Okay, I'm updating really quickly, right? LOL I couldn't help myself. Again, I did not respond to reviews, and I probably won't for the rest of the week. Still, keep them coming! When I get back to my own computer I'll start responding, kay?

I've always had an appreciation for the power of dreams and the meaning that they have. I hoped that I portrayed it in this chapter.

Please enjoy!

Romen

Disclaimer: Anything familiar I DO NOT own; anything unfamiliar belongs to me.

17. Legolas's Warning

Elrohir and Estel waited outside of the healing room, saying nothing. They sat for hours before Estel felt himself slump down as Elrohir leaned back in his chair and put his feet up. They remained in those positions for quite some time longer before both fell asleep.

Estel dreamt that he was racing his brothers and Legolas. Legolas, who was the fastest, was ahead far ahead of them. They were supposed to stop at a large oak tree that they weren't too far away from, but Legolas continued running past it, gaining speed as he went.

'Legolas, stop!' Elladan cried, gripping the tree and panting. 'You've already beaten us, mellon-nin.'

Legolas just turned around and smirked before continuing his run. The three brothers glanced at each other before taking off after him, wondering if he were trying to play some kind of joke.

'He is acting so odd,' Estel heard Elrohir say. 'He is not the same anymore.'

Estel and Elladan continued running as Elrohir lagged behind, suddenly sinking to his knees and catching his breath.

'Will you not go on?' Elladan asked.

Elrohir shook his head. 'It is pointless. He is too fast for us anyway.'

Shrugging, Elladan ran to catch up with Estel as they followed their friend through the forest. Every so often he would turn around to look at them, laughing or sneering. Estel had to admit that Elrohir had a point; this was not Legolas's usual behavior.

Finally, Elladan bent over, gasping for breath.

'I cannot go on, tithen gwador.' He shook his head. 'Besides, Elrohir was right; he is just too quick. I have never seen him run this fast before.'

Estel frowned. 'We can't stop now! Legolas might get lost or hurt if we let him keep running like this.'

Elladan groaned. 'Estel, if he gets hurt or lost it is his fault. He is in his right mind, you know.'

Estel scowled and turned around, surprised to see that Legolas had stopped, waiting for Estel to begin the chase again. Estel reluctantly continued running, his lungs feeling like they were about to burst.

They were not in the forest anymore. They were on some kind of bluff. Legolas stood at the edge of the cliff, his back to Estel. Estel sighed in relief and ran towards his friend.

'You were very fast, mellon-nin,' Estel wheezed, patting him on the back. 'Let's go home now; I am tired and my brothers have quit racing long ago.'

Legolas shook his head. 'The race is not finished.'

'What do you mean? We are at a cliff!' Estel cried. 'If we go any further, we will fall to our deaths.'

'Life is not the same if you do not race all of the time,' Legolas replied. 'I don't want to go back.'

Estel frowned. 'Come, let us go.'

Legolas smiled sadly. 'I cannot go back. I have to keep racing.'

Sighing, Estel rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. 'All right. Tell me why you can't stop.'

'When I started racing, I found that I went so fast that I could not quit running.' Legolas peeked over the cliff. 'I have to keep racing. But you do not.'

'But how can I not race with you? You are my friend!'

Legolas pursed his lips. 'If you follow me, both of us will die. But if you leave me alone, only I will fall.'

'Isn't there some other way?' Estel could hear the pleading tone in his voice. 'I don't want you to die!'

Legolas's voice sounded hopeless. 'I know that you do not want me to die, and I don't blame you in any way. It is really my fault that I started racing in the first place.'

'But I was the one who proposed we do it! How can you say that it is not my fault?'

'I am sorry, mellon-nin, but I have wasted too much time. I have to keep racing.' Legolas turned and began to run towards the end of the cliff.

'Legolas, no!'

Estel propelled himself forward. The cliff seemed to stretch out even longer before them. Estel wondered when Legolas would finally go over the end. As he pondered this, the world suddenly blurred around him. He could feel himself falling. Legolas suddenly appeared in front of him, also plumetting towards the ground. Estel reached out for him, but Legolas moved away.

'I told you not to follow.'

Estel shut his eyes just as he was about to hit the ground.

"Estel!"

Estel jumped up. Elrohir had a hold of his shoulder. The man rubbed his blurry eyes, looking around. "What is it?" he asked.

"You were having a nightmare," Elrohir said worriedly. "Are you all right?"

Estel nodded, shaking his head softly, trying to get the dream out of his head. "It was just a nightmare. I'll be fine."

Elrohir looked doubtful, but he didn't say anything. As the youngest twin walked back to his chair, Estel pushed himself up and yawned, looking around. The room was dark, informing him that it was nighttime. Everything seemed eerily quiet, and he once again felt the same sense of dread.

"Any news?"

Elrohir looked down and shook his head. "A healer came out to get something. That's what woke me up. Other than that, no, there hasn't been anything."

Estel sighed, running a hand through his hair. His forehead was covered in sweat. He swallowed, still trying to shake off the feeling that the dream had left him with. He was about to go open the door when Elrond stepped out, looking incredibly weary.

"Is he all right?" they both cried at once, rushing towards their father.

Elrond put his hand up, trying to silence them. They shut their mouths and leaned back a little.

"He will be fine," Elrond said slowly. "He is still unconscience, though, and it will take him a while to heal."

"Can we go in?" Estel asked, feeling very awake.

Elrond hesitated. "In the morning. Right now, Thranduil needs to be alone with his son."

"Oh, Adar, can't we go in?" Elrohir begged. "We want..."

Elrond held his hand up again. "You'll get to go in and see him, trust me. Right now he is resting anyway." He looked at both of them. "Besides, I need to check your wounds."

Elrohir and Estel groaned.

TBC...

I know, it was short. Sorry, it gets better in the future. For a while there will be a lot of those healing chapters.

Anyway, even though I'm not responding, please keep reviewing!