Author's note - I apologize for not posting the next chapter sooner. Killing any character off is depressing, but if you've read 'To Be An Elfling or Not To Be An Elfling', you'll understand why I did it.

Chapter Five - Fighting the Darkness

Legolas and Tlatgorn sat among the adults at the funeral. Tlatgorn was no longer speaking to anyone. It did not help that his older brothers to had come down with the sickness. In fact, the only two elflings who had yet to get the sickness were Legolas and Tlatgorn. The adults who weren't healers were keeping an eye on them, making sure nothing happened.

As Glaslind's body was lowered into the grave, Legolas froze. He tugged at his father's sleeve. Thranduil looked down at him. "What is it little one?"

"Ada, others have gone with Mandos,"

"Who?"

"I don't know their names, but ..."

"It does not matte. I can see that the healers are notifying the parents. Legolas, please, when you sense someone dying, don't tell anyone but me,"

"Why Ada?"

"Because, it scares the other elves that you can do this. Especially the healers,"

"I promise I won't Ada." Tears began to fall down his face. "So I had best not tell Tlatgorn that one of his brothers has gone."

"No,"

"When will they come back Ada?"

"I can't tell you Legolas," Thranduil began to be glad that no one was paying attention to the conversation. Both looked as a healer went from the halls to Tlatgorn's parents. Obviously, Tlatgorn overheard. He turned deathly pale. Suddenly, his eyes rolled back into his head. The healer caught him and carried him into the healing wing.

"Can you tell me if Tlatgorn is going to die too Ada?" Thranduil just held him close to him.

M

Legolas felt weak, but felt he had to stay strong for his father. His father carried him to his room. Suddenly his eyes rolled back. Two of his friends were gone. Darkness closed in on him.

M

Thranduil was in a panic, his elfing had been taken from him into the healers. The last thing they needed was a frantic elven lord, so he had been barred from seeing him. Finally, he was able to sneak in to see him. He looked all over for Legolas. The beds had thinned out immensely. He glanced around looking for his elfing. When he couldn't find him, he turned to the head healer in a panic.

"Where is Legolas. Please tell me he isn't dead,"

"He isn't. We moved him to his room. While these little ones have no noise coming from them, every single time one of them dies, he screams, disturbing every one,"

"Are you saying that he has a problem with him different then ... "

"It isn't a bad thing." The healer said stopping Thranduil. "Legolas just has a great deal of attachment to the things around him that live. He senses death to easily. So we sent him where hopefully he'll sense it less."

"The whole woods of Greatwood are covered thickly in death. And have you heard? Recently, word has come that spiders have appeared,"

"What is wrong with spiders. They are small my lord,"

"These are not. I hope Elrond gets here soon. But ... it takes time to get to there and then to get back,"

"Do not give up hope my lord. We ... two elflings are already recovering and have been returned home."

"How were they healed?"

"Apparently the darkness didn't overwhelm them. They don't really get along with the other elflings, nor have friends among them. The are the Head of the Guards last two children. As for the others, well ... the darkness I believe is feeding them lies. Then there is your son,"

"What about Legolas,"

"The darkness is using his sense of when the others die against him, but ... he's had the sickness for much longer then anyone except perhaps the first few,"

"What do you mean?"

"You do not remember? When Glaslind died, he showed signs of the sickness? He is fighting it, but the more deaths there are, the harder it is. If Tlatgorn were to go ... being his best friend, Legolas surly will shatter, and we can't do anything about it.."