Thalion watched as Legolas' limp form hit the ground. Gandalf stood over him gasping for breath. Haldir raced over to Thalion's side to help him.

The orcs were either dead or had ran from the battle after their leader had gone down.

"What did you do to him?"
Thalion tried to reach his brother but was held down by Haldir.

"You are injured Thalion."
Haldir inspected the wound in Thalion's right soldier.
"We need to get both of you back to Lothlorien at once."

Haldir took off the small pack he had brought and retrieved some bandages he had brought. Carefully he began to wrap it around Thalion's shoulder.

Thalion's gaze never left Legolas. Gandalf was kneeling over him and inspecting the weapons Legolas carried.

"Is he alright?"
Thalion asked as Haldir finished his work.
"I do not know."
Gandalf replied grimly.
"Haldir is right, we must get you both back to Lorien before he awakens."

Haldir helped Thalion stand up while Gandalf discarded all of Legolas' weapons, except for one of his knives.

Haldir helped Thalion onto his horse and proceded to help Gandalf lift Legolas onto Gandalf's.

Thalion winced as he caught sight of his little brother. He was so pale, and almost seemed to be dead.

Haldir set Legolas gently onto Gandalf's dark brown horse and the wizard mounted behind him.
Haldir mounted behind Thalion and made sure that he was secure on the horse.

"We do not rest until we reach Lorien."
Gandalf informed them.
Haldir nodded while Thalion struggled to stay awake.

He had lost a lot of blood and was slowly slipping out of conciousness.

"Everything will be alright Thalion."
He barely heard Haldir's voice over the sound of the horses' hooves pounding against the earth.

Everything will be alright...

»»»»

Thalion awoke once again in the room he had been placed in before. His shoulder had properly attended to and in place of his green hunting tunic he now wore a loose, silver shirt and grey pants.

Legolas. Where did they take Legolas?

Thalion threw off his covers and bolted out of the room. His eyes darted around wildly as he searched for any sign of where his brother could be.

He raced along with his golden hair flying behind him. His feet made no sound as he ran, the only thought he had was finding his brother.

"Thalion!"
Haldir grabbed the elf around the waist and prevented him from running any further.
"Let go of me!"
Thalion struggled to free himself from the older elf's grasp.

"Listen to me Thalion! You are not well and you must rest! You cannot go madly running about while you are injured!"

"Where is he? WHERE IS MY BROTHER?"
Thalion kicked and clawed at the elf restraining him. Haldir struggled to hold Thalion in place.
"There is nothing you can do to help him!"

Despite his efforts Thalion was able to rip himself from Haldir's grasp.

"Thalion!"
Haldir ran after him, knowing that he was headed exactly to where Legolas was.

He does not need to see what it happening to him.

Thalion suddenly heard an agonized scream coming from a closed off room.
He recognized it immediately and raced towards the door and tore it open.

What he saw broke his heart.
Legolas was thrashing around on a bed. He was screaming and trying to free himself from Celeborn and Elrond, who were struggling to hold him down.

Galadriel had her hands placed on eboth sides of Legolas' head. Her eyes were closed but she was trembling with pain.

Gandalf was at her side and keeping her from falling over. All of them, save Galadriel, were shouting at one another in elvish.

None of them had noticed Thalion whose face had turned pale at the sight in front of him. What were they doing to Legolas?

Someone grabbed Thalion from behind and pulled him out of the room, the same person slammed the door shut behind them.

"You should not have gone in there!"
Haldir shouted glaring at Thalion with fury in his eyes.
"What are they doing to him?"
Thalion's voice was quiet, it barely rose above a whisper.

Haldir's eyes softened as he led Thalion away from the room, noting the grief and despair in Thalion's voice.

"Legolas is in danger Thalion. The darkness that was placed in him is still there. They are doing whatever they can to remove it."

"And if they can't?"
Thalion's voice shook as he spoke.
Haldir hesitated before answering.
"Then he will be lost to the darkness."

»»»»

Thalion sat alone in his room. His mind was in turmoil as he struggled to process everything that had happened.

Legolas had been captured by orcs and had been presumed dead. Thalion had learned that he had been responsible for the death's of nearly hundreds of people, including elves.

Legolas had almost killed him twice, and was still under the control of whoever had taken him in the first place.

Whether it was Kanor or Sauron that was responsible for his little brother's torment he didn't care. He just wanted them both to  suffer as much as Legolas had and then die.

Now Legolas was lying in another room, helpless while he was stuck in the middle of a fight between the one that wanted to bind him in darkness, and those who wished to free him from his clutches.

And I can do nothing to help him.

A soft knock brought Thalion out of his thoughts. Elrond entered his room, exausted and nearly defeated.

"How is he?"
Thalion asked immediately.
"Come with me."
Elrond turned and left the room with Thalion close behind him.

Not a word was exchanged between the two as they made their way towards Legolas' room. Elrond entered and Thalion didn't hesitate to follow.

His gaze landed on Legolas as soon as he entered the room. His brother was no longer wearing the black cloak he had worn in the village, but wore the same clothes as Thalion.

His hair was spread out in tangled strands over his pillow, his eyes were closed, and he shuddered as he slept.

Although Thalion was not sure if he was sleeping, he could hear Legolas muttering strange words as he lay on the bed.

Galadriel sat in a chair nearby, one of her hands held up her head while the other gripped Celeborn's tightly.

Gandalf was standing beside Legolas' bed and watching the elf in silence. He met Thalion's gaze and motioned for him to come closer.

Thalion walked nervously up to the bed with Elrond following. He looked down at his brother's pale form and then at Gandalf.

"What happened to him?"
"There was a terrible struggle here Thalion. We almost lost him to the darkness."
The wizard's voice was strained with exaustion.

"But you were able to free him?"
Gandalf nodded.
"Yes, yet he is still in pain. It will be many years before he fully recovers."

"If he recovers at all."
Elrond pointed out grimly.
"I have not seen suffering like this before in my life, especially in one so young."

"What are you saying?"
Thalion looked fearfully at Elrond.
"There is a chance that after his ordeal, Legolas will not want to remain in Middle Earth."

Thalion's stomach dropped. He hadn't thought about that, would Legolas sail for Valinor after he awoke?

The thought of his brother leaving made Thalion's heart ache.

But if it is Legolas' wish to leave then I cannot stop him.

Thalion gazed down at his brother's pale form.

Although, if he never awakes then he will not have to make a choice.

"Did you hear me Thalion?"
Thalion jumped at Gandalf's voice.
"Forgive me, I was lost in thought."

Gandalf nodded in understanding and repeated his words.

"What I was saying Thalion, is that it would probably be best of Legolas awoke in a familiar place. Once you are well enough Elrond and I will bring you both back home."

Home.
They were going home.
Legolas was coming home.

Thalion looked down at Legolas again. His head was twisting back and forth on his pillow and he was trembling.

Thalion placed a hand on his forehead and the trembling ceased. He gently removed a strand of Legolas' hair from his face and held his hand softly on the side of his face.

For the first time since he'd seen him, Legolas looked peaceful.
"I'm taking you home Las."
He said quietly.
"You are safe now, I promise."