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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Warning: Grab your tissue box before reading. You have been warned *eg*

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Chapter 26 - Final Destination

One week and five days had come and gone. Legolas lay propped up in bed by several pillows, his eyes closed in utter exhaustion. The attacks had weakened the prince tremendously and he could hardly sit up without the help of others. Aragorn sat by the bed, speaking softly to the elf, telling him about the things that happened that day. The elf prince’s only acknowledgement of Aragorn’s presence was the small smile on his face.

Legolas enjoyed listening to the human, it helped take his mind off the pain. The pain had become his constant companion for the past few days since his last attack. His chest hurt with every breath he took and he ached all over. The poison was eating him up from inside out. If a cure could not be found soon, he would rather die by the hands of his friends than allowing the poison to steal his soul. The elf prince had made his wishes known to Elrond and his sons begging them to end his misery before the poison could take control of his body again. Elrond had agreed reluctantly despite the angry protests of his sons. He did not have the heart to watch the prince suffer anymore and death seem to be the only way to liberate him from the nightmare and bring him peace.

Aragorn had spent most of his free time by his long-time friend, a friend that he was going to lose forever in seven days. He had tried to be strong for his friend, holding his grief and sorrow at bay every time he visited Legolas. The prince would not be able to rest in peace if he saw how much pain his decision had caused the ranger. Aragorn continued with his story and every now and then he would give Legolas’ hand a light squeeze which the elf would return in same.

Halfway through his tale, the human was interrupted by the presence of his father and brothers. The trio strolled into the room with Elrond holding a leather pouch in his hand, Elladan and Elrohir trailing a feet behind him. Elrond beckoned him to join them. Aragorn bent over and planted a gentle kiss on Legolas’ forehead before releasing his hand and moving towards where the three elves were seated near the foot of the large bed.

"Now that we are all here," Elrond started, "I will tell of the latest development." He held out the pouch and placed it in front of him. "Messenger from the Lady Galadriel delivered this moments ago," the elf lord said as he emptied the contents of the pouch onto the floor. Several small plants with elongated leaves and pale blue flowers outlined by a tinge of yellow decorated the space in front of them.

The three siblings studied the plant curiously but none of them had any idea what it was.

"I have never seen anything like this," Elladan said eventually, looking up at his father.

"It is a rare plant that grows only on the highlands. This plant flowers every five hundred years and the leaves only exhibit healing properties when it flowers. The flowers on the other hand, are deadly."

Elrohir picked up one of the plants by the stem carefully avoiding the flowers. He turned it around in his hand, studying it in awe. "What is it called?"

"Senyndil."

"And we are using the leaves to counter the poison in Legolas?" asked Aragorn.

"No," Elrond replied flatly, "we are using the flowers."

Elrohir dropped the small plant, his eyes wide with shock. "But I thought you said the flowers are deadly!"

"Yes I did. But the Lady Galadriel specifically instructed me to use the flowers," Elrond explained. The Lady did not give any explanations but I know her intentions. However, she did express her doubts."

"Fight poison with poison," Aragorn whispered silently but the keen elven ears picked up every word.

Elrond nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Now we only need to know if Legolas is willing to try even though I’m sure he would."

"I will," the soft voice that came from the bed was lined with pain but filled with determination. "I will try it... doesn’t matter what the outcome will be…"

"Very well." the elf lord acknowledged the prince calmly, "then we shall delay no longer. Get the water ready. Let us begin."

Using a pair of small tweezers, Elrond plucked the flowers from their stems, dropping them into a white porcelain mortar. He ground the petals into a mush and when the water was ready, he poured the hot boiling water over the paste. The liquid sizzled and bubbled for several seconds before settling down into a light green solution. Pouring the potion into a cup after it had cooled down a little, Elrond brought it over to Legolas’ bedside. "Are you ready?" he asked with a heavy heard, the cup grasped tightly in his hands.

Legolas’ heart pounded fiercely in his chest, doubling the pain that was already plaguing him. He knew that if this didn’t work, it would kill him. He glanced around the room and his gaze fell on the three figures beside Elrond. They stood silently with unshed tears brimming in their eyes. He reached out for them and the three brothers approached the bed.

"Thank you… for everything," the elf prince clasped them on the forearm in turn and watched as tears spilled down their faces, "and I’m sorry for all that I’ve wronged you in the past few years." He felt hot tears streaming down his own face. After saying his goodbyes, Legolas turned to Elrond and gave him a brave smile. "I am ready."

Elrond cupped his hand behind Legolas’ head and lifted it slightly off the pillows before bringing the cup to his lips. Legolas squeezed his eyes shut and downed the content in one breath. Allowing Elrond to ease him back down onto the bed, he took one painful breath and waited.

An icy chill ran through his body and he shivered. He felt the iciness spread slowly from his chest to the rest of his body. He was trembling now, his body shaking uncontrollably. Aragorn had spread several more layers of blankets on top of him but the chill from within could not be quenched by external means.

"Cold… so cold…" Legolas shivered despite the warmth from the fireplace and the many layers of blankets covering him.

Aragorn’s breath caught in his throat and a strangled sob escaped his trembling lips.

"I wish…" the elven prince paused to gather his strength. "I wish to see the stars…"

The young ranger nodded silently knowing that his voice would betray him. Lifting Legolas easily from the bed, he carried his friend to the window and settled down onto the floor. Cradling the elf in his arms, he made sure Legolas could get a good view of the clear night sky.

"When you see the stars…" he whispered with effort, "…think of me." He looked up at Aragorn who was weeping openly now, not able to hold back his emotions any longer. His soft sobs filled the quiet room. Reaching up with a shaky hand to brush his tears away, Legolas took a deep breath and smiled sadly.

"Have strength, my friend."

Aragorn tried to smile back but he could not. All he was able to do was catching the cold and clammy hand in his own and bringing it to his trembling lips. Tears fell like rain down his face splattering onto the dying elf’s hand.

"Don’t grieve for me." Legolas’ speech started to slur and his breathing became ragged as another wave of pain crashed through his battered body. His fingers tightened around Aragorn’s tunic but he had no strength left in him to fight it anymore. The prince tried to force himself to hold on a little longer, to force his lungs to draw another breath but even an elf could not defeat the forces of nature.

Darkness started to creep in slowly from his peripheral vision. *Please give me one more minute* he begged the gods, *just one more minute* But all the air had left his lungs and to draw another breath was like trying to extract air from water. The light in his eyes dimmed and then was extinguished all together. His hand slipped from Aragorn’s grasp and fell limply to the floor and his head lolled back against the human’s shoulder. A single tear slipped from the corner of his closed eyes down his pale cheek.

All was quiet in the house except for the cry of a heart-broken friend, announcing the passing of the elven prince.

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To Be Continued...

*Runs and barricades herself behind a horde of orcs and wargs*