Ok, I can't say much cos fanfiction are being really tight on what extra notes we put on our chapters. Sigh. So I'll just say one huuuge big thank you to everyone who reviewed, (I love you all!) and hope you enjoy this chapter.

Faerlain

Chapter 5: How did he know?

"Legolas likes roses. They're his favourite flower."

"A lot of people do indeed like roses Princess. What colours were you thinking of for your brother?"

Lothriel paused, one hand on her hip, the fingers of her other hand tapping her chin thoughtfully. "White," she said finally. "And maybe that light pink that was here last year. I liked those ones."

"Ah yes, I know the ones you mean. I'll fetch some cuttings for you my Lady."

"Thank you." She smiled at him as he went off. Kneeling down, she flattened the soil around a new shrub she had just planted, to give her small garden that extra bit of green. Not that it really needed much more, she thought to herself with a faint smile.

The gardener was soon back and together, they planted little clumps of the different coloured roses. They mixed the colours to make it more interesting, and by the end, Lothriel was very pleased with what they had achieved.

With numerous thanks to the gardener, she took a few freshly cut lilies and headed inside. The blooms were a fiery red, and she planned to arrange them in a nice vase to place beside Legolas' bed. On her way back inside, she spotted a cluster of small white flowers. Taking a few, she added them to the bunch, letting the colours mingle.

"Oh, they're beautiful," Aurêl complimented as she placed them down on the table.

"I thought you'd like them," Lothriel told her. "I know Legolas would."

The Queen motioned for her daughter to sit beside her. "He would adore them," she assured her, stroking her golden hair. "You know he's a sucker for flowers, especially from his favourite sister."

Lothriel giggled softly. "I'm not his favourite," she disagreed. "We're just close."

Aurêl shook her head. "Trust me, you're his favourite. He gets on with you as he doesn't the other girls. You're his special little Princess."

Later on that evening, Aurêl found herself with her feet curled up underneath her on the chair, and she was reading from a book Thranduil had dropped in. She had started it the night Legolas had been brought back, and had not continued it since. Her eyes kept flicking from the page to her son and back again, but there were no visible signs of his waking up.

It was growing late, but the light was still strong. People were out and about outside, and she could hear their chatter coming in through the open balcony windows. She stretched and placed her book down. She needed a breath of fresh air.

Stepping outside was a welcome. The evening air was cool after the heat of the day, and as she leant on the rail, she saw many people returning from their days out in the woods. Families were laughing and smiling together, and she too smiled as she remembered many a trip with her own family.

Which was being torn apart by the thought of Legolas' possible death.

She sighed and rubbed her hands over her face. Life had dealt the Royal Family harsh blows in the recent years. First Ladrenîl and now Legolas. Could it get any worse? Would it be one of her precious daughters next? Sîladiel was always in danger from the injuries her siblings received, and though she was putting on a brave face, Aurêl could see the pain her daughter was truly in. She hardly spoke, but her eyes gave away all her emotions. Aurêl could read her children like books, and knew when they were suffering.

Though they were all suffering now. Even the headstrong Gîlorn was finding it difficult to cope. He had grown closer to Legolas recently, after the ordeal with saving Ladrenîl. Hithaer too was finding it hard, having always wanted to be like his older brothers. If Legolas died, he would have no hero to look up to, apart from Ladrenîl. But it was Legolas he truly idolised.

The three eldest girls were dealing with it together, holding onto each other for support. As for her youngest child, Aurêl had barely seen Lothriel. She visited Legolas at least once every day, but in general kept herself to herself, spending more and more time out in the garden she was creating for her and her dearest brother.

It had been almost two weeks now. Two weeks without Legolas had been…well, they had been incredibly difficult. There was a certain atmosphere over the palace, one of sorrow and pain, yet it was tinged with hope. The hope that the second Prince would awaken and be back to normal again. Everyone knew the story now. He was fighting for his life, and no one else had any power to help. The healers had done everything they could, and now it was left up to Legolas. He alone could pull through this and survive. Only he could turn away from the darkness that was threatening to overcome him, and return to his beloved family and friends. His body had a real battle to win, and no one knew the outcome. But there would only be one winner. Either life or death, and it was up to Legolas to decide.

Aurêl turned her back on the tranquil scene behind her and looked into the room at her beloved son. He lay as before, eyes closed and hands atop the bedcovers. She could just make out the rise and fall of his chest in the faint light. It relaxed her, knowing there was no noticeable bad change, but she was still worried for his safety. She wanted him to wake up.

Just as she was walking back inside, his eyes suddenly shot open. She froze, locked in the unseeing gaze of the icy blue orbs. She grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady herself.

"Legolas?"

"Lothriel," he whispered, his voice hoarse from days of silence. "Lothriel."

She hurried to his side, stumbling at the last and kneeling beside him. "What about Lothriel? Do you want to see her?"

"She's in danger."

Aurêl gasped, grabbing his hand. It was slightly warmer. "What do you mean?"

"Get Lothriel!"

Aurêl started calling for aides, and they were quickly on the scene. But Legolas did not answer any of their frantic questions, just kept repeating his sister's name over and over again.

"Where is my daughter?" Aurêl eventually asked. She had not released Legolas' hand.

"Most likely in the gardens my Lady, catching the last of the days light," a healer answered.

"Send for her," she ordered.

Nauralad was in the room, and she herself left to find her younger sister. Running down and out of the palace, she lifted the hem of her skirts slightly so as not to trip as she headed for the gardens. The light was fading quickly now as night drew ever nearer.

"Lothriel," she called as she entered. "Loth, come quickly!"

But she received no answer. A silent dread filled her. Surely not little Loth…

Running on, she asked everyone she met if they had seen the Princess. Finally, she came across the gardener that had helped her with the roses earlier that evening.

"She popped back in earlier to give everything a good water my Lady," he told her. "Last I saw, she was by her little garden."

"Which is where?"

"I'll show you."

He led her quickly down the winding path that went all through the Royal Gardens, following the stream, and down to Lothriel's garden. It was a gravel path, and crunchy underfoot.

They turned the final corner, and Nauralad smiled in relief to see her younger sister knelt beside her flower bed. "Lothriel," she called.

The youngest turned and smiled at her sister. "Yes Nauralad?"

"Come, inside quickly."

"Is it Legolas?"

"Yes, now come on. Thank you," she said gratefully to the gardener.

Lothriel got to her feet and brushed off her skirts. Then Nauralad spotted something behind the Princess that made her heart drop like a stone into her boots.

"Lothriel, run!" she screamed.

Orcs were climbing over the wall that ran all around the gardens. Lothriel turned and screamed at the sight. The Orcs dropped down, squashing the flowers and leering at her. She stumbled backwards and began running to her sister.

"Help!" Nauralad screamed, turning round and round. "Orcs in the Gardens! Help, somebody!"

She spun back at the sound of her sister's desperate screaming. The Orcs had caught up with her and were dragging her backwards. Nauralad broke into a run, picking up a hoe that was propped against a tree. She swiped it at the nearest Orc, gashing a great cut through his chest. She almost retched at the sight, having never even trained in fighting before.

Elves were starting top appear now, running over to help the Princesses. But Nauralad headed straight for the Orcs that held Lothriel, cutting down any in her path. Arrows flew past her as the guards fired. What had happened to the guards on the other side of the wall, she daren't think.

There were so many! Orc after Orc clambered up and over the wall, jumping down onto Lothriel's dearly loved garden. As one fell, three more came to replace him. The guards were all around Nauralad now, and someone pulled her back to get out of the fighting. But she kept screaming for her sister, and refused to move until she had her safely in her arms.

Finally, a guard helped Lothriel wrench free of her captors, and took her over to her sister. Nauralad held her tightly, leaning against a tree for support. Her legs were threatening to give way. Never before had she come so close to Orcs and she found she despised them utterly. No wonder her brothers were all for killing every single one they could. She understood now their hatred for the beasts.

The two Princesses were ushered away, back out of the gardens and into the safety of the palace. Someone told her that the Orcs would all be dealt with, but Nauralad wasn't really listening. She suddenly realised that if Legolas hadn't woken and told them that Lothriel was in danger, no one would have been there to save her. No one would have even known. Her screams may have been heard, but she wouldn't have been reached on time.

They sat on the bottom of the grand staircase in each others arms, and gratefully took the wine that a maid brought to them. It was strong stuff, and as Nauralad knocked it back, she felt her senses come back to her somewhat. Her arm was aching from all the lifting and swinging, and then she realised her hand was bleeding from a small cut. Easily mended though.

Lothriel was silent as she gulped down the dark red liquid. She felt sick to her stomach, and just wished Legolas was there to hold her and soothe her. But she had Nauralad at least, and if her sister hadn't have been there, she would not be sat there, safely inside now.

"What did you say about Legolas?" she asked. Her voice was trembling, and so were her hands.

"He woke up," Nauralad replied. "And warned us that you were in danger. That's why I came to find you."

"He knew I would get attacked like that?"

"He knew something was going to happen, and he sent us after you."

"I have to see him." She got shakily to her feet, gripping the goblet so tightly her knuckles were white.

They climbed the stairs slowly, and headed along the corridor to Legolas' ward. He had not been moved to his own room, for fear of injuring him further.

When Nauralad opened the door, she saw her mother and father. Aurêl was sat in the chair opposite, her face pale and tears trickling down her face. Thranduil had a hand upon her shoulder, his face a mask of calm. But his eyes were full of worry for his two daughters, and as he saw them walk in, Nauralad noticed his shoulders relax somewhat at the sight of them.

"Oh thank Eru!" Aurêl exclaimed, placing her hand over her heart. "I was frantic with worry for the both of you."

Thranduil went over to them and steered them into chairs. When they looked to their brother, they saw he was asleep again. "Sit down the pair of you, and tell us what happened."

"The Orcs started pouring over the wall," Nauralad began. "They got hold of Loth, but we got her away. The guards are dealing with it all now."

"How did they get so near Thranduil?" Aurêl asked. "How could they have done so with all the guards?"

"They would have been slain," the King answered, referring to the Elven guards. "These Orcs are getting cleverer, quieter. It is becoming more and more difficult for our scouts to attack or defend. It is my guess that they have been learning from our Elves on how to approach armed guards without a sound, and to attack swiftly. I see no other way they could have done it. Orcs are stupid creatures, but they learn from others."

"Legolas…" Lothriel whispered, reaching out to clutch her brother's hand.

"He's asleep again Loth," her mother told her. "He fell asleep shortly after Nauralad left to find you."

Her eyes fell to the floor. "He knew," she said in an undertone. "He knew I was in danger, and he told you."

Aurêl nodded. "I couldn't believe it when he opened his eyes like that. So quickly and suddenly. T'was quite frightening to tell you the honest truth. They started blankly though. He didn't have eye contact with me. He was staring off into space, in his own little world. Yet he talked to me. He knew I was there, but it was as if he was blind."

"Like his brother," Thranduil muttered.

"Everything is getting interconnected," Nauralad told them. "The Orcs are coming back for other members of our family. First 'Ren, then Legs and now Loth. Sîladiel feels all their pain and Legolas saw what was going to happen. Something is going on here, and we need to work out what."

"Why would they come back for us?" Lothriel asked, her timid voice growing stronger. "I don't understand."

"Ladrenîl got away from them, after Legolas, Gîlorn and their scout killed most of their group. They want revenge don't they? It didn't work first time around, so they're going to keep trying."

Aurêl bowed her head and Thranduil wrapped his arms around her. "We will get these Orcs killed," he told them in a determined tone. "They shall not live to threaten us in such a way again. The amount of guards around the palace shall be increased, as will the number of Elves on patrol. I'll help Ladrenîl sort that out in a bit. We need to be careful and extra vigilant. No one is to wander outside the courtyard walls. We are all to stay inside, at least for this week. And we had better wait to make sure the gardens are firmly secure before we go back out there as well."

Lothriel's face crumpled. "They ruined my garden," she told him sadly. "I had worked so hard on it these past couple of weeks. It's all for Legolas, and they ruined it."

"I'll help you fix it up," Nauralad promised, hugging her sister and kissing her forehead. "We'll make it so beautiful and wonderful; Legolas won't know what's hit him!"

Lothriel gave a little giggle, and then fell to staring to the bottom of her empty goblet. There was a slightly uneasy silence in the room, and then Thranduil went to leave.

"I'll be in my study with Ladrenîl if anyone needs me," he informed them. "Any changes fetch me immediately."

The three women nodded and then he left, closing the door softly behind him.

Lothriel sighed and snuggled closer to Nauralad. Their mother looked at them fondly, thanking the gods for keeping her youngest safe when she had been ambushed. She also silently thanked Nauralad, the most practical of hr four daughters, for being there on time and saving her younger sister. Aurêl did not know if she could have handled another of her beloved children being fatally wounded.

"How did Legs know I was in danger?" Lothriel asked suddenly.

Aurêl shrugged. "I know not Loth. He just woke up and started calling for you."

"Maybe he dreamt about it," Nauralad suggested. "Everyone has dreams like that. Often they don't mean anything, but sometimes…" She left her sentence hanging.

Aurêl nodded in agreement. "I've had a few of those," she told the Princesses. "But Legolas has been unconscious for two weeks. How could he have had a dream like that, then wake up so easily and suddenly to warn us, and then fall asleep again? It doesn't make sense."

The two girls looked at each other, their faces blank. Lothriel stifled a yawn, and her mother gave a little chuckle. "I think someone's tired."

Her youngest nodded and got to her feet. "I want to stay in here," she told them.

Nauralad raised an eyebrow, but their mother agreed. "I think you should," she said. "I want you close to me tonight."

"I have to go and check on some other patients," Nauralad said as she got to her feet. "I'll see you later on. Are you hurt anywhere though Loth?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so. Just a few scrapes and bruises, nothing I haven't had before."

"You were lucky," Nauralad told her as she was leaving. "From the way I saw it, they were shoving you around a bit."

Lothriel just shrugged in reply, and so the elder of the two left.

Aurêl held her arms out, and Lothriel went and curled up with her on the chair. Although she had grown considerably over the years, she was a small maiden with a petite figure, as was her mother, and the two of them fitted comfortably into the one chair.

Aurêl stroked the long golden hair lovingly and sang soothing songs to her daughter until she fell asleep. Keeping one eye on her, and the other on Legolas, she rested her mind, trying to relax in the hysteric atmosphere that had fallen down around them. So much was happening at once, and people were finding it hard to take in.

Carefully, so as not to wake her sleeping daughter, she lay Lothriel down beside her brother, wrapping one arm over his waist. Smiling to herself, she was content to fall asleep with the both of them just there beside her.

It was fully dark by now, and the torches had been lit on the courtyard walls. Their faint, flickering light played shadows on the walls of the room, and Aurêl watched them for a while. She could still hear people moving around outside, but in general, Mirkwood was now quiet and at rest. The Elves had returned to their homes, and most were now sleeping.

She wished she could join in with their peaceful slumber.

Ta da! Hope you liked it. Next one will be up soon. Ciao for now.

Faerlain