I Will Always Return

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Written in Red

The camp fire had died down, but no one was sleeping. Tomorrow, they would enter beneath the eaves of Mirkwood and start their trek up, towards the Palace of the Wood-Elves. Legolas turned slowly on his pallet, trying not to aggravate his healing injuries. Sighing heavily, he stared at the dying embers, watching as their warm glow died and left the world feeling so cold and dark. Winter was coming. There were no fireflies and the stars were veiled.

They had left Rohan only recently and had been treading carefully ever since. They were now in Rhûn, and it had not left them with very pleasant memories in the past. Legolas shuddered. His lips twitched. What Elladan was going to do without the boy was beyond him, or even stranger, what the boy was going to do without Elladan. He had been adopted into a nice family that were personal friends of the King himself, so the youth would be –oh yes, Legolas recalled –the boy had a name now, Voronwë, after the prince's dead cousin who had been loyal to the end, even when his father had been terribly insane and cruel. Shrugging mentally, the Elf completed his earlier thoughts and reminded himself that nameless or not, Voronwë was going to be well off now.

Aragorn felt his friend fidgeting and turning restlessly next to him. He tolerated it for a few minutes but then was unable to stand any more. Rolling over so that he was looking at the Elf, he reached his hand out, finding the prince's and catching it up in his own. Legolas' hand was clenched and Aragorn frowned, rubbing his thumb along the back of it soothingly. "Are you all right? Do your wounds pain you Legolas?"

Legolas was quiet for a minute. "No."

Aragorn pried the prince's fingers apart so that that he could lace his fingers through them. Legolas pulled free and demonstratively put his back to his friend. Aragorn swallowed as he realized that Legolas was drawing into himself again, just like he had done after Harad, only more so. "Legolas-"

"Please, Estel. Don't talk to me," Legolas requested softly, pulling further away from the ranger. Aragorn didn't know it, but Legolas had to say good-bye to him here and he didn't want to make it harder than it was already going to be. He couldn't ask the ranger to return to his home with him. Everything that had happened there was not Aragorn's fault, but he feared the ranger would be blamed anyway. He could not let his friend be held responsible and perhaps killed, for the mistakes that he made. He had already made his mind up on this and he wasn't going to change it. Moreover, Aragorn's own home needed him. The ranger had a family and if he didn't return to his home soon then he would never be able to. Legolas often was scared by how freely Aragorn gave things, he had didn't want the ranger to give more than he had.

He was going to take Rothinzil and leave this night, as soon as the ranger was asleep.

Aragorn was stunned and hurt by Legolas' actions and he stared at where he knew the Elf lay. "Legolas-" He tried again.

"Estel please?" Legolas' tone bordered on begging.

Aragorn recognized the desperation of his friend's voice and immediately relented, pulled his blankets up to his chin and relaxed into his bed roll. He was hurt, and slightly angered, and above all confused. He didn't understand why his friend sounded so hurt and didn't want to talk to him. He was afraid it was something that he had done. Unable to sleep, he continued to stare at where Legolas lay, but the prince didn't fidget anymore.

The soft rhythmic breathing of the other Elves told Aragorn that they were asleep now and he was glad. Only Legolas' breathing remained uneven and every now and then he heard the prince sigh. Out of no where, the Elf murmured, "How is your wound?"

Startled by the change in Legolas' demeanour, Aragorn sat half way up, propping himself on an elbow. His other hand rested over the side of his abdomen, where the knife had been thrust not too long ago. "It still hurts every now and then."

Legolas closed his eyes, but made to move to turn and look at the ranger. "I am sorry to hear that." /I wish that I could stay and help you/, he thought in the back of his mind so that Aragorn wouldn't be able to read his thoughts. He was glad that the darkness was filling in the spaces around the camp. The ranger wouldn't be able to read his eyes or his face. "Is there something I can do?"

Aragorn shook his head. "No, mellon nîn."

Legolas sighed sadly. That was what he had thought. He hated to leave Aragorn in this state. He knew that striking up this conversation wasn't going to make their parting any easier. On the other hand, he knew that Aragorn would feel hurt and angry if he didn't talk to him. If something happened and he never got the chance to see the ranger again, he didn't want their last memory together to be that he had shunned the ranger. "I am sorry."

Aragorn shook his head and once again tried to move closer to the Elf. He knew that Legolas felt lonely, but he didn't know why the Elf was rejecting his companionship. He was beginning to wonder if maybe those men had done more to Legolas than he had known. The Elf had seemed as well as was to be expected during their stay at Edoras.

"Go to sleep, Estel. You need your rest," Legolas chided gently, finally rolling over and propping himself up on an elbow so that he could see his friend. He was trying to put the ranger at ease and let him know that he wasn't even remotely angry.

Aragorn reluctantly lay back down, but he continued to look in the prince's direction. He could sense that something was terribly wrong, but he didn't know what.

"I am serious. You need your sleep. I cannot sleep tonight, so I will keep watch," Legolas insisted, knowing that Aragorn was still awake.

"Was it something I did, Legolas?" Aragorn asked quietly, looking up at the cold sky as he held his hand over his wound. There were no stars. He knew that Legolas must miss them dearly.

"No." Legolas' reply was soft and immediate. He knew that a reluctant answer would have the same effect of saying "yes". "Now get some sleep!"

Aragorn snorted in derision and closed his eyes, because in all honesty, he was too tired to argue. Legolas was right. He needed his sleep. He would have to talk to Legolas more in the morning. Things could wait until then.

Legolas waited until he heard the ranger's breathing even out and a soft snore before he started to move. He couldn't help but feel like a backstabber. Cautiously, so he wouldn't wake Aragorn or cause his healing ribs pain, Legolas rose to his knees and started to roll up his pallet. Aragorn's arm had been out flung in his sleep and his hand rested on the blanket. Legolas tenderly took it, and kissed it before setting it carefully on Aragorn's chest. "Be at peace, mellon nîn."

Aragorn smiled trustingly in the dark as he subconsciously felt the love of his friend, but he didn't wake up. If anything, he settled into a deeper sleep, feeling safer.

Legolas scuffled around, trying to be as quiet as possible. He knew roughly where everyone was sleeping around the camp and so he was sure not to step on anyone. All the same, he exercised caution.

"Roth," he hissed in the direction of the warrior, who was sleeping close by. "Wake up, it is time."

It took him a moment to raise the warrior, as Roth was insufferable when being woken out of a deep sleep. Finally he managed to get his friend up and all their supplies packed. However, the nickering of a horse gave away their plans. There was one who was not sleeping.

"What are you doing, Legolas?"

"Elladan?" Legolas questioned, relieved that it wasn't Estel but still a bit apprehensive. He didn't know how the elder twin was going to react to this. Roth stiffened at his friend's side.

"Where are you going?" the son of Elrond repeated softly.

"Home. Estel cannot come with me, you have to understand," Legolas immediately became defensive.

Elladan closed his eyes, since it was dark anyway and neither of them could see each other. "Legolas, you know that he will never understand. Do you realize how hurt he is going to be?"

Legolas was quiet for a minute, considering his next words carefully. "Yes," his voice was soft and laced with remorse. But Elladan just couldn't appreciate the severity of the situation.

Elladan wanted to be angry. He wanted to be furious, but he knew that for Legolas to willingly hurt Estel, then the alternative must be worse. "You are trying to protect him, aren't you?"

Legolas answered affirmatively. "And I can't do that if he comes with me. Ada isn't going to be in his right mind. I have been feeling it the closer I have come to my home. Things have changed. If Estel is blamed… then I can't say what will happen. The further away he is from my home, the better. There is a good chance he will be held blameless, but I can't promise that." In truth, Legolas had just fully begun to understand the danger that he was walking into. There was a chance he could be held accountable for his actions and if the penalty was great, then he would rather that Aragorn wasn't around to interfere and try to dissuade his father.

Elladan had been very receptive and approachable thus far and Legolas was grateful. He didn't feel like he could stand an argument right now and he was very glad that Elladan wasn't trying to give him advice. All he wanted was someone to listen. "Do you think that the Rivendell Elves will hold him accountable?" Legolas asked after a moment.

Elladan didn't answer right away. "Probably not. Maybe a little. At the moment, I think they are angrier with father."

"I still cannot say that is any better," Legolas replied dispassionately. He was too drained to have much more noticeable emotion. The results of their misadventure still had him bled white of sentiment. "Promise me that you will keep him safe. You know how he can be. Don't let him be blamed, it wasn't his fault."

Elladan frowned. "I know. Believe me, I am one of the few who knows." Looking in Legolas' direction, he knew the prince was chafing at the delay their conversation was causing. "Take care, my friend."

Legolas smiled in the dark. "You too." He started to guide his horse off into the night, with Roth on his heels, but then stopped and turned back in Elladan's direction. "When he asks where I went, tell him I went home. Don't tell him about…the dangers, he'll worry. Tell him I was homesick." He wished he had a token that he could leave with the ranger, but he did not. They did not have much left since their trouble with the orcs and the traitors.

"I will," Elladan assured.

"And you had better tell them if that wound gives you anymore trouble," the prince added.

"I will," Elladan repeated, but with amusement behind it.

"So long mellon nîn," Legolas whispered at last, turning back around to guide his horse away. Roth followed closely behind, nearly stepping on Legolas' heels.

They soon had gained the edge of the forest and then they both stopped to mount their horses. However, when Legolas started to breech the edge and enter into the forest, Roth hung back. "Surely you don't mean to go in there?" he asked incredulously. They were near Dol Guldur and the odds were against them that they would run into a horde of orcs, even on a good day.

Legolas couldn't see Rothinzil, but he could imagine his friend's face pretty clearly. "It would be easier to be spotted on the plains. Besides, I don't want any chance of Aragorn tracking us. I also have a feeling that the concentration of the orcs is elsewhere." He started forward once more; glad when he heard Roth's horse bringing up the rear.

"Like at home?" Roth questioned softly.

Legolas stiffened at the thought. "Possibly."

"You know that they will be," Roth said rather discouragingly. "Mirkwood isn't as strong as it used to be, Legolas, and truly, your absence hasn't helped."

Legolas didn't answer. He was feeling lonely, even with Roth at his side and the accusations were not helping. The truth was that he had ridden with Estel at his side for so long now and it felt awkward not to have the human around. He already missed the man's sloppy smile and the way he attempted to sing his own renditions of Elvish songs while they travelled.

Roth realized this and instantly felt remorse for his words. He had not meant to sound accusing, but merely factual. Not trusting himself not to cause further hurt, he kept his mouth shut.

The further they travelled into the woods, the more Legolas began to doubt his choice. It was even darker here than it was outside the forest and they wouldn't be able to find their way out until morning. The trees and vegetation seemed to close in behind them, hemming them in darkness. The only choice that they had was continue forward.

But the deeper they got, the heavier the gloom became until the air they breathed was oppressive. Cobwebs were frequently blocking their path and sticking to their hair and clothes. Having been away from Mirkwood so long, Legolas had discounted the spiders and now he could hear their legs skittering above, behind and all around them. They were creaking, like old hinges, and that meant that these were not the small spiders that ventured into Elven territory. These were the larger kind that brooded in the perpetual night and were barely able to support their own weight. However, they could still move quickly in the tree tops. Every now and then a bough would bend under their ominous weight, or there would be a soft splat as a web was thrown, but the beasts didn't appear ready to attack.

"I am beginning to think that this was a bad idea," Legolas muttered under his breath, as he tried to calm his horse. The animal was not an Elven horse and was quickly making it known that it was not willing to suffer this darkness much longer. Nothing Legolas could do seemed to assuage the animal's terror. Taking pity on the horse, Legolas dismounted and relieved it of its gear and supplies. The bridal and saddle he tossed aside, having never needed them anyway, and what supplies were necessary, such as water and food, he rearranged so that they would be easier to handle. Roth did the same with his horse and supplies, inwardly groaning. They were sitting ducks now, both of them.

The horses only lingered a few seconds, as though saying farewell, before bolting.

Roth listened to them leaving before he sighed dolefully. "We could have let them show us the way out."

Legolas shook his head. "It's a little late for 'could have's', don't you think?" He knew that Roth was right, but he couldn't bring himself to say that right now. He was already furious with himself. He just seemed to be making the dumbest mistakes lately. As a matter of fact, he was beginning to wonder if the past three to four years had been a giant mistake.

A wicked sort of half laugh above their heads told the pair that the spiders were well aware of their situation. Rothinzil groaned. "This is lovely. You know, I am beginning to think that you enjoy these situations."

It was the wrong thing to say, and Legolas frowned angrily. "You sound like my father," he accused darkly.

Roth didn't give in like he usually did and instead retaliated. "At least one of us does."

His response made Legolas stiffen and he whirled on his friend, for a moment oblivious to the danger. "You know not of what you speak, Rothinzil!" His voice was clipped in anger.

Rothinzil pursed his lips angrily and the muscles around his jaw tightened. However, the dark, forbidding hiss of a spider above interrupted their little tirade. They were being watched. Forgetting the argument, Roth muttered pessimistically, "I will bet that they haven't tasted Elf in a long time."

Legolas didn't answer at first, trying to see through the darkness at the tree boughs above them, trying in vain to pinpoint their stalkers. Pulling out his bow, he detected roughly where one was and let an arrow fly. He heard it strike something and a spider dropped out of the tree. The sounds of crushed vegetation indicated that it was a large one and Legolas was grateful that they wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. "I think that we should keep moving."

Roth just stared in the direction of the crash with big eyes. "Are you sure that it's dead?"

Legolas just shouldered his bow and then started to pull the other Elf after him. "Keep moving." Rothinzil didn't fight his friend's grip and allowed himself to be dragged along, still shocked at the size of the downed spider. The sounds of more spiders followed them, like a swarm of creaking limbs.

:0Ї0:

Some time early that morning Aragorn rolled over as he was prone to do. He was surprised, however, not to hear Legolas voice a single complaint as the prince was also prone to do. He reached over to see if the Elf was all right and found himself feeling nothing but grass. It was still too dark to see. "Legolas?" he asked sleepily, stifling a yawn.

There was no answer. Panic curled around Aragorn's insides and squeezed tightly. "Legolas?" he asked more frantically, thinking the Elf had wandered off again on his own. The results of his last wanderings were still fresh in the ranger's mind. But, no, that couldn't be the case. Legolas' bedroll and everything were simply –gone.

Aragorn felt like time had frozen and he only remembered to breathe when his lungs protested at the deprivation of oxygen. For a moment he contemplated screaming, but he couldn't keep air in his lungs for more than a few seconds as he was gasping repeatedly in his shock. "Rothinzil?" he asked, receiving no answer.

Jumping up, Aragorn began to rapidly scour the camp for any clues as to his friend's disappearance. He shuffled in the dark, going through everything he could find. When he reached the fire, he stoked it, throwing on another log to light up the dark. The circle of light grew and he was even more baffled. Nothing of the Wood-Elves' gear was left behind and their horses were missing as well.

Going over to Elrohir, whom it had always been easier to rouse when he was having a nightmare, Aragorn frantically shook his brother's arm. "Elrohir! Wake up, Elrohir! Elrohir-"

The twin didn't protest and sat up bleary-eyed but awake. "What is it? Can you go back to sleep? It is almost dawn!" he complained, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"Elrohir!" Aragorn's hands bracketed his brother's face as he tried to hold Elrohir's drowsy attention. "Elrohir, listen to me! Legolas and Rothinzil –they're gone! And their stuff is gone!"

Elrohir stiffened and looked around wildly. "What?" He stood up, letting his blankets fall from his frame. Immediately he began to inspect the entire camp, leaving nothing unturned. At a loss, he turned around to Aragorn and scratched his head. "I just don't understand!"

By now, their frantic search had awakened Elladan, who saw up with a little bit of difficulty. His wound was still stiff and sore every now and then, and would remain so for some time. "Brothers," he called them. "They had to leave."

Elrohir turned around and gaped. "Repeat that, because I don't think I heard you correctly!" he snapped, flailing his arms in his exasperation and surprise.

Aragorn just looked around disbelievingly. "But they are coming back, aren't they?"

Elladan shook his head. "They have their homes, and we have ours. They had to go back. You had to have known that this would happen." He couldn't believe that he as being so calm about this. Maybe things had not really sunk in yet.

"You knew," Aragorn accused darkly, tears pricking under his eyes as he suddenly felt like everyone was against him. "Why didn't you tell me?" He didn't understand why there had been a need for this conspiracy. As a matter of fact, he didn't want to understand.

Elladan seemed hurt at the accusation. He had known that Aragorn's reaction would be like this, but he still could have never prepared himself for it. He had done this to protect his brother, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. "Because Legolas didn't want you to know yet. You needed your sleep, he just wanted to slip away quietly."

Aragorn sat down and put his face in his hands, trying to fight down the burning pain that he was feeling. He was sure that Legolas had never meant to put him through this, but the prince should have known that this reaction was unavoidable. And what hurt Aragorn most was that he was sure that Legolas probably did know and did it anyway. "Why?" he asked as Elrohir supportively came and massaged his shoulders. The younger twin understood what had happened now. "I wanted to help him. He isn't himself."

Elladan shook his head. "No, he is completely himself. He is changed some from what he has been through, but he is of a sound mind. You have changed yourself." He was trying to think of the best way possible to get Aragorn to understand without making the ranger feel mothered, but it wasn't working and maybe in this case, the blunt truth was the best thing. Aragorn already thought people were conspiring against him and he would feel even worse if he thought he wasn't being told everything. "If he was acting strange, it was because he knew that he had to protect you and the only way to protect you was by leaving. He has to do this on his own. He doesn't want to, but he has to."

Aragorn stared at the fire, watching the flames dancing and casting bizarre shadows. He hated it, but this all was making sense. He knew that there were certain places where friendship could only extend help so far, but it pained him that this was one of them. He felt responsible for the troubles his friend had been through and he had wanted to make sure that Legolas made it through them all right.

Elladan studied his brother's forlorn face for a moment. "We need you too, Estel," he murmured, suddenly feeling very possessive of his little brother. "Ada needs you."

Aragorn choked. "I know." He suddenly realized how he must have made his brothers feel. They were his brothers and they were still here, yet he was inadvertently treating them like they hardly mattered. He had never meant to reject them.

However, they showed no sign of jealousy or anger and were doing their best to be understanding.

"If Legolas had thought that you needed him, he would have stayed," Elrohir pointed out consolingly. "He didn't leave you before, even under pain of death." Elrohir sounded hurt as he reminded him, "you still have us."

Aragorn stiffened at the sorrow in his brother's voice and suddenly he realized how much he had missed them. Oh, he had always known he had missed them, but now he was beginning to understand how much he had missed only them and the times that they had spent together. He leaned back into Elrohir, allowing his brother to support his weight. "I am scared for him."

Elladan smiled. "Legolas always lands on his feet."

Aragorn smiled drolly, and allowed Elrohir to pull him into a soothing embrace. "Even if he has to twist around a lot in the air first."

Elrohir forced a grin. "Exactly." He then followed up with a forced laugh. "Remember, he's an Elf, and therefore, very versatile."

Aragorn wished he could join in Elrohir's laughter, but he could not. As much as he understood what was happening, he still was afraid. Legolas had said that Mirkwood had changed…he had been saying that for a long time. What if it had changed more than the Wood-Elf knew? What if Legolas was willingly walking into his death, dragging Rothinzil with him?

Aragorn tried to do as his brother's wished, and believe that Legolas knew what he was doing, but he had a feeling that his friend was making a grave mistake. "Were that he was a cat," the ranger said wistfully. "This would be his last life."

The rest of the night he spent sleeping beside Elrohir while Elladan kept watch. Elrohir kept one arm around him while Elladan kept a reassuring hand on his chest. However, he wondered if they were holding him like this more to keep track of him, than for comfort. He tried to relax, but he could not, and even if Legolas was meant to do this without his help, Aragorn still found himself chafing at his friend's departure. Throughout that night, he knew that he would find no rest.

They were close to the southern border of Mirkwood, and the sway of Dol Guldur, and it was night. Legolas should never have left.

:0Ї0:

Hours later the dawn was coming, although Legolas couldn't tell from a change in the light. The forest was still dark as ever. But he had grown up here and knew the telltale signs well enough. The air was beginning to grow hotter as the sun heated through the leaves and the oppressive air remained trapped in the foliage. Legolas wished that they could get some of that sunlight down where they were.

They were still far south, but so far, besides the stalking of the spiders, things had been unnaturally uneventful. They had seen some signs of wargs, but not run into one, and the signs seemed days old. What alarmed Legolas the most was that it was the signs of a large party accompanied by orcs. He had not been able to tell much, since it was still very dark, and he was not the best tracker.

Roth leaned over the whispered in his ear, "These dratted thorns are beginning to become bothersome. They get through every layer of clothes…" He pulled at a particularly large barb that had lodged itself in his leggings and was tearing at his leg. He only succeeded in becoming more intertwined in the small, wiry vines and more stickers, like hands, snagged his clothes.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Yes, I mean, the spiders and the wargs are nothing compared to these dratted little things!" he muttered in dark sarcasm, stopping to help his struggling friend. Becoming aggravated, he snapped, "Will you hold still! You are fighting it like it is an Elf-eating fiend!"

Roth stopped struggling and stared at the plant with barely concealed horror. "Do you think that it is? I mean, we are near Dol Guldur."

Legolas rolled his eyes, not in the mood for his friend's antics. "Oh yes, probably, and meant to ensnare saps like you."

Roth glared. "I was being serious." He winced as Legolas was none too gentle prying him out of the entanglements of thorns and his skin tore slightly. Of course Legolas wasn't trying to harm his friend, but his nerves and wanting to be away from here as soon as possible were getting the best of him. He felt Roth wince and quickly apologized before continuing.

Roth sighed. He understood. Just as he was freed, and tried to pull away, Legolas groaned. "I think we have a problem."

The warrior turned to look questioningly at his friend. "Excuse me?" He couldn't be positive, but he was beginning to feel unnaturally drowsy and was having a hard time focusing.

Legolas blinked as he stared blearily at the thorns that had pricked through his leggings. "I am stuck."

Roth shook his head to focus. "You too?" His voice sounded half-way absorbed. In the dark he couldn't really see details all that well. The skittering of a spider above them caused him to shiver reflexively and he chanced a look above. Unfortunately, he only saw darkness that seemed perpetual.

"Yes! Now help me! This isn't working!" Legolas snapped fearfully as he heard more spiders coming. He had not made it through Harad and Rohan, only to become breakfast for some creepy, fat, old spiders. Roth shared his opinion.

Hurriedly, he started to tug at the vines, but his fingers were sluggish and the darkness made it even more difficult. Their Elven glows didn't provide much light. "I think they were poisonous."

Legolas rolled his eyes, feeling the effects the longer he was tangled in the vines. It wasn't so much sedative as it was painful. He felt like he was being pricked with barbs of fire and they were spreading as the poison entered his blood stream. He could tell by Roth's breathing that he was feeling the same effects. Mahnlach, Legolas suddenly remembered, groaning inwardly. A venomous juice secreted by the barbs and only in Southern Mirkwood where Sauron had blackened and poisoned the land. They were not lethal and only sickening only in large ones.

"Roth, it's Mahnlach! Do you understand what that is?" He questioned, barely keeping his voice from slurring in pain. His wounds had been much worse, but his healing body was reacting badly.

The warrior hurried to free his prince, noticing that Legolas was suffering from the effects. Roth hadn't been in them for as long a period of time and his body was stronger. "I must admit that name is new to me…"

"It's a poison…not deadly, but painful…"

"I think I have noticed that part," Roth muttered sarcastically as he pulled the last thorn free. Legolas winced as it caught in his skin for a moment.

Legolas jumped free, stumbling only to be caught by Roth. He sagged against his friend for a minute and waited for the world to stop spinning. Roth helped him stand upright and then sucked his breath in sharply. Now that the dilemma with the thorns was over and they could focus on other things, he noticed that the spiders had encroached closer. Legolas felt him tremble slightly. Having not been raised with the Wood-Elves, he had Aragorn's perspective of them and they still frightened him. He would fight them, but inside he was cringing at their hairy bodies, legs, claws, and bulbous eyes….

Legolas worked to maintain his balance and pushed his pain aside, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Roth still trembled slightly under his touch. "In most cases they bluff, Roth. You should know that."

Rothinzil swallowed hard. "I remember." However, judging from his voice, Legolas wasn't so sure.

"Let us give them a reason to keep their distance," the prince said in smooth anger. He reached behind him, pulling his bow from his back and nocking three arrows. Roth protectively followed suite, scared out of his mind, but ready to die in Legolas' defence. A childish, nervous smile flittered on his lips as he choked an answer.

"All right."

Legolas found a spot that looked perfect to aim at, right into a cluster of luminous, bulbous eyes, and nodded at Rothinzil to do the same. The spiders seemed unimpressed and one threw a web, which shot between the Elves, missing them both completely. It stuck to a tree with a disgusting sound. Legolas didn't care to see any more. He released the tension on his bow and his three arrows sang in the air, all three striking the most imposing spider directly in the eyes. A dreadful, bone chilling wail curdled the air, and was all the encouragement that Rothinzil needed to release his arrows, slaying another spider. It fell with a crash. The remaining ten crept back into the darker portions of the trees that were not touched by the Elves' flaring glow.

Rothinzil seemed to relax some and he breathed a deep, shuddering breath. "Ah, well that looks better."

Legolas inadvertently quenched his optimism. "For now."

Roth swallowed, keeping his bow on hand. "Right. That is what I meant." He was contemplating reaching for his sword as he was more comfortable with that weapon. However, he hoped the spiders wouldn't get close enough for him to have to use it.

"Keep moving," Legolas whispered in his ear, grabbing his shoulders and guiding him forward.

Roth allowed his prince to force him just a little farther before he resisted. "Is this your answer to everything?" he hissed, scared that a spider might be ahead. He would rather it be him than Legolas who became breakfast, but at the same time, he wanted to live too. Their grinding mandibles and voluminous eyes made his stomach churn.

"Yes, for now," Legolas admitted. "Don't show fear, keep going."

Roth turned around and glared. "I am not afraid."

Legolas smiled warmly as he released his friend's shoulders. "I know. Those spiders had better look out." He sounded completely serious, even though Rothinzil had his doubts. While Roth forced himself to walk ahead, Legolas kept guard at the rear. He had a feeling that they had more to worry about than spiders. Their glow could not possibly have gone unnoticed. Roth was right. This was a stupid idea. He had been gone so long that he had almost forgotten how to survive in his own home.

:0Ї0:

Aragorn was awake when Elrohir opened his eyes. The younger twin blinked and pushed himself away from his little brother, yawning as he gained his senses. "Did you have no sleep last night, Estel?" Elrohir's voice, as well as the question, caught Elladan's attention.

Aragorn stared between his brothers and shrugged. "I wasn't tired." He started to gather up his bedroll and other supplies, putting his belt and sword on, as well as slinging his quiver and arrows over his back. He was ready within minutes while his brothers were still struggling to wrap their pallets up.

"Planning on skipping breakfast?" Elladan questioned softly.

Aragorn frowned. "If it is Lembas, sure."

Elrohir smiled. "You haven't had it in a while. You never know, your taste might have changed." He demonstratively consumed a large bite of his own piece, almost biting the leaf wrapping.

Elladan seemed sympathetic and frowned back at Elrohir. "Elrohir just has strange taste." He tried to make light of the gloomy, foreboding, morning.

Aragorn was unimpressed and just sat dejectedly on the ground, his knees drawn up to his chin. He missed Legolas deeply, and he wondered if his friends had survived the night. Roth was prone to attracting trouble and accidents –almost as badly as Legolas was. Being in southern Mirkwood at night couldn't bode well under any circumstances and that stubborn prince was not near fully healed. If he ran into a large band of orcs, then he was in trouble. Elven or not, there were some things that their constitution was not able to endure.

Elrohir sat down consolingly by his brother, putting his arm around Aragorn's shoulders in a comforting way. He smiled at the morning sky, which was a bright, scarlet. "It is a beautiful morning, Estel! You are like a lingering rain cloud! Lighten up!" He gestured to the scenery with a large sweep of his hand.

Aragorn leaned into him some and studied the sunrise and the reddening colour as it mixed with the clouds and created a pink haze. The wind was soothingly balmy. Suddenly he jerked in painful recognition and murmured, "Oh, no."

Elrohir stared inquiringly at him. Elladan continued packing the horses. He would let Aragorn skip breakfast if he wanted. The ranger would be hungry later.

"What is wrong, Estel?" Elrohir asked, pushing Aragorn out and holding him by his shoulders at arm's length.

"The sky is red, Elrohir. Blood red! Blood has been spilled this night!" Aragorn's face was ashen, almost as it had been when he had nearly died and Elrohir felt the colour drain from his face as well. Giving the sky one last, mournful look, he realized that those colours that he had thought so gorgeous, could be the result of his friends' blood wetting the soil.

Aragorn became inconsolable. But they couldn't venture into those woods to look for the prince and Rothinzil. Aragorn was needed at home too, and they had to make a trip to Lórien. Only the mirror would be able to tell them anything…and even it would be uncertain.

TBC...

Yeah, well they are in the home stretch now! HAHAHAHA! You didn't think that we would let them get off that easy, now did you? Be honest, you didn't. ;)

Please review! You know how we feel about that! LOL ((((((hugs readers)))))))) Your reviews from the last chapter were wonderful! We will respond to them later this evening, we promise. We just have a few things that have to get done first thanks to RL.

Quick funny story: Yesterday I (Celeb) got chased by a pair of white geese when I tried to take their picture for an art project. They seriously have a mental disorder or something...they attacked cars too...Those things are vicious! LOL Guess they either weren't very photogenic or camera-shy! LOL