Disclaimer: I own it not.

Sry 'bout all the grammer and/or spelling mistakes.

Ten days... that counts for something, right? No... fine, fine.

Review Responses

SNAITF - Lol... well, something had to happen to him, ya know? n.n;; How did the band thingie go, btw? I would have said good luck, but seeing as how I just now updated that woulda been kinda hard... -.-;;

Lynx Yamato - Lol.. yeah, it is the best type of LotR fic.. the Legolas angst... n.n Ya gotta love it! n.n;; Lol.. I hope this update wasn't too long.

Mornflower - Thanks... n.n

Deana - Lol... yeah, 'ow.' n.n;;

HarryEstel - Lol... I dunno. Guess you'll just have to see... n.n;; Hopefully this wasn't too long of a wait for ya.

empath89 - Lol... Yeah, poor Legolas. Everything always happens to him, huh?

galadriel evenstar - Well, you did say you wanted more.... n.n;;; Besides, it just seemed to fit in right there.... -.-;; Maybe I should stop torturing Legolas so much... Hmm.. Nah! It's too much fun! n.n

I dunno why but some of this was really hard to write. I couldn't concentrate at all the other day. And it was makin' me mad. Then I finally got it flowing and my friend called! . What's up with that?! Not cool... nope, nope. Oh well, it's up now... hope you all enjoy! And thx for the reviews! Keep up them coming, plz. n.n



If it's not one thing, it's another

Chapter Twenty-four

Yesss!

They were a couple hours into the ride when they had to stop. Legolas had finally started to stir and they did not want him to feel the pain of the ride. The motion of the horse would only cause the elf more agony.

"We shall stop for a while." Elrond announced.

Aragorn was glad to rest. The bite he had received from the warg, rubbing against his horse's side sent pain throughout his leg.

Elrohir had regained consciousness and had insisted they travel when his father tried to have them stop. He was, however, grateful when they really were going to stop, and it wasn't on his accord. He did not wish the others to know, but it definitely hurt when the movements of the horse jostled his injury.

Elladan knew his twin was in pain and wished he could have switched him places so as to stop his pain. He was the only one that had somehow come out of the battle relatively unharmed, only having a few cuts here and there; nothing serious.

Everyone dismounted and either laid down or sat against a tree, relaxing. Some warriors, had to scout ahead to see if there were any dangers. Fortunately, they came back with nothing but good things to report.

Elrond had laid Legolas down on the ground and waited for him to fully gain consciousness. The archer moaned and slowly started to open his eyes. When he finally got them open he quickly shut them, the blinding brightness of the sun causing pain to his sensitive eyes.

"Legolas." Elrond said gently. "How do you feel?" He knew it to be a foolish question, but asked it anyway.

The blonde moaned again and weakly dragged his hand up to his chest where the injury was, not alert enough to tell that he was even asked a question.

That was answer enough. "Someone start a fire." The elf-lord commanded. They immediately obeyed him and got to work.

The elder elf looked at Legolas and noticed something he had overlooked before because of how grave the injury was. He saw that Legolas was bleeding on his leg, right where his once poisoned wound had been. He inwardly winced, thinking of the pain it must have caused when he orc or warg sliced open the painful wound. He had to treat it right away. It could easily get infected, especially since it had been poisoned and not too long ago at that.

Legolas' eyes still hadn't reopened. Elrond was even more worried to find that the elf had actually fallen back asleep in that short amount of time. He knew that the archer was exhausted, but that exhausted?

The elf-lord shrugged it off for the moment, deciding it was better for Legolas to get rest.

He got to work and treated Legolas' injury. He looked over the elf for other injuries, figuring he should treat them as well. Elrond was dismayed to when he found that he had cuts covering him; some being deep.

I should have treated him more thoroughly. The elder elf thougth about when he had first helped him. He had been too concerned with the grave injury on his chest - with good reason. However, he had overlooked all other injuries. The lose of more blood definitely wouldn't help the poor elf.

"How is he, ada?" Aragorn asked. He saw how much wounds his father was treating, and was very worried. Legolas must have been more tired from taking watch the whole night than he let on.

The human was finally able to get to the two with the help of the same warrior, Thônor, that rode on Lor with him. Aragorn had been friends with him most of his life and trusted the elf entirely. The ranger was grateful for the help.

Elrond surpressed a sigh, not knowing how to answer. He wasn't even exactly sure himself, so what could he tell his son? Aragorn cared deeply for his elven friend; everyone knew that, and to tell him that, it would devestate the human. Elrond was rarely unsure about his patients, and whenhe was it usually didn't spell anything good for the patient.

Aragorn sensed how hesitant the elder elf was about responding, and felt a chill of dread. "The truth, father."

This time Elrond sighed, he knew that his son woudl be able to see through any lie he might come up with now so went with the truth. "I am unsure. While it seems like he shall recover - which I still have faith - he is exhausted beyond reasoning. And with the amoung of blood loss...." The healer trailed off sure that Aragorn got his point.

He saw the forlorn expression on his son's face and felt horrible for giving him such news.

Elrond had been treating Legolas' wounds while talking with the ranger. He had just finished so he dropped the remaining bandages from his hand and quickly stood. He pulled his son to him and hugged him tightly, wishing he could spare his son - all his sons their pain.

Aragorn was taken aback at first, but immediately returned the hug, happy for the comfort.

"Worry not, ion-nin." Elrond said, soothingly. "I will help him to the best of my ability and more. He shall survive. Have no doubts." He intended to keep to that, too, going against his thoughts from before. He did not want for his son to go through this again, unsure if his elven friend would come out alive. The last time it had happened, with the poison, it almost was as if the human was going to die of the Elven Sickenss: grief. He wouldn't let his son get that depressed again!

"Hannon le, ada." Aragorn said, reassured. He knew his father did not give his word lightly and would not break it, either. Elrond would try everything in his poiwer before the blonde would die. The human was very glad that Elladan had been able to revive Legolas. None of the others knew just how glad he was.

Elladan and Elrohir (who woke again when they stopped) were saddened by the display in front of them. Both human and elf were usually able to keep their emotions in check, especially around so many people. However, the stress of recent events was wearing them down, as it had before. Elladan's thoughts went back to when Aragorn had broken down to tears in his arms.

Aragorn rapidly blinked his eyes to stop the tears that were forming. He would not cry, especially not here with all the warriors around.

The two finally broke apart.

Elrond smiled at his son, glad that he could ease some of the stress the human had over the whole situation.

The elf-lord then decided that it was time to set off again. They didn't want to waste anytime.

The main reason they had stopped to begin with was because Legolas had been waking. However, the elf had fallen asleep within a few minute of waking so he figured they'd get in as much time as they could before he started to stir again. They should be able to reach Imladris within a few hours or so at the pace they were going. They had been riding slower so as not to jostle the injuries of the archer, human, and the younger twin as much as possible. All of which had pretty severe wounds.

Elladan's injuries weren't really that bad for the battle they had been in and for how long he had fought. He was the only one that had come out of the fight relatively unharmed. Although he did wish he could have traded places with any of the three and spared them their pain, especially Legolas, since he still thought it was his fault to begin with.

Thônor once again helped Aragorn to Lor and then mounted behind the human. Aragorn hated that he needed the help and felt like an invalid, but went along with it, knwoing it to be best. He also knew that his father would force him to get soem type of assistance if he didn't anyway. It would make his father very unhappy indeed. And he did not want to make him even more mad then he already was. Although he was really only concerned at the moment. Wait until Legolas recovered and.. Ai! there'd be some lectures then!

Everyone was on their horses and ready to go. Elrond gave the command and they were once again headed to Imladris, like so many times before.

A couple hours later and Legolas started to wake again. This time he felt the jarring movements of the horse and cried out weakly in pain. His breathing was coming in quick gasps as jolts of pain shot through his chest.

Elrond immediately halted Faun in concern. Legolas' breathing was becoming much too quick!

"Legolas. Calm down, everything is alright. Slow your breathing." The elf-lord coaxed. "That's it. Breathe with me, penneth." Legolas was against Elrond's chest and coudl feel the rhythm of his breath intake. He tired to copy it, but failed. It became increasingly difficult for him to draw air and his vision soon filled with gray.

"Legolas! Keep trying!" Elrond insisted, fearfully. At this rate... "Come on, Legolas!"

All of a sudden the elf in his arms went limp. Terrified Elrond checked his pulse. "Oh Valar..."

His worse fear had come true: Legolas had actually stopped breathing.

Aragorn (still on Lor), who was next to his father, felt panic race through him. "Not again.." He whispered, frightened. You must make it, Legolas. You must!

He saw his father jump off Faun and lay Legolas down.

Elrond hated wasting time, but he could not even attempt to revive the archer with him in his lap on the horse.

Everyone stared at the horrifying sight before them. They couldn't believe it. And wouldn't! They all had faith that the prince would indeed breath again.

After what seemed like eternity Legolas finally gasped loudly, taking in a large amoutn of air. He started coughing harshly afterwards. When a few minutes passed Legolas finally had his breathing under control.. for the most part. It was heavy and still quick, but not anywhere near as quick as it had been before.

Elrond hugged the elf fiercely, glad beyond belief over his recovery. "Thank the Valar!" He exclaimed, eyes closed behind the elf's back.

"Never do that again!" Aragorn shouted, greatly relieved. He had prayed that his father woudl be successful and thankfully he most certainly had! He would have embraced Legolas himself, but Thônor's arm around his waist prevented him from doing so. He was none too happy about it either. However, even if he did get off Lor and tried to stand he doubted his leg would support him... not that he'd admit that out loud.

Elladan, Elrohir and all the warriors had visibly relaxed after hearing Legolas breath again. That had sure frightened everyone; there was no doubt about that!

Elrond decided that he should check out the elf's chest injury to see if it had reopened. He didn't wish to cause Legolas pain, but it was unavoidable while he was awake. He had to make sure the wound wasn't bleeding again.

He was relieved when he found that it hadn't reopened and hadn't started to bleed again. He put more herbs on it and rebandaged it. During the process Leoglas was unable to stiffle a cry of pain. He was much too weak to attempt anything, especially after the recent attack on his breathing.

The pain in Legolas' chest never abated and it felt like a vice had an overly tight grip on it. The pain, however, did at least subside slightly, for which he was grateful. While Elrond was treating it, it sent a sharp pain throughout his body. He was thankful when the healer finally stopped treating it and let it be. He sighed in relief and let his body relax fully, though he hadn't even realized it was tense to begin with.

When Elrond heard the young elf sigh and saw his body relax when he stopped he felt bad for checking the wound, though he knew it was best. He knew he had hurt him, but couldn't help it. His sons were around him, too; also feeling sorry for the elf. Everything always seemed to happen to him.

The elf-lord ordered everyone to continue when he felt Legolas was ready. Luckily, only after a few minutes into the ride Legolas had fallen back asleep. Elrond was concerned about the amount of sleep that Legolas was needing, but reminded himself that it was required when one lost a large amount of blood, and was totally exhausted. He just let the blonde elf sleep, knowing it was for the best. The more rest Legolas received the better. His body getting plently of rest would help his healing ability as well.

Elrond still coudn't believe Legolas had stopped breathing. He had come WAY too close to death.

The elder elf looked down at the elf in his arms and smiled. For once Legolas looked like he was getting the right kind of rest. He had a very tranquil look on his face that showed the possiblilty of a very good dream.

Good. Sleep peacefully, penneth. He thought, happy that he had such a content look. This was probably he most relaxed Legolas had been since... well, in a very long time. Before he had been poisoned. Probably when he had been with Aragorn on their "simple" hunting trip, which had started everything. Funny how that turned out. He inwardly laughed, dryly.

"Ada! Ada! Look!" Elrond heard Elladan call to him.

Aragorn had fallen asleep in Thônor's arms after another hour into the trip, being far too exhausted for a human to possibly stay awake.

The healer looked at his sons and saw that both were pointing ahead of them.

He looked to where their fingers pointed.

The elf-lord stared in shock. He had been so focused on Legolas that he hadn't noticed that they were finally within sight of Imladris.

"We shall be there shortly now, penneth." Elrond whispered down to the injured elf that had woken a little while ago.

Legolas smiled quickly, glad over the news.

Any advice on my writting ability is always welcomed... n.n;;

How'd you guys all like it? Heh.. they didn't run into any trouble this time, though they did have some with Legolas... -.-;; -shrugs- Well, I do hope you all enjoyed it.. n.n

I was going to post a story especially for halloween, but.. yeah. I don't really celebrate it anywayz. But.. yeah... Happy Halloween!

Plz Review!

Ja ne, minna.