A/N: *pout* Only two people actually reviewed chapter four...that's not encouraging. But, THEY still found time to leave me threatening messages regarding my story. So, chapter five, short though it may be, is dedicated to Leolyn Greenleaf and Beguile for encouraging me to write it.

Leolyn Greenleaf: Glad to see you're not above begging! And oh yeah, you'll get what you're looking for.

Beguile: He'll get saved...but not before I mess him up a little. So long as you don't shrivel up and die.

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Problems Along The Way

Chapter 5

Immortal Means Forever

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Legolas was painfully aware of the teeth sinking further into his torso. He fought to stay conscious as he lost precious amounts of blood. Rain whipped him in the face. A familiar ache started in his head. He was suddenly submerged in freezing water and was brought slowly up gasping for air. //It's swimming down river!//

Legolas began to beat at the warg's eyes and face with as much strength as he could muster. Not a good idea. The warg bit down harder with a sickening crunch as Legolas felt his ribs crack. Legolas cried out in pain and choked immediately on water. His ribs were cruelly jarred as the warg struggled with the current.

//Don't pass out,// Legolas told himself, //You're as good as dead if you pass out.//

Branches blown down by the storm drifted passed with the current. //It's worth a shot.// Legolas wrapped his nimble fingers around a good sized branch and snapped it in two. With one mighty thrust, he brought down the sharp, splintered end into the neck of the warg. With a howl of pain, it released it's hold on him. Legolas kicked off the Warg in an attempt to get away, but realized his mistake as the wargs claws dug deep gashes along his calf. Luckily it didn't get a good hold, and they were separated by the current.

Legolas needed to get to the bank, but it difficult enough to keep his head above water. It hurt so bad to breath. His chest and leg burned so bad and it felt like he was being repeatedly hit in the head with an anvil. He felt the blackness try to take over his mind. //It would be so easy to just let it...// Legolas shook his head to clear it of it's treasonous thoughts. He had to keep fighting. He was an Elf, a Firstborn, an immortal and that means that you keep going forever, that you never die. He hadn't survived nearly three thousand years of orcs, spiders and other dark creatures just to be claimed by some river! He had to get to the bank.

Legolas summoned every last ounce of strength he had and willed his arms and legs to drag him through the water, no matter how bad it hurt. After what seemed an eternity, Legolas' hands touched solid ground. He heaved himself up out of the water, though it felt like he had been speared through the chest, and threw himself on the muddy ground. He lay on his back struggling to breath as wind ripped over his freezing wet body and rain pounded his bloody beaten features. With a silent prayer to Irmo and Este*, he fell into the welcoming arms of unconsciousness.

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*Irmo is a Vala, the master of visions and dreams, and Este, his spouse, is the healer of hurts and weariness.

So, what did you think? Lot's of Legolas torment in there, and oh yes, more to come. Please R/R!