Reviewer responses for Chapter 10:

Padfoot's Pup: LOL...yeh...well, you shall see SOME of the interaction between them in this chapter.

Mornflower: Love snakes eh? That's good, I didn't know that...works out well, you are my most enthusiastic review...looks at the review full of bouncing Morn, yep, definitely. Anyway, my hand...I got kicked teaching a Tae Kwon Do intro class.

Sielge: Glad you liked the chapter. I must confess this one was a bit rushed, I hope it is up to standards.

Lirenel: Glad you liked...yeh, the snake venom came from a reviewer who suggested it.

Marbienl: ANOTHER of my very enthusiastic reviewers! I love you guys! Ok...yeh, I like a bunch of your ideas and used them, I hope you like the WAY they were USED! LOL. Let's see if they get over the guilt (Legolas and Thranduil). I hope you like the first snake-hunting scene. I just HAD to do that...

Shadowfax2931: Welcome, glad you like the story. I try to keep my characters (did I say my, I mean...TOLKIEN'S, grins) in character. I especially like to mix angst, injury and comedy. Keeps the mood from getting too somber. I read your profile...I was floored really that I'm that highly thought of! Thanks! Enjoy this chapter!

Deana: Thanks as usual. I am trying to post...it's hard with my new job. Hope you like this.

Star Wars Forever: Yeh, it was an idea I got from a reviewer on the venom. No, Estel's not dead yet, but he probably will take turns for the worse before anything better...

Espina Oscura: Glad that you like the fic. As for your request for Legolas being injured more then Aragorn, I have done that in the past, in my other stories. I have many friends who like Aragorn injuries too, so I have to do it from time to time. (I personally prefer to hurt Legolas.) If you want Legolas to be hurt badly, read When a Shadow Falls. He is pretty severely hurt in the beginning of that.

Spanishgoddess86: Don't you worry, I won't kill Estel. I'm glad you love the story and I hope you enjoy this too. (And no you didn't sound like a child for what you said about Estel...I get that all the time!)

InsanePirate624 (Uber fan): Again, wonderful to hear from you. I can just "SEE" you saying that to your father. He must have been looking at you with the weirdest expression thinking, "Who in the world is this Gwenneth!?". Anyway, glad you were able to pry the computer away and read the chapter. Enjoy this one.

SivanShemesh: I'm glad you love the story. I will try to keep it up to standard in the remaining chapters, however many that might be.

Gozilla: Hehe...glad you like.

MsPadfoot17: Hey..thanks for the review and thanks for the kind words! I appreciate them!

A/N: Okay, update on me. Some asked what I did to my hand. I was teaching two new students during an intro class in Tae Kwon Do. I was holding a big pad for them to kick and one of them managed to miss the pad and kick my hand. I couldn't move nor feel my thumb for a good ten minutes. It still hurts quite a bit, so typing is hard. Bear with me please!

I will try to post regularly, but my new job takes up a lot of my time. (For those of you who don't know, I am a full-time reporter at a daily newspaper.) If any of you are DYING to read my REAL life work, go ahead...check from time to time. Thanks about it for now!

I hope this chapter is all right, it was a bit rushed and that might show in the writing and the content. So sorry if that is the case, but we aren't all perfect after all!!! PLEASE R/R as usual! I'm almost at 100 reviews on this and I'm THRILLED!!!!!! THANKS ALL YOU GUYS!


Chapter Eleven: Search for the venom

Thranduil's decision to accompany the twins on this mission was met with fierce resistance from his councilors. But in the end, he had the final say and would not be persuaded to stay.

After gathering supplies for the trip and advice from Elrond on how to find the snake, Thranduil and the twins mounted their horses and hurried out the gates. Elrond returned to Estel's beside, worry lining his face.

Legolas, who had been ordered to remain in his bed for the time being, watched the Elf Lord carefully. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Lord Elrond? How do you suppose Estel was subjected to the poison? Is it evident in any of his wounds?"

Frowning, the Elf shook his head. "I'm not sure how he was infected. But whatever it was had to have happened to both of you; unless, they taint all their weapons with this venom."

Legolas nodded. He was wracking his brain, trying to figure out what could have been infected with the poison. Something that the Orcs used on both of us...

He knew it wasn't the whip; Estel hadn't been subjected to that torture. Then what...

Suddenly he had it. Eyes widening, he tried to sit up. "I know what must have done it; I know it had to be that." He wasn't really talking to Elrond, but the Elf came over and knelt by the bed.

"What...do you know which weapon did this to you both?"

Nodding, Legolas sank down a bit. "The dagger. He used it on Estel and then had Estel use it on me."

Elrond cringed. "He had Estel cut you?"

Legolas' head fell. "Yes...I do not wish to speak of it."

"I will not push the matter now," Elrond said softly, "but you will need to speak of it sooner or later, Legolas."

Nodding in understanding, the Prince looked up again. "If we were to locate the dagger, do you think there would be enough venom left on it to do anything with? Would it help in any way?"

Elrond thought for a moment. "Perhaps. There could be enough residual venom on the blade, but I'm not certain I would be able to make an antidote from it. The venom of this snake is highly irregular."

Legolas frowned. "Is it worth returning to the cave to fetch the dagger?"

For a moment, the Elf did not respond. "It might just be worth it. But Thranduil and my sons have already left, we can not tell them to get it."

"Then I shall have to do it."

Elrond put a restraining hand on the Elf as Legolas tried to rise. "I think not, my young Prince. You are in no condition to go gallivanting around Mirkwood in search of a dagger."

"But..."

"No buts about it..." Elrond interrupted. He looked pointedly at Legolas. "You will continue to weaken from this poison. I know you do not feel it now, but it is only a matter of time."

Legolas looked over at Estel. "What if they do not find the snake? I can not pass up this chance to save him."

Elrond sighed. "Can you describe the dagger? So that someone else can go retrieve it?"

Shaking his head, Legolas looked back at the Elf Lord. "No...I know where it is, what it looks like...I am the best one for this task, my Lord."

As much as he hated to admit it, Legolas was right. The Elf knew the exact location and which dagger was needed. But he was worried that the Prince would not make the journey successfully.

As if reading his mind, Legolas smiled. "I know your fears, Lord Elrond. I am certain my old friend Celronen would be happy to accompany me. If I were to pass out from the poison, he would surely get me home."

Sauntering in from his post at the door, where he had been eavesdropping, Celronen nodded fervently. "He is right; I would not let him fall."

Elrond frowned. He half thought this had been planned. But seeing the pained worry in Legolas' eyes, he knew that the Elf only wished to save his friend's life. "Very well," he said quietly. "You may go. But go with caution and haste. Return safely to me or your father will have my head."

Smiling, Legolas nodded. "I promise, I will return."


"If you two don't stop bickering..."

Elladan and Elrohir snorted lightly. "You'll what?" the younger twin said. "Throw us out of your forest?"

Normally, he wouldn't dream of being so rude or cheeky with the King. But worry for Estel and fatigue from their journey was weighing heavily on his common sense. Elladan shot him an amused and warning look.

Thranduil sighed. "I will pretend I didn't hear that. Your worry must be getting in the way of your brains."

Elladan looked at the king in shock. Never had he heard the King accept such a blatantly disrespectful comment. His brother, apparently just realizing what he had done, looked at the blonde Elf in amazement.

"You mean...you mean...you aren't going to yell at me for that?" he stuttered, his eyes wide.

Thranduil laughed. "No, I'm not going to yell at you. Valar willing we will find this snake, cure your brother and Legolas, and I will forget this ever happened. Besides, I know you are not yourselves."

"Well..." Elladan began, obviously about to tell Thranduil they were acting the way they normally did. But a jab in the ribs from his nearby brother stopped him from voicing that information.

The exchange wasn't lost on Thranduil, who grinned lightly and continued on through the forest. He knew this area of the woods well. His father, King Oropher, who had died during the Last Alliance, had often taken him here as a child.

He had been the one to point out the snake to his son...warning the young Thranduil of the dangers of the venom.

It would only be another hour or two before they were at the location. He could only hope they would locate that snake quickly. He also noticed that they were relatively near to the cave the Orcs had tortured Estel and Legolas in.

Part of him wanted to go and destroy the cavern. It wouldn't be hard to just destabilize the cavern entrance and send the whole vile hole crashing down on itself. But right now they had a snake to find.

Sighing, he settled in for quite a ride. Elladan and Elrohir were bickering again.

"I'll catch it when we find it!"

"No, you are the clumsy one, we can't have anyone getting bit...I'll catch it!"

"Me? Clumsy? I think not, you are the clumsy one...remember that time you fell out of the tree when you heard Ada calling?"

"Hush up! That was supposed to be our secret!"

Thranduil shook his head chuckling. This will be an eventful journey.


"Why in all of Arda did I let him go!"

Elrond flung a reddened rag into a wash basin, turning away from the newly bandaged Estel. "I am a healer, supposedly one of the best in Middle-Earth, and I let a severely injured patient saunter out of my care and into danger. Have I lost my mind?"

Bardon looked on from the other side of the room. He had never had the privilege to work with Lord Elrond, but he was finding this experience highly unordinary. The Elf Lord was, after all, talking to himself.

Seeing he had an audience, Elrond simmered down. "I'm sorry, Bardon. I fear I am not myself." Sitting beside Estel, he took the man's hand and felt his forehead. "Still hot..." he muttered.

Bardon came over. "You know, perhaps you ought to get some rest. You are weary, that may have contributed to Legolas winning you over so quickly. Though I must admit he has a way of getting what he wants." The healer smiled wanly.

"He is a spoiled princeling then?" Elrond laughed lightly.

"You might say that," Bardon answered with a broad smile now.

Both of their eyes flickered to the bed as Estel shifted and moaned. He had been doing that from time to time, but had no woken. Maybe this time, Elrond thought hopefully, leaning forward.

"Estel? Can you hear me, ion nin?"

Another groan.

"Ada?"

Relieved, Elrond nodded. "Yes, Estel it is I. You have had me quite worried, ion nin."

Estel opened his eyes. "Goheno nin, Ada. {Forgive me, Father.}"

Elrond smiled. "Of course, it is not your fault, Estel. I am glad you are awake. Can you tell me if anything hurts? Do your wounds pain you?"

Taking a moment to collect himself, Estel managed a weak shake of the head. "I feel rather numb actually. The feeling you get when the blood is stopped from going to your leg...my whole body feels like that."

The Elf Lord nodded. "I think that is an effect of the poison. It paralyzes the victim. After rendering it defenseless, the snake can consume it at it's leisure. The venom normally doesn't have a chance to kill the prey, but since the snake didn't kill you or Legolas, it is getting a chance this time."

Hearing Legolas' name, Estel's head fell to the side, eyes searching for said Elf. "Where is Legolas? Is he all right? Did something happen to him? Where is he!"

Elrond put a hand to Estel's lips. "Shh...sidh, Estel. Legolas is all right, for the time being. But I fear I made a grave misjudgment."

"Misjudgment? Ada, what is wrong? Where is Legolas?"

"I let him go..."

"GO!" Estel nearly jumped up from the bed. "Go where? He is not well, he can't just go somewhere!"

Elrond slumped again. "I'm sorry, Estel. I am normally not so easily manipulated, but he was so worried and it pained me to see him that way. And all the journeying and the worry for you must have lowered my resolve...I let him go back to the cave to fetch the poisoned dagger."

Estel's eyes fluttered close and he clenched his fists. "You noble, prissy, pointy-earred ELF!"

Elrond grunted. "I take offense to the pointy-earred Elf part, Estel...I am, after all, also a pointy-earred Elf."

"Sorry Ada, but Legolas can be a handful."

The Elf Lord laughed. "You're telling me! I'm the one he manipulated, remember?"

Estel laughed now. "Well, he has done it to me countless times. I am sorry I sounded so angry. I do not blame you for Legolas leaving, he is very persuasive when he wants something." It looked like the man wanted to continue, but his eyes began to flutter dangerously and he couldn't speak.

Frowning, Elrond leaned forward. "Estel?"

Suddenly, Estel began to gasp for air. His lips were turning blue and Elrond flew into action, mixing herbs at a furious pace while Estel choked and gagged. "His airway is blocked, a side-effect of the venom. We need to get this mixture into him!"

Beckoning for Bardon, the Elf began to force-feed his concoction to Estel. At first it appeared to have all slid out of the man's mouth, but gradually Estel began to breath a little steadier. But he was once again unconscious.

"I had thought he was doing better," Elrond muttered. "But this is the venom in its final stages. He has very little time. They need to get back quickly."

Bardon and Elrond took up positions beside Estel's bed and waited.


"Hir nin! You are overdoing it! Now slow down!"

Celronen nudged his horse in front of Legolas' mount. The latter frowned. "Get out of the way, Cel. We need to hurry, I can feel the venom working against me. I can't pass out until I find the dagger."

The Elf was swaying dangerously on his horse, his eyes glazed over with fever. They had been riding for a few hours and Celronen had watched with trepidation as the Prince grew more and more unsteady. He couldn't help but chastise himself. Why did I have to support this idea? If I hadn't jumped in and offered to go with him, Lord Elrond would never have gone for it. This is all my fault!

Legolas, meanwhile, had manuevered his horse around the other Elf and began to continue the journey. He heard Celronen grumble and had to smile at that. He was a pain more often then not and he knew it. But this was the life of his best friend and he wasn't about to let the man die because he was worried about traveling too hard.

"We are nearly there, Cel. It shouldn't be long now."

"That's what you said an hour ago, Legolas."

There was no answer from the Prince, only a disapproving grunt.


"Look! There!"

Elladan pointed to his right and crept forward. "I think I see one!" He was whispering, trying not to scare away what he thought was their prey. Thranduil approached quietly and followed his gaze. Then, to the amazement of the younger Elf, the King reached forward and pulled.

"Hir nin! What in the world are you doi....?"

But he cut himself off, seeing what Thranduil held.

"See one, eh? This is not our quarry, young Elf." That said, Thranduil threw the barkless branch back into the underbrush with a laugh. True, with it's yellowish coloring the twig had resembled the snakes markings, but it was definitely not living. How Elladan had mistaken it for an animal, was beyond Thranduil. They must be more fatigued then I originally thought.

Blushing in embarrassment, Elladan nodded and hurried to another section of the undergrowth. They had been looking for a few hours, hoping to find the animal whose venom was killing their brother and son. But thus far they had been unsuccessful.

Elrohir threw his hands up in despair. "This is hopeless. It is like trying to find a needle in a leaf pile. We'll never find a snake in this bramble and never in time to save them from the venom." His voice was high and panicky. Thranduil put a hand on his shoulder.

"Easy, Elrondion. We will keep looking elsewhere. I have been thinking, perhaps the snakes are prevalent near the Orc caves. If so, we might do well to travel there and find them. And while we are there we can take the cave down and rid this world of all reminders of this incident."

The twins nodded and their spirits returned to them at the prospect of better progress elsewhere.

As they hurried away from the area on horseback, Elrohir shot at Elladan, "Nice find, brother. A stick...wait until I tell Legolas and Estel!"

"You wouldn't!?"

"Oh yes...I would..."

REMINDER: Please R/R!