Rating: PG-13 to R (Angst... proceed with caution)

Summary: When Legolas is forced to make a decision that could very
well determine the fate of all Middle Earth, what will he do? And
what consequences will his choice have?

// = elvish translations
# = flashbacks
* = thought

Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: As in Chapter 1

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Chapter 11 - Harsh Words

Legolas ran through the trees as fast as his feet would carry him. 'They can't find out,' he thought to himself. 'They will only tell Lord Elrond. They cannot--'

Legolas' thoughts were interrupted as his boot caught on a fallen tree limb, and he was sent flying into the ground. He landed hard on his side and gasped softly as his shoulder made contact with the ground. He curled in on himself, bringing his legs up near his chest and laid there, for he lacked the strength to get up. As the next wave of pain washed over him he let out an anguished cry that he could no longer contain. He silently wished that the ground would open up and swallow him whole. Anything to stop this relentless agony.

"Legolas?"

The voice, full of concern, made the elf jump. He struggled to get to his feet, but his body was far less than willing to co-operate. Instead he got to a sitting position, and leaned back against a nearby tree. He stared intently at the ground as another cry was wrenched from his lips.

"Legolas... what's wrong?" Aragorn ran to his friend's side. He had watched the elf leave the campsite, and the worry he had been feeling had forced the man to follow him. Legolas would not meet his eyes, and this disturbed the ranger greatly. That always meant he was hiding something. "Legolas? Were you hurt in the attack? What--"

"I am well, my friend." Legolas cringed at the pointlessness of his words, but he knew naught what else to say. He suppressed another violent cry, and it came out as a mere whimper.

Aragorn's brow furrowed. "Legolas, you are not well. You are trembling."

The man took the shaking elf into his arms, despite the protests from Legolas and laid him down on a stretch of level ground. He began looking over the elf's body for any injuries he may have sustained. He could not understand what was making his friend act thus. Even were he injured, which was highly unlikely, it could not have been very severe. What could have hurt him so badly? Aragorn's musings ceased when he found no injury at all to his friend. He raised questioning eyes, but again Legolas would not meet them.

"Legolas. Tell me what is wrong. You are not injured, I… I do not understand."

Legolas was chiding himself for letting Aragorn find him. He should have been less careless in his attempt to flee the camp. He could feel the intense pain begin to subside and thanked the Valar for that. But he knew the dull ache and trembling would continue for a time longer. And, even more discouragingly, he knew that now everyone would find out. Aragorn would inform the twins of what had transpired and in turn one of the three- if not all of them- would inform their father. Legolas sighed. He could not hide the truth from Lord Elrond for any length of time. The elven lord would see too deeply into his soul.

At last, Legolas despairingly met the eyes of his friend and said, "It is well, my friend. I will be fine. Let us go back to the camp."

The elf pushed himself up to a sitting position with Aragorn’s help and struggle to his feet. Shrugging the human off, he turned and forced his still shaky legs to move but before he could even take a step forward, his knees buckled and suddenly he saw the ground rushing up to meet him. Right before the impact, strong hands grabbed him from behind and lowered him down gently.

"Legolas! What is wrong with you?!"

Aragorn’s voice was filled with dread and Legolas felt guilty for putting his friend through the charade.

"I-I cannot tell you. Not now." Legolas looked at his friend pleadingly. "Please do not force me."

Tears welled up in the prince’s bright blue eyes and threatened to spill from their rims. Having never seen Legolas in such distress before, Aragorn was shaken at the elf’s display and quickly agreed not to press him further. The prince would tell him what was bothering him eventually at his own discretion.

Helping Legolas to his feet, Aragorn supported his friend for a short distance and then allowed Legolas to walk unaided for the remaining journey. When they met up with the twins, the human did not mention a word to them about how he had found Legolas and for that the prince was extremely grateful. His secret was still safe… for now.

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"Stop following me!" Legolas yelled at Aragorn out of frustration. "I am fine!" The young ranger had been eyeing him like a hawk ever since their return from the hunting trip. He had made Aragorn swear not to disclose the incident in the forest to anyone, assuring him that everything will be all right. Although the human did not believe a single word that he said, Legolas was grateful when his friend did not push him for the truth. Four days had passed since the last attack and Legolas was getting more and more agitated. He desperately needed to get out of this place before the next attack but Aragorn had been tagging behind him wherever he went leaving him no chance of escape.

"No you are not!" Aragorn retorted forcefully, more out of fear rather than anger. "I can see that you're not sleeping well. You are far too pale for comfort and quick to anger! You are definitely NOT fine!" The elf had been acting strange lately. For the past month, he would mysteriously disappear into the woods on certain days only to return later looking rather shaky and pale but he would always dismiss the ranger with some excuses. Aragorn had never given it much thought until the day after the hunting trip. Recalling back the days when Legolas made his disappearing trips, he slowly made the connection and realised that it happened every five days. And today was the fifth! There was no way that Legolas was going to brush him away this time. He wanted the truth and he would get it out of the stubborn prince one way or another.

Ignoring Aragorn’s comment, Legolas spun on his heels and walked briskly towards the door only to be blocked by one very annoyed and concerned ranger. "Talk to me, Legolas!! Tell me what is wrong!!" the human shouted at his elven friend and reached out to grab him by the arm. Legolas pushed him away non-too gently, harder than he intended to. "Get out of my way, human!!" he screamed.

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To Be Continued...