Note: I changed the twins destination to Lothlórien because I realized that when they were escaping they had no way of knowing that their salves don't work against the poison as there was no time to stop when they were escaping .

"The true warrior fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." ― G.K. Chesterton

They urged their horses forward Elrohir in the lead head whipping back every so often. They must have covered more than a day's worth's journey for the sun was already setting in the west. "Elrohir!" The twin turned his head to see Arrai mounting Elladan's horse holding the now sagging elf firmly on his saddle.

"Can you hold him?"

"He's a bit heavy." Arrai grunted trying to balance the reigns in one hand while adjusting the ailing elf in the other. Elrohir gnashed his teeth and slow his horse to allow Arrai to ride up beside him. The two switched and Elrohir settled the weight of his slighter brother grabbing hold of his reigns firmly while Arrai tied Elladan's horse loosely to his own. Elven mounts seldom abandoned their riders but it was best to give them direction or they would be far slower than they otherwise would have been.

Elrohir frowned as his brothers form sagged against him pressing a hand to his forehead. "He's burning up." Arrai's exhausted eyes met his. Dismounting Arrai tore off a strip from his travelling cloak and passed it to Elrohir who broke off the arrows shaft and pressed the cloth to the wound. Elrohir smoothed back the hair from his brother's forehead beading in sweat, eyes rapidly moving under lids indicating fever. "We are almost there muindor." He said trying to assure himself more than anyone.

The forest was soon in sight. Alighting from their horses they met the Lothlórien patrol. Seeing the distressed faces of the newcomers Rumil asked little questions and allowed them in. Hands pulled Elladan from his twin but Elrohir insisted on following face stricken with worry. Arrai realizing two might be too many for the healers to properly work settled outside the halls of healing after cleaning himself from the dust and black blood which had seeped its way into his tunics. Gazing at the fountains of clear water which sprayed the luscious expanse of greenery around him Arrai tried not to worry at the time it was taking for Elrohir to emerge. He had faith in the healers, he had to. He must have been sitting there for hours for when he awoke from elven dreaming as it was the dead of night and the whole garden was alight in candles. He had not meant to sleep but the fight had worn him out. More than he cared to admit. His eyes met the one's whose footsteps had awakened him.

"Lord Celeborn?" He attempted to rise but Lord Celeborn stopped him with a gesture.

Though the face was impassive the eyes were glazed in much sorrow. "It is good to have you here son of Glorfindel, I loath to be the bearer of ill, however we have not the remedy for what ails Elrond's son. You must take him back to Rivendell."

Arrai's face darkened. "It is merely a shaft!" His voice was weak betraying his emotions. Lord Celeborn sighed deeply and settled next too Arrai observing the purple lilies floating in the fountain there centers like brilliant stars lighting up the courtyard. "It has a poison unknown to us. It would take my best healers and at least a month to concoct a salve. He does not have that long."

"How long?" The pause was almost unbearable. "Ten days, perhaps less, or more. Elrond's abilities are unparalleled but the danger will be in the fever.

"Will he live then?" His voice was barely a whisper but elven ears caught the question. The both of them continued sitting there until at length Lord Celeborn turned to face Arrai's pained countenance. "If he survives the journey I believe so."

They sat in more silence until the fair haired elf looked upon the younger one his eyes piercing through the soul. "When Glorfindel brought you I had first thought he jested when he spoke of how many you had cut down in your short existence. But now I see that I was mistaken."

The younger elf closed his eyes briefly not wanting to answer. He was tired, tired of fighting the orcs and a foreboding feeling in his chest warned him of more darkness to come. "I do what I must."

Lord Celeborn smiled cryptically at that. "And you do it well." Then suddenly his eyes flashed into anger and then into sorrow. "One as young as you should be sitting in the elven halls of learning reading the scriptures of others, though I do not agree with Glorfindel, I believe in the time to come you will prove yourself a legend on the battlefield." The Sindar elf rose to leave but turned as if wanting to say more. His eyes scrutinized the dark haired elf sitting before him as if trying to read his very soul, until at length his gaze fell.

"May Ilúvatar always light your path." Arrai inclined his head in thanks respectfully as the elf turned to leave taken aback by the intensity of the gaze. "May he be with you as well." To this statement Lord Celeborn broke out into a chuckle which morphed into laughter much to the confusion of the younger elf.

Thranduil paced the halls of the council chambers. Could it be? No. The darkness had died years ago when Sauron was defeated. Gil Galad, Elendil, Isildur, they had fought, defeated what was evil. But the ring!

Valar! He knew it in his heart. Deep within that the darkness was not gone forever nor purged. For years he had fooled himself. Placated himself with thoughts that this was the age of the elves. Lying to himself though a part of him had always known. Even after her death he had denied it. Denied it for their son's sake. Legolas, he had hoped, prayed that he had been wrong. But what once was had come again. Had it? Or was it a lesser evil merely a herald of what was to come? Or was this fear unbased? Perhaps he was overreacting. He had to be. With a sigh he released his grip on the table. Resting that is what he should be doing now. Familiar footsteps were heard in the hall.

"Ada?"

Thranduil sighed and turned to face his son face impassive his previous hurricane of feeling suppressed under a calm mask of indifference. "You should get some rest."

"Galion told me I'd find you here."

"Legolas." But his sons jaw was set, unyielding.

"Why do you keep things from me? Or would you have me question Tulien?"

"I do so to protect you."

"And what if I don't want to be protected?" Legolas yelled.

Thranduil's eyes flashed in anger. "Why do you question my judgment?"

"Why do you question mine?" The two stared each other off. How many centuries had passed? It was hard for Thranduil to believe that his son had grown. But Legolas had. The Legolas only decades ago would not dare question his Adar.

His shoulders sagged ever so slightly but sharp elven eyes caught the movement a grin appearing on his sons face. He sighed.

"Nothing is certain yet. Only that your suspicions were right ion nin."

"Meaning?"

"Nothing." The King removed his crown laying it gently on the table. His eyes caught his sons confused ones.

"The one leading the orcs could be anyone. Any orc with half a brain could do it."

"You were worried for that?"

"It is my prerogative to worry ion nin. I am King. I must think of all the possibilities. However, I have little proof. On the morrow I shall send bowmen to find out more of this, then I shall decide what is to be done and weather there is any true danger."

"Send me! I will go." Thranduil frowned at his son's request.

"You are crown prince, what if the threat was real and something were to happen to me? Who would lead Mirkwood?"

Legolas chuckled. "You mean if Galion bores you to death? Adar if there is truly no threat then there is no harm in me going."

"And if there is?"

"I will be fine Adar." His sons pleading eyes met his own.

Thranduil sighed looking at his sons eager face. It couldn't hurt now could it? "Be in the courtyard at dawn."

Legolas's eyes alighted in fire. "I shall make you proud." He turned on his heel and ran off probably to inform his friends going on the patrol that he was joining them.

Thranduil allowed a smile to ghost his face. "You always do ion nin, you always do."

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