Rating: PG-13 to R (Angst... proceed with caution)

Summary: When Legolas is forced to make a decision that could very
well determine the fate of all Middle Earth, what will he do? And
what consequences will his choice have?

Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: As in Chapter 1

// = elvish translations
# = flashbacks
* = thought

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Chapter 3 - Maybe It's Better This Way

A gust of icy cold wind swept through the forest and a shudder shook the elf's slight frame. He felt as if the wind had passed right through him. Between his injuries and the poison which was racking havoc inside his body, he desperately hoped that he would be able to make his way to Rivendell before his body failed him. Wrapping his arms tightly around his chest, he staggered forward, all his concentration was focused on putting one foot in front of the other that he didn't realise that the wound on his shoulder and chest still bled sluggishly. The poison had interfered with the natural healing powers of the elf.

Hours passed since he first started out on the journey. The usually surefooted elf began to stumble more and more often and was on the verge of collapsing. His determination fading away with each step and his body screamed out for him to stop. The increasing headache and blurry vision making it difficult for him to stay focused on his current task. Rivendell was only about an hour away but in his weakened state, that distance seemed like an eternity. So close yet so far. He wondered if it would be better to just lie down and let fate take its course instead of going through what Delund had promised. Lord Elrond cannot know of this threat. That would also mean that there would be no one he could seek help from. Treading through some overgrown grass, Legolas dragged his exhausted body towards a large tree and slowly sank to the ground. Leaning against the tree, he closed his eyes in utter exhaustion and sighed sadly. Maybe it was better this way.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Elrohir's head snapped up at the sound and he sprang lightly to his feet, his keen elven eyes scanning the area on his right. "Estel. wake up." he called softly to Aragorn.

"Hmm?" Aragorn stirred, blinking the sleep out of his eyes and trying to determine whether he was dreaming or someone actually tried to rouse him. He pushed himself up on one elbow when Elrohir nudged him gently on the shoulder with his foot, his eyes never leaving the area where the sound came from.

Earlier that day, Aragorn and Elrohir had decided to do some hunting to replenish their food storage before Legolas' arrival to Rivendell for the ranger's birthday celebration. The older twin had volunteered to stay behind and see to the preparation for the upcoming event. The weather was cool and comfortable, a perfect day for hunting even though they knew that there may be a risk for the temperature to drop at nightfall. Elladan had urged his human brother to pack an extra cloak in case the weather made a turn for the worse and after much persuasion that eventually turned into threats, Aragorn finally agreed reluctantly. He hated it when his brothers got overprotective.

The ride to the forest was rather cheerful, the earlier dispute quickly forgotten. The two brothers teased each other relentlessly as they headed deeper into the woods but ever since then, Elrohir had started acting strange, claiming to hear things that did not exist.

"Did you hear that?" Elrohir asked, his voice pulling Aragorn away from the comfortable dream-state he was in.

Still groggy from sleep, the ranger eyed his brother curiously. "Hear what?" he croaked. This was the fifth time the twin claimed to have heard something that night and he wondered what had caused his brother to be so jumpy. Aragorn was a little unsettled at first when his brother insisted to have heard something but after the third false alarm, he thought that the elf had finally lost it. The sound of a snapping twig brought Aragorn to his feet in a flash, his left hand grabbed for his bow, gripping it tightly and his right hand instinctively reached for an arrow behind his back and found nothing but air. He swore lightly and despite the seriousness of the situation, Elrohir smiled at his brother's nervous reaction. Aragorn reached down and lifted his quiver from beside his bedroll, strapping it securely onto his back. He tilted his head towards the direction of the sound and listened intently for a few moments but the sound did not come again. Elrohir was glad that his brother heard it this time for he was beginning to wonder if his imagination had finally gotten the better part of him. Or perhaps he was getting paranoid. Spending too much time with a ranger who had an affinity for trouble can make one nervous.

Nodding his head towards his right, Elrohir motioned silently for Aragorn to follow. The night was dark and Aragorn could hardly see three feet in front of him. He shivered and wondered who or what would venture out in the forest in this cold. Orcs would not be seen this close to Rivendell and all sane creatures would be hiding in their respective shelters. Pulling his cloak around his shoulder and wrapping it a little tighter around himself, he considered using his second cloak but had to abandon that thought when he saw Elrohir moving away from their camp into the shadows. Having to depend solely on his elven brother's keen eyesight to lead the way, the ranger followed the footsteps closely, ready to shoot at anything that posed a threat to them.

Elrohir stopped abruptly causing Aragorn to run headlong into him, almost knocking the elf to the ground. After regaining their footings, the twin pointed towards a figure on the ground leaning limply against the trunk of a tree, his head hanging lifelessly to one side. Aragorn squinted his eyes hoping to get a better view of the unfortunate creature but his human eyes were not made to see in the dark.

A gasp escaped from Elrohir as his sharp eyesight picked up the identity of the figure. "Oh Valar! It's Legolas!" They knew that Legolas was due to arrive at Rivendell these few days and thought they may even meet up with him during their hunting trip. Never did they expect to find the prince under these circumstances.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Sorry it's a bit short... but... but... it's not my fault! He made me do it! *points to Delund*