A/N: Sorry for the delay my computer decided to cause me problems and I had to put it back at factory settings a good two times. (Hits computer w/ hammer.) "Bad Computer." But it's all better now. I hope.

Review Replies:

Deana: Glad you like. Thanks for the review.

FlamesoftheMoOn: Thanks for the review, Glad U like. Mot really doesn't play a big part in this story; he was the human who kidnapped Legolas. I just heard the name somewhere and wanted to use it. That and I got tired of referring him as "the guy who kidnapped and imprisoned Legolas." It was easier to give him a name. Wow lengthy explanation.

Elven Kitten: Hello again, glad you like. Thanks for the review.

Chapter 6: Sadness

Legolas sat and watched the unsteady rise and fall of his friend's chest, his sorrowful eyes switching from the bandaged torso to the pale face. It had been several hours since the meeting about the dead maid and he had at last found the courage to see his friend. The sun had long since gone down and now the only light that touched the showed corners were created from the low glowing fire and the candles that decorated the wall and nightstand.

"Why can't I remember what happened, Strider." He spoke to his friend in hopes that he could hear him, "I don't know what happened, maybe I could have saved you if I tried. If only I knew."

A cool wind blew the curtains in different directions. Legolas stood and closed the window locking it tight to keep the night air from chilling his friend. It would not due him any good to get sick on top of all this. Humans were more vulnerable to the elements than elves and serious injuries seemed to make them even more subsceptable to diseases.

Turnning back towards the bed Legolas glanced around the large room that seemed to shrink in size. Across the room sat a once beautifully decorated couch, but it was no longer, thanks to the twins. Both had taken it for their bed and used the embroidered pillows to rest their heads. Each one took up an oppisite end and their feet intangled in the middle, light blankets had been provided so as to add comfort in their sleep. Any cushins or pillows that took up unnecessary room were scattered on the floor along with the tails of their blankets. In all honesty the couch appeared far too small to fit both twins on, but somehow they had made themselves comfortable and fallen asleep. Against their will of course, Elrond had made sure of that.

As for the Elf Lord himself, he had left the room to collect any herbs and poultices he was running low on. But Legolas knew that it was an excuse for him to get a moment and breathe a little. The pain of waiting and fear brought on by not knowing was stifling. Legolas could almost feel the sorrow in the air as it started to choke him now that he was well. Constantly the young prince berated himself for not being able to help in his friend's time of need.

The blond Elf glanced down at the trunk at the foot of the bed. It was as wide as the bed and flat up top. The glamorous surface was covered in so many different jars, bottles, and anything else Elrond thought they would need that he could no longer see the dark-green painted top. The great archer paused only briefly to run his fingers across the ranger's cloths that had been cleaned and placed on top. Aragorn's favorite dagger rested on top. It had been a gift from his foster father when he had first joined up with the rangers and was leaving for that first mission.

Reaching out Legolas grabbed the pale hand of his friend and gently squeezed, a part of him hoped that he would feel Strider squeeze his in return. He waited for a few seconds, but no answer came. Despair filled his eyes as his soul cried.

"Ai, Estel, what would we do with out you. None of us can bear to think about loosing you. If we did…" Legolas breath caught in his throat at the thought, "If we did, everything would fall to ruin." He looked down at the almost corpselike man. "Please Estel; please just open your eyes. Let us know that you will survive this."

From the shadows of the doorway Elrond watched Legolas's whispered pleas as they fell on deaf ears. He could not bring himself to enter at the tender moment as the tears silently ran from his own eyes. Looking towards the couch that held the twins he saw Elladan looking out through half-lidded eyes. In those eyes he saw sorrow and fear. Beneath the emotion shared by all siblings he also saw a fierce fire flaming high inside of them and then he knew that his eldest would stop at nothing to bring whomever had done this to his baby brother would pay dearly.

Later that night Curudae roomed the palace grounds. He was frustrated at not being able to figure out who the murder was. It could be anyone. Possibly an outsider had made it past their borders and guards, or maybe some evil had snuck in and murdered her under their noses. Curudae was angry at not being able to help when he was needed. Twice now he had been late when he was needed. Once with his price and friends and again with the maid. Would he be too late for others? He wondered.

Lost in thought he never sensed the presence coming up from behind him.

A/N: (Sniffle) Waaa that was sad and touching. I was listening to an old 1980's Drama series when I was typing this out and parts of it stuck with me. Sorry for the shortness next one will make up for it.

Review me please. My muse and bunnies are hungry.