Author's Note: See first chapter for all other story information.

**********

"...it will kill him."

As Morion's words echoed through the hall, Aragorn felt raw anger shoot through him. Before he a chance to act on it, however, he caught a quick movement in the corner of his eye. Letting out a quiet dwarvish curse, he once again moved out from under Elrohir's blade just in time.

The young man's eyes flickered in the direction of Legolas, and he felt a sharp pain shoot through his heart. His friend had put himself into a basic battle stance, but the expression on his face made it clear that he wanted to do anything but fight Elrond.

Before he had a chance to call out to his friend, Aragorn had to once more roll away from the intended path of Elrohir's weapon. As he jumped to his feet, he let his attention once more glance toward Legolas.

"Try to knock him unconscious, Leg..."

His voice trailed off as Elrohir's blade once more cut through the air mere inches from his face, and he was forced to bring his attention back to his own problems. Taking in a deep breath, Aragorn let his sword come up and clash against his adopted brother's blade.

"Please do not force me to harm you, Elrohir."

**********

Legolas took a deep breath as Aragorn's words cut off and were replaced with the sound of clashing metal. Remembering some of the suggestions that had been made over the past few weeks, he let his mind clear so as to focus on his hearing. All he had to do was let his instincts take over...

The sound of metal cutting through air caught his attention, and--without even pausing to think--Legolas instinctively ducked. His breath caught in his throat as he felt Elrond's blade swing over his head, cutting through a few strands of his hair in the process. He could feel his heart pounding beneath his skin, and for a moment he wondered exactly what he was doing. There was nothing he could do, not without his eyesight. He was completely useless, an invalid...

And then he realized what he saying.

Realization flooded through him, and he felt a cold chill catch hold of his heart. The angry words he had said when he had first returned to Imladris ran through his mind. I am not helpless! When he had said those words, he had meant them with all his heart... Yet here he was now, when it mattered, thinking the exact opposite.

"Lle naa belegohtar." [i]

Legolas' voice was no more than a whisper as he spoke, but the words seemed to send life back into him. A determined expression made its way onto his face as he pulled himself to his feet.

"Lle naa curucuar." [ii]

Ignoring the pain that was emanating from the cut across his chest, Legolas let his gaze come up to meet that of Elrond. Though the prince could not see his face, he could picture it in his mind. Even under Morion's power, it was obvious that Rivendell's lord still held much of his fighting ability. And his honor.

Biting his lip slightly, Legolas let his body straighten up. Though the very thought that had made its way into his mind disgusted him, the blonde elf knew that there was no other way. He would have to take Elrond by surprise, do something completely unexpected.

He would have to "cheat", as Elladan and Elrohir would say.

Taking a deep breath, Legolas once more moved into a battle stance. He moved his blade into a fighting position, looking for all the world as if he was preparing to begin an honorable fight to the death. At the last moment, however, he quietly spoke.

"Amin hiraetha, heruamin." [iii]

Praying that he knew what he was doing, Legolas turned his blade onto its side and swung it in the direction of Elrond. There was a dull thud as metal hit flesh, and the lord of Imladris let out a moan and sank to the floor in an instant. For a moment, the elven prince merely stood there, deep worry etched in his face. Then, with trembling hands, he knelt down and moved his hand over Elrond's neck.

The blonde elf let out a relieved sigh as his trembling fingers quickly found a pulse, and he let himself relax ever so slightly. The sound of blade striking blade coming from the other side of the room kept worry from completely leaving him though, and he couldn't help but let his grip tighten on his blade as he listened carefully for any sound coming from the nearby Morion.

**********

As Elrohir's blade moved across his cheek, cutting into his skin in a heartbeat, Aragorn quickly came to the conclusion that he needed to disable his foster brother as quickly as possible. Taking a deep breath, the Ranger let his body drop to the floor in a roll, coming up behind his brother a moment later. As the half-elf slowly turned toward his adopted brother, the man let his breath out.

Hoping with all his might that he would be able to draw blood from his brother without seriously injuring him, Aragorn turned his sword and let it fly through the air. At the last moment, he turned the blunt edge outward... and then he prayed.

Aragorn flinched as his blade caught Elrohir across the forehead, and for just a moment he felt a wave of terror shoot through him. When his foster brother did not collapse, however, the worry was quickly replaced with hope.

Elrohir's eyes closed for a moment, and when they opened there was a light shining in them that sent joy rushing through the young man. Just as Elladan's had been earlier, there was confusion shining in his eyes--but that confusion sent relief shooting through Aragorn's entire body.

**********

When Glorfindel caught sight of the quickly approaching rider, he didn't even think. He merely pulled his horse in and grabbed his bow, an arrow in it and aimed at the forthcoming rider within seconds. As the rider came closer, however, the blonde elf let the bow arrow drop from its aim.

He stared for a moment at the dark hair, his gaze quickly moving over the ever-nearing face. When he was fairly certain that he was correct about the rider's identity, he quickly pulled out into clear sight.

"Elladan!"

The half-elf brought his horse to a complete stop in an instant, his eyes filling with unconcealed relief. A thankful sigh escaped his lips as he stared at his close friend and mentor.

"Glorfindel! Am I glad to see you..."

The golden-haired elf stared at Elladan for a moment, his eyes quickly noticing the worry that covered the younger one's face. In a calm voice that hid his own anxiety, Glorfindel quietly questioned him.

"What is wrong?"

**********

Elrohir stared at him in surprise for a moment, the expression on his face quickly turning into one of uncertainty. In a voice barely more than a whisper, he quietly questioned the young man.

"Estel? What is happening?"

Aragorn stared at his adopted brother for a moment, thousands of thoughts running through his mind, before quickly glancing back towards Morion. The dark being was already moving toward them, a suspicious expression on his twisted face, and he knew that this time there would be no way to get his brother safely out of harm's way.

Biting in lip in frustration, he gave his confused brother a sad smile before quickly bringing the blunt end of his sword up.

"Amin hiraetha." [iv]

Elrohir's eyes widened, a tiny bit of comprehension in them, before Aragorn quickly brought his weapon down across his forehead. The half-elf's eyes immediately closed as he slumped down in unconsciousness, leaving his brother kneeling beside him with a heart that was on the edge of being ripped in two.

Aragorn stared down at the unconscious Elrohir for a moment before letting out a cry that echoed throughout the room. His sword held in front of him, he practically flung himself at the dark creature. Determination filled him, and as he prepared to thrust his sword through Morion he knew--somehow--that this time, he would succeed.

That is, until Morion thrust his own sword through the young man's stomach.

**********

As Aragorn let out a cry of pain, Legolas felt his head snap in the direction from which the cry had come. His grip on his sword tightened, and he quickly stood back up. A sharp pain shot through his chest as he did, reminding him of the slight cut that had been made by Morion's blade.

"I just put a blade through your friend, young son of Thranduil. Does that make you angry?"

Legolas felt his blood turn to ice, followed moments later by raw anger coursing through him. His voice broke slightly as he spoke.

"Estel?"

There was a choking sound from the other side of the room, followed by someone taking a raggedy breath. Then Aragorn's voice, weaker but still containing a joking air to it, filled the room.

"Do not worry, mellonamin. I am fairly certain that this is not the worst wound I have received."

Legolas smiled a bit before letting his hearing show him where Morion stood. Trying not to let the enemy know that he realized where he was, he jokingly called out to his friend.

"Is that supposed to reassure me, edan?"

Aragorn laughed slightly, his voice growing slightly weaker as he spoke again.

"Is is working?"

Legolas let out a quiet laugh, his hands gripping his sword even more tightly. He took a few steps forward, making his way toward Morion. As he stepped in front of the dark being, he could feel the creature's eyes focusing on him.

"Most definitely not."

**********

Aragorn stared at his friend for a moment, his vision fading in and out of focus ever so slightly. The elven prince was still facing Morion, but it was obvious that he doubted his ability to win a fight against him. A sudden thought ran through the young man's mind, and he forced his voice to raise in volume.

"Let me be your eyes, mellonamin."

Morion's attention quickly shifted toward the human that lay on the floor, and he let out a cold laugh before glancing back at the injured elf. Without making a sound, he let one of the daggers that hung at his side fly toward the prince.

Legolas choked back a cry of pain as the dagger made its way into his flesh, sinking deep into him. He managed to hold back his exclamation, however, and merely reached up to pull the weapon from his shoulder. Biting back several colorful curses, he let Aragorn's voice fill his hearing.

"Trust in yourself, Legolas."

Before Legolas had a chance to respond, he felt a sharp pain shoot across his chest. Letting out a cry of pain, the elven prince suddenly sank down to his knees. Morion's cruel laugh sounded above him, his voice full of dark humor.

"Is this all you can do, young prince? You were a better fighter all those years ago, when you were but a babe lost in the forest of Mirkwood along with Elrond's sons."

Legolas felt his eyes automatically dart toward Morion, even though he knew he would not be able to see the creature's face. Confusion filled the elf's face as he stared up at him.

"How do you know about that?"

Morion merely laughed again before lifting his blade up above Legolas. Smiling cruelly, he prepared to bring his sword down in a fatal blow.

As he watched from across the room, Aragorn forced himself to his feet, a sharp gasp escaping his lips as he did so. The blood pouring from his wound doubled in speed within seconds, but he merely bit back the cry of pain that threatened to escape his lips. Holding his sword in front of him, he made his way toward Morion.

"Why do you not try fighting me?"

Morion paused, his sword still hanging in the air above Legolas. Shrugging slightly, he turned to face the human who was making his way toward him. His cruel smile widened even more as he let his sword move away from the blonde elf.

"Fine then, edan. I will kill you first, if that is what you desire."

Legolas took in a few deep breaths as he listened to Morion move away from him, and bit back most of the questions that were rushing through his mind. When he finally spoke, however, the shock in his voice was evident.

"Estel?"

Aragorn took a few shaky breaths, focusing on nothing but staying conscious as a throbbing pain shot through his body. He managed to hide most of his discomfort though as he spoke loud enough for his friend to hear him.

"Worry about nothing but your aim."

Legolas knelt there a moment, bafflement shining in his eyes. Then as realization flooded through him, he nodded and reached for the bow that he had never removed from his back. Breathing heavily, he ignored the pain that was shooting across his chest. Instead, he merely focused on forcing his arms to respond to the commands he was sending them and allow him to use his bow.

As he carefully put an arrow on his bow, he felt a slight bit of panic rush through him. Memories of his attempts to shoot mere days before--had it only been that long?--filled his mind, and uncertainty filled his heart. Before he could convince himself that he could not succeed, however, the sound of Aragorn letting out a quiet cry of pain filled his ears.

Biting his lip slightly, Legolas carefully brought his bow up in front of him. He focused his hearing, letting his other senses take the place of his missing hearing. Praying that nothing had happened to the young human, he waited for his friend to be his eyes.

"Up a little more, Legolas..."

Aragorn heard his voice fading slightly, and he quickly tried to focus his mind on the present. His eyes glanced toward the blonde elf once more, watching him use his hearing to attempt to aim his bow. Breathing heavily, he twisted his body so as to avoid Morion's blade once more. As long as he kept the creature's attention on him, then he could buy Legolas time. Speaking of which...

"A little bit further..."

Aragorn bit back a scream as a pain unlike anything he had ever felt before shot through his body. He knew that blood was pouring freely from the wound in his stomach, but he couldn't focus on that at the moment. Forcing himself to breath slowly, he let his sword meet Morion's in midair. Then, taking only a moment to glance at Legolas, he knew that it was time.

"Now!"

Legolas let his arrow fly, and as Aragorn watched it flew straight and true. Moments after leaving the elf's bow, it landed exactly on target... making a direct path through Morion's heart.

An instant later, Morion's red eyes widened in pain, and he glanced in shock at Legolas. Hatred seemed to burst from him as his reached up to place his hands around the arrow that was still sticking from his chest.

"This is not over, young one."

With a cry that sent shivers down the spine of both Legolas and Aragorn, Morion pulled the arrow from his heart. His red eyes seemed to shine with hatred as a dark mist began to fill the room. The cry faded away after a few moments, disappearing with the fading fog.

As the mist cleared away, Morion's voice seemed to echo throughout the now empty room. A chill seemed to fill the air for a moment as his words pierced both the human's and elf's minds.

"This is far from over."

**********

Morion's cry echoed throughout the elven haven, and at the sound Rivendell's inhabitants seemed to break free of their imprisonment. Their eyes suddenly cleared, and within seconds each of them had fallen down to his or her knees. As the cry faded away, puzzlement began to fill the air.

Elves slowly pulled themselves to their feet, their eyes moving around them in puzzlement. No one seemed to know what was happening, but each seemed to realize that it was something important.

And as life once more started to go back to normal, Erestor quickly made his way through the halls. If everything was returning to its correct state, then the changes were that at least one member of Elrond's house was in need of medical assistance--and past events seemed to point toward Thranduil's youngest son needing it as well.

**********

As the world began to swirl around him, Aragorn slowly let his hand down and press itself against the wound in his stomach. When he brought the hand back up, he stared for a moment at the bright red blood that was now staining it. Then, as his legs buckled under him, he managed to let out a quiet chuckle.

"It looks as if we won."

At the sound of a thud coming from behind him, Legolas quickly spun his head in that direction. The action caused a painful wave of dizziness to rush through him though, sending his already aching head into a spin. He froze for a moment, trying to force his weakness to disappear.

"Estel?"

There was no answer from the young human, and Legolas barely restrained himself from letting out a loud moan. With his mind focused directly on the goal, he slowly made his way to where his friend's voice had come from.

"Estel?"

A quiet moan came from the floor directly ahead of him, and then Aragorn's voice--barely more than a whisper--suddenly drifted up toward him.

"Lle ume quel, mellonamin." [v]

Legolas smiled slightly before kneeling down beside the young Ranger. Though he could not see him, he slowly let his hand drift down to feel the man's stomach. Grimacing slightly as he felt the sticky blood that covered it, he slowly started to stand once more... and was surprised to find that his legs refused to hold him.

As another wave of dizziness rushed over him, Legolas felt his strength fade away in an instant. Before he had a chance to even comprehend what was happening, the blonde elf found himself laying on the floor beside his friend. A quiet moan escaped his lips as he slowly gave in to the pain that was now consuming him.

"Legolas?"

Aragorn's voice, sounding as if it was coming from far away, seemed to echo through his mind. Dimly, in the darkest corner of his mind, he realized that the young man's voice sounded far too weak, as if he too was on the brink of unconsciousness. That thought faded, however, as his mind slipped into darkness.

**********

As a sudden wind blew cut through the still air, Glorfindel quickly brought his horse to a halt. Though he could hear Elladan's voice urging him to hurry, he could not bring himself to move. The vague sense of familiarity had blossomed into something more, something that was tugging at the very edges of his memory...

Elladan's earlier words suddenly sprang back into his mind, and a name that he had not thought of since he was but a mere child all those millennia ago burst into his mind. A startled gasp sprang from his lips as he suddenly pushed his horse into a full gallop--leaving a startled Elladan behind him. As he rose, a single word left his mouth... a name that had almost been forgotten in the stream of time.

"Máramo."

**********

[i] You are a mighty warrior.
[ii] You are a skillful bowman.
[iii] I am sorry, my lord.
[iv] I am sorry.
[v] You did well, my friend.