Disclaimer: I own the Bemuit root and nothing else in this chapter. Thanks for all your support in this story, it is well appreciated. Hopefully everyone will enjoy this chapter as much as the last. Thanks again!

Chapter 3

The prince's pulse was slow and weak. But it was there. That was all the sign that Elrond and his son needed to show that Legolas was fighting back. And he was not fighting this battle alone. The two beings standing over him had silently vowed to themselves that they would do all in their power to help the struggling prince.

After checking Legolas heartbeat, Estel examined the breathing of his friend. Again, the exhalations were slow and laboured, but the prince breathed none the less. As these signs were of great importance, they were not enough to ensure the archer would survive.

"Estel, could you get me some Bemuit root please? As quickly as you can, ion-nin." Elrond said, trying not to sound desperate in front of his son. They would need all the calm they could get if they were going to help Legolas.

"Of course, Ada." With that, Estel rushed to the other side of the room and gathered the specified ingredient. He crushed it into a small bowl and took it back to his father.

Elrond mixed the crushed root with a little drop of water so that it created a paste. This thick mixture was spread over the Elf's bare chest and it let off vapours famous for helping patients to breathe with more ease. The vapours reminded Estel of not so fond memories of when he had been ill with mortal illnesses and his father had spread the same thing on his chest. It had helped to clear his sinuses so that he would sleep better.

"Legolas? Come back to us, penneth." Elrond said loudly, leaning closer to the prince. The blonde Elf gave no sign that he had heard what was said, and continued to suck in air with a disturbing, wheezing sound. "Estel, we need to stitch up this wound before Legolas bleeds to death."

The human nodded and gathered the instruments his father would need to do the job. He had helped Elrond many times in stitching wounds and he collected the instruments without thinking.

It did not take long for the wound to be fully closed, even though some of the major arteries needed to be stitched also. Finally, the wound on the Elf's chest stopped bleeding and the prince began to gain some colour to his previously pallid skin.

A sudden single muscle spasm ripped through the Elf's body making him jerk violently. Elrond nearly cut the archer's skin with the scissors he was using to cut through the thread for the stitches when the prince jerked. The spasm was followed with a strange gurgling sound and Estel's face whitened.

"Ada, we'll have to turn him, he's been sick!" There was urgency in the Ranger's voice and Elrond understood instantly. With the prince's airway blocked, the little breath he was getting would be cut off, and he could easily go straight back downhill after making so much progress.

Quickly, father and son got into position and Legolas was carefully turned onto his side, allowing the obstruction to ooze out of his mouth. Estel helped by clearing some of the liquid with his fingers. When both were satisfied, the prince was eased onto his back, mindful of the stitches in the Elf's chest.

As the archer was laid on his back once more, a moan escaped his lips. Neither Elrond nor Estel were ever as glad to hear such a sound. Both stood in silence for a long moment before either of them spoke.

"Legolas? Can you hear me? Come back to us." Elrond said again, leaning over the blonde prince. There was nothing for a few seconds and the two began to think that the previous sound was in their minds.

Finally, another mumble was heard from the prince and the others smiled. Legolas was back. The mumble was followed by a few strained movements, and the expression of the Elf's face changed to one of pain and frustration. With no notice, the prince's limbs began to tremble.

Estel and Elrond looked knowingly at each other before placing their hands on the prince. A full-blown seizure ripped through Legolas' body, making it difficult even for the two healers to keep their grip. They did not wish to restrain the convulsing prince, just to prevent any further damage to the already weakened body.

Legolas had gritted his teeth and his eyes were tightly closed. The colour drained from his face once more as unconsciousness took him. Even in that state, his expression remained the same and the violent convulsions continued.

Inwardly, Elrond was glad that Legolas had become unconscious again. It prevented him trying to fight against the involuntary spasms. But on the other hand, with the prince's condition being as it was, there was always the risk that he would not return to the conscious state.

"Just keep your hold, Estel. It will be over soon. Legolas is unconscious again, so for the moment he will feel no pain." Elrond advised his youngest son. Estel's face was pale; he was worried for his friend.

True to Elrond's words, the fit did stop after a few more agonising minutes. The experience left Mirkwood's prince panting, the wheezing sound worse than before. Thankfully, as the fit left, so did the unconsciousness that had taken the archer. Estel was the first to notice this fact and leant over, making sure he was not seeing things.

"Legolas? Are you with us?" Estel asked gently, placing a hand on the Elf's forearm.

"Mm hm." Legolas mumbled, his face crumpling with the pain from his cramping muscles.

"I'm going to give you something for the pain, penneth. Just try to relax for the moment." Elrond informed the Elf before moving to the herbs at the other side of the room.

"I thought I had lost you, mellon-nin. Everything will be alright now." Estel said, smiling. Even though Legolas had his eyes closed, the Ranger knew that his best friend had felt him smile. Elves had a way of doing that. Especially this Elf.

TBC

Due to the fact that my computer is feeling exceptionally slow today, this chapter was delayed and unfortunately, there will be no replies. Hopefully I'll get it fixed soon. I have read everyone's review and would like to thank everyone who reviewed.

This chapter did not explain much but everything will be sorted in the next one. My hand is better now thanks, and more about Danuinel in the next chapter. So tune in next time folks.

I am hoping to update as regularly as I did for Hidden Truth. Thanks again.