Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your awesome reviews! :) Here's the new chapter; it's longer than usual, because I wanted to speed the story up. Enjoy! :)

When Elrond came back into the room, there was a relieved expression on his face. He crossed to the bed and placed a vial on the table. "Is he awake?"

"No," Thranduil said.

Elrond sighed at that, hating to disturb the sick elf. "Legolas," he whispered, touching his face. "Wake, penneth, you need to drink this."

Legolas moved his head, slowly stirring from slumber. Immediately he began to cough, and Aragorn pulled him to a sitting position.

Thranduil rubbed his son's back, accidentally forgetting about the bruises. When he saw Legolas flinch at the contact, he quickly pulled his hand away.

Elrond sat on the bed, holding the younger elf by his upper arms as he coughed. The healer could see that the Mirkwood Prince had not regained any strength in the time that he'd been gone.

When the coughing fit finally calmed, Legolas let his head hang limply as he fought to catch his breath. The sudden scent of juniper oil filled his senses, and he felt his father pull his hair back so that it wouldn't fall into the pot.

Elrond and Thranduil held the elf steady as Aragorn kept the oil before his face, and when Legolas' breathing was calmed, Elrond gently squeezed the younger elf's arms. "Penneth? I have a new medicine for you to take."

Legolas lifted his head slightly, in acquiescence.

Reaching for the vial, Elrond poured some into a spoon before holding it before the Mirkwood Prince's face.

Legolas blinked for a second, before understanding and obediently opening his mouth.

Elrond couldn't hide a smile when Legolas immediately showed his distaste for the medicine. "Some water, Estel?"

Aragorn had already poured it—remembering his own past encounter with the drug—and held it to Legolas' lips.

The look of disgust faded away after Legolas drank the water, and he gave Aragorn a smile of thanks.

"Return to the world of slumber, Legolas," Elrond said. "You shall soon be well."

Legolas was relieved at those words, but was almost afraid to believe them, after what he'd been through so far. Closing his eyes, he felt the others gently lower him down again, and he was asleep almost immediately.

"When will we know if the medicine works?" Thranduil whispered.

"Tomorrow morning at the earliest," Elrond answered. "We need to give it time."

Thranduil sighed at that, but nodded. Rubbing a hand over his face, he couldn't believe that it'd only been four days since Legolas had fallen ill…it seemed so much longer.

"I think that we should take watches over Legolas," said Elrond. "While each other sleeps. These past four days have been hard, and we are all tired."

Aragorn nodded, yawning. He was confident that the new medicine would work on his friend, for it had worked on him when he'd been sick in the past, and Legolas now had the physical health of a human. To Aragorn, there seemed no reason for it not to work.

"I will take the first watch," said Elrond.

Aragorn and Thranduil both started to protest, but when Elrond held up a hand, they stopped.

"Thranduil, you have suffered severe anxiety over this situation. Aragorn, you are human and have not the endurance of an elf," Elrond explained. "Besides, ion-nin, if you do not get adequate rest, there is the chance that you yourself could become ill. I have kept watch over patients for several millennia, and am well used to it. The two of you shall rest first."

Aragorn knew that he could never win against Elrond, so he said nothing.

Thranduil wasn't about to give in so easily, and opened his mouth to refuse again.

"Mellon-nin," said Elrond, patiently. "You are more tired then I can ever remember seeing you. If I let you take the first watch, you might accidentally fall asleep, and no one will be here for Legolas if he should suddenly require help."

Thranduil looked away, realizing with horror the truth in the healer's words. He is right…

Elrond saw acceptance in the king's face, and smiled slightly, patting his friend's shoulder. "Go. I am sure that Aragorn will not mind you sharing his room just across the hall."

"If anything happens…" said Thranduil.

Elrond nodded. "I will wake you."

Thranduil sighed, standing and looking at Legolas again before walking towards the door.

Aragorn followed, leaving Legolas' door open. "You can have—"

"No," Thranduil said. "I will not take your bed, Estel, though I thank you for the kind offer. I will be fine on the couch."

Aragorn watched as Thranduil lay down facing the door. The king couldn't see his son from there, and sighed.

Aragorn flopped down on his bed, turning his own face towards the door. He was lucky enough to see Legolas from that angle, and watched as Elrond felt the sick elf's forehead and checked his pulse, rewetting the cloth that seemed to permanently rest on his forehead.

As the human fell asleep, a look of concern on his father's face was the last thing that he saw.

The night passed uneventfully, as Legolas seemed to be in a very deep sleep. It had taken three tries to wake him for another dose of medicine, and after suffering a coughing fit and taking the drug, he'd fallen right back to sleep again.

Everyone was glad to see the sick elf finally getting quality rest, but Elrond was secretly worried about further fluid buildup in his lungs while he slept.

When the next morning came, Legolas still slept like the dead. A wheeze could be heard in his breathing, alerting Elrond that his fears had come to pass. It wasn't long before the young elf awoke, his lungs finally protesting their condition.

Everyone was once more assembled in Legolas' room, and they all watched with concern as Legolas coughed very harshly. They helped him sit up, and when he was through coughing, Elrond gave him more miruvor and another dose of the drug.

Legolas had his eyes opened fully, to everyone's delight, and he seemed more coherent.

"How do you feel, Legolas?" Elrond asked, placing his hand on the sick elf's forehead.

Legolas hesitated, assessing himself. "A little better…I think," he said, his voice weak and soft. "My mind is…clearer."

The healer smiled, removing his hand. "Your fever has lessened."

Thranduil gave an exclamation of pure joy, grabbing his son's hand. "The drug is working!"

Legolas smiled, but his expression turned to a puzzled one when Thranduil suddenly frowned. "What is this?"

Elrond and Aragorn both moved closer, peering at Legolas' hand when the king held it up. There was a red discoloration in the fair skin, and Elrond took Legolas' hand and pushed up his sleeve.

The rash went halfway up his forearm.

Aragorn reached for Legolas' other hand, finding it covering his left arm as well.

"What is it?!" Thranduil exclaimed, bewildered and horrified.

Elrond sighed, laying Legolas' arm down again. "I did not foresee this because it happens rarely. He is having an adverse reaction to the drug."

"Why?!" Thranduil exclaimed. Can things possibly get any worse? he thought.

"With mortals," said Aragorn. "Their bodies sometimes see a substance as something harmful when it actually is not, and responds in an aggressive way. With this drug, it usually manifests as a skin rash."

"Does this mean that he cannot continue taking the drug?" Thranduil asked, sounding upset.

Elrond sighed again, sitting on the bed. "I would not advise continuing, in light of this."

"It's too late," said Legolas, tiredly. "Do you not recall…you just gave me…another dose?"

Everyone was silent, looking at the sick elf with concern.

"Elrond!" said Thranduil, sounding very nervous.

The healer held up a hand, forcing himself to speak calmly. "Let us simply watch and see what happens, as there is nothing else that we can do. Legolas, if you feel any change in your condition—no matter how slight or insignificant—you need to tell us. Do you understand?"

Legolas nodded, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Thranduil watched worriedly as Elrond picked up Legolas' hand again, examining the slightly raised rash. "Does it itch?"

Legolas shook his head.

"Tell me if it does, and I can give you a cream to soothe it."

Legolas nodded, and started coughing again.

Everyone reached forward to sit him up, and they were happily shocked to see that the fit didn't last as long as his others.

Elrond smiled. "The drug has eased your cough."

Legolas smiled sleepily. "It appears so."

"Let me hear your lungs," said Aragorn, who was closest to the head of the bed.

Legolas leaned forward, with Aragorn's help. He felt weak and unsteady, and his head swam from the movement.

Thranduil saw his son close his eyes, and put a hand on his arm.

"His lungs sound a little clearer," said Aragorn.

Thranduil smiled, looking at Elrond.

"The drug is working well on you," Elrond said. "Despite causing this," he said, gesturing to Legolas' arms.

"But if he can no longer take it…" said Thranduil.

"We will decide what to do later," said Elrond. "After we see what effect the new dose has on Legolas. I suggest that you sleep, penneth, you still have much recovering to do."

Legolas nodded, his eyelids already drooping. Slipping them shut, he was asleep within minutes.

"Mayhap the drug with do nothing more to him," Aragorn whispered. "He could just be sensitive to its potency."

Elrond nodded. "You could be right; mayhap we should simply reduce the dosage."

Thranduil reached towards his son, brushing hair out of his eyes. "How long will it be before we know whether or not the new dose affected him badly?"

"It is difficult to say," said Elrond. "If nothing further happens to Legolas when the time comes for a new dose, mayhap I will give him a smaller one rather than discontinuing the treatment."

The elf-king nodded. "So we wait. I am not sure if this situation has granted me more patience, or less."

Elrond smiled wryly. "I can say the same, mellon-nin."

To everyone's relief, Legolas' rash didn't worsen, and no further ill effects came from the drug. Elrond gave him a smaller dose that night, and Legolas was able to sleep well again; the drug helping to reduce the coughing fits.

When the next morning came, Legolas woke actually feeling hungry, for the first time in a week. Thranduil was overjoyed when his son actually asked for food, instead of being forced to eat.

"What would you like, penneth?" the elf-king asked.

Legolas blinked, trying to hold back a yawn. He was still weak and tired, still feverish and achy, but most of the fog was thankfully gone from his brain.

"Legolas?" said Aragorn, when his friend didn't answer.

Legolas opened his eyes, realizing that he'd nearly fallen back to sleep again. "I am not sure," he said. "Choose for me, Estel."

Aragorn nodded. "All right; I shall return."

Elrond sat on the bed and felt Legolas' forehead. He found the fever greatly reduced, and smiled. "How do you feel? Has your pain lessened?"

Legolas nodded. "Aye…the pain in my chest has improved…as well as my throat and head." He lifted his arms, looking at the rash. "I still feel nothing from this."

Elrond nodded, seeing that the discoloration hadn't changed in any way. "Ordinarily, I would never give someone a drug that had adversely affected them, but it appears to have been the right choice in this situation."

Legolas nodded, closing his eyes as a wave of fatigue swept over him.

"Do not sleep yet, ion-nin," said Thranduil. "You requested breakfast!"

Legolas reopened his eyes, fighting against a yawn. He knew that if he gave in to it, he'd only end up coughing.

The door opened and Aragorn came in, balancing a tray on each hand.

Elrond gave a look of surprise and hurried to take one before the human dropped them.

Aragorn smiled at the incredulous look on Legolas' face. "What?" he said. "The rest of us have to eat too."

Legolas smiled, shaking his head.

"I have the perfect food for you, mellon-nin," said Aragorn, holding out a plate.

Legolas wasn't surprised at all to find it filled with assorted pastries.

"He needs nutritious food, Estel!" Elrond exclaimed.

"I know," said Aragorn. "That is why he must eat what else I brought before he is allowed one of these."

Thranduil chuckled, reaching out to take a pastry, but gasped when a hand suddenly slapped his.

"The same goes for you, mellon-nin," said Elrond, sternly.

Legolas started to laugh at the look of shock on his father's face; a look that plainly said, 'I am a King…how dare you strike me!'

Thranduil's look of shock turned into a mock glare at his old friend, but then it changed to an expression of concern when Legolas' laughter turned into harsh coughing.

Aragorn gently sat him up, quickly pouring a glass of cherry-bark tea.

Legolas was surprised at the severity of the coughing fit, having thought himself well on the way to healing. He quickly lost his breath, and couldn't gain it back.

Elrond realized that the sick elf's coughing had progressed into an attack, and picked up the pot of juniper oil, holding it before the young elf as Thranduil clutched his son in fear.

Aragorn sat beside his friend, holding onto his arm and whispering soothingly through his worry. "Be calm, Legolas, be calm."

The Mirkwood Prince looked anything but. His eyes were opened wide as he gasped for air, and his face was paler than it already had been.

"I thought you said that he was improving!" Thranduil said to Elrond, as he rubbed his son's back.

"Hush!" said Elrond.

Legolas finally felt his breathing start to ease, as the fumes from the juniper oil did their job. His quick gasps faded into heavy breathing, and eventually he was able to take deeper breaths.

Elrond held the juniper oil under the sick elf's face even after he knew that Legolas no longer needed it.

"Ai…" Legolas whispered, eyes closed. He leaned against Aragorn's shoulder, who wrapped his arms around his friend in a comforting hug.

"Are you all right, Legolas?" his father asked, worriedly.

Legolas didn't move from his position, still breathing fast as he nodded his head in answer.

Aragorn held his friend tightly, feeling the elf's weak body shudder. Whether it was caused by fear or another sudden chill, Aragorn wasn't sure.

Elrond watched Legolas for a minute, seeing that he appeared to be all right for the moment. "Come," he said to Thranduil, suddenly standing.

Thranduil blinked, as if leaving the room was an impossible action.

"He is in good hands, Thranduil," said Elrond. "I wish to speak to you for a moment."

Thranduil looked at his son again, who appeared to be falling asleep on Aragorn's shoulder.

Aragorn gave the king a reassuring smile, and Thranduil stood, following the healer out the door.

"What is it?" he asked, anxiously.

Elrond walked down the hall, making the king follow him. "I need to make something clear to you. In answer to your question of a few moments ago…Legolas' illness is improving, but he will suffer occasional attacks of breathless, as they are part of his lung condition that has nothing to do with his sickness."

Thranduil closed his eyes at the realization. "Ai," he said, running a hand through his blond hair. "This is too much…" he moaned. "This is just too much…my poor son…"

Elrond put an arm around his friend in comfort.

Neither elf said anything for a few minutes, and Elrond suddenly found themselves standing in front of the library.

Thranduil sighed, opening the door. "Mayhap I should bring Legolas some books to read as he recovers."

Elrond nodded. "He would enjoy that."

Thranduil walked through the library, choosing books that he knew would interest his son. Taking them over to the table, he opened each one, checking for the vanwacoi paper.

Elrond watched, wishing that he'd miraculously find it.

Thranduil sighed. "It was worth a try."

Elrond nodded wryly, and left the library.

As Thranduil followed, another book suddenly caught his eye and he stopped, smiling. Legolas of Gondolin, the book read. It was a child's version of the historical tale, and Thranduil remembered that it had been Legolas' favorite book when he was an elfling, for the story revolved around the elf that he had been named after.

Grabbing the book, he rushed back to his son's room.

Legolas didn't hear his father and Elrond leave the room as he dozed off. It was a few moments before he gradually became aware again and realized that he was still sitting up, leaning against his friend. "Estel?" he said, groggily.

Aragorn smiled. "How do you feel? How is your breathing?"

Legolas blinked his eyes, trying to straighten up, but feeling too fatigued to move. "Better then it was," he answered.

Aragorn took his friend's arm and gently reclined him back against the pillows. "Do you still wish to eat?" he asked, though his tone clearly showed that he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

Legolas looked over at the tray, seeing lembas bread with a bowl of honey.

Aragorn reached over and picked it up, sitting the tray on the bed. "I knew that you would not be able to resist this," he said, handing Legolas the lembas.

Legolas smiled and broke off a piece, dipping it into the honey. "You were right," he said, eating it.

Aragorn smiled, taking a piece for himself.

They ate in silence for a while, Aragorn deliberately keeping quiet so as not to distract Legolas from eating.

"Where have our fathers gone?" Legolas suddenly asked, his voice sounding distorted from a mouthful of honey.

Aragorn shook his head, but the door opened a minute later and the two elves entered.

Thranduil smiled at the sight of his son eating. "Ai, his appetite has returned! Imladris, beware!"

Legolas smiled, looking at the pile of books that his father held.

"There are for you to read while you recover," Thranduil said, placing them on the nightstand.

Legolas glanced at the titles, his smile widening as he reached over to pick up the book that he'd practically memorized as an elfling. "I read this book so many times, I am surprised to find it in such good shape."

"You were always very careful with it, because you enjoyed it so," said Elrond. "Every time you visited, one of us read it to you until you were old enough to read it yourself."

"I remember," Legolas said, opening the book and smiling at the drawing inside, knowing that he'd been named after the courageous elf. "You offered to let me take it home to Mirkwood, but I wanted it to stay here, as it always gave me something to look forward to when I visited…"

Seeing that his son's focus had drifted away from his breakfast, Thranduil reached over and took the book, hiding it behind his back. "Elflings must finish eating before they can read," he said, jokingly.

Legolas chuckled at his father's unexpected words, obediently returning to his food.