Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this chapter except for Danuinel, who you will meet later in the chapter. Since this is the first replying chapter, I will answer all the reviews, but this may not happen in future instalments. It all depends on the time I have since I have my exams at the moment. Thanks!

Chapter 2

Legolas lay still. Motionless and white, it grieved all who laid eyes upon him, to see the Elf as he was. There was no breath in the pale archer, his eyes were closed and the slender hands rested upon his stomach.

In another view, the sight was a beautiful one. The prince had been dressed in the blue silk with a silver detailing, his hair fanned around his head and there was a sense of peace in the room.

The only thing spoiling the image was a tear in the tunic. A dagger had pierced that area not ten minutes beforehand. The prince's body had not bled due to the lack of circulation brought on by death. It still broke Estel's heart to look at his best friend, attacked even in death.

"Estel?" Elrond's soft but concerned voice sounded from the doorway. The Ranger had been standing perfectly still for some time now, and it was starting to worry his foster-father.

"Ada. Come in." Estel replied, looking towards the door. "Where is he? The one who did this horrible thing." The Ranger's voice was hard, and he fought to keep his emotions under control.

"The guards have taken him down to the dungeons. It was a horrific crime he committed. To attack someone after they have passed is unforgivable, though he says he was helping the prince. How he worked that one out, I am not sure. Although I do not like it, his pleas are sticking in my mind, and I almost believe him. I cannot explain it." Elrond said quietly.

"What is he saying?" Estel asked, watching his father carefully.

"He claims to have helped Legolas. But he will not say how, or indeed, why. Perhaps I should not be telling you this. Not right now." Elrond replied, looking away.

"I wish to speak to him. I want to find out what he means." Estel stated, turning to leave. He looked back as his father started speaking once more.

"I do not think it a wise decision for you to be seeing him at this moment. You are angry and hurt and this could cloud your mind and judgement. I fear you will do something you will regret." Elrond said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"I will not do anything. I just want to talk to him. Will you…?" Estel trailed off, stopping what he was going to say.

"I will stay here and watch over Legolas." Elrond smiled. It was exactly what the Ranger was thinking about.

The human headed down to the dungeons to see Legolas' attacker. What he was going to do or say, he did not know. The dungeon was always a place that Estel had avoided. It brought back memories of when he had been held captive in other places and the tortures he and Legolas had endured. He approached the cell holding the stranger who had brutally stabbed the blonde prince. Estel stopped outside the bars of the cell and looked inside. The Elf sat in the corner of the cell and looked back. Neither said anything for a short while.

"You are here to find out why I did what I did." The Elf stated. His hood was down now, obviously taken off by the guards. Dark hair spilled over his shoulders and dark eyes watched the Ranger curiously.

"I am. It was a horrendous thing that you did." Estel stated out of anger. The Elf nodded, surprising the Ranger.

"It would have been, in normal circumstances. But in this case, I helped the prince. I know you will find that hard to believe or understand. But it is the truth. I have helped the prince in a way no one else could have." The stranger said, looking into Estel's eyes.

As Elrond had said, this Elf's words were making an impact with Estel. It was a difficult thing to believe, indeed, but Estel found himself believing it anyway.

"What is your name, stranger?" Estel asked, wanting to find out more about this mysterious figure who claimed to have helped a dead person.

"My name is Danuinel. And you are Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of Gondor." This last statement surprised the Ranger. He did not understand how this newcomer knew his name and more importantly, his heritage.

"In what way have you helped my friend, Danuinel? And, more importantly, why?" Estel asked, noting how the Elf drew in a deep breath before answering.

"I have helped in a way you will find out soon enough. As for why, lets just call it an act of generosity." Danuinel said.

Speaking in riddles was always something that annoyed the Ranger to no end. Legolas had done in many times, as had his father and brothers. He decided it must be an Elf thing. Why they could not just say what they meant, he did not know. He was going to say something about it to Danuinel but did not get the chance. A guard came in and said that Elrond had called for him.

His mind changed and he almost sprinted back to the Healing Wing. It seemed to take hours to get there, when in reality it only took about a minute. The dark-haired Ranger burst through the door and ran to his father.

"What has happened?" Estel gasped, noticing, for the first time, his father's expression. Elrond did not say anything, just pointed to Legolas' chest.

A dark stain was quickly spreading across the Elf's tunic from the stab wound, drenching the clothes and bed. Elrond broke free from his shock, and tried to stop the bleeding. The Elven Lord applied pressure to the wound, but the blood seeped through his fingers. Estel picked up the limp wrist of his friend and turned it over. He pressed two fingers to Legolas' pulse point. Estel's eyes widened.

"His heart … it's beating! Ada, he's alive! It's slow, but it's there!" Estel cried.

TBC

Replies:

marauding-siriusly: Totally loving the name by the way! I'm glad you are enjoying this story. Did you read the other one? I hope so, it helps. Thanks!

Elven Fantasy: I'm sorry that it took me a while to update this story, but it's here now. I have exams next week, so I might take a few days off. Maybe not. I don't know yet. Thanks!

Happyface 72: I thought that the last line would hook people. I think it had the desired effect. Thanks for reviewing.

silverleaf: That's a good idea, and I'll really think about it. When I started Hidden Truth, I did not expect it to be 57 chapters long as it was my first fic. But hey, you cannot mess with these things. I have no idea how long this one will be either. We'll have to wait and see. Thanks for your suggestion though!

Lalaithofthebruinen: Oh yeah! More bunnies! Anyway, I wanted to start the sequel as soon as I could so that I didn't lose track of what was happening. Thanks for reviewing!

Mornflower: I think you should stop bouncing, I don't want to be sued for killing my reviewers. Thanks!

Sierra Leone: I certainly hope that this one will be as good as Hidden Truth. Thanks for all your support. I have been reading your story by the way, haven't gotten round to reviewing it yet though. Been too busy studying for exams and stuff. Thanks anyway!

HarryEstel: I'm really glad that all my reviewers from Hidden Truth have found this sequel so soon. Thanks for reviewing and here's the next chapter!

Skande1: ORANGE SKITTLES! I thought that I would never get more skittles! But hey, you're back, and Leggy might be too. What's going to happen now? Can you wait and see?

Anonymous: I did actually know about the blood thing, but thanks anyway! I was helpful to know that my information was correct. Thanks for reviewing and I think you have a fantastic name, very original.