Author's note: Thank you, everyone, who reviewed. Also another big 'thank you' to my beta, Partheon, who edited this although she had a very busy time recently!

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Days in Lothlorien – Chapter 7

When Legolas returned to his duty, he only had half of his mind on scouting. As angry as he had been with Tinarvel, there was a part of him that now could not help wondering if there had not been at least a grain of truth in the accusations. Legolas sighed deeply. Tinarvel had managed, with a few well-chosen sentences, to touch on all of Legolas' innermost insecurities.

As long as he had lived, he had had to content with the issue of a 'mixed heritage', of being neither Sindar or Silvan. He had often thought that this would not have been so bad if at least he had looked either one or the other. Perhaps it would have been better to either identify as one or the other; as it was he often felt that he fit into neither group. Legolas had often been told that he was beautiful; but, deep down, he had never been able to accept this.

Legolas also had often asked himself why Haldir had been interested in himself, what was so special about him that such a renowned warrior as Haldir would be attracted to him. He had not been able to answer this question satisfactorily, and Tinarvel's question 'What do you want with him?' seemed to reflect Legolas' own questions.

These thoughts were churning around in his head, when he saw a small dark cloud approaching some distance away, past the borders of the woods. As he concentrated on this, he realised that this was not a cloud but a group of orcs. Normally, orcs did not move during daylight nor so near to elven territory.

Pushing all other thoughts momentarily aside, Legolas used a low bird's whistle to call his companions. Both appeared within a short while, although Tinarvel glared at Legolas.

Legolas pointed at the rapidly growing dark speck. "Orcs. We will need to stop them."

Both Haldir and Tinarvel nodded. "We will need to take to the trees. When they enter our woods, we will take them from three sides. None shall live to soil our land."

He pointed Tinarvel to a particular area and did the same with Legolas. He chose the third side of the triangle for himself. They rapidly climbed into trees that were near where they expected the orcs to enter the woods. The band of orcs came closer, arguing and snarling amongst themselves. There were about twelve of them, not too many for the three elves to take on. Apparently there was some discontent about entering the woods at all, but the leader of the group, larger than the rest, insisted.

Haldir whistled briefly and all three elves released their arrows. Three orcs fell, rapidly followed by three others, before the rest lifted their own bows and began to shot at the trees the arrows came from. This meant the elves had to move between shots, which slowed them down.

Eventually no orcs were left moving and Legolas jumped down onto the ground. He moved between the dead orcs, making sure that all were dead and none could cause any further mischief. When he was finished, he looked up at Haldir, who was still standing on a branch above. "All is well. We need to remove these corpses, and then get word to Lady Galadriel."

Haldir nodded, jumping down. He briefly smiled at Legolas, a brief smile full of affection, and touched him lightly at the shoulder.

And then the unthinkable happened.

Tinarvel still stood on the branch of the tree he had used as a shooting platform. As he saw that smile that Haldir gave Legolas, something inside him twisted. Without a moment's thought, he swiftly lifted his bow and shot.

Haldir saw the movement, and in one horrifying moment, guessed the intent. "No, Tinarvel, no! Do not shoot!" The marchwarden sprinted up to the tree of the older warrior. But it was too late. Although not well aimed, the arrow found its target, and Haldir watched horrified as Legolas sank to his knees.

Time seemed to stand still. Haldir was so shocked that he was unable to move for what seemed a long moment, than his elven reflexes kicked in and he ran to Legolas, just managing to reach him before he hit the ground. The younger elf had been hit in the abdomen, the arrow was sticking out cruelly. Behind him, Tinarvel had been shocked by his own action. But as Haldir moved, he began to run, and fled into the woods.

Haldir held Legolas in his arms, unable to comprehend what had happened. Legolas, his Legolas, had been shot by another elf. This was unthinkable, it could not be true. It simply could not be true!

Haldir looked at the barely conscious elf in his arms. Legolas' abdomen had been pierced roughly in the area of the stomach. There was not much blood but Legolas was deathly pale, his hands clutching the arrow in his stomach. Haldir had enough battle field experience to know that this was a very serious injury. Stomach injuries always lead to death if the wounds could not be sewn up quickly, the juices from the stomach would escape into the body and would poison the injured person from within. Haldir quickly checked Legolas' pulse – it was there, but fast and irregular.

At that moment, Haldir took a decision. He stripped off all clothes, barring his boots, leggings and undertunic. He left his bow and all other equipment, and just strapped his water bottle and knife to his belt. They were hard day's march away from Caras Galadhon, and Haldir knew that Legolas did not have that much time. If there was to be any chance of saving him, they would have to be faster.

Haldir also decided that he could not carry Legolas with the arrow sticking out. Taking the risk, he broke of the exposed shaft fairly close to Legolas' body. This caused Legolas to moan slightly. Haldir's heart clinched at that sound. He lifted Legolas gently, thanking the Valar that Legolas was not heavier. And then he began to run. Trying not to jolt his precious burden, he wound his way back through the trees, as fast as his elven strength would allow him.

After two hours, Haldir's arms and shoulders were aching. Legolas seemed to weigh three times as much as at the beginning of their journey. Haldir stopped for a brief break, permitting his aching arms and shoulders a brief respite.

As the day wore on, Haldir continued to run. He drew on reserves and strength he did not know he had, driven by the hope that perhaps it was not yet too late.

-o-o-o-

Earlier that day, Thranduil and Elrond met more by chance than design at breakfast in the Common Hall. For many years, relationships between Lasgalen and Rivendell had been poor, because Thranduil could not forgive Elrond the command of an ill fated battle in which many of Thranduil's people and his own father died. And yet, over time, Thranduil recognised the inevitability of events, as well as Elrond's genuine remorse and self-reproach, and slowly relationships had improved.

Legolas'and Aragorn's relationship, particularly its end, had not helped Thranduil's opinion of Elrond and his family. And yet, if he was honest, he had to say that he was almost glad how things had worked out. In the king's opinion, Haldir was a far better partner for Legolas than Aragorn had ever been. So, even though Thranduil and Elrond were not as close as they had been as young elves, they had succeeded in reclaiming enough of their friendship that they did not mind spending time in each other's company.

Currently they were discussing some maps that Galadriel had found for them, when Thranduil all of a sudden stopped. He looked at Elrond in shock and said: "Something has happened. Legolas!" There was such a look of concern and worry on Thranduil's face that Elrond instinctively put his arm around the other's shoulders. "Thranduil, can you feel what it is? Is he wounded?"

The king nodded. "I cannot feel it clearly. His life force is fading. Fast."

"I have no doubt that Haldir will try to get him here if he can. We should be prepared for their arrival."

Thranduil briefly looked at Elrond, and nodded. "I will ask Galadriel to send out scouts to find them."

Elrond and Thranduil made their way to Galadriel, who listened and then nodded. She took Thranduil's hand. "I can feel Legolas through the bond that you share with him as his father. You are right, he is gravely injured."

She reached out again mentally. "Haldir is trying to get him here but he is near collapse himself. We will send them help."

And so four warriors with a litter were sent. Thranduil and Elrond went with them. Thranduil could not be persuaded to remain behind, and Elrond had the best healing abilities and knowledge.

-o-o-o-

Haldir had slowed down. His water had run out hours ago and his arms and shoulders felt as if they were on fire. Carrying Legolas all this way had become more and more difficult. The marchwarden had given up trying to run after midday – he had been so exhausted that he knew that he would not make it to Caras Galadhon at all if he did not slow down and preserved some strength. His mind was churning with unanswered questions and worries. Would Legolas survive? And what if he did not?

Haldir could not imagine a life without Legolas, the younger elf had become such a constant feature in his life. To live without Legolas, without his smile, his quiet support, without the deep love in his dark eyes – it was unimaginable. It was so unfair! Why... why had Tinarvel done this? Legolas was still so young, there was still so much for him to do - to see - to experience. There had been so much that Haldir had still wanted to share with Legolas. Legolas could not die; he would not let him die. And whenever Haldir reached that thought, his determination would be renewed and he found the strength to go on.

In the middle of the afternoon, Haldir was nearing the elven city. In the last few hours, he had not stopped to check whether Legolas was still breathing but had simply carried on with dogged determination. All of a sudden he heard quiet voices, and then he saw them. Thranduil, Elrond, and four elves with a litter. Help! They had come to help him. Upon seeing the group, Haldir stopped.

This was not wise. The moment he stopped, his own utter exhaustion caught up with him. Without dropping Legolas, he sank to his knees. Elrond and Thranduil were there in seconds. Thranduil caught Legolas. Elrond and Thranduil looked at each other. What had happened here? The arrow shaft in Legolas' stomach was of elven-make.

Haldir was only barely conscious. Elrond gently held him, and shook him. "Haldir, I need to know what happened. Haldir? ... Haldir!" With great effort, the marchwarden opened his eyes. He had made it - he could pass on the responsibility to someone else now.

"Tinarvel ... shot him... orcs... did not want us to bind." With those few words, Haldir finally passed out. Elrond shook his head. Explanations had to wait, urgency was needed here.

"We need to get back quickly. Elrond lifted Haldir and, together, they made their way back to the elven city.

-o-o-o-

Elrond looked at Thranduil and Galadriel. "I will have to cut out this wood, and then stitch up from the inside. This has gone through his stomach. You both know what stomach wounds do. I do not know if he has a chance to pull through. Haldir was wise not to try and pull this out - that would have certainly killed Legolas. It is amazing that he is still alive. We will have to find out later what has happened, Haldir's words did not make much sense."

"I will need Aragorn's help, neither of the twins has been healer-trained to the same extent." A messenger was sent to find the young man.

Thranduil sighed. Not that human! But he knew that Elrond was right. Galadriel had power and strength but she was not trained as a healer as Elrond was; and Elrond would have trained his foster son well.

Galadriel laid her arms on Elrond's shoulders. "I will lend you strength throughout this." Elrond nodded, he was going to need all support he could get.

Whilst the messenger was looking for Aragorn, Elrond decided that Legolas should be placed on a raised bed in the healing hall. He was stripped and washed. Elrond hoped that Aragorn would be swift. There was no time to waste.

TBC. Please review.