This is AriaChronos. If you happen to read my LOTR fic, this one is slightly related to it.
There is slight AU. I know Elves are not supposed to get sick. Also, it's rather hard for me to catch Thranduil's character. As The Hobbit series is not completed yet, I might want to put this on hold for a while. Anyway, just enjoy this and say whatever you want in the review box.
Disclaimer : I own nothing of The Hobbit.
Mirkwood Forest was glittering with sunlight as the next sun of the day rose highly to the sky. The very thick and wild vegetation in the forest prevented most of the sunlight to get through. Through the big leaves, the sunlight peeked through and formed many of beautiful shiny pillars. One would think it was such magnificent view to behold, but it was not for everybody. For a hidden kingdom deep inside Mirkwood Forest, that magnificent view could hide a terrible terror.
Mirkwood Forest was covered with unseen darkness. It was already long being invested by spiders and also Orcs. The Elven Kingdom of Woodland Realm which settled in the northern area of the forest had been constantly dealing with so many kind of devilry. Thranduil, the Elven King of Woodland Realm had been protecting his Kingdom with his army to drive out spiders and Orcs off the woods.
Thranduil had dispatched his Elven army to fight off spiders in the forest. It was a long and exhausting fight. Tauriel, the female Captain of Elven Guard, was swinging her dual blades skillfully to slay the spiders. Legolas, the son of Thranduil, leapt from branches to branches, shot his arrow precisely to one big spider's head, killing it instantly.
"Tauriel, is there any more?" Legolas asked.
"...That is the last of them," Tauriel announced to her troops as she sheathed her blades.
"Good, let's go back," Legolas ordered.
Tauriel ordered the Elven guard to do what the Prince said. On their way to the castle, Tauriel noticed that the usually calm Legolas was rather unsettled. And he was in more hurry than the rest of them. Even so, he still took the chance to chat with Tauriel.
"As usual, you were splendid, Tauriel. You have what it needs to become great Captain," Legolas praised.
"I'm unworthy for such word," Tauriel replied.
"No need to be formal when my father is not around," said the Prince.
"Today we were successful because you're coming with us," Tauriel said, "You were unusually in rush."
"To be honest, I initially did not want to go because my little sister is rather unwell since this morning," Legolas explained.
"Floriel...?" Tauriel questioned, "Then it's worrying."
"I know that," Legolas muttered in worry.
The anxious return journey finally came to the end as Legolas arrived back at the kingdom. Tauriel was heading to another section of the castle while Legolas was heading straight to throne chamber. However when he got there, Thranduil was absent.
"My Lord," an Elf-maid came in.
"Hanna, where is my father?" Legolas questioned.
"The Princess collapsed, the King is with her in her bedroom."
Horrified, Legolas immediately headed to the said place. As he arrived there, he saw Thranduil was sitting at the bedside. On the bed itself, Legolas's little sister Floriel was lying unconscious. She lied so still that one would think she was dead. Her long blonde hair was sprawled across the pillow, and her pale face indicated just how sick the Princess was. She was wearing a long white gown with floral pattern, but there was fresh blood stain on her chest and sleeves. Thranduil was placing his right hand on his daughter's forehead, muttering a healing chant in Elvish.
"Floriel!" Legolas cried as he rushed to the bed with concern on his face.
Thranduil's healing word apparently worked as Floriel began to breathe again, although she was still unresponsive. The King's expression appeared to be so calm, but Legolas noticed that his another hand, which gripped Floriel's hand, was trembling. After Floriel's condition was stabilized, Thranduil finally noticed his son's presence.
"She will be safe," Thranduil said.
Legolas had no doubt in his father's healing ability, but worry didn't leave his heart immediately. The Prince slowly brushed his hand on the Elf-maiden's forehead. He would be very unsettled until she was awake.
"This is the third time in a week she collapsed," Legolas mentioned.
Thranduil didn't answer, Legolas knew that he was equally worried about Floriel's illness.
"Father, you know that she had been battling with this illness ever since she was a child. Her condition is going downhill fast," Legolas said.
"The illness is not leaving her body even with all healing ability we have here," Thranduil gravely said, "It is my duty as a father to protect my children. But no matter what I do, I cannot relieve my own daughter of the endless suffering."
"At this rate, I do not think she can endure more pain," Legolas said, "If none of our effort is working, we have to seek a better way."
"What would you like me to do?" Thranduil asked.
"I once heard about a hidden and magical spring. The water of the spring has the ability to heal all kinds of injury and illness. It is said to exist somewhere in Lonely Mountain," Legolas explained, "If we can locate it..."
"No," Thranduil quickly dismissed, "I am not going and not allowing any of my people to go near that mountain."
"Father!" Legolas exclaimed.
"A dragon is sleeping in that mountain! This magic spring is anything but a fading legend. Even if it exists at some point, it must be already destroyed when the Dwarves greedily ravaged the mountain for wealth," Thranduil explained.
"It may stay as only a legend, but it is worth trying. I know you hate the mountain that once housed the Dwarves, but Floriel's time is almost running out," Legolas argued.
"Floriel is my daughter, Legolas. I will give everything just to free her of this illness," Thranduil countered, "However, what does make you think that I will just send her out of safety to a dangerous mountain where a dragon dwells? Why do I have to put my daughter's life on something I have never seen with my eyes?"
Knowing that Thranduil had some valid points, Legolas could say no more. They suddenly heard Floriel was muttering something in her sleep. Hearing her voice relieved them so much, it was a sign that she was still alive.
"Listen, Legolas," Thranduil said with much calmer voice, "I want her to live, I want both of you and our people to live."
"Adar..." Floriel called weakly as she regained consciousness.
Both men were instantly gladdened as Floriel finally woke up. The Elf-maiden's face was still white pale, and she was still so weak.
"...What happened to me?" Floriel asked.
"You collapsed, my dear," Thranduil replied as he gently patted his daughter's forehead, "But now you shall be fine."
"Legolas...when did you come home?"
"Just now, Floriel," Legolas answered with soft voice, "How do you feel?"
The Princess of Mirkwood squinted her eyes in effort to shake the dizziness, "...I am good now," she reassured. Floriel tilted her head to see both of her father and brother were so concerned, and she felt guilty about it, "Forgive me...for making you worry."
"Û-moe edaved, Floriel," Thranduil soothed with a smile, "I am your father, it is my duty to keep you safe."
Not soon enough, an Elf-maid knocked the door and called for Thranduil. The King placed a kiss on Floriel's forehead before leaving the room.
"I was worried," Legolas said, "I knew that you were unwell since morning, but...I should have requested father to just let me stay."
"Keeping our home safe is your duty," Floriel said as she grasped her brother's hand, "Do not let me to hold you down. You have your own life and you should just move on with it..."
Suddenly Floriel jerked upward and coughed harshly.
"Floriel!" Legolas cried in alarm, he immediately stood up and was about to call Thranduil. But his sister prevented him from doing so.
"No...don't call him," Floriel rasped, "I am alright now. I do not want to trouble our father more..."
The Princess reached for a small brown sack placed on table near her bed. She opened it to reveal many round pills inside, medicines specially made by Thranduil for her. She swallowed one pill, and the coughing fit stopped immediately. Legolas watched her with deep concern. He knew his sister was stubborn, but at the same time, he could feel that she was fading.
"I wish there is a way to make this illness disappears completely," Legolas whispered sadly as he stroked Floriel's face, "I cannot stand to see you suffer like this."
"...Legolas, you don't have to worry," Floriel replied as she held Legolas' hand, "I am a daughter of an Elven King. I will not let this illness to bring me down. Not to mention, I live a happy life. I have father, you, and everyone else. Even if I have to die, I will have no regret..."
"No!" Legolas interrupted, he immediately hugged his sister in tight embrace, "Do not say something like that...! I won't let you die. I definitely won't!"
"Hannon le, muindor nin..." Floriel muttered, as she wrapped her arms around Legolas' back. "I will live, I promise."
But Legolas could hear a hint of doubt in her voice. He could hardly blame her. Floriel knew her body better than anybody, she surely could feel that she was worsening. Legolas was frustrated, not only him but also Thranduil was beyond frustrated and worried.
"You need your rest," Legolas then gently covered his sister with blanket and patted her forehead.
"But I want you to tell me of your adventure today. You were going with Tauriel, were you not?" Floriel asked.
"Yes, I was. But now you have to rest. When you wake up, I will tell you the story you want," Legolas reassured with a smile.
"I wish I could go with you and Tauriel..." Floriel said sleepily, "You are so strong and so cool. You are always doing so many fun things out there. I want to get out of the castle and help you..."
Legolas continued to pat her head, and watched as his sister faded into peaceful slumber. He couldn't help but question himself, was there really no way to save Floriel? Thranduil was right about not trusting something that you only heard in legend. And they all knew going to Lonely Mountain was a suicidal mission.
"I will not let you die..." Legolas whispered.
Even though he said that, he was at loss what to do. With nothing seemed to work in their possession, Legolas began to think they eventually would need to rely on something that seemingly non-existed.
English is not my language, anyway, please review :3