'Stop pacing.' Legolas literally jumped at the sound of his friend's voice. 'Oh, Strider, I- didn't hear you come in,' he apologized somewhat absent-mindedly. The human smiled.
'Yes, I noticed that. I've been standing here for an eternity watching you walking a trench into the floor of your chambers. Why don't you just sit down and tell me what worries you.'
He led Legolas to his bed and gently pressed him down. Sitting down beside the elf he repeated 'Now tell me. You must be very worried that you don't even notice me, the clumsy, loud, human.'
Legolas chuckled, exactly the response Aragorn had hoped for. The elf relaxed a bit. 'It's my father. He should have arrived here two days ago.'
'Your father wanted to come here? You didn't tell me Legolas!' The elf gave him a lopsided grin. 'Nay, indeed I did not.'
He continued, sobering again. 'My father's usually never late. And if something should have delayed his depart, he would have sent a messenger to us. I fear that something ill has befallen him, Strider,' he finished quietly.
Aragorn gently laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. He understood Legolas' worries. 'Then we should go to seek him,' he stated softly.
'I do not know...' the elf replied hesitantly. 'Maybe it's just nothing. Maybe I'm just overly worried.'
'Maybe you are, yes, but only maybe,' Strider replied seriously. 'I suggest we travel to Mirkwood. Either we will meet your father on the way, or we will find out more in the palace.'
Legolas nodded. The human made sense. His father had told him which route he intended to take, so they wouldn't miss each other on the way.
Strider got up. 'I'll go to-'
The sound of a galloping horse interrupted him. Someone had just arrived at the Last Homely House. Legolas looked up. 'It is only one,' he said.
Thranduil wouldn't come alone. So who was it?
Curious, the two friends walked out into the courtyard, where Lord Elrond already was awaiting the newcomer. When the horse finally turned around a corner and came into sight, Legolas looked at its rider – and his heart stopped.
The elf was more lying than sitting on the horse, holding on for dear life as it came to a halt in the courtyard. His tunic and hands were stained with blood. Legolas recognized him. He was the only silvan elf he knew that had red hair: Gaerfin, one of the youngest warriors in his father's service.
What had happened? And why was he alone? Legolas wasn't sure he wanted to know the answers. He hurried to Elrond's side and helped him to lift the wounded elf off his horse.
Gaerfin was unable to stand, let alone walk, so Legolas carried him to the healing chambers. Elrond quickly ordered Aragorn to get a few items he needed, and followed the prince.
'My… Lord…' the wounded elf tried to speak, but Legolas gently cut him off. 'Hush, don't speak. It is well. Relax,' he tried to soothe him, though the worry nagging at his mind was steadily growing.
He gently laid the red-haired being down on a bed in the healing chambers, and then went to help Aragorn, while Elrond took care of Gaerfin. The human frowned at the look on his friend's face. 'Legolas, what is it? Who is this elf?'
'He's one of the elves that should accompany my father,' the elf replied softly, his worry showing clearly in his voice.
Aragorn understood. He laid a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Legolas sighed and squeezed the Dúnadan's hand gently. He gave him a thankful smile before returning to the injured elf.
'You can do nothing now,' Aragorn said softly from behind. 'Just sit down and let ada work. He'll be fine, you'll see.' He gave the elf an encouraging smile. Legolas returned it and let himself fall into a nearby chair, so that he would be out of the way.
It was in Lord Elrond's hands now.
'My Lord?' Gaerfin's voice drew Legolas back into the present. For hours it seemed had he been sitting there, watching, worrying and hoping.
'My Lord,' the elf repeated, his voice still filled with pain.
Legolas hurried over to the bed. 'Do you feel better?' he asked softly. Gaerfin nodded.
'The king-' He broke off.
'Look at me, Gaerfin. Tell me, what happened?' The red-haired elf looked up, silver-grey eyes searching the prince's blue ones.
He swallowed hard. 'We… were attacked east of the Misty Mountains. They were so many... Who or what they were I do not know, nor what they wanted. They simply came and-'
He swallowed again and closed his eyes.
'They shot Laeglin. My warning came too late. If only I had seen them sooner…'
He opened his eyes again. Terror stood prevalent in them.
'Then they came out of the trees. They were far too many for us. Two came after me; I couldn't fight them off. One hit me and everything went dark. When I woke again, they were gone.'
His voice faded into a mere whisper. 'As was Thranduil.'
Legolas tensed, but bade him go on.
'I found the others,' Gaerfin continued quietly. 'They are all dead.' He closed his eyes and turned away. 'My horse carried me here, the others I sent back to Mirkwood.
'But I failed your father, Legolas. I failed them all.'
He fell silent. Legolas sighed. 'You did not,' he said softly. Gaerfin gave no response. Unconsciously, Legolas shifted into his native tongue.
'Lasto, Gaerfin. Hain ú-'weriannach. / Listen, Gaerfin. You did not fail them. / You did everything you could.' He laid a gentle hand on Gaerfin's shoulder.
The silvan elf turned and looked at him again. He accepted the comfort of Legolas' words. Yet he was worried. 'Thranduil?' he whispered.
'We will find him.' If only Legolas could really have been that sure.
TBC
Not even cliffies as of yet… ;p
Whitedino: I'm glad you like it! D Thanks, mellon nîn :) Is this soon enough? ;) Well, I
cheated, since I had written it a while ago already, but well ;) I still have a lot of
chapters finished for posting, I just need to get around to it :)
Elfinabottle: There is chap two D I very much hope I can keep you intrigued ;) Thank you :)
Lilandriel: bows D thanks for the very enthusiastic review ;) Your faves list? Wow OO
D I hope I manage to keep you hooked :)
Viggomaniac: Thank you very much :) I'll try to keep the rest as fantastic as the intro ;) Let
me know what you think :)