{}«Legolas' POV»{}

Something is different, the distant racket has been replaced with a peaceful quiet, and the stench has been replaced with the sweet smell of lavender and other oils. I slowly force my eyes open. Blinking several times, my eyes adjust to the light and scan the room. A voice brings my gaze to the person sitting beside the bed.

"How do you feel?"

"Arwen?" My voice is a little harsh and she reaches for a glass from the table beside the bed and helping me sit up a little, she presses the cup to my lips. The water trickles into my parched mouth and down my dry throat. I sigh contently as she pulls the draught away and I settle back down. "Where are we?"

"Lorien."

I fight to clear the blurs that float through my mind, "I don't remember coming here."

"Haldir found you and two of his ellyn brought you here. He continued on to find Aragorn and the rest." She reaches over to the table and picks up a bowl, "Here you need to eat."

The sound of food is appealing, but there is something nagging in the back of my aching head. Something important. Something about... then it clicks. Adar! I push the spoon Arwen offered away, pushing myself up.

"Legolas what's wrong? You must eat," Arwen's concerned voice sounds in my head that pounds in time with my quickened pulse.

"He's going to kill him," Is all I am able to say, but she doesn't seem to understand.

"Who is going to kill whom?" She asks, her hand on my shoulder keeping me from rising any further.

I take a breath in attempt to ease the pounding. "The ellon that held us captive, he is going to kill my adar. He claimed he wanted revenge. Where is Aragorn? I must speak with him."

She looks at me puzzled, "He isn't here. Haldir went to find him and Elrohir."

I drop my gaze, silently cursing my muddled thoughts and throbbing head, "Goheno nin, my mind is still a little clouded."

Arwen smiles, "It's okay," she says, and on a more serious note addes, "Are you certain that is what he said?"

"Yes, I am certain. He made it perfectly clear. But he would have to breach the stronghold for that to happen..." My words trail off, as I find I lack the energy to continue and lay back down. My thoughts still muddled together, not making sense. Arwen's voice keeps me from falling back into the peaceful abyss of sleep right away,

"Eat, and then go back to sleep."

<><><><><><><><>

Several days have passed since I first awoke, but I'm still confined to this room --well the bed to be specific-- becoming more restless with every hour that passes. Arwen sits beside me, trying to get me to eat again. But I'm simply haven't had the appetite. Her continuous mother-hening is nothing more than giving her something to do while we wait. So I deal with it.

"You must eat something," She continues. "What will my husband say when he gets here to find that I have failed to make certain his gwador ate properly?"

I start to protest but before I can say anything, a notch sounds on the door and Arwen stands and opens it. I cannot see who it is, but it sounds like an elleth. "My lady, I am to inform you that Haldir has returned," she says. "And lord Aragorn and lord Elrohir are with him."

Immediately I make to stand only to be met with a wave of dizziness. It only lasts a few seconds, but it is a few seconds to long as Arwen turns to me just before running out the door, "Stay here." She orders and races out.

There is no point in objecting. I will only get lectured and they will join me here within the next few minutes anyway. So with a sigh, I sink back into bed with a slight groan as my ribs still object to much movement. The minutes begin to feel like hours as I wait for them.

Then, I hear voices coming nearer and they enter the room. I sigh a sigh of relief at seeing them well with my own eyes. We greet each other before I notice someone is missing. "Where's Thaladir?"

Elrohir picks up a chair form the corner and, turning it backwards, sits facing towards me. "He was shot, but he will recover though."

"Shot?! What happened?"

"The camp was attacked while we were away. It was in ruins when we returned."

The next few hours pass slowly as we relay everything that had taken place since we had been separated. Aragorn and Elrohir cast each other a glance when I mention Dolenel, but neither will say anything on the subject. Perhaps I should ask Thaladir when I see him.

Evening turns to night before the three of them retire to their rooms. I stand up --happy that the dizziness of earlier is not present-- and wander over to the window. Being trapped in here is starting to become just as painful as my wounds themselves. I need to get out. I could climb out the window... But, should anyone see me, I would not only have the healers to deal with, but Aragorn himself would have a word or two for me.

Gazing up at the diamond lit night sky, I allow my mind to wander back home. Adar and I would be enjoying a strong glass of red wine right now if I were there. But alas, I left for a reason and I only hope that the attacks have stopped, but in light of recent events it is not likely.

Sighing, I walk over and flop back onto the bed with a grunt as I had momentarily forgotten my ribs still haven't fully healed along with several bruises and gashes.

I lay here, restless, still unable to sleep. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a book on the table. Picking it up I turn it over and read the description on the back and with nothing else to do I open it.

<><><><><><><><>

As the sun peeks over the horizon, there is a knock on the door and a nurse enters the room. I reluctantly toss the nearly finished book aside as she orders me to remove most of my clothing. I was just getting to the good part too.

"How do you feel? Sore? Does it hurt when you move?" She asks rapidly as she unwraps the bandages around my torso.

"I feel fine." I tell her. She nods seemingly satisfied and starts to talk about Valar knows what. Honestly, how can some ellyth talk so much? I zone out after the first few sentences until she says something that catches my attention and I look at her. "Wait, what did you say?"

She looks at me puzzled before repeating her sentence. "I said my brother needs to stop seeing that elleth. She-"

"No, before that."

"Oh, I said you will probably be glad when Lord Thranduil arrives."

"What do you mean? Is he coming here?"

"Oh dear!" She gasps, her hand covering her mouth. "You did not know?"

"No, I didn't but thank you for telling me." I offer her a smile and she finishes quickly, and quietly to my relief, and hurries out of the room.

I wait until her footsteps fade into the distance to don my shirt and walk out the door in search of Aragorn and Arwen. I don't get far down the hall before I spot them both heading towards me. We meet in the middle and I begin to demand answers.

"My adar is coming here, isn't he?" They both stare at me for a second before glancing at each other.

"Yes," Arwen says, her head down. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would try to run off."

"Legolas," Aragorn says, "Arwen told me everything last night. Elrohir and I are riding out this morning to find him."

"I'm coming with you."

"No you're not. Elrohir and I will go. You need to stay here and let yourself heal."

I drill him with a hard stare. "I can't and won't stay here, helpless. Would you?" I challenge. "Would you have stayed behind if you had the chance to save your father?" The moment the words spill from my lips, I wish I could take them back. Aragorn's mouth opens but no words come out.

I look down, averting my gaze from meeting his. "Aragorn, goheno nin I... I-" He stops me before I get any further.

"You're right. I wouldn't have stayed behind had I had the chance to save my father. Are you sure you are well enough to ride?"

"Yes, don't worry." At that moment, Elrohir walked up.

"Haldir has been given permission to go as far as East Lorien's Northern border with his ellyn." He says. "They will be read to set out by late morning."

Aragorn nods and then says with a laugh. "Good, that will give our gwador time to find something to wear that is a little more... durable."

I look to see I'm wearing a gown that goes just past my knees and am in my bare feet. I smile and head back to my room.

Slipping on a simple grey shirt, brown trousers and boots that were all given to me, as my own were far beyond hope of repair, it dawns on me that I have no weapons. I will have to ask Haldir if I may borrow some. I will miss my bow. The Lady Galadriel had given it to me when the Fellowship passed through here. That seems to be an age ago. So much has happened since then.

Pushing away my petty remorse; I braid my hair back --which always takes longer than I anticipate--and head out.

But before I leave, I head to find Thaladir, and after asking one of the nurses --who was not happy at my being up and around-- and she points me in the right direction. I round the hall corner only to be met by the ellon I am searching for. He is dressed in his normal attire aside from the sling his arm rests in. His eyes grow wide when he sees me. "Legolas, what are you doing? I was told you were going to be down for a while yet."

"And I you. But there has been a change of plans it seems." I answer.

Thaladir places his hand good on my shoulder. "I know, Elrohir told me everything this morning." He steps back, looking at my own choice of attire. "You aren't planning on coming with us are you?"

"Us? Who said you were coming?"

"I did. If my king is in peril, it is my duty to protect him is it not?"

"Not while you're injured."

He smiles. "This?" -He gestures to the white cloth that his arm rests in to prevent any strain to the wound on his back-- "'Tis nothing but to satisfy the nurses." He looks up at me, with a playful brow raised. "Take no offence my prince, but you do not look so well yourself."

I sigh. "Yes, I believe my stealing ellyth from your arm at parties will be on hold for a while."

He laughs and we walk out together, ignoring the disapproving looks from the healers.

<><><><><><><><>

"Legolas!" I turn, hearing Aragorn's voice behind me as I reach the stables and I walk towards him.

He holds a something that looks familiar to me. "Looking for this."

My bow! I thought the Orcs had gotten it. "How did you-"

"The Orcs dropped it the second they touched them. They dropped your knife also." He said handing them both to me. "But they kicked your quiver out of my reach."

"Hannon le gwador." I take the weapons from his hand. It feels good to hold them again.