have missed the signs?

He reached for the book he required flipping it open to the page he needed. He was lost in his reading when a sudden shadow moved into his line of sight. He looked up, surprised.

Before him was just who he had expected. The Elf smiled at him a thin, evil smile.

"Hello, Elrond." His voice was cold and sounded just as evil as the smile looked….

To be continued.

Thank you to all my reviewers. You keep me going on.

Replies:

susy: Thank you for your kind words. Here is your update.

Gozilla: Here you are. Your update!

IcyPanther: I am glad that you are beginning to feel better. Yep, I love cliffies, if you can't guess. Here is another one for you!

Barbara Kennedy: Thank you for your kind update. As you say poor Legolas, he is not feeling very well and very weary too. Only a few people have picked up on the subtle hints as to why Elrond has to leave the room. Katy, my Beta was horrified when she first read what I had done to out favourite Elf. More to come.

Coolio02: Shush she may hear! Please both of you no projectiles. Please?! You won't find out what happens otherwise. I also think Saefnol might be happier with the bat!!!!

Legolas-gurl88: As you say the same basic principle. My favourite HP characters are Harry and Sirius Black. I still can't read that chapter without crying. Nick laughs at me when he is home and sees me. Legolas is my favourite too, so I'm glad that you are still enjoying this. I love Thranduil and can picture him being warm and loving to his son and yet ready to protect him at the drop of a hat. How else could Legolas become the warm wonderful person he is? I love writing him, too.

LishaChan: Here it is for you. As soon as I get the chance I will go and look at it for you.

Lisseyelen: Sorry about the evil cliffie, here is another one. Thank you for reviewing!

Elanor8: I do hope you have a wonderful time. I look forward to hearing from you when you get back…

PopcornandGreenery: More cliffies than you ever thought possible. LOL, they just seem to happen. Please be careful when you fall over trust me I know it hurts!

Once again thank you all and until tomorrow,

Bye,

Shell