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 25 - The Struggle

Elrond was by his son's side in a heartbeat. Tilting Aragorn's head up, the elf lord peered into his youngest son's eyes. The pupils were dilated too much for his liking and he feared that his son had suffered a concussion. "Come my son," he said while pulling Aragorn to his feet, "shelter is only a few feet away. We will take refuge under the trees."

The trees provided little shelter for the storm was too powerful. Aragorn sat huddled up to his father, his body shaking violently from cold and pain. His head pounded painfully behind his eyes and the bright flashes of lightning made it even worse. He wished to rest, to close his eyes and sleep for a while but his father was constantly trying to keep him awake. He begged for his father to leave him alone but to no avail.

Elrond decided that they could not stay there any longer for his son needed treatment. The elf rose and dragged Aragorn up with him, wrapping his cloak around the young ranger's shoulder. Aragorn mumbled something and swatted at his father annoyingly but Elrond pinned his arms tightly against his body. "We will debate that when we get home," the dark haired elf said before nudging his son forward towards their home.

The journey back took longer than he had expected for he had to support the weight of his semi-conscious son while trying to walk on a severely sprained ankle. When they finally reached The Last Homely House, Aragorn was barely on his feet anymore. Only his father's superior strength kept him from falling onto the ground.

Elladan and Elrohir were notified of their return immediately and the twins rushed their father and brother into their respective rooms. Elrond's ankle was badly swollen but aside from that, he had sustained no other injuries. Elrohir bound it up tightly to ease the pain and insisted that his father stay off his feet for at least a day. Elladan tended to Aragorn's injuries but to the elf's dismay, the human had developed a high fever despite his efforts of keeping him warm. The twins took turns to care of their little brother, while one was tending to Aragorn, the other cared for Legolas. Fortunately, elves did not require as much rest as humans do.

On the second day, Elrond alleviated some of their duties by helping to deal with his grumpy human son. Placing a wet towel on Aragorn's brow, he watched as his son sighed contentedly as the cool material came into contact with his flushed skin. Elrond brushed a strand of hair from his face and smoothed his hair back; the action drew a soft moan from his son. Aragorn shifted slightly on the bed and pried his eyes open and found himself staring into a pair of concerned grey eyes.

"Ada?" he asked groggily, his mind still hazy from the fever.

"I'm here, Estel," Elrond stroke his son's cheek tenderly.

"I'm sorry Ada," the human apologized. "I shouldn't have gone there alone but…" he paused, "I can't watch him die… not like that."

Elrond nodded. "I understand. What was done cannot be undone. You just concentrated on getting better," the elf lord soothed.

"Where is Aragorn?" Legolas asked Elrohir as he entered the room.

"Uhh… he is… busy," Elrohir grimaced at his lame excuse. He had been using the same excuse for the past three days but the prince was still rather weak then and Elrohir was glad that he did not press the matter. But today the elf looked much better and judging by the frown on Legolas' face, the prince would not let the matter drop that easily.

"You have been saying that for the past few days," Legolas countered. "I may be ill but I'm not blind. I saw your father walk with a slight limp yesterday." The blond haired elf sat up in bed with effort and turned his gaze on Elrohir. "Something is wrong!"

"Everything is fine!" Elrohir said a little too quickly, his reply triggered a sense of dread in Legolas.

"I must see him!" Legolas threw back his blanket and swung his legs off the side of the bed. He slid off the bed and fell unceremoniously onto the floor before Elrohir could offer his assistance.

"What are you doing?!" the younger twin yelped and rushed to help Legolas back onto his feet.

"I'm going to find Aragorn. You can either help me or I will do it without you," the elf prince said shakily while silently willing his legs to hold his weight.

"All right! All right! I will help you!" Elrohir said with a defeated tone.

"And tell me exactly what happened," the wood elf added as they made their way out of the room.

Legolas staggered unsteadily into Aragorn's room with Elrohir supporting him at his side. As they entered, they saw Elrond speaking softly to Aragorn. The elf lord turned as he heard someone enter and was surprised to see the people standing there were none other than Legolas and his twin son.

Elrond glared at Elrohir and the twin shrank back but Legolas came to his defence instantly. "Please do not blame him, Lord Elrond. It was I who forced him to take me here."

Elrohir nodded vigorously behind Legolas. "If I didn't help him, he would have crawled over!"

The young prince made his way slowly towards the bed and Elrond vacated his seat, gesturing for Legolas to sit. The elf lord then motioned Elrohir to leave the room with him so the two friends could have some privacy.

Legolas found Aragorn's hands and clutched them tightly in his. Aragorn sat up in bed and looked into the sorrowful silver-blue eyes.

"I tried Legolas, I really did," the human said with a sniffle. "It was so close, I touched it! Then I saw it shatter… I am so sorry…" a strangled sob escaped his throat.

"No, I'm sorry," Legolas said instead. "I should have left when there was still time. I should not have stayed on. The dream was right. I have brought chaos into your family." Tears rolled down the elf prince's cheeks as he spoke. "Now because of me, your entire household was thrown into an endless battle and because of me, you and Lord Elrond were injured. It is all my fault." Legolas' breath hitched and he choked back a sob. "But it will be over soon." With Delund dead, all hope was lost. All that was left now was his impending death. "Do not blame yourself. Maybe this is how it's meant to be, Aragorn. Maybe this is my fate…" his voice was trembling and barely a whisper when he ended the sentence.

Aragorn's heart broke into a million pieces at his friend's words. He drew the distressed elf into a tight embrace, pulling his head against his shoulder and stroking his back gently as Legolas buried his face in Aragorn's tunic and wept.

To Be Continued...