Thranduil, Elrond, and Heredil lead some of Mirkwood's troops north of the palace, each of the three knowing that Legolas and Aragorn had likely already confronted Raenwe. It was maddening, wondering if one—or both—of them were dead, or whether or not Legolas had gotten the antidote to the vanwacoi and the deadly poison. The journey began on a very anxious note, for none of them realized that they would not be riding long before they were finally reunited with their children...

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Legolas and Aragorn avoided riding through the village by going through the woods surrounding it, succeeding in not being spotted by any of the inhabitants. It added more time to their journey so they rode hard, wanting to get back to Mirkwood before the snow began to fall. It was very cold; the temperature seemed to not be rising at all, and the sky kept growing darker.

A few hours later, Aragorn stopped his horse.

"I am not in need of rest, Estel," said Legolas.

"Perhaps not rest, but certainly food," the human said, as his stomach growled. "I did not realize until now that we did not eat before we left."

Legolas had grown hungry long before his friend, but had chosen not to say anything.

"Come," said Aragorn, dismounting.

Legolas obeyed, eyeing the clouds. He doubted that they'd reach the palace before the snow started, and he hoped that it would not be a severe storm.

Aragorn quickly built a fire and they sat close to it, warming their bodies as they ate. Conversation was limited, as they attempted to hurry.

They were about to leave again when Legolas was abruptly struck by the feeling that something approached.

"Orcs?" said Aragorn.

Legolas shook his head. "I am not sure…"

Aragorn sighed. Legolas' ability to sense what neared them had been hampered by the vanwacoi, and the human nervously looked around for the threat.

The sound of horse's hooves could suddenly be heard, and they drew their weapons.

"Legolas!" they suddenly heard.

With a gasp, Legolas lowered his bow and tossed it to the ground as he looked into the trees. As the horses came into view, he smiled happily at Aragorn, who returned it.

King Thranduil leaped off his steed and ran to his son, grabbing him in a tight hug. "Legolas! Oh, Legolas!" he exclaimed; holding his son so tightly that Legolas actually winced.

"Forgive me, ada," Legolas whispered, eyes closed.

Elrond smiled at the sight, as he reached Aragorn and likewise drew him into an embrace.

"Raenwe is dead," the human told his father and Heredil, who looked more relieved than Aragorn had ever seen him.

Elrond's eyebrows shot up, and he held his son for a few more seconds before pulling back. "Did Legolas get the antidotes?"

Aragorn hesitated. "We found the plant and I made the vanwacoi cure, but he hasn't experienced any change as of yet."

Elrond pursed his lips, thinking.

"As for the second poison…" said Aragorn. "Apparently, it was a trick, to ensure that you gave Raenwe the vanwacoi antidote."

Heredil gasped and Elrond's jaw nearly dropped, so surprised were they. Before either elf had a chance to say anything, Thranduil spoke.

"Are you hurt?" he asked his son, finally pulling out of their embrace.

Legolas shook his head, but Thranduil started patting his clothes, looking for hidden bandages.

"Ada!" Legolas protested, but the word was cut off when Thranduil touched his chest, making him gasp.

"Aha!" said the King, forcing his son to sit as he opened Legolas' coat and unlaced the ties on his shirt.

Aragorn couldn't help but laugh, especially when Elrond and Heredil quickly walked forward to investigate the Prince's 'injury'.

All three elves frowned at the sight of the large, nasty bruise.

"Nothing is broken!" Legolas told them. "I am perfectly fine."

"A bruise?" said Thranduil, surprised. "That is all?"

Legolas smiled slightly, nodding. "For once."

Thranduil couldn't help but smile as he hugged his son again. "Are you cured, Legolas?" he whispered, his voice sounding choked up. "Please tell me that you are cured…!"

"We took Raenwe's plant," Legolas said. "Aragorn made me the antidote, and we are waiting for its effects to manifest."

Thranduil sighed with relief, unable to prevent tears of joy.

"The other poison did not exist," Legolas went on, smiling slightly.

Thranduil pulled back, in shock. "What?!" he exclaimed.

Legolas couldn't hide a smile over the look on his father's face.

Over the next hour, he and Aragorn told the others everything that had transpired, sitting close to the fire, forgetting about the imminent snow.

Thranduil had both arms around his son, practically holding Legolas on his lap as he listened. He had to fight joyful tears several times, at the knowledge that his son was no longer dying and would soon be perfectly whole again.

Legolas leaned against his father, uncaring that he was far too old to be held as an elfling. He watched Aragorn as he spoke, smiling at Heredil, who sat beside him.

The group of warriors that had come with their King remained a short distance away, protectively surrounding the royal family. Many of them eyed the darkening clouds with dismay.

"I was unsure if I made the antidote correctly," Aragorn said, nervously looking at his father. "When Legolas showed no effects."

Elrond looked at Heredil. "How long did it take for you to fully regain your elven healing ability?"

Heredil sighed, thinking. "I believe it took nearly a week. The healers assured me that it was normal; they said that it literally had to reform within my body."

Aragorn closed his eyes, sighing loudly with relief.

Legolas looked at his father. "I told you that I would be fine."

Thranduil chuckled, giving his son a squeeze.

The smiles quickly changed into looks of surprise when a shower of snowflakes suddenly erupted, falling gently around them.

"We need to head back!" said Heredil, standing.

Everyone followed his example, quickly rising and gathering their things.

Legolas mounted his horse and was startled when his father swung up behind him.

"You will need my body heat," Thranduil said, wrapping his arms around his son.

Legolas knew that he was right and swallowed his protest, surprising his father.

Elrond insisted on doing the same with Aragorn, and then they were off, riding hard in an attempt to reach home before the storm intensified.

It was a lost cause.

The snow grew heavier the closer that they got to the palace. The wind increased dramatically, blowing directly into their faces.

Legolas had been inwardly embarrassed at his father sharing his horse, hating to appear weak. Now, however, he was grateful; Thranduil's eyesight was much better for directing the horse through the snow.

"Are you all right?" his father suddenly asked.

Legolas nodded, trying not to shiver, not wanting his father to worry.

A few hours passed, and the group had to unexpectedly stop when the wind blew so strongly that they could barely ride against it. The snow was blinding, so heavy that they couldn't even see each other's horses.

"Elrond! Heredil!" Thranduil shouted, turning the horse around so that his back was to the wind, as he hugged his son's head to his chest, trying to shelter him from the elements as if he were a mere elfling.

He heard the other elves' replies, and told them to remain where they were until the wind died down.

"Ada?" said Legolas; his voice sounding muffled as the King unintentionally squished his son's face against his coat.

Thranduil realized what he was doing, and loosened his hold.

Legolas squirmed; glad to get some fresh air. He watched the blizzard with fascination; still amazed that such a hard winter had come to Mirkwood so early.

The wind died down shortly after, allowing the elves to see again. The group of warriors quickly surrounded their King and Prince, fearing losing them in the storm.

The next few hours passed slowly, and the daylight began to fade. The snow grew no lighter, and accumulated at an alarming rate.

Thranduil knew that it would be dangerous for Legolas and Aragorn to be outside all night—especially after what they'd already been through—and decided to ride on until they reached the palace.

Legolas suddenly began coughing and Thranduil shifted his arms, trying to help his son into a better position. The younger elf had been coughing often throughout the journey: the cold temperature and biting wind serving to aggravate his lung condition.

Legolas pulled out the waterskin that he kept inside his coat, in an attempt to keep his cherry-bark tea as warm as possible. He drank the last of it, silently wondering when they would reach home. He was freezing; his clothes soaked from the falling snow.

The journey took much longer than it should've because of the weather, and mere minutes before they finally arrived, they were greeted by an unexpected sight.

"King Thranduil!" one of the guards exclaimed. "Someone comes!"

Heredil reached out a hand to the King's steed, forcing it to stop. He placed his own in front of Thranduil's and drew his bow, ready to defend the royal family's lives.

"Ada!" they suddenly heard. "Estel!"

Aragorn rode his horse forward, to meet the two riders. "What are you doing here?!" he exclaimed.

"We arrived home to find the two of you gone!" said Elrohir. "And a letter from Mirkwood in your bedroom."

Legolas smiled at the twins as they looked at him with relieved expressions.

"There will be plenty of time for talk later," said Elladan. "Everyone at the palace is very worried for you all! Let us return and get out of this weather!"

Unanimously agreeing, the weary travelers followed Elrond's sons home.

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Nope, that wasn't the end! Don't worry, there's more to come! LOL ;)