Some fluff in this chapter but the angst returns shortly.

Many thanks to TwilightAngelStar and Willabeth0906 for reviewing! You guys are amazing!

And as always, a huge thank you to my beta Arquenniel!

A/N: I've put the Elvish translations directly into the chapter instead of at the bottom. So they'll look like this: Hannon le. /thank you/

Chapter 6: Do Not Leave Me

Legolas was lying, tucked up to his chin in thick coverlets, as still as marble on the massive mattress. His pale face was whiter than snow and the dark fringe of eyelashes resting on his cheeks appeared darker than a midnight sky.

"Legolas?' her voice broke. They had been in these rooms before as Legolas seemed to have a penchant for trouble. But why didn't he wake and smile at her like he used to? Why didn't he take her hand and hold it within his own warm, calloused one? Why didn't he laugh at her worry and chide her for thinking he would not survive? Why?

"Legolas?" Her tone became more demanding and urgent. "Legolas, you spoke once of the 'star. I know now what you meant. Please…" Her hand fell over his and lifting it to her lips she peppered the knuckles with kisses. "Please, Legolas, fight this."

There was no response from the still prince.

She grew angry now. "Legolas Thranduilion! You told me once that the great prince of Mirkwood would never be felled by arrows! Fight this!"

Nothing.

"Legolas…" she crumbled into tears. "Please," burying her head in the blankets she let her sorrow consume her.

"Arwen,"

"Leave me be."

"But-"

"Elladan, Elrohir, I will not be moved!"

"'Star, unless I've gained a good mind for mischief I am not 'dan or 'ro."

Her head shot up.

"Unless you would wish your brothers to enter…"

"Legolas!"

His eyes were glassy and his voice weak but he was smiling. "Im gelir ceni ad lín." / It is good to see you again/

Arwen rose a hand to strike his shoulder then paused, biting her lip and thought better of it. "Insufferable wood-elf! Is that all you can say? You nearly killed yourself and that is all you say?"

He pretended to reflect for a moment. "Well, what else would you wish, m'lady? A grand speech of how my life is one tangled mess of calamity?"

Arwen, despite her previous outburst, fought the twitch of her lips. "Perhaps it is considering your constant lure to trouble."

"I, m'lady? This latest bout with ill-fortune was brought on by your danger-loving brothers, not I."

Here, she laughed softly. "A poor trait for the sons of an elven lord. And an elven prince, I might add."

Legolas went quiet, as if contemplating some great matter.

"Is something amiss? Should I call for father?" she began to rise but his hand closed around her wrist.

"Everything is well."

She sank back next to the bed, waiting for an explanation.

Something in his face changed and he regarded her with an expression she'd never seen before. It did not, however, have a bad effect on her. It warmed her heart, sending tingles up and down her spine.

And just when she thought they'd ceased, the tingles renewed their trek when he commented lightly, "Melin ceni hin lîn síla i 'eladhach." /I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh/

Arwen's cheeks flushed. "Tis your fault, you know."

His ever present mirth faded to a light glow as he frowned. "You have been weeping." He reached towards her and brushed away the tear stains on her cheeks.

"You had me worried, Legolas." Arwen's eyes fell to the silken bedclothes and her fingers caressed the smooth embroidery, unable to meet his penetrating stare. "I thought you would leave us for Mandos' halls."

"Not yet, 'star. There is much for me to do before then."

"Promise?" Her gaze caught his and held it firmly.

"Promise what?"

"That you won't leave me?"

"I could never leave you."

"I need you to promise."

His grasp on her palm tightened ever so slightly. "I promise you, Arwen Undomiel, until your light fades from this world I will never leave you." His eyes radiated utter sincerity.

"Hannon le." She breathed, suddenly feeling as if she could draw air into her lungs.

He brushed the thanks off with his famous grin. "Ah, 'star, you must never feel obligated to thank me."

"I am not obligated but all the same I should like to. You gave much for me with those words, Legolas, I feel in my heart and I believe you feel so as well. My thanks are a small gift in return."

"It is more than enough." He made to continue but the words were lost in a fit of coughing that suddenly overcame him. Shaking from the violent coughs, he hunched forward, his face scrunched from the pain.

The years spent at her father's side served her well and Arwen leapt into action. A pitcher of cool water and a tumbler lay at the bedside table as was the tradition in Imladris' healing ward. Arwen snatched it up and quickly poured a small amount in the glass.

"Take this." She spoke gently and watched as he nodded his thanks before taking what she proffered and sipping at it.

Slowly, the coughs subsided and Legolas sank back in relief, greedily sucking in deep breaths of the clean air. Arwen waited in silence until Legolas murmured, "Hannon le."

"Do not worry me like that and we will be even." Arwen chided, one of her brother's smiles on her face.

Legolas chuckled a bit then groaned, clutching at his aching chest.

The worry that had subsided at Legolas wakening returned full force. "I should call Adar," she informed him as the pain did not recede from his face.

"Nay, do not bother him. I shall be fine." Legolas' voice trembled but he stubbornly latched hold of her wrist again and she was forced to re-seat herself.

"Legolas…you are not well…I worry for you." Arwen protested weakly. "Adar will know best how to help you."

Legolas threw her a feeble smile. "He has done all he can for me. To call him now would only take him from his duties."

Arwen watched as Legolas' eyes drifted closed and the cadence of his breathing became the only sound in the room. Gradually, the hoarse edge to each intake faded and the color bled back into his cheeks.

Time passed, though Arwen could not say how much, before Legolas' grasp tightened and his eyes flew open. "Arwen."

"I'm here." She leaned close to him and gently touched his temple to assure him that she wasn't an apparition.

The fright in his eyes melted away and his tense muscles relaxed into the mattress. He appeared so different then the mischievous warrior than she was used to and it made her heart ache to see it.

"I am here," Arwen repeated, her slender fingers lingering on his smooth skin, and suddenly she realized that she was so close in proximity to Legolas that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheeks.

His eyes centered on her and he reached forward, his fingers brushing back one of her long dark locks gently. He paused for a moment before speaking so softly that the downy feather of a young bird wouldn't have stirred. "Arwen, le melon." /I love you/

Her breath caught again, clumping in her throat. "And I you."

Legolas eyes registered surprise, as if he hadn't meant for her to hear those words. "I'm sorry," he immediately whispered and withdrew his hand as though she had burned him.

Surprising herself with her own boldness, Arwen reached out and caught his retreating hand. "Nay, do not apologize. You did nothing wrong."

His bright gaze lifted and she caught the spark of hope in them. He spoke again in that same quiet voice. "Le no an-uir nîn?" /Will you be mine forever?/

"Mae." /yes/

The sheer bliss that spread across his features and filled his eyes with such brilliant light sent thrills of joy surging through her veins. "Mae?" /yes?/

"Mae! Mae!" /yes! Yes!/

"Arwen,"

"There is nothing more to be said, meleth nin." /my love/ Arwen whispered, grinning like mad. "We will marry, you and I, and be blissfully happy."

TBC...