It was evening when Legolas noticed the sound of footsteps occurring behind them. Whipping around, he started when he saw that they were alone.

"What?" Elrohir said.

"I thought I heard footsteps."

"I heard nothing," Esendri said, viewing Legolas with concern.

"Rhannîl is dead."

The Elves swung around, drawing their weapons, crying out in surprise as they saw the figure of a small, misshapen boy a distance away.

"Do not fear me," the boy said.

"Rhassel?" Legolas said, taking a step forward.

Elrohir pulled him back, unsure of what else to do.

"I saw her death many times. It always ended here."

"I am sorry, Rhassel. We tried our best to save her."

"Legolas?" Elrohir said, as Legolas ignored him and approached the boy.

Walking closer, Legolas crouched down before the boy.

"We are so sorry," Legolas said. "We should have kept her safe."

"I know," Rhassel said, his finger stretching out and touching a bloodstain on Legolas's rain-soaked tunic. "The blood never gets washed away.

"I overheard Mama teaching Rhannîl about the clues. I did not mean to, but I did."

"What do you know?" Legolas said.

"It is said that the gem is guarded by the guardians of Middle-Earth. The clues are both your defence against them and also instructions which tell you how to activate or destroy the gem."

"The guardians of Middle-Earth?"

"Yes. The guardians are beasts created by powerful magic. Each one draws an element for its strength."

Legolas took out the yellow stone earlier removed from the castle. A closer inspection revealed that the stone was translucent and filled with a strange gas. It quivered, as if an internal wind were being whipped around.

"Air!" Legolas cried.

Rhassel's image started to wane and shimmer, even as Elrohir and Esendri continued to stare on in disbelief.

"What was that?" Esendri said eventually.

"Sorry?" Legolas said, studying the stone.

"Legolas, are you going to pretend that was the most normal thing in the world? Or that the castle with your childish drawings was natural?" Elrohir cried.

Looking at Elrohir, there was a distinct chill in Legolas's gaze. "That was unnecessary, Roh."

Esendri grabbed Elrohir's arm as he tried to take a step forward.

"Legolas, I agree with Elrohir. There seems to be enchantments which we do not understand, and I do not like it either."

Legolas seemed not to hear them and instead returned to the stone. "Nothing."

"Mayhap you are not trying hard enough, Princeling" Elrohir said.

Legolas looked at him, unable to believe the accusatory tone in his voice. Elrohir just shrugged and said no more.

"I am sorry if I am not good enough for you," Legolas said, keeping the stone.

A bitter smile crossed Elrohir's face, but he refused to reply.

"Shall we rest before carrying on?" Esendri said, trying to ease the rising tension.

"I thought I could count on your understanding," Legolas said, still looking at Elrohir.

Elrohir knew just how hurt Legolas was at his earlier statement. He felt a wave of anger rise, though, as he felt the strain get to him.

"Make up your mind! One moment you complain I fuss too much over you, and the next you accuse me of being unsupportive!"

"Stop it!" Esendri cried, stepping between them, surprised to see either acting in such a way.

Elrohir made a disgusted noise and walked off, while Legolas carried on staring at his back.

"I have no intention of failing, despite of what he might think," Legolas said.

"Go after him," Esendri said.

"No."

"I have been with you long enough to be able to tell what hurts you, Legolas. If you value all that you have ever believed in, you must make your peace with Elrohir."

"But how will I do so?" Legolas said, suddenly frightened.

"Whatever you do will be enough for him," Esendri said. "I will wait for you here."

Following his advice, Legolas sprinted after Elrohir and hugged him from behind.

"I am sorry, Roh! Please, I never meant to hurt you!"

Stopping in his step, Elrohir did not turn around.

"Please, Roh, tell me that I have not hurt you so badly!"

"'Tis not you, Legolas. I just do not know what to do! We are lost in a world we have never heard of, much less to say know our way around, and Eilwar died because I was careless! He was the only one who knew what we should do, and now we are all alone! What would you have me do, Legolas? I failed Eilwar by allowing him to take the brunt of the flames!"

"He made a choice, Elrohir. He chose to --"

"A choice that left others behind in his wake! Ai, it was so heroic and brave a deed, so noble a cause to die for! Did he not realise that there would be those behind who might have mourned his demise?"

Thunderstruck, Legolas then understood the reason behind Elrohir's hysteria. Elrohir was not so much talking about Eilwar than about -- him.

"You fear losing me," Legolas said, surprised at the intensity of the feelings that Elrohir had displayed.

Elrohir's eyes betrayed the tumultuous emotions in him.

"Yes, I do," he said. "I just hope you will forgive my weakness when the end comes," Elrohir said.

His defeated tone caused Legolas much uneasiness. He had never heard Elrohir sound so listless before. It was so unlike him to give up, to stop fighting for what he wanted.

"The end will not come. Not when I have you beside me," Legolas said. "I will not see my dear Elf-knight so easily defeated. I promise to find a way to bring our lives back to where they were."

Elrohir struggled to smile. He could not imagine what Legolas would say were he to know the truth. He almost gave in and told him everything, but held himself back. Legolas needed the illusion to remain, and Elrohir would see that it did.