So sorry that it took so long for me to update this. I have been super busy and I've had no time to write. I know its a little short but it will lead to something big I promise. Please let me know what you think.

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Blessing in Disguise

Legolas awoke some hours later to find himself surrounded by worried faces. The one he least expected to see was that of Lord Elrond, his brow creased with concern. He could feel the beads of sweat trickle down his face as he fought to speak. Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder, words spilled from his lips but Legolas could not hear them. His heart quickened as he started to panic, his breathing became quick and uneven.

'Legolas, what troubles you?' said Aragorn as he sank to his friend's side.

The elf looked at him with wide eyes as he strained to hear what his companion was saying to him.

'I don't think he can hear me.' Said Aragorn as he shot a worried glance at Elrond.

'He needs to rest.' said the elf Lord as he placed his cool hand on Legolas' burning brow.

The elf relaxed to his touch and felt himself drifting into a deep sleep again, he tried to fight it but his eyes became so heavy that he could no longer keep them open. The group watched as the Legolas drifted into unconsciousness, the air about them was thick with the tension that this situation brung. No words were spoken for some minutes, Aragorn, Eomer and Éowyn all stared at the grass floor but Elrond looked at the sleeping son of Thranduil and remembered when he had held him as a child. He wondered what he was going to tell Legolas' father, he did not have the heart to keep this from the Elven King. It was Aragorn who broke the silence, his voice shakey as he spoke

'I think we should take Legolas back to his own tent.' Said the ranger as he scooped the elf into his arms.

'I shall come with you.' said Elrond as he followed closely behind the man, leaving Éowyn and Eomer stood there in awkward silence.

They both looked at each other with expressions filled with sadness, lowered their heads and left the tent, going their separate ways. Aragorn laid Legolas down on his bed, he could feel Elrond's gaze upon him and so he stood and turned to look at the dark-haired elf behind him.

'Aragorn there are still things I must discuss with you.' He said as he turned and walked towards a chair, atop of it were Legolas' many weapons 'I came here on behalf of one whom I love.' he finished as he ran his fingers along the smooth wood of the elf's bow.

Aragorn looked at him with a puzzled expression as he stood and waited for the elven lord to continue.

'Arwen is dying,' he continued as he turned to face the ranger 'she will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us Aragorn. The end has come.'

'It will not be our end but his.' said Aragorn as his expression turned to one of anger.

'You ride to war but not to victory.' Replied Elrond as he took a step towards the ranger 'Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith as you know but in secret he sends another force that will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They'll be in the city in two days… You're outnumbered Aragorn. You need more men.'

'There are none.' spat Aragorn as he rubbed his temples in frustration, glancing at the unconscious elf that still slept soundly beside them.

'There are those that dwell in the mountain.' Replied Elrond as he nervously avoided the man's gaze, shifting between Aragorn and Legolas' prone form.

They were interrupted by Legolas waking with a start, his eyes open wide as he breathed hard and fast.

'Traitors.' he said that gripped onto the rough sheets beneath him, his knuckles turning white as sat up, his chest heaving.

Aragorn dropped to Legolas' side, placing a comforting hand on the elf back.

'Calm Mellon Nin,' he said as he turned his attention back to Elrond 'He is not wrong. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing, they answer to no one.' he finished as he looked back to Legolas who was looking at him with a pain filled expression.

'They will answer to the King of Gondor.' Elrond replied as he pulled a sword from beneath his cloak.

Aragorn stood up, his eyes fixed on the blade in the elf's hands.

'Andúril… Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil.' Said Elrond softly as he held out the sword in front of him.

Aragorn took a few small steps forward, his eyes flicking between the sword and the elf lord. Taking the blade from his open arms he pulled it from its sheath, the metal glittered in the dim light of the tent. Aragorn's eyes trailed up the blade as he gripped both his hands tightly around its hilt.

'Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil' he paused to look at the runes that were etched into the blade 'The blade that was broken, shall return to Minas Tirith.' he finished, looking at Elrond who's gaze was now one filled with determination.

'The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth,' Elrond paused, taking in Aragorn's expression 'Put aside the ranger, become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road.'

Aragorn looked at Elrond with a mixture of fear and sorrow, then turning his attention to Legolas who now perched at the end of his bed, eyes fixed on him as if he was waiting for Aragorn to voice his decision.

'Ónen i-Estel Edain' (I give my hope to men) said Elrond Softly, his eyes not wavering.

'Ú-chebin estel anim.' (I keep none for myself) said Aragorn as he sheathed the sword, and leaned it again the wall of the tent.

'I shall leave you now.' said Elrond, bowing his head at Legolas and Aragorn before leaving the tent.

'Estel he is right.' Said Legolas suddenly as he stared at the sword.

'Let us not talk of this right now, said Aragorn as he perched himself on the small wooden stool that sat beside his friend's bed, careful not to damage Legolas' weapons that were set upon it.

'Mellon-Nin we cannot win this war with six thousand brave spears. The horsemen will put up a good fight but they will perish.' said Legolas a the memory of what he saw flashed in front of his eyes.

'What have you seen?' Quizzed Aragorn, his face etched in concern.

'I saw a battlefield, littered with the bodies of men and their horses.' replied the elf, his eyes fixed on a shadow cast against his tent wall.

'Pelennor?' Asked Aragorn, his expression changing at his friend's response.

'I could not say.' was Legolas' reply, a single tear trailed down his cheek.

'Legolas… I think it best that you remain here. I could not forgive myself if you were to come to harm.' Said Aragorn as he leaned forward in his seat.

'Aragorn,' said Legolas as he smirked at the future king of Gondor 'I knew the risks when I joined this venture. I will follow you till the end, even if the path we tread ends in my death.'

Aragorn shook his head in protest, but deep down inside he was relieved. He did not want to treat this path without the elf, or the dwarf.

'No point in protesting Estel, we shall follow you through the Dimholt, even to the black gate if we must.' said the elf as he pushed himself to his feet, a wave of dizziness hit him but soon vanished almost as quickly as it came.

'Are you sure you are well enough to ride?' asked Strider as he too stood, giving his friend a friendly pat on the arm.

'I shall be.' he replied, smiling weakly 'Ready the dwarf. I shall meet you directly.'

Aragorn nodded and darted off into the black of night to fetch his things. With this Legolas let his strong exterior fall and he fell back onto the bed, his hands shaking as fatigue hit him. His condition was draining all his strength but he could not let that stop him, he would not let it, he had to finish this. He left the tent to see Gimli sat by the fire stuffing his face with bread and meat, nothing had changed it seemed.

'Ah, laddy! Here have some bread.' said Gimli as he threw some at his companion.

Legolas accepted in gratefully, perhaps some food would restore some of the strength he'd lost. He took small bites, the bread was slightly stale but was welcomed. As the elf finished his small slice of bread, Aragorn returned with Brego and Erod. The man handed the reins to Legolas', a weak smile crossed his lips.

'Its not too late to change your mind my friend.' said Aragorn as he hesitantly handed Erod's reigns to the elf.

'Do not worry yourself over me Estel.' said Legolas as he pulled the reigns over her horses head and leapt onto the saddle with ease.

Aragorn smiled as he patted Erod on the neck and went about mounted his own horse. Gimli grumbled as he stumbled over towards the white stallion he and Legolas shared, grumbling more as the elf pulled him up onto the saddle behind him like the dwarf weighed no more than a saddle bag. The three of them took one last look at each other before setting off through the camp, they rode passed a teary Éowyn who shared a look with Aragorn that only Legolas spotted. Their glance ended as quickly as it began as they walked towards the stoney pass that sat at the back of the camp. Horsemen calling their names as they disappeared from view.

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Well there it is, apologies you had to wait so long. I hope you enjoyed the update and I shall update again soon.