Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR

Author's pitiful apology: I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long; I've been incredibly busy. My AS level exams have just started and I haven't really had time to write much. After this chapter, the next one may take until late June to post. Sorry. I would appreciate greatly some constructive criticism for this chapter, because I just can't seem to get it right. It's a terribly written chapter.

Responses to reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review. I'm feeling really guilty about being so cruel to Legolas…

A. NuEvil: I'm sorry about the wait-really I am. Thanks for pointing out the grammar thing-I was beginning to think no one ever gave constructive criticism on this site. I just looked at chapter two and realised I'd put Elrohir when I meant Elladan-I even get them mixed up in writing!

Ketsueki-Ken: Thanks for the compliment about the cliffhanger. Unfortunately, I hadn't planned out the next chapter when I wrote that, so I'd written myself into a corner…

Daeomae: Thanks for the review, and I'm sorry about the long wait. Yep-shameless blackmail from me, I probably won't do that again, probably…

Cute little Legolas: Sorry about the long wait, I hope you don't hate me yet, but thanks for your review even if you do!

In the minutes that had passed since Elladan had gone for help, Legolas' condition had worsened considerably. He was shaking badly and his breathing was ragged. A sheen of sweat glistened on his pale face, and he looked as if he were about to throw up.

This observation was shown to be accurate when the young elf pulled away from Elrohir, crawled a small distance away, then vomited.

"Legolas…" Elrohir sighed sadly, helping his friend move back to where they were sitting before. He wished that his brother would return soon, because Legolas really didn't look as if he'd be able to cope for much longer without help.

"Elrohir," Legolas turned towards his friend, his voice hoarse.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Elrohir asked, as Legolas grabbed hold of his arm, wide eyed and seemingly terrified.

"I can't…" Legolas croaked, and Elrohir saw that he was gasping for breath, and pain showed clearly in his eyes.

"Try to calm down," Elrohir suggested, not knowing what else to do. This apparently didn't help, because Legolas seemed to be getting worse, not better. He hoped that his brother would arrive soon.

Eventually, something happened that froze Elrohir inside. Legolas gave one final strangled gasp before going completely limp in his friend's arms, and he wasn't breathing.

"Legolas! No!" Elrohir exclaimed, still completely in shock.

"This way!" Elladan pointed towards where he had left his brother and friend, and the group hurried onwards. Though only a few seconds had passed since they had heard the yell, to Thranduil it felt like a lifetime.

"Ada!" Elrohir called when he saw them, "Ada please help him-he stopped breathing!"

Elrond and Glorfindel knelt by the prince, leaving Thranduil to stand and stare in shock. Reality had just hit him, hard. His only son was half lying on the floor, in desperate danger, and there was nothing he could do to help. He felt like crying, or screaming, or running away, or none of these things. Confusion reigned in his mind, and he just didn't know anything anymore.

He was brought back to the situation at hand when Legolas started coughing. Elrond looked to him and beckoned him forward. "Can you sit here and hold him upright?" The elf lord asked, and Thranduil nodded, willing to help in any way he could.

Legolas whimpered as Elrond examined the bite on his leg, trying hard not to cry in pain. Thranduil tightened his hold on his son, squeezing his hand in reassurance. "Ada…" Legolas whispered, "It hurts,"

Before Thranduil could reply though, Elrond brought a small bottle out of the bag he was carrying. "You need to drink all of this," he instructed, holding the bottle up to Legolas' lips. The young elf grimaced at the bitter taste, but did as he was told.

"We need to leave," Glorfindel announced, "Elrohir will go on my horse, and Legolas will go with Elrond." His tone stopped any arguments before they started, and within minutes the group was on its way back to the house as fast as they could go.

Author's notes: Sorry about this chapter, really sorry. The next chapter, if I write it, will be late June. Hopefully it will be better than this one. Please review, and tell me how I can improve this.