Chapter 33

The faint scent of roasted hare hung over the campsite as Aragorn lay, curled within his blanket, feeling almost content. This night around the campfire there had been an easy camaraderie between the four friends and although it was yet far from the closeness Legolas and he once had, he felt far more hopeful for its eventual return. He looked over to the tree in which the elf had retired to rest, albeit a little indignantly after being told there was no need yet for him to take to a turn on watch and smiled at discerning no trace of his friend in its branches. As ever the elf had blended into its foliage as if he were part of its existence. Turning over, the young man yawned widely then closed his eyes and allowed the soft sounds of the night to lull him into sleep.

The wood elf lay within the trees embrace, reveling in the feel of the branch beneath him but contemplating the strange feeling of loss inside. It felt as if there should be more to this connection, almost as if the tree was trying to speak, yet he could not hear its voice. He sighed, it was of no consequence. He had been cut off from living things for so long in his master's fortress it appeared his mind was now trying to over compensate and create deeper connections for him in the outside world. He relaxed and allowed the night sounds to envelop him, the faint crackle of the dying fire, the soft chirrup of grasshoppers, the gentle snores of the young man called Estel. His eyes glazed over as reverie took him.

Elladan slowly walked the perimeter of the camp on silent feet. He had chosen to take first watch and had gladly watched his companions settling down in their chosen places, feeling not in the least tired himself yet. Looking back towards the others he could see the mound that was Estel, wrapped in his blanket, gently illuminated near the flickering flames of the fading fire. As a human, his youngest brother felt the cold more than the others, so had positioned himself closest to their only source of heat. He smiled to himself, glad that the young man appeared more relaxed now that Legolas was recovering his memory. He only hoped, for his brother's sake, that a full recovery would not be too much longer in coming.

Older twin was replaced by younger as night deepened and the forest began to hum with the soft sounds of nocturnal life. The hoot of an owl as it proclaimed its watch, the snuffling of a family of hedgehogs rooting for grubs, the scraping of claw on earth as a badger delved for worms, the high, sharp, swiftly curtailed squeal of a rat caught up and carried away to a fox's lair. All served to convey a feeling of relative calm to elven ears, for if any creature of the dark was abroad all others would remain hidden away in their homes and silence would fall. Elrohir allowed himself to relax a little after an initial turn about the camp and stood, leaning his back against a sturdy oak allowing the sounds to ebb and flow around him and cast his mind back to when the hare had been caught. He had felt a sense of unease about the encounter but was not sure why and ever since something had been gnawing away at the back of his mind and he could not shake it off.

He stiffened at a loud rustle in the tree above his head and turn his eyes upwards, peering through the branches to be met with the beady stare of a nighthawk as it gazed down haughtily from its perch, obviously looking for an enjoyable meal. The half elf's eyes suddenly widened then and a shiver ran down his spine as the elusive memory he had been searching for hit him. It was the look upon the wood elf's face that had worried him. As he had caught and killed the hare. The satisfied smile that had curled his lips as he had swung the dead animal up for inspection. Was Legolas' delight due to the fact that they would eat more than just lembas this night, or was it actually in response to the kill? Looking over to the tree he knew the elf to be resting in he tried to quell the notion. Legolas was a wood elf, he would never kill for sport but as much as he tried to convince himself the feeling would not go away. Resolving to keep a close watch on the young prince before speaking to his brothers, in the hopes he was mistaken, he returned to perusing the surrounding area intently. It would not do for his musings to endanger them all, especially as they were now so close to safety. One more night and they should be back within Thranduil's halls.

Blinking the reverie from his eyes the elf allowed them to find their focus once more and adjust to the deep of the night. Lying still he contemplated his surroundings, trying to pinpoint what it was that had pulled him back to consciousness. The night sounds surrounded him but he could discern none amongst them loud or strange enough to disturb his rest. He moved soundlessly, turning slightly to allow his gaze to rake the camp site below, easily making out the sleeping forms of two of his companions in the warm glow of the damped down fire. The third came into view whilst he was deciding that the one nearest the fire, wrapped tightly in a thick blanket must be the human and he watched as the tall half elf walked slowly under his tree, then disappeared out of sight once more, vigilantly keeping watch. Pulling himself to a sitting position he allowed his legs to dangle either side of the branch whilst contemplating his next move, whatever had woken him had obviously not come from within the camp.

Rising lithely to his feet he balanced on the branch as easily as if he were on solid ground and walked along its narrowing length, staring out into the forest. Nothing moved. Listening intently for even the faintest clicks and hisses used by their greatest threat in this forest for communication, the giant spiders, he heard none and discounted their presence. Likewise he knew that bands of orcs or men would make enough noise to waken even the lightest sleeper so dismissed them from his consideration also. Effortlessly moving over to another branch he decided that as it appeared there was no immediate threat in the vicinity, the best thing to do would be to wait and see if whatever had initially roused him was repeated. Lowering himself down once more to sit with his back against the rough trunk, his long legs stretched out along the branch before him he settled down to wait.

The night drew on and all around the small camp site remained peaceful and calm. The elf was just beginning to feel he had been wakened by naught but a shadow and a dream when he felt something brush at the back of his mind and suddenly knew exactly what had drawn him to wakefulness before. Rising silently to his feet he stood for a moment, senses stretched, scanning the area with his mind until he knew which direction to take, then he was off. Moving through the trees like a wraith. Leaving not so much as the tremble of a leaf behind him as he passed.

~o~

Mid way between sleep and wakefulness it took a while for the sound to penetrate through to Gallions consciousness but eventually his overtired brain took notice and he bolted upright, nearly falling out of the chair he was seated in in the process and stared over at the pale figure thrashing about in the bed beside him.

"Thranduil." Half whispered half hissed, the name flew from his lips as he leapt from the chair to place a calming hand upon the agitated elf's brow. "Hush, hush, all is well, aran nin, all is well." Murmuring soothingly in an attempt to quiet the figure his heart ached to see the look of fear contorting his king's face.

"Legolas!"

Thranduil's pained cry echoed around the chamber as he continued to pitch about. Lashing out wildly with one arm he knocked Gallion's hand out of the way, catching him with his open palm on the side of the head. The elf's head rang for a moment but he returned his hand to caress the increasingly agitated king's brow and resumed the whispered platitudes once more, praying inwardly to the Valar for aid. It would appear they were listening, as at that moment the door opened and Gallion looked up with relief to see Faerval silhouetted within its frame.

"What has happened?"

Traversing the room swiftly he was beside the bed almost before Gallion could blink, the question falling from his lips as he moved.

"I do not know." Gallion moved over to allow the healer to take his place. "He became restless and agitated to a point I almost wondered if he would fall from the bed." He watched as Faerval peered into the king's face and felt his brow.

"Did he awaken at all?"

"Nay," Gallion replied to the clipped question anxiously. "I do not think so."

"He cried out?" The healer never took his eyes off the king as he placed one hand on the heaving chest, over his heart, keeping the other resting upon his brow.

"Aye, once."

Faerval nodded absently as the body beneath his hand began to still.

"He called for Legolas."

Gallion felt tears prickling behind his eyes as he recalled the anguished cry and his legs gave way beneath him causing him to sink hurriedly into the chair, to avoid the ignominy of falling to the floor.

"'twas that which called me from my slumber then." Faerval straightened and smiled down at the now quiescent figure in the bed. "He is resting easily again now."

"Aye." Gallion sighed. "But for how long?" He looked up at the healer with anguished eyes.

"That I can not tell, mellon nin." Faerval replied with a gentle squeeze to his friends shoulder. "It may be a sign he is nearing wakefulness though."

"I wish with all my heart that it were so."

Staring down at the pinched and drawn face of the, once again, peaceful king, Gallion wondered just how long a body could last without nourishment and hoped he would never be forced to find out.

~o~

It was as easy for a wood elf to walk through the trees as along the ground and for this he was grateful. Getting clear of the camp without being seen would otherwise have been much more of a risk and he did not wish to draw attention to the fact that he was going anywhere, especially when he knew that at least one of his companions still viewed him with suspicion. The elf had felt the tension from the younger twin whenever he glanced his way and it had not escaped his notice that although the human was included in the night watch rota he was still not quite trusted with their safety, however much they tried to claim it was merely in deference to his injuries.

Moving purposefully, using instinct and heightened senses to maintain his balance, he made good progress and knew he was nearing his goal when the tugging at his mind grew stronger and his body began to respond to its call. He slowed his pace, allowing the tension within to build, feeling his heart begin to race in his chest in anticipation. Taking a final leap into a tall sycamore across a gap a tree width wide he stilled and silently inhaled a deep breath. This was the spot. Trembling with need, like a bow string tautened to breaking point he drew his long knife silently from its oiled sheath and peered down through the branches to the small clearing below.

A large, black war horse stood, idly cropping at a sparse clump of coarse grass, beside the half rotted trunk of a tree upon which sat a figure he knew only too well, even though its dark armor blended almost seamlessly with the night. His erstwhile captor and torturer. The one who had taught him the meaning of pain. Had shown him the existence of such anger and hate. A sly smile crept across the elf's face as he sheathed his knife once more then bent to retrieve a small dagger from his left boot, caressing the blade with his fingers. This would be better, much more intimate, much more, fun.

Moving carefully into position he watched for a moment to see if the other showed any signs of awareness to his presence, counting slowly under his breath in an effort to bring his wayward body back under control. Then, in a single, elegant motion, dropped noiselessly to the ground, rolling as he landed, to end up on his knees almost touching the dark figures feet, with his head bowed and his hand raised, the blade of the knife firmly held within its grasp, cutting into his sensitized palm as he offered it out.

"Master." The need in his voice was almost palpable.

A/N

*Runs away from knife wielding readers* Sorry, but did you really think it was going to be that easy... ?!

Massive thanks as ever to - Obsidianglasses (who must be reading my mind), sehellys, bettsam0731 and NirCele and to all those of you following my little story.

I hope you continue to enjoy it. :)

Reviews are always very much appreciated and really do go a long way to letting me know it is worthwhile continuing. (Hint hint) ;)