Hey everyone! :) I saw that a bunch of you asked what happened with the orcs…if you recall, there were twelve orcs total, and Legolas killed five of them in chapter 3. That left only seven remaining, and when they attacked Legolas and Aragorn in chapter 16, Legolas killed two of them before the leader tried to drown him, LOL! That left four for Aragorn, who slew them and then killed the orc leader and saved Legolas. Here's the last chapter!

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Legolas was quickly settled into bed, where Elrond administered to him a medicine that was used on humans to rid the lungs of fluid caused by sickness. It was the healer's opinion that just as it dried up mucus in the race of man; it should dry up the water in the elf. He also gave Legolas some painkilling herbs, so that his frequent coughs wouldn't pain his stab wound as badly.

"No sleeping herbs?" Aragorn said, as Elrond prepared to replace the torn stitches.

Elrond shook his head. "I would not drug him senseless in a situation like this…while unconscious, he would not be able to cough to rid himself of the water. He will surely fall asleep on his own, and if he needs to cough he will be able to wake."

Aragorn nodded, watching his friend who seemed slightly dazed by the herbs that Elrond had chosen to use. They were a good choice, for Legolas only winced occasionally during the procedure.

Currently, Legolas lay on his left side, his eyes closed in exhaustion. Aragorn thought him already asleep until the elf suddenly coughed. The human was relieved to not see a grimace of pain on his friend's face and he reached over, touching his arm. "The pain is better?"

Legolas half-opened his eyes, nodding, but then he coughed again and audibly swallowed, closing his eyes with a frown.

Aragorn frowned as well. "What is it?"

Legolas reopened his eyes. "The water tastes like orcs."

Aragorn chuckled, knowing that the elf had to be feeling better if he was able to jest.

"I am fine, Estel, worry yourself no more," Legolas told him, closing his eyes again.

Aragorn said nothing for a minute, knowing that Legolas was not referring to the near-drowning, but rather to the stab wound and the events surrounding it. "I know, mellon-nin. Rest."

Legolas' lips curled into a slight smile as he fell asleep.

THE END

Oh my gosh! That was the end to my story! *gasp* THANK YOU everyone SO much for your awesome reviews! :) I enjoyed posting this, and reading your wonderful comments! :)

Now, I decided to post a preview of this story's sequel! It starts a mere two days after 'Tears of a Soul' left off…so technically, it won't seem like this story really ended, lol! Here it is! Enjoy!

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Preview for 'Defying Death' (unless I change the title LOL!) :

Legolas leaned against a tree, breathing heavily. He knew that he was close to finding his friends; he was finally sensing the orcs' presence. What he couldn't discern, for some reason, was how close the creatures were.

Go back the way you came, the tree suddenly said. You are in great danger.

"I need to find my friends," Legolas replied aloud, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against the bark as weakness flowed over him.

You cannot fight such a large number alone, the tree argued, speaking of the orcs. They will harm you.

Legolas sighed. I know. He pushed off from the tree and forced himself to continue walking, no longer bothering to wipe the rainwater from his face.

Suddenly he heard a noise: the snap of a twig. Pulling out one of his knives, he held it at the ready as he searched for the sound's cause.

His elven senses screamed orcs! at him, and he knew that he was caught.

A loud shout suddenly filled the air as a group of the foul creatures ran out of the woods.

Legolas raised his knife, knowing how useless it would be against so many. He slashed it at the first orc that reached him, but it moved to the side as more orcs swarmed the elf, grabbing him roughly.

Legolas cried out in pain when a hand made contact with his broken arm, and he suddenly found himself being dragged—by his good arm, thankfully—into the woods.

The trees surrounding them swayed their branches, distressed to see the wounded elf captured.

Legolas winced when an orc suddenly kicked him, making him stumble. The other creatures laughed, and Legolas wondered what physical state the twins and Aragorn were in.

Reaching a clearing, Legolas saw more orcs nearby, and quickly looked for his friends. He spotted the twins sitting on the ground, next to Aragorn…who lay unmoving…

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HA! How did you like that for a preview? :) Seems like there might be more than just angst for Legolas in that one, eh? (And believe me, there's TONS for our poor, sweet elf, lol!) Thanks everyone, again, SO MUCH for your wonderful reviews for 'Tears of a Soul'!  I hope that you all liked the ending! :)