Disclaimer: I am getting so bored with writing the same disclaimer every time. Just the usual, I own nobody but the two Elves from Mirkwood, who haven't said anything for a while. Hmm, I'll have to do something about that! Hope this chapter makes you laugh as mush as I did. Thanks to all who reviewed, and enjoy!

Chapter 20

The next few days were arduous. The weather took a turn for the worse, as did the health of Mirkwood's prince. The sky clouded over during the second day, and the company fully expected the coming storm. They did not, however, know exactly what was coming, or how long it would last.

On the third day, tiny white flakes began falling from the overcast sky, fluttering to the ground and lying there. They did not melt and began to threaten the company's journey.

"I feel it best that we should stop and see what this storm is going to bring. I would rather camp here, than arrive in Mirkwood in the middle of a snowstorm and be stranded." Estel voiced his idea to the rest of the group, who fully agreed.

The small party found a clearing, with a sheltered area at one end. Little did they know that this would be their home for the next few days at least. Estel and Elrond stopped the carriage and undid the horses, bidding them eat and rest. The prince remained inside the carriage for the time being.

Once the tents had been set up and the horses were doing as they wished, Estel brought Legolas from the coach. His strength totally spent, the prince could not stand on his own. He was having an exceedingly difficult time in keeping aware of his surroundings. The twins and his friends noticed this weakness immediately and regretted having taken him away from Rivendell. Elrond's thoughts were of how to get to Mirkwood as quickly as possible.

The wind was beginning to chill, and Estel draped his thicker coat around his shoulders after a stern look from his father. The last thing they needed was for another to become ill. Legolas lay on the ground in the sheltered area, having not the energy to keep himself upright. His eyes were half-closed against the wind.

"Elladan, pass me a couple of blankets." Elrond asked of his son, Estel was at his heels in seconds. It was not an order but the twin wasted no time in collecting the items. The Elven Lord, blankets in hand, strode quickly over to the prince and knelt down.

"Legolas, how are you feeling? Bearing in mind that I only accept the truth at the moment." Elrond asked, his tone gentle but firm. The prince was not really in a state to lie to the older Elf but looked away.

"Not … good. Feel … like a … human. Sorry… Estel…" Legolas whispered, shivering slightly now. The cold was biting into his weakened body, his immune system and Elven abilities barely existent. Estel laughed at the comment from his friend but took no offence.

"What does that mean, Ada?" Estel asked, after his little laughing fit. His father turned to him.

"I believe you are feeling the cold, then, Legolas? I will put these blankets over you, but you must tell me if you are still cold after that." Elrond insisted, with a tiny nod from the prince. Together, Estel and his father wrapped Legolas in the woollen blankets, watching closely as the archer closed his eyes.

"Estel, sit with him while I make up the rest of the camp. I do not wish for him to catch the cold or a flu while we are here." Elrond said, and the Ranger nodded.

Legolas slipped into sleep while the healer was away. Estel let him rest, knowing just how much the prince needed to regain some energy. The prince did not sleep for long; neither did he have to suffer the recurring nightmare. He woke to the sound of something nearby. Arod, who had been one of the chosen horses to pull the carriage, had wandered over at the sight of his master on the ground with his eyes closed.

The great horse bent his long neck and sniffed at Legolas' face, waking the prince instantly. Arod nudged the Elf's face, turning his head and alerting Estel to the movement. The Ranger laughed aloud, drawing the attention of the others in the camp. Elrond smiled at the horse's loyalty to his master, but did nothing to stop the stallion.

"I think he wants you to get up now, Legolas. He thinks you've slept enough!" Elladan spoke up, on seeing the incident.

"Arod … I'm awake … now. Go … and pester … someone else." Legolas said to the horse, reaching up with the little gained energy and stroking the horse's nose. Arod, satisfied with his master's condition and words, heeded the instruction. He wandered over to the Ranger and stopped right in front of him.

"What did you go and say that for, Legolas? Now he's going to do something to me!" Estel grumbled, anxious as to exactly what the horse had in mind. Arod could be very annoying when he felt like it.

The Ranger stood up, hoping to dodge past the animal, but Arod was having none of it. He pressed his large nose on the Ranger's chest and pinned him to the tree he had been sitting against. The twins were helpless by this point.

"Legolas Greenleaf, order this horse to leave me alone, right now!" Estel cried, while the others rolled around on the floor, holding their sides in laughter. Arod grasped the Ranger's tunic in his mouth and dragged him away from the camp.

No one dared follow the two, for fear of the same thing happening to them. It did not take long to find out exactly what was happening though. After about two minutes, Estel returned, chased into the camp by Arod, and was covered in leaves and berries. The horse stopped in his tracks and wandered back over to join the other horses. Estel tried his best to brush himself down, but leaves remained tangled in his wild, dark hair.

"I will have to think of something extreme to pay you back with, Legolas. Next time you decide to get rid of him, tell him to go for one of the twins or something." Estel mumbled, leave falling everywhere. There was no sound or movement from the prince.

"Legolas?"

TBC

Replies:

treestumpwitch: I must admit, the fighting scenes in stories are good but I'm rubbish at writing them. I will get more practice the more I write though. I don't plan my chapters so it's nice when I get a surprise about what I'm writing. That sounds really stupid doesn't it? Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. What will happen to Legolas?

Moonyasha: Evil amusement park? That sounds interesting. Estel asks if he can have something that will keep his best friend warm, while it's snowing? That would be great. Thanks for the review, and enjoy the chapter!

Fluffy's fangirls: I love Legolas too! Is that obvious? Thanks for the compliments and the review!

Nomad6: Thanks for the confidence about my exam. I wonder if you could help me? I don't know very much about horses and they will feature a bit in the next few chapters. Could you tell me if I'm getting it wrong or anything I could make better? That would be really helpful. Thanks again!

HarryEstel: Glad you are still enjoying my story, thanks for the review!