Thank you, all those who reviewed this chapter! Lord Elrond of Hogwarts, Warrior Elf, tmelange, gozzila, naur rhaug, Riva van Dyk, Wolf Maid, Hp-Azn, galadriel evenstar, magsluvsaragorn, Ymmas Sirron, Lady Jaina, wadeva, Shauna, Renna, grumpy, elfmage, SilverKnight7, Deana, Lady of the Forest1, Just Me, bant, and LegolasLover2004.

Chapter 11: You Don't Understand!

The sound of metal sinking into flesh was heard…but it was not Legolas' flesh.

The prince heard the sound and opened his eyes in disbelief. The dagger was mere inches from his throat and 'Milord' stood, unmoving, his eyes open but unseeing. A blade was imbedded in the back of his neck, slightly protruding from the other side. Then the man fell, dead, to the ground.

When the man fell Legolas caught a glimpse of a young, maybe ten winters old, boy, and knew for some reason...he had stabbed 'Milord'. All of the men had been focused on their elf captive and none of them saw that the boy did it. As they started yelling and cursing in confusion the boy darted into the crowd so he wasn't suspected.

Legolas quickly wriggled his other hand free, and just as the men began running up to him, untied the poorly knotted roe binding his ankles to the pole.

He jumped off of the platform the pole was on and smirked despite himself. Now they'd see what happened when they mistreated his kind. He had heard about a group of savage men that had recently invaded the forest of Mirkwood and were killing elves. The prince clenched his fists. They'd pay.

Legolas was a trained warrior. He didn't need weapons to defeat these men. He strongly kicked and punched the oncoming men who didn't stand a chance, barely thinking about the pain it caused him. He skillfully ducked blades swinging at him and even darted out of the path of a flying arrow.

The arrow triggered his attention. If he could get hold of a bow there'd be no stopping him. The prince noticed a longbow on the edge of the clearing leaning against a tree with a full quiver of arrows beside it. Just as he made his way towards it, a large man swung a broad sword at the elf's head. Legolas ducked and the blade hit another approaching mortal. The elf paused for a moment, realizing how close it had come to hitting him. He didn't hear the man behind him before it was too late.

A stifled cry left the prince as he fell to his knees. He felt blood drip down his back from the slash. Grimacing, he rolled out of the way from the final strike the man planned for him. He scrambled to the bow and in one swift motion, nocked an arrow and struck the human who had stabbed him.

Then the elf swiftly began shooting, sometimes up to four arrows at a time. He expertly hit every man and before long they were almost gone.

Legolas hit a man and saw another figure in his peripheral vision. He turned and began to release the arrow when he realized that it was the boy that had saved him, standing there watching him. He had no time to stop letting it go but managed to alter the arrow's path just enough so it just whizzed passed the boy's shaggy brown head. The child yelped and jumped back in disbelief.

This child's parents had died of a fatal plague. The group of elf- prejudice men had been passing through the town and took the child in, teaching the child how horrible elves were. The innocent boy didn't think it made much sense that such elegant, magical beings could be cruel as the men made them out to be. When he saw what they were doing he knew it was wrong and did the only thing he could: took the dagger the leader of the men gave him and killed him.

But now this elf had almost killed him.

The boy didn't want to be like these men…but now he didn't know what to think of the elves. He only wanted to go home. He turned and ran.

"Thank you," the prince called after him desperately before falling to his knees miserably.

What had he done? He looked around in shock. He had just killed over a dozen men without a second thought. True, they deserved it for what they had done to his kin...but never before had Legolas killed so furiously, unless it was orcs.

But orcs were different. They were horrible creatures that were always evil and everyone hated. Men...well, most men weren't like these.

Legolas stared in disbelief at the bodies and the crimson snow, the rancid smell of blood and gore filling his mind. He had killed them all…almost with pleasure. It frightened him. He was hardly thinking when he did it - what had overcome him? As his thoughts drifted back to the fight he felt a strange tingling in his back where he had months ago been stuck by the club, pronounced even more than the slash.

What was happening? He had been totally out of control and his elven senses had been virtually non-existent. Not only had he had trouble realizing the spiders were approaching but he hadn't known the man was behind him.

The prince had rarely missed his target since he began training. Now he had probably hit Estel with a dagger when that spider hit him and he had almost shot the child that had saved him without thinking.

Legolas froze in shock. Estel! He had forgotten for many minutes that the boy might well be dying or dead somewhere. How had he forgotten?

'What is happening to me?'

Legolas anxiously tried to stand but his legs buckled and he fell face-first atop a body. Crying out in disgust, he rolled off of it and lay on his back, breathing swiftly.

His leg was crushed, his arm was snapped, many of his ribs were broken, his back was cut, and he was covered head to boot with multiple bruises and cuts. It hurt to breathe, like it did when he broke ribs before, but it seemed like all the pain was multiplied. He was strong and had been injured a lot, so he was used to blocking away the pain. Why couldn't he now?

The prince had a frightening idea he knew was true. Somehow, all this pain had to do with his previous injury to his back. Somehow, the poison was acting up again…it wasn't totally out of his system and was dormant until he was in terrible pain again.

Legolas tried not to think about it as he struggled to stand up. For all he knew, he might be dying again from this poison. Only this time, there was no one to heal him.

As stubborn as he was, Legolas ignored his horrible injury and slowly made his way, limping, to where the battle with the spiders had occurred. He would save Estel if it killed him.

An elf walked into Thranduil's study. "My Lord?" he questioned.

"Yes?" The Mirkwood king replied.

"Prince Legolas' horse has just arrived. There was no rider. It appears to have been running very fast for a long period of time."

Thranduil felt his heart constrict. How did his dearly loved son always get into danger?

Thranduil nodded curtly to the elf. "Prepare to leave," he said, standing up.

As Estel slowly returned to consciousness he was immediately overwhelmed by the freezing cold and sat up abruptly, shivering, tossing off a layer of snow and gasping for breath. It proved to be a bad move, for he cried out feebly in pain when he moved.

Whimpering softly, teeth chattering, he gazed down at his right side. About two hands-spans wide was a gruesome, gangrenous colored slash. It wasn't that deep but stung horribly. He assumed it would probably hurt more if it wasn't numbed slightly by the cold. Trembling, he tried to stand by gripping a tree only feet away from him.

He gazed blearily around his surroundings. It had snowed at least two feet since he had fell, small lumps in the snow indicating where the spiders were buried. A lump formed in his throat as he frantically looked around for Legolas. His mind was fogged by the cold but he could faintly recall the image as he fell off his horse of the prince turning to help him but his horse slipping, crushing his leg. That was the last he saw of his friend before he was running for his life.

"Legolas?" he called out, his voice weak and hoarse. The only response was the soft whistling of frigid wind blowing through the forest. He was so cold. His whole body shook and his limbs felt like they were frozen. He felt frozen even into his soul. His mind couldn't remember the feeling of warmth. Everything was fading from him.

"Legolas!" he tried to call out again, but it came as barely a whisper. Pushing himself on, he trudged through the snow. The child only got a few yards before he fell to his hands and knees. He wished with all his heart he hadn't discarded his cloak, for now it was probably too deep in the snow to find. The bitter winter wind nipped against him and even his gloved hands stung, if they weren't covered they would have probably been frostbit.

Determined, Estel continued walking, falling again and again. He didn't know where he was going, he just kept trudging through the snow, weakly calling out for Legolas. His mind began to fade and his vision dimmed. He was overcome by a dire desire to sleep. Even the cold was fading, as well as everything else. The child crumbled to his knees; he didn't want to give in but his mind held no further control over his body.

"Ada, 'Dan, 'Ro, help me," he whispered softly. They had always been there for him. He had never been so alone.

Tears ran down his ashen face but seemed to freeze immediately. Then he finally surrendered to the deep sleep.

After miles of painful trekking, Legolas saw a small shape on the ground. Picking up his pace, he raced forward and dropped to his knees next to the body. He was terrified at the almost pure white with a hint of blue color of the child's skin…but though he saw a spider-inflicted gash along the boy he saw no blade wound.

"Estel," he hissed urgently. "Estel can you hear me?" He gingerly touched the boy and pulled back with a gasp when he felt the icy, rigid feel of the boy's body. He'd never have believed something so cold could be alive.

Ever so slowly, he watched as the child's crystallized eyelashes quivered slightly before he opened his eyes slightly, the blue orbs cloudy and dazed. They inspected him slowly but the boy did not respond.

"Estel?" Legolas persisted.

Something awoke Estel and he slowly brought himself to open his eyes. There, in front of him, was Legolas. He tried to move or say something but he couldn't. He instantaneously felt, once again, the feeling or eternal ice through his body.

Mind racing, Legolas hastily took off his outer shirt around his tunic and wrapped it around the boy. His heart beat wildly inside him. He did not know how much cold humans could withstand and how it affected him but he could tell Estel was far too cold.

He hugged the child close to him and stood up quickly. Doing so, a wave of dizziness washed over him and he hissed softly at the pain. He set off quickly, hazily recalling the way to Mirkwood. He could normally easily walk on snow but was hampered by his injuries and carrying the kid.

The prince rubbed Estel's shoulders as he walked. "Estel," he whispered sternly.

The boy looked up at him again, this time slightly more focused. "Legol-" he whispered brokenly as he shivered.

"Yes, I'm here, everything's going to be okay. You just need to do one thing for me alright, little one?"

Estel nodded softly.

"You have to try to stay awake, even though you're cold, alright? Just pretend you're warm and try not to think about the weather, but by all means, do not fall asleep. I know you may want to, but I have heard about the affects winter can have on your race so you have to trust me on this, alright?"

Estel nodded again. "I trust you, Legolas," he whispered softly.

Legolas smiled slightly at the boy but still figured the boy would still fall asleep if he wasn't distracted. The prince quickly racked his mind for a topic. They needed to start a conversation about something.. "Do you want to talk about your brothers?" he asked.

Estel stirred and looked up at him willingly. "'Dan an' 'Ro? Yeah,"

Legolas paused. He was greatly frustrated at the fact he could scarcely concentrate. "So...you can tell them apart, can't you?" he asked, recalling a question he had pondered before.

"Yes," Estel whispered. "I don't know how, really, I don't actually see any differences…I just know."

Legolas smiled. It had taken him many years to tell the twins apart. Only those who knew them well could tell the difference but it even took them decades to. Somehow this child just...knew.

Estel continued, his eyes shining with admiration of his brothers. "They tell me I'm just as good as the elves and that there's nothing wrong with being human," his voice was tinged with disbelief - that he knew they meant what they said but he didn't think the same way. He saw the way elves looked at him when they first met him. Like an inferior being, not fit to live with Firstborn. Even Legolas had treated him differently when they first met than if he had been an elfling

"You are just as good!" Legolas assured the child. "I have never met any child or elfling as brave as you."

Estel smiled weakly but it faltered. "I try to be like 'Dan and 'Ro 'cause they're really brave..." He cast his eyes downward. "They tell me of their adventures and that if they get captured they don't give the captors pleasure, so I tried to be like them,"

Legolas hugged the child close. "You are brave Estel. When we were with the orcs I couldn't believe how strong you were..."

"It hurt so bad," Estel cried, burring his face into the prince's chest.

Legolas bowed his head. "I know, and I'm sorry, Estel. I should have protected you better,"

"It wasn't your fault," Estel sniffled.

Legolas tried to comfort the boy by wrapping his arm closer but the child whimpered when his wound was pressured more. Legolas felt himself fill with anguish at Estel's pain. He tried to change the subject to distract the boy.

Legolas managed a smile. "So did your brothers teach you weaponry?"

Estel nodded weakly. "'Dan and 'Ro taught me to use a bow when I turned four and Ada taught me to use a light sword."

"Was that their idea?"

Estel shook his head and then rested it back against Legolas' chest tiredly. "It was mine. I wanted to be a good fighter, like the elves."

Legolas looked down sadly at the boy who wanted so bad to fit in. Suddenly he felt a wave of nausea washed over him and stumbled, quickly regaining himself.

"Legolas?" Estel asked weakly.

"I'm alright, 'tis nothing," Legolas reassured. Trying to change the subject again, he added, "So...have the twins ever said anything about me?"

"Oh yes," Estel told him, though he closed his eyes weakly. "They talk lots about you, they missed you. They said that you're their best friend...and,"

"And what?"

Estel smiled weakly. "They said you're really stubborn."

"Did they?" Legolas asked incredulously, arching an eyebrow.

"They said that before you went for days without telling them you'd broken your leg," Estel opened his eyes. "Legolas, are you badly hurt? Please tell me."

Legolas frowned as his thoughts were drawn to his back. He was stubborn and didn't inform others when he was hurt, but it was staying that way. He didn't want people to worry about him unless absolutely necessary. When they reached his home he'd tell a healer.

The prince's leg pained him and he almost fell again. His arm throbbed as he held the child and his chest burned with every breath.

"I'm fine, Estel, I swear. Do not worry about me, little one." Legolas lied.

Abruptly, it felt like a huge wave of fire engulfed him, and after a bright flash of light he remembered nothing more.

Estel cried out as Legolas suddenly fell limply to the snowy ground. He scrambled out quickly from the prone elf's body and shook the prince frantically.

"Legolas!" he whimpered, crying, "Legolas, wake up!" but the elf wouldn't respond.

Estel felt his heart race inside him while his body felt frozen cold. How badly hurt was Legolas? What had happened to him? What had he kept hidden?

Estel knelt by the motionless elf, crying...but he knew it was useless. There was only one thing he could do. Clutching Legolas' overshirt around him, the small human child managed to shakily stand.

'I have to get to Mirkwood. I have to save him…I have to be strong.'

Estel pushed himself to walk for a short time, but his body shook horribly. He had never felt so cold. Finally, involuntarily, his body betrayed him and he fell limply to the ground.

A band of elves walked into the clearing. Thranduil looked around sharply everywhere, his keen elven eyes scanning desperately for his son.

"Lord Thranduil!" and elf, Sila, alerted. "I see something!" the elves rushed forward to the fallen figure in the distance, none noticing a very small form all but covered by snow just off of their path.

Thranduil dropped to the ground and anxiously pushed the snow off of the body.

"Legolas," he breathed in horror. His son was pale and lifeless.

One of the healers dropped to the prince's side, sliding his forefingers along Legolas' neck, stopping. "He's alive, milord," the healer whispered in relief.

Nervously, the king surveyed his only son. His body was so battered and bruised, it almost made him physically sick. And he knew exactly who had done it. He clenched his fists furiously as two elves lifted the prince onto a wooden stretcher. A group of men had been prowling the forest of Mirkwood, usually killing their victims after beating them. Why these men had such a hatred for elves, Thranduil did not know.

After a strip of cloth was wrapped around the prince's back and he was laid onto the stretcher, the king tenderly wrapped a blanket around his son.

"Head back!" he commanded.

The elves were half-way home when Legolas moaned softly. The elves stopped and Thranduil raced to his son's side.

Legolas' cobalt eyes opened weakly. "Ada?" he questioned doubtfully, blinking.

Thranduil took his son's hand in his and nodded, brushing back the prince's long blonde hair with the other. "Yes, ion nin, we're almost home, you're going to be fine."

Legolas nodded weakly.

"Are you in a lot of pain?" the king asked.

"No," Legolas lied. Suddenly he sat up, nearly crying out at the pain it caused him. "Estel! Where's Estel?" he exclaimed.

"Shh, Legolas!" Thranduil cried, trying to calm his son.

"No!" Legolas shouted. "Where's Estel? He's going to freeze! Is he here?"

"Legolas! What do you mean...'hope'?" Thranduil tried to ease his son back down into a laying position.

Legolas closed his eyes tightly, frustrated. "You don't understand!" he cried. "Estel! He's a human child, he was with me! You have to go back and get him or he'll die! Please!"

But then, no matter how hard he willed it not to, the prince's mind shut down and he dropped limply onto his back on the wood.

The elves exchanged questioning glances.

Thranduil shook is head. "We have to get Legolas home," he told them sternly. "Then someone can go look for this 'Estel'."

The elves nodded to each other and they proceeded quickly home.

Meanwhile, a motionless Estel lay covered by snow, slowly freezing to death. His life would not wait for the elves to return home, he would die within hours.

TBC