Comment to reviewers:

Oh my, I think I need to stop replying to each of you individually if you all keep this up! Lol, kidding, I love you guys/girls for sticking with me. This chapter is written specially for Melanye, who helped me greatly.

Joee1: You had forgotten about my story? Shame on you! Though I can understand, it has been a while since I had been updating. On the bright side, I'm currently working on another LOTR story, and that one will be finished before I post. As for killing you with my cliffies….I think I just killed you again….

Deana: I know, I'm evil for hurting Legolas that much. But admit it, don't we all love to see our character hurt and in need of some help?

MelanyeBaggins: *pounces and hugs* Thank you so much girl, for giving me that tip about Word, now I can finally make my chapters pretty, as you can see. Enjoy your chapter!

AmberRose: I'm so glad I'm forgiven for the short chapters! I found out it's just this story, lol, because the other one I'm working on has longer chapters, a little longer then.

Elle Greenleaf: Yep yep, I came, saw and updated!

Silvertoekee: Ah, there's my favourite reviewer and writer! You still need to read the book? But you write so well! Go for you! Cracked skulls need a long time to heal, he's Elf though, heals faster, but how fast? Well, not gonna tell! Awake and the same? Er……….*shuts up*

Garulf: A new face to the group, welcome my friend! But I like getting cool characters injured, I mean……they're so cool and all! Besides, not getting somebody injured makes for a very boring story. Don't worry, I'm not talking about Legolas dying, really, I'm not, not even thinking about it……..only a little….

Star-Stallion: Hehehe, maybe Legolas thinks he's the king of the world! I think I'm learning you patience with this story *winks*

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Chapter 8

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Pain……everything ached; he had never known there were so many muscles in his body. He was so tired, but he could not rest, he knew the end was near; he wanted to live as long as possible.

All around was fire, angry, hot boiling lava, making it impossible to go anywhere. Ironic, he had tried so hard to reach this mountain and now he could not leave.

He had known from the beginning there would be no way back for him. He had made this choice out of his own free will, and it was fair to face the consequences. No longer was he the Ringbearer, the heavy burden was gone, replaced by an empty aching feeling, only his wounded finger, or what was left of it, was left to tell the story.

Oh Sam….He had hoped to make this journey alone, though of course he had forgotten the stubbornness of his faithful friend. He tried, he had tried so hard to make the other Hobbit leave, and here he was, passed out from exhaustion. It was a comfort to know he was not alone but there was also guilt. It was because of him Sam was here.

He wondered if the others from the Fellowship were still alive.

Was it possible for Hobbits to fly, or was this feeling called dying? It felt like he was being lifted, high up in the sky, higher and higher. It felt good, safe, as in the comforting embrace of a mother. Hesitantly and tired he cautiously opened one bright blue eye, though what he was seeing he could not comprehend just yet. He was indeed flying, he could see the dark sky above him, but he had to look past a large eagle that was holding him. He was too tired to think, to wonder why he was being held by such a large bird.

~

Bright light invaded him, letting him know he was again saved, lying in a soft bed, cool sheets covering him. He had to blink, as if he had been sleeping too long. He was in a small room, he saw, not Rivendell, it was not so beautifully decorated. He propped himself up, noting his injured hand was bandaged skilfully, the pain only a dull throb now. It was then he felt eyes upon him, regarding him.

Blue orbs looked up and blinked in surprise, not believing what he was seeing in front of him, Gandalf? The wizard was different, pure white and he didn't understand, he was dead, he had seen him fall into the deep chasm along with the Balrog.

"Gandalf?"

The old man laughed in delight, the warm eyes letting him know it was all well, it would be well. He wanted to ask how this was possible, how the wizard had survived such a fall. Of course, there was not way for him, when Merry and Pippin ran into the room, their faces alight with merriment. He laughed as well, relieved to see his friends unharmed and well.

"Merry…….Pippin!"

The two developed him into a bear hug, telling him what they had been through, but he could not listen, this was a bit too much. He had thought he would die, and here he was, alive, with his friends, more or less in one piece. He heard the voices chatter, but he couldn't hear what they were saying.

There was Gimli, the Dwarf was laughing, the helmet gone as he stood next to Gandalf. He too seemed unharmed, though it was strange to see him without helmet, he was used to it otherwise. And there was Aragorn, the Ranger he had come to like during this journey.

He looked different as well, more confident, standing there tall and handsome. He smiled gently, though the smile did not reach his grey eyes. He looked tired, sad in a way, as if he had lost somebody dear to him.

"Sam!"

He was delighted to see his dear friend alive, a little tired and pale but alive. They had come through this together, and he knew no matter what, Sam would be there. He longed to go back with the other Hobbits to the Shire, to write all that had happened down, so others might learn of this as well. Frodo frowned, missing a member of the Fellowship, one that should have entered by now.

"Where is Legolas?"

The others seemed somewhat startled by his question, and hesitant to answer. He caught a worried glance between Gandalf and Aragorn, almost a knowing look. If the Elven Archer was not there, it could mean he had fallen or was injured. Though he had not thought the Elf would be the one to fall, he was Immortal, was he not?

"Legolas was injured during battle; he needs time to get well."

"How badly injured?"

Merry and Pippin tried to get him to talk about what happened, but he shrugged them off. He felt responsible in a way for the members of the Fellowship. He had received the Ring from Bilbo; he was the one who needed protection when they set on this journey. And though they all had known the dangers when they had agreed, Legolas did not deserve to be injured. He sat up more when there was no answer to his question, and he looked directly to Aragorn.

"How badly injured?"  He pressed again, wanting an answer, wanting to know how his friend was fairing. He was somewhat relieved to see the Ranger did not look away, he took that as a good sign, and he was not prepared for the answer he received.

"He has not woken ever since."