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?

// = elvish translations
# = flashbacks
* = thought

Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: As in Chapter 1

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A/N: Sorry this chapter came so late. I know I was suppose to post on Monday but I had a little "accident" and couldn't come to work for the past few days and therefore could not post. I hope ya'll are still alive. LOL! Once again, I apologize for the delay.

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Chapter 17 - Nick of Time

Elrond searched the house for Legolas. He wish to discuss what he intended to do with the elven prince. After all, the matter concerned him. Celeborn and Galadriel had come across a concoction in an ancient parchment. The treatment was a risky one for they did not know what effects it would have. It may or may not work. If worked, it may delay the attacks or may ease the pain. On the other hand, if something went wrong, it may worsen his condition or may even kill him. The discussion with one of his counsellors earlier in the morning had almost ended in an argument. His counsellor had claimed his decision to be rash and unsafe but he had insisted on trying. He needed to speak with Legolas but the elf could not be found anywhere.

The concern for the elf’s whereabouts brought Elrond to his human son. The elven lord explained the situation to Aragorn and wished him to locate his friend as soon as possible. After some queries, he was directed to the last known location of his friend.

Finding a set of tracks leading out of the courtyard into the woods, he followed it, knowing that it would eventually lead to his missing friend. The tracks were obvious and easy to follow and it was clear that Legolas had headed towards the waterfall. Quickly, the ranger strode in the direction of the waterfall and moments later, he made out the silhouette of an elf sitting by the lake. He saw the elf hold something to his neck and his heart stopped. A glimmer caught his eyes as sunlight reflected off the blade of the knife.

"NO!!" he screamed but he was still too far away to be heard. Aragorn broke into a run but he realised that he could never make it there in time to stop what Legolas was doing. Braking to a stop, the ranger pulled out his bow and notched an arrow quicker than he would imagine he could and took aim. The bowstring was drawn back tightly against the bow. He only had one shot. If he missed, the prince would be dead, either by his own hands or by the arrow from his best friend’s bow.

The arrow flew and time slowed, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Aragorn watched as the arrow sailed through the air straight at the elf and for a moment, he thought that the arrow was going to pierce Legolas’ heart. He stood frozen to the ground and watched as the arrow grazed the elf’s right hand making him lose his grip on the knife. Then he saw the prince’s light green tunic slowly turned a dark shade of brown. Terror swept through him as he witnessed the elf went limp, the shock finally brought him back to his senses. Throwing down his bow, he made a mad dash towards his fallen friend.

Blood gushed out from the deep wound on Legolas’ neck and Aragorn knew that there was no way he could stop the bleeding. Pinching the laceration together with his fingers in a futile attempt to slow the blood loss, he ripped off a strip from his tunic with his teeth. With his free hand, the ranger pressed the cloth tightly against the cut.

"Why? Why?!" he asked bitterly while cradling Legolas’ head in his lap. The young prince’s face had turned a sickly shade of grey and his hands were icy cold. He needed to get him back to the house but there was no way he could carry the elf with one hand. And if he let go of his other hand, his friend would surely bleed to death before they even set foot into the house. The human sat there and watched as the blood soaked through the cloth and sipped out between his fingers. It was a lose-lose situation.

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Elrond paced back and forth in his study. Ever since they discovered the truth, Legolas had stopped pulling his disappearing tricks. He had allowed them to help him through the past two attacks but now the prince had vanished again without leaving any word. He could not help worrying so he had sent his youngest son to search for the elf. That was almost an hour ago. Elrond walked to his desk and sank into the comfortable chair that somehow did not seem too comfortable at that moment. Resting his elbows on the wooden surface and burying his face in his hands, he took a trip down memory lane.

The situation with the elven prince had stumped everyone. Countless meetings were held which lasted until early hours in the morning. Every book, paper and parchment in the library were sieved through as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Finally, with all resources spent, Elrond suggested seeking help from Celeborn and Galadriel. It took some persuading before Legolas agreed but had requested that his identity be kept secret. He did not want the news to be spread to his father’s kingdom. It was pointless to have his father worry over something that they had little control over. He had written a letter detailing all that had happened and in the event of his death, it was to be sent to Mirkwood.

Letters were exchanged between Rivendell and Lothlorien by carrier pigeons. The days passed by swiftly but still no solution had been found. Legolas had suffered two more attacks since then, each of the attacks more severe than the previous one and it took him longer to recover his strength. But at least now he didn’t suffer alone. He was among friends even though there was nothing they could do but be supportive. They watched as he cried out in pain, his screams tore at their hearts and each tear he shed took away a piece of his soul. Panic rose among the elves of Rivendell. If they do not find a cure soon, there will be nothing left to cure. Eventually, Galadriel came across something that may be of use but she did not know what effect it would have for no records of successful usage was documented. The treatment may help alleviate the symptoms but it may make it worse. Elrond wanted Legolas to make the decision himself whether to try or to forgo it.

A soft knock at the door brought the elf lord back to the present. His twin sons stood at the door looking at their father worriedly. Elrond forced a smile and he rose, nodding for them to enter. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances and then followed their father to the large window which overlook the garden below.

"You have decided," Elladan stated quietly.

Elrond gave a curt nod.

"He would agree," Elrohir put in softly.

"Yes he would," the elf lord turned around and looked his sons in the eyes. "It is either that or the ring and you know that he would rather die than have me give up Vilya."

The twins nodded understandingly.

"Come. Let us see if your brother has managed to find our mysterious elf." Elrond placed his hands around each of his sons’ shoulder and led them out of his study.

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To Be Continued...