A/N A month! I haven't updated this in over a month!!!! Oops my bad! Ok, so here's the update. Thanks to Elven at Heart for emailing me and reminding me how long it's been since an update. I hadn't forgotten about this, I've just been working on my other fic. So here's the update and I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 5 – Home

Elladan walked over to Legolas, a bowl of soup in his hands. "Legolas, do you want any breakfast?"

Legolas finished rolling up his bed roll and took the bowl silently. Elladan did not leave though. He crouched down next to his friend, took a deep breath and said quietly. "Legolas, will you let us look at your wounds? We have to journey through the Misty Mountains, if we are attacked by goblins you may have to fight."

"So I will fight," Legolas shrugged.

"Will you let us look at your wounds then? Maybe we can help, just until we get to Imladris," said Elladan.

"There is nothing to look at. They are not bad, they can wait until we get to Rivendell," replied Legolas putting down his bowl having finished breakfast, he stood up Elladan followed him as he walked towards his horse.

"You are so stubborn Legolas Greenleaf!" Elladan suddenly burst out. "We only wish to help you, do you not understand?" Elladan turned and stormed back to the fire which he stamped out then turned to mount his own horse as did Elrohir and Estel.

---

They were soon on their way, Elladan rode in front followed by Elrohir and Estel in the middle who spoke together quietly and then Legolas at the back. No body dared to speak to Elladan or Legolas until they reached the Misty Mountains.

At the foot of the mountains they stopped and everyone turned to Elladan for their next instructions. "This is the only path we may take, just keep a sharp eye and be ready to fight."

"There has to be another way," Estel sighed. "I do not wish to be attacked by goblins again."

"Hush Estel, we shall have to take this road dangerous though it is. This is the only way," Elrohir comforted his human foster brother. "Elladan, we had better arm Legolas."

Elladan nodded in agreement and set down his pack which he sorted through and took out a knife. Then he went over to his horse and unstrapped a bow and quiver that was attached to the saddle. These he handed to Legolas without even looking at him.

They rested a while at the foot of the mountains to water the horses and check their supplies. They did not know how long they would be travelling through the mountains away form the bright rays of the sun. They hoped, for Legolas' sake that they could find a quick road.

---

It was dark. The four travellers were on the alert every second, listening closely for the slightest sound of movement from one of the tunnels that branched off from the main tunnel they were travelling through. They had to go slower than they would have liked for the horses sake. The animals were skittish and easily startled and they could not see very far in front of them, even with the flaming torch Elladan held to guide them.

On they travelled; each forgot about time altogether but just prayed that they would come to the way out soon. Legolas' ribs hurt terribly, though he would not show any weakness.

A clatter, a rustle, a bang. The horses froze in their tracks. The Elves ears pricked, their senses intensifying ten fold. All hands immediately grasped the hilt of their sword. They were ready.

They had now come to a huge cavernous chamber, mined out in ages passed. It was dark and musty, no light penetrated the room and the air hung heavy with the stench of goblin filth. Another clatter, a bang. The sound of noisy chattering voices reached their ears. Goblins, and not far off. They led the horses to a safer place in a corner near to the exit. There was sure to be fighting and they could not lose their horses, the foul goblins would take them and eat them if they caught them.

Elrohir glanced at Legolas who had both eyes firmly fixed on the door that the goblins would come bursting through any minute now. The prince's face was set with determination, he felt a surge of angry energy and he found himself welcoming the fight that was about to take place. He could release some of his hatred and anger onto the beasts now, plus he had not ha a good fight in a very long time.

Sure enough the goblins came, swords drawn they had known that the travellers were here and they detested them. These trespassers were not welcome in their home, and three of them were Elves, all the more reason to get rid of them.

The goblin's armour clanked. They flexed their muscles and made faces at the four in a menacing fashion before plunging into attack. The goblins easily out numbered the travellers two to one. but then, the travellers had fought many more in their time and won. There was no reason why this shouldn't be exactly the same.

"Herio!" Elladan yelled as he plunged into battle, stabbing a goblin in the shoulder, spinning nimbly away to behead another, then turn to kick another aside while driving his sword through another's stomach.

Estel's sword plunged deep into the chest of a goblin; he kicked it away pulling his sword out. He looked over to Legolas and was surprised to see how much his friend threw himself into the very heat of the fight, though he did not fight with the same vigour as Estel had seen before. His movements were restricted due to his injuries and pain was clearly etched on his face. But still, he fought as hard as the others demolishing anything that got in his way. The goblins were lessened in a short amount of time. The floor was littered with carcasses and severed heads and limb.

The last dozen goblins ran, realising that this was a futile attempt and not willing to take their chances against the fatal blades the intruders wielded. "We must move on, we can not linger. They will be back with more we will not be able to fight," said Elrohir panting.

The others agreed. Thankfully, their steeds had not been noticed by the goblins during the fighting, though the poor creatures were nothing short of terrified. They stood trembling, unwilling to move. Especially Legolas' mare who had never experienced anything like this before.

They moved on quickly, Legolas, tired from fighting, just managed to keep up with their pace, he had received a few knocks and scrapes that did not help with the condition of his ribs. They hurried on and soon came to a tunnel they knew would lead them out as they were hit with a blast of fresh air and sun shine that almost blinded them after their time underground.

Legolas staggered out and fell down onto the stone in the bright day light. They had spent the night travelling through the mountains. Estel rushed to his side. "Legolas are you alright?" he asked urgently.

The Elf nodded. "Fine." He clutched at his ribs and his face screwed up in pain.

"We must get him to Ada," said Elrohir noting the current state of his friend.

Elladan, forgetting the argument he and Legolas had had the day before said. "I shall ride with him on my horse, Estel, lead the mare. We ride to Imladris immediately!" Elladan orders were obeyed promptly.

---

It was late night when they came to the Ford and crossed it. Legolas rode in front of Elladan, his head lolling forwards, he was even too exhausted to support himself.

Lord Elrond was waiting for them in the court yard at Rivendell. Thranduil was with him also. Elrohir dismounted and lifted Legolas down so that Elladan could get off his horse too. One look form Elrond told them to follow him to the healing rooms which they did without question.

Thranduil followed behind, demanding to know what had happened to his son. Estel took him aside and told him Elrond would see him after he had dealt with Legolas. But that did not stop the Elven King from pushing past the human and also following Elrond.

When Thranduil and Estel came to the room where Legolas was, they entered to find Elladan and Elrohir explaining what had happened to Legolas. Elrond tried to get Thranduil to leave before he caught sight of his son.

Legolas was laid on the bed, his eyes closed. That was not a good sign. Thranduil soon took in his son's appearance. His scorched hair, once long and flowing. His thin face once so alight with joy was now dry and his lips cracked. Then Thranduil saw Legolas' bruised ribs as his shirt had been removed. And then the whip lacerations that also covered hi body.

"Who has done this to my son?" he asked breathlessly. Elrond had never seen the Mirkwood king so distraught. "I demand to know!"

"Thranduil, please. Listen to Estel, he shall tell you all he know, then when I have finished with Legolas I shall speak with you myself. Right now I must ask you to leave. You may see him later," Elrond said gently.

"His eyes are closed Elrond! Why are his eyes closed?" said Thranduil. He could not see his only child like this. "My son, my perfect son. Who would do something like this Elrond?"

"He has retreated into a deep healing sleep. He will awake when he feels better. Do not worry, I will let nothing befall your son," said Elrond.

Estel escorted the distraught Elven King away. Now Elrond could get to work. Elladan shook his head. "he said they were not that bad," he muttered.

"He is proud Elladan, like his father. And stubborn. But I think that there would have been little you could have done out in the wild for him. That goblin attack did not help," Elrond sighed. "Elrohir, prepare this mixture, we have a long night ahead of us I fear, he has so many wounds. Best to get started now."

---

Legolas awoke four days later to find himself in a warm comfortable bed, moonlight was streaming through a gap in the closed curtains. All the room was quiet. A figure sat next to his bed in a chair, head bowed on their chest, breathing softly. Legolas moved his neck and pushed himself up a little into a sitting position. He was back in Rivendell, after so long. The figure in the chair stirred and opened their eyes. Bright shinning eyes Legolas recognised immediately. He smiled.

"Hello Legolas."

A/N There you go. A nice long chapter for you! Hope you enjoyed and I'm looking forward to writing the next one. and I'm off school, have been all week coz I have a really bad cough and can't stop coughing! Oh well, no school next week coz its half term! Yay! So I get two weeks off. And then I'm at school for like a week and a half, then I go on holiday! YAY!

Ok then, well kind of a cliffie wouldn't you say? Well, until next time!

Peace

Lolly pop

P.S Legolas is not here right now, he's watching ROTK. Vain Elf isn't he?