A/N You guys are amazing, let me just say that! Thanks for the reminder this past week about all I have to be grateful for! :)

Disclaimer: not mine.

Chapter Two

Aragorn flopped back in his chair, rubbing at his eyes with the tips of his fingers as he let the air out of his lungs.

"It feels like you are going around in circles, does it not?" A voice form the doorway startled Aragorn and he looked up to find one of the higher ranking healers in the doorway. His arms were piled high with bed linen and it appeared as if he had been on his way to the healing halls.

"Yes," Aragorn admitted, looking at the table in front of him. The wooden top was strewn with bottles, herbs, bowls, parchment, and almost everything else one might need to create an antidote. "The orcs have once again shown us that their brain capacity is not as small as we chose to believe."

"Only when it comes to things of darkness," the light haired elf countered, stepping further into the room. "That is all that they comprehend."

"Yes, well, they are comprehending it far too well for my liking." Aragorn leaned forward once more and picked up a jar. Discouragement was etched on his face as he dropped a few drops of brown liquid into a bowl. "I wish my Ada, Lord Elrond, I mean, was here. He is the one we really need."

"So do we all. But until he can come, we must do the best that we can. Maybe if we bring together all of our knowledge, we could match that of Master Elrond's." The healer sat the pile of sheets on a chair and stood next to Aragorn, watching him work.

"Have you tried a pinch of Lobelia?" he asked, selecting a small jar.

"No, but give it a go. I am willing to try just about anything at this point," Aragorn said with a shrug. His brow furrowed as he picked up a fragrant herb and began to grind it.

THEHANDSOFAHEALER

"Another day and all I've accomplished is another round of dead ends," Aragorn spat in exasperation. He leaned his head back with a faint thunk against the head board and sighed.

"Getting…closer…I'm sure," Legolas whispered in-between his agonizingly fought for breathes. The light patter of rain could be heard striking the roof of the palace and Legolas tuned it in, finding comfort from nature as he concentrated on that rather than the all-consuming pain.

The two friends were sitting together on the prince's bed, the elf leaning exhaustedly against the human for support. His head rested lightly on Aragorn's shoulder, and the man's hand was wrapped loosely around his wrist as he monitored his pulse. The man was taking a break, the head healer having kicked him out for just such a thing. According to her, he "could not function without a break, because as a human, he was not as enduring as the elves". And though it was true, the words had stung and only added to his mood.

"I'm not so sure about that," Aragorn scoffed gruffly, a hint of bitterness entering his voice, "and to top things off, I think your fever is starting to rise again." Reaching out, he touched Legolas' forehead and sighed heavily again. He made as if to reach for the damp cloth that was sitting next to the basin of cold water, but a hand against his chest stopped him. Looking over at Legolas, he found the prince gazing at him intently despite the fact that he could hardly see.

"Estel," Legolas whispered emphatically.

"Yes?" Aragorn asked in bewilderment, which only grew as Legolas shook his head.

"Estel," he repeated, pressing his hand harder against the man's chest.

"Legolas, I am sorry. I don't know what you mean."

"Hope," Legolas ground out, stilling giving the man that emphatic look. "Be true…to your name." He patted Aragorn again, and then allowed himself to relax back. His energy was drained from even the small task and he began to take smaller breathes in hope to ease the permanent pain in his chest.

"Oh…" the man said meekly. "What would I do without you, mellon-nin," He smiled wanly down at the elf as he drew the soothing wet cloth across his hot skin.

A sudden crack of thunder startled Aragorn and made Legolas jerk violently, his eyes flashing open.

"Breath through the pain," the man was instantly commanding as his voice tightened. Legolas had frozen, his face paling as his sharp movement from before tore at his chest, stealing his already limited breath away. The inevitable coughing did not show its ugly face, for which both were grateful.

"What…would…I…do….without you?" Legolas managed after his breathing had eased out and his pain somewhat diminished. He slumped back against the bed, his breathing still too labored for the man's comfort.

"Something stupid, more than likely," Aragorn said out of habit and with a grin he also relaxed back. He pressed the wet cloth he still clutched in one hand against his burning brow, before washing it down over the side of his face and neck.

"No…doubt." Legolas sounded tried, much more tried than Aragorn had heard him sound in a long time.

"Shh, save your breath," the human commanded softly as he dabbed at cracked lips with the rag. "I am becoming winded just listening to you." Without the usual fight, Legolas just nodded once. All of the sudden Aragorn was more afraid then he since stepping foot inside the door. Legolas never listened to him when it concerned his health, not without at least putting up a show.

"Hey, you know I could just get use to you obeying your healer's orders," he joked, almost as if he wanted to goad the elf. Legolas only smiled and Aragorn felt like he had been punched in the stomach. Another crack of thunder resounded through the room and the pelting of the rain increased. "It is some storm that is brewing…" Aragorn nudged Legolas lightly, looking at him with new worry. "And this year has already been a wet one, wetter than I remember for a long time. The rivers are going to run their banks; will that be a problem for Mirkwood?"

"For some…one…who ordered….silence….you shouldn't…keep asking…questions." Legolas shifted drowsily, still not opening his eyes. Aragorn's mind was not comforted, but he closed his mouth. He smiled sadly down at the elf, tightening his grip around his wrist momentarily. They were both quiet for so long that Aragorn had just began to think that Legolas had managed to drift off when he spoke once more.

"My warriors…how ar…e they?" he whispered, sounding more asleep than awake. Aragorn's heart caught in his chest once more.

"They… they are doing alright. No worse than you are, I think," he comforted, lightly rubbing the elf's arm. "The antidote is being worked on at all hours of the day." Legolas nodded drowsily.

"Time…" he slurred out and Aragorn cocked an eyebrow.

"Time?" he asked, "A little past midnight, why?"

"No…give your…self…time," Legolas voice was fading rapidly and the man knew that he was fast losing his friend to sleep.

"Time is the one thing we don't have, Legolas," he whispered quietly to himself with a sigh. He layed his head atop Legolas and bit his lower lip. The clock was ticking, they would never have enough time. If only his Ada was here. He would whip out the cure before any more elves died or became as sick as Legolas.

But they didn't have Elrond. They didn't have time

…That was, unless, they bought themselves more. The cogs in Aragorn's head began to turn, and his face hardened as he thought. They couldn't get the cure, not at the moment anyway, but that didn't mean that they couldn't look for a different solution. A less permanent one, one that would buy them the time they needed. Something to give the elves strength, to freeze the venom in their veins until Elrond could get here.

Giving a very unlike himself laugh, Aragorn shot up, clapping his hands together. Legolas yelped, his eyes flying open as he tumbled to the side as his support in Aragorn vanished. A low moan left his lips, followed by a feeble cough.

"Oh! Oh, I am so sorry, Legolas," Aragorn blurted out, quickly helping the elf so that he could recline against the mountain of pillows. A small smile was still on his face as he positioned his friend, patting his arm softly in reassurance.

"Go," Legolas whispered, shaking his head as if guessing that the man had come up with something. He smiled at the general direction as the human stood before coughing once. A hand came up to press against his chest as the sound of rasping and wheezing increased and Aragorn sat back down, his excitement falling faster than a brick dropped out of a tree.

"Will you be alright alone?" he asked, reaching out to lay the back of his hand against the elf's brow.

"Go." Legolas gave the man a small glare, before sinking back with a low hiss. The human slowly got his feet, worry still clear in his eyes.

"I'll send someone up, just don't do something stupid in that ten minutes," he said, before crossing to the door and walking swiftly down the first flight of stairs and towards the healers workplace.

"I have an idea!" he announced to the room at large as the threw open the doors. One of the three healers working there looked up, and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Any ideas are helpful," the other one murmured, concentrating on the herbs in front of her.

"It won't get us any closer to the cure, not really," Aragorn began, pacing back and forth animatedly, "but it will buy us time, and what we need is time."

"Explain," the top healer present prompted, putting down her vile and giving him her full attention.

"We strengthen the elves, give them something that in effect will water-down the venom. Lord Elrond, as I am sure you know, has come up with a variety of similar potions. We just need to take the basics and create something to fit our needs."

The elves looked at each and shrugged.

"Go ahead, the rest of us will continue to work on the full cure," the healer said, giving her nod of approval before turning back to her work.

Aragorn nodded, moving across the room and towards an empty table. As he passed one of the elves he stopped, tapping him on the shoulder.

"I left Legolas alone, but I don't think it should stay that way for long. His coughing has been getting worse." The elf nodded and silently left the room. Sitting down, Aragorn began to work, digging through his brain to remember anything that would help.

It was hours before Aragorn surfaced from the world of herbs, potions, and measurements as someone tapped his shoulder. Looking around, slightly startled, the human found himself face to face with Thranduil. Instantly a stone dropped through his stomach and to his boots.

"What's happened? Is it Legolas?" he blurted out before the king had time to open his mouth.

"No, Legolas is no worse," Thranduil said slowly, taking a seat hesitantly next to the ranger. "I have been told that you have come up with a new idea."

"Oh, yes," Aragorn said, turning back to the table and pointing at a bowl of white liquid. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, the emotion catching up with him now that he had stopped working. "What I am working on is not the cure, but it will give the elves strength and hopefully even downplay some of the symptoms. It will buy us time until Ad—Lord Elrond will get here."

Thranduil nodded, fingering a leafy plant. He looked just as tired as Aragorn was feeling. "Good," he finally said, "They need all the strength they can get. Many elves are just clinging to the thread of life."

"Elves shouldn't have to die," Aragorn said bitterly, moving forward to grind yet another plant into powder.

"No, no, they should not," Thranduil agreed, brushing back his blond hair. "But my people have not, and will not, give in easily. They are strong."

"Which is making all this," Aragorn gestured with his left hand around the room, "all the more scary to me." He sighed, scrapping the powder into the bowl.

"Indeed," Thranduil said so softly that Aragorn almost missed it.

"Is that why you asked for help?" Aragorn looked up hesitantly, knowing full well that he was stepping out onto thin ice. Thranduil was proud, as well as tired and frustrated. It wasn't a good match.

"Yes," the king said shortly, abruptly standing. "We are warriors, not healers. Though our healers are good enough to save our lives time after time, this was just above their heads and elves were dying."

"No offense was meant." Aragorn held up his hands meekly, trying to calm the king. Thranduil slowly sank back to his seat, giving a single nod of acceptance.

"So does this mean you are getting closer to the cure?" The king asked, after a long moment, drawing his finger along a crack in the table.

"Yes and no," Aragorn said in a low tone, shaking his head as he rubbed his face. "I wish I could tell you differently. We are close, I have the feeling. We are just missing some key links."

"Maybe this… this potion that you are working one will be the break you and the elves need." Thranduil awkwardly reassured, lightly gripping the man's shoulder. The man knew that the king didn't do this often, and felt a strange feeling enter his heart. Maybe he was just tired, but he was greatly touched by the fact that the proud old elf thought him worth comforting. Things had changed in the last years from when Thranduil could hardly look at him, and he knew that he had Legolas to thank for a lot of it. The young prince had worked tirelessly with both of them to create peace.

"I desperately hope so, my lord. I hope so for everyone's sakes." Aragorn smiled, a little wanly, and Thranduil nodded. The clatter of pounding footsteps shot past the room and Thranduil shot to his feet, leaning back in an attempt to see what was happening through the cracked door. The footsteps faded and Thranduil turned back.

"The best of luck to you, Elrondion," Thranduil said briskly, before turning towards the door. But before he could reach it, the pounding feet came back. This time, however, the door to the room burst open with a crash and a messenger, dressed in dark grey, came flying in.

"King Thranduil!" the messenger barked, dropping down to one knee and without waiting for the lord to reply, blurted, "It's Prince Legolas!"

TBC...

Whoops...there is my famous cliffie showing its ugly face. :)

Review Replies:

Crushed: Thanks! I am very glad that you do and hope that you will continue to read! :)

Sam: Glad to hear so! :)Thanks very much!

ElvenPrincess: Haha, those frying pan skills come in very useful! It will be just what those orcs need. :) Thanks!

Helen: I'm sorry that you thought it was boring, but hey, to each their own! Maybe next time I will catch your interest. ;) Thanks!

Idon'tliketoast: haha, well, I have my little siblings do it to me before. :) I'm glad that you are enjoying it! And I love odd looking dances (partly because that is the only *I* can dance.) Thanks!