A/N This chapter isn't the longest, but at least it is, in fact, a chapter. :)

Disclaimer: not mine.

Chapter Four

Rubbing his face tiredly and in disappointment, Aragorn looked up as the door opened and shut. Thranduil stood in the doorway, looking over at his sleeping son, before turning to face Aragorn.

"Has anything changed?" the king asked, moving to sit next to Aragorn. A disapproving look was thrown pointedly at the human, and the man swiftly moved to sit on the chair properly.

"In Legolas? Not really." Aragorn fingered the letter, knowing the king would have to be told, but not really enjoying the thought of it. "He tried to get to the Healing Halls again."

"Did he? The stupid, stubborn, boy." Thranduil face brightened and he looked back over at his son's pallid and worn face with pride.

Aragorn sighed, hating to be holding the needle that would pop the king's momentary bubble of hope. "He only got about half as far as he did the day before. He is growing weaker, my lord." He paused, taking a breath, "and it doesn't appear as if my father is going to get here anytime soon."

"What! What do you mean?" Thranduil asked sharply, sitting forward and jerking his ice-blue eyes back onto the human's face. Aragorn held up the letter and handed it to Thranduil. The elf took it and began to read swiftly, his face paling.

"So we cannot count on any help from Rivendell," he stated bitterly.

"Ada will more than likely have received the message by now. But it will take him too long to travel from Lorien, to Rivendell, and then to Mirkwood. My bet is that it will take Ada at least two weeks to get here. At least."

"Two weeks!" Thranduil exploded, jumping to his feet and staring down with dismay at the ranger. "My elves cannot wait two weeks, they need help now. Some of them even now teetering over an edge!" At that, all the air seemed to go out of him and he deflated. "We lost another one, not but an hour ago," he relayed in a dead tone, looking at the human with hurting eyes. "No, ranger, we cannot wait that long."

"What would you have me do?" Aragorn snapped, also getting to his feet. "I am doing all I can. I, more than anyone, wish that my father was here!"

Thranduil flared up, his pale face flushing, but a loud moan from behind them caused both ranger and king to turn towards the bed. Legolas' head twisted against the pillows and he muttered something intelligible.

Both deflated almost at once.

"Forgive me, I acted out of turn," Aragorn mumbled, and Thranduil nodded in acceptance.

"We need Lord Elrond, though. We can not dance around that problem." Thranduil kept his eyes riveted on his son and folded his arms in front of his chest. Aragorn followed his gaze, keenly understanding the faint trace of fear in the king's voice.

"Agreed. But he isn't…here. He isn't here," he said slowly, his eyebrows drawing together as a frown penetrated his face. Thranduil was silent, recognizing the look of someone deep in thought. The man looked up, his eyes boring into Thranduil's seriously.

"What if we brought someone to him?"

"What do you mean?"

A smile began to creep across Aragorn's face, excitement pooling in his eyes. "I could take someone who has the venom in their veins, and bring them to Rivendell. Ada will receive the letter soon, I am sure of that, and make for Imladris and we will be there already. That way, we can cut out more than half the traveling time, and Ada will have everything that he needs." Aragorn began to pace back and forth, his voice growing louder. "And once he has the antidote, then he can send it back with instructions by way of bird, which is faster than horseback.

Thranduil frowned, thinking along this reasoning. "Will it not be hard on the elf?" he asked calmly. Aragorn slowed his pacing.

"Yes," he said truthfully. "But it will be worth it. We have to leave all possibilities open, don't you think?"

"Let me think this over," Thranduil announced, standing. For a moment, he appeared extremely tired and Aragorn realized the weight that he bore. Being king was hardly ever easy.

"I think we could even leave this afternoon. The sooner the better," Aragorn remained gently. All the same and the king sighed heavily.

"Who were you thinking of taking, anyway?" he asked, giving the human a hard look

"The strongest that—"

"I'll go."

Aragorn and Thranduil wheeled around to find a weary looking Legolas struggling into a sitting position, his face shinning with both determination and illness.

Aragorn laughed, scoffing lightly. "No." He crossed his arms, his eyes lighting up in blaze as he stared Legolas down. The elf stared back, though his arms shook visibly and he had to lower himself flat, rather ruining the effect. His eyes were still burning bright, life flaring through them though his body was useless. Thranduil leaned against the chair, his eyes flickering back and forth between the two friends. Legolas would not be going, that was firm, but he wanted to see how Aragorn would handle it. "No, Legolas. You are weak, it would be too hard on your body."

Legolas shook his head with more life in him than Aragorn had seen all week.

"It must be me that goes," he paused to suck in a large, wheezing breath. "It makes senses."

"No, it doesn't," Aragorn shot back, striding closer to the bed. His face was flushing red, though Legolas' was redder from fever, and he used a voice he normally would only have used in battle. "How does it make sense? Legolas, there are others who haven't been affected for as long. They are stronger, better prepared for what a harsh journey this is going to be."

To Aragorn's surprise, Legolas nodded. "That is all very important, but I can offer something else."

"What else? Your cheerful attitude? Your friendship? That is not going to save your warriors!" His voice was rising, but Legolas held his ground. "Give me three good reasons!" Legolas paused and Aragorn smiled triumphantly.

"For one," Legolas began, giving his friend a look that clearly said 'you haven't won yet', " I've traveled with injuries before. I know what it is like and how to conserve my energy and how to do it with the least amount of discomfort. Secondly, I know you and trust you. Not all elves will and if they don't trust you, how will you care for them. Third, I know the way to Rivendell."

"Your stretching, especially on the third," Aragorn pressed, his brows rising higher. Legolas flushed a little redder, but ploughed on.

"Hypothetically, if something where to happen to you, then I could continue—"

"—Hypothetically if you could stay on the horse!—"

"—onto to Imladris." Legolas voice remained calm and even, but Aragorn was still close to shouting and Thranduil shifted forward. Aragorn was losing control of the situation, Legolas had gained the edge. Aragorn began to splutter, raking both hands frustrated through his hair. Thranduil saw his eyes pinch shut, and with apparently a great deal of control take several deep breathes. When he opened his eyes again, the anger was gone.

"Before I could even consider taking you, I would need two things," he said in a normal tone once more. Thranduil noted the careful wording with approval and sat back. "First, why in the name of the valar do you even want to go?" Legolas blinked once, and frowned. Finally he shook his head.

"Because," he started softly, "I do not want anyone else to have to go through it. Because I think that it would be best for everyone."

Aragorn rolled his eyes, but pushed forward with his second, and more important, question. "Legolas, if I was to take you, you would have to swear to me that you would follow any command or order I gave. This would include taking all medication without any fuss, stopping whenever I command, and telling me the truth about how you are feeling when I ask." He locked his serious grey eyes with Legolas' blue eyes, folding his arms firmly.

After a split moment of hesitation, Legolas gave in. "I will do as you have asked, Estel." Aragorn blinked in surprise, but overcame his shock quickly.

"Swear it too me, Legolas."

"I swear, Aragorn, I will follow any command you give me for this journey." Legolas meet his eyes with full determination.

The man shared a bemused expression with Thranduil, who just shook his head. "Very well, Legolas, I will think it over. But there are many things I must do before I go, so for now, sleep. Regain whatever strength you can, because even if you do not go, you will need it." He turned to Thranduil, who nodded curtly and they both began to move towards the door, the king throwing one last, anxious look over his shoulder. Before they could reach the door, the prince's panicked voice stopped them in their tracks.

"Estel, you won't just leave, right? You will come back and at least say good-bye?" Aragorn swiftly turned to find that Legolas had managed to push himself upright. A wild, almost scared, had entered into his eyes and the man nodded.

"Of courses, Legolas. I promise I will not leave without saying good-bye. Have I ever?" Legolas collapsed back to the bed and Aragorn gave him one last long look before leaving.

"You are not seriously considering taking Legolas," Thranduil ordered without looking at Aragorn as he swiftly walked down the hall.

"No," Aragorn said with a little less conviction then what Thranduil wanted to hear.

"Do not even think it!"

Aragorn shrugged reluctantly. "Part of what he says makes sense." Thranduil swung around to face him, lighting flashing in his eyes.

"None of what he says makes sense! He will stay here where he belongs and were he will be safest. Right now, his just a mixture of heroics and stupidly rolled together, don't let him fool you into thinking he can make that trip."

"You forgot stubborn," Aragorn added, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the king. But still, a thin smiled stretched Thranduil's lips.

"That too. But despite what he thinks, he cannot make that trip. He is too weak."

"I know…" Aragorn trailed off, a thoughtful look that Thranduil did not like at all crossing his face. "I will think on whom is best to take, and get back to you." He hurried off and Thranduil watched him go. He did not like this, not at all. Legolas had bewitched the man into thinking that he could do the impossible, he was sure of it. Aragorn and Legolas listen to each other. He was almost positive that had a different elf made the same proposal, the human would have laughed and denied it. But because it was Legolas... That was how they so often go into trouble, he was sure of it.

"M'lord!" the voice startled him and Thranuil turned to find one of the many elves that was in need of his attention.

"Walk as you talk," Thranduil directed, pushing his own feelings away for the moment and concentrating what was on hand. He would simply have to trust the human son of Elrond's to make the right choice and well, if the man didn't then, he was still king as well as Legolas' father.

TBC...

Hmm...wonder who that lucky person will be? I mean, surely Aragorn will not even dare to think about taking Leoglas.

Review Replies

Idon'tliketoast: So many times I have wished that I could get right in a fictional character's face! I feel your pain... ;) I guess you will just have to sit tight and see what happens. Thanks!