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 19 - Jumping Into Conclusion

Aragorn gave a sheepish smile and turned towards Elrohir. "I have to thank you for what happened… to my hand that is." The human watched as Elrohir eyed him curiously at first and then realization slowly dawn upon him and the elf grinned.

"The tube of athelas I gave you for your birthday!" the dark haired elf exclaimed.

"Yes, and I never thought it would come in handy in such a crucial moment. Thank you." Aragorn clasped his brother on the arm with his left hand. He then turned towards Elladan. "And you too. If not for the bow you gave me, I would never be able to stop him in time. Your gifts saved my best friend’s life." Aragorn paused and then continued. "I thought I would kill him. I saw the arrow go straight for his heart!"

Elladan rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze to calm him down. "But it didn’t. Your aim was perfect. I couldn’t have done it better myself," the elf said with an encouraging smile.

Aragorn mirrored the smile and then prodded Elrohir in the arm lightly. "Can you make me another one of those… things?" he asked innocently. "Strictly for emergencies only!" the human added with a small laugh.

"With the rate trouble finds you, I think I’ll have to make you a score."

Aragorn rolled his eyes at his brother but a movement caught his attention. Elrond had moved away from Legolas’ bed towards the trio. The brothers got onto their feet and approached their father.

"Legolas will be fine," the elf lord informed them, "but he won’t be awake for several hours. I need to further research on the treatment remedy Lady Galadriel provided. Notify me when he wakes."

"We will, Ada," Elladan assured his father, "and I will have Celboril bring up lunch when it’s ready."

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The sweet fragrant of tea greeted him as consciousness returned and he opened his eyes. Three indistinct figures sat huddled together on the floor beside the fireplace, talking softly among each other. Is this The Halls of Mandos? But it looked familiar, too familiar. In fact, the room looked exactly like the one in Elrond’s house, the one that he used to occupy every time he visited Rivendell. He felt groggy, and the pain in his neck was really bothering him. Does one carried the injuries from the realm of the living into The Halls of Mandos? He wondered. Reaching up to touch his neck, he noticed that his right hand was lightly bandaged too.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw two of the three figures stood up, one left the room and the other approached him. He squinted and tried to look through his hazy vision as the figure settled down beside him. Then the figure spoke… and it sounded a lot like his ranger friend.

"Legolas?" Aragorn touched the elf’s cheek lightly, "can you hear me?"

Legolas blinked hard trying to clear his vision. As the fog lifted, he saw that it was indeed Aragorn by his side. I’m not dead," the elf said flatly.

"Of course you’re not. Why would you want to be?" the ranger asked with sadness in his voice. "I thought we’ve agreed to defeat this evil together."

"Why did you save me? I’m nothing but a burden to you and your family," Legolas closed his eyes and looked away, his chest heaving with emotions and his voice trembled.

"Do not speak of such nonsense!" the authoritative voice of Elrond sailed into the room before its owner entered through the doorway. "You are anything but a burden. What in the name of Valar prompted you to take such foolish action?!" the elf lord scolded the younger elf. He was annoyed beyond description but at the same time worried half to death. Halting near the bed, Elrond stared down at the prince defiantly waiting for an answer.

"I will not allow you to give up Vilya!" the silvan elf pushed himself up to a sitting position with the help of Aragorn. "I would rather die!"

Elrond raised a brow in utter confusion. "Since when did I say anything about giving up the ring?" his voice softened as he realised that Legolas had most probably misinterpreted his intentions.

"This morning, in the garden. You said you wouldn’t watch me die and that you have made the decision," Legolas lowered his head, not able to look Elrond in the eye. He knew that it was not right to eavesdrop but the topic was too captivating.

"This morning?" Elrond frowned slightly trying to recall the conversation he had with his counsellor. Nothing in the conversation had indicated anything about him giving up the ring unless… The elf lord knelt down beside the bed and cupped his hand under the elf prince’s chin, tilting his head up. "Did you hear the entire conversation?"

Legolas shook his head.

"Then I believe you’ve misunderstood. I did say that I have decided but the decision was not to surrender Vilya but to allow you to try the treatment," explained the elf lord and he went into details of how this treatment may help. "Next time, don’t jump into conclusion before you find out the truth. Even if you want to eavesdrop, listen to the whole thing."

The blond haired elf turned a deep shade of pink under the admonishment of the Lord of Imladris.

Elrond stood with a long sigh. "But the treatment will have to wait until your wounds are fully healed. I do not want to risk any complications."

As they waited for Legolas to recover from his self-inflicted injuries, the elf prince suffered another attack. But once again, he had the support of his friends to help him cope with the painful moment.

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To Be Continued...