Reviewer responses for Chapter Eight:

Mornflower: Yes...I was evil in that last chapter...I think I'm just as evil in this one as well. I must just be an evil person! Just kidding! I just like a bit of suspense I guess. Glad you enjoy this story!

Deana: Yeh...Legolas got mad at his father! I sure do think Thranduil will learn his lesson. Sorry for the long posting delay...I hope this makes up for it and I hope to post again soon...

Sielge: Thanks much for the review. And it's always wonderful to hear that you enjoy the story!

Marbienl: WELCOME BACK...Thanks a MILLION for reviewing ALL the chapters you missed when away! I greatly appreciate the feedback. Glad you liked me using the choking...it was a good idea. And yes, I was evil with the torture in chapter six. I haven't gotten to the REAL convo between father and son... I will though. AND chapter eight...yep, Estel is MUCH worse off then Legolas. Don't worry, I won't kill Estel...checks future chapters, then realizes they aren't written well...I don't THINK I will. Kidding, kidding. I might like that misidentification thing you mentioned...perhaps even have Estel and Thranduil speak while Legolas is asleep.

Star Wars Forever: Mad Legolas is good...makes for exciting stuff...or so I think. Yes, I think Elves are more susceptible to Orc poison, but I have decided that this poison is different...something that the Orcs had not used before and didn't know the outcome of.

October Sky: Thanks for the compliment on Legolas' character. I tried to write him well...I tried to do it again here.

Gozilla: EEEEKKKK hides in fear I'm sorry it took so long to post...I'll try to do better! Enjoy!


Chapter Nine: Turn for the worse

Legolas felt like his body was made of steel. It was so difficult to move that he wondered if he would be able to if he tried. His thoughts, however, quickly turned to Estel and he forced himself to turn his head to the right.

Estel looked horrible.

He was pale and his face and chest were soaked in sweat. He was trembling as if he were cold, but Legolas knew if he were to touch his friend the man would be burning hot. He also noticed that Estel's wounds were seeping blood.

Seeing the healer beside his friend's bed Legolas swallowed and spoke, surprised by the rasp in his voice, "Why do his wounds bleed?"

Spinning on his heel, surprised to hear the Prince speak, Bardon hurried over. "It is the toxin, my Prince. It seems to hinder his body's natural clotting ability. If the fever doesn't kill him, he will bleed to death."

Well, at least he is being honest, Legolas thought to himself with a grimace. Shifting in discomfort, Legolas quickly found himself restrained by Bardon. "I'm fine, Bardon, tend to Estel if you must tend to someone."

Bardon frowned, not releasing his grip on the Prince. "I beg your pardon, hir nin, but you are not fine. You are weakened by the same poison as your friend and it has hindered your own healing ability. You are still bleeding from your wounds, Legolas."

Legolas sucked in a breath. He hated to admit it, but Bardon had a good point. He was extremely weak and in a lot of pain. But he worried more for Estel. "Have they found the toxin yet?"

Bardon's head fell. "No, they have not. The King tells me they have searched that cave high and low, but there is nothing there that even remotely resembles this toxin. I only hope that the message reached Lord Elrond and he will arrive in time. I believe he is Estel's last chance."

Legolas starred at his friend, not wanting to believe the healer's words. "Help me to him, Bardon." Seeing hesitation in the Elf's eyes, Legolas lowered his eyes. "Please, he needs me."

Nodding and sighing in resignation, Bardon grasped Legolas under the arms and hauled him to his feet. Then, he slung the Elf's arm over his shoulder, careful of the numerous injuries, and directed him to a comfortable chair beside the man's bed.

"You are only staying there for an hour...at most..."

Legolas smiled lightly. "Yes, sir."

Bardon swatted him on the arm. "Not funny, I'm serious."

"So am I...I promise I will listen...but only because I fear my body will shut itself down if I force it to stay upright longer then that."

Bardon nodded, moving from the room to give the two friends some time alone.

Legolas watched as Estel's chest rose and fell, trembling lightly with the effort that simple action took. Sighing, the Elf Prince rested a hand on Estel's forehead, brushing the man's sweat-damp hair back.

"Come back to me, Estel. I will not lose you, not like this. Hold on...your Ada will come, I promise you that."

Estel didn't move, but Legolas hoped he had been heard.


"Argh!"

Elladan let out a distinctly un-Elf-like grunt, forcing out a vicious breath as they slowed the horses once more to give them an opportunity to rest.

"I never realized how long it took to get to Mirkwood," the elder twin muttered darkly, glancing around the thick, darkened forest. "It feels as though we've been riding for weeks when it has only been days."

Elrond, hearing both the fatigue and the distress in his son's voice, nodded lightly. "I know, ion nin. We are nearing the palace; it should only be another day, perhaps two before we arrive there. Estel is not gone...we will arrive in time."

Elrohir piped up from behind him. "Yes, but Ada I still fear greatly for him. A lot can happen in two days." He broke his own words off, trying to batter down the rising fears that his mind was beginning to focus on.

"Yes, a lot can, you are correct in that Elrohir," Elrond sighed. "But your brother is strong; give him some credit where it is due."

Elladan and Elrohir smiled lightly. "He is the strongest man I know," Elladan said with conviction.

"And I know that Legolas will do everything he can for him," Elrohir added.

The three continued riding in silence.

Elrond had not voiced his most recent foresight with the twins. It would only worry them further, the Elf Lord thought wearily. It had done just that to him as well.

VISION

Estel was drenched.

Not in water; no it wasn't raining inside the chamber he lay in. He was drenched in sweat. A blond Elf sat beside him, hunched over in pain, his eyes full of half-shed tears.

"Estel, don't give up! Please mellon nin! Please stay with me, do not give in to the dark!"

His heart was breaking...he was losing this man too fast, too soon. Elrond could see the light of the Elf fading, diminishing as he looked on in anguish while his best friend died.

Estel's chest rose and fell very slowly.

Too slowly.

Elrond longed to reach out and heal his son, to take away the pain and what was undoubtedly poison, coursing through the man's body. He couldn't tear his eyes from Estel's face.

Even when Legolas screamed in pure terror and anguish.

"ESTEL!"

END VISION

No. Elrond couldn't tell his sons what he had seen. They would push the horses to the breaking point to reach their brother before this came to pass. And if the horses were to fall, they would never reach the palace in time.

So Elrond suffered with this knowledge alone.

It is only a foresight...like the images in Galadriel's mirror, this may never come to pass.

He prayed to the Valar it wouldn't.


Estel was trapped. He could hear Legolas and Bardon speaking but he couldn't move or mumble anything. It was as if he was locked in his body, conscious and connected to the world, but unable to reach it fully.

He was frustrated. He was just aware enough to be in pain. Lots of pain. Yet he wasn't aware enough to beg for some sort of painkillers or for someone to put him into a deeper sleep.

Nor could he answer or assure his friend when Legolas begged him to hold on and stay with him. Why can I not awaken? Why can I not fight this prison? What is wrong with me?

But there was no answer in here. Part of him knew it must be poison, but he had never heard of a toxin with this effect. He had heard Bardon telling Legolas that the toxin stopped clotting, many did that, but what poison locked a man in his body?

Ada, please come quickly. I don't think I can fight this poison. I can't even force my body to listen to me.

His interior monologue was draining him. Funny, thinking never made me this tired before...he thought ruefully as he felt the sliver of consciousness he had slip away.


Thranduil peeked around the corner into the healing chamber and grinned lightly. He had fully expected to see Legolas seated beside his friend. He knew his son would be up and at Estel's side as soon as he was able.

Crossing the distance between the door and his son, Thranduil made no noise. He reached Legolas' side and laid a hand on the younger Elf's shoulder. "Legolas? Bardon said you were to be helped back to your bed...you have sat there for three hours, not the originally agreed upon one."

Legolas' head jerked up. He had not heard his father at all. Mentally cursing his inattention, he nodded tiredly. "Yes, Ada."

The King aided his son back to the bed and made sure he was not bleeding freely from any wounds. His ministrations were gentle and a bit uneasy, but Legolas was too tired to notice much.

When he was finished, Thranduil hesitated. He wanted to speak to his son, but was afraid he would be rejected. "Legolas?"

"Yes, Ada?"

"I...well...I..." he stopped, uncertain of what to say. Rarely was the Elf Lord speechless, but then again, it had been a long time since he had had an argument this severe with his son. "I wanted to say I am so sorry for how I treated Estel...and...I would like to make it up to him...and you...when you are both well."

Legolas looked up at his father with bleary eyes. "Well? I don't know if he will ever be well again, Adar."

That hurt...the accusation in his son's voice. Thranduil, not one who took criticism well, bristled at the tone but tried desperately to keep his cool. "Legolas, please. I do not wish to argue with you...I know I was terribly wrong. I only want to apologize."

Legolas sighed. "You can apologize to Estel if he wakes, Adar."

"And you? When can I apologize to you?"

The young Elf locked eyes with his father. "When Estel is well, Ada." He whispered, his voice no longer hard. "I can not think of anything but Estel, nor can I politely or maturely speak with you while he is dying. Please understand Ada, I mean no disrespect, but I do not wish to speak to you until Estel is well..."

"And if he dies? Will you ever forgive me?"

Legolas hesitated. "In time...I am sure I would, Ada. I know inside this is no one's fault. Give me time..."

Thranduil nodded sadly. Legolas is right. It is too soon to discuss this. We have Estel to worry about. Glancing at the man, Thranduil found himself hoping against hope that the man did not die. Odd feeling, that is, praying that an edan lives. Smiling, he watched the man a bit longer. It's not a terrible feeling...I could learn to do it more often.

Legolas noticed that his father was deep in contemplation as he stared at Estel. Perhaps he is contemplating the error of his views on humans. I will leave him to it then.

And the Prince again fell into a deep, healing sleep.

And Estel stayed locked within his failing body.


Me??? Evil...I hope not. Sorry about the delay in the post. Been busy...AND I just injured my hand so this was hard as heck to type up!! Please bear with me...I promise I won't leave this hanging for like MONTHS...but maybe a week between posts will hopefully be the longest. HOPEFULLY...

Thanks for continuing to stick with me...I love you guys! I appreciate the reviews...SO PLEASE R/R!!! grins like a school girl...

-Gwenneth