Hey everyone! It seems like this story is taking forever, but I think that's because I'm taking longer to post because of my new job, (which is going very well, by the way!) So here's a longer chapter than usual! Enjoy!

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Legolas peacefully slept through the night, waking late the next morning. His chest was still incredibly sore, but he found that the sharp pain that had afflicted it had dimmed. He was relieved beyond words, hoping that he would soon be recovered enough to get out of bed.

Looking around the room, he found that less people occupied it than usual. For the first time in days, Heredil, Aragorn, and the twins were absent when he woke, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.

Elrond was standing at a small table, mixing herbs, not aware that Legolas was awake. Thranduil had his elbow on his son's mattress, resting the side of his face in his hand. His eyes were closed, to Legolas' surprise, and he looked very tired.

Thranduil suddenly felt his son's scrutinizing look and opened them, smiling at his son.

"You should sleep," Legolas said, pleased to hear his voice sounding stronger.

Thranduil shook his head, patting his son's hand. "Worry not for me," he said. "Just concentrate on becoming well."

"I am well," Legolas answered.

The King gave him a skeptical look.

Legolas smiled sheepishly. "I feel better," he clarified.

Thranduil smiled at that, turning to look at Elrond, who was watching.

The healer smiled as he walked over to them with a cup. "We are so pleased to hear that, penneth," he said.

Legolas smiled, drinking the herbs as Elrond held the cup. It frustrated Legolas that both of his arms were injured, and he slowly raised his left arm to grasp the cup.

Thranduil had one arm around Legolas' back to hold him upright as he drank, and reached out with his other hand to stop him, but Legolas didn't let him. His grip on the cup was shaky, and he was glad that Elrond didn't let go, or he would've dropped it. His shoulder protested the movement, but the pain was bearable. The worst part was how weak and heavy his arm felt.

Elrond saw Legolas' arm start to shake, and he put his other hand under the young elf's elbow, bracing its weight so that Legolas wouldn't have to strain the unused muscles.

Legolas finished drinking, watching as Elrond gently laid his arm back down. The limb felt worse than he'd hoped, but he was glad to be regaining his mobility.

Elrond opened Legolas' shirt and removed the bandage from his shoulder. The wound looked very good. "The stitches can be removed," he said.

Legolas smiled at the news, watching as Elrond went to the table to fetch a knife.

When Elrond came back, Thranduil averted his eyes from the healer's ministrations. It had always been difficult to witness healing procedures on his son, who he loved more than life itself.

Legolas, on the other hand, watched it all, as Elrond carefully cut each stitch and pulled it from his skin. When his shoulder was left with nothing but an angry-looking red line, he smiled.

Elrond moved on to the younger elf's leg, pronouncing those stitches ready to be removed also. "You still should not move this leg," he said, as he worked. "There was a hole in the bone left from the arrow, and a slight fracture. Do not attempt to stand just because the stitches have come out."

Legolas nodded. "I won't." He frowned when Elrond went to replace the knife on the table. "My arm?" he said.

Elrond shook his head. "Your arm is broken; I would prefer leaving it untouched until it has healed further. I would also like to leave the stitches in your chest for a while longer."

Legolas frowned but said nothing, understanding. He looked at his father, who was staring at the bed sheets. "He has finished, Ada, you can look now."

Thranduil looked at him, smiling sheepishly as he realized that his secret had come out.

Legolas grinned widely.

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Legolas recovered more quickly after that. His strength returned slower than usual for an elf, but Elrond assured him that it was normal after what he had endured. The healer was secretly shocked that Legolas had managed to survive the blood loss and subsequent fever.

The injured elf's broken arm was still wrapped tightly, but Elrond had removed the stitches in it and his chest. Now that the bandages and stitches were gone from his body, the first thing that Legolas asked for was a bath: a real bath. No more having his hair washed in a basin, no more wet cloths for his body.

Thranduil reached down to lift his son from the bed, but Legolas flinched away. "No! I will walk."

Elrond opened his mouth to protest, but closed it. The hairline fracture in the younger elf's leg had healed. As long as he was assisted, there was no reason why he could not walk.

Thranduil and Elrond helped Legolas stand, holding onto him tightly when his legs shook unsteadily.

"Take it slow," said Elrond.

Legolas obeyed, talking small, shuffling steps. It dismayed him how slowly his strength was returning, but he was so relieved to finally be out of bed!

The short walk to the bathing chamber seemed extremely long, and when Legolas finally sank his weary body into the hot water, he couldn't prevent a happy sigh. It annoyed him that he had to keep his broken arm out of the tub, but he became so relaxed that he didn't even notice that his father had remained in the room. A rustling sound caught Legolas' attention and he startled out of a doze, looking towards him.

Thranduil frowned from where he sat. "Forgive me, Legolas, I did not realize that you were unaware of my presence."

Legolas smiled. "You need not stay. I am all right."

"How will you wash your hair?" the King asked.

In answer, Legolas slid his body further into the tub, immersing his entire head in the soapy water. He tried to spring back up, but his still-weak body protested. Drown yourself in front of your father, why don't you? he thought to himself, sarcastically.

Thranduil smiled when his son's head popped out of the water. He'd seen Legolas' slight difficulty, and tried not to show the momentary alarm that he'd felt. "That efficiently answers my question," he said, amused.

Legolas smiled. "Go take some rest," he said. "I am fine alone. I am sure that Aragorn will likely arrive momentarily, anyway."

Thranduil nodded. His son was an adult, and the King knew how much Legolas hated to be fussed over. "All right. Keep that arm out of the water."

Legolas nodded.

Smiling at his son, Thranduil left the room.

Sighing with relief to finally be alone, Legolas closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the hot water on his sore body. It wasn't long before he began to doze off, but he was eventually startled a second time by a sudden voice.

"Legolas?"

Looking towards the door, he watched as Aragorn peeked his head through. The human smiled and came into the room, sitting on the bench that the King had recently vacated. "How did you manage to talk our fathers into letting you bathe alone?"

Legolas shook his head, feigning annoyance. "I am not alone now, am I?"

Aragorn chuckled.

"I feel better," Legolas said. "I needed a real bath."

Aragorn nodded. "Aye, and I suppose now you'll be begging to be let outside next."

Legolas grinned but said nothing. He hadn't even tried to ask Elrond that question, knowing what the answer would be. He knew that he hadn't the strength yet to walk the distance, and his pride would not consent to let himself be carried. "Unfortunately, the balcony will have to suffice for a while," he said.

Aragorn blinked, surprised at his friend's words. "Ai," he mumbled. "Your strength truly is slow in returning, for you to give in so easily."

Legolas sighed. "I suspect that I came closer to death than I even know."

Aragorn knew that his friend was asking rather than telling. "You did," he said, softly. "I have never seen anyone loose so much blood, mellon-nin."

Legolas said nothing, listening.

"Surviving that was surprising enough, but then the fever…" said the human. "It truly is a miracle that you are in that tub at all, my friend. My prayers were answered."

Legolas smiled, and they were silent for a few minutes. "Have you word on that man that my father captured?" he asked.

Aragorn nodded. "He recovers. His injury was not too severe."

"I wonder what my father will do," said Legolas, swirling his finger in the soapy water. "I cannot help but feel worried."

Aragorn frowned and sat forward, clasping his hand between his knees. "Be at peace, Legolas," he said. "Do not let yourself worry; it may impede your recovery."

Legolas nodded, closing his eyes and relaxing. "Would you mind fetching the white robe in my closet?" he asked. "The balcony beckons to me," he grinned.

Aragorn nodded and left the room.

Legolas quickly stood, grateful that the tub was built into the floor. He tried to quickly walk up the steps, but his muscles felt even weaker thanks to the heat from the water. He grabbed the towel that sat on the floor and draped it over his still-wrapped arm, holding onto the rail with his other hand. Once he reached the top, he had a hard time wrapping the towel around himself thanks to his broken limb, but he somehow succeeded. What he failed in was making his way to the bench. His legs felt too shaky, especially the still-injured one, so he sat on the floor, letting his legs dangle over the tub. It would be foolish to try to force himself to get to the bench on the now-wet floor.

The door opened again and Aragorn came back in. On his face was a smirk, and in his arms a light blue robe. "You do not have a white one."

Legolas shot him a grin. "I know."

Aragorn shook his head. "Just as I suspected. A diversion, so that you could keep your dignity by getting out of the tub without help."

"Dignity is important," said Legolas.

Aragorn smiled, walking towards him with the robe and a pair of slippers. "I am glad that you at least had the sense to not try to make it to the bench on the wet floor."

Legolas chuckled at his friend echoing his own thoughts. "Aye, I do occasionally show some sense."

Aragorn handed the elf his robe, before putting his hands under Legolas' arms and pulling him to his feet. He helped his friend put on the robe, and then picked up his towel when the elf dropped it.

Legolas took a step towards the door, but Aragorn stopped him. "Wait."

"For what?" Legolas asked, as the human helped him towards the bench instead.

Aragorn sat Legolas down and retrieved a dry towel. He went back to his friend and plopped it on his head.

Legolas chuckled, but it turned into a squawk when the human started to vigorously rub it. "Estel!" he exclaimed.

Aragorn laughed. "What? If your father found you outside with dripping hair, he would surely kill me."

Legolas sighed. "Sometimes it seems that he thinks me human."

Aragorn finished with the towel, removing it and grinning at the mess that he'd left behind. "He worries for your well-being," he said. "It's what makes him such a good father."

Legolas nodded. "Aye. I am grateful to have him."

Aragorn gave him a mock-hurt look.

Legolas laughed. "And you! Whatever would I do without my truest friend; my chosen brother."

Aragorn smiled, hearing the sincerity in the elf's words. "Likewise, mellon-nin."

Legolas returned the smile, standing. "Now then, there is a balcony that calls to me!"

Aragorn nodded, helping his friend slowly walk across the room and through the doors, gently sitting him in one of the chairs.

Legolas gave a sigh of contentment as he sat back, closing his eyes and lifting his face up towards the warm sun.

Aragorn smiled at the sight, grabbing the small table next to the chair and setting it in front of the elf, gently picking up his friend's legs and setting his slippered feet onto it. "Comfortable?"

Legolas nodded, eyes still closed as he slouched his body down a little further, to take some strain off his still-weak leg muscles.

Aragorn took hold of the table and turned it lengthways, pushing it closer to the chair so that the elf's legs lay on it rather than just his feet. "Is that better?"

"Much," said Legolas, relaxing. He opened his eyes with a smile. "Hannon le."

Aragorn smiled back, sitting in the chair beside him.

They were silent for a moment, before Legolas spoke. "What do our fathers plan to do with the man that was captured?"

Aragorn looked at his friend, realizing that no one had told the elf much about the situation. Legolas had been so ill, suffering such pain, that he hadn't even really asked. "My father believes the man to be innocent of any wrongdoing towards you," he said.

Legolas looked at him, surprised.

Aragorn nodded. "Apparently, his brother is an elf-hater. He said that he was forced to accompany the group, but that he refused to become involved. Even your father seems to believe him."

Legolas said nothing.

"Ada sends out numerous patrols every day," the human continued. "Searching for this man. We have warriors stationed at all the human villages to our north, in case he happens to arrive—or be hiding—in any of them."

Legolas nodded, watching birds fly between the trees, smiling when they burst into song. "What is his name?"

"Tanek. The man that we caught is Radek, his younger brother."

"I would like to speak to him," Legolas said.

Aragorn blinked. "Your father will kill me for allowing it."

"Why?" Legolas answered. "Everyone thinks him innocent. If so, then he will not harm me. Besides, I am sure that you will wish to accompany me?"

Aragorn nodded.

Legolas smiled. "Good. Then I will not have to face the full brunt of my father's anger when he eventually finds me gone from this room!"