Disclaimer: Same as always

A/N: Here is the next chapter. I wanted to get this up sooner, but Chapter 10 was being really hard to write. You'll see why when you read it. Lol. Anyway, here's a quick response to reviewers. Thanks so much everyone and thanks Alia G. L for beta reading everything and correcting all my mistakes. Thanks so much.

Elven Kitten: Yes I know it was an evil place to stop. Lol. Glad you liked the chapter and I hope you continue to enjoy. Thanks so much.

Mornflower: Yes, evil cliffe... lol. They are so much fun to write. /gives innocent grin/ lol. Thanks for pointing out the mistake. Yes, the English language should be easier. It confuses me too. Oh well. Thanks so much for the review.

Deanna: Yes indeed. Poor everyone. Lol. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

SaphireCat: lol… well, if Balrogs were to eat me, mellon nin, who would finish the story and let you know what is going to happen? Lol… here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for the review.

Dreaminoflorien: /innocent look/ What did I do? I have done nothing that deserves such a harsh statement. Lololol. I almost done torturing your elf so don't worry. Lol. Thanks for reviewing.

Irukapooka: Yes, everyone seems to think that was an evil cliffe. I won't let 'him' die? Whoever said a 'him' was in trouble? Lol. And of course I'm too nice to do anything that mean, like kill an innocent elf. /gives innocent look/ lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Enjoy this chapter.

MusicDreamer: Nope, not a good sign. Hmmm… you are the only one to suggest that it might be Linriel in trouble. Lol. Yes, poor Legolas is having a very rotten day and it will only get worse for him. Lol… poor Legolas indeed. Thanks for reviewing.

Aranna Undomiel: Yes, it must be hard on Elrohir. Yes he is too sweet to die, plus a friend of mine will kill me if I kill him, so… lol. Oh and for your question. Glorfindel did see Legolas and Aragorn in chapter 7, but he was so focused on getting Elladan to safety that he really didn't even have time to greet them. If you look back at the chapter, it says that he looked at Legolas and smiled at seeing the prince. Now in Rivendell, he finally gets to actually greet Legolas and Estel, instead of just glance at them. Sorry if this confused you. Glorfindel was just really busy. Thanks so much for your review.

Lady of Rivendell78: Linriel safe? Who ever said anything about that? lol… we shall see. We shall see indeed. Lol. Thanks for your review. Hope you continue to enjoy.

$E P -: Well, hello there. I'm so glad I have a new reader. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you have read and thought it was really good. I'm glad you like the songs too. I try hard to pick a good song to go with each chapter. Thanks for reading. I hope you come back to read more.

Okay well, that's everyone. Enjoy.

Chapter 9

Bring it On

'I didn't come lookin' for trouble
And I don't want to fight needlessly
But I'm not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something's coming down
But if it's gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the
hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on'

Bring it on- Stephen Curtis Chapman

As he entered the room, Elrond saw Elrohir hovering over Linriel's bed. He was gently trying to restrain her as she flailed against him.

"It burns!" She wailed in pain.

"I know, just calm down!" Elrohir said as he tried looking at her wound.

"What happened?" Elrond demanded as he sat next to her on the bed. His hands quickly went to work, checking her pulse, breathing, and wound. Her wound was inflamed red with a dark black color around it.

"I don't know." Elrohir replied as he tried to comfort Linriel. "She suddenly began to cry out, saying it was burning."

"She has a high fever and the poison is still affecting her wound." Elrond announced. Then with a loud commanding voice he called to his son. "Estel, get me some herb water!"

"Already ahead of you, Ada." Estel said as he placed the water and a towel on Elrond's lap.

"I thought you cured all the poison?" Legolas asked, smoothing Linriel's hair.

"Some of the poison must have been left in her wound." The elven healer replied as he gently washed the wound with the cool rag. "I think it is an after effect of the poison that is causing the burning."

The cool rag seemed to be helping, but still Linriel seemed to be in pain. Her fists were clenched tightly and her breathing was heavy.

"Boil some water for an herb tea, Estel."

"Already ahead of you, Ada." Elrohir called from across the room. He was already pouring a cup of hot water and adding some painkilling herbs.

Elrond smiled. His sons were becoming great healers. Already they were able to read his mind. "Did you add some herbs for the fever?"

Elrohir shook his head and grabbed a container from the shelf. After crushing them and adding them to the tea, he brought the cup over to his father.

Legolas helped Linriel to sit and Elrond brought the cup to her lips.

"Drink slowly." He cautioned.

Linriel complied, sipping silently at the herbal tea. When she finished, Legolas laid her back down. She closed her eyes as the sleeping draught began to take effect.

"Rest." Legolas said as he smoothed her hair.

"Will she be okay?" Kalen spoke up from across the room. He had silently been observing the situation and now that it had calmed, he walked closer.

Elrond nodded. "It was only an after effect of the poison. With a few days rest she should be back on her feet. Though her fever is high, I believe it will calm after she has slept. The medicine will make sure of that."

Kalen nodded and knelt by her. He picked up one of her hands and ran his fingers gently across the back of her hand. "Rest, my princess."

Linriel opened her eyes at hearing his voice. "Kalen?"

"Sssh. Amin sinome. Este." He said gently, running a hand across her face. (I am here. Rest.)

Linriel complied, unable to keep her eyes open. In a few moments, she was fast asleep.

Elrond stood and ushered all of them from the room. "All of you, go get some rest. I will stay with Elladan and Linriel for the night."

Elrond was not in the mood to argue, so Aragorn did not press him. He was exhausted anyway, and did not think he could stay awake much longer.

Legolas wanted to stay in the room, but Elrond pushed him out. "Go! Rest, mellon nin. Your sister is fine."

Legolas nodded reluctantly, still not wishing to leave. He followed behind Kalen; however, and walked towards the door.

"Kalen?"

The elf messenger turned at Elrond's voice.

"Could you stay for a moment and tell me more about these orc attacks?"

Kalen nodded and walked back towards the healer. Legolas sighed. Taking one last look at his sister, he left the room. Elrohir was waiting for him outside and quickly pulled him aside.

"I need to talk with you."

Legolas looked curiously at the younger twin and nodded slowly. "Estel, ask Glorfindel to care for our guest when he is done talking with Elrond. I will be right back."

The human nodded as Elrohir and Legolas walked into another room.

"What troubles you, my friend?" Legolas asked as he closed the door.

"I thought he no longer had feelings for her!" Elrohir said as he glared at Legolas.

"Kalen? He has not had feelings for Linriel for years." Legolas said, confused.

"I saw the way he looked at her, the way he touched her. He still has feelings for her." Elrohir began to pace the room.

"Elrohir, calm down." Legolas said grabbing his shoulders and forcing the twin to look at him. "Linriel loves you. She loves you more than she loves anyone in this world. You have no need to worry if you think he still loves her. It was a long time ago that they had feelings for each other. Linriel holds no feelings for him now, save friendship."

Elrohir sighed. "I guess you're right. I just can't help but feel protective over her."

Legolas smiled. "I know. Come on; let's go grab something to eat. I'm starved."

Elrohir hesitated for a moment. "I can't. My brother might need me."

"Your brother will be fine. You father is in there with him. Elladan wouldn't want you to starve yourself because of him."

Elrohir smiled slightly. "Okay, I guess I can leave his side for a few moments."

Legolas nodded as they walked out of the room. Thoughts of his home, however, lay heavily on Legolas' heart. Now that his fear over his sister had worn off, his mind returned to the thoughts of his home in danger. He needed to reach his father as soon as possible, but now that Linriel still needed to rest, he was unsure of what to do. They could not leave immediately for Mirkwood like he had wanted. He considered leaving with Kelan that night, but he hated leaving his sister. With a sigh, he decided to talk with Elrond. The wise healer would know what to do or at least he would be able to help Legolas decide.

"I'll meet you in the dining hall, Elrohir." Legolas said suddenly as they passed the healing room.

Elrohir looked at him and then at the room behind them. "Oh, no you don't. If I'm not aloud to stay with my brother, you aren't aloud to stay with your sister."

Legolas shook his head. "No, I must talk with Elrond. My home is in danger. I might need to leave early tomorrow, or even tonight."

Elrohir gave Legolas a concerned look. "In danger? How?"

"I don't have time to explain." Legolas said as he opened the door. He closed it silently behind him, leaving Elrohir standing alone and confused in the hallway. Elrohir stood there for a moment, before turning and heading into the dinning hall.

"Where's Legolas?" Aragorn asked, seeing that his brother walked alone.

"He needed to talk with Ada. He said something about his home being in danger."

Aragorn nodded with a sigh. He had momentarily forgotten the conversation with the messenger. "That's right. I forgot."

"What is wrong?"

Aragorn quickly explained what the messenger had told Legolas. "What does Legolas plan to do?"

Elrohir shook his head. "I don't know. That's what he is asking Ada about. I think he wants to leave tomorrow, but knowing him, he'll try to leave tonight." Elrohir sighed. "I would go with him, but I can't leave my brother, not when his life hangs by a thread."

Aragorn closed his eyes at those words. He did not even want to think of how close they were to loosing Elladan.

"Legolas is going to need all the help he can get, though, if he wants to save his land." Elrohir said.

Aragorn nodded.

"Where is Kelan? I wish to speak with him about this danger."

"I offered him some food, but he refused. I convinced him to at least rest a few hours, before returning to his home. Lucky for me, he's not as stubborn as Elladan is or I would have never been able to make him stay."

Elrohir chuckled. "It takes a really stubborn man to be able to beat a stubborn elf."

Aragorn glared playfully at him. "I only learned from the two most stubborn twins in Middle Earth."

Elrohir laughed. "Then we have taught you well, gwador nin."

Aragorn laughed. "Yes, indeed."

Legolas entered silently into the healing room. Elrond was sitting by Elladan's side, holding his son's hand. As the prince looked at the healer, he could see weariness and fear on his face.

"Lord Elrond?"

Elrond turned around and smiled slightly at Legolas. "What can I do for you, Legolas?"

"I need to talk with you about my home."

Elrond nodded. He stood and walked across the room. He sat down and motioned for Legolas to sit down on the chair beside him.

"I was hoping to leave immediately, but Linriel is not well enough to travel. I do not wish to leave her, yet it seems I don't have much of a choice." Legolas allowed his voice to trail off.

Elrond nodded in understanding. "Linriel is safe here. No harm shall befall her. You know this. Your people need you, Legolas; your father needs you."

"I know, but I just don't know what it is that I can do alone. I am not their king."

"But you are the Prince. They respect you, Legolas, and seeing you again will bring joy and hope back into their hearts. With your father ill, they need someone to lead them. That leadership falls on your shoulders, penneth. It is your duty."

Legolas looked away from Elrond and stared outside. The sun was beginning to set creating an orange-purple tint around the clouds. "I do not posses the wisdom that my father does. How am I suppose to lead them to victory?"

Elrond smiled and placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Do not doubt yourself, Legolas. When the time comes, you will know what to do. Trust your heart."

Legolas nodded with sigh.

"I will give you what little aid I can. With Elladan hurt, Elrohir, and Glorfindel will not accompany you. I'm afraid the only help I can give is a few of my warriors." Elrond said as he stood.

Legolas stood and squared his shoulders. "Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. I will leave at first light tomorrow."

"I will send the aid for you then as soon as possible."

Legolas nodded with a bow. "Thank you."

Elrond smiled at him. "Now go get some rest. I will see you in the morning."

Legolas turned and walked from the room. He entered one of the guest bedrooms that was reserved for him when he visited. He sat down quietly on the bed, immersed in his thoughts. His body and mind were weary and needed to rest, but sleep would not come tonight. With a sigh, the Prince stood and began to pace. He had hoped to stay in the peace of Rivendell for many weeks. After being a slave for so long to Gerchen, the Prince was weary both physically and mentally. His spirit had almost completely faded more than once while he was there and once he had almost killed himself. He was not ready to travel again and did not feel ready to face whatever danger lay ahead of him.

He still had not regained enough strength. At night, his dreams were still haunted and he would wake screaming from the nightmares. So much pain still lay on his heart. The wounds from punishments Gerchen inflicted on him had almost all faded, but the scars remained. There were many scars on his heart that time had not yet erased. Many wounds just went too deep. He had tried to face them many times, like Elrond had said, but each memory caused so much pain. He needed time. He needed more time to regain his strength.

Yet, the sad fact was that he did not have that time. His people needed him; his father needed him. No matter how weak the Prince still felt, he had to keep going. He had to find some strength left in his heart; strength that had not yet been diminished. That was the only thing he could do.

A soft knocking on the door brought the Prince from his thoughts. He stopped pacing and looked outside. He hadn't realized how late at night it was.

"Come in."

The door opened and Aragorn stepped inside the room. "I hope I didn't wake you."

Legolas shook his head. "Sleep will not come tonight, Estel. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to see if you were all right. Elrohir told me you talked to Ada about leaving."

Legolas looked back towards the open window. He could feel a gentle breeze blow across his face as he looked up at the moon. "I'm leaving at first light. Elrond said he would send aid as soon as he can."

Aragorn nodded. "I'm assuming your friend, Kelan, will be traveling with you?"

Legolas chuckled silently. "No, I do not believe he will. I will be traveling alone."

Aragorn looked at him confused. "Why? He seemed very anxious to leave, but I convinced him to rest a while and leave tomorrow morning."

Legolas grinned at Aragorn. "You convinced him? I highly doubt that." Aragorn continued to stare at Legolas. "I know my friend too well, Estel. I am willing to bet that Kelan is no longer in his room. He is probably already on the road heading home."

Aragorn smiled and shook his head. "Stubborn elves." He looked up at Legolas and noted how weary the strong prince looked. He tried to hide it, but Aragorn could see the weariness and stress behind the Prince's eyes. Aragorn bit his lip. "You should not travel alone, mellon nin."

Legolas shrugged. "I will be traveling quickly. It is better if I am alone."

Aragorn sighed. "I suppose you are right. Try to get some rest. You'll need your strength for your journey."

Legolas nodded. "I will try."