Disclaimer: I will own them one day, yes I will my precious... They will be mine... the elves and humans, and hobbitses. Not now. But someday, yessss...

AN: (Edited 5 April, 2010)

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Estel looked at the twins, highly confused. "Legolas? But he's dead… isn't he?"

Elrond continued his methodical healing and bandaging with steady hands, although his answer was somewhat shaken, "Well, apparently not."

"But-but the message, all the evidence… is wrong?"

Estel looked at his brothers shrewdly. "If you are his best friends, why aren't you happy to learn he is not dead?"

The twins looked at each other, ashamed. "We are, we are!" Elladan exclaimed, his brother nodding furiously. "It's just a surprise! Imagine if you thought one of us was dead, and resigned yourself to believing it. And then we reappear, alive."

Elrohir studied the elf intently. "Ada, are you positive it's him? Look how thin he is, I can't believe it. Where's he been? What happened? How does—"

Elladan clapped a hand over his twin's mouth. "Always with the questions, little brother! You know as well as I that this is Legolas. As for where he's been, only he can answer that."

Elrohir wriggled free and glared. But his face softened and he sat heavily in a chair, intending to stay right there until the prince awakened.

His father called for a servant, and told him in a low voice, "Send the fastest messenger we have to Mirkwood. Tell Thranduil that his son his alive." The servant's eyes widened and he raced away, nearly tripping in his haste.

Elrond turned to face the bed. His thoughts whirled then focused steadily. "How did you come across him, my sons?"

Estel sighed and began to relate the morning, from the beginning of the dream, to the finding of the body. "... and then we came here."

Elrond frowned slightly, and made a note to ask Estel more about the dream later. The Edainhad never shown a sign of foresight, and this new development made him slightly nervous. His own foresight was twinging, and he knew this could only result in one thing: trouble.

But for now, all he could do was wait. Once the prince woke up, he might be able to shed some light on recent events. The healer passed over to the window and watched as a lone figure raced east on horseback.

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Blackness. Pain. Legolas shifted uncomfortably. The pain didn't cease, in fact, it only made it worse. He struggled to pull himself away from the brink of unconsciousness. The brink… he teetered, desperately trying to stay upright. The river thundered below, the orc watched impassively…

The flash of memory vanished, leaving him in the dark. He shifted again, and tried to open his eyes. He wanted to see, to see anything. Even a circle of orcs. But his eyes were so heavy, and his side throbbed in pain. Sleep sounded so good.

Voices reached his ears, but they were heavy, so far away… NO! He would not go to sleep. He needed to see his surroundings, know where he was. The stubborn part of him took over, and he forced his eyelids open a crack.

Blurred figures. Three sitting, one standing. But who were they? Friends? Enemies? Legolas struggled to comprehend what he saw. Unconsciously, his eyes opened all the way, and almost immediately, all four figures were at his side.

"Are you all right?"

One smacked the other on the back of the head and said, "Now thatwas a stupid question. How do you feel?"

Legolas cracked a half-grin and said in a croak, "Fine."

"Ask a stupid question…" the elf who'd been smacked told his friend.

The third figure tapped his shoulder to get his attention. "I want you to answer my questions, even if they seem strange. All right? Who are you?"

"L-legolas Thrandulion."

"Do you know who those two are?" The dark haired elf pointed to the pair who'd spoken earlier.

Legolas frowned. They seemed familiar, but he couldn't place…. The two stopped poking each other and looked at him, almost frightened. "I…" He blinked furiously, trying to clear his vision. "You're…" A flash of inspiration struck, and he smiled triumphantly. "Elladan and Elrohir. How could I forget?"

He turned to the third figure, and although his vision was still blurred, he knew exactly who this one was. "Lord Elrond. What a familiar scene."

Elrond laughed. "Yes, too familiar for my liking. Are you thirsty?"

Legolas nodded slightly. "After all the river water I swallowed, I shouldn't be, but yes." The twins slid their hands behind him and helped him to a sitting position. The prince stoically took the stabs of pain in silence, although he was grateful that no one seemed to notice the grimace of pain that marred his fair features.

Elrond pressed a cup into his hands, and Legolas sniffed it suspiciously. "This isn't one of those disgusting sleeping droughts, is it?"

The healer shook his head convincingly. "Just water."

Legolas shook his head but doubtfully took a sip. His relieved look made everyone laugh. The prince's attention fixed on the last figure, this one shorter than any of the elves. His gray eyes watched the elf alertly, taking in every movement. He turned slightly, and Legolas spotted rounded ears peek through the dark hair.

He smiled and said, "Well, Estel, is it not? You've grown! Tell me, have you yet learned to walk on the snow?"

The twins burst into laughter. Estel glared at them and stepped forward. "What?"

Legolas grinned at him. "Remember? You were only eight when I saw you last. I left for Mirkwood after a snowball fight, and you called after me, quite indignantly, 'Beware master elf, by the time you return, I will have learnt to walk on snow!'" He glanced at the twins who were still snickering. "I take it you haven't?"

Estel scowled, then smiled ruefully and shook his head. "No. And those two rub it in every chance they get! Gets rather annoying, to tell you the truth."

Legolas smiled, then turned his attention on Elrond. "Something is wrong. I can tell. What is it?"

Elrond looked at Legolas, not at all confused. Legolas was very perceptive. "Do you not recall anything? Where have you been?"

Legolas raised his eyebrows. The question took him by surprise. "Well… in Mirkwood for the past 7 years, of course. To tell you the truth, I'm... actually not sure how I got here."

Elrond exchanged glances with his sons. "Legolas, you've been missing for eight months. Every elf in Mirkwood , Rivendell, and Lothlorien thinks you're dead."

Legolas' jaw dropped. "What?"

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AN: Sorry short chappy. Let me know how you like it please! Feed my muse with reviews! Thanks for reading!