Linuvial Greenleaf- Hi mellon nin! I am so sorry that I haven't talked to you in such a long time, I've only been able to get online to check my mail, review updated fics, and change my internet server, all in about a half an hour a day. I'm so lucky to have a great writer like you for a friend and I'm really glad you enjoy my stories. Thanks so much for reviewing, I just hope I don't give you more near-death experiences. I probably will, though, sorry. I'll try not to kill anyone, though you never know what might happen!

Warrior Elf- Yes, you'll find I'm basically all cliffhangers. Thanks for reviewing, even if it was the first chapters and you probably won't read this for a while…And I love your profile. I hate the government and war soo much….

Teha- Sorry for the suspense, I hope it never really kills you, I'd feel very guilty. And yes, Elrohir definitely needs a doctor right now…but would one even be able to help?

Shauna- Congratulations! (gives you a cookie) You figured out what happened! You're the only one! Oh yes, Elrohir will definitely suffer to the brink of death. Thank you so much for such compliments!

Celebrean- Thanks! Oh, you're not weird, you're just like me! I adore angst…what's not to like? Maybe the torturing of characters, some people think it's mean. I wonder why?

Freddy'sGirl01- Hey mellon nin, yes I'm extremely mean and very sorry. At least Legolas isn't the most wounded…yet. Please please please post your next chapter soon, I love it so much…Carl!

Kathleen LaCorneille- Oh gee, you make me blush. Thank you, but I'm not that good. I'd love to read yours, but I'm not near as smart as you, knowing two languages: I haven't that slightest clue what your profile even says, sorry. Read ahead to find out what happens…

Arayelle Lynn- I'm so glad you like my story, but I'm so sorry I take so long. I try, I really do. I never have the next chapter even started when I post, so I have to immediately start from scratch and write a suitable and long enough one as fast as I can. I only have a few hours every day after school and exams are this week. Once again, I'm deeply sorry that I take so long. I hope you still keep reading. Thanks.

Elven-Star-of-Gold- Yep, you're definitely desperate enough. And you'll probably be desperate again after reading this…Sorry, but thanks!

Legolas-Aragorn-r-hot- Just for that, I might not kill him. You evil four-way person-puller! LOL Maybe I'll kill Legolas instead. Hehehe, it's all up to me! Don't listen to the voices, you can't trust them, mellon nin.

Hp-Azn- Thanks for the review and the threats, they encourage me to write faster, keep them coming! Elrohir will try to hang on, but…

Riva van Dyk- Thanks for reviewing! Sorry it's so sad, though, I'm such a cruel person, aren't I? But I do love elves, I just can't help what I do to them…

jacquelinestel Wow, talk about an ego boost! Thank you so much for such great compliments! There are stories out there that I love too and reread again and again. I hope this was soon enough for you and I hope you enjoy…

Zammy- Um, you can't really call this soon, but hey, it could be worse. I could take months! Naw, I'd never do that to you. Thanks for reviewing!

Lady Jaina- Thanks so much! True, Estel is kinda a lower priority right now! Poor kid…poor twins…Thanks!

Someone Reading Thanks for the 25 votes! I am not trying to drive you mad, but I guess if I do it anyway, well, it's kinda the point of angst! LOL, you made me laugh so hard, picturing someone punching Legolas and making him appear suddenly in my backyard! That'd be great! And I am so cruel to Estel, it makes me feel guilty. And yeah, everyone will be probably grounded for a few years, if they survive…Thank you so much for the great, detailed review!

Deana- Thank you so much, everyone definitely is in a poor, life-threatening situation! It is always such an honor to get a review from you! Thanks!

Chapter 19: Too Late for Help

Glorfindel urged his horse to run faster, ignoring the thick tree branches whipping violently at him. He also constantly checked over his shoulder to see if his group of elves was keeping up with him.

He had been sent to look for the twin sons of his closest friend, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, and was determined to find the young elves he had known since they were born. They were the most outgoing, trouble-making elves he knew, yet they always seemed to be getting hurt. He wondered how bad it was this time…

The sound of hoof against forest underbrush echoed throughout the wood, but that was all anyone could hear.

Elladan awoke suddenly, sitting up with a gasp. He soon found, however, that his nightmare was real.

"'Ro," he whispered softly, checking over his brother who still lay motionless in his arms. He was horrified to find that the fever had intensified even further. Elrohir's face was colorless and his lips were pale and bluish, indicating a lack of air. His chest rose and fell weakly, each raspy breath punctuated with a wheezing sound as the younger twin struggled for oxygen.

The older twin blinked back tears that stung his eyes, sighing shakily, wondering what he could possibly do. He still felt too weak to walk, but would try his best.

Just as he was moving to stand, he heard the sound that had awoken him in the first place.

Far off hoofbeats. They were passing him by, only about half a mile away.

"Over here!" he called weakly. "Somebody, over here! I need help!"

Elladan waited anxiously, holding his twin close.

Glorfindel suddenly heard a faint but unmistakable cry. Familiar; the same voice he had often heard laughing or shouting happily in Imladris, now pained and desperate.

He immediately turned his horse, signaling for the others to do so also. The cries faded away and he felt fear take him. How injured were the twins? Finally, however, he could see a faint glow showing through the dark night.

Leaping off his horse, the elf lord raced to the figure on the ground, quickly recognizing it, as he'd assumed, as one of the sons of Elrond. Fearfully, though, he also noticed that the one brother lay in the other's arms, not moving nor glowing with the natural elven light.

Elladan watched in disbelieving relief as the familiar blonde figure dropped beside him.

"Glor'?" he managed to whisper weakly, extremely drained from shouting.

Glorfindel took in the young elf's face carefully. "Elladan," he realized finally. "What has happened?"

Elladan took an unsteady breath, trying to remain calm. "I-I don't know what's wrong with him," he cried weakly, losing any shred of stability. "I can't help him."

Glorfindel frowned sadly and took the younger twin in his arms, gently handing him to the healer of the group who stood nearby in the worried circle of elves.

The elf lord softly pulled the crying twin into his arms. "Shh," he soothed. "It will be alright. Tell me what happened."

Elladan choked back sobs. "We were attacked by orcs," he whimpered. "'Ro was shot. Twice. The arrows were poisoned, but it shouldn't have taken such a toll so quickly. There is something else wrong, I know there is, but I don't know what."

Glorfindel sighed, glancing momentarily at the healer tending to Elrohir. "Are you badly injured?" he asked, carefully beginning to unwrap the bloodstained cloth.

"I'm fine," the older twin dismissed.

The elf lord saw quickly, however, that it was a lie. He grimaced as he found the bandage stuck to the dark hair with dried blood and gently began cleaning it with his water flask. There was quite visibly a long, but not deep, five inch crack on the side of Elladan's head, swollen and obviously painful.

"You call this fine?" he accused softly, rewrapping it with a clean cloth. It would have to be healed further when they returned home.

"Yes, it is." Elladan insisted, though he flinched noticeably as the bandage was tied. "Is 'Ro going to be alright?"

"Wait here," Glorfindel told him, gently wrapping a blanket around the older twin's shoulders.

"How is Elrohir?" he asked the healer, about fifteen yards away. Nienithar was cleaning out the gruesome arrows wounds and placing Athelas on it as others held the writhing twin down.

"Not well," the healer sighed sadly as he wrapped sterile white strips of cloth around the bare, bloody chest that was heaving as Elrohir struggled for air.

"What is wrong?" Glorfindel asked. "Is it the arrow poison?"

"Nay, that's the problem," Nienithar responded, stepping backwards and wiping off his hands. "The poison in his arrow wounds is the normal kind we encounter often in Mirkwood. His hands, however, are horribly injured and covered in a different poison, one I've never seen. It is very serious, though. If it wasn't so far from his heart, I would be surprised that he hadn't died yet."

Glorfindel's eyes widened, looking sadly at the bandaged hands Elrohir hugged tight to his chest. "Can it be cured?" he asked worriedly.

The Mirkwood elf shrugged slightly. "As I've never seen it before, I can't be sure. We should leave soon if he's to have any chance."

The elf lord nodded slowly, about to head back to Elladan when he heard a feeble whimper. He turned around quickly, kneeling beside Elrohir.

"'Dan?" the younger elf murmured feverishly. "'Dan!"

Glorfindel gently stroked Elrohir's forehead, surprised at how hot it was. "Shh, calm young one, save your strength."

"Elladan!" Elrohir screamed, his eyes still tightly closed, lost in dreams. "Nys! Muindor! Elladan!"

Glorfindel sighed sadly, knowing that there was only one way to calm the poor elf.

"Get Elladan," Glorfindel said softly to Nienithar.

Moments later, the older twin was at his side. "What's wrong with him?" he exclaimed in panic, lovingly cradling his brother's head in his arms and whispering softly. "It's alright, 'Ro, calm down, I'm here,"

Elrohir whimpered weakly, seeming to be calming down, when he suddenly began coughing. Audible gasps were heard from the surrounding elves when he began retching pure blood onto the ground.

Glorfindel watched in horror as Elladan tried to hold his trembling brother down.

"We leave now." He ordered, pulling Elrohir from Elladan's arms and wrapping him in a thick blanket, mounting his horse. Elrohir continued coughing violently, and Glorfindel prayed he would last the ride.

Elrond sat in the chair in the healing quarters, absently fingering the small vial that held a sample of Legolas' poison. It still bewildered him that he hadn't realized that it was a different type. For now, Legolas lay resting, but a feeling of foreboding weighed heavily on the elf lord's mind.

He heard the slamming of doors and sat up quickly, setting down the glass and racing out of the room. He had predicted, but feared, what he would see next.

Glorfindel ran up to him, bearing an unmoving bundled form in his arms.

"Valar, mellon nin," he panted. "Elrohir. He's doing very poorly. The whole way here he was coughing up blood. Something is ailing him that we cannot locate."

Elrond's throat tightened as he took the pathetically whimpering body that trembled in his arms.

"Oh, Elrohir…"

Estel sat on the bed, staring at the closed door nervously. Who was the elf his father was caring for and what was wrong with him?

"Would you like me to sing you a song?" Lindir offered, uncomfortable with the silence. He knew the child was fond of music, and singing was something he enjoyed.

"Sure…" Estel said softly, sliding off the edge of the bed and sitting on the arm of the elf's chair. He looked up at Lindir quietly, trusting the elf but still wary of anyone other than his father.

Just as the elf began his first note, Estel suddenly jumped off the chair and made his way to the door.

"What's the matter, child?" Lindir asked.

"Something's wrong…" the boy whispered softly before dashing out of the room.

Elladan sat up with a gasp. Valar, he was getting sick of waking up worried and hurting so often lately.

"Elrohir?" he gasped, looking around. He immediately realized that he was in a Mirkwood room and a young, blonde elf maiden stood in the corner, wetting bandages in a basin.

"Steady there, milord, you've not been here but a few minutes. I haven't yet even tended your wound." The girl told him sweetly, walking up to him.

"Where's my brother?" the older twin snapped, ignoring her request and swinging his legs to the side of the bed, preparing to stand.

"No need to worry about him. Now lay down so I can wrap that nasty gash…"

"No!" Elladan shouted standing up. "I have to find Elrohir!"

The maiden's bright smile barely faltered. "Really, my lord, there's no reason at all to be worried. Please just lie down and don't fret…"

"Are you bloody thick?" he cried, shoving her backwards in a most uncivilized way. "He is hurt! I have to find him now!"

The elf's mouth dropped open and she gasped in surprise as her patient stormed out of the room.

Legolas opened his eyes tiredly, groggily pushing his sheets back and sitting up. It was the second time he'd awoken, earlier in the night he had spoken with Elrond…

"Legolas," Elrond began softly, gently raising the prince's chin to stare at him. "Why did you not tell anyone that you were ill?"

Legolas adverted his gaze and sighed. "I did not want anyone to needlessly worry about me," he whispered regretfully. He knew that the twins should have rode home, not him. "I thought it would be alright, or I could tell someone later if it worsened…how bad is it?"

Elrond paused. "When I treated it before, it greatly diminished its potency. It, however, still lingered, as it was a new form of poison the orcs have just developed, a stronger kind. It is not that hard to make a new cure for it, but I need a fresh sample of the poison. Though, if I'd known it was different, I could have easily treated it last fall." He smiled comfortingly. "So you are not the only one feeling regret."

"'Tisn't your fault," Legolas mumbled sadly.

Elrond's smile remained as he placed his hand on the young prince's shoulder. "True. It isn't anyone's fault. Things happen, Legolas. Fate can be confusing."

"As for the poison," he continued. "It is stable, for now. Scouts are already out looking for the orcs and will bring back a sample, probably before the end of this month. You may feel dizzy and disoriented, or have a slight fever and nausea, but it will be fine."

The prince looked around, wondering where Lord Elrond was now. An elf, probably a guard to make sure he didn't leave, lingered in the corner of the room. Legolas called out to him.

"Ai! Do you know where Lord Elrond is?"

The elf stared at him stoically; Legolas had always hated when elves from his home acted like statues.

"He is with his son." The Firstborn stated emotionlessly.

"Estel?" Legolas assumed.

"Nay." The elf corrected. "One of his real sons. An elf son."

Legolas was immensely irritated at the comment, but had other concerns. "They're back?"

"They arrived about an hour ago."

"And what is wrong with them?" Legolas asked desperately.

"I am not sure. One seemed pretty bad off, maybe dead."

"What?" Legolas gasped in horror, standing up.

"He was not moving. The healers all seemed upset."

Legolas felt panic engulf him as he raced for the door.

"I am not to let you leave, prince." The elf stated, stepping forward.

For a moment, Legolas saw the guard's hand hover above the hilt of his dagger before it fell to his side again. He noticed something eerily familiar about the elf's appearance and stared for a moment at the cold blue eyes and shoulder-cropped blonde hair. He, however, could not place the familiarity at the moment. He simply shoved past the strange elf and left.

Elrond gently stoked his son's forehead, whispering softly to him.

"Ada?" the younger twin moaned, opening his eyes slightly.

"Yes, ion nin?" Elrond asked lovingly, sitting on the side of the bed.

"What's happening, what's wrong with me?" he paused a moment, catching his breath, before asking what the twins always would when one was hurt. "Where's 'Dan?"

"He's resting…" The elf lord sighed sadly. "You touched Legolas' wound, did you not?"

"I did," Elrohir confirmed. "Shouldn't I have? I was trying to help him…"

"You couldn't have known, Elrohir, but…"

"But what, Ada?" his father's hesitation scared him.

"The poison in Legolas' blood got through your hand wounds and into your blood system."

Elrohir's throat tightened and he felt short of breath. How could he have not thought of that? The arrow poison had been clouding his thoughts; it hadn't occurred to him what would happen if he touched his friend's wounded back.

"Is it very bad, Ada?" he asked softly.

Elrond looked sorrowfully into his youngest born son's pained grey eyes. "It is, my son. Your arrow wounds have increased your susceptibility to the toxin and progressed quickly. But you are strong, Elrohir, that I know, so we can only wait."

Elrohir nodded shakily. He was about to speak when a wave of agony engulfed him and he involuntarily cried out. He closed his eyes and felt his father's arms wrap around him, words being spoken that he could not discern. His hands burned with pain and he twisted, trying to free himself of the burning, only causing a rip of anguish through his arrow wounds.

He screamed loudly, his mind no longer in control of his body, pulling desperately at his hands that had been tied to the bedside to restrain him. He couldn't breathe. It hurt. Valar, it hurt.

He sat up and buckled over, vomiting up blood.

"ELLADAN!" he wailed.

Elladan reached his brother's room to find a healer, the one that had been with Glorfindel, Nienithar, standing in front of the door.

"You may not enter." The healer stated. "By order of Lord Elrond."

Elladan stared at him incredulously. "Elrond is my father and my twin is in there." He stepped forward but the Mirkwood elf gently pushed him back.

Elladan glared at him. "Let me in. Now." He hissed, his heart ripping with every scream he heard from inside.

"I can't." Nienithar insisted. "'Tis my orders, you must understand."

"Can you not understand that that's my brother in there? I must be with him!"

"No."

"Why don't you ask Lord Elrond yourself, he'd let me in!"

"He's busy, I'm not to bother him. He is the only one allowed in."

"Elrohir's my brother!" Elladan exclaimed. "You must let me in!"

The healer still shook his head. "I won't."

"Open the damn door!" Elladan shouted furiously, pinning the defenseless healer against the wood.

Just as Elladan was sure he was about to cause physical harm, the door opened and Elrond stared in disbelief.

"What is going on?" he demanded.

"Y-you told me not to let anyone in, my lord." Nienithar explained shakily.

Elrond saw the frantic older twin and sighed in exasperation. "Elladan is allowed, of course. He's Elrohir's twin brother, why would I not want him in?"

"I do not know, Lord Elrond," the healer whispered. "I was just doing what I was told."

"Yes, I understand. Please leave now," Elrond ordered.

The healer nodded nervously and sprinted down the hall.

Elrond gently wrapped his arm around his eldest son. "Come in, ion nin," he offered gently, shutting the door behind them.

Elladan was completely unprepared for what he next saw.

His brother laid thrashing on the bed, tugging frantically at his burning hands that were tied down by the wrist, tears streaming freely down his face as he whimpered and moaned weakly, calling out deliriously.

The older twin willed back tears as he walked quickly towards his twin, softly sitting on the edge of the bed.

"'Ro," he whispered softly, "Can you hear me?"

Elrohir didn't show any sign of awareness, only crying out louder.

Elladan gently smoothed back his brother's dark wet hair and ran his hands along the younger twin's pale face.

"Brother?" he whispered shakily. He took a deep, unsteady breath. "'Ro?"

Elrohir's closed eyes tightened but he calmed at the touch and gentle sound. Then, ever so carefully, Elladan untied the bindings around his brother's hands, deeming them cruel and unnecessary.

Elrohir screamed at the touch to his wounds, causing his brother to cringe.

Elladan then held his brother's hands close to his chest, whispering softly. He watched hopefully as Elrohir froze for a moment.

"'Dan?" he whispered weakly.

"I'm here, 'Ro," Elladan told him, sliding Elrohir into a slight sitting position, letting his head rest against his chest. He then began to sing softly to his brother, feeling the younger twin drop into a painless sleep.

"What is wrong with him?" he asked softly, frightened, gazing up at his father who stood at the foot of the bed.

Estel ran down the hall and dashed into the empty room next to Elrohir's. He pressed his ear tightly against the wall, hearing clearly what was being said in the other room even without elven hearing.

He gasped sharply at what he heard and felt his eyes burn with tears. He didn't know what had happened, but he knew it was his fault. He knew his brothers had gone after Roneinen for him. This was his fault.

He was going to lose his brother.

Legolas reached the door to Elrohir's room, turning the knob but finding it locked. Instead, he resorted to leaning against the thin wood and listening intently, unaware that nearby a small child was doing practically the same thing.

He then heard something that would forever remain in his mind, replaying again and again, guilt eating away at his soul.

Something he vowed to prevent happening no matter what, even if it meant giving his own life.

"Elrohir acquired the same poison as Legolas when he touched the wound on his back. Combined with the poison from the arrows and the blood loss, along with his mortal heritage, he probably will not last another day, and will definitely not last to the end of this week."

T…B…C…