A/N: Hello wonderful readers, here is the second chapter of my story. Hope you're liking it so far, also I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks to Hope and Love for reviewing!

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing but the OCs and the plot.

"Oh Legolas, I still can't believe that your father permitted you to escort me to Mithlond." Ithilwen rode her grey mare happily beside her friend. Riding in a protective cirlcle around the royal elves were fifteen of Mirkwood's fiercest warriors.

"I was very persuasive," he smiled cheekily. "Actually I think it was because I looked so miserable yesterday." They both laughed at that.

"You will absolutely love the Grey Havens, Legolas." Ithilwen's eyes turned dreamy as she spoke. "The city is so beautiful, and the waters are so clear and blue that you only have to reach out your hand to catch a fish." Legolas looked at her as if she had gone mad.

"And why would I want to catch a fish? Anyway, all I require for comfort is a good archery field to practice in. I don't want to get rusty." The elleth rolled her eyes. "Of course. But perhaps some of the lovely maidens of my home land will distract you?" Legolas grinned sheepishly. "Perhaps, if they are as lovely as you say." Their light banter was cut short by Antien, one of the guardians sent to protect them.

"Please my lady, my prince, we must be silent around these parts. We are not yet out of the dangers of Mirkwood."

Ithilwen grimaced apologetically and proceeded to look forward quietly. Legolas just nodded and followed suit. They rode for some time without occurence, but when the party came to a fork in the path a strange, nauseating feeling at the pit of her stomach. She grew pale and swayed in her seat.

"Ithilwen? Are you alright?" Legolas asked, worried. "I'm fine, just a little nauseated. It should pass in a moment." Legolas was not convinced but agreed to move on. They were much too close to the southern part of Mirkwood to rest safely. As they rode, Ithilwen felt worse and worse until she was shaking and sweating like a mortal in a fever. She clung to the horse to keep from falling off and when Legolas noticed her distress, he left his own mount and joined her, keeping her upright with a strong protecive arm around her waist.

"Hold on 'wen. We'll soon be out of the forest and you will be able to rest properly." The elleth nodded weakly but the movement sparked a pain worse than any she had yet faced. She inhaled sharply, unable to scream her agony. She convulsed in her seat, Legolas barely keeping her from falling, until she was blinded by a light brighter than the sun itself, white hot in its power. Just as suddenly as it had come it disappeared and was replaced by a vision so horrible that she cried out in anguish. The whole of her escort lay dead before her, dark spiders as large as a horse devouring their flesh. Bile rose in her mouth and she looked away from the scene, only to encounter one more shocking than the last. There in the corner of the clearing lay Legolas himself, a particularly nasty spider gnawing at his belly. Behind him lay...behind him was none other than herself, stark dead. She came to at that instant drawing in a shuddering breath and looking around frantically with wild eyes. More than a dozen pairs of eyes looked worredly back at her. They were alive! She cried out in sheer relief.

" 'Wen! What happened?" Legolas was frantic behind her. "I don't know," her voice was hoarse with fright. She looked around her and was horrified at what she saw. It was the same clearing as the one in her vision! A feeling of dread overtook her.

"We must quit this place! Something terrible is about to happen," she choked out. Glandur, a guard named so for the shock of pure white hair that cascaded down his back, looked at her quizzically.

"I assure you my lady, we are quite safe. If any orcs were near we would have been aware of them," he said, a tad condescendingly.

"Not orcs, spiders," she hissed a split second before one of the giant offspring of Ungoliant descended from the heights above, screeching horribly as it did so.

"Run!" yelled Antien, drawing his sword in sync with the drawing of bows of the rest of the guard. Legolas swiftly turned the mare around and they all rode hard on the opposite direction of the monstrous creature. Some of the elves turned in their seats to fire into the spider's belly. The arrows all hit their mark, but they seemed only to anger the foul creature. They weaved frantically through the trees and were almost out of danger when another of Ungoliant's spawn descended right on top of Legolas and Ithilwen. Immediately Legolas covered his cousin's body with his own protecting her from the spider. Legolas managed to stab deep into its belly with one of his arrows sending the creature off of them, screeching in agony. They rode on and within half an hour they were outside the woods, safe for the moment but terrified and breathing hard. It was then that Legolas slid from the horse, unconscious.

"No! Legolas!" Ithilwen jumped from the horse kneeling immediately at his side. She discovered he had been bitten on his side. The wound looked deep and the edges had begun to turn dark with the poison. She looked up at the warriors, horrified and desperate. "Help him, he's been bitten!"

"There is nothing we can do m'lady, except go back to the woodland realm but," the commander hesitated, anguish written plainly on his somber features, "he will not last that far." Ithilwen cried out wordlessly, and felt her heart constricting in pain. She looked once more at her cousin's pained expression and returned her gaze sharply to Antien.

"Lothlorien!" she hissed sharply. "Are we not close to the Golden Wood? The Lady of Light would not refuse her aid, I am sure." Heads nodded in assent all around her.

"Have we anything to slow the poison?" she demanded. A young guard spoke up. "I've some Athelas in my bag, it is believed to have some healing properties, or so says my wife," he said anxiously, eager to help his prince. She nodded at him and he took th plant out of his bag, tearing off a piece and chewing it a bit before pressing it onto Legolas' wound. The prince stirred slightly but did not wake. Quickly they bound the wond and prepared to depart.

Antien and Glandur helped Legolas back unto Antien's horse, the warrior would be better equipped to hold onto the prince. Wordlessly they all began to ride as fast as they dared, to the south-east, to Caras Galadhon.

Within less than a day, the elven company were at the crossing of the river Anduin. "How is he?" asked Ithilwen in a low, frantic whisper. Antien looked grim.

"Not well lady. The sooner we reach Lothlorien the better for the prince." Ithilwen nodded once, forcefully, pushing down her despair. Weakness would not help Legolas now. Grimly they pushed on, so exhausted that they could barely stay on their mounts. Soon enough they reached the edge of the wood and entered it without pause. A mile into the forest, the woods became so dense that riding became almost impossible and they dismounted. A strong warrior by the name of Bregolien took the burden of Legolas' limp form. They had not taken more than three steps before they were surrounded by elves with drawn bows.

"Daro!" commanded what they assumed was the leader of the group. "What business have you in the Golden Wood?" His words were not spoken with malicious intent, but they were as firm and cold as ice. Ithilwen was enraged.

"Is courtesy so little valued in Lorien that you would threaten your fellow elves?" she spoke scathingly. "We are travelers of the Woodland Realm of the north. One of our company, Prince Legolas Greenleaf himself, is severely injured. All we seek is the help of Lady Galadriel to heal the son of the King of Mirkwood!" Her grey eyes flashed with temper and desperation. Despite her show of anger, Haldir saw truth in the elleth's eyes. The silver haired elf narrowed his eyes at her impertinent words but signaled for the others to lower their weapons. He bent to Legolas to inspect the wound and nodded grimly. Sharply he commanded his men, knowing that time was of the essence. "Rumil, run to the healing talan and bring a litter. You and Orophin will take the prince to Caras Galadhon as swiftly as possible!" He turned to the others as his brother ran into the trees.

"My name is Haldir o' Lorien, Marchwarden of the Golden Wood. I will escort you to the city myself." Just then Rumil came bearing a litter and swiftly he and Orophin placed the prince securely on it.

"I wish to go with him!" Ithilwen was loathe to let her cousin out of her sight. Haldir shook his head immediately. "You will only slow them down." The elleth looked as if she was about to protest but restrained herself visibly and nodded her assent. She gazed at her cousin with anxious eyes as he disappeared into the thicket. She was wringing her hands nervously, sick with dread, and did not hear the remark directed at her. "Lady?" Haldir sought her attention, annoyed at being ignored.

"Yes, did you say something?"

"I asked if you were the Prince's wife. I had not heard that he had bound himself to another." The maiden frowned at him.

"No," she replied. "I am his cousin, Ithilwen of Mithlond daughter of Cirdan the Shipwright." He nodded in understanding. "Shall we proceed?" he asked and did not wait for an answer but turned and walked into the thicket of the trees, expecting the Mirkwood elves to follow him. Ithilwen huffed in annoyance, but followed without complaint. They walked onward in silence but the Marchwarden's head was deep in thought. Ithilwen of Mithlond is beyond beautiful, he thought. Her radiantly golden curls reached her waist and her eyes were a grey so light that they seemed almost colorless, despite their blueish sheen. Even angry and exhausted she carried an air of nobility and grace that almost rivaled that of Galadriel herself. That was because she was of noble birth, he reminded himself. And as such was out of his reach, he told himself sternly. Not that he wanted to start something meaningful with her, but an elleth that beautiful would certainly be welcome in his bed. Ithilwen. Moon maiden indeed, he thought. Her silver gaze seemed to be made of sweet moonlight; soft and delicate, like a lover's caress... Haldir shook his head and pushed the elleth from his mind. Such a highborn lady would not be interested in one such as he, being Captain of the Galadhrim would not avail him. Ilithwen was destined to join with some noble elf of the Grey Havens, or even with one of the sons of Elrond. The elleth in question was unaware of Haldir's interest, and indeed unaware of anything but her friend's wellfare. She bit her lip, wondering if he would be alright, wondering if he would live. Her eyes moistened and a single tear brimmed over. Quickly she brushed it away, hoping none had seen her.

Some time later Haldir paused in front of them and turned, announcing in a clear voice, "Welcome to Caras Galadhon, dwelling of Galadriel, Lady of Light, and Lord Celeborn, the wise." The sight before them was breath-taking. The golden mallorn trees stood proudly, light filled talain surrounding their branches. It was so beautiful Ithilwen felt she would weep, although that might very well be attributed to exhaustion.

So mesmerised was she that she tripped, most ungraciously, with a root. Before she fell, Haldir caught her, strong arms holding her aloft. She turned her head to thank him but gasped as she was sucked into another vision of the future. She saw herself standing upon a high talan in Lothlorien, Haldir stood behind her, his arms around her waist, her head resting upon his shoulder. Slowly she turned and kissed him softly and lovingly on the lips. The vision changed and suddenly she was standing before a procession of battle weary elves; her belly was large with child, Haldir's child she was sure, tears streaking down her face and both hands pressed to her heart in anguish. She saw herself shriek in pain as a pale, and lifeless Haldir was brought before her and she threw herself, weeping, over the Marchwarden's body. Back in reality, Ithilwen gave a cry of shock and looked into the intense cerulean eyes of the elf named Haldir, she admired their beauty for an instant before darkness enveloped her and she collapsed into his arms in a dead faint.

Some time later a cold, wet cloth was being pressed against her brow. Her eyes flutterred open and she immediately tried to sit up. "What happened?" she asked weakly, still very disoriented. She lay on the hard ground, her head cradled in the strong, warm arms of an elf. "You fainted, my lady," said a deep mellifluous voice. Ithilwen glanced sharply up, memory of her visions returning fast to her. She gazed upon this Haldir of Lorien and trembled with foreboding.

"You," she breathed, and scrambled out of his embrace. "You stay far away from me, Marchwarden, for your sake and mine." The elleth's voice trembled with emotion, her eyes wide in terror. Haldir frowned in deep confusion.

"What could I have done, in the short time of our aquaintance, to earn such disdain from you, Lady?" The sincerity in his voice caused Ithilwen to sigh. "Nothing," she replied, "You have done nothing yet." She closed her eyes, a tear brimming over before she had time to stop it.

"Forgive me, I am not myself," she looked up at the warrior elf once more. "But heed my words, only heartache will come of this, if we let it." Haldir's eyes widened at this and he held her gaze unti she looked away in weakness. "I must see to Legolas at once," she said this in a stronger voice.

"But my lady you must rest! You are not well," a young female elleth, the one who wielded the wet cloth, exclaimed in distress. "I will see him if only for a moment, but I wish to seethat he is well and quell my fear." The elleth helped her to her feet and Haldir slowly backed up and walked away from them. His heart lurched in his chest. Had she guessed his attraction? But surely that would not warrant such a response, surely she would not be so repulsed by him to react the way she did? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He would do as she wished, an elleth like that would only bring him pain.

Ithilwen entered the healing talan, hesitant at first, then running to Legolas' side when she noticed he was awake. She embraced him sweetly, but carefully, and did not let go for a good long while.

"Oh Legolas. I thought I would lose you!" she could not stop herself from weeping at the thought. "Don't you ever do something like that again you hear!" she berated him sternly. The elf only chuckled gently.

"I certainly will try dear cousin, if only to stay your wrath." he smiled at him through her tears. "I am told we are in Lothlorien." She nodded. "Have you met the Lady yet?"

"I have not had the pleasure. I only just arrived moments ago. Why have you?"

"Yes," his voice took on a dreamy quality. "She is magnificent, Ithilwen! Her hair seems to be made of sun beams, her smile lovelier than Elbereth's stars in the night sky." Ithilwen laughed at this.

"You seem to be quite enamoured cousin, but perhaps you should be wary of the Silver Lord. I've a feeling he would not appreciate such devotion," the elleth smiled playfully and Legolas grinned in return. Despite his playful manner, his skin was too pale and lacked its usual luster. Once more Ithilwen embraced the wounded elf and kissed his brow ever so gently. "I will return on the morrow, cousin, for I am so weary I can barely stand." She stood as Legolas nodded and she went to join the Lorien maiden whoo had escorted her thus far. "Will you take me to the guest talan? For I fear I cannot long remain alert and standing." The elleth agreed and showed her to her rooms. That night, Ithilwen and the Mirkwood guard slept better and more peacefully than they had in weeks. Their hearts rested and their strength was renewed, for they were cared for the by the power of Nenya and the Lady of Light herself.

Elvish Translations:

Glandur-white

Daro-stop

elleth-female elf

talan-name for a dwelling in the mallorn trees of Lorien

talain-plural of talan.

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