Sorry its been a few days, here is the next instalment of my story. Hope you enjoy.

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Tauriel returned to Legolas a few hours later, her stomach turning from Guilt. She did not know what to expect when she walked into the room. She was greeted by the sight of Thranduil stood over Legolas and Bard preparing something by a fire. Legolas's torso was covered in blood-soaked bandages, the severity of his condition was all too clear to her now.

'My lord.' She said swiftly as she bowed to Thranduil.

He looked at her with bloodshot eyes, his face solemn. A small smile crossed his lips, her presence calmed him in a way he had not expected.

'Tauriel' he said softly 'I am glad you are here.'

She was shocked at the Kings response, but she was glad that she was welcome. Legolas was all she had left now and the thought of losing him was too much to bear.

'How is he?' she asked as she walked to her Prince's side.

'I need to cauterize his wound' said Bard from behind her 'if I don't he is going to die'

Tauriel looked at him, eyes wide. Legolas wasn't dying, surely not. He's Legolas Greenleaf, the finest fighter Mirkwood had ever seen. Bard picked up an iron poker from the fire and brought it to the table on which the feverish Prince lay. It glowed a molten orange in the dull light of the room.

'I need you to hold him still.' Said Bard sternly as he pulled away the bloodied bandages that covered Legolas' wound.

Thranduil grabbed his sons shoulders and Tauriel took hold of his legs as Bard placed a firm hand on the Prince's chest. The elf's breathing had become laboured, he was slipping fast now. Bard looked at the King and Thranduil nodded at him in readiness. Bard braced himself as he placed the iron poker on Legolas' wound, the smell of burning flesh filled the room. Legolas screamed, his whole body writhed in agony. Suddenly his eyes rolled back and his whole body went limp.

'Legolas?' said Tauriel as she grabbed his face in her hands, the prince's breathing had become more laboured.

Bard continued to cauterize the wound, thankful for the Prince's unconscious state. Once he was finished he began to gently clean the dried blood that covered Legolas' chest and redressed his wound. All they could do now was wait, Legolas' breathing was slow and shaky and he shivered as his brow burned with a fever.

'I will return in a little while to check up on him.' He said as he placed a comforting hand on the Kings shoulder 'mop his brow and if anything changes come get me at once'

Bard slipped out of the room leaving Tauriel and Thranduil alone. Tauriel stroked Legolas' blonde hair, as the King sat back in an old chair that sat in the corner of the room. The fire filled the room with a golden light, the soft clicks of the burning wood were the only sounds that could be heard.

For a long while, they sat in utter silence, watching Legolas lay there struggling for air. Tauriel looked at her King who sat completely still, like a statue as he stared into the fire, the flames dancing in his ice blue eyes. She wondered what was going through his mind as she continued to stroke her prince's hair. Legolas suddenly began to stir, his head lolling from side to side and his face scrunched in pain.

'Legolas, can you hear me Mellon?' she said softly as she placed her hand on his feverish cheek.

'Tauriel?' he said, his voice weak 'is that you?'

'Yes my lord, it is I' she replied, a smile crossed her face. Tears began to form in her eyes as Legolas opened his eyes and smiled at her.

'Why do you cry Tauriel?' he asked, concern replaced the smile that was just there.

Before she could reply Thranduil was at his son's side.

'Legolas my son, how do you feel' he asked quickly as he took his son's hand in his.

'I hurt Ada' he replied, tears spilling from the corners of his tired eyes.

'Rest Ion, I will go find Bard' Thranduil placed a tender kiss on his son's forehead and then left to find the bargeman.

'You did not answer me' Legolas said suddenly 'why do you weep?'

'You have been badly wounded Legolas, for a moment I thought I had lost you.'

Her words rang in his ears, his heart raced, should he tell her how he felt? He then remembered that Kili's death was still so fresh for her.

'I had to save you Tauriel' he said with a smile 'I would gladly give my life for yours'

She was taken aback by Legolas' statement, she was just a lowly elf and he a Prince.

Suddenly Legolas began to shake uncontrollably, his hand balled into a fist as his eyes rolled back into his head. Tauriel grabbed his shoulders, her eyes wide in shock. Then once again Legolas fell limp.

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So there it is, more will follow. Hope you have enjoyed this latest chapter and I will update soon.