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 6: Storm's Resolution

"Have you heard back from hîr Elrond (lord Elrond) yet?"

"While you were sleeping actually." Elrohir replied.

"The wings of the birds have nearly been worn off with the amount of flying between here and there that they have been doing." Elladan added, causing the prince to chuckle slightly.

Legolas' headache was slowly easing up as the sun dipped towards sunset and they had opened the curtains again.

"What did he say?"

"Once the initial nausea and vomiting had passed Estel was fine, a little shaky but aside from that he was remarkably well. After he heard of your condition it was all ada (dad) could do to prevent him from leaving to come here." Elrohir answered.

"I think ada (dad) got Glorfindel to sit on him in the end." Elladan continued, chuckling.

"He asked Estel about where he had been for the Dùnedain recently and in the last year." Elrohir continued, "Seems Halbarad reacted even stronger than either Aran Thranduil (king Thranduil) or ada (dad). They have been keeping him away from any known strongholds of the Shadow. They are only allowing him short missions that keep him close to the base camp. If it was not for the peculiar way they have command set up there he would have demanded more challenging missions. As it is I think he is only putting up with it because he knows how worried they all were."

"They have also declared that clearing and the area immediately surrounding it off limits." Elladan added.

Legolas finished his latest cup of the sweet water, only to have it replaced just as quickly by Elrohir.

"If I did not know better I would think you were filling me up with Miruvor. But I have tasted that before, so what is this?" Legolas asked, giving the twins a look. Since he woke up and was able to keep the water down they had been continually refilling his cup with the drink and he was beginning to feel like he would float away if he had much more.

"We steeped some athelas leaves in water and let it cool." Elladan answered, drawing a surprised look from the prince. "Athelas was the only thing either of you responded to, last time and this time. Since you could not keep down something specifically designed to settle an upset stomach we felt that it was worth a try."

"Besides, we needed to re-hydrate you." Elrohir added.

"Since I feel like I am going to float away on all the water you have had me drink, I think you have succeeded." Legolas replied dryly. The twins chuckled.

"What will happen now?" Legolas asked after a few moments of silence.

"We shall stay until you have completely recovered." Elladan answered. "Then we shall return to Imladris."

"Taking Estel with us if he manages to escape from the care of ada (dad) and make it here." Elrohir added with an amused smile.

"You believe that is a possibility?"

"With Estel, anything is possible." Elladan chuckled.

"Particularly when he is worried about someone." Elrohir answered, "And you know as well as we that a simple report of health will not be enough to reassure him."

"No." Legolas chuckled, "He needs to see them with his own eyes. We shall have a visit from him sooner or later then."

The twins chuckled and nodded, knowing their brother in that respect just as well as the prince.

"Legolas, we have a request of you." Elladan stated then, the seriousness of his tone signalling an end to any light hearted discussion.

"What is it?" Legolas asked, focusing his attention on the twins.

"This time next year, be at Imladris." Elrohir answered.

Legolas looked surprised and for a moment they thought he would refuse. The prince had been spending less and less time away from Mirkwood the past few years as the attentions from the Shadow had increased upon his home.

"I have a better idea." Thranduil interjected, drawing the eyes of the three younger elves to him. The king had been silently watching over his son for most of the day, leaving only when needed. "Once you have recovered ion nín (my son), go with them to Imladris and spend the year there. More if needed; you have not rested truly in many a year and you will not get rest here in the palace."

"But adar (father)..." Legolas started to protest.

"Please, ion nín (my son). Skilled as they are, i gwanûn (the twins) do not know the cause, nor does hîr Elrond (lord Elrond). My heart could not take it if this should make a reappearance while you are on patrol. There is no true peace here, not even within the walls of this palace, to allow the faer (spirit) to rest and heal. But there is an abundance of it at Imladris and it is there you will heal the quickest."

Legolas looked from his father's pleading eyes to the hopeful ones of the twins before finally nodding in acceptance, "Very well, I shall journey with you to Imladris."

The other three elves smiled at the blond elf's acceptance and the conversation between flowed along more light hearted paths.

A few days later, once they were sure the prince's strength had returned, the three of them set out for Imladris. It would be many years before a return journey would occur.

i vethen (the end)

Author note: sorry about the delay (again)...life decided it didn't want me to have spare time.

As you can see...this is the end of this story...the next in the series, Night's Reckoning, has yet to be finished but there is a 'what if?' story written about this one that I will, hopefully, start posting in the next few days.