I know it is late. I'm really sorry. RL can be a pain sometimes and I was struck with a side story that refused to back down until I had written it! Thank you so much for everyone who has reviewed.

Hopefully the ideas will start flowing again and the next one will be out sooner.

Muse10: Here are some answers for you. Hope you enjoy.

Cherish15: Thank you so much. I'm still struggling away with the formatting so any advice please let me know. Hopefully I can develop their characters more fully in the next few chapters.

Ziggy3:Thanks. Glad you can picture it clearly, I am hoping that I am getting into my stride now with a clearer writing style. And that you so much for being the lone reviewer on my other little story!

Chapter 6

Elrond swept into the room, followed closely by Elladan. Both had been drawn by Elrohirs calls. Elrond let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Legolas was sitting up and seemed to be totally aware of what was happening around him. He even managed a small smile when Elladan gripped his arm in relief and softly chastised him for worrying them all so much. Elrond could see that Legolas was still in some pain, he was sitting stiffly and every now and again a small wince would make its way across his face. Elrond took the initiative and was soon shooing everyone from the room so that he could examine his patient in peace.

Once the room was quiet once more Elrond made his way to the store cupboard and rummaged around for several minutes. He picked up various bottles and jars of herbs, muttering to himself as he worked. Legolas felt his lips quirk with amusement at the familiar scene. How many times had he found himself in this position, lying in the healing halls after a serious injury watching Elrond trying to patch him up?Too many times. He decided.

Elrond finished his preparations and turned towards his patient, the way Legolas braced himself for a scolding made him smile. 'Well now young prince, I thought I made it clear the last time that I never wanted to see you here again.' Legolas grimaced, 'Forgive me my lord, I assure you it was not intentional.'

Elrond leaned down and laid his hand over his patients. 'You gave us quite a scare young one, we nearly lost you.' his voice was grave. Legolas bowed his head and avoided Elronds piercing eyes. 'Now then, let us have a look at these injuries of yours.' Elrond started with the arrow wound, he gently unwound the soft bandages to expose it. The worst of the inflammation seemed to have disappeared when the poison had been drawn out. Even so it was a nasty deep wound, with jagged edges, it would take a while to heal yet. 'No drawing a bow for a few weeks Legolas, you must give this time to mend.' A small nod of the head was the only answer he got. Elrond gently applied some salve to the wound, he would rebind it when he had checked everything.

More bandages were removed and Legolas' back was laid out bare for the first time. Legolas drew in a sharp breath when he felt the gentle breeze glance over his back. Valar it hurt! He gritted his teeth against the pain, Elrond hadn't even touched him yet. Elrond was trying very hard to suppress his anger when viewing the vicious lash marks. He couldn't understand why anyone would want to inflict pain on such a sweet gentle creature. Yes he knew Legolas was a warrior of renown and could be deadly but when he looked at him he still saw traces of the adorable elfling who wanted to learn everything there was to know about trees and who would arrive with some poor injured animal and dedicate days to returning it to health.

'I fear there will be scarring for some time, these wounds are deep.' said Elrond as he gently began to apply more salve. Legolas sat rigid in front of him and he knew it must hurt nearly as much as when he had first acquired them. Elrond needed to take his mind off the pain until the medicine could take effect.

' Do you remember me calling you back?' Elrond asked. 'Yes, it is a little hazy though.' 'Your mind showed me something Las, I saw you and Haldir, you were arguing. I couldn't hear what you were saying but your mind was dwelling on it when it should have been fighting to stay alive. Would you tell me about it?' A soft sigh escaped Legolas. 'I suppose you will find out anyway, but I fear I am not up for a narration at the moment.' 'Would you allow me to see it in your mind young one?' asked Elrond. Legolas nodded and Elrond slipped his eyes closed and focused on the energy of his patient.

Elrond was back in the quiet clearing. He stepped forward purposefully and looked through the leaves towards the sound of the water. Legolas rested his head on his lovers shoulder, a firm arm was wrapped around him possessively. This time Elrond could hear their soft lilting voices. 'Must you go Las?' asked Haldir, his voice was bleak. 'My father has called me to go to Rivendell Meleth. Hopefully Elrond will send Glorfindel with a group of soldiers so that we can scour the south together, try and loosen the grip of evil in the forest.' 'Rivendell again? You have not come to see me in 5 years, now you are here for 3 days and you have to go to Rivendell.' a hint of accusation was in Haldirs tone.

'It is my duty to my father that calls me away Haldir.' Legolas was sounding defensive. ' What of your duty to me Legolas?' Silence reined for a time, Legolas had disentangled himself from his lover and now turned to look him in the eyes. 'What do you mean?' 'We have been together for over 100 years and yet I have no impact on your decision?' Haldirs voice was rising in anger. 'What would you have me do Haldir, abandon my people and come and live with you?' Legolas' voice was laced with sarcasm. Haldir looked thoughtful for a moment then seemed to take a deep breath, 'Yes.' he said. 'What do you mean.' said Legolas, bewildered. 'You do not belong in that miserable forest Las, leave it, come and live here with me. Bind yourself to me.' total silence fell.

The shock on Legolas' face was nearly comical. 'You cannot be serious.' he finally blurted out. Haldir leaped to his feet. Legolas was in the same spot he had been, his face lifted to look his lover in the eyes. 'You know a cannot do that.' his voice held a note of hurt and suppressed anger. Haldir towered over him, impressive in his obvious fury. Everything about his body spoke of accusation. 'You do not want to bind to me, who are you waiting for Legolas? Not that pathetic peredhil I hope!' he shouted down at Legolas and leaned forward to grip his wrist in a bruising hold.

Legolas sprang to his feet and tried to wrench himself free, his anger blazed in his eyes. 'I cannot bind myself to you Haldir. I could not live with your insane jealousy and possessiveness for all of eternity!' he shouted back. A sharp snap sounded in the clearing as Haldir slapped him forcefully across the face. Silence descended, Legolas appeared rooted to the spot.

His lover reached forward, his eyes full of apology and Legolas pulled away again. This time he got free, he spun on his heels and jumped straight up, disappearing into the trees. Haldir looked dazed and slowly sank to the ground, tears leaked from his eyes and he gripped his chest as if in pain.

Elrond blinked his eyes slowly as he returned to the present. Of all the things that had occurred to him, that was not one of them. Legolas and Haldir were no longer together. Elrond looked into Legolas' eyes as his fresh tears swam to the surface. 'I could not do it Elrond, I could not leave everything for him.' 'He should not have asked you to.' replied Elrond. ' I feel empty Elrond, like all my emotions have been bled out of me, I do not know how to not be with Haldir.' Legolas slumped down slightly when he realised that the drugs had begun to take effect. ' I was wrong to speak to him so, I was cruel and he did not deserve it.' Elrond bit down on his reply, in his opinion if anybody deserved it, it was Haldir. He had made Legolas miserable for far too long.

Elrond bound the wounds back up and eased Legolas back against the pillows. 'You must rest now young one.' He smiled paternally. 'Elrond...' Legolas looked up at him pleadingly. 'I will send my sons in to keep you company for a time.' Elrond smiled down at him. Legolas gave him a gentle smile in return. Elrond opened the door to leave when he heard the quiet voice. 'Thank you my Lord.' 'You are very welcome my prince.' He left to find his sons.