Disclaimer: Everything is normal once more, and the chapters will be posted at regular intervals hopefully. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your replies are at the bottom as always. I own Notilan and Danuinel, but everything and everyone else belongs to Tolkien. Take care everyone, see you all next time. Enjoy!

Chapter 16

Legolas' breathing was returning to what you could call normal. It had been another tense moment with Estel and Elrond re-stitching wounds and changing the Elf's clothing. The prince had lost a bit of blood before they got him back to his room.

Estel thanked the Valar for the fact that his friend still lived. He had been doing a lot of praying over the past weeks, it was beginning to be a habit. Thankfully, it was not taking as long for the prince to come round after the fits.

The blue eyes fluttered beneath the eyelids and Estel watched, holding the prince's hand for support. It took a short while before Legolas' eyes fully opened and even when they did, he was disorientated. A look of confusion spread over the archer's face as he took in the two faces and his surroundings.

"Legolas? Do you know where you are?" Elrond asked softly, turning so that the prince could look at him properly. His voice was quiet and smooth so as not to frighten the Elf any more.

The question was met with yet more uncertainty. Estel glanced sideways at his father, worried about the state of the prince. Elrond gave him a look of assurance before turning back to Legolas. The prince gave no reply to the question but returned to looking around the room. His blue eyes seemed almost clouded, his mind still trapped between sleep and wake. Eventually, the cloudiness cleared to reveal the piercing stare of the prince.

"Penneth, are you back with us?" The Elven Lord asked, using the calming tone as before. This time, however, Legolas showed a look of recognition.

"I … believe so." He said slowly. The prince was silent for a few moments. "I need to go."

Legolas sat up quickly but was pressed back down by both father and son.

"Legolas, you are not going anywhere. Not in this state anyway." Elrond's calming tone was now replaced by one of firmness. It was not a tone to be debated nor argued with and at once, the prince was quiet. "You shall return to Mirkwood, but only with the rest of us, and once I decide that you are fit to travel."

This statement seemed to satisfy Legolas and he said no more about the subject, though it was obvious that he had not stopped thinking about it. Indeed, he would not until he was back home.

He was bid rest for an hour then allowed to get up once more. Estel was by his side as always, trying to help wherever he could. The prince was patient and did not say anything to stop the Ranger. Legolas understood how much it meant to be able to help someone.

The rest of the day was spent quietly indoors. The twins made stupid comments, as was their nature, trying to cheer everyone up. Estel sat in front of the fire in the library reading a book on swordsmanship. Notilan and Danuinel, both sitting by the fire, chatted quietly about Mirkwood having been friends before Danuinel left. Legolas had his legs crossed and a book in his lap. One of the ones he had read many times previously, about a famous warrior of past times.

As the time ticked past, Legolas' eyes became heavy after the seizure earlier. He had not slept as he usually did after the fit, due to trying to prove to Elrond that he was fit to travel. The fight was a strong one, and did not go on for very long. Eventually, the archer's eyelids became too heavy to hold up and he drifted quietly into sleep.

The archer slipped very slowly to the right until he leaned against the arm of the chair where he came to a halt. His hands, now limp, no longer held the book and by the force of gravity, it fell to the floor. The bang made by the heavy book echoed around the old room, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. Legolas' friends all looked round at the prince, who was completely oblivious to the commotion, and soundless laughter filled the room.

He stood on the edge of the cliff face. It was a steep drop, one that no one would survive falling. The thought made his skin tingle. Why? He did not know. The night was dark, the stars dotting the sky. It was cold and the wind blew his cloak. It flapped uselessly around his legs and he grew frustrated by the movements.

If only he had listened to Estel and stayed in Mirkwood. But no, he had to follow his friend in secret. Now he had lost the trail thanks to a couple of Orcs. He had fought them and come out unscathed, leaving both dead. But his friend had gone on without him.

A sound made the Elf stop in his thoughts. He focused every sense of trying to pick up the sound again. It seemed to be coming from below where he stood. Looking down, his Elven eyesight picked up movement from the cliff face. Ragged breathing could be heard and the prince bent down to get a better look. A dark head appeared through the gloom and instant recognition filled the prince's heart. Estel.

Their eyes met, one pair desperate for help and the other pair desperate to help. The prince reached down, grasping nothing but air. The Ranger was just inches from his hand. Reach! His mind screamed at him. His best friend seemed to have climbed this sheer height and he could do nothing to help him. He wasn't trying hard enough!

Finally, their fingertips touched. Relief shot through the archer's heart and mind. He reached down as far as he could but could grasp nothing more. The Ranger's strength was waning quickly; there was little time. Estel slipped back slightly, gasping in surprise. They struggled to reach each other but eventually, Legolas grasped his friend's hand. Suddenly, a white-hot pain shot through his body and he lost the grip on his friend. Estel's face did not mask his shock as he fell. Further and further, nothing to hold onto and no one to help…

TBC

Replies:

Nomad6: I had a knot in my stomach after reading it over. I have one every time I post a chapter – I always have nightmares that no one will read or like my story. Never mind, I enjoyed writing this chapter, it flowed well. Thanks again for reviewing!

HarryEstel: I think I would do the same too. To think that someone is ruling my kingdom would piss me off and I would have to do something about it. And you know Legolas, he doesn't think much of his health and would rather just get things done. Thanks again for reviewing!

BitterLee: I'm glad that you managed to find something to do while you were working. I wish I had a computer at work. Anyway, I'm still at school, and yes I only have two weeks to go then we have the final exams. When I get my results through, I'll find out if I've been accepted for university. I don't know what will happen with my stories after that. We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully I'll still be able to keep them going. Thanks for reviewing!