A Healing Touch

Hello, everybody! Enjoy the next chapter.

Steph: Don't worry about it, my computer screws up all the time. And thank you, that chapter with Haldir and Glorfindel ringring off was really fun to write. Glad you're enjoying it.

Aduial: Damn, so you don't know the month, eh? That's kind of what I needed to know, but thanks anyway, I'll check out The Encyclopedia of Arda just for the hell of it. But, yeah actually, it does have something to do with Thranduil, and I kind of wanted to put a little action in there with Legolas fighting during the Five Armies, I was thinking of bringing Naurhir back eventually. Lol, and I know the feeling of being shushed while watching LOTR, I was trying to explain what was happening in ROTK with Smeagol and his Deagol to my cousin, but everyone kept hushing me. Plus I was bitching about how they ignored Legolas' reaction to the sea while they were sailing down the river.
Hope you had a good sleep.

Mawgy: Ah well, I'm glad I do it, I aim to please. LOL, don't worry, Erestor gets laid eventually, I was actually thinking about Narofea trying to hit on him, lol. Yup, the long wait is over, Erestor has entered the building. Anyway... Grasshopper, you've never read that when you were a kid? There's a story about an impatient grasshopper who doesnt like to work but loves to play. He forgets to collect food for the winter and nearly freezes to death. An ant takes him in... and I forget how the rest of the story goes, lol, trust me to remember something important.
Yeah, I wanted to create some major tension in the room, lol, my dad's right, I'm such a shit disturber. You're welcome for putting that in, lol, I kind of thought I went a little too far with that comment on Turgon, but Haldir, in his own sick little way, wasn't trying to be cruel but playful. Hope I didn't make you wait too long for this one.

giggle: lol, ::dangles rubber spider:: booga! lol, that's fine, I'm not crazy about graphic stories/movies myself. (Child's Play traumatized me as a kid, lol, had nightmares of it all through my life) But you're totally right about the non-con thing, and I say that WITH experience, thing is I never told anyone, it's not a comfortable subject to broach. But anyway, yeah, tarantulas can be quite beautiful. I saw a blue one on t.v. BLUE! It was absolutely beautiful, but deadly. Actually, the show was called 'World's scariest Animals' or something like that, and the tarantula came out as #1 most scariest animal, I was pretty surprised. Apparently ALL humans subconsciously have an instinctual fear of them.

Isis: Wow, you're good! lol, well, I'd probably guess the breed, I've studied animals most my life, they're really the one greatest thing that interest me the most. There's this one type of frog I saw on t.v. actually, very freaky. It's babies live in a bunch of holes on the mother's back until they're old enough to break loose. Pretty disturbing actually, kind of freaked me out, which is strange because I love just about every animal out there. *shudders* God, that creeped me out. lol, anyway, lol, sorry about the cliffy, I hope this chapter makes up for it.

lilith: Awe... don't worry, as an author it's my job to give what my readers want (don't get too in over your head, though) Anyway, kill me for making Haldiok lok like the bad guy, but since no one threatened me I guess they were fine with it. LOL, yeah I know what you mean. Ok, Turgon was Earendil's grandfather and the last king of Gondolin before it was destroyed. Glorfindel was one of his twelve lords before he died. You can read the whole story in the Silmarillion.

louise-oblique: Thank you very much, glad you like it. *hugs*

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Tallen watched from the back entrance of the palace as Thranduil's forces charged back into battle. New arrows replaced by the ones lost, the elven soldiers slew their enemies mercilessly. As instructed, Elrond stayed at the far side of the palace gates, though not close enough to remain inconspicuous to the enemy, flanked by several guard, smiting what ever fell beast came within range.

The prince silently smirked to himself. Everything seemed to be going as planned so far. Now all he and his squad had to do was wait for Elrond's signal.

Suddenly it happened. Elrond, along with his guards, charged into the clearing of the gate doors, and with a loud battle cry, as intended, attracted the attention of every orc and spider engaged in combat. Locking their wicked eyes upon the fair elf, the enemy closed in on him, effectively drawing all attention away from the small squad exiting the back entrance, heading inte foe forest.

Tallen lead his soldiers quietly but swiftly through the thick foliage under Mirkwood's canopy. Motioning them to split up in four separate groups, he directed them to surround the palace gates. And though they were few, there was still enough of them to defend against the invaders of their precious home. Painfully, they awaited the signal from Thranduil to make their move whom was in the heat of battle and, unbeknownst to the enemy, secretly guarding the elven ring that was so dearly sought after.

As the fell beasts drew quicker to the elven lord, the soldiers turned focussing their efforts on them. All the while Elrond’s appointed guards remained in the protective ring around him, keeping him in the middle while they fended off the monsters. Unfortunately the elves were greatly outnumbered despite their best efforts, the enemy using this to their advantage. And it was unlikely that Tallen's team was yet in place. Despite Elrond's reluctance to not battle while his comrades defended him, he knew that if the enemy was to suspect that he still possessed the ring, he would have to hold up the facade of needing extra defence to protect him, though it frustrated him to no end, to say the least. All he could do for now was have faith in these elves to do their very best.

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"Well," the spider hissed. "Isn't this a pleasant surprise."

Legolas stood frozen in place, staring wide eyed with horror at the evil creatures before him. Though it was not so much the shock of seeing the overly sized spider that frightened him the most, but the sight of the malicious creatures at her side, the orcs, the foundation of his cruel torment. Images of his capture swiftly invaded his mind and though his face remained impassive, fear was clearly in his eyes.

Almost immediately, Glorfindel dropped the torch he held and grabbed the hilt of his sword, quickly followed by Legolas whom strung his bow with an arrow, and swung it over his head ready to strike, but before either could act, the arachnid shot out a string of webbing from her backside, effectively grasping the weapons with the sticky substance as if it were an extension of one of her long spiny legs, and hurled them towards the entrance, landing with a clatter to the rocky ground. Glaring hard at the beast in front of him, Glorfindel could sense his lover's distress but at the moment there was nothing he could do to comfort him, and he did not waver. "Wretched creature," he spat. "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" the spider hissed. "I must admit, I am insulted. It appears that my reputation does not perceive me."

"Evidently," Glorfindel commented. "but I am in no mood to play guessing games. Now, call back your colony from Mirkwood or I will kill you."

The spider cackled, and Legolas had to restrain himself from clapping his hands over his ears from the high pitched ear piercing shriek. "I do not think you realize whom is in charge here, Glorfindel of Gondolin."

The seneschal’s eyes narrowed. "How could you possibly know my name when I have yet to know yours?"

The queen spider turned her head on the younger elf as she replied. "I have my ways.\ Leg Legolas she said; "you remember my orcs, do you not, little one?" without a word said to them, the orcs stepped foreword and the prince flinched. "What they see, I see through their minds."

"The battle," Glorfindel muttered to himself. "when I came to rescue Legolas and Elrond, you saw me, you heard my name being cried amongst the chaos." he then turned a bold stare to the spider once more. "Tell me, my queen, does your mind control only work on mindless creatures that can be controlled by a loome,ome, pathetic beast such as yourself, or can it be used on intelligent creatures?"

A flare of anger flashed through the arachnid's eyes but as soon as it came, it was gone and through her foul, wicked fangs, she smiled. "Unfortunately, orcs are the only creatures that can be driven by my power, but unlike you, I have the upper hand."

Suddenly the orcs came forward, immediately reaching out for the seneschal and the prince. Weapons out of reach, Legolas unsheathed his two elven knives and quickly Handed one to Glorfindel, and the two defended themselves as the creatures before them lunged at them, bearing their crudely crafted swords.

Glorfindel was quick to react, blocking every blow that attempted to make their mark. The two orcs that were attacking him, however,e vee very skilled and their movements were most unpredictable, no doubt because of the queen spider's telepathy.

Legolas was having a more difficult time against his two opponents. Despite his inexperience in battle, it was due to the fact that he had been traumatized by these creatures which made the fight so difficult. Every glance into their malicious eyes filled his heart with unspeakable dread and he had to fight the urge to shrink back from these beasts that had hurt him. The prince suddenly gasped, momentarily stunned as he failed to parry a block from one of the orcish blades that had caught his arm, the orc somehow making his way behind the prince without his notice.

Taking advantage of his lapse, the orc made a swift swing with his blade and brought it down, the blow against Legolas' knife effectively knocking it out of his hand and clatter to the ground. Before the prince could register what was happening, two blades were pressed against his neck, one in back and one in front, leaving him utterly helpless. The orcs then roughly grasped each of his arms with their free hands and held him in place.

Glorfindel swung his sword around, the sound of metal clashing with metal issuing throughout the room. He deflected another blow, and just when he was about to make his next move, he heard the spider hiss. "Move and he dies, Glorfindel of Gondolin." the seneschal automatically froze, and his eyes immediately sought out the prince in the clutches of the orcs. "Lower your knife, Balrog slayer." Sending a heated glare towards the arachnid, Glorfindel did as he was told as cold fear gripped his heart, despite Legolas' protests. The two orcs roughly grabbed him, much in the same treatment of the young prince, and kicked both knives out of reach against a wall.

By now Legolas was desperately trying to repress the urge to tremble as he felt the beasts hot breaths on his neck, and their body heat which radiated beside him. He locked eyes on his lover, whom was glaring hard with all the hate in the world at Mirkwood's most hated enemy.

The spider suddenly advanced on Glorfindel, flashing out one of her long skinny legs and wrapped it around his waist and the seneschal tensed at the tough, though no trace of fear was evident on his fair features. "You are an admirable fighter, elf," the queen chuckled. "but your skills are not enough to save you. The elven heart is the purest source of strength within your kind. Unfortunately, for you, it can also be your downfall." the spider lowered her head towards the seneschal and inhaled his scent with a deep sigh. "You will make a fine morsel."

"No!" Legolas cried, struggling with his captors. "Don't, don't hurt him."

The spider turned her savage glare on the prince and grinned. "Are you frightened, little one?" the spider removed her hold on the seneschal and the orcs took their positions at his side, roughly grasping his arms, and she walked several paces towards the prince, her long, slender legs clicking against the rocky floor. Legolas did not answer and attempted to keep his face impassive. "For whom? You or him? You realize I could make these orcs do whatever I wish of them, do you not? I could make them take you again, make you scream for mercy until you are a pitiful sobbing heap in the corner." The elfling stared at the creature, eyes wide and lips parted, panic beginning to retake its hold on his rapidly beating heart. The spider smiled at the elf's reaction. "I remember the first time my orcs took you, I saw it through their minds before they were slaughtered. I remember the way you trembled, the way you screamed when they breached you, I remember the way you begged them to stop and the blood that seeped down your legs. And just think, I can make them do it again."

Legolas was now openly trembling, unable to stop as fear clouded his very soul. Lowering his eyes as tears claimed them, he whispered. "It would be worth it as long as you didn't harm Glorfindel."

Glorfindel gasped loudly at the declaration, and he shot the deadliest of glares to the spider and cried out in rage. "Legolas, no! If you harm him, beast of Morgoth, I swear I will kill you, so help me, Iluvatar, I will kill you!"

"Morgoth?" the spider hissed, familiarity registering in her red eyes. "Is that what your kin call him? I must admit I am not sure if that would please Melkor or not."

"You knew him." Glorfindel whispered more to himself, before he turned hateful eyes back to his captor. Things were beginning to make sense, but could he be sure? "Who are you!"

"You still have not figured it out, have you?" the spider made her way back over to the restrained lord. "Your legends believe that long ago, in my uttermost famine, I devoured myself." the spider snorted. "A tale so disgusting that insults me to no end."

Glorfindel gasped, eyes growing wide in registration. The pieces were finally in place ad now he understood everything. "Ungoliant!"

"Does your kind honestly believe me to be so very glutinous that I would eat myself?"

Glorfindel sneered at the foul creature, disgust plastered on his features. Legolas merely stood stalk still, unable to believe what he was beholding. The prince had heard stories as a child about the mother spider whom assisted Morgoth in his destruction of Valinor but never in a million years would he have believed he would come face to face with the wicked demon.

"Yes, Firstborn, I am the one you call Ungoliant."

The seneschal growled, not at all phased by the beast’s declaration. He had brought down a Balrog once before, and he was not about to be scared off by an overweight gluttonous spider. "What do you want with Vilya, monster? How did you know of it?”

"That is none our cur concern!" the spider sneered. "but it is of no matter. As we speak my forces are masking in on Mirkwood and have your lord Elrond surrounded. He does not stand a chance now."

"No," Legolas growled, fear for his lover’s welfare taking hold. "you lie!"

"Believe what you will, little prince. But when I have the ring and all your comrades in my grasp, the world will be under my control," she turned back to Glorfindel. "and you will all be devoured one by one. Although I feel persuaded to have a quick snack first, seeing as I am not certain how long I can suppress my hunger. And I believe," the spider hissed, lowering her head to Glorfindel's eye level. "that I will start with you!" suddenly bearing her fangs, Ungoliant lunged at the seneschal, taking him by surprise and before he could react, she sank the wicked pinchers deep into his neck, causing a pain filled yelp to escape his mouth.

"No!” Legolas cried, his voice echoing throughout the entire cavern. “Glorfindel!”

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"Where are they?" Rumil grunted impatiently as he paced in the elves designated meeting spot. "They should have been back by now."

"I’m sure they're fine, dear brother," Haldir replied. "they probably just took a detour and perhaps found something of interest, or maybe they were luckier than us and found the nest."

"Whether they did or not," Elladan retorted. "they should have been back, that was the agreement, two hours, no more, no less.

"Perhaps. Look, if they are not back within the next ten minutes then we shall go searching for them."

"No," replied Elrohir, a haunted look masking his features. "something's wrong, I can feel it. We should go looking for them now." Suddenly, a loud cry echoed through the cavern, the voice of the owner immediately recognizable. "Legolas!" The elves immediately jumped to their feet. Elrohir looked in the direction that Legolas and Glorfindel left. "Quickly, this way."

"Lead the way, brother." Elladan said, as he and the others went running down the hall.

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As the last soldier that was defending him fell to the ground, the lord of Imladris glared hatefully at his nemesis. His guards had protected him admirably, but the skilful warriors were outnumbered one too many and had no defence from the deadly poison coated arrows of their enemy. And though Elrond's heart grieved for each loss, this was not the time to lose control. Eyes filled with the oath of vengeance, the lore master unsheathed his sword, staring eye level with the lead beast before him. Raising his sword, Elrond swung at the orc before him, which dodged the swift move, swinging his own sword toward the weary lord.

Several orcs faltered in their fight, and their hungry eyes were greedily drawn to the standoff between their leader and the Noldor elf. Seeing that most of the enemy’s eyes were on the battle between the lore master and the orc captain, Thranduil snapped an order to his eldest son, whom in turn raised a seashell crafted horn to his mouth and blew the instrument, its loud cry issuing out across the forest.

Tallen then gave the signal to his guards and the elven archers within the forest began shooting their arrows at the distracted creatures, killing many. The spiders though, were much harder to shoot, their agile movement easily missing the deadly weapons. "Aim for the spiders," cried the prince. "They are the ones in control."

The battle raged on, and still the lord of Imladris and the lead orc were locked in battle, swords clashing, and blood being spilt on both counts, the soldiers could be of no help, too distracted by slaying their foes to notice. Suddenly the orc locked his sword with Elrond's above their heads, serving as enough of a distraction for the lord of Imladris for him as he brought his foot up and swiftly kicked the lore master in the chest, knocking him to the ground and abruptly released his hold on his sword from the shier surprise of the movement. The orc then brought his foot hard down on his chest, restricting his movement while resting his other foot on both Elrond's pinned hands above him.

The elf lord stared hatefully into the eyes of his foe and the orc released a deadly growl. "Where is it?" Elrond deliberately pursed his lips, glaring coldly at the beast. This only seemed to upset the creature even more and with evil intent evident on his features, the orc grabbed his sword and drove it into the elf's hip where the chain mail had ridden up the lord's waist when he fell and revealed the vulnerable flesh. Elrond gasped, agony sketched on his fair face, his teeth tightly pressed together and his eyes clinched shut. Enjoying the look of suffering on the lord's face, the orc grinned and cruelly twisted the weapon, causing Elrond to moan in pain as blood gushed from the wound, forming a small puddle beside him on the earth. "Give me the ring, half-elf, and the pain will end." The elf shook his head through his suffering and in a rush of anger the orc jerked out his sword, causing Elrond to yelp, and hauled him up to his feet by his shoulders and shook them violently. "Give it to me!" the orc slammed his fist into the elf lord's face, demanding the ring, but by now the elf lord was in too much pain to care, his mind beginning to drift as he fought to stay conscious. "Give it to me now! Or I will kill you!"

"Than," Elrond wheezed, pain in his voice. "you will never find it."

The orc growled. "So be it!" the orc roughly threw the elven lord down and he grunted when he made contact with the ground, and raising his sword over his head, the beast sneered to Elrond. "I hope you do not fear death, Peredhil, for yours shall be a painful one."

Suddenly an arrow whistled by, embedding itself into the back of the creature's neck, and with a shocked expression lighting his features, the orc fell over, dead. A dark haired elf stood in the middle of the broken gates, flanked by several hundred guard, lowering his bow to his side. "I think not."

"Erestor!" Elrond sighed in relief, passing a hand over his sweat covered brow. "What in Arda took you so long?"

Giving the order to his soldiers to join their elven companions in battle, Erestor rushed up beside his lord, bending down and helping Elrond into a sitting position, and immediately noticing the blood leaking out of his lord’s hip he quickly pulled out a handkerchief and firmly pressed it against the wound. "I’m sorry, Elrond," the breathless advisor explained. "the main road was blocked by a mudslide and so we were forced to take a detour."

"Thank the Valar you arrived when you did. I thought for certain that I was about to pass into Mandos Halls."

"And you will if we do not have that wound looked after." the advisor replied sternly as he helped Elrond to his feet, who buckled at the attempt, and together they limped towards Thranduil's palace.

"But... the battle-"

"You are in no condition to fight, my lord. Worry not, our soldiers have everything under control. Everything will be fine now."

The battle raged on, the elves battled wildly and with the added strength of the Rivendell elves, the orcs and spiders were soon at their enemy’s mercy.

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Ungoliant screeched fiercely, anger flaring into her furious red eyes. Legolas, still restrained by the orcs, smirked to himself, taking a moment from his protective vigilance from Glorfindel whom was now wound up into a thick cocoon of webbing, clung to a rather large web against the wall, drifting in and out of consciousness as the spider venom took its toll on the battle hardened warrior. "What’s the matter, Ungoliant, are our pathetic excuses for warriors driving your forces at bay?"

"Silence!" the spider snapped. "Otherwise I will tear your tongue from your mouth, boy."

"I see," the prince taunted. "do not worry, their is no shame in admitting defeat."

"I said be silent!" the spider turned to the orc that held Legolas standing behind him, knife pressing against his throat. "Bring him to me so I may bind him with his companion and satiate my hunger." the orc all but dragged the struggling prince before her, the only thing making him submissive being his fear of the ugly beast restraining him. "I thought I would be able to feast over a thousand elves, their fresh blood replenishing my strength, but Ill settle for the two of you!" Ungoliant turned then to the bound Glorfindel to untangle his prone form from the webbing.

Dread taking hold of his heart at seeing his lover clearly in danger and realizing he was moments away from death, Legolas flashed out his hands and grasped the limb that pressed the cold dagger against his throat and threw his head back, hitting it hard against the orc's face. Instinctively the orc released his captive, and clutched his face in pain as its dark blood oozed out of his nose and mouth. At the orc's moment of weakness, Legolas grabbed the creature's wrist, digging his fingers into the pulse point and the beast abruptly released the knife. Legolas then took the dagger and jabbed it into the creature's neck and cut its throat without a second thought, and it fell to the ground never again to draw breath as blood pooled around its prone form.

The other orcs were quick to close in around Legolas, their cruel, malicious gazes revealing their hungry lust for the elf's blood. The prince fought against the fear that gripped his heart, instead concentrating on his lover, of the danger he was now facing and that he was the only one whom could now save him. Using what bravery he held in his heart, Legolas jumped towards the closest orc, catching the unsuspectcreacreature by surprise and buried the knife right below its sternum then yanked it down and out before the lowly beast dropped to its knees. As the two remaining orcs lunged at him in unison, Legolas allowed instinct to take over and flipped backwards, landing with a crouch precisely where his bow and quiver had landed. Quickly grasping them from the ground, he dropped the dagger he held in favour for his own weapons and swung his quiver over his shoulder before he strung an arrowhis his bow and let it loose. The arrow sailed true and struck one of the orcs in the throat, and the beast began to cough up its dark, repulsive blood as it slid slowly to the ground.

Before Legolas could take aim at the other however, the orc charged at the young elf, knocking him to the ground and the two began to grapple, each flipping each other on to their backs, wrestling for dominance. The orc had managed to knock Legolas' bow from his hand, so the prince had only his hands to defend himself. Legolas' quiver dug painfully into his back as the orc pinned him to the floor, landing a blow to his unprotected stomach, causing him to gasp as the air was stolen from his lungs and he barely registered the orc lifting the forgotten blade from the floor, while its other hand squeezed his throat through his blurry vision. Using what ever ounce of strength he had left in him, Legolas grabbed the orc's falling wrist and forced it over his head, slamming it against a nearby stone protruding from the ground and the orc unintentionally let go of the knife as the pressure point of his wrist was hit. Legolas used the orc's loss of concentration to his advantage and immediately lifted both his hands and snapped the orc's neck.

The young elf gasped as the hand strangling his neck loosened and he immediately pushed the corpse off his person. Sitting motionless on the floor for several seconds to regain normal breathing, the elf's gaze slowly shifted to the queen spider whom was trembling with rage, the injured Glorfindel forgotten at her feet. Suddenly with a loud screech, Ungoliant charged at the injured prince, and Legolas just barley had time to dodge from her chattering fangs as she leapt and landed where he just was. Rising to his feet, the prince ran for his bow and hurriedly strung an arrow, letting it loose. The spider moved quickly, the only wound she received from the weapon was the graze that she now bore on one of her long skinny legs and again she jumped high into the air, landing sideways on the wall and then again to the ground directly in front of the prince. With a swipe of a long leg, Ungoliant sent Legolas flying and he landed with a grunt against one of the bare walls. Moaning as his vision swam, the prince barley had time to acknowledge the large figure closing in on him. Legolas reached around, attempting to find anything that he could possibly defend himself with. His hand suddenly strayed to something, no, two something’s, cool and metallic. That was when the elf realized that he had landed against the wall that his knives had been tossed to.

Legolas immediately regained his composure as the large spider lunged for him, and grabbing both knives in his hand, the prince rolled to the side, just missing one of the spider's eight ugly legs. Rising to his feet, he swung around, grasping one of the spider's limbs and hauled himself up and then jumped onto her back. The spider reared up, screeching in displeasure, and she began to buck wildly like an untamed stallion and Legolas wondered to himself how much longer he would be able to stay on as his body jerked with the movement. His face was a mask of determination, brows knitted together and jaw locked, he wrapped one of his hands in the thick hair that covered the spider's back, and while holding one knife between his teeth Legolas took the other and plunged it into the frantic spider's skinny neck. Ungoliant squealed in pain and as she did so, Legolas quickly took his other knife and sank it too, into her neck and began to scissor with the two blades, painfully severing the arachnid's head until it fell to the ground. The large beast that Legolas was wildly riding suddenly froze and then not seconds after it fell to the ground onto its side, legs curling underneath it, blood still gushing where the head used to be. Legolas moaned as his head hit the floor as he fell off the creature's back and he lantianting where he fell for several moments before he slowly rolled over onto his side.

Suddenly hearing a moan that was not his own, Legolas glanced up to the prone figure of Glorfindel whom was still woven into the spider's silk. Painfully standing up, Legolas ripped his knives from the carcass of the spider and stumbled over to his delusional lover whom was murmuring nonsense as his mind drifted. "Glorfindel?" the prince panted. When he received no answer he placed a hand over the older elf's forehead, noting the heavy fever and dampness of his brow. Raising his knives, Legolas began to strip away the cocoon with care as not to cut his lover. The elfling’s ears perked as he heard rapid running in the hall, as well as frantic voices and he sighed in relief. "Elladan," he cried. "Elrohir, in here!"

The footfalls came nearer and there were several sighs of relief when the five elves appeared in the archway. "Thank Iluvatar," Elladan exclaimed. He slowly looked around at the scene before him, staring in confusion at the scattered, lifeless bodies and the thousands of egg clutches. One corpse in particular caught his attention and he stared at the spider's massive carcass breathlessly. "What in Arda happened here?"

"Ungoliant," Legolas mumbled. At the elves puzzled looks he continued. "’Tis a long story," Legolas panted. "I shall explain later but now I need your help." he motioned to the seneschal’s motionless body before him.

"Glorfindel!" Elrohir exclaimed as he and Haldir jogged up to them and knelt down. "What happened?"

"Spider venom. He was bitten, you must help him!"

"I can do nothing here. We must get him back to the palace immediately."

Legolas nodded and just as he was about to lift his lover, his legs buckled and he fell back against the wall, leaning against it for support as he tried to regain his composure, but failing miserably as his legs once again failed him and he slid to the floor, and the last thing Legolas saw before his worent ent black was Elladan at his side, supporting him by the arms. "Legolas? Legolas!"

"He's unconscious," Orophin stated. "he must have taken a blow to the head."

Without a word, the elder twin scooped the fallen prince up in his arms while Elrohir held Glorfindel's head in his lap. Haldir turned to his brothers and motioned with his torch. "We have a job to complete. Quickly, set fire to the egg sacks and then to the webbing. We must be quick to leave after that, theme tme that catches the webbing will burn more rapidly and smoke will soon choke the air. Go!"

Haldir and his younger brothers immediately began to set fire to their surroundings and just as predicted, the fire quickly began to expand and smoulder as the webbing was lit. Haldir then went over to Glorfindel and picked him up, carrying his long time friend out into the dark hallway, Elladan following closely behind with Legolas still in his arms, and the others closely behind him.

Once outside, the elves were quick to close up the entrance of the spiders lair, using all of their strength to push rocks, boulders, and fallen trees and branches to block it. That done, the elves whistled for their mounts whom quickly came galloping towards them and after looking once more at their accomplished task, the elves quickly mounted and rode swiftly back towards Mirkwood palace.

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The orcs froze in mid-battle, confusion written all over their dimwitted faces. Then, suddenly angry, the stupid beasts turned towards the spiders and began to attack them, clawing and stabbing at the hideous creatures. The elves, not quite understanding what was happening, but using the opportunity to their advantage, began slaying both parties as spider and orc destroyed each other. Soon thefterfter the battle was won, the elves were victorious, their enemies destroyed.

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It was warm, his mind registered as he slowly regained consciousness, his body was enveloped in warm liquid. Legolas' eyes clinched tight as pain engulfed his body and he began muttering incoherent words. "Glorfindel..." he murmured, rolling his head to the side, creating a small splash from the movement.

"He is not here at the moment, little one."

The prince’s brow furrowed at the voice and his eyes slowly fluttered open. The first thing he noticed was that instead of being in a dank cave or a lush forest, he was in the centre of his own chambers in Mirkwood palace, what was more he noticed that he was laying nude in warm water in a tin bathtub. Craning his neck, Legolas tensed when he noticed his father sitting in front of him on the edge of his bed, gently scrubbing his scraped shoulder with a wash cloth. "Adar? when--"

"Shh, all will be explained in due time, ion-nin. Just relax, from what I’ve been told you have been through quite a lot. Battling with a giant spider, I believe? As well as several orcs?" Legolas sucked in a breath as if to answer but Thranduil interrupted before he could answer "Elrohir told me everything. You are very lucky to be alive right now, Legolas." The elven lord smiled down at his son, pausing in his ministrations to wash his wounded body. "I’m so proud of you, hen-nin." The elfling smiled slightly at his father. It was short lived however when Legolas tensed again and hissed in pain as Thranduil ran the cloth over a particularly deep gash across his arm. Legolas suddenly became very self-conscious as he noticed his nudity and began to blush furiously, lowering his eyes and gazing at his feet. Thranduil chuckled lightly under his breath at his son's embarrassment. "Oh, come now, ion-nin, it's nothing I have not seen before." The prince’s lips parted slightly and his epidermis flushed all the harder, trying desperately to fight the urge to pull his knees up to his chest, which he would have done if he were not in so much pain. Thranduil smiled gently at him and stood. Walking over to the prince's wardrobe he pulled out a thick, fluffy towel and walked back over to the tub, resting it on the edge of the bed. He then reached down to assist his son, but before he could so much as wrap an arm around him, Legolas’ face snapped determinedly to meet his eyes.

"Adar, please, I am capable of standing on my own two feet." The elven lord said nothing, but backed away and motioning to his son to proceed, silently smirked to himself. He knew how much pride the elfling held and he silently wondered if he would relent with his stubborn behaviour and ask for help or refuse all assistance despite the pain he was obviously in. Only after several attempts of strugglingo aco aching, trembling limbs and slipping backwards into the tub with a loud splash and a f gru grunt of frustration did Legolas relent on his stubborn nature and look up at his father with pitiful, helpless eyes. "Ada..." he all but whispered.

"Yes, ion-nin?" Thranduil smiled knowingly at his youngest, arms crossed against his chest.

Legolas lowered his sorrowful eyes. "I-- please help me?"

The king’s heart contracted at the sound of the trembling voice that escaped his son's lips. He was obviously frustrated at being so helpless, and afraid to appear so vulnerable. Thranduil slowly nodded and made his way back over to his son. Again he rolled up his large sleeves and bent down, easily picking up his son's light form and turned around, placing him comfortably on the bed before gently towelling him dry. He then picked up a light quilt folded neatly at the bottom of the bed and draped it over Legolas who nodded in thanks. Thranduil then took a seat next to him, smoothing his damp hair back. He sighed when Legolas would not meet his gaze. "Legolas, there is no shame in appearing thus. It is understandable, your body is drained from your exertioWhatWhat you did, little one-- who else do you know has taken on Ungoliant herself as well as four orcs and lived to tell about it? And considering your gruesome past with the orcs it is a wonder at all that you could face them like you did. I think you deserve to have an excuse for being, shall we call it, 'out of commission' for a while? You were very heroic, Legolas, and words cannot convey how proud I am of you."

Legolas sighed, nodding his head as his eyes finally met his father’s. "Thank you, ada... what about the battle here? How does everyone fare?"

Thranduil looked down at his lap, silent for several seconds before he replied. "We... had many casualties before the Imladris soldiers arrived. Over a hundred elves were killed, many badly wounded... Elrond being one of them." The younger elf started at his lover's name but the Mirkwood lord was quick to calm him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "The healers are keeping close visual on him, Legolas, worry not. Galadriel herself has been tending to him."

The prince nodded sadly. "What happened to him?"

"He was stabbed in the hip. The blade punctured his kidney, the healers had to operate. He was very lucky he had not been killed." Thranduil explained, a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"And what of Glorfindel?" Legolas asked, worry rising in his voice.

Thranduil sighed heavily, biting his lower lip. "The spider venom is treatable, the healers are doing everything they possibly can, however we do not know if your party arrived in time. At the moment Glorfindel is unconscious. He is in a fevered sleep and he is delirious. All we can really do is wait and see what the outcome is."

The prince grew silent for several moments, his expression blank in reverie until he finally raised his head and looked into his father's eyes. "I wish to see them."

"Legolas, they are in the infirmary and should not be disturbed right no--"

"No," Legolas pleaded, tightly grasping his father's robe, desperation etching his tired features. "please, ada, I need to see them, please!"

"Shh, alright, ion-nin, alright. I will take you to them but only for a short moment. They both need their rest, and so do you, I might ad."

The elfling slowly nodded and Thranduil sighed and walked over to his son's wardrobe, pulling out a light nightgown and helped him shrug it over his head and arms before gently pulling one of Legolas’ arms over his shoulder and circled his own arm around his waist to support him and together the two stood and made their slow, gruelling, painful walk down the corridor.

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Legolas stood patiently at his father's side at the doors of the rmarrmary while he, Galadriel and the head healer chastised him for being out of bed. Legolas, however, was very insistent to see his lovers and only after much convincing and promising that he would not be long did Galadriel allow him to enter the room with a stern glare, much to the healer's chagrin.

Legolas entered the room and his gaze immediately fell to the prone figure of Glorfindel, whom was in a fitful slumber, and at the moment being tended to by one of the healers. His heart constricted and he felt a tremendous amount of guilt for the seneschal's state rise within him even though technically he was not really to blame. Legolas would have stood there forever if a soft voice had not uttered his name.

Legolas snapped out of his reverie and faced the direction the voice had come from. In the far off corner, Elrond laid in one of the beds, the small curtain that offered him privacy wide open, the elf lord's gaze was solely focused on him. Noticing this, Legolas painfully made his way over to him, trying desperately not to limp, though his efforts were in vain. Though Legolas tried to put on a brave face as he approached his lover, his reserve suddenly crumbled as he kneeled at the side of the bed, and tears stung his eyes as he folded his arms on the bed burying his face in them and whimpered Elrond's name over and over.

For his part, Elrond gently placed a hand on Legolas' head, affectionately stroking the flaxen mane that was loose from its customary warrior braids and spilled beautifully over his back ahoulhoulders. "My Greenleaf," Elrond whispered soothingly, quirking a smile despite his excruciating pain. "Shh, there is no need to despair." Elrond's voice was hoarse, and barley above a whisper, but Legolas could here him clearly over his silent sobbing. He then looked up, tear stains streaking his cheeks. The elf lord frowned and brought his hand down, brushing the damp trails away and then held his lover's face with one hand, staring deeply into the bloodshot eyes. Elrond pat patted the free space on his bed. "Come here, I want you to lay with me." Legolas looked reluctant, obviously afraid of jolting his lover's body and hurting him further. Elrond seemed to sense this though as he persisted. "You will not harm me, my love, its alright. Please... I’ve missed you."

Those words seemed to have worked and Legolas rose from the floor and ever so gently arranged himself on the bed, careful not to let his body press too hard against the other elf’s, and rested his head in the crook of the elven lord's shoulder. "I’ve missed you too, Elrond." he whimpered. The elfling carefully draped an arm over Elrond's chest, nuzzling his neck before pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. He then glanced down at Elrond's injured hip covered beneath the light blankets. "Is it bad?"

Elrond said nothing, using his free hand to lift the blanket, wincing at the movement. The prince gently pulled the nightgown up, revealing the bandage that bound the wound, which was spotted with blood. Where there was no dressing, parts of a large purple bruise was visible, looking painful all on its own and Legolas winced in sympathy before gently lowering the gown back down. "It could have been much worse, penneth."

"I’m sorry," Legolas whispered. "I’m sorry I was not there to help you."

"That is nonsense," Elrond chastised his young lover. "there is no guarantee that you could have helped me even if you were here. Besides, your mission was much more important. Thanks to you, Legolas, your people no longer must face the serious threat of the spiders union with the orcs. In any case, it is irrelevant now none the less. All that matters now is that you are safe," Elrond squeezed the slighter elf to him and sighed to himself. "My Greenleaf is safe."

Elrond slowly lowered his face and the two shared another brief kiss before Legolas inquired; "And what about Glorfindel?"

The lore master sighed and gazed across the room at Glorfindel's prone figure. "We can hop hope. Glorfindel is strong, Legolas, he will make it. If he can defeat a Balrog of Morgoth than he can most certainly defeat this," Legolas slowly nodded, before once again resting his head on Elrond's shoulder, nuzzling into his lover's neck. "We will be alright, Legolas. I promise you, we will get through this."

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ada/adar: father
penneth: young one
hen-nin: my child
ion-nin: my son
cunneth: princeling

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% The eastern world, it is exploading
Violence flaring, Bullets loading
You're old enough to kill but it's not forboding
You don't believe in war but you sit back on your toes and then you
Tell me over and over and over again, my friend, you don't believe
Were on the eve of destruction %

~ I forget who sings this, lol, but it inspired the title to this chapter.

Hmm... I don't know why but I wasn't too pleased with this chapter. Give me your insight.

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