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Chapter 5: Return

Elladan froze for a moment when Legolas collapsed. He nervously checked his friend's soft breathing before sighing in relief and carefully gathering him in his arms, carrying him over to a nearby slight rock ledge, with a little shade and a large stone to lean the injured prince on.

The older twin ripped away the few remaining shreds of cloth on the elf's arm where he'd been bitten, inspecting the injury. It was deep, but fortunately not enough to cripple the limb for long. Tearing off small strips from the bottom of his cloak, Elladan made a make-shift bandage around the wound, surprised and growingly nervous when Legolas didn't even flinch.

After he was satisfied with it, he continued to look over the rest of his friend. He wished he had his healing pack with him, but nothing serious seemed to be wrong. Even though Estel had been seriously hurt, he couldn't help but feel relieved that the orcs had been the sadistic kind, torturing instead of immediately killing their prey.

Noticing a slightly bent ankle, he took off Legolas' boot, groaning in dismay at how swollen it was. He too, wrapped it, hoping it would keep the break immobile until they got to Rivendell.

"Legolas?" He whispered when the ankle was done, gently pushing the hair out of the prince's face to see if he was any closer to consciousness. He wasn't.

Elladan sighed again, contemplating carrying his friend home, running his fingers through the blonde strands...when he felt something sticky. Frowning, he realized it was blood. The hair had been on Legolas' back so he carefully turned him over, seeing what it was from. More crimson showed through small, pin-prick holes in the prince's jerkin.

The twin gently pried one of the holes larger, a sinking feeling filling him. He was revealed to scarlet welts on Legolas' upper back with almost black-tinged border. Some sort of unusual wounds...

'Poisoned wounds!'

The rest of his back was dark and bruised, like he had been hit by something. A thought crossed Elladan's mind of an orc weapon he had seen before. Clubs, with small spikes that you couldn't even feel pierce the skin, but were coated with poison and could be quite deadly.

'Oh, no....'

"Legolas?" he inquired again. They, now more then ever, needed to make haste to return to Imladris. "Mellon nin, wake up, please..." He lightly shook the prince's shoulders.

Legolas did not wake but turned over and moaned feverishly, cradling his injured arm close.

Elladan draped his cloak around the prince and began to lift him. "Legolas." He whispered. "We have to go now...I mean it."

Legolas whimpered loudly and began to flail wildly. "Estel" He cried hoarsely. "Estel, no!"

Elladan immediately dropped the elf and knelt beside him, holding him still. "Legolas," he said sternly. "Legolas, wake up, it is just a dream,"

Legolas sat erect swiftly, his blue eyes shining silver with fear and confusion. "Estel!" he cried.

Elladan pulled the delirious elf to him in a comforting embrace, "Shh, Lya naupe" You're dreaming

Legolas' breathing slowed to a normal pace. "Estel?" he questioned softly, gaining awareness.

"We are still far from Rivendell, my friend, I do not know how Estel fares." Elladan sighed.

Legolas turned to him and the twin saw tears in his eyes.

"'Dan," he whispered. "I was there, in Rivendell. And, and Lord Elrond, he told me..."

Legolas took a deep gulp.

"He said that Estel did not make it."

Elladan closed his eyes and gripped Legolas in his arms. "Tis just dreams, Legolas," he whispered. "Just dreams."

Legolas nodded tearfully. "But what if it's more?" he mumbled. "What if it is what is yet to come?"

"Don't think that way," Elladan scolded softly. "Estel will be fine. Do you not think my Ada is the best healer is all of Middle Earth?"

Legolas smirked slightly. "Of course he is, 'Dan...I guess we should go, then."

Elladan nodded. "I'll help you walk," he assured, gesturing to the wrapped ankle.

"Thank you..." Legolas smiled faded and he gently touched his ankle with a frown. "It's more than that, though, 'Dan...I am weary and disoriented and I don't know why. It's more than the ankle or my arm..."

Elladan frowned. "It seems you have been poisoned, my friend." He muttered, locking his gaze on his friend's eyes.

Legolas froze in horror. Surely he'd have known if he was poisoned! "How?" he cried.

"Your back, there are black poisoned marks...What happened there?"

Legolas pondered for a moment. "I was struck by an orc." He said at late.

Elladan sighed as his suspicions were confirmed. "The club had poisoned spikes, mellonomin. We must get you home. Fast. I am not used to this kind or what it does."

Legolas nodded briefly as the older twin draped his arm under his and helped him stand, favoring his ankle. Then his legs literally gave way, but Elladan supported him. His mind fell involuntarily into semi- consciousness and he felt himself being carried along for the next three days. He didn't know when they stopped to rest or if Elladan even said anything to him...but he did notice when the tips of Rivendell showed over the peaks of trees.

When they saw the welcoming sight, Legolas sighed in relief, grinning at the House of Elrond as he felt the soft grass beneath him.

Elladan was easing his friend to the ground and looked up when he heard...and felt, a familiar form racing towards him. In mere seconds, he and his twin were locked in a tight hug.

"Ro," Elladan whispered in happiness.

The twins gripped each other for a moment before stepping back and facing each other. They had known the other was alright, but always had fears that something horrible might happen...that they might lose each other...

Suddenly a frown creased Elrohir's face.

"Where is Legolas?" he asked nervously.

Elladan turned quickly to where his friend had collapsed...but Legolas was no longer there.

TBC!!!!