Lomion felt the knife dig deeper into his neck, eyes on his brother almost begging for him not to do this, he could feel the small dribbles of blood as trickled down his throat to join the blood already on his tattered clothes.

If he could have been capable and allowed to do so he would be on his knees begging Lomion to back off and get some warriors. Then he saw a steely determination that he had never seen before in his brother's eyes.

Elardion, though, kept his attention focused on Darenholt; there would be time later to check Lomion for serious injuries. First he had to free him.

"Let Lomion go, it would not be a fair fight if you hold him against me. Let him move out of our way." Elardion did not know how he did it, but his voice was even as he spoke, despite his pounding heart.

Darenholt laughed but did as requested. Making sure the ropes holding Lomion were tight, he removed his knife from Lomion's throat he threw the dark haired Prince hard against the wall, Lomion sank to the ground lifeless.

Elardion winced at the sound as a crack resounded in the small place. Lomion was sure to have some broken ribs possibly other bones as well. Elardion felt sorry for his brother, he could not believe that his usually strong and dignified brother was lying on the floor unconscious.

He could feel the rage building inside of him at what Darenholt had inflicted on Lomion. Raising his sword, they both into the attack. It was evenly matched to Darenholt's surprise; he had though of Elardion as a simple healer more used to treating wounds than inflicting them.

Darenholt lunged at Elardion and the healer Prince raised his sword, whirling around and avoiding the slash from the other Elf, he succeeded in landing his own hit on the other. Darenholt fell backwards with a cry, clutching his arm.

Elardion took the chance offered to him and ran towards his brother to check him for injuries.

Lomion was feeling very light headed from the force of the blow against the wall and the blood loss from his wound. His head slumped forward as his energy fled from him. Dimly he could hear Elardion begging.

"Please, Lomion stay with me. We are going to get out of this I promise you. Do not let go of this world, it is not your time." Elardion was pleading, eyes full of tears. Relief flooded through him as the brown eyes opened dazed. He did not notice Darenholt had regained his feet and was moving towards him until it was too late to react.

Using the others distraction to good use, Darenholt slipped his lade silently under Elardion's chin. "And here I was thinking that I had one son to bargain with know I have two. Maybe I can collect all five and get a full set." He could not help but gloat.

Elardion looked up into his enemy's eye. "You are crazier than I though; there are six of us not five."

"Has Daddy not told you yet that one of your brother's is not his son? That in fact one of them is mine?"

Lomion slowly blinked his eyes and gathered enough strength to look up. "You lie." he replied weakly.

"I would not, think my Prince's. " Darenholt spat out. "Which of your brother's is unlike any of the others?"

Lomion answered first. "Surely you do not think of Legolas."

"Exactly, have you not noticed that his powers are stronger and greater than yours? He has a bond with nature that you have yet to imagine. His physical appearance and nature are all different to yours and are far more like my own."

"Except Legolas is not a psychopath!" Elardion shouted.

"Now, now, my Prince, or this blade just might slip. Then I will be back to having just one hostage. But it is as I said; your Mother only had five children sired by Thranduil. Legolas is mine."

Elardion brought his own sword up in a surge of anger, slashing at the Elf who was trying to destroy his family. Darenholt was shocked at the force the Prince used and staggered back. Elardion gave another swing of his sword and it plunged into the other Elf's chest. He gave another mighty swing and within moments Darenholt's lifeless body dropped to the floor minus its head.

Panting harshly Elardion stared down at the corpse, as he looked his breathing became more ragged, and then he remembered his brother.

Turning he knelt by Lomion's side and was cutting his brother's bonds, Lomion smiled weakly at him and he lifted his brother into his arms and made his way out of the cave. By the time they could see the entrance of the cave Lomion was once more unconscious.

Outside the cave warriors were getting ready to enter and rescue both Princes'. They stopped and raised their bows as they saw the dim shadow of someone emerging. The bows were steady and their aim true as they held them selves ready to shoot if it was Darenholt.

Thranduil's shout of "Hold your fire!" sounded from behind them and they did as their King order, although the bows were still held ready in their hands.

Thranduil ran into the cave to join his two sons, taking Lomion into his arms, he held his eldest son tight, relief stark on his face. Elardion placed an arm around his father and rested his head against his shoulder. Suddenly he was exhausted, the adrenaline rush leaving him suddenly as reaction at what had just occurred set in.

Thranduil led the way out into the snow; Lomion awoke just as he was being laid carefully onto the spread out cloaks that the warriors hastily arranged. "Ada, please stay with Me." he could not stop the tears entering his eyes and blinked rapidly to disperse them. Thranduil held his son tight and whispered reassurances and tried to comfort the Crown Prince.

Elardion moved away from his father to go to his younger brother and their friends. He picked up the Elfling and carried him over to where Lomion and his father were. "Little one, come here." Lomion called quietly. Legolas lay by his side and buried his head into his brother's chest.

"Lomion, I told them where to find you. I shot two spiders and I will guard you. No one will hurt you." Legolas spoke hurriedly, not taking a breath between words. Lomion smiled as he drifted off to sleep, the small voice lulling him into the darkness that was calling him. He did not hear half of what Legolas was telling him.

When Lomion woke next he saw the face of his brother staring back down at him.

"Good morning, Lomion, how do you feel this morning?" Elardion gently brushed a stray hair from his elder brother's face.

"Better, can I have some water please?" In fact he felt much better. He was warm and comfortable and only had a few twinges from his encounter with Darenholt. He found him self leaning into his brother's touch.

"Of course you can." Elardion poured some fresh water into a glass and helped Lomion sit up high enough to drink it. "Ada wanted me to let him know when you were awake but I need to talk to you about what Darenholt sad about Legolas. Do you think it is true?" He had worried all night about this and still did not know what to think.

"No, if it were true Adar would have told us. Darenholt was trying to distract you, was trying to get at you psychologically. Put it out of your mind, it is not true and even if it was it would not matter he is still my brother. He is still out Little Leaf." He tried to reassure Elardion.

"You are right, of course. Naneth would never betray Ada in that way. I do not think we should even mention this to him." he moved away, only to be stopped by Lomion's hand on his arm.

"Wait, El', I want to say something to you. I am so sorry for all those things I said to you or even thought of you." Lomion grabbed his hand and placed it against his cheek. "I have to thank you for saving my life. You are as brave and strong as any warrior this army has, possible even better than them. Thank you."

Elardion once again had to blink away the tears his brother caused once again. "Do not be sill, Lomion you are my brother. I never blamed you for the things you said while you were under the influence of that potion. I know you respect healers. I love you and would do anything for you. But it has made me realise that I am a healer and not a fighter. I get the same adrenaline rush as you by fighting deadly wounds."

Lomion smiled weakly. "We are both different but that is good. I do not think Middle Earth could cope if we were both alike." He could not help but joke.

"Agreed!" Laughing Elardion made to leave the chamber to go in search of his father, but the door opened as Thranduil entered the chamber Legolas in his arms. Handing Legolas over to the twins behind him he crossed to the bed and embraced his eldest son.

"Twilight, you had me so worried. Never do that again."

Legolas managed to wriggle out of Nolvo's grip and climbed onto his brother's bed. "Lomion awake now." He stated the obvious.

"He knew Leafie knew you were awake." Thranduil informed Lomion and Elardion.

"Well he is a very special leaf, only he could kill three spiders and save lives." Alcarnor said.

"What?! He did what?" Lomion could not believe his ears.

"Your brother killed two spiders and saved both Estel's and Elladan's lives." Thranduil was incredibly proud of his youngest son.

"But how? What with?" Lomion could not really take it all in.

"With his bow that you made, although he sneaked a few of Estel's arrows as well." Lomion took up the tale.

"But he has never had a proper lesson!" Lomion was stunned as he looked at his brother who was humming and playing happily with Growly.

"I know he is a natural!" Even Drowlin was smiling, proud of his brother.

"Just think how lethal he will be when he does have his lessons. I would not want to be on the receiving end of his arrow." Alcarnor's comment made them all laugh.

"Leafie how did you know where to find Lomion?" Elardion had to know. From the looks of it so did every one else.

"Trees and wind told me." Legolas just shrugged and carried on with what he was doing as if it was nothing.

Elardion and Thranduil would have asked further but they noticed that Lomion was looking tired and finding it difficult to stay awake. At their insistence the others left the room, leaving Lomion to rest.

Across the Palace Mithrandir and Elrond were having a serious discussion as to what they should do know. With Darenholt dead and no longer claiming Legolas as his own should they tell Thranduil that Legolas was not his?

In the end it was decided to go and examine Darenholt's body in the hope of finding something of use. Thanks to Mithrandir's handy little test they could get an answer.

Elrond watched as his old friend gathered some dried blood from the body before him; he added it to the fluid that also contained a little blood from the sample taken from Legolas and shook it gently. Both held their breath as they waited for the liquid to change. If Darenholt was Legolas' Adar it would turn a deep burgundy. If not it would stay as it was. Nothing was said as it turned a deep burgundy colour.

"It is true then." Elrond sounded defeated.

"Yes, I am afraid it is." Mithrandir's voice was soft.

"What do we do now?"

"Now is not the right time for this to come out. It will wait for a time, we have no rush, and Darenholt will be no further threat. This would hurt Thranduil even more than he is at the moment. I feel it is best to keep this to just ourselves."

Elrond could only agree.

Legolas was bored. Now that all the excitement of the last evening had died down, he was bored. He had played with Mousey and the bunnies. He had even painted a picture for Lomion to cheer him up. But every few minutes the Elfling's gaze would turn once more to the window and he watch as the white snow fell silently.

He made his way over to the window and climbing up on the chair he sat looking out. He looked on in awe at change of scenery, it looked so magical. So white and pure. How he would love to go and play out there. To be the first to put a foot into the magical stuff.

"Little Leaf, what are you doing?" He turned to face Elardion.

"Watching the snow, it is like magic." Elardion had to smile at the awe in the younger Elf's voice.

"It does look nice does it not? Are you hungry? It is time for dinner."

Legolas turned to him with a big smile. "Will Lomion be there?"

"Not for this meal, Leafie but may be for the evening meal if Lord Elrond thinks he is well enough." They made their way down to the family room and took part in a very, Very lively meal.

"Ada?" Legolas was enjoying his meal.

"Yes, my Leaf?" Thranduil smiled down at his son.

"May I go and play in the snow?" He was even drinking the awful milk that was always set before him. If he drank it without the usual protests then maybe he would be allowed out into the courtyard to play.

"Not today, ion-nin you are still very tired and sore after yesterday. May be tomorrow when we are all feeling a little better and Lomion can join us?"

"Oh, but what happens if the snow goes before then?" Legolas' eyes were wide as he gave voice to his fears.

"It will not be gone." Thranduil looked down to make sure Legolas had eaten his food only to find an empty plate and glass. "You have finished, well done." It was the first time since Laurelin's death that Legolas had eaten properly.

Legolas smiled at him shyly, pleased at the praise.

"If you would all excuse me, there is something I would like to show Legolas." Curious nods greeted this. Legolas was happy to be in his father's arms as they made their way out of the family chamber. He liked being held by him, they made their way towards the door that opened out onto the courtyard.

Legolas could only look on in awe at the change that had come over his own. It looked like a completely different place. Even his old friend the Mallorn looked different covered in the white snow.

"Now Legolas can you tell me if the snow is going to melt and go away before tomorrow?" Thranduil stood on the ornate steps with him.

"Yes." Legolas had his brow furrowed in thought.

"Will you share it with me?" Thranduil knelt beside him.

"The wind is cold and comes from the North." Blue eyes turned to him.

"Good, what else?" Thranduil looked at the sky to try and give the Elfling a clue.

"The wind says there will be more today and tonight."

That surprised Thranduil. Legolas really did have an affinity with nature.

"Does the wind say how bad it will be?" He ruffled the blond hair.

Legolas scowled at his father making Thranduil laugh. "Lots of snow and high winds. He says that some of the branches will be knocked down by it." A gleam entered his eyes. "He also says he will kill some of the spiders and other monsters for us."

"That is kind of him, what else does he say?"

"The winter will be long, the spring will be short and warm and the summer will be bright. The birds will have lots of chicks and so will the squirrels. I will be able to play with them."

"Do you know any other ways of telling if it will snow?" Thranduil had to smile at his son's enthusiasm.

"Scamp."

Thranduil blinked at that, he had not expected that! "Scamp?"

"Yes, he tells me when it will snow."

"I see, what about the sky?" Thranduil put that to one side until he could think more on it.

"The sky, Ada?"

"Yes, little One, look at the sky. What colour is it?"

Legolas did as asked and looked at the sky. "Yellow, Ada."

"Good, that is the colour the sky goes when it is full of snow. You need not worry, Legolas the snow will be there tomorrow and we can all go out and play. Even me and Elrond. Would you like that?"

"Can we really, Ada? Please?" The smile was incredible.

"Yes, my Leaf we can." With that he carried Legolas back into the palace and out of the cold.

That afternoon Legolas presented Lomion with his picture. It was of him playing with Scamp in the snow. Needless to say he loved it

To be continued.

Hi guys. This is Meisalliam and I have to admit that I am taking a slight back seat at the moment. I have loads of stuff going on so this is a mixed chapter between me and Shell and I hope you like it.

Blue September Rain: Sorry Shell did the cliff hanger its all her fault. Basically yeah we take turns we discuss what's going to happen and sometimes may decide that it is a shell chapter or a Meisalliam chapter. We are a team and we know that.

dark angel : We will try and include more kick ass Elardion shall we?

SailorOrion11: No evil Drowlin for a while. It is all explained in Happily Ever after why he is like he is so it does make sense.

Triptych : We have some ideas for fluffy chapters so no worries. But we also have ideas for angst. Plus my (Meisalliam's newest story idea)

Dark Borg Drone: We plan to keep going and going and going like a Duracell battery.

LadyJackIsBack: Thanks. No one too important will get overly hurt

Lirenel: We only hurt him a little.

bradleigh: Shell and I forgot about her so she just disappears for a little while. Hope you do not mind.