Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!!! AS USUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

SofiaB- and so he should- you'll find out what's going on soon enough. thanks

Lady Anck-su-namun- lol does he? Thanks for reviewing

UH- lol yes- get thinking! The decisions all yours. Erm...am I gonna write a book?- I don't think I could be so cruel as to unleash such a terrible torment on the world. Did I? Well thanks...I think. I tried- I don't want him to be seen as a straight forward bad guy. Thank you for your kind words as always

NessaThranduiliel- sorry- but that didn't fit in with the plot! We couldn't have things go to plan could we? I love all your smileys they're fab!

Silverstar188- that's true- the spirits took everything from him- but seeing Thalia and Eleni is bringing back confusing memories and he doesn't understand. So he's being mean to them one minute and then nice to them the next because part of him remembers and wants his own family back. All will be explained but I hope that helped a little. Thanks

JunoMagic- what do you mean I can't?! Of course I can- and praying won't help them cackles madly ...anyways thanks as always.

Morithil- love the name- actually- despite the fact I'm English I was rooting for Bush and I HATED Kerry hides behind the couch sorry if I offended anyone- my views are my own. No- you're right she can't get pregnant and nothing like that will come into play- there's enough of that in my other story. Go back and read chapter 11 that may help a little- if it doesn't ask me again and I'll answer any questions. No...I have lots planned and it ain't pretty...at all...just a warning. Thanks for your fab review.

Belinda- yup- that's best way to describe him I suppose- thanks for the review

Leggylover4ever- thanks. err...its not an act- its sort of explained in my response to Silverstar188- he's getting there...slowly but surely

I'd also like to thank those of you who read but don't review- I know you're out there!- and I love you guys too!

"Halt, we stop here"

Haldir barked out the order and watched with satisfaction as their troops dismounted and immediately began to light fires and make sure that the surrounding area was safe.

They had been ravelling for two days only stopping to eat and then only when it was absolutely necessary.

Legolas shook his head as he slid of off his horse repressing a groan. It seemed as though he had been sat for an age. The little armour that he was wearing was limiting his comfort and his joints were stiff.

Luckily there had been enough evidence left behind the orcs to be able to see where they had stopped and for how long. They had estimated that they were two days behind them, which was far more than anybody would have liked.

Legolas stood beneath the wide safe branches of a large Oak tree, listening to what it had to tell him whilst his fingers toyed with the small piece of fabric that they had found and had belonged to Thalia. He had heard her voice on the edge of the biting wind and it had stripped him of everything that he had hoped for.

He almost wished that he had not listened but the despair that it had given him had crippled him and he could not turn away.

Calming his racing heart he focused on his hearts image of his wife whilst trying to ignore the strong feelings of pain radiating from her.

Panic assaulted him, she was panicking; but it was a sombre feeling, a feeling of acceptance of something.

He fought the barriers that she had thrown up, wincing as emotions and images were shown to him. But they did nothing to deter him, he was determined to speak with her.

He gasped as a wave of hatred hit him and threw him back into reality with a jolt. He took a breath to steady himself as thoughts and images whirled through his mind. He blinked back tears of frustration and ignored the fire that coursed through his veins, instead choosing to stare out into the darkness while he allowed his mind to try and begin to understand what it was she was trying to tell him.

---

Haldir watched the silent prince of Mirkwood, as he stood brooding ignorant of the troops that sat around resting. It had been two long days of constant walking; they had discovered pieces of material that had obviously belonged to Eleni's dress.

He closed his eyes as he thought back to that morning;

They had arrived at a small clearing that looked just as quiet and unyielding as the others they had come across.

Haldir remembered seeing marks on the tree that to him looked suspiciously like rope marks. His fingers traced the rough grooves as his eyes followed the brown stains that were smeared down the tree and pooled in the grass in a dried stain. Blood, it was definitely blood.

As the days had passed Haldir had become more afraid for his friend and his sister. He himself could feel her life force ebbing away slowly.

The troops had noticed the difference in their leaders and had become noticeably more determined.

Haldir stood up and made his way over to the melancholy prince.

---

Legolas closed his eyes, allowing himself to listen to the soothing voices of the trees.

He felt ill, his head felt light and his stomach was close to rebelling. His body was shaking, it wasn't noticeable but it was enough to worry him.

"Are you alright Legolas?"

The smooth tone of Haldir's voice felt like a cruel knife that burrowed through the haze of his mind and cut his thoughts short,

"No, I am not"

Legolas shook his head and turned to look at Haldir, wincing as the firelight cut through his vision.

Haldir looked at him with concern. Legolas' eyes were almost black and his face was ashen.

"This is Thalia's doing is it not?"

A feeling of hope rose with Haldir as Legolas nodded,

"Then we must pack up and move"

He had only witnessed the strength of their bond once before and it had terrified him then. But this time it was not fear that he felt, it was hope. Thalia was still alive and it was obvious that she had no intention of giving up yet.

"Eleni"

Legolas' eyes widened and he stopped breathing for a moment. Haldir's own heart skipped a beat and a sense of dread pooled in his stomach,

"I cannot feel Eleni's presence"

The princes hands shook violently and he would have collapsed if it hadn't have been for the quick reflexes of the marchwarden.

Footsteps approached hesitantly, the elf was clearly unwilling to interrupt what was a delicate moment.

"My Lords, a party lead by Lord Glorfindel had arrived from Imladris"

Taking quick charge of the situation Haldir nodded, a feeling of relief flooding him as he did so, the ages old warrior had had far more experience than he had. H had no argument with his Lord and Lady's opinion and faith in him but it was at times like this that he doubted himself.

"Haldir, Legolas..."

The Balrog slayer stopped in his tracks as his eyes focused on the suffering prince who at that moment looked near death.

Looking every inch the lord he was dressed in golden armour and a long red cloak the golden haired elf knelt before Legolas,

"What is it?"

Legolas raised his eyes, though he wasn't really seeing anything.

"My daughter is dead"

His voice was hoarse, a mere whisper that seemed to make time stand still and make every living thing utter a cry of such pain and sorrow.

Steeling himself against the onslaught of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, Glorfindel stood,

"Pack everything away, we are leaving"

He looked down at the desperate parent,

"Legolas come, we do not know that Eleni is dead, she may be conserving strength or healing. You know this. She is not dead"

He knelt back down and gripped Legolas shoulders.

"Do not give up hope, for without hope there is nothing else. We will find them, they are alive, both of them. But we need to find them. Listen to the trees, what do they tell you?"

Leoglas shook his head and closed his eyes, letting Glorfindel's words sink in before he let himself give into the small bit of hope that he had in his heart yet he could not bring himself to say it,

"Even if they are dead?"

Legolas' voice was cold and unfeeling as he cut into Glorfindel's hope,

Repressing the urge to hit the blond elf Glorfindel gave in and allowed himself to speak of his own fears,

"If they are dead, we will bring them home and give them the royal burial that they deserve. You must remember Legolas, that you still have a son awaiting your arrival. He still needs you"

Legolas nodded numbly as his mind mulled over everything and he fought the premature grief that had begun to settle in his mind.

"My lords, we are ready"

Haldir nodded his thanks and made his way over to his own horse,

"Come Legolas, we must leave"

Legolas got up, a look of frustration on his face,

"You had better be correct Glorfindel, for if you have given me false hope I will not hesitate to kill you"

the elven lord laughed and shook his head before slinging his arm around his son-in-laws shoulder,

"In all truth Legolas, I hope that I am correct in my hope. I could not stand to lose a niece, and as terrible as it sounds, it would be worse to lose my daughter as well"

Leoglas shook his head,

"I have spent the last 60 years of my life living a dream, marrying the woman I love, I witnessed the birth of my children and I have watched my family grow, I do not understand, how I could continue if they are dead? Niall is young enough, he will mourn our passing but he will grow up loved and cherished by others"

The sombre air turned cold as his words were realised as the truth.

They mounted their steeds in silence, fully aware that all eyes were on them. In a second all traces of emotion were wiped from their faces, not even their eyes gave anything away.

"Elladan, Elrohir, a pleasure as always"

Leoglas turned to look at the twins who both smiled at the marchwarden. Their eyes betrayed them. They knew what was about to take place, their grandmother had informed them of what was to come, and their task was clear.

It would not be easy and many would lose their lives before the night.

Elladan surveyed the elves who walked with them with such determination and loyalty, wondering who he would look upon on their death beds as the new dawn rose and who he would drink with as the sun set.