Story Name: Echo of the Night
Pen Name: ElenaRoan
Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, written purely for enjoyment.
Rating: PG
Warnings: well...Michelle called me evil after she read it...does that count as a warning?
Summary: A year on from the events of Dark of Night, is everything as fine as it appears?
Betas: Geris (Grammar and Spelling), Michelle (Comprehension)
Timeline: III 2991 (Aragorn 60 years old)

Chapter 2: Storm Gusts

"How is it that it is affecting him now? Should it not have worked its way out of his system?"

"He identified the clearing where it all started as being 'shrouded by Darkness'. Even the beasts of carrion would not venture into it, that much I saw. We all hoped when they displayed no ill effects from the encounter that they were safe. They showed no signs of having been poisoned, which as you know is how these things usually enter."

"They showed no signs of poisoning, gwanunig nín (my twin), but it was never disproved either."

"And why was I never told of the possibility?"

"Even ada (dad) thought they were safe once they woke up and had no trouble waking in the days that followed. There was no indication until Estel became ill again that we could be dealing with something so lasting. This type of effect has not been seen outside of Morgul poisoning before now."

"Is there a chance it is Morgul poisoning?"

"That was tested for by ada (dad)."

There was a sigh.

The argument seemed to float over his head, though he vaguely realised he should be paying attention to it.

"Legolas?"

A slight touch on his cheek brought his rather hazy attention to the raven haired elf now in front of him. The elf frowned as Legolas blinked groggily at him.

"El, his level of consciousness is falling."

Nearly instantly a mirror image of the elf appeared by him.

"Legolas, try to focus on me. We need you to stay aware of what is happening."

Legolas frowned as he tried to follow what was being said, it seemed too much effort to do so.

"Legolas!" There was an urgency in the tone that compelled him to try and focus on the elf, "Stay with us!"

After a few attempts he managed to find his voice, "Why?"

"Because to go to sleep right now would be bad." The second elf glanced at the first, and that elf moved away quietly.

Legolas frowned and looked at the bed he was currently sitting on, he longed to lie down. But they were saying that would be bad, and for some reason he trusted them.

"Tired." He mumbled, reaching up to rub his eyes.

"I know, but you need to stay alert."

From somewhere else in the room a sweet smell started drifting around, seeming almost to clean the air as it moved through it.

"Why are you doing that?" That was the third voice from the argument, he had a feeling he should know it.

"Because it was the only thing that had any effect last time."

He took a deep breath of the fragrance and frowned as he tried to place the voice, that voice meant something to him.

"...adar (father)?" The pieces fell into place for him.

Instantly his father was in front of him, "Legolas."

The fresh fragrance seemed to clear his mind and he looked at his father, "adar (father), what is happening to me?"

Thranduil reached out and gently brushed his son's hair away from his face, "ion nín (my son), all will be well. This is just some sort of after-effect of the scrape you and Estel got into a year ago."

"How is that so? Why is it affecting us now? I thought we were in the clear."

"So did we." Elladan stated softly, "I will not lie to you, we do not know why this is happening Legolas. Do you remember anything about what happened while you were missing? Or about who or what had you?"

Legolas shook his head, but instantly regretted it as his stomach immediately protested the movement. Elladan held a basin in front of him as he dry retched a few times before bringing his body back under control.

"I must remember not to do that again." Legolas mumbled as his stomach calmed.

"That would probably be a good idea." Elladan agreed softly as he put the basin aside. He glanced at his twin who had slid next to the prince and now wrapped his arm around his shoulders. Elrohir met his eyes.

'He is nearly as shaky as when he was found with Estel in his arms.'

'Or after whatever it was in that clearing knocked him out.'

Legolas could feel himself starting to drop off; he sucked in a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his face in an effort to counter it.

"If you are tired, go ahead and rest." Elladan told him quietly.

"But you said..."

"That was when you were descending towards unconsciousness at an alarming rate." Elrohir answered, "Rest if you are weary. We shall be waking you up at regular intervals though."

Legolas chuckled and lay back, his eyes dropping to half mast as elven sleep took him.