A/N: This was published in a book of its own but I don't like the cover I made for it so I'm putting it in here. Thanks for reading!

Thaladir reclined against the tree branch, running a whetstone along his dagger blade as he watched the novices set up camp below. A few cleared a place for a fire while others made torches. One, the prince, sat just below him, attempting and failing to fix the damaged arrows.

Thaladir smiled as the prince tried once again to reattach an arrowhead. After a few more tries, he dropped to the ground beside him. "Trouble?" he asked.

Legolas nodded. "There's a break in it. The head won't stay."

"Let me see," he said, reaching of the bolt. Legolas handed them to him somewhat reluctantly. Thaladir shook his head at his determination to figure things out for himself.

Thaladir looked it over. The shaft had a nearly invisible hairline break down the middle, allowing wiggle room for the arrowhead to simply slide back out once inserted. "You're right. You'll have to find wood to carve more. We're already down too many arrows."

"Yes, sir," the prince said and turned to do as commanded.

"Legolas." The prince stopped in his tracks, turning back to his captain.

"Sir?"

"Don't go far from camp. We're too deep into spider territory to for any of us to stray alone."

He saluted and turned back, hand at the hilt of his knife. Thaladir watched him disappear into the forest before taking up his previous spot in the trees, resuming his strokes. Truthfully, they weren't too deep into spider territory and had only come across a few in the week they had been out there. That was the purpose of this trip. The novices were fresh graduates, ready for the battlefront, or so they thought.

Thaladir had planned this trip specifically to bring them back down to earth without any of them coming into contact with grave danger and it had done its job to some extent, much to the captain's satisfaction.

He froze midstroke, an uneasy feeling twisting his gut. Something wasn't right. The novices didn't seem to notice and he sent a whistle for silence. They stopped, color draining from their faces. They knew enough to know a captain didn't call for silence without good reason. The other soldiers were already at the ready, arrows notched and swords drawn.

A hiss sounded to his right, the same direction the prince went he realized with mounting horror. Thaladir drew an arrow, the creak of the bow the only other sound as he waited for the adversary. Leaves rustled, branches snapped, a scream echoed and he dropped to the ground, unable to wait any longer.

The prince burst through the trees, backpedaling to get away from whatever chased him. Thaladir moved closer as a spider dropped to the earth inches from the prince. Legolas let out a cry, holding his knife before him.

Thaladir quickly aimed and fired, hitting the enemy in the mouth. The thing screeched, rearing back. A soldier fired, hitting the soft side of his belly. Black blood spewed from both wounds. A second soldier came forward, and as the spider fell forward he sliced its throat. Silence fell as they waited for more. Spiders rarely traveled alone.

A minute passed than another. Thaladir lowered his bow and moved towards the prince who sat on the ground, trembling. "Legolas?"

The prince blinked several times, breathing deeply before turning towards his captain. "I'm alright, sir."

"Good," he said then turned to one of the soldiers. "Take over getting the fire started for them. We need it going as soon as possible."

"But, sir..." Thaladir turned back to the prince who still hadn't offered to give up his seat on the ground. "I saw eyes. Hundreds of them. I think there may be more."

Thaladir bit the inside of his cheek, his hand rested on his sword. He kept his tone soft, but not without authority, "No, there is no think. You need to be sure before reporting enemies. So do you think or you know, soldier?"

The prince visibly swallowed. "I know, sir. I saw them. That one--" he gestured to the dead spider curled in on itself "--attacked too early, I thi--" but he stopped himself before he could voice his doubt. Thaladir nodded in approval, turning to find his second. They needed to prepare themselves for the worst.

"He may have just been scared out of his mind," his second, Nidon, whispered when Thaladir related what the prince said, stirring the coals of the fire.

But Thaladir shook his head. "He's not the type to allow his imagination to get the better of him. Besides, better safe than sorry."

Nidon nodded, tossing the stick he was using to stir the fire into the flames. "Fair enough. I'll set up an extra watch and see to the other fires."

Thaladir nodded. "Good." He picked up a stick, taking over stirring up the flames. "We don't have enough experience with us to stand against a large attack."

#

"Captain," someone shouted, shaking him awake. "Captain, wake up! Spiders!"

Thaladir jumped up, reaching instinctively for his knives. He turned to the soldier who woke him--the prince, he realized, surprised. "Nidon told me to come and get you," he said, a slight tremor in his voice. "We're under attack."

A scream echoed throughout the camp--elven. Thaladir strapped on his quiver and grabbed his bow, then turned to the novice prince. "Stay near me. Don't shoot unless you are certain no one is in the area. Aim for their eyes, their mouth, or the underside of their stomachs. Nowhere else. Understood?" The prince nodded, pulling out an arrow and notching it.

They stepped out of the tent to be met with a battlefield. Soldiers clashed with spiders, each trying to gain the upper hand. Another soldier screamed and Thaladir saw him go down out of the corner of his eye.

"Stick with me," Thaladir repeated. The last thing he needed was to have to try to keep up with the prince.

Suddenly, a spider dropped from above, hissing and screeching as it reached out its legs to try to grab them. Thaladir drew his sword, hitting each leg as it came, but it kept coming as if the sword was nothing more than a stick. Thaladir backpedaled, trying to create enough space between them for a counter-attack.

Rough bark hit his back and the spider pushed forward, arching up on its hind legs, stinger waving, venom dripping. Thaladir dropped his sword and reached for his dagger as a blur rushed in front of him. With a start, he realized who it was. Legolas had his sword drawn, poised to shield his captain. The spider dropped down and the sword dug into its flesh. It screeched as it fell sideways, legs twitching, curling in on itself as its life spilled from the gaping wound.

Thaladir let out a long breath and turned his attention back to the prince who stood frozen, his sword tight in his hand. "Legolas?" No response. "Legolas?" He put his hand on the prince's shoulder, then noted the young soldier's heavy breathing. "Easy, soldier..."Thaladir looked down. Blood spread across the prince's shirt and white foam bubbled out his mouth. Venom. The spider must have gotten closer than he thought.

Thaladir cursed, sheathing his sword as the prince swayed, then took him by the arm and lead him back into the tent. "Stay here," he said, laying him down on his side. "You'll be alright, the venom wears off and I'll be back as soon as I can." The prince only nodded, his eyes slowly glazing over as his body focused on fighting the foreign fluid.

With no other choice, Thaladir left him, hoping the tent would offer some protection. Screams of battle filled his ears as he stepped out. Another spider dropped not far from him, but this time he was prepared and attack immediately, cutting through its eyes, though not before its pinchers could slice his left arm. The wound stung but wasn't fatal and he kept fighting, moving to the next.

Spiders swarmed the area, searching for blood. For every one he killed, two more seemed to appear. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two more soldiers go down, one of which being a novice. He wondered how the others fared, but couldn't risk checking as another attacked and he fought to bring it down. Something grazed his leg as its pinches came at his face and he dug his sword into its mouth. It fell back, pulling at the blade and he stumbled forward with it.

Suddenly, something grabbed him, yanking him down. He cried out as pain rippled up his leg and he swung his sword around to hit it. It met hard skin and the creature hissed, launching itself on top of him. Thaladir rolled only to be met with hairy legs. Panic rose in his throat. He dropped his sword and reached for his dagger, but as he tried to pull it out, it snagged on something. He pulled harder. The spider curled it legs under him, closing in on him. The musty smell only made his head spin as his heart raced.

He pulled on his dagger again, finally slipping it free as the spider's stinger tried to drive home. It shrieked as the small blade pierced its belly, jerking back. Thaladir rolled away the moment its legs released him. Nausea churned his stomach at the action, but he ignored it as he fought to regain his footing, picking up his sword in the same motion.

The world spun and he grabbed a tree branch to keep from toppling over. Another hiss from nearby and pain exploded in his side. He gasped and his grip slipped as he fell forward, the spider's stinger sliding across his skin.

His breath wheezed, fast and shallow as the spider hovered over him. He tried to raise his dagger again, but it was as if all strength had left his body. His eyes lost focus, leaving nothing but a blur above him. He blinked, trying desperately to bring them back, but spots formed in the corners of his vision and he only barely registered another shriek as the spider fell away.

Someone fell beside him, the soldier's dim silver glow just visible beyond the haze. Thaladir's eyes slid shut and his dagger fell from lax fingers.

#

His head pounded and his stomach rolled. Bile rose in his throat and before he could even register what was happening, vomit spewed from his lips and onto the blood-soaked leaves beside him. Drained of strength, he let himself roll back onto his back, red light flickered mixed with the sunlight, blinding him. He groaned, pulling his arm over his eyes. What happened? Blurred images swirled in his head. There were spiders. So many spiders. And a soldier.

He forced his eyes open, smoke tickled his throat and he coughed. He turned to see if the soldier who saved him was still there. He laid in a heap, the body of a spider covering half of him. Thaladir pulled himself up, instantly regretting it as his stomach flipped again and he dry-heaved, there not being enough left in his stomach to throw up. He coughed again but continued to drag himself over to the fallen soldier. He reached over and tried to pull the carcass off him, but didn't have the energy. Instead, he grabbed the soldier's only visible arm and pulled, sliding him out from under it.

The soldier groaned, eyes squeezed shut and Thaladir nearly cursed in horror at the sight of the prince. Blood, both red and black covered his torso and dried white foam coated his mouth. "Legolas?" he choked out, rolling him over onto his back. The prince only responded with a groan.

Thaladir sat back, heat rose around him. His head hurt and a dull throb pulsed from his side and his leg. He scanned the area, hoping to find another soldier that may not have been injured, but the flames licked the remains of the campsite, spreading towards them from the firepit.

He looked for Nidon, praying to any of the Valar that might listen that he might still be alive, and pulled himself to his feet, swaying as the light dimmed. He blinked and moved forward calling out his second's name. When no one responded, he raised his voice and tried again, the cry cracking like the embers. He moved forward, but the flames continued to spread and he had no choice but to go back.

"Captian?" the small voice pulled his attention back to the prince and he knelt by his side. "Easy, soldier," he said, placing a hand on the younger one's shoulder. "Where are you hurt?" Legolas' brow furrowed as his hand moved to his bleeding side. "Where else?"

But Legolas shook his head. "I don't know...cold."

Thaladir's own blood ran cold. It was probably the venom, he reassured himself, but hearing a soldier complain of the cold was never comforting. Outwardly, he just nodded. "We need to get out of here. Do you think you can walk?" Legolas nodded and Thaladir helped him to his feet.

The fire grew behind them as they tried to outrun it, but the leaves were dry and the smoked engulfed them within moments. Thaladir's eyes burned with his lungs, as they tried desperately to beat the flames.

The prince doubled over, coughing. Thaladir pulled his arm over his shoulder, dragging him away. They had to get out. Flames licked at them, heat burning through their boots and clothes until they were both drenched in sweat.

Agonizing hours blurred one after the other as they kept on and darkness began to fall. Thaladir studied the sky and then the smoke behind them. They couldn't stop. The fire would likely keep the spiders away, but the flames were spreading too quickly to risk resting.

It would take two days at best to get back to the stronghold. He could try to find a patrol first, but the chances of that would be slim. One glance at the fading prince and the ever-growing pain in his leg and side told him enough to know neither of them could afford that.

He pulled Legolas closer to him, placing a hand on his chest to steady him as he stumbled once again. "Come, on. We'll be fine. Just stay awake for me." Legolas nodded, but warm blood covered Thaladir's hand even as he did so.

The night passed, the light dying behind them as they slowly outran the flames. In the first light of the morning, his vision blurred once more. Thaladir's foot hit a root and pain rippled up his leg. He cried out, knees buckling, bringing the prince down with him. Legolas groaned as he rolled away limp. Thaladir's breath heaved as he struggled to stay awake. His head spun and he furrowed his brow as nausea rose in his throat but he swallowing it down. He had to keep moving. He had to get the prince back to the king.

He pulled himself up, hauling himself through the leaves to get to the novice warrior. Blood soaked his torso, the crimson contrasting against his pale skin. Thaladir reached a trembling hand to his charge's neck, searching for a pulse. He let out a shaky breath at the faint thump against his fingers.

Reaching to his side, he untied the strap and uncorked his canteen before gently forcing a few swallows into his mouth. Legolas swallowed instinctively and Thaladir sat back, lifting the water to his own mouth. His hands shook and most of it spilled down his chin. He replaced the cork and placed it back on his belt.

He sat for a moment, looking to the sky as he tried to catch his breath. Pain pulsed through him. A small cry escaped his lips and he bent forward, squeezing his eyes shut.

Then Legolas groaned beside him, pulling him from the haze of pain and he opened his eyes. He placed a hand on the prince's cold forehead. Legolas' brow furrowed as he forced his eyes open.

"Adar?"

Thaladir shook his head. "No," he said, voice low and worn. "It's Captain Thaladir. You were hurt in a spider attack. Can you make it back to the stronghold?"

Legolas stared at him for a moment until Thaladir wasn't sure if the injured prince had even heard him. But then he nodded and Thaladir smiled, using the nearest tree to pull himself to his feet and the prince with him.

His head pounded and his vision faded for a moment as he pulled Legolas' arm back over his shoulder. They stood swaying for a moment, leaning on each other as Thaladir worked of up the strength to take the first step.

Legolas staggered along beside him, but it wasn't long before his body slowly went limp. Thaladir bore his weight the best he could. But as the hours passed he found himself stumbling more and more as Legolas' weight nearly became more than he could bear and cold seemed to suddenly creep up on him.

Then a prudent scent hit, drawing him out of his blurred state. Spiders.

He drew his knife, fumbling with the strap. A hiss came only seconds before it dropped before him, pincher at the ready, forcing him back. He toppled backward, Legolas falling with him, utterly limp. But he couldn't check his charge before the spider attacked, landing on top of him. Thaladir drove his knife up the spider's belly, blood spewed from the wound, covering him and spilling into his own wounds.

He let out a cry to match the spider's when it came into contact, his back arching even as the spider's legs curled under him and then fell away. Finally, he lay in a daze as the pain pulsed, draining him of strength with each heartbeat. His eyes drifted close, consciousness slowly leaving him, only to jerk himself up again. He had to get the prince back to the king. He had to keep going.

He pulled himself up again, pain shooting through his leg and side as he pulled the unresponsive prince onto his back. He leaned against a tree, moving from one to another to keep the pressure off his leg.

Get the prince to the king.

He tripped again.

Get the prince to the king.

His arms shook as he pushed himself back to his feet.

Get the prince to the king.

His eyes watched the leaf-covered ground before him as his mind failed to comprehend much else. His only thought being the safety of his charge.

Night fell again, but he couldn't stop, knowing if he did, they would both die. Hours blurred away, exhaustion turned to adrenaline, fueled by determination and duty.

Get the prince to the king.

Then the ground changed, the leaves turned to stone and he lost his footing, falling onto the hard rock. Pure agony shot through him and a cry left him. He tried to push himself up, but his arms buckled beneath him and his cheek scraped against the stone as he crumpled to the ground, Legolas falling in a heap beside him.

A shadow passed over them and his heart pounded, adrenaline fulling one last attack as he pulled out his knife, ready to defend the unconscious prince. Hazy figures moved before him., murmurs echoed as one drew closer. He swung the knife, trying to fend them off, but they backed away before he could make contact.

They came forward again and he backed towards the prince, knife poised. They took another step and he stuck out, only for them to hit his wrist and knock it out of his hand. Pain seared his body at the rough handling and he pulled his arm close, bending forward to try to ease the agony. The murmurs came closer, one laying a hand on his shoulder. Black spots danced on the edge of his blurred vision and he let himself fall forward, helpless to defend himself, much less the prince.

They moved towards Legolas. "No..." He choked and pulled away, ready to throw himself over the prince like a shield. But they held him back.

One placed their hands on his face, forcing him to look at his capture. "Thala...Captai..." The murmured voice faded in and out. "Thaladir, listen...me." The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. His eyes darted back to the prince. Blurred figures covered him. The person drew his attention back.

Thaladir shook his head, trying to clear his vision. He blinked and an elf came into view. "Istion?"

The elf nodded. "You're home now, captain. Take it easy. They will take care of Prince Legolas."

"Home..?" he asked, the pain and stress dulling his thought prosses. Istion nodded again.

"Yes, you're home. Where are you hurt..?" But the question was lost at the sound of the home. The captain's mind faded, his eyes closing as he fell against his comrade.

#

Murmured voices gradually pulled him from the depths of sleep. His head dully pounded and he tried to move, only to groan at the stiffness in his leg and arm. What happened? The voices drew closer, encouraging him to open his eyes.

Slowly, he forced them open, blinking away the haze. He turned to the voices to find it was only one. The prince sat beside him, his head bandaged and his arm resting protectively over his abdomen. Thaladir furrowed his brow.

"How are you feeling?" the prince asked, reaching for a glass on the table beside the bed. Thaladir pushed himself up, breathing deeply as the world spun. He felt a hand on his shoulder, keeping him upright as his vision cleared. He looked up and Legolas gave a small smile. "Easy Captian," he said, "here." Legolas handed him the glass and he took it with trembling fingers, slowly raising it to his mouth and allowing the cool liquid to wash the stale taste from his mouth.

When he had had enough, he handed it back and offered the prince a smile of gratitude. Then he frowned. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in bed as well?"

"Yes, he should be," came another voice. Thaladir jumped slightly, the nightmare he just lived still being too near the waking world. The King moved closer, pulling up a chair beside his son. Thaladir bowed his head to his king while Legolas simply looked away.

"Forgive me, adar," was Legolas' reply. The king shook his head. "You were told to stay in your rooms for a few days yet. Go, your captain will be fine."

"Yes, sir," he said standing. He swayed for a moment and the king steadied him without a word. Then Legolas gave his father a slight bow and left the room.

The king sighed and looked to Thaladir. "He has snuck out of his room every night since he was able to check on you. Thank you for bringing him home, captain. You've served well. How do you feel?"

Thaladir gave a single nod at the thanks, then answered. "A bit sore, my lord, but I will be fine and ready to go back out soon. What of the others, sir? Did they make it?"

The king shook his head sadly. "No, I am sorry. The fire spread too quickly. The reports that came in said it was a miracle that the two of you made it out."

Thaladir hung his head as grief tore at his ailing body. But only for a moment as the king's presence kept him from dropping his guard completely. The king let out a small sigh and stood, placing a hand on the captain's shoulder. "Get some rest, Captain."

Thaladir nodded. "Yes, sir. Thank you." The king gave him a sad smile and gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze before striding out of the room, but before he could shut the door behind him, he turned. "Legolas will be back, I'm sure. Please make sure he doesn't stay too long."

Thaladir nodded and the king shut the door. Tears came to the captain's eyes at the thought of his lost men. He had served with them for years and had come close to death with them on multiple occasions, but this was different. This mission was only supposed to introduce the novices to spiders, there wasn't supposed to be more than a few. Salty liquid spilled onto his chapped lips. His body hurt, his heart hurt ached.

A moment later the door opened again and a healer stepped inside, her eyes grew wide at the sight of him sitting on the bed, resting against the headrest.

"Captain," she exclaimed. "You're awake! How are you feeling?" She came to his bedside, immediately placing her chilled hand on his forehead.

He shuttered at the contact but answered, "Better than I was, thanks to you. How long have I been here?"

She frowned. "You brought the prince home nearly a week ago. Both of you had lost a lot of blood, but you had enough venom in you to kill you, which it nearly did. Most didn't think you would make it, but I suppose you really are a soldier at heart. You're made of harder stuff."

Thaladir smiled, leaning his head back and closing his eyes as he let her care for him. "And the Prince? How is he? He was here when I woke, but I didn't have the chance to ask, not that he would have told me everything anyway."

The healer shook her head. "He shouldn't be up yet, that is for certain. He lost a lot of blood and his leg had an infected cut in it. He hit his head as well, but so far, nothing too serious has shown from that, thank the Valar."

Thaladir nodded, but didn't answer and closed his eyes, the little strength he had having been spent.

#

Thaladir stirred as a presence settled themselves beside him, making a chair squeak. Brow furrowed, he opened his eyes to the dimly lit room. Two days had passed since he had first woken and while he felt better, he was far from well. His leg still felt stiff and his body ached. He turned his head, expecting to see the healer, only to find the novice prince reclined in the chair beside him, his injured leg propped up on the bed.

"Did I wake you?" the prince asked softly.

Thaladir shook his head. "No," he lied. "What are you doing here?"

"I--I came to see you again. They told me you wouldn't make it and when you woke, I was afraid it might have just been a dream. You saved my life, captain. I don't know how to repay you."

"That's the job of a soldier, Legolas. We save each other when we can, and die with each other if we must. Either way, we don't leave our brother behind if we can help it." Despite the weight of the words, a smile pulled at the corners of Thaladir's mouth and Legolas returned it. The prince had a good heart. A heart he knew he could follow in the future. A heart humble enough to be worthy of his title, and maybe even his father's title one day.