Lord Elrond watched his son's pale face for any movement. The healers were still working valiantly to save their Prince, but hope was fading as quickly as his son's condition. It had been three days and now Aragorn was fighting for each breath. Beads of cold sweat rolled off his face, and the Prince shook so hard, Elrond feared he would fall from the bed. His lips had gone from a pale color to blue since the incident, striking fear into the mighty King's heart.

"Can you not find a cure to this sickness!" He cried desperately, turning to the head healer. He hated to see his youngest son in such pain.

"We cannot heal him until we know what poison was used. I have not seen anything like it." Elrond looked back to his son worriedly as a healer tipped some liquid into the Prince's lax throat. Despite his care not to spill, some still dribbled onto Aragorn's chin, and Elrond dabbed at it with the corner of his robes.

"Stay strong, ion-nin. Saes, stay strong."

'Please Valar. Release me from this evil.' Everything was black. Aragorn had been here, wherever here was, for what seemed like an eternity, suffocating in the darkness. Unseen tendrils would grab at him from nowhere, escaping when he fought back. But his strength was failing. His heavy limbs barely did as demanded anymore. Soon the darkness would grab him and he would be lost in its depths forever. His hope was fading. He had searched for an escape since he had woken and found himself here, but there was nothing. No walls, no doors, no light. At times, the lightest of whispers would reach his ears, but he knew it was only a figment of his imagination. There was no one here but him.

Aragorn fell to his knees, a strangled sob escaping him as he buried his head in his hands. He was going to die here. The invisible hands were going to come back and never let him leave their clutches. His thoughts wandered to his Father. Did he know what has happened to his son? Or would he wonder forever what had become of the Prince of Rivendell. A pain shot through him as he realized his Father would mourn him greatly. Then there was Legolas. Would he also mourn the disappearance of him? Perhaps he would be relieved that Aragorn was gone. He would have a new master. Maybe he would find happiness away from his first master. Despair gripped his heart and the last of his hope withered away.

'Forgive me Ada. I can hold no longer. There is no escaping this nightmare.' As he thought the words, he felt a great wave of lethargy press down on him. He had not slept since he arrived here. His eyes felt as if bags of sand were tied to the lids, weighing them down. He gratefully closed them and awaited the dreaded touch of the cold hands.

Suddenly, light flickered against his eyelids. His eyes shot open, seeking the brightness. There, just a needlepoint in the distance was a flickering light. All thoughts of giving up vanished from Aragorn's mind. He needed to find the source of the beautiful sight. Forcing his heavy limbs to cooperate, he made his way towards the beauty, like moth to a flame.

It pulsed and flickered as if fighting not to burn out. Coils of light twisted around, battling with the oppressive darkness and forcing it to recede. As he drew nearer, he could see that the light was emitted from something. As if it knew Aragorn was looking at it, the figure turned and Aragorn gasped as he recognized him.

"Legolas?" he asked tentatively, "What are you doing here?" Legolas stared at him for a long time.

"I have come to save you Mellon-nin."

"Save me? Do you know the way out?" Legolas smiled sadly, puzzling the Prince.

"Aye. I do. Come closer." The elf held out his glowing hand. Aragorn didn't hesitate. He strode forward and grasped it. Warmth immediately enveloped him.

"Listen to me Aragorn," The Prince was instantly filled with worry. Legolas sounded far too serious.

"I know that you will be a great Prince to Rivendell, as you have been a great master to me. And I want you to do something for me."

"Anything Mellon-nin."

"I want you to travel to Mirkwood and tell my Father that I forgive him. His actions were not his own and I know that now." Aragorn was confused. The slave was speaking in riddles.

"What do you mean? There is no problem with travelling there when I get out of here, and you can tell your Adar in person." There was that sad smile again.

"I'm afraid that will not happen. Many things have happened since your accident, and I am no longer able to accompany you anywhere. Please, promise me that you will grant my last wish." Legolas' eyes were filled with such pleading that Aragorn agreed.

"Of course I will Mellon-nin." Legolas slumped slightly in relief. He smiled at him.

"You were the best friend I could have ever hoped for. Thank you for that."

"As you are mine, Legolas."

"Do not trust Lord Katar. His heart is stained with evil. He is the cause of your accident, and my demise." Aragorn opened his mouth in question, furrowing his brows, but Legolas cut him off. "Farewell, Aragorn." Any protest that Aragorn might have made was abruptly cut off as the world dropped out from under his feet. Legolas squeezed his hand once and then let him go.

He was tumbling and spinning downwards in freefall. His arms reached out desperately to grab anything to catch himself, but all he grasped was more air. His hair whipped his face as he spiraled towards the light at the bottom. Images flashed through his mind. One was Legolas facing Lord Katar and screaming as he was dragged away. Another was Lord Katar standing in front of Legolas, holding a frightening whip-like object. The last image was Legolas sobbing, curled up slightly and shaking in the cold as he laid in a puddle of his own blood. The light grew nearer, blinding him with its intensity, and then suddenly, everything stopped.

Aragorn gasped, his eyes shooting open.

o-o-o-o-o

Sorry for the last reply. It has been forever since I updated. I know I've updated my other story a few times in my absence and I apologize. It's only because I had more ideas for that one. I had to think about where I wanted this story to go. I want everyone to know I will finish this story. I will finish every story I write because I hate when I read a story I like that was made like 10 years ago and it is not finished. Sorry again and hope it was worth the wait.