AN: Well I suppose Tauriel is a young mother still learning the ropes! As for Thranduil being a bit of a tragic hero –Well I want to really emphasise the difference between elves and humans regarding how their bond with their mate is spiritual in Tolkien's world. They can literally die from losing their loved one so, that is why I emphasise it so much here for Thranduil.

Wenduo, welcome to the Captain's Club. Thanks for helping me to relive my chapters and now this latest chapter is dedicated to you.

This chapter deviates a little bit but it felt like the right time to put it in to the plot. Hope you enjoy x

Legolas POV

Finding a break from his morning duties, Legolas strolled down to the paddocks and encountered Éowyn heading in the same direction to greet Faramir who was drilling his mounted guard. There they found Serilla leaning over the fence of a paddock as Fin-galad led shining-white Adrahin around on a long halter whilst the rest of the herd ate grass happily nearby.

Suddenly there was a shrieking roar and loud responding shrieks from the horses in the paddock as a large hunting cat had found its way inside. The horses, including Adrahin, charged in panic to the entrance of the paddock and broke the gate in their urgency to run away from the predator. Fin-galad was jerked forward still holding Adrahin into the path of the stampeding horses, which were now charging straight at Serilla who was desperately looking for Fin-galad.

Legolas sensed what was going to happen but was helpless to prevent it from his distance; he could only grab Éowyn and prevent her from charging in.

'Serilla, MOVE!' He shouted as loud as he could from around Éowyn but the healer was not listening, she was solely focussed on Fin-galad who was also in the middle of the stampede.

Legolas and Éowyn watched in horror as they saw Serilla dodge around the fleeing horses to where Fin-galad remained immobilised in fear still clutching Adrahin's broken halter. She grabbed her son and was starting to dodge her way out of the chaos when it happened. Serilla was almost out of the horses' path when there was a fumble and the sound of a sickening crunch. In the blink of an eye and horrified, they saw Serilla throw Fin-galad out to a safe patch of land and then disappear behind the last roan horse as it cantered by in its terror with the great cat close on its heels.

Fin-galad rolled to safety and immediately ran back to Serilla who was now visible, laying in the settling dust storm created by the horses' many hooves.

'Naneth, Naneth, please wake up!' Fin-galad tugged on his Mother's arm but she did not stir! Tears were running freely down his face.

Éowyn and Legolas ran forward finally released from their frozen moment of disbelief. Legolas ran straight to Serilla and fell beside her. Éowyn grabbed Fin-galad away from his Mother, turning him and falling to the ground to hide him in the safety of her pale golden hair.

The little ellon was clutching her tightly, terrified and whimpering.

Legolas paid no attention, solely focussing on the elleth before him sprawled on the grassy ground. Serilla's pale honey tresses were now tinted crimson at her roots, her pale skin unearthly white.

Oh, Valar no… do not let this be I beg of you. Please!

Legolas reached for her throat. His own pale fingers pressed gently into her alabaster skin, hoping beyond hope. A pulse.

Legolas rocked backwards on his heels in absolute relief.

'She is alive.' He murmured. 'But badly injured I fear.'

Éowyn opened her mouth and blinked back tears, clutching Fin-galad more tightly and telling him over and over again that his Mother was still alive.

Dimly, in the background they could hear Faramir and his mounted guard chasing down the horses and the cat that could now have been a threat to others.

Several elves and humans had run out upon hearing the commotion and stood a distance away, unsure of what to do as they cast nervous glances at Serilla lying prone on the ground.

'Find Ranadir and tell him to go immediately to the healing wing. Tell him his wife is badly hurt.' Legolas said irritably to the closest elf, a blond ellon with worried grey eyes.

'It will be done, hîr vuin.' He raced off in the direction of the guard barracks.

'Send for Queen Arwen.' Legolas commanded to a human beside him who sprinted off immediately with a hurried bow.

Legolas gently slid his hands under Serilla's shoulders and under her knees. He tried to be as gentle and still as possible, extremely worried that he could worsen her injuries. Already a thin line of crimson was tracing its way down her smooth cheekbones. As he every so smoothly stood up with his burden, the Prince noticed that Serilla's left arm rolled away from her body at a sickening angle.

I can only hope that that is the only bone that snapped when I heard that awful noise.

He spared a quick glance at Éowyn who was looking frantic as she kept a death grip on Fin-galad, preventing him from seeing the sorry state of his Mother.

'Follow me to the healing wing but keep Fin-galad outside until Ranadir arrives. I...I think he should be the one to decide what his son should and should not bear witness to.'

'Agreed.'

Moving Serilla was difficult when trying to keep her head from moving and the paddocks were on the opposite side of the citadel to the healing wing. Legolas was growing increasingly alarmed at the rate Serilla's honey locks were becoming stained with her own blood.

Once in the healing wing, they saw Arwen waiting patiently at the entrance still in her riding clothes as she led them to a room.

'You were lucky, I was on a ride through the woods and your messenger spotted me emerging.' Arwen's sapphire eyes flickered over Serilla in Legolas' arms and a small frown appeared upon her brow.

Legolas had sent for Arwen for she was the only other elven healer present. A mortal healer would not have been sufficient and Arwen still retained her healing abilities.

They had barely laid Serilla onto a bed when Ranadir barged in, tears streaming down his face as he fell onto the floor besides Serilla's unconscious form. Arwen ignored him and instead started gently fingering Serilla's hair towards the back of the crown of her head where it was stained deepest red.

'There is a deep cut here. However, I do not believe it has penetrated her skull.'

Arwen squinted as if remembering something and then started to sing under her breath. Legolas knew she was willingly the skin to re-seal itself and heal. Ranadir cried the whole time, clutching Serilla's unbroken arm whilst Legolas watched from the corner, for once unsure of what to do.

Tauriel needs to know.

He looked to the door, wondering if he should leave to find her when Arwen called to him softly. He had not realised that she had moved to the other side of the room and was now washing the elven blood off of her hands in a bowl of clean water. The sight of the elven blood brought back unhappy memories of war.

I want Tauriel.

'Legolas. You must hold her shoulders…her arm needs to be reset.' Arwen bent over Serilla's left arm and took a firm hold at two places along her forearm.

Swallowing, Legolas moved passed Ranadir and stood at the head of the bed and gently pushed down on Serilla's slim shoulders. Leaning over her like this, he could see through her parted locks the long line that Arwen had sung closed but the unnatural pallor of her face streaked with blood made him uneasy.

I do not want to lose another friend.

He caught Arwen's eye. She blinked and then nodded once, at the same time jerking her lower hand towards her. Ranadir howled at the sickening crunching sound but then sat back and silently watched Arwen with a mixture of horror and hope as she lowered her lips to his wife's arm and murmured something in Quenya Legolas did not quite catch.

'I set her bone, Ranadir and asked the fragments to reform as they once were.' She said whilst gliding away and opening different drawers at the back of the room. She glided back with armfuls of linens and gauze and other such medical supplies. 'Although I have also sealed her head, Serilla has lost a lot of blood and suffered a terrible trauma.'

The Queen smeared a poultice upon Serilla's arm that Legolas knew was an elven pain relief from its distinctive heady smell. Arwen bound Serilla's left arm in a stiff looking material and set to softly moving her hands over the rest of the healer's body. A small frown line appeared on Arwen's smooth face. 'There are some bruises forming but no internal damage.'

Ranadir choked on his sigh of relief and Legolas placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Arwen began cleaning away all the blood, which in itself was a difficult task for it had dried to Serilla's hair and face.

Once satisfied, the Queen drew up a chair for Ranadir and herself and settled next to him before her sapphire eyes flicked back to him.

'Legolas, tell Éowyn to bring in Fin-galad. I sense his heart will be much gladdened to be with his family now.'

When he hesitated, Arwen looked up at him with a small smile. 'Go. I will keep watch over Serilla.'

Legolas inclined his head and turned to leave but Ranadir glanced around at him with tear-stained eyes. 'Hannon le, hîr vuin. I cannot thank you enough for helping my wife.'

Legolas inclined his head. 'It is the Queen who deserves you thanks, not I.'

'You both do.' Ranadir took Arwen's hand briefly and the Queen smiled serenely.

Legolas left the healing room and saw Éowyn and Faramir sat on a bench with their arms around Fin-galad who appeared to be shaking with worry. They looked up straight away and Legolas gave them a small smile.

'You may go in, Fin-galad, I believe you Mother is quite safe under the Queen's watch.'

Fin-galad's grey eyes widened and he shot up and bolted past Legolas to the door before he paused and turned back, remembering his manners.

'Hannon le, hîr vuin.' The little ellon gave a small yet gallant bow to the Prince before darting inside to be with his parents.

'What news? What news do you bring?' Éowyn stood and asked fretfully. Faramir was also frowning.

'Serilla lost a lot of blood from a deep cut to her head and her left arm was badly broken. Both have been healed by Queen Arwen but as of yet, she remains unconscious.'

Éowyn seemed to wilt into Faramir, who tucked his arms around her. The Prince of Ithilien then spoke. 'Serilla will recover then?'

Legolas nodded. 'I believe so, in time.'

Faramir gave a small smile in return. 'We recaptured the horses and are repairing their paddock. We chased the great cat off, I doubt it will return. It did not like our spears very much.'

Legolas nodded and left them, he needed to find Tauriel.

But she is out on a patrol. It is midday however, she should be back soon.

Legolas walked to the entry gates of Ithilien and waited for his beloved.

Tauriel will be so worried.

Finally, his keen elven eyes spotted a blur on the distance of Tauriel and her Guard returning from the East. He saw Tauriel smile from where she rode at the sight of Legolas waiting for her at the gates. Then he saw her smile slip off of her face as she drew nearer and discerned his features. Tauriel drew up short as soon as she reached Legolas, flicking her wrist at the rest of her company to continue in without her.

In an instant she had dismounted and her green eyes lingered upon his chest and widened. Frantic hands felt all over his tunic.

'Legolas! Are you hurt?!'

He glanced down and saw that the dark blue material was covered in a sticky dark red substance. He had not even noticed.

'No, I am fine, it is-'

Tauriel grabbed Legolas' arms. 'What is it Legolas? Is it Thranadir? Is he safe?'

'Thranadir is safe and well-.'

Tauriel looked briefly relieved and then frowned again. 'What is it. What has happened? Tell me! I-'

Frustrated that he could not get a word in edgewise, Legolas placed his hand over Tauriel's mouth, effectively silencing her although he received a death glare in repayment.

'I am trying to tell you! It is Serilla. She has been badly injured by a stampede.' Legolas removed his hand as Tauriel's eyes widened even further.

'Serilla, a stampede? How?' When Legolas hesitated, Tauriel frowned and raised her voice to a shout. 'Tell me now Legolas! Where is Serilla?!'

'She is in the healing wing-' Tauriel took off and Legolas sprinted after her. '-wait! Tauriel, please listen!'

'No Legolas, I have to see if she is alright!'

'Tauriel!' Legolas caught up and grabbed her shoulder. Tauriel paused and turned back to him, glowering at him for keeping her away from her friend.

'Arwen healed her –but she is still unconscious. She lost a lot of blood from her head wound.'

'Head wound?' Tauriel's voice raised in pitch. Then her green eyes lowered and widened at Legolas' tunic.

'She also suffered a broken arm. You needed to know before we went in, Tauriel.'

The Captain nodded and touched her face, looking a bit pale. Legolas reached up and took her hand, then lent to kiss her temple.

'Come Tauriel, we will go together. Ranadir needs you now.'

Tauriel POV

As they entered the healing room Tauriel saw her friend lying unconscious and heavily bandaged on a soft bed. Ranadir held Serilla's right hand and young Fin-galad was grasping Ranadir's arm with glistening eyes staring down at his Mother.

'Oh, Serilla. What has befallen you, mellon nin?' the others looked up as they both entered and Tauriel gently caressed a lock of honeyed hair.

Arwen was calmly reading a book sat next to the head of Serilla's bed and although her eyes were flicking across the pages, Tauriel had this sense that the Queen's mental attention was entirely focussed upon Serilla.

And for that I am glad.

Tauriel inclined her head to the Queen and then moved to Ranadir and laid her hand on his shoulder. Ranadir reached up with his free hand and squeezed hers in return.

'It is as though she sleeps.' Ranadir said in a tired voice.

'Serilla has suffered much and her mind is protecting itself now, letting her body heal. She will awake when she is ready, Ranadir. You should rest.' Arwen offered from the head of the room.

'No. I will not leave her, I will stay until she awakes.'

Tauriel did not blame him but she looked to Fin-galad standing next to his Father and she felt sympathy.

'Come, Fin-galad. You will stay with Legolas, Thranadir and I tonight for you need rest too.'

The little ellon buried his head in Ranadir's shoulder. 'No! I want to stay with Naneth!'

Ranadir turned around and embraced his son. 'Go ionneg, I will call for you when Naneth awakes.'

Looking rather betrayed, Fin-galad followed Tauriel out of the room, casting one last glance at his unconscious Mother. Legolas also made his farewells before leaving to pick up Thranadir to bring back to their chambers.

Back in their chambers Tauriel coaxed Fin-galad to eat some warm soup and bread. The little ellon did not appear interested in the food but ate most of it out of politeness and he kept a brave face although Tauriel noticed his bottom lip trembling a few times.

'Tolo, Fin-galad.' Legolas called from the large padded chair in front of the fire where he was now sitting with Thranadir upon his knee.

Tauriel went to fetch Thranadir's blanket whilst the little ellon went to sit next to the Prince.

'The Stablemaster tells me that Adrahin's legs have grown very strong and it is all because of the training you are giving him?' Legolas said to Fin-galad as Thranadir crawled from his lap onto Fin-galad's.

Tauriel smiled as she walked back over with the blanket seeing that Fin-galad perked up slightly at the distraction Legolas had offered. She tucked the blanket around Fin-galad and Thranadir who was now looking at him with adoring eyes.

'Yes, hîr vuin, he is growing so big and strong although Thranadir is still a bit too small to ride him.' Fin-galad gave a small smile at Thranadir who had reached up to hug his neck.

Tauriel sat down and on the other side of Fin-galad and Legolas reached over the back of the long chair to lace his fingers in hers. Together, with their little ones safe between them, they would weather this storm.

AN: That has got to hurt. Please follow and review!