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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Chapter 23 - Confrontation With Evil

Aragorn jumped three feet in the air at the voice behind him and dropped the box. He cursed himself for not paying more attention to his surroundings. Slowly, he turned around to face the owner of the voice... and gasped. The figure towered over him by almost a foot and the glowing red eyes behind the hood penetrated his soul. A cold chill ran down his spine and he shook slightly.

Delund took a step towards the stunt ranger, a long knife grasped tightly in his right hand.

"What have we got here?" the elf leered evilly. "Oh look, it’s Elrond’s puny human son."

The elf took another step forward forcing the ranger to retreat deeper into the cavern.

"Don’t be afraid of me, little human. I am your uncle," Delund laughed menacingly. "How nice of you to drop by."

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Elrond’s head snapped up as if sensing some unseen danger. "Where is Estel?" he directed the question at no one in particular.

"He is right behind me," Elladan jerked his thumb over his shoulder and then turned around and found himself staring into empty space. "Well, he was here," the older twin shrugged.

Elrond frowned. Something was wrong. It was not like Aragorn to leave his best friend’s side during situations like this. A pang of fear rose from within him and he whirled around. "Take care of Legolas," he said as his long strides carried him out of the room.

The morning sky was darkening at an alarming rate when Elrond left the house. He had no idea where Aragorn went but instinct told him to make his way to his brother’s lair. A sense of urgency tugged at the corner of his mind urging him to move faster. If he wanted to track down the ranger, he had to do it before the rain for all tracks would be gone when the rain came. Aragorn’s tracks were clear and not difficult to follow. From the direction they are heading, Elrond was quite sure his instinct was correct.

Fat raindrops started to fall from the heavens above and the wind picked up speed. In fear of losing his son’s track, the elf lord broke into a run, ignoring the pain as the large pellets of rain hit his face. "Be safe Estel, be safe." His legs carried him through the woods and he came to a halt when Aragorn’s tracks ended in front of a well-hidden cave. But what shocked him the most was when he saw another set of tracks. A fresher set which covered up the ranger’s and they were elven. Unsheathing his sword, the elf lord stepped into the tunnel and reached the cave just in time to see Delund advancing towards Aragorn, pressing him back in the direction of the wall.

"Delund!"

The deep voice that he had not heard for many centuries brought Delund to a dead stop and he whirled around forcefully, his prey forgotten, and came face to face with his foster brother.

"Elrond!" the dark elf cried out in surprise. When he found the ranger snooping around his lair, he was exhilarated. He thought he could take the ranger hostage and forced the ring from Elrond. He was so close to success. Never did he expect Elrond to show up. Now with two against one, he knew that he would never be able to defeat them.

Aragorn glanced over at his father from behind Delund and nodded towards the dark elf, indicating his intention to attack but Elrond shook his head to discourage his son’s further action.

"Delund, it doesn’t have to be this way." Elrond spoke softly and approached his brother slowly. "End this while there’s still a chance."

"Give me the ring!" Delund shouted.

"Listen to me. There is hope yet if you would let us help you," the elf lord tried to reach out to his long lost brother desperately hoping against hope that he could somehow talk some sense into him.

"Hope died the day I was exiled!"

"It was the jealousy and hatred that clouded your judgements. You were once kind and gentle. I know it because you could have killed me when you attempted to take the ring… but you did not. I can see the light behind those eyes, begging to be set free from their prison. Come back to us, Delund, let go of your hate and anger. Step out of the darkness and come back into the light. Leave these dark caves that had served as your prison for so many centuries."

Delund snorted disgustedly. "The light has no meaning to me." The dark elf smiled wickedly. I *am* the darkness. It is part of me and I am part of It." Reaching into his tunic, Delund removed a small glass vial and held it in front of him.

"Give me Vilya and I will spare his life."

Aragorn eyed the vial in the creature’s hand and contemplated lunging for it. The vial was his friend’s last chance of survival. If he could get it, then everything will be over. But what if the content of the vial was not genuine?

"Oh, I assure you that the content is authentic… and I would not do that if I were you, boy," the twisted elf spoke without even looking at the young man.

Aragorn was taken aback. He was sure that he did not say it aloud but the creature seemed to have read his mind.

"So, what will it be brother? The ring or the life of Mirkwood’s prince?"

Elrond was caught between a rock and a hard place. His heart hammered painfully against his chest and sweat rolled down his back, soaking through his robe. *What will it be?* Delund’s voice echoed in his head. The life of one or the life of all in Middle Earth?

Decision.

He thumbed the ring unconsciously on his middle finger and breathed in deeply. How would he explain to King Thranduil if his only son died while under his care? But how would he justify if he let a crazed and power-hungry elf take control of Vilya and put Middle Earth into great peril? No one knew what Delund would use Vilya for but one thing was for sure, he would not use it for good deeds.

The storm continued to brew outside, flashes of lightning lit the long tunnel which led into the cave. The deafening crack of thunder shook the grounds.

"Choose! Now!"

"I-I cannot-"

"Then the death of the prince will be on your hands and the guilt will haunt you for eternity!" Delund raised the glass vial and flung it towards the far side of the cave wall. After all, he did not intend to release the anti-poison to Elrond. He was expecting the wood elf to deliver the ring in exchange of the cure.

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To Be Continued...