Disclaimer: Still own nothing.

A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews. I think I owe everyone a quick response so here it is. Thanks so much for the support.

SaphireCat: Glad you liked the chapter. Here is more for you.

Elven Kitten: I'm so glad you are loving it. I hope you will continue to enjoy. Thanks so much for the review.

Gods-girl2004: Hehe… you always make me laugh, mellon nin. Thanks for the review. This story is a lot harder than I thought it would be to write. It just isn't flowing like I wanted it to. I will try to update quicker for you, though. You should write more to your story. I'd love to hear more to that. Later.

Lady of Rivendel: Yes, the elves came in time. Nothing happen to Aragorn and Legolas? Where would the fun be in that? lol…nah they'll be okay for right now. I have much more planned in the future. /evil laugh/ Much much more.

Dreaminoflorien: /gives innocent look/ Do what mellon nin? I have no clue what you are talking about. Hurting Elladan? Ah come now. I didn't do anything too bad to him. At least not yet… lol… Wait till you see this chapter. /runs and hides/

And for the two reviewers that asked questions on chapter 6, here are the answers.

Irukapooka: I'm glad you are liking my story. Most of the elvish I use is either from thecouncilofelrond or from reading other stories. I usually pick up elvish words and phrases from stories I read and use it in my stories. I have some lessons and stuff on how to learn elvish and common phrases and stuff. Usually I'll use that to check the elvish to see if it is right. I am by no means fluent at elvish, in fact I know very little at all. I just learn what I can, when I can. Thanks again for your review. Hope you keep reading.

LegolasLover2003: Yes, Glorfindel should have been in the movies. Too bad he wasn't. Glad you liked my character of Glorfindel. Now, for your question. No there isn't a story that explains Legolas' capture. It is basically explained throughout this story and my last. Perhaps one day I shall make it into a story, but I don't know. Thanks for reviewing. Hope you continue to enjoy.

Okay that is all for now. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I will try to update soon because of the evil cliffhanger at the end of this chapter. Heh… /runs/ Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Trouble in Mirkwood

'It's been one of those days for a lot of days now,

I need a day where the world can take care of itself.

This isn't what I wanted,

How I thought my life would turn out,

And I wonder if it's like this from here on out.

Sometimes life gets you, but we go on.

Sometimes life gets you, we're still going on.'

SuperChick - 'Not Done Yet'

Aragorn smiled as he began to recognize his surroundings. They were very close to Rivendell now and he was ecstatic. After traveling for days, he was more than ready to be home. He hoped Glorfindel had made it safely with his brothers.

He looked over at Legolas. The elf was smiling as he breathed in the fresh air.

"I have missed this place, Estel." Legolas said suddenly, without tearing his eyes away from the scenery.

"How long has it been since you have been here?"

Legolas breathed in deeply. "Twenty-one years, but it seems so much longer."

Aragorn smiled as they entered the gate of Rivendell. It had been only three years, for him, but it felt like an eternity. He was ready to be home.

Glorfindel saw them coming and raced to meet them. Estel saw him and leapt from his horse. He embraced the elder elf.

"I have missed you, Estel." Glorfindel said.

Aragorn smiled. "I have missed you as well."

Legolas dismounted beside Aragorn and smiled at Glorfindel. Glorfindel looked at him, and tears formed in his eyes. He pulled the elf into an embrace. "By the Valar, we thought you were dead. Elrond was overjoyed to hear the news."

Legolas smiled. "I have missed you." Suddenly he recalled his sister and Elladan and his face turned serious. "How does Linriel and Elladan fair?"

Glorfindel's face turned sour. He breathed out slowly. "Linriel is beginning to recover. The effect of poison is minimal. With a few days of good rest, she should be fine."

Legolas breathed a sigh of relief, but Aragorn still saw the sour look on Glorfindel's face. "Elladan?" Aragorn almost dreaded the answer, but he had to know.

Glorfindel bit his lip. "Perhaps you should come inside and let Elrond explain it to you."

Panic spread across Aragorn's face. "Glorfindel, please! Tell me!"

Glorfindel closed his eyes for a moment. He opened them and met Aragorn's pleading eyes. "He's not doing good, Estel. His wounds were deep and the damage was extensive. The poison traveled deep into his bloodstream. Elrond is doing everything he can, but…" Glorfindel swallowed. "It doesn't look too hopeful."

Aragorn nearly fell as the elf said those words. Had it not been for Legolas' support, his legs would have collapsed from underneath him. He stared at the ground.

Elladan couldn't die. He just couldn't. Elladan was an older brother to him and had taught him everything he knew. Sure they had their arguments and disagreements, but Aragorn loved him. They had shared so many good memories together and had planned to share so many more. He had taken it all for granted and now he felt like that was being ripped from him. He could not imagine living without Elladan in his life. The very thought made his heart twist.

"Estel!"

Aragorn looked up at the voice. He saw his father running towards him. He embraced his father willingly, never wanting to let go. He had missed him so much. Letting go, he looked up. "Is it true, father? Is there hardly any hope for Elladan?"

Elrond tensed a bit. With both hands he cupped Aragorn's face and brought it close to his own. "There is always hope, Estel. Don't ever loose your hope." He paused for a moment and stared into the man's eyes. "Never loose hope, Estel."

Aragorn nodded as tears came to his eyes. Elrond pulled him into another embrace. Elrond held him for a moment. When he looked up, he saw Legolas standing behind his son. He released Estel and looked at the prince. Legolas smiled at him. Elrond stood in awe for a moment. For sometime, it had seemed like he would never lay eyes on the elf prince again. Now finally he had.

Elrond embraced him.

"It is good to see you, lord Elrond."

Elrond smiled. "I have missed you, Legolas. Your father and I have been worried sick about your disappearance."

Legolas nodded. "Long story."

Elrond smiled slightly. "And I wish to hear all about it, but come, there is someone who will be happy to see you. We can share stories later." The elf lord said as he walked towards the healing house.

Aragorn and Legolas followed closely behind him. Aragorn's heart was heavy, but he trusted his father's words.

Elrond lead them into a room where Linriel lay asleep on a bed. Elladan lay on another bed not far from her. Elrohir sat on a chair in the middle of both the beds, holding his brother's hand as he stared out the window.

Legolas rushed quickly to Linriel's bedside. She awoke and smiled at him.

"I'm so glad you are okay." He said as he picked up one of her hands.

She smiled slightly, but then looked over at Elrohir. Legolas followed her gaze. Elrohir had looked up as everyone came in the room, but now he was looking at his twin. Sadness and fear was written clearly across his face.

"He hasn't moved since we've been here." Linriel stated.

Legolas cringed slightly. He knew how hard it would be on the twin and he felt sorry for Elrohir. He wished there was some comfort he could give the youngest twin, but knew nothing would put his heart at ease.

Aragorn placed a hand on Elrohir's shoulder. "He will make it, Elrohir. He's much too strong to give up now. We've been through too much together."

Elrohir just nodded silently.

Aragorn squeezed his shoulder gently. He heard Legolas and Linriel silently talking behind him, but he paid no heed. He was happy Legolas' sister would be okay, but his heart grieved for both his brothers. He knew if Elladan did take a turn for the worse, Elrohir would not be far behind. The twins were inseparable. If one was to pass from this life, the other would follow.

Aragorn closed his eyes and pushed those thoughts from his mind. He would not think about that. He had to be strong. He could not give up hope. His brothers needed him to be strong and he would not let them down.

"Estel?"

Aragorn turned as Elrond bid him into another room. He noticed Legolas had already left the room as well. With one last look at Elladan, he followed his father out the door and into an adjoining room.

"I see Legolas has a few injuries that have been unintended." The elven healer began as he looked at a cut across Legolas' face. "What of you, my son?"

Aragorn smiled slightly. "I have a few, but nothing that can't wait for awhile."

Elrond smiled. "It will not wait. There is nothing more I can do for Elladan at this time, ion nin."

Aragorn was slightly surprised at how well the elven lord had read his thoughts, even after all these years. "I've missed you, Ada."

Elrond nodded. "I have missed you as well. Why don't you sit down and you and Legolas can tell me your stories as I patch up your wounds."

The two friends agreed. Aragorn allowed Legolas to go first. Legolas began at the beginning, relating how he had been captured and his experiences as a slave. He explained everything to the elven lord, not leaving out any details. The elder elf winced visibly as Legolas talked, but he stayed silent.

After Legolas finished, Elrond hugged him. "Time is a great healer, penneth, but as you well know, the memories will never disappear. They will mend, but at times, you will still have to face them. Do not back away from them, though they be painful. Facing them is the only way to make them heal."

Legolas nodded. He trusted the wise elf's words. He had heard them once before and he knew Elrond spoke the truth.

"Would you like to talk over dinner, ion nin?" Elrond asked as he turned to Aragorn.

Aragorn sat silently in a chair. His eyes were closed and his head lolled against his chest. The two elves smiled.

"He was exhausted." Legolas whispered.

"Then we will let him rest." Elrond said as he stood.

They began to walk silently to the door, but a sudden pounding on the door startled them both.

"Lord Elrond!" A voice called.

Elrond opened the door. "Erestor, what is it?"

"A messenger from Mirkwood, my lord. He says his message is very urgent and that he must speak with you right away."

"Send him in."

"What is it, Ada?" Aragorn asked as he stood.

Elrond looked at him. "Sorry it woke you, ion nin. A messenger from Mirkwood has an urgent message."

A few seconds later an elf walked through the door behind Erestor. He was clad in a dark green tunic that was stained and dirtied. His elven hair was tangled and hung down across his back. His fair face was smudged with dirt. From the looks of things, he had been in quite a hurry to reach Rivendell.

"My lord." He said as he bowed.

Elrond nodded. "What is this urgent message you have?"

The elf looked up, but suddenly turned his head to the left. He stared wide-eyed as he saw Legolas standing beside the elf lord. Quickly remembering his manners, he bowed low. "My Prince! It is good to see you."

Legolas nodded to him with a small smile. "You may forget the formalities, Kalen." Legolas walked towards the elf and pulled him into a hug. "I have missed you."

The elf embraced him. "As I have missed you. We all thought you were dead."

Legolas sighed. "I very nearly was." Legolas looked over at Aragorn. "Thanks to Estel, here, I was able to escape."

The elf turned his eyes on the human. Confusion etched over his face, but he wisely spoke not a word.

"Estel, this is my long time friend Kalen."

Aragorn nodded. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

The elf nodded politely, but then turned back to Legolas. "I have an urgent message from Mirkwood that I came to give to Lord Elrond."

"Is it from my father?" Legolas asked impatiently.

The elf drew in a breath. "No. No, it is not." He hesitated a moment before continuing. "Legolas, ever since you and Linriel disappeared, King Thranduil has been very ill. He has hardly eaten or slept for months and has not been able to do his duties. His strength is failing him."

Legolas stared in horror. "No, this can't be."

"I am sorry, my prince. I wish I had better news to tell you, but I'm afraid it only gets worse."

Legolas nodded for him to continue, dread growing in his heart.

"Orcs are raging war against us, more than usual. Something is driving their anger. Their moves are strategized and their attacks are deadly. Even the spiders are working with them. There is some form of devilry behind all this; some great evil." Kalen sighed. "Because of his condition, King Thranduil has not been able to advise his men. His soldiers loose hope and those of us on his counsel are loosing control. We have been trying to keep things in order, but the men want their king. Thranduil is wise beyond his years and we need his advice."

Legolas ran a hand through his hair as he began to pace. He closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head. He looked back at his friend as he realized Kalen was still talking.

"I am sorry. I came here to ask advice from Lord Elrond and to ask for aid. By the blessing of the Valar, I have found the Prince. Your land needs you, Legolas."

Fire burned in Legolas' eyes. "I'll leave tomorrow."

Elrond, who had been silently listening to the messenger, now spoke. His voice held concern and worry, but it was calm and steady. "Tell me more about these orc attacks."

"I will tell you anything you wish to know, my lord, but I will be leaving as soon as possible. I must return to defend my home."

"First, why don't you freshen up some. You looked exhausted." Elrond said.

Kalen shook his head with a bow. "Thank you, sir, but I must leave here tonight. I will not even wait for the morn. I have delayed long enough on the road already."

Elrond looked at him with concern. "You should rest and wait for a few men to accompany you."

"Thank you, my lord, but I will be fine." He turned to Legolas, looking at the prince with a bit of relief. "What happened, Prince Legolas? What evil befell you?"

Legolas looked at him. "Evil men captured me and forced me to work as a slave. Later, they found Linriel as well and used her as a slave as well. They were very cruel and almost killed us both many times."

Kalen's eyes widened. "Is Linriel safe?"

Legolas nodded. "She is safe, but she was poisoned by an orc arrow on the way here. Elrond has treated her and she is recovering."

Relief washed over Kalen's face. "That is good news to hear. Your father will be overjoyed to know that both of you are safe."

Legolas nodded. He was about to reply, but never had a chance. A frantic cry from the other room suddenly made everyone jump.

"Ada! Ada! Come quick!"

Elrond raced from the room at hearing Elrohir's desperate cries.